Renewables 2007 Global Status Report

The renewable energy market experienced exceptional growth in 2007 yet due to this rapid growth people are still not entirely convinced of its status and stability.  The Renewable Global Status Report put out by the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century provides an astounding overview of the reality of the market touching on market trends, investments, industries, policies, and even rural renewable energy.  This report was put together by 140 researchers and collaborators from developed and developing nations worldwide.

Below are some inspiring facts from the 2007 report: 

• $100 billion dollars were invested in new renewable energy capacity, manufacturing, research and development
• $71 billion dollars was invested in renewable power and heating (excluding big hydropower) worldwide.  47% was in wind power technology and 37% was in solar PV technology.
• Renewable Generation capacity reached 240 GW worldwide
• Worldwide wind power generation capacity grew 28% to reach 95 GW of power.
• Grid-Connected Solar Photovoltaic power capacity grew 50% in both 2006 and 2007 to reach 7.7 GW.  This is due to the 1.5 million homes with roof-top solar capacity that is feeding back into the electric grid.
• Rooftop solar heat collectors grew 19% to reach 150 GW of thermal energy.  This technology provides hot water to 50 million homes worldwide and provides space heating to a growing number homes and buildings.
• production of biofuels grew 43% from 2005 to an estimated overall volume of 53 billion liters.
• The world also experienced an influx of policy mandates in 2007.  There are now existing policy targets for renewable energy in 66 countries including all 27 European Union countries, 6 Canadian provinces, and 29 US states.

e2 On Harvesting the Wind

A 3 minute trailer from the e2 series on PBS. Narrated by Morgan Freeman, this particular video focuses on the story of a wind energy project taking place in southwest Minnesota. The farmers featured in the video have joined with a local developer to set up a wind farm, supplying energy to residents and businesses in their area.

According to Reuters, the world’s largest international multimedia news agency, United States wind power grew by 45 percent in 2007 and $9 billion was invested. In addition, through their annual year-end report, The American Wind Energy Association noted that wind power accounted for 30 percent of all new power generation in the US. In comparison, 2006 only saw a wind power growth of 20 percent and $4 billion was spent.

Irresistible prefab homes

LivingHomes has been working hard to get great LEED certified, prefab housing on the market. To cite Steve Glenn, their CEO, “our mission is to create homes and communities that inspire people, foster family and community interaction, and make modern life easier, healthier and more comfortable — all in ways that compliment and enhance the municipalities and environments in which we work. We hope our products will set a standard for the positive impact they have on soil, water, energy and health - and we’re using the Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED®) certification system so we, and you, can measure how we’re doing.”

To get more information visit livinghomes.net

Wal-Mart Talks About Doing the Sustainability Thing

Released this past July, Wal-Mart offers some high standards to hold them to. We are looking forward to the positive changes and impacts that they will have in the coming years. Their push towards environmentally friendly products and energy efficiency is encouraging. We also hope they inject local economic and social sustainability into communities around the world that they affect.

Much Needed Action to Make the South Bronx More Sustainable

Majora Carter is a very inspiring activist who has been making a massive difference in New York’s South Bronx. Her organization, Sustainable South Bronx works to locally improve the use of land, water and energy while innovating transportation and education.

To learn more about her initiatives click here.

Water Bottle Heat Sink

As osmosis transfers water between our cell walls to the side where water is needed, the water bottle heat sink stores and transfers heat to the location most appropriate. This wall was installed in a Chicago home called the Factor 10 home, designed and retrofitted for the Green Homes for Chicago Program. The home is designed to reduce the environmental impact by a factor of 10.

The simple reused bottle construction works on the simple principles of heat transfer. The bottles hold heat until the house cools down and can make it usable to heat up the room.

So if you have a load of water bottles lying around the home and cant wait for recycling to come, dont just think about it, create your own heat sink.