Sustainability


UNC Wins First National Building Competition to Save Energy

Sears and JCPenney stores in Maryland and California came in second and third, respectively.

Stanford Students Design Recyclable Laptop with Autodesk Inventor Software

Modular computer simplifies electronics recycling, reduces e-waste and disassembles in two minutes.

Atlanta Officials Stake a Claim for Green Jobs Epicenter

The Southface SWEET Center has already trained 700+ energy-efficiency professionals, benefiting 3,500 low-income families.

BASF Releases Comparison of Turf, Natural Grass

The environmental and economic impact of turf fields fares well against natural grass fields, says a BASF study that was verified by NSF International.

New System Monitors Electricity for Residential Use

Most households have no way of monitoring how much electricity is being consumed; however, researchers in Pittsburgh believe a new monitoring system may soon be available for residential use.

Dow Honors Winners of Sustainability Innovation Student Challenge

Among the winning entries were projects applying organic photoelectric materials in solar power generation and a synthetic route to developing PET plastic.

Researchers Develop a Solar-powered Air-conditioning System for Vehicles

The innovative system has been installed on the top of a truck for carrying beverages and proved to work on the road.

Harnessing Tidal Energy

Kepler Energy Limited has been formed to develop a tidal turbine that has the potential to harness tidal energy more efficiently and cheaply, using a device which is simpler, more robust and more scalable than current designs.



General Motors Selects Envision Solar to Install Solar-powered Electric-vehicle Charging Stations

Envision Solar International Inc., a leading sustainable infrastructure designer and developer, has been selected by General Motors to install its CleanChargeā„¢ solar powered electric-vehicle charging stations integrated into EnvisionTrakā„¢ tracking Solar Trees® at prominent locations.

Largest Solar Project Ever on Public Lands Approved

The U.S. Department of the Interior has approved the largest solar energy project ever to be built on U.S. public lands.

Walkable neighborhoods

Part 3: Prefurbia Gives Preference to Walkable Neighborhoods

This is the third installment of a multi-part series on some of today's problems in land development and how innovative methods collectively known as "Prefurbia" can help overcome them.

Union Ironworkers Prepare for Green Jobs With Specialized Wind Turbine Training

The Ironworker Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust provides training to improve safety and quality in construction of wind turbine towers.

SAFE: New Truck Efficiency Rules Will Improve American Security

Securing America's Future Energy applauded the administration's release of proposed rules to put into place the first-ever fuel efficiency standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks.

Predicting the Output of Wind Parks in Austria

Scientists are comparing methods for predicting the power output of wind parks in Austria to create a basis for optimized forecasts of wind park outputs - forecasts that can be used to make better decisions about which measures to take to ensure the need for power is met.

San Antonio Teams with Ameresco to Make Use of Biogas

In a 20-year partnership, the water system and the renewable energy company will collect methane gas from the sewage treatment process and sell it on the open market.

Federal Partnership Promotes Sustainable Manufacturing

E3 projects are under way in Alabama, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Renewable Energy Initiatives

The Secretary announced several measures, including the publication of a final rule to implement the Biomass Crop Assistance Program.

Study: Offshore Wind Power Presents Economic and Political Hurdles

Offshore wind power offers a feasible way for Maryland to help meet its renewable energy goals, but presents some economic and political hurdles,

Frito-Lay All-electric Delivery Trucks Hit the Streets of Columbus, Ohio

These 10 electric delivery trucks will ultimately be part of the largest planned fleet of commercial all-electric trucks in North America.

Hydroelectric power plant

Researchers Developed a Small-scale Hydroelectric Power Plant

Hydroelectric power is the oldest and the "greenest" source of renewable energy. In Germany, the potential would appear to be completely exploited, while large-scale projects in developing countries are eliciting strong criticism due to their major impact on the environment.