Sustainable Environment Key To Greater Paris Project

Posted on October 28, 2011 by quest

When it was officially unveiled in 2009 by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, the 10-year, major urban renewal project included a euro 35 billion transport plan to build a 140-kilometre, driverless subway system around the exterior of Paris, 70,000 new homes per year and a complete redevelopment of the Seine river to turn it into a major transport link with the Channel, via the port of Le Havre. Projects were submitted by 10 top international architects and President Sarkozy said he wanted work on the transport system to begin in 2012. French Minister for Urban Affairs, Maurice Leroy, will update MIPIM Asia delegates on the gigantic Greater Paris project during a keynote address in Hong Kong, on November 16. At MIPIM Asia, Minister of Urban Affairs, Maurice Leroy, who oversees the Great Paris programme, will give delegates the latest news on what is the most ambitious redevelopment project in the French capital since Baron Haussmann redesigned the city some 150 years ago.

La Vie en Rose

Maurice Leroy‘s keynote address is part of MIPIM Asia’s conference programme targeting urban development, liveable cities and the use of eco-friendly infrastructure to ensure sustainable urban development. “The Greater Paris project offers truly exciting investment possibilities for the public and private sector and we are honoured that the French Minister of Urban Affairs will provide MIPIM Asia delegates with a unique opportunity to learn more about this huge development programme,” noted MIPIM Asia Director, Filippo Rean. “Sustainable urban development is a major concern for urban administrators around the world and the Greater Paris development provides a fascinating insight into the future of city planning,” he added.

Marrying urban environmental and commercial requirements while also responding to the evolving needs of citizens, will be discussed during the MIPIM Asia conference programme by two high-profile speakers: Jason Hu, Mayor of Taichung City Government (Taiwan) and Amy Cho, Director General of Business Opportunity Bureau of the Incheon Free Economic Zone (South Korea). MIPIM Asia delegates will also discover some of the ground-breaking construction projects from across the region which will be on display as winners of the 2011 MIPIM Asia Awards. Frank Krueger, Creative Director of logon urban.architecture.design (Berlin/Shanghai) which designed the Shanghai Museum of Glass – one of the winners in the “urban regeneration” category, explained why he’s looking forward to this year’s event: “MIPIM Asia does provide a unique opportunity for us as it stimulates the exchange of knowledge and latest trends in urban development, planning and sustainable design. We did not only established new business relations (and acquired new project opportunities), but we were also able to boost the quality and competitiveness of our work through the gain of knowledge at MIPIM Asia.”

Green The New Black

White House Looks Deeper Into Solyndra

The Western Solar Energy Zone

Posted on October 28, 2011 by quest

As part of President Obama’s commitment to developing our domestic energy portfolio, including our clean energy resources, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar recently made public a supplement to the federal plan to facilitate responsible utility-scale solar development on public lands in six western states – Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah. The revised plan, the Supplement to the Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Solar Energy Development (Solar PEIS), reinforces and improves upon Interior’s work to establish meaningful solar energy zones with transmission solutions and incentives for solar energy development within those zones. The blueprint’s early, comprehensive analysis will ultimately make for faster, better permitting of large-scale solar projects on public lands.

“Between the proposed solar energy zones, the flexible variance process, the additional state-based planning efforts, and the commitment to process pending applications, Interior is taking an ‘all-hands-on-deck’ approach to building a strong solar energy economy now and into the future,” said Deputy Secretary David J. Hayes.

How The West Was Won

“Tapping the vast potential of solar resources in the Western states will go a long way to diversifying the country’s energy portfolio and re-establishing our position as a clean energy leader in a global market worth trillions of dollars in the long term,” said U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu. “Advancing the deployment of utility-scale solar projects will not only help provide clean power to local utilities, it will also drive down the cost of solar energy and create American jobs in the rapidly-growing clean energy economy.”

Villaraigosa Welcomes Solar Electric Vehicle Maker BYD

Remote villages in West Africa benefit from Solar energy

Solar Powering 10,000 Climate And Water Saving Homes

Posted on October 27, 2011 by quest

Build It Green, a California leading expert on residential green building, announced a major milestone today: 10,000 single- and multi-family homes will receive the GreenPoint Rated label, representing the gold standard in green home construction and remodels, by the end of 2011.These GreenPoint Rated homes are saving California over 112 million gallons of water — enough to fill Crystal Springs Reservoir five times over — and avoiding nearly 9,000 tons of greenhouse gases, the equivalent of taking over 1,500 cars off the road for a year. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, an estimated 17 percent of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions are from residential homes each year. GreenPoint Rated is designed to help homeowners and builders ensure their home or development is built or remodeled to meet high environmental standards. Like a report card for green homes, the rating system assigns points based on five categories: Energy Efficiency, Resource Conservation, Indoor Air Quality, Water Conservation and Community Benefits. Point values are determined based on the use of verified green construction practices and sustainable materials that exceed California’s residential building and energy code requirements.

To ensure a home is built or remodeled to maximize efficiency and minimize environmental impacts, GreenPoint Rated assesses points based on green building techniques including: Increasing energy efficiency by implementing energy saving construction techniques and equipment such as solar power, solar water heating and ENERGY STAR appliances. The GreenPoint process also includes; Conserving water, creating livable communities, enhancing quality of life and minimizing pollution through community benefits like proximity to public transportation, stores and other services. “In designing my green home, it was important to me to create a home that is not only good for the environment today, but establishes a legacy of sustainable living practices for my children and future generations,” said Ian Macleod, owner of a GreenPoint Rated home in Albany, CA that won the American Institute of Architects, San Francisco Chapter, Energy + Sustainability Citation Award in May 2010. “As an architect and Certified Green Building Professional myself, I knew the GreenPoint Rated label represented the high environmental standards I wanted for my family’s home.”

In addition to environmental benefits, homes that have been built or remodeled using green building techniques have been shown to lower the cost of monthly utility bills, home maintenance and repairs. Early research also indicates that green homes may retain their value better, even in a tough real estate market, and are attractive to a growing number of homeowners and buyers.“With so many homeowners and developers now building green, we could see the number of GreenPoint Rated homes in California double over the next five years,” said Tenaya Asan, Build It Green’s senior program manager for GreenPoint Rated.

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson With Bill Maher

Politicians Helping U.S. Lose Global Renewable Energy War

Solar Powered Vessel To Celebrate With Lady Liberty

Posted on October 27, 2011 by quest

Hornblower Hybrid, the nation’s first vessel powered by diesel, hydrogen, batteries, wind and solar energy, arrived today in the New York Harbor. After nearly two years of construction and the work of more than 300 individuals, the Hybrid will service New York City upon completion of United States Coast Guard sea trials and certifications. The innovative vessel reduces emissions, uses minimal diesel, and features several recycled and reclaimed materials, LEED-certified carpet and energy-efficient LED lighting.

Terry MacRae, CEO of Hornblower Cruises & Events said, “The Hybrid marks a milestone in sustainable maritime transportation. What better time to unveil it to the world than on the anniversary of one of America’s most iconic national parks and landmarks. As a concessionaire to the National Park Service, we constantly strive to help conserve and protect the parks we serve,” “The Hybrid marks a milestone in sustainable maritime transportation. What better time to unveil it to the world than on the anniversary of one of America’s most iconic national parks and landmarks.”

Marking its public debut, the Hybrid will participate in the Statue of Liberty’s 125th Anniversary Flotilla on Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., from Pier 40 to the Statue. It will exhibit in the parade of ships in honor of the Statue’s original dedication from France on Oct. 28, 1886. Next year, the Hybrid will run harbor cruises with close-up views of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Corporate, social, school and wedding events are bookable on the Hybrid now, while public harbor cruises begin in early 2012. The Hybrid is part of Hornblower New York’s four-vessel fleet, which will include three other luxury entertaining yachts arriving next year. Hornblower New York is a subsidiary of Hornblower Cruises & Events, one of the largest charter yacht, dining cruise and eco-tour companies in the country. The company operates America’s first hydrogen hybrid commercial vessel, the Hornblower Hybrid, and will launch a four-boat fleet in 2012.

Greece to Use Solar Project Revenue to Pay Debt

IBM Grants $50 Million For Sustainable Eco Smart Cities

Posted on October 25, 2011 by quest

IBM today announced that it has opened the IBM Smarter Cities Challenge grant program to new applications for 2012. Smarter Cities Challenge is a three-year, 100-city, $50 million grant program in which IBM’s top technical experts and consultants provide actionable advice to urban centers. Issues that IBM’s consultants addressed this past year were diverse, ranging from transportation and public safety, to economic development and budgeting. One of the funded recipients of IBM Smarter Cities Challenge grants from last year was Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Leaders from Milwaukee’s private sector, and local urban agriculture organizations are establishing an Urban Agriculture and Aquaponics Council to advance the aquaponics industry, an eco-friendly approach to agriculture that recycles water from fish farms to nourish crops without the use of soil. Participants want to collaborate more effectively to make food healthier and more profitable, available, and affordable — and in the process, create opportunity and local jobs.

This highly successful grant program provides select applicant cities with access to teams of elite IBM employees with expertise on a variety of urban-related matters, such as finance, sustainability, public safety, and citizen services. After conferring with officials, citizens, businesses, academics and community leaders, the IBM teams recommend actions to make the delivery of services to citizens more efficient and innovative. Issues addressed include jobs, health, public safety, transportation, social services, recreation, education, energy, and sustainability.

Key factors for a successful grant application include strong city leadership, willingness to collaborate with many stakeholders, and the desire to make their cities smarter and more efficient. Cities will also need to champion actionable and measurable efforts that have the potential to make a real impact on the lives of its citizens. In addition to Milwaukee some of the other dozen cites participating included: Rio de Janiero, Brazil, Johannesburg, South Africa, Boulder, Colorado and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As in 2011, selected applicants must demonstrate a commitment to using all publicly available urban data to help identify local problems and solutions. To that end, IBM will provide special assistance to each winning city on the use of City Forward, a free online tool it developed with public policy experts that explores trends and statistics in a visual way, and which can be adapted for the study of any number of issues across cities. The deadline for 2012 grant applications is December 16.

The Girl From Ipanema

Eco Friendly Sustainable Clothes You Grow

Villaraigosa Welcomes Solar Electric Vehicle Maker BYD

Posted on October 25, 2011 by quest

“Los Angeles is where the world creates and innovates,” said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. “By reaching out to the world and harnessing LA’s unique resources, we have attracted China’s leading green company to our city. BYD’s (Build Your Dreams) new North American headquarters in downtown Los Angeles is the latest sign that we are a growing hub of clean-technology jobs. We see BYD’s Los Angeles opening as a catalyst that will usher in good jobs, global investment, and a more sustainable future.” China’s premier global, high-tech green company focused on developing electric vehicle technologies and efficient alternative energy sources, launched its North American operations today with the opening of new headquarters in Los Angeles. Technology-based and innovation-oriented, BYD is a multi-national manufacturer of electric and hybrid or dual-mode vehicles, solar power systems, environmentally friendly rechargeable batteries and battery energy storage, and energy efficient LED lighting.

The company is 50 percent U.S.-owned and has the backing of investor Warren Buffett via his MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company, the utility division of Berkshire Hathaway. In 2010, BYD topped the Businessweek Technology 100 list and was ranked by the publication as the 8th most innovative company in the world. Based in Shenzhen, China, BYD employs more than 200,000 worldwide. BYD’s new North American headquarters, located along the Figueroa Corridor, will bring up to 150 green-collar engineering and management jobs focused on research and development to Los Angeles, as well as serving as the focal point for privately owned BYD dealerships across the continent.

I Love You City of Angeles

This green technology investment will generate hundreds of additional jobs in the region. Dealerships will sell BYD’s landmark dual-mode electric and e6 pure electric vehicles to consumers and commercial fleets, all-electric long-range eBUS commercial buses, rapid charging stations, LED and solar street and parking light systems, residential solar systems, and replacement parts. BYD aims to grow Electric Bus, e6 electric cross-over and solar panel businesses from Los Angeles; Company unveils electric bus created in partnership with Hertz for use at LA International Airport.“BYD is thrilled to be making this investment in Los Angeles, a global city working towards a green, sustainable future,” said BYD Chairman Chuanfu Wang. “We look forward to a long, productive relationship with the City, and thank Mayor Villaraigosa and his team for their hard work and dedication to recruiting green businesses to Los Angeles.”