Radhicka S Saxena: Improper management of waste has been a huge concern lately. Adequate disposal and treatment of waste, so that it does not harm the environment in any way, is very important. Waste thrown out of our homes can be easily put to good use. Urban architecture of the future should take into account all waste management challenges and seek to provide a sustainable solution. One such viable project is coming up at Providence, Rhode Island. Into the Trenches Picture Gallery Into the Trenches It has been designed by Can Vu Bui. A ditch, which goes 80 feet deep, would be constructed in the city. Water out flowing from the city would then be amassed there. The accumulated water will be treated and then directed back into the river through an all new low lying canyon that will be built in the city. The space will also be a center for waste management. Today, most of the waste from Rhode Island is dumped into landfills and they will get saturated in the coming few decades. Thus, a waste management facility is really needed keeping the future in mind. Moreover, the boundary slopes of the structure will be used as a public recreation zone. Anaerobic digestors, fitted into the structure, will convert solid waste into energy. This energy will be utilized to power up the facility as well as the public space. The whole layout is planned beautifully; it looks nothing like a recycling plant. The structure has a modern built and a refreshing setting. Via: Canvubui
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Turning a ditch into as sustainable public space
Abdul Vahid V: Designer Omer Sagiv’s futuristic Solar Powered Vehicle (SPV) is an ideal vehicle for long rides in deserts or other open lands. The SPV is a typical solar vehicle design. The aluminum structure mounts plenty of flexible thin film modules, which can generate much energy for long rides. In form, the SPV almost resembles Nuon solar car, developed by Delft University. SPV Concept by Omer Sagiv Picture Gallery SPV Concept by Omer Sagiv SPV Concept by Omer Sagiv The solar vehicle features a shaft in the middle, which acts as an integrated cooling system as well. The shaft rocks an aerodynamic form and the entire design of the vehicle complies with it, helping it move faster in open areas. The entire surface of SPV seems to be covered with thin film solar modules to harvest maximum solar energy even on the move. The SPV comes with not only a solar option to charge. There is also an option to charge the electric car from home power outlets. Being a plus, extra energy can be collected from sunlight on the move. The SPV enjoys an attractive look and, of course, thanks to its aluminum body, it is glossier. Sagiv has surfaced this solar powered vehicle design as an eco friendly option for riding. In future, some manufactures may bring it into reality. Construction of the vehicle may not be much expensive, however. Designers have come with many bizarre concepts for green cars these days. Eco friendly vehicles are gaining reputation among customers also, since the world witnessed energy crisis and also saw fuel price mount up. Indeed, solar energy is one of key sources for power in electric vehicles. Via: Tuvie
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Solar Powered Vehicle for a green ride in deserts
Last year, Google invested more than $900 million in clean energy projects. But does it have an energy policy? Does it need one?
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Why Google Invests in Clean Energy
Walmart in particular marks a big leap forward, coming up from 15th place three months ago to land in third place. Generating green power on-site — where Walmart is the second-biggest green power creator — is what helped move the retailer up.
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Intel, Kohl’s, Walmart Lead EPA’s Green Power Purchasers List
From big players like IBM and SAP to smaller startups like C3, vendors of energy and carbon management software have a big challenge to capture a slice of the broad demand for companies of all sizes.
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3 Ways Carbon Management Software Firms Can Capture the Market
Keeping in line with a mandate to trim its data centers from about 200 to 20, the Army recently awarded its first cloud computing contract to several contractors, including Microtech, Lockheed Martin Corp. and IBM.
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Army Looks to Cloud Computing to Trim IT Bootprint
What if the smart thermostat in your house were as easy to use as your smartphone — and as good-looking, too? That's challenge that Nest is taking on.
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Nest Thermostats: Making Home Energy Use Smarter & Sexier
Sonia Renthlei: Environmentally friendly homes can reduce inhabitants’ carbon footprints, save resources and lead the way for others to live the same way. Most of us, however, have been living in homes that are pretty standard, in that they don’t help us reduce our carbon footprints. The US Department of Energy has been trying to further green living in terms of homes and has been organizing the Solar Decathlon for a while now. The international competition is a biennial event that challenges 20 college teams to come up with conceptual homes that utilize solar energy. The teams get to work on site, detailing their prefabricated houses for 10 days in a bid to take home the Solar Decathlon title. 2012’s competition is set to begin and we’re eager to see who wins the coveted prize. SLIDES SLIDES A team from the American University in Cairo has designed a solar powered home called SLIDES, as an entry into the 2012 Solar Decathlon. Making use of Egypt’s desert climate, they’ve proposed to install solar panels on the roof of the house. SLIDES is unique in that the façade of the house can slide out during the day and slide in during the evening. To combat the heat of the region, the team has made way for plenty of natural ventilation through the use of perforated designs on the façade. Adding to the green factor is the material the house will be constructed from; fiber reinforced polymer made from recycled plastic bags and wood waste and quite possibly, local papyrus. ekihouse ekihouse ekihouse, from the University of the Basque Country, is the next contender for the Solar Decathlon. The team has made use of wood extensively to create their solar powered house. This sun house eki , meaning sun in the Basque language, has the ability to contract during winter and expand during summer. The north façade of the house is isolated during the cold season and opens during warm climes to let in breeze. Moreover, the roof of the south façade opens to provide extra shading, in essence expanding the house. SunBloc SunBloc SunBloc is the project conceived by HelioMet, the team at London Metropolitan University. Their futuristic urban concept is built from lightweight materials in a parametric design, which uses solar energy that can also power surrounding buildings. The interior is contemporary with furniture and utilities integrated into the design that can be custom made to cater to the inhabitant’s needs and living style. Andalucia Team Patio 2.12. Andalucia Team Patio 2.12 Patio 2.12 is an entry by the Andalucia Team made up of students from the universities of Jaen, Malaga, Grenada and Seville. The concept is built around Mediterranean living and features a patio with living quarters built around it. The building system consists of structural shells that can be erected and disassembled quickly. No foundations are needed, save for punctual supports. The patio, which also houses a pergola structure, is connected to the housing modules via a similar support system. Since there are no foundations, Patio 2.12 can be taken down with minimal impact on ground surface. Solar panels are integrated into the housing modules as well as on the pergola. The Revolt House The Revolt House Delft University of Technology has presented its entry to the Solar Decathlon of 2012 with the Revolt House, a home that can float as well as rotate. Considering the amount of water available in The Netherlands, the team has sought to integrate the house with water, the latter having the ability to maintain stable temperatures, keeping inhabitants relatively warm during winters and cool during summers. The house can track the sun’s rays due to its revolving feature and harness its energy via solar panels on the roof. Inhabitants can also choose to change their locale through the Revolt House’s floating capabilities. ECOLAR ECOLAR ECOLAR is the entry by Germany’s Hochschule Konstanz University of Applied Sciences which envisions six modules – four for interior spaces and two for the outside. The walls and the roof are translucent, letting in daylight as a source of natural light. The roof is covered in solar cells to harvest solar energy which will be used to power the house. The house’s heating system is made up of a combination accumulator and a heat pump, of which the former acts as a heat storage and provides hot tap water. Waste water is treated through an effluent treater which can then be used for flushing toilets and washing clothes. Odoo Odoo The Budapest University of Technology and Economics has developed Odoo as its project for the Solar Decathlon. An outer shell covers the transparent house with a roof consisting of solar panels. Emphasis has been given to the courtyard, where majority of the recreational activities will take place. The students have incorporated plenty of glass to make use of as much natural light as possible.
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Solar powered homes that will compete in Solar Decathlon Europe 2012
Jaspreet Kaur Walia: Denver-based New Town Builders have created a net zero energy house that has been designed to save a lot of energy and help preserve precious resource. The Zero Energy Home will leave eco lovers in a state of complete amazement as it takes energy efficiency to an all new scale. Production NZE Home Unveiled in Denver Picture Gallery Production NZE Home Unveiled in Denver The model home is priced at $424,000, which includes a 9.9 kW solar array. The builders kept in mind a few things while coming up with this environmentally friendly home. The basic frame of each home will be swapped into an insulating envelop. The roof will come wedged with photovoltaic electricity generating system, which will power the house. This makes sure that the outside cold is completely blocked, and the inside remains comfortable for dwellers. The water heaters, furnaces and air conditioners are highly efficient, which adds to its clean and green status. The construction style makes sure that seven percent or less cooled/heated air gets lost, thanks to the heating and air conditioning ducts used that will be tightened from time to time. The Zero Energy Home will easily produce the amount of energy it utilizes in a year’s span, which can be measured with the help of HERS rating or Home Energy Rating System. The Zero Energy Home will have a zero HERS rating, which is worth applauding. The home will be as comfortable and attention grabbing as an everyday home and will simultaneously be cost effective as well. It won’t burden owners with unusual or complex systems that require regular maintenance and monitoring. The outside wall of the eco coated home will be well sealed and insulated so that no energy escapes. This will be achieved by spraying foam having a thickness of 1 inch. The windows will have a decreased U value because of which they will become all the more energy efficient. The house will have energy star appliances, keeping up its efficiency. It will feature a 16 SEER or improved air conditioning system, furnace, tank less water heaters, a fresh air ventilator and an energy recovery exhaust fan. The house will sparkle with the presence of 100% LED and CFL lights, which will further save energy. Additional kilowatts of energy will be generated by the presence of extra photovoltaic panels. So, save energy and live a guilt free life while cutting down on your electricity and gas bills. Via: Jetsongreen
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Zero Energy Home helps say goodbye to energy bills forever
Another company that received backing from the U.S. Department of Energy files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Originally posted at Nanotech – The Circuits Blog
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U.S.-backed battery firm Ener1 seeks Chapter 11 bankruptcy