Green Technology

Understanding Your Water Use

2012-05-05T12:38:00Z

Do you know how much water you use each day … and what it is used for ? Turns out it is closer to 2000 gallons per DAY.

Check out the graphic to the right for the details >>> LINK and follow the interactive to see how your usage grows during the day.

By understanding where water is used you can make choices to save water and know where to make the biggest impact !

“ … biggest surprise may be that 95 percent of your water footprint … from the food, energy and products you use every day. C…”

Via: Good LLC LINK

Zotos: One of US's Top 20 On-Site Wind Power Generators

2012-05-04T22:23:00Z

Zotos makes professional hair care products. They also are going green and have major initiatives under way for wind power, carbon offsetting and greener packaging.

“ … we must change the way we see our world. … Zotos is … implementing one of the largest private industrial sustainability programs in the nation.”

They have been recognized by the US-EPA as one of the Top 20 On-site Wind Generators. Two turbines at their Geneva NY plant that “ … generate approximately 6.5 million kWh of electricity … annually … provide more than 60 percent of Zotos’ energy requirements … expected to reduce overall CO₂ emissions by 50 percent in 2011.”

Via: Zotos Internatinal LINK

GE and Arista Partner on Renewable Energy

2012-04-27T13:26:59Z

Arista designs and makes renewable energy systems and has partnered with GE to use their Durathon™Battery for their “Power on Demand” offering.

Power on Demand system uses renewable energy (wind, solar, …) and storage devices to keep that energy available for peak use. Power on Demand can reduce energy costs by smoothing the demand for grid power and using stored power at peak times when energy charges are highest.

"“ … a custom-designed battery storage system and proprietary real-time demand monitoring technology. … releasing stored power only during peak demand periods, thereby reducing peak demand charges, … and lowering commercial electricity costs.”

GE’s Durathon Batteries are both smaller and lighter than traditional batteries, can last up to 20 years and are recyclable.

For more info on GE’s Durathon Batteries see geenergystorage.com.

Via: Arista LINK

Okabashi - 100% Recyclable Footwear

2012-04-21T12:24:00Z

Okabashi makes footwear that is both recyclable and made from recycled materials. Consumers can send their old shoes in to be recycled and receive a coupon for their next buy.

“ … last year alone … re-grind and re-introduce over 100,000 lbs of scrap material,diverting 10 tractor trailers full of waste from our landfills.”

The amount of recycled content varies …” sandals made this year contains 15-25% recycled material.”

Via: Okaoashi LINK

Earth Day 2012–April 22

2012-04-21T12:04:00Z

Get ready for earth day 2012. Get ready to make your own positive impact on the planet …

Consider (if you are not already doing so) …

- recycling
- shopping with reusable shopping bags
- FreeCycling rather than landfilling
- composing certain kitchen scraps
- installing a programmable thermostat for a/c
- insulating your water heater
- using CFL or LED bulks
- buying energy efficient appliances

Take time to celebrate earth day 2012 …

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Via: Earth Day Network Link

Boeing 737 Max Energy Efficiency Improvements

2012-04-15T21:59:16Z

Boeing integrates energy efficiency into its redesign of the 737 Max, targeting the engine, weight savings, and improved aerodynamics. …

… “The 737 MAX is on-track to deliver substantial fuel-savings to customers starting in 2017, said Beverly Wyse, vice president and general manager, 737 program.

We've made several design decisions that support the performance targets for the MAX and evolve the Next-Generation 737's design within the scope of the 737 MAX program.” …

Via Boeing: 737 Max Design.

Philadelphia Gets a Porous Green Street

2012-04-12T02:27:56Z

The 800 block of Percy Street is Philadelphia’s first porous street. The street allows water to be absorbed directly into the pavement and will reduce the amount of water directed to the storm sewers.

“ … potentially mitigate the impact of ice on city streets following winter storms. “ by allowing road salt to soak into the street and not get dumped into rivers and streams.

“ … eliminating stormwater runoff from the site. Porous asphalt is as structurally strong as conventional asphalt, … provides temporary storage for water as it slowly soaks into the ground. …”

Philadelphia’s long term goal is to have hundreds of miles of porous asphalts streets in the future.

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Via: City of Philadelphia LINK

Makani Airborne Wind Power

2012-04-08T23:40:00Z

Makani has an energy solution that harnesses the power of winds at elevations far beyond that available to ground based turbines. Their “tethered” wind turbine system uses far less material to construct that a typical turbine. The long term goal would be a system, that can autonomously launch when the wind conditions are right and land when the wind dies down.

“ …. autonomous wing fitted with onboard turbines … Flying at 1,000 ft, … mimics the motion, and speed, of a conventional turbine’s aerodynamically effective blade tips.”

Via: Makani LINK

Electronics Manufactures Work Towards e-Waste Recycling

2012-04-04T04:30:48Z

The MRM promotes recycling of electronics by brining together manufacturers to develop “ … effective and sustainable recycling for electronic products.” Their pledge is to have “ … electronics products recycled responsibly”.

They are working to make recycling convenient, effective and sustainable for consumers and have recycled 170 million lbs of electronics since 2007.

The site has an interactive map – enter a ZIP or city / state pair - to find drop off locations near you.

MRM’s website has information for both consumers looking for a place to recycle and for manufacturers to help comply with their states recycling policies.

Via: MRM LINK

Enlightened - Intelligent Energy Saving Lighting

2012-03-31T13:02:03Z

ENLIGHTED is an advanced lighting technology company. It’s lighting solutions advance lighting and energy savings to the next level.

They position themselves as offering the 4th generation of lighting management.

- 1st generation is no user feedback
- 2nd generation is occupancy and daylight detection
- 3rd generation is zones with central control).

See graphic for a detailed view of the 4 generations of lighting control LINK

Using “ … an autonomous sensor and control system … deploys an addressable sensor and controller at every fixture in the building…” The sensors collect data in real time for presence / occupancy, temperature and ambient light to develop a profile for how each light fixture needs to operate."”

Via: Enlighted, Inc. LINK

3D Solar Photovoltaic Configuration Increases Power Output

2012-03-28T20:38:28Z

MIT research investigates solar panel configurations for greater power generation, with angled, stacked design, like an accordion, being the most effective, even on cloudy days. …

… “The accordion-style arrays also work better because they receive solar energy from all angles rather than in just one direction.” …

Via Digital Trends: 3D Solar Design.

MIT research findings.

Panasonic Technology for Hybrid Car Carrier

2012-03-28T03:26:00Z

Panasonic along with Mitsui O.S.K Lines, Ltd. and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries are working on technologies to reduce CO2 emissions from ocean going ships.

The test platform is the “EMERALD ACE”. The ship will be fitted with “ … solar panels (160kW planned) and lithium-ion rechargeable batteries (approximately 2.2MWh planned) … “

The solar panels charge batteries that provide power when in the harbor – in place of diesel generators reducing CO2 emissions. The batteries are used as ballast and do not impact the carrying capacity of the ship.

Via: Panasonic LINK

Panasonic’s PETEC (Panasonic Eco Technology Center

2012-03-26T00:21:40Z

Panasonic’s PETEC is looking at ways to achieve “Zero Waste Recycling” by developing process that can reuse materials from products that are at the end of their life – rather than send them to a landfill.

One interesting example is recycling old CRT type TVs … as old analog style TVs are replaced with newer digital TVs there is the opportunity to recycle this large amount of glass and other valuable raw materials. The glass is turned into fibers that are used to make insulation panels for new refrigerators.

PETEC looks at ways to more efficiently recover materials as well as work with manufacturing teams to make products easier to recycle. “ … knowledge gained at the actual recycling site is shared … and this knowledge acts as feedback to design new products.”

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Via: Panasonic LINK

ROI on Renewable Energy Projects Improving

2012-03-20T18:19:19Z

As pricing for renewable energy infrastructure decreases, the return on investment for projects is increasing, driving a shift in investments. Market competition is lowering the installed cost of solar energy systems while improving the viability of proposed projects. …

… “Clean Edge, which tracks developments in the clean-energy markets, estimates that the cost to install photovoltaic solar systems will drop by almost two-thirds with the next decade.” …

Via Forbes: Renewable Energy Projects.

SheaHomes and SolarCity Partner on ZERO Energy Homes

2012-03-10T14:24:11Z

SheaHomes and SolarCity are partnering to bring consumers the “No Electric Bill” home.

“ … expected to be one of the largest net-zero electric home projects in the U.S. when completed. …”

SheaXero homes have these green features … solar power, energy efficient windows, Energy Star appliances,CFL bulks, blown in wall insulation, programmable thermostats, motion sensors for lights, insulated garage doors and more.

“SheaXero is a state-of-the-art package that combines a sleek, low profile solar power system with over 30 groundbreaking green features to completely eliminate your electric bill …”

The “No electric Bill” homes are expected to be available in SheaHome communicites in the states of Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada and Washington.

Via: SheaZero LINK and SolarCity LINK