Carbon neutral city breaks ground in Abu Dhabi
September 25th, 2008
EnerTech Environmental, Inc. announced today that it has signed an Expression of Interest to build a SlurryCarb demonstration facility at Masdar City in Abu Dhabi. Masdar City will be the world’s first zero-carbon, zero-waste, car-free city, completely powered by renewable energy.
EnerTech’s SlurryCarb demonstration facility will process biosolids (sewage sludge) produced from the permanent buildings erected during Masdar City’s first phase as well as from the accommodation for the several thousand workers building Masdar City between 2008 and 2016. Biosolids from the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, the workers’ accommodation, and the headquarters of Masdar will be converted into renewable E-fuel, a fossil fuel replacement. The demonstration facility is the first step towards installing a permanent SlurryCarb facility in the city.
“This is an opportunity to showcase the SlurryCarb process to the Middle East and work with the international community to build a city that truly embodies sustainable living and working,” said Kevin Bolin, EnerTech CEO. “It showcases the SlurryCarb process as the best available biosolids technology when it comes to sustainability, renewable energy, and the reduction of greenhouse gases.”
Masdar is Abu Dhabi’s multi-faceted, multi-billion dollar investment in the development and commercialization of advanced and innovative technologies in renewable, alternative and sustainable energies as well as green design. By applying scale and leveraging Abu Dhabi’s low-cost, tax-free manufacturing base, businesses will enjoy significant competitive advantages, allowing them to compete internationally and provide significant diversification to the Abu Dhabi economy. On February 9, 2008, Masdar broke ground for Masdar City.
Saving Energy in Your Home Office
September 10th, 2008
Did you know that 40% of energy used in your home/office is consumed by consumer electronics when they are powered-down or turned off?
The New York Times article “Putting Energy Hogs in the Home on a Strict Low-Power Diet” outlines just how this happens.
Indeed, the Department of Energy estimates that in the average home, 40 percent of all electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off.
Then, the writer works through some alternatives to reduce power consumption.
Mostly consumption can be reduced by making sure your electronic items power down when not in use to use little to no electricity while not in use. Tweaking power consumption of computer and computer related electricity guzzlers can pay off.
Tweaking can pay off. Annually, my desktop PC is now using 73 percent less energy – saving me $119 a year and depriving the earth of 1,405 more pounds of CO2.
What about working through your home office? You could be able to make similar savings!
Elements of a Green Bathroom
August 23rd, 2008
While kitchens use the most energy in a typical home, bathrooms use the most water. According to the U.S. EPA, a family of four could save more than 16,000 gallons of water per year simply by replacing a traditional toilet with a high-efficiency toilet.
“A lot of what makes a bathroom green has to do with water savings,” says Sean Ruck, spokesperson for the National Kitchen & Bath Association. “And consumers can easily incorporate a lot of items that don’t look or perform any differently than traditional materials, for about the same price.”
Since 1994, federal standards have required toilets, showerheads and faucets to use less water, so if you replace pre-1994 fixtures with new ones, you’ll save water right from the start. Low-flow toilets got a well-deserved bad rap for poor performance when those standards first came out, but newer models have largely fixed the problems.
If you’re still worried about getting a lemon, research your options at the Saving Water Partnership’s list of FlushStar toilets (those that meet certain performance criteria) at http://www.savingwater.org/docs/FlushStar.pdf.
“Dual flush toilets are another new product that is gaining popularity,” says Ruck. These toilets feature a dual flushing valve, where users push one button to release about half a gallon of water. Pushing the second button releases a flush with more force and anywhere from 1.2 to 1.6 gallons of water. “Combined with low-flow showerheads and faucets, you’ll notice dramatic water savings,” says Ruck.
Green Bathroom Remodeling
August 23rd, 2008
Bathrooms are among the easier rooms in which to go green. Changing out fixtures manufactured before the water conservation mandates of 1994 will immediately ease your bathroom’s impact on the environment (and your wallet). As consumer demand for green products has grown, manufacturers today are offering more recycled and sustainable options.
THE BENEFITS OF GOING GREEN
In a recent survey of remodelers conducted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), more than one quarter of the respondents saw a growing demand for green remodeling. And since bath remodels are consistently among the top four remodeling jobs (along with kitchens, room additions and roofing projects), that translates into more green bathrooms today than ever before.
“Americans spent over $230 billion last year on home remodeling, with energy efficient and sustainable products representing an increasing share of the market,” says Mike Nagel, chair of the NAHB Remodelers Council.
An energy efficient and water-wise bathroom can save significantly on monthly utility bills. Using low-flow water fixtures can save thousands of gallons of water per year.
And don’t forget indoor air quality. Since the bathroom is subject to heat, humidity and chemicals from cleaning, hygiene and cosmetic products, ventilation becomes vital. It is also important to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are known to cause a range of health problems, from asthma to cancer. They may be contained in building components, like cabinetry, adhesives, caulks and paints.
