Energy

Ultimate Showdown of Solar Destiny

- Cam Proctor

Every two years, international teams fight it out using computer models and engineering expertise at the Solar Decathlon, a kind of Olympics for solar-powered homes. Teams of students design, build and operate houses that are powered only by solar energy. The homes open to the public.

The teams work for two years to develop ways to reduce the cost of solar-powered homes and advance solar technology in general. This year’s competition is special since the US Department of Energy will provide $100,000 (US) to each participating team.

Water and Ice(land)

- Fono 1 Comment

A recent issue of The Walrus contained an article on Iceland’s burgeoning experiments with alternative energy sources. Iceland already harnesses geothermal energy, which provides half of the overall energy consumed by citizens and businesses. However, they are also planning to start using hydrogen power, and be oil-free by 2050. “We want to become the first hydrogen society in the world,” said the chairman of the ruling Progressive Party.

Interestingly, both Shell and DaimlerChrysler are active participants in the plan; Daimler will provide hydrogen-powered vehicles, and Shell will provide hydrogen filling stations.

Of particular interest to our Canadian readers may be a quote from a senior official in the hydrogen program. When asked how Canada might go oil-free, she responded, “You have solar! You have wind! You have hydro! Many countries have geothermal too, but they are just waiting for the world to run out of oil before they do anything about it.”

Green Roofs in Toronto

- Fraser Birt

In a step towards building sustainable urban infrastructure, Toronto is set to become a North American leader in the development of Green Roofs. Green Roofs help to insulate buildings from the elements, provide a natural animal habitat in the middle of urban development and help reduce a city’s environmental footprint. The City of Toronto has approved “Making Green Roofs Happen,” an initiative to put pockets of nature on top of existing public buildings. Just in case lower heating bills and cleaner air aren’t enough of an incentive, the plan also recommends financial incentives for private Green Roofs.

Bush America to Use Less Oil

- Adam Clare

Richard wrote:

“President Bush announced something called the Advanced Energy Initiative to ween America off of its dependence on foreign oil in his state of the union address… it’s for maybe the wrong reasons, but it’s at least a small step in the right direction, from an environmental standpoint.”

Details can be found on the NASDAQ website.

Thanks, Richard!

Top 25 Green Energy Purchasers in the USA

- Adam Clare 1 Comment


The United States Environmental Protection Agency has a neat list on their best partners for promoting green energy. Together the top 25 partners consumed 3.3 million megawatt-hours of green energy.

The top 25 Partners are Partners whose annual green power purchase is the largest, and whose green power purchase has been completed. Their actions are helping drive the development of new renewable energy sources for electricity generation.

Number one on the list will surprise you.

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