Research into innovative solutions to our renewable energy needs is one of the strategies advocated by Bill Gates. …
… “Our renewable portfolio, as it exists now, is not good enough to get us where we need to be.
Without R&D investments, we are not going to be able to address climate problems in time. ” …
Via New York Times: Bill Gates Perspective on Climate Change.
EPA Fuel Economy stickers are on all new cars and light trucks and ahve been for decades. They list the city and highway mpg as well expected annual feul costs and some information about emissions.
The EPA is now looking to modify (again) the labels ... to allow meaningful comparisons between newer type vehicles ... such as hybrids where MPG does not really apply. They might group cars by letters like A, B, and C.
" .. provide ... simple, straightforward energy and environmental comparisons across all vehicles types, including electric vehicles (EV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), and conventional gasoline/diesel vehicles. ... information, such as ratings on fuel economy, greenhouse gas emissions, and other air pollutants ..."
Check out the labels and GIVE YOUR comments ... View / Comment on Proposed LABELS.Via: EPA LINK
SunPower won several US Government contracts to install solar products for numerous agencies " ... Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL), the General Services Administration (GSA), the Navy and the Air Force. ... " These will create " ... more than 1000 local jobs during the construction ... represent a minimum of 20 megawatts (MW) of new solar projects ..."
One for the Air Force is to be the largest federal solar site in the US at Luke AFB in Glendale, Arizona.
SunPower is a leader in solar products and technology and was founded in 1988. They have worked with various federal agancies since 1999. They are listed on NASDAQ [SPWRA, SPWRB] and have their HQ in San Jose, California.
Via: SunPower LINK
University of Delaware chemical engineering researcher integrates biomaterials into new applications for renewable energy. …
… “Wool's research centers on the use of soybean oil and chicken feathers in new bio-based composite materials, including computer circuit boards and hurricane-resistant roofs.
Wool is using the bio-based materials in support of several renewable energy projects, such as wind, solar, hydrogen storage and energy efficient housing, as practical solutions to global warming.” …
Via University of Delaware: ACS Green Chemistry Award.
Professor Richard Wool.
Chicken feathers power hydrogen economy.
Wisconsin lake house integrates cool, modern design with sustainable, LEED platinum capabilities. The house deploys geothermal and solar photovoltaic systems. …
… “one of two homes in Wisconsin to gain platinum LEED certification for its green features … ” …
Via New York Times: Modern Lake House (pic), (article).
Most municipalities accept #1 - PET and #2 - HDPE plastics for recycling. Philadelphia now accepts #3 
-#7 as well! This means #3 - Vinyl, #4 - LDPE, #5 - PP, #6 - PS and #7 - other / mixed.
" ... Philadelphia has citywide single stream recycling. ... all recyclables can be put in the same container, including plastics and cardboard." This makes it easier for residents and business as there is no more sorting into different containers at home.
There is even a section about debunking Phila Recycling Myths ... that gives the real info on recycling in the City.
Check out the web site for information you can use no matter where you live !
Via: Recycle Now Philadelphia LINK
Cleveland is taking their recycling program to an extreme with tracking technology. …
… “enforce recycling program by tracking citizen performance using RFID technology … ” …
Via RFIDa: Cleveland RFID Recycle.
Dust and dirt are significant contributors to the derating of solar panel power levels. Researchers focus on developing coatings that repel dust from the surface of panels. 
The coatings use electrostatic force to clear dust from the solar panel surface. …
… “A dust layer of 4 grams per square meter can decrease solar power conversion by 40 percent, says Malay Mazumder, a research professor in Boston University … ” …
Via Scientific American: Self Cleaning Solar Panels.
Relevant reference material:
Valdosta State chemistry team conducts research into semiconductor nanoparticles for energy conversion at the Center for Nanoscale Materials, Argonne National Labs. …
… “Her team's goal was to assemble films that upon irradiation with light could generate current -- much like solar panels, but more efficient and accessible for solar energy conversion devices.
The students gained experience with nanoparticle synthesis methods, photoelectrochemistry and related topics … ” …
Via Valdosta State University: Nanotechnology Research.
Center for Nanoscale Materials.
Argonne National Labs.
Lennar builds the PowerSmart home in several states. These homes have efficiency and energy savings build it.
" ... PowerSmart home by Lennar. ... green home designed to save you money while ... saving the environment. ..."
Via: Lennar ™ LINK
GE introduces new hybrid heat pump water heater, the GeoSpring, which is targeted at saving energy in retrofit applications. It is Energy Star-qualified and can reduce water heater operating expenses up to 62 percent. …
… “The GeoSpring hybrid electric heat pump water heater is ideal for energy efficiency and low-income weatherization programs, offering easy replacement of a standard electric water heater and offering a Savings to Investment ratio (SIR) of between 2.0 and 2.8 for the 10-year warranty period.” …
Via Yahoo: Hybrid Water Heater (Release).
The GeoSpring.
Poland Spring has been actively reducing the amount of plastic in its water bottles. Less plastic means less enerfy to make, less energy to ship and less impact overall. Of course recycling the bottles completes the loop.
" ... Eco-Shape® bottle ... made with an average of 30% less plastic ... a label approximately one-third smaller ... more flexible so it's easier to crush for recycling. ..."
The label notes that the cap is also smaller ... resulting in less plastic !
Via: Poland Spring LINK
Via: Solar Roadway™ LINK
New survey highlights the unrealized opportunity to save energy through behavior change and taking informed actions. Survey data confirms that people are only realizing the low hanging fruit of energy savings which does not translate into significant aggregate impact. Educating consumers on making energy efficiency investments and understanding the acceptable financial payback period could enhance our energy savings performance. …
… “The research from Columbia University’s Earth Institute and the university’s Center for Research on Environmental Decisions is the latest attempt to probe the psychological roots of the energy problem … ” …
Via National Geographic: Energy Savings.
Columbia University’s Earth Institute.
Center for Research on Environmental Decisions.
The 15 megawatt PV plant will be located at Luke AFB in Glendale, Arizona. Comprised of 52,000 SunPower PV panels it will be the " ... largest solar installation on U.S. government property."
"Arizona Public Service Co. will own and operate ... hired SunPower Corp. to design and construct the solar plant ..."
" ... will ... follow the sun ... 25 percent more energy than if the panels were stationary. ..."
Via: Arizona Public Service LINK
Dow Chemical, American Superconductor, NASA, and State of Louisiana collaborate with Blade Dynamics to launch wind turbine production capability. … 
… “Devens, Mass.-based American Superconductor Corp., which builds equipment for power generators and utilities, acquired 25 percent of Blade Dynamics for $8 million Tuesday.
American Superconductor says space at the NASA Michoud Assembly Facility will be used for the project. ” …
Via Yahoo News: Louisiana Wind Power Project.
NASA Michoud Assembly Facility. NASA Michoud Manufacturing Capabilities, PDF.
American Superconductor Corp Wind Energy.
Las Vegas is well known for the Strip and night life ... it is also becoming known for Sustainability.
Las Vegas has a number of sustainability initiatives underway ... the City's Sustainability Web site lists a number of information resources for learning about and implementing sustainability. Topics listed include Green Building, Recycling and Energy Efficiency.
There are also programs for low income families and incentives to build green (new or retrofits).
" ... pilot program with Green Chip ... to perform energy audits and retrofits for ... qualifying low income households ... "
" ... expanded its Green Building Program ... incentives to stimulate new green building construction and provide energy efficiency retrofits to existing buildings ..."
Via: Sustaining Las Vegas LINK
Plastics and fibers made from renewable agricultural products can reduce our dependency on oil and petrochemicals.
" ... Sorona® is made partially with agricultural feedstocks ... reduc
ing our dependency on oil. In addition to fibers and fabrics, Sorona® can be used in films, filaments, engineering resins and other applications."
" ... contains 37% renewably sourced ingredients by weight."
Via: DuPont LINK
NSF will fund research into the transport properties of liquids with renewable energy applications. …
… “Dr. Castejon and his research group study molecular transport occurrences in ionic liquids, which are important environmentally friendly solvents. The liquids are useful in a variety of industrial applications such as fuel cells, solar cells, capacitors and batteries.” …
Via Wilkes University: Research Project Funded.
Dr. Castejon at Wilkes, research programs.
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