Considerations for a Green Building - Video

Check out this VIDEO from Forbes on Green Buildings.

Things to consider are ... a better building envelope, better mechanical systems, geoexchange systems, etc.  Options might include alternative energy sources like solar panels and wind mills / turbines. 



Via: Forbes LINK

Google's Googleplex Solar Capabilities

"In June 2007 Google completed a 1.6MW solar installation at our Mountain View, CA headquarters ... 9,212 solar panels that cover the rooftops of eight buildings and two solar carports at the Googleplex ... produces enough electricity to power 30% of Google's peak electricity demand in our solar powered buildings at our Mountain View, CA headquarters ... equivalent of approximately 1,000 California homes ..."

See the actual daily stats on power generated and some comparisons to typical activities to better understand the numbers - these are updated daily.



Via: Google LINK

Dedham Mass Whole Foods Powered by Fuel Cell and Solar Cells

 
Fuel cells are making there way to a food store near you - if you live in Dedham, Mass.

" ... newest and largest Whole Foods Market in New England ... in Dedham, MA. ... the first store in Massachusetts to generate on-site power with fuel cell technology (one of the cleanest forms of energy)! 90% of our power will be generated by this fuel cell - this is sometUnited Technologies logohing that we are very proud of."

" ... powered by a 400-kilowatt UTC Power fuel cell and a rooftop solar installation that will generate most of the store’s power and all of its hot water needs ..."

Via: WholeFoods LINK  and Via: Technologies Corp. LINK

DOW™ POWERHOUSE™ Solar Shingle one of Time Magazines 50 Berst Inventions of 2009

"The Dow Chemical Company's ... POWERHOUSE™ Solar Shingle, ... flexible photovoltaic solar cell packaged in the form of a roofing shingle that can be easily integrated with standard asphalt shingle materials, has been named one of "The 50 Best Inventions of 2009" by TIME magazine. ... integrates low-cost, thin-film CIGS photovoltaic cells into a proprietary roofing shingle design, ... reduces installation costs because conventional roofing shingles and solar generating shingles are installed simultaneously..."

.... learn more  @ www.dowsolar.com ...


Via: Dow News (Dow.com) LINK

Samsung Blue Earth Cell Phone - Green and Solar Powered

Samsung introduces the Blue Earth environmentally friendly green cell phone.  Unlike other green cell phones this is a full featured phone.  Among the green features are ... a solar cell for charging, low power use while in standby mode and fewer harmful materials.

" ...  Samsung Blue Earth combines the latest multimedia features ... while achieving lower energy consumption and incorporating eco-friendly materials ... made from Post Consumer Material (PCM), ... extracted from water bottles, helping to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions during the manufacturing process. ... free from harmful substances such as Brominated Flame Retardants (BFR), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and Phthalate."

" ... user interface ... designed to draw attention to preserving our fragile environment. With “Eco mode,” screen brightness, backlight duration and Bluetooth can be set to an energy-efficient mode with just one click. ... “Eco Walk” ... allows users to ... calculate the reduction in CO2 emission realized by walking as opposed to using a motor vehicle. ... allows users to see the value of walking by calculating the number of trees that have been saved."

"...  the solar panel located on the back of the phone ... can generate enough power to use the device anytime and anywhere. ..."


Via: Samsung LINK