Sentient Times Dec/Jan 06

Combining Appropriate Transportation and Appropriate Technology at United Bicycle Institute

By Moksha Mokma

Can you imagine how many bicycles could be manufactured from the energy and resources it takes to manufacture one car? From the mining of the metals to the production of the plastics, cars consume immense amounts of energy; unlike bicycles, which produce more energy than they consume. Because of current energy infrastructure it is impossible to manufacture a bicycle without the use of any fossil fuels. However, bicycles do run without using fossil fuels.

As the price of energy continues to soar, how can we deal with our need for transportation economically, and without adversely affecting our planet? Furthermore, how can we transition smoothly? Whichever solutions we consider we have to weigh all of the aspects of the equation. Bicycles are a very promising component to our transportation needs and if properly utilized can help us in our transition from a fossil fuel economy.

The United Bicycle Institute in Ashland, Oregon is accelerating this transition by combining the use of solar power with the teaching of bicycle maintenance and frame building. By doing this UBI has taken the most energy efficient form of transportation available and combined it with the fastest growing form of renewable energy being utilized by American business and homeowners. Tax incentives from city, state, and federal legislation also assist this transition by creating new opportunities for the deployment of solar panels and other forms of alternative energy. To learn about such incentives just go to the homepage of your local city, county, state or federal government and you will see links to programs offering rebates and tax write-offs. The City of Ashland’s Photovoltaic Rebate Program gives city power customers a rebate on the purchase of photovoltaic systems of up to seventy-five percent of purchase value based on three and a half dollars per peak watt capability. This meant a rebate of close to $11,000 for the forty eight panel system that UBI has installed.

UBI’s current facility is not a small complex; the forty-eight panel system (which is the largest private system in the city) doesn’t even cover the entire roof. When you combine the large roof space and prime sun exposure it is not a surprise that owner Ron Sutfen made the decision to make UBI the world’s only solar powered bicycle school. In order for UBI to go solar they had to install a system that meets the following requirements put forth by the City of Ashland:

First, the system must be a net metered system, interconnected with the City‘s electrical grid and must comply with all of the City‘s net metering requirements.

Second, the owner of the system must enter into an Interconnection Agreement and Buyback Agreement with the City of Ashland. Under this agreement the power generated by UBI is consumed there and any additional power needed for operations is taken from the city grid. However, UBI has plans to upgrade their system, when they produce more than they need they will be able to sell it back to the city at full market price.

Third, the system must comply with all city building and electrical codes, and it must have unobstructed solar access between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on December 21. This may seem odd, but if the sun is unobstructed during those times on December 21 then the rest of the days of the year will have optimal sun exposure. Because of the size of the system the electrical requirements stated that UBI install three voltage converters that are capable of being worked on while one or the other two are in use. These converters—called StarInverters—are made in Bend, Oregon, and come equipped with an additional gauge showing the amount of greenhouse gasses not emitted because of the solar collection occurring.

The current summer output is about eight and a half kilowatts a day. On a cloudy winter day it is about one and a half kilowatts. Combined, the summer and winter solar collection accounts for sixty percent of the annual power used by the school. Between the TIG welders and other heavy machinery that is being used on site a lot of electricity is being saved by UBI’s use of solar panels. Moreover, when you calculate how much energy will be saved in the long run by educating people to build and maintain their own bikes, UBI is doing a lot to help create a more sustainable world.

Classes run year-round at UBI and range from beginner to advanced, with a new class designed to help women deal with the large amount of gender specific products being introduced into the bicycle world. Courses cover general maintenance, professional shop operation and repair, frame building and TIG welding, suspension technician, and Swiss certified advanced wheel building. For less than the cost of a year’s tuition at Southern Oregon University you can become a fully trained bicycle mechanic, and because of UBI’s high regard in the bicycle community job placement is a snap. Contact UBI at (541) 488-1121, visit them at www.bikeschool.com, or ride your bike down to 401 Williamson Way, just off Heresy Street, in Ashland.

Moksha Mokma is a freelance journalist and student of political science living in Ashland, Oregon. You can contact him at moktmok@hotmail.com.

Local Clean Electricity Programs

Numerous utilities and organizations across the Northwest now offer re-newable energy options and programs, making it easy and affordable to choose green power. When you buy clean energy, you can reduce dependence on fossil fuels, help bring new clean energy projects and jobs to our region, offset the environmental impact of conven-tional electricity use, and directly support generation of energy from wind, solar and biomass facilities.

City of Ashland Renewable Pioneers Program enables businesses and residents to choose clean electricity by purchasing Green Tags from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation which support generation of electricity from wind and solar facilities in the region, help bring new solar energy projects to Ashland, and offset the environ-mental impact of conventional electricity use. Call (866) BEF-TAGS or Visit -www.GreenAshland.org.

Bonneville Environmental Foundation Green Tags support new wind and solar energy resources in the Northwest. Purchasing Green Tags offsets the greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts of energy use, and air and auto travel. Any organization or individual can support clean energy through Green Tags. Visit www.b-e-f.org or (866) BEF-TAGS.

Pacific Power Renewable Energy Options for Oregon and California customers supply safe, clean energy for future generations, while promoting resource diversity that reduces reliance on finite fuels such as coal and natural gas. By paying a little more on your electricity bill each month, you can be part of a cleaner, more sustainable future. Visit www.pacificpower.net/bluesky or call (800) 769-3717 in Oregon, (800) 842-8458 in California.

Clean Energy Recognition Programs for Businesses. By demonstrating their commitment to clean electricity, businesses may earn public recognition benefits such as framed certificates, window stickers, inclusion in advertisements and press releases, use of program logos and listings on websites. Northwest businesses can participate in the Northwest Clean Energy Challenge (www.RNP.org/greenpower) by filling a significant portion of their electricity needs with renewable energy. The criteria for the Challenge were developed by regional environ-mental organizations. The US Envi-ronmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership (www.epa.gov/green-power) is also open to all businesses, and offers recognition at the federal level. Pacific Power customers can also participate in the Blue Sky Business Partnership (www.pacificpower.net/bluesky) with a meaningful clean power purchase.