Pare Corp., an engineering and design firm, this month signed a memorandum of understanding with the wind energy branch of the engineering firm EAPC. Together, the firms are planning to market their skills in locating, designing and constructing wind turbines for Rhode Island businesses. Pare Principal Planner Pamela Sherrill this week spoke to Providence Business News about the partnership.
PBN: What services does Pare provide?
SHERRILL: Since its founding by Lee Pare in 1970, Pare Corp. has solved many of the most prominent infrastructure challenges in Rhode Island. Ranging from the East Bay Bike Path, port facilities and ferry terminals throughout Narragansett Bay, the Central Landfill in Johnston, the new Hope Dining Hall and Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences at University of Rhode Island and portions of the new Iway through downtown Providence, Pare’s projects are used by Rhode Islanders on a daily basis.
As principal planner, I have directed municipal and transportation planning projects, redevelopment plans and specialized studies for southern New England communities. Pare has a staff of more than 70 professionals in our headquarters office in Lincoln and a Foxboro, Mass., office.
Our practice has evolved over the past 39 years to include sustainable planning and design practices for green development. Pare Corp.’s engineers, planners and scientists use cutting-edge techniques to assure that new development reduces impact on the environment. Three of our staff members are LEED-accredited by the U.S. Green Building Council. We have formed a sustainability committee to review our internal practices. Implementation of sustainable planning and design has led to exploring teaming opportunities with EAPC Wind Energy, one of the preeminent East Coast wind developers. EAPC encourages a rigorous approach to wind resource assessment and feasibility studies, brings real world experience both in the United States and internationally for all stages of wind development and maintains an underlying commitment to the bankability of a project and the client’s bottom line. Pare Corp. has recently signed an agreement with EAPC Wind to approach behind-the-meter distributed generation projects.
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PBN: How will you work with EAPC under that agreement?
SHERRILL: EAPC Wind’s capabilities include expertise in wind power development, including GIS mapping, wind assessments, development management, wind turbine technology, and contract preparation and review. Pare’s capabilities include municipal coordination and zoning, permitting, site and civil engineering, environmental services, transportation engineering, geotechnical analysis, and foundation design. So this is natural combination of talents for both public- and private-sector clients.
We have worked jointly to identify single- or double-turbine sites in Rhode Island that could benefit from behind-the-meter type distributed wind projects. These projects could lock in energy costs, decrease dependence on foreign oil and project a green image to customers. EAPC Wind has developed a high-level wind map of many areas in the state, to identify areas with potentially marketable wind regimes. Pare Corp. has identified industrial parks and businesses with high energy demand such as manufacturers, processing plants, and 24/7 back office operations.
By matching these two data sets with funding and grant information from state and local sources, Pare and EAPC Wind will collaborate to expand our services to provide wind power feasibility studies and development for potential clients.
Although several communities have embarked on sustainable energy projects, we feel that the private market is under tapped. Many business owners may not realize that wind resources may actually mean adding dollars to their bottom line. As we look at EAPC’s wind mapping, we are appreciating that viable wind resource areas are not limited to island and other coastal areas of the state, but includes many inland areas as well.
PBN: Will that increase your local workload?
SHERRILL: We are optimistic that Pare will be able to expand services for our existing client base and add new clients both for wind and engineering projects. We are especially interested in expanding Pare’s service areas by providing site feasibility, planning and permitting approvals and geotechnical and site and civil design for wind turbine installations. We’re looking to provide the boots-on-the-ground information as the liaison with clients and local regulatory agencies.
PBN: How will that mapping allow you to do that?
SHERRILL: EAPC Wind has developed detailed maps that illustrate the quality of the wind resource in key areas across the state. The maps were created with the use of a sophisticated wind modeling program called WindPRO. There are other wind resource maps out there already, but EAPC Wind’s mapping is done at a much finer resolution. We think that more detailed maps will help us quickly pinpoint locations around the state where the wind is sufficient to support a wind project. We have screened out areas where we know wind project development would be inappropriate – including wetlands and other environmentally-sensitive spots, and other areas of concern. Our goal is to zero-in quickly on the places that make the most sense and work with local landowners and businesses who would like to take part in renewable energy projects.
PBN: Have you had support from the state?
SHERRILL: We have had great response from the R.I. Economic Development Corp.’s staff regarding our approach to explore sustainable energy opportunities with the private sector. Julian Dash, director of the Renewable Energy Fund, has been supportive, citing available funding specifically for commercial properties – separate from funding for affordable housing, municipal and feasibility studies. Dash is especially interested in funding renewable energy projects with economic benefit and jobs created or retained. Leslie Taito, executive director of the Rhode Island Manufacturing Extension Service, is also encouraged by our approach. We have also had good feedback from Victor Barros, urban development manager at RIEDC’s Enterprise Zone Council, and many of the representatives on the council. All are looking for opportunities for businesses to prosper in Rhode Island by reducing energy costs, carbon emissions and dependence on foreign oil.
