Sundance Channel

Homeowners associations: hubs for sustainable neighborhood development?

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 17:11:08 +0000

Few phrases get my blood boiling like "homeowners association." Perhaps it's because I've never lived in a neighborhood with one of these organizations, but I have this image of a handful of people snooping around the community looking for any deviation from the norm (like, say, solar panels), and hiding their lack of imagination under the guise of property values. I've told my wife many times that if we ever move into one of those neighborhoods, I'm going shopping for a flock of plastic pink flamingos.

Renewable energy as art: the Bakken Museum’s Green Energy Art Garden

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 19:12:37 +0000

The Sonic Articulation of Sunbeams from Ben Moren on Vimeo.

A solar array, or a wind farm, can certainly have aesthetic appeal... but the visual interplay between the technology and its surroundings, or the beauty inherent in those panels and turbines themselves, usually isn't high on the priority list of installers. The Bakken Museum in Minneapolis, which is dedicated to "exploring the mysteries of our electric world," thought that beauty needed further exploration... and commissioned local artists to create works that "demonstrate a new, creative approach to using alternative energy sources."

Landfill gas powers craft studios in North Carolina

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 18:31:44 +0000

Many crafters have discovered greener ways to create their wares: reused and/or upcycled materials, for instance, have become very popular among the crafty set. But if your medium is something like glass or ceramics, heavy energy use is just a part of the process: it takes a lot of heat to melt glass for blowing or to fire up a kiln. A craft incubator program in North Carolina, the EnergyXchange, has figured out a way to lower the footprint of these artistic endeavors: landfill gas.

Public art to provide renewable power at Freshkills Park

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 19:00:50 +0000

Almost exactly two years ago, we took a look at the ambitious plans for turning Staten Island's closed Fresh Kills landfill into a massive recreational complex and park that rivals Central Park. Those plans have moved forward in the interim, and the Land Art Generator Initiative is contributing to the development of Freshkills Park with a design competition for "site-specific public artwork" that also generates energy from renewable sources.

Is Africa creating the model for a green economy?

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 18:43:45 +0000

When you think of international leadership towards a green economy, countries in Europe and Asia probably first come to mind: Germany's leading the pack in terms of implementing clean technology, and China's right there in terms of manufacturing it (even though it has a ways to go with its own environmental challenges). You might have a tough time thinking of an African nation contributing to the concept of economic growth through environmentally benign practices... and yet, according to a new report from the United Nations Environment Programme, nations such as South Africa and Kenya are creating green economic models that could serve as templates for other countries, both developing and developed.

Green tech finds (3/3/11)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 21:23:30 +0000

An electric unicycle, iPad recycling, and creating your own bike lane on the go... this week's green tech finds.

California farmers leading the way on renewables: According to the USDA's new On-Farm Renewable Energy Production Survey, "California farms and ranches now make up more than 20 percent of all operations in the nation with solar, wind and methane digester use." (via Calfinder's Residential Solar blog)
Harvesting energy from slow tides: That's the concept behind Minesto UK's Deep Green technology, a "kite-like device [which] is tethered to the seabed and is steered by a rudder, which allows it to adjust the speed at which water enters the turbine." The UK's Carbon Fund has awarded Minesto £350,000 to test the device.

A global warming documentary even a greedy bastard could love

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 21:19:24 +0000

Tried arguing climate change science with someone who doesn't buy it? Yeah, it's tough... and getting tougher. Even as the science itself becomes more clear, fewer people are concerned about global warming and its effects. It's enough to make a good greenie bang his/her head against the wall, or just move to a cave. Or... we could just stop arguing about it.

Green tech finds (2/3/11)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 19:30:41 +0000

warning signs from Susan Ngo on Vimeo.

T-shirts that detect pollution, wind power from transit tunnels, and solar power in coal's heartland... your green tech finds for the week.

The pollution-detecting t-shirt: NYU grad students Nien Lam and Sue Ngo's Warning Signs t-shirts display either a heart or a pair of lungs that change color according to the levels of carbon monoxide in the air. Watch it work above... (via Green Energy News and @greeneconpost)
All renewables by 2050? A brand new report from WWF claims we can get there, "...with only isolated residual uses of fossil and nuclear fuels." (via Mail & Guardian Online)

Vimeo of the Week: Small World Energy

Bradford Shellhammer — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 18:05:24 +0000

Small World Energy from Niles Heckman on Vimeo. Niles Heckman's Small World Energy is a wonderful little film telling the story of energy. Starting with the worst types of energy and finishing with the cleanest types of energy, his film shows what appears to be aerial views of these things. In actuality, it is a combo "of hand painting, photo collage, morphing, and texture projections." He wrote of the film:

Being extremely passionate about clean energy and a sustainable future for the planet, I felt obligated to do my version of a public service announcement. The concept was to start dirty and end clean. Beginning by showing the most destructive forms of energy (deforestation, coal, oil, shale) in addition to some of their side effects and then transition to systems that are cleaner but still have major downsides associated (nuclear, bio fuels, hydro) and conclude with renewables (geothermal, tidal, solar, and wind) which have very minimal negative side effects and impact on our ecosystem.

Green tech finds (1/20/11)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 22:30:03 +0000

Green tech spanning the globe, from Ohio to New York City to Algeria... your finds for the week.

What's up with switchgrass: Remember all the discussion about biofuels produced from switchgrass? The talk's died down, but the experimentation hasn't... but there are still some arguments out there about the efficiency of this feedstock.
Ohio's green economy: Ohio? Really? While it's still small and growing, this Rust Belt state made the most of the manufacturing infrastructure already in place to create green jobs. (via Calfinder's Residential Solar blog)

Utah Approves a Mine Next to Bryce Canyon for Coal America Doesn’t Need

Robert Redford — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 17:27:40 +0000

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah. (Photo credit: AFP/Getty Images)

Imagine: A massive open-pit coal mine next to a wilderness jewel. A scenario like that might have been routine in the past, but this is the 21st century, when many cleaner, more sustainable ways to power our economy abound. We no longer have to sacrifice an iconic landscape in order to burn some dirty rocks. And yet a mining company got approval last month to open Utah's first-ever strip mine for coal in the small community of Alton. Few new coal mines have opened in the West in the past decade since most developers focus on expanding existing mines, not reaching into untouched wilderness. And that's what makes this mine so troubling: it will be located 10 miles from Bryce Canyon National Park. The truth is we don't need this coal. The developers claim they have a contract with a Utah utility, but they won't disclose which one. It's questionable whether local utilities even have the need for such sizeable quantities of coal. Instead, rumors indicate that a lot of the coal will be hauled to a West Coast port for shipping, possibly overseas. If the company is so confident there is a market for its product, it should name its buyers. The West has a long history of outside companies extracting local resources, selling them elsewhere, and leaving nearby communities to clean up the mess often at taxpayer expense. No matter what they might tell you, there is no reclamation plan that can return an open pit mine to a natural, wild state. Once that untamed spirit is gone, it's gone for good. Some places are simply too special to industrialize. Bryce country is one of them.

Green tech finds (8/26/10)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 20:19:17 +0000

Hemp cars, pedal-powered submarines, and lots of wave power... this week's green tech finds.

Harnessing the surge: Finnish company AW-Energy is building a test plant in Portugal for its Waveroller concept, which "utilizes the so-called surge phenomenon found on ocean coasts." (via Good News from Finland)
More wave power: Ocean Renewable Power Company is testing out the wave power potential for the US Coast Guard's station in Eastbrook, Maine.

Fannie & Freddie trying to kill the green collar economy?

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:14:48 +0000

Property-assessed clean energy (PACE) financing has caught on quickly around the country: from Berkeley to Baton Rouge, localities and states have recognized the environmental and economic benefits of creating financing opportunities for renewable energy and efficiency upgrades for home and business owners. Last week, government-backed mortgage lending agencies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac threw a giant monkey wrench into the growth of PACE by "refusing to accept loans on buildings in the program."

Brownfield and landfill sites: Perfect for renewable energy development?

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 20:14:19 +0000

Yesterday's Boston Globe took note of Canton, Massachusetts' negotiation to use a capped landfill as an energy production site. While many localities have discovered landfill gas as an alternative energy source, Canton plans to use about half of the 41-acre site as a solar farm.

The state fair goes green

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 18:53:42 +0000

Rickety carnival rides. Animal and agricultural exhibits. And fried... well, just about anything. State fair season is coming up, and future farmers, midway operators, and bands past their prime are ready to roll. At a few fairs around the country, you can add renewable energy vendors, green builders, and organic foodies to the mix: the greening of the state fair is slowly but surely underway.

Pay as you save: British coalition government floats energy plan

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Wed, 26 May 2010 19:30:31 +0000

At the federal level, the US tends to rely on various forms of tax incentives to spur consumer demand for energy efficiency and renewable installations. States and cities have tended to be a bit more creative in providing forms of up-front cost support, such as property tax financing and loan programs. Perhaps the feds should take a look at approach the new British government floated in yesterday's Queen's Speech: a "pay-as-you-save" loan program.

New Jersey global warming skeptic loves his solar panels

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Tue, 18 May 2010 21:03:26 +0000

Lifelong Jersey City resident Adam Szpala describes himself as a climate change skeptic. And cap-and-trade programs? He "thinks [they're] crazy when the economy is suffering as it has been," according to The Jersey City Independent. But this contractor and rental property owner loves him some solar panels... and plunked down $45,000 four years ago to install them on his own house as well as the building next door he rents out. His incentive: cost savings on energy. Because he lives in New Jersey, which has had some of the most generous rebate programs in the country (they've dried up some lately), he'll likely recoup his initial investment in just a few more years. He saves about $200 a month on electricity, and also receives Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SREC) payments to the tune of around $7000 a year.

Pennsylvania’s Starts Green Energy Revolving Loan Fund With $48 Million

Sundance Channel — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 11:58:35 +0000

Pennsylvania's new $48 million Green Energy Revolving Loan Fund will supply capital for developing cost effective, energy-saving and renewable energy projects in existing, non-residential buildings throughout the state.

Golden State Warriors practice facility goes solar

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 20:34:24 +0000

From players' salaries (and egos) to stadiums and arenas, pretty much everything about professional sports is big... including the carbon footprint. You likely only need to take a look at huge, climate-controlled facilities with acres and acres of parking to figure that even single events are responsible for massive greenhouse gas emissions. Genuine reductions in that footprints will likely require major shifts in how fans experience the play of their favorite teams... for now, though, a number of pro franchises are doing what they can with LEED building standards, renewable energy installations, and fan education. The Golden State Warriors basketball team will join that group tomorrow with the unveiling of a 9,641 sq. ft., 143.5kW solar installation on its practice facility in downtown Oakland.

Vertical axis wind turbine catches eyes in Kansas

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:45:27 +0000

Wind power opponents often cite aesthetics, noise, and bird kills as reasons for not wanting wind farms or turbines nearby... call it renewable NIMBYism. General contractor (and past installer of Christo projects) A.L. Huber has installing a next-generation vertical axis wind turbine at its Overland Park, KS headquarters that designers claim addresses all of these complaints lodged against wind installations.

Green tech finds (11/27/09)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:09:50 +0000

Thankful for green technology? So are we... here are this week's finds.

Fresh water + salt water = energy: Norwegian power company Statkraft opened the world's first osmotic energy plant on Tuesday.
Storage start-ups get federal funding: Big announcement of federal smart grid funding on Tuesday... and energy storage start-ups shared in the largess.

United States and India Embark on a Green Partnership

Sundance Channel — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:28:26 +0000

President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today reaffirmed the global strategic partnership between the United States and India and launched a new and greener phase in their relationship.

Harvard inks wind power deal

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:30:32 +0000

If you've gone as far as pricing a renewable energy system for your home, you may have suffered a bit of sticker shock: solar and wind systems can easily run $20,000 -- $40,000 before any incentives. Now, imagine the prices on systems for large businesses and institutions. It's no wonder that these big players have sought out alternatives to buying systems outright, and often entered into power purchase agreements (or PPAs) for energy produced by technology owned by others. Harvard University went this route yesterday when it signed a contract with Boston-based wind energy developer First Wind.

Green tech finds (9/11/09)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:41:34 +0000

Tree-power and homemade submarines... all that and more in your green tech finds for the week.

Google... the solar company?: The company announced on Wednesday that it's "working to develop its own new mirror technology that could reduce the cost of building solar thermal plants by a quarter or more."
Wind power from the air conditioner: Renewable energy company EarthSure has announced its WindAir system, which is designed to "[transform] the exhausted air flow from central air conditioning units into a source of renewable, clean energy."

The Saudi Arabia of cliches

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 20:09:23 +0000

A view of one of the Saudi Arabias of wind — Texas The US’ discussion over our energy future hasn’t just produced many innovative ideas for harnessing cleaner and renewable sources of power; it’s also given rise to its own collection of cliches. Arguably, the most prevalent among these is “_______ (a location) is the [...]

Green tech finds (6/18/09)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:03:48 +0000

Deutsche Bank's online carbon counter Phones, flashlights, and sweet solar-powered rides... all that and more in this week's green tech finds.

Funding priorities: Is a national smart grid the best investment right now? Or would local micro-grids fed by renewable power serve us better?
More proof that teenagers do know it all: Fourteen-year-old David S. Dixon built "a street-legal quadricycle with a solar-powered electric motor" for a middle school project. (via Gas 2.0)

Solar hot water, biogas raise living standards in Cairo’s “Garbage City”

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:45:31 +0000

"Trash into treasure" may be a mantra for some eco-minded artists, but for people who dwell in slums around the world, it's a method for survival. Philanthropist and UCLA Ph.D. student T.H. Culhane believes that the mindset of reuse that exists in one such slum, Cairo's Garbage City, could be the means to raising the standard of living for its 20,000 residents.