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1.21.2012
How To Add Curb Appeal and Save on Home Energy Needs
Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotty for any Home Improvement Projects or Energy Reducing Needs for your Home or Business in the Greater St Louis Area and Scotty, Scotts Contracting will respond ASAP.
11.16.2010
New Solar Roofing Option is Win-Win
A Roof that: Generates Electricity is a Win-Win for Generating Clean Electricity and Protecting your Home-Scotty
Does your Shingle Roof need Replaced? Consider a Roofing Shingle that also creates Electricity. The new DOW POWERHOUSE™ Solar Shingle Received UL Certification as a Roofing Material that creates Clean Green Energy via the Integrated Solar Photovoltaic Electricity Producing System.
The DOW™ POWERHOUSE™ solar shingle has chosen thin-film CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium deSelenide) as the PV material in the Solar Shingle to convert the Suns Rays into use-able Electricity for your Home and Business.
DOW™ POWERHOUSE™ solar shingle will become available to the US public mid 2011. Till then Scotts Contracting will be researching the Electrical Out-Put, Efficiency, and Other variables that are needed to determine if the Solar Shingle is a cost-effective option for your Integrated Roofing and Solar Photovoltaic Project.
Prior Articles Here:
Oct 19, 2010-$1 billion investment Dow Chemical announced last February it is making to build a manufacturing plant in Michigan for its shingle-integrated solar PV technology.
DOW POWERHOUSE™ Solar Shingles Receive UL Certification
© Business Wire 2010
2010-11-02 13:12:32 -
Today, The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) announced that the DOW™ POWERHOUSE™ Solar Shingle is the first residential solar roofing shingle with an integrated connection system to receive Underwriters Laboratories (UL) safety certification.
The DOW™ POWERHOUSE™ Solar Shingle is a ground-breaking photovoltaic solar panel in the form of a solar roofing shingle that can be integrated into rooftops with standard asphalt shingle materials. It reduces installation time and complexity using a revolutionary system design that eliminates on-roof wiring, minimizes through-roof penetrations, and allows the product to be installed in the same manner as a standard roofing shingle.
"The receipt of UL safety certification represents the successful completion of a rigorous and comprehensive multi-test process for the DOW™ POWERHOUSE™ Solar Shingles," said Dow Solar Vice President, Jane Palmieri.
"This is another important milestone towards the planned 2011 commercialization of Dow's solar shingles, and represents aWe are dedicated to making solar easy for homeowners, builders, and roofing contractors who already trust the performance and safety of building products bearing the Dow brand."
crucial third-party validation of the safety of this product.
Given the new and unique nature of the DOW™ POWERHOUSE™ Solar Shingle, Dow Solar worked closely with UL - a trusted global resource for product safety certification and compliance solutions - to indentify a series of rigorous tests to assess the safety of the unique design and of all the elements of the combined solar and roofing product. The final listing awarded to the DOW™ POWERHOUSE™ Solar Shingles represents compliance to a diverse sequence of UL's safety and building standards, specifically, UL 746, 1703, 1897, 790, 486 and 514. Over 50 individual tests were conducted to assess the safety of the DOW™ POWERHOUSE™ Solar Shingles against building code standards, including wind and fire resistance, and electrical code requirements, such as proper wiring and photovoltaic (PV) connections.
"UL has been leading the development of PV equipment testing methodologies and standards since the 1980s, and has contributed to the safe operation of PV equipment by providing safety testing and certification services for PV equipment manufacturers worldwide," said Jeff Smidt, Vice President and General Manager for UL's Global Energy business. "In the case of Dow's solar shingles, we had to take a unique approach in order to test the product as both a roofing shingle and a PV system. We are proud to provide the UL mark to this first-of-its-kind solar shingle from Dow."
In addition to the vitally important design and material safety tests performed by UL, Dow will continue with its own reliability and durability testing in support of commercialization. Dow is currently performing tests on installed systems of DOW™ POWERHOUSE™ Solar Shingles in addition to individual shingles in order to assess the durability of the product, utilizing Design for Reliability and Physics of Failure methodologies to measure performance against weather, extreme temperatures and more.
Dow has chosen thin-film CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium deSelenide) as the PV material in the DOW™ POWERHOUSE™ solar shingle, and Global Solar Energy (Tucson, AZ) was selected as the preferred supplier in support of the product launch. CIGS technology offers the best balance of low cost and highest sunlight conversion efficiency of the commercialized thin film technologies available today, and the flexible foil substrate of the Global Solar Energy CIGS cells provides the necessary level of flexural durability to allow the DOW™ POWERHOUSE™ Solar Shingle to perform reliably in a demanding application environment.
Breaking the traditional barriers to residential solar adoption – complexity, affordability and aesthetics – this technology offers the missing link needed by the energy industry to drive solar adoption across the U.S., and will bring the possibility of safe and reliable solar power to American households. The DOW™ POWERHOUSE™ Solar Shingle is expected to be commercially available in select U.S. markets by mid 2011.
About DOW™ POWERHOUSE™
In 2007, Dow received a $20 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy as part of its Solar America Initiative to develop "building integrated" solar arrays for the residential and commercial markets. In October 2009, Dow Solar unveiled the DOW™ POWERHOUSE™ Solar Shingle as the first in a portfolio of building related solar energy generating products.
Since its introduction, the Solar Shingle has been hailed as revolutionary, including being named one of the "50 Best Inventions of 2009" by TIME magazine.
The innovative product design provides an unprecedented integrated roof appearance and simplified installation. It combines a roofing shingle with a solar cell, enabling the DOW™ POWERHOUSE™ Solar Shingle to be installed by a roofer along with standard asphalt roofing materials.
This makes the DOW™ POWERHOUSE™ Solar Shingle an easy choice for homeowners looking for a residential solar solution that is easy to install and aesthetically pleasing. Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) products from Dow Solar are evidence that Dow is focused on developing energy alternatives and expanding Dow's commitment to use chemistry to solve the world's energy challenges. More information about Dow Solar can be found at www.dowsolar.com : .
About Dow
Dow combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress.
The Company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help address many of the world's most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow's diversified industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 160 countries and in high growth sectors such as electronics, water, energy, coatings and agriculture. In 2009, Dow had annual sales of $45 billion and employed approximately 52,000 people worldwide. The Company's more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 214 sites in 37 countries across the globe. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com : .
®TM Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company ("Dow") or an affiliated company of Dow
For editorial information:Greg BaldwinThe Dow
Chemical Company+1 989 638-0745 gbaldwin@dow.com : mailto:gbaldwin@dow.com orChris
GramsGolinHarris+1 312 729-4364 cgrams@golinharris.com : mailto:cgrams@golinharris.com orKate
NigroDow Solar+1 989 638 9629 knigro@dow.com : mailto:knigro@dow.com
--
Scott's Contracting
scottscontracting@gmail.com
http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com
http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com
scotty@stlouisrenewableenergy.com
11.13.2010
Green and Eco Friendly Driveway Sealer Info
Can you help me find an eco-friendly asphalt driveway sealer?
Encinitas, CA
Answer
- It was recommended to me first by someone who works for a manufacturer of environmental sealants.
- It was developed for use on asphalt pavement at airports, parking lots, fuel storage areas and private driveways.
- After doing a little research, I found that it is one of the three non-coal tar, fuel-resistant sealers that is recommended for airfield pavement in a study funded by the Federal Aviation Administration in 2009.
It is easily applied with a brush, roller or spray unit and dries in minutes. It comes with a three-year, 100% product replacement warranty.
I was also able to find a Material Safety Data Sheet, done by the Environmental Network, which recommends that rubber gloves and splash goggles be worn when applying the product.
--
Scott's Contracting
scottscontracting@gmail.com
11.04.2010
Ecosystems: Understanding Our Place
Forage / Plants utilize the upper crust of the Earth (top 12 inches) of the Planet. This area needs to have optimum nutrients for sustained plant growth. Without optimum nutrients in the soil, vegetation fails to produce the Forage / Plant Matter which is needed for the Livestock to survive.
- When a Forage Crop is grown the Plants utilizes the Soils Nutrients to grow.
- The Forage Produced transforms these nutrients from the Soil into, Forage / Plant matter, which is then harvested, stored or fed to the Livestock.
This is just a small example on how the smallest minute nutrients located in our Earth's Crust is transformed into actual living products that we use every day in our Lives.
"everyone in the world depends completely on Earth's ecosystems and the services they provide, such as food, water, disease management, climate regulation, spiritual fulfillment, and aesthetic enjoyment."
by: Michael Anschel
Ecosystem services are arranged in four service or use categories: regulating (erosion control, gas exchange), providing (genetic diversity, pollination), provisioning (agriculture, mining), and informing (recreational, social). Much of human activity consists of taking a resource or service and, through human activity, creating a useful product for human use. When we act upon an ecosystem resource, whether it is mining, hunting, farming, weaving, or building, we add value and create a marketable product. We do this with little to no accounting as to the costs of our action to the ecosystem because historically we have held the idea that most resources are more or less infinite. More importantly, when one resource runs out, through human activity (technological advances) we typically replace the deleted resource with another one. Human activities that alter the ecosystem are thought of as an externality; an unaccountable price of living. Hidden within that statement is the assumption that our human actions can never overwhelm the environment that surrounds and supports human activities and human life.According to a 2005 Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, put out by the World Resources Institute, everyone in the world depends completely on Earth's ecosystems and the services they provide, such as food, water, disease management, climate regulation, spiritual fulfillment, and aesthetic enjoyment. Over the past 50 years, humans have changed these ecosystems more rapidly and extensively than in any comparable period of time in human history, largely to meet rapidly growing demands for food, fresh water, timber, fiber, and fuel. This transformation of the planet has contributed to substantial net gains in human well-being and economic development. But not all regions and groups of people have benefited from this process—in fact, many have been harmed. Moreover, the full costs associated with these gains are only now becoming apparent."
Read the Full Article here: http://www.remodeling.hw.net/blogs/postdetails.aspx?BlogId=manschelblog&PostId=98448
--
Scott's Contracting
scottscontracting@gmail.com
http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com/
http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com/
scotty@stlouisrenewableenergy.com
7.31.2010
Home Energy Calculators
Dear Hohm user:
Here at Microsoft Hohm, we listened when you asked for a more immediate way to monitor and manage your home energy use. And today, we have great news: we're thrilled to announce that the Hohm-compatible PowerCost Monitor™ WiFi from Blue Line is now available!
Blue Line's PowerCost Monitor WiFi is a portable, wireless device that's easy to install (no electrician required!) and easy to use. It wirelessly sends your near real-time energy use to Hohm, providing you with more detailed energy use information than your monthly utility bill. You can view and track changes in energy use almost instantly, discovering potential energy waste in your home and areas where you can save. With Hohm and the PowerCost Monitor WiFi, you can now:
Why is this a big deal? Studies show that consumers who are aware of their energy use can save up to 18% on their home energy bill on average. Just take a look at the graph below for an example: At about 9:15, Mike turned on his air conditioner for a few minutes after cleaning out the compressor. You can see the spike in energy use that it caused. At about 2:30, Mike turned on the air conditioning and let it run. That's where you see a spike followed by consistent energy use at close to 6 kilowatts. At about 3:15, one of Mike's kids also turned on a hair dryer- that's the next spike you see. Hohm captured all this information from the Blue Line device in near real time and made it easy to see and understand.
We think seeing near real-time energy data will make people smarter about how much energy things in their house use, and help them make better decisions accordingly. So if you've ever wondered how much energy you're really saving when you adjust your thermostat or wash your laundry in cold water versus hot, Hohm and Blue Line will help you find out the answer! Get the PowerCost Monitor WiFi today, and be one of the first to try it out and tell your friends! For more info on the PowerCost Monitor WiFi,
Thanks!
-- Scott's Contracting scottscontracting@gmail.com http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com scotty@stlouisrenewableenergy.com7.27.2010
Do-It-Yourself Energy Audit
Do-It-Yourself Energy Audit: Go On, Try These Improvements Yourself!
Whether you Do-It-Yourself or choose to hire outside assistance, Build Green and do your part in reducing the US Oil Dependency- while becoming an Energy Wise User of Electricity!
If you find outside Assistance is needed-Scotts Contracting if available to Help. Scotty will provide a Cost Effective solution to your Home or Business Energy Needs. Click Here to Email Scotty for a No-Cost Free Green Site InspectionWhat is a Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Audit
D-I-Y Home Audit Checklist
HOME AREA
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WHAT IS WASTING ENERGY?
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HOW TO SAVE ENERGY?
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1
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Lighting
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Incandescent or halogen Light bulbs; lights turned on all the time
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Switch to Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs or LEDs; turn off lights in rooms that you're not using
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2
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Water Heater & Piping
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Un-insulated
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Upgrade or install insulation
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3
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Water Heater Thermostat Setting
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Set to 125 °F
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Set to 120 °F or lower
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4
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Electronics and small appliances
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Left on when not using, plugged directly into outlets (but still using electric power even when turned off!)
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Plug all electronics and appliances into power strips that you turn off when not in use (turning off power strip completely shuts off power use)
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5
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Heating & Cooling Equipment
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Older than 10-12 years
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Time to replace with energy efficient equipment; Install programmable thermostat; make sure air conditioner has proper amount of refrigerant
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6
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Forced Air Furnace
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Dirty, old filter on the air intake
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Replace or clean air intake filter once every 1-2 months during high use season
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7
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Electrical outlets, windows and window frames, baseboards, doors, attic hatch and wall/window mounted air conditioners
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Air flowing in due to gaps or deteriorating of exterior caulking or weather stripping*
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Apply new caulking, seal or weather stripping**
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8
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Exposed faucets, pipes, electric outlets and wiring
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Cracks and holes in the mortar, foundation, and siding
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Seal effectively with mortar or caulking to prevent any heat loss
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9
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Attic floor
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Poorly insulated floor with gaps, thin insulation
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Upgrade or install insulation including the attic hatch cover
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10
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Attic vents
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Vent and interior air flow blocked by insulation
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Clear vents of any insulation to help interior air circulation
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11
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All exterior corners of home; where siding and chimneys meet; and areas where the foundation and siding meet
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Air flowing in due to cracks and holes in the mortar, foundation, and/or siding
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Apply new mortar, sealer or siding to seal leak*
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7.18.2010
Energy From Manure
Producer of Baby Nutrition Products Saving CO2 Based on Special "Green Tariff" article found at: http://www.renewable-energy-sources.com/2010/07/16/ukraine-milk-company-powered-by-4000-cows-and-ge-biogas-engine/comment-page-1/#comment-3160
Cow manure is being converted to energy at the first biogas cogeneration plant in the Ukraine. The facility, which is powered by 4,000 cows and a GE (NYSE: GE) Jenbacher gas engine, has recently completed nine months of successful operation at the Ukrainian Milk Company Ltd., located near Kiev.
The excess power produced at the plant is being sold to the grid. The Ukrainian Milk Company, which produces milk for baby nutrition products, received the license for selling power to the grid based on the "green" tariff, which is being approved by Ukraine authorities. According to the law, the "green" tariff is "a special tariff for electricity generated at the power plants with use of alternative energy sources."
The new combined heat and power (CHP) plant is powered by a GE JMC 312 containerized cogeneration model gas engine and is able to substitute the equivalent of 1.2 million cubic meters of natural gas annually and, therefore, is projected to reduce the equivalent of 18,000 metric tons of CO2. Once converted into biogas, the manure from the cows produces 625 kW of electricity and 686 kW of thermal output.
This is GE's first order from the biogas plant construction company ZORG. The unit was sold to ZORG through GE's distributor and service provider in the Ukraine, SINAPSE. "Based on the top service provided by SINAPSE during the commissioning and operation of the new GE CHP plant, we look forward to working with them again and using GE's Jenbacher products for future projects we have planned," said Igor Aksyutov, commercial director of ZORG Ukraine.
The first stage of operation for the plant took place during the most severe winter in the last 20 years, with constant minus temperatures reaching -25°C to -30°C. Despite the cold temperatures, the operation of the plant remained at a favorable level.
Biogas offers customers several advantages. It provides an alternative disposal of dung, liquid manure and organic waste, while simultaneously harnessing them as an energy source, a substitute for conventional fuels. It also has the high potential for reduction in greenhouse gases and is highly efficient for combined on-site power and heat generation. In addition, the remaining substrate from the digester can be used as high-quality, agricultural fertilizer, characterized by neutralizing the acid effect with a higher ph-value, keeping nutrients retained and nearly odorless.
"The disposal and treatment of biological waste represents a major challenge for the waste industry. Our Jenbacher biogas-fueled gas engines improve waste management while maximizing the use of cow manure, an economical energy supply," said Prady Iyyanki, CEO-gas engines for GE Power & Water. "We are pleased that our technology is a part of the first biogas plant in operation in the Ukraine and applaud the region for seeking new renewable and alternative ways to create cleaner energy."
GE has several biogas projects throughout the world. China has adopted both cow and chicken manure applications. Once completed, the recently announced project at the Liaoning Huishan Cow Farm in China will become the world's largest biogas project based on cow manure. In addition, GE's Jenbacher gas engines are using biogas created from chicken manure to generate needed power and heat at the Beijing Deqingyuan Chicken Farm Waste Utilization Plant, a large chicken farm north of Beijing, and in July 2009, GE's biogas engines began to power China's largest chicken waste biogas-energy plant at the Minhe Animal Husbandry.
Cow manure also is helping to address northwestern India's mounting energy environmental needs and is allowing a U.S. dairy farm to support the expansion of renewable energy production. A GE Jenbacher biogas engine is powering a successful demonstration cattle manure-methane cogeneration plant at Haebowal, a large dairy complex in Punjab, India, while GE's biogas engine technology is generating 633 kilowatts of renewable energy at United States-based Crave Brothers Farm, LLC, in Waterloo, Wisc. Crave Brothers has been able to reduce operational costs and the environmental impacts of its dairy operations, and the surplus power it sells to the regional grid helps support the expansion of renewable energy production.
ZORG is a leading supplier of turn-key biogas solutions in the Ukrainian market. The company offers a full range of engineering services for biogas, as well as designs, builds and produces biogas plants. ZORG works globally and currently has a number of projects in CIS countries.
Additional Web Search Via - Yahoo
- [Aug 22, 2005] As calls increase for renewable energy sources, there is more focus on developing cow ... Sweeten said manure contains at best about a third to a quarter of the energy value as ...usatoday.com/tech/science/
2005-08-22- - 54k - Cachedcow-manure-energy_x.htm - [Dec 6, 2006] Power derived from manure is changing from an alternative-fuel ... produce more than a tiny fraction of the energy consumed in the USA, even if all of the nation's 7,000 large ...www.usatoday.com/news/nation/
2006-12-03- - Cachedcow-power_x.htm - 1679k - Adobe PDF - View as htmlBioTown, USA has much more energy available than the community currently uses each year. ... simple as shifting from corn, beans, manure and timber to sugars, ...www.in.gov/oed/files/
Biotown_Sourcebook_ 040306.pdf - It handles manure and gives back renewable energy. "The increase in production and ... Odorants in livestock manure result primarily from the partial ...www.slurrystore.com/
manure_energy.html - Cached - Some attributes of energy production from manure may be less tangible than others. ... is the most widely used form of energy production from manure in the USA. ...www.extension.org/pages/
Value_of_Manure_ - Cachedas_an_Energy_Source - Solutions to convert animal waste into energy lowering soil contamination levels from livestockwww.guascor-usa.com/
livestock_water.htm - Cached - Manure Use for Fertilizer and for Energy: Report to Congress. By James M. MacDonald, Marc ... Competition from Energy Uses of Manure, 96 kb. Conclusions, 51 kb. ...www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/
AP/AP037 - Cached - This document contains an extensive inventory of manure digester systems, and background information for Europe, USA and Canada; includes lists of technology ...gis.lrs.uoguelph.ca/...
/bioenergy/man_ - 147k - Cacheddigesters.html - Yield from the gasification process includes valuable energy (including heat, steam, and/or ... EnergyWorks and Coaltec Energy USA... (www.coaltecenergy.com)www.coaltecenergy.com - Cached
- Illinois, USA - Methane digesters on dairy farms could soon be a common source of energy for residents and ... goal that 40 percent of all manure from... New York dairy farms goesbiofpr.com/details/news/
510617/ Renewable_energy_from_manure...
3.20.2010
Solar Water Heater, green ideas, eco conscious
$1,000 to $5,000
While solar-heating costs are still high for most whole-house applications, heating water with the sun has become practical. For $2,500 to $3,500, installed, an active, flat-plate solar collector system will produce 80 to 100 gallons of hot water per day. The payoff: Your water-heating bills will drop by 50 percent to 80 percent. Plus, you'll be shielded from future energy price increases.
Green Space:
http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/remodeling/eco-friendly/real-life-eco-friendly-make-over/
1.When Tom and Sheryl Stone set out to remodel their 900-square-foot condo, their goal was to make it as green as possible using materials that were recycled, renewable, or sourced from environmentally responsible companies.
2.The first renovation they made was removing the wall that separated the living room and kitchen. Removing the wall opened up the condo without changing its footprint.
3.Cork flooring was used throughout the space. Cork is a popular option for flooring especially in high-traffic areas because it's water- and mold-resistant. Cork is roughly the same price as wood, but it's a sustainable material. Cork trees regenerate every nine years, while trees such as oak or maple can take 30 years or more.
4.Storage was an important factor in this small space. Kristin Lomauro-Boom, the designer, carved out storage wherever she could. Among the more intriguing solutions were drawers that hide within the toe-kicks, and a tall tambour door. She also designed a niche for the TV on the living room side of the island. The table on wheels can also serve as additional counter space.
5.The Stones used compact fluorescent lamps in the green glass pendant lights above the island and the track lights throughout the kitchen. The CFLs uses less electricity than standard incandescent bulbs. Although they cost a little more, they last up to 10 times longer and can be installed in most light fixtures.
6. See Remaining Eco Friendly Ideas: http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/remodeling/eco-friendly/real-life-eco-friendly-make-over/?page=6
Info Provided by: Scotty, Green Builder St Louis "Renewable Energy" Missouri
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