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Are Rejected Melons the Next Form of Renewable Energy?
A colossal food fight is one way to use up the season's supply of subpar produce. But scientists have discovered another: convert rejected fruits into biofuel. The study, conducted by USDA researchers and published in the journal Biotechnology For Biofuels, found that the 360,000 tons of fruit rejected by US retailers each year could be converted into roughly two million gallons of biofuel.
Casa Verde: The Science Behind the Net-Zero Energy House
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.
Casa Verde: Texas Approves Wind Power Superhighway
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."
Nice and New: Solio Solar Charger
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.
Casa Quiz: LA Gets Windy
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.
Casa Verde: LA Gets Windy
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.
Casa Verde: Ikea's Latest Green Move
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.
This Just In: Wind Could Fuel Britain's Homes by 2020
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.
Wind Power For Your Home
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.
Cool Idea: Portugal's Wave Farm
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.
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