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URI Energy Center

Sustainable Energy Program at the URI Outreach Center

Energy challenges are now at the forefront of politics, economics and research in the state, the nation and the world. As an institution with strong research and outreach capabilities, the University of Rhode Island is uniquely positioned to develop locally based solutions to these global challenges. The URI Outreach Center established its Sustainable Energy Program to develop and implement locally-based solutions to global energy challenges by partnering with local, state, regional and national decision-makers, energy providers, nonprofits and the business community while training and engaging students.

This website not only provides information and updates on our energy programs, projects and events, but it is also a resource for the Rhode Island community. Our Resources section has links to a wealth of information on energy efficiency and renewable energy for homeowners, business owners, municipalities, educators and more with a focus on Rhode Island.

The Sustainable Energy Program provides timely, neutral analytics and technical assistance in energy efficiency and renewable energy to municipalities, state agencies and other organizations. It also houses and works closely with the Ocean State Clean Cities Coalition, a government-industry partnership designed to reduce petroleum consumption in the transportation sector.

Energy Fellows 2013 - Now Accepting Applications!

The Energy Fellows program provides URI undergraduate and graduate students with the opportunity to gain invaluable experience addressing real-world energy issues. Fellows also receive training in general energy topics as well as specialized leadership and communication training. Throughout the course of their internship, Fellows will participate in URI Outreach Center events and will present their work to the University community and general public. Learn more...

RI Renewable Energy Siting Partnership (RESP) Project

The State of Rhode Island and many of its communities are considering investing in renewable energy infrastructure. URI has been invited by the state to provide technical expertise about the effects renewable energy may have on the people, wildlife and natural resources of Rhode Island. Based on this information, and through extensive public involvement, a URI team of skilled professionals in the fields of energy, research and planning will then develop guidelines that can be used by Rhode Island's cities and towns to site and manage this new activity. Additionally, the RESP project will make state and municipal energy information accessible to the public through the creation of a comprehensive online energy database. Learn more about the project...

Stakeholder Meetings

The RESP stakeholder process will provide a forum to engage key constituencies and interested citizens. The stakeholder group members will be able to voice their concerns and issues, provide thoughtful input, and learn about renewable energy research in Rhode Island. They will also have opportunities to preview tools the RESP project is developing to assist in the analysis of land-based wind, water and solar energy issues.

The meetings are open to the public, and all are welcome, as the goal is to have a diverse and well-rounded stakeholder process. A complete meeting schedule can be found here.

Tours of Renewable Energy Projects in Rhode Island

As part of the RESP project, the URI Outreach Center has also offered tours of multiple renewable energy projects and sites throughout the State of Rhode Island. On Thursday, October 13, 2011 RI community members, students, and stakeholders visited the Thundermist Hydroelectric Facility in Woonsocket. The 1.2MW hydro plant is operated by Putnam Hydropower, a company based in Connecticut. Charlie Rosenfield, owner of Putnam Hydropower, led the group through the facility to learn more about how a hydroelectric facility is constructed, operates, and produces energy to transmit back to the grid. Read more...