Category: Energy

Not Wasting Waste

Bangladesh’s capital city, Dhaka, the garbage is piling up in the streets and sewers, and that’s a good thing. A small company has started to use the methane created by the city’s organic waste and turning it into energy.

“By converting trash into organic fertilizer, they reasoned, small communities could sell it to farmers desperate for an alternative to soil-stripping chemicals. This would help clean city streets, increase crop yields and provide the urban poor with a steady stream of revenue.”

Human Rights for Renewables

The World Council for Renewable Energy, organised by EUROSOLAR and supported by NRW Energy Agency, UNESCO, EUFORES, International Solar Energy Society and others, have concluded that “Energy is the fundamental prerequisite of every life, and all humans have a right to renewable energy.” This comes at the heels of recent investments totalling more than 500 billion into fossil fuels and nuclear energy, more than 5o times the investment into renewables.

All human beings are born with equal rights and the availability of energy is a fundamental human right, but the established systems of energy supply based on fossil and nuclear energy “are not in a position to provide this human right to everybody,” it continues. “Due to the near depletion of conventional energy sources and their dramatic environmental and climate damages, this right cannot be provided to an ever increasing number of people. The human right for renewable energy can only be accomplished by renewable energy.”

The Assembly welcomes the official plan of the new German government to take the initiative for creation of an International Renewable Energy Agency. It wants a Renewable Energy Proliferation Protocol to be added to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and an international university for renewables to be established under the auspices of UNESCO.

Why dont you tell someone to Flick Off!

Ever wondered what the current status of electricity in Ontario is right now? Its common knowledge that electricity is in short supply and conservation and managing demand are key to ensuring a reliable and inexpensive supply of electricity. But, to the public where, when, how, and why are questions that someone needs direct answers to, including me, in real time.

Although I can check on the IESO’s website to see what the projected electricity status is, this takes time and many people don’t have the time to check this website 2-5 times a day. Organizing this confusing mess is the Flick Off project that emails or text messages members who sign up with fun and unique messages on how and when to conserve electricity. Sign up and learn about energy and conservation while gaining information on the status of the electricity industry. Electricity prices rose to $2 per KWH this summer in Ontario while you pay 5 cents, the difference is covered by the tax payer.

Netmetering is coming to Ontario, so you might be paying the real market price soon. I’ve already told eveyone I know to Flick Off!

Microwave Water to Save Energy

Pulsar Advanced Technologies will launch a new product that heats water on demand. It is a water heater that has super-heating capabilities because it uses microwaves to heat the water. By heating on demand it means that hot water will not have to be stored, which means that the deadly Legionella Pneumophila is a non-threat.

The heater, affectionately known as the Vulcanus MK4, will be shown in Toronto at a construction conference next week. The Vulcans MK4 can heat water from near-freezing to near-boiling in seconds.

Chinese Eco-Cities

The Guardian has reported that a few British companies have signed contracts to help build some environmentally friendly cities in China.

From the article “The eco-cities are regarded both as a prototype for urban living in over-populated and polluted environments and as a magnet for investment funds into the rapidly growing Chinese economy.”

It is arguable, and I suppose ironic, that the way that the Chinese government is structured that makes initiatives like this feasible, unlike in many Western nations. The article was also published before the recent oil spill, but the oil spill has sparked demands for more environmental action (thanks, Emily!).

For more information on the technical aspects of the first sustainable city check out the press release from Arup. This is a huge step in the right direction for China (which is notorious for poor environmental protection) and further places China in an international lead when it comes to environmentally friendly societies.