Communications and Public Affairs
Communications and Public Affairs: "A new renewable energy technology and joint venture was unveiled today at the Faculty of Engineering.

The new portable technology facilitates the production of bio-oils, which have many uses in the development of pharmaceuticals, alternative fuels and even cooking.

Developed by Franco Berruti and Cedric Briens, Chemical and Biochemical Engineering professors at Western, the Fast Pyrolysis Machine produces bioproducts and renewable energy from such agricultural materials as raw sugar cane, tobacco, rice straw and coffee husks.

The machine converts materials into bio-oil through pyrolysis, which is the chemical process of decomposition through heating. Liquids produced can be further processed into fuels, pharmaceuticals and food additives - including flavour for BBQ sauces and browning agents for meat. Solid residues can be used as fertilizer."
- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 10:47 AM (0) comments

 
Americans Seek Energy-Conscious Employers and Environmentally-Friendly Office Buildings
Americans Seek Energy-Conscious Employers and Environmentally-Friendly Office Buildings: "When it comes to workplace benefits, an overwhelming percentage of U.S. employees are looking for a different kind of green: not just the green in their paycheck, but an environmentally-friendly place to work.

According to a new poll by Mortgage Lenders Network USA (MLN), 94% of Americans prefer to work in a building that is designed to be energy efficient and ecologically sound.

Women appear to be more environmentally-concerned than men about their workplace. The poll also revealed that 72% of working women declare a strong preference for green employers, vs. 64% of men. And, a larger percentage of Americans ages 45-54 would prefer to work in an eco-friendly building vs. their less eco-minded counterparts ages 25-34 (74% vs. 62%).
"
- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 8:46 PM (0) comments

 
Earthtoys - FireFly Energy Accepts The Sunpark Challenge
Earthtoys - FireFly Energy Accepts The Sunpark Challenge: "The project to build Canada%u2019s first solar park is gaining momentum as companies like FireFly Energy accept the challenge and make a donation.


Maxwell Ultracapacitor Design Guide Free Download
The Sunpark Challenge is a unique project, inviting all Canadians to become involved in supporting the development of a solar park that will %u201Chelp create a better planet for future generations%u201D.

The solar park will be built in the rural area of Guelph by Sunpark Energy Corporation. Sunpark plans to generate green, renewable energy using the solar park and sell this energy back into the Ontario power grid. They believe this project will eventually be profitable but given the enormous size of the undertaking they are requesting support in these early stages of development.
"
- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 8:45 PM (0) comments

 
DesMoinesRegister.com
DesMoinesRegister.com: "It would be a mistake to assume that the 13 families moving into homes built through Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity in 2006 are carbon copies of each other.Each one has a unique story to tell, and the same might be said of the process that went into building each house. In the case of Regina Rokes' new home at 1706 16th St., the story begins with concrete.Rokes' home, for which she received the keys on Saturday, is only the second to be built by the nonprofit agency using insulated-concrete-form technology."
- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 8:44 PM (0) comments

 
WebWire� | Environmentally Friendly Computers and Monitors Hit the Market
WebWire | Environmentally Friendly Computers and Monitors Hit the Market: "EPA-Funded Effort Recognizes Computers and Monitors from CTL, Dell, and HP

More than 60 desktop computers, laptops, and monitors from three manufacturers were recognized today as part of a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency funded effort to identify high-performance, environmentally friendly computer equipment. All of the products unveiled today meet the new EPEAT %u201Cgreen%u201D computer standard and they are listed online in the EPEAT database at www.epeat.net"
- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 5:59 PM (0) comments

 
Document View
Document View: "NASA is launching its own venture fund to reach out to entrepreneurs and investors who can create technologies to advance the agency's mission of space exploration. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration announced in February its venture, called Red Planet Capital Fund, and posted online a request for information to find someone to take charge of the vehicle. The fund will start by making investments totaling $11 million in 2006 and grow to $20 million annually thereafter, with NASA providing strategic direction. The government agency said the fund will operate much like In-Q-Tel, the venture arm of the Central Intelligence Agency, and OnPoint Funds, the investment vehicle of the U.S. Army. Proceeds from the exits of any portfolio companies will be put back into the fund to support future investments. NASA says it intends to make investments as part of a syndicate, alongside private-sector investors or other VC funds. Though the name Red Planet is inspired by the agency's ongoing exploration of Mars, investment areas will include human-machine interaction; water recycling, re-use and reduction; technology to fix things in space; environmental monitoring; and biomedical support for exploration missions. Lisa Lockyer, acting deputy director for NASA's innovative partnerships program, says it's still too early to talk about the fund in detail, but she says the agency has talked to a number of established venture firms to operate the fund. She added that the aim of the fund is to get off the ground and begin making investments before the end of the year."
- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 5:10 PM (0) comments

 
The Prairie Star: Updates
The Prairie Star: Updates: "A small company in southeastern Idaho is attracting big attention for its groundbreaking work with alternative, renewable fuels.Intrepid Technology and Resources (OTC Bulletin Board: IESV) will begin delivering 'green gas' to Idaho consumers in August 2006 through an agreement with Intermountain Gas. The green gas is methane, the same type of natural gas used by millions of residential consumers and industries nationwide. While the gas itself is common, its source is unique and unending, and that could mean lower energy costs for all Americans.Called green gas for its agricultural origins and environmental benefits (not for its color), it has an unlikely source - cow manure. Unlike most natural gas, which comes from the dwindling gas fields in North America or abroad, this gas comes from a green gas field located at the Whitesides Dairy in southern


Idaho."
- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 11:38 PM (0) comments

 
CARkeys - Low Insurance For Biofuel Focus

CARkeys
- Low Insurance For Biofuel Focus: "As an extra incentive for buying the bioethanol-fuelled Focus FFV, Ford has arranged for a discount on insurance. Through Ford Insure, which is backed by Norwich Union, customers of the FFV will pay at least 15% less than they would for cover on a standard Focus."
- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 11:37 PM (0) comments

 
gizmag Article: environmentally friendly foam for surfboard blanks
gizmag Article: environmentally friendly foam for surfboard blanks: "Sandia National Laboratories prides itself on provifind technology solutions to the most challenging problems that threaten peace and freedom for our nation and the globe. It%u2019s accordingly highly appropriate that it has developed an environmentally friendly foam that may also be the answer to surf industry crisis. TufFoam was originally conceived by Sandia materials scientists for NNSA as an encapsulant material to protect sensitive electronic and mechanical structures from harsh weapons environments. It is a water-blown, closed-cell, rigid polyurethane foam that features formulations as low as 2 lbs.-per-cubic foot density. But beyond its use as a structural material, the foam likely has other applications. Clark Foam, the leading manufacturer of foam for surfboard construction, unexpectedly closed its doors late last year because of the impact of ever-tightening environmental regulations on the manufacturing of their polyurethane surfboard blanks. The move led to near-panic, particularly in California, by manufacturers and sellers of surfboards who fear they will not be able to find the high strength-to-weight ratio surfboard blanks necessary to make the boards. Surf historian Matt Warshaw, in an article in the Santa Barbara NewsPress, said %u201Cit%u2019s the equivalent of removing lumber from the housing industry.%u201D"
- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 11:31 AM (0) comments

 
RenewableEnergyAccess.com | Kyocera Solar Supplies Solar Modules
RenewableEnergyAccess.com | Kyocera Solar Supplies Solar Modules: "Kyocera Solar, Inc., a world-leading supplier of photovoltaic (PV) systems, announced its near completion of a 74 residential home solar project at Pajaro Vista, an active adult housing development managed under Byldan Corp/Clarum Homes.

The installation took place in Watsonville, CA, only blocks away from recently complete Vista Montana, one of the largest solar developments in California with 257 homes. Pajaro Vista included Kyocera MyGen 1500 PV Systems consisting of 12 KC125 PV modules for each home. Each system was partially paid by CA Emerging Renewable Program incentives. The expected completion is set for end of summer 2006. "
- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 11:23 AM (0) comments

 
People's Daily Online -- Bright prospects of China's green car industry
People's Daily Online -- Bright prospects of China's green car industry: "China's Chaoyue(meaning to surpass) No. 3 fuel cell driven car from Shanghai received four gold medals during the Michelin Challenge Bibendum 2006 being held in Paris in June. The four categories of winning class A is in carbon dioxide emissions, emissions, noise and fuel efficiency. The car only consumes 1.03 kg of hydrogen for 100 kilometers.
This was the result of five years hard-work and the application of proper strategic policy in China's car industry.

Starting in 2001, China has decided to put electric car research and development at the top of the agenda of the 10th five year plan key scientific and technological projects. Special attention has been given to manufacturing, researching and developing electric cars, hybrid fuel cars and fuel cell cars."
- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 11:21 AM (0) comments

 
Fuel Cell Works Supplemental News Page
Fuel Cell Works Supplemental News Page: "Vermont's first hydrogen-powered car received its first tank of fuel on July 3 at a new hydrogen station near Burlington's waterfront.

U.S. Rep. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont,
joined representatives from nonprofit research and development organization
EVermont, power systems integrator Northern Power and hydrogen generator
manufacturer Proton Energy Systems to dedicate the hydrogen fueling station."
- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 11:20 AM (0) comments

 
IOL: E-bike takes uphill out of transport
IOL: E-bike takes uphill out of transport: "Besides obvious health and economic benefits, e-bikes are also environmentally friendly. They do not add to noise pollution and by using electricity instead of burning fossil fuels, CO2 emissions are 20 times lower per kilometre than a small car's.

It is also makes economic sense to look at e-bikes in the context of currently increasing petrol prices: 100 000 e-bike users could reduce fuel imports by R30 million a month, said de Vries.

Citing the example of London, where 400km of bicycle paths are to be built in time for the 2007 Tour de France, de Vries believes that creating a bicycle-friendly environment is one of the steps that needs to be undertaken in South Africa to promote the use of (electric) bicycles. "
- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 11:16 AM (0) comments

 
Chron.com | Gore Praises Wal-Mart for Enviro Efforts
Chron.com | Gore Praises Wal-Mart for Enviro Efforts
: "Former Vice President Al Gore on Wednesday praised Wal-Mart for a newfound focus on environmental sustainability, saying the retailer showed there is no conflict between the environment and the economy.

'I believe that this kind of commitment is so important that the rest of the world is likely to be listening and learning,' Gore told an auditorium of more than 800 Wal-Mart employees, suppliers and outside experts who are advising the company.

Chief Executive Lee Scott last October said Wal-Mart would become a leader in sustainability, with three goals: reducing waste to zero, moving toward using only renewable energy and offering more products made in a way that preserves the environment.

Gore spoke after screening his anti-global-warming documentary 'An Inconvenient Truth.' He received a standing ovation and cheers from the audience."
- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 11:14 AM (0) comments

 
A sweet way to save the Earth -- Page 1 -- TimesUnion.com
A sweet way to save the Earth: "At the Holmes & Kugler Sunoco on Erie Boulevard -- and at several dozen other locations around the region -- buyers of Green Mountain brand coffee may (or may not) notice a subtle difference in cup design.

While the cup's colors are a slightly different shade, the biggest change is invisible to the naked eye: a new waterproof membrane made not from plastic but from corn sugar.The new cup, though slightly more expensive to produce, keeps 250,000 pounds of oil-based polyethylene from being used for the 130 million Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. cups sold annually to vendors. The cups also are biodegradable."
- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 11:12 AM (0) comments

 
winnipegsun.com - Winnipeg News - Radial, bias and radical
winnipegsun.com - Winnipeg News - Radial, bias and radical: "Nearly one-million pounds of dirt and old tires will go into Dave Carey's dream home.

The independent contractor and 2006 Green Party candidate for Winnipeg North says he's well on his way to building Manitoba's first used-tire dwelling.

'I'm a strong believer in the environmental movement,' said Carey. 'This is reusing something that otherwise would sit and become a hazard. It's an extremely environmentally friendly home.'

About 2,500 tires will be packed solid with earth and sealed together, raising the weight to about 350 pounds (157.5 kg) per tire.

'It's extremely weatherproof,' said Carey. 'It has a rubberized membrane on the roof to stop water from getting in and we'll all be dead before those tires decay.'
"
- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 11:11 AM (0) comments

 
EV World Blogs: Personal Perspectives on the Future In Motion
EV World Blogs: Personal Perspectives on the Future In Motion: "To the detractors of the documentary, Who Killed the Electric Car?, one of the problems with trying to get the entire picture of what happened to the EV1 program at GM from one 90 minute film is that you quickly discover that it is impossible. Also, for as many times that I hear you say environmentally friendly cars simply have no appeal, there are millions of people like me who say that if there was just an environmentally friendly car made by an American car company I would buy one.

Most of the people I know think that way. Most of them would have happily bought an electric car made by GM if it was offered where they lived. The EV1 was only offered in California and Arizona. Unfortunately, GM didn%u2019t expand the market for the EV1 and now those people who would have bought an EV1 are in essence being forced to purchase the Prius made by Toyota and powered by gasoline."
- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 11:02 AM (0) comments

 
Good Housekeeping Documents Environmentally Innovative Renovation of New York City Brownstone, Introduces 'Your Green House'
Good Housekeeping Documents Environmentally Innovative Renovation of New York City Brownstone, Introduces 'Your Green House':

"Her husband, the project architect, Paul Gleicher, added, 'What we're accomplishing is basically turning a destroyed piece of real estate into a model for others of how to go green, and show how so many new technologies and options are now available, without having to sacrifice style, quality or performance. The products we're using are not only green, but are up to some of the highest standards any home could want.'

Your Good House worked with the Gleichers to secure partners to help with the overhaul of the infrastructure, which includes Weyerhaeuser's Microllam LVL Wood Joists; Timberstrand Wood Studs; Lyptus wood flooring; low-odor, zero- or low-VOC paints by Sherwin Williams; GAF roofing; American Clay Natural Earth Plaster; CertainTeed Insulation; and Forbo Flooring Marmoleum natural linoleum. The Gleichers will also enjoy state of the art Energy Star-compliant appliances by Bosch, Weil McLain's High Efficiency Gas Boiler and Myson radiant heat fixtures; Hunter Douglas window treatments; an EcoWater whole-house water purification system; and a dazzling rooftop glass conservatory by Four Seasons Sunrooms (EasyHeat radiant heating will keep ice from clogging the conservatory gutters). California Closets (using eco-friendly Roseburg Forest wood), Beam central vacuum, Broan ventilation systems, Bellfires Chimneys, and Columbia Forest Product woods in the custom Neil Kelly cabinetry also contribute to the eco-friendly home environment. Todd Oldham for La-Z-Boy, Desiron and Furnature provide eco-friendly furnishings; IceStone donated the recycled glass and concrete counters; and Xero Floor America created the green lawn on the roof of the home.

BainUltra whirlpool bath has anti-mold and mildew functionality; Lefroy Brooks bathroom fixtures prevent scalding and save water, as do the Toto toilets. An ADT system secures the home and provides smoke and carbon monoxide alerts. Exterior lighting is from Murray Fleiss. For a complete list of products used in the home visit www.goodhousekeeping.com."
- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 10:54 AM (0) comments