SDTC, short for Sustainable Development Technology Canada, is a non-profit organization that works to support and finance clean technology development and demonstration that will offer comprehensive solutions in areas including clean air and climate change, which will then provide health, environmental, and economic benefits to all Canadians. SDTC was established in 2001 by the Government of Canada and its mission is to “Act as the primary catalyst in building a sustainable development technology infrastructure in Canada.” SDTC’s goals include bridging the gap between innovation and commercialization, reduce the risk of clean technologies to attract investment and increase commercial success, and assist innovators in understanding the market and provide opportunities to bring their products to light.

1 ) SDTC Gives out $40 Million to 18 Companies in 2010. In July of 2010, SDTC provided funding to 18 clean technology companies across Canada to boost the green economy. Totally approximately $40 million, the funding went to help move companies’ innovation technology solutions right to the market. An example of a company is Etalim Inc, in British Columbia, a company that developed small-scale thermal-electric generators used for converting heat to electricity. Gestion TechnoCap Inc. in Quebec is another company that received funding for its development of a device that increases the overall efficiency of solar electricity generating systems. One last company is Saskatoon-based Targeted Growth Canada Inc, which produced a new jet biofuels from camelina, an oilseed crop.

2 ) SDTC Gives Millions in Funding in 2009 to Three British Columbia Based Companies. In 2009, the Canadian Government, through the SDTC invested $54 million to support a number of clean technology companies. Three of these companies were based in British Columbia. Lignol Innovations Ltd. developed a new biorefinery technology to increase the yield of ethanol and improve economic and environmental benefits of all cellulosic ethanol facilities. Saltworks Technologies Inc. is in the process of developing a thermal powered desalination system that will reduce electrical energy requirements up to 80 percent, improving the accessibility and affordability of clean water. Finally, SunSelect Produce Inc. is using biomass-based combustion along with carbon dioxide storage and gas cleaning to accelerate the process of photosynthesis in greenhouses.

3 ) SDTC Supported 2006 Industrial Vehicle Fuel Cell Test. In 2006, SDTC provided funding for a two year project along with Hydrogenics, GM Canada, and Nacco Materials Handling Group to demonstrate how viable hydrogen technology is for industrial vehicles, such as commercial lift trucks. The trials will demonstrate how fuel cell technology can provide an economically viable and clean power alternative for the materials handling industry.

4 ) SDTC and Veolia Partner to Commercialize Cleantech Innovation. In March of 2011 SDTC partnered with Veolia to increase the commercialization and market uptake of new clean technologies in Canada. The two companies plan to provide clean technology entrepreneurs with finances resources as well as business insight from SDTC and commercial, technical and operational resources provided by Veolia. The partnership aims to increase the deployment of clean technology innovations, boost efficiency in conducting and sourcing due diligence, and increase the number and rate of implementation of commercial clean technologies providing a positive environmental and economic return.

5 ) SDTC Provides Funding for New Ottawa Initiative. SDTC provided $42.5 million in funding to new clean technology projects in Ottawa. The funding is going toward the development as well as the demonstration of new clean technologies and fast-track these technologies to the market. Initiatives led by Hatch Ltd. and Plasco Energy Group Ltd are being provided with funding. In total, the 15 projects awarded with funding come from a variety of sectors, including agriculture, energy utilization, power generation, waste management, transportation, and paper products.

6 ) NextGen Biofuels Fund. The NextGen Biofuels Fund looks to assist Canadian biofuels technology projects’ chances of gaining success in the market by assisting them bridge the financial barrier and help the businesses scale-up their new technology solutions to a big, demonstration-scale plant. Because biofuels technologies have a certain technology risk associated with them than other established industries, it becomes a lot harder to get debt financing. This fund aims to change that.

7 ) SD Tech Fund. The SD Tech Fund is a business support initiative to fill the increasing gap between applied clean technology research and the commercialization of the product. Projects for the fund are considered with they are able to develop a new technology that will boost the utilization efficiency of water or clean air or fights against current climate change. The funding covers 33 percent of all eligible expenses to help further research and development efforts  without giving up intellectual property rights.

8 ) SDTC Partners with Tenova Goodfellow Inc. for Energy Efficiency Project. In February of 2011, SDTC partnered with Tenova Goodfellow Inc. to demonstrate the “Next Gen Energy Efficiency Breakthrough Technology” system for the electric arc furnace industry. This project looks to demonstrate a real-time, comprehensive process control and monitoring system where electric furnaces are operated and controlled according to total chemical and electrical energy input that is adjusted for energy losses. “Clean technologies are being integrated into Canada’s main industrial sectors, and the project led by TGI is a great example of this,” says Vicky Sharpe, President and CEO of SDTC. “The Next Gen EAF technology will allow the EAF steelmaking industry to reduce both its costs and its GHG emissions, combining the economic and environmental benefits of clean technologies.”

9 ) The Hydrogen Assisted Renewable Power Project. In September of 2010 the Hydrogen Assisted Renewable Power Project was created as a partnership between SDTC, BC Hydro, Powertech and GE. The energy storage project looks to lessen greenhouse gas emissions and alter how remote communities across the world are powered. The project is beginning in Bella Coola, British Columbia because, due to its remote location, it is not connected to the provincial electricity grid run by BC Hydro. Currently, the community has been using diesel generators which continue to create emissions. The new technology will reduce the need for diesel generators and help efficiently manage energy. “Our Government is working to position Canada as the world’s foremost clean energy superpower,” said the Honourable Stockwell Day. “With investments like GE’s groundbreaking Renewable Microgrid Systems, our Government is helping Canadians living in remote communities to be less dependent on fossil fuels. Through this project, we are stimulating Canada’s green economy, creating jobs and helping protect the environment.”

10 ) Pathogen Detection Systems Investment. In Kingston, Ontario is 2009, SDTC funded a new technology used to reduce the cost and time associated with testing water for dangerous pathogens. “By investing in Canadian technologies such as Pathogen Detection Systems’ clean water technology, our Government is helping to stimulate a new green economy in Canada, creating jobs and helping to protect the environment,” said David Anderson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and for the Canadian Wheat Board. The Pathogen Detection Systems will integrate a microbiological water monitoring system alongside sophisticated software for water treatment optimization, reducing overall time by up to 80 percent, reducing costs and energy consumption, improving test integrity, and providing a number of environmental benefits.

Article by Shawn Lesser, Co-founder & Managing Partner of Atlanta-based Watershed Capital Group – an investment bank assisting sustainable fund and companies raise capital, perform acquisitions, and in other strategic financial decisions. He is also a Co-founder of the GCCA Global Cleantech Cluster Association ”The Global Voice of Cleantech”. He writes for various cleantech publications and is known as the David Letterman of Cleantech for his “Top 10″ series. He can be reached at shawn@watershedcapital.com

photo: alexindigo

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Solar power was one of the stars at the Emmy Awards last night.

A canopy of SolarWorld high-performance solar panels were gracing the red carpet at the 63rd Emmy, giving solar power some primetime TV visibility.

The 50-kilowatt system was seen during the official live pre-show “Countdown To the Emmys”.

Besides solar, Fox had added other sustainable touches to the proceedings. The carpet is made from recycled materials, the ceremony was lit with efficient lighting and the food was organic and locally sourced.

After the show, the panels will be donated to Habitat for Humanity, a greater LA-based non-profit that works to improve housing conditions for low-income households. The solar power panels will serve 10-20 homes.

“The Emmys spotlight the tastes, trends and technologies which viewers nationwide are tuning into in their lives,” said Kevin Kilkelly, president of SolarWorld Americas. “This year’s show will mark the historical moment when solar power made its debut in American popular culture.”

Article by Antonio Pasolini, a Brazilian writer and video art curator based in London, UK. He holds a BA in journalism and an MA in film and television.

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A new UN report warns that humans could triple the natural resources they consume by 2050 unless economic growth is “decoupled” from current consumption rates.

In developed nations, individuals consume an average of 16 tons per capita of minerals, ores, fossil fuels, and biomass each year, and as much as 40 or more tons per capita in some nations, according to the report by the UN Environmental Program’s International Resources Panel.

That rate doubled from 1900 to 2000. By comparison, the average person in India consumes about 4 tons annually.

Warning that global population growth and rising economic prosperity could drive resource consumption “far beyond what is likely sustainable,” the report says nations must improve the rate of resource productivity or do more with less, particularly as many resources are already being depleted at a significant rate.

The panel also suggests more investment in technological, financial, and social innovation to at least freeze per capita consumption.

Article appearing courtesy Yale Environment 360.

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Due to its relatively small size, the limited number of resources it has, as well as its increasingly urbanized atmosphere, Singapore has had little choice in moving toward renewable energy and energy efficient technologies. Because of its intense desire to go green, it has become an international destination for clean technology, especially in production and research and development. Singapore is highlighted as an international cleantech hub for a variety of reasons, including its investment into smart energy infrastructures and systems, its clean energy ‘Living Lab,’ attractive business location, an innovation to reach for a greener future, just for Singapore, but for the globe.

1) Singapore International Energy Week. The Singapore International Energy Week is a five day conferences where individuals from various backgrounds, including political, industrial, and academia come together from around the world to discuss various clean technology issues and it importance within the energy industry. The 2011 conference is entitled “Expression of Interest” and includes a number of key events, including Clean Energy Expo Asia, Asia Smart Grid 2011, Carbon Forum Asia, and Singapore Energy Summit. Singapore was selected as the host due in large part because of its importance as a main player in the energy industry.

2) Training More Clean Energy Specialists. In 2010, the Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, said that after the creation of a large new solar manufacturing facility, the largest cleantech investment to date in Singapore. Because of the growth of cleantech in the economy, the prime minister is starting a new initiative to train more than two-thousand specialists over a five year period. Loong believes that by having a large number of specialists, it will further attract high-value investments into the country when it comes to clean tech. According to Loong, a skilled workforce is an important component in retaining more investments.

3) CleanTech Park. CleanTech Park is a $52 million dollar project created through a partnership between the Economic Development Board and JTC Corp. Marked for completion in 2030, this over 50 hectares park will be the main eco-business destination as well as the center for all clean technology research and development for Singapore. Because of the size of the project, it will employ more than 20,000 people will full time jobs. To elevate integration between research institutes, the business industry, and academia, it is being buying next to the Nayang Technological University. All the strategies employed at the park will be green, including sky treillis, storm water management, green zone conservation, biodiversity protection, green community building, designated green corridors, and other features that will limit the demand for the utilization of non-green resources.

4) Singapore Blueprint. In April of 2009, the government of Singapore created a new blueprint initiative to assist in creating a greener, more energy efficient and sustainable country. With more than $692 million invested into a green plan that will be spread throughout five years, it is the hope that the blueprint will aid in building a clear and concise national strategy that will face current energy challenges. There are a number of projects being invested into, including solar energy, transportation, and research and development. For example, the Green Mark Incentive Scheme will assist buildings in becoming more energy efficient, money is going to support infrastructure for the development and testing of electric vehicles, and an increase in university-industry collaborations, such as a collaboration between Sembcorp Industries and the Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute to create a system to treat complex industrial wastewater.

5) Education on Reducing Singapore’s Carbon Footprint. For Singapore, a lot of the ways in which to increase energy efficiency starts with educating the general public. Low Carbon Singapore is an online community that has been dedicated to assisting Singapore in lowering the total carbon emissions and move toward the ultimate goal of being a low carbon economy. The aim of the community is “to educate individuals, communities, businesses, and organizations on issues relating to climate change, global warming and clean energy, and to help them take action and reduce their carbon footprint through useful information, news, tips, and resources.” They do a lot of campaigns to lower environmental impact, such as the MyWatterBottle campaign, which encouraged Singaporeans’ to use refillable instead of one-time-use water bottles.

6) Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore. The Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore is one of the largest groups representing the interests of companies involved in carbon trading, renewable energy, energy efficiency, mechanism projects, and clean developments, and providing them with a platform to discuss, collaborate, and undertake different projects. This association looks to be the “voice” of the sustainable energy industry. They offer a variety of services, including business matching events, networking sessions, trade missions, dialogues with government agencies, and business intelligence reports.

7) Singapore Environment Institute. The Singapore Environmental Institute is a training organization created by the National Environment Agency and looks forward toward the conduct and development of training programs as well as knowledge-sharing platforms on general environmental awareness concerns, including weather, environmental laws, and resource conservation. According to the official website, the mission is to “enhance the competency of environmental professionals, local and overseas; share Singapore’s experience and expertise in the environment; and provide diverse platforms for knowledge exchange with environmental thought leaders worldwide.”

8 ) Singapore National Energy Policy. The goal of Singapore’s National Energy Policy is to determine the nation’s continued economic growth despite limited energy resources and the understanding how the disruption most energy supplies cause, including greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. Parts of the policy include the promotion of competitive markets, diversify energy supplies, improve current energy efficiency, build the energy industry and invest further into energy research and development, and increase international cooperation.

9) E2 Singapore Incentives. E2 Singapore is one of the primary climate change and energy efficiency organizations in Singapore and has a number of incentives to assist buildings in meeting these standards. One is the Energy Efficiency Improvement Assistance Scheme. Funded by the National Environmental Agency, the incentive encourages manufacturing and building companies to get an energy appraisal and identify all areas where there can be energy efficiency improvement. Grants are allotted up to $200,000.

10) Singapore Economic Strategies Committee. Singapore’s Economic Strategies Committee in 2010 submitted a report outlining a number of key recommendations to the prime minister. The goal of committee is to “develop strategies for Singapore to build capabilities and maximize opportunities as a global city in a new world environment, so as to achieve sustained and inclusive growth.” The key recommendations included on what to do to become a Smart Energy Economy, including diversifying energy sources, investment in important energy infrastructure, increase energy efficiency, and price energy to reflect real costs and constraints.

Article by Shawn Lesser, Co-founder & Managing Partner of Atlanta-based Watershed Capital Group – an investment bank assisting sustainable fund and companies raise capital, perform acquisitions, and in other strategic financial decisions. . He is also a Co-founder of the GCCA Global Cleantech Cluster Association. He writes for various cleantech publications and is known as the David Letterman of Cleantech for his “Top 10″ series. He can be reached at shawn@watershedcapital.com

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Scottish researchers have developed what they call a “super” biofuel using by-products of whiskey production. Employing a method similar to a 100-year-old process that produces butanol and acetone through the fermentation of sugar, scientists at Edinburgh Napier University developed a process to convert the waste from the whiskey-making process — pot ale, which is the liquid from copper stills, and the spent grains known as draff — into a fuel that can be used in automobiles and is 30 percent more efficient than ethanol.

Given the enormity of Scotland’s £4 billion ($6 billion) whiskey industry, which produces 1,600 million liters of pot ale and 187,000 tons of draff annually, scientists say there is the potential for whiskey biofuel to emerge as a significant source of fuel for cars and even airplanes. “This is a more environmentally sustainable option and potentially offers new revenue on the back of one Scotland’s biggest industries,” said Martin Tangney, director of the university’s Biofuel Research Centre.

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The image of living in a steel cargo container usually conjures up scenes of poor, third-world communities, but Los Angeles architect Peter DeMaria sees their conversion into modern urban homes as an environmentally sustainable idea that will fit into most any neighborhood. While designer Frank Lloyd Wright was famous for his “destroy the box” philosophy, DeMaria simply says “live in the box.”

DeMaria is among a small, but growing, number of architects, designers and homeowners who are generating interest in steel shipping containers as building blocks for homes, apartments and commercial buildings. He likes them because they are extremely durable, easily transported, stackable, relatively cheap, readily available, rust and pest resistant and, best of all, a fully repurposed construction material.

DeMaria explained how cargo containers are used in home and building construction and outlined his strategy to distribute a variety of pre-fabricated container homes during a presentation at the California Center for Sustainable Energy in San Diego.

Why cargo containers?

Estimates place 35-40 million cargo containers in the United States, most of them stacked up to eight high (about 75 feet) in storage areas near commercial ports nationwide. That’s because it is cheaper to let them sit rather than ship them back overseas empty to be refilled. The practice is to just make new ones, adding about four million units a year to the U.S. surplus.

Uniformly manufactured to international standards, the “high cube” shipping containers that DeMaria uses are 40 feet long, 8 feet wide and 9.5 feet high. In 2006, he built the nation’s first official two-story cargo container home out of nine modified boxes in Redondo Beach, Calif. Since then he has built nearly a dozen more custom container homes and several commercial buildings in Southern California and has plans for a small hotel. The biggest difficulty he has faced is dealing with meeting all guidelines of California’s building code and satisfying the demands of municipal building inspectors who are usually looking at such plans for the first time.

Cargo containers have been used worldwide as offices, shopping malls, public buildings, vacation getaways and more. The biggest marketplace in Europe is made up of alleys formed by stacked containers on 170 acres in Odessa, Ukraine; and in Stuttgart, Germany, they are constructing a skyscraper comprised of 55 containers. Still, the integration of cargo container homes into urban and suburban neighborhoods is rare.

How does it work?

Shipping containers are made of heavy-gauge Corten steel, one of the “weathering” alloys that form a stable rust-like appearance when exposed over time, but don’t actually rust unless they are continually moist. Weighing in at about 9,000 pounds, their frames are formed by heavy steel beams that bear the load of stacking in the four corners. Purchases of cargo containers are made through brokers, who inspect and usually guarantee their quality before shipping. Used containers cost about $2,500 to $3,000.

Prior to construction, the boxes are sand-blasted and coated with several layers of primer and rust-resistant and heat-reflective paint. Windows, doors, vents and other openings are cut out of the corrugated metal walls.

Construction begins by setting the containers in place, on a raised floor, slab or basement, and welding them together to create the desired form of the structure. Wood, or preferably, steel studs, beams and trusses can be used to create any imaginable exterior or interior spaces (between containers) and roof coverings. Then insulation and electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems are added as well as windows, doors and other finishing. Exterior and interior walls, floors and ceilings can be left as is or covered with any building material. Options are limitless for outfitting, decorating and adding sustainable attributes to the structure.

The cost of a custom-designed container home, according to DeMaria, averages around $135 per square foot, depending on finishings, which is about 35 percent less than conventional construction.

DeMaria’s Vision

In addition to building custom container homes, DeMaria unveiled a line of prefabricated designs in 2009 that range from one to five bedrooms with interiors from 160 to 3,580 square feet. His company, Logical Homes, assembles the homes in Los Angeles and then serves as the general contractors on site. Almost everything is included, from foundation to countertops, (except appliances and permits) for prices ranging from $100 to $135 per square foot.

“Our homes are not high-tech – we like to think of them as appropriate-tech,” DeMaria said. “We believe that the options available to progressive homebuyers are limited; and we have chosen to do something about it with a respect for the scarcity of resources our planet faces.”

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Watching baseball’s first quadruple play was strange. Seeing Wal-Mart go green is stranger still.

First the baseball: The scene was a game of T-Ball, where everyone bats every inning, regardless of the number of outs.

The bases were loaded when a line drive ended up in the glove of the pitcher. While he wondered how it got there, all the runners took off without tagging up. The pitcher ran to third, then second, then first.

We kept counting the number of outs and they did not add up. First in our heads: That doesn’t make sense. Then on our hand: That’s crazy. Then our other hand: It kept adding up to four outs.

It took us a while to believe what we saw right in front of us.

And now Wal-Mart, the original Black Hat, is going green. Or better said, sustainable. Let that sink in because it is true. Big time.

So much so that Treehugger.com says It “could end up being one of the biggest motivators to make truly ‘green’ products ever.”

As in history of the world.

Wal-Mart has made believers out of not just the biggest environmental organizations in the world — like the Environmental Defense Fund and the World Wildlife Federation — but also Wal-Mart’s suppliers.

It started five years ago when Wal-Mart announced three goals: 1) 100 percent renewable energy; 2) Zero waste; 3) Sustainable products.

Wal-Mart stores have already gone sustainable on dozens of fronts from shipping to selling to storing to recycling. Last year, Wal-Mart saved 4.8 billion plastic shopping bags.

That’s how they roll in Bentonville: Big.

Even the combined efforts of 8400 stores with two million associates doing $400 billion in sales every year was not enough: Wal-Mart figured out 90 percent of the carbon was coming from its supply chain. So it reached down to all its 100,000 vendors — and their vendors and their vendors — and told them that reducing carbon footprints — reducing energy — will save money.

Everyone knows that is what Wal-Mart is all about.

“And vendors are listening,” said Tom Rooney, CEO of SPG Solar in Novato, California, one of the largest solar installers in the country. “We are seeing renewed and intense interest in industrial- and commerical-scale solar because of Wal-Mart and Proctor and Gamble and other companies are showing their suppliers how to change their shipping, packaging, storing, selling, heating, cooling, disposing, recycling and other practices to squeeze energy out of the supply chain and save money. And solar is a big part of that.”

Not that many need much coaxing: Financial incentives for solar today are so strong that many companies are essentially getting free energy — and more — by buying a new solar array from the money they will save from lower energy bills. And having a big chunk left over.

Now on top of that, the largest companies in the world are saying solar and other renewables have to be a part of their supply chain. By some estimates, 1 in 3 dollars worldwide is associated with a company that does business with Walmart. So, if you shift Walmart and its suppliers, the global economy shifts with it, says R. Paul Herman at hipinvestor.com. Or as the New York Times puts it: “because of its size and power, Wal-Mart usually gets what it wants.”

And Wal-Mart wants renewable energy.

Earlier this year, Wal-Mart sent its vendors a 15 part questionnaire to determine what their companies were doing to become more sustainable. Also leading the effort is Wal-Mart’s “Sustainabilty Index.”

Scholars from around the world are gathering at the Universities of Arizona and Arkansas to create this new measure of the energy created — and wasted — during the life cycle of a product found at Wal-Mart.

It won’t be ready for at least another year.

“But that doesn’t matter,” says Rooney. “No one is fighting Wal-Mart or complaining about the reporting that this new index requires. Just the opposite: They are racing to out do each other, and surpass Wal-Mart’s expectations. Right now. Not next year.”

And why not:

In May, the world’s largest consumer product company, Proctor and Gamble, announced its own, similar, sustainability program for its vendors. Joining IBM, GE, and other corporate giants on the sustainability train.

The results are already showing up on the bottom line:

“Perhaps more than any other company, Wal-Mart has pursued this approach” said the Harvard Business Review of Wal-Mart’s new vision of sustainability. “The payoffs are already showing up: One of the Sustainable Value Networks, tasked with fleet logistics, came up with a transportation strategy that improved efficiency by 38%, saving Wal-Mart more than $200 million annually and cutting its greenhouse gas emissions by 200,000 tons per year.”

Wal-Mart: Not just for beating up anymore. Or maybe we are just seeing the world’s first quintuple play.

Article by Jim Fitzpatrick, a retired civil engineer and solar enthusiast.

photo: taberandrew

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David Orazietti, Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Sault Ste. Marie, announced last month the approval by the Ontario provincial government of a $1,875,000 loan to Heliene Canada to launch a solar module manufacturing plant in the city. The financing is in accordance with the Green Energy Act – an ambitious bill designed to create a sustainable electricity system in the Canadian province. The loan will be disbursed to Heliene Canada through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC).

In addition to the loan, NOHFC also awarded a $625,000 grant to Heliene Canada as part of its Enterprises North Job Creation program. Once operational, the manufacturing plant will yield 36 new jobs to Ontario residents with the requisite solar energy training.

Ontario Economy to Benefit from the Loan

According to Orazietti, the government’s commitment to renewable energy helps create a stronger, more diversified Ontario economy. He says, “By supporting Heliene Canada, a value-added manufacturing [business] in the clean energy sector, we are creating high quality, well-paying jobs and positioning our city to be at the forefront of a growing industry.” Not only is the Green Energy Act creating new jobs, but it is also putting Ontario at the forefront of sustainable energy development.

Martin Pochtaruk, President of Heliene Canada, admits that the solar module manufacturing project could not exist without the financial support of NOHFC. He adds, “The Ontario Green Energy Act is the most visionary plan for renewable power generation in North America, which is needed to replace old coal-power energy generation with modern green technologies.”

The economy further reaps benefits from the business opportunities that additional photovoltaic equipment manufacturing entails. This includes companies that market, install, and maintain solar panels, and institutions that offer solar energy training and certification.

20 Megawatts of Capacity Expected Annually

Heliene Canada’s solar module manufacturing plant is set to produce 87,500 solar panels annually, with a total capacity of 20 megawatts (MW). This is expected to supply electricity to thousands of homes and lessen the province’s dependence on coal-powered energy.

Additionally, the energy produced through the solar panel technology is expected to augment the region’s power supply through the Ontario Power Authority’s feed-in-tariff (FIT) and microFIT initiatives, enabling homes and businesses to generate revenue from the power their solar PV systems feed back into the grid.

The solar module manufacturing plant and accompanying financing are considered milestones under the Green Energy Act. Other notable renewable energy projects approved by the Ontario government include a 70 MW co-generation plant by Essar Steel, a 20 MW solar energy farm by Starwood Energy, a methane collection system, a biofuel venture, and a tire recycling project.

photo: OregonDOT

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With more than 16,000 retail locations around the world, Starbucks continues to innovate and evolve the customer experience with a new store design approach inspired by Starbucks Shared Planet, their commitment to ethical sourcing, environmental stewardship and community involvement. With each new or renovated store, Starbucks strives to reflect the character of the surrounding neighborhood, allowing customers to feel at home when visiting “their” store and giving them opportunities for discovery at our other locations around the world.

For the last 15 years, the Starbucks coffeehouse at 72 Spring Street in New York City has been a gathering place for local patrons and international visitors alike. The renovated location draws upon the area’s commercial and retail history as well as its vibrant arts and cultural renaissance over the past several decades. The Spring Street store blends the aesthetics of a turn-of-the-century dry goods warehouse with the original iconic mercantile-inspired Starbucks location at the Pike Place Market in Seattle.

The renovation showcases locally sourced materials as well as reused and recycled elements, from the artwork to the wood flooring. In addition, this store is registered for LEED certification as part of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Volume Certification pilot program. The store showcases the new Clover brewing system, a single — cup brewer that produces some of the freshest, flavor rich brewed coffee available anywhere.

Throughout the store are plaques that identify and explain specific green design and construction elements. These markers not only inform customers about Starbucks focus on sustainability, but may also motivate them to make environmentally responsible choices in their homes and workplaces.

Reused, Recycled and Locally Sourced Elements:

• The countertops, bar cladding, column cladding, chair rail and base are made of repurposed white oak recovered from several barns in Somerset, Penn.

• The community table is also made of repurposed wood from Somerset, Penn.

• The flooring is made from reclaimed wood.

• The bar casework, wood seat roundabouts, and metal stools were manufactured locally.

• The magnetic community board is made of metal panels repurposed from retired espresso machines.

• The wallpaper next to the Clover bar area is made of reused burlap coffee sacks from Starbucks roasting plants

• Custom artwork by local artist Peter Tunney integrates Starbucks existing marketing collateral into the canvases.

Water & Energy Conservation:

• LED and CFL bulbs reduce energy use.

• Dual-flush toilets and low-flow faucets significantly reduce water use.

• The hand dryers are energy efficient and reduce paper towel consumption.

Waste Reduction:

• Waste generated during construction was diverted from landfills.

• The previous flooring was salvaged to be used in another store.

• By using one of Starbucks “for-here” mugs or bringing in their own, customers can help reduce waste.

Store Environment:

• All paint, finishes, adhesives and subfloor were carefully selected to improve the indoor air quality.

• Paints used in the store are low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and water-based.

Article by Roger Greenway appearing courtesy Environmental News Network.

photo: Roger Greenway

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Rampant illegal logging in Indonesia is undermining the sustainability and strength of the forest products industry in Indonesia and the United States and thwarting efforts to preserve forests to slow global warming, according to a new report.

The report by the BlueGreen Alliance and several U.S. environmental and labor organizations said that 40 to 55 percent of Indonesia’s timber is harvested illegally, often from protected areas.

Widespread illegal logging in Indonesia and elsewhere has depressed timber prices worldwide, costing the logging, wood, paper and cabinetry industries more than $1 billion in the U.S. alone, the report said.

Illegal logging also is undercutting the production of sustainably produced timber. “Under current conditions, there is no level playing field,” the report says.

In the 1960s, about 82 percent of Indonesia was forested. By 1995, forest cover was reduced to 52 percent. And at the current rate of deforestation, 98 percent of Indonesia’s lowland forests may be destroyed by 2022. The WWF graphic (top, left) illustrates the forest loss in Borneo from 1950 to 2005, with projected forest cover in 2020.

The authors also cite an Indonesian report estimating that logging accounts for 80 percent of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions, making Indonesia the world’s third-largest emitter of CO2.

The report says stricter enforcement of logging regulations and increased transparency are critical to stemming illegal logging in Indonesia.

Article appearing courtesy Yale Environment 360.

photo: WWF

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