Create. You can submit your idea or solution (preferably a video) around our questions about climate and energy challenges.
Vote. Help us choose the best ideas by rating their viability or discuss the ideas submitted by others. Get the FAQs.
Make it. Your ratings and comment help us decide which ideas are featured on our PBS TV Special. Learn how to make a video.
ActivismAdaptationAgricultureAlgaeArchitectureArtBikingBiofuelsBiomimicryBusinessCampus SustainabilityClean Tech
Climate ChangeEconomicsEducationEfficiencyElectric CarsEnergy StorageEngineeringEPA P3GeothermalGreen BuildingGreen CitiesGreen CommunitiesGreen Living
Topic Page: Clean Tech
Bigger, better and faster doesn’t always have to mean more energy. PF Members offer their solutions on how technology can improve our lives AND have less impact on the planet. Have an idea in Clean Tech? Tell us
Related Categories : | Architecture | Business | Efficiency | Electric Cars | Engineering | Science |
Featured Ideas
Webisodes Related to Clean Tech
How does YouTube Consumption Affect the Environment?
THIS WEEK: Have you ever wondered ‘What’s something I do everyday that impacts the environment and I don’t even know it?’ #Thinkfwd student Charles Pulliam-Moore sheds light on an idea you might never have thought of: how green is YouTube?
Empowerhouse: Community-Based Sustainable Living
THIS WEEK: How to turn a Solar Decathlon house into a home. GW students Melissa Turley and Jon Fenech followed Team Empowerhouse through the Solar Decathlon. Their innovation? Making it affordable enough to be a Habitat for Humanity home.
WATCH!
A Solar Conversation with Secretary Chu
THIS WEEK: In this week’s webisode, Planet Forward’s Frank Sesno interviews Secretary of Energy, Dr. Steven Chu at the 2011 Solar Decathlon! Chu talks about the coolest innovations, and even wonks out a bit on r-values and building materials.
SD2011 Trend: Green Roofs
Check out this week’s webisode where Planet Forward’s host Frank Sesno speaks with Don Ferrier of the National Association of Home Builders at the Solar Decathlon about the costs and benefits of green roofs.
Solar and the City – Team New York’s Solar Decathlon House
THIS WEEK’s WEBISODE: The Solar Decathlon teams are in Washington DC! Check out Team New York’s Roof Pod — it sits atop a sky rise building and helps generate power PLUS: Brendan Owens, Planet Forward’s newest Expert weighs in the use of new building materials.
WATCH!
Solar Decathlon – Tennessee’s on Top
Viewers voted and TENNESSEE is on top in the race for the Solar Decathlon! Check out the Tennessee team’s use of solar energy, insulated windows and a remote control iPad. Ask expert Bill Worthen what HIS thoughts are on the Tennessee team’s Living Light House.
WATCH!
DOE's Solar Decathlon Brings #SunnyIdeas to Planet Forward
This week, we begin Planet Forward’s coverage of the Solar Decathlon! 20 collegiate teams from around the world are designing and building sustainable solar homes. In this week’s WEBISODE, we take a look at the unique use of water in The University of Maryland‘s home.
WATCH!
Energy Pimp Your SUV – Make it More Cost-Effective than a Prius
In this week’s webisode, we take a look at a video submitted to us by Sewanee’s Eco-Auto Club. The students set out to take a 1998 Ford Explorer with 231,000 miles and transform it into a more energy efficient “Eco Explorer” vehicle. Would you do this to YOUR car? WATCH!
Wind Beneath Their Strings
Here is a new way to deliver energy to those who need it. The women in one small community in Guatemala have wind, they just need a way to harness it. Enter enthusiastic students from the University of Michigan College of Engineering.
Bringing Experts to the Innovators
Innovators need feedback to make their great ideas even better. So, we try to connect experts with our PF innovators every chance we get. In our WEBISODE this week, a top architect gives feedback to 3 ideas — green urban rooftops, hemp-based building materials and large-scale passive solar. Bill Worthen, the National Director and Resource …Read More…
Energy Secretary Bill Nye?
Planet Forward met up with Bill Nye at the Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Awards last week. See the first item on his #EnergyToDo list. Tell us yours on twitter. (@Planet_Forward)
Hertz’s EVs Charge Up Car Sharing
Who knew lessons from preschool could apply to smart communities and our energy solution?! Check out this new initiative in Washington DC that takes the concept of sharing to a whole new level. Would you ditch your ride for one of these shared EVs?
LEEDing after Disaster: AIA Architect on Why You Should
Can your community turn tragedy into opportunity? Bill Worthen, American Institute of Architects’ National Director and Resource Architect for Sustainability, sits down with us to talk about LEED certification and how disaster can provide opportunity to build back better.
Energy Freedom Fries: Is this Cooking Oil Powered Speed Car the Missing Ingredient in the Energy Mix?
Planet Forward member Dan Gray shares an innovation that goes from the fryer to the racetrack. Do you think this idea can be supersized? Watch>>
Top Online Vote Getters – Who Did YOU Choose?
Your viability ratings helped up select 22 nominees, then your votes determined the top three online vote getters. These three pieces made the cut and will be on our April PBS prime time special. Check them out…
Can Bacteria be our Energy Solution?
Students at Arizona State University are researching how to harness the power of the sun to create energy. Their solution goes back to the basics. Do you think it will shape our energy future?
The Phantom of the Outlet
Students at the University of Nebraska are developing technology to combat vampire energy and we want to know if you think it’s a good idea. What are your thoughts on these smart houses?
Get Charged Up for Project Get Ready, a Planet Forward Nominee
There is a lot of talk surrounding electric cars at this years’ auto show, but until charging stations are readily accessibly, will drivers really feel comfortable with the idea of a battery-powered vehicle? Project Get Ready is trying to allay that concern and is one of Planet Forward’s nominees.
New Technology Updates Public Transportation
Erin Parsons and Lexi Combs, Planet Forward members and students at Ole Miss, share an innovation that is making bussing around Mississippi the hot new trend
Solar Artist Sculpts with Renewables
Environmental artist Rein Triefeldt calls on more than just stone to make his sculptures. In this week’s webisode, we look at his innovative way of making solar beautiful. Sorry Garden Gnome, these front lawn ornaments aren’t just pretty decoration, they produce energy too. Watch>>
The Rink of Fire
The Rockville Maryland Ice Arena is powering almost a third of its energy use from the sun. In this week’s webisode, Planet Forward features a video that explains how.
Ditch the Peanuts, Pack with Shrooms
In this week’s webisode, Planet Forward host Frank Sesno skypes with Eben Bayer, CEO and Co-Founder of Ecovative Design about the company’s sustainable product that is replacing styrofoam packaging material and home insulation. Watch>>
Ogden’s Green City on a Hill
Planet Forward hosted a LIVE event during the White House’s GreenGov Symposium, a conference focused on making all levels of government more sustainable. In this week’s webisode, the U.S. General Services Administration shows how restoring a building can change a city, even if it means moving some bats! Click on the video to learn what …Read More…
Sandia Labs Aces Solar Golf Carts
Planet Forward hosted a LIVE event during the White House’s GreenGov Symposium, a conference focused on making all levels of government more sustainable. In this segment, Sandia National Laboratories shows the potential of how a little change can go a long way. In webisode 215, we see how and learn what our esteemed panel (Laura …Read More…
Solar Truck Feeds a City
Would you be more willing to buy your lunch from an environmentally conscious restaurateur? Planet Forward member Stephan Boillon, better known as @flmeetsDC, shows us his solar powered food truck. We do the math and run his business model by George Washington University professor and entrepreneur expert Paul Swiercz – does it make the grade?
Breaking it Down on the World Energy Congress Floor
The World Energy Congress is where the big multinationals present their newest energy innovations. At this year’s event in Montreal, international companies wanted to show off their renewable investments. But is it all just a dance on the convention floor? We talked to Tony de Vuono of AECL, Henrik Hudsk of Vestas, Nany Mohn of …Read More…
Waiting for the Sun…to Pay Off
On the one hand, it’s a positive sign for renewable fans… a small family business making a go of it in solar and wind power. This Long Island family has been installing small-scale solar and wind energy packages in back yards, reducing homeowner’s electricity bills to almost zero. But, on the other hand, it illustrates …Read More…
Hang Ten! Tidal Power
Are you ready to ride the waves? Planet Forward Intern Dave Raish shows us a video – with a nifty animation – that explains how one utility plans to harness the most reliable resource on Earth – the tides. By connecting two tidal turbines – think underwater windmills – to the grid, Craig Collar of …Read More…
Is Nissan’s Leaf Too Sexy for Your Pocketbook?
Electric cars may pimp your green image but are they worth the ride? Planet Forward member and creator of MPG-o-Matic, Daniel Gray, shows us some cool features of Nissan’s electric vehicle. But just how expensive is a zero emissions ride? We do the math! (You can see Dan’s full video here.)
Gold, Silver, Bronze, & Green
Planet Forward host, Frank Sesno, talks via Skype with Jack Hidary, venture capitalist and founder of the Freedom Prize. Hidary discusses Vancouver’s efforts to host a ‘green’ Olympics and talks about what other cities could do to similarly reduce their carbon footprint.
Van Jones on What Individuals Can Do to Increase Efficiency
Part 2 of a 3 part series: See Part 1: Van Jones on Community Solar and Wind Energy See Part 3: Van Jones on Obama’s Fuel Efficiency Standards Former green jobs adviser to the White House and founder of environmental justice group, Green For All, Van Jones joins Planet Forward’s Frank Sesno in a discussion …Read More…
Van Jones on Community Solar and Wind Energy
Part 1 of a 3 part series See Part 2: Van Jones on What Individuals Can Do to Increase Efficiency See Part 3: Van Jones on Obama’s Fuel Efficiency Standards Former green jobs adviser to the White House and founder of environmental justice group, Green For All, Van Jones joins Planet Forward’s Frank Sesno in a …Read More…
Planet Forward: Our Energy Future
Our first TV special focused on great ideas from you, our members, about how we as a country should approach our energy future. Originally broadcast on April 15, 2009 on PBS.
Meet the Sky Trough at the National Renewable Energy Labs
Planet Forward Host Frank Sesno travels to the National Renewable Energy Labs (NREL) to find out, what is a Sky Trough? Utility-scale parabolic trough solar concentrators harness the sun’s energy to make steam for electricity generation. The thermal efficiency of the trough is the percent of available sunlight that is converted into heat and available …Read More…
Tough Cell: From Wind to Hydrogen-Powered Cars at the National Renewable Energy Labs
The National Renewable Energy Labs are researching a new way to store renewable energy: in hydrogen. Wind and solar energy are used to create hydrogen and stored in tanks that can be used to power the grid or your car. While no single alternative to today’s cars and trucks can meet all our needs, fuel …Read More…
Your (Grand)Parent’s Grid or a Smart Grid? From the National Renewable Energy Labs
It’s almost as universal to our lives as air, but how many of us really know where our electricity comes from or how it gets to our homes? Is our energy infrastructure up to the 21st consumer’s demands? Is it really worth the investment to upgrade. Some 30 percent of the grid is 40 to …Read More…
Get a Look Inside Wind Energy
Planet Forward host Frank Sesno visits the Wind Turbine Company in Colorado, and explores the promise and hurdles of wind as an alternative energy source. Wind turbines like these could power about 3000 homes–200 could replace 1 coal plant–while risking far less land and environmental damages than other energy sources. Will this change the change …Read More…
TV Segments Related to Clean Tech
Pursuing a Safer, Sustainable, Lithium Battery
In our wireless world, you’re nowhere without a good battery and a solid connection. But, wouldn’t it be better if we could improve both…and use less energy? Researchers at the University of Maryland is looking to polymers – like plastics, or rubber – to save energy and change how we stay connected. The team replaces …Read More…
Filtering Dirty Water, By Losing the Filter
This week, tackling one of the great challenges of our time – water. The engineers at Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) say they have the answer that could make it cheaper and less energy-intensive to clean water. It has no moving parts and no filter. Instead, it uses a vortex to separate the contaminants from …Read More…
Pursuing a Better, Lighter Battery
The Army Research Lab in Maryland is looking for new ways to make lithium iron batteries that weigh less, but last for long periods of time without recharging.
Creating Eco-Friendly Cement
Researchers at Drexel University are trying to lower cement’s carbon footprint by using technology of the past to build sidewalks the future.
Verdant Power: Harvesting Power From the Sea
Planet Forward’s Bloomberg West debut featured Verdant Power, an innovative company that is building underwater turbines to harness the power of the tides. See what challenges they face and tell us what you think!
Innovations at the Solar Decathlon
Planet Forward host Frank Sesno tours the Solar Decathlon with Don Ferrier, home builder and President of Ferrier Custom Homes. Take a look at some of the top innovations at the SD2011!
Solar Decathlon: The Race to Build the Most Efficient Solar Home
Peek into the solar powered house designs from Middlebury College in Vermont and University of Maryland. It’s all for the Solar Decathlon competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Demand Response: Enernoc Applies Social Media Tech to the Power Grid
Social networks have the power to link cultures across continents. See how energy demand response companies, such as Enernoc, wired their networks to fend off this summer’s heat waves, which scorched communities from New York to Texas.
Planet Forward Announcement: Innovators of the Year
It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for! Hundreds of submissions, thousands of votes, and now TWO Planet Forward Innovators of the Year! See Planet Forward host Frank Sesno, announce the winners on Nightly Business Report!
Home Energy Saving Device
Can researchers find an easy button that will get Americans to save energy? Some experts say we waste 40% of our energy in our homes. Could this be the gigantic energy reserve, hidden right under our doorsteps, that we need?
Planet Forward on Nightly Business Report: Will Infrastructure Charge the Electric Vehicle Movement?
It’s a chicken and egg problem: no place to charge, no reason to buy electric cars; no electric cars, no reason to build places to charge…one Planet Forward member shares an innovation that could change that.
Planet Forward on Nightly Business Report: Innovation at one of New York’s Iconic Structures
How many windows are in the Empire State Building? Watch our Nightly Business Report segment to find out and learn about the building’s innovation retrofit.
Behind the Scenes: Planet Forward’s New NBR Segment
This Thursday, Planet Forward member Danny Kennedy, will show you his idea on PBS’s Nightly Business Report. Check out this behind the scenes reel from our NBR shoots and don’t forget to set your DVRs to record Nightly Business Report this Thursday.
Behind the Scenes: Planet Forward Test Drives the Nissan Leaf
Watch what happens behind-the-scenes at Planet Forward as we test drive the Nissan’s Leaf, turning your stories into TV. Watch>>
Bill McKibben on Hybrids vs. Electric Cars
Author and climate expert Bill McKibben offers his take on electric vehicles and whether or not he plans to buy one.
Planet Forward Series Premier on PBS
Tune in Thursday for Planet Forward’s premier on PBS’s Nightly Business Report. Inspired by a PF member, the piece asks: Is the Nissan LEAF worth it? We take a test drive.
Articles From the Blog Related to Clean Tech
Aloha Alternative Energy
In the past week I was lucky enough to be asked to travel to Hawaii with a good friend of mine over spring break. It was my first trip to Hawaii and I was unsure of what was to come—I knew there would be beaches, surf and sun but what surprised me most when I …Read More…
Top Ten Highlights of Cleantech in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Ottawa is the primary capital of the country of Canada. It is located in the province of Ontario and is the second largest city in the entire province and the fourth largest city in all of Canada. It is located along the Ontario – Quebec border. It is home to places like Center Block on …Read More…
Steven Chu at ARPA-E: Let’s Make Breakthroughs
Written by Eric Vermeiren What do jet engines, computers, transistors, the internet, and the Global Positioning System (GPS) have in common? They all owe their existence to early stage investment by the U.S. Government. When it comes to emerging technologies and industries, very often the barriers to market entry can be prohibitively high for purely …Read More…
Solar: Does Size Matter?
A key issue for scaling up solar is where to put it: on every home or in huge arrays on the desert? Some businesses, like Sungevity, are trying to get solar panels on every home by breaking down the up-front cost barrier. They partner with financial institutions to spread the cost of going solar into …Read More…
Driving Innovation: Washington DC’s Auto Show
What will it take to get more electric vehicles on the road? Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon and James Wisemen of Toyota got a head start at that question at yesterday’s Policy Summit at the Washington DC Auto Show. It was the day after the President’s State of the Union address, where he reiterated his …Read More…
5 Ideas to Charge-up the Electric Car
Tesla Roasters might remain the sexiest EVs on the road, but what are Planet Forward members excited about? We list our top 5 ideas in electric cars.
Innovator Update: Solar is 100,000 strong and growing stronger!
Contrary to some of the media circus’ coverage, solar is doing great. Sungevity’s Danny Kennedy tells us why in this innovator update.
Initiating Innovation at the Solar Decathlon and EPA P3
The 2011 Solar Decathlon officially ended on October 2nd when director Richard King sent a warm thank you to everyone involved. But the Solar Decathlon happens every two years, and King ended his thank you like a starter cuing off a race. “I can’t wait to do this again!” he wrote with refreshing sincerity and energy.
But it’s true, we all can’t wait to do it all over again. But, what’s next? Why do government agencies take on competitions like these? PF’s Anthony Cefali takes a look>>
A Window Into Efficiency
Every year, I spend countless hours putting those plastic sheets over my windows for insulation. The bigger the window, the bigger the pane in the glass, the more time I spend and the more energy I lose to the winter. We often neglect insulation when it comes to energy expenditures because it only lowers heating …Read More…
Dispirited Animals
John Maynard Keynes, a giant in modern economic theory, famously wrote that “Most, probably, of our decisions to do something positive, the full consequences of which will be drawn out over many days to come, can only be taken as the result of animal spirits…” This notion, laid out in his seminal book The General …Read More…
Briquettes From Boulder
Last friday I attended the 2011 Open Minds exhibition at the National American History Museum. The exhibition featured inventive work from the best student teams across the nation. There were solar sanitation systems from the Georgia Institute of Technology, portable showers from the Art Center College of Design, a rickshaw bank from MIT and many …Read More…
Obama Calls for Green Fleet, Reduction of Oil Imports
Facing some of the most intractable foreign policy situations of his term, President Barack Obama is looking inward. In a major speech on March 30th, Obama outlined his plan to reduce oil imports by a third over the next decade and a half while transitioning the federal government to an all-alternative-fuel vehicle fleet by 2014. …Read More…
How the Other Guys Play
After President Obama’s State of the Union address calling for a modest cut of just $4 billion in welfare for oil companies, the focus on this insanely wasteful spending has intensified. It’s the right proposal, but one that will encounter very stiff resistance for entrenched interests that still very much enjoy their century-long stay in the government incubator of tax breaks, subsidies, cheap access to public property, forgiveness for wrecking that property, and little meaningful oversight.
Pay for my solar panels!
Solar is a hard sell in the midst of global recession and continued unemployment. Just try convincing a middle class family with a mortgage and car payments to part with $40,000 for a rooftop installation. So long as rooftop builds are the only way to get solar energy, the growth of the home solar industry …Read More…
President Obama calls for Electric Vehicles and Clean Energy in his State of the Union Address
During his State of the Union address, President Obama set a new goal: by 2035, 80 percent of America’s electricity will come from clean energy sources.
Watch
Geothermal Energy Gets an Advocate
The geothermal industry gets its first big lobbyist. Will this help expand on a lagging form of clean energy production?
“Green is so 2008…”
Serious Materials CEO Kevin Surace says, “Green is so 2008.” After interviewing him, along with an energy expert, a green tech consultant, and a BBC producer, I’m beginning to think that’s right. Green for green’s sake may be history. Do you remember 2008? Global Warming was so hot back then. Now in 2010 over 41% …Read More…
It’s a Full Contact Game
When I started working on solar energy issues several years ago, I heard it repeatedly: “Everyone loves solar.” Back then, many people in solar and other cleantech sectors saw long-term meritocracy in the energy business. Public demand, technological advances and an inevitable price on carbon were going to drive cleantech to dominance over time. “Renewable energy,” it …Read More…
Seattle Prioritizes Green Building
The City of Seattle recently announced Priority Green, a new program that provides incentives for and prioritizes green construction projects. This program, says the city, will promote and facilitate green innovation, design, and efficiency The city breaks its program, announced by the Seattle Department of Planning and Development, into three categories, Expedited, Facilitated, and Tools. …Read More…
Empire State of Energy
The iconic Empire State Building just took a gigantic green leap with building renovations that do more than scrape the surface of energy efficiency. You’ve seen the benefits of weatherization, but New York City’s trademark skyscraper takes it to a whole new level. (104 levels up to be precise.) The Empire State building has successfully …Read More…
Viva Green Vegas!
Las Vegas is considered a city of excess, with its neon lights, massive buffets, and perhaps too many Elvis impersonators. Lately, Vegas hotels and casinos are keen on a new green trend. For example, the awe-inspiring CityCenter conglomerate with the world’s first green fleet of stretch limousines and energy-efficient slot machines. The 18-million square feet …Read More…
Sampling Solar in Saudi Arabia
When most people think of Saudi Arabia, they think oil. But now, the world’s largest oil exporter is taking steps toward solar. SolFocus, a California-based solar power developer, recently announced plans to install Saudi Arabia’s first commercial solar power plant. The system, located in Bahra, will also be the largest concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) system in …Read More…
Bundle Up the Savings!
Bundle up! It’s getting cold out there, which reminds us of all that fall fun that comes with the changing weather. Colorful scarf’s, your favorite pea coat, brisk walks, hot coco and higher energy bills! Ok, so maybe your not really looking forward to that last one, but unfortunately it’s a bitter cold reality. In …Read More…
Congressman Baird’s Innovative Ideas
Of course, the driving issue in the upcoming elections is economic recovery and stimulus; not America’s carbon footprint. When discussing climate change and sustainability, it seems that most candidates are very rehearsed and uniform in their policies and opinions (excluding the Tea Party’s recent statements denying climate change). We’ve heard them say it plenty of …Read More…
Set your sights on solar!
By Miranda Green The increase of solar panel installations seems to be increasing. This can be seen on the local, national and international levels. And there is good reason for it. Solar panels not only offset carbon fuel emissions but they can save and sometimes earn you money! The increase of solar panels internationally can …Read More…
SBSC: Promotes “Go Beyond Oil”
SBSC (Spectrum Blue Steel Corporation) promotes “Go beyond oil” It is never new to us that world’s dependency on oil has ruined not only many wildlife species but also endangered our environment and our future generation. Oil is just one of the three major forms of fossil fuels; others are coal and natural gas. And …Read More…
No Pain, No Power
Going to the gym and using a treadmill is part of many people’s daily routines. Most focus on the results they will get after their exercise, but many don’t realize the amount of electricity they are using to get to their goal weight. However, with self-powered gyms people won’t waste energy–they will create it. Human-powered …Read More…
Human hamsters generate gym power
Want to shrink your waistline while shrinking your carbon footprint? To capitalize on your calorie-burning workouts, fitness centers worldwide are now harnessing human power to generate electricity for exercise equipment. Green machines capture the kinetic energy of gym goers and use it to power other equipment – like stereo systems, lighting, TV sets or the …Read More…
GreenBiz Innovation Forum 2010
GreenBiz Innovation Forum 2010 Next-Gen Models, Methods, and Mindsets for Transforming Business October 19-20, 2010 Mission Bay Conference Center at UCSF San Francisco, California http://www.greenbiz.com/innovationforum Is anyone attending this event? If so, please comment or otherwise post any details, observations. etc. Thanks!
Planet Forward on TV this week
This week Planet Forward will air its first segment for Nightly Business Report on PBS. The segment, the first in a monthly series, focuses on the Nissan Leaf, an all-new 100% electric car, and will feature an in-studio appearance from our host Frank Sesno. Daniel Gray of MPGomatic showed us the Nissan Leaf earlier this …Read More…
Giving Wind Energy a Gust of Profitability
Despite costs falling by over 80% in recent years, wind energy is still a prohibitive industry. The majority of wind farms require extensive federal and state subsidies to operate at a profit. Since subsidies are based on the energy produced, big companies can easily muscle-out and acquire smaller firms. At the same time, there’s a …Read More…
Government and Private Sector Come Together: Greengov 2010
The first annual GreenGov Symposium was kicked off last week with keynotes from the Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, Nancy Sutley, the U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary, Tom Vilsack and President of the Biomimicry Institute, Janine Benyus. Harkening back to President Obama’s Executive Order …Read More…
One House = Three Cars?
We all admit that the growing trend today is to be “green” and energy efficient. Some people buy hybrid cars, some swear by compact fluorescent bulbs, others even mount solar panels and wind turbines to their homes! Well, homeowners, you’re in for a big surprise — you can be trendy AND reduce your emissions without …Read More…
UNI-SOLAR Powers One of the Largest Solar Roof Installations in Paris
Another big project (link below) …over 370, 000 sq ft of leading-edge BIPV…designed, installed and funded through private and public sector collaboration, albeit in France, but still an impressive accomplishment. And note that the technology was chosen because it yielded optimal PV performance in a “moderate” climate…showing that PV can have significant impact outside of …Read More…
Oil Refiners are going in the exact opposite direction
According to a recent story in the LA Times, oil refiners, trucking companies and petrochemical companies are suing the state of California over its new standard controlling the carbon intensity of fuel. The standard, which is designed to motivate the use of alternative fuels, is costing these companies money. Unfortunately, instead of focusing on ways …Read More…
New Book on Wind Energy Health Issues
http://www.windturbinesyndrome.com The core of the book is a scientific report presenting original, primary research on symptomatic people living near large industrial wind turbines (1.5-3 MW) erected since 2004. These are the findings: This was bound to become a major issue sooner or later. Coulkd be the demise of the industry. That’s good. It needs more …Read More…
The New Green Economy
Research and development is essential to making progress in the fields of environmental protection and sustainable energy. During the New Green Economy Technological innovation symposium Friday January 22nd, Dr. Brian Czech, president of the Center for the Advancement of the Steady State Economy, said “I think we need to look deeper into the relationship between …Read More…
Thomas Friedman Answers Your Questions
Last night, Thomas Friedman came to The George Washington University’s sold-out Lisner Auditorium, where he spoke to over 1000 students and others about climate change and what he thinks needs to be done to solve it. His controversial take: we need real — not phoney — green revolution, and we need a tax on carbon. …Read More…
Complete Streets: a simple way to cut carbon emissions now
Washington State Representative Jim Moeller recently introduced the “complete streets” bill into the Washington State Legislature. The bill, in summary, would aim to create roadways that accommodate multiple forms of transportation, including bike lanes, and larger sidewalks for pedestrians. Additionally, the bill would make streets safer by lowering speed limits and provide incentives to bike, …Read More…
Down the Lines: Our Delicate Electrical Grid
Dependent on technology developed over 100 years ago, our energy grid is in trouble. Consumption is increasing dramatically, and the construction of our power lines has fallen far behind, setting the stage for more serious and frequent blackouts in the coming years. Video by Eileen Mignoni http://unc.news21.com/index.php/stories/grid.html
facebook
twitter