May 12, 2014 -- The Microgrid Alliance (MGA), a group initiated to provide a collective voice for companies and other stakeholders involved in microgrids, announced its formation today, along with its initial membership. MGA will host two inaugural events in the coming weeks: a Microgrid Workshop at the National Town Meeting on Demand Response & Smart Grid in Washington, D.C on May 19, and a meeting of members and prospective members at the Microgrid Global Summit in Irvine, CA on May 22.
The MGA was formed with the aim of bringing together parties that want to accelerate the growth and development of microgrids. Founding members include General MicroGrids, Landis+Gyr, Homer Energy, Alstom, Enbala, EarthSpark International, ESTA International, and Green Energy Corp.
"Through my company's work on microgrids, I have seen the need for coordination between those of us involved in this growing industry," said Terry Mohn, CEO of General MicroGrids and Chairman of the Microgrid Alliance. read more>>>
May 11, 2014 - There have been attempts in the past to get things moving in the right direction. But the results were far too modest to offer any comfort, even though in terms of directional guidance they did serve a purpose.
As proved to be the case, not a single euro had been budgeted for the transition to such an economy, not even at economic study level. This was the case of the Sustainable Development Act, which had remained totally uncatered for in Budget 2013.
While our allocations for the shift to a green economy have been modest they have at least given proof of a sense of commitment. read more>>>
May 11, 2014 - Air quality in cities worldwide fails to meet World Health Organization guidelines for safe levels, putting millions at greater risk of respiratory disease, lung cancer and other serious, long-term health problems, the health agency said, releasing new data this week.
About half the residents of reporting cities are exposed to air pollution at least 2.5 times higher than World Health Organization Air Quality Guideline levels.
Only one in every eight people living in reporting cities breathes air that complies with the levels WHO recommends.
“Too many urban centers today are so enveloped in dirty air that their skylines are invisible,” said Dr. Flavia Bustreo, WHO assistant director-general for family, children and women’s health. read more>>>
May 9, 2014 - “Climate change is real and we have to act now,” said President Barack Obama today, announcing hundreds of commitments and executive actions to advance solar deployment and energy efficiency in both public and private sectors.
Speaking at the Walmart store in Mountain View, Obama said, “I know this looks like a typical Walmart, but it is different – and that’s why I’m here. A few years ago, you decided to put solar panels on the roof of the store. You replaced some traditional light bulbs with LEDs. You made refrigerator cases more efficient. And you even put in a charging station for electric vehicles. And all told, those upgrades created dozens of construction jobs and helped this store save money on its energy bills.” read more>>>
May 12, 2014 - President Obama has announced that 2014 will be a year of action, beginning with more than 300 private and public sector commitments (from multifamily housing, homebuilder and home improvement companies; rural electric cooperatives; commercial retailers, food service, and hospitality companies; and the public sector, including state and city organizations, as well as school districts) to create jobs and cut carbon pollution by advancing solar deployment and energy efficiency.
These commitments amount to more than 850 MW of solar deployed, as well as energy efficiency investments that will lower bills for more than 1 billion square feet of buildings. read more>>>
May 12, 2014 - The Physical Sciences Complex became the first laboratory building on the campus to earn a LEED gold certification last week, reaching certain sustainability standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council.
This state requires all state-funded construction projects or major renovations to reach at least LEED silver status. But with this university’s sustainability goals, such as university President Wallace Loh’s latest goal of carbon-neutral new construction, project teams aim beyond silver status to become as energy efficient as possible, said Bill Olen, Facilities Management interim planning and construction executive director and capital projects director.
There are four levels of LEED certification — certified, silver, gold and platinum — and buildings earn points by meeting various criteria set by the U.S. Green Building Council. read more>>>
May 12, 2014 - Over a 4-month period from December to March, these five schools, as part of Solar One’s Green Design Lab program, combined saved 246,020 kilowatt-hours of electricity – enough to power 23 homes for one year*. As a result of their efforts, they avoided 374,000 pounds of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere**, the equivalent of burning 182,000 lbs of coal. As a prize for their success, each school will be awarded with $5,000.
PS 126 Academy of Technology in Manhattan came in first place with a whopping 33% reduction, and on Friday, May 9, Solar One presented them with their award.
The other schools in the top five are PS 256 Benjamin Banneker Elementary with a 23% reduction; MS 126 John Ericsson Middle School with a 22% reduction; Energy Tech High School and IS 204 Oliver W. Holmes with a 20% reduction; and PS 003 The Bedford Village School with an 18% reduction. read more>>>
13 May 2014 - GRANTS are available to help create jobs and businesses in the green economy.
Local authorities are supporting a scheme that provides grants of up to £100,000 through the Future Solent Partnership for green economy businesses to take forward research and development projects and create jobs.
The scheme is also helping businesses to access research and development facilities and networks in the area’s universities. read more>>>
13 May, 2014 - The Green Party will establish a Green Investment Bank as a first step in accelerating New Zealand’s transition to a smarter greener economy, Green Party Co-leader Dr Russel Norman announced today.
The Green Investment Bank will be an enduring, government-owned, for-profit bank partnering with the private sector to fund new projects ranging from renewable energy and biofuel production to new clean technologies.
"Like Kiwibank before it, the Green Investment Bank will combine the best of the public and private sectors to accelerate New Zealand’s transition to a smarter, greener economy," said Dr Norman. read more>>>
May 13, 2014 - Based in San Francisco and Tanzania, SunFunder raises money for solar power projects in communities of need, such as African and Indian villages that often don’t have reliable access to electricity. Over 100,000 people have benefited from their solar projects so far. Below is an interview with them about their work.
Is the main way you leapfrog the old electrical grids by building micro-grids?
Micro-grids is just one type of the various types of solar projects that we have financed. Our focus is on providing short-term, working capital and project finance loans for solar lighting, phone charging, micro-grids and commercial solar projects. read more>>>
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