KYOTO, Japan–(BUSINESS WIRE)–As part of its traditional environmental protection and sustainability activities, Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO)(TOKYO:6971) plants Green Curtains every spring at its sites in Japan and select Kyocera Group companies in other parts of the world. Through the hot summer, curtains of foliage are grown on trellises in front of office windows and walls at company sites. This not only provides shade but also shields the buildings from heat radiation — decreasing inside room temperatures by approximately 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit*, which contributes to a reduction of energy consumption from air conditioner usage. Continue reading
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“Green Curtain” Initiative: KYOCERA Greens Company Buildings and Saves Energy
Posted in Business, Energy, Environment, Sustainability News
Tagged alternative energy, environment, environmental, sustainability, sustainable, technology
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New Component Manufacturing Furthers Efficiency Improvement for Siemens Gas Turbines
ERLANGEN, Germany–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Siemens Energy has recently opened a facility in Charlottesville, Virginia for the innovative commercial production of airfoil ceramic cores for gas turbine blades and vanes using the TOMOSM technology, initially developed by Mikro Systems, Inc. The advancements are expected to improve the cooling capability of gas turbine blading, thus enabling higher levels of engine performance and efficiency for future Siemens Gas Turbines. This technology is available to Siemens as a part of the Technology License agreement with Mikro Systems.
With support from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), Mikro Systems was funded via Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants. Mikro Systems and Siemens Energy partnered to develop the application of its patented Tomo-Lithographic Molding (TOMOSM) manufacturing technology to a range of gas turbine components. Continue reading
Smart Grid Revenue in China Will Surpass $15 Billion a Year by 2020
BOULDER, Colo.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–China is in the midst of its latest national development strategy, better known as the 12th Five-Year Guideline, which will continue through 2015. One of the Guideline’s primary goals is “strengthening the construction of [the] smart grid.” With the support of the government-owned State Grid Corporation of China, as well as many provinces and cities, this effort is rapidly progressing. According to a recent report from Navigant Research, annual revenue from smart grid deployments in China will reach $15.4 billion by 2020.
“The area of strongest smart grid growth in China will be transmission upgrades, anticipated to reach more than $72 billion in revenue by 2020 on a cumulative basis,” says Bob Lockhart, senior research analyst with Navigant Research. “Overall, smart grid development in China will generate $127 billion in cumulative revenue from 2012 to 2020.” Continue reading
More Than 400 Microgrid Projects are Under Development Worldwide
Recent widespread power outages from severe weather events and other causes have increased the appeal of microgrids, which can operate in isolation from the wider power grid. According to a recent tracker report from Navigant Research, the number of active microgrid projects around the world continues to increase rapidly. The report, the fourth edition of Navigant Research’s Microgrid Deployment Tracker, identifies at least 405 microgrid projects that are currently planned, proposed, under development, or fully operating. Continue reading
Posted in BusinessWire, Energy, Sustainability News, Technology, Uncategorized
Tagged electric, energy, microgrid, smart grid, technology
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Wind Energy Drives More Than Just Turbines
Wind energy is the fastest-growing source of electricity production globally, and in the U.S., Texas ranks No. 1 for wind energy capacity. If Texas were a country, it would be sixth in the world.
Presently, Texas has 12,000 megawatts installed, which signifies a $20 billion investment in the state and creates jobs, said Elizabeth A. Salerno, director, Industry Data and Analysis, American Wind Energy Association.
“One megawatt can power 300 homes. One gigawatt can power 300,000 homes, and 12 gigawatts can power 3,600,000 homes. What many people do not understand is wind is a real power industry, and it is growing,” said Matt Guyette, chief marketing and strategy officer, GE Renewable Energy.
One indicator the industry is growing is the continual number of member companies joining the American Wind Energy Association, which today is close to 1,500.
“Ten years ago, there were less than 2,000 turbines, and today there are over 20,000. These are not your father’s turbines. These are efficient and are driving down the cost of electricity,” Guyette said.
Posted in Alternative Energy, Wind
Tagged air, alternative energy, electric, environment, environmental, renewable energy, technology, wind
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GE’s Innovative Natural Gas Turbines See Global Popularity
The world’s largest collection of medical research institutions and hospitals, the Texas Medical Center, depends on GE’s natural gas-fueled turbine unit to support its 280-building empire. That same technology was used to provide Japan with power after the devastating earthquake and tsunami in 2011, and will be used to power next year’s Winter Olympic Games in Russia.
Despite public concern over the industry’s methods of tapping more natural gas reserves, via “fracking,” the source remains an important, inexpensive and cleaner fuel compared to its fossil fuel counterparts.
GE’s unit that has supported the medical center since 2010 represents a type of system that has become increasingly popular around the world, playing up its reliability to deliver regular and backup power during outages or shortages. There are over 2,200 active turbines in 76 countries around the world, including remote areas in the Amazon.
Each turbine takes about ten minutes to turn on, can be shipped and set up within a matter of weeks and provides fast and lasting power to areas stricken with natural disasters. The units in the company’s aeroderivative line have seen four years of double-digit growth in orders, with volume expected to increase another 25 percent this year.
Read more about GE’s innovative natural gas turbines at Energy Digital
Posted in 3BL Media, Alternative Energy, Energy, Technology
Tagged alternative energy, carbon, csr, environment, environmental, sustainability, sustainable, technology
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Driving Range and Economics Continue to Hinder Interest in Purchasing Electric Vehicles
BOULDER, Colo.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The volume of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) has grown significantly over the last year, with many auto manufacturers adding new models to their fleets. Indeed, several auto manufacturers are electrifying their fleets with innovative models. The PEV market is expected to grow swiftly, with a compound annual growth rate of 30 percent between 2012 and 2020 in the United States. According to a recent consumer survey by Navigant Research, however, makers of PEVs have not been successful in changing several misperceptions about these vehicles in the marketplace.
“So-called ‘range anxiety’ continues to be the number one reason cited by consumers who are not interested in purchasing PEVs,” says Dave Hurst, principal research analyst with Navigant Research. “A number of other negative perceptions continue to persist, however, helping to explain why overall consumer interest in PEVs has declined since 2011.” Continue reading
3M Earns ENERGY STAR ‘Sustained Excellence’ Award For Record Ninth Consecutive Year
ST. PAUL, Minn.- (BUSINESS WIRE) -For an industry-leading ninth consecutive year, 3M has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year-Sustained Excellence Award for its comprehensive worldwide energy conservation efforts. No other company has achieved this distinction for that many consecutive years, or as many as nine times.
The awards will be presented today at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. They recognize “a select group of organizations that have exhibited outstanding leadership year after year,” according to the EPA. “These winners have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by setting and achieving aggressive goals, and employing innovative energy efficiency approaches.” Continue reading
Posted in Business, BusinessWire, Green Business, Health, Sustainability News, Technology
Tagged csr, environment, environmental, sustainability, sustainable, technology
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