Alternative Clean Energy Roundup: 30 October 2013

Wind energy could be much cheaper says Dutch firm Deltares

18 October 2013 - Initial scale modelling tests are focusing on the impact of steep and breaking waves on wind turbine pile structure

Dutch firm Deltares has started to conduct initial scale modelling tests in order to investigate how the cost of wind energy could be reduced. The project follows the statement by members of the Joint Industry Project ‘Wave Impact on Fixed turbine’ (JIP WiFi) that wind turbines at sea could be made much cheaper. read more>>>

The Air Force Catches the Wind

10/29/2013 - The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Advanced Power Technology Office (APTO) identified state-of-the-art small wind turbines capable in extreme arctic conditions for a winter demonstration.

The demonstration will provide proof-of-concept as well as data regarding site conditions and failure mechanisms.

The site will be remotely monitored to include data on ice, temperature, wind, humidity, and vibration sensors as well as camera feeds of the turbines.

The information will be relayed via satellite for off-site, real-time analysis. In addition to wind turbine analysis, the Air Force will also demonstrate a fuel cell system in the wintery climate. read more>>>

Team Uses Forest Waste to Develop Cheaper, Greener Supercapacitors

Oct. 23, 2013 — Researchers report that wood-biochar supercapacitors can produce as much power as today's activated-carbon supercapacitors at a fraction of the cost -- and with environmentally friendly byproducts.

The report appears in the journal Electrochimica Acta. "Supercapacitors are power devices very similar to our batteries," said study leader Junhua Jiang, a senior research engineer at the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center at the University of Illinois. read more>>>

Next-Gen SolarVolt Generator Uses Lighthouse Glass to Capture the Power of 20 Suns

10/23/13 - You might not expect it, but lighthouses are leading the way to more powerful solar panels in outer space and here on earth. The key is Fresnel lenses, which enabled 19th century lighthouses to focus a beam of light for many miles. Fast forward to the modern era and you’ll find NASA engineers using these lighter, thinner lenses to improve space-borne solar power – and scientists recently used Fresnel lenses to create a miniature photovoltaic system called the SolarVolt that can concentrate the sun’s rays 20 times.

Entech Solar and NASA‘s Glenn Research Center co-developed the SolarVolt system, which uses tiny Fresnel lenses just ten thousandths of an inch thick. These lenses allow the “multi-junction“ solar panel array to absorb concentrated light energy on a much smaller cell area while producing the same amount of electricity as a larger cell area under unenhanced light. read more>>>

One Year After Hurricane Sandy: What Have We Learned?

October 24, 2013 - In the year since Superstorm Sandy inundated Solar One and Stuyvesant Cove Park, a lot of work has been done and much has been learned. While Sandy may have been an unusual once-in-a-hundred-years storm, it’s difficult to say how soon or how often storms like that may hit the NYC Metropolitan area in the future, and as an environmental organization located right at the edge of the East River, Solar One has a strong incentive to make sure we and our community are ready for the next time. In the Park, we’re planting thousands of new plants, including more shrubs, grasses and hardier salt-tolerant plants. Some species were all but wiped out last year, while others have come back stronger than ever. Among the new natives are seaside goldenrod, blue mist flower, bitter panic grass, smooth and aromatic sumac, purple love grass and bush honeysuckle. Park staff and volunteers have been working hard throughout October to get them all in the ground before the first frost. read more>>>

Green Design Lab steps in when the Fed steps out

October 18, 2013 - We are leaving a lot on the plate of future generations, especially in terms of environmental issues, yet a lack of environmental education is no way to start them on the right track.

Environmental education received backing in the 2011 Federal Education Budget; the Obama administration saw environmental literacy as a crucial curriculum addition. Yet, this year, budget constraints cut two environmental education initiatives from the EPA and the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) leaving the United States without a federally backed program.

According to the Daily Energy Report, there are 10 core principles all children should know about renewable resources and energy production. read more>>>

What are the next sustainable “shades” of green?

October 22, 2013 - As we round the corner of our third year of our magazine, Sustainable Construction, I continue to see trends emerging in the ever-evolving sustainable construction market. Two of these “shades” of green include product certification programs and building for durability.

Product certification programs are now available in the sustainable construction market. It really boils down to this: Construction professionals want to ensure the products they are using in sustainable construction are not only created in a sustainable fashion, but also that these products are sustainable throughout their life cycle. read more>>>

ASTM Sustainability in Building Standards are offered online

October 23, 2013 - Pertinent to green rating systems or codes in marketplace, ASTM Standards for Sustainability in Building provides instant access to 202 ASTM standards that address sustainability or aspects of sustainability relative to buildings and construction. Subscription-based, online collection includes LEED system and ASHRAE 189.1. Also, collection includes all ASTM standards referenced by latest editions or versions of Federal Green Construction Guide for Specifiers, IgCC, and Green Globes®.

ASTM International Sustainability in Building Standards Offered in Online Subscription read more>>>

Commentary: How Young People Are Rallying for Climate Action and Justice

HBCU students gathered at Powershift 2013 to talk solutions to climate change.

10/24/2013 - It’s been said that the movement of this generation is the fight against climate change. And there is no better evidence of that than Powershift—an energetic gathering of more than 6,000 students and activists from around the country with a vision of a healthier planet and a clean energy economy.

This year, students and activists of color played a huge role. More than 100 HBCU students went to Pittsburgh for the event, and added their voices to the chorus calling for solutions to climate change. They were joined by activists from around the country—including a number of Green For All Fellows—who are working in local communities to promote sustainability, prosperity, and resilience. read more>>>

Record Year Blows United Kingdom Small Wind Installations Past 102 MW

2012 turned out to be a huge year for small wind in the United Kingdom, as the industry nearly doubled in size to pass £105 million in total value.

The record year of installations is creating economic tailwinds for the UK’s green economy and a more resilient energy system, according to the seventh annual “Small and Medium Wind UK Market Report” from RenewableUK.

While these sectors of the wind energy industry remain relatively small in comparison to utility-sized and offshore wind in the UK, they’re now responsible for 102.5 megawatts (MW) of installed distributed generation capacity across the UK – and are projected to continue growing through 2014. read more>>>