While Dominion Power denies that energy conservation and alternatives to fossil fuels will solve increasing energy demands, on June 2 over 500 area residents looked for more creative ways to power their lives and help the environment at RLEP's second annual Piedmont Alternative Energy Expo.

This year's Expo featured a wide range of alternative-energy expertise and interests, from new alternative-energy sources to conservation, green building, and sustainability. The 26 exhibitors, which were equally divided between commercial concerns and nonprofit organizations, included 12 newcomers to the Expo.








From the top: visitors at the 2007 Expo find out about alternative energy products and services from Robert Miller of RASP Technologies, a biodiesel firm (at left in top photo); Kathy Anderson of Blue Ridge Yurts (at center of second photo from the top); and Brad Schneider of Recovered Energy Resources (at right in third photo from the top). Some of the over 500 visitors to the 2007 Expo are pictured in the bottom photo. All photos © 2007 by Janis Stone.

Using their own distributed-power approach, the three-member Expo Committee ran a smooth event. Exhibitors and visitors alike were impressed with its quality, judging by informal surveys of both. "The Alternative Energy Expo created a great symbiosis between alternative energy providers and local citizens who are ready to use and benefit from new energy technologies," says Expo Committee and RLEP board member Maureen Blackwell."

"It was especially gratifying to see so many of our Rappahannock neighbors at the Expo," adds Expo Committee member Kathy Poush. As one exhibitor summed it up, "It was a great event."

What aspects of alternative energy most interested attendees? According to the attendee survey, energy conservation easily led the way, with green building, sustainability, and "going off the grid" following. Bringing up the rear were clean air, green vehicles, and household products and systems. Among technologies, solar was chosen by almost twice as many attendees than biofuels, which was next in line. Wind and hydro followed, with geothermal winning the write-in vote.

Exhibitors enjoyed the event as much as the attendees. Early returns of the exhibitor survey and chats with exhibitors the day of the event indicate that they were impressed with the quality of exhibitors and visitors, and the number of visitors and their the level of interest in alternative energy.

According to the survey, networking with like-minded professionals, and learning from each other, was as much a reason for exhibitors to come to the Expo as the chance to sell their services and products to interested consumers. Many exhibitors indicated they intend to return for the 2008 Expo.

The Expo Committee is already planning for next year's event, on May 17. If you'd like to volunteer, exhibit, be a sponsor, or just get more information, contact the committee at altenergyexpo@RLEP.org or 540-987-8759.

Alternative energy articles on this website:

Questions? Please contact us!

Email: altenergyexpo@rlep.org
Address:
Piedmont Alternative Energy Expo
c/o Rappahannock League for Environmental Protection
P.O. Box 94
Washington, VA 22747

Go to Programs and Initiatives