The Garden State doesn’t just have a green landscape, it’s exercising it’s green thumb. For the 5th consecutive year, New Jersey is holding the environmentally friendly Garden State Greenfest.

The 2-day Greenfest will take place on Friday, March 23 and Saturday March 24 at the Harwood Arena @ Kean University in Union, NJ.

The event will have workshops and exhibits with the following themes:

• Save green by going green
• Composting, organic gardening and preservation
• Upcycled crafts corner
• Greening your home, office, school or community

On Saturday, March 24, visionary environmental leader and advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr will be the keynote speaker and Leslie Reichert, author of “The Joy of Green Cleaning” will demonstrate her best green recipes.

The Greenfest is offering free admission for college students (with student ID) and school field trips (grades K-8). This is a great opportunity for elementary to learn about green living and what they can do to reduce their biological footprint. They can participant in interactive workshops and panel discussions, enjoy the keynote speakers and great food.

So why not come out to the Garden State Greenfest and learn about green living and how to become more environmentally friendly. Bring your kids, too!

For more info go to Facebook fo.com/GardenStateGreenFest or Twitter@GS_GreenFest.

According to an article in New Scientist, the latest research suggests that the impact of alternative energy sources may, in fact, have a negative impact on global warming.

Taken from an exert from the New Scientist article titled “Power paradox: Clean might not be green forever” states, “…While this kind of work is still at an early stage, some startling conclusions are already beginning to emerge. Nuclear power – including fusion – is not the long-term answer to our energy problems. Even renewable energies such as wind power will have to be used with caution, because large-scale extraction could have both local and global effects. These effects are not necessarily a bad thing, though. We might be able to exploit them to geoengineer the climate and combat global warming.

There is a fundamental problem facing any planet-bound civilisation, as Eric Chaisson of the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, Massachusetts, points out. Whatever you use energy for, it almost all ends up as waste heat.

Much of the electrical energy that powers your mobile phone or computer ends up heating the circuitry, for instance. The rest gets turned into radio waves or light, which turn into heat when they are absorbed by other surfaces. The same is true when you use a mixer in the kitchen, or a drill, or turn on a fan – unless you’re trying to beam radio signals to aliens, pretty much all of the energy you use will end up heating the Earth…”

This research suggests that using energy sources like wind, hydro and waves are not without risks as it pertains to reducing global warming. To demonstrate this point, the article points to a study of wind power.

“…Take wind power. In 2010, Somnath Baidya Roy at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign reported that wind farms affect their local climate.Long-term data from a wind farm at San Gorgonio, California, confirmed his earlier model predictions: surface temperatures behind the wind turbines were higher than in front during the night, but as much as 4 °C lower by day.

Roy thinks the turbulence created by the turbines sucks air down from above. During the day, when the hottest air is usually near the surface, this has a cooling effect. At night, when the air near the ground may be colder than that above, it can have a warming effect.

These effects could be minimised by placing wind farms in areas where there’s already a lot of turbulence. But we might not want to minimise them. “Some of these effects are actually welcome for agricultural reasons,” says Cristina Archer at the University of Delaware in Newark, who studies wind power. Strategically placed wind farms might keep crops cool in summer and reduce the risk of frost in other seasons. Farmers in California and Florida already use wind machines to fight frost by pulling down warmer air…

Even solar power can affect climate, though, because solar panels can alter the reflectivity, or albedo, of the surface. One recent study modelled the effects of building a 1-TW solar power plant in the Mojave desert in California. It concluded that placing so many dark solar panels over light-coloured sand will warm the air above by 0.4 °C, affecting temperature and wind patterns within a 300-kilometre radius….”

Some proponents of alternative energy solutions could see this view as scaremongering. But should scientists close their eyes to possible concerns of creating a new problem when solving another? You don’t have to look far back in history to find real examples where well-intentioned solutions have created even bigger problems.

Are alternative energy sources going to affect global warming? This intriguing piece of research must be fully considered before alternative energy solutions are fully implemented.

sources: wsj.com, newscientist.com

A United States Treasury Department inspector general says that almost 13,000 taxpayers erroneously claimed abut $33 million in tax credits for plug-in electric and alternative-fuel vehicles during the first six months of 2010. The inspector general says about 20 percent of the $163.9 million in tax credits provided to taxpayers were claimed in error.

Auto companies are just beginning to mass market the vehicles. Since December, GM has sold 647 Chevrolet Volts and Nissan hs sold 106 Leafs.

The Treasury review found problems with thousands of taxpayers claiming the tax credits for cars that failed to qualify. For examle. some car owners tried to claim the $7,500 credit on their Hummmer H3, Dodge Duangeo or Cadillac Escalade SUVS.

You better check with your tax attorney before claiming a tax credit for your alternative-fuel or plug-in electric vehicles – the IRS will be watching carefully.

source: New York Post

Anyone can start on the sustainable living path by heeding with these simple kitchen energy savings tips.

Kitchen Energy Savers

• Move your refrigerator away from the stove, dishwasher, or heat vents. Make sure the door seals are airtight.
• Wait until your dishwasher is full before you run it but don’t overload it.
• Use pots that fit the size of the burners on your stove. Use lids so you can cook at a lower temperature.
• Match the water level and temperature settings on your washer to the size of your load. Don’t fill the machine for just a few items.
• Clean your dryer lint filter before you put in a new load.
• Make sure your water heater is set to 120 degrees. Some thermostats are preset to 140 degrees, which can cost you more money.

Taking advantage of these home energy savers not only saves energy, it saves you money.

source: ftc.gov

According to a recent report by Cleantech Group, an industry research firm and Deloitte, clean technology venture investments in North America, Europe, China and India totaled almost $2 billion in the first quarter of 2010, up more than 80% from a year ago. These clean technology investments in solar, biofuels, batteries and the smart grid accounted for 27% of all investment dollars in the third quarter – more than both the IT and biotech sectors.

The attractiveness of this green business is partly due to the expansion of clean technologies.  While predominately focused on renewable energies in the past, clean technology has spread to other areas, including: air, water and waste, energy efficiency, green building, smart power and transportation. This expansion has led to opportunities for many entrepreneurs in the alternative energy, renewable energy and clean technology businesses.

Although clean technology opportunities exist for entrepreneurs, only those really passionate about alternative energy and clean technology will succeed because it’s going to take time before it all works.

If you really want to get involved in clean technology but don’t have a science background, don’t worry – these green businesses will still need individuals experienced in business development, marketing and finance.

It makes good sense to attend classes and get certification.  Several organizations offer professional training and certification and many college offer sustainability certfication courses.

Another thing you can do is get involved in trade associations and volunteer your time.  This is a great way to learn about the industry, create a network and expose yourself to professionals in the business.

Clean technology has a bright future that offers passionate entrepreneurs business opportunities in the green business industry.
source: entrepreneur.com

Some of the advantages that hybrid electric vehicles have over conventional vehicles are that HEVs operate more efficiently by using regenerating braking that minimizes energy loss and retains the energy used to slow down and stop a vehicle. HEVs also have lighter engines, consume less fuel that conventional engines and can run on alternative fuels.

Hybrid electric vehicles are quickly becoming affordable to the general public, and most of the cost premium over conventional vehicles can be offset by overall fuel savings and tax incentives.

Auto makers are making hybrid electric cars that match the performance and safety features of conventional autos – an essential for consumers.

The market has received another shot in the arm with the International Energy Agencys (IEAs) forecast that the global oil demand will reach 106 million barrels per day in 2030 from 84.5 million barrels per day in 2008. This steady rise in demand for oil will hike the price of oil globally. According to the IEAs latest report, the nominal oil price is projected to escalate to $200 per barrel by 2030, from nearly $100 per barrel in the medium term, says the analyst of this research. Rising fuel price in the long term is a key incentive to buy a hybrid, considering that better fuel economy is the primary appeal of hybrids. The predominant battery technology for hybrid cars is nickel metal hydride, while lithium ion batteries are also expected to make a splash in the market. For electric motors in hybrid cars, permanent magnet motor has emerged as manufacturers first choice.

Despite its fuel advantage, some consumers may be reluctant to invest in a hybrid due to its high upfront costs. In such a scenario, the penetration levels will depend greatly on the extent to which the central government leverages sponsorship to private consumers. Meanwhile, the government has taken regulatory initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions, giving a boost to the market. In line with the global trends, the Chinese Government has started to regulate vehicle fuel economy, notes the analyst. Since 2005, the countrys rapidly growing new passenger vehicle market has been subject to fuel economy standards, which are geared toward reducing Chinas dependence on foreign oil and encouraging automakers to bring more fuel-efficient vehicle technologies to the Chinese market. Vehicles using conventional internal combustion engines alone will be inadequate to meet the stringent emission targets. The automotive industry will have to rely heavily on fuel-efficient cars such as hybrids to comply with the legislation.

The IEAs forecast of increased oil demand over the next two decades will significantly influence the increased production of hybrid vehicles and hybrid electric cars. A good sign for the environment.

source: foxbusiness.com

The best source of using hydrogen and natural gas is in powering automobiles, trucks and buses. These alternative fuels are significantly more eco-friendly than gasoline and diesel.

Hydrogen gas is created by using fuel cells that convert water into hydrogen and oxygen atoms. The hydrogen is then used to generate energy to increase the fuel efficiency of the internal combustion engine used by today’s vehicles. Although hydrogen is a combustible and volatile fuel source, if it is used “on demand”, and not stored as a liquid, it is a very safe fuel alternative. Hydrogen gas powered vehicles are being tested in many countries.

Natural gas is already used in many parts of the world. Europe is the world leader, using it to help fuel it’s transportation sector. Propane is another alternative fuel used in Europe’s transportation sector. Propane is also known as Liquefied Petroleum Gas or LPG.

Natural gas can be blended with hydrogen to make H/CNG (Hydrogen gas/Compressed Natural Gas) to fuel vehicles. Using these blends is the first step in making hydrogen-based transportation available in the future. H/CNG vehicles may be able to offer immediate environmental benefits, such as reducing nitrogen oxide emissions. They also can help in the transition to using fuel cell technology in cars.

Governments around the world are partnering with their domestic auto manufacturers and chemical companies to do more research and development in the area of Gas Blends. In the United States, a hydrogen and compressed gas generation and fueling facility is being built in Phoenix, Arizona. It will provide pure hydrogen and hydrogen/natural gas blends to light-duty vehicles that have been modified to use these alternative fuels.

All of the major car manufacturers have H/CNG prototypes that are currently being tested. Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles being tested today include the 100% hydrogen-powered vehicles Roush/Chevy Silverado, Mercedes Sprinter , Ford F-150 32V and the Ford F-150 16V.

Hydrogen/Compressed Natural Gas (H/CNG) blended vehicles being tested include the Ford F-150 prototypes using 30%, 50% and 15% H/CNG.

Tax Credit Plug-In Incentives
Currently there is a federal tax credit available for plug-in vehicles ranging from $2,500 – $7,500 depending on the distance a car can be driven on electric power. Providing more incentives for the purchase of plug-in cars by building on the federal tax credit and extending the duration of the tax credit are important.

Enact Low Carbon Fuel Standard
California has a requirement that transportation fuels be 10 percent less carbon-intensive by 2020. The other 49 states should follow it’s lead. Fuel providers can reduce emissions or purchase credits from cleaner fuel providers such as utilities.

Plug-In Electric Vehicle Fleets
Government, State, County and even City agencies and groups could begin to purchase plug-in hybrids and plug-in electric cars to replenish their transportation fleets. The city of Seattle has already converted a dozen Priuses to plug-in hybrids.

Develop the use of Clean, Renewable Electricity
As more plug-in hybrid electric cars hit the road the demand for electricity will increase. Using wind power is a perfect fit for charging vehicles at night and solar power can ensure that charging stations are widely available.

The time has come to move forward on the recommendations above.

source: plugintexas.org, businesswire.com

The new policy is being instituted after a project in California that used the new technology was shut down by technical problems and encountered community opposition, federal documents indicate.

The project, by Seattle-based AltaRock Energy, would have fractured bedrock and extracted heat by digging more than two miles beneath the surface at a spot called the Geysers, about 100 miles north of San Francisco. The company ran into serious problems with its drilling and faced accusations from scientists and local residents that it had not been forthcoming enough about the earthquake risk. AltaRock denied those accusations.

The documents, provided to The New York Times by the Energy Department, indicate that the Geysers project has run through $6 million in federal financing in several unsuccessful efforts to drill to the necessary depth. As a result, the Energy Department “considers the project in the Geysers to be concluded,” according to a letter addressed to Henry A. Waxman, the California Democrat and chairman of the House committee on Energy and Commerce.

The letter, dated Dec. 30, is signed by Cathy Zoi, an assistant energy secretary. The Times reported in early December that AltaRock had removed its drill rig from the site and informed the department that the project would be abandoned, but the company had refused to comment publicly.

In a second document dated Sept. 11, 2009, but not previously disclosed, the department concluded that earthquakes that would have been set off by the AltaRock project would “not have a significant impact on the human environment.” And in another endorsement of the company, the department later awarded AltaRock $25 million to try a similar project at the Newberry Volcanic Monument near Bend, Ore.

The Oregon project was one of 123 geothermal projects in 38 states that received $338 million through the Obama administration’s economic stimulus package, Ms. Zoi said in the letter.

Two seismic experts who read the documents said the message about the perils and potential of geothermal energy was unclear. But Ernie Majer, a seismologist and deputy director of the Earth Science Division at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California, said that the new standards were a welcome development. The letters show that the department “is being ultra-careful about any induced seismicity,” he said, referring to earthquakes triggered by humans.

Among the new safeguards are requirements that geothermal energy projects monitor ground-motion sensors and other data and have an approved plan to shut down if earthquakes induced by the drilling are too powerful. Companies must also file estimates of expected earthquake activity and submit project proposals to outside experts for a review of the risks and the likelihood of success.

Ms. Zoi conceded in her letter that the department’s findings were “likely to have little practical effect on the AltaRock project at the Geysers,” because the project apparently no longer exists. But she said that the defunct project and the findings “have provided valuable lessons.”

In a statement responding to questions on the documents, Stephanie Mueller, a spokeswoman for the department, said that those lessons “will help the United States succeed in safely harnessing geothermal energy.”

Donald O’Shei, AltaRock’s chief executive, said in an e-mail message that the company was pleased by the department’s finding that the Geysers project would not have had a significant impact on people in the area.

Regarding the Oregon project, Mr. O’Shei said that the company was “working on an initial planning process for the technical, permitting, and community education and outreach aspects of the project.”

Mr. O’Shei added, “Bend is located approximately 22 miles away from the demonstration site, which is in a sparsely populated area to the west of Newberry in central Oregon.”

It is imperative that the US Energy Department impose new safeguards on geothermal energy projects that drill deep into the Earth’s crust. But will ground-motion sensors and filing paperwork be effective safeguards?

Let’s face it, when it comes to deep geothermal drilling we are embarking into unknown territory.  Shouldn’t common sense tell us it to explore this promising alternative energy technology in areas not prone to earthquakes?

source: New York Times