“For the first time in over 100 years, the river is now back in its historic channel… an extraordinarily profound moment to actually witness that – the reconnecting of a river.”

Second time aboard Zephyr, the beloved cruising sailboat owned by my friend and captain extraordinaire Rob Pratt. Terry and I cruised with Rob two summers ago. In August each year he sails the coast of Maine for the entire month, taking four different crews for a week each.

A fortunate immersion into another world. What a contrast to life in Los Angeles. A nautical world… boat camping on the water with good food, drink, and cheer. My guitar makes its second Zephyr voyage. We sail the pristine coast, catch good winds, and access gorgeous harbors.

Day One, Saturday, August 24th — Rockland to Matinicus

Early drive up from Boston. Met Rob at the Landings Marina in Rockland at 10:00. Shopped/provisioned together, returned Enterprise rental. No Uber, so taxied back to the marina. Rob had already been cruising for three weeks… clearly loving it.

If one sails at sea, be prepared. Go with a great sailor. Rob is truly seasoned. He and his family sailed competitively for years… mostly in Lightnings. He has cruised for years. Sailing is in his blood; he knows these waters well. That’s comforting to his crew! Zephyr is a 35-foot sloop with a classy gray hull and blue water line.

Challenging it is to sail in Maine… a coastline of some 200 islands and innumerable shoals. GPS keeps us off the rocks. Thousands of lobster traps and their colorful marker buoys are scattered throughout Maine’s coastal waters. The last thing you want is to get your prop tied up in a lobster pot line… Rob keeps his scuba gear on board for such occasions.

Rob masterfully backed us out of the slip and off we went! The wind was perfect, steady and from the south: One long tack to Matinicus Isle… 20 miles off shore. It’s the farthest inhabited island on the East Coast of America. First night aboard, the sound of gentle lapping of the water against the hull, a great sleep… my best sleep in ages. The Zephyr magic!

Day Two, Sunday, August 25th — Matinicus to Monhegan

Cereal and fruit for breakfast. Dinghy ashore. No boat dock, just a scary ladder up the pier! And of course, it was low tide. I scampered up the ladder with the painter to tie up the dinghy.

Matinicus is a 2.3 square mile island with a year-round population of 53. Rob walked with me for a bit and then pointed at a pile of rock and said, “Just go there and round the point. You’ll find the airstrip and can walk back that way.”

Did so, a far more strenuous hike than I expected. Lots of rock and bouldering by myself. At last… the airstrip, its grassy runway slopes quite dramatically to the sea. Met Jennifer on the walk back, the girlfriend of a lobsterman. She said the clean waters of Matinicus makes the best-tasting lobster. So sweet in fact, that you need no butter!

Motored to Monhegan Island where we would stay for two nights. It was and still is a renowned summer retreat for artists. Lots of galleries… some classy old hotels. After mooring and taking the dinghy ashore, we quickly met a gruff local who said we’d have to pay $70 for his mooring. So we found harbormaster Sherm and paid him $40 a night for “the best mooring in the harbor.” That’s given the tides and waters within the Monhegan harbor. A little high, but it was a good spot, away from the ferries and main channel. We had two nice calm nights there.

Day Three, Monday, August 26th — Monhegan Island

Hiked Monhegan Island. Took the #1 trail all the way around the island. Lots of poison ivy, some marked… most not. Not easy hiking at all, lots of roots and rocks to scramble. The west side cliffs are majestic — Burnt Head, White Head, and Black Head; elevations 140,160, and 160 feet respectively. Found the north side of the island deserted.

After the 360 degree hike, swam a bit at Fish Beach, not to be confused with Swim Beach where no one swims! Visited the microbrewery, made some friends, and enjoyed an IPA and a bit of internet access. Dinner at the grand old Island Inn with Rob… talking energy and celebrating life!

Day Four, Tuesday, August 27th — Monhegan to Squirrel to Boothbay

Foggy morning in Monhegan; less than 50 yards of visibility at times. Motoring with radar set to 1/8th mile to be able to see other ships and avoid lobster pots. Thank goodness for modern nautical technology: With plenty of time, but miles offshore, our radar detected another ship approaching. Then quickly it sleuthed out of the fog and passed us by… too close for comfort.

Fog lifted and after a few hours we stopped at Squirrel Island… a playground for the rich at the mouth of Boothbay Harbor. Gorgeous Vineyard-like homes. An elevated walkway trail circles much of the island; the rest is a meandering coastal trail. Another short island trek under my belt.

Back to Zephyr. Sailed into Boothbay Harbor. Got mooring at Tugboat Inn Marina. Went ashore for showers ($1.25) and Wifi. Rob addressed his Solomon Island works; I ran payroll. Then lobster dinner! Good IPA. Colorful, expressive waitress named April took good care of us. Well, at least when she wasn’t flirting with the next table. The theme was Tupelo, her hometown in Mississippi. Random. Lots of laughs.

Day Five, Wednesday, August 28th — Boothbay to Five Islands

Clear skies and the winds shifted. With a better forecast, we change the plan and stay only one night at Boothbay. Fueled up (3.1 gallons of diesel only) and filled our water tanks. Bought blocks of ice and headed to Five Islands, my favorite spot from our trip two years earlier. Got there and found the lobster shack closed… oh no!

Day Six, Thursday, August 29th — Five Islands to Snow Island

Time for another walk… highly valued when sailing. Rob’s dingy service to the pier at Five Islands. Immediately met a local — Jim Faulkner — and we fell in and talked about boats and woodworking. Did a four-mile hike. Surprised that one lady drove by, stopped, rolled down her window, and offered me a ride. Far from LA indeed!

Back at Five Islands… hike rewarded: Lobster shack open for lunch! Rob came ashore and we each had a 1.5 pound lobster with corn on the cob. Yum!

Big sail in high winds (20+ knots) towards Casco Bay. Rob was in his element in the high winds! Up river we went to upper Quahog Bay to Snow Island, a hidden gem, out of the wind. The waters are warmer and the seas calmer there. We loop our bow line through a mooring without a pendant… a bit of a trick made possible by putting me in the dinghy with oars to reach the mooring. A great anchorage and another restful night.

Day Seven, Friday August 30th — Snow Island to Eagle to Jewel

Dinghy ride in the morning exploring the shores of Snow Island… the quiet Torqeedo electric motor zooming us around the still morning waters. Lots of birds, still and shallow waters. The beginning of another great day.

Dropped our mooring line and sailed to Eagle Island — the island owned by Admiral Parry. Sir William Edward Parry is known as the first explorer to reach the North Pole. In reality, his 1827 exploration set a record as the farthest north to the 82nd parallel… 82 degrees north of the equator. His record held for 50 years. The North Pole is at the 90th latitude. His Maine summer home is prominent, now a museum. He kept his dog-sledding huskies on a nearby island; he used a bull horn to scold them and quiet their barking at night.

We row to shore, pull the dingy up on the rocks, chat with a park ranger, and visit the Admiral’s home. I hike the trail. Hard to imagine a family summering here; the Maine coast in all its splendor. Idyllic settings but cold water, rough seas, and rocky shores. Maine is for the rugged.

Off to Jewell Island for the final night. Anchor in Cocktail Cove; dinghy to shore. Walked across the island to the Punchbowl. What a spot! It’s low tide and the bowl is packed with seaweed. Back to Cocktail, met Dane, a fellow sailor, contagious smile. Gave me a Zodiac lift back to Zephyr. He plays cello in a rock band in Portland. Great vibes from him.

Day Eight, Saturday, August 31st — Jewell to Falmouth

Jewell Island , a jewel. Final day, avocado/veggie omelets with turkey bacon and toast. Then ashore I go. Another great hiking island, clearly a favorite for camping. Really nice, secluded campsites all around the island, easily accessible from Portland eight miles away.

Jewell was part of the harbor defenses of Portland in World War 2. Three gun batteries were constructed on the island. So were two Anti Motor Torpedo Boat batteries. Hiking, this time to the watchtowers and bunker, vestiges of German U-Boat defenses. Climbed up both towers for 270 degree views. Met a family from Cumberland.

Used flashlight, walked slowly and carefully through the dark catacombs of the bunker, said to be haunted. Hard to imagine this in operation as an outpost for military defenses. Troops bustling about here?

Trekked to Buoy Beach, Smuggler’s Cove, back Cocktail Cove. Eaten alive by mosquitoes. The only ones experienced all week. They got me.

Pulled up anchor and sailed back to Zephyr’s home marina, Handy Boat, in Falmouth, Maine. Final leg of the trip and out came the tuna fish held in reserve for our final sandwiches. Rob’s month-long venture was ending, his fulfillment palpable.

Cleaned up the boat; ferried to the dock by a ferryman of few words. Rob’s wife picks us up and takes us home. We have lots to share! Great to meet her; such fun. Amazing trip; amazing Thai food in Exeter.

Lucky guy I am. Another deep sensory immersion into coastal Maine. Lots of fresh air and vibrant vistas. Lots of cool water and the calming effects of the sea. Then back to reality… a shuttle to Logan, a quick flight to JFK … the LIRR to Syosset. Time in Oyster Bay. For days, I felt my body sway just like I was on board. After a while, that ended.

Image Courtesy of The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

The SunDay Campaign reports that renewables now provide 30% of U.S. utility scale capacity, and provide 25% of all electricity generated in the country. In 2024, year to date, the U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that solar has accounted for 75% of all new capacity additions. That’s utility-scale, wholesale generation. Now we shift to “behind the meter” installations, systems owned and operated by utility customers, those offsetting retail rates with solar.

Huge. A brand new terminal at JFK, the largest terminal at Kennedy Airport, the largest solar array in New York City, and the largest airport terminal array in the country. The new “Terminal 1” will be topped by six and a half football fields of solar, the solar array is 6.36 MW in size. It’s an integral part of a 12 MW microgrid that will distribute energy from solar, fuel cells (3.8 MW), and batteries (1.5 MW/3.5 MWh) through a localized, self-contained energy system. The system is a microgrid that can operate in an integrated mode with the power grid, or independently. The Port Authority’s Chairman noted that the microgrid, “continues our march to net zero.”

The project is fully financed through an “energy as a service” contract, delivered by AlphaStruxure, a Schneider Electric company. A long-term agreement fixes operating costs without upfront costs and with ongoing guaranteed performance. The integrated microgrid solution will recover heat from the fuel cells to generate chilled water and hot water for the terminal.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey manages the airport. It has a goal to decarbonize its facilities by 2050. It is also building a 12 MW solar canopy at JFK’s long-term parking Lot 9, coupled with 7.5 MW of battery storage for airport use, and 6 MW for community solar. The Port Authority also has a 5 MW solar system at Newark Liberty International Airport, and a 1.5 MW rooftop solar system at Laguardia Airport.

Image Courtesy of Six Flags Magic Mountain

Six Flags is an amusement park located in the heart of the Santa Clarita Valley, north of Los Angeles. It is erecting 637,000 square feet of solar carports over the main guest parking lot and the team member lot. All told the solar system will deliver 12.4 MW of power. This is enough power for Six Flags Magic Mountain and Hurricane Harbor to be entirely self-sufficient on an annual basis, running on solar power.

The solar array is a major beacon within the entertainment industry. It demonstrates environmental and corporate leadership. It also directly supports the comfort of guests, keeping them cool. There will now be 3,544 shaded parking spots for guests and 771 for team members. The guest lot will also have 30 EV chargers. Six Flags hopes that its solar step will be an inspiration for other corporations that can also have economic prosperity and environmental responsibility. They are not mutually exclusive. The project is being developed and built by Solar Optimum, financed by DSD Renewables. It includes 2 MW / 8 MWh of battery storage for grid services.

Six Flags continues to work on its Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) practices. The solar system in Santa Clarita will be the third solar installation at Six Flags, the others are in Northern California and New Jersey. Together, the three sites rank first as the largest amount of onsite solar of any U.S. organization.

Some are calling it a “remarkable leap” towards the future of transportation. Some say it is “the beginning of a new chapter in automotive engineering.” Others question whether this is a redefining moment. In any event, it is innovative… applying magnetic levitation (maglev) technology to the automotive industry. So far, maglev technology has focused on trains…. generating excitement in Germany and Japan.

The maglev car technology is being developed by the Quantum Machines Unit at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology in Japan. It has the promise of unparalleled efficiency. By floating above the surface, cars will avoid friction and its resistive force. This leaves only air resistance and electromagnetic drag. Maglevs use magnetic fields to counteract gravitation, to repel the surface, to hover a few centimeters above specially designed tracks.

Think of the potential benefits of maglev cars: They would not need engines and/or batteries. This reduces the weight of the vehicle, lowers the manufacturing costs, and leaves more room luggage. Oh yes, no need for brakes… that’s done electromagnetically. One expert noted that, “… we could see a new era of transportation where traditional engines and batteries become obsolete, replaced by lightweight, energy-efficient maglev vehicles.”

It’s hard to imagine the automotive industry going maglev. How can maglevs dovetail with our automotive use patterns? The application seems limited; maglev cars will need specially designed tracks. While maglev trains have higher top speeds, superior acceleration and deceleration, lower maintenance costs, improved gradient handling, and lower noise than conventional trains… they are more expensive to build and cannot use existing infrastructure. Same for cars?

In August and September, crews were breaking down the last remaining coffer dams, the infrastructure built to divert water around the larger dams. This was the culmination of a decades-long push by tribal communities Siskiyou County, California to remove four dams along the Klamath River. It was once the third largest salmon producing river on the west coast… and teemed with salmon and trout in what seemed to be an inexhaustible supply.

The Klamath River Renewal Corporation (KRRC) announced that the final stage of the restoration began in August and is expected to be complete in September, restoring historic water flows to the river for the first time in over a century. Now the river can flow freely between Lake Ewauna in Klamath Falls, Idaho and the Pacific Ocean since the dams were constructed. “We’ve officially turned over the river to its historic channel at all the dam sites,” noted the KRRC’s public information officer.

For thousands of years, Chinook salmon have been a fundamental source of physical, spiritual and economic sustenance to tribal communities throughout the Klamath Basin. A tribal member states that, “Our sacred duty to our children, our ancestors, and for ourselves, is to take care of the river, and today’s events represent a fulfillment of that obligation.”

The dams were built by the California Oregon Power Company (COPCO) between 1902 and 1962 for hydroelectricity. That company merged into Pacific Power and Light in 1961; it is now known as PacifiCorp.

The fight to remove the dams began decades ago when the salmon were threatened by poor water quality and insufficient river flows. In 2002, a massive fish kill caused tens of thousands of Chinook to die. After that the Yurok and Karuk tribes began a fierce advocacy campaign. A plan to remove the dams – the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement – was approved by the federal regulators in 2022, restoring hundreds of miles of spawning grounds, improving water quality, to support the return of the salmon.

Yes, an advertisement caught my eye. 50% off! SkyWind microturbines on sale for only $1,499. They are 1 kW machines that come with inverters that adjust to either 230 volt or 110 volt systems. The $1,499 kit comes with power supply, high performance grid inverter, turbine computer for optimum performance, automatic braking system, integrated power display. The customer supplies the two-inch pole, its foundation, and any necessary guy wires.

Wind has many benefits. In those locations where it is windy, wind systems cost less than solar. And wind generation is not limited to daytime hours or good weather. Wind can be a nice partner/complement for solar to fill in on those times when there is less solar than demand for power. And Skywind systems are reportedly quiet thanks to, “highly developed aerodynamics and a special coating on the rotor blades to ensure quiet operation and at the same time prevent annoying light reflections.”

So, does microwind make sense for you? Skywind’s website recommends 3.5 – 4 meters/ second (7.8 – 8.9 mph) wind speeds for systems on average to be cost effective. See the Global Wind Atlas online to see if your region has or has not sufficient, average wind speeds. Note that the SkyWind systems have been tested under extreme conditions. They use all-metal turbine technology. The company has deployed more than 10,000 units worldwide.

Back to the tower.… You’re on your own. They must be at least 30 feet tall and erected to maintain vertical operations within 1 degree at 50% load. The turbine and its housing is designed to slip over the top of a 60 mm diameter pole. Then two screws tighten the assembly to the pole. Guy wires are used to make and keep them vertical. There is also a need for suitable ground and foundation for tower construction. Skywind systems can also be roof-mounted.

Some perspective: Imagine a three-foot diameter circle… a small segment of a pipeline. Now think of how much energy comes through that aperture in the form of sunlight. You’ve got to get the angle right, and then photons of light gently filter through the opening. Next, imagine a strong wind blowing through the same aperture. It’s powerful; it blows back your hair. It’s active energy. So much more wind energy passes through the aperture than solar. If you have wind, and you can, use it!

Use the links below to check out our recent podcasts. And you can always go to Spotify and type in “Ted Flanigan” to find our library of podcasts.

Recently Released:

• This issue of EcoNet News, Volume 25, Issue #9

In EcoNet News, Volume 26, Issue #9, Ted highlights his perspective on the nuclear shotgun wedding, sharing that AI is using so much data and energy that its purveyors – like Microsoft and Oracle – are seeking nuclear power solutions for their data centers, and questions whether this path is the best way to power AI.

He also shares his travelog of his second round of sailing the Maine Coast, massive solar projects at JFK and Six Flags in Los Angeles, MagLev automobiles, the restoration of the the Klamath River from coffer dams, and Skywind microturbines.

• Tucker Perkins on Why Propane is Important to a Carbon-Free Future

In this episode of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Tucker Perkins, President and CEO of the Propane Education & Research Council. He is an energy expert with four decades of experience in the liquid and renewable fuels industry. Tucker also hosts the Path to Zero podcast, in which he engages a variety of thought leaders in provocative discussions regarding energy and climate change. He has interviewed over 100 experts on subjects ranging from the internal combustion engines to nuclear fusion, electrification, and environmental justice.

He will soon be releasing a new book called Path to Zero, highlighting his wide-path philosophy to achieving critical decarbonization goals. Path to Zero is based on his Path to Zero podcast. In his book, Tucker reflects on 12 of his most memorable conversations with renowned climate scientists, academics, and innovators. Each chapter draws a bright line from the year 2050 back to today to show a variety of climate-friendly solutions that already exist, and can create a net zero carbon future. His “wide path” philosophy confidently asserts that we can, and are, addressing climate change.

He and Ted discuss the practicality and accessibility of the “electrifying everything” approach. Tucker highlights the scientific facts and economic realities around going all electric, and addresses how decarbonization can be dramatically accelerated with today’s technologies. He concludes by sharing his optimism, and encouraging action to support “wide path” climate and human-friendly solutions.

• Maria Cho on Sustainably Addressing Food and Healthcare Insecurity

In this episode of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Maria Cho, CEO of Triplebar, a biotech firm using advanced technology to tackle the urgent issues of food and drug supply. She leads a team in a mission to heal and sustain people and the planet by removing a key bottleneck in the bioeconomy. This is being achieved with a proprietary screening platform to accelerate and innovate food and pharma product discovery.

She has worked in various industries, including sales, research, biopharmaceuticals, and skincare. In her current role as CEO at TripleBar, she is leading a team focused on innovation and strategic growth to address some of the world’s most challenging sustainability problems around food and healthcare by developing products that can meet current and future unmet needs for healthy nutrition and better disease treatment outcomes on a global scale.

She and Ted delve into how they apply this in food and nutrition to bioactives, functional food proteins and cultured meat, and in pharma to better and novel biologics. Maria also discusses the broader implications of these technologies for the future of food and healthcare industries. She emphasizes the potential for bioengineering to not only solve current issues, but also to foresee and mitigate future challenges. Her vision includes fostering a more resilient and health-conscious global community through the application of science and technology.