Fenner Renewable Energy Education Center Going Virtual with Funding from National Grid
Supports cost to produce virtual tour video for educational tool FENNER, N.Y. - Children, families and the public can expect to enjoy a virtual tour of the Fenner Renewable Energy Education Center starting spring 2021, thanks to a $2,000 donation from National Grid. “This couldn’t have come at a better time,” said Phil Rose, FREE Center President. “Due to COVID-19, tours at the FREE Center are cancelled for the 2021 season. This is the first time since we opened in 2001 that we haven’t been able to offer school tours which is the main mission of our center.” The FREE Center Board of Directors is grateful for National Grid’s generous donation to fund the production of a virtual tour for school students and the public. Traditionally, the center has given weekly tours from May to October serving thousands of area elementary, junior high and senior high school students as well as college students and a variety of adult conservation and environmental clubs and organizations. The funding will enable the center to produce an engaging virtual tour and companion material as an educational tool on the importance of renewable energy. In addition, the video will allow the center to expand its community outreach that was once based solely on on-site visits. “National Grid is committed to a clean energy future and we are working every day to interconnect renewable energy sources, like Fenner, to our network for the benefit of our customers and the environment,” said Alberto Bianchetti, National Grid’s Central New York Regional Director. “Supporting the FREE Center and the virtual tours is a natural extension of that effort by increasing the understanding and adoption of renewable resources as the demand for clean energy grows.” The virtual tour will provide a close-up view of a biomass grove of willow trees and exhibits featuring a wind turbine and blade display, and a freestanding solar array, just to name a few. The audience can also experience a virtual ride on a wind turbine and peek inside the inner workings that keep the gears moving.
Rose noted that we are very excited about the virtual tour and expanding our educational outreach which is perhaps an unexpected benefit of the pandemic lockdown. With the passage of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, New York State has committed to reduce carbon emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and then to 85 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. A large part of lowering our carbon footprint is transitioning to renewable energy. The more people understand what this means, the more we can all get on board to a clean energy future. On-site visitors are welcome to the FREE Center from May to October, however large groups and official tours are not permitted at this time. For more information about the center visit www.thefreecenter.org or email [email protected].
FREE Center Board Members, from left, Sally Lollman, treasurer; Phil Rose, president; and Mary Bartlett, secretary meet with Gwen Sanders and Diane Benedetto (National Grid Central New York Community & Customer Management), at the onsite check presentation with funding for the FREE Center’s virtual tour and video production project.
About FREE Center The FREE Center is a grassroots organization formed to educate the public on the benefits of renewable energy and other sustainable practices. The center is located on Bellinger Road near the Fenner Wind Farm in the heart of Central New York. Since late 2001, its founders have lived and/or worked among the 20 turbines that make up this 30 MW wind project. They organized to share their unique experience and to encourage others to embrace a clean energy future.
Are you interested in getting involved at the FREE Center? New volunteers, board members, tour guides and fundraisers are always welcome. Please contact the FREE Center at [email protected].
About FREE Center The FREE Center is a grassroots organization formed to educate the public on the benefits of renewable energy and other sustainable practices. The center is located on Bellinger Road near the Fenner Wind Farm in the heart of Central New York. Since late 2001, its founders have lived and/or worked among the 20 turbines that make up this 30 MW wind project. They organized to share their unique experience and to encourage others to embrace a clean energy future.
Are you interested in getting involved at the FREE Center? New volunteers, board members, tour guides and fundraisers are always welcome. Please contact the FREE Center at [email protected].