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Posts Tagged ‘renewable energy’
The United States military is the single largest consumer of energy in the world and recognizes its dependence on fossil fuels as a strategic disadvantage in its operations around the world. To lessen their dependence on fossil fuels, the Department of Defense is developing strong green initiatives and alternative energy programs. The U.S. military has established itself on the vanguard of implementing the most advanced green and alternative fuel technologies. The programs can be found throughout every branch of the armed forces.
Pew Charitable Trust released an extensive 88 page report in September 2011 titled: From Barracks to the Battlefield – Clean Energy Innovation and America’s Armed Forces. The report details the U.S. military plans to expand and develop energy efficiency, renewable energy and alternative fuels in a quest to maintain its military superiority worldwide. The army has incorporated green technology in many sectors of its operations from on-base electric vehicles to solor power assisted humvees. The navy has developed hybrid-electric and biofuel ships with a goal of sailing a Green Strike Group by 2016 with extensive testing beginning this year. The air force is expanding its biofuel-powered and Adaptive Versatile Engine Technology (ADVENT) aircraft technology. Clearly the military is leading the way to stronger and more energy independent America and will continue to be on the forefront of developments in renewable energy, energy efficiency and alternative fuels. The Department or Defense is discussing the possibility of installing seven gigawatts of solar power on military bases to supply its own needs and to increase energy security. If you are curious and interested in seeing what new green and alternate energy technology is coming to the private sector, look to the U.S. Armed Forces.
Orange County Great Park
The Department of Energy announced that for the first time since the inaugural Solar Decathlon in 2002, the next Solar Decathlon will be held outside of the Washington D.C. Mall. The U.S. Department of Energy announced that Solar Decathlon 2013 will be held in Orange County California next year. The new site is the Orange County Great Park in Irvine. 20 new collegiate teams and hundreds of student decathletes will compete in the 2013 competition. Many of the new teams are joint entries comprised of two to three universities. The Orange County Great Park is the site of the former Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, which the City of Irvine is renovating into sustainable parkland for family recreation.
Made in the USA. Made in Canada, Mexico, China. WindMade? Now in additon to knowing where a product was made, you will know the energy source. Windmade announced a new product label at the World Future Energy Summit this week, which will inform consumers which products were made with wind energy.
First the logo – then the standard. What are the standards for the new certification? The standards for the verification and certification are in the developmental stage and loosely follow this schedule:
- January 2011 – Logo announced
- March 2011 – “Public Consultation” and input for “WindMade” standard
- June 15, 2011 – WindMade certification program begins
Will “Made by the Sun” be next?
Cut the cost of solar power in half by 2015. Cut the cost of batteries for electric vehicles by 70 percent between 2009 and 2015. Double U.S. renewable energy generation and manufacturing capacity by 2012. According to a new report announced by Vice President Joe Biden Tuesday, “The Recovery Act: Transforming the American Economy through Innovation“, the U.S.A. is on track to achieve these goals and more. The renewable energy initiative alone equates to boosting as much renewable energy output in the next three years as we did in the previous thirty years. The recovery act is creating new jobs, redirecting the energy economy, and accelerating scientific advances in new energy development.