Is any research being done on solar collectors in roads?

The concept of using road surfaces to generate clean solar power is actually already moving beyond the idea stage. Roads absorb heat from the sun every day and are usually free of sightline obstructions that could otherwise block the transmission of light rays. And if the roads built for cars and driving are partly to blame for global warming, why not make them part of the solution too?

Idaho-based company Solar Roadways is one of the trailblazers. Electrical engineer Scott Brusaw was inspired to start the company when he heard Caltech solar energy expert Nate Lewis suggest that covering just 1.7 percent of continental U.S. land surface with photovoltaic solar collectors could produce enough power to meet the nation's total energy demand.

Brusaw put two and two together when he realized that the interstate highway system already covers about that much of the nation's land surface, so he got to work designing a system that combines a durable and translucent glass road surface with photovoltaic solar collectors that could be wired directly into the electricity grid. Brusaw's innovative design would also heat the roads in winter, thus providing a important safety benefit.

With improvements in the efficiency of solar collectors in recent years, Brusaw believes his system, if implemented from coast-to-coast in place of the tarmac on existing highways, could produce enough energy to meet the entire world's electricity needs.

But skeptics wonder whether such an expensive high-tech road surface can stand up to the rigors of everyday use—from overloaded 18-wheelers putting extra stress on the highway to oil spills seeping into expensive electronic circuitry—without having to be replaced or repaired often. Brusaw acknowledges that his system still needs fine-tuning, but in the meantime is developing a working prototype along a 45-mile stretch of road between the Idaho cities of Coeur D'Alene and Sandpoint.

Europeans are also pioneering ways to use the sun's rays to work as they beat down on roadways. The British firm Astucia has developed a road stud that contains small solar panels and emits LED light to illuminate dark roadways. On the 120 U.K. roads where the new studs have been installed, night-time accidents are down some 70 percent.

And the Dutch firm Ooms Avenhorn Holding BV has developed a way to siphon solar heat from asphalt road surfaces and use it to de-ice roads and help power nearby buildings. A latticework of pipes under the road surface allows water to heat up during warm weather. The water is then pumped deep under ground where it maintains its higher temperatures and can be retrieved months later to keep road surfaces ice-free during winter months. Apartment buildings, industrial parks and an air force base have benefited from the innovation, and the firm is working on exporting its system to other countries in the coming years.



http://www.insightnews.com/health.asp?mode=display&articleID=4027

Innovative Tower To Feature Atrium Of Wind Turbines

The “Clean Technology Tower” is a highly efficient building which will be constructed in Chicago. The tower will have wind turbines positioned at the corners of the building, to capture wind at its highest velocity as it accelerates around the tower. At the apex, where wind speeds are at a maximum, a domed double roof cavity directs the wind towards an array of wind turbines. The negative pressure created by the turbines will be used to ventilate interior spaces. The dome itself is shaded by solar cells that capture the southern sun.

The complex includes over 1.8 million square feet of office space as well as a 300,000 square foot hotel, a spa and street-level retail.

It was designed by Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill, the same firm who designed the recently featured solar Masdar Headquarters.
This tower in Chicago is an evolution of the Pearl River Tower which both Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill were responsible for while at SOM. Where Pearl River used the face of the building to funnel wind into two large turbine zones this design uses an array of smaller turbines at the corners of the building to catch the wind at its highest velocity.

http://www.metaefficient.com/architecture-and-building/innovative-tower-to-feature-atrium-of-wind-turbines.html#more-1268

Cascade Green: 100% Carbon Offset Beer

“...for beer drinkers who have an interest in environmental issues.” Burp.

We’ve covered a couple of green Antipodean beers before (Green Man and Mountain Goat), but here is a another twist. Cascade Brewery, from Tasmania, have declared their new Cascade Green as 100% carbon neutral from the picking of hops to the eventual deposit in the recycling bin.

And although the company isn’t claiming the ingredients are organic or vegan or suchlike, they do suggest they are all locally sourced from Tasmania. That the brewery has already reduced its energy usage by 16% and water usage by 30% per unit of production over the last six years. And that Cascade Green will travel to drinker’s lips courtesy of what is said to be lightest weight, highest recycled content glass bottle currently available in Australia. And cartons of stuff will traverse the land in 100% recycled cardboard printed with two-colour biodegradable vegetable inks.

The carbon neutral aspect comes via the purchase of Australian Government Greenhouse Friendly certified carbon offsets go to supporting the Hobart Landfill Flare Facility. This AGL operated landfill extracts methane-rich gas from decomposing organic waste to generate 7,500 MWh of electricity per annum, enough to supply more than 1,100 homes. The project is said to save over 35,000 tonnes of CO2 per annum, equal to taking 9,200 cars of the road each year.

Cascade is owned the Australian brewing powerhouse Fosters. Their Sustainability Manager, Scott Delzoppo said that "Reducing our carbon footprint makes good business sense. The work completed to understand and reduce the carbon footprint of Cascade Green is an important input into our continuing group efforts to reduce our global greenhouse gas emissions." ::Cascade Green, via The Australian.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/03/cascade_green_1.php

Stunning Solar Building to Generate More Power Than It Needs

The Masdar Headquarters building will produce more power than it needs (an energy positive building). In fact, the solar roof (one of the largest in the world) will be constructed first, and it will power the construction of the rest of the building. The video link on this page has a great view of the sun-infused interior.

The 1.4 million square foot building was designed by Chicago architecture firm Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill.

It will serve as the centerpiece of Masdar City, which will end up being about a $22 billion development in Abu Dhabi

Masdar Headquarters will have the lowest energy consumption per square foot, it will feature the largest photovoltaic system and also the largest cooling and dehumidification system. This building will also consume about 70% less water than a typical mixed-use building of its size.

The building will have integrated wind turbines and outdoor air-quality monitor and the construction will be completed by the end of 2010 and while the entire city will be finished by 2016.



http://www.metaefficient.com/architecture-and-building/stunning-solar-building-will-generate-more-power-than-it-needs.html

Green & Charitable Birthdays - ECHOage

What a brilliant concept. ECHOage is an innovative forward-thinking online party planning tool that provides kids and their parents with the opportunity to protect the environment while saving time and money in the birthday planning process. Co-founder Alison Smith flaunts that “ ECHOage is convenience and conscience wrapped up in a big green ribbon!”

http://www.echoage.com/index.html

Super efficient LED lights now available for the home

LED lighting technology, based on semiconductor technology, is the future of lighting. It uses a fraction of the energy of traditional lightbulbs. The LED lights can last 20 years of regular use meaning over time they easily pay for themselves. The problem has been that LEDs have not generated enough lumens (a measure of brightness) to be worth using in homes. That problem, however, is being solved.

A retrofitted LED bulb fixture is now available to replace traditional spotlights in the home. The fixture can easily replace what you have now without using an electrician. The bulb generates 650 lumens with only 12 watts. An incandescent bulb uses 5x that amount to produce the same amount of light.

LEDs are better than compact flourescent lightbulbs because they last much much longer and CFCs are made with mercury which probably will be released into the environment once they are disposed of. LEDs also emit a more pleasant and natural light than CFCs.

http://www.your-green-life.com/2008/03/super-efficient-led-lights-now.html

Habitat for Humanity Sees Affordability in Energy-Efficient Homes

Builders of energy-conscious homes have always known that lower utility bills more than offset the additional costs of efficiency upgrades. That makes energy-efficient features a natural fit with affordable housing. Now one of the nation's largest home builders, Habitat for Humanity, wants local affiliates to make energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly construction a priority in all its projects.

"Our goal is to help our affiliates to become leaders in their communities on these issues," says Frank Purvis, Habitat International's director of environment. "Our training programs educate affiliates on what has to be done for their homes to become more energy-efficient in a way that doesn't raise the total cost of housing." In addition to sending out printed materials and putting on local training seminars, the organization is assembling a nationwide network of volunteer experts to help local affiliates meet efficiency and environmental goals. These experts give advice on design, site issues and specifications. They help develop lists of materials and make sure house plans meet energy codes. They also review current construction methods and show the affiliate what changes need to be made.

"We plan to build 50,000 houses over the next four years," says Purvis, "and we want each one to be energy efficient and environmentally responsible."

One affiliate that has taken the challenge seriously is Houston Habitat for Humanity. In a recent high-profile project, the Houston affiliate joined the Alliance to Save Energy, Houston Light and Power, and local builders to complete the "Energy Affordable Home." This energy- and resource-efficient house was featured at the 1996 National Association of Home Builders' annual convention. But the project was more than a one-time event. Executive Director Mike Shirl says that all of Houston Habitat's homes now include improved window shading and orientation, energy-conserving duct design, water-conserving fixtures, increased ceiling and wall insulation, high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment, natural ventilation and energy-efficient lighting. Not only must these homes meet or exceed the requirements of the CABO Model Energy Code, but according to Shirl, Houston Habitat was the first non-profit builder in the country to be named an Energy Star Builder by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Shirl found that the shift to building more efficiently wasn't a dramatic one. "It evolved naturally as we looked for ways to make home ownership more affordable," he says. "The main difference in how we operate is that we now look at long-term benefits as opposed to short term ones." The impact on volunteers that build the homes was also minimal. Shirl points out that the "Energy Affordable Home" was built with readily available technologies that can be easily adopted by any builder. "We have to train our volunteers to foam and caulk chases, windows, doors and the like," he says, "but we can typically do that in about 30 minutes."

Maximizing Savings
While Habitat's focus is making home ownership affordable for low-income people, the organization has an extra incentive in that it also serves as the mortgage company for the homes it builds. Lowering monthly operating expenses, says Shirl, reduces the chance that buyers will default on mortgages. Energy is the second largest monthly cost of home ownership, and average monthly utility bills for Houston's hot and humid climate range from $90 to $110. Efficient design and construction methods can reduce these costs by $25 to $35 per month. The home's energy package adds around $1,800 to the mortgage, but because home owners save more money each month than they pay to finance the energy improvements, they enjoy a positive cash flow from the first month. Within eight years, savings will pay the entire cost of the improvements and the owners get to pocket the savings.

The Houston affiliate also educates its home owners on how lifestyle can affect utility bills. In fact, studies by the Alliance to Save Energy of low-income weatherization recipients have shown that home owner education can increase energy savings by up to 50 percent, while helping the savings to continue over time--a winning formula for home owner and lender.

For more information contact: Habitat for Humanity International, 912-924-6935 or Houston Habitat for Humanity, 713-521-2816


Houston Habitat for Humanity's "Energy Affordable Home"
An energy-efficient HVAC system: 12.0 SEER air conditioner, programmable digital thermostat, upgraded duct insulation, and duct sealing with mastic.
Improved insulation: R-30 ceiling and R-16 wall insulation. Exterior rigid foam with taped joints. Insulated exterior doors with weatherstripping and airtight thresholds. Insulated, weatherstripped attic access ladder.
Energy-efficient appliances: Refrigerator, washer, dryer, and water heater meet or exceed the minimum national appliance energy standards.
Enhanced solar shading: Covered front porch with full shading of front door and windows. Two-foot roof overhangs and solar window screens installed for significantly reduced solar gain. White vinyl siding and light-colored roof shingles.
Efficient lighting: Fluorescent lights in kitchen. Exterior security lighting using photocell controls and lower-wattage bulbs.
Environmental: Low VOC interior paints and floor coverings. Water conservation through low-flow shower heads and faucets. No-lead fixtures.Houston Habitat for Humanity's "Energy Affordable Home"

This article appeared in Energy Source Builder #48 December 1996,
©Copyright 1996 Iris Communications, Inc.

http://oikos.com/esb/48/habitat.html