Submitted by the San Juan Islands Makers Guild.
Island life has many natural wonders to be grateful for and also significant challenges living in a remote location with fluctuations in power grid and ferry access that impact every resident in the San Juans, our economy, and our guests. This past winter has been a time of very clear energy and ferry challenges and fortunately there is a growing determination to find alternative power and transportation solutions.
Come learn about potential options for our islands and beyond at the Islands Innovation Lab in Odd Fellows Hall, 9am-2pm as part of the Earth Day Orcas celebration.Curious about tidal power energy? Come learn about local research and testing plans.
Want to hear about the $40 million in low interest loan funds available to upgrade your home
energy system? Come learn what you can do in the here and now.
Can you name the top two carbon emitting activities in San Juan County?
Concerned about sonar research impacts on whales?
Curious about GIS mapping of our trans-national Salish Sea bio-region?
Thinking about switching to an electric vehicle? Or bike?
On Saturday, April 22 , the first annual Islands Innovation Lab is presenting news on current and planned green and blue technology tools that will help lessen our dependence on carbon-based fuels and energy and help us better manage our impacts on the natural environment.
We invite you to come explore land and marine based technologies aimed at lessening our footprint on the earth and in the sea. Come stretch your imagination!
One of our greatest assets in the Islands are the many inspiring people who are working on green and blue energy solutions. From local neighborhood EV car share plans to electric or hydrogen ferry models – and electric airplanes, there are lower carbon, more earth wise solutions that can be implemented in the San Juans. As an inspiring example, the Orkney Islands off Northern Scotland are generating more renewable power than they need on land and are looking at ways to fuel ferries with their excess power. A hydrogen ferry was recently built in Bellingham and delivered to the San Francisco Bay Area. And electric ferries are under development for Washington State.
From global to hyper-local solution developers, you can learn directly from Orcas Island, San Juan Islands, Washington State, North American and E.U. developers and promoters of action-oriented solutions. Doors open at 9am for coffee and muffins, information table conversations are 9am-10 and noon-2pm. EV Jamboree is noon-2pm on lower Haven.
Guest speakers begin at 10am with guests from:The Orkney Islands EMEC lab working on tidal, wave and hydrogen ferry solutions
Olympia, Washington with news on the coming State budget for clean energy solutions
San Juan County level with OPALCO, Earthrise and SMRU on local energy and whale research
technologies
Zero in on Orcas Island and learn about the EV Charging Network and Shuttle / Car Share plans
underway through the Port of Orcas, Island Rides and the Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce.
Arrive early to visit the table presenters over coffee and stay for the speakers. Order a picnic lunch and dine on the terrace or down at the EV Jamboree picnic space. EV parking is available nearby and an EV Jamboree meet up with a bring-your-own-lunch picnic is taking place in the culdesac on lower Haven, 12 noon – 2pm. Owners of EV cars, trucks, bicycles and scooters are welcome to come showcase their transportation choices. Non-EV cars can park on Madrona or beginning of Haven and walk-in. Walk, boator bike-ins welcomed!
Presented by the San Juan Islands Makers Guild with OPALCO, Earthrise, Port of Orcas, Island Rides, Wildlife Cycles, Orcas Chamber of Commerce, and Clean and Prosperous WA.
Innovation Lab updates are at https://sanjuanmakersguild.com/islab2023/
Earth Day Orcas information and schedule at https://sanjuanmakersguild.com/eday23/
