CleanTechnica

Rooftop Solar Eats Away At Network Business Models

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Giles Parkinson

This article originally appeared on RenewEconomy. SP Ausnet, one of the few listed energy network operators in Australia, has given a small but revelatory insight into how rooftop solar and changing consumer patterns are turning the business of delivering electricity on its head. The Victorian-based company, majority-owned by Singapore interests, has three main businesses: a state-wide network transmission business, an electricity distribution division based in the eastern part of the state, and a gas distribution … Read More

Bicycle Infrastructure Policy Needs To Change To Increase Ridership, Improve Public Health (Harvard Study & My Own)

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Zachary Shahan

Via the delectable Bikocity, here’s some recent news on bicycle infrastructure research and the need to change the bicycle guidelines in transportation planning’s “Bible” (something I’ve been advocating for, after researching the topic, for years) in order to stimulate a bigger boost in bicycle ridership and better public health. More or less, bicycle infrastructure policy and its relationship to riderships was the topic of my 2007 master’s thesis. It’s been obvious to some of us for … Read More

Taller, Stronger Wind Turbines From Concrete

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Zachary Shahan

Aaron Shelman -- green shirt, a doctoral student in structural engineering -- and Owen Steffens, red shirt, a research associate in civil, construction and environmental engineering -- check a concrete panel for signs of cracking. (Click to enlarge.)
Image Credit: Mike Krapfl.

Iowa State engineers have been working on making wind turbines taller and stronger by using concrete instead of steel. Will it stick? Taller wind turbines are better – really, it’s been confirmed. So, making wind turbines taller and stronger seems like a never-ending goal (though, I imagine it does have its limits). Let’s just hope the concrete that is used is one of the greener and stronger types of concrete being developed. For more details on … Read More

Compressed Air Energy Storage In The Northwest — Enough Wind Energy To Power 85,000 Homes For 1 Month Can Be Stored In Porous Rocks

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Nathan

Around 85,000 households in the Northwest could be powered every month by the energy that could be stored deep underground in the region’s porous rock, according to new research. By utilizing such an energy storage solution, the region’s substantial wind energy resources could be put to full use. The work, done by researchers at the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Bonneville Power Administration, has identified two practical methods for putting this energy … Read More

New Solar Cooker Could Greatly Improve Health In ‘Developing World’

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Nathan

Here’s an exciting story about a promising-looking solar cooker that could significantly improve (and even save) the lives of people in the developing world, via Solar Love. A new solar cooker design, capable of cooking food, purifying water, and powering small electronics, has just been developed by researchers at Cranfield University and COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad. A large number of people living in the ‘developing world’ don’t have a reliable, or cheap enough, … Read More

Future Of RGGI Vote Today

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Zachary Shahan

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is a big deal. It was the first carbon-focused cap and trade program implemented in the US, and it covers several key Northeastern states. There’s a big vote coming today in New Hampshire. Here are more details from a New England Clean Energy Council press release: Today's Vote to Decide Future of RGGI (via PR Newswire) New Hampshire Senate expected to vote later today on bill to strengthen RGGI … Read More

Restaurant In White Bear Lake, MN Reduces Energy Use By Over 20%

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Dan Thiede, CERTs

Donatelli’s cut energy use with low-cost recommendations: turning off the exhaust hood more frequently, installing water saving aerators and pre-rinse spray valves, insulating hot water lines, adding motion detectors in the bathroom fans, and fixing broken gaskets on refrigeration units which were allowing warm air to leak in.

Restaurants use more energy per square foot than any other commercial business. However, saving energy is possible, as Trish Appleby has demonstrated in her restaurant Donatelli’s Homemade Italian in White Bear Lake, MN. Appleby started thinking about energy improvements because of rising energy costs. “It was easy to see that energy costs keep going up, so we needed to get a handle on how to control our usage and be more efficient,” said Appleby. Donatelli’s … Read More

Electric Bikes Illegal In New York — WTH?

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Important Media Cross-Post

If it were April 1, I’d think this was a joke. It’s not April 1, and it’s not a joke. Electric bikes are apparently illegal in the state of New York. And the fine in New York City has just been doubled, rising to a whopping $1000. All I can say is, WTH? Here are more details from Andrew Meggison of CleanTechnica sister site Gas2: The fine for riding an electric bike in New York … Read More

Solar – It’s Barely Scratched Surface Of $2 Trillion Market

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Giles Parkinson

This article was first published on RenewEconomy. As operators of utilities desperately clinging to their WWI-vintage business models prepare their Maginot Line defences of altered tariffs and higher connection fees, it might pay them to pull out the periscope and peer over the trenches to see what exactly is about to come their way. Last week, the top executive team from the US-based solar company SunPower held an all-day analysts briefing – their first for a … Read More