January 2010
Monthly Archive
Intel to build 8 solar projects
Posted by admin2 on 31 Jan 2010 | Tagged as: Solar
Intel plans to build 8 solar installations in four states to power its facilities.
Sedler noted that the largest installation, planned for Folsom, Calif. , is designed to be a 1-megawatt solar field covering six acres. The smallest installation will produce 100 kilowatts and will cover 13,000 square feet of a rooftop on an Intel campus building.
Kohl’s attains 100% renewables
Posted by admin2 on 30 Jan 2010 | Tagged as: Conservation
Kohl’s Department Stores has bought enough renewable energy to reach its 100% green fuel goal.
According to the U.S. EPA, Kohl’s Department Stores’ green power purchase of 1,367,376,000 kWh is equivalent to avoiding the carbon dioxide emissions of nearly 188,000 passenger vehicles per year or the amount of electricity needed to power nearly 128,000 average American homes annually. Green power is electricity that is generated from environmentally preferable renewable resources, such as wind and solar. These resources generate electricity with a net zero increase in carbon dioxide emissions while offering a superior environmental profile compared to traditional green power sources. Green power purchases also support the development of new renewable energy generation sources nationwide.
Car powered by paper waste drives around DC
Posted by admin2 on 29 Jan 2010 | Tagged as: Biofuel
A flex-fuel Chevy HHR powered by paper waste will be featured in this year’s Washington Auto Show at the Washington Convention Center.
Whereas the ethanol biofuels of the past have made use of corn and other crops, Novozymes has developed an “enzyme cocktail” that can make advanced biofuel “from agricultural residues, municipal waste and energy crops.” The paper waste is converted into sugar and then fermented into biofuel following a sequence of pulping, pre-treatment, and wash.
Turbine City proposed off Norway
Posted by admin2 on 28 Jan 2010 | Tagged as: Wind
Design firm On Office wants to build Turbine City off the Norwegian coast that would incorporate wind turbines and tourist destinations.
Turbine City is a way to “spin” turbines in a new light for people who might think of them as unappealing eyesores, and could attract tourists, sailors, offshore oil-workers and others to see the beauty of wind farms with their own eyes. Plus, it makes a lot of sense to have the structures perform double duty as both energy harvesting devices and a place for people to find shelter and enjoyment.
Walmart completes 1 MW solar project
Posted by admin2 on 27 Jan 2010 | Tagged as: Solar
Walmart announced the completion of its largest solar project, a 1-megawatt solar farm at its distribution center in Apple Valley, California.
The solar farm consists of over 5,300 ground-mounted solar panels covering over 7 acres with an output of one megawatt – enough to power 175 homes.
Seattle uses garbage to power city
Posted by admin2 on 26 Jan 2010 | Tagged as: Methane
Seattle is using methane, produced from decomposing garbage, as an alternative energy source.
Seattle ships its trash — about 400,000 tons a year — by rail to a Waste Management-owned landfill in Arlington, Ore. As part of a contract reached last year, Waste Management agreed to begin turning the landfill’s methane into energy and sell it to Seattle.
City Council members, utility officials and Waste Management executives announced Thursday in a Sodo rail yard that the plant has begun making electricity, completing the circle of waste-to-energy that was envisioned when Seattle started sending its garbage to Oregon in 1991.
Facebook data center applies for LEED Gold
Posted by admin2 on 25 Jan 2010 | Tagged as: Conservation, LEED
Facebook has applied for LEED Gold certification for its data cener in Prineville, Oregon.
The Prineville, Ore., data center will feature an evaporative cooling system, which Facebook says uses less energy than traditional chiller-style systems. Prineville has a dry climate, reports OregonLive.
An “airside economizer” brings cool air in from the outside, while heat generated by the servers will be used to keep the adjacent offices warm.
Finally, Facebook has developed a proprietary system for maintaining uninterrupted electricity supply that uses 12 percent less energy than other systems.
Green Bank of Kentucky makes loans for conservation
Posted by admin2 on 24 Jan 2010 | Tagged as: Conservation
The Green Bank of Kentucky has made its first loan, $1.3 million to the Kentucky Department of Education.
The Green Bank of Kentucky was created in September to fund energy-conservation projects across the state. It has received nearly $19 million in funding given to the state through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
Apple exploring solar for small electronics
Posted by admin2 on 23 Jan 2010 | Tagged as: Solar
Apple has applied for patents to use solar energy in products such as the iPod and iPhone.
Solar cells could be placed on both the front and back of the device, giving a large surface area to collect more potential power. The application notes that solar cells can be made into rigid materials, allowing virtually the entire exterior of the device to be covered in cells. One diagram included with the application shows an iPod with its front and back made of solar cells.
San Francisco to host concentrated solar convention
Posted by admin2 on 22 Jan 2010 | Tagged as: Solar
The 4th annual Concentrated Solar Power Summit will be held in San Francisco, California on June 24-25, 2010.
Every year, over 650 global CSP leaders converge on San Francisco, representing leading developers, key material and component suppliers, influential financiers, government organizations and agencies. The two day conference and exhibition will seek to address the fundamental challenges currently facing the CSP industry in the USA with a keen focus on:
Regulation Project Development
Technology Permitting
Thermal Storage Finance
Transmission Site Selection
