GOING GREEN: Introduction to Sustainable Tourism

Integrating
Integrating Renewable
Renewable Energy
Energy
into
into the
the Farm
Farm
Midwest Homecoming SARE Conference
August 16, 2006
Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast and Farm
Renewing the Countryside
John Ivanko
POWERING THE FARM WITH
RENEWABLE ENERGY
Re-framing farming for 21st Century
• From fossil fuels to solar
& wind energy
• Self-sustaining
• Living on solar income
• Local, clean & tax free!
POWERING THE FARM
WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY
Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast
• Hobby farm, or farmette
• Two room Bed & Breakfast,
plus other businesses
managed from home office
• Outside Monroe, Wisconsin
• 5.5 acres on ridge
• Flock of free-range chickens
POWERING THE FARM
WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY
Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast
Elements of the “Good Life”
• Food Systems
•
Energy Systems
– Conservation & efficiency
– Renewable energy
•
Living Systems
– Green design & natural bldg.
– Clean air, water & healthy soil
• “Right Livelihood”
POWERING THE FARM
WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY
Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast
Food Systems
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Diversified farm operation
featuring three growing
fields
Meet 70% of food needs
Grow organically
Attend Eastside Farmers’
Market on Tuesdays
(Madison)
Goal to mimic plants by
living on solar energy
POWERING THE FARM
WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY
Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast
Renewable Energy Systems: 10 kW Bergey Wind Turbine
120-foot tower
• Produces over 7,000 kWhs/year
• Grid-interconnected system
• Net cost $16,000, after Focus on
Energy cash-back award
• Replaced blades with latest
generation, 20-30% boost in
output
• Become annual net PRODUCER
of energy (net metered)
POWERING THE FARM
WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY
Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast
Renewable Energy Systems:
.5 kW Photovoltaic (PV) System
• 4 120-Watt Kyocera modules
• Cantilevered off equipment shed
• Meets about 2% annual electricity
needs
• Net cost $1,700, after Focus on
Energy cash-back award &
WisconSUN grant
POWERING THE FARM
WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY
Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast
Renewable Energy Systems:
Solar Thermal System
for Hot Water
• 3 collectors
• Capture heat from sunlight
to heat water
for domestic use
• Estimated payback of less
than 5 years
• Net $3,500, after rebate
POWERING THE FARM
WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY
Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast
Renewable Energy Systems:
Woodstove for Winter Heat
• Return to the hearth
• Locally available wood at
little or no cost
• EPA certified, air-tight
design (post 1990)
POWERING THE FARM
WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY
Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast
Renewable Energy Systems: Biodiesel (B100 / other blends)
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Process using used cooking fryer oil
from local restaurants
Liquid fuel for back-up heating
systems (house & greenhouse)
Use as fuel for VW Jetta TDI (with
diesel engine), neighbor uses B100
in tractor
Clean burning, locally sourced
Cuts transportation “ecological
footprint” & increases self-sufficiency
of farm
Free processor designs available for
“Biodiesel Appleseed Reactor”
POWERING THE FARM
WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY
Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast
Renewable Energy Systems: Energy Conservation
& Energy Efficiency
•
Conservation & efficiency is first,
most cost-effective step
•
ENERGY STAR appliances
- Maytag Neptune, Sun
Frost refrigerator
Compact fluorescent bulbs
Low-E window inserts
Line-dry laundry
Faucet aerators, caulking, hot
water wrap
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POWERING THE FARM
WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY
Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast
Living Systems: Natural Home
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No-VOC products (paints, sealers,
caulks)
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
certified woods
Recycled products (tiles made from
recycled windshield glass)
Eco-cleaners, organic/natural linens
POWERING THE FARM
WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY
Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast
Living Systems: Green Design
Strawbale greenhouse
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Made from local straw bales with Rvalue, R-43
Earthen & Lime-cement plasters
Solar thermal heating system (10
collectors), 3 tanks with water used
to store heat as primary heat system
Steel roof (very durable)
Meet additional year-round food
needs; value added crop: papayas
BENEFITS OF RENEWABLE
ENERGY
Harvesting Green
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Direct energy savings
Self-reliance & self-sufficiency
Celebrating local community
Magnet for visitors
Good PR opportunities
Reliable equipment
Take your tax credits on
renewable energy
• Operating cleaner & greener
• A natural for agritourism or
ecotourism operations
RESOURCES
(linked from www.innserendipity.com)
• National Tour of Solar Homes (October
6 & 7)
• Renewable Energy & Sustainable Living
Fair (Midwest Renewable Energy
Assoc.), mid-June
• Renewing the Countryside
• Co-op America
• Energy Star Small Business
www.ruralrenaissance.org
www.innserendipity.com
Rural Renaissance:
Renewing the Quest
for the Good Life
By Lisa Kivirist & John Ivanko
CONFERENCE SPECIAL PRICE:
$19 (22% off list price, before tax)