Green Technology Forum

EnerTech Environmental, Inc. announced today that it has signed an Expression of Interest to build a SlurryCarb demonstration facility at Masdar City in Abu Dhabi. Masdar City will be the world’s first zero-carbon, zero-waste, car-free city, completely powered by renewable energy.

EnerTech’s SlurryCarb demonstration facility will process biosolids (sewage sludge) produced from the permanent buildings erected during Masdar City’s first phase as well as from the accommodation for the several thousand workers building Masdar City between 2008 and 2016. Biosolids from the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, the workers’ accommodation, and the headquarters of Masdar will be converted into renewable E-fuel, a fossil fuel replacement. The demonstration facility is the first step towards installing a permanent SlurryCarb facility in the city.

“This is an opportunity to showcase the SlurryCarb process to the Middle East and work with the international community to build a city that truly embodies sustainable living and working,” said Kevin Bolin, EnerTech CEO. “It showcases the SlurryCarb process as the best available biosolids technology when it comes to sustainability, renewable energy, and the reduction of greenhouse gases.”

Masdar is Abu Dhabi’s multi-faceted, multi-billion dollar investment in the development and commercialization of advanced and innovative technologies in renewable, alternative and sustainable energies as well as green design. By applying scale and leveraging Abu Dhabi’s low-cost, tax-free manufacturing base, businesses will enjoy significant competitive advantages, allowing them to compete internationally and provide significant diversification to the Abu Dhabi economy. On February 9, 2008, Masdar broke ground for Masdar City.

Source: prweb.com

This Wednesday, May 14, actor Ed Norton, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and experts in the field of green building appeared before Chairman Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming to discuss how more efficient buildings and better building policies can reduce energy costs and cut global warming pollution. Norton is a Trustee for the Enterprise Foundation and works to bring green building practices to low-income housing development.

The building sector is responsible for 48 percent of all heat-trapping emissions, and it is estimated that 76 percent of all electricity generated by U.S. power plants goes to operate buildings. As energy prices rise — increasing the costs of cooling, heating and construction — green building has become a popular mantra for homeowners, corporations and environmentalists alike. Yet the numerous definitions of green buildings can lead to confusion, inaction or ineffective policy. As Congress examines all sources and causes of global warming emissions, it must consider how the buildings we work and live in can contribute to reducing the impact of climate change.

Source: globalwarming.house.gov

The winner, or winners, of the first ever science prize for outstanding achievement in nanosciences will be announced next month by the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters. The first winners of the new Kavli Prize, comprising three international awards for outstanding contributions in the fields of nanoscience, neuroscience and astrophysics, will be announced on 28 May 2008.

The prizes, to be awarded every two years, will be presented in co-operation with the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters and the Norwegian ministries for education and research and foreign affairs. They are worth $1 million each, which makes them comparable to the cash received by Nobel Prize winners.

According to Professor Reidun Sirevåg, the Academy’s secretary general, the prize is the first of its kind for nanoscience. “It will be very interesting to know the winner, as the nanoscience field is not yet that specific,” she said.

Source: nanowerk.com

Nearly 1.8 million alternative fuel automobiles (AFAs, which include E85 flex fuel vehicles) were sold in the US in 2007, roughly 250,000 more than in 2006, according to figures gathered by R.L. Polk and released by the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (AAM).

Sales of E-85 capable vehicles flexible fuel vehicles were up significantly as were sales of hybrid electric vehicles. Sales of diesel vehicles fell slightly.

In 2008 more than 70 models of AFAs are being offered, up from only 11 models in 2001. Currently there are more than 12 million alternative fuel autos registered in the US. Automakers are hopeful that this year sales of AFAs may exceed 2 million, according to the AAM.

Source: greencarcongress.com

Embryos containing human and animal material have been created in Britain for the first time, a month before the House of Commons votes on new laws to regulate the research.

A team at Newcastle University announced yesterday that it had successfully generated “admixed embryos” by adding human DNA to empty cow eggs in the first experiment of its kind in Britain.

Source: timesonline.co.uk

Sixty-six university dairy and veterinary scientists launched a broad attack Monday against milk processors and retail marketers who increasingly seek to advertise and label milk produced by cows not treated with Monsanto’s recombinant bovine somatotropin. A letter from professors at nearly every major land grant university asserted there was no difference between conventional and “rBST-free” or organic milk but that consumers were being misled by emotional advertising claims to pay higher prices.

“Organic and ‘rBST-free’ milk are routinely advertised as being somehow healthier, less risky, more environmentally friendly, and produced by ‘happier’ cows than conventional milk,” the scientists’ letter said. “Consumers are led to believe that organic milk is better, or that ‘rbST-free’ milk is safer. The truth is quite different, but behind these claims are very powerful corporate interests that know that they can sell the same product at a higher price if they can create doubt or spread fear about conventional milk.”

Source: blogs.das.psu.edu

Two new surveys find consumers want to buy more cleantech products, but suggest leading brands may not yet have emerged.

This could be the year for big consumer cleantech spending, with a new survey estimating that people could go shopping for $104 billion worth of green goods in 2008.

A latest U.S. National Technology Readiness Survey found that 71 percent of adults are interested in green technology, but said there is a large gap between the number of products consumers own now and the number they say they would like to own.

The annual survey, covering cleantech for the first time in its latest edition, was conducted by the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business and Great Falls, Va.-based technology research firm Rockbridge Associates.

Charles Colby, president of Rockbridge, said the survey showed “that there is a very strong commitment among consumers to the environment. But very interestingly, they also are interested in green technologies.”

He said a chunk of the money could be spent on new cars.

“About half of that is in transportation technologies, like hybrid vehicles, and biofuels, and energy saving vehicles. About $50 billion worth.”

Other technologies that could get a piece of the potential action according to the survey are home automation systems for things like lighting and heating, ventilation and air conditioning, as well as solar water heaters, solar home heating, home water purification, high-efficiency cooling, high-efficiency heating and energy-saving light bulbs.

“Things that just support a green lifestyle,” said Colby. “If you look out across all of those, we’re looking at a very substantial market, or market opportunity for companies that will offer these products.”

Solar home heating comes in at the No. 2 spot in the survey, with a market potential of $20.6 million.

Source: media.cleantech.com

Americans’ appetite for environmentally friendly technologies and consumer products is grossly underserved, with a potential $104 billion in sales this year, according to the 2007 National Technology Readiness Survey (NTRS) released today. The annual survey — sponsored by the Center for Excellence in Service at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business and technology research firm Rockbridge Associates Inc. — found that 71 percent of adults are interested in green technology, but there is a large gap between the number of products consumers own now and the number they say they would like to own.

The $104 billion market opportunity represents the annual sales potential of the 11 product categories measured in the NTRS. More than half, $54 billion, is the potential for sales of “green” vehicles, including high-mileage, hybrid fuel, biofuel, and alternative-fuel vehicles. Researchers measured respondents’ interest levels for each of the green product categories and calculated market value based on average selling prices.

“The key to tapping this huge potential market is targeting and appropriately addressing the green consumer,” said P.K. Kannan, director of the Center for Excellence in Service. “Our research found that green technology trends are led by a small, yet powerful group of influencers that actively act as evangelists to a secondary group of adopters.”

The NTRS classifies respondents into six segments based on their commitment to green technologies, their influence on others on being green, their skepticisms about green and their interest in technology. The survey finds that those most committed to the environment — 10 percent of adult consumers — are also very enthusiastic about technology. These “green tech leaders” are the same consumers who are often approached by others for advice on technology and the latest gadgets and devices. The researchers urge marketers to target this segment when introducing green products and services.

“There is a great opportunity for firms to not only target these green tech leaders to adopt their green products and services, but also use them to get the word out,” Kannan said. “This market segment tends to be younger, heavier users of online social media and more enthusiastic about technology in general. They write blogs and advise others, and they also create a strong social networking effect that is critical for diffusing green technology to the larger market.”

“Marketers also need to be mindful of their message,” said Charles Colby, president of Rockbridge Associates. “Consumers are quite sensitive to companies that don’t follow through on their promises. Firms that misrepresent or exaggerate the benefits of their green technology may find it backfires with consumer hostility or rejection.”

2007 NTRS Findings — 83 percent of adults want to preserve and protect the environment

– 42 percent of adults said products and services that help the environment are hard to find

– 59 percent of adults say they like trying new technologies that help the environment

– 56 percent of adults say gadgets designed to help the environment would be fun to own

– 68 percent of adults like to do business with companies that are environmentally responsible

– 72 percent of adults say they resent companies who say they care about the environment but are not sincere

Source: earthtimes.org

McGraw-Hill Construction has published The Green Homeowner SmartMarket Report, produced in conjunction with the National Association of Home Builders, providing insight into the mindset of the “green” homeowner and the homeowner remodeler using green products.

The major findings of the report include:

• – The market for true green homes is expected to rise from $2 billion to up to $20 billion over the next five years.
• – Standard homes are becoming increasingly green, with homeowners using green products for 40% of their remodeling work.
• – Most Americans find out about green homes through word-of-mouth, followed by television and the Internet.
• – Green homeowners are happy with their homes and are recommending them at rates significantly higher than recommendation levels of other industries.
• – Homeowners are buying green homes because they are concerned about the health of their families, as well as to reduce energy and other home operating costs.
• – Education and awareness of green ranks as the most important obstacles, slightly higher even than the additional first costs associated with building green.

“Our findings are particularly powerful because they point to the reasons behind the market trends we’re seeing of the increasing number of green homes,” said Harvey M. Bernstein, vice president of industry analytics, alliances and strategic initiatives for McGraw-Hill Construction. “People are spreading the word about their green homes, which is most effective because that’s how buyers are hearing about the opportunities of green. It’s a cycle that is bearing out in the marketplace.”

McGraw-Hill Construction found in prior studies that residential builders and the commercial industry believed that the additional costs of green were by far the most significant challenge to more rapid growth in green building. But for homeowners, today’s survey shows that while costs and the availability of green homes are still an obstacle, the most important issue is lack of awareness.

“This information gap is actually a great opportunity for the industry, as well as for the media, nongovernmental organizations and government itself to provide more effective communication of the advantages of green homes,” added Bernstein.

The size of the homeowner remodeling market that is using green products is large: 40% of homeowners remodeling their houses are doing so with green products, especially their windows and heating and cooling systems.

As Bernstein concludes, “Again, the industry needs to listen to what the consumer is starting to want in their homes. As we look at changes within the slow residential market, green is a phenomenal opportunity area.”

“This study reinforces the need for the steps we have already taken to help “green” the home building and remodeling market,” said Ray Tonjes, chair of the Green Building Subcommittee for the National Association of Home Builders.

“We’re almost finished with the first consensus-based standard for green home building and remodeling, we’ve significantly expanded our education offerings and we’re launching the NAHB National Green Building Program. NAHB is bringing green to the mainstream,” Tonjes said.

Source: mcgraw-hill.com

State lawmakers Thursday unveiled a package of bills designed to spur investment in clean energy research and help California compete with other states and nations for green jobs.

Several of the bills, however, are costly or would involve incurring billions in debt, which could hurt their prospects as the Legislature grapples with what is now an estimated $8 billion deficit. (The governor and lawmakers took action earlier this month that is expected to cut in half what was then a projected $16 billion deficit).

Still, legislators and representatives of “green tech” companies said that state government can play an important role in boosting a fledgling but potentially lucrative industry for California.

“The digital revolution was heavily subsidized,” said Assemblywoman Lori Saldana, D-San Diego, who is pitching a $2 billion bond measure (Assembly Bill 2003) to invest in solar, wind and other alternative energy technologies. “And it was a very smart investment by the federal government.”

Two senators are proposing similar bond measures, one also for $2 billion and another for $3 billion. And Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland, has a bill (Senate Bill 1760) calling on state agencies to craft a plan to spend $200 million on green energy research.

Not all the ideas would cost the state big dollars. Assemblyman Ira Ruskin, D-Redwood City, wants the state to create standards for a voluntary “carbon labeling program” that would allow manufacturers to tag products with information about their carbon footprints.

Sen. Dean Florez, D-Fresno, meanwhile, wants to establish a standard for investors to gauge how environmentally-friendly California businesses are (Senate Bill 1550) before deciding where to put their money. He called the idea “a tool to help investors know who the good actors are when it comes to cleaning our air and being responsible stewards of our planet.”

The proposals come as state regulators work to implement Assembly Bill 32, the ambitious 2006 initiative to slash state greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2020. On Thursday, a committee of businesses executives, many in the green technology field, presented a report outlining ways to streamline government regulations and use technology to meet the bill’s mandate.

One idea, said Jim Hawley, senior vice president of TechNet, is to make government land available for large-scale “solar fields.” Officials can also offer tax incentives, he said, to encourage research in “green” technology and prod alternative energy firms to build plants in California.

source: Oakland Tribune