Is anyone going to the DC contest final?

Everyone is meeting Saturday November 16 from 4:00-7:00pm.

 

Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Wood Stove Decathlon Set for Nov. 15th – 19th on National Mall


The Wood Stove Decathlon will be held on the National Mall in Washington D.C .from Friday November 15th to Tuesday the 19th. Modeled after the DOE’s Solar Decathlon, the Wood Stove Decathlon is an international competition to design and build the most innovative and affordable next generation wood stove. The Decathlon will be open to the public.





The Wood Stove Decathlon will be in a large tent on the National Mall in front of the Whitten USDA building, near the Smithsonian metro station. Fourteen teams have been selected by the judges to compete for a grand prize of $25,000 and for several other prizes. There is also an audience award and you can cast your vote now for what you think is the most innovative stove.

This will be the first high profile technology competition for wood stoves since Ben Franklin’s time, when deforestation compelled a drive for more efficient stoves. Today, the main driver is particulates and the need to reduce levels of smoke. The biggest breakthrough in modern times was the pellet stove, which was invented in Washington State in the 1980s and has become far more popular in Europe than in the U.S. For wood stoves, there could be major breakthroughs with automation – microprocessors and low-cost sensors that will maximize efficiency and minimize emissions.

The primary sponsors so far include NYSERDA, the US Forest Service and Schott Robax glass. Partners include Popular Mechanics magazine, DOE Brookhaven National Laboratory and the states of Washington and Oregon.

The sponsors and partners seek to identify and popularize technology trends that can lead to far cleaner and more efficient home heating. An awards ceremony announcing the winners and discussing the technology will be held on Tuesday, November 19th. See the Wood Stove Decathlon web page for any further information. - See more at: http://forgreenheat.blogspot.com/20...on-set-for-nov-15th.html#sthash.EnYmis9N.dpuf

 

My younger brother is going to be the proud owner of my current Woodstock Fireview 205 as soon as I bring home the Beta Ideal Steel from DC. So he is going to tag along with me to DC to see the festivities and help me get the new stove home safely.

 

Ill look for yall probably not going to be able to spend to much time there. Are you talking about meeting on the mall or at the hotel with the other folks?

 

It's really not too bad Sav. I've driven through DC a number of times, plus we go on the March For Life most years. The only difficult part is figuring out how to get into the city and back out. The area around the Mall isn't that big really.

Which way are you coming in, and when? Do you know yet?

 

I'm right there with you Dennis. I'm driving over 3000 miles to get there and all I can think about is how in the heck I am going to find my way around the city once I do get there. I'm about 3 hours from the nearest interstate here, and it always freaks me out going over 55 once I do hit the interstate, which only happens around once a year. Cities, and city driving, absolutely paralyze me.

 

Get a map of the city and the surrounding area (VA and MD) We are staying with friends in VA and taking the metro into the city. If you start checking things out now youll have a better lay of the land when you get there. Its not to hard to navigate once your a little familiar with the place. As Brian said the mall area isnt to big its basically just a big rectangle with all the museums surrounding it theres a metro stop close by the mall that can take you pretty much anywhere you need to go. Just keep in mind that there are some very unsavory areas of our nations capital keep your wits about you and youll be fine. As far as the long interstate drive its not so bad I do hate long drives myself but its not so bad once you get into a routine but driving in DC will drive you to drink or worse thats why we take the metro or make our friends drive us in.

 

i'll be there over the weekend

 

You're probably going to get on Route 80 East from MI the whole way into eastern Ohio, then follow Route 76 East to Breezewood PA then Route 70 East to Frederick MD.

There you get on Route 270 South to Interstate 495 S/North Virginia/Washington (DC beltway).

You'll only be on the DC beltway for a couple miles then you'll get on the George Washington Memorial Pkwy (a very scenic drive which takes you along the Potomac) right into DC. There are several bridges into the city from there. All of them put you within several blocks of the National Mall, through tourist/landmark areas. Coming in from the east/southeast avoids most of the city and any of the neighborhoods you'd want to avoid. Its not very far off the highways at all.

 

I didnt know they had clothing too. Do you think they will be selling those at the decathlon?

 

Looks good Dennis Ill keep an eye out for you and everyone else. Were going to go walk around the city in the morning and early afternoon then Ill drop the wife off at the metro and head over to the mall for a couple hours and meet everyone and check out the stoves.

 

I expect video, you guys.

 

Hey... Wait a minute.... Hoodies... Is that why we're all here in the first place? Where's my FHC Hoodie?!?