Solarion

Solar energy, will be playing a big role in our lives, as it has been playing for eons. Sustainable society is a need if we are to survive as a planet. There are many a facets to solar energy, solar electricity, solar heat and so on. Education is key factor in bringing Solar power to the doorsteps of every house and all people. This site will try to empower you, by bringing new about solar energy, the solar power blog, empoweringsolar. Be powerful! be off the grid. Let Sun Shine On You.

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Zipcar and Flexcar Merge

National car sharing services Zipcar and Flexcar, announced their merger Oct. 31.

Cambridge and Washington DC (October 31, 2007) — Zipcar and Flexcar, leading car sharing providers, announced today the companies will merge. Together these two companies will represent an international network able to deliver new member benefits and accelerated growth to the burgeoning car sharing industry. The combined company will operate under the Zipcar brand and be headquartered in Cambridge, MA, under the leadership of Zipcar's chairman and chief executive, Scott Griffith.

Full Press Release.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

IBM's Big Green Innovations initiative

Peter Williams, CTO of IBM's Big Green Innovations initiative, outlines how the IT giant is diversifying into solar power, smart grids and environmental management in a discussion with BusinessGreen.

According to the interview, the Big Green Innovations portfolio has been divided into four areas: water, alternative energy, carbon management and computational models.
In the case of the water, IBM has taken the super computer technology that is used to run weather forecasts and is developing systems to take that data and use it to better support water management and irrigation decisions. So if you thought IBM and water does not mix, think again. Hudson river and a project on the Paraguay-Paraná river system in Brazil, IBM has put to work the water management system to work, which operates similar to High Energy Power Grid.
When it comes to Solar energy, IBM is adapting some of it's material science expertise acquired in the development of semi conductors and applying it to the silicon cells used in photovoltaic solar panels. But you might not see Solar Panels with IBM Logo. IBM plans to license the technology to company which has a foothold in that arena.
IBM also have developed complex management diagnostic models that assess the relationship between carbon emissions and other business factors. So it plans to provide better carbon management solutions that really work.
Finally, IBM stand to gain from the technology it is developing with this Green Innivation. IBM is about to launch a Green Sigma service, which we have trademarked and builds on the Six Sigma lean process principles. It will focus on ways to develop processes to bring down the carbon intensity of products and processes and create a lean green business. We plan to pilot it inside IBM and with some external customers and then refine it and take it to market
Interview could be found here.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

LUZ shines again as LUZ II, Brightly.

Arnold J. Goldman, (64) is the founder of Luz International, which since it was founded in 1984, has designed, developed, built, financed, and operated nine solar power plants in California's Mojave desert. It was a pioneer in proving that solar energy is a reliable way to produce electricity commercially, even at times of peak consumption.
These nine plants are still operating, supplying 350 megawatts of power to Southern California. But Luz International, the company that deployed them on the plains of Nevada, was less fortunate. In 1991, despite being the sole commercial developer of thermal electricity in the US, it went bankrupt after failing to secure the necessary funding for the construction of its tenth power plant.
But just like the sun rise, LUZ has come back again as LUZ II.
Globe, Israel, interviewed the gentleman after he recreated Luz, LUZ II. Luz II is a subsidiary of BrightSource Energy Inc.of Oakland California, which is owned by Goldman. Follow the link for a swath of information and the interview that reveals what is the past, present and the future of LUZ or LUZ II.

Saturday, October 27, 2007

The Delft University Wins the Panasonic World Solar Challenge

I did not attend Delft University but another one near, Technische Hogeschool in Eindhoven, yet I was elated to find out that Delft University team won the Panasonic World Solar Challenge for the fourth time running. The Nuon Solar Team were first past the finish. The vehicle completed the final leg of 760 km in just eight hours.
he Nuon Solar Team tested their new solar-powered car, Nuna4, at the Daf circuit in Sint-Oedenrode. The practice helped the team’s drivers win the Panasonic World Solar Challenge.
The details of the Nuna4 is here.
The team Blog with videos and race descriptions are must read.
Voor team veel erg Gefeliciteerd met deze fantastische prestatie!

Google and Specialized Bicycles get Cranky and Tell US to "Innovate or Die"

Google and Specialized bicycles recently announced their joint "innovate or die" campaign. The Sponsors are asking innovative people who are interested finding solutions to pressing problem we have today, global warming and related troubles. But the duo sponsors requesting you to design and build pedal-powered machines that will help improve on our current current(no pun intended, see bellow for meaning) use or totally new invention. Google's involvement is to promote the project through YouTube. If you register, the final video of the pedal-powered project will have to be uploaded at the project site on YouTube channel. There are intros, sample projects and some projects at YT already.
Be sure to register, Registration must occur before the stroke of midnight (11:59:59pm) Pacific Time on December 15, 2007.
The winning submission will walk away with $5000 and a Specialized bike. But there are other prizes as well!;

Grand Prize: a Specialized Globe bike for each individual participant and one check for $5,000

5 Runner-up Prizes: a Specialized Globe bike for each individual participant.

Top 200 Prizes: Official Contest T-shirts

Friday, October 26, 2007

VOIP IP Telephony: VoIP Education and Training Needed for Sales People

Yahoo Goes Green as Promised.

Not to be out done by Google's environmental efforts, or that of Microsoft's Solar Power efforts that got beaten by Google's (again?) Yahoo has applied it self to save the world from all the environmental issues. They promise to go carbon neutral by end of the year.
Instead of dealing with messy solar panels and get beaten by Google in KW's Yahoo is following Al Gore, a Nobel winner. After much due diligence, Yahoo! has decided to offset its 250 thousand metric ton carbon footprint from 2006 through wind power in India and Hydro power projects in Brazil.
This amount of greenhouse gases is roughly equivalent to driving 35,000 cars for a year or lighting the Las Vegas strip for two months, said Christine Page, director of climate and energy strategy at Yahoo, as the company announced its plans.
Yahoo! is partnering with local businesses to purchase offsets from 43 750-kilowatt wind turbines in Vankuswade, Maharashtra, in western India and Tenkasi in Tamil Nadu, in southern India. This investment was particularly important as India is one of the most carbon-producing regions in the world. Yahoo is also exploring various community programs that will support and empower residents of these communities.
In Brazil, Catorce de Abril, a small village in the state of Rondonia, 1,400 miles northwest of Sao Paulo, is powered by the Primavera hydropower project, which produces the offsets that Yahoo! has purchased. There Kids goes to School that has electricity and Yahoo will provide Internet connection and computers and peripherals use and reach the rest of the world.
Thank you Yahoo for stepping in to it!

Thursday, October 25, 2007

State Of Our Earth, Presented in Graphics

BBC has done a great job in reporting UN's latest Global Environment Outlook report, So even I can understand it at a glance! ;)
According to same report our long-term problems including climate change, pollution, access to clean water, and the threat of mass extinctions are being met with "a remarkable lack of urgency".
This very extensive analysis points out our problems and solutions. As a Planet, we can improve the state of the planet!

Update: Sorry for forgetting to add the link!
Go feast your eyes hopefully change the minds of everyone around you who thinks there are no global crisis.

GEO4 Global Environmental Outlook , UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme)
(This is a fairly large file (22MB) and needs a Adobe reader or compatible viewer.)

WeSeePeople: Give a HUGG to Green News

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

GM Wins First Place in Blue Sky Concept Design With Hummer O2

LOS ANGELES (Nov. 30, 2006) – GM Advanced Design has won the Los Angeles Auto Show’s Design Challenge for the second year in a row. This year’s winning entry is a two-dimensional rendering of a 2015 Blue Sky Concept that addresses environmental sustainability. Called the HUMMER 02, this design proves that daily use of a vehicle could result in a net gain for the environment.

The 2006 Design Challenge theme is Environmental Sustainability, a challenge for design studios to transform the future of driving into an environmental experience. Contest guidelines also required that vehicle entries be 100-percent recyclable and have a maximum lifespan of just 60 months. GM’s entry is presented as a series of two-dimensional images, not as a 3D model.

Designers at GM’s West Coast Advanced Design Studio in Southern California tackled the far-reaching challenge – to develop a concept that resulted in a net gain for the environment. The GM team crafted an entry that surpasses the contest’s sustainability principles: the HUMMER O2 Concept.

“The HUMMER O2 epitomizes the ethos of the true Southern California outdoors enthusiast with rugged capability, a ‘tread lightly’ contact system and construction methods promoting safety, accessibility and reusability,” said Frank Saucedo, director, GM Advanced Design in California . “Most vehicles in L.A. spend 95 percent of their time outdoors subjected to sunlight, so why couldn’t a vehicle give back?”

To fully understand the HUMMER O2, the GM team believes that terms commonly associated with ecology and biology work best.

Photosynthesis
The HUMMER 02 Concept features a revolutionary phototropic body shell that produces pure oxygen throughout the life of the vehicle. Algae-filled body panels transform carbon dioxide into pure oxygen that is subsequently released back into the environment and inside the vehicle.

“The panels essentially function as the ‘leaves’ of the HUMMER O2 and effectively clean the air in the surrounding environment,” said Saucedo. “Used algae are recycled as biomass for the further production of energy.”

Breathing
The HUMMER 02 promotes the production of oxygen by a two-way valve system in the corner of each panel. The sophisticated devices control and monitor the amount of carbon dioxide and source nutrition needed for the algae cultivation while optimizing oxygen production and distribution.

Energy
Four modular and self-contained fuel cells power hydraulic motors built into each wheel. A hydrogen tank is placed in an ideal central location for safety and structural purposes, becoming the “heart” of the vehicle.

Footprint
Active Tread TM tires provide low resistance on the highway while allowing excellent off-road progress as their shape changes – adapting to and protecting the surrounding environment.

Structure
Finally, to further reduce environmental impact, the HUMMER O2’s construction specifies the use of 100-percent post-consumer materials, including an aluminum frame, seats finished with Volatile Organic Components-free (VOC-free) materials and glazing via PETE (similar to everyday consumer packaging, such as soda bottles).

The GM West Coast Advanced Design Studio won the 2005 Design Challenge competition with its GMC PAD Concept, a mobile urban loft designed for the L.A. environment.

Technische Universität Darmstadt wins U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon competition

WASHINGTON, DC, October 22, 2007 (ENS) - Germany’s Technische Universität Darmstadt took top honors in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon competition on the National Mall in Washington. University teams competed in 10 areas, ranging from architecture, livability and comfort to how well the homes provided energy for space heating and cooling, hot water, lighting, and appliances.

Over the past two weeks, 20 university teams from the United States, Puerto Rico, Spain, Germany, and Canada brought homes that took two years to design, build and operate the most attractive and energy efficient solar powered home.

The solar house designed and built by Technische Universität Darmstadt displayed on the National Mall. (Photo courtesy Technische Universität Darmstadt)

The Solar Decathlon’s homes are net-zero-energy, yield zero carbon, and include the latest high-tech solutions and money-saving benefits to consumers, without sacrificing comfort, convenience, and aesthetics.

Solar power is used to run everything in the houses, with enough power left over to run an electric car. The teams worked for more than two years designing, building and testing their homes to bring them to the Solar Decathlon.

Technische Universität Darmstadt earned 888.45 points out of a possible 1,200 to win the competition, followed by University of Maryland with 872.45 points and Santa Clara University with 860.80 points.

Darmstadt won the architecture, lighting, and engineering contests. The architecture jury said the house pushed the envelope on all levels and is the type of house they came to the decathlon hoping to see. The architects judged homes on ease of entry into the house and circulation among the public and private areas; architectural strategy used to accommodate the technologies required to run the house; and generosity and sufficiency of space in the house as well as the house’s strength, suitability and appropriateness of materials in the building

The lighting jury loved the way this house glows at night. The engineering jury gave this team an innovation score that was as high as you could go, and said nobody did the integration of the photovoltaic system any better.

Now that the Solar Decathlon is over, the house will return to Germany to be used as a solar power plant as part of the university's project of a solar campus. All buildings on the campus will be equipped with building-integrated photovoltaics that feed electricity into the German power grid.

While congratulating the teams at the closing awards ceremony Saturday, Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman announced over $44 million to support the commercialization and promotion of advanced solar and other clean energy technologies.

Enviro Battle, California Might sue EPA over Auto Emmissions

California's attorney general plans to sue the Environmental Protection Agency. Attorney General Jerry Brown hopes to force the EPA to decide whether to allow 12 states, including California, to impose stricter standards on vehicle emissions.

The lawsuit could be filed as early as Wednesday in a Washington, D.C. federal court. Brown's move comes 22 months after California made its initial request to the EPA to let the state mandate tighter regulations on greenhouse gas emissions from cars, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles.

Specifically, California wants to implement a law that passed in 2002 that would force automakers to begin manufacturing vehicles that emit less greenhouse gas emissions by the 2009 model year. The goal is to cut emissions by 25 percent by the year 2030.

"California submitted the waiver request to the EPA two years ago. EPA has been slow-walking it. California wants to start implementing the program for model year 2009. Time is running short," said David Bookbinder, chief counsel for the Sierra Club.

Source

Monday, October 22, 2007

Oil might hit $100 a Barrel, Bring out your Solar Panels

T. Boone Pickens said the price of oil will hit $100 per barrel—perhaps in the fourth quarter.

The Texas oilman, speaking at a conference in Houston, said the cost of oil, now around $90 a barrel, will rise to $100 before falling to $80.

Pickens, 79, said the cost of oil is going to drive the push for alternative energy. He went on to theorize that “peak oil,” the point at which oil production worldwide has reached its zenith, has arrived. After its peak, production will begin an unstoppable decline.

Billionaire Pickens is head of hedge-fund company BP Capital. He rose to prominence as a takeover artist who grew his Mesa Petroleum via acquisition.

From Hedgefund.net

Another Truth About "Inconvenient Truth"

I came across this posting and found it to be interesting. Go make some Green Money!

Gore and the Nobel prize: 'Green' polluters get a boost

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Hollywood Goes Green with iHollywood

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--iHollywood Forum, Inc. today announced the first summit called Hollywood Goes Green (http://hollywoodgoesgreen.com). Hollywood Goes Green takes place at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel from 9am-5pm each day with over 30 speakers, and cutting edge exhibitors in the expo hall. The title sponsors are NBC Universal and General Motors.

The visionary keynote speakers are:

Living with Ed, Ed Begley Jr., Host, actor, and environmental activist
Live Earth, Kevin Wall, Founder
Bravo Media, Lauren Zalaznick, President
General Motors, tba

This is the first conference dedicated to how Hollywood professionals, both above and below the line, can take a leadership role in implementing environmental strategies. We address practical steps for implementing environmentally sensitive practices in both day to day business operations, reducing reliance on nonrenewable energy sources, and in delivering persuasive environmental messages in film, TV, cable and music to influence consumer awareness. A portion of the proceeds, which includes a silent auction, will be donated to several environmental charities.

"This conference will address the question: Is Going Green Good for Hollywood’s Business? We believe the answer is yes and that implementing eco-friendly practices are good for the environment and good for Hollywood’s bottom line,“ said Zahava Stroud, iHollywood Forum President and conference founder. "We bring together entertainment business executives, creative talent, and environment organizations to share ideas on developing partnerships for a sustainable future.”

Conference keynotes includes actor and environmental activist Ed Begley, host of Living with Ed on HGTV. Mr. Begley says: “I am delighted to support this event, the first conference designed to educate and inspire the entertainment industry professional on how to use our creative talent and business expertise to influence environmental awareness of consumers. This exciting gathering will offer an in depth exchange of ideas among industry influencers who share a common passion to protect the environment.”

There will be a kick off cocktail reception and press tour announcing the summit on Nov. 13 from 6pm-9pm held at the spectacular home of Steve Glenn, founder and CEO of LivingHomes (www.livinghomes.net), a premier developer of modern, prefabricated, sustainable homes. Located in Santa Monica, this is the first home in the nation to receive a Platinum rating, the highest rating possible from the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® for Homes program. The residence incorporates an unparalleled level of environmental systems, features, and materials, and was recently honored as one of the Top Ten projects in the nation by the American Institute of America’s Committee on the Environment (COTE).

Press are invited to attend the cocktail party, preview the home and network with top Hollywood business executives. The conference producer and creator is iHollywood Forum, based in Los Angeles. View their other events at www.ihollywoodforum.com.

Press are also invited to view exhibitors and sponsors showcasing the latest trends in innovation and design for green technologies and services for the entertainment industry.

Panel Topics Include:

It's Not Just the Color of Money: Why is Being Green Good for Business?
Some Like it Hot: But Not Planet Earth Hollywood Takes On Global Warming and Reducing Carbon Footprints
On The GreenFront: Pitching and Financing Environmentally Themed Films
If You Build It: Creating Sustainable Green Building Design and Renovation
The Customer Knows Best: Green Marketing and Advertising for Film and TV

Easy Rider: Fuel Saving and Energy Efficient Vehicles
The Matrix: Reducing Energy Consumption and Renewable Resources
Developing Environment Strategies for Production and Post Production
Music and Record Industry
The Paperless Chase: Adopting Paperless Practices
Special Events, Party Planning and Travel

Featured speakers and panelists include:

24 (Fox TV series), Howard Gordon, Executive Producer
AMD, Lawrence Vertal, Senior Strategist
Akeena Solar, Barry Cinnamon, CEO; Pres. California Solar Energy Industry Assc.
BP America, Cindy Wymore, Director of Government and Public Affairs
CTG Energetics, Inc, Heather Rosenberg, Director of Sustainable Community Services
CNET Networks Inc., Michael Kanellos, Editor at Large, News.com
FOX Broadcasting Company, Josh Mark, Executive Director, Special Event Production, Creative Services
EcoMedia, Paul Polizzotto, CEO
ElectricMotors, Greg “Gadget” Abbott, Founder
EI Solutions, Andrew Beebe, President
FixingThePLanet.com, Tim Matteson, Co-founder
General Motors, TBA
Global Inheritance, Eric Ritz, Founder and Executive Director
iHollywood Forum, Michael Stroud, CEO
iHollywood Forum, Zahava Stroud, President and Event Chair
LivingHomes, Steve Glenn, Founder and CEO
Motion Picture Association of America, Melissa Patack, Vice President, California and State Government Affairs
MTV, Ian Rowe, Vice President of Public Affairs and Strategic Partnership
NRDC, Dr. Alan Hershkowitz, Senior Scientist
Office Depot, Yalmaz Siddiqui, Environmental Strategy Advisor
Ogilvy, Doug Scott, Executive Director, Branded Content and Entertainment Group
Participant Productions, Liana Schwarz. Vice President, Campaign Development and Operations
Paul Lussier, Filmmaker
Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP, Doug Hileman, Advisory/Performance Improvement
Rainforest Alliance, Ana Paula Tavares, Deputy Director, Director of Development
ReelGreen Media, Lauren Selman, Principal
REthink, Greg Reitz, Principal
RPM Media Inc., Roberto Mitrotti, Writer/Director/Producer
SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers), Ujwal N. Nirgud Kar, Member
Sundance Channel Programming and Creative Affairs, Laura Michalchyshyn, Executive Vice President and General Manager
The Hollywood Hill, Ariel Hauter, Executive Director
Tree Media Group, Leila Connor Petersen, President and Co-Founder
U.S. Green Building Council, Michelle Moore, Vice President
WEA Corp., Warner Music Group's U.S. sales and retail marketing company, Mike Jbara, Executive Vice President and CEO

To view the entire agenda, go to www.hollywoodgoesgreen.com or call 310-566-7745. Tickets will offer special discounts for guilds, trade associations and non profit organization members.

About iHollywood Forum, Inc.™

Founded in 2000, Los Angeles-based iHollywood Forum, Inc. produces roundtables and business summits about Hollywood, business and technology. The summits attract a diverse mix of Hollywood and technology executives, entrepreneurs, technology executives, attorneys and others to learn and make deals in an intimate environment. Sessions are moderated by top journalists and analysts. View the website at http://www.ihollywoodforum.com/.

Friday, October 19, 2007

Arctic Report 2007 is Released by NOAA

"Collectively, the observations indicate that the overall warming of the Arctic system continued in 2007. There are some elements that are stabilizing or returning to climatological norms. These mixed tendencies illustrate the sensitivity and complexity of the Arctic System."
This is what the first page say when you visit the site but I take the worse. It continue to get warmer and we will have to act fast as otherwise these reports will get worse every year.
But I am thankful to all the people that spent their time and capabilities to bring us the reports.
The reports are;

	Atmosphere Sea Ice Greenland	Biology Ocean Land
Warming and mixed signals

As you can see there are no greens, and two reds. Yes Polar Ice is thinning and Europe is getting warm. Tundra is getting more shrub cover and Caribou herds are declining. But why worry, the goose population is increasing.

It is a great report that is hard to explain on a web page. The report is available here.

About the Report Card

The Arctic Report Card 2007 is introduced as a means of presenting clear, reliable and concise information on recent observations of environmental conditions in the Arctic, relative to historical time series records. It provides a method of updating and expanding the content of the State of the Arctic Report, published in fall 2006, to reflect current conditions.

Material presented in the Report Card is prepared by an international team of scientists and is peer-reviewed by topical experts nominated by the US Polar Research Board. The audience for the Arctic Report Card is wide, including scientists, students, teachers, decision makers and the general public interested in Arctic environment and science. The web-based format will facilitate future timely updates of the content.

Credits

Support provided by the NOAA Climate Program Office and Arctic Research Program. The Atmosphere image is from NOAA's North Pole Web Cam, the Sea Ice photograph is provided courtesy of Jeremy Harbeck, the Biology photograph of snow geese is from Saskatchewan Schools, Canada, the Ocean photograph of oceanographic instrumentation is from the NOAA Ocean Explorer program, the Greenland image is from NASA/SVS, and the Land/Permafrost photograph is from Vladimir E. Romanovsky. Jackie Richter-Menge is the chief editor. The web page has been coordinated and developed by James E. Overland, Nancy N. Soreide, and Tracey Nakamura.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

SunPower Corp. to Design and Construct 18-megawatt Olivenza Solar Electric Power Plant in Spain

MADRID, Spain, Oct. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SunPower Corp. , a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, today announced that its Spanish subsidiary will design and construct an 18-megawatt Olivenza solar electric power plant in the Badajoz region of Spain. Olivenza is expected to generate more than 32 million kilowatt-hours of power per year upon completion.

SunPower will debut its proprietary SunPower(R) T20 Tracker solar tracking system in Europe at the 70-hectare site. The Tracker follows the sun as it moves across the sky, delivering up to 30 percent more energy than fixed-tilt systems while reducing installation cost per kilowatt.

"SunPower is proud to contribute to the rapid expansion of the Spanish solar market using our innovative, efficient solar energy technology," said Marco Antonio Northland, general manager of SunPower's European operations. "Our customers are demanding the highest energy delivery and fast construction schedules, requirements we can meet with our T20 Tracker. At Olivenza, we are using the SunPower Tracker to expedite deployment, maximize energy delivery, optimize land use and reduce related costs."

Olivenza is financed by a consortium of institutions, including AIG Financial Products Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of American International Group, Inc. and a principal investor in the energy and infrastructure sectors, and 360 CORPORATE, a Spanish principal investor in the energy and infrastructure sectors, as equity investors.

This project will expand SunPower's pioneering footprint in Spain to more than 100 megawatts under contract. Construction is expected to be complete in the spring of 2008.

Governor Schwarzenegger Signs a Landmark Energy Efficiency Legislation

Post is dedicated to Blog Action Day!

Friday, October 12, 2007, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a package of legislation furthering his and Californians commitment to energy efficiency, conservation and pollution reduction.

"California is a world leader in improving technologies and promoting conservation while protecting our environment," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "That is why I am pleased to sign this legislation that will protect our precious resources and continue to keep California at the forefront of energy and water efficiency."

The Governor signed the following seven bills:

AB 662 by Assemblymember Ira Ruskin (D-Redwood City) expands the authority of the California Energy Commission to set water efficiency standards for appliances.

AB 1103 by Assemblymember Lori Saldaña (D-San Diego) requires electric utilities to maintain records of energy consumption data for all nonresidential buildings to which they provide service and requires building owners or operators to provide benchmarking data to prospective buyers, lessees or lenders beginning January 1, 2010.

AB 1109 by Assemblymember Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) enacts the California Lighting Efficiency and Toxics Reduction Act which prohibits the manufacturing for sale or the sale of certain general purpose lights that contain hazardous substances. In addition, the bill requires the California Energy Commission to adopt energy efficiency standards for all general purpose lights.

AB 1406 by Assemblymember Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) adds condominiums to the meaning of “structure” with respect to the use of recycled water for toilet and urinal flushing.

AB 1470 by Assemblymember Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) creates the Solar Water Heating and Efficiency Act of 2007 which provides incentives to attain the goal of installing 200,000 solar water heating systems in the state by 2017.

AB 1481 by Assemblymember Hector De La Torre (D-South Gate) creates a uniform, statewide permitting process for landscape irrigation uses of recycled water, such as parks, playgrounds and golf courses, by requiring the State Water Resources Control Board to adopt a statewide general water quality permit.

AB 1560 by Assemblymember Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) requires the California Energy Commission to incorporate standards for water efficiency and conservation into the existing building standards governing energy efficiency.

The Governor has made energy efficiency and protecting the environment a top priority in his administration. In December 2004, he signed Executive Order S-20-04 creating his “Green Building Initiative,” calling for the state to lead the way in designing, operating and re-engineering its buildings to make them the most resource-efficient, energy-efficient and healthful public buildings in the nation.

To achieve his ambitious goals, Governor Schwarzenegger created the Green Action Team, a Cabinet-level group working to implement the Green Building Initiative. Led by State and Consumer Services Agency Secretary Rosario Marin, the team’s goal is to oversee and direct the State’s efforts. The Green Building Initiative will reduce carbon emissions by 500,000 metric tons by 2010 and 1.8 million metric tons by 2020.

The Executive Order calls for the State to reduce its electricity demand by 10 percent by 2010 and by 20 percent by 2015. California is also actively working to deploy fuel cell, wind and biomass solutions.

So far, nine California state government buildings, with more than 2 million sq. feet, are Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified through the U.S. Green Building Standard. More than 100 buildings (5 million sq. ft.) are currently planned and budgeted for LEED Silver certification.

All new, renovated and built-to-suit leased state buildings will meet LEED standards. California is also making substantial upgrades to the state’s older buildings to reduce their energy use by replacing HVAC system, installing new lighting and other improvements.

Last year, Governor Schwarzenegger signed legislation to complete his Million Solar Roofs Plan to provide 3,000 megawatts of additional clean energy and reduce the output of greenhouse gases by 3 million tons, equivalent to taking one million cars off the road. The $2.9 billion incentive plan for homeowners and building owners who install solar electric systems will lead to one million solar roofs in California by the year 2018.

Governor Schwarzenegger Signs Legislation Promoting Solar Power, Energy and Water Efficiency.

Thank you Governor, Thank you California.

Rest Of the world, Come join us finding the best solution to the enormous problem we are facing, best possible way you could assist.

Friday, October 12, 2007

PSEG CEO Delivers Keynote Address at Clean Air-Cool Planet‘s Global Warming & Energy Solutions conference

PSEG CEO Calls for Aggressive Action To Promote Efficiency, Renewables and for National CO2 Cap and Trade Program

(October 12, 2007 - Manchester, N.H.) - Ralph Izzo, PSEG (Public Service Enterprise Group) chairman, president and CEO, today delivered the keynote address at Clean Air-Cool Planet‘s Global Warming & Energy Solutions conference in Manchester, New Hampshire. The two-day conference brought together business, labor and community leaders united in looking for real solutions to the problem of climate change. Both Republican and Democratic candidates for president of the United States have announced plans to stop by or address the conference.

“It makes sense to invite an energy leader such as Ralph Izzo to deliver the keynote address at the third Solutions conference,” said Adam Markham, executive director of Clean Air-Cool Planet. “The conference hosts the broad discussion about the range of options we need to employ to solve the greatest problem facing our society, global warming, in part by aligning the interests of energy companies with the environmental needs of our nation.”

In his keynote, Izzo stated, “If we do not redefine our future, climate change will redefine us.” He continued, “Climate change is not only a threat, it is an opportunity to apply the enormous capacity of this nation to innovate and chart a new path of sustainable growth.”

Izzo outlined the three-point strategy PSEG has proposed for New Jersey to meet its aggressive energy and emission reduction targets:

• First and foremost, conservation and energy-efficiency improvements;
• Second, renewable energy such as solar and wind, and
• Third central-station power plants, whether nuclear, clean coal or natural gas.

Izzo stressed that the top priority must be conservation and energy efficiency, adding, “The power plant that doesn’t need to be built is the cleanest of all.”

He observed that consumers and businesses are not making economically sensible conservation decisions and that, unless they are empowered to do so, significant opportunities to combat global warming will be lost.

Izzo said, “Utilities can be one of society’s most powerful allies in the quest for efficiency. Just as utilities made universal access to energy a reality in the 20th century, so too, we could make universal access to energy efficiency a reality in the 21st.” He pointed out that utilities have relationships with customers, an existing trained workforce, a strong understanding of energy use, patient capital and a long-term focus. “Utilities are in a unique position to promote energy efficiency, house by house, neighborhood by neighborhood. And to do so in ways that include urban residents, low-income customers and renters -- ensuring that the benefits of energy efficiency are available to all,” he added.

Izzo also discussed the key role that utilities can play a role in promoting renewables and developing new, clean central power. He noted that while states and companies need to be taking action now, “the time has come for Congress to act and establish a federal cap-and-trade legislation with meaningful and mandatory greenhouse gas reductions.”

PSEG

Solar Decathlon 2007 Kept Safe by NECA

Bethesda, MD – The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) are leading industry organizations to bring the 2007 Solar Decathlon to light in an energy-efficient and safe way. NECA National, local NECA chapters, and ELECTRI International (NECA's industry research foundation) are supporting leading Solar Decathlon entries “MorningStar,” from the Pennsylvania State University and "LEAFHouse" from the University of Maryland.

In addition to providing financial and technical support to these two teams, NECA member contractors will be on-site at the event to assist with safe and efficient installation of solar power (photovoltaic) systems for the entire solar village. NECA contractors and electricians will to ensure that power generation, electrical and battery storage systems are set up and function safely. (Energy efficiency, however, will be up to each team's system design and specifications.)

“The demand for energy efficient solutions has really increased in the last few years," said NECA CEO John Grau. "NECA contractors have been a part of developing these solutions, and we are pleased to share our expertise and help the teams set up their innovative systems safety."

The Solar Decathlon is a biannual competition for sustainable residential design sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and several co-sponsors. Created to raise awareness about solar photovoltaic technology, the competition brings teams from 20 international universities to design and build solar homes. Houses will be judged on energy efficiency and performance, technological application, and design for one week, and all 20 entries will be open to the public on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., October 12-20, 2007.

NECA’s local Washington, D.C. chapter is providing skilled electricians to complete the final wiring for the solar arrays, inverters, batteries, and charge controllers. NECA members such as Truland Systems, headquartered in Reston, Va., will make experienced electricians available to all Solar Decathlon teams throughout the event.

“It will be great to have knowledgeable electricians on hand to help make sure the solar energy systems get set up and running quickly and safely,” said David Riley, associate professor and director of Penn State University’s Center for Sustainability, and coordinator of the Penn State "Morningstar" team.

NECA is a centralized resource for electrical code and regulatory information, combining industry research and management training to provide member contractors with technical and business skills for solving the complete range of customers’ electrical needs. As a partner in the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee, NECA takes the lead in training electricians in safe and efficient green and sustainable building design and construction. An increasing number of JATC facilities are equipped with photovoltaic (PV) or solar electric systems, providing the opportunity for apprentice and journeyman electricians to gain hands-on solar electricity design and installation experience.

The ELECTRI International Foundation – NECA’s research and management organization – awarded $50,000 to the Pennsylvania State University team in support of its 2007 Solar Decathlon efforts. The Washington, D.C. Chapter, NECA, is sponsoring the University of Maryland team with a $15,000 award. The Penn-Del-Jersey Chapter, NECA, also sponsored "Morningstar" with a $10,000 donation.

NECA is the voice of the $100 billion industry responsible for bringing lighting, power, and communications to buildings and communities across the United States. NECA's national office and 120 local chapters advance the electrical contracting industry through advocacy, education, research, and standards development.

Blog Action Day theme is the Environment this year!

October 15, is Blog Action Day, and the theme this year is the environment and Bloggers can participate on Blog Action Day in one of two ways:

Publish a post on their blog which relates to an issue of their own choice pertaining to the environment.

For example: A blog about money might write about how to save around the home by using environmentally friendly ideas. Similarly a blog about politics might examine what weight environmental policy holds in the political arena.

Posts do not need to have any specific agenda, they simply need to relate to the larger issue in whatever way suits the blogger and readership. Our aim is not to promote one particular viewpoint, only to push the issue to the table for discussion.
Commit to donating their day’s advertising earnings to an environmental charity of their choice. There is a list of "official" Blog Action Day charities on the site, however bloggers are also free to choose an alternate environmental charity to donate to if they wish.

Register your blog to participate
The action blog

Source of information;
Blogger Buzz: Blogging for the Environment: "October 15, a week from today, is Blog Action Day, and the theme this year is the environment."

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Ocean Energy havesting planning Approved in United Kingdom.

(Click to enlarge to see details.)
The UK Government has given planning approval for the world's first large scale wave farm off the coast of Cornwall in South West England.

It means the £28 million project, which has been developed by the South West of England Regional Development Agency (RDA), has cleared the last major regulatory hurdle. Funding for the project has already been approved by the RDA. The consent announcement will be made today by John Hutton, Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.

(Click to enlarge to see details.)
Juliet Williams, chairman of the South West RDA, said: "This announcement is a huge step forward for Wave Hub and is a vote of confidence in the RDA's ability to create a groundbreaking renewable energy project in South West England that will lead the world in the development of wave energy technology."

Wave Hub is a world first and will include an onshore substation connected to electrical equipment on the seabed about 16 kilometers (10 miles) offshore via a sub-sea cable. Companies developing wave energy technology will be able to plug into Wave Hub to test their wave energy devices on a scale never seen anywhere before. Four companies have already been chosen to use Wave Hub. Wave Hub will put South West England and the UK at the forefront of emerging wave energy technology by providing a leased and consented area of sea for the pre-commercial testing of wave energy devices. A new independent economic impact assessment, commissioned by the RDA, has shown that Wave Hub could create 1,800 jobs and £560 million in the UK economy over 25 years. Almost 1,000 of these jobs and £332 million would be generated in South West England. Wave Hub could generate enough electricity for 7,500 homes, directly saving 300,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide over 25 years. This would support South West England's target for generating 15% of the region's power from renewable sources by 2010.

The Wave Hub project will cover an area of sea measuring four kilometres by two kilometres and each wave device developer will be granted a lease of between five and 10 years in an area of approximately two square kilometers. The water at the deployment site is approximately 50 meters deep.

Up to 30 wave energy devices are expected to be deployed at Wave Hub and will float on the surface of the sea. Wave Hub is expected to be operational in 2009.
If you are interested in the project, Wave Hub Environmental Statement could be found here.

Fossil Fuel Free Lawn Mowing for the new age.

Although I have used reel lawn movers for the better part of my life, like to move lawns when I was a kid to earn money, then our own lawn that became my job at home and later in life my own lawn.
Reel Movers give good exercise (takes long enough so it makes a sense!) and occasional blade sharpening will keep the task easier and grass on the ground (Otherwise it will uproot grass instead of cutting it!)
Anyway when I saw the article on treehugger, I was amused and happy at the same time to see the ways people have adopted reel lawn Mower for new age.
Looks like they are working and a tad difficult to finish the job it is intended for. But who knows, you might find it interesting and convert your bicycle and reel mower into a new tool and save the earth.
Treehugger article