LA charging up

Posted on October 18, 2010 by quest

In a city like Los Angeles where everything is dependent on the automobile this is a move in the right direction. LA Metro, EV Connect and the California Energy Commission will be conducting a pilot program to assess the integration of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) into the transportation network and consumer behavior and ridership patterns.

EV Connect has 15 years of experience in the electric vehicle industry and is now a leading provider of EV Infrastructure solutions dedicated to widespread electric vehicle adoption of electrified transportation. EV Connect also services the entire spectrum of businesses and municipalities that are well-placed to benefit from the EV revolution as charging station hosts, including universities, hotels and resorts, and big box retailers and shopping centers.

“This project will bring the city of Los Angeles closer to achieving its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 35 percent below 1990 levels by 2030,” said Energy Commissioner Anthony Eggert. “The Energy Commission is proud to be a part of this first-of-its-kind PEV infrastructure rollout with EV Connect and Metro.” The transportation emissions accounts for 40 percent of greenhouse gas in the State of California. So this project could have a great impact. “We are looking forward to the success of this pilot effort, which will encourage drivers of plug-in electric vehicles to use Metro while charging their vehicles at our transit stations,” said Metro Board Chair and Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe. “At Metro we demonstrate best practices in sustainability with over 2,500 clean air buses along with a commitment in building all new transit facilities to LEED standards. This project is another example of how Metro is protecting the environment.” Several sites around LA have been selected for the project.

“This is the first study of its kind to analyze the integration of EV solutions into a transit network,” said Jordan Ramer, CEO of EV Connect. “The data procured from this study will establish industry benchmarks on charge and ride commuters which will help shape the future of multi modal transportation.”

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

What Americans know about climate change

Posted on October 18, 2010 by quest

I heard the words today on the Stephanie Miller Show one of the guest contributors of the show multi talented Edie McClurg said “There are none so deaf then those who do not listen” It seems American are beginning to listen to news and information about the environment and climate change, but may not know what to do about it. A new report from Yale’s School of Forestry & Environmental Studies called Americans’ Knowledge of Climate Change reports results from a national study of what Americans understand about how the climate system works. The report explores the causes, impacts, and potential solutions to global warming. Among other findings, the study identifies a number of important gaps in public knowledge and common misconceptions about climate change.

The Yale Project on grew out of a groundbreaking conference convened in 2005 in Aspen, CO. Over 100 national leaders representing science, media, religion, politics, entertainment, education, business, environmentalism, and civil society came together to develop an action plan to engage American society on climate change. Their charge was to diagnose why, in the face of ever stronger climate science, the United States had been slow to act and to recommend a set of initiatives to catalyze action. The Yale Project on Climate Change Communication works to: Advance public understanding and engagement with climate change science and solutions, and: Catalyze action by the general public and leaders of government, business, academia, and the media through improved knowledge and understanding.

Consider that the research reveals that 63 percent of Americans believe that global warming is happening, but many do not understand why and most have never heard of the of coral bleaching or ocean acidification. While a knowledge gap does exist many Americans understand that a transition to solar and other renewable energy sources is an important solution. Americans’ Knowledge of Climate Change reports results from a national study

SUSTAINABILITY

Natalie Portman a presenter at Environmental Awards

Posted on October 17, 2010 by quest

Natalie Portman presented Jeff Skoll with an honorary award for his environmental contributions last night at the 2010 Environmental Media Association awards. The Environmental Media Association (EMA) is a non-profit organization created in 1989 which believes “that through television, film and music, the entertainment community has the power to influence the environmental awareness of millions of people.

The Skoll Foundation which he started has funded organizations such as The Amazon Conservation Team, the American Council on Renewable Energy and Global Footprint Network. Portman, who has been a vegetarian since childhood and became a vegan in 2009 after reading Jonathan Safran Foer’s Eating Animals, is an advocate for animal rights. She does not eat animal products or wear fur, feathers, or leather. “All of my shoes are from Target and Stella McCartney,” she has said. In 2007, she launched her own brand of vegan footwear.

Other winners of the 2010 Environmental Media Association awards which acknowledges individuals, organizations and productions that help increase public awareness of environmental issues were Ted Turner for his wildlife habitat preservation work; the documentary “Gasland” and TV shows “Bones,” ”Handy Manny,” ”Living With Ed” and “Lights, Camera, Take Action! Backstage With Disney’s Friends for Change. Ted commented “You can change from somebody who doesn’t care much about the environment to somebody who’s very concerned about it.”

CLOSER

Actors Olivia Munn and Jason Ritter hosted the event, which was sponsored by Toyota Prius was held at Warner Bros. Studios featured organic food and compostable dinnerware. Rosario Dawson, Lance Bass and Eva Mendes were also among awards presenters.

OPEN A GREEN DOOR

Hawaii to be 40 percent solar by 2030

Posted on October 16, 2010 by quest

The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission has issued an order approving feed-in tariffs (FIT) for the Hawaiian Electric Companies (Hawaiian Electric Company, Hawaii Electric Light Company, and Maui Electric Company) for renewable energy generators of up to 500 kW in size, to facilitate the acquisition and development of renewable energy in Hawaii. Because Hawaii is the most fossil fuel dependent state, this ruling helps move the state toward its goal of receiving 40 percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030.

Now homeowners and commercial property owners who install solar panels in Hawaii will get paid for any excess electricity they generate. Those who sign up and participate in the program will get paid 21.8 cents for each kilowatt hour (kWh) that is fed back into the electric grid. Since the going rate for residential electricity is higher on many parts of the islands, the feed-in tariff will really be best suited to homeowners — and businesses — that have solar energy systems that produce more electricity than they use on an annual basis. “We are pleased to launch the FIT program for the Hawaiian Electric Companies,” said Commission Chairman Carlito P. Caliboso. “The predictability and certainty that FITs provide to renewable energy developers should incent future renewable projects and ultimately advance the State’s efforts to wean itself off of imported fossil fuel.”

Hawaii’s new solar incentive plan is also expected to streamline solar project development and financing. The plan sets pricing, terms and conditions, all of which, it’s expected, will help make it easier to propose, close and complete solar installations.

VISIT ECO FRIENDS SHOP

Future organic farmer

Posted on October 16, 2010 by quest

The green movement is coming at us from all directions and from some unexpected sources. Googles’ investment in wind power is a sign; as is the US Department of the Interior’s plan to build a major solar power plant on public lands. Not long ago I reported a story about a 14 year old Ontario student who converted is grandfathers old Volkswagen into an electric vehicle. Even more recently there was the story of a college student from Purdue who has designed a functioning solar motorcycle…You know he’s probably getting more dates now that he’s getting all this attention. So now from North Carolina here’s 11 year old Birke Baehr who recently spoke a TED X conference.TED is a small nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Seems Birke has been studying how Americas’ food structure is working and has some very clear ideas on how it can be transformed into a more effective and healthy system.

At 11 years old Birke has changed his goal of being a football player and has decided he wants to be a an organic farmer instead, because as he said, “I can make a greater impact on the world.” The problem as he sees it is that 70 percent of processed foods on the market today are genetically modified. The other part of that is that genetically modified foods have been proven to cause cancer in lab animals.

TEDXCHANGE – BIRKE BAEHR

Now that our agribusiness systems are being looked at differently; organic, urban and vertical farmers are providing new solutions to address healthy eating and reduction in C02 emissions. And a child shall lead them.

Thin film solar business rising

Posted on October 15, 2010 by quest

3M has announced the expansion of its Ultra Barrier Solar Film manufacturing. 3M has always had its hand in the film market so it just seems natural to see them further expand into the thin film solar market. As a key component supplier to the solar industry, this expansion will support the growing demand for high performing flexible PV modules. The majority of the facility expansion will be located in Columbia, Missouri. Designed to address the needs of flexible thin film solar manufacturers, 3M Ultra Barrier Solar Film acts as a replacement for glass. Compared with glass-glass modules, large area, light weight flexible PV modules manufactured with 3M Ultra Barrier Solar Film can achieve significantly lower costs by requiring less installation time, removing the need for metal racking, and reducing logistics expenditures.

Derek DeScioli, Business Development Manager for the 3M Renewable Energy Division. “3M is a recognized leader in ultra barrier film technology, and we are committed to accelerating our efforts to support the scale-up of our thin film manufacturing customers.We are a recognized leader in ultra barrier film technology, and we are committed to accelerating our efforts to support the scale-up of our thin film manufacturing customers.”

3M’s Renewable Energy Division offers 100 years of combined expertise in coatings, film, tape, adhesive and optical technologies to the rapidly expanding renewable energy and energy efficiency markets worldwide. With all that’s going on at 3M and thin film technology one wonders what Kokak is up to?