Category Archives: Renewable Energy
30
Jan
Jan
For those sustainability designers and innovators wanting a net-zero product, take a look at the Chip House, a 2011 entry in the DoE’s Solar Decathlon, placing sixth.
Pavement slabs transform our every step into sustainable green energy.
28
Sep
Sep
As sustainable design becomes a more common practice, it is the aesthetic appeal and technological advances which are used in collaboration with these practices that make each building more inspirational. The Bahrain World Trade Center (BWTC) in Manama, Bahrain is a beautiful example of sustainability meets design. It was designed by Atkins with the goals…
28
Jul
Jul
We all know the story of the three little pigs. The first pig who made his house made with straws got eaten by the big bad wolf. However, for homeowners and builders, homes built with straw bales may have redeeming qualities of being energy-efficient and cost-effective. It has become such an attractive green building material that even the UK government believe it has the potential to bale out the economic crisis felt even abroad.
“A typical straw bale wall is roughly three times as efficient as conventional framing,” says Andrew Morrison, owner of Straw Bale Innovations. “Over the life of a typical thirty year mortgage, this superior insulation can reduce energy costs by up to 75%, saving money and vital natural resources.”
As temperatures climb higher and the summer sun shines brighter, many people look for a well-deserved vacation destination. Water parks are a high demand attraction and a costly one to the environment in most cases. But one water park is as entertaining as it is environmentally friendly. It is AquaCity Poprad in Poprad, Slovakia. This…
Cake decided to use renewable energy source to produce their sixth album, “Showroom of Compassion” which debuted at number one on the Billboard Top 200. The band installed 13 photovoltaic solar roofs on top of their recording studio in Sacremento, Calif.
“We hired a company with great experience and competence, Borrego Solar, and they set us up with a way to break away from our dependence on the city’s energy grid,” said members of the band, “Working on a new album, we feel satisfaction in the common denominator of together embracing the unlimited resource of the sun.”
Astonishing new advances in clean energy production are happening worldwide with the experimentation and understanding of piezoelectric technology.
A company that was established in 1953 in Flores de Cunha, Brazil, called Fábrica de Móveis Florense is a leading example in a business that thrives on sustainability. Fábrica de Móveis Florense, or more commonly known as simply Florense, is an international company. Florense is a furniture manufacturer and producer of high quality wood veneers.
06
May
May
The events that make the biggest impact on the attendants do not have to leave an impact on the earth. Executive Director, Jan Hamilton with the CARTM Recycling Center in Manzanita, Oregon, developed an event which produces almost entirely no waste.
They started it in 1998 and on Friday, May 20, 2011 it will be their 13th annual Trash Bash. This is a community party with dancing, art and a fashion “Trashion” show all dedicated to recycling, re-using, and the non-wasting of materials.
28
Apr
Apr
There are a lot of things to consider when purchasing a new appliance – this is especially true with refrigerators. Before buying a new fridge, make sure you know about the different styles and which will give you the best energy efficiency.
14
Apr
Apr
When we think of hydroelectric power, we often think of large dams blocking rivers and generating large amounts of electricity. The future of hydroelectric, however, may be the exact opposite. Think small scale generators on local rivers and streams providing power for communities. The new hydroelectric infrastructure will be less expensive, more efficient, and make less of an impact on the environment and wildlife habitat.
13
Apr
Apr
This is the conclusion of Building with SIP series. Builders and potential home owners have the initial perception that SIP buildings are “kits” that you buy out of a catalog of predetermined designs and plans. This is not always the case. The home shown here are from a home built by DS Construction, a general contractor in Lake Tahoe, CA. We built a home using SIPs which were designed for conventional construction practices.
13
Apr
Apr
Intematix released their expansion to their existing ChromaLit Lighting Collection which expected to launch this week. Their expansion was in response to their clients’ reception of the original ChromaLit Collection launched in January of this year and their demand for more high performance LED lighting design options.
31
Mar
Mar
The sun provides an unlimited resource for power around the world. And more and more people are tapping into that energy for their homes and businesses. Solar power is becoming a positive energy source for many people who are looking to reduce their carbon footprint. Despite solar power's great potential, few people are actually using it.
23
Mar
Mar
If using a banking analogy for the untapped and clean geothermal energy our planet provides, we discover that the world lives on top of a remarkable energy safe deposit vault. In 2008, geothermal power supplied less than one percent of the world’s energy. However by 2050 it is anticipated that geothermal power will meet between 10 and 20 percent of the world’s energy requirements, according to a report from Renewable Energy World.
14
Mar
Mar
The Truro Home in Cape Cod is a stunning combination of modern architecture that works in harmony with nature rather than against it. Environmentally conscious as well as energy-efficient, the Truro home takes full advantage of the west facing view of the ocean.
04
Mar
Mar
Those looking for sustainable heating alternatives might wish to look at the clean-burning line of Tulikivi soapstone masonry heaters that use wood for fuel. Some public buildings in this country that heat with a Tulikivi have been recognized with LEED awards.
27
Jan
Jan
As we take on the project of green building from the ground up, we focused on consideration of space in week 1 and the use of Bioclimatic design on week two. This week, we take a closer look at some of the myths green building and renovation. We debunk false ideas and take a detailed look at what it really means to build sustainably after defogging the cloak of smoke and mirror behind green building myths.