CasaSugar

Casa Verde: The Science Behind the Net-Zero Energy House

CasaSugar — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:00:02 -0700

I recently had the chance to tour South Farm Homes, a “net-zero” community, in Hinesburg, VT. The project is a collaboration between Rolf Kielman, AIA and Lee Grutchfield, AIA of TruexCullins Architects of Burlington, VT and Reiss Building of Hinesburg, VT. One of the goals of this project was to show that green building can be user - and homeowner - friendly, which means that the systems and science behind the home isn't intimidating. Curious as to what it all means? I'll explain in the slideshow.

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Casa Verde: Texas Approves Wind Power Superhighway

CasaSugar — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 08:30:00 -0700

According to an Associated Press article, Texas has preliminarily approved "a $4.9 billion plan to build new transmission lines to carry wind-generated electricity from gusty West Texas to urban areas like Dallas," and "build a slew of new turbines." The Lone Star State already stands as the nation's leader in wind power, generating about 5,000 megawatts with the nearly 4,000 wind turbines already in place, but a lack of transmission lines has prevented that energy from being used. The new plan will mobilize about 18,000 megawatts, "enough to power more than 4 million Texas homes." Texas electric customers will see a $3-4 price increase on their monthly bills, but it is likely to be offset by lower energy prices. The plan awaits final approval later this year, and the lines won't be ready for use for three to five years. It looks like Chicago may no longer be "the Windy City" . . .
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Nice and New: Solio Solar Charger

CasaSugar — Tue, 06 May 2008 07:00:18 -0700

Wow, well this is unexpected. While I'd expect to find a solar charger for your gadgets at a more eco-oriented store, I never thought I'd see one at Urban Outfitters. However, it makes sense that this company is selling chargers, since so many of their customers have a glut of gadgets that need recharging.

The Solio Solar Charger ($80) combines a solar panel with a rechargeable battery and comes in a durable case that will provide needed protection for the charger when it's stashed in a backpack or overstuffed purse. The charger also comes with interchangeable charging tips that will attach to most mobile phones, iPods, and other mobile devices. The battery will store power for up to a year, and if the sun isn't out, you can blog the charge into a USB port to charge it up via your laptop. What a great idea - and when a solar charger is sold at a big retailer like Urban Outfitters (though it's only available on the Internet for now), it's more likely that the idea of charging your gadgets with the sun's power will become commonplace.

Casa Quiz: LA Gets Windy

CasaSugar — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 16:00:49 -0800

Last week, I told you about a wind farm initiative in Los Angeles, which was written about in the LA Daily News. Can you remember some of the details about it? Take this quiz to see how well your memory serves you.
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Take the quiz

Casa Verde: LA Gets Windy

CasaSugar — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 07:15:20 -0800

While most folks think of Hollywood decadence and glamour when they think of Los Angeles, the second largest city in the US has pledged to procure 20 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2010. According to the LA Daily News, one critical part of this renewable equation is the construction of a wind farm in the Tehachapi Mountains, located about 100 miles north of the city. Costing an estimated $425 million, the 120-megawatt facility will feature 80 turbines as well as a new high-voltage transmission line. The wind farm will essentially double the amount of electricity that the city currently receives from wind power. While this wind farm was slated for opening more than four years ago, delays (very possibly related to earthquakes) prevented its building. LA's Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has also announced plans for another wind farm on a nearby site. This boost in wind power would result in enough electricity to generate power for almost 130,000 homes. The project has the support of environmental groups, including the Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, and Union of Concerned Scientists.

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Casa Verde: Ikea's Latest Green Move

CasaSugar — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 05:00:53 -0800

A new Ikea store in Karlstad, Sweden, is currently installing a geothermal system, drilling 101 holes 390 feet into the ground to tap 50-60°F water. This will provide 85 percent of the stores heating needs and 75 percent of air-conditioning requirements. A geothermal system is a heat exchanger that uses the earth, ground water, or both as sources of building heat in the Winter and as a source of air conditioning in the Summer. Ikea stores in Uppsala, Helsingborg, and Malmö are tapped for similar systems. Swedish Ikea stores get 91 percent of their energy and electricity needs from renewable sources (mainly hydro and wind), while globally the average is around 40 percent.

Ikea is also proposing an upcoming energy plan that includes cutting its global energy consumption by 25 percent. In addition, they plan to supply power to all of its stores, warehouses, and offices with all-renewable energy sources, such as wind power, solar power, biofuels, and geothermal. Eva Stal, a spokeswoman for Ikea Sweden, said that "without going out on a limb, I would say that this will probably happen already between the next three to five years, globally."

This is definitely a stop in the right direction. Kudos, Ikea!

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This Just In: Wind Could Fuel Britain's Homes by 2020

CasaSugar — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 05:00:01 -0800

England Prime Minister Gordon Brown's government is unveiling a proposal to build 7,000 new wind turbines off the country's coast by the year 2020. This number of wind turbines would produce 22 gigawatts, which is enough to power all of England's homes. John Hutton, the Secretary of State for Business, will make the announcement, which is backed by both the Labourites and Conservatives, at a conference in Berlin.

Britain currently has enough offshore wind turbines to produce 2 gigawatts of electricity, which is enough to power approximately 1.5 million homes. The plan to extend wind power is part of the European Union's target goal of producing 20 percent of energy from renewable sources by 2020. This move has been supported by environmentalists and energy experts alike. Since the production of petroleum is becoming increasingly costly and harmful, solutions like this are worthy of praise.

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Wind Power For Your Home

CasaSugar — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 05:33:24 -0800

Those endless fields of windmills are becoming a more and more common sight across the country. I personally find them beautiful on a purely aesthetic level, and love them for their renewable power-generating capacity. Now, Canadian company Windterra has announced that they will be introducing residential wind turbines for California.

While wind is less expensive than solar to install, you will still get a similar energy output. There's also the advantage of it having a very low visual profile. However, your house will need to be assessed by an architect to make sure it is structurally sound to support the wind turbine. And while it's almost 75% cheaper than solar panels, it's still expensive for most of us, at $5900 pre-installation.

To watch a video of this wind turbine in action, just read more

Cool Idea: Portugal's Wave Farm

CasaSugar — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 06:00:15 -0700

A lot of countries are figuring out ways to green their power production through solar, biofuel, and wind power. In fact, Sweden has pledged that they will be oil-free by 2020!

I love that Portugal has taken another renewable energy route by creating the world's first commercial wave factory, which I read about over at Inhabitat. Opening off the coast of northern Portugal at Agucadoura, the expected total output of the wave plant should be enough to power around 2,000 homes. The wave farm is expected to be operational within the end of the year.

Casa Verde: Pope Benedict Goes Solar

CasaSugar — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 04:00:34 -0700

Still thinking about adding some renewable power to your home? Well, maybe this story will inspire you. Pope Benedict XVI recently installed photovoltaic solar panels in his home outside of Regensburg, Germany.

The panels are estimated to generate as much as 5,800 kilowatt hours per year, the equivalent of $3,500 worth of surplus electricity, which will be routed back to the German power grid. Any profits from the panels will be donated to job- and skill-training programs for disadvantaged youth.

To hear what the pope has to say about energy use, and to find out about tax credits for renewable energy, read more.

“Technologically advanced societies can and must lower their energy consumption, either through an evolution of manufacturing methods or through greater ecological sensitivity among their citizens. It should be added that at present it is possible to achieve improved energy efficiency while at the same time encouraging research into alternative forms of energy,” said Pope Benedict in a prepared statement.

The Vatican's roof was also covered with solar panels, beginning last Winter. Pope Benedict was also instrumental in the Vatican's plan to install a $600 million solar plant. A 6,000-seat hall's heating, cooling, and natural light needs will be supplied through 2,700 solar panels. When the hall is not in use, the energy will be used to power the Vatican.

If you live in the United States, you can find about renewable energy tax credits here.

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