(Photo | Courtesy of the Environmental Center)
As the cannabis industry grows, so does its carbon footprint. Indoor grow operations require a large amount of energy and have historically used inefficient technology for lighting, ventilation, and dehumidification. In Bend, however, there are grow operations that are doing their part to redefine what it means to be green in the cannabis industry.
Join The Energy Challenge at the next Power Hour to learn about a local business that is shining a light on the opportunities that exist for the cannabis industry to shift to more sustainable practices. Deschutes Growery is saving $192,000 per year by cutting energy use in their operations and producing solar energy on site with a 56.4kW solar installation.
Deschutes Growery is able to make such drastic reductions in their energy use but using LED lighting for all growth stages of the plant. The light wavelengths are optimized for each stage of growth. Since LEDs produce minimal heat, it has allowed Deschutes Growery to be innovative with their racking system.
This will be a fun and informative session for other cultivators, carbon-conscious cannabis consumers, and curious community members who want a glimpse into this burgeoning economic sector in Central Oregon.
This week’s informational panel will be rounded out by experts in the field including Justin Clapick, Co-founder of Deschutes Growery, Kandis Bray, Lighting Specialist with Energy Trust of Oregon, and Marty Stipe, Senior Energy Analyst with Energy Trust of Oregon.
The event will be held on Wednesday, May 22nd at The Environmental Center in downtown Bend. Attendees are invited to arrive starting at 5:00 to network and a beverage compliments of Silver Moon Brewing. The Power Hour will kick off at 5:30 and will have lots of times for Q&A with the panelists.
This Power Hour event is part of a new educational series, launched by The Energy Challenge that will take a deep-dive into various topics every other month. The events are meant to be an informational networking meet-up with a panel of experts to help ignite new conversations in the community. The Power Hour series is supported by our title sponsor, Energy Trust of Oregon.
