Global Warming Solutions

In a recent press release, Solar Roadways, a company based out of Idaho, was awarded $100,000 to produce a prototype. Their name gives away what they plan on producing: roads that function as solar panels, and so much more.

The monetary award was given after Solar Roadways presented their designs to the Department of Transportation. The designs are also one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen. 

The roads are designed with three layers: the base-plate layer will use a series of cables to transmit power and data signals; the electronics layer will carry the solar-collecting and storage cells, along with a series of LED lights that will function like the paint we have on our roads now; and the top layer will consist of glass textured to provide the same level of traction that asphalt does. 

According to their website, the United States currently has 25,000 square miles of roads, highways and the like. If the 25,000 square miles were to be replaced by Solar Roadways, they would produce three times the United States’ current electricity consumption, or nearly what the entire world consumes on a yearly basis. The estimate assumes a 15 percent efficiency rating for the solar panels (though more efficient solar-collecting technology exists). 

I’m not saying this wouldn’t be one hell of an undertaking, but the benefits seem to far outweigh the costs and difficulties of replacing current asphalt roads, parking lots, etc., with solar roadways. 

Solar Roadways plans to produce their roads for what asphalt currently costs. However, the projected lifespan of a solar roadway is 21 years — three times that of asphalt roads. Having a decentralized power grid makes it virtually impossible for large-scale power outages, as well as being more secure and safe than relying on nuclear or coal power plants, which produce a majority of America’s electricity. 

The United States should begin replacing old, worn asphalt roads with solar roads. If the prototype works as planned, we can all be living with electricity that is produced and used in a completely green, sustainable fashion.

On top of this, the LED lights will provide safer night driving. In one case in Britain, LEDs were used on a particularly curvy mountain area, reducing accidents by 70 percent. The LEDs can also warn drivers to slow down if there are nasty weather conditions, or if there is an animal on the road. The panels will also have built-in heaters, eliminating the need to plow roads. 

What Solar Roadways has to offer? No increase in cost, a decentralized power system, fewer accidents and an LED system that will illuminate lane lines far in advance and warn drivers to any upcoming danger. We, as a nation, cannot afford to continue driving on asphalt roads.

Solar Roadways has an amazing idea, and they deserve our support.

If this technology is as good as claimed, surely our energy needs can be satisfied in no time. Is this the ultimate global warming solution?

Have you heard about the wonders of LED plant lights and wondered if they’re real? 80 percent efficiency is definitely a reality. In fact, a 90 Watt LED UFO light will produce as much light as a 400 watt HPS light. If you like to grow, LED technology enables you to provide ample light for a 12 foot growing area with just a little more energy than it takes to power a living room lamp.

That’s probably why they’ve become so popular with industrial greenhouses and other professional vegetable growing operations. For those who professionally grow, LED technology can cut a greenhouse’s electric bill by 80 percent, saving any professional growing operation serious overhead.

There are other benefits as well, particularly when it comes to set-up and usability. An LED plant light doesn’t require a ballast, so there’s no complicated riggings needed. You simply suspend it above the garden. LED UFO lights can easily be suspended, and many come with their own installation kits that are easy to use.

Plus, LED lights emit little heat, so they won’t burn your plants. With LED lighting, you can position lamps close to plants for maximum light effect without risking the heath of the plant. Grow ample green gardens easily without having to sacrifice any of the light potential to distance. LED lights require no fans or complicated ventilation system. Their low heat also makes them a low fire hazard, posing less risk to the health of a greenhouse.

There’s also no complicated wiring involved. You simply plug the light in. They add immense convenience to any greenhouse.

LED lighting has definitely revolutionized the greenhouse operation, providing ample efficiency for a more affordable growing unit. There’s no carbon footprint as the energy they use is virtually undetectable, yet the light they produce is an ideal spectrum for healthy robust plants.

Another example of how a significant amount of electricity can be saved by utilising LED Lights in place of your existing lighting technology. LED Lighting may require a more substantial investment initially, but with many years of maintenance free operation and low electricity usage, pay back can usually be achieved within 2 years.

Arizona resident converts home to LED lighting 18 Aug 2009 Roger Deane is enjoying the benefits of converting all his exterior and interior lighting to LEDs.

Roger Deane of Scottsdale, Arizona, contacted LEDs Magazine to tell us that he has converted his entire home to LED lighting.

The exact energy saving depends on the season, because the lights are on more in the winter when days are shorter. However, there are other areas where energy is saved. “The LED bulbs do not emit as much heat as the old incandescent bulbs did. Of course, that means the air-conditioning does not need to come on as much to cool the ambient air.”

The outdoor lighting was converted first, due to a requirement from the HOA (homeowner association). Once this was done, Deane’s electric bill went down by approximately $20 per month.

“I did all the yard and tree lighting front and rear, then added PAR38 downlights under the eaves. I then did the indoor lighting, first removing any fluorescent tube lighting,” he says.

The garage—from which Deane runs Wired Communications, his internet business—had six double light “shop” lights which were gobbling up over 560 watts. “I now only use approx. 60 watts doing the whole garage with 20 PAR20 lamps on track lighting. Also, the garage is air-conditioning and well insulated, there are also savings from not having those HOT tubes and ballasts!”

“Also, I was able to add LED lighting strips to under-counter locations where I did not have lighting before or, in strange locations such as small cabinets in guest bath, or inside the fridge.”

“For some cabinet locations I used the ‘festoon’ type LED bulbs as the fixtures were already there. Those bulbs used to get so HOT that I received a second-degree burn from them before I switched them out.”

Deane says he has had a good response to the new lighting. “Folks that come over love the ‘cool’ white look of my interior lighting. At first they would say, “No, I would not want that”, or “My wife only wants that warm-white look of the old incandescent.” But, once they have been over a few times at nighttime, the comments are more positive.”

“Some say it’s just like daylight is indoors. Or, the sun is shining inside your home. The way I look at it is that you get more lumens per watt when you utilize the cool/daylight 5500K LEDs, compared with the 3000K warm-white. Makes you wonder how many would complain about the incandescent look if LEDs were our first choice in lighting instead.”

“As a foot-note, my HOA did not like the appearance of the daylight/cool-white MR16 lamps on the outside front of my home, so I had to switch them out with warm-white. The backyard is still the original color temperature almost two years later. Another nice thing about LEDs; I have not needed to replace a single LED bulb since the beginning of the project, which was around two years ago.

Every business and individual can play their part in the fight against climate change. A significant amount of electricity can be saved by utilising LED Lights in place of your existing lighting technology. LED Lighting may require a more substantial investment initially, but with many years of maintenance free operation and low electricity usage, pay back can usually be achieved within 2 years.

Posted by Greenbang on August 17th, 2009

The city of London is set to receive a £2.4 million traffic light upgrade that will replace 3,500 existing lamps at some 300 junctions with energy-efficient light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

Compared to standard lights, LEDs consume 60 per cent less electricity and thus generate far less carbon dioxide emissions. The 300 new LED-fitted junctions are expected to save about 600 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year and lower energy costs by an estimated £200,000.

This introduction of LED traffic lights is the largest of its kind in the UK. TfL is seeking to stimulate the development of LED traffic signals and to encourage more manufacturers to join the market. It is expected that there will be a greater takeup across the UK as a result of TfL’s commitment to introducing the lights in large numbers.

The new lights are part of Mayor Boris Johnson’s efforts to reduce the capital’s CO2 emissions by a total of 60 per cent by 2025. The initiative follows the introduction of LED lighting at all London Buses roadside ticket machines and LED lighting at 3,500 solar-powered bus stops (to provide illumination for the stop and signage) and 640 shelters. If LED lights were to be installed in all of London’s 6,000 junctions which have traffic signals, CO2 emissions could be reduced by around 12,000 tonnes a year.

“I’ve seen the future and it comprises these tip-top energy-busting traffic lights,” Johnson said. “Installing these eco-bulbs will cut the climate change emissions coming from London’s galaxy of traffic lights by over half as well as save money from energy bills. We are pressing ahead to get many more of these illuminating orbs onto our streets to join a range of other energy-zapping measures already saving us money such as solar-powered bus stops and shelters.”

TfL is leading the way with LED traffic light trials which it hopes will pave the way for their wider introduction across the UK. LED product designs and costs have rapidly improved dramatically in recent years and initial barriers specific to the requirements of the UK market are being overcome ahead of the installation in London next year.

TfL trialled on a small scale LED traffic lights in Croydon between January 2007 and August 2008. These trials demonstrated that a product suitable for the UK marketplace, with reduced power consumption and at a reasonable price, was feasible.

“These new lights will not only cut CO2 emissions but they will also last about ten times longer than standard bulbs meaning we will save on maintenance costs,” said Alan Bristow, director of traffic operations at TfL. “This is part of our efforts across TfL to cut CO2 emissions. On top of introducing new hybrid buses to London’s streets, we are currently exploring new technologies including more efficient Tube station and tunnel lighting.”

TfL has issued a notice seeking companies to supply and fit the lights, with the application period closing on 24 August. The scheme is being funded through TfL’s Climate Change Fund.

More great news in the quest to reduce carbon emissions and assist the fight against climate change. A significant amount of electricity can be saved by utilising LED Lights in place of your existing lighting technology. LED Lighting may require a more substantial investment initially, but with many years of maintenance free operation and low electricity usage, pay back can usually be achieved within 2 years.

The Allegheny County Airport Authority has received an $800,000 state grant to pay half of the cost of replacing parking lot and garage lights at Pittsburgh International Airport with high-efficiency LED lights.

The grant from the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority will allow the county to replace 1,471 high-intensity discharge lights with the new fixtures, County Executive Dan Onorato said today. Duquesne Light provides the grant money through the state Department of Environmental Protection to help customers ensure they have an efficient energy supply for critical operations.

The new lights are expected to save the county $158,754 annually, with the savings used to fund the project over the next 10 years. They also will use 2.1 kilowatt hours less electricity over the life of the project.

The lights are manufactured by Appalachian Lighting Systems Inc. of Ellwood City, Lawrence County.

The airport project is a continuation of the county’s Green Initiative, which has included projects such as replacing incandescent lights at the Allegheny County Jail with LED fixtures, collecting rain water to support a garden at the courthouse and growing a garden on part of the roof at the County Office Building. It also is conducting energy audits of all of its buildings to see where it can save money and use less energy.

This is great news that will contribute to the fight against climate change. A significant amount of electricity can be saved by utilising LED Lights in place of your existing lighting technology. LED Lighting may require a more substantial investment initially, but with many years of maintenance free operation and low electricity usage, pay back can usually be achieved within 2 years.

Eco Factor: Passenger ship powered entirely by solar energy.

Berlin’s mayor Klaus Wowereit sent a clear signal supporting the expansion of climate-friendly mobility at a ceremony to launch the “SOLON“, the capital city’s first passenger ship that is driven solely by solar energy. The ship is powered by 24 solar modules with a capacity of 5.6KWp.

The solar-powered ship can accommodate up to 60 passengers and will sail on Berlin’s waterways providing tours of the city and cruise trips. The need to go green has tempted manufacturers all over the world to develop products that are fueled by the abundant energy of the sun. However, the initial cost of solar energy harnessing systems is considerably high, but Solon SE believes that the cost can be recouped by not spending on fuel for a period of over 25 years.

Via: SawfNews/Germany

Building your own solar power panel can be a very cost effective way of generating your own electricity, whether it be for static sites like your home, or transport vehicles like this ship.

As the above article states, a significant amount of electricity can be saved by utilising LED Lights in place of your existing lighting technology, LED Lights may require a more substantial investment initially, but with many years of maintenance free operation and low electricity usage, pay back can usually be achieved within 2 years. When you consider that LED lights will last at least 5 years, you should be changing to LEDs now.

How much money are you wasting on energy?

Every business and individual can save energy and play their part in the fight against climate change. A significant amount of electricity can be saved by utilising LED Lights in place of your existing lighting technology, LED Lights may require a more substantial investment initially, but with many years of maintenance free operation and low electricity usage, pay back can usually be achieved within 1-2 years.

This major development is great news for Anaheim and the surrounding area.
Everyone can help in the struggle against global warming. One way to be environmentally friendly whilst saving money is to build your own solar power panel . It can be a very cost effective way of generating your own electricity, whether it be for static sites like your home or transport vehicles such as cars and motorcycles.

Every business and individual can play their part in the fight against climate change. One easy way to achieve this is to invest in LED lighting. A significant amount of electricity can be saved by utilising LED Lights in place of your existing lighting technology, LED Lights may require a more substantial investment initially, but with many years of maintenance free operation and low electricity usage, pay back can usually be achieved within 2 years.