Solar Energy To Power Vertical Forrest In Milan

Posted on October 30, 2011 by quest

Bosco Verticale is a project for metropolitan reforestation that contributes to the regeneration of the environment and urban biodiversity without the implication of expanding the city upon the territory. Bosco Verticale is a model of vertical densification of nature within the city. It is a model that operates correlated to the policies for reforestation and naturalization of the large urban and metropolitan borders (Metrosbosco). Metrobosco and Bosco Verticale are devices for the environmental survival of contemporary European cities. Together they create two modes of building links between nature and city within the territory and within the cities of contemporary Europe.

The first example of a Bosco Verticale composed of two residential towers of 110 and 76 meters height, will be realized in the centre of Milan, on the edge of the Isola neighbourhood, and will host 900 trees (each measuring 3, 6 or 9 m tall) apart from a wide range of shrubs and floral plants. On flat land, each Bosco Verticale equals, in amount of trees, an area equal to 10.000 sqm of forest. In terms of urban densification the equivalent of an area of single family dwellings of nearly 50.000 sqm. The project is now underway.

The future of vertical farming in Italy

The Bosco Verticale is a system that optimizes, recuperates and produces energy. The Bosco Verticale aids in the creation of a microclimate and in filtering the dust particles contained in the urban environment. The diversity of the plants and their characteristics produce humidity, absorb CO2 and dust particles, producing oxygen and protect from radiation and acoustic pollution, improving the quality of living spaces and saving energy. Plant irrigation will be produced to great extent through the filtering and reuse of the grey waters produced by the building. Additionally Aeolian and photovoltaic energy systems will contribute, together with the aforementioned microclimate to increase the degree of energetic self sufficiency of the two towers. The management and maintenance of the Bosco Verticale’s vegetation will be centralised and entrusted to an agency with an office counter open to the public.

Air China Testing Biofuels

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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

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

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Astronaut Buzz Aldrin Lands At Principal Solar

Posted on October 27, 2011 by quest

Principal Solar, Inc, a publicly traded renewable energy holding company which concentrates its resources on rapidly advancing the inevitable, worldwide utilization of solar energy, announced today that Dr. Buzz Aldrin, Doctor of Science (MIT), aeronautical engineer, retired United States Air Force Colonel, decorated fighter pilot, and legendary astronaut who served as Lunar Module pilot on Apollo 11 – the first manned lunar landing in history — will serve as senior advisor. In conjunction with his appointment to the Advisory Board, Dr. Aldrin appeared in partnership with Hunt Energy Enterprises at the Principal Solar launch party, Oct. 19, 2011, at Hunt headquarters,1900 North Akard St., Dallas, Texas.

“We are honored to welcome the distinguished Dr. Aldrin to our team, and expect that his guidance will literally take us to the moon,” says Michael Gorton, chief executive officer and chairman of PSI. “His years of aerospace experience, matched with his dedication and continued support of solar power and research for renewable energy sources, aligns him directly with our bottom-line initiatives.” “It’s a privilege to work with the seasoned, high-minded team of innovators at Principal Solar as they propel self-sustaining energy solutions into the mainstream,” states Dr. Aldrin. “In the near future, solar energy will compete with and actually cost less than traditional sources of energy created by fossil fuels. It’s time for the United States to catch up with the rest of the world by embracing this opportunity to become free of devastating oil disasters, independent from foreign oil, and a stronger, more prosperous nation.”

In 1966, Dr. Aldrin performed the world’s first successful spacewalk on the Gemini 12 orbital mission. On July 20, 1969, he and Neil Armstrong made their historic Apollo 11 moonwalk, becoming the first two humans to set foot on another world. Upon returning from the moon, Dr. Aldrin was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest American peacetime award. Since retiring from NASA and the Air Force, Dr. Aldrin has remained at the forefront of efforts to ensure America’s continued leadership in human space exploration. His recent trip with President Obama aboard Air Force One to the Space Conference at Kennedy Space Center serves as testament to how influential his opinions are to the key decision-makers in Washington, D.C.

An Urban Garden Grows In The Bronx

California Leading America In Solar Technology

Posted on October 26, 2011 by quest

According to a recent IHS iSuppli report, U.S. solar installations are predicted to rise 166 percent this year. North America’s premier exhibition and conference for the solar industry, Intersolar North America, consistently provides key insights and unparalleled knowledge to the industry’s leading integrators, cell and module manufacturers, balance of systems manufacturers, project developers and financiers. Permanently located in San Francisco, Intersolar North America is California’s largest solar event, making it the key meeting point for solar professionals across the entire value chain to form the partnerships needed to maximize market potential and develop the projects that are growing the U.S. and California solar industries.

“Among U.S. states, California far and away will be the leader in renewable solar power this year, accounting for nearly 1GW on its own,” said Mike Sheppard, Analyst, Photovoltaics at IHS iSuppli. “New Jersey is expected to be second with 260MW, followed by Arizona with 240MW. Rounding out the remaining top five, in descending order, include New Mexico and Nevada.” California this year is expected to top out with a total of 967MW of newly installed solar. In IHS iSupply’s recent report, market data estimates installed solar in California for 2012 at 1.2GW, generating more solar power than the next six states on the U.S. PV ranking combined.

California Dreamin‘

“California continues to be instrumental for the U.S. solar industry, as so many of the technological innovations and models to integrate solar are developed here,” said Markus Elsasser, CEO of Solar Promotion International, one of the event’s organizers. “Therefore, it is essential that solar professionals from around the United States meet in this all-important market and take with them the knowledge gained and business developed at Intersolar North America to grow their company. Our program is designed specifically with this in mind.” “California’s representation in the U.S. solar market reached 45 percent this year, up from 38 percent in 2010. With so much activity and growth, the state is ripe with opportunities for sales and strategic partnerships,” said Troy Dalbey, Managing Director of North America for Upsolar. “From our North American headquarters in San Francisco, we’re able to keep our finger on the pulse of the industry.”

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T.C. Chan Center to Host the UN Environment Program

These Are The Voyages Of PlanetSolar

Posted on October 26, 2011 by quest

PlanetSolar is on a bold solar power global journey. It is the world’s largest solar-powered boat. It is now heading for Mumbai as part of its 18-month journey around the world.The boat, which started its journey on September 27, 2010 from the port of Monaco, will travel across the Indian Ocean before finally returning to Monaco in May next year. The goal of PlanetSolar is to be the first “solar” boat” to circumnavigate the globe driven by a silent, pollution-free electrical engine powered exclusively by solar energy.

With its crew of four they provide updates on the journey as it unfolds. Here’s one of their recent reports, “Weather conditions: Sunny and warm. Distance covered during the last 24 hours (from 20 o’clock till 20 o’clock): 0 miles (0 km). Today the crew had a day off after the intensive work during the last weeks. Nevertheless, Erwann and I discussed our route for the crossing of the Bay of Bengal. For the moment, all options remain open. We discussed 3 or 4 possible routes, namely, two direct ones, one southern route and one northern route. The sun is going to be rather modest, however, the wind and the currents are apparently going to be favorable. On our route there will be some islands, which we will be able to visit and explore. Moreover, in case of thunderstorms we could find a shelter there and recharge our batteries. By the way, I also updated the expedition diary, where the whole adventure is recorded. Wishing you all a good start of the week! Raphael and the PlanetSolar Crew“

Today, more than 100 people are working for the PlanetSolar project around the world. Some of its backers include the likes of Switzerland’s Federal Department of Foreign Affairs , Sunpower Corporation, visionary and founder Raphaël Domjan and Jean Verne great-grandson of the writer Jules Verne.

PlanetSolar’s purpose is to demonstrate the potential of renewable energies and photovoltaics, show that we already have the technology required for sustainability, take part in the technological development of renewable energy and advance scientific research, inform the public and make them aware of the importance of renewable energy, make the best possible use of energy efficiency and show that the economy and ecology can and must work together.