In green technology news this week, Google helped unearth geothermal energy, Facebook “friended” hydropower, Hertz tested an “e-shuttle” at LAX, Dow put its shingle out, and much, much more.
West Virginia has always been known as coal country, but now an alternative energy sector is heating up in that region. Significantly high temperatures have been discovered beneath the Earth’s crust in the southeastern United States, indicating a generous source of previously untapped geothermal energy. A three-year research project, executed by Dallas-based Southern Methodist University’s Geothermal Laboratory and funded by a $10 million grant from Google.org, documents substantial geothermal resources across the United States; capable of producing more than 3 million megawatts (MW) of green power — 10 times the installed capacity of coal power plants today.
Following a 20-month crusade by Greenpeace urging users to give Facebook the “cold shoulder” because of its fossil-fueled data centers, the social networking giant will open its first international server farm in Luleå, Sweden —and will rely on the frigid arctic air and nearly 100 percent renewable hydropower energy sources to keep its operations running smoothly. Amsterdam-based Greenpeace International — the largest independent direct-action environmental organization in the world—inspired 700,000 users to ask Facebook to go greener through an “Unfriend Coal” campaign. The initiative was prompted by a February 2010 announcement that Facebook would build a massive data center in Oregon and operate it on coal-generated electricity.
Now there’s a free airport shuttle bus that takes a charge. The Hertz Corporation — the world's largest general-use airport car rental brand — has begun testing an electric bus created in partnership with Shenzhen, China-based BYD Co. Ltd. at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The eBus-12 is the first electric vehicle to be used as an airport shuttle by a rental car company. The BYD (”Build Your Dreams”) pure electric eBUS-12 is able to run 155 miles on a single charge in urban conditions — more than enough for Hertz's use at its airport locations — and its energy consumption is less than 100 kWh per 60 miles. With a lower cost of ownership than a traditional gas powered bus, replacing just one traditional bus with the eBUS will reduce emissions by over 320 kg of CO2 (per 150 miles traveled) and save Hertz an average of $76 per day, per bus in fuel costs (assuming that 32 gallons of diesel at $3.20/gal are replaced with $25.92 in electricity for $0.08/Kwh — the nighttime EV charge rates in LA).
In related news, De Lijn, a well-known Belgian bus operator, has selected a bus and coach solution from MiX Telematics for its fleet of more than 1,800 buses. Rauwers, MiX Telematics' channel partner in Belgium, will install EcoDrive in buses to help De Lijn reduce their fuel costs while enhancing passenger comfort. EcoDrive includes FM-Web, a web-based application for access to vehicle and driver data as well as state-of-the-art reporting and analytics, and the RIBAS display. The solution, along with other solutions from MiX Telematics was showcased at the 40th Busworld exhibition, held in Kortrijk, Belgium from October 21st to 26th, 2011.
Dow has announced its intentions to “raise the roof” throughout America — elevating it from a utilitarian protective covering for homes to an innovative, cost-effective, energy generating platform that still looks traditionally attractive.
Dow Solar, a division of The Dow Chemical Company, launched U.S. sales of its new Powerhouse Solar Shingle at an event earlier this month in Arvada, Colorado, attended by Governor John Hickenlooper. Dow expects its sales of solar shingles to, ahem, go through the roof — bringing in as much as $10 billion by 2020. The company said there will be substantial benefits for consumers, too. The innovative solar shingles are expected to cost 10 percent to 15 percent less than traditional solar panels, and will be cheaper and quicker to install. The Dow Powerhouse Solar Shingles have received seven certifications for product performance and safety — including three Underwriters Laboratories (News - Alert) safety certifications for the solar module, fire, and uplift resistance; building code certification from the International Code Council Evaluation Service; International Electrotechnical Commission performance certification; California Energy Commission (News - Alert) List of Eligible Equipment certification; and performance certification of ASTM wind uplift resistance.
Massachusetts has long regarded itself as the historic cradle of the American Revolution . Now it is second to none as the cradle of America’s green revolution, according to the fifth annual edition of the State Energy Efficiency Scorecard prepared by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE). The nonprofit, Washington, D.C.-based organization announced this week that its latest research shows that Massachusetts has taken the number-one position among all U.S. states for the first time ever –beating out the four-time victor, California. Also among the top 10 states (in descending order) are: New York, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, Rhode Island, Minnesota, Connecticut, and Maryland – the latter making its first appearance in the top 10 and also one of the six most-improved states in the 2011 Scorecard.
This month, a list of Top Green Companies was compiled by Newsweek, Trucost, and Sustainalytics., The top 10 companies that made the list include IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Sprint Nextel, Baxter, Dell (News 
- Alert), Johnson & Johnson, Accenture, Office Depot, CA Technologies, and Nvidia. But are they green enough to offer telecommuting? The answer is yes… for some. According to FlexJobs, IBM (News - Alert) is currently offering several flexible positions. In addition, Hewlett-Packard, Dell, Johnson and Johnson, and Accenture all have open flexible positions. Baxter, Sprint/Nextel, CA Technologies don’t have any positions currently, but have had telecommuting postings in the past; while Office Depot and Nvidia have both offered positions for part-time work.
Emerson (News - Alert) Process Management has launched a smart energy Initiative—a program designed to combine its industrial energy expertise with energy management technologies to enable customers to leverage renewable fuels, reduce energy costs, and bring down emissions. The focus of Emerson’s new Industrial Energy Group will be on modernizing and improving the performance of powerhouses, the onsite utilities that provide steam and electricity to power industrial operations, while also improving how the manufacturing process consumes energy. Recently, Emerson Network Power announced that it is joining a group of companies that are providing technologies and solutions for a green data center being built in Malaysia by Teliti International, a Malaysian IT services provider.
Finally, more and more companies are getting serious about what they can do to be more “green.” One company, the father and son team behind Gordon Grade Coffee, has introduced “
Dr. Drip Coffee.” While coffee usually is sold in a Styrofoam or paper cup, and sometimes made with filters that are not easily biodegradable, Dr. Drip Coffee comes in a portable single-serve brewing system that can be taken to the office, or on the road, and still deliver a tasty 100 percent Arabica coffee. It retails for $8.99 for a package of five on the company’s website.
Cheryl Kaften is an accomplished communicator who has written for consumer and corporate audiences. She has worked extensively for MasterCard Worldwide, Philip Morris USA (Altria), and KPMG, and has consulted for Estee Lauder and the Philadelphia Inquirer Newspapers. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.
