Light emitting diode (LED) fluorescent tubes begin to catch on with consumers—but do the long-term savings outpace the upfront investment?
Light emitting diode (LED) fluorescent tubes are all the rage in the lighting market these days. The technology promises to be more energy efficient, less environmentally harmful and more economical than traditional fluorescent tube lighting. Still, there is a lot of debate over whether they are ready for widespread commercial use.
We recently came across an instance in which this very debate was being discussed in a LinkedIn electrical construction group. It was a heated thread with two electrical contractors hashing out the pros and cons of using LED fluorescent tubes. To continue our series of articles on “green” construction, we thought we’d tackle the issue ourselves. So here we present our findings on LED fluorescent tubes.
What is a LED Fluorescent Tube? Actually, “LED fluorescent tube” is a misnomer. LED lights and fluorescent lights are completely different technologies. LEDs are very small bulbs illuminated by movement of electrons in a diode. Fluorescent bulbs use electrodes and a gas combination of argon and mercury to produce light. As such, the name “LED fluorescent tube” really refers to an LED tube that reminds us of traditional fluorescent tubes (such as the one that is likely overhead as you read this).
LED lights should also not be confused with compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. CFLs use the same technology as fluorescent tubes to produce light, but on a smaller scale. They are a replacement for the incandescent bulbs commonly found in most home light fixtures. CFLs have garnered a lot of press because of their energy efficiency and environmental benefits (i.e., they are considered to be greener than traditional lights because they use less power).
An LED tube is made up of hundreds of individual LEDs. They come in a variety of sizes (2, 4 or 6 feet), different temperatures (i.e., different colors of light), and varying arrays of LEDs. They can be purchased with new fixtures, or used for retrofitting existing fixtures. However, they don’t require the ballasts that traditional fluorescents need, so those will need to be removed when replacing fluorescent bulbs with LED tubes.
When comparing LEDs to fluorescent tubes, here are four key specifications that should be reviewed:
* Lumens – This is the unit of measurement for strength of light. Look for tubes with 1500 lumens or more.
* Watts – This is a unit of measurement for power consumption. Four-foot LED tubes typically use 15 to 25 watts, while fluorescent tubes of this size use more than 30 watts.
* Lifespan – This is how long the bulb will last. It’s measured in hours. 50,000 hours is common for LED tubes.
* Color temperature – The temperature of the light is the color of the light. It is measured in units of absolute temperature, or Kelvin (K). 3000K is considered warm (redder), 4100K is considered neutral, and 5800 K is cool (bluer).
Pros and Cons of LED and Fluorescent Tubes. To give recognition where it’s due, fluorescent tubes are a great invention. They have been lighting most of America ever since GE brought them to market back in 1938. They are four to six times more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs and are said to last 10 to 20 times longer. Of course, they come with their own set of disadvantages, as well.
Fluorescent tubes contain mercury and phosphor, which present a number of health and environmental risks. The lights require a ballast, which adds to the cost of the lamp and can cause a buzzing noise. Finally, they frequently flicker, and the light is often drab.
On the other hand, LED bulbs last longer than fluorescents, and they don’t contain harmful ingredients like mercury. Perhaps most signficantly, LEDs use much less power than fluorescent lamps -- and there are many other benefits, as well.
Still, LEDs aren’t perfect. The tubes are generally not as bright and can cost more up front. And unfortunately, cost will likely be the number-one driver of greater adoption. So let’s compare the costs of each type of bulb:
Costs of LED Tubes vs Fluorescent Tubes. The debate over LED vs fluorescent tubes always teeters when it comes to the cost argument. When comparing the upfront cost of one LED tube to one fluorescent tube, fluorescent wins, hands-down. However, when you consider volume discounts and the longer lifespan of LEDs, the scale leans the opposite direction. Let’s compare the costs of each taking these factors into consideration.
This table compares the first-year cost of a single commercial-grade (i.e., UL and CE compliant), four-foot T8 LED tube to a four-foot T8 fluorescent tube. To measure kilowatts per year, we assumed the lights would be on for 12 hours a day, 255 days a year. We used an average energy rating of 20 watts per hour for LEDs and 32 for fluorescents. To calculate energy cost, we used an average cost per kilowatt of $0.11.
Clearly, fluorescents are less expensive in the first year. However, when you account for product longevity, LED tubes are the winner. LED tubes last an average of 50,000 hours (roughly 16 years) while fluorescent T8 tubes last an average of 25,000 (roughly 8 years). To determine this, we looked at every fluorescent T8 tube that Sylvania offers (nearly 150) and calculated average lifespan. To be precise, it was 24,787.67 hours.
In this next table, we compare the 16-year cost (the lifespan of an LED tube) of 40 LED tubes compared to 40 fluorescent tubes. In this example, the number 40 is somewhat arbitrary. We have 20 2′ x 4′ fixtures in our office, so we chose 40 bulbs as our basis of comparison. Keep in mind, fluorescent fixtures require ballasts, so we’ll need to tack on an additional $400 to fluorescent tubes (20 ballasts at $20).
Using prices from our previous table, in the first year it will cost $3,069 for the energy and initial purchase of 40 LED tubes. The fluorescent tubes would cost $1,071. Every year thereafter, the energy costs of LED tubes will be $269, and $431 for the fluorescents. In the eighth year, the fluorescent bulbs will need to be replaced at a cost of $240.
You’ll notice the numbers in our table look a little different. That’s because we’ve included an annual energy inflation rate of 5%. We also used a 2.5% inflation rate to calculate the cost of the replacement fluorescent bulbs in the eighth year. Finally, we used a 6% discount rate to determine the net present value (NPV).
As our analysis reveals, the 16-year cost for 40 LED tubes is $6,431, while the cost for fluorescent tubes is $6,846. This is 6% in savings over the life of the tubes. Keep in mind, this is only 40 tubes. Building owners with more light fixtures will realize more savings, as the volume discount will be greater and energy costs will be lower. So, over the lifespan of the product, LED tubes are more cost effective than fluorescent tubes.
A Bright Future for LED Tubes. The cost of manufacturing LEDs is dropping. Researchers at Purdue University have developed a way to create LEDs using inexpensive, metal-coated silicon wafers instead of expensive sapphire-based bulbs. This discovery has the potential to bring the cost down to levels competitive with fluorescent tubes. You can stay up to date on news of this development over at the Eartheasy blog.
In the meantime, there’s no reason electrical contractors shouldn’t promote LED tubes. LED tubes can help building owners achieve eligibility for government and utility company incentives. They help companies capture the desirable -- and highly marketable -- green cachet. They provide greater energy cost savings than fluorescents. And finally, they are simply better for the Earth. They are the future of commercial lighting.
Source: http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/are-led-fluorescent-tubes-ready-for-prime-time/
Monday, June 14, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Effluent treatment plants to be mandatory for restaurants
Restaurants, banquet halls and eating joints in the city will soon have to install effluent treatment plants (ETPs) with the Delhi Government taking steps to implement the recent order of the Centre in this regard.
"Initially, we will start with an awareness programme regarding the effluent standards for the hotels notified by the Environment Ministry," said a senior official from Delhi environment department.
The official said a public notice will soon be issued to the owners of restaurants, eating joints such as 'dhabas', banquet halls and similar other units having minimum seating capacity of 36 for adhering to the norms.
Till now, there were no specific standards to keep a tab on the discharge of effluents being generated by such businesses which usually get mixed with city sewerage and are discharged into the rivers or contaminate groundwater.
These units will be checked on the basis of effluent parameters that have been defined by the environment ministry.
Also, with the water availability proving to be major problem, the hotel industry is being encouraged to set up on-site waste water treatment facilities for recycling of water for gardening and other non-domestic use.
The ETPs would be brought under regulatory mechanism for effective monitoring and pollution control.
"Though some big hotels have installed treatment plants, small restaurants and banquets have no such facilities. But now they cannot escape from their responsibilities," the official added.
"Initially, we will start with an awareness programme regarding the effluent standards for the hotels notified by the Environment Ministry," said a senior official from Delhi environment department.
The official said a public notice will soon be issued to the owners of restaurants, eating joints such as 'dhabas', banquet halls and similar other units having minimum seating capacity of 36 for adhering to the norms.
Till now, there were no specific standards to keep a tab on the discharge of effluents being generated by such businesses which usually get mixed with city sewerage and are discharged into the rivers or contaminate groundwater.
These units will be checked on the basis of effluent parameters that have been defined by the environment ministry.
Also, with the water availability proving to be major problem, the hotel industry is being encouraged to set up on-site waste water treatment facilities for recycling of water for gardening and other non-domestic use.
The ETPs would be brought under regulatory mechanism for effective monitoring and pollution control.
"Though some big hotels have installed treatment plants, small restaurants and banquets have no such facilities. But now they cannot escape from their responsibilities," the official added.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Save Water - Mumbai following Delhi's way...
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is considering laying separate water pipeline to supply potable and non potable water to citizens on the line of Delhi.
Municipal commissioner Swadheen Kshatriya announced it on the demand made by Union Minister of State for Communications and IT Gurudas Kamat who is also MP from Mumbai Northwest constituency. Kamat met Kshatriya to discuss various issues related to the city and his constituency.
“I suggested the BMC to adopt the Delhi pattern under which recycled water is used for non potable purpose through separate lines to avoid wastage of potable water.” said Kamat.
The BMC said it is open to adopt the pattern used by civic government in Delhi. “I agree with the Kamat's suggestion as I saw two separate water lines for potable and non potable when I was in Delhi for some time. It will work in the city as well,“ said Kshatriya.
The civic body has planned for recycling plant at six locations in the city to supply water for non potable purpose.
“As phase I, we will commence recycle plants with BOT basis and then will be laid pipeline for supply,“ Kshatirya added. The civic body is also considering giving rights to private agency to sell non potable water to the industrial area.
The city is currently reeling under an unprecedented water crisis, with a 15 per cent cuts imposed on the residential users and a 30 per cent on the commercial users.
Apart from water issue Kamat has also demanded that the civic body should keep open spaces reserved under Recreation Ground, Play Ground and Gardens as open. “Also those, whose leases are still on, should be strictly monitored and public access should be ensured. While those who have developed private clubs and whose lease ended should be taken place in spite of 810 years possession like Matoshree sports club in Jogeshwari, such allotments should be cancelled forthwith, “said Kamat.
Kamat also submitted a Memorandum expressing concern about the Water situation in Mumbai and the need to desilt all lakes and reservoirs, to ensure the storage capacity of water.
To strictly ensure usage of Solar Electricity in all new buildings as agreed to by the government of Maharashtra.
To ensure that Recreation Grounds and Playgrounds are accessible to the common man and no private clubs be allowed. BMC: Developer should declare carpet area The BMC will ensure that no proposals for the development will be accepted, unless the developer would declare the carpet floor space index to be sale. This will be strictly monitored by the civic body Building Proposal department, said BMC chief Swadheen Kshatriya.
Gurudas Kamat MP, led a delegation comprising of Congress MLA's and corporators met municipal chief to discuss various issues including carpet area issue. “Though the rule exists about flat purchasing and selling should be as per carpet area is not implemented properly,“ alleged Kamat.
From Hindustan Times, 15th May, 2010
Municipal commissioner Swadheen Kshatriya announced it on the demand made by Union Minister of State for Communications and IT Gurudas Kamat who is also MP from Mumbai Northwest constituency. Kamat met Kshatriya to discuss various issues related to the city and his constituency.
“I suggested the BMC to adopt the Delhi pattern under which recycled water is used for non potable purpose through separate lines to avoid wastage of potable water.” said Kamat.
The BMC said it is open to adopt the pattern used by civic government in Delhi. “I agree with the Kamat's suggestion as I saw two separate water lines for potable and non potable when I was in Delhi for some time. It will work in the city as well,“ said Kshatriya.
The civic body has planned for recycling plant at six locations in the city to supply water for non potable purpose.
“As phase I, we will commence recycle plants with BOT basis and then will be laid pipeline for supply,“ Kshatirya added. The civic body is also considering giving rights to private agency to sell non potable water to the industrial area.
The city is currently reeling under an unprecedented water crisis, with a 15 per cent cuts imposed on the residential users and a 30 per cent on the commercial users.
Apart from water issue Kamat has also demanded that the civic body should keep open spaces reserved under Recreation Ground, Play Ground and Gardens as open. “Also those, whose leases are still on, should be strictly monitored and public access should be ensured. While those who have developed private clubs and whose lease ended should be taken place in spite of 810 years possession like Matoshree sports club in Jogeshwari, such allotments should be cancelled forthwith, “said Kamat.
Kamat also submitted a Memorandum expressing concern about the Water situation in Mumbai and the need to desilt all lakes and reservoirs, to ensure the storage capacity of water.
To strictly ensure usage of Solar Electricity in all new buildings as agreed to by the government of Maharashtra.
To ensure that Recreation Grounds and Playgrounds are accessible to the common man and no private clubs be allowed. BMC: Developer should declare carpet area The BMC will ensure that no proposals for the development will be accepted, unless the developer would declare the carpet floor space index to be sale. This will be strictly monitored by the civic body Building Proposal department, said BMC chief Swadheen Kshatriya.
Gurudas Kamat MP, led a delegation comprising of Congress MLA's and corporators met municipal chief to discuss various issues including carpet area issue. “Though the rule exists about flat purchasing and selling should be as per carpet area is not implemented properly,“ alleged Kamat.
From Hindustan Times, 15th May, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Iceland - The cleanest country in the world
Iceland is the cleanest country in the world. This may be hard to believe right now, what with the clouds of volcanic ash grounding flights across northern Europe, but according to researchers at Yale and Columbia universities, the Nordic island ranks first out of 163 countries on their Environmental Performance Index.
Researchers ranked countries based on 25 indicators, including water and air quality, greenhouse gas emissions and the impact of the environment on the health of the population. (For more detail on the methodology, click here.) A score of 100 is excellent. Sierra Leone ranks at the bottom of the list with a score of 32. The U.S. ranks in the middle of the pack with 63.5. Iceland took top honors with a score of 93.5 thanks to ample clean water, lots of protected nature areas, good national health care and a plenitude of usually clean geothermal power.
Will Eyjafjallajokull wreck Iceland's rating the next time the academics run the numbers in 2012? The answer is no. "We do not score natural disasters," says Daniel Esty, a professor of environmental law at Yale who heads up the EPI and wrote the acclaimed book Green to Gold. The index is weighted to metrics that track how governments are performing relative to environmental policy goals, such as access to adequate sanitation and water, habitat protection and industrial emissions. The amount of sulfur dioxide released from fuel usage counts, not what's put out by volcanoes.
There are two paths that can take a country to the top of the EPI rankings. First, a country could be gifted with a rich endowment of clean water, diverse biology and not have sullied it with rampant industrialism. That's how Cuba, Colombia and Costa Rica placed so high.
Alternatively, a country could have industrialized and polluted its environment, but eventually gotten rich enough to start cleaning it up. That's the case with the European countries that make up more than half of the top 30.
"The richer you become, the more polluted you become, to a point. Then you become cleaner," says Christine Kim of Yale, research director for the EPI.
The U.S. is still on the upswing, says Esty. "Forty years ago the U.S would have had bad scores" like China (rank: 121st) and India (123rd). America, as it's matured, has made big strides in cleaning up lakes, rivers and streams, with clean drinking water available to practically the entire population. Air quality has gotten much better in places like Los Angeles. What's more, "no country is a better forest steward," says Esty. And despite the plague of pine bark beetles laying waste to millions of acres of forests across the west, "the U.S. is re-foresting at a rapid rate."
Sounds good, so why does the U.S. rank so much lower than those Europeans? "People in the U.S. are shocked the U.S. ranks so low. In Europe they're shocked the U.S. ranks so high," says Esty.
Trace the cognitive dissonance to greenhouse gas emissions, where the U.S. places very poorly because of our reliance on coal for 50% of power generation and our reliance on cars to traverse wide-open spaces. America's fully industrialized peers Japan (ranked 20th), Germany (17th) and the U.K. (14th) did far better. The best way for America to improve its score: make a big push toward generating power from nuclear and natural gas.
But could we ever place better than Cuba, which is ranked ninth? Well, Cuba's scant industrial base limits pollution, while socialized health care helps limit environmental-related illness. At least that's what the data claims.
"There's some made-up data out of Cuba," says Esty. They have problems with the veracity of China's data, too. The U.S. on the other hand has very high data quality because "we [in the U.S.] are able to get bad news published." Despite misgivings on Cuban data, "we don't use our judgment on data to push down countries' rankings."
Another unusual case is Belgium, which lags far behind its neighbors France, the Netherlands and Germany and the rest of Western Europe. Belgium is in 88th place, on par with Ukraine and lower than any other European country. The data on Belgium shows "incontrovertible systematic underperformance," says Esty. Less nuclear power, worse water quality and less protection of open spaces.
Esty cautions that it's more useful for policymakers to compare a country's results with those in its peer group. Desert countries will have trouble scoring high in the rankings because of their complete lack of emissions-free hydropower, and limited ecological diversity. Yet in the 2010 study, for the first time, the researchers decided to count sea water desalination as a renewable water source. This helps the oil-rich countries, which can afford to build desalination plants. (See "Making Sweet Water From (Almost) Perpetual Motion.")
In an enviro-measurement quandry, those oil and gas-rich regimes like Saudi Arabia (99th place) and Qatar (122th), don't get docked for the environmental impact of their exported hydrocarbons.
Esty says that of the 75 nations to give feedback to his researchers on their EPI rankings, none has been more outraged than South Korea. Landing in 94th place, between Gabon and Nicaragua, South Koreans see this study as an insult unbefitting their status as a first-world developed nation. The South Korean ambassador filed a protest. A bureaucrat even called up research director Christine Kim's grandmother back home in South Korea to complain. The South Koreans' overly rosy environmental self-assessment might have something to do with the worse performance of neighboring China and North Korea (147th place). Esty says the data on low levels of biodiversity and significant air pollution aren't in doubt.
A bastion of hope and irony: the most biodiverse place on the Korean Peninsula is the demilitarized zone, says Esty. Yet some of the deer there, because of landmines, only have three legs.
By: Christopher Helman, Forbes.com
Researchers ranked countries based on 25 indicators, including water and air quality, greenhouse gas emissions and the impact of the environment on the health of the population. (For more detail on the methodology, click here.) A score of 100 is excellent. Sierra Leone ranks at the bottom of the list with a score of 32. The U.S. ranks in the middle of the pack with 63.5. Iceland took top honors with a score of 93.5 thanks to ample clean water, lots of protected nature areas, good national health care and a plenitude of usually clean geothermal power.
Will Eyjafjallajokull wreck Iceland's rating the next time the academics run the numbers in 2012? The answer is no. "We do not score natural disasters," says Daniel Esty, a professor of environmental law at Yale who heads up the EPI and wrote the acclaimed book Green to Gold. The index is weighted to metrics that track how governments are performing relative to environmental policy goals, such as access to adequate sanitation and water, habitat protection and industrial emissions. The amount of sulfur dioxide released from fuel usage counts, not what's put out by volcanoes.
There are two paths that can take a country to the top of the EPI rankings. First, a country could be gifted with a rich endowment of clean water, diverse biology and not have sullied it with rampant industrialism. That's how Cuba, Colombia and Costa Rica placed so high.
Alternatively, a country could have industrialized and polluted its environment, but eventually gotten rich enough to start cleaning it up. That's the case with the European countries that make up more than half of the top 30.
"The richer you become, the more polluted you become, to a point. Then you become cleaner," says Christine Kim of Yale, research director for the EPI.
The U.S. is still on the upswing, says Esty. "Forty years ago the U.S would have had bad scores" like China (rank: 121st) and India (123rd). America, as it's matured, has made big strides in cleaning up lakes, rivers and streams, with clean drinking water available to practically the entire population. Air quality has gotten much better in places like Los Angeles. What's more, "no country is a better forest steward," says Esty. And despite the plague of pine bark beetles laying waste to millions of acres of forests across the west, "the U.S. is re-foresting at a rapid rate."
Sounds good, so why does the U.S. rank so much lower than those Europeans? "People in the U.S. are shocked the U.S. ranks so low. In Europe they're shocked the U.S. ranks so high," says Esty.
Trace the cognitive dissonance to greenhouse gas emissions, where the U.S. places very poorly because of our reliance on coal for 50% of power generation and our reliance on cars to traverse wide-open spaces. America's fully industrialized peers Japan (ranked 20th), Germany (17th) and the U.K. (14th) did far better. The best way for America to improve its score: make a big push toward generating power from nuclear and natural gas.
But could we ever place better than Cuba, which is ranked ninth? Well, Cuba's scant industrial base limits pollution, while socialized health care helps limit environmental-related illness. At least that's what the data claims.
"There's some made-up data out of Cuba," says Esty. They have problems with the veracity of China's data, too. The U.S. on the other hand has very high data quality because "we [in the U.S.] are able to get bad news published." Despite misgivings on Cuban data, "we don't use our judgment on data to push down countries' rankings."
Another unusual case is Belgium, which lags far behind its neighbors France, the Netherlands and Germany and the rest of Western Europe. Belgium is in 88th place, on par with Ukraine and lower than any other European country. The data on Belgium shows "incontrovertible systematic underperformance," says Esty. Less nuclear power, worse water quality and less protection of open spaces.
Esty cautions that it's more useful for policymakers to compare a country's results with those in its peer group. Desert countries will have trouble scoring high in the rankings because of their complete lack of emissions-free hydropower, and limited ecological diversity. Yet in the 2010 study, for the first time, the researchers decided to count sea water desalination as a renewable water source. This helps the oil-rich countries, which can afford to build desalination plants. (See "Making Sweet Water From (Almost) Perpetual Motion.")
In an enviro-measurement quandry, those oil and gas-rich regimes like Saudi Arabia (99th place) and Qatar (122th), don't get docked for the environmental impact of their exported hydrocarbons.
Esty says that of the 75 nations to give feedback to his researchers on their EPI rankings, none has been more outraged than South Korea. Landing in 94th place, between Gabon and Nicaragua, South Koreans see this study as an insult unbefitting their status as a first-world developed nation. The South Korean ambassador filed a protest. A bureaucrat even called up research director Christine Kim's grandmother back home in South Korea to complain. The South Koreans' overly rosy environmental self-assessment might have something to do with the worse performance of neighboring China and North Korea (147th place). Esty says the data on low levels of biodiversity and significant air pollution aren't in doubt.
A bastion of hope and irony: the most biodiverse place on the Korean Peninsula is the demilitarized zone, says Esty. Yet some of the deer there, because of landmines, only have three legs.
By: Christopher Helman, Forbes.com
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Modular homes made from recycled plastic
By Anthony Clark
A Welsh company, Affresol, has developed the technology to build affordable low carbon homes from recycled waste plastic and minerals – including packaging and manufacturing waste. Each house consists of approximately 18 tonnes of material that would otherwise be destined for landfill.
The first of the modular buildings has been ordered by Worcester Bosch, a UK manufacturer of domestic heating and hot water systems, for its plant in Warndon, Worcestershire. Supplying Affresol with plastic recovered from recycled boilers will enable the heating specialist to achieve a zero waste policy.
Affresol has developed a material called Thermo Poly Rock (TPR) from recycled plastics and minerals for use as a structural building product. The patented process uses a low energy cold process which converts the plastics into a strong structural element.
The TPR panels are bolted together to form the load bearing frame of the house, which can be externally clad using a material of choice (brick, block or stone), and the interior insulated and plastered as standard. The roof is tiled from recycled materials.
Outlining the benefits, managing director Ian McPherson said TPR is stronger and lighter than concrete, waterproof, fire retardant, does not rot and has excellent insulation properties.
A sustainable code 4/5 home built using TPR can be up to 12% cheaper than standard build, the TPR superstructure can be erected on site within four days. The houses have an estimated life cycle of more than 60 years and the TPR elements are 100% recyclable at the end of life.
The company has spent the last two years working with Cardiff and Glamorgan universities, the Building Research Establishment (BRE) and the Carbon Trust developing the product.
The Welsh Assembly Government also provided support through the Single Investment Fund in the test and development stage, setting up an automated production facility and in the final stages leading up to accreditation.
Finance Wales, a provider of commercial funding to businesses in Wales and a subsidiary company of the Assembly Government, has also provided debt investment in the business
McPherson said: “Our management team and business partners believe there is tremendous potential for this new product particularly with the growing focus on carbon reduction, low energy affordable homes and sustainability.”
Affresol forecast building 3,000 homes per annum – recycling 40,000 tonnes of waste – with the main market being affordable homes for social housing.
Source: http://www.prw.com/subscriber/newsmail2.html?id=1267180929
A Welsh company, Affresol, has developed the technology to build affordable low carbon homes from recycled waste plastic and minerals – including packaging and manufacturing waste. Each house consists of approximately 18 tonnes of material that would otherwise be destined for landfill.
The first of the modular buildings has been ordered by Worcester Bosch, a UK manufacturer of domestic heating and hot water systems, for its plant in Warndon, Worcestershire. Supplying Affresol with plastic recovered from recycled boilers will enable the heating specialist to achieve a zero waste policy.
Affresol has developed a material called Thermo Poly Rock (TPR) from recycled plastics and minerals for use as a structural building product. The patented process uses a low energy cold process which converts the plastics into a strong structural element.
The TPR panels are bolted together to form the load bearing frame of the house, which can be externally clad using a material of choice (brick, block or stone), and the interior insulated and plastered as standard. The roof is tiled from recycled materials.
Outlining the benefits, managing director Ian McPherson said TPR is stronger and lighter than concrete, waterproof, fire retardant, does not rot and has excellent insulation properties.
A sustainable code 4/5 home built using TPR can be up to 12% cheaper than standard build, the TPR superstructure can be erected on site within four days. The houses have an estimated life cycle of more than 60 years and the TPR elements are 100% recyclable at the end of life.
The company has spent the last two years working with Cardiff and Glamorgan universities, the Building Research Establishment (BRE) and the Carbon Trust developing the product.
The Welsh Assembly Government also provided support through the Single Investment Fund in the test and development stage, setting up an automated production facility and in the final stages leading up to accreditation.
Finance Wales, a provider of commercial funding to businesses in Wales and a subsidiary company of the Assembly Government, has also provided debt investment in the business
McPherson said: “Our management team and business partners believe there is tremendous potential for this new product particularly with the growing focus on carbon reduction, low energy affordable homes and sustainability.”
Affresol forecast building 3,000 homes per annum – recycling 40,000 tonnes of waste – with the main market being affordable homes for social housing.
Source: http://www.prw.com/subscriber/newsmail2.html?id=1267180929
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Palm Oil, Sugar Cane Most Sustainable Energy Crops, Study Shows
By Rudy Ruitenberg
Feb. 19 (Bloomberg) -- Sugar cane grown in Brazil and palm oil from Malaysia and Indonesia rank as the most sustainable of the current generation of biofuel crops, according to researchers at Wageningen University in the Netherlands.
Researchers at the university’s plant-science department compared nine crops on criteria including soil erosion, water use for each unit of energy produced and nitrogen usage, according to Sander de Vries, author of the comparative study.
“In terms of net energy, sugar cane has the best score of all energy crops,” Wageningen University’s De Vries said by telephone yesterday. “A crop like corn, which scores poorly, is at 10 percent of that.”
Biofuels production amounted to 83 billion liters (21.9 billion U.S. gallons) in 2008, up fourfold from 2000, and accounted for 1.5 percent of global transport fuel consumption, according to the International Energy Agency. First-generation biofuels have faced “heavy criticism” regarding their long- term effect on the environment, according to the IEA.
Sorghum in China, as well as oil palms and sugar cane, make the most efficient use of land, water, nitrogen and pesticides to produce a unit of energy, according to the study in the journal Biomass and Bioenergy. Provided no forest is cleared to grow the three crops, they produce “much less” greenhouse gases than fossil fuels, the study said.
“It takes a lot of water to grow sugar cane, but on balance you get a big return,” De Vries said. “You get back a lot of sugar cane.”
Nine Criteria
The crops were compared by ranking them against the best- performing plant on each of nine criteria, De Vries said. Sugar beet and rapeseed in Europe, cassava in Thailand and soybeans in Brazil had an average ranking, according to the study.
“In every case we looked at the dominant production area,” De Vries said. “With regards to erosion, oil palm scores well, rapeseed also. Soy doesn’t do well in terms of net energy, but does in nitrogen efficiency.”
Oil palm was most sustainable with regards to the maintenance of soil quality, according to the study, which disregarded effects on societies, economies and biodiversity.
U.S. corn and wheat in Europe, used to produce ethanol, had the worst sustainability score of the nine crops studied.
“It takes a lot of energy to process those crops,” De Vries said. “For corn it’s just positive. For wheat the balance of greenhouse-gas reductions is zero.”
To contact the reporter on this story: Rudy Ruitenberg in Paris at rruitenberg@bloomberg.net
Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20670001&sid=atgC7em.HRHg
Feb. 19 (Bloomberg) -- Sugar cane grown in Brazil and palm oil from Malaysia and Indonesia rank as the most sustainable of the current generation of biofuel crops, according to researchers at Wageningen University in the Netherlands.
Researchers at the university’s plant-science department compared nine crops on criteria including soil erosion, water use for each unit of energy produced and nitrogen usage, according to Sander de Vries, author of the comparative study.
“In terms of net energy, sugar cane has the best score of all energy crops,” Wageningen University’s De Vries said by telephone yesterday. “A crop like corn, which scores poorly, is at 10 percent of that.”
Biofuels production amounted to 83 billion liters (21.9 billion U.S. gallons) in 2008, up fourfold from 2000, and accounted for 1.5 percent of global transport fuel consumption, according to the International Energy Agency. First-generation biofuels have faced “heavy criticism” regarding their long- term effect on the environment, according to the IEA.
Sorghum in China, as well as oil palms and sugar cane, make the most efficient use of land, water, nitrogen and pesticides to produce a unit of energy, according to the study in the journal Biomass and Bioenergy. Provided no forest is cleared to grow the three crops, they produce “much less” greenhouse gases than fossil fuels, the study said.
“It takes a lot of water to grow sugar cane, but on balance you get a big return,” De Vries said. “You get back a lot of sugar cane.”
Nine Criteria
The crops were compared by ranking them against the best- performing plant on each of nine criteria, De Vries said. Sugar beet and rapeseed in Europe, cassava in Thailand and soybeans in Brazil had an average ranking, according to the study.
“In every case we looked at the dominant production area,” De Vries said. “With regards to erosion, oil palm scores well, rapeseed also. Soy doesn’t do well in terms of net energy, but does in nitrogen efficiency.”
Oil palm was most sustainable with regards to the maintenance of soil quality, according to the study, which disregarded effects on societies, economies and biodiversity.
U.S. corn and wheat in Europe, used to produce ethanol, had the worst sustainability score of the nine crops studied.
“It takes a lot of energy to process those crops,” De Vries said. “For corn it’s just positive. For wheat the balance of greenhouse-gas reductions is zero.”
To contact the reporter on this story: Rudy Ruitenberg in Paris at rruitenberg@bloomberg.net
Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20670001&sid=atgC7em.HRHg
Baja Fresh launches 'Earth Fresh' initiative
Baja Fresh Mexican Grill has announced its 2010 "Earth Fresh" initiative. Beginning in December of 2009, Baja Fresh introduced recycled napkins, paper bags, burrito wrapping paper, and biodegradable plates in eight restaurants, including their California locations in Cypress, Westlake Village, Simi Valley, Beverly Hills, Tustin Marketplace, South Irvine and Lakewood.
All Baja Fresh paper bags in the aforementioned restaurants now contain a minimum of 40 percent postconsumer material. Papers utilized also are not made with processed chlorine or its derivatives, and converted papers are FDA compliant.
The new plates are designed to disintegrate and biodegrade swiftly and safely in a professionally managed composting facility. The plates are certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute and the natural fibers with which they are produced are a byproduct of wheat harvest. The type of renewable resource is reportedly an excellent alternative to polystyrene foam and conventional molded fiber.
Additionally, the production and use of natural, unbleached burrito wraps versus bleached paper wraps have significant impact on the world’s resources including:
* 46 percent reduction in waste water
* 21 percent reduction in wood pulp use
* 16 percent reduction in solid waste
* 10 percent reduction in green house gas production.
For every 1,000 tons of natural paper produced versus bleached paper of the same weight 6,089 trees will be saved, 15 full swimming pools of wastewater will be removed, and 13 garbage trucks of solid waste will be eliminated.
"Baja Fresh recognizes the importance of the earth’s resources and our customers’ penchant to conserve them. By offering our products in biodegradable, recycled, and recyclable packaging, not only are we meeting the requests of our guests, but also those of the environment," Baja Fresh president Charles Rink said. "We will continue to seek environmentally friendly solutions for additional products used in serving Baja Fresh menu items, and we look forward to the success of the current products in test. We hope to offer them companywide within the year."
Source: http://www.fastcasual.com/article.php?id=17327&na=1&s=2
All Baja Fresh paper bags in the aforementioned restaurants now contain a minimum of 40 percent postconsumer material. Papers utilized also are not made with processed chlorine or its derivatives, and converted papers are FDA compliant.
The new plates are designed to disintegrate and biodegrade swiftly and safely in a professionally managed composting facility. The plates are certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute and the natural fibers with which they are produced are a byproduct of wheat harvest. The type of renewable resource is reportedly an excellent alternative to polystyrene foam and conventional molded fiber.
Additionally, the production and use of natural, unbleached burrito wraps versus bleached paper wraps have significant impact on the world’s resources including:
* 46 percent reduction in waste water
* 21 percent reduction in wood pulp use
* 16 percent reduction in solid waste
* 10 percent reduction in green house gas production.
For every 1,000 tons of natural paper produced versus bleached paper of the same weight 6,089 trees will be saved, 15 full swimming pools of wastewater will be removed, and 13 garbage trucks of solid waste will be eliminated.
"Baja Fresh recognizes the importance of the earth’s resources and our customers’ penchant to conserve them. By offering our products in biodegradable, recycled, and recyclable packaging, not only are we meeting the requests of our guests, but also those of the environment," Baja Fresh president Charles Rink said. "We will continue to seek environmentally friendly solutions for additional products used in serving Baja Fresh menu items, and we look forward to the success of the current products in test. We hope to offer them companywide within the year."
Source: http://www.fastcasual.com/article.php?id=17327&na=1&s=2
Friday, February 19, 2010
Stimulus funds for clean energy largely unspent
Only 63,000 of the jobs directly created or saved by the stimulus bill last year were clean-energy jobs. That number should rise, economists say.
Making a “tremendous down payment on the clean energy transformation” of the United States was a top priority of the Obama administration’s economic stimulus package – but, despite some notable accomplishments, it remains mostly a promise at this point.
Most of the funds from the stimulus still haven’t been spent, and the clean-energy down payment is a long way from being completed. Its impact so far on those jobs has only been lightly felt in pockets across the nation, economists and others watching its impact in their regions say.
“It’s fair to say the stimulus is a down payment, but I wouldn’t call it a tremendous down payment at this point,” says Joan Fitzgerald, an expert on economic development at Northeastern University in Boston, who has analyzed the stimulus’s impact on the wind-power and other clean-technology industries.
Overall, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, or stimulus bill, has seen $263 billion spent of the $787 billion available by the end of last year. As a result, the US economy is now employing about 1.5 million to 2 million more workers, the President's Council of Economic Advisors recently reported – and other independent economists agree.
But so far, just one-third of the roughly $90 billion ($60.7 billion in direct spending and $29.5 billion in tax incentives) targeting the clean-energy sector has actually hit the street – to fund wind-farm development, solar plants, battery factories, high-speed rail, and home weatherization, among many other projects.
As a result, just 63,000 of the jobs directly created or saved by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by the end of last year were clean-energy jobs, the president's economic council reports.
That so-far modest impact should become much more significant as the US Department of Energy ramps up its approval process and spends the remaining billions by September, David Sandalow, assistant secretary of energy for policy and international affairs, said at a press conference Wednesday.
Over the next two years, the $90 billion spent on clean energy is expected to create 720,000 job-years of employment. In addition to jobs, some 16,000 megawatts of wind, solar, geothermal, and other renewable energy capacity propelled by the stimulus will power about 4 to 5 million homes.
“Each one of [these jobs] is doing work made possible by the recovery act,” Mr. Sandalow said. “The recovery act has been crucial to unlocking financing” for new wind, solar, geothermal power projects.
High-speed rail construction in Wisconsin, new-generation plug-in hybrid vehicle battery factories in Detroit and wind farm turbines sprouting across the US landscape last year – all would not exist without the stimulus passed by Congress last year, other observers agree.
“Some folks on one end of the spectrum say the stimulus hasn’t done a darn thing,” says Rob Sargent, who tracks clean-energy for EnvironmentAmerica, a Washington-based advocacy group. “If you look around and see – it has led to investments in clean energy of a magnitude we’ve never seen.” Other expert watchers agree.
“Broadly speaking, the stimulus has helped an enormous amount,” says Alex Klein, research director for Emerging Energy Research, a market research company based in Cambridge, Mass. “Treasury grants have helped expedite wind development, manufacturing incentives have jump-started battery manufacturing – and kept wind and solar manufacturing in the US alive.”
The stimulus has expedited both project development and helped to build local supply chains, Mr. Klein says. But some note that the stimulus, while keeping the wind-power and other renewable industries from tanking in 2009, has not worked a miracle on US clean-energy manufacturers’ competitiveness.
“We’re not competitive yet with other clean-energy export nations,” says Kevin Book, managing partner with ClearView Partners, a Washington energy research and consulting firm. “There’s an argument to be made that we could become the next big manufacturer of clean tech, but we’re not the most compelling candidate right now. China and Germany are ahead of us."
News reports highlighting Texas wind-farm projects that purchased Japanese-made turbines – and others with plans to purchase turbines from China – have had congressmen throwing up their hands in protest.
So is Bob Lloyd, plant manager at Clipper Wind Power’s Waterloo, Iowa, manufacturing plant. His plant had layoffs a year ago and is still operating at less than half its capacity.
“We’re trying to build this product,” he says. “ 'Hey, we're paying taxes, and we don’t want to pay taxes to bring in foreign-made products' – that’s the feeling of folks around here.”
Clipper and General Electric are America’s only domestic wind-turbine manufacturers. But while Clipper’s business is picking up, their plight highlights a conundrum: Until US demand for clean energy grows, it will be hard to develop domestic clean-energy manufacturing that can out-compete overseas companies on price as well as quality, experts say.
The stimulus support can't produce an overnight transformation for US clean-energy manufacturers, Mr. Book says. What’s needed is a “natural demand” for clean-energy, or a “legislative demand.” And yet, a cap-and-trade climate bill that would do just that, by putting a price on carbon emissions from coal-fired power plants, is stalled in Congress.
“Unless natural demand for clean energy develops in the US – or it can become a competitive exporter to markets overseas, the spending won’t have succeeded,” he says. “We have to have a price on carbon.”
----
Source: http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2010/0218/Stimulus-funds-for-clean-energy-largely-unspent
Making a “tremendous down payment on the clean energy transformation” of the United States was a top priority of the Obama administration’s economic stimulus package – but, despite some notable accomplishments, it remains mostly a promise at this point.
Most of the funds from the stimulus still haven’t been spent, and the clean-energy down payment is a long way from being completed. Its impact so far on those jobs has only been lightly felt in pockets across the nation, economists and others watching its impact in their regions say.
“It’s fair to say the stimulus is a down payment, but I wouldn’t call it a tremendous down payment at this point,” says Joan Fitzgerald, an expert on economic development at Northeastern University in Boston, who has analyzed the stimulus’s impact on the wind-power and other clean-technology industries.
Overall, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, or stimulus bill, has seen $263 billion spent of the $787 billion available by the end of last year. As a result, the US economy is now employing about 1.5 million to 2 million more workers, the President's Council of Economic Advisors recently reported – and other independent economists agree.
But so far, just one-third of the roughly $90 billion ($60.7 billion in direct spending and $29.5 billion in tax incentives) targeting the clean-energy sector has actually hit the street – to fund wind-farm development, solar plants, battery factories, high-speed rail, and home weatherization, among many other projects.
As a result, just 63,000 of the jobs directly created or saved by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by the end of last year were clean-energy jobs, the president's economic council reports.
That so-far modest impact should become much more significant as the US Department of Energy ramps up its approval process and spends the remaining billions by September, David Sandalow, assistant secretary of energy for policy and international affairs, said at a press conference Wednesday.
Over the next two years, the $90 billion spent on clean energy is expected to create 720,000 job-years of employment. In addition to jobs, some 16,000 megawatts of wind, solar, geothermal, and other renewable energy capacity propelled by the stimulus will power about 4 to 5 million homes.
“Each one of [these jobs] is doing work made possible by the recovery act,” Mr. Sandalow said. “The recovery act has been crucial to unlocking financing” for new wind, solar, geothermal power projects.
High-speed rail construction in Wisconsin, new-generation plug-in hybrid vehicle battery factories in Detroit and wind farm turbines sprouting across the US landscape last year – all would not exist without the stimulus passed by Congress last year, other observers agree.
“Some folks on one end of the spectrum say the stimulus hasn’t done a darn thing,” says Rob Sargent, who tracks clean-energy for EnvironmentAmerica, a Washington-based advocacy group. “If you look around and see – it has led to investments in clean energy of a magnitude we’ve never seen.” Other expert watchers agree.
“Broadly speaking, the stimulus has helped an enormous amount,” says Alex Klein, research director for Emerging Energy Research, a market research company based in Cambridge, Mass. “Treasury grants have helped expedite wind development, manufacturing incentives have jump-started battery manufacturing – and kept wind and solar manufacturing in the US alive.”
The stimulus has expedited both project development and helped to build local supply chains, Mr. Klein says. But some note that the stimulus, while keeping the wind-power and other renewable industries from tanking in 2009, has not worked a miracle on US clean-energy manufacturers’ competitiveness.
“We’re not competitive yet with other clean-energy export nations,” says Kevin Book, managing partner with ClearView Partners, a Washington energy research and consulting firm. “There’s an argument to be made that we could become the next big manufacturer of clean tech, but we’re not the most compelling candidate right now. China and Germany are ahead of us."
News reports highlighting Texas wind-farm projects that purchased Japanese-made turbines – and others with plans to purchase turbines from China – have had congressmen throwing up their hands in protest.
So is Bob Lloyd, plant manager at Clipper Wind Power’s Waterloo, Iowa, manufacturing plant. His plant had layoffs a year ago and is still operating at less than half its capacity.
“We’re trying to build this product,” he says. “ 'Hey, we're paying taxes, and we don’t want to pay taxes to bring in foreign-made products' – that’s the feeling of folks around here.”
Clipper and General Electric are America’s only domestic wind-turbine manufacturers. But while Clipper’s business is picking up, their plight highlights a conundrum: Until US demand for clean energy grows, it will be hard to develop domestic clean-energy manufacturing that can out-compete overseas companies on price as well as quality, experts say.
The stimulus support can't produce an overnight transformation for US clean-energy manufacturers, Mr. Book says. What’s needed is a “natural demand” for clean-energy, or a “legislative demand.” And yet, a cap-and-trade climate bill that would do just that, by putting a price on carbon emissions from coal-fired power plants, is stalled in Congress.
“Unless natural demand for clean energy develops in the US – or it can become a competitive exporter to markets overseas, the spending won’t have succeeded,” he says. “We have to have a price on carbon.”
----
Source: http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2010/0218/Stimulus-funds-for-clean-energy-largely-unspent
A new look at carbon offsets
Source: https://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/Corporate_Finance/Capital_Management/A_new_look_at_carbon_offsets_2533
New wind power tops all other sources in 2009
Wind and solar technology made up over half of Europe’s new electricity generating capacity in 2009, as the number of new coal and nuclear facilities fell.
Wind accounted for 39 per cent of increased European energy capacity, ahead of gas (26 per cent) and solar (16 per cent). In contrast, the nuclear and coal power sectors decommissioned more megawatts of capacity than they installed in 2009, with a total of 1,393 MW of nuclear and 3,200 MW of coal decommissioned.
'It is a remarkable result in a difficult year. The figures, once again, confirm that wind power, together with other renewable energy technologies and a shift from coal to gas, are delivering massive European carbon reductions, while creating much needed economic activity and new jobs for Europe’s citizens,' said EWEA CEO Christian Kjaer.
According to the EWEA report, €13 billion has been invested in wind farms across the EU in the last year, making them capable of meeting 4.8 per cent of EU energy demands.
Spain is the country with the biggest share of new wind capacity (24%), followed by Germany (19%), Italy (19 per cent), France (11%) and the UK (10%).
The wind energy sector has grown by an average of 23 per cent over the last 15 years, with annual installations up from 472 MW in 1994 to 10,163 MW in 2009.
Commenting on prospects for 2010, Kjaer added: “I am quite optimistic about the medium-term outlook for wind power in Europe, but project finance is still tight and it is clear that more orders must be announced in the coming months for the sector to repeat the 10 GW installed this year.”
Source: http://www.greenjobs.ie/newsletters.cms.asp
Wind accounted for 39 per cent of increased European energy capacity, ahead of gas (26 per cent) and solar (16 per cent). In contrast, the nuclear and coal power sectors decommissioned more megawatts of capacity than they installed in 2009, with a total of 1,393 MW of nuclear and 3,200 MW of coal decommissioned.
'It is a remarkable result in a difficult year. The figures, once again, confirm that wind power, together with other renewable energy technologies and a shift from coal to gas, are delivering massive European carbon reductions, while creating much needed economic activity and new jobs for Europe’s citizens,' said EWEA CEO Christian Kjaer.
According to the EWEA report, €13 billion has been invested in wind farms across the EU in the last year, making them capable of meeting 4.8 per cent of EU energy demands.
Spain is the country with the biggest share of new wind capacity (24%), followed by Germany (19%), Italy (19 per cent), France (11%) and the UK (10%).
The wind energy sector has grown by an average of 23 per cent over the last 15 years, with annual installations up from 472 MW in 1994 to 10,163 MW in 2009.
Commenting on prospects for 2010, Kjaer added: “I am quite optimistic about the medium-term outlook for wind power in Europe, but project finance is still tight and it is clear that more orders must be announced in the coming months for the sector to repeat the 10 GW installed this year.”
Source: http://www.greenjobs.ie/newsletters.cms.asp
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Wipro first India company to offer 100% recyclable and toxin-free computers
BANGALORE: Information technology services corporation Wipro Infotech has claimed to be the first Indian company to build a 100 per cent
recyclable and toxin-free computer, and joins a small group of manufacturers worldwide who have developed toxic-free electronics.
According to the company, the eco-friendly Wipro Greenware desktops are completely free from harmful chemicals such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and brominated flame retardants (BFRs).
The company's range of Greenware Intel Core 2 Duo processor PCs can be easily recycled once their technology becomes obsolete and they pass their 'shelf life'.
"Wipro Infotech has taken significant strides and strong leadership in Green Computing, providing responsible and environment-sensitive computing solutions to our customers," The Independent quoted Anand Sankaran, Senior Vice President and Business Head of Wipro, as saying.
E-waste is fast becoming an environmental hazard in Asia, as expanding stockpiles of obsolete electronics and computer products have been amassing in poor neighborhoods forcing governments to discuss measures to deal with the expanding problem.
Wipro joins larger, global consumer electronics manufactures like Apple, HP and Nokia in the struggle to develop toxin-free electronics.
Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/infotech/hardware/Wipro-first-India-company-to-offer-100-recyclable-and-toxin-free-computers/articleshow/5559909.cms
recyclable and toxin-free computer, and joins a small group of manufacturers worldwide who have developed toxic-free electronics.
According to the company, the eco-friendly Wipro Greenware desktops are completely free from harmful chemicals such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and brominated flame retardants (BFRs).
The company's range of Greenware Intel Core 2 Duo processor PCs can be easily recycled once their technology becomes obsolete and they pass their 'shelf life'.
"Wipro Infotech has taken significant strides and strong leadership in Green Computing, providing responsible and environment-sensitive computing solutions to our customers," The Independent quoted Anand Sankaran, Senior Vice President and Business Head of Wipro, as saying.
E-waste is fast becoming an environmental hazard in Asia, as expanding stockpiles of obsolete electronics and computer products have been amassing in poor neighborhoods forcing governments to discuss measures to deal with the expanding problem.
Wipro joins larger, global consumer electronics manufactures like Apple, HP and Nokia in the struggle to develop toxin-free electronics.
Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/infotech/hardware/Wipro-first-India-company-to-offer-100-recyclable-and-toxin-free-computers/articleshow/5559909.cms
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Pre-Namaz in a eco-friendly way...
Kuala Lumpur: A Malaysian company has invented a machine it says will help Muslims purify themselves before prayers without excessively wasting water.
The ornate, green-coloured machine comes with automatic sensors and basins to curb water usage during wudu, an Arabic word used to describe the act of washing the face, arms and legs before prayers.
The wudu, or ablution, rite preceeds the five daily prayers Muslims are obligated to perform. There are more than 1.7 billion Muslims in the world, with the majority in Africa and the Middle East where water supplies are scarce.
Inventors AACE Technologies is counting on rich countries in these two regions to snap up the machines that will be available in the next six months and will cost $3,000-$4,000 a piece.
“Saving water is a motivation for people to adopt this system rather than the conventional methods, where there’s a lot of water wastage”, AACE chairman Anthony Gomez said while launching the product in the Malaysian capital.
The device, which also emits recorded Koranic verses, is 5 ft 5in tall. It only uses 1.3 litres of water compared to the conventional methods, which usually involve leaving faucets running for the duration of the washing ritual, which can last
for several minutes.
“During the Haj, two million people used 50 million litres water a day for wudu. If they introduce this machine they are saving 40 million litres per day”, he said.
The Gulf city of Dubai has shown interest in acquiring the product for its airport, Gomez said, adding that the machine took two years to develop at the cost of $2.5 million.
AACE also wants to target mosques and offices with wallmountable models. “The idea is good and it is built in line with Islamic teachings. But water here is cheap, so it is not worthwhile to have this machine”, an office worker, Aminuddin, said. REUTERS
Source: TOI, 2nd Feb, 2010
The ornate, green-coloured machine comes with automatic sensors and basins to curb water usage during wudu, an Arabic word used to describe the act of washing the face, arms and legs before prayers.
The wudu, or ablution, rite preceeds the five daily prayers Muslims are obligated to perform. There are more than 1.7 billion Muslims in the world, with the majority in Africa and the Middle East where water supplies are scarce.
Inventors AACE Technologies is counting on rich countries in these two regions to snap up the machines that will be available in the next six months and will cost $3,000-$4,000 a piece.
“Saving water is a motivation for people to adopt this system rather than the conventional methods, where there’s a lot of water wastage”, AACE chairman Anthony Gomez said while launching the product in the Malaysian capital.
The device, which also emits recorded Koranic verses, is 5 ft 5in tall. It only uses 1.3 litres of water compared to the conventional methods, which usually involve leaving faucets running for the duration of the washing ritual, which can last
for several minutes.
“During the Haj, two million people used 50 million litres water a day for wudu. If they introduce this machine they are saving 40 million litres per day”, he said.
The Gulf city of Dubai has shown interest in acquiring the product for its airport, Gomez said, adding that the machine took two years to develop at the cost of $2.5 million.
AACE also wants to target mosques and offices with wallmountable models. “The idea is good and it is built in line with Islamic teachings. But water here is cheap, so it is not worthwhile to have this machine”, an office worker, Aminuddin, said. REUTERS
Source: TOI, 2nd Feb, 2010
Yamuna... Drain or River???
New Delhi: We all know Yamuna water is not fit for bathing, let alone drinking. But the latest report from the Central Pollution Control Board, sure to raise a stink before the Commonwealth Games in the capital, says the river is so full of excreta that its water resembles that of a drain.
According to stipulated standards, water can be made potable with treatment if faecal coliform is less than 500 per 100ml and it’s fit for bathing if the number is less than 5,000 per 100ml. According to CPCB’s 10-month-long monitoring of the Yamuna at Nizamuddin, the lowest level of faecal coliform in the water was 4.4 lakh per 100ml, on May 4, 2009. That’s almost 100 times above the level considered safe for bathing.
Faecal coliform are bacteria that originate in excreta. Coliform levels reached as high as 1.79 crore per 100ml on February 3. Drinking water without conventional treatment but after use of disinfectant should not have a coliform count in excess of 50 per 100ml and must have a minimum DO of 6mg per litre.
Worse, the dissolved oxygen (DO) content of Yamuna water was “nil’’ on all the testing dates, though the water at Palla on all these days had a DO level of over 4 milligrams per litre, which is the standard. Palla is where the river enters Delhi, embarking on its most polluted 22-km stretch.
The monitoring took place between January 6 and October 6 last year, according to the latest report submitted to the Supreme Court by CPCB through counsel Vijay Panjwani.
Even at Palla the water quality could not be termed potable because of the high level of faecal coliform. Except for September 2, 2009, when the faecal coliform was 2,900 per 100ml, in all other months it was above the stipulated 5,000 level. The highest coliform count at Palla was 43,000, on July 7.
The alarming rise in faecal coliform content by the time it reaches Nizamuddin was mainly because of the number of drains that join it, throwing in untreated sewage and industrial effluent. “The total pollution load discharged through 25 drains in river Yamuna during the ten rounds of monitoring from January to October was between 174 tonnes per day to 330 tonnes per day,’’ CPCB said.
CPCB is monitoring the river water quality at five locations – Palla, Madanpur Khadar, Okhla, the meeting point of Shahadra drain and Nizamuddin – along with 25 drains, in compliance with a Supreme Court order and has submitted results of monitoring since 1999.
How Unclean Is Delhi’s Pride
Water can be made safe for drinking if faecal coliform is less than 5,000 per 100 ml. The lowest level on the Yamuna was 4.4 lakh per 100 ml last May
Dissolved oxygen content was nil all testing days, but at Palla, where the river enters Delhi, it was 4 mg per litre, which is the standard
Even at Palla faecal coliform content was above the stipulated 5,000 level
Source: TOI, 2nd Feb, 2010
According to stipulated standards, water can be made potable with treatment if faecal coliform is less than 500 per 100ml and it’s fit for bathing if the number is less than 5,000 per 100ml. According to CPCB’s 10-month-long monitoring of the Yamuna at Nizamuddin, the lowest level of faecal coliform in the water was 4.4 lakh per 100ml, on May 4, 2009. That’s almost 100 times above the level considered safe for bathing.
Faecal coliform are bacteria that originate in excreta. Coliform levels reached as high as 1.79 crore per 100ml on February 3. Drinking water without conventional treatment but after use of disinfectant should not have a coliform count in excess of 50 per 100ml and must have a minimum DO of 6mg per litre.
Worse, the dissolved oxygen (DO) content of Yamuna water was “nil’’ on all the testing dates, though the water at Palla on all these days had a DO level of over 4 milligrams per litre, which is the standard. Palla is where the river enters Delhi, embarking on its most polluted 22-km stretch.
The monitoring took place between January 6 and October 6 last year, according to the latest report submitted to the Supreme Court by CPCB through counsel Vijay Panjwani.
Even at Palla the water quality could not be termed potable because of the high level of faecal coliform. Except for September 2, 2009, when the faecal coliform was 2,900 per 100ml, in all other months it was above the stipulated 5,000 level. The highest coliform count at Palla was 43,000, on July 7.
The alarming rise in faecal coliform content by the time it reaches Nizamuddin was mainly because of the number of drains that join it, throwing in untreated sewage and industrial effluent. “The total pollution load discharged through 25 drains in river Yamuna during the ten rounds of monitoring from January to October was between 174 tonnes per day to 330 tonnes per day,’’ CPCB said.
CPCB is monitoring the river water quality at five locations – Palla, Madanpur Khadar, Okhla, the meeting point of Shahadra drain and Nizamuddin – along with 25 drains, in compliance with a Supreme Court order and has submitted results of monitoring since 1999.
How Unclean Is Delhi’s Pride
Water can be made safe for drinking if faecal coliform is less than 5,000 per 100 ml. The lowest level on the Yamuna was 4.4 lakh per 100 ml last May
Dissolved oxygen content was nil all testing days, but at Palla, where the river enters Delhi, it was 4 mg per litre, which is the standard
Even at Palla faecal coliform content was above the stipulated 5,000 level
Source: TOI, 2nd Feb, 2010
‘Centre’s help needed to set up desalination plant’
Mumbai:The BMC will seek financial assistance from the Centre for setting up city’s first desalination plant.
Municipal commissioner Swadheen Kshatriya, who went on a study tour to Chennai, said if BMC has to base its model on Chennai’s, then it would need some help from the central government.
It is estimated that the municipal corporation would need at least 20 acres of land along the western coastline, for which it has sought help from the Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT).
“We are exploring two possibilities; one is part financial assistance from the central government and another to seek land from the port authorities who are managing the western coastline. As soon as a proposal is prepared, we will move in these directions,’’ Kshatriya said.
About 18 firms have submitted expressions of interest to carry out a feasibility study. Their job would be to set up plants with a capacity of 10 mld at various places near the coastline. Another project in the pipeline is to set up a plant with a capacity of 10 million litres daily at a cost of Rs 125 crore on navy land at Colaba.
By setting up desalination plants, the BMC hopes to make sea water potable. This comes at a crucial time when the city is facing its worst water crisis ever.
Kshatriya said once the study is complete, BMC would identify a suitable technology for desalination, chalk out a financial framework and a distribution network for treated water.
“Though reverse osmosis (RO) is popular for desalination, we can’t rule out the use of other technologies,’’ Kshatriya said.
CIVIC NOD FOR CITIZENS’ PLAN
Additional municipal commissioner Anil Diggikar on Monday approved a plan put forward by a citizens’ group to help the BMC tide over the water crisis.
The group comprising Gerson D’Cunha of Action for Good Governance and Networking for India (AGNI), historian Sharada Dwivedi, former municipal commissioner V Ranganathan and others had met civic chief Swadheen Kshatriya a fortnight ago with immediate, short-term and long-term suggestions to tackle the water crisis. ‘‘If the crisis is not tackled soon, we would face great trouble. We have to plan at the earliest and make sure the city tides over this water crisis,’’ said Dwivedi.
The suggestions include auditing pipelines across the city, audit city wells and so on. According to members of the delegation, a sustained effort by citizens to help the BMC save water is the need of the hour.
“There should be timely audits regarding the water situation. Officials should have periodic checks on water meters. We, on our part, can spread awareness with ad campaigns and so on,’’ said D’Cunha.
Source: TOI, 2nd Feb, 2010
Municipal commissioner Swadheen Kshatriya, who went on a study tour to Chennai, said if BMC has to base its model on Chennai’s, then it would need some help from the central government.
It is estimated that the municipal corporation would need at least 20 acres of land along the western coastline, for which it has sought help from the Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT).
“We are exploring two possibilities; one is part financial assistance from the central government and another to seek land from the port authorities who are managing the western coastline. As soon as a proposal is prepared, we will move in these directions,’’ Kshatriya said.
About 18 firms have submitted expressions of interest to carry out a feasibility study. Their job would be to set up plants with a capacity of 10 mld at various places near the coastline. Another project in the pipeline is to set up a plant with a capacity of 10 million litres daily at a cost of Rs 125 crore on navy land at Colaba.
By setting up desalination plants, the BMC hopes to make sea water potable. This comes at a crucial time when the city is facing its worst water crisis ever.
Kshatriya said once the study is complete, BMC would identify a suitable technology for desalination, chalk out a financial framework and a distribution network for treated water.
“Though reverse osmosis (RO) is popular for desalination, we can’t rule out the use of other technologies,’’ Kshatriya said.
CIVIC NOD FOR CITIZENS’ PLAN
Additional municipal commissioner Anil Diggikar on Monday approved a plan put forward by a citizens’ group to help the BMC tide over the water crisis.
The group comprising Gerson D’Cunha of Action for Good Governance and Networking for India (AGNI), historian Sharada Dwivedi, former municipal commissioner V Ranganathan and others had met civic chief Swadheen Kshatriya a fortnight ago with immediate, short-term and long-term suggestions to tackle the water crisis. ‘‘If the crisis is not tackled soon, we would face great trouble. We have to plan at the earliest and make sure the city tides over this water crisis,’’ said Dwivedi.
The suggestions include auditing pipelines across the city, audit city wells and so on. According to members of the delegation, a sustained effort by citizens to help the BMC save water is the need of the hour.
“There should be timely audits regarding the water situation. Officials should have periodic checks on water meters. We, on our part, can spread awareness with ad campaigns and so on,’’ said D’Cunha.
Source: TOI, 2nd Feb, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
EU to stick with lower climate offer to U.N
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union will stick with its lowest offer for cutting carbon emissions under a U.N. climate accord, fulfilling the wishes of industry, a draft letter shows.
The 27-nation bloc has committed to unilaterally cut carbon dioxide to 20 percent below 1990 levels over the next decade.
Ahead of the U.N. climate talks in Copenhagen in December it offered to deepen those cuts to 30 percent if other rich countries made similar efforts.
That offer still stands, according to the draft letter to top U.N. climate official Yvo de Boer. But it is unlikely to be carried out because the Copenhagen talks ended with a weak deal.
Experts say the total cuts offered there by rich countries amount to no more than 18 percent and fall far short of the 25-40 percent that U.N. scientists outline as necessary to avert dangerous climate change.
The world is currently on track for temperatures to rise to 3.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by the end of this century, which would bring catastrophic melting of ice sheets and rising seas, some scientists say.
But many EU countries and industries are wary of increasing cuts to 30 percent alone, because the cost of cutting emissions might put factories at a disadvantage to rivals in less regulated countries.
LEVERAGE
"After the Copenhagen failure, the EU would be foolish to again unilaterally increase its greenhouse gas objective," Gordon Moffat, the head of steel industry group Eurofer, said in a statement on Thursday. "Another 10 percent would be fatal."
But environmentalists say the EU is naive to think its conditional 30 percent offer creates any negotiating leverage and the bloc should move there anyway to set a moral example.
"Tackling climate negotiations with the same strategy as trade negotiations will simply get them bogged down like the current Doha round of trade talks," Greenpeace campaigner Joris den Blanken said.
Spain, which holds the EU's rotating presidency until July, drafted the letter, seen by Reuters, and will wait for feedback from all 27 EU nations before signing and sending it next week.
While participants in the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme, the bloc's main weapon against climate change, were worried that a 30 percent goal would raise the cost of carbon permits, analysts said the 20 percent target was largely priced into the market.
"Thirty percent is out of the picture for now," said Emmanuel Fages of Societe Generale. "Nobody was seriously attaching any probability to it post-Copenhagen."
At a meeting of EU ambassadors in Brussels on Thursday, a group of eastern European countries led by Poland joined Italy, Cyprus and Malta to call for the deletion of any reference to the 30 percent, even as a conditional offer, diplomats said.
Britain, Denmark, France and the Netherlands wanted the 30 percent offer to be prominent but to remain conditional.
Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60L1WE20100122
The 27-nation bloc has committed to unilaterally cut carbon dioxide to 20 percent below 1990 levels over the next decade.
Ahead of the U.N. climate talks in Copenhagen in December it offered to deepen those cuts to 30 percent if other rich countries made similar efforts.
That offer still stands, according to the draft letter to top U.N. climate official Yvo de Boer. But it is unlikely to be carried out because the Copenhagen talks ended with a weak deal.
Experts say the total cuts offered there by rich countries amount to no more than 18 percent and fall far short of the 25-40 percent that U.N. scientists outline as necessary to avert dangerous climate change.
The world is currently on track for temperatures to rise to 3.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by the end of this century, which would bring catastrophic melting of ice sheets and rising seas, some scientists say.
But many EU countries and industries are wary of increasing cuts to 30 percent alone, because the cost of cutting emissions might put factories at a disadvantage to rivals in less regulated countries.
LEVERAGE
"After the Copenhagen failure, the EU would be foolish to again unilaterally increase its greenhouse gas objective," Gordon Moffat, the head of steel industry group Eurofer, said in a statement on Thursday. "Another 10 percent would be fatal."
But environmentalists say the EU is naive to think its conditional 30 percent offer creates any negotiating leverage and the bloc should move there anyway to set a moral example.
"Tackling climate negotiations with the same strategy as trade negotiations will simply get them bogged down like the current Doha round of trade talks," Greenpeace campaigner Joris den Blanken said.
Spain, which holds the EU's rotating presidency until July, drafted the letter, seen by Reuters, and will wait for feedback from all 27 EU nations before signing and sending it next week.
While participants in the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme, the bloc's main weapon against climate change, were worried that a 30 percent goal would raise the cost of carbon permits, analysts said the 20 percent target was largely priced into the market.
"Thirty percent is out of the picture for now," said Emmanuel Fages of Societe Generale. "Nobody was seriously attaching any probability to it post-Copenhagen."
At a meeting of EU ambassadors in Brussels on Thursday, a group of eastern European countries led by Poland joined Italy, Cyprus and Malta to call for the deletion of any reference to the 30 percent, even as a conditional offer, diplomats said.
Britain, Denmark, France and the Netherlands wanted the 30 percent offer to be prominent but to remain conditional.
Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60L1WE20100122
European space company wants solar power plant in space
EADS Astrium, Europe's biggest space company, plans to put a solar power satellite in orbit to demonstrate the collection of solar power in space and its transmission via infrared laser to provide electricity on Earth.
Chief executive officer of Astrium, François Auque, said the system is at the testing stage, but that a viable system collecting and transmitting power from space could be within reach soon. Auque said space solar power is an attractive idea because it is an inexhaustible and clean form of energy. Unlike solar plants on Earth, orbital solar collectors can work around the clock, and there is no interference from clouds or atmospheric dusts or gases, which means the energy hitting photovoltaic cells in orbit is much greater than it would be for the same panels on the ground.
Earlier concepts of beaming power to Earth from space were criticized because they relied on microwaves to transmit the power to the ground, which has safety concerns, so Astrium plans to use infrared lasers instead, which means that even if they were misdirected people and objects hit by the laser beams could not be scorched.
The transmission of power via infrared laser has been tested in Astrium’s laboratories, and they are now concentrating on improving the system’s efficiency. Work on developing converters to convert received infrared energy to electricity is proceeding rapidly, and Astrium is collaborating in this work with scientists at the University of Surrey, in the UK. The company is hoping to achieve 80% efficiency in the conversion.
According to Astrium’s chief technology officer, Robert Laine, at present the power handled by the system is limited by the size of the laser that can be built. A demonstration mission would also be necessary to prove the system works, and this should be possible within the present decade.
The concept of harvesting solar power in space has been discussed for at least the last three decades, but the problems of power loss during transmission and the expense and difficulty of assembling large arrays of solar collectors in space have seemed almost insurmountable. However, Astrium is not the only company close to bringing the idea to fruition. Last September Japan announced it is planning to put a small demonstration solar collecting satellite in orbit by 2015. This system will transmit the power to Earth using microwaves.
EADS Astrium is seeking investors and partners such as the EU, national governments, space agencies, or power companies, to fund and contribute in other ways to the development of its operational orbital solar collection and transmission system.
Source: http://www.physorg.com/news183278937.html
Chief executive officer of Astrium, François Auque, said the system is at the testing stage, but that a viable system collecting and transmitting power from space could be within reach soon. Auque said space solar power is an attractive idea because it is an inexhaustible and clean form of energy. Unlike solar plants on Earth, orbital solar collectors can work around the clock, and there is no interference from clouds or atmospheric dusts or gases, which means the energy hitting photovoltaic cells in orbit is much greater than it would be for the same panels on the ground.
Earlier concepts of beaming power to Earth from space were criticized because they relied on microwaves to transmit the power to the ground, which has safety concerns, so Astrium plans to use infrared lasers instead, which means that even if they were misdirected people and objects hit by the laser beams could not be scorched.
The transmission of power via infrared laser has been tested in Astrium’s laboratories, and they are now concentrating on improving the system’s efficiency. Work on developing converters to convert received infrared energy to electricity is proceeding rapidly, and Astrium is collaborating in this work with scientists at the University of Surrey, in the UK. The company is hoping to achieve 80% efficiency in the conversion.
According to Astrium’s chief technology officer, Robert Laine, at present the power handled by the system is limited by the size of the laser that can be built. A demonstration mission would also be necessary to prove the system works, and this should be possible within the present decade.
The concept of harvesting solar power in space has been discussed for at least the last three decades, but the problems of power loss during transmission and the expense and difficulty of assembling large arrays of solar collectors in space have seemed almost insurmountable. However, Astrium is not the only company close to bringing the idea to fruition. Last September Japan announced it is planning to put a small demonstration solar collecting satellite in orbit by 2015. This system will transmit the power to Earth using microwaves.
EADS Astrium is seeking investors and partners such as the EU, national governments, space agencies, or power companies, to fund and contribute in other ways to the development of its operational orbital solar collection and transmission system.
Source: http://www.physorg.com/news183278937.html
Samsung Signs $6.6 Billion Deal to Build Wind and Solar Power in Canada
In what’s being described as the largest deal of its kind in the world, Samsung C&T and the Ontario government signed a $6.6 billion investment deal Thursday under which the Korean industrial conglomerate will build 2,500 megawatts of wind and solar power in the province, as well as establish manufacturing facilities that will build the equipment.
Photo
The third player in the deal is Korea Electric Power Corp., the country’s largest utility, with 10,200 megawatts of generation capacity worldwide, including a new 1,200-megawatt wind farm in China.
The deal, initially proposed by Samsung a year ago, was spurred on by the province’s Green Energy Act, which was passed last year to provide generous incentives for clean-energy production. “This means Ontario is officially the place to be for green energy manufacturing in North America,” Ontario’s premier, Dalton McGuinty, said during a signing ceremony in Toronto.
Under the terms of the agreement, officials said, Samsung must build four manufacturing plants in Ontario, promising 16,000 direct and indirect jobs over the next five years. The energy generated will be enough for 580,000 homes.
“I think 16,000 jobs in this economy is pretty good,” said Mr. McGuinty, who has taken some criticism for selecting Samsung without an open tendering process. He rejected suggestions that Samsung’s presence would crowd out other suppliers.
The first phase will be built near Windsor, in southwestern Ontario where energy was once generated by a coal plant that is due to be decommissioned by 2014.
Korean trade officials said at the event that Samsung selected Ontario as a base of operations to make wind and solar equipment for customers not just in Ontario, but across North America.
Ontario’s green energy laws include domestic content provisions that require some of the equipment to be made in Ontario. It also gives the province a leg up in the race to supply wind and solar equipment to the rapidly transforming American electricity sector, Mr. McGuinty said. “If you ask around state capitals in the U.S., they would be secretly asking themselves why they didn’t do it first.”
Quebec adopted similar domestic content rules for its own wind sector, which is largely based in the Gaspe region on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River.
Samsung is a relative newcomer to the green energy business and says it is using expertise from its other heavy industry divisions, including its shipbuilding group, to manufacture wind turbines.
And it is not the only Korean firm pushing into the North American green energy market. Last year, Hyundai Heavy Industries moved into wind turbine manufacturing and has also been pushing to make inroads into the United States.
Source: http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/21/samsung-signs-66-billion-deal-to-build-wind-and-solar-power-in-ontario/
Photo
The third player in the deal is Korea Electric Power Corp., the country’s largest utility, with 10,200 megawatts of generation capacity worldwide, including a new 1,200-megawatt wind farm in China.
The deal, initially proposed by Samsung a year ago, was spurred on by the province’s Green Energy Act, which was passed last year to provide generous incentives for clean-energy production. “This means Ontario is officially the place to be for green energy manufacturing in North America,” Ontario’s premier, Dalton McGuinty, said during a signing ceremony in Toronto.
Under the terms of the agreement, officials said, Samsung must build four manufacturing plants in Ontario, promising 16,000 direct and indirect jobs over the next five years. The energy generated will be enough for 580,000 homes.
“I think 16,000 jobs in this economy is pretty good,” said Mr. McGuinty, who has taken some criticism for selecting Samsung without an open tendering process. He rejected suggestions that Samsung’s presence would crowd out other suppliers.
The first phase will be built near Windsor, in southwestern Ontario where energy was once generated by a coal plant that is due to be decommissioned by 2014.
Korean trade officials said at the event that Samsung selected Ontario as a base of operations to make wind and solar equipment for customers not just in Ontario, but across North America.
Ontario’s green energy laws include domestic content provisions that require some of the equipment to be made in Ontario. It also gives the province a leg up in the race to supply wind and solar equipment to the rapidly transforming American electricity sector, Mr. McGuinty said. “If you ask around state capitals in the U.S., they would be secretly asking themselves why they didn’t do it first.”
Quebec adopted similar domestic content rules for its own wind sector, which is largely based in the Gaspe region on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River.
Samsung is a relative newcomer to the green energy business and says it is using expertise from its other heavy industry divisions, including its shipbuilding group, to manufacture wind turbines.
And it is not the only Korean firm pushing into the North American green energy market. Last year, Hyundai Heavy Industries moved into wind turbine manufacturing and has also been pushing to make inroads into the United States.
Source: http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/21/samsung-signs-66-billion-deal-to-build-wind-and-solar-power-in-ontario/
Friday, January 22, 2010
Now Greenroads - Rating system for Sustainable Road Construction.
The Greenroads evaluation of the impact of US road building is a step in the right direction, but still has miles to travel
America has 10% of the the planet's roads and building each mile of freeway uses as much energy as 200 US homes in a year.
With 4m miles of highway, the USA has around 10% of the entire planet's paved roads – and spends $85bn (£52bn) annually on rolling out tens of thousands more miles. Building and maintaining a single mile of freeway takes as much energy as 200 US homes use in a year, consumes as much raw material as 1,000 households get through in 365 days and generates more waste than 1,200 homes produce annually.
Now University of Washington researchers and engineering firm CH2M Hill have launched the world's first rating system for sustainable road construction, along the lines of the LEED programme for green buildings. Greenroads evaluates a road's overall environmental and social impact, taking into account everything from construction materials and practices to noise pollution, habitat control and bike lanes. Projects have to fulfil basic building, waste, pollution, lifecycle and outreach plans, and can then earn extra points for using recycled or local resources, reducing their reliance on fossil fuels, minimising water use and implementing smart traffic management systems.
"We are trying to be very inclusive and address the range of roadway projects," says Steve Muench, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Washington. "For example, in an urban project you might spend a lot of time and effort building a surface that lasts decades with minimum maintenance or reduces tyre noise. In a rural environment, you might be more focused on treating stormwater and including wildlife crossings."
The Greenroads system already has the support of five US state departments of transport and the University is following 15 case study projects to see how its ratings system affects energy usage, carbon footprint and – where the rubber hits the road – cost. "We think it may cost a little more upfront but if you look at the total lifecycle cost of that road, you'll be miles ahead," says Muench. "I look at what has happened with green buildings. It started out as completely voluntary but it's evolved over the last decade and now nearly 300 government and education agencies have policies that all their new buildings must be LEED-certified. In that sense, it's no longer voluntary, it's no longer an option: it's required. With Greenroads, we want to push the industry in the right direction."
Road builders point out that they have already embraced some eco-friendly practices. The Portland Cement Association claims to have reduced energy usage by nearly 40% over the last 40 years, says 2m tons of recycled aggregate are now used in roads annually, and has ensured a less energy-intensive "warm mix" of asphalt is gradually becoming more widely used. But with 95% of aggregates still being mined fresh from the ground and highway spending forecast to increase 8% this year, America seems a long way from ever building truly sustainable roads.
"Right now, we're on the side of the scale where we produce waste that is not very useful, we use more than we put back and we're altering ecosystems more than we should," admits Muench. "With Greenroads, we're basically trying to get a point where we're doing less evil."
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jan/19/greenroads-us-road-construction-environment
America has 10% of the the planet's roads and building each mile of freeway uses as much energy as 200 US homes in a year.
With 4m miles of highway, the USA has around 10% of the entire planet's paved roads – and spends $85bn (£52bn) annually on rolling out tens of thousands more miles. Building and maintaining a single mile of freeway takes as much energy as 200 US homes use in a year, consumes as much raw material as 1,000 households get through in 365 days and generates more waste than 1,200 homes produce annually.
Now University of Washington researchers and engineering firm CH2M Hill have launched the world's first rating system for sustainable road construction, along the lines of the LEED programme for green buildings. Greenroads evaluates a road's overall environmental and social impact, taking into account everything from construction materials and practices to noise pollution, habitat control and bike lanes. Projects have to fulfil basic building, waste, pollution, lifecycle and outreach plans, and can then earn extra points for using recycled or local resources, reducing their reliance on fossil fuels, minimising water use and implementing smart traffic management systems.
"We are trying to be very inclusive and address the range of roadway projects," says Steve Muench, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Washington. "For example, in an urban project you might spend a lot of time and effort building a surface that lasts decades with minimum maintenance or reduces tyre noise. In a rural environment, you might be more focused on treating stormwater and including wildlife crossings."
The Greenroads system already has the support of five US state departments of transport and the University is following 15 case study projects to see how its ratings system affects energy usage, carbon footprint and – where the rubber hits the road – cost. "We think it may cost a little more upfront but if you look at the total lifecycle cost of that road, you'll be miles ahead," says Muench. "I look at what has happened with green buildings. It started out as completely voluntary but it's evolved over the last decade and now nearly 300 government and education agencies have policies that all their new buildings must be LEED-certified. In that sense, it's no longer voluntary, it's no longer an option: it's required. With Greenroads, we want to push the industry in the right direction."
Road builders point out that they have already embraced some eco-friendly practices. The Portland Cement Association claims to have reduced energy usage by nearly 40% over the last 40 years, says 2m tons of recycled aggregate are now used in roads annually, and has ensured a less energy-intensive "warm mix" of asphalt is gradually becoming more widely used. But with 95% of aggregates still being mined fresh from the ground and highway spending forecast to increase 8% this year, America seems a long way from ever building truly sustainable roads.
"Right now, we're on the side of the scale where we produce waste that is not very useful, we use more than we put back and we're altering ecosystems more than we should," admits Muench. "With Greenroads, we're basically trying to get a point where we're doing less evil."
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jan/19/greenroads-us-road-construction-environment
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Green Fuel for 13 cities in India: Indian Govt
NEW DELHI: Thirteen major cities — including the four metros — will get Euro-IV grade motor fuels from April 1 as per the government's
commitment to the Supreme Court and the roadmap laid down by the Mashelkar report. Also from that date, the rest of the country will move to Euro-III standard but sale of such diesel may be delayed by 3-6 months in some cites due to logistical issues.
"Euro-IV petrol and diesel will be supplied for sure in 13 designated cities from April 1. Petroleum minister Murli Deora has called a review meeting to assess the situation and a clear picture (about supply of Euro-III diesel in remaining parts) will emerge after that," petroleum secretary R S Pandey said on the sidelines of an IndianOil science seminar on Tuesday.
Euro-IV standard specifies a maximum of 50 parts per million of sulphur in petrol and diesel. Euro-III fuel specifications allow a maximum of 350 parts per million of sulphur.
Pandey said efforts were being made to ensure Euro-III petrol to be supplied in rest of the country and some more time was being sought to start sale of diesel of the same grade.
The time lag, Pandey said, was because some refineries were yet to complete their upgrade and would continue to produce Euro-II grade fuel beyond April. Such fuels could not be exported due to inland location of the units. And so, it would be difficult to manage three grades of fuel.
IndianOil's Barauni refinery in Bihar and Digboi and Guwahati units in Assam will commission facilities to produce Euro-III compliant diesel by June-July.
Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/indicators/Oil-secy-says-13-cities-to-keep-date-with-green-fuel/articleshow/5439801.cms
commitment to the Supreme Court and the roadmap laid down by the Mashelkar report. Also from that date, the rest of the country will move to Euro-III standard but sale of such diesel may be delayed by 3-6 months in some cites due to logistical issues.
"Euro-IV petrol and diesel will be supplied for sure in 13 designated cities from April 1. Petroleum minister Murli Deora has called a review meeting to assess the situation and a clear picture (about supply of Euro-III diesel in remaining parts) will emerge after that," petroleum secretary R S Pandey said on the sidelines of an IndianOil science seminar on Tuesday.
Euro-IV standard specifies a maximum of 50 parts per million of sulphur in petrol and diesel. Euro-III fuel specifications allow a maximum of 350 parts per million of sulphur.
Pandey said efforts were being made to ensure Euro-III petrol to be supplied in rest of the country and some more time was being sought to start sale of diesel of the same grade.
The time lag, Pandey said, was because some refineries were yet to complete their upgrade and would continue to produce Euro-II grade fuel beyond April. Such fuels could not be exported due to inland location of the units. And so, it would be difficult to manage three grades of fuel.
IndianOil's Barauni refinery in Bihar and Digboi and Guwahati units in Assam will commission facilities to produce Euro-III compliant diesel by June-July.
Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/indicators/Oil-secy-says-13-cities-to-keep-date-with-green-fuel/articleshow/5439801.cms
Thursday, January 7, 2010
SPML wins orders worth Rs 64 crore for solid waste management in Uttar Pradesh
Subhash Projects And Marketing Ltd (SPML) one of India's leading infrastructure development companies has won two orders totaling to Rs. 64 crore from Construction & Design Services, Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam for solid waste management related activities in the state. The orders consist of Development of Integrated Solid Waste Management Facilities for Allahabad Municipal Corporation and Mathura Nagar Palika Parishad, Uttar Pradesh.
The capital cost of the Project is Rs.62 Crs., which will be partly funded by the Govt. grant amounting to Rs.40 Crs. The concession period will be for 30 years and the tipping fees will be paid on per tonne basis.
These order wins will strengthen SPML's base in the field of environmental engineering, one of the focus areas for SPML and a crucial requirement for the well being of the country in present times. SPML is also providing solid waste management solutions in Delhi through DWM since 2007.
Mr. Subhash Sethi, Vice Chairman, SPML, commented, "With rapid urbanisation, the need for scientific and efficient waste management has become a critical issue today. After the success of our pilot project through Delhi Waste Management, a PPP venture, wherein we have an output of 1500 tonnes a day, we are looking at providing ERP driven solutions to various urban local bodies for collection and segregation of solid waste."
About Subhash Projects & Marketing Ltd.:
Subhash Projects And Marketing Limited (SPML) is a leading infrastructure development company with more than two and half decades of multi-disciplinary experience in Water, Power, Environment, Infrastructure, Manufacturing and Technology. The company that started in 1981 as a water pumps agency in Guwahati has evolved today into a multi-faceted conglomerate. Promoted by the Sethi family, SPML was incorporated as a public limited company in August 1983. An ISO - 9001: 2000 certified company, SPML has executed more than 400 projects across India and has established its leadership in the contracting business.
SPML has proven business capabilities in the Water, Energy, Environment and Infrastructure domain, on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) & Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) basis.
SPML's vision to become a force in the global infrastructure sector is supported by its core strengths - pan India presence, 28 years of experience in turnkey projects, innovative in- house designs and engineering solutions, highly skilled team of over 2000 professionals; complimented by its focus on innovation and cutting edge technology.
Source: http://www.indiaprwire.com/pressrelease/construction-building/2010010740942.htm
The capital cost of the Project is Rs.62 Crs., which will be partly funded by the Govt. grant amounting to Rs.40 Crs. The concession period will be for 30 years and the tipping fees will be paid on per tonne basis.
These order wins will strengthen SPML's base in the field of environmental engineering, one of the focus areas for SPML and a crucial requirement for the well being of the country in present times. SPML is also providing solid waste management solutions in Delhi through DWM since 2007.
Mr. Subhash Sethi, Vice Chairman, SPML, commented, "With rapid urbanisation, the need for scientific and efficient waste management has become a critical issue today. After the success of our pilot project through Delhi Waste Management, a PPP venture, wherein we have an output of 1500 tonnes a day, we are looking at providing ERP driven solutions to various urban local bodies for collection and segregation of solid waste."
About Subhash Projects & Marketing Ltd.:
Subhash Projects And Marketing Limited (SPML) is a leading infrastructure development company with more than two and half decades of multi-disciplinary experience in Water, Power, Environment, Infrastructure, Manufacturing and Technology. The company that started in 1981 as a water pumps agency in Guwahati has evolved today into a multi-faceted conglomerate. Promoted by the Sethi family, SPML was incorporated as a public limited company in August 1983. An ISO - 9001: 2000 certified company, SPML has executed more than 400 projects across India and has established its leadership in the contracting business.
SPML has proven business capabilities in the Water, Energy, Environment and Infrastructure domain, on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) & Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) basis.
SPML's vision to become a force in the global infrastructure sector is supported by its core strengths - pan India presence, 28 years of experience in turnkey projects, innovative in- house designs and engineering solutions, highly skilled team of over 2000 professionals; complimented by its focus on innovation and cutting edge technology.
Source: http://www.indiaprwire.com/pressrelease/construction-building/2010010740942.htm
7 Green Business Resolutions for 2010
Being an eco-conscious business is no longer just something that’s the right thing to do – it makes financial sense. Environmental policy and energy efficiency are priorities of the Obama administration, so businesses that don’t take voluntary steps to reduce their carbon footprints may face regulations later on. What’s more, consumers are demanding more sustainable practices from the companies they patronize.
New Year’s is perfect time to hone a game plan for the year ahead. Here are seven steps to get your business greener in 2010:
1. Write a sustainability plan. Put your environmental goals in writing, so you have a roadmap to follow throughout the year. Any plan should include a mission statement describing what you’re trying to achieve and set some attainable goals for the year ahead – along with descriptions of how you’ll achieve those goals. Find out more about sustainability planning here.
2. Focus on low- and no-cost first. Before you install solar panels, look for easy, affordable ways to cut waste. You may be surprised: Simple steps, such as setting energy-saving modes on office computers, installing motion sensors to control lights or writing an office recycling policy can generate big effects and savings at little cost.
3. Get an audit. Most utility companies offer their commercial customers energy audits for free or at little cost. An auditor can tell you how where your business uses the most energy and the expected financial payback of various upgrades, so you know where to target your precious dollars.
4. Track your progress. Keep tabs on the steps your taking and monitor how much money and waste or energy you’re saving. Not only will this provide great motivation (and bragging rights), but it will allow you to see whether your sustainability plan is working. You might, for instance, track your monthly energy bills or track your carbon savings.
5. Find financial incentives. States and cities are suppose to use some of their federal stimulus dollars toward energy-conservation projects and many are rolling out grants and other financial incentives for businesses making energy-efficiency improvements. Also, many utilities already offer rebates and low-interest loans to business customers making energy upgrades, such as installing high-efficiency lights, or installing renewable power sources. Don’t overlook these incentives and take advantage while you still can – they may not be around forever. You can find a list for incentives in your state here.
6. Mobilize your employees. The most successful environmental initiatives in the workplace are those that involve all employees, so think creatively about getting employees motivated to pitch in. Some businesses form “green” committees made up of employees, while others reward perks to employees who take steps to reduce their carbon footprint.
7. Make it fun. Keeping your business on track with its sustainability plan will require persistence. But you’ll boost the odds if you make it fun and interesting. You might have competitions in the office to see who can reduce the most waste or host a regular educational series on environmental topics.
Source: http://smallbiztrends.com/2010/01/7-green-business-resolutions-for-2010.html
New Year’s is perfect time to hone a game plan for the year ahead. Here are seven steps to get your business greener in 2010:
1. Write a sustainability plan. Put your environmental goals in writing, so you have a roadmap to follow throughout the year. Any plan should include a mission statement describing what you’re trying to achieve and set some attainable goals for the year ahead – along with descriptions of how you’ll achieve those goals. Find out more about sustainability planning here.
2. Focus on low- and no-cost first. Before you install solar panels, look for easy, affordable ways to cut waste. You may be surprised: Simple steps, such as setting energy-saving modes on office computers, installing motion sensors to control lights or writing an office recycling policy can generate big effects and savings at little cost.
3. Get an audit. Most utility companies offer their commercial customers energy audits for free or at little cost. An auditor can tell you how where your business uses the most energy and the expected financial payback of various upgrades, so you know where to target your precious dollars.
4. Track your progress. Keep tabs on the steps your taking and monitor how much money and waste or energy you’re saving. Not only will this provide great motivation (and bragging rights), but it will allow you to see whether your sustainability plan is working. You might, for instance, track your monthly energy bills or track your carbon savings.
5. Find financial incentives. States and cities are suppose to use some of their federal stimulus dollars toward energy-conservation projects and many are rolling out grants and other financial incentives for businesses making energy-efficiency improvements. Also, many utilities already offer rebates and low-interest loans to business customers making energy upgrades, such as installing high-efficiency lights, or installing renewable power sources. Don’t overlook these incentives and take advantage while you still can – they may not be around forever. You can find a list for incentives in your state here.
6. Mobilize your employees. The most successful environmental initiatives in the workplace are those that involve all employees, so think creatively about getting employees motivated to pitch in. Some businesses form “green” committees made up of employees, while others reward perks to employees who take steps to reduce their carbon footprint.
7. Make it fun. Keeping your business on track with its sustainability plan will require persistence. But you’ll boost the odds if you make it fun and interesting. You might have competitions in the office to see who can reduce the most waste or host a regular educational series on environmental topics.
Source: http://smallbiztrends.com/2010/01/7-green-business-resolutions-for-2010.html
Monday, January 4, 2010
Tobacco biofuel to solve energy/ environment crisis?
By Lewis Page
Boffins in Philadelphia, America have come up with a radical new plan for biofuels. Rather than the cars of tomorrow running on various forms of alcohol, sunflower oil, algae etc, the scientists propose that they should instead be fuelled by burning tobacco.
"Tobacco is very attractive as a biofuel because the idea is to use plants that aren't used in food production," says Dr Vyacheslav Andrianov of Thomas Jefferson University.
"We have found ways to genetically engineer the plants so that their leaves express more oil. In some instances, the modified plants produced 20-fold more oil in the leaves."
It seems that typical baccy leaves contain 1.7 percent to 4 percent of oil as a proportion of dry weight. One gene modification tried out by Andrianov and his colleagues gave 6.8 percent of oil per dry weight.
Production of oil in the leaves is seen as the big trick. Tobacco seed oil has already been tried out in diesel engines, but baccy doesn't produce enough seeds to be useful - just 600kg per acre. However it is a "high-biomass" plant overall, once the leaves are included.
"Based on these data, tobacco represents an attractive and promising 'energy plant' platform, and could also serve as a model for the utilization of other high-biomass plants for biofuel production," says Andrianov, whose paper is soon to be published in the Plant Biotechnology Journal.
Baccy power would seem likely to suffer from the same issues as any other "first generation" or crop biofuel, however, despite Andrianov's optimism. Biofuels typically require the use of huge amounts of farmland to supply energy on the scale required by modern industrial civilisation, and this would still be the case with tobacco. Food might not be taken directly out of the market to make fuel, as happens with corn-based alcohols, but in the event of baccy power becoming a mainstream idea one might expect farmland to be switched from food production to tobacco. This would lead to starvation and deforestation just as ordinary biofuels do.
This is why many people keen to see biofuels succeed - for instance the aviation industry - prefer to focus on "second generation" feedstocks such as algae or jatropha, which could perhaps be grown in unused areas such as seas or deserts. Tobacco certainly doesn't fall into this class, however.
Tobacco farmers might still find the idea of an alternative, subsidised biofuel market pleasing in today's smoking-ban-swept world, though, just as US corn farmers and their powerful political allies do. And the nicotine-enslaved victims of the smoking bans would perhaps be on-side too, pleased at the idea of every car, train, home boiler etc puffing out clouds of delicious carcinogenic smoke.
Source: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/12/31/tobacco_biofuel/
Boffins in Philadelphia, America have come up with a radical new plan for biofuels. Rather than the cars of tomorrow running on various forms of alcohol, sunflower oil, algae etc, the scientists propose that they should instead be fuelled by burning tobacco.
"Tobacco is very attractive as a biofuel because the idea is to use plants that aren't used in food production," says Dr Vyacheslav Andrianov of Thomas Jefferson University.
"We have found ways to genetically engineer the plants so that their leaves express more oil. In some instances, the modified plants produced 20-fold more oil in the leaves."
It seems that typical baccy leaves contain 1.7 percent to 4 percent of oil as a proportion of dry weight. One gene modification tried out by Andrianov and his colleagues gave 6.8 percent of oil per dry weight.
Production of oil in the leaves is seen as the big trick. Tobacco seed oil has already been tried out in diesel engines, but baccy doesn't produce enough seeds to be useful - just 600kg per acre. However it is a "high-biomass" plant overall, once the leaves are included.
"Based on these data, tobacco represents an attractive and promising 'energy plant' platform, and could also serve as a model for the utilization of other high-biomass plants for biofuel production," says Andrianov, whose paper is soon to be published in the Plant Biotechnology Journal.
Baccy power would seem likely to suffer from the same issues as any other "first generation" or crop biofuel, however, despite Andrianov's optimism. Biofuels typically require the use of huge amounts of farmland to supply energy on the scale required by modern industrial civilisation, and this would still be the case with tobacco. Food might not be taken directly out of the market to make fuel, as happens with corn-based alcohols, but in the event of baccy power becoming a mainstream idea one might expect farmland to be switched from food production to tobacco. This would lead to starvation and deforestation just as ordinary biofuels do.
This is why many people keen to see biofuels succeed - for instance the aviation industry - prefer to focus on "second generation" feedstocks such as algae or jatropha, which could perhaps be grown in unused areas such as seas or deserts. Tobacco certainly doesn't fall into this class, however.
Tobacco farmers might still find the idea of an alternative, subsidised biofuel market pleasing in today's smoking-ban-swept world, though, just as US corn farmers and their powerful political allies do. And the nicotine-enslaved victims of the smoking bans would perhaps be on-side too, pleased at the idea of every car, train, home boiler etc puffing out clouds of delicious carcinogenic smoke.
Source: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/12/31/tobacco_biofuel/
Sunday, January 3, 2010
China Guarantees a Market for Renewable Energy
China is trying out an interesting new rule that privileges energy sources like solar and wind power over coal. The country has modified existing law to require that utilities buy all the available power from renewable energy developments.
The new law is more than a bureaucratic formality: it’s an attempted antidote to habitual under-planning. Some completed wind farms weren’t even hooked up to the grid last year, and the waits have continued this year. It’s also tempting for Chinese utilities to buy from existing coal plants at the expense of renewables.
Now, any utility company that fails to buy power from a renewable energy development in its territory will be fined.
As the Motley Fool points out, domestic wind companies like A-Power Energy Generation Systems stand to benefit from the rule. Solar power isn’t as development-ready, but aggressive companies like First Solar, which is already planning a huge solar farm for Inner Mongolia, could also use the rule to their advantage.
The real winner, though, may be China’s distribution grid. Forced to quickly connect remote developments with urban centers, the utilities will in the process have the chance to build an interconnected super-grid that pools the country’s wind resources.
There’s good reason to put money into a national grid — with current wind generation fragmented, new coal plants have had to be built just to deal with wind’s intermittency problems. The government’s strong central planning abilities suggest that it could easily help push such a project.
It’s a grand experiment, of sorts; in the United States, lawmakers are considering pushing renewables from the opposite direction, by requiring utilities to use more as part of their power mix. It may turn out that the Chinese plan, aimed at creating an assured market for those best qualified to build solar and wind plants, will turn out to be the superior option.
Source: http://industry.bnet.com/energy/10002714/china-guarantees-a-market-for-renewable-energy/
The new law is more than a bureaucratic formality: it’s an attempted antidote to habitual under-planning. Some completed wind farms weren’t even hooked up to the grid last year, and the waits have continued this year. It’s also tempting for Chinese utilities to buy from existing coal plants at the expense of renewables.
Now, any utility company that fails to buy power from a renewable energy development in its territory will be fined.
As the Motley Fool points out, domestic wind companies like A-Power Energy Generation Systems stand to benefit from the rule. Solar power isn’t as development-ready, but aggressive companies like First Solar, which is already planning a huge solar farm for Inner Mongolia, could also use the rule to their advantage.
The real winner, though, may be China’s distribution grid. Forced to quickly connect remote developments with urban centers, the utilities will in the process have the chance to build an interconnected super-grid that pools the country’s wind resources.
There’s good reason to put money into a national grid — with current wind generation fragmented, new coal plants have had to be built just to deal with wind’s intermittency problems. The government’s strong central planning abilities suggest that it could easily help push such a project.
It’s a grand experiment, of sorts; in the United States, lawmakers are considering pushing renewables from the opposite direction, by requiring utilities to use more as part of their power mix. It may turn out that the Chinese plan, aimed at creating an assured market for those best qualified to build solar and wind plants, will turn out to be the superior option.
Source: http://industry.bnet.com/energy/10002714/china-guarantees-a-market-for-renewable-energy/
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