Madrid completes first green apartments

Posted on November 3, 2010 by quest

Telvent a leading real-time IT solutions and information provider, announced that a project it collaborated on with Cisco, in building Madrid’s first green dwellings, received recognition at the eighth annual Sustainable City Awards. Telvent and Cisco partnered with the Municipal Housing and Land Company of Madrid on the project. The development culminated in a public building located at 52 Las Margaritas Street, where young adults live in rental units. The two companies created all of the building’s connectivity and network infrastructure, enabling residents to control energy use, thereby contributing towards a cleaner Madrid.
“These apartments are equipped with an energy efficiency manager that enables residents to monitor carbon dioxide emissions and make decisions regarding energy use, individually and at the community and urban environment levels,” explained Telvent CEO Ignacio González. “The system can be accessed from inside the home, using any Internet-connected device.”

Residents are able to set energy consumption limits, and compare them on a regular basis, helping to lower their domestic impact on the environment. This also allows them to manage energy costs at the same time. These benefits were critical factors for the judging panel in selecting the project, which was executed under the Connected Urban Development Program — a finalist in the Sustainable City Awards. “It is a pleasure for Telvent to participate in projects that make energy efficiency available to citizens,” said Ignacio González, at the awards ceremony held at the Rose Garden Pavilion in Madrid’s West Park. Also in attendance were Crown Princess Letizia and Mayor of Madrid Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón.

CAREERS

SunPower to build solar plant at U.S. Air Force Academy

Posted on November 3, 2010 by quest

Construction will begin this month on the 30-acre site, of the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) in Colorado Springs, Colo to build a 6-megawatt solar photovoltaic power system. The 30-acre, 6-megawatt system at this site is where Air Force cadets and officers alike engage in thousands of training flights each year, will be a testament to the fact that solar power provides a secure, independent power source in the U.S.,” said Jim Pape, president of SunPower’s residential and commercial business group. “Reliability and quality are the hallmarks of SunPower systems. We look forward to working with the Springs Utilities and the Air Force Academy on this very exciting project.”

The project is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), as a result of government requirements for federal facilities to use increasing amounts of renewable energy. SunPower and Springs Utilities will each own 50 percent of the renewable energy credits (RECs) and environmental benefits associated with the system. The system will use high-efficiency SunPower solar panels with the SunPower Tracker(R) system. The Tracker follows the sun’s movement during the day, increasing sunlight capture by up to 25 percent over conventional fixed-tilt systems, while significantly reducing land use requirements. The system will be designed to meet USAFA’s stringent engineering design standards.

According to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates, the system at the Air Force Academy will avoid more than 9,400 tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year, the equivalent of removing 40,900 cars from Colorado’s highways over 25 years. The plant is expected to be operational by summer 2011.

BUILDING GREEN

America fertile ground for organic food

Posted on November 3, 2010 by quest

As the solar and renewable energy industry continues its growth, the organic food market in the US has also been one of the fastest growing industries. According to RNCOS a leading market research and information firm: During 2000-2008, the average annual growth of the industry ranged between 16%-21%. In 2009, the industry successfully endured economic slowdown effects and posted positive year on year growth rate, which was well ahead of total food sales growth in 2009. With the government’s monetary and regulatory support and increasing acceptance of organic food in the country, the industry is expected to grow 13% during 2010-2014.

Increasing health awareness, environment protection, food safety, and animal welfare are fuelling the growth of the industry. The demand for organic products and natural produce is growing rapidly thus, making a niche market for the food and beverages industry. As the world’s largest economy the US provides a fertile environment for the organic food industry to grow and prosper. With California leading the organic food movement other states such as Wyoming, Texas, New Mexico, Wisconsin, and South Dakota have shown tremendous market potentials for investment. Not only in urban areas but in rural parts of the country as well, consumers are showing phenomenal interest in both organic farming and organic food consumption.

“US Organic Food Market Analysis” is a comprehensive report and objective analysis of organic food market potentials in the US. The report provides historical, current, and future projected market performance of all prominent segments including fruit & vegetables, beverages, dairy, packaged foods, bread & grains.

It also provides insight on emerging market trends along with regulatory initiatives, and industry outlook. Additionally, the report facilitates information/statistics on organic farm land infrastructure, consumer behavior analysis, supply chain mechanisms and an overview of prominent industry players.

ORGANIC FRUIT FARM

WHY URBAN FARMING

Environment and jobs the winners in California

Posted on November 3, 2010 by quest

by Wade Wade Crowfoot
Political Director, Environmental Defense Fund

I join millions of Californians in celebrating the defeat of the dirty energy ballot initiative, Proposition 23. While not quite as raucous as the World Series victory (Go Giants!), the defeat of two Texas oil companies was just as sweet. The result couldn’t be clearer: Californians overwhelming rejected Prop 23 and voted for a clean energy future.
By rejecting Prop 23, Californians voiced their support for economic expansion in the booming clean tech sector and improved air quality and public health. By supporting the implementation of the landmark AB 32 clean energy law, California will be able to pioneer a range of pollution reduction measures that spur cleaner energy technology. It’s a true win-win situation for a state with 12.5% unemployment and in which 91% of residents live in a county with substandard air quality.

AB 32 also helps ensure the United States can compete with China and the European Union, countries that are aggressively pursuing this booming market. In 2010, the market was $10 billion. By 2020, it will reach $80 billion, becoming the world’s third-largest industrial sector.
Darkest before Dawn – Earlier this year, climate deniers and a few bad actors in the oil industry from Texas took aim at

PROPOSITION 23 GOES DOWN IN DEFEAT

ENVIRONMENT

Ecotourism on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua

Posted on November 2, 2010 by quest

On the Nicaragua’s spectacular Pacific Coast comes Guacalito de la Isla, a $250 million, 1,670-acre resort development that embodies the principles of ecotourism. Guacalito de la Isla is the first in a series of Grupo Pellas’ unique Ceiba Collection eco-retreats in Central America, socially and environmentally sustainable communities benefiting not just residents and guests, but employees and locals as well. “This new generation of green destinations will be in some of the world’s most unspoiled locations,” said Don Carlos Pellas, Pellas.

The Pellas family has been a leader in the economic development of Central America for more than a century and has holdings in the sugar, rum, banking, transportation and credit-card businesses. “Each will cater to homeowners and guests who wish to make a difference in their families, their communities and their environment This year alone, Pellas Development has donated computers to the local school and 5,000 forest plants to the communities surrounding Guacalito de la Isla. “This new generation of green destinations will be in some of the world’s most unspoiled locations,” said Pellas.

“We are proud to be at the forefront of Nicaragua’s emergence as a destination for North Americans who seek an idyllic natural and sustainable refuge and an authentic experience,” said Pellas. Guacalito’s amenities will include a boutique luxury hotel; a beach club and restaurant; a marina; water sports from surfing to deep-sea fishing; hiking and biking trails; a championship 18-hole golf course; ecology, cultural and adventure-sports programs; an equestrian center; a world-class spa and family wellness center and a variety of multigenerational activities.
Guacalito de la Isla coincides with recent efforts by the Nicaraguan government to entice North American second-home buyers, investors and retirees with generous tax incentives. It is also in step with new interest in Nicaragua among North Americans seeking an exotic yet affordable destination for eco-tourism and vacation real estate. In the past few years, tourism has surpassed coffee as Nicaragua’s leading source of revenue, and Nicaragua has been deemed the safest country in Central America.

GUACALITO DE LA ISLA

ONLINE GREEN WEBINARS

Solar powers 3G Network on Mt. Everest

Posted on November 2, 2010 by quest

Solar is on top of the world providing power to a eight new 3G stations at the Mt. Everest National Park. The network installed by Ncell a subsidiary of Europe’s TeliaSonera is Nepal’s second largest mobile operator. The network established at the Mt. Everest base camp is 16,994 feet above sea level and provides quality voice and 3G broadband services for local residents and mountaineers from all around the world preparing to climb the world’s highest mountain. Ncell CTO Aigars Benders congratulated the achievement via video, saying: “You are on the peak of the world! With the launch of the 3G station, visitors to the south side of Mt. Everest can share what they see, what they feel, and what they think during their trip to Mt. Everest with their friends and relatives at any time.”

Solar panels were also incorporated in the design to ensure that the station has power supply throughout the year and be environmentally friendly. These features will allow the station to operate at optimal levels even with outdoor temperatures as low as minus 86 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit with minimal power usage.

MT. EVEREST PANORAMA

To withstand the high altitude and extremely harsh natural environment of the Himalayas, ZTE a leading global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions provided a tailor-made solution for the Mt. Everest project with a strong “green” environmentally conscious focus. The micro base-station is based on the SDR (Software-Defined Radio) platform, which has a low power-consumption, small footprint, and is easy to install. A one-piece ground tower and heat-insulating Diet shelter are used in the stations, which allow them to be installed quickly without the need for earthwork and foundation construction.