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America, and more specifically Massachusetts, will be joining the ranks of Europeans countries such as Spain, Denmark and Germany as it begins work on the nation’s first wind farm.  The wind farm will sit off the coast of Cape Cod, MA in the Nantucket Sound and consist of 130 wind turbines that stand around 40 storied tall.  The project dubbed Cape Wind has been in the works for close to a decade and was the focus of serious political and environmental debate.

The battle over Cape Wind included a great deal of passion from both sides arguing clean energy, the impact on shipping and fisheries, and of course the aesthetic appearance of some of New England’s most popular vacation destinations.   On one side were the opponents including Mass Governor Mitt Romney, American Indians (arguing that the project would cause disruption of sacred ceremonies), current Senator of MA Scott Brown and most distinguished the late Mass Senator Ted Kennedy who was well known for supporting green energy.  The project was backed by MA Governor Deval Patrick, Greenpeace, the Sierra Club and of course the CEO of Cape Wind, Jim Gordon. 

Nine years after the politicians, citizens and community activists took their sides the dust settled and showed the Cape Wind Project to be the winner.  Although the project is projected to add a good deal of new jobs to New England as well as supply MA companies and homes with renewable energy, the billion dollar question lies at is it enough? While we realize that something must be done, is wind power the saving grace for our energy crisis or just a quick 1 billion dollar solution that doesn’t even out with the sacrifices required?

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Tags:Cape Wind, Renewables, wind farm

On a recent trip to Florida, I got a chance to visit the Tampa Electric Company (TECO).  While this may not seem like a prime vacation destination, it must be said that this power plant goes above and beyond the normal community obligations.  TECO signed a $1.2 billion dollar plan in 1999 with the U.S. EPA and Florida Department of Environment Protection to reduce air emissions by 89% from their 1998 levels. 

Along with this pledge to reduce the emissions, they will be installing approximately 100,000 silicon-based photovoltaic panels.  The panels will generate enough electricity from the sun to serve electric needs for around 3500 homes. 

With Florida’s growing population, TECO is working hard to plan for the future of the environment.  Aside from the power plant objectives to reduce emissions and generate more renewable energy sources, they are also interested in preserving the environment for the future population of Florida.  The company holds a number of initiatives including an Aviation Protection Plan, Manatee Viewing Center, and environmental education center. 

Manatees, also known as sea cows, are listed on the World Conservation Union’s list as vulnerable to extinction.  While they have few natural predators, they are slow moving and fall victim to human interactions such as the numerous boat propellers around Florida’s coast. They have however, found a safe haven in inlets around the TECO plant.  The plants releases warm water that attracts a wide range of ocean creatures including around 300 manatees at a given time.  

Click below for a live web cam of the manatees in the inlet - http://www.tampaelectric.com/manatee/funstuff/

To find out more about the Photovoltaic and chart the hourly output click here
http://www.tampaelectric.com/

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Tags:Environment, reduce, Renewables

If someone asked me what my carbon footprint was 10 years ago, I probably wouldn’t have had any idea what they were talking about.  Now, I can find that answer rather quickly on a number of different websites including carbonfootprint.com and the Nature Conservatory’s website.  Just by imputing a few estimations about my home energy use, recycling, and transportation choices I am given a number in tons of carbon/year.  Most sites will also show you how you compare you to the US national average and the global average and show recommendations on how to lower your green house gas emissions.

While measuring my personal carbon footprint takes a few minutes, how would someone go about measuring the carbon footprint of an entire city like Boston?  Calculating this footprint has a great deal more variables including measuring the exhaust of the commuting traffic daily, energy consumption for both commercial and residential and consideration of photosynthesis in the city. Recently Nathan Philips from Boston University received a grant to take on this task.  The National Science Foundation and U.S. Forest Service are financing the precursor to this project which will measure carbon footprint around one of Boston’s busiest streets, Commonwealth Ave.  

Their calculations will cumulate to create a map of Boston that will display the largest carbon emission spots and uptake zones. Philip’s hope is that policy makers in the city will use this to address the serious problems that the city and other cities worldwide are currently facing.

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Tags:Boston, carbon footprint, recycle, recycling

My parents used to always warn me that it was wasteful and potentially life threatening for creatures of the ocean to leave the water running while brushing my teeth.  When I was a child I remember this to be a huge deal and was conscientious to ensure that no extra drop was wasted.  A few years later, I realized that this was potentially a stretch of imagination and a fairy tale my mother and father created.  Once Global Warming became a household concept, I found myself to start believing the severity of the situation and actual lack of available fresh water.

Even though the globe is mainly covered in water, humans naturally require fresh water to survive.  With the world’s population increasing rapidly and the availability of fresh water decreasing just as fast, it is important to think of strategies to increase our supply on both small scales and large.  I picked out some of my favorites techniques below:

Learn how to fix a leaky toilet – There is something to be said for someone that is able to fix household plumbing issues and by staying on top of this, you can save a great deal of water from being wasted.

Wait till you have a full load - We all have our favourite jeans and are disappointed when they are in the wash, but it’s important to hold off until you have a full load to conserve water.

Grey Water – The home of the New England Patriots and New England Revolution uses grey water supplied by the stadiums own wastewater treatment system.  This system recycles over 10 million gallons of portable water a year. 

And of course make sure the water is off while you are brushing you teeth!

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Tags:recycle, recycling, Sustainability

From goats to green roofs and organic composting to affordable green housing, cities across the states are working on creative ways to save the planet.   People are used to recycling programs and the promotion of public transportation, but some cities are going above and beyond those steps to ensure that our planet fights global warning.

These cities are rated in the Natural Resource Defense Council’s top 10 smart cities.  The ranks were defined by a number of different categories including alternative energy, affordable housing, energy efficiency, and public transportation.  Topping this list was Seattle, Washington who has begun using goats instead of pesticides to clear away unwanted shrubbery. 

Austin Texas made the list at number 6 for their energy saving insulation and sealing.  The city of Austin, provides free installation for the energy conserving upgrades for low and moderate income homes.  They are also running a program that allows residents to sell excess energy from their solar panels back to the city.

My home city of Boston ranks as number 8 on the list of smart cities for their implementation of one of the largest public transportation systems.  Boston is adding to their bicycle structure adding new bike lanes and more racks.

To find out more, or see how your city ranks, please see the Natural Resource Defense Council’s website, http://www.nrdc.org/about/ or http://green.yahoo.com/blog/greenpicks/249/top-10-u-s-cities-of-the-future.html

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Tags:Boston, cycling, free, recycle, recycling, Sustainability, Texas, USA

The “Green Movement” has become a trend greatly driven by the youth of the world.  They are demanding that the environmental crisis that has arisen be taken seriously and responsibility taken where needed.  A world where colleges and universities were ranked by academics, quality of life and cafeteria food has taken a backseat to the environmental initiatives being pledged.  Whether the interest is for new energy source means, more sustainable dormitories, or better options for bicycle users; universities across the US are aiming stepping up to show their responsibility to prospective student and their parents. 

Colleges across the board, both Ivy League and state has begun their push for a sustainable world.  The 2010 Imperative has been created to propose a challenge to all colleges and universities to reach carbon-neutral by 2010.  The program, although challenging, is meant to enlighten people to the possibility of a threshold in atmospheric carbon, in which, if reached will be irreversible according to many climatologists.  The 2010 Imperative calls for combinations of designed LEED accredited buildings, on-site renewable power, and education through all disciplinarians across campus.

To find out more about the 2010 Imperative, or adopt it, please click here.

IES has joined forces with this leading environmental movement to offer all schools signed up to the 2010 Imperative a free full <Virtual Environment> software licence suitable for use across a network. Worth thousands of dollars, eligible schools should contact Lindsay Kinnally in our Boston office for more information on this offer and associated training and support offers: Tel: +1 617 426 1890, Email: lindsay.kinnally@iesve.com

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Tags:Academic, Environment, Renewables, Sustainability

A high proportion of the companies we do business with are in the sustainable design community, aiming to use computer simulation software to optimise the building design, reduce the energy consumption and minimise the impact on the environment.

So you work with the environment in mind, but do you take the same ethos home with you? There are so many questions that we all need to consider; what kind of car should you drive home? Do you even need to drive at all? Do you use energy saving bulbs? Do you recycle everything you could? What about at work? Do you try and reduce the resources consumed by the building you work in, not just the buildings you design? Is there a recycling policy? How much paper do you waste? Do you switch your computer or monitor off at night? How environmentally conscious are you and your company really?

So many questions, but if everybody does their own bit then it can make a real difference in attitudes and may even help people embrace green building even further.

At IES, we strive to make every aspect as environmentally friendly as possible, in the office, but also at home;

In the office
Company cars are either hybrid or highly fuel efficient
Employees are encouraged to cycle to work where possible, we have a cycle to work scheme
Recycle all paper, plastic and glass
Lights are on occupancy sensors
We are encouraged to switch off all IT and other equipment when not in use
We encourage web training and demos to reduce travel emissions.
We have drastically reduced the use of paper marketing materials by introducing USB’s

At home, we encourage everyone to
Use Energy Saving Light Bulbs
Recycle
Minimise water use
Minimise energy use 

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Tags:recycling, Sustainability