Friday, March 30, 2012

3D Solar Structures Create More Power in Small Spaces - Environment - GOOD

3D Solar Structures Create More Power in Small Spaces - Environment - GOOD

Right now, designing a solar power installation generally means figuring out how to orient flat or angled panels so that they’ll capture the most light. Or the panels are put onto expensive, swiveling mounts, which move the panels over the day to track the sun. But a team of researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has a different theory about how to best design solar power systems—by using solar panels to build three-dimensional structures.

One of the models the team constructed is an open-ended cube. It’s made of nine solar panels—four exterior walls, four interior walls, and the bottom inside. Another, an open parallelepiped, took 17 panels to make. The accordion-like towers, with their ridged faces, contain 32 panels.

These 3D structures don’t look like the rooftops and fields of solar panels being erected all over the world. And they don’t behave quite like them, either. For a given base area, they’re up to 20 times more effective at capturing solar energy than a flat solar panel. They also capture more energy when the sky is overcast, and they produce energy at a more even rate throughout the day.

The MIT team designed and tested these models as part of an experiment exploring the possibility of collecting solar energy in three dimensions. Nature collects energy using three-dimensional systems, an inspiration for this project, say team members Nicola Ferralis and Marco Bernardi. Their team had an advantage over nature, though: They could optimize particular designs to access these systems’ potential advantages. They tested those designs both in computer simulations and, using models, in the real world.

The team starting experimenting with 3D shapes with the idea that increasing the efficiency with which solar panels convert sunlight into power—a measure the solar industry has been regularly pushing upwards—isn’t the only way to improve solar systems. "Efficiency improvements can only partially reduce the installation costs and cannot change the pattern of solar energy generation,” they write in the article reporting their results, published this month.

In the past, installing a cube of solar panels wouldn’t have made much sense. In the 3D structures that the MIT team designed, panels shade each other, blocking access to sunlight, and each solar panel generates less energy than it would if it were installed separately. The advantage that the 3D structures have is in energy generated in a given base area, in the consistency of energy generated, and in energy generated on cloudy days. In some situations, these advantages might make the cost of additional solar panels worthwhile. Since the price of solar panels has dropped so rapidly, installation costs make up more than half the cost of a system, anyway, Ferralis and Bernardi point out.

They imagine that 3D structures might be particularly useful in urban environments, where space is at a premium. A solar tower might sit on top of a parking garage and provide power for EVs, for instance. (Or perhaps urban rooftops could do double duty as sites for solar power generation and as green roofs.) With semi-transparent panels (which exist), the structures could be used more effectively in the windows of building than flat solar panels. They also imagine that 3D solar structures could be designed to make optimal use of sunlight at different places around the world, since the same shapes won’t perform identically everywhere. The structures, they say, could potentially be folded up, like origami, and shipping in flat packages, to be unfolded and erected once they reach their destination.

Photo courtesy of Allegra Boverman/Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Eco Football Stadiums | Green Football Stadium Design | Naturally Earth Friendly

Eco Football Stadiums | Green Football Stadium Design | Naturally Earth Friendly

A green football stadium is becoming more popular as new stadiums are being built these days. Some of the key characteristics of these eco stadiums include the use of solar panels and recycling programs. Many stadiums feature a retractable roof like Lucas Oil Stadium where the Super Bowl XLVI will take place in Indiana on February 5, 2012. However, the home of the Philadelphia Eagles boasts a small power plant!

Retractable Roof to Allow Natural Light

Indianapolis Colts Lucas Oil StadiumLucas Oil Stadium, location of Super Bowl 46 in 2012 and home of the Indianapolis Colts, features a retractable roof that can close in about 10 minutes. Typically left open during gameplay allows natural light in saving on electricity used by lights. Unless there are hazardous conditions, such as severe winds or lightning, the roof stays open.
Cowboys Football StadiumCowboys Stadium, location of the 2011 Super Bowl 45, already had a retractable roof in its design before making extra efforts to be a greener stadium. The roof is made out of a translucent material which allows natural lighting to a degree, even if it's shut.
In addition to the retractable roof, Cowboys Stadium utilizes retractable end zone doors to allow natural ventilation, 30 acres of structured-grass, permeable pavement instead to absorb rainwater run-off, and recycles almost 90% of waste material.

Green Roof

The new eco-friendly football stadium to be the future home of the ​San Francisco 49ers​ will feature a green roof. Hoping to make its debut in 2014, the stadium will also implement a public transportation plan for fans and solar panels into the roof.

Solar Panels Added to Roof

In an effort to offset the electricity use, football stadiums can install solar panels. This could even get into the double digit percentage in savings. Qwest Field, home of the Seattle Mariners and Seattle Seahawks, features solar panels.
Philadelphia Eagles' Lincoln Financial Field
Phidelphia Eagles Call Eco-Stadium Home
In addition to 2,500 solar panels, thLincoln Financial Field Stadium has stepped it up with 80 spiral-shaped wind turbines and a cogeneration plant. The cogeneration plant will be onsite and  is a small "dual-fuel" power plant. It is powered by biodiesel and natural gas. 
The Eagles' plan for Lincoln Financial Field represents one of the most extensive renewable energy commitments by any major facility. The energy plan will utilize the most technologically advanced wind turbines and solar panels. With this installation, we anticipate that many businesses will see the benefits of renewable energy and be inspired to emulate the Eagles' bold leadership. - Lee Maher, chairman and CEO of SolarBlue
No more power will be needed from the grid as the stadium will be self-sufficient. And it's estimated the team will save $60 million in energy costs.
San Diego Chargers Gualcomm Stadium New England Patriots' Gillette Stadium New York Jets Meadowlands Stadium

Recycling Initiatives

The San Diego Chargers' ​Qualcomm Stadium features 350 ninety-four gallon recycling bins in their tailgating area.
​Gillette Stadium, ​home of the New England Patriots, collects cans and plastic bottles in solar-powered compactors. They also hand out recycling bags at the parking lot.
​The ​New York Jets' Meadowlands Stadium ​had the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) consult on their construction of the stadium in addition to using recycled plastic for their seats.

Conclusion

Football fans can be assured as environmental concerns are considered the new stadiums around the country will be more earth friendly every year. Even with stadiums already existing it's becoming more common for tickets and programs to be printed on recycled material and the use of biodegradable cups.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Residential Solar Power Systems & Solar Panel Kits for Home Use

Basic Steps to Plan Your Residential Solar Energy System

If you are planning to install a Photovoltaic Solar Energy System, then figure out how much solar energy you can expect your panels to absorb, based on the average daily solar radiation for your area.

Step 1°: Calculate the Potential Solar Radiation Power

For most parts of the United States, an average of 4-5 kWh/m²/day can be achieved, though in some regions it is possible to achieve up to 8. To find the output for your area, please refer to this map put out by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Resource Assessment Program. In the delineation kWh/m²/day, the kWh stands for kilowatt hour, with “m” being the area of the absorber, or in this case, the photovoltaic cell, put into square meters. Solar panels, on average, work at about 7 to 17% efficiency.
Therefore, if you live in an area with an average solar radiation of 4.5 kWh/m²/day, and you have a total surface area of 1 m² (corresponding to 1.55 squared inches) of photovoltaic cells, you can expect to generate 0.315 kWh/day (315 Watt/day) estimating an average solar panel efficiency of 7%.

Step 2°: Determine Your Average Energy Usage


Once you know how much energy you can expect to get from the sun, you can determine about how much energy you will need based on your current monthly energy consumption. If you don’t have copies of your last 12 bills, you can view the state by state averages, as published by the Energy Information Administration here. According to the chart, a consumer who lives in New Jersey, for instance, will use an average of about 730 kWh/month in electricity, while one in Alabama may use as much as 1300 kWh of energy per month.

Step 3°: Calculate the Number of Panels Needed

Now that you know how much solar radiation is available and how much of it can actually be utilized by a solar panel, you can calculate how many photovoltaic solar panels you will need in order to replace your current source of electricity. You will need to find out the exact size of each cell in square meters, as well, which can probably be found on the website of, or in literature from, your manufacturer of choice.
If we assume an average energy usage of 1000 kWh per month, we will calculate: “Solar radiation” x “Surface area of the panels in m² ” x “0.07″ (7% Estimated solar panel efficiency) x “Average days per month” (365/12). We will then divide that number into 1000 (The average energy usage of 1000 kWh per month).
For example, in an area with solar radiation of 5 kWh/m²/day, with a solar panel of 2 m², the equation would be:
5 (Solar Radiation) x 2 (Surface Area of standard solar panels) x 0.07 (Solar Panel Efficiency) x 30.42 (Average n° of days per month) = 21.294 kWh produced per panel each month.
To cover at 100% the month Kw usage of 1000Kw divide 1,000/21.294 = 47, so you would need 47 m² of panels to completely eliminate your electricity bill. (Here a more detailed description of how many 80W solar panels are needed to power a home)

Step 4°: Calculate Upfront Cost vs. Long-term Savings


For nearly everyone, the upfront cost of a photovoltaic solar system will be a major factor. However, with the yearly utility savings and the government incentives, it can be well worth the initial investment. A lot will depend on the size of the system you install. Considering a single 2 m² of solar panel can generate 21.294 kWh/month and your electricity company charges an average of 20 cents per kWh, you would save about $51.2/year. 10 x 2 m² Solar panels could let you save 512 $ /year.
If that system costs $20,000 and solar Governmental rebates / Tax Credits may let you cover/cut the cost by 50%, you’ll have to payback 10,000 $. It would take you about 19.5 years for 10 x 2 m² solar panels to pay off the system and begin truly saving (if you consume 1,000 Kw /Month it will cover at 50% your energy bill).
In areas where the kWh cost is higher, the savings and pay-off period could be significantly reduced, allowing you to pay off the system in less years. Here you can read more about the cost of solar panels, find all solar energy incentives here and find more info about solar leasing.

How do I sell Solar Energy to a Utility Company?

This is available for grid tied solar systems. If you’ve taken or are thinking of taking the energy-efficient step of installing solar power at your home or business, know that this move can be cost-effective, too. The initial investment for a solar panel system can be quickly paid for by selling your surplus energy to a utility company.
The government requires 42 states and the District of Columbia to purchase surplus power from consumers. The way to take advantage of this process, and the subsequent rate you will receive for your surplus energy, varies by state. Here is a quick guide to getting the most out of your extra solar generated energy. Here more on how to sell solar energy to a utility company and how much to sell energy back to the grid.

Step 5°: Plan the Photovoltaic System Placement

Latitude Angle % of optimum
25° (Key West, Taipei) 51.5° 85%
30° (Houston, Cairo) 56° 86%
35° (Albuquerque, Tokyo) 60.5° 88%
40° (Denver, Madrid) 65° 89%
45° (Minneapolis, Milano) 69.5° 91%
50° (Winnipeg, Prague) 74° 93%
Above a nice table on solar panels orientation for winter months. A good rule of thumb to use when determining the correct tilt of solar panels is to find out the approximate latitude of your area and set the panels at an angle equal to that latitude. This should maximize the amount of solar radiation absorbed all year.
If the southward facing roof on which the panels will be installed is slanted beyond the angle of your area’s latitude, then the panels should be lifted at the bottom edges, in order to achieve the best radiation angle, whenever possible. For flat roofs, any of the four sides can be elevated to match the latitude angle. Here you can read more tips to find solar installers and photovoltaic system reviews.
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Residential Solar Power Systems & Solar Panel Kits for Home Use

Top Environmentally Friendly Cars - MSN Autos

Top Environmentally Friendly Cars

A new study highlights vehicles that are least harmful to the environment.

The new AEI study takes into account information from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and consumers related to fuel economy, air pollution and greenhouse gasses for vehicles from the 2006 model year. Fuel economy accounts for about half the score.
Of the 30 vehicles that made the list, eight feature gas-electric hybrid powertrains. The hybrids include the Ford Escape Hybrid, Lexus RX 400h, Mercury Mariner Hybrid and Toyota Highlander Hybrid. These four were the only SUVs to make the cut. No pickup trucks or minivans were considered environmentally friendly.
Photo Gallery: Top 30 Environmentally Friendly Cars
Only two vehicles that J.D. Power considers luxury models made the list—the Lexus RX 400h and Acura RSX.
Among automakers, Ford, Honda and Toyota had the most vehicles on the list, with six vehicles each from their various nameplates. General Motors and Volkswagen placed three vehicles apiece. The sole German automaker with vehicles on the AEI list, Volkswagen had the Golf, Jetta and New Beetle among the top 30. However, the diesel versions of these models did not make the cut.

"High gas prices, coupled with consumers becoming more familiar with alternative powertrain technology, are definitely increasing consumer interest in hybrids and flexible fuels," said Mike Marshall, director of automotive emerging technologies at J.D. Power and Associates. "However, the additional price premiums associated with hybrid vehicles, which can run from $3,000 to $10,000 more than a comparable non-hybrid vehicle, remain the biggest concern among consumers considering a hybrid. The AEI highlights several non-hybrid models available that help consumers reduce fuel use and emissions."
According to the study, there is high interest in hybrids and vehicles that run on alternative fuels such as diesel or E85. In fact, J.D. Power reports that less than 25 percent of respondents will only consider a gasoline-powered car for their next purchase.

But there are some misconceptions. Consumers purchasing hybrid vehicles expected a fuel-economy improvement by 28 mpg compared to a similar powered gas-only vehicle. Reality, however, showed hybrid buyers only gaining an improvement of 9 mpg. Diesel buyers were similarly disappointed, reporting a 12 mpg improvement when an improvement of 21 mpg was expected.
"One of the biggest challenges for alternative powertrains is that consumers often have unrealistic expectations for the fuel-saving abilities of these vehicles," Marshall said. "And particularly with hybrids, actual fuel performance often doesn't live up to the vehicle's EPA estimate. There is a real need to educate consumers about the technology and its benefits. Managing consumer expectations and lowering the cost premium will be instrumental in accelerating acceptance."
The AEI is based on data from 4,000 consumers who plan to purchase a vehicle within the next two years.
Listed in alphabetical order, the top 30 environmentally friendly vehicles according to the J.D. Power study are:
Acura RSX
Chevrolet Aveo
Chevrolet Cobalt
Ford Escape Hybrid
Ford Focus
Ford Focus Wagon
Honda Accord
Honda Accord Hybrid
Honda Civic
Honda Civic Hybrid
Honda Insight
Hyundai Accent
Hyundai Elantra
Kia Rio
Kia Spectra
Lexus RX400h
Mazda Mazda3
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Mercury Mariner Hybrid
Nissan Sentra
Saturn Ion
Scion xA
Suzuki Reno
Toyota Camry
Toyota Corolla
Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Toyota Prius
Volkswagen Golf
Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen New Beetle


Top Environmentally Friendly Cars - MSN Autos

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Οικολογικές Εκδηλώσεις: Έρχεται το 13ο Eco Art Festival | EcoNews.gr

Οικολογικές Εκδηλώσεις: Έρχεται το 13ο Eco Art Festival | EcoNews.gr
Περιβάλλον, Ενέργεια, Οικολογία:
Το 13ο Eco Art Festival με πλήθος εκδηλώσεων πολιτιστικού και οικολογικού χαρακτήρα επιστρέφει και φέτος για να φέρει κοντά το Περιβάλλον, την Τέχνη και τον Άνθρωπο.
Μεταξύ των εκδηλώσεων που θα πραγματοποιηθούν περιλαμβάνεται και η ομαδική εικαστική έκθεση με τίτλο «Περιβάλλον- Πολιτισμός», η οποία θα φιλοξενηθεί στο Κέντρο Τεχνών του Δήμου Αθηναίων.
Συμμετέχουν διακεκριμένοι ζωγράφοι και γλύπτες (Θεόδωρος Παπαγιάννης, Κυριάκος Ρόκος, Γιώργος Χουλιαράς, Ανδρέας Λόλης, Λουκάς Λουκίδης, Ρουμπίνα Σαρελάκου, Μαρία Κτιστοπούλου, Elke Lagansky, Σύνη Παπαγιάννη, Ingrid Zamecnikova, Αχιλλέας Σδούκος, Patricia Lippert και Jean-Marie Biwer), οι οποίοι μέσα από τις δημιουργίες τους προσεγγίζουν με το δικό τους τρόπο την τέχνη και τον πολιτισμό.
Το φεστιβάλ θα ξεκινήσει στις 30 Μαΐου και θα διαρκέσει έως τις 15 Ιουνίου.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Effective World Government Will Be Needed to Stave Off Climate Catastrophe | Observations, Scientific American Blog Network

Effective World Government Will Be Needed to Stave Off Climate Catastrophe | Observations, Scientific American Blog Network
                                                                      Receding Himalayan glaciers
Almost six years ago, I was the editor of a single-topic issue on energy for Scientific American that included an article by Princeton University’s Robert Socolow that set out a well-reasoned plan for how to keep atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations below a planet-livable threshold of 560 ppm. The issue came replete with technical solutions that ranged from a hydrogen economy to space-based solar.

If I had it to do over, I’d approach the issue planning differently, my fellow editors permitting. I would scale back on the nuclear fusion and clean coal, instead devoting at least half of the available space for feature articles on psychology, sociology, economics and political science. Since doing that issue, I’ve come to the conclusion that the technical details are the easy part. It’s the social engineering that’s the killer. Moon shots and Manhattan Projects are child’s play compared to needed changes in the way we behave.

A policy article authored by several dozen scientists appeared online March 15 in Science to acknowledge this point: “Human societies must now change course and steer away from critical tipping points in the Earth system that might lead to rapid and irreversible change. This requires fundamental reorientation and restructuring of national and international institutions toward more effective Earth system governance and planetary stewardship.”

The report summarized 10 years of research evaluating the capability of international institutions to deal with climate and other environmental issues, an assessment that found existing capabilities to effect change sorely lacking. The authors called for a “constitutional moment” at the upcoming 2012 U.N. Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio in June to reform world politics and government. Among the proposals: a call to replace the largely ineffective U.N. Commission on Sustainable Development with a council that reports to the U.N. General Assembly, at attempt to better handle emerging issues related to water, climate, energy and food security. The report advocates a similar revamping of other international environmental institutions.

Unfortunately, far more is needed. To be effective, a new set of institutions would have to be imbued with heavy-handed, transnational enforcement powers. There would have to be consideration of some way of embracing head-in-the-cloud answers to social problems that are usually dismissed by policymakers as academic naivete. In principle, species-wide alteration in basic human behaviors would be a sine qua non, but that kind of pronouncement also profoundly strains credibility in the chaos of the political sphere. Some of the things that would need to be contemplated: How do we overcome our hard-wired tendency to “discount” the future: valuing what we have today more than what we might receive tomorrow? Would any institution be capable of instilling a permanent crisis mentality lasting decades, if not centuries? How do we create new institutions with enforcement powers way beyond the current mandate of the U.N.? Could we ensure against a malevolent dictator who might abuse the power of such organizations?

Behavioral economics and other forward-looking disciplines in the social sciences try to grapple with weighty questions. But they have never taken on a challenge of this scale, recruiting all seven billion of us to act in unison. The ability to sustain change globally across the entire human population over periods far beyond anything ever attempted would appear to push the relevant objectives well beyond the realm of the attainable. If we are ever to cope with climate change in any fundamental way, radical solutions on the social side are where we must focus, though. The relative efficiency of the next generation of solar cells is trivial by comparison.

Image credit: NASA

Swiss Solar Aircraft Takes Off On First International Flight : Discovery News

Swiss Solar Aircraft Takes Off On First International Flight : Discovery News
May 13, 2011 -- Pioneering Swiss solar-powered aircraft Solar Impulse, which holds a 26-hour record for flight duration, took off from Switzerland on Friday on its first international flight to Belgium.

The experimental emissions-free aircraft is expected to take about 12 hours to complete the journey to Brussels Airport, the team said.

The dragon fly-like single-seater, piloted by co-founder Andre Borschberg, lifted off gently in clear blue skies from Payerne airbase, in western Switzerland, at 8:40 am (0640 GMT) after being delayed by early morning mist, an AFP photographer said.

Solar Impulse HB-SIA, which has the wingspan of a large airliner but weighs no more than a saloon car, made history in July 2010 as the first manned plane to fly around the clock and through the night on the sun's energy.

NEWS: Solar Plane Takes Off in Historic Flight

It holds a record for the longest flight by a manned solar-powered airplane after staying aloft for 26 hours, 10 minutes and 19 seconds above Switzerland, also setting a record for altitude by flying at 9,235 meters (30,298 feet).

The high-tech plane has since flown several times, notably between the Geneva and Zurich airports, but the hop to Brussels through crowded airspace is regarded as a new challenge.

"Flying an aircraft like Solar Impulse through European airspace to land at an international airport is an incredible challenge for all of us, and success depends on the support we receive from all the authorities concerned," said Borschberg, who also piloted July's flight.

Images and some control details were being streamed live on the Internet, but pictures were briefly interrupted after it took off and headed north because of a surge in connections, according to a note on the Solar Impulse website.

BIG PIC: Biggest Solar-Powered Boat Unveiled

The aircraft HB-SIA relies on 12,000 solar cells on its 64-meter (210 feet) wings to charge the batteries that provide the energy for its four 10-horsepower electric propeller engines.

The showcase for green technology will go on display at Brussels airport until May 29 before flying on to the international air show at Le Bourget in Paris from June 20 to 26.

"This time, we have a real airplane -- flying -- proof that new technologies can reduce our dependence on fossil energy," said Bertrand Piccard, joint founder and president of the Solar Impulse project.

The Solar Impulse team is planning to fly even further, including possible transamerican, transatlantic and round-the-world flights -- in stages -- in 2013 and 2014 using a slightly larger aircraft.

BLOG: First Solar-Powered Blimp to Cross English Channel

Piccard, himself the first man along with Briton Brian Jones to fly nonstop around the world in a balloon, comes from a dynasty of pioneers.

His grandfather Auguste Piccard twice beat the record for reaching the highest altitude in a balloon, in 1931-32.

His late father Jacques Piccard was a deep sea explorer, who holds the record for traveling to the deepest point underwater, 10,916 meters (35,813 feet) below sea level in the Marianas Trench in the Pacific.

Credit: Harold Cunningham/Getty Images

Sunday, March 18, 2012

ECOTEC

ECOTEC
 Δυνατή η «Ecotec» παρά την κρίση
Στιγμιότυπο απο την τελετή εγκαινίων της 4ης διοργάνωσης του 2011. Από αριστερά η Αναπληρωτής τομεάρχης περιβάλλοντος της Νέας Δημοκρατίας κυρία Διονυσία Αυγερινοπούλου, ο Αντιδήμαρχος Αμαρουσίου, ο Εκπρόσωπος της Περιφέρειας Αττικής κύριος Νίκος Ανδρουλάκης, ο εκπρόσωπος της Πανελλήνιας Ένωσης Επιχειρήσεων και Μεταφοράς κύριος Γιάννης Σιαμάς, ο Υφυπουργός Περιβάλλοντος κύριος Γιάννης Μανιάτης και τέλος ο κύριος Χάρης Σιανίδης αναπληρωτής πρόεδρος του Ε.Β.Ε.Α.
Ξεκινά την Πέμπτη 15 Μαρτίου και θα διαρκέσει μέχρι και την Κυριακή 18 Μαρτίου, η 5η διοργάνωση της διεθνούς έκθεσης «Ecotec - Τεχνολογίες Περιβάλλοντος & Φωτοβολταϊκά Συστήματα» που διοργανώνει κάθε χρόνο η «T Expo» στο εκθεσιακό κέντρο «Expo Athens», στην Ανθούσα Αττικής.
Δεν είναι παράδοξο που η δυσμενής οικονομική κατάσταση της χώρας και το βαρύ ψυχολογικό κλίμα που αυτή δημιουργεί, αφήνουν σχεδόν ανεπηρέαστη τη συγκεκριμένη έκθεση. Γιατί αν η οικολογική συμπεριφορά των Ελλήνων ήταν ως χθες ευθύνη για το μέλλον, σήμερα -κάτω από αυτές τις συνθήκες- έχει γίνει επιτακτική ανάγκη.

Από τους μεγάλους επενδυτές, από το ίδιο το κράτος και την Τοπική Αυτοδιοίκηση μέχρι τον απλό ιδιοκτήτη ενός ακινήτου, η εκμετάλλευση των φυσικών και ανεξάντλητων πηγών ενέργειας, προσφέρει μια μοναδική ευκαιρία για κέρδος ή έστω σημαντική περικοπή των εξόδων για ενέργεια.
Στην εφετινή «Ecotec» οι εταιρίες που συμμετέχουν ξεπερνούν  για άλλη μια φορά τις 200 καλύπτοντας με τα εκθέματά τους ολόκληρη την γκάμα των τεχνολογιών περιβάλλοντος: Από Φωτοβολταϊκά και άλλα συστήματα εκμετάλλευσης των ανανεώσιμων πηγών ενέργειας μέχρι συστήματα διαχείρισης παντός είδους αποβλήτων, εξοικονόμησης ενέργειας, ανακύκλωσης κλπ.

Με ιδιαίτερο ενδιαφέρον, κυρίως από παράγοντες της Τοπικής Αυτοδιοίκησης, αναμένεται εφέτος και το «Ecoforum», το τριήμερο συνέδριο που πραγματοποιείται κάθε χρόνο παράλληλα με την έκθεση. Ημερίδες στο πλαίσιό του έχουν ήδη προγραμματίσει μεταξύ άλλων η Ελληνική Εταιρία Διαχείρισης Στερεών Αποβλήτων  (Ε.Ε.Δ.Σ.Α), ο Πανελλήνιος Σύνδεσμός Επιχειρήσεων Προστασίας Περιβάλλοντος (ΠΑ.Σ.Ε.Π.ΠΕ), το Συμβούλιο Ενεργειακής Αξιοποίησης Αποβλήτων (ΣΥΝΕΡΓΕΙΑ), ενώ όπως κάθε χρόνο θα πλαισιωθεί και από πλήθος εταιρικών εκδηλώσεων και παρουσιάσεων καινοτόμων προϊόντων.

Η «Ecotec - Τεχνολογίες Περιβάλλοντος & Φωτοβολταϊκά Συστήματα» διοργανώνεται κάθε χρόνο από την «T Expo», τελεί υπό την αιγίδα του Υπουργείου Περιβάλλοντος Ενέργειας και Κλιματικής Αλλαγής (ΥΠΕΚΑ) και υποστηρίζεται από όλους σχεδόν τους φορείς του χώρου.
Μέγας Χορηγός της έκθεσης είναι η εταιρεία SOPRAY NEW ENERGY. Χορηγοί της έκθεσης είναι οι εταιρίες RenApps, Upsolar, NEON ENERGY, THESAN και SUNRISE PV.
Μεγάλος χορηγός επικοινωνίας είναι το μηνιαίο περιοδικό «Ecotec» και χορηγοί επικοινωνίας τα περιοδικά της T-Press «Θερμοϋδραυλικός», «Ηλεκτρολόγος», «Εργοταξιακά Θέματα», «Μετάδοση Ισχύος», «Logistics & Management» και «Car & Truck», η εφημερίδα Ναυτεμπορική, τα περιοδικά Green Tank, Sun & Wind, PV Magazine, Τεχνική Επιθεώρηση, ECON 3, ΠΡΑΣΙΝΟ ΣΠΙΤΙ, Profil Energy, Water & Waste. Χορηγοί Ηλεκτρονικής Επικοινωνίας είναι οι ιστοσελίδες naftemporiki.gr, Biomassenergy.gr και Energypress.gr.

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Viking M. Services

Viking M. Services

To help the environment, manufacture | Harvard Gazette

To help the environment, manufacture | Harvard Gazette

Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer
“What we are doing is unleashing a highly unstable climate rather than an intrinsically warmer climate,” said the former chairman of the Sierra Club Carl Pope (far left). Pope met with postdocs at the Harvard University Center for the Environment. He was on campus to give a talk at the Science Center titled “Bringing Back America: How Reviving Our Manufacturing Sector Is the Big Issue in the 2012 Election."



Former Sierra Club chairman Carl Pope took an unusual stance for an environmentalist on Wednesday, saying that in order to meet the massive challenge posed by climate change, America needs more manufacturing.
At a time when living sustainably and reducing waste are key topics in the national environmental discussion, Pope added a new wrinkle. The transformation required to meet the climate challenge, he said, involves no less than rebuilding or refurbishing virtually every American home, factory, school, power plant, hospital, and motor vehicle to become cleaner and greener over the next three to four decades.


Friday, March 16, 2012

10 Ways to Go Green and Save Green | Worldwatch Institute

10 Ways to Go Green and Save Green | Worldwatch Institute

10 Ways to Go Green and Save Green

How can we live lightly on the Earth and save money at the same time? Staff members at the Worldwatch Institute, a global environmental organization, share ideas on how to GO GREEN and SAVE GREEN at home and at work. To learn more about Worldwatch's efforts to create am environmentally sustainable society that meets human needs, sign up here for weekly e-mail updates.
Climate change is in the news. It seems like everyone's "going green." We're glad you want to take action, too. Luckily, many of the steps we can take to stop climate change can make our lives better. Our grandchildren-and their children-will thank us for living more sustainably. Let's start now.
We've partnered with the Million Car Carbon Campaign to help you find ways to save energy and reduce your carbon footprint. This campaign is uniting conscious consumers around the world to prevent the emissions-equivalent of 1 million cars from entering the atmosphere each year.
Keep reading for 10 simple things you can do today to help reduce your environmental impact, save money, and live a happier, healthier life. For more advice, purchase State of the World 2010 - Transforming Cultures: From Consumerism to Sustainability, a report from 60 renowned researchers and practitioners on how to reorient cultures toward sustainability.
  1. Save energy to save money.
    • Set your thermostat a few degrees lower in the winter and a few degrees higher in the summer to save on heating and cooling costs.
    • Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) when your older incandescent bulbs burn out.
    • Unplug appliances when you're not using them. Or, use a "smart" power strip that senses when appliances are off and cuts "phantom" or "vampire" energy use.
    • Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. As much as 85 percent of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to heating the water.
    • Use a drying rack or clothesline to save the energy otherwise used during machine drying.
  2. Save water to save money.
    • Take shorter showers to reduce water use. This will lower your water and heating bills too.
    • Install a low-flow showerhead. They don't cost much, and the water and energy savings can quickly pay back your investment.
    • Make sure you have a faucet aerator on each faucet. These inexpensive appliances conserve heat and water, while keeping water pressure high.
    • Plant drought-tolerant native plants in your garden. Many plants need minimal watering. Find out which occur naturally in your area.
  3. Less gas = more money (and better health!).
    • Walk or bike to work. This saves on gas and parking costs while improving your cardiovascular health and reducing your risk of obesity.
    • Consider telecommuting if you live far from your work. Or move closer. Even if this means paying more rent, it could save you money in the long term.
    • Lobby your local government to increase spending on sidewalks and bike lanes. With little cost, these improvements can pay huge dividends in bettering your health and reducing traffic.
  4. Eat smart.
  5. Skip the bottled water.
  6. Think before you buy.

     
    • Go online to find new or gently used secondhand products. Whether you've just moved or are looking to redecorate, consider a service like craigslist or FreeSharing to track down furniture, appliances, and other items cheaply or for free.
    • Check out garage sales, thrift stores, and consignment shops for clothing and other everyday items.
    • When making purchases, make sure you know what's "Good Stuff" and what isn't.
    • Watch a video about what happens when you buy things. Your purchases have a real impact, for better or worse.
  7. Borrow instead of buying.
    • Borrow from libraries instead of buying personal books and movies. This saves money, not to mention the ink and paper that goes into printing new books.
    • Share power tools and other appliances. Get to know your neighbors while cutting down on the number of things cluttering your closet or garage.
  8. Buy smart.
    • Buy in bulk. Purchasing food from bulk bins can save money and packaging.
    • Wear clothes that don't need to be dry-cleaned. This saves money and cuts down on toxic chemical use.
    • Invest in high-quality, long-lasting products. You might pay more now, but you'll be happy when you don't have to replace items as frequently (and this means less waste!).
  9. Keep electronics out of the trash.
  10. Make your own cleaning supplies.
    Million Car CampaignJoin the Million Car Carbon Campaign by purchasing your Earth-Aid kit today.
    • The big secret: you can make very effective, non-toxic cleaning products whenever you need them. All you need are a few simple ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, lemon, and soap.
    • Making your own cleaning products saves money, time, and packaging-not to mention your indoor air quality.
  11. Bonus Item!
Thanks to members of SustainUS, the U.S. youth network for sustainable development, for contributing their ideas on how to go green and save green at home and at work.