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... "Studies show that white roofs reduce air-conditioning costs by 20 percent or more in hot, sunny weather." ...Via New York Times: White Roofs Cut Energy Costs
New Belgium Brewing is a green brewer ... read about some of their efforts and innovations in green brewing ... there are many many more on their web site.
Green building ... " ... using UV blocking windows, sun-tubes, and light shelves. .. evaporative coolers, we can condition our 55,000 square foot packaging hall with no compressors, using much less energy ... "
Green energy ... " ... methane produced by process water treatment is used to fuel a ... co-gen—which creates electricity and heat for the brewery. ... co-gen ... full-time, it can supply 15% of our electrical needs ... In 1999, New Belgium became the first wind-powered brewery ..."
Walk the Talk ... " .... members of 1% For The Planet ... through donations and fund-raisers, 1% of our revenue goes to environmental non-profits ... encourage sustainable transportation, every employee gets a custom cruiser bike after one-year of employment."
... "Powered by the most advanced drive train in the industry, the Zero DS is a fully electric motorcycle that can handle any surface you can throw at it. Navigating obstacles and maintaining control is accomplished using a specially developed suspension system and a rugged wheel set. " ...Via ZERO MOTORCYCLES: DS Electric Motorcycle
Everyone is talking about the smart grid and how it will improve our energy delivery system. Every wonder just what the smart grid is ... and is not? It has "smarts" and sensors ... but what is it? 
"
... data flowing to consumers will be eventually be near realtime ... amount of their bill to date and their rate ... will be alerted during peak power demand so they can cut back their consumption and save money ..."
" ... benefits ... consumers can manage their consumption and defer appliance use to off-peak hours for rebates ... grid is better for the environment and utilities save scads of money building and running fewer power plants ..."
Check out this video for more information ...
Via: Smart Planet LINK
AOL's downloadable green toolbar offers a series of tips that change every few seconds as well as the ability to get quick searches and fees from, several green blogs like Green Daily and Green Resources ... you can also add Green Tech from Engadget.
During the install process you have the ability to make a few system setups (or decline if you prefer) that will ... "... save $25-75 per year (up to 100 kilowatts) by adjusting your computer to quickly go to Standby mode ... use up to 15% less paper by simply printing more on each page ... For some older monitors, using a darker desktop wallpaper saves more energy than lighter colors ..."
On the far right of the bar is an area that shows a constantly changing list of tips and tip of the day.
Via: AOL Green Toolbar Download Link
Green Rubber™ has invented a process that allows for recycling vulcanized rubber. The de-vulcanization process is called De-Link and promises a way to recycle vulcanized rubber products such as tires.
Typically tires have been thrown in landfills where they collect water and breed mosquito and cause ground water contamination ... and if they catch fire can cause significant air and water pollution.
" ... vulcanization has historically been a non-reversible process ... has not been possible to re-use vulcanized rubber in the production of new rubber products.
"De-vulcanization is the reverse of the vulcanization process ... sulphur bonds are opened up and the chemical characteristics of the de-vulcanized material now resemble virgin rubber ...DeLink reactant is a proprietary and patented chemical mixture ... process is a mechano-chemical reaction in nature ... "
Via: Green Rubber™ LINK
... "The BCI is a single value based on the percent carbon from a biorenewable resource. Biorenewable is defined by Stepan as originating from animal, plant or marine materials. The BCI value is based on the number of biorenewable carbons divided by the total number of carbons in an idealized molecule (as described on Stepan's product bulletins). All of products in the guide are made from biorenewable resources. " ...Via Stepan Company: BCI
Berkeley, California is into solar and wants to help residents and businesses make the move to solar. To help they offer two tools ...
> One tool is a solar portal that allows property owners to look at their roof and determine both the solar potential and the cost.
>A second tool provides financing paid by by taxes
" ... Solar Mapping ... estimate the solar potential of their rooftops and view existing solar installations. ... get an estimated size of a photovoltaic (PV) system that would fit ... obtain detailed information on tax rebates and choose from a listing of available installers ... map reflects elements such as rooftop structures, the slant of the roof, shading ... and ... azimuth of the sun for PV panel placement."
" ... Berkeley FIRST program, a solar finance program ... provides property owners an opportunity to borrow money ... and repay the financing through property tax bills."
Via: MatterNetwork LINK
... "On the appointment of Bill Sims, as president and CEO: In addition to his proven leadership and record of operational excellence, Bill has direct experience bringing new technologies to market against long-established incumbents --- in Joule’s case, fossil fuels. We’re thrilled to see the company emerge and build a successful path to energy independence under his guidance. " ...Via Joule Biotechnologies: Solar Startup
Want to travel Green? Vroom, Vroom, Vroom is a car rental service that works with all the major rental aagencies and offers both lower prices and a carbon offset for your rental (based on the miles driven and carbon emissions of your rental car). You can even get a green hotel as well!
" ... paying for all of the carbon offsets for all car rentals reserved through VroomVroomVroom.com. .. Help the environment by renting a car with VroomVroom Vroom.com. The average contribution to offset carbon emissions for each car rental is $3.32. ...be "environmentally responsible" and drive to a green hotel available in every price range in almost every city."
Via: Vroom Vroom Vroom Link
... "SSL lighting provides illumination that is more energy efficient, longer-lasting and more sustainable. It also opens exciting new doors to how we can use, integrate and ‘play’ with light in our homes, cars, shops and cities. A key structural difference is that OLEDs are created using organic semiconductors (such as those that make up organic solar cells), while LEDs are built in crystals from an inorganic material. OLEDs, on the other hand, are extremely flat panels that evenly emit light over the complete surface. The illumination they produce is “calm”, more glowing and diffuse, and non-glaring. The thin, flat nature of OLEDs also makes it possible to use and integrate light OLED lighting works by passing electricity through one or more incredibly thin layers of organic semiconductors. As this layer returns to its original, stable, non-excited state, the energy flows evenly through the organic film, causing it to emit light. Using different materials in the organic films makes it possible for the OLEDs to emit different colored light. " ...Via Philips: OLED SOLID STATE LIGHTING (PDF)
... "The latest in Nanometrics’ Trajectory product line, the TSM is designed to rapidly measure the thickness of various thin films in order to enable fast feedback and excursion prevention in the manufacture of all types of solar photovoltaic (PV) cells, and further expands Nanometrics’ metrology system footprint into the segment of rough and textured PV film layers. " ...Via Nanometrics: Metrology System for Solar PV Applications
... "Now, with both systems in place, there are about five months in the year when he only pays 10 dollars for electricity from a conventional power plant ... " ...Via Scienceline: Solar thermal energy
... "Isofoton specializes in solar thermal and solar photovoltaic installations and will guide NH Hoteles in the best methods to implement solar power. " ...Via Electric UK: Solar Hotel Chain
Ace Hardware is teaming up with Honeywell to sell a home sized wind turbine.
" ... Honeywell Wind Turbine is a gearless, "free wheeling'' turbine that generates power from the blade tips ... By practically eliminating mechanical resistance and drag ... creates significant power (2000 kWh/yr) operating in a greater range of wind speeds (2-45 mph) than traditional wind turbines. The highest output, lowest cost per kWh installed turbine ever made. ..." 
"installed cost is approximately 1/3 of the cost of traditional turbines with a lower installed cost per kWh than any turbine on the market. Adding to the value are federal and state rebates covering anywhere from 30% to 100% of the overall cost."
Check out this video for more information ....:
Via: Earthtronics LINK
Zeba has developed an interesting product that can help conserve water. A white granule is mixed with the soil and it holds 500 x weight in water. When it rains it absorbs th
e extra water and releases it slowly over time. This lets farmers take advantage of rain by having more soaked up near the plant and released when needed - rather than run off into streams.
" ... superabsorbent polymer based on natural cornstarch, making it biodegradable, nontoxic and odorless. ... a water-insoluble, net-like matrix in the form of a hydrogel that holds and releases water for use by plants as needed.
" ... able to absorb more than 500 times their original weight. ... slowly releases just the right amount of encapsulated moisture in response to plant root suction. T... process is repeated hundreds of times over a growing season or more before Zeba loses effectiveness.
" ... cornstarch based material is biodegradazble"
Via: Zeba LINK
... "Algal biodiesel is one of the only avenues available for high-volume re-use of CO2 generated in power plants. It is a technology that marries the potential need for carbon disposal in the electric utility industry with the need for clean-burning alternatives to petroleum in the transportation sector. " ...Via NREL: Aquatic Species Program, Biodiesel from Algae (PDF)
... "Mr. Umphress is a particular kind of inspector, an energy auditor, and Austin, with one of the toughest building codes in the country, requires an energy inspection before a building can be occupied. " ...Via New York Times: Home Building Rules
... "The new lighting is expected to save more than 5.8 million kilowatt hours of electricity a year, which is equivalent to planting more than 950 acres of trees. Importantly, it demonstrates the kind of impact that replacing high-voltage neon and less-efficient florescent lighting with LEDs can have when rolled out on a large, commercial scale. " ...Via GE: AT&T uses LEDs
... "As I look back at our progress over the past few years, I think the most difficult challenge has been to measure the sustainability of our products. It’s in this area where I believe we can truly accelerate and broaden our efforts in sustainability… with a more elegant, research-driven approach. " ...Via WalMart Stores: Sustainability Meeting
... "Scientists measure the amount of sunlight falling on specific locations at different times of the year. They then estimate the amount of sunlight falling on regions at the same latitude with similar climates. Measurements of solar energy are typically expressed as total radiation on a horizontal surface, or as total radiation on a surface tracking the sun. Radiation data for solar electric (photovoltaic) systems are often represented as kilowatt-hours per square meter (kWh/m2). " ...Via Energy Savers: Solar Radiation
... "The next phase involves creating a database and metrics for sustainability, Golden said, and the third is to translate that information into a ratings system consumers can understand. " ...Via Associated Press: WalMart eco-ratings
... "As part of the multi-faceted agreement, SGI will receive milestone payments for achievements in developing biofuel products. Total funding for SGI in research and development activities and milestone payments could amount to more than $300 million with the potential for additional income from licensing to third parties. Photosynthetic algae, which include microalgae (single celled algae) and cyanobacteria (most commonly known as blue-green algae) are organisms that are very efficient at utilizing the energy from sunlight to convert carbon dioxide into cellular oils (lipids) and even some types of long-chain hydrocarbons that can be further processed into fuels and chemicals. " ...Via Synthetic Genomics: Multi-Year Agreement to Develop Next Generation Biofuels Using Photosynthetic Algae
... "The DESERTEC concept, developed by the TREC Initiative of the Club of Rome, describes the perspectives of a sustainable power supply for all regions of the world with access to the energy potential of deserts. " ...Via DESERTEC Foundation: Industrial Initiative
Scientists at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory may have a new process to produce plastic from plant fibers (cellulose). ... convert glucose directly in high yields to a primary building block for fuel and polyesters," ... ... called HMF, which stands for hydroxymethylfurfural. It is a chemical derived from carbohydrates such as glucose and fructose and is viewed as a promising surrogate for petroleum-based chemicals."
... "The Teanaway Solar Reserve is the largest photovoltaic solar project ever proposed for the Northwest. Once completed, it will be tied to the utility grid and generate up to 75 megawatts of clean, renewable energy ... " ...Via Teanaway Solar: Reserve
Most of the bio fuel processes are require significant amounts of petroleum energy (i.e. to grow the basic crop like corn) or to power the process. Algenol is totally different ... it does not compete in a food vs/ biofuel stock like corn.
"...introducing its DIRECT TO ETHANOL™ technology ... an innovative algae to ethanol compa
ny ... advanced 3rd generation biofuels technology producing ethanol from algae through a process powered by the sun ... industrial-scale, low-cost ethanol using algae, sunlight, CO2, and seawater.... does not use food, farmland, or fresh water."
Some of the advantages of the Algenol process are" ... [can] use desert land and marginal land ... make fresh water from seawater during the process. ... an energy balance over 8 : 1 (energy output : fossil fuel input) ...".
Via: Algenol Biofuels Link
... "Using a nickel-based electrode, the scientists can create large amounts of cheap hydrogen from urine ... " ...Via Discovery News: Urine
... "PG&E awarded the SOLON Corporation a contract to produce photovoltaic modules and build a 2 MW power plant, which is planned to be completed in December 2009, in a multi-stage bidding process involving several top North American solar companies. The power plant is a pilot project for PG&E aimed at enabling the utility to develop more photovoltaic power plants in the future. As part of its solar energy initiative, PG&E plans to use photovoltaic power to deliver more than 1,000 gigawatt hours of electricity each year by 2015. " ...Via SOLON: PG&E Picks SOLON
Here is an interesting non turbine wind power generator. I saw the idea for this in the TerraPass Blog; another one of the Blogs I follow.
See the link below for a video with the details ... basically the vibrating film causes a magnet to move between coils ... which is effective in light breezes ...
" ... Shawn Frayne, a 28-year-old inventor ... saw the need for small-scale wind power to juice LED lamps and radios in the homes of the poor. ...took a new tack, ... Frayne's device, ... is a taut membrane fitted with a pair of magnets that oscillate between metal coils. Prototypes have generated 40 milliwatts in 10-mph slivers of wind, making his device 10 to 30 times as efficient as the best microturbines. ..."
Via: Popular Mechanics LINK
... "The project will be the first utility-scale solar power project located on local government property in the state. This is the fifth and largest solar array project announced by Progress Energy Carolinas, bringing the total amount of solar-generated electricity scheduled to be purchased by the company to more than 5 megawatts. " ...Via City of Raleigh: Solar Array Project Agreement Reached
Yesterday I found packaged green peppers in what looked like a paper tray rather than #6 PS foam trays. The product is labeled 100 compostable and 100% biodegradab
le and is made by Biospherecorp.
Compostable and biodegradable beats PS foam! Made from starch that is used as it is and not converted to plastic first ...
" ...Biosphere® Industries joined forces with Sealed Air Corporation, ... as a joint venture partner to bring a new class of sustainable biodegradable packaging products to market. ... Renew-a-Pak® and Blueware™ product lines are ... ultra earth friendly starch based packaging systems. ... do not convert starch into plastic, but bake it, similar to the process of making bread, waffles or ice cream cones. ... manufacture rigid packaging products that perform unlike anything else on earth."
" ... made primarily of starches such as tapioca and potatoes and a smaller percentage of grass fibers making them not only biodegradable, but Earth friendly ... Custom engineered packaging shapes and sizes may be infused with signature colors and custom aromas."
" ... Renew-a-Pak's product line is readily naturally compostable and garbage disposal safe. ... biodegrade completely in 40 days outdoors ... or 10 days in a commercial compost environment while enjoying an indoor shelf life of many years ..."
Via: biosphereindustries LINK
... "The three-year program is designed to accelerate commercialization of an ultra-thin protective film -- more than 3,000 times thinner than a human hair -- that prevents moisture from degrading the performance of thin-film PV modules, a key challenge in the past. " ...Via Dupont: Thin Film Solar Research with DOE
In an earlier post of this blog (June 25th,m 2009) I wrote about Microsoft hohm, a new beta software application that would help homeowners better understand their energy usage and give suggestions to save money.
Yesterday I got the link inviting me to try it ... here are some of the details ...
hohm is a web application that develops a detailed "picture" of your home and its energy use using a very detailed series of questions. Questions cover ... the direction the front of your home faces ... and includes details about all major systems and about the number of windows and square footage of widows on each side of the house. See graphic to the right for pictures of the categories of questions.
After filling out 75% of the questions I was able to get a list of "best ways to spend
50, 100, and 500 dollars".
So far I found hohm easy to use and informative ... and the initial Q & A took about 20 minutes.
More details as the "experiment" continues !
Via: Microsoft hohm LINK
challenges. ...
... "XeroCoat is targeting a coating method for thin film modules that will exceed thin film industry cost targets and further lower the cost of solar energy. Upon successful completion of this development work, XeroCoat’s customers will be able to cost-effectively apply its high performance AR coatings to all solar technologies, increasing energy output and making solar energy more affordable. " ...Via XeroCoat: DOE Grant for Solar Coating Development (PDF)
... "He called for Britain to make smart investments through greater technology prioritisation and to move away from technology neutrality. This new approach, outlined in a new report, means public support will be focused on emerging low carbon technologies and industries that will have the maximum impact on cutting carbon and generating UK economic benefit. " ...Via Carbon Trust: Clean Tech Priorities
You cannot manage what you cannot measure ... everyone is hearing about the increasing carbon / greenhouse emissions .. but just how big a number is it? How fast is it growing?
To get a real time view take a look at the 10 character - 70 foot "meter" in New York's Times Sq on the Deutsch Banks billboard.
" ...displays the amount of equivalent greenhouse gas emissions in terms of carbon in the atmosphere, and is constantly updated based on measurements from NASA, NOAA, and supporting research from MIT. ... the number is a reflection of all greenhouse gas emissions (methane, nitrous oxide, etc.) by their impact equivalencies in carbon. It even accounts for dips and rises in the amount of carbon in the atmosphere due to seasonal changes so not to appear to be slowing down certain times of the year.
"Before ... the information was only updated every five years. ... displaying the count in real time "allows people to begin to engage in the debate around the issue." ... the counter creates a sense of urgency, a call to action, and is intended to spur action to take the steps necessary in saving our planet."
Track the carbon count in real time on your PC ... download the Carbon Counter widget ... LINK
Via: SustainLane LINK
Fat Spaniel Technologies provides real time monitoring of your solar PV system. Read their case studies of Jay Leno's car garage and SF International Airport.
Track your actual generation / performance and see ... "... display total power generated by ... day, week, month, or year ... local irradiance, cell temperature, and ambient temperature ... avoided greenhouse gases (CO2, NOx and Sox) over the lifetime ..."
It can be used to proactively guide behavior changes ... " Generate Energy 
Savings Via Behavior Modification ..." ... Educate ... by publishing real-time and historical data ... Cut electricity usage up to 10% by changing habits of building occupants ..."
" ... Fat Spaniel provides ... an industrial-grade, Software-as-a-Service renewable energy plant management system that enables plant operators to: ... Manage renewable energy plants in real-time ... Communicate and interact with mobile personnel ... Generate revenue utilizing back-end services for regulatory agency reporting, renewable energy certificate (REC) registration, and environmental reporting"
Via: Fat Spaniel Technologies LINK
The University of New Mexico at Taos is investing in a significant solar array, occupying three and one half acres, to take advantage of the abundant sunshine and satisfy the school's electrical power requirements. ...
... "When completed next month, the three and one half acre solar array, containing more than 2,700 photovoltaic panels, will generate 500 KW of power, more than enough to serve power needs of the UNM-Taos campus. Any additional power will go into the grid. " ...Via University of New Mexico at Taos: Energy Independence
Zwahlen's is a local (Audubon PA) ice cream and chocolate establishment that just so happens to have the first commercial use of SRS Energy's Sole Power Tile Roof.
I was driving past the store last evening when my son told me about the sign on the front that said --- something along the lines "the best ice cream under the sun is now powered by the sun". I needed to check this out ...
" SRS Energy, ...installed ... the first building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) roofing product designed for curved roofing systems, ... the first commercial installation of the Sole Power Tile(TM) system ..."
"T...a great example of how time-tested traditions and cutting-edge technology can meet to create something beautiful," said Marty Low, CEO of SRS Energy and owner of Zwahlen's. "
" ... designed to blend seamlessly with several styles of US Tile's clay tiles, providing energy without the use of traditional solar panels that can compromise a building's roofline and curb appeal. ... preserves Zwahlen's charming Swiss chalet look."
"SRS Energy recently introduced the Sole Power Tile(TM) system to the greater Philadelphia region at the PV America show, held at the Pennsylvania Convention center during the week of June 7, 2009."
SRS Energy's Sole Power Tile can generate 500 Watts per sq ft.
Via: EarthTimes LINK
Via: SRS Energy LINK