Chabot College Center Achieves LEED Certification

Posted on May 17, 2012 by quest

Chabot Community College in Hayward, Calif., recently achieved LEED Platinum certification for their sustainably-designed student center building with the help of SageGlass dynamic glazing. The Community and Student Services Center (CSSC) is the centerpiece of the college’s “green intelligent building initiative,” serving more than 15,000 students, staff and faculty. Architects at tBP/Architecture wanted to incorporate as much glass as possible into the CSSC to flood the interior with daylight and keep a connection to the outdoors for the well-being of the students. The architects needed to find a way to maintain outside views and keep people comfortable inside, while simultaneously minimizing energy consumption to achieve the project’s LEED goals. Although conventional low-e glazing, automated interior blinds and automated exterior louvers would have managed the sun and solar heat gain, this approach would also have obstructed outside views and compromised building aesthetics.

The CSSC uses SageGlass as a strategic element of an integrated daylighting control system to manage sunlight and heat gain. The dynamic glazing tints or clears within minutes, significantly reducing energy consumed for air conditioning, heating and lighting. SageGlass glazing keeps glare and temperature under control throughout the day, making effective use of the natural ventilation system. In addition to SageGlass, the facility features a variety of other advanced sustainability technologies designed to achieve LEED Platinum accreditation through aggressive energy-efficiency levels and maximum occupant comfort.

SageGlass was instrumental in helping Chabot meet its ambitious sustainability initiative, which includes attaining LEED Silver rating as a minimum for all new construction,” said Doug Horner, Project Manager with Chabot Community College. “This one-of-a-kind facility exceeds this standard by using advanced design elements, which provide natural daylight in all occupied spaces and access to outdoor views. The CSSC also controls the amount of light to reduce heat gain as a means of increasing the comfort level of occupants.”

Sexy Celebrity Environmentalists Making A Difference

Solar and Renewable Energy Innovations Awarded 200k

Posted on May 15, 2012 by quest

Young entrepreneurs developing energy from waste water treatment, robots for cleaning solar panels and solar cell films with 20% more efficiency took the top prizes at the First Look West (FLoW) regional finals competition, which closed last week. At an awards celebration held at the California Institute of Technology on May 1, Stanford Nitrogen Group, Greenbotics and Xite Solar shared $200,000 in prize money.Professor Harry Atwater, Director of Caltech’s Resnick Sustainability Institute, says “Successful competitions such as this show how universities, working with investors and the business community, are leaders in accelerating innovation flow to the real world, and in launching our future entrepreneurial leaders.”

At the Regional Awards Celebration, keynoter and Judge Andrew Chung, Partner at Khosla Ventures, captured the tone of the competition during an address that touched on the importance of thinking beyond the obvious. “Entrepreneurship shouldn’t be about extrapolating the past, but rather inventing the future,” Chung said. “Startups shouldn’t let the word of the ‘experts’ or conventional ‘wisdom’ constrain them from imagining new possibilities.”

FLoW represents the Western Region of the DOE’s National Clean Energy Business Plan Competition (NCEBPC). The winning teams from six regions across the country will now participate in the National Competition in Washington D.C., June 12 and 13, 2012. The awards event was the culmination of a six month competitive process searching for the untapped clean energy innovation that lies in American university labs. In its first year FLoW attracted 83 applicants from 34 universities across twelve states, and saw inventions ranging from new battery materials for portable electronic devices to net energy+ home kits, hydroponic farms and telephone apps for tracking energy use in the home.

Solar Powered Light Little Sun Launched

Yingli Solar To Power Rio’s Maracana Stadium

Posted on May 9, 2012 by quest

“Yingli Solar,”today announced its partnership with Light ESCO, EDF Consultoria, and the State of Rio de Janeiro to bring solar power to Brazil’s highest-profile football stadium, Estadio do Maracana. As the majority owner and project developer, Light ESCO is joining forces with EDF on the installation and construction, and will be supplying the energy produced to the State of Rio de Janeiro. “Sustainability is one of the key tenants in our vision for the 2014 FIFA World Cup,” said Federico Addiechi, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at FIFA. “We hope this landmark project will be the catalyst to spur other football stadiums that may install solar PV systems across Brazil, serving to increase the production and use of renewable power in the country.”

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to supply the most recognizable stadium in Brazil, and to work with two of the preeminent leaders of electricity generation and solar power in the country,” said Mr. Liangsheng Miao, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Yingli Green Energy. “Brazil is an important emerging market for Yingli, and we will continue to grow our presence here as the country’s solar energy potential blossoms.”Owned by the State Government, the stadium was opened in 1950 to host the 1950 FIFA World Cup™ and was the world’s largest stadium by capacity at the time. Currently seating 82,238 spectators, the arena will be the host facility for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ final game. Under today’s agreement, over 1,500 YGE 245 Series modules will be placed on a metal ring that will encircle the top of the stadium.

“As the global renewable energy sponsor of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Yingli is committed to helping Brazil and FIFA make it the greenest FIFA World Cup in history,” said Robert Petrina, Managing Director of Yingli Green Energy Americas, Inc. “We are pleased to be able to partner on such a historical project, and to provide a roadmap for other stadiums as we join together to leave a lasting, sustainable legacy in Brazil.”

Angelenos Looking Up To Rooftop Solar Power

Solar Window Developer Sees Through

Posted on May 8, 2012 by quest

New Energy Technologies, Inc., a developer of SolarWindow, capable of generating electricity on see-through glass, today announced plans to introduce the Company’s novel electricity-generating technologies to commercial interests and industry participants with the appointment of its Vice President of Business & Technology Development, Mr. J. Patrick Thompson. Mr. Thompson is an accomplished industry executive and glass manufacturing-process engineer who brings particular expertise in solar, plastics and film, glass, and solar-glass segments – all important areas of commercial interest and technology development for New Energy’s SolarWindow™.“The ability to generate electricity on glass windows while remaining see-through is a truly disruptive industry breakthrough which could stand to change the way in which we power our homes, offices, and commercial businesses,” explained Mr. J. Patrick Thompson, the Company’s newly-appointed VP, Business and Technology Development. “I’m excited to be part of advancing New Energy’s SolarWindow™ towards commercialization and very much look forward to helping introduce our technology to industry and commercial interests.”

“Patrick has a proven track record with Fortune 100 companies in industry segments most important to the future development and eventual commercial launch of our novel technologies,” explained Mr. John A. Conklin, President and CEO of New Energy Technologies, Inc. “In the past few months, while serving on our Board of Advisors, Patrick’s advice and counsel have been invaluable. I’m proud to now welcome Patrick to our management team during this very exciting time, especially in light of the important development progress we’ve made with SolarWindow in recent months.”

Recently, the Company has achieved significant milestones in the development of its novel, SolarWindow™ technology, capable of generating electricity on see-through glass. Notably, in March, 2012 New Energy Technologies, Inc. and the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory announced the development of ‘invisible wires’ for transporting electricity on SolarWindow™. Weeks earlier, New Energy and the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory fabricated the institute’s largest-ever organic photovoltaic device. Previously, Company researchers successfully fabricated its latest working SolarWindow™ prototype using a faster, rapid scale-up process for applying solution-based coatings which generate electricity on glass.

Urban Farmers Growing Cities

Electric Vehicle World Visionary Award Goes To LA

Posted on May 7, 2012 by quest

The World Electric Vehicle Association (WEVA) today presented the City of Los Angeles with an E-Visionary Award at the 26th International Electric Vehicle Symposium (EVS26). Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa accepted the award on behalf of the city.”WEVA recognizes leaders as E-Visionaries for their strong support of clean, efficient and sustainable modes of transportation, and for making electric drive a reality in the everyday lives of their citizens,” said Brian Wynne, president of WEVA and the Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA), the U.S. association hosting EVS26. “As an E-Visionary award recipient, Los Angeles is a prime example for other global communities to emulate.”

“I am honored to accept the E-Visionary Award on behalf of the City of Los Angeles,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “Los Angeles aims to lead the nation in cleaner, greener transportation solutions and promoting electric vehicle manufacturing, infrastructure, and use are vital parts of that effort.”In addition to serving as the hosting City for EVS26, Los Angeles has committed the City to furthering the development and adoption of electric drive technology: In addition to other initiates the City is upgrading more than 100 charging stations to provide faster charging to area EV drivers. The Mayor’s Office has supported the growth of the top EV companies in Los Angeles such as CODA Automotive, BYD, and Boulder EV. In January, 2011, Los Angeles and Shanghai agreed to be Partner Cities by sharing best practices from their respective EV demonstration programs.

E-Visionary recipients have placed high expectations on electric drive technology regarding investment, performance and their recognition of the advantages that electrification provides. The honorees have worked tremendously to ensure that their communities thrive, while also leaving a much lighter ‘footprint’ on the environment. Each winner of this award has demonstrated long-term thought and concern for the health of their community by choosing electric drive as a means to achieve better air quality and increased fuel economy for their fleets. Los Angeles also won this award in 2003.

Green Economy Opinions and Insight

Top Green Building Opening in Pittsburgh

Posted on May 7, 2012 by quest

Opening on May 23, 2012 at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, the new 24,350-square-foot Center for Sustainable Landscapes (CSL) will emerge as one of the greenest buildings on Earth. Seeking to achieve or exceed the world’s highest sustainable standards, including the Living Building Challenge, LEED Platinum and Sustainable Sites Initiative certification for landscapes, it will also be the largest operational structure pursuing living building status in the U.S. when it opens.

Constructed with local talent and mostly U.S.-made materials, the CSL—home base for environmental education and research—aims to achieve net-zero energy consumption with solar photovoltaics, geothermal wells and a vertical axis wind turbine, as well as passive cooling, heating and lighting methods. It will also save resources by treating and reusing all water captured on site. Additionally, the CSL will interact with its environs as a vital part of daily operation, blurring the lines between the natural and built environments. And, as a global SITES™ pilot project, it will feature a restorative landscape with native plants and a demonstration green roof garden. Other site features include a lagoon, water distillation system, rain gardens, and constructed wetlands.

“Designed and built by Pittsburghers and Pennsylvanians as an innovation for the world, the CSL will serve as a model for how we can all work together with nature to make our communities healthier, safer and more supportive of life,” says Phipps’ Executive Director Richard V. Piacentini. “It will also give visitors the opportunity to see just how beautiful and practical green can be.” A leader in green building and operations, Phipps has also constructed the first LEED visitor center in a public garden—complete with a 3-star Green Restaurant Certified® cafe—and the world’s most energy-efficient tropical forest conservatory when it opened in 2006.