Archive for January, 2011

Raytheon Co., the El Segundo, Calif.-based aerospace and defense contractor, has produced a sensor specifically to fly aboard NASA’s Glory spacecraft to measure the global distribution of aerosols in the earth’s atmosphere. The innovative Aerosol Polarimetry Sensor (APS) contains 161 optical elements that analyze light of varying wavelengths, including visible and shortwave, and will make measurements from multiple viewing angles in multiple spectral bands while in orbit. Read the rest of this entry »

To better reflect the global reach of Honda’s purchasing practices, they have revised the Honda Green Purchasing Guidelines, which were originally formulated in 2001 and only applied to Japanese suppliers. The guidelines now apply to all parts and materials suppliers around the world, which will help Honda better track, and continue to reduce, the environmental footprint of their products throughout the supply chain. Read the rest of this entry »

Interested in adding a green element to your travels? One of the world’s largest hotel chains, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), whose brands include Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, and Staybridge Suites, has won LEED pre-certification status for sustainability initiatives on its existing hotels.  It is the first organization to receive the award for an existing hotels program and will give IHG a streamlined path to full LEED certification. Read the rest of this entry »

A study by The Fredonia Group, Inc., a leading international business research company, has found that the demand for green packaging is projected to increase 3.9% yearly to $41.7 billion in 2014. Read the rest of this entry »

The cynic in me tends to believe that big business isn’t serious about reducing their carbon footprints or investing in lean manufacturing technologies. But day after day and week after week I am proven wrong. Companies like Walmart, ConAgra and FedEx, for instance, are becoming wise to the ways of sustainability, becoming LEED certified and also investing in other areas that will pay dividends for themselves, the environment and third parties. Read the rest of this entry »

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has launched the first two videos for their “Vids for Grids: New Media for the New Energy Workforce” (V4G) program. “Switchgear,” filmed at NEMA member Eaton Electrical, explains how high voltage and large currents can be controlled efficiently in a large industrial facility or on a university campus. “Surge Arresters,” filmed at Hubbell Power Systems, shows how distribution arresters and ground lead disconnectors improve grid reliability. They are both available on the VidsforGrid’s channel at www.youtube.com/vids4grids. Read the rest of this entry »

Imagine if the world had a renewable source of energy with a zero carbon footprint that is predicted to last for about four billion years? Sounds good? We’ve got it. It rises in the east and sets in the west, inspires lovers and the writers of the last scene of cowboy movies, and in one second puts out far more energy than the planet will ever need for its entire existence. Read the rest of this entry »

Wind power is a viable source of green energy but it is just beginning to ‘take off’ with residential homeowners because many municipalities have height restrictions for urban and suburban environments. Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWT) by WePOWER™ of Aliso Viejo, CA, are designed with the aesthetics and mechanics to fit into the green landscape. Read the rest of this entry »

Panasonic Corporation of North America has announced a new set of initiatives that will enhance the environmental performance of its manufacturing and marketing operations and Panasonic also promises to aggressively pursue eco-innovation in both its products and business practices. Read the rest of this entry »

Featured in the GE “Home of the Future” exhibit at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show, Southwest Windpower’s Skystream 600 is an efficient, power grid-connected turbine that can provide an average of 7,400 kWh of clean, low-cost energy per year in 12 mph average annual wind speeds, which translates into 60 to 80 percent of an average home’s energy requirements. Supplied with the interactive Skyview(TM) system, users can monitor exactly how much energy the wind turbine is producing from anywhere internet access is available. Read the rest of this entry »