Army Deploys Alternative Energy In The Field – Funny cause the fight is over an oil pipeline

The irony of this amazing.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/05/science/earth/05fossil.html

U.S. Military Orders Less Dependence on Fossil Fuels

By ELISABETH ROSENTHAL
Published: October 4, 2010

With insurgents increasingly attacking the American fuel supply convoys that lumber across the Khyber Pass into Afghanistan, the military is pushing aggressively to develop, test and deploy renewable energy to decrease its need to transport fossil fuels.

Last week, a Marine company from California arrived in the rugged outback of Helmand Province bearing novel equipment: portable solar panels that fold up into boxes; energy-conserving lights; solar tent shields that provide shade and electricity; solar chargers for computers and communications equipment.

The 150 Marines of Company I, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, will be the first to take renewable technology into a battle zone, where the new equipment will replace diesel and kerosene-based fuels that would ordinarily generate power to run their encampment.

Even as Congress has struggled unsuccessfully to pass an energy bill and many states have put renewable energy on hold because of the recession, the military this year has pushed rapidly forward. After a decade of waging wars in remote corners of the globe where fuel is not readily available, senior commanders have come to see overdependence on fossil fuel as a big liability, and renewable technologies — which have become more reliable and less expensive over the past few years — as providing a potential answer. These new types of renewable energy now account for only a small percentage of the power used by the armed forces, but military leaders plan to rapidly expand their use over the next decade.

In Iraq and Afghanistan, the huge truck convoys that haul fuel to bases have been sitting ducks for enemy fighters — in the latest attack, oil tankers carrying fuel for NATO troops in Afghanistan were set on fire in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, early Monday. In Iraq and Afghanistan, one Army study found, for every 24 fuel convoys that set out, one soldier or civilian engaged in fuel transport was killed. In the past three months, six Marines have been wounded guarding fuel runs in Afghanistan

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More Tomorrow.

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Buy Solar With Your Family And Friends – Great way to bust the cost of solar energy

http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/solar-community-garden

Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley is sowing some palatable solar insights in the communities of Carbondale, Aspen, Vail and Eagle this weekend. The region’s Clean Energy Collective (CEC) is showcasing the nation’s first community-owned solar garden, the Mid-Valley solar array.

Sited on otherwise unusable land owned by the Mid-Valley Metropolitan District, the Mid-Valley solar array features 340 solar modules that collectively boast 77.7 kW of available renewable energy production capacity to offset the energy demands of those in neighboring communities who buy into the program.

Colorado is on the front lines of legislation and execution of the ground-breaking solar farm model, which began delivering power to members in El Jebel, Colorado in August. The Clean Energy Collective is a member-owned cooperative venture that builds, operates and maintains large-scale community-based facilities that deliver clean, renewable energy to community-based owner/members within specific utility service territories.

Both year-round and seasonal residents of the Roaring Fork Valley are qualified to buy individual portions of the array for as little as $725 per panel, or $3.15 per kW. Local utility coop Holy Cross Energy will then credit members’ utility bills directly each month at the rate of $0.11/kWh. Compensation is commensurate with how many solar modules each member owns in the community garden array. The owners of this community owned solar garden have essentially turned grey dirt into pay dirt as they create a more sustainable energy future.

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More tomorrow.
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White House Goes Solar – Finally after they refused earlier efforts

There answer in September was NO!

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/10/white-house-spurns-solar-panel/


September 10, 2010, 11:54 am

White House Spurns Solar Panel

By JOHN M. BRODER

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The answer in October is YES! Wonder what changed?

http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/677-e2-wire/122559-solar-panels-heading-to-white-house-roof

White House roof to get solar panels

By Ben Geman – 10/05/10 10:06 AM ET

The Obama administration on Tuesday announced plans to install solar panels on the White House roof.

“This project reflects President Obama’s strong commitment to U.S. leadership in solar energy and the jobs it will create here at home,” said Energy Secretary Steven Chu in a statement. “Deploying solar energy technologies across the country will help America lead the global economy for years to come.”

The action highlights Obama’s support for low-carbon energy at a time when environmentalists are smarting from the collapse of climate legislation — a bill that was not the top White House priority.

Chu and White House Council on Environmental Quality Chairwoman Nancy Sutley announced the plan Tuesday at CEQ’s GreenGov symposium hosted by George Washington University.

The Energy Department-led project will install two White House solar systems — one that converts sunlight into electricity, and a solar hot water heater for the White House residence.

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More tomorrow

Alternative Roofs – The idea spreads

http://www.expressmilwaukee.com/blog-5602-the-green-alternative-to-asphalt-roofs.html

The Green Alternative to Asphalt Roofs

In Section: Green Life Posted By: Kathleen Wills

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For centuries, it hasn’t seemed like much of a problem to dig out the earth, erect structures and cap them with impervious asphalt roofs. But with population growth and ensuing urban development, it has become extremely problematic. Storm-water runoff, flooding, polluted watersheds, violent temperature contrasts, increased heating and cooling energy consumption and costs, gusting winds and stripped habitats are all by-products of the replacement of earth with concrete.
Of these complications, storm-water runoff has been the most challenging. When rain falls on our waterproof concrete jungles it picks up pollutants as it flows off roofs, walls and gutters and runs straight into storm drains and on to its final destination – our lakes, rivers and oceans. With nothing to slow down heavy downpours, wastewater systems flood, dumping raw sewage into local bodies of water.

The other major problem to contend with is the urban heat-island effect. Asphalt rooftops can reach 150oF, contributing to warmer temperatures in cities than their surrounding regions – a 10o difference in some areas. This translates to higher energy consumption and costs to cool buildings.

How to mitigate these environmental extremes is something city planners and architects worldwide have been grappling with for years. The solution? Green roofs!

Green roofs, also called living roofs, solve the flooding and water pollution problems by mimicking meadows. Soil composites and vegetation absorb water, filter and cleanse it, slow it down, and even store some of it for use during dry spells. They help the energy consumption quandary by acting as insulation thus reducing energy costs by as much as 20%. They even improve air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide. Water savings also come in to play in buildings where rainwater is collected and reused for watering exterior plants or flushing water for toilets.

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More next week.

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Living Roofs Are Possible Even On Smaller Roofs – Try it on an outbuilding

http://earthbagbuilding.wordpress.com/2010/07/12/alternative-waterproof-membranes-for-living-roofs/

Alternative Waterproof Membranes for Living Roofs

July 12, 2010 by Owen Geiger

There’s growing interest in living roofs or green roofs. The difficulty is deciding on the waterproof membrane. Rubber pond liner (EPDM) is the most waterproof and durable material, and the most common choice due to proven performance, but it’s also very expensive and made from nasty petro chemicals.

Living roof at Heartwood HomesteadsLiving roof at Heartwood Homesteads

I think a number of less toxic, more affordable materials are possible, including recycled materials in good condition. One reader suggested pool covers. Heavy duty trucker tarps are another option. You could add 6 mil poly (plastic sheeting) underneath and/or above these other materials for extra moisture protection.

For my dome, I used 2-1/2 layers of 6 mil black poly and have had no leaks so far after about three years in a rainy climate. (The half layer is a small piece on the very top.) You need to cover 6 mil poly carefully to avoid punctures. Some use old carpet or cardboard against it while adding soil. (Screen out rocks.) In our case, we simply packed soil on the plastic, starting at the bottom and working up, with no protective cardboard, etc.

Recycled vinyl billboards are another possibility, but I wouldn’t use them because of the health hazards of leaching chemicals into the soil around the house.

Roof pitch is another consideration. Steep roofs shed water faster and are less prone to leaks. But you need to strike the right balance or top soil and nutrients will wash away, and your roof will dry out too quickly.

Another consideration is the value of the structure. It’s no big deal experimenting with alternative waterproof membranes on a simple $2,000 guesthouse. But you might want to use better materials or multiple layers on expensive homes.

Photo credit: Heartwood Homesteads

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More Tomorrow.

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Illinois Solar Tour Oct. 3RD – Wish I could give you more

But the links don’t work so well. The place in Springfield is the FitClub Gym.

http://www.illinoissolar.org/

10/2/10:
The Illinois Solar Energy Association (ISEA) is hosting a Solar Tour where home owners and businesses across the state welcome visitors to explore how to use renewable energy systems to reduce utility bills while minimizing the environmental impact of their buildings. If you’re interested in learning more about the practical application of solar power check out the ISEA website for locations and more information.

Solar Tour Website:http://tour.illinoissolar.org/

To find the location of an open house near you click here:http://tour.illinoissolar.org/directory-of-buildings

If you have questions contact Lesley McCain atLesley.McCain@CommunityEnergyInc.com

Illinois Solar Tour
October 2, 2010
10 am – 3 pm
FREE
Interested in renewable energy and have questions?  Then this is the place to start learning.

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More next week.

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Louisiana Environmental Action Network’s Fundraiser Tomorrow

I hope everyone who can go will go…

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Please join us at a special screening of the film:

SOLA Louisiana Water Stories
with
filmmaker Jon Bowermaster

and a


Louisiana Art Show
featuring:

Rhea Gary
CC Lockwood
Jeffrey Dubinsky
Jerry Moran
Kyle Jeffrey
Natalie Clay

Stefan Andermann

…and more!


First 50 people will receive a FREE DVD of a Jon Bowermaster film!

and
Live Louisiana Music
too!

at the
Manship Theater


September 24, 2010


Gallery opens at 6:00 p.m. – Film starts at 7:00 p.m.

SOLA, Louisiana Water Stories

The event will take place on September 24, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. at the Manship Theater in Baton Rouge. For more information go to:


SaveOurGulf.orgVisit SaveOurGulf.org to get more information about the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster from Waterkeeper organizations across the Gulf Coast and donate to Save Our Gulf!

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More Tomorrow

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Ceramic Roofs – An alternative roofing material for some

This is a great site and this is just some of the discussion

http://www.permies.com/permaculture-forums/2414_0/alternative-building/alternative-roofs

Posts: 79
November 01, 2009, 12:12:24 AM

Hi

I’d like it if we could talk about other types of alternative roofing, other than living roofs. Living roofs are NOT suitable to a large part of the world, including mine.  What I would like to talk about are ceramic tile roofs.

There are more than one type of ceramic tile roofs. Most people in the US think of the Medeterraininan style of curved tiles. But I would like to find info on the flat roof tiles used in areas of Northern France–type of clay used, installation, roofing bracing/trussing to support the weight (tile roofs are pretty heavy in comparison to most modern roofing materials). And can anyone tell me if a ceramic tile roof like this can be used as part of a rain cachement system?

Why ceramic tile? I’m a ceramic artist, I live in a state where earthernware clay is plentiful, and where a living roof would curl up and die, then become a fire hazard.

Leigh

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Joel Hollingsworth
Posts: 1724

zone 10: Oakland, CA

November 01, 2009, 03:06:29 AM

I am actually most familiar with the California style of tejas. And of course, there are also some amazing styles from Asia.

I think a ceramic roof is probably the best sort of roof for a rain collection system.  As long as none of your glazes are particularly toxic, it will work great.

It sounds like ceramic is perfect for you, but I suspect that purslane or a similar plant (spreading succulent) might work as a green roof in most hot, dry climates.

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“the qualities of these bacteria, like the heat of the sun, electricity, or the qualities of metals, are part of the storehouse of knowledge of all men.  They are manifestations of the laws of nature, free to all men and reserved exclusively to none.” SCOTUS, Funk Bros. Seed Co. v. Kale Inoculant Co.
Leah Sattler
Administrator
Posts: 2603

oklahoma

November 01, 2009, 07:44:49 AM

ceramic seems like a great alternative. around here it would probably succumb to hailstorms though. somewhere I thought I read that there needs to be extra reinforcement of the structure to support the increased weight load.
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“One cannot help an involuntary process. The point is not to disturb it. – Dr. Michel Odent

bdswagger
Posts: 79
November 01, 2009, 05:39:21 PM

I’m in Oklahoma too.

Succulants wont work hetre, because we do get rain, in buckets, but only at certain times of the year–spring being the main rainy season, with fall a secondary rainy season. They would drown out. The problem in the rest of the year, when you get no precep at all from the end of May until mid-September. Lots of humidity but no rain. As well as high winds, and grass fires.

Sure, you use food-safe glazes on the tiles, same as if you’er making functional pottery.

Hail could be a problem, breaking tiles, but hail is a problem with just about any kind of roofing material. If your using highfire tiles, rather than earthernware, they might hold up better. I’m thinking about the mideaval church in Northern France that has a ceramic flat tile roof that is over 300 years old, surely that has been through more than a few severe storms, besides all the wars.

This piece of crap is screwing up and not working right. Every time I type a letter in, it bounces around so I dont know if its working or not.

Logged
bdswagger
Posts: 79
November 01, 2009, 05:46:45 PM

Okay, lets try this again. Apparently, the program doesn’t want to post very many lines per post. &%@#* if I know why.

Okay, yeah, the roof would need extra bracing, thats one of the things its vertually impossible to find out about. Anything to do with ceramic tile roofs, period, is impossible to learn about. Its like the alternative building community has a real blind spot where roofs are concerned. The only acceptable roof is a living roof, and I for one think that is a really short-sighted attitude. Concidering that there are numerous types of ceramic tile roofs around the world, in vernaculare archetecture, we really need to take a more serious look at this kind of roofing.
Leigh

Logged
paul wheaton
Administrator
Posts: 5662

missoula, montana

November 06, 2009, 12:38:00 PM

bdswagger, please take a look at this thread:  http://www.permies.com/permaculture-forums/2199_0/tinkering-with-this-site/problems-typing-stuff-in
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tc20852
Posts: 24
November 20, 2009, 06:44:19 PM

Its Great to have an artist thinking about this. You could have all sorts of fun designing new types of roofing tile.

Where I grew up all the houses used red clay “pantile”. This tile has a S-shaped cross section, in effect each tile curls up over its neighbor to shelter the joint from weather. I am sure there are lots of alternative shapes that would still function. Have you thought about making different shaped tiles that could work together on the same structure?? you could get all sorts of new textures designed into the roof. Umm…this has got me thinking.

You might have something well worth patenting.

The main thing to think about, as far as the structure goes, is weight. A tile roof is far more heavier than the asphalt shingle you see in USA. Not only does the roof timbers have to be stronger, the walls also have to withstand the extra compression *and* the force tending to push the walls outwards.

Hence you find houses in the UK will have tile roofs and brick or stone walls. Stick built can still be found, but only for chickens! really!

I noticed in Japan that tile was used a lot, but they quite often used a glaze as well. Often a dark blue. Don’t really know why. Some of the older structures were very impressive. Massive pole barn type of construction with curving, overhanging rooves.

Keep us informed on your progress….and give us some pictures!

Thomas

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Joel Hollingsworth
Posts: 1724

zone 10: Oakland, CA

November 23, 2009, 02:22:01 PM

Not only does the roof timbers have to be stronger, the walls also have to withstand the extra compression *and* the force tending to push the walls outwards.

Have you ever seen Gaudí’s model of the Sagrada Familia?  It’s an amazing case of art as engineering.

The model is upside down, built of thin cords and bags of shot.  The bags of shot are filled to proportionally represent the weights of the various structural members and sheathing materials, and since the cords all follow lines of tension, the angles in the model naturally tend to those that keep all members of the finished building in compression.

It’s the sort of thing a computer model would be used for today, but I really like the elegance of the old-fashioned way.

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Go there to add your voice to the discussion. More tomorrow.

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Residential Energy Efficiency Can Start With The Roof

But even with the subsidies and incentives it will cost you double. So you have to ask yourself, is buying the last roof I ever will purchase worth it.

http://www.metalroofing.com

MRA
September 20, 2010

Don’t Miss Out On The $1500 Tax Credit!

Tax CreditThe $1500 tax credit for energy efficient upgrades to homes is still available. Homeowners who make energy efficient updates to their home, including the installation of a painted or coated Energy Star® labeled metal roof before December 31, 2010, may be eligible for a tax credit worth 30 percent of the installation costs (materials only), up to $1,500 per home.

To Receive The Tax Credit:

  1. Find a Contractor near you to discuss a new metal roof for your home.
  2. Confirm that the metal roof you select is a prepainted or coated Energy Star-labeled metal roof with pigmented coating/paint film specifically designed to reduce heat gain, and obtain certification from your contractor or the manufacturer
  3. Have the metal roof installed on your principal residence between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010. For further information on the requirements for tax credit eligibility click here and/or consult with your tax advisor.
  4. Fill out IRS Form 5695 Residential Energy Credits when filing your taxes for 2009 and/or 2010.

Find a metal roofing contractor in your area today to take advantage of this great opportunity for savings before it’s too late. Visit MetalRoofing.com for more information or contact Alli@MetalRoofing.com for questions about the tax credit.

Why Metal? Tell Us Your Metal Roofing Story and Win

For the past decade we have been telling homeowners and contractors about the many benefits of residential metal roofs. Now, we’re turning the tables, and asking you to tell us why you chose metal in our “Tell Us Your Metal Roofing Story” Facebook contest.

All you have to do is tell us why you chose metal and submit a photo of your beautiful roof via our application on the MRA’s Facebook contest page. Get 10 people to “Like” it via Facebook and you are entered in the contest. The lucky winner will be rewarded with a $500 gift card to Home Depot. Plus, we will be making a donation in the winner’s name to their local Habitat for Humanity chapter and the contractor that installed the winning metal roof will receive a free Silver Level Metal Roofing Alliance membership or $1,000 towards a Gold level membership.

Ask the Experts Photo Gallery Tax Credit
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MRA - Metal Roofing AllianceMetalRoofing.com is an online metal roofing information resource provided to homeowners and metal roofing contractors and manufacturers by The Metal Roofing Alliance. The Metal Roofing Alliance is committed to protecting your privacy.

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More tomorrow

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Cleanest Places In The World – This one the US did not make

Not even close which as it should be. But when they picked the worst, they picked all third world countries. I mean really. Unless you have money no one wants to live in a  third world country. What is the point? Also much of the pollution there is created by US corporations one way or another. Anyway.

http://blisstree.com/live/cleanest-and-greenest-places-in-the-world-71/

Thursday, October 25, 2007 – 12:54 am ET

Cleanest and Greenest Places In The World

By: Noel

I delved deeper into the study done by Reader’s Digest as I have talked about in my previous post. After all, come the day I decide to go live in another country, I would certainly want to live in somewhere green.

As per the authors of the study, they said, “It’s an inescapable fact: People living in affluent countries tend to be better educated, enjoy a higher standard of living, live longer lives and have a brighter future. The downside: Their material wealth results in a larger carbon footprint.”

Anyhow, here are some of the top ten lists that you may want to know about as per the results of the study.

10 best countries

  1. Finland
  2. Iceland
  3. Norway
  4. Sweden
  5. Austria
  6. Switzerland
  7. Ireland
  8. Australia
  9. Uruguay
  10. Denmark

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Read more there. More here next week.

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