Solar power sustains winemaking operations

Posted on November 5, 2010 by quest

The 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 of Khosla Ventures were 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

Madrid completes first green apartments

Posted on November 3, 2010 by quest

Telvent a leading real-time IT solutions and information provider, announced that a project it collaborated on with Cisco, in building Madrid’s first green dwellings, received recognition at the eighth annual Sustainable City Awards. Telvent and Cisco partnered with the Municipal Housing and Land Company of Madrid on the project. The development culminated in a public building located at 52 Las Margaritas Street, where young adults live in rental units. The two companies created all of the building’s connectivity and network infrastructure, enabling residents to control energy use, thereby contributing towards a cleaner Madrid.
“These apartments are equipped with an energy efficiency manager that enables residents to monitor carbon dioxide emissions and make decisions regarding energy use, individually and at the community and urban environment levels,” explained Telvent CEO Ignacio González. “The system can be accessed from inside the home, using any Internet-connected device.”

Residents are able to set energy consumption limits, and compare them on a regular basis, helping to lower their domestic impact on the environment. This also allows them to manage energy costs at the same time. These benefits were critical factors for the judging panel in selecting the project, which was executed under the Connected Urban Development Program — a finalist in the Sustainable City Awards. “It is a pleasure for Telvent to participate in projects that make energy efficiency available to citizens,” said Ignacio González, at the awards ceremony held at the Rose Garden Pavilion in Madrid’s West Park. Also in attendance were Crown Princess Letizia and Mayor of Madrid Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón.

CAREERS

Only the best organic pet food for Muffy

Posted on November 1, 2010 by quest

“With the sustainable, organic, grass-fed beef revolution well underway, we believe it’s high time for the same quality meats to make their way from the dinner plate to the pet bowl,” said Melissa McGinnis founder of Original Pet Food Company. Melissa is on a mission to bring humane and sustainable agriculture practices to the $47 billion pet food industry. Pet food made from organic, grass-fed beef promotes better pet health, environmental responsibility and economic vitality. Dogs and cats are no different from humans in the fact that their bodies were not designed to process all of the artificial hormones, preservatives and additives that entered the food supply in the past century.

Organic, grass-fed beef is high in beneficial Omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), shown to reduce cardiovascular disease and the growth of cancerous tumors. By eating a diet low in saturated fat and free of additives, preservatives and fillers, pets will enjoy shinier coats, healthier skin and improved digestion.

Original Pet Food Company uses only the highest quality grass-fed beef from Uruguay. Their cattle graze on the Pampas, the fertile grasslands of Uruguay and are never confined to feedlots or factory farms. The cows are never given antibiotics or growth hormones.

In addition to the numerous health benefits of grass-fed beef, there is also a positive environmental impact. More than 50% of all grain and corn grown in the U.S. is fed to livestock, adding to the buildup of pesticides and chemical fertilizers in the soil and water. This diet is harmful to the health of cows, whose stomachs are specially designed to break down the cellulose in grass, leading to disease and an epidemic of antibiotic use. Grazing cattle on Pampas grasses, by contrast, is a natural feeding method that causes none of the pollution problems associated with feedlots and factory farms (including that of waste management). By supporting farms in Uruguay, the local economy is boosted, the biodiversity of the Pampas is preserved, and sustainable farming is encouraged throughout the country.

GO ORGANIC

GE to order tens of thousands of Electric Vehicles

Posted on October 29, 2010 by quest

In a move that will put some confidence into the future and sustainability of the reborn electric vehicle industry; Word out of London is that General Electric will order tens of thousands of electric vehicles. GE CEO Jeffrey Immelt was speaking from London and said it will be the largest order in history. GE is a global powerhouse and diversified technology, media and financial services company. They are already in power generation including solar and wind energy. Rachel Layne and Alan Ohnsman reporting for

SunPower on Colorado Solar Ranch

Bay Area based SunPower just announced an agreement with Iberdrola Renewables to design and build a 30-megawatt photovoltaic (PV) solar power plant on 216 acres of private land in Colorado’s Alamosa County. Expected to be fully operational by the end of 2011, construction will begin this year and create approximately 100 jobs. Iberdrola Renewables is developing the solar ranch, and will own and operate it. The company will sell the electricity under a long term contract to Xcel Energy, for distribution on the region’s utility grid. The project will create employment opportunities and provide revenue for schools, health, fire, and other critical services in Alamosa County.

The plant will use SunPower E19 solar panels, mounted on SunPower(R) Tracker systems. SunPower Trackers tilt the solar panels toward the sun as it moves across the sky, increasing energy capture and providing more power on hot summer days when utilities need it most.

VISIT THE SOLAR WALL

Yo New York City greens up and so does Yo Valley

Posted on October 28, 2010 by quest

Let’s give it up for green city New York, New York. Just a few days ago Mayor Bloomberg and other city officials broke ground on a new municipal recycling facility in Sunset Park that will process all of the city’s metal, glass and plastic recyclables. The opening represents another step for New York in going green. The Sims Municipal Recycling Facility on the Brooklyn waterfront will minimize the distance that collection trucks travel between pick-up sites and receiving centers and allow Sims to expand its barge and rail-based transport systems which will eliminate over 260,000 vehicle miles traveled annually from New York City roadways. The project will create 100 new jobs when the facility is opened, which is expected in December 2011; with 11,000 more to follow over the next 10 years.

“This state-of-the-art facility is another great example of repurposing our Brooklyn waterfront. And we’re not just talking trash here – this facility will promote recycling, take garbage-hauling trucks off our already overburdened streets and highways, and create jobs as well,” said Borough President Markowitz. “It’s a win-win for everybody, and proves yet again why, when it comes to recycling, Brooklyn and New York City make everyone else ‘green’ with envy.”

Selldorf Architects of the project designer created the facility to be sustainable. It includes green roofs, renewable solar and wind energy production, on-site stormwater treatment, and landscaping that serves to offset heat and provide a pleasing visual aesthetic for the surrounding community. The project will revitalize Brooklyn’s waterfront industrial space, improve pedestrian access to the waterfront by adding 22 acres of new open space, and reduce truck traffic throughout the region by 70,000 truck trips annually. An onsite Visitor Education Center will welcome school groups and visitors who can learn about recycling. It will operate 24 hours a day, six days a week.

YO VALLEY

Like the green movement we know that rap music has spread around the world. French, Chinese and rappers from India all have some swag and lay it down for real. But Yo Valley (Yeo Valley)…who knew, organic farmers rapping from England? I guess it was time for the song “Ole MacDonald had a Farm” to get a makeover…E i… E i… O !

Write a story: A Green Renaissance

Mayor Reed sets new sustainable vision for Atlanta

Posted on October 26, 2010 by quest

With the start of Atlanta’s Sustainability Week, now through October 29, 2010 Mayor Kasim Reed set out a new goal for Atlanta to be a top 10 US Sustainable City. The release of Mayor Reed and the City of Atlanta’s Sustainability Plan is the first event of the city’s first Sustainability Week, which runs Oct. 25-29. Each day of the week includes daily activities and programs highlighting different focus areas of the plan, such as water quality and conservation, energy efficiency, jobs growth, local foods, and electric vehicles.

By implementing the plan the City of Atlanta will reduce toxic emissions by 25 percent and reduce energy use for existing municipal operations 15 percent both by 2020. Renewable energy will represent five percent of total municipal use by 2015.
Additionally the plan will bring local food within 10 minutes of 75 percent of all residents by 2020. “Being a more sustainable city not only protects and preserves the environment, it makes economic sense for the city,” said Mandy Mahoney, Atlanta’s first Director of Sustainability. “It helps drive financial savings and efficiency and creates jobs.” The City of Atlanta’s Office of Sustainability already has established a strong track record of success. One of Atlanta’s first wins in sustainability was to become the first city in Georgia to determine its municipal carbon footprint, which occurred in 2008. By 2010, Atlanta reduced its footprint by 12.5 percent.

“I believe the City of Atlanta should be a leading example of how a major urban municipality can take greater responsibility for efficient energy and water use, the conservation of green space, and the promotion of a healthier, cleaner and greener environment,” Mayor Reed said. “It is vital we take concrete, measurable actions around sustainability now to protect the future of our city.”