Rhode Island Energy Solutions Expo

Thank You to everyone who attended the 2008 Rhode Island Energy Solutions Expo! Over 4,000 people came to learn about energy efficiency and alternative energy. Every exhibitor booth was busy and the workshops were packed!

More than 4,000 flock to first-ever Energy Expo at Ryan Center

By RUDI HEMPE, CELS News Editor

The event, sponsored by the URI Energy Center, was an unqualified success said Dr. Marion Gold, director of the CELS Kathleen M. Mallon Outreach Center and a principal in the energy center.

Some visitors came via complimentary tickets –a necessity for a first-time event—but many others paid admission to attend the event which featured speakers and some 80 vendors who filled the basketball arena.

Outside the Ryan center there were energy efficient vehicles and an arrangement of solar panels that can be affixed to rooftops.

Inside, were displays of new energy efficient building products, appliances and demonstrations ranging everywhere from efficient light bulbs to air conditioners.

Gold, co-chair of the URI Energy Center, said the expo featured nine workshops. At times the floor of the Ryan Center was completely jammed with people visiting the various booths and hearing vendors explain how their energy-efficient projects work.

The keynote speaker was Gary Hirshberg, CEO of Stonyfield Farm yogurt. Hirshberg started his business with seven cows. Today Stonyfield Farm is the world’s largest organic yogurt producer, a $300-million a year operation.

His talk was aimed at small businesses, giving advice how they can go “green,” reduce costs and build customer loyalty.

The big turnout was not a complete surprise, said Gold, although it was gratifying for a first-time event. “We were not surprised that people were interested in saving energy,” said Gold. “We were delighted that people could make the connections between the green effort, the economy and businesses.”

Plans are already under way for an event next year to explore other energy issues, said Gold. Here are some additional highlights:
Photos

Media Coverage:
ABC 6
The Providence Journal
NaturalNews.net

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