Alternative Clean Energy Roundup: 14 May 2013

Common plants, animals threatened by climate change, study says

May 12, 2013 - Climate change could lead to the widespread loss of common plants and animals around the world, according to a new study released Sunday in the journal Nature Climate Change.

The study’s authors looked at 50,000 common species. They found that more than half the plants and about a third of the animals could lose about 50% of their range by 2080 if the world continues its current course of rising greenhouse gas emissions. read more>>>

Project aims to track big city carbon footprints

May 13, 2013 - Every time Los Angeles exhales, odd-looking gadgets anchored in the mountains above the city trace the invisible puffs of carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases that waft skyward.

Halfway around the globe, similar contraptions atop the Eiffel Tower and elsewhere around Paris keep a pulse on emissions from smokestacks and automobile tailpipes. And there is talk of outfitting Sao Paulo, Brazil, with sensors that sniff the byproducts of burning fossil fuels. read more>>>

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Better batteries could revolutionize solar, wind power

May 12, 2013 - On an arid mountain in Eureka County, Nev., a mining company believes it's struck the 21st century equivalent of gold.

The precious commodity is vanadium, a metal that can be extracted from shale rock and used to make powerful, long-lasting batteries for cars, homes and utilities.

If Vancouver-based American Vanadium gets federal approval for its proposed Gibellini Hill Project — a 30-day public comment period ends May 29 — it will operate the only vanadium mine in the United States. read more>>>

Duke Energy CEO calls for competitive bids for NC solar sales

May 10, 2013 - Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers talks in this week's print edition of the Charlotte Business Journal about allowing commercial subsidiary Duke Energy Renewables to compete with solar developers in North Carolina to sell power to Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress.

Legal barriers to such sales make that impossible right now, he says. The system the state uses for allowing qualified solar facilities to sell to utilities effectively blocks the utilities from dealing with their affiliated companies. read more>>>

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Fully Donated Solar Installation Helps the American Lung Association - San Diego Take Steps Toward Cleaner Air

May 10, 2013 - On Wednesday May 8, 2013, the American Lung Association in California – San Diego unveiled its newly installed, 10.5 KW DC Solar PV system thanks to the generous donations of Trina Solar (U.S.) Inc., Everyday Energy, a Carlsbad-based solar installer, Sonepar USA, in combination with ESSCO Wholesale Electric, and Zep Solar, Inc.

San Diego Mayor, Bob Filner was on hand to unveil the system and honor the American Lung Association for all they do to provide us with cleaner air. In addition, Mayor Filner highlighted his renewable energy goals for San Diego and his ongoing support for the American Lung Association in California. read more>>>

Solar Power Trees Sprout at Nation’s First Net-Positive Leased Public School

05/10/13 - Sandy Grove Middle School in North Carolina—the nation’s first net-positive, LEED Platinum designed, leased public school—just received four striking solar structures that will produce enough power to power three electric vehicle charging stations on the campus. The structures, made by Spotlight Solar, are 20 feet tall and each incorporate 12 solar panels. These will, in combination with a geothermal system and high-efficiency LED lighting, enable the school to produce 20% more energy than it requires.

The energy-efficient Sandy Grove Middle School was designed in collaboration between First Floor K-12 and SfL+a Architects. Together with Spotlight Solar they built a school which will save $35 million over 40 years. The pioneering school is still under construction and is scheduled for completion by July 30. It will start receiving new students for the 2013-2014 school year. read more>>>

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‘Kenyan green economy trajectory is promising’ suggest officials

10 May 2013 - The Kenyan government has established policy, legal and financial incentives to catalyze green growth at national and county level.

Kenya has maintained a positive trend in development of a low carbon economy as it implement a raft of policy and regulatory frameworks, said Kenyan official said on Monday.

Environment Secretary at the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, Alice Kaudia said the green growth has accelerated as both state and non state actors implement resource efficient projects across strategic sectors of the economy. read more>>>

Hyundai's 50-acre rooftop solar-panel system will be South Korea's largest

May 11th 2013 - Hyundai's green-cred future's so bright, its factory roof's gotta wear shades. The South Korean automaker will install that country's largest solar-panel system when it deploys about 40,000 solar voltaic panels on the roof of its Asan plant later this year.

The system will cover about 2.2 million square feet, or about 50 acres, of rooftop and will supply 11.5 million kilowatt hours, or the equivalent the power consumed by about 3,200 households. read more>>>