This article was published on renewablenergyworld.com on March 23, 2020. A St. Louis firm specializes in getting environmentally challenged properties ready for reuse, including coal plants. As coal-fired power plants become uneconomic and are shut down for good, a new sort of recycling industry is taking shape: the repurposing of those plants. Utilities across the … Read more
This article was originally published on energynews.us on 3.10. 2020. A Minnesota couple’s idea for keeping solar panels clear of snow is gaining traction after winning a $50,000 federal innovation prize. Solar panels work well in cold weather, but not as well if they are covered even partially by snow. The tilt of panels helps … Read more
This article was originally published on greentechmedia.com on Feb. 19, 2020. Google parent company Alphabet has dropped its support for Makani Power, the highest-profile airborne wind energy company, raising questions about the sector’s future. GTM confirmed that other airborne wind energy (AWE) hopefuls, such as Ampyx Power and Kitenergy, are pressing ahead with technology tests despite … Read more
This article was originally published on greentechmedia.com The novel coronavirus, a respiratory illness that’s sickened more than 17,000 and killed more than 360 people in China as of Feb. 3, may impact the Chinese-rooted solar energy supply chain, potentially contributing to labor shortages, equipment delays and global price increases. Determining the full impact of the … Read more
This article was originally published on coloradocollege.edu Colorado College has achieved carbon neutrality, a goal it set in 2009 when it committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2020. After a decade of work, the ambitious target has been met — even as the college increased its building footprint by more than 10% during that time. … Read more
Written by Elihu Dietz, ERS As the connection between fossil fuels and financing becomes more widely appreciated, retail banking customers are asking more questions – specifically about how their money may be supporting companies that are contributing the most to global warming. This recent New York Times op-ed gives a nice breakdown of this movement, and … Read more
This article was written by Jim Paull, ERS Building integrated photovoltaics (or BIPV) are solar PV modules that are also part of the building itself. BIPV can take on different forms, such as windows, roofing, or spandrel (the space between windows in curtain-wall buildings). BIPV is becoming increasingly important as more buildings strive to reduce … Read more
Written by Taylor Patterson, ERS Word of Australia’s catastrophic wildfires has spread across the globe. It is nearly impossible to quantify the damage done to the ecosystems burning in the deadly inferno, which has eliminated critical plants, wildlife, and energy sources across the continent. Many scientists and journalists agree that climate change is partly to … Read more
Written by Taylor Patterson, ERS Santa Claus is coming to town! The legend of Santa bringing toys to all the good little girls and boys on Christmas Eve is familiar to us all: Santa visits every home in the world, riding on his sleigh. But does this 24-hour delivery ride have a greater environmental impact, … Read more
Taylor Patterson, ERS Pros and Cons of Electric Vehicles As with any technology, electric vehicles (EVs) have their own list of advantages and drawbacks. Pros: Cons: – Elimination of tailpipe emissions– Minimal operational costs– Lower maintenance costs– Convenient at-home charging– Unique driving experience – Range anxiety– Recharge time– Accessibility of charging station– Higher upfront cost … Read more