Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Jones Soda Goes Off the Grid for Earth Day

Even though it is off the grid for just one day, I like the concept here. Jones Soda is showing the world that they can use nine bikes (pedaled continuously of course) to power their computers and servers for the day. They will also turn the lights off in their building (they will have enough natural light from skylights and windows) to save some more energy. There are two important points here. One, that buildings can be designed to be energy efficient and use the natural light of the sun during normal business hours. Two, that there is a way to provide your own energy through physical exercise to turn a turbine which will create electricity. Imagine what types of energy loads we could offset by using our own energy after work or on the weekends to create some electricity? Also, throw in the use of hydrogen fuel cells for the home or business and we all might be able to be off the grid someday with localized renewable energy production. The future is looking bright.

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Wishful Thinking

*Before adding PV, wind, or solar thermal to your residential or commercial structure, the first step is to analyze this structure's energy consumption through a professional energy audit. I'd like to see some public education on the importance of an energy audit for any structure. Remember Smokey the Bear's forest fire shtick drilled into our heads over the last few decades? How about something like, "Henry the House" desperately wanting to know how much energy he consumes and wastes throughout the day?

*With over 300 sunny days a year on the Front Range is it too much to ask for solar PV and thermal modules on every residential and commercial unit (after an energy audit of course)?


*How about affordable plug-in electric cars that go more than 100 miles on a charge with PV and wind powered recharging stations?

*Dreaming of companies large and small adopting business sustainability practices to maximize profits, reduce their carbon footprint, and enhance the lives of their employees and the communities that surround them.

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