June 2009
Monthly Archive
Chile, US to work on renewable energy
Posted by admin on 30 Jun 2009 | Tagged as: Biofuel, Geothermal, OTEC, Ocean Energy, Solar, Wind
The United States and Chile are joining forces to work on non-conventional renewable energy.
Under the agreement, Chile and the United States will cooperate on high priority energy issues, such as energy efficiency technologies and developing renewable energy sources including ocean, solar, wind, geothermal, and biofuels.
The agreement also makes Chile’s new Renewable Energy Center eligible for U.S. Department of Energy technical support.
New Starbucks stores to try for LEED
Posted by admin on 29 Jun 2009 | Tagged as: LEED
Starbucks announced that as of 2010, all new company-operated stores will try to achieve LEED certification.
As new company-operated stores are built and renovated, Seattle-based Starbucks will source materials and employ craftsmen locally, incorporate reused and recycled elements where possible and aim to achieve U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (USGBC-LEED) certification for all new company-operated stores worldwide beginning in 2010. Certification goals for all new stores will run the gamut from Certified to Platinum. Store remodel projects will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis for LEED potential, the company says.
CT man converts pickup truck to run on biomass
Posted by admin on 28 Jun 2009 | Tagged as: Biomass
Dave Nichols, a Connecticut home builder, converted his 1989 Ford F-150 pickup truck to run on biomass.
Nichols says he’s driven it 10,000 miles without gas, including a trip about three months ago when he loaded up the back with about 400 pounds of wood and drove some 600 miles across Connecticut, then to New Hampshire and Boston before returning home. A pound of wood or other material will fuel his truck for 1 to 2 miles, meaning that the truck costs about 8 cents a mile to fuel, compared to roughly 19 cents per mile if it used gasoline at today’s prices.
Sears Tower to test wind, solar
Posted by admin on 27 Jun 2009 | Tagged as: Solar, Wind
The Sears Tower plans to cut energy costs by 80% by using wind and solar energy, as well as using other technologies like green roofs.
Wind turbines will be tested to take advantage of the tower’s height and unique set-back roof areas. Solar hot-water panels will help heat water for the building. Green roofs that can sustain high-altitude conditions, and that will be among the tallest in the world, will be tested to reduce storm water runoff, improve insulation help mitigate the urban heat island effect.
Cornell opens new biofuel lab
Posted by admin on 26 Jun 2009 | Tagged as: Biofuel
The Biofuels Research Laboratory opened at Cornell University on June 23rd.
Researchers in the lab, built in an older laboratory which had fallen into disuse, are developing not only fuel production methods, but also enzymes, microorganisms, plant breeds, technology and software
Jet fuel’s carbon footprint smaller if biofuel used
Posted by admin on 25 Jun 2009 | Tagged as: Biofuel
When biofuel derived from camelina sativa is used as jet fuel, carbon dioxide emissions are cut by 84% over the course of the plant’s life cycle.
David Shonnard, Robbins Chair Professor of Chemical Engineering, analyzed the carbon dioxide emissions of jet fuel made from camelina oil over the course of its life cycle, from planting to tailpipe. “Camelina jet fuel exhibits one of the largest greenhouse gas emission reductions of any agricultural feedstock-derived biofuel I’ve ever seen,” he said. “This is the result of the unique attributes of the crop–its low fertilizer requirements, high oil yield, and the availability of its coproducts, such as meal and biomass, for other uses.”
Exploratory leases awarded for offshore wind
Posted by admin on 24 Jun 2009 | Tagged as: Wind
The United States government awarded exploratory leases to three companies for offshore wind development.
The leases allow the companies to build meteorological towers between six and 18 miles (10-29 km) offshore to gather data on wind resources, determine the viability of building three wind farms, and conduct environmental impact studies, Salazar said at a news conference.
KFC/Taco Bell store gets Gold LEED
Posted by admin on 23 Jun 2009 | Tagged as: LEED
A KFC/Taco Bell store in Northampton, Massachusetts has received Gold LEED certification.
Technologies that will be tested include:
- Solar energy to preheat fresh air coming into the building, which reduces the use of natural gas;
- Rainwater for grounds irrigation, fixtures with lower water-consumption rates and a rain garden with filters that improve storm water quality;
- A lighting control system that maximizes the use of natural light and includes energy-efficient LED lights in the restaurant, parking lot and on signage;
- A more energy efficient kitchen and building equipment;
- The restaurant also composts and recycles waste, including enhanced cooking oil reclamation
Green washer uses nylon beads to clean clothes
Posted by admin on 22 Jun 2009 | Tagged as: LEED
A new “waterless” washer, expected to be released in late 2010, uses small, recylcable nylon beads to clean clothes.
Using 90 percent less water and minimal detergent, the “virtually waterless” washer utilizes reusable small nylon beads to trap dirt. The beads act like water, tumbling alongside the clothes, and can be used hundreds of times over.
Lockheed ventures into green industries
Posted by admin on 21 Jun 2009 | Tagged as: Biomass, OTEC, Ocean Energy, Solar
The United States’ largest defense contractor, Lockheed Martin, is using technology developed for military and aerospace use in green industries.
Lockheed’s traditional activities have equipped it with expertise that can be put to work in new environmental businesses. It made the solar panels that have powered satellites and manned craft since America’s space programme began in the 1950s. In the process, it has developed power-management technology that can be applied to civilian electricity grids.
