Solar LA docks in the Port of Los Angeles

Posted on December 11, 2010 by quest

SunLink® Corporation announced the installation of its non-penetrating rooftop solar module mounting solution by Cupertino Electric, Inc. (CEI) at the recently completed 1 megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic project at the Port of Los Angeles’ World Cruise Center in Los Angeles, Calif. CEI built the landmark project using the SunLink Roof Mount System (RMS), the leading commercial rooftop mounting solution, installed on over 180 MW of projects at 900 sites across North America. The Port of Los Angeles solar project is part of the “Solar LA Program,” one of the world’s largest solar power projects undertaken by a single city. Over its lifetime, the solar system will reduce the Port’s carbon footprint the equivalent of cutting 4,367 cars off the road according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Christopher Tilley, CEO, SunLink, said, “We were pleased to work with CEI and the Port on this milestone project for Los Angeles. As the market leader in commercial rooftop installations, we bring a vast amount of expertise and proven technology to ensure a safe, easy-to-install and cost-effective solar power system.”

“We chose SunLink for the Port of Los Angeles project because of the company’s ability to offer a non-penetrating solution that met the Port’s specifications,” said Meisa Kassis, Project Manager, Cupertino Electric, Inc. “By using SunLink’s ballasted mounting solution, we were able to meet the Port’s requirements and preserve the long-term integrity of the roof.”

GE invests $6 Billion in renewable energy

Posted on December 9, 2010 by quest

GE Energy Financial Services announced today that it reached its multi-year target of building a $6 billion portfolio of renewable energy investments by the end of 2010, inspired by GE’s ecomagination initiative. Alex Urquhart, president and CEO of GE Energy Financial Services said “We achieved this $6 billion milestone because of our competitive advantage as a GE business focused on one of GE’s core domain strengths, renewable energy. To maintain this momentum, drive further deployment of renewable energy worldwide and keep America competitive through technology innovation and job creation, we are calling on Congress to enact long-term, predictable renewable energy policies.”

Cumulatively, the projects and companies have supported thousands of “green collar” jobs worldwide, helped grow the multi-billion dollar US renewable energy manufacturing industry, and—according to US Environmental Protection Agency methodology—avoided more than 23 million tons a year in global greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to taking all the passenger vehicles off the road in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. GE Energy Financial Services started investing in renewable energy in 1987. It had amassed a $3 billion portfolio by January 2008, when it set a target of reaching $6 billion by the end of this year. The investments have spanned 14 countries, 95 wind farms, 40 solar installations, six hydroelectric projects, 12 landfill gas facilities, and 15 projects involving other technologies, across a wide spectrum of capital – from project equity to debt, and venture capital.

Across the United States, GE Energy Financial Services has made approximately 75 percent of its renewable energy investments in states with renewable portfolio standards, or regulations requiring increased electricity generation from renewable sources. The GE unit’s research has shown that investments in the wind industry have risen and fallen with the renewal and expiration of renewable energy incentives. The expiration of incentives in 2000, 2002 and 2004 caused a 76-90 percent drop in installed capacity in the United States from the previous year.

VISIT GREEN NEWS WALL

Electric vehicles hit the car rental business

Posted on December 8, 2010 by quest

Hertz and smart USA today announced a joint partnership to bring electric vehicles to Connect by Hertz car sharing and Hertz Rent A Car locations in New York, Washington, DC, and San Francisco. The vehicle placements are part of the Hertz Global EV program, which will offer a variety of 100 percent electric and plug-in hybrids to car sharing and rental customers worldwide. The smart fortwo electric drive will be available for rent through Connect by Hertz car sharing in New York City beginning December 15.

Mark P. Frissora, Hertz Chairman and Chief Executive Officer said “Hertz’s partnership with smart USA is another strategic element of our long term plan to provide consumers with electric vehicle access on a global scale. With its worldwide recognition, smart was a logical choice for our program and we’re excited to begin offering the smart electric drive to our customers later this month.” “The smart for two electric drive is the ultimate statement on conservation, from materials to space to natural resources, and further defines the independent spirit of smart,” said Jill Lajdziak, president of smart USA. “We are thrilled to place vehicles with Hertz and offer consumers the opportunity to experience the joy of driving a smart for two while showcasing the benefits of electric technology.”

As announced in September, Hertz Global EV is championing an electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle mobility ecosystem, incorporating transportation options and a charging station grid for ease of use. Hertz Global EV will be the first company to provide a range of all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles and charging stations on a car sharing and rental basis at global scale. The smart for two electric drive joins EVs from other manufacturers as part of Hertz Global EV’s diverse fleet. The smart fortwo electric drive vehicle is engineered to package advanced technology while maintaining the car’s design history. It is powered by a 30 kW drive magneto-electric motor and 16.5 kWh lithium-ion battery. Using a 220V outlet, it takes only three and a half hours to charge the battery from 20 to 80 percent of its capacity and less than eight hours to fully charge it.

Solar could create 750 Thousand Jobs in US by 2020

Posted on December 7, 2010 by quest

This week at the United Nations convention on Climate Change (COP16) in Cancun, Mexico, SEIA (Solar Energy Industries Association Industries – along with EPIA – European Photovoltaic Industry Association and 40 other solar groups around the world) released a report on solar’s potential to fight climate change and create jobs. The report states that solar is already a global success story, but is not yet living up to its full potential.

The report estimates that by 2020, world solar deployment could reach a combined level that reduces carbon pollution equal to removing 110 million cars from the road. Additionally, if the solar deployment goals (that are highlighted in the report) are agreed upon and reached, over one million jobs could be created in the European Union and nearly seven hundred thousand jobs created in the United States.

Solar is fighting climate change and creating jobs now, but we have not even come close to maximizing this free, clean, and abundant resource. If, on a global scale, we continue to ignore solar as a jobs creator and a clean energy alternative, a tremendous opportunity to do the right thing will be lost.

OBSERVE ECO FASHION

Image Leader Creates Sustainable Innovation Group

Posted on December 6, 2010 by quest

Eastman Kodak Company has announced the formation of the Innovation and Materials Science Institute (IMSI). A consortium of cross-disciplinary thought leaders in science, business, government and education. The Institute will host its first initiative – a “State of Innovation Summit” entitled “Materials Science as a Key Enabler to Today’s Innovation Economy,” at the George Eastman House in Rochester, NY, December 7, 2010. Brad Kruchten, President, Film, Photofinishing & Entertainment Group, Senior Vice President, Eastman Kodak Company said, “Major breakthroughs and game-changing innovations are increasingly taking place at the intersections of materials science. Many of the business opportunities related to the green economy and renewable materials require the same strong technology foundation that companies like Kodak have developed over the last 100+ years. With the IMSI initiative, we hope to determine where new concepts intersect with established capabilities and infrastructure, and then find opportunities where innovation can flourish through collaboration.”

“The Institute is committed to providing the ideal learning environment for the future. We want to create a kind of giant water cooler to encourage discussion and collaboration at every level,” Kruchten said.“Once the discussion gets going, the multi-disciplinary expertise of the group will focus on developing pathways from innovative concepts to full commercialization,” said IMSI board member Ron Valente. Valente is Vice President of Research and Development at Novomer, an Ithaca, NY-based company that has successfully converted carbon dioxide into a variety of polymers.

Other members of the Institute come from major areas of the innovation economy – sustainability, clean technology and energy efficiency/independence – and represent a broad spectrum of business, science and academia within the materials science arena. The commercialization pathway can be very challenging for a technology start-up company, Valente said. “We have really benefited from the type of joint approach that IMSI represents,” he said. “After Novomer secured funding through the U.S. Department of Energy, we needed help scaling up our efforts to create a family of plastics, polymers and other chemicals using industrial waste. By partnering with established companies like Kodak, we were able to scale-up our new technology innovation with a much smaller degree of risk and investment,” Valente said. “IMSI will provide value to many entrepreneurial ventures by promoting and nurturing partnership opportunities.”

EXPLORE ECOTOURISM

Costa Rica an environmental bridge to the future

Posted on December 4, 2010 by quest

In recent weeks news has been flowing out of Costa Rica concerning a variety of environmental issues. For example, on November 9th the country’s legislative assembly voted unanimously to ban all new open pit metal mining projects in the country. There has been a major crack down on illegal shark finning as the Ministry of Agriculture (MAG) and the Costa Rican Fisheries Institute closed private docks in Puntarenas on December 1st to foreign fishing vessels. And Randall Arauz, a key Costa Rican environmentalist, won Sweden’s prestigious Göteborg Award for 2010 for sustainable development.“We needed to lead by exampled explained Hacienda Matapalo’s Executive Vice President Brian Albury. Hacienda Matapalo, is a gated community on the country’s South Pacific Coast, remains committed to ensuring the ecological impact it will have will be minimal. “Our goal from day one was to support sustainable development that guarantees that the South and Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica remain pristine and free from any man-made harm.” said Albury. Hacienda Matapalo tasked key members of its development team with the sole purpose of implementing and maintaining extensive environmental stewardship before, during and after construction.

“It was and IS our goal to utilize the latest ‘green’ technology wherever possible without jeopardizing our commitment to deliver the highest standards to our homeowners. We believe that a balance and harmony with nature and our immediate environment will make Hacienda Matapalo a truly unique place to live.” As the property ramps up to resume its infrastructure construction with key strategic partner Su Casa Desarrollos de Vivienda S.A., the leading company of the Tu Hogar S.A. Real Estate Group, the management team at Hacienda Matapalo has made every effort to illustrate their ongoing commitment to the planet from sponsoring sea turtle protection programs to leading beach cleanup efforts to helping to replant the all important Costa Rica rainforests.

“One of the factors that has helped drive our efforts from the beginning to be a ‘green,’ low-impact development, is that our development is surrounded by a natural, lush rainforest,” said Albury, adding, “not to mention a 125-plus acre dedicated nature preserve and 90 acre nature conservancy parcel.” The environmentally-conscious development will include an equestrian center, nature trails for hiking and horseback riding and even announced it will add a 500-plus foot treetop suspension bridge to its development that will stretch across a ravine along the property’s nature preserve.