Singapore Airlines committed to environment


 

full 199 150x140 Singapore Airlines committed to environmentSingapore Airlines Cargo has signed a three-year agreement for Pratt & Whitney’s environmentally friendly EcoPower engine wash service.  The washes will be performed by Eagle Services ASIA, a joint venture between Pratt & Whitney and Singapore Airlines Engineering Company, for the airline’s PW4000-94″ engines powering its fleet of Boeing 747-400 freighter aircraft.

Tan Kai Ping, President of Singapore Airlines Cargo said, “We are committed to continually improving our environmental performance.” “EcoPower engine wash will help us achieve this by reducing our carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and fuel burn.”
“Pratt & Whitney is excited to provide Singapore Airlines Cargo with a quick and effective way to further advance its environmental performance,” said Andrew Tanner, vice president, Product Line Management, Pratt & Whitney.”EcoPower engine wash provides quantifiable environmental and economical benefits.  This is demonstrated by the more than 15,200 washes performed on 54 different engine models.”

Singapore Airlines Cargo, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Singapore Airlines formed in 2001, is one of the  Singapore Airlines committed to environmentworld’s largest operators of B747-400 freighters.  Singapore Airlines Cargo flies more than 600 flights a week throughout its network of over 70 cities in more than 30 countries around the world.

Pratt & Whitney’s patented EcoPower engine wash system reduces fuel burn by as much as 1.2 percent, eliminating approximately three pounds of carbon dioxide emissions for every pound of fuel saved, while also decreasing engine gas temperature thus increasing the amount of time an engine can stay on wing.  Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines.

ENVIRONMENT

Solar power sustains winemaking operations


vines sonoma 300x274 Solar power sustains winemaking operationsThe Sonoma Wine Company and Cogenra Solar have entered into an energy power agreement to purchase the heat and electricity generated from the installation of a new 272-kilowatt (kW) installation, now supplying renewable heat and electricity to support the company’s winery operations. Under the company’s Heat and Power Purchase Agreement (HPPA) Cogenra will maintain ownership of the solar cogeneration modules, and Sonoma Wine Company will hedge against rising and volatile electric and gas prices throughout the 15-year contract.

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Vinod Khosla ofr155137 559197 210x300 Solar power sustains winemaking operations Khosla Ventures vk1 Solar power sustains winemaking operationswere among honored guests at a ceremony yesterday afternoon to flip the switch on the new solar power plant. Khosla Ventures is the lead investor in Cogenra and  former British Prime Minister Blair was  appointed  as a senior environmental advisor to Khosla Ventures in May of this year. In his remarks Tony Blair said, “It’s up to companies that are both visionary and savvy, like Cogenra, to set us on the right path to decrease our use of fossil fuels and build a more sustainable future.”

The historic commissioning represents the first commercial-scale installation of its kind, combining proven photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies in one solar array in an important move toward more affordable and efficient utilization of solar energy.“In vetting renewable energy solutions for Graton, we found Cogenra was the perfect match — high impact without high cost,” stated Derek Benham, founder and owner of Sonoma Wine Company. “Their solar cogeneration offering serves our energy requirements for hot water and electricity, and Cogenra’s innovative financing solution provides all the benefits and savings of on-site generation without the capital costs.”

“This is a very significant milestone for Cogenra as we bring our first project online in California’s wine country and toast to a bright future with solar cogeneration,” Cogenra CEO Dr. Gilad Almogy said in his welcoming remarks. “Cogenra’s technology merges the best photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies to meet two valuable industrial needs, low cost heat and electricity. Our solution produces five times more energy and three times the greenhouse gas reductions over traditional solar offerings.”The solar cogeneration installation employs 15 individual Cogenra SunBase™ modules to displace approximately 64,000 kilowatt-hours and 12,500 therms of natural gas annually. The solar thermal element will heat water to 165°F to sustainably fuel Sonoma Wine Company’s wine tank wash and wine barrel washing system. Implementing the system will eliminate more than 120 metric tons per year of greenhouse gases, the equivalent of removing nearly 25 passenger cars from the road annually.

ECO FRIENDS SHOP

America fertile ground for organic food


 

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 betweenGrapes Lo Res 300x300 America fertile ground for organic food 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


 

wcrowfoot Environment and jobs the winners in Californiaby 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 images 150x150 Environment and jobs the winners in Californiatech 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


 Ecotourism on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua
5 300x188 Ecotourism on the Pacific coast of NicaraguaOn 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


mt everest copy 300x233 Solar powers 3G Network on Mt. EverestSolar 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 climbing mountain nepal 300x125 Solar powers 3G Network on Mt. Everestand 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.

DRIVE ELECTRIC