FIF2002

by CATHERINE PARKER
With ever mounting concerns regarding our environment, green technology has had vast amounts of research invested in it and this research is now paying off!

We now have co-friendly kettles, TV’s and even houses. Of course, the Germans have eco-friendly houses off to an art but so far they haven’t taken off over here. Hopefully, that is all about to change as one couple in Yorkshire have already begun to build their environmentally friendly house from the ground upwards, based on the German design.

Although you can purchase the German version in flat pack form it is totally out of character with your average home in the average British street so this couple have taken all the principles and applied them to the building of their own eco-friendly house with meticulous detail.

The idea is that the house is made as efficient as possible. This includes using insulation that is fifteen times more efficient than current Government regulations. This, along with very careful building, means that the house is air and water tight – acting like a tea cosy.

Most heat is generated through cooking, body heat and the sun through the windows. The air that is warmed through these means is then extracted using a very exact filter system. Fresh air is drawn in through the system and the old air used to warm it. Thus, the air in the house is never stale or stuffy or cold!

Of course, the air in the house is never going to be as hot as some central heating boilers that heat a room up to bacteria growing proportions but it will be comfortable and never unhealthy! In extreme weather, the house does have under floor heating but it is estimated that for the amount of time this will need to be used will cost the couple around £70 a year to run – a little different from the hundreds of pounds the rest of us have to pay for fuel!

The couples modest two bedroom property is costing around £140,000 to build. This is, on average, 15% more than any other house costs to build but given that the running costs are virtually non-existent, this is a worthwhile investment. What is truly frustrating however, is that, despite the green technology implemented in the property, it does not score highly on the Governments Code for Sustainable Homes. That’s because their points scoring system is based on things like solar panels and woodchip boilers.

The construction industry are taking great interest in the project and making notes for future reference. Ideally, it would be good to get to a phase where we all live in such sustainable homes but unfortunately, this isn’t always financially viable. That said, it is quite important that we do all we can to make our homes as efficient as possible, not just for our own pockets but for the sake of future generations.

http://www.sony.co.uk/hub/id/1201538224713

Originally posted 2009-10-09 05:31:02. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Popularity: 42% [?]

Wind energy is actually a form of solar energy. Wind is formed from the heating and cooling of the atmosphere, which causes air and air layers to rise and fall and move over each other, results in wind currents.
Modern windmills have become very efficient at transferring the energy of wind to electricity. Wind power is an important part of the overall renewable energy sources for the future.

Wind and hydroelectric power, which have been used effectively for generations, are also rapidly growing energy markets. The principle behind both is that the force of the wind and water currents is passed through turbines which convert their energy into electricity.
Global wind energy capacity grew by 28.8% last year, higher than the average over the past decade, to reach total global installations of more than 120,8 GW at the end of 2008.
Steve Sawyer, Secretary General of global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), considers that wind energy is huge and growing for emissions – free, can be installed quickly virtually everywhere in the world.
The massive growth in the US wind market in 2008 increased the nation’s total wind power generating capacity by 50%. The new wind projects completed in 2008 account for about 42% of the entire new power-producing capacity added in the US last year, and created 35,000 new jobs, for a total of 85,000 employed in the sector in the US.
In its response to the financial crisis, the Chinese government has identified the development of wind energy as one of the key economic growth areas. At this rate, China would be well on its way to overtake Germany and Spain to reach second place in terms of total wind power capacity in 2010. China would then have met its 2020 target of 30 GW ten years ahead of time.
In Europe, almost 8,9 GW worth of new wind turbines brought total wind power generation capacity up to nearly 66 GW.     This makes wind power the leading power source for new generation capacity, according to the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA). While in the past, European growth was primarily spurred by the established markets in Germany, Spain and Denmark, 2008 saw a much more balanced expansion, led by France, the UK and Italy.
In Holland, the experts placed the aeolian turbines in the water, near the coasts, not only on the land, because of the wind currents are stronger above the water. In Holland, windmills have been used for centuries to pump water from low-lying areas.
Farmers have been using wind energy for many years to pump water from wells using windmills like the one on the right.
Wind and water are perfect energy sources because they are non-polluting, renewable and efficient and you need only sunlight, running water and wind. This renewable energy sources help reduce global carbon dioxide emissions, and they can limited our dependence of fossil fuels.
An idea about the emplacement of aeolian turbines, with different shapes and forms, is in the city or near it, which can be comparative with the energy produced by the electric central with fossil fuels.
A student from Arizona State University came up with an idea, to utilize the wind generated by cars whooshing down the freeway, and it’s being proposed for a stretch of desert highway that is quite busy near Phoenix.

Advantages
Wind Energy is distributed cheap, renewable and also reducing toxic gas emissions. Wind Energy is also advantageous over traditional methods of creating energy, in the sense that it is getting cheaper and cheaper to produce wind energy. Wind Energy may soon be the cheapest way to produce energy on a large scale.
One other advantage of wind energy that it is readily available around the globe, and therefore there would be no need of dependence for energy for any country. Wind energy may be the answer to the globe’s question of energy in the face of the rising petroleum and gas prices.

Disadvantages
Though the costs of creating wind energy is going down, even today a large number of turbines have to be built to generate a proper amount of wind energy, the turbines may create a lot of noise, which indirectly contributes to noise pollution.
Wind can never be predicted. Even the most advanced machinery may come out a cropper while predicting weather and wind conditions. Since wind energy will require knowledge of the weather and wind conditions on long term basis, it may be a bit impractical. Therefore, in areas where a large amount of wind energy is needed, one cannot depend completely on wind.
Many potential wind farms, places where wind energy can be produced on a large scale, are far away from places for which wind energy is best suited.

Wind Energy is non – dispatchable. This may also put a spanner in depending upon wind power as a primary energy supplier. Wind energy depends upon the wind in an area and therefore is a variable source of energy.
Source: www.fif2002.com

Originally posted 2009-08-14 08:25:33. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Popularity: 52% [?]

by DURGESH BHAT
Why should you keep buying bulky and dangerous propane cylinders for your camping trips when free fuel from Mother Nature herself is all around you?

You should stop cooking with propane for your camping trips because:

1 Propane is expensive

2 Propane cylinders are bulky to carry

3 Propane is potentially dangerous and explosive

Usually when you go camping, there is an abundance of free fuel you can use for cooking: including branches, twigs, and pine cones. The problem is, in order to use mother natures cooking fuel, you usually have to go through the hassle of finding kindling, then collecting an adequete amount of branches, logs, etc… Next, you would have to break them down to size and set up your pile of wood in a properly cleared space, safe to build a fire. Finally, you have to patiently light the fire and nurse it until it is going strong enough; this assumes you have the right equipment to hold a pot or pan over the fire to begin with.

There has to be a better way!

The good news is: There IS a better way.

Consider The New WoodGas Camp Stove by iENERGY.

Why use the WoodGas camp stove?

The WoodGas stove is the cleanest burning portable camp stove available. The stove is easy to light with a special starter gel and with just a handful of twigs and other forest and tree debris you can pick up from the ground in about a minute will keep you cooking for up to 30 minutes. You will be surprised at just how smokeless and clean burning the WoodGas stove is. The flame is safely contained in the stove until a load of fuel is consumed in 30 minutes or less, adding fuel is easy for longer cooking sessions.

With the WoodGas camp stove you can forget both the hassles and expense of buying expensive and dangerous propane or all the work involved in building an open pit fire for cooking. The WoodGas stove is also excellent for emergency preparedness.

Jonathan F. Pratt President, iENERGY Inc.

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Originally posted 2009-09-18 05:33:07. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Popularity: 44% [?]

by ALEX BOND

The Home Automation System provides enhanced comfort, safety, convenience and energy savings by coordinating lighting, heating and air, security, scenes and messaging based on lifestyles and schedules. Home Automation provides added comfort, convenience, enhances your security and produces environmental savings in all your home systems which you automate.

Home automation holds tremendous promise, however much of the excitement felt when installing the devices turns to frustration when dealing with the current array of software packages.

The view from a camera installed over the front door can appear on any or all television screens when the doorbell is rung. A single push of a button can launch a complete scene change including walkway lighting, soothing outdoor music and activation of the hot tub for a relaxing moment in the spa. Difficulties with software installation, hardware communication issues and steep learning curves for many of the packages leave the uninitiated with little progress after hours spent with configuration.

Home Automation & Electronic Systems is committed to providing affordable electronic and mechanical security protection for customers. Historically, home automation was seen only in very limited applications related to access control with the most common being remote-controlled garage door openers. Now, however, we stand on the brink of a whole new level of home control and convenience.

We offer installation, repair and maintenance to all types of security systems and burglar alarms as well as automated doors, secure entry systems etc, providing a reliable service undertaken by experienced professionals with an excellent customer service record. CD and MP3 collection in central storage and make it available throughout your home. This even extends to the contents of your iPod. Just slip it into the docking station and your music is available anywhere.

We understand that customer satisfaction is the key to the success of any firm. That is why we work hard to ensure that our customers receive a quality of service that continues to build our reputation. Some of these systems are wired, using Cat5 Ethernet cable and some are wireless. Which solution you use will depend on your individual circumstances, location and range of functions desired.

Now is the time to take advantage of this 21st century home automation technology to provide you with the latest time saving devices, security protection and all benefits which your automated smart house. For more details http://www.av-setup.com

Originally posted 2009-10-26 08:38:56. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Popularity: 68% [?]

by BERNARD RIDAL

Homemade energy is becoming a growing trend for many parts of the world! Its seems to be getting stronger and stronger. There was a report carried out by the British Government that provided a series of compelling reasons why using a wind turbine in your front or back garden, a couple of solar panels attached to your roof and a combined power and heat boiler in your basement was a great way to produce energy for your home. In this article, I would like to talk about some of the amazing reasons why one should consider the idea of going for a renewable energy system for their home.

1. Helps Cut Back Co2 Emissions

If you do decide to go for a homemade energy system and produce your own sustainable energy, you can seriously cut back on Co2 emission release. In the UK, encouraging the idea could cut back Co2 emissions by about 30m tones in the next two decades. This would be the equivalent to the energy output of 5 large nuclear power stations.

2. Homemade Energy Encourages Energy conservation

Another reason why home energy is encouraged is because when households observe how much power they generate, as well as how much they use for a homemade energy device, they become more aware of what energy consumption means. So what happens? Well… lights get turned off when not in use, the same goes for mobile phone chargers.. they get unplugged when not in use and people truly become more energy conscious.

3. Feeling Good About Making A Difference!

When everybody starts to play an active role in homemade renewable energy, we’ll all start to feel good when we are contributing to a great cause that will benefit the generations of our people in the future!

These are some of the fantastic reasons why using homemade energy is a positive move to make! If you’d like to create your own DIY energy devices for your home, perhaps you should take a look at some of the options we have available in the links below.

Thinking about creating your own renewable energy? Why not try to make solar power? Or perhaps build solar panel. building solar panels is not difficult to do, you just need the right guidance!

Originally posted 2009-08-28 05:54:42. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Popularity: 89% [?]

byAPARAJITHAN CHANDRAMOULI

The catchiest talk around the world is global warming, and renewable energy. Not because it’s catchy but because it’s worthwhile did this article initiate.

Well, all of us know about algae, the slimy creature that tremendously grows above water sources. Possibly thought of as weeds decades before, are now identified as a potential source of alternate fuel.

Fossil fuels, which are currently the biggest source of fuel, are getting depleted in a very fast manner. A potential alternative could only be a source that could be found aplenty.

What makes them a potential source of fuel?

Pond scum (the common term by which algae are referred) utilizes the solar energy incident on them to carryout photosynthesis and produce energy which is stored as oil.

Experts estimate that thousands of gallons of oil can be harvested from algae in a year per acre, when compared to 30 gallons from corn; 50 gallons from soybeans with the same growth parameters.

Now let’s see the reasons that make algae a successful fuel source:

? Algae are the fastest growing plants in the world

? Half of their weight is oil

? Algal lipid oil can be converted into bio-diesel for cars, trucks, and for that case even airplanes

Now let us take a closer look at how algae produce oil. Actually micro-algae generate lipids in the form of triacyglycerols (TAGs). The strange fact is that some micro-algae can be triggered to accumulate extensive quantities of lipids, greater than half of their biomass.

Now the question is how do algae grow so quickly?

While some algae reproduce sexually, some asexually, many combine both modes. Some green algae alter the type of reproduction owing to changes in environmental conditions, like lack of moisture or nutrients.

What’s the latest news from algae fuel sector?

There are emerging processes that uses genetically modified (GM) strains of algae and reduce the cost of making fuel. Such GM algae could be grown in enclosed plastic tubes exposed to sun.

Getting back to initial discussion, how well does the algae impact global warming reduction?

Carbon producing power plants, or manufacturing plants, are one of the major contributors for global warming. On the other hand it is interesting to note that this CO2 is used by algae for photosynthesis. Thus the CO2 from such power plants and for that case any such facility could be discharged into algal farms which will utilize them and convert them to energy.

To explore the algal species in detail, take a glimpse at www.microbexpert.com, which presents a unique algal A-Z list.

Popularity: 100% [?]

byVICTOR KRUMM

At a time when we’re trying to get through the most terrible recession since the Great Depression and concerned about the environment and escalating reliance upon imported gas and oil, the U.S. government has finally stepped up to the plate and hit a home run for Americans, the world, the environment and the climate.

It offers a tremendous incentive to achieve great solar power cost savings, financially rewarding homeowners, diminishing dependence on foreign oil, cleaning the atmosphere, and reducing carbon footprint, all simultaneously!

It is a new law, one that few people know about. It involves clean energy technology.

Here it is.

Consumers who install solar energy systems (including solar water heating and solar electric systems), small wind systems, geothermal heat pumps, and residential fuel cell and microturbine systems can receive a 30% tax credit for systems placed in service before December 31, 2016.

That is right. The government, our government, has finally taken the first step to wean us off the past.

A tax credit is different than a tax deduction. The tax credit actually reduces your taxes dollar for dollar. It is like getting a reward from Uncle Sam.

What’s your monthly utility bill? $250? $350? More?

Excited about the prospect of shelling out lots and lots of cash each and every month for the rest of your life?

Prefer free to paid?

Then,give serious thought to this incredible opportunity.

Think about it this way.

First, take into account the initial financial aspects. You will make a one time investment of 70 cents on the dollar; the government will kick in the rest. Your residence worth will grow substantially, some at the government’s expense. Your investment will be recovered in a very short time.

Second, take into consideration your future savings. Each and every month, instead of posting a check to your electric utility, send it to yourself. This month, next month, every month all year, year after year.

Use it for a vehicle, that long awaited trip, your kid’s college, or set aside for a secure retirement.

Perform the arithmetic yourself. You’ll discover that you can’t go wrong.

By all means, price out the one time expense and weigh it against the future savings.

With today’s technological know-how, a lot of DIYers can build their own solar electric systems by themselves.

This is not rocket science as more and more folks are showing all the time. There are excellent, inexpensive do it yourself publications, and everything you need is probably at Home Depot, Lowe’s, and other large home improvement stores.

Of course, should something not be locally available, the internet makes getting it a snap.

But, even if you are not all that handy, there are lots of people who are—-and in this economy willing to work for a price you can afford.

Finally, for more information check out the Department of Energy website: http://www.energy.gov/taxbreaks.htm. The writer writes about wind and solar cost saving ideas in the 21st Century on his new blog, Solar Power Cost Saver Blog. Great for DIYers, too!

Popularity: 97% [?]

byTHOMAS AJAVA

We like to suggest that we know massive amounts of things about the planet we live on, but every once in a while Mother Nature reminds us who is in charge. The recent spate of earthquakes certainly is such an instance and raises the very real question of whether we are entering a time of increased seismic activity and, if so, what it means.

You and I have never met, but we may have shared a very surreal experience a few weeks back. I sat there on the weekend transfixed after the massive earthquake in Chile occurred. What were we both probably watching? Whether there was going to be a monstrous tsunami in Hawaii. It was so surreal that it was almost funny. I’ll even admit I was disappointed at first when nothing much happen until I realized that a lot of people would have lost a lot of things.

While sitting there, it also occurred to me that there have been a ton of earthquakes lately. Haiti was obviously a massive tremor that devastated the country. Most people think Chile was the next big one, but it was not. There was a magnitude 7.0 earthquake off the shore of Japan. Then we Chile rolls through with numbers that haven’t been seen in a very long time at a staggering 8.8 on the Richter Scale. This, of course, has been followed by the earthquake in Turkey measuring “only” 5.5 that has killed at least 50 people at last count and the count has only started.

The rather obvious question facing us is whether earthquakes are on the rise? Well, earthquakes are the result of shifts in fault lines, particularly in subduction zones where one plate slides below another. Most scientist have argued that there has been a slight increase in the last 15 years, but the current spate of tremors is just a coincidence. Is this true? Well, it would seem to be. The major earthquakes that have occurred are not on the same fault lines. Only Chile and Japan are in the ring of fire. Haiti is its own area. Turkey is dramatic, but it has always been subject to significant tremors much like California has.

Is the world coming to an end or undergoing some major shift? Not likely. Then again, 2012 is only just around the corner!

Thomas Ajava writes for FactsMonk.com – where you can find Mount Redoubt Facts and facts on a host of other subjects as well.

Popularity: 94% [?]

by JACKWALTERS WALTERS
The latest news from Russia, Canada and other northern countries shows that the world’s only remaining ‘pristine’ forest – the boreal forest across large stretches of the northern hemisphere is facing increasing threat to its environment and is fast becoming one of world’s most serious global issues. Researchers from Memorial University of Newfoundland in Canada, University of Adelaide in Australia and the National University of Singapore have called for continuing education of humans in green living and wildlife conservation to ensure urgent preservation of existing boreal forests. This will secure biodiversity and prevent the loss of this major global carbon sink. Our carbon footprint must be reduced and these crucial environmental issues must be addressed. The boreal forest comprises about one-third of the world’s forested area and one-third of the world’s stored carbon, covering a large proportion of Russia, Canada, Alaska and Scandinavia. To date, it has remained largely intact because of the usually sparse human populations in boreal regions. That is now changing. The findings, which have been published online in the Trends in Ecology and Evolution paper ‘Urgent preservation of boreal carbon stocks and biodiversity’, suggest that fire is the main cause of this deforestation and human activity is leading to more fires. There is also evidence that climate change is increasing the amount and possibly the extent of fires in the boreal zone which in turn is highly damaging to such precious environments.

Researchers from Memorial University of Newfoundland in Canada, University of Adelaide in Australia and the National University of Singapore have called for continuing education of humans in green living and wildlife conservation to ensure urgent preservation of existing boreal forests. This will secure biodiversity and prevent the loss of this major global carbon sink. Our carbon footprint must be reduced and these crucial environmental issues must be addressed.

Originally posted 2009-09-14 05:09:16. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Popularity: 94% [?]

by MARK SIERRA

There are a variety of erosion control methods available. What method you use is determined on what your specific problem is and your budget. The two types that are most common are structural methods and vegetation.

The structural method involves erecting barriers to either divert water and runoff temporarily or permanently by channels or dikes. There is also the permanent riprap method.

The riprap method is used around an outlet pipe where water usually flows quickly, which results in carrying off the soil or damaging it in some manner. Concrete slabs or a series of large stones are placed at the bottom of down spouts in areas where this can occur. The reason is that with the rush or sudden downpour of water will hit this hard surface. The hard surfaces will take the impact and reduce the velocity of the water without being damaged. Once the velocity is decreased, the water can be diverted to areas without the risk of erosion or runoff by the turbulence of a fast moving waterflow.

Dikes and channels are also implemented as effective erosion control methods. By stopping the flow of water and runoff down a slope with a dike, the flow can be controlled. Many dikes not only stop water and store it, but also redirect through a channel. Many channels are made of concrete or other solid, non-porous materials to avoid any possibility of runoff.

The most common erosion control methods are also used to promote plant growth. This is when an erosion control mat comes in handy. This is rolled out on the slope and staked down. Most of these mats are made of natural components and will biodegrade in less than three years. In that time plant life will have a chance to take root and produce a natural protection against erosion. Another benefit of the erosion control matting is that it will keep moisture to help the vegetation take root more quickly than if the soil was left unprotected.

Additional information can be found regarding how erosion control plants can be used to keep dust contained, especially in construction areas where dust is most prevalent. Check out the Dust Stop Zone for more Free information.

Originally posted 2009-08-24 05:51:25. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Popularity: 99% [?]