NY solar energy projects: OptoGreen Grant

-- Control Engineering, 3/6/2008

Temecula, CA – State University of New York's  New Paltz School of Science and Engineering received an "OptoGreen Grant" to fund its projects with The Solar Energy Consortium (TSEC), which call for "The Greening of New York State Farms." Opto 22, a developer and manufacturer of hardware and software for industrial automation, remote monitoring, and data acquisition projects, made the announcement Feb. 20.

Specifically, Opto 22 Snap PAC Systems will optimize packing processes as well as the chilling and humidification processes of cold storage coolers to reduce peak demand.  Additionally,  the open-loop control method being utilized by the defrost mechanisms for these coolers (which currently rely on a timer) will  be replaced by the Snap PAC's  closed-loop (sensor-based) system. The system will monitor and acquire data from the farms' newly installed solar photovoltaic (PV) and geothermal systems.

Professor Michael Otis of SUNY New Paltz's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) and a team of his students are collaborating with TSEC, a group of private and public institutions focused on researching and developing new ways to deliver solar energy, to initiate pilot projects at Wright's Apple Farm in Gardiner, NY, and Davenport's Farm in Stone Ridge, NY.

"Farming in the state of New York has sharply decreased over the last few decades, largely due to the high cost of energy," says Otis. "Integrating alternative forms of energy and automating and improving farming processes can help provide a completely sustainable energy solution and reduce these high energy costs. This Opto 22 grant of complimentary hardware and software will be used in pilot programs at an apple farm and a vineyard to reduce their excessive energy consumption, thereby paving the way for renewable energy alternatives that will include solar PV and wind for electricity, solar thermal for hot water and heating, and geothermal (ground-source heat) for refrigeration and HVAC."

"We anticipate these pilot programs will set the standard for future renewable energy projects throughout New York State," states Otis. "The OptoGreen Grant will further our mission of developing efficient solar energy systems, reducing  the cost of these systems, and simplifying their installation, thus promoting their widespread use."

More information: OptoGreen is an Opto 22 corporate initiative focused on environmental responsibility through conservation, recycling, and sustainability. OptoGreen Grants are designed to aid the efforts of researchers, systems integrators, educational institutions, and individuals involved in environmentally conscious projects such as energy management, alternative fuels, biodiesel production, and recycling. Grant applicants can request complimentary hardware, software, and engineering consultations to assist them in their research or production efforts.

Learn more about Opto 22 OptoGreen sustainability policies and initiatives.

Opto 22 develops and manufactures hardware and software for applications involving industrial automation and control, remote monitoring, and data acquisition.

Also read, from Control Engineering:
Opto 22 awards first “OptoGreen” grant

— Edited by Mark T. Hoske, editor in chief 
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