Green Innovation

Shared from Elliott Lemanager & Christopher Demorro

“Sure  I’ve seen a lot of ideas and concepts come out of the green industry but I do have to say this is one of the best ideas I’ve seen to date. It’s thinking out of the box for sure but utilizing our existing network or roads for solar power could generate more clean energy.” Christopher Demorro says “The Department of Transportation awarded the $100,000 to Solar Roadways. This money is to build a 12? x 12? prototype road section, the average width of a highway lane. Solar Roadways creator Scott Brushaw proposes that his prototype will be able to capture and produce energy from the sun. This energy would then be used to light the roadways, “paint” lines, and flash warnings to motorists about upcoming hazards like an accident or daring animal, as well as providing power to America’s home and businesses.”

Imagine powering your car from the roadway and tolls for constant fuel instead of “gas stops” paid out in to a greener cleaner quieter world. Maybe there are no longer tires but the car floats much like Blade Runner or Bruce Willis’ cab in The 5th Element. It’s a new world where innovation and advanced thinking will win.

http://www.elliottlemenager.com/2011/04/14/solar-highways-replacing-asphalt-with-solar-panels/

If you have questions about this article please leave a comment, text or email me. Michael Hughes-Sotheby’s International Realty-Boulder. Cell 303.359.6627  michael.hughes@sothebysrealty.com

Plugging in the Sun

By Michael Hughes

Sunlight bathes us in megatons of energy if we could just harness enough of it. Lightweight photovoltaic panels or PV’s are turning unused house in Boulder and warehouse rooftops in to solar collecting giants.  Some scientist s and researchers say that the new flexible thin film solar panels will someday power entire cities. The University of Colorado Boulder monetized their most recent project by partnering with Lighthouse to utilize the solar tax credits that would have otherwise gone unused. Newer solar arrays are in place or being built in Pueblo and the 30 megawatt station north of Alamosa.

On a lesser scale many a house in Boulder have become solar powered or a hybrid of solar and on the grid. With Boulder real estate there is a need for innovation and continuing to upgrade the sustainable quotient.

Near Las Vegas about 182,000 parabolic mirrors that sit on 250 acres start to come alive as the sun comes up.  They concentrate their heat on oil filled pipes that heat up to 750 degrees and drive steam turbines to power generators that produce electricity.  Enough electricity for 14,000 homes.  Nevada Solar One belongs to Acciona, a Spanish company that generates the electricity and sells it to the regional utility.

The Sun Catchers created by Sandia Labs in Albuquerque, New Mexico are near going in to production.  At daybreak the mirrors turn sun ward concentrating light on a Stirling engine driving pistons and creating electricity.  Stirling plans to create some 60,000 sun catchers in the desert near Los Angeles and San Diego. Designed for high-volume production, ease of maintenance, and cost reductions.

According to National Geographic “if photovoltaic panels covered just three-tenths of a percent of the U.S. a 100 x 100 mile square they could power the entire country.

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