Posts Tagged ‘renewable energy’
‘Rental Goat’ Weeding Service: low-carbon solutions
Posted in Models by Kate Archdeacon on January 22nd, 2010
Source: Japan for Sustainability via Food Climate Research Network
From “Company to Begin ‘Rental Goat’ Weeding Service“
Mikuni Construction Co. in Kitakyusyu City, southern Japan, announced in August 2009, that it would be launching a new service to rent goats for weeding grass starting in April 2010. This unique weeding method does not require any machinery, and is drawing attention as an environmentally friendly technique.
Having first heard about weeding with goats from his business associate, Katsuhiko Sera, the president of the company, has been investigating the approach for three years in an effort to devise a viable business model. He bought five goats in May 2009, and by tethering the goats with a cable, about 500 square meters of grass can be grazed over the course of a week. A trial “rent-a-goat” began in August 2009, but will be fully launched in March 2010.
Goats eat various types of weed. They eat all aboveground stems and leaves, and prefer to graze on slops, which people often find it difficult to weed. Furthermore, weeded material does not require disposal when using this method and the goat dung produced simply decomposes and is returned to the soil.
In addition to renting goats, the company plans to provide its own weeding service by increasing the number of goats, and to manufacture cheese and other products from goat milk. Mr. Sera hopes that his rental goat service will serve not only as a new tool to maintain urban green spaces, but will also assist the comfort of local residents.
From “Company to Begin ‘Rental Goat’ Weeding Service“
Building the Smart Grid
Posted in Models by Devin Maeztri on June 23rd, 2009
This article discusses about investment in technology and innovation in energy sector to promote renewable energy.
Original article published in The Economist.
“Even though the demands being placed on national electricity grids are changing rapidly, the grids themselves have changed very little since they were first developed more than a century ago. The first grids were built as one-way streets, consisting of power stations at one end supplying power when needed to customers at the other end. That approach worked well for many years, and helped drive the growth of industrial nations by making electricity ubiquitous, but it is now showing its age.”
To read more of the article visit The Economist.
Climate Change Activism in Connecticut High School
Posted in Models by Virginia on June 5th, 2009
Excerpt from the Department of Environmental Protection, Connecticut
Students from Amity High School in Woodbridge have shown what can be achieved with dedication, passion and commitment to an issue.
The Amity High School Global Warming Club has been awarded the 2009 Climate Change Leadership Award in their efforts to promote and educate the community on the effects of climate change. They’ve also succeeded in:
- signing up over 500 households and businesses for CTCleanEnergyOptions at many community events in all three towns.
- requesting the Orange Board of Selectmen to purchase clean energy.
- Earning solar photovoltaic systems under the CT Clean Energy Fund’s “Clean Energy Communities” program through clean energy sign-ups: a 3 kilowatt system for Amity Regional School District #5 (comprising Bethany, Orange and Woodbridge), 3 kilowatts for Beecher Road School (Woodbridge), 9 kilowatts for the Bethany Community School, 4 kilowatts for the Bethany Fire Headquarters, and 2 kilowatts for the old Bethany Fire House.
- A contest at the high school to see which household can lower their electric bill the most between November 2008 and March 2009.
- Letters to the CT General Assembly to support climate change legislation.
- Fund raising for local land trusts.
Perth Solar Cities projects EOI
Posted in Models by Devin Maeztri on April 6th, 2009
The Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett has committed $13.9 million in Commonwealth funding to Australia’s seventh Solar City, Perth. “The Perth Solar City project is expected to deliver carbon pollution reductions of more than 15,000 tonnes – equivalent to taking 3,500 large vehicles off the road – and cut energy use equivalent to that of 3,200 homes.”
Perth Solar Cities Project is led by a consortium. SunPower as one of six organisations on the consortium is looking for proposals of photovoltaic solar projects above 30kWp on iconic/highly visible buildings to nominate to the steering committee.
Peats Ridge Festival
Posted in Models by Devin Maeztri on November 6th, 2008
What: Peats Ridge Sustainable Arts & Music Festival
When: 29 December 2008 to 1 January 2009
Where: Glenworth Valley, NSW – 1 hour north of Sydney
Tickets: through Moshtix
Peats Ridge is the first major event in Australia to run completely on renewable energy and winner of the NSW Government 2008 Green Globe Award for Environmental Sustainability across all industries.
