PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: June 27, 2017 

Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School Energy Club Receives Awards for Energy-Based Project  

The National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project recognized the MVironment Club of Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School at an awards ceremony on June 26. The school was selected Massachusetts Senior School of the Year and National Level Top Outstanding Energy Engineering and Design Projecty based on the club’s energy education project: Phragmites Pellets: Engineering Biomass.

They were also chosen to receive a Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Energy and Environmental Education which was presented by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and Secretary Matthew Beaton.

Teacher Natalie Munn, who is an advisor to the Club, said, “This year, the MVironment Club wanted to focus on the use of biomass as a fuel source and processing biomass as a way to help reduce waste locally.”

The club worked with the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group who is exploring the removal of Phragmites from ponds as a method of nitrogen reduction, and with Thimble Farm who is a local greenhouse interested in using the waste Phragmites if it can be made into biomass pellets and burned in a pellet stove for heat.

First, the club met with community partners to explore the possible need for large-scale Phragmites removal and the logistics of using waste Phragmites as a biomass fuel resource. They worked with HereLab and discussed creating a sensor system to monitor pond health wirelessly. At Thimble Farm where the Phragmites was stored and harvested, they explored processing options for grinding the Phragmites for pellet production. A representative from World Stove talked to the group about the use for the pellets and they learned about a pyrolysis stove, which was an alternative to a traditional pellet stove.

The next step was to create the pellet molds, experiment with different recipes for the pellets, test the pellet heat output and then create procedures for making the pellets. The students designed the 3D printed molds and created a system for making the pellets.

The group also wanted to engage and educate fellow high school students on biomass as a renewable energy source. They created an outreach video that documented the various process steps and had about 75 students make and test pellets.

Munn said, “By removing Phragmites from our ponds and using it as a fuel source, the club promoted the protection of our pond ecosystems while creating a clean and renewable source of fuel. Those who participated were educated on the impacts of invasive Phragmites as well as learning about one of the ways to reduce nitrogen in our ponds and biomass waste in our community.”

NEED described the club’s work as “an outstanding energy education project” and the project is posted on its website.  Co-advisors for the project were Natalie Munn and Louis Hall.

Deborah Shiflett-Fitton, education coordinator for the Compact said, “The Compact is very proud of these well deserving students and their teachers and congratulates them on their awards for their efforts to educate their community to the importance of energy science and sustainability.”

This is the fifth year in a row that the club has been recognized for its work.

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About MVironment Club:  The goals of the MVironment Club of Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School are taking care of our environment, learning about local issues, and helping our community by engaging in service and educational projects.

 

About National Energy Education Development Project:

Started in 1980, launched by a Congressional resolution spearheaded by Gerard Katz, a New York state physics teacher, the National Energy Education Development Project (NEED) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit education association dedicated to promoting a realistic understanding of the scientific, economic, and environmental impacts of energy so that students and teachers can make educated decisions.

 

About Cape Light Compact:

Cape Light Compact is an award-winning energy services organization operated by the 21 towns and two counties on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard. The Compact’s mission is to serve its 200,000 customers through the delivery of proven energy efficiency programs, effective consumer advocacy and renewable competitive electricity supply. For more information, visit www.capelightcompact.org.