Aldermen voted 6-3 this week to recommend purchasing flashing lights to be installed at pedestrian crossings at East Grant Street and Maple Avenue and just east of the West Adams Street and Wigwam Hollow Road intersection.
“This discussion goes back to last year,” said City Administrator Dean Torreson at Tuesday’s city council committee of the whole meeting. “It was not in the budget, but it is in this year’s budget.”
The council’s public safety committee recommended purchase of light poles from the Wisconsin-based Traffic & Parking Control Company (TAPCO) at a cost of $13,880. Each pole would feature an LED-framed pedestrian crossing symbol which would be button-activated by pedestrians wishing to cross the street.
Alderman Dave Dorsett noted that there have been no pedestrian accidents reported at either intersection in at least a year, and that Illinois law already requires motorists to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk. “I think this will give people an artificial sense of security,” he said.
Alderman Tom Koch also expressed concern about the purchase. “We have signs that are very visible now,” he said, “but people don’t stop.”
Speaking in support of the new lights, Alderman Lou Gilbert said, “I think it’s tough to put a dollar value on one of our children.”
“I don’t think we need to wait until an incident to do something,” said council member Kay Hill. “I think these lights will attract attention.”
Alderman Don Wynn joined Koch and Dorsett in voting against the purchase recommendation. He later said he isn’t sure the pedestrian lights will be that effective in stopping traffic.
Also this week, aldermen discussed equipment purchases for the Macomb Public Works Department. “I feel we got some pretty good prices this time,” said Public Works Director Jason Bainter in discussing price quotes for a wheel loader and for a tractor and mower.
Bainter recommended the purchase of a John Deere wheel loader from Martin Equipment for $127,000 plus the trade-in of the department’s 1988 model.
The department had been using two tractors with its mowers but Bainter said they would only use the new one, which he recommended purchasing from Heritage Equipment for $48,500 plus a tractor trade-in.
Bainter said mowers would be purchased from Martin Equipment for slightly more than $36,000. Martin has agreed to attach the mowers to the Heritage tractor. He said the equipment purchases are well under the amounts budgeted.
Dorsett asked for a delay in purchase until the Illinois General Assembly adjourns. Other aldermen agreed that the money should not be spent until the city knows whether there will be any change in anticipated state revenues.
2012年5月31日 星期四
2012年5月30日 星期三
Students build devices to help Ugandan village
The students from Madison-Oneida BOCES are heating up marshmallows. But this is not for a future camping trip or afternoon snack. They designed and created a number of solar powered devices.
"It's called a frenel lens solar cooker. This lens came out of a project TV," said student Ryan Thorna.
The students in Engineering Science, Carpentry and Auto Body Repair programs spent most of the school year coming up with designs for Solar Powered generators and solar cookers.
They partnered with the organization E4P, which helps needy African villages. They developed ways to help the people in one Ugandan village who have very little to do daily tasks like cook and have clean water. They used some recycled materials like wood others are fairly easy to obtain like tin and aluminum.
Kaliegh Larmer said, "Basically, the sun hits the smooth surface and underneath is grooved and it focuses the heat into one focal point and it very quickly, if it's sunny, can heat the water or whatever else is in front of it."
This solar generator can provide electricity to schools that rely on natural light.
"In their school they need light bulbs. So they can study and this can run a 60 watt incandescent light bulb fornine9 hours and that would translate to more like three or four fluorescent lights," said Tracy O’Hern.
Now that their senior projects are complete E4P will take some of the prototypes with them to Uganda, show the people there how they work so they can replicate them.
E4P Executive Director and Founder Pamela Mandsager said, "Something like this, they're using resources that they have easily available that they can purchase very cheaply and they can use their own manpower to create and mass produce for the community, which means it'll be used."
They figured out how to design something and make it work, but their instructor says it's a lesson not just in engineering but in humanity.
Professional engineer and Madison-Oneida BOCES Engineering instructor David Hale, said, "Students from our community come together from different backgrounds, work together for not just for helping each other, for helping people they never met halfway around the globe."
"It's called a frenel lens solar cooker. This lens came out of a project TV," said student Ryan Thorna.
The students in Engineering Science, Carpentry and Auto Body Repair programs spent most of the school year coming up with designs for Solar Powered generators and solar cookers.
They partnered with the organization E4P, which helps needy African villages. They developed ways to help the people in one Ugandan village who have very little to do daily tasks like cook and have clean water. They used some recycled materials like wood others are fairly easy to obtain like tin and aluminum.
Kaliegh Larmer said, "Basically, the sun hits the smooth surface and underneath is grooved and it focuses the heat into one focal point and it very quickly, if it's sunny, can heat the water or whatever else is in front of it."
This solar generator can provide electricity to schools that rely on natural light.
"In their school they need light bulbs. So they can study and this can run a 60 watt incandescent light bulb fornine9 hours and that would translate to more like three or four fluorescent lights," said Tracy O’Hern.
Now that their senior projects are complete E4P will take some of the prototypes with them to Uganda, show the people there how they work so they can replicate them.
E4P Executive Director and Founder Pamela Mandsager said, "Something like this, they're using resources that they have easily available that they can purchase very cheaply and they can use their own manpower to create and mass produce for the community, which means it'll be used."
They figured out how to design something and make it work, but their instructor says it's a lesson not just in engineering but in humanity.
Professional engineer and Madison-Oneida BOCES Engineering instructor David Hale, said, "Students from our community come together from different backgrounds, work together for not just for helping each other, for helping people they never met halfway around the globe."
2012年5月29日 星期二
Lower energy could lead to more biological imaging at LCLS
While SLAC' National Accelerator Laboratorys Linac Coherent Light Source was designed to push the limits as a high-energy X-ray laser, users' requests have led staff at the facility to successfully step it back to a lower minimum energy for some experiments.
And a successful May 8, 2012, test proved that the X-ray laser could dip more deeply into the so-called "water window," an energy regime useful for biological imaging. At these energies, any carbon in a sample stands out in high contrast to surrounding water.
In addition, operators were able to tune the beam’s energy almost down to the "carbon absorption edge"—a point at which carbon's absorption of photons sharply rises. The absorption edges of elements are useful for spectroscopic research, which can detect the presence and properties of specific elements.
Carbon is of particular interest to scientists as it plays an important role in numerous fields of research including catalysis, materials science, and biology.
Rick Iverson, the LCLS area physicist who led the low-energy test, said operators were able to bring the machine's energy down to 300 electronvolts—about one-third of the minimum energy LCLS was originally designed to produce—while maintaining an intense X-ray laser beam useful for illuminating samples in experiments.
The energy achieved was just shy of the 284-electronvolt carbon edge.
"We didn't know if it would work—it was below the design energy—but the skillful Ooperators and EOICs in the main control room made it happen." Iverson said. Members of SLAC's Radiation Physics Group signed off on the plan for the low-energy test after a review process.
The LCLS accelerator research group, radiation safety group, power conversion, controls software, beam containment, accelerator safety, and accelerator operations all contributed to the success of the test.
A previous test had dialed back the energy to 400 electronvolts, reaching the "nitrogen edge" useful for studying nitrogen-containing samples. LCLS now regularly operates at energies as low as 480 electronvolts.
The lower-energy tests were driven by user interest, Iverson said. "We asked if (researchers) would be interested in lower energy and the response was 'Yes.'"
The team participating in the recent test achieved the record low energies with a combination of techniques.
They manipulated some of the klystrons powering SLAC’s linear accelerator to actually decelerate the electrons in the beam. And they set the powerful LCLS undulator magnets, which transform the electron beam into X-ray radiation, to a lower energy.
The lower energy setting produced a larger beam size, said Iverson, which could actually be desirable for some experiments.
More review and approvals are needed before the minimum LCLS energy can be lowered for experiments, partly because of concern about potential damage to the equipment and possible equipment upgrades, Iverson noted.
But while LCLS users cannot yet use such low-energy beam settings, the successful test is a first step in that direction. If the review and approval process does not uncover any major roadblocks, the lower energy setting could be offered as soon as October 2012.
And those settings at LCLS would likely be most applicable to experiments at the facility's Soft X-ray Materials Science (SXR) and Atomic, Molecular and Optical Science (AMO) instruments.
There are a few X-ray free electron lasers in the world that currently operate at the carbon edge, though Iverson noted that LCLS can supply a higher volume of photons than those facilities—roughly five to 10 times more than FLASH, an X-ray free electron laser operating in Germany, for example.
And a successful May 8, 2012, test proved that the X-ray laser could dip more deeply into the so-called "water window," an energy regime useful for biological imaging. At these energies, any carbon in a sample stands out in high contrast to surrounding water.
In addition, operators were able to tune the beam’s energy almost down to the "carbon absorption edge"—a point at which carbon's absorption of photons sharply rises. The absorption edges of elements are useful for spectroscopic research, which can detect the presence and properties of specific elements.
Carbon is of particular interest to scientists as it plays an important role in numerous fields of research including catalysis, materials science, and biology.
Rick Iverson, the LCLS area physicist who led the low-energy test, said operators were able to bring the machine's energy down to 300 electronvolts—about one-third of the minimum energy LCLS was originally designed to produce—while maintaining an intense X-ray laser beam useful for illuminating samples in experiments.
The energy achieved was just shy of the 284-electronvolt carbon edge.
"We didn't know if it would work—it was below the design energy—but the skillful Ooperators and EOICs in the main control room made it happen." Iverson said. Members of SLAC's Radiation Physics Group signed off on the plan for the low-energy test after a review process.
The LCLS accelerator research group, radiation safety group, power conversion, controls software, beam containment, accelerator safety, and accelerator operations all contributed to the success of the test.
A previous test had dialed back the energy to 400 electronvolts, reaching the "nitrogen edge" useful for studying nitrogen-containing samples. LCLS now regularly operates at energies as low as 480 electronvolts.
The lower-energy tests were driven by user interest, Iverson said. "We asked if (researchers) would be interested in lower energy and the response was 'Yes.'"
The team participating in the recent test achieved the record low energies with a combination of techniques.
They manipulated some of the klystrons powering SLAC’s linear accelerator to actually decelerate the electrons in the beam. And they set the powerful LCLS undulator magnets, which transform the electron beam into X-ray radiation, to a lower energy.
The lower energy setting produced a larger beam size, said Iverson, which could actually be desirable for some experiments.
More review and approvals are needed before the minimum LCLS energy can be lowered for experiments, partly because of concern about potential damage to the equipment and possible equipment upgrades, Iverson noted.
But while LCLS users cannot yet use such low-energy beam settings, the successful test is a first step in that direction. If the review and approval process does not uncover any major roadblocks, the lower energy setting could be offered as soon as October 2012.
And those settings at LCLS would likely be most applicable to experiments at the facility's Soft X-ray Materials Science (SXR) and Atomic, Molecular and Optical Science (AMO) instruments.
There are a few X-ray free electron lasers in the world that currently operate at the carbon edge, though Iverson noted that LCLS can supply a higher volume of photons than those facilities—roughly five to 10 times more than FLASH, an X-ray free electron laser operating in Germany, for example.
2012年5月28日 星期一
3,090 Lamps Planned to Be Installed in Two Flyovers
Jakarta Provincial Government is continuously conducting various efforts to reduce gas emission up to 30 percent in 2030. One of them is replacing some lamps on street light (PJU) with energy saving lamps. Even, Jakarta Industry and Energy Department also does the same thing that is by installing energy saving lamps in type of light emitting diode (LED) around non-toll flyover (JLNT).
Jakarta Industry and Energy Department, Andi Baso stated to save energy, his department uses the lamp in type of LED to be installed on two JLNTs, such as Kampungmelayu-Tanahabang and Antasari-Blok M. Later on, 3,090 lamps will be installed in those JLNTs.
LED is able to save energy up to 50 percent compared to street light. In details, street light only has a capacity of 400 watts, so LED only 200 watts. “LED can able to reduce greenhouse gas about 0.891 of greenhouse gas production, which not uses energy saving lamps,” he expressed at Jakarta City Hall, Monday.
Andi said, 222,342 street lights in Jakarta needs power about 45-50 mega watts per day. Meanwhile, 92 out of them are using solar-cell powered light which spread in five areas in Jakarta. Rp 3 trillion is needed to replace street lights with energy saving lamps. “In fact, one solar-cell lamp is sold Rp 30 million,” explained.
Next year, his department will spend budget Rp 351 billion to replace a portion of street lights with LED. “Yet, we’ll discuss this plan first to Jakarta Parliament (DPRD). If it is agreed, we will soon install the lamp,” he told.
Chief of Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) for Jakarta DPRD, Syahrial, acknowledged he agreed with Jakarta Energy and Industry Department’s plan. Due to the high budget, the installation is hoped can be installed gradually. “The installation of LED lamps is right decision due to it can save the energy,” he argued.
Replacing an old window with a new energy-efficient unit can make a remarkable improvement to a room, not to mention lower energy bills. An awning window provides light and opens outward to catch the breeze, making it a good choice in any room. The sash closes tightly against the frame, making it better than a traditional double-hung unit at stopping air infiltration.
A single large awning window is often used in a kitchen over a sink; pairs of them often flank other windows or are arranged together over large patio doors. When you remodel a basement, replacing an old awning window goes a long way toward making the space down under more livable and attractive.
A window contractor will charge $325 to install a 3-foot by 4-foot awning window, which includes the labor and material. If you have carpentry skills and tools, you can do the job for $190, the cost of the window, and pocket a 42 percent saving. The cost will be higher if new trim on the inside is needed and the exterior siding needs to be replaced around the new window.
Plan the project so you can remove the old window and immediately install the replacement; otherwise, the gaping hole in the wall may invite birds or animals to come inside.
Jakarta Industry and Energy Department, Andi Baso stated to save energy, his department uses the lamp in type of LED to be installed on two JLNTs, such as Kampungmelayu-Tanahabang and Antasari-Blok M. Later on, 3,090 lamps will be installed in those JLNTs.
LED is able to save energy up to 50 percent compared to street light. In details, street light only has a capacity of 400 watts, so LED only 200 watts. “LED can able to reduce greenhouse gas about 0.891 of greenhouse gas production, which not uses energy saving lamps,” he expressed at Jakarta City Hall, Monday.
Andi said, 222,342 street lights in Jakarta needs power about 45-50 mega watts per day. Meanwhile, 92 out of them are using solar-cell powered light which spread in five areas in Jakarta. Rp 3 trillion is needed to replace street lights with energy saving lamps. “In fact, one solar-cell lamp is sold Rp 30 million,” explained.
Next year, his department will spend budget Rp 351 billion to replace a portion of street lights with LED. “Yet, we’ll discuss this plan first to Jakarta Parliament (DPRD). If it is agreed, we will soon install the lamp,” he told.
Chief of Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) for Jakarta DPRD, Syahrial, acknowledged he agreed with Jakarta Energy and Industry Department’s plan. Due to the high budget, the installation is hoped can be installed gradually. “The installation of LED lamps is right decision due to it can save the energy,” he argued.
Replacing an old window with a new energy-efficient unit can make a remarkable improvement to a room, not to mention lower energy bills. An awning window provides light and opens outward to catch the breeze, making it a good choice in any room. The sash closes tightly against the frame, making it better than a traditional double-hung unit at stopping air infiltration.
A single large awning window is often used in a kitchen over a sink; pairs of them often flank other windows or are arranged together over large patio doors. When you remodel a basement, replacing an old awning window goes a long way toward making the space down under more livable and attractive.
A window contractor will charge $325 to install a 3-foot by 4-foot awning window, which includes the labor and material. If you have carpentry skills and tools, you can do the job for $190, the cost of the window, and pocket a 42 percent saving. The cost will be higher if new trim on the inside is needed and the exterior siding needs to be replaced around the new window.
Plan the project so you can remove the old window and immediately install the replacement; otherwise, the gaping hole in the wall may invite birds or animals to come inside.
2012年5月27日 星期日
How to design a power efficient LED driver
In the latest generation of smartphones, which feature large displays suitable for showing web pages and video, the LED backlight system is one of the biggest power loads in the device.
With larger displays, the number of LEDs in the backlighting system grows, putting even more pressure on the power budget.
There are three building blocks in a backlighting system: a battery to store energy, the LED driver, and the LEDs. To increase run-time, extra power, or power savings, need to be found in one or more of these three blocks.
The LEDs form part of the display assembly, placed on a flexible PCB, and emitting light from the edge into a diffuser behind the LCD panel.
The number of LEDs depends on the display size, available space and required resolution. The forward voltage of the LED is normally in the range 3.0-3.4V. Mobile phones can contain as many as 12 LEDs.
The arrangement of the LEDs can vary. For instance, all the LEDs could be connected together at their anode, with an output pin at each cathode. This connection scheme can be driven by a capacitive backlight driver, and is widely used in small displays.
A typcial approach in large-screen smartphones is to connect all the LEDs in series as a single string. The advantage of this topology is that it needs only two connection pins to the display.
An inductive DC-DC converter is more suitable for driving single or multiple strings of LEDs than a capacitive driver is. And the more LEDs are connected in series, the lower the efficiency of the inductive DC-DC converter falls.
The problem is the result of both switching losses and core losses in the inductor; these losses rise higher the higher the voltage at the converter.
So why does output voltage increase as the number of LEDs in a string rises? The reason is that the output voltage required from the DC-DC converter is calculated by multiplying the forward voltage of the LEDs by the number of LEDs, plus the compliance voltage of the current sink.
For example, in a single string of 12 LEDs with a forward voltage of 3.2V, the DC-DC converter needs to boost the output voltage to 12 x 3.2 + 0.5V = 38.9V. (0.5V is the compliance voltage of the current sink.) By comparison, in a multi-string configuration of, for example, 4S x 3, the maximum voltage would be 4 x 3.2 + 0.5 = 13.3V.
In the multi-string configuration, the lower voltage of the DC-DC converter, 13.3V, results in lower switching losses and core losses than in a converter operating at 38.9V. This results in better efficiency, and also allows the use of smaller external components.
Drawing on the phenomenon shown in Figure 2, the improved efficiency of the multi-string topology can thus be seen to be attributable to the reduced output voltage of the converter.
System designers considering whether to adopt a multi-string topology will regret losing the simplicity of the two-pin connection to the display module which the single string topology affords them.
With larger displays, the number of LEDs in the backlighting system grows, putting even more pressure on the power budget.
There are three building blocks in a backlighting system: a battery to store energy, the LED driver, and the LEDs. To increase run-time, extra power, or power savings, need to be found in one or more of these three blocks.
The LEDs form part of the display assembly, placed on a flexible PCB, and emitting light from the edge into a diffuser behind the LCD panel.
The number of LEDs depends on the display size, available space and required resolution. The forward voltage of the LED is normally in the range 3.0-3.4V. Mobile phones can contain as many as 12 LEDs.
The arrangement of the LEDs can vary. For instance, all the LEDs could be connected together at their anode, with an output pin at each cathode. This connection scheme can be driven by a capacitive backlight driver, and is widely used in small displays.
A typcial approach in large-screen smartphones is to connect all the LEDs in series as a single string. The advantage of this topology is that it needs only two connection pins to the display.
An inductive DC-DC converter is more suitable for driving single or multiple strings of LEDs than a capacitive driver is. And the more LEDs are connected in series, the lower the efficiency of the inductive DC-DC converter falls.
The problem is the result of both switching losses and core losses in the inductor; these losses rise higher the higher the voltage at the converter.
So why does output voltage increase as the number of LEDs in a string rises? The reason is that the output voltage required from the DC-DC converter is calculated by multiplying the forward voltage of the LEDs by the number of LEDs, plus the compliance voltage of the current sink.
For example, in a single string of 12 LEDs with a forward voltage of 3.2V, the DC-DC converter needs to boost the output voltage to 12 x 3.2 + 0.5V = 38.9V. (0.5V is the compliance voltage of the current sink.) By comparison, in a multi-string configuration of, for example, 4S x 3, the maximum voltage would be 4 x 3.2 + 0.5 = 13.3V.
In the multi-string configuration, the lower voltage of the DC-DC converter, 13.3V, results in lower switching losses and core losses than in a converter operating at 38.9V. This results in better efficiency, and also allows the use of smaller external components.
Drawing on the phenomenon shown in Figure 2, the improved efficiency of the multi-string topology can thus be seen to be attributable to the reduced output voltage of the converter.
System designers considering whether to adopt a multi-string topology will regret losing the simplicity of the two-pin connection to the display module which the single string topology affords them.
2012年5月24日 星期四
Siemens Receives $73 M Light Rail Vehicle Order From Portland's TriMet
Siemens today announced that it has been awarded a $73 million contract to build 18 of its S70 light rail vehicles for TriMet in Portland, Ore. The vehicles will be manufactured from start to finish at Siemens' rail vehicle manufacturing plant in Sacramento, Calif., a facility powered almost entirely by two megawatts of solar energy. The first new rail cars are expected to be delivered in August 2014.
These 18 vehicles were ordered as a part of the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Project. This extension includes a light rail alignment that travels 7.3 miles, connecting Portland State University in downtown Portland, inner Southeast Portland, Milwaukie and North Clackamas County. When it opens in September 2015, it will bring the light rail system to a total of 60 miles and 97 stations.
The extension includes 10 stations and the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Bridge spanning the Willamette River between the Oregon Health & Science University's South Waterfront Campus to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. This contract award will bring the total number of S70 light rail cars manufactured for TriMet by Siemens to 40. Siemens Rail Systems has a strong relationship with TriMet, having previously provided more than 100 low floor vehicles, including TriMet's newest fleet of 22 S70 light rail vehicles delivered in 2009.
The light rail project is a central element to the region's development, with about 22,000 households and 85,000 employees within walking distance of the stations. It's expected that 25,000 trips will be taken on the new line each weekday by the year 2030.
"This fifth generation of MAX light rail vehicles will include many improvements for riders and operators," said Dan Blocher, TriMet executive director of Capital Projects. "We're excited to be working with Siemens on the MAX vehicles TriMet needs to operate the region's light rail system when the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Project begins service in 2015."
"For more than 25 years, Siemens has been a committed partner with TriMet in providing modern, efficient rail electrification and quality rolling stock to accommodate the growth and expansion of the region," says Michael Cahill, president, Rail Systems division, Siemens Infrastructure & Cities in the U.S. "We are proud to continue this relationship by providing these new light rail vehicles, which will be built 100 percent in the United States using sustainable manufacturing practices."
Compared with the Type 4 model, the Type 5 light rail vehicles for this project are more durable and have energy efficient LED interior lighting; improved HVAC for passenger comfort; more ergonomic cabs for operators; upgraded digital camera technology; improved ADA ramps for better accessibility, improved vehicle seating layout, more advanced vehicle diagnostics and easier maintenance.
The S70 Type 5 has a maximum operational speed of 55 miles per hour. Its low floor design enables passengers to board the train at street level, providing quicker and easier access for people of all abilities.
These 18 vehicles were ordered as a part of the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Project. This extension includes a light rail alignment that travels 7.3 miles, connecting Portland State University in downtown Portland, inner Southeast Portland, Milwaukie and North Clackamas County. When it opens in September 2015, it will bring the light rail system to a total of 60 miles and 97 stations.
The extension includes 10 stations and the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Bridge spanning the Willamette River between the Oregon Health & Science University's South Waterfront Campus to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. This contract award will bring the total number of S70 light rail cars manufactured for TriMet by Siemens to 40. Siemens Rail Systems has a strong relationship with TriMet, having previously provided more than 100 low floor vehicles, including TriMet's newest fleet of 22 S70 light rail vehicles delivered in 2009.
The light rail project is a central element to the region's development, with about 22,000 households and 85,000 employees within walking distance of the stations. It's expected that 25,000 trips will be taken on the new line each weekday by the year 2030.
"This fifth generation of MAX light rail vehicles will include many improvements for riders and operators," said Dan Blocher, TriMet executive director of Capital Projects. "We're excited to be working with Siemens on the MAX vehicles TriMet needs to operate the region's light rail system when the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Project begins service in 2015."
"For more than 25 years, Siemens has been a committed partner with TriMet in providing modern, efficient rail electrification and quality rolling stock to accommodate the growth and expansion of the region," says Michael Cahill, president, Rail Systems division, Siemens Infrastructure & Cities in the U.S. "We are proud to continue this relationship by providing these new light rail vehicles, which will be built 100 percent in the United States using sustainable manufacturing practices."
Compared with the Type 4 model, the Type 5 light rail vehicles for this project are more durable and have energy efficient LED interior lighting; improved HVAC for passenger comfort; more ergonomic cabs for operators; upgraded digital camera technology; improved ADA ramps for better accessibility, improved vehicle seating layout, more advanced vehicle diagnostics and easier maintenance.
The S70 Type 5 has a maximum operational speed of 55 miles per hour. Its low floor design enables passengers to board the train at street level, providing quicker and easier access for people of all abilities.
2012年5月23日 星期三
LED display signboards on external walls of buildings
A Number 3 alarm fire broke out earlier at a five-star hotel in North Point, and the source of fire was suspected to be related to the components of a light emitting diode (LED) display wall (display wall) on the roof, which is over five storeys high, over-heating or short circuiting.Some professionals in the construction industry and fire safety experts said in media interviews that at present, the fire safety capacity of display walls on external walls of buildings is not governed by any fire safety legislation in Hong Kong.In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
The BD does not keep statistics on applications for erecting LED display signboards on external walls of newly completed buildings.
To erect signboards (including LED display signboards) on external walls of newly completed or existing buildings, the person concerned shall, in accordance with the BO, appoint an authorised person and a registered structural engineer to prepare and submit building plans for approval by the BD, unless the works fall within the scope of designated minor works items that can be carried out under the simplified requirements of the Minor Works Control System.Provided that the building plans of the proposed erection of signboard comply with the requirements of the BO and the standards prescribed in the above-mentioned practice note, BD will approve such plans.After the building plans are approved, the authorised person must also obtain written consent from the BD before commencement of the relevant building works.
The practice note mentioned above specifies the standards on erection of signboards on external walls of buildings, including the display area, spacing, position, material, workmanship, structural safety (including the supporting frame, display surface and fixings) and fire safety.In particular, with regard to signboards using LED display boards as the display surface, as LED display boards are not made of incombustible materials, the practice note stipulates that such display boards should have a surface spread of flame characteristic of not worse than Class 2 determined in accordance with BS 476 : Part 7 : 1997 or other equivalent standards.
On the other hand, in accordance with the Electricity Ordinance (EO) and its relevant subsidiary legislation, the fixed electrical installation of LED display boards erected on external walls of buildings shall be installed, tested and certified by a registered electrical contractor and a registered electrical worker to ensure that the installation complies with the statutory requirements, including the fixed electrical installation and relevant protective devices for supplying electricity to the LED display boards.
In view of recent public concerns over the safety of large LED display signboards, BD, in conjunction with the relevant departments including the Fire Services Department and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), is reviewing the safety standards prescribed in the existing practice note.At the same time, having regard to a recent fire involving a large LED display board, EMSD has written to the owners or property management companies of buildings with LED display boards installed on the external walls, reminding them of the safety requirements and guidelines relating to outdoor electrical installations.
Same as LED display signboards, the fixed electrical installation of lighting displays on external walls of buildings must comply with the safety requirements of the EO and its relevant subsidiary legislation.Generally, the risk of fire is very low if the related installations are properly installed, maintained and operated.
The BD does not keep statistics on applications for erecting LED display signboards on external walls of newly completed buildings.
To erect signboards (including LED display signboards) on external walls of newly completed or existing buildings, the person concerned shall, in accordance with the BO, appoint an authorised person and a registered structural engineer to prepare and submit building plans for approval by the BD, unless the works fall within the scope of designated minor works items that can be carried out under the simplified requirements of the Minor Works Control System.Provided that the building plans of the proposed erection of signboard comply with the requirements of the BO and the standards prescribed in the above-mentioned practice note, BD will approve such plans.After the building plans are approved, the authorised person must also obtain written consent from the BD before commencement of the relevant building works.
The practice note mentioned above specifies the standards on erection of signboards on external walls of buildings, including the display area, spacing, position, material, workmanship, structural safety (including the supporting frame, display surface and fixings) and fire safety.In particular, with regard to signboards using LED display boards as the display surface, as LED display boards are not made of incombustible materials, the practice note stipulates that such display boards should have a surface spread of flame characteristic of not worse than Class 2 determined in accordance with BS 476 : Part 7 : 1997 or other equivalent standards.
On the other hand, in accordance with the Electricity Ordinance (EO) and its relevant subsidiary legislation, the fixed electrical installation of LED display boards erected on external walls of buildings shall be installed, tested and certified by a registered electrical contractor and a registered electrical worker to ensure that the installation complies with the statutory requirements, including the fixed electrical installation and relevant protective devices for supplying electricity to the LED display boards.
In view of recent public concerns over the safety of large LED display signboards, BD, in conjunction with the relevant departments including the Fire Services Department and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), is reviewing the safety standards prescribed in the existing practice note.At the same time, having regard to a recent fire involving a large LED display board, EMSD has written to the owners or property management companies of buildings with LED display boards installed on the external walls, reminding them of the safety requirements and guidelines relating to outdoor electrical installations.
Same as LED display signboards, the fixed electrical installation of lighting displays on external walls of buildings must comply with the safety requirements of the EO and its relevant subsidiary legislation.Generally, the risk of fire is very low if the related installations are properly installed, maintained and operated.
2012年5月22日 星期二
Samsung UN55ES6500F
The Samsung UN46ES6500F ($1,729.99 list) is a smart-looking 46-inch HDTV with 3D capabilities, loads of interactive web services, and built-in Wi-Fi. It delivers very accurate colors and a crisp, clean HD picture, but the LED backlit panel could be brighter. You won't get dark inky blacks with this model either, and it only has three HDMI ports. However, it does offers some neat features, including two sets of active shutter 3D glasses and Samsung's Smart Hub menu system that makes it easy to launch apps, play multimedia files and movies, surf the web, and connect to other devices.
Style-wise, the UN46ES6500F is easy on the eyes. The panel, which actually measures 45.9 inches, is framed by an ultra-slim (0.5-inch) matte black bezel and sits in a slender 1.25 inch cabinet (the bottom juts out to 1.9 inches to accommodate the down-firing speakers). The bezels are decorated with beveled clear trim, giving the set a pleasing angular look. A shiny Samsung badge protrudes downward from the center of the bottom bezel. The sturdy four-legged stand is piano black and can swivel smoothly.
Two USB ports and one HDMI port are vertically positioned at the rear of the cabinet and facing right. Two additional HDMI ports and one more USB port are flush mounted along with digital audio in and out connections, an optical audio output, shared component and composite AV jacks, a TV cable/antenna jack, a LAN port, and an EX-Link (serial) port. While most HDTVs this size offer four HDMI ports, the UN46ES6500F only gives you three, which can be a problem if you have a set top box, a Blu-ray player, and more than one gaming console.
There are no function buttons on the UN46ES6500F. Instead, there's a small joystick control mounted on the lower right side of the back panel that lets you access and navigate the various menu pages. It's easier to use the remote to adjust settings and launch apps. The 9-inch wand is backlit and has all the usual player, volume, and channel controls. The number buttons are a tad small and the backlighting is slightly dim, but the remote is lightweight and fits comfortably in the hand. In the center of the remote is a colorful Smart Hub key.
Samsung's Smart Hub provides a single point of access for launching Web apps, streaming content from the Web and compatible DLNA devices over an Ethernet connection or the UN46ES6500F's built-in Wi-Fi, playing movies, and accessing USB based content. The icon-driven menu is colorful and easy to navigate. It includes the cloud-based Family Story app, which lets families share photos and videos and schedule events, an interactive Fitness app for body sculpting, fat burning, and weight monitoring, and a Kids portal featuring several Canimals episodes, WordWorld, and other kid oriented apps.
The UN46ES6500F provides plenty of picture settings to help you get the best possible picture for your lighting environment. There are four picture modes (Standard, Dynamic, Movie, and Natural) with optimized settings for their respective function. Movie mode offers the best all-around picture, especially if you're in a dimly lit room. You get all the basic settings, including backlight, brightness, contrast, sharpness, color, and tint controls, as well as a handful of advanced settings such as 10-point white balance, gamma, flesh tone, black tone, and dynamic contrast ratio. Picture options include AutoMotion Plus with judder and blur reduction for eliminating motion artifacts, film mode (for content shot at 24 fps), and LED Motion Plus, which uses backlight strobe to help reduce motion blur.
Style-wise, the UN46ES6500F is easy on the eyes. The panel, which actually measures 45.9 inches, is framed by an ultra-slim (0.5-inch) matte black bezel and sits in a slender 1.25 inch cabinet (the bottom juts out to 1.9 inches to accommodate the down-firing speakers). The bezels are decorated with beveled clear trim, giving the set a pleasing angular look. A shiny Samsung badge protrudes downward from the center of the bottom bezel. The sturdy four-legged stand is piano black and can swivel smoothly.
Two USB ports and one HDMI port are vertically positioned at the rear of the cabinet and facing right. Two additional HDMI ports and one more USB port are flush mounted along with digital audio in and out connections, an optical audio output, shared component and composite AV jacks, a TV cable/antenna jack, a LAN port, and an EX-Link (serial) port. While most HDTVs this size offer four HDMI ports, the UN46ES6500F only gives you three, which can be a problem if you have a set top box, a Blu-ray player, and more than one gaming console.
There are no function buttons on the UN46ES6500F. Instead, there's a small joystick control mounted on the lower right side of the back panel that lets you access and navigate the various menu pages. It's easier to use the remote to adjust settings and launch apps. The 9-inch wand is backlit and has all the usual player, volume, and channel controls. The number buttons are a tad small and the backlighting is slightly dim, but the remote is lightweight and fits comfortably in the hand. In the center of the remote is a colorful Smart Hub key.
Samsung's Smart Hub provides a single point of access for launching Web apps, streaming content from the Web and compatible DLNA devices over an Ethernet connection or the UN46ES6500F's built-in Wi-Fi, playing movies, and accessing USB based content. The icon-driven menu is colorful and easy to navigate. It includes the cloud-based Family Story app, which lets families share photos and videos and schedule events, an interactive Fitness app for body sculpting, fat burning, and weight monitoring, and a Kids portal featuring several Canimals episodes, WordWorld, and other kid oriented apps.
The UN46ES6500F provides plenty of picture settings to help you get the best possible picture for your lighting environment. There are four picture modes (Standard, Dynamic, Movie, and Natural) with optimized settings for their respective function. Movie mode offers the best all-around picture, especially if you're in a dimly lit room. You get all the basic settings, including backlight, brightness, contrast, sharpness, color, and tint controls, as well as a handful of advanced settings such as 10-point white balance, gamma, flesh tone, black tone, and dynamic contrast ratio. Picture options include AutoMotion Plus with judder and blur reduction for eliminating motion artifacts, film mode (for content shot at 24 fps), and LED Motion Plus, which uses backlight strobe to help reduce motion blur.
2012年5月21日 星期一
Taking energy saving out of the dark ages
One of the biggest stumbling blocks to greater efficiency is the difficulty of visualizing energy flows. The amount of power consumed by modern electrical appliances is often hard to grasp and thus conveniently easy to ignore.
Pilgrim Beart, founder of AlertMe, would like to change that. He aims to make energy consumption a more tangible thing, to try to make it easier to trim.
At the VERGE conference in London, Beart was intent on illustrating his argument with what looked like the preparations for a record-breaking juggling attempt. Holding up one of the hundreds of brightly colored balls he brought on stage, Beart said, "Each of these balls represents the power to run a modern light bulb for six hours."
Into a large bucket Beart tossed 13 balls -- corresponding to the energy used to light an average home. "That's less than we were using a few years ago, due to energy-saving bulbs," he noted.
Another 13 balls bounced into the bucket for the refrigerator and freezer -- again, better than a decade ago due to more efficient products -- plus six more for computers and gadgets. A further 19 balls represented TVs and games consoles. "It would be fewer if they weren't so often left on standby," he said.
Four more balls for every time the oven warms up, two for every kettle boiled and one for every microwave meal created a rather full bucket, which brimmed further with the addition of 10 balls per hot-water wash or three balls for every cool cycle in the washing machine.
The bucket was put to one side as Beart hoisted aloft a net crammed with 110 balls. "That's showers and baths," he announced, emphasizing the high-energy cost of hot water. "Simply changing the shower head in my home has saved 400 [about $630] per year."
And then the final net was dragged onto the stage: a jiggling mass of 350 balls, showing the energy used to keep the average home at a comfortable temperature every day.
As Beart's performance amply illustrated, there is a great and pressing need for people to understand the energy impact of their actions. We are clearly kidding ourselves if we feel good about switching off the lights when we leave a room, for example, while the heating continues to churn through hundreds of times as much power.
"In the developed world, we are living in a bubble as far as energy consumption is concerned," said Beart.
By trying to burst that bubble, Beart hopes to galvanize more people into taking action that really makes a difference.
A straightforward display showing energy use in the home can cut consumption by as much as 8 percent simply by increasing awareness and vigilance, Beart added.
Beart's company, AlertMe, is focused on providing highly detailed information to help homeowners and businesses visualize their energy use -- fortunately not by delivering hundreds of rubber balls each day. "AlertMe pulls data into the cloud, makes sense of it and delivers it to the consumer," said Beart.
AlertMe subscribers can explore and understand their energy use through a PC, tablet or smartphone, receive personalized recommendations and -- with additional equipment -- remotely monitor and control appliances.
Pilgrim Beart, founder of AlertMe, would like to change that. He aims to make energy consumption a more tangible thing, to try to make it easier to trim.
At the VERGE conference in London, Beart was intent on illustrating his argument with what looked like the preparations for a record-breaking juggling attempt. Holding up one of the hundreds of brightly colored balls he brought on stage, Beart said, "Each of these balls represents the power to run a modern light bulb for six hours."
Into a large bucket Beart tossed 13 balls -- corresponding to the energy used to light an average home. "That's less than we were using a few years ago, due to energy-saving bulbs," he noted.
Another 13 balls bounced into the bucket for the refrigerator and freezer -- again, better than a decade ago due to more efficient products -- plus six more for computers and gadgets. A further 19 balls represented TVs and games consoles. "It would be fewer if they weren't so often left on standby," he said.
Four more balls for every time the oven warms up, two for every kettle boiled and one for every microwave meal created a rather full bucket, which brimmed further with the addition of 10 balls per hot-water wash or three balls for every cool cycle in the washing machine.
The bucket was put to one side as Beart hoisted aloft a net crammed with 110 balls. "That's showers and baths," he announced, emphasizing the high-energy cost of hot water. "Simply changing the shower head in my home has saved 400 [about $630] per year."
And then the final net was dragged onto the stage: a jiggling mass of 350 balls, showing the energy used to keep the average home at a comfortable temperature every day.
As Beart's performance amply illustrated, there is a great and pressing need for people to understand the energy impact of their actions. We are clearly kidding ourselves if we feel good about switching off the lights when we leave a room, for example, while the heating continues to churn through hundreds of times as much power.
"In the developed world, we are living in a bubble as far as energy consumption is concerned," said Beart.
By trying to burst that bubble, Beart hopes to galvanize more people into taking action that really makes a difference.
A straightforward display showing energy use in the home can cut consumption by as much as 8 percent simply by increasing awareness and vigilance, Beart added.
Beart's company, AlertMe, is focused on providing highly detailed information to help homeowners and businesses visualize their energy use -- fortunately not by delivering hundreds of rubber balls each day. "AlertMe pulls data into the cloud, makes sense of it and delivers it to the consumer," said Beart.
AlertMe subscribers can explore and understand their energy use through a PC, tablet or smartphone, receive personalized recommendations and -- with additional equipment -- remotely monitor and control appliances.
2012年5月20日 星期日
Waitomo Caves: Aglow with appeal
Sometimes excitement is foiled by reality, but my first foray to Waitomo exceeded my bright-eyed expectations.
Magical, mysterious Waitomo makes for a perfectly-proportioned weekend escape, just an hour's drive from Hamilton Airport.
Waitomo's enchanting playground, millions of years in the making, began with the formation of limestone when the region was beneath the sea. Limestone is a fossil rock made up of the remains of marine animals.
Thirty million years later, the natural wonders of the limestone cave system have given Waitomo worldwide fame. For a splendid overview, first stop should be the Waitomo Caves Discovery Centre. This non-profit community venture in the village, provides a comprehensive introduction to Waitomo's treasures, including the caves' history, local culture, fossils, the lifecycle of the glowworm and even a chance to try your hand at cave crawling.
With more than 300 known caves in the area, and a big selection of tour operators, choosing which caves to explore is a formidable assignment. I opted for the old faithful, the original Waitomo Glowworm Caves tour, which has been hosting visitors since Queen Victoria's time.
My beginner's tour, led by a member of the iwi that helped discover the caves more than a century ago, is a journey into an underground world of stalactites, stalagmites, columns and natural caverns, including the spectacular cathedral, which regularly hosts acoustically perfect concerts. World-class choirs and singers, including Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, have performed here, and I hear its annual carols by candlelight concert is pretty special.
The highlight is nature's mood lighting, provided by the magic of glowworms.
Waitomo has solidified its status on the adventure tourism map with what it offers adrenalin junkies, including blackwater rafting, night abseiling and zip-lining. A highly recommended operator is Cave World, which offers boutique tours that include exclusive access to the Footwhistle Glowworm Cave. The one-hour excursion begins with a brisk eco-bush walk, passing streams and waterfalls, before surrendering to the marvels of the limestone formations.
Within the candlelit cavern you can see the remains of our largest bird, now extinct, the mighty moa.
When in Waitomo, set aside time for a quick westward road trip to an above-ground wonder of nature. The Mangapohue Natural Bridge Walk is one of my favourite short New Zealand bush walks. The track weaves through pristine native bush, full of birdsong, to the crowning glory of this ancient cave system - the Mangapohue Natural Bridge. This 17m-high limestone arch is all that remains of an age-old cave, now clothed in greenery. The walking track's stairways enable you to size up this towering landmark from different perspectives.
The grand dame of hospitality, the Waitomo Caves Hotel, has been welcoming the world for more than a century and that old-world charm is still a pleasure. The original hotel building was inspired by the mountain chalets of Europe, constructed in New Zealand Victorian style. Victorian architects were obsessed with asymmetry and the octagonal corner is home to the turret room, the honeymoon suite, which I had the pleasure of experiencing, albeit on my own. An Art Deco wing was added to the hotel in the late 1920s because of swelling visitor demand.
Magical, mysterious Waitomo makes for a perfectly-proportioned weekend escape, just an hour's drive from Hamilton Airport.
Waitomo's enchanting playground, millions of years in the making, began with the formation of limestone when the region was beneath the sea. Limestone is a fossil rock made up of the remains of marine animals.
Thirty million years later, the natural wonders of the limestone cave system have given Waitomo worldwide fame. For a splendid overview, first stop should be the Waitomo Caves Discovery Centre. This non-profit community venture in the village, provides a comprehensive introduction to Waitomo's treasures, including the caves' history, local culture, fossils, the lifecycle of the glowworm and even a chance to try your hand at cave crawling.
With more than 300 known caves in the area, and a big selection of tour operators, choosing which caves to explore is a formidable assignment. I opted for the old faithful, the original Waitomo Glowworm Caves tour, which has been hosting visitors since Queen Victoria's time.
My beginner's tour, led by a member of the iwi that helped discover the caves more than a century ago, is a journey into an underground world of stalactites, stalagmites, columns and natural caverns, including the spectacular cathedral, which regularly hosts acoustically perfect concerts. World-class choirs and singers, including Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, have performed here, and I hear its annual carols by candlelight concert is pretty special.
The highlight is nature's mood lighting, provided by the magic of glowworms.
Waitomo has solidified its status on the adventure tourism map with what it offers adrenalin junkies, including blackwater rafting, night abseiling and zip-lining. A highly recommended operator is Cave World, which offers boutique tours that include exclusive access to the Footwhistle Glowworm Cave. The one-hour excursion begins with a brisk eco-bush walk, passing streams and waterfalls, before surrendering to the marvels of the limestone formations.
Within the candlelit cavern you can see the remains of our largest bird, now extinct, the mighty moa.
When in Waitomo, set aside time for a quick westward road trip to an above-ground wonder of nature. The Mangapohue Natural Bridge Walk is one of my favourite short New Zealand bush walks. The track weaves through pristine native bush, full of birdsong, to the crowning glory of this ancient cave system - the Mangapohue Natural Bridge. This 17m-high limestone arch is all that remains of an age-old cave, now clothed in greenery. The walking track's stairways enable you to size up this towering landmark from different perspectives.
The grand dame of hospitality, the Waitomo Caves Hotel, has been welcoming the world for more than a century and that old-world charm is still a pleasure. The original hotel building was inspired by the mountain chalets of Europe, constructed in New Zealand Victorian style. Victorian architects were obsessed with asymmetry and the octagonal corner is home to the turret room, the honeymoon suite, which I had the pleasure of experiencing, albeit on my own. An Art Deco wing was added to the hotel in the late 1920s because of swelling visitor demand.
2012年5月17日 星期四
Sutton still lighting the way for Bird Rock residents
The installation of nine LED street lamps paid for with $229,000 of maintenance assessment district (MAD) funds by the Bird Rock Community Council (BRCC) began early Monday afternoon, May 14.
The street light project was conceived of and spearheaded by late BRCC member George Sutton, who died last summer in a tragic accident while preparing for a family vacation.
The installation of nine LED street lamps in Bird Rock began Monday, May 14. The Bird Rock Community Council purchased the lamps with $229,000 in maintenance assessment district (MAD) funds. Pat Sherman photos
“This is an emotional project for the Bird Rock Community Council and the community,” BRCC President Joe Parker said. “George was a very active volunteer, not only in La Jolla at large, but in Bird Rock, having served on the BRCC as well as being actively involved as a member or advocate on behalf of the BRCC on the various committees.”
Though the lights will begin to illuminate Bird Rock as soon as the work is finished, a celebration to honor Sutton and his street lamps is expected to take place the first or second week of June.
“We want to honor George and honor his commitment and thank his family for everything he’s done for Bird Rock,” Parker said. “I think this is a fitting opportunity for that, because this project meant so much to George.”
BRCC treasurer and MAD representative Barbara Dunbar said the lamps were installed to beautify and brighten the neighborhood, and to make the community safer and more pedestrian friendly at night.
The installation of 100 energy-efficient light emitting diode (LED) streetlights is under way in Jackson. In the first phase of the project, the new LED lights will be installed along Nature Boulevard and the nearby 60Acre housing development.
The entire project is expected to replace more than 500 lights throughout Jackson. A $464,500 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy will help fund the project, which is being undertaken by Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L).
Mayor Mike Reina said the LED fixtures are a perfect fit for Jackson’s environmental view, with each fixture being 70 percent more efficient than current streetlights.
The LED lights “will save taxpayers a considerable sum of money and reduce energy consumption, ultimately protecting our environment,” Reina said. “This is the beginning of the township’s quest to save on energy costs and our commitment to going green.”
Initial plans called for the replacement of all 5,000 streetlight fixtures throughout town. However, according to Dan Burke, township engineer, the cost of having police direct traffic during the replacement of all of those light fixtures would negatively impact the number of lights officials could afford to replace.
The street light project was conceived of and spearheaded by late BRCC member George Sutton, who died last summer in a tragic accident while preparing for a family vacation.
The installation of nine LED street lamps in Bird Rock began Monday, May 14. The Bird Rock Community Council purchased the lamps with $229,000 in maintenance assessment district (MAD) funds. Pat Sherman photos
“This is an emotional project for the Bird Rock Community Council and the community,” BRCC President Joe Parker said. “George was a very active volunteer, not only in La Jolla at large, but in Bird Rock, having served on the BRCC as well as being actively involved as a member or advocate on behalf of the BRCC on the various committees.”
Though the lights will begin to illuminate Bird Rock as soon as the work is finished, a celebration to honor Sutton and his street lamps is expected to take place the first or second week of June.
“We want to honor George and honor his commitment and thank his family for everything he’s done for Bird Rock,” Parker said. “I think this is a fitting opportunity for that, because this project meant so much to George.”
BRCC treasurer and MAD representative Barbara Dunbar said the lamps were installed to beautify and brighten the neighborhood, and to make the community safer and more pedestrian friendly at night.
The installation of 100 energy-efficient light emitting diode (LED) streetlights is under way in Jackson. In the first phase of the project, the new LED lights will be installed along Nature Boulevard and the nearby 60Acre housing development.
The entire project is expected to replace more than 500 lights throughout Jackson. A $464,500 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy will help fund the project, which is being undertaken by Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L).
Mayor Mike Reina said the LED fixtures are a perfect fit for Jackson’s environmental view, with each fixture being 70 percent more efficient than current streetlights.
The LED lights “will save taxpayers a considerable sum of money and reduce energy consumption, ultimately protecting our environment,” Reina said. “This is the beginning of the township’s quest to save on energy costs and our commitment to going green.”
Initial plans called for the replacement of all 5,000 streetlight fixtures throughout town. However, according to Dan Burke, township engineer, the cost of having police direct traffic during the replacement of all of those light fixtures would negatively impact the number of lights officials could afford to replace.
2012年5月16日 星期三
East Falls Community Council votes against latest security designs for Queen Lane reservoir
This week, members of the East Falls Community Council voted against proposed designs for enhanced security measures at the Philadelphia Water Department's Queen Lane Reservoir in East Falls.
As presented, the design would include the installation of fencing 50 feet from existing fencing and LED lighting along the fence line. The proposed fence would be eight feet tall, spear-topped and have a one-foot outward curve along the Queen Lane perimeter, which the PWD suggested would be a deterrent to unauthorized entry at the facility.
Last week, a mock-up of the new fencing was unveiled in a public meeting at the reservoir. As reported by Newsworks, community response was mixed to the fencing plan, which would move the fence – described by some as "aggressive" – 50 feet forward, encroaching upon open space along Queen Lane.
Presenting the security plan was Michael Lavery, design branch manager for the PWD.
Summarizing the proposal's history, Lavery said that the new security measures were a result of the September 11 attacks, when enhanced scrutiny was given at various levels of government to reassess security at public facilities. Along with airports, water treatment facilities were closely analyzed for threats.
A "best practices" scenario was developed for the city's three drinking water plants, which included an enlarged security perimeter and increased lighting.
"It's a higher deterrent, higher visibility," he said.
Beginning in 2009, the PWD has been in conversation with the community, seeking a solution that would meet with community approval and ensure security for the Queen Lane Reservoir – which, he noted, contains 100 million gallons of drinking water.
Referencing last week's unveiling, Lavery noted that residents were upset.
"There is change, and change can be difficult," he said. "We hope that people are upset with the changes and not with the PWD's participation with the community."
Given this response, Lavery said that the final result would most likely be modified from the current incarnation.
Presenting the neighbors' point-of-view was Paul Elia, an East Falls-based architect who led the discussion with the PWD.
Elia began by complementing the PWD for their willingness to participate in an extended conversation with residents, which resulted in improvements to lighting and landscape regrading, making the site more useable by residents.
However, Elia countered, there remained several concerns over design proposals.
Unlike other PWD reservoirs, Elia noted that the Queen Lane facility stands amidst a largely residential neighborhood.
"You can't use the same cookie-cutter elements from the other reservoirs on this site," he said.
Elia also referenced the distance of the fence from the tree line. At present, the fence is twelve feet out. As originally proposed, the fence would move out 100 feet. A compromise was reached, wherein the fencing would be installed 50 feet from the existing fence.
As presented, the design would include the installation of fencing 50 feet from existing fencing and LED lighting along the fence line. The proposed fence would be eight feet tall, spear-topped and have a one-foot outward curve along the Queen Lane perimeter, which the PWD suggested would be a deterrent to unauthorized entry at the facility.
Last week, a mock-up of the new fencing was unveiled in a public meeting at the reservoir. As reported by Newsworks, community response was mixed to the fencing plan, which would move the fence – described by some as "aggressive" – 50 feet forward, encroaching upon open space along Queen Lane.
Presenting the security plan was Michael Lavery, design branch manager for the PWD.
Summarizing the proposal's history, Lavery said that the new security measures were a result of the September 11 attacks, when enhanced scrutiny was given at various levels of government to reassess security at public facilities. Along with airports, water treatment facilities were closely analyzed for threats.
A "best practices" scenario was developed for the city's three drinking water plants, which included an enlarged security perimeter and increased lighting.
"It's a higher deterrent, higher visibility," he said.
Beginning in 2009, the PWD has been in conversation with the community, seeking a solution that would meet with community approval and ensure security for the Queen Lane Reservoir – which, he noted, contains 100 million gallons of drinking water.
Referencing last week's unveiling, Lavery noted that residents were upset.
"There is change, and change can be difficult," he said. "We hope that people are upset with the changes and not with the PWD's participation with the community."
Given this response, Lavery said that the final result would most likely be modified from the current incarnation.
Presenting the neighbors' point-of-view was Paul Elia, an East Falls-based architect who led the discussion with the PWD.
Elia began by complementing the PWD for their willingness to participate in an extended conversation with residents, which resulted in improvements to lighting and landscape regrading, making the site more useable by residents.
However, Elia countered, there remained several concerns over design proposals.
Unlike other PWD reservoirs, Elia noted that the Queen Lane facility stands amidst a largely residential neighborhood.
"You can't use the same cookie-cutter elements from the other reservoirs on this site," he said.
Elia also referenced the distance of the fence from the tree line. At present, the fence is twelve feet out. As originally proposed, the fence would move out 100 feet. A compromise was reached, wherein the fencing would be installed 50 feet from the existing fence.
2012年5月15日 星期二
GE plans world debut of LED bulb to replace 100-watt incandescent
GE Lighting this past week illuminated a light-emitting diode replacement for the 100-watt incandescent light bulb - developed in its East Cleveland, Ohio LED lab - that packages 27-watts of input power in a standard "A-19" bulb shape. The GE Energy Smart 27-watt LED bulb incorporates proprietary synthetic jet technology that was enabled by GE's collaboration with ecomaginationSM Challenge winner Nuventix, creator of LED cooling technologies for energy-efficient lighting.
GE's 27-watt Energy Smart LED bulb, on store shelves in the US and Canada in the first half of 2013, will debut on May 9 at Lightfair International in Las Vegas, the world's largest lighting trade show. GE's existing portfolio of LED bulbs includes a 13-watt LED (60-watt incandescent replacement) and a 9-watt LED (40-watt incandescent replacement), which was the first incandescent-shaped (A-19) LED in the world to earn Eenergy Star qualification.
Steve Briggs, general manager of LED systems, GE Lighting said GE's innovation team has tackled a previously insurmountable technical challenge: cooling a 100-watt A-19 shaped replacement LED bulb without making it physically bigger. He also said each subsystem such as optics, electronics and thermals needed to be designed for miniaturization and cooperative performance and that GE explored the limits of what's possible and pushed far beyond industry expectations as well as competitors' thinking and product offerings.
GE testing confirms 100-watt incandescent replacement metrics: 1,600+ lumens, uniform omnidirectional light distribution, 3000K color temperature, 25,000-hour life rating (22.8 years at 3 hours per day), dimmable, no mercury, instant full brightness and 60+ lumens per watt - all fitting neatly in the standard A-19 bulb shape.
Briggs added that GE's achievement does more than backfill for the 100-watt incandescent bulb and that GE now have a clear path to attaining even higher light levels, which will give customers more energy-efficient lighting options in both commercial and residential settings. This product fills a real customer need and further extends GE's LED lighting leadership, added Briggs.
Every GE Energy Smart LED incandescent replacement bulb, including the coming 100-watt replacement, offers smooth, incandescent-like dimming, minus the stepped dimming, flicker, shimmer, pop-on, drop-off or even inaction that plague other LED bulbs touting a dimming capability, the vendor said.
The 100-watt replacement LED will expand GE's current family of LED bulbs already offered in a broad range of shapes, wattages and colors, including its 40- and 60-watt LED standard incandescent bulb replacements, spot and flood lights (PAR20 & PAR30), ceiling fan bulbs (A15), medium globes (G25), small globes (G16.5), candles (CA10) and night lights (C7). All of GE's Energy Smart LED bulbs are rigorously tested to ensure constant color, long life and verifiable lumen ratings.
GE's 27-watt Energy Smart LED bulb, on store shelves in the US and Canada in the first half of 2013, will debut on May 9 at Lightfair International in Las Vegas, the world's largest lighting trade show. GE's existing portfolio of LED bulbs includes a 13-watt LED (60-watt incandescent replacement) and a 9-watt LED (40-watt incandescent replacement), which was the first incandescent-shaped (A-19) LED in the world to earn Eenergy Star qualification.
Steve Briggs, general manager of LED systems, GE Lighting said GE's innovation team has tackled a previously insurmountable technical challenge: cooling a 100-watt A-19 shaped replacement LED bulb without making it physically bigger. He also said each subsystem such as optics, electronics and thermals needed to be designed for miniaturization and cooperative performance and that GE explored the limits of what's possible and pushed far beyond industry expectations as well as competitors' thinking and product offerings.
GE testing confirms 100-watt incandescent replacement metrics: 1,600+ lumens, uniform omnidirectional light distribution, 3000K color temperature, 25,000-hour life rating (22.8 years at 3 hours per day), dimmable, no mercury, instant full brightness and 60+ lumens per watt - all fitting neatly in the standard A-19 bulb shape.
Briggs added that GE's achievement does more than backfill for the 100-watt incandescent bulb and that GE now have a clear path to attaining even higher light levels, which will give customers more energy-efficient lighting options in both commercial and residential settings. This product fills a real customer need and further extends GE's LED lighting leadership, added Briggs.
Every GE Energy Smart LED incandescent replacement bulb, including the coming 100-watt replacement, offers smooth, incandescent-like dimming, minus the stepped dimming, flicker, shimmer, pop-on, drop-off or even inaction that plague other LED bulbs touting a dimming capability, the vendor said.
The 100-watt replacement LED will expand GE's current family of LED bulbs already offered in a broad range of shapes, wattages and colors, including its 40- and 60-watt LED standard incandescent bulb replacements, spot and flood lights (PAR20 & PAR30), ceiling fan bulbs (A15), medium globes (G25), small globes (G16.5), candles (CA10) and night lights (C7). All of GE's Energy Smart LED bulbs are rigorously tested to ensure constant color, long life and verifiable lumen ratings.
2012年5月14日 星期一
Clean Green Nation Partners With LLoyd Cooper in Drummond
Clean Green Nation, a company that provides renewable energy equipment and energy efficient products to consumers, has formed a partnership with LLoyd Cooper, a green professional based in Drummond, Montana.
As an authorized Clean Green Nation partner, Lloyd will provide top-quality green products and services to consumers throughout the region. He specializes in solar power, wind, LED lighting, energy efficient products and green living education. Llyod’s focus will be on educating people on how to live greener, specifically in their own homes. He will offer up weatherization tips for Montana homes, as well as products to help achieve energy efficiency.
“There are plenty of alternative land lots in Drummond Montana, where I live,” says Lloyd. “Bio-mass and wind energy are becoming important parts of life here in Montana, not to mention solar power as well. People are beginning to build greener homes, live more eco friendly lifestyles and concerning themselves more with sustainability.”
Another key service that Lloyd will provide to people in his area will be to offer green, energy efficient products through his online ecommerce store. The items will help homeowners achieve different efficiency standards that will qualify them for tax incentives and rebates in Drummond. Lloyd’s selection of products will include tankless hot water heaters, CFL light bulbs, photovoltaic panels and other efficiency items from Clean Green Nation.
In addition to its products, Clean Green Nation is also dedicated to education and other informational resources that will help bring awareness to energy consumers. Clean Green Nation is heightening the awareness of a need for green, renewable energy through its products, services and expert staff. The company's top goal is to help North America reduce its dependence on foreign sources of energy, including oil, on a permanent basis.
"Green energy is the way of the future and brings with it many great qualities that we can embrace," explains Lloyd. "People can save money on their energy bills, reduce their cost of living and do their part to save the environment. I’m looking forward to providing people with quality goods and services centered on sustainability."
“This state has a tremendous advantage when it comes to solar power because of the sunny climate,” says Scott. “Wind energy is also on the rise in the Sunshine State. More coastal areas are starting to harness wind from the ocean breezes to generate a larger amount of renewable energy than ever before.”
Scott will also address the importance of green home construction in Punta Gorda and the different ways that residents can implement green practices in their current homes. He will offer a variety of products through his online store including CFL light bulbs, solar panels, wind turbines, tankless hot water heaters and a slew of other efficiency items. These green products will be moderately priced and certified energy efficient through Clean Green Nation.
As an authorized Clean Green Nation partner, Lloyd will provide top-quality green products and services to consumers throughout the region. He specializes in solar power, wind, LED lighting, energy efficient products and green living education. Llyod’s focus will be on educating people on how to live greener, specifically in their own homes. He will offer up weatherization tips for Montana homes, as well as products to help achieve energy efficiency.
“There are plenty of alternative land lots in Drummond Montana, where I live,” says Lloyd. “Bio-mass and wind energy are becoming important parts of life here in Montana, not to mention solar power as well. People are beginning to build greener homes, live more eco friendly lifestyles and concerning themselves more with sustainability.”
Another key service that Lloyd will provide to people in his area will be to offer green, energy efficient products through his online ecommerce store. The items will help homeowners achieve different efficiency standards that will qualify them for tax incentives and rebates in Drummond. Lloyd’s selection of products will include tankless hot water heaters, CFL light bulbs, photovoltaic panels and other efficiency items from Clean Green Nation.
In addition to its products, Clean Green Nation is also dedicated to education and other informational resources that will help bring awareness to energy consumers. Clean Green Nation is heightening the awareness of a need for green, renewable energy through its products, services and expert staff. The company's top goal is to help North America reduce its dependence on foreign sources of energy, including oil, on a permanent basis.
"Green energy is the way of the future and brings with it many great qualities that we can embrace," explains Lloyd. "People can save money on their energy bills, reduce their cost of living and do their part to save the environment. I’m looking forward to providing people with quality goods and services centered on sustainability."
“This state has a tremendous advantage when it comes to solar power because of the sunny climate,” says Scott. “Wind energy is also on the rise in the Sunshine State. More coastal areas are starting to harness wind from the ocean breezes to generate a larger amount of renewable energy than ever before.”
Scott will also address the importance of green home construction in Punta Gorda and the different ways that residents can implement green practices in their current homes. He will offer a variety of products through his online store including CFL light bulbs, solar panels, wind turbines, tankless hot water heaters and a slew of other efficiency items. These green products will be moderately priced and certified energy efficient through Clean Green Nation.
2012年5月13日 星期日
Is this the UK’s greenest eco-bedroom?
Christina Simons has created a New Forest ‘Eco Room’, with a twist, at her 5-star, multi-award-winning 17th century B&B. Cottage Lodge, - located in the village of Brockenhurst in the New Forest National Park.
Commented Christina: “Customers love cycling the bike that we have had installed to produce energy for the TV. They want to light the fire to warm their water and also enjoy sleeping in a stunning hand-made four-poster bed constructed from a locally felled beech tree. It is sensual, inspirational, and quirky. I wanted to show that being green can also be exciting and fun.”
“I focussed on three things when constructing the eco room: reducing waste, minimising pollution and using resources with the lowest whole life impact possible. Reducing my impact is a lifelong commitment and a labour of love.”
With the help of local tree-surgeon Rob Dyer, Cottage Lodge has made beds, bedroom furniture and tables in the dining room out of felled New Forest trees.
“We’ve also taken many other steps in our 15 room boutique B&B to help the planet. We like being quirky and have been thinking outside the box with everything from energy sourcing to flooring materials,” adds Christina.
Facts about Christina’s Eco Room called ‘Standing Hat’:
Re-cycled energy-generating bicycle
A special bicycle made out of re-cycled parts is located in the room for those who wish to generate their own power for the television. If the cycling gets too tough, the photovoltaic cells on the roof also generate power.
Water source/economy
Cottage Lodge has solar panels located on the roof to produce hot water in the summer. In the winter months, the hot water is kept warm via the wood burning stove in the room. A low-flow toilet and shower help to reduce water usage.
Bedroom furniture
A single beech tree which had fallen down in the village was used by Rob Dyer to create the bedroom’s bed, bedside table, dressing tables, wardrobe and mirror.
Low-carbon materials
Materials that were selected for their low-carbon properties in the room include Marmoleum (jute) for the bathroom floor and bamboo for the bedroom floor and walls. The room also uses LED lighting and low-energy light bulbs. Eco paints and low impact building materials were used throughout.
Commented Christina: “Customers love cycling the bike that we have had installed to produce energy for the TV. They want to light the fire to warm their water and also enjoy sleeping in a stunning hand-made four-poster bed constructed from a locally felled beech tree. It is sensual, inspirational, and quirky. I wanted to show that being green can also be exciting and fun.”
“I focussed on three things when constructing the eco room: reducing waste, minimising pollution and using resources with the lowest whole life impact possible. Reducing my impact is a lifelong commitment and a labour of love.”
With the help of local tree-surgeon Rob Dyer, Cottage Lodge has made beds, bedroom furniture and tables in the dining room out of felled New Forest trees.
“We’ve also taken many other steps in our 15 room boutique B&B to help the planet. We like being quirky and have been thinking outside the box with everything from energy sourcing to flooring materials,” adds Christina.
Facts about Christina’s Eco Room called ‘Standing Hat’:
Re-cycled energy-generating bicycle
A special bicycle made out of re-cycled parts is located in the room for those who wish to generate their own power for the television. If the cycling gets too tough, the photovoltaic cells on the roof also generate power.
Water source/economy
Cottage Lodge has solar panels located on the roof to produce hot water in the summer. In the winter months, the hot water is kept warm via the wood burning stove in the room. A low-flow toilet and shower help to reduce water usage.
Bedroom furniture
A single beech tree which had fallen down in the village was used by Rob Dyer to create the bedroom’s bed, bedside table, dressing tables, wardrobe and mirror.
Low-carbon materials
Materials that were selected for their low-carbon properties in the room include Marmoleum (jute) for the bathroom floor and bamboo for the bedroom floor and walls. The room also uses LED lighting and low-energy light bulbs. Eco paints and low impact building materials were used throughout.
2012年5月10日 星期四
Event Preview: Hampton Bays Middle To Celebrate Green Award
To celebrate a national award the school received last month for being "green," the Hampton Bays Middle School will hold a "Green Pep Rally" on Friday at 9:30 a.m in the school's gym.
The event, according to school officials, will feature students reading essays they wrote about being "green" and all students will take a pledge to be "green."
Expected to attend the event will be officials, including Congresman Tim Bishop, Assemblyman Fred Thiele, and Suffolk County Legislator Jay Schneiderman.
Hampton Bays Middle School, which was selected from a field of 350 schools to receive the award from the United States Department of Education shares the honor with 78 other schools from across the county.
Hampton Bays Middle was nominated for the award for "comprehensively approach creating 'green' environments by reducing environmental impact, promoting health, and ensuring a high-quality environmental and outdoor education that prepares students with necessary 21st century skills."
Located at 70 Ponquogue Avenue, the Hampton Bays Middle School, which was designed by Patchogue Architect Roger Smith of BBS Architects and Engineers, first opened it's doors in on Feb. 25, 2008 and since has received numerous green awards. It is a Green Project of Distinction winner in the Green Education Showcase and obtained the coveted silver recognition certification from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design system. In 2009, the Long Island Power Authority also recognized the middle school for the latter achievement with a rebate of $300,000 for efficiency measures.
The 146,400-square-foot school, houses 800 students, grades five through eight in 30 classrooms. It was constructed under a $42 million bond that was approved by voters in March 2004.
On the 'green' side, the majority of materials used in the middle school's construction are made from recyclable and easily renewable materials: mold growth preventative materials, synthetic floors, and mold-resistant gypsum wall board were all utilized.
The lighting system for the school consists of hi-lumen low power lamps, reducing the lighting power density and cost of electricity and the classrooms are equipped with motion sensors to turn lights on and off to also conserve energy. These measures cut energy costs by an estimated 30 percent compared to the minimum New York State Energy Code requirements.
The building's design itself is equipped "state-of-the-art technology infrastructure" that includes Smart Boards in every classroom, wireless Internet services and sensor locks for security.
The event, according to school officials, will feature students reading essays they wrote about being "green" and all students will take a pledge to be "green."
Expected to attend the event will be officials, including Congresman Tim Bishop, Assemblyman Fred Thiele, and Suffolk County Legislator Jay Schneiderman.
Hampton Bays Middle School, which was selected from a field of 350 schools to receive the award from the United States Department of Education shares the honor with 78 other schools from across the county.
Hampton Bays Middle was nominated for the award for "comprehensively approach creating 'green' environments by reducing environmental impact, promoting health, and ensuring a high-quality environmental and outdoor education that prepares students with necessary 21st century skills."
Located at 70 Ponquogue Avenue, the Hampton Bays Middle School, which was designed by Patchogue Architect Roger Smith of BBS Architects and Engineers, first opened it's doors in on Feb. 25, 2008 and since has received numerous green awards. It is a Green Project of Distinction winner in the Green Education Showcase and obtained the coveted silver recognition certification from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design system. In 2009, the Long Island Power Authority also recognized the middle school for the latter achievement with a rebate of $300,000 for efficiency measures.
The 146,400-square-foot school, houses 800 students, grades five through eight in 30 classrooms. It was constructed under a $42 million bond that was approved by voters in March 2004.
On the 'green' side, the majority of materials used in the middle school's construction are made from recyclable and easily renewable materials: mold growth preventative materials, synthetic floors, and mold-resistant gypsum wall board were all utilized.
The lighting system for the school consists of hi-lumen low power lamps, reducing the lighting power density and cost of electricity and the classrooms are equipped with motion sensors to turn lights on and off to also conserve energy. These measures cut energy costs by an estimated 30 percent compared to the minimum New York State Energy Code requirements.
The building's design itself is equipped "state-of-the-art technology infrastructure" that includes Smart Boards in every classroom, wireless Internet services and sensor locks for security.
2012年5月9日 星期三
Lightfair Briefing: Switch, EMerge Alliance, WAC, Lighting Science, Cirrus Logic, Lunera
Here’s a round-up of lighting news being released as the industry gathers at the Lightfair International show in Las Vegas:
Switch Lighting has announced the availability of its family of LED A-lamps. Switch says they are the only liquid-cooled LED A-lamps that can be used in any fixture, any orientation, both indoors and out. The company will be unveiling 40, 60, 75, and 100 watt-equivalent lamps and the SWITCH3-Way, a 25/50/75 watt-equivalent LED incandescent replacement A-Lamp for use in three way fixtures.
The EMerge Alliance – an open industry association pushing for the rapid adoption of safe direct-current power distribution standards for commercial buildings – today announced the addition of six new members. GVA Lighting, Amatis Controls, PolyBrite International, SRI North America, Power Sources Manufacturers Association and Penn State University have joined the organization.
WAC Lighting is to unveil a commercial grade outdoor wall sconce that casts light up and down. The die-cast aluminum constructed sconce is designed with a regressed LED light source and a 35-degree cut-off angle that provide consistent glare-free, shadowless illumination, the company says.
Lighting Science Group announced the launch of its Forefront line of architectural luminaires. Forefront lights are available in area, flood, highbay, pedestrian and wall variations. The line is also the first to use Lighting Science Group’s occupancy sensing technology PixelView.
Cirrus Logic Inc. has introduced its second family of digital LED controllers with digital TruDim dimmer compatibility technology. The new CS163X family provides two-channel LED color mixing capabilities allowing LED bulb manufacturers to more efficiently create warm, natural-style light, while also lowering the cost barrier for two-channel LED retrofit bulbs. The line is compatible with all existing dimmers, Cirrus says.
GlacialLight has launched the GL-PL0312 LED Panel Light (pictured). The high-efficiency 58W LED panel is designed to replace older, less-efficient light panels. Its key advantages are reduced power costs, long life, and low heat, the company says.
Lunera Lighting Inc. has released a 110 lumen per watt recessed troffer that the company says delivers efficient, natural light to a variety of general lighting applications. The Series 22 luminaire supports multiple lumen packages and is robust enough to deliver up to 8000 lumens.
Switch Lighting has announced the availability of its family of LED A-lamps. Switch says they are the only liquid-cooled LED A-lamps that can be used in any fixture, any orientation, both indoors and out. The company will be unveiling 40, 60, 75, and 100 watt-equivalent lamps and the SWITCH3-Way, a 25/50/75 watt-equivalent LED incandescent replacement A-Lamp for use in three way fixtures.
The EMerge Alliance – an open industry association pushing for the rapid adoption of safe direct-current power distribution standards for commercial buildings – today announced the addition of six new members. GVA Lighting, Amatis Controls, PolyBrite International, SRI North America, Power Sources Manufacturers Association and Penn State University have joined the organization.
WAC Lighting is to unveil a commercial grade outdoor wall sconce that casts light up and down. The die-cast aluminum constructed sconce is designed with a regressed LED light source and a 35-degree cut-off angle that provide consistent glare-free, shadowless illumination, the company says.
Lighting Science Group announced the launch of its Forefront line of architectural luminaires. Forefront lights are available in area, flood, highbay, pedestrian and wall variations. The line is also the first to use Lighting Science Group’s occupancy sensing technology PixelView.
Cirrus Logic Inc. has introduced its second family of digital LED controllers with digital TruDim dimmer compatibility technology. The new CS163X family provides two-channel LED color mixing capabilities allowing LED bulb manufacturers to more efficiently create warm, natural-style light, while also lowering the cost barrier for two-channel LED retrofit bulbs. The line is compatible with all existing dimmers, Cirrus says.
GlacialLight has launched the GL-PL0312 LED Panel Light (pictured). The high-efficiency 58W LED panel is designed to replace older, less-efficient light panels. Its key advantages are reduced power costs, long life, and low heat, the company says.
Lunera Lighting Inc. has released a 110 lumen per watt recessed troffer that the company says delivers efficient, natural light to a variety of general lighting applications. The Series 22 luminaire supports multiple lumen packages and is robust enough to deliver up to 8000 lumens.
2012年5月8日 星期二
Building Professionals Find New LED Lighting Resources at Elemental LED
New Lighting Retrofit Program at Elemental LED Offers LED Replacements for T8 and T12 Fluorescent Tubes.
San Francisco, CA - Elemental LED, a San Francisco Bay Area-based LED lighting company, just launched Build, a new program for building professionals. The program, which has been under development for the past several months, offers commercial-grade LED lighting products for building retrofits, as well as end-to-end energy saving solutions.
Among the most popular Elemental LED Build product offerings are T8 and T12 LED fixtures from On-Q that replace T8 and T12 fluorescent tubes. On-Q LED T8 tubes use only 16 watts of energy and reduce energy use 30% to 70% from traditional fluorescent fixtures. These LED replacements also don't flicker or hum and don't experience delay when turned on. They have a significantly longer life so they don't need to be replaced as often.
"LED replacements for fluorescent T8 tubes is one of the most sought after retrofit products these days. Elemental LED is excited to join the market for this super cost and energy saving tool," says Matthew John, Director of Business Development at Elemental LED.
Retrofit products are not the only energy saving tools now available through Elemental LED Build. Project management, contract pricing, product samples, energy-saving calculations, and rebate and incentive discovery are all services offered to Build customers. In addition, Build has partnered with an energy-management software company so that it can offer customers long-term energy and cost management.
"Customers can easily get ahold of a lighting application specialist during business hours by calling us directly or contacting us through the Build web portal," says Craig McCauslan, National Sales Manager at Elemental LED. "We've got folks standing by to talk to customers about their lighting needs and the challenges they face in retrofitting to LED."
The new Elemental LED Build portal offers information on all Build product offerings, including the T8/T12 LED replacement tubes, with downloadable spec sheets and IES files. The web portal also gives customers access to several case studies that illustrate real application of the LED retrofit products and a breakdown of the cost and energy savings associated with the retrofits.
About Elemental LED: Elemental LED is where style and affordability meet sustainable lighting. Elemental LED offers a wide selection of LED lighting products for home and business owners, including LED strip lights, light bars, puck lights, wall washers, light bulbs, controllers, power supplies and more. Products include color-changing, dimming and waterproof functionality. Elemental LED offers in house engineering and comprehensive customer service and education, from live phone support to online tutorials. LED lighting technology is the safest, hippest, and most energy efficient way to light up the world.
San Francisco, CA - Elemental LED, a San Francisco Bay Area-based LED lighting company, just launched Build, a new program for building professionals. The program, which has been under development for the past several months, offers commercial-grade LED lighting products for building retrofits, as well as end-to-end energy saving solutions.
Among the most popular Elemental LED Build product offerings are T8 and T12 LED fixtures from On-Q that replace T8 and T12 fluorescent tubes. On-Q LED T8 tubes use only 16 watts of energy and reduce energy use 30% to 70% from traditional fluorescent fixtures. These LED replacements also don't flicker or hum and don't experience delay when turned on. They have a significantly longer life so they don't need to be replaced as often.
"LED replacements for fluorescent T8 tubes is one of the most sought after retrofit products these days. Elemental LED is excited to join the market for this super cost and energy saving tool," says Matthew John, Director of Business Development at Elemental LED.
Retrofit products are not the only energy saving tools now available through Elemental LED Build. Project management, contract pricing, product samples, energy-saving calculations, and rebate and incentive discovery are all services offered to Build customers. In addition, Build has partnered with an energy-management software company so that it can offer customers long-term energy and cost management.
"Customers can easily get ahold of a lighting application specialist during business hours by calling us directly or contacting us through the Build web portal," says Craig McCauslan, National Sales Manager at Elemental LED. "We've got folks standing by to talk to customers about their lighting needs and the challenges they face in retrofitting to LED."
The new Elemental LED Build portal offers information on all Build product offerings, including the T8/T12 LED replacement tubes, with downloadable spec sheets and IES files. The web portal also gives customers access to several case studies that illustrate real application of the LED retrofit products and a breakdown of the cost and energy savings associated with the retrofits.
About Elemental LED: Elemental LED is where style and affordability meet sustainable lighting. Elemental LED offers a wide selection of LED lighting products for home and business owners, including LED strip lights, light bars, puck lights, wall washers, light bulbs, controllers, power supplies and more. Products include color-changing, dimming and waterproof functionality. Elemental LED offers in house engineering and comprehensive customer service and education, from live phone support to online tutorials. LED lighting technology is the safest, hippest, and most energy efficient way to light up the world.
2012年5月7日 星期一
Philips to Shine at Lightfair 2012 with Next Generation LED Technology
This week at Lightfair International, Philips, the world leader in LED lighting systems will be showcasing the company's next generation LED lighting solutions. Offerings from Philips Color Kinetics, Philips Lamps, Philips Lightolier, Philips Lumec, Philips Lumileds, Philips Lumiblade OLED, Philips Teletrol and Philips Wide-Lite will be showcased, demonstrating the latest LED systems for architectural, outdoor, retail, and consumer applications. Ranging from components, electronics and fixtures to complete LED lighting systems with advanced controls, the latest introductions demonstrate Philips' complete approach to energy-efficient and high quality lighting.
-- A breakthrough dimmable 100-watt LED equivalent lamp using just 23 watts to deliver nearly 1700 lumens that will be commercially available in the fourth quarter.
-- An expanded line of dimmable Philips EnduraLED retrofit lamps that provide crisp, white light while eliminating traditional heat sincs with Airflux technology.
-- New flexible outdoor LED lighting solutions from Philips Lumec and Philips Wide-Lite that combine state-of-the-art lighting fixtures, a modular approach and control systems for outdoor applications that improve site, road and pedestrian safety, while increasing light quality.
-- Innovative new architectural lighting solutions from Philips Lightolier and Philips Color Kinetics that address the challenges of lighting interiors and building facades.
-- Philips LivingShapes - an interactive OLED mirror for consumer and retail applications.
-- Software-based control systems from Philips Teletrol that can manage lighting systems across multiple locations.
The latest Philips offerings further highlight how the company is at the forefront of an exciting industry revolution. Solutions from Philips Color Kinetics, Philips Lumec and Philips Wide-Lite will show how outdoor lighting solutions can help cities create a sense of safety, while also creating a unique look that adds to a city's sense of community and identity. These solutions will demonstrate that LED can deliver light quality that rivals that of traditional light sources with the flexibility to adapt as needs change. Moreover, these solutions can mitigate both wasteful light and light pollution, while proving that high-performance fixtures can transform environments.
Philips will also be introducing new advances in LED technology from Philips Lumileds, demonstrating their broad portfolio of products, inluding LUXEON H for space constrained applications. The new easy drop-in assembly will allow for small form factors with industry-leading light quality. With Philips' new LivingShapes, Philips takes OLED technology for consumer and retail applications to the next level with an interactive mirror that uses Infrared (should Infared be capitalized?) to detect a person and adjust light levels. Moreover, Philips Teletrol will demonstrate the latest version of their management application that helps commercial customers centrally manage their lighting systems.
-- A breakthrough dimmable 100-watt LED equivalent lamp using just 23 watts to deliver nearly 1700 lumens that will be commercially available in the fourth quarter.
-- An expanded line of dimmable Philips EnduraLED retrofit lamps that provide crisp, white light while eliminating traditional heat sincs with Airflux technology.
-- New flexible outdoor LED lighting solutions from Philips Lumec and Philips Wide-Lite that combine state-of-the-art lighting fixtures, a modular approach and control systems for outdoor applications that improve site, road and pedestrian safety, while increasing light quality.
-- Innovative new architectural lighting solutions from Philips Lightolier and Philips Color Kinetics that address the challenges of lighting interiors and building facades.
-- Philips LivingShapes - an interactive OLED mirror for consumer and retail applications.
-- Software-based control systems from Philips Teletrol that can manage lighting systems across multiple locations.
The latest Philips offerings further highlight how the company is at the forefront of an exciting industry revolution. Solutions from Philips Color Kinetics, Philips Lumec and Philips Wide-Lite will show how outdoor lighting solutions can help cities create a sense of safety, while also creating a unique look that adds to a city's sense of community and identity. These solutions will demonstrate that LED can deliver light quality that rivals that of traditional light sources with the flexibility to adapt as needs change. Moreover, these solutions can mitigate both wasteful light and light pollution, while proving that high-performance fixtures can transform environments.
Philips will also be introducing new advances in LED technology from Philips Lumileds, demonstrating their broad portfolio of products, inluding LUXEON H for space constrained applications. The new easy drop-in assembly will allow for small form factors with industry-leading light quality. With Philips' new LivingShapes, Philips takes OLED technology for consumer and retail applications to the next level with an interactive mirror that uses Infrared (should Infared be capitalized?) to detect a person and adjust light levels. Moreover, Philips Teletrol will demonstrate the latest version of their management application that helps commercial customers centrally manage their lighting systems.
2012年5月6日 星期日
Sonoma County rebuffs state's redevelopment denial
An oversight board tasked with managing former redevelopment funds for Sonoma County government is standing by its two largest projects, rebuffing a state message last week that deemed the projects invalid for continued funding and work.
The projects would transform a shopping center in Roseland into a commercial and residential complex with a community plaza and also would complete street, sidewalk and lighting upgrades to Highway 12 in an area north of Sonoma known as the Springs.
The oversight panel voted unanimously Friday to reaffirm its claim that the county can carry forward with the work under state legislation that dissolved redevelopment earlier this year.
The decision backed a broader March 26 vote by the seven-member oversight panel to spend up to $19.5 million in property taxes and bond proceeds to complete the two high-profile projects and numerous smaller initiatives.
That plan was subject to state review, however, and it was dealt a blow last week. Department of Finance officials notified the county that the Roseland and Highway 12 projects did not meet the test for "enforceable obligations," the term for projects that can be continued with redevelopment funds.
The ruling raised the possibility of liquidation for the projects' unspent funding, including $10.4 million for Highway 12 and $6.4 million for Roseland.
But the local oversight board again asserted its stake in that money Friday and its support for projects that proponents say will have significant community benefits.
"We believe we have a strong position on this," said Sonoma County Supervisor Efren Carrillo, who sits on the appointed oversight board. It includes a majority of county representatives, along with one city of Santa Rosa official and two school officials representing primary education and Santa Rosa Junior College.
The panel authorized returning to the state the county's list of redevelopment projects with only minor modifications.
Supervisor Valerie Brown, chairwoman of the oversight board, and County Counsel Bruce Goldstein also sent letters pressing the county's case.
They cite state law on the phase-out of redevelopment and contend that the oversight board's March 26 vote rendered the county's list of projects "enforceable obligations."
They also argued that the benefits of continuing with the projects -- including cleanup of environmental contamination, safety upgrades to roads and boosted property tax revenue in blighted areas -- would outweigh any gains from halting the efforts and redistributing the money to other public agencies and services.
The projects would transform a shopping center in Roseland into a commercial and residential complex with a community plaza and also would complete street, sidewalk and lighting upgrades to Highway 12 in an area north of Sonoma known as the Springs.
The oversight panel voted unanimously Friday to reaffirm its claim that the county can carry forward with the work under state legislation that dissolved redevelopment earlier this year.
The decision backed a broader March 26 vote by the seven-member oversight panel to spend up to $19.5 million in property taxes and bond proceeds to complete the two high-profile projects and numerous smaller initiatives.
That plan was subject to state review, however, and it was dealt a blow last week. Department of Finance officials notified the county that the Roseland and Highway 12 projects did not meet the test for "enforceable obligations," the term for projects that can be continued with redevelopment funds.
The ruling raised the possibility of liquidation for the projects' unspent funding, including $10.4 million for Highway 12 and $6.4 million for Roseland.
But the local oversight board again asserted its stake in that money Friday and its support for projects that proponents say will have significant community benefits.
"We believe we have a strong position on this," said Sonoma County Supervisor Efren Carrillo, who sits on the appointed oversight board. It includes a majority of county representatives, along with one city of Santa Rosa official and two school officials representing primary education and Santa Rosa Junior College.
The panel authorized returning to the state the county's list of redevelopment projects with only minor modifications.
Supervisor Valerie Brown, chairwoman of the oversight board, and County Counsel Bruce Goldstein also sent letters pressing the county's case.
They cite state law on the phase-out of redevelopment and contend that the oversight board's March 26 vote rendered the county's list of projects "enforceable obligations."
They also argued that the benefits of continuing with the projects -- including cleanup of environmental contamination, safety upgrades to roads and boosted property tax revenue in blighted areas -- would outweigh any gains from halting the efforts and redistributing the money to other public agencies and services.
2012年5月3日 星期四
Wall to wall hardware
BUNNINGS Goulburn will open its doors to customers by the end of this year and developers say there will be at least 100 permanent jobs secured for residents by the megastore.
H Troon, a Ballarat building company, began construction on the complex late last year.
All concrete wall panels have been installed and over half the structural steel has been erected.
Set to be over nine metres tall, and encompassing the good part of the three hectare block across from the Big Merino, it is believed that the total project will cost the retail giant more than $23 million to complete.
Residents can expect the warehouse will include an indoor trade arena, landscape supply yard, external timber trade, outdoor nursery, café, kids playground and a 204 space car park.
Managing director of Bunnings NSW John Gillam said: “We are excited about the progress of the new warehouse in Goulburn, and we are looking forward to bringing a new store that offers community support, employment opportunities and convenience.”
He said the store is on track, on budget and on schedule.
In line with Bunnings’ commitment to sustainability, the Goulburn store will be tailored for water and energy harvesting, Mr Gillam said. A solar hot water system will be installed alongside an evaporative cooling system.
Four underground water tanks, with capacities of up to 35,000, will be used to irrigate the nursery and supply the toilets.
A recycled water tank will also collect run off from the nursery to reuse on surrounding landscapes.
Basin tap flow restrictors, half flush cistern adaptors and water fittings and fixtures will also aid in keeping aqua consumption low.
In a bid to curb high energy consumption Bunnings will use LED lighting for all external perimeters of the car park and nursery.
“Over 80 per cent of a store’s annual footprint can be attributed to electricity from lighting, making energy efficient lighting measures a priority,” Mr Gillam said.
A tri level lighting system, which automatically dims artificial light when natural sunlight is detected, will also be installed. Skylights will be one of the main features, harvesting natural daylight hours.
H Troon, a Ballarat building company, began construction on the complex late last year.
All concrete wall panels have been installed and over half the structural steel has been erected.
Set to be over nine metres tall, and encompassing the good part of the three hectare block across from the Big Merino, it is believed that the total project will cost the retail giant more than $23 million to complete.
Residents can expect the warehouse will include an indoor trade arena, landscape supply yard, external timber trade, outdoor nursery, café, kids playground and a 204 space car park.
Managing director of Bunnings NSW John Gillam said: “We are excited about the progress of the new warehouse in Goulburn, and we are looking forward to bringing a new store that offers community support, employment opportunities and convenience.”
He said the store is on track, on budget and on schedule.
In line with Bunnings’ commitment to sustainability, the Goulburn store will be tailored for water and energy harvesting, Mr Gillam said. A solar hot water system will be installed alongside an evaporative cooling system.
Four underground water tanks, with capacities of up to 35,000, will be used to irrigate the nursery and supply the toilets.
A recycled water tank will also collect run off from the nursery to reuse on surrounding landscapes.
Basin tap flow restrictors, half flush cistern adaptors and water fittings and fixtures will also aid in keeping aqua consumption low.
In a bid to curb high energy consumption Bunnings will use LED lighting for all external perimeters of the car park and nursery.
“Over 80 per cent of a store’s annual footprint can be attributed to electricity from lighting, making energy efficient lighting measures a priority,” Mr Gillam said.
A tri level lighting system, which automatically dims artificial light when natural sunlight is detected, will also be installed. Skylights will be one of the main features, harvesting natural daylight hours.
2012年5月2日 星期三
Future of Lighting Plays Out in Iowa Town, Global Courts
Pocahontas, Iowa, population about 1,700, is on the cutting edge of a tech revolution. It replaced all 280 of its street lamps with semiconductors that convert electricity into light.
The old yellowish lamps now shine a brighter white and use about half the electricity, which should let the $190,000 investment pay off within four years, City Administrator Robert Donahoo said in an interview.
Pocahontas is on the vanguard of a transformation in lighting as incandescent bulbs, fluorescent tubes, high-pressure sodium lights, and even the backlighting of some television sets are gradually replaced by light-emitting diodes. Phone and computer screens, Audi AG’s “eyebrow” headlights, and traffic signals all use LEDs.
It’s become a gold rush for LED makers. It has also spawned patent lawsuits around the globe over inventions that make lights brighter and more economical. In the U.S., patent- infringement suits involving LED technology have been filed in Connecticut over custom headlights, in Florida over marine lighting, and in North Carolina over motorcycle accessories.
“LEDs are transforming the whole business model for lighting from one that’s based on replacement to one that’s based on installation,” said Eric Bloom, a London-based senior analyst for Pike Research specializing in smart building technologies.
Because LED lighting can last for 30 years, “getting in at the get-go is absolutely crucial for the lighting market of the future,” he said.
The largest battle pits Siemens AG (SIE)’s Osram unit against Korean electronics makers LG Electronics Inc. (066570) and Samsung Electronics Co. Each is trying to block the other from bringing their LEDs into the U.S. through four trials in Washington that began April 26. Lawsuits also are pending in Germany, Korea, Japan and China.
The contested technology among the three also includes LEDs that are used in televisions to create the light for liquid crystal displays. They reduce power consumption, improve longevity and enable TVs to be as thin as a tablet computer.
“These are new markets, new products and a lot of money is on the line,” said David Radulescu, a patent lawyer with Quinn Emanuel in New York who has represented LED companies for more than a decade. “Companies want to protect their investments and their market.”
Another case, at the U.S. International Trade Commission, was filed by Litepanels Inc., a California-based unit of British broadcast-equipment maker Vitec Group Inc. that made the lighting for the press briefing rooms at the White House and Pentagon. It’s trying to keep Chinese competitors out of the U.S. market.
“As the popularity and goodwill associated with Litepanels-branded lighting systems has grown, so too has the number of foreign and U.S.-based operations that try to capitalize on Litepanels’ investments,” the company, which won a 2009 Emmy award for engineering, said in the ITC complaint. A trial is scheduled for June in Washington.
The market for traditional home lighting, currently about $12 billion a year, is projected to fall to about $5 billion as LED lights can last for decades. They’re expected to replace incandescent bulbs, which are being phased out in most developed countries, and compact fluorescent bulbs that have environmental concerns, Bloom said.
The old yellowish lamps now shine a brighter white and use about half the electricity, which should let the $190,000 investment pay off within four years, City Administrator Robert Donahoo said in an interview.
Pocahontas is on the vanguard of a transformation in lighting as incandescent bulbs, fluorescent tubes, high-pressure sodium lights, and even the backlighting of some television sets are gradually replaced by light-emitting diodes. Phone and computer screens, Audi AG’s “eyebrow” headlights, and traffic signals all use LEDs.
It’s become a gold rush for LED makers. It has also spawned patent lawsuits around the globe over inventions that make lights brighter and more economical. In the U.S., patent- infringement suits involving LED technology have been filed in Connecticut over custom headlights, in Florida over marine lighting, and in North Carolina over motorcycle accessories.
“LEDs are transforming the whole business model for lighting from one that’s based on replacement to one that’s based on installation,” said Eric Bloom, a London-based senior analyst for Pike Research specializing in smart building technologies.
Because LED lighting can last for 30 years, “getting in at the get-go is absolutely crucial for the lighting market of the future,” he said.
The largest battle pits Siemens AG (SIE)’s Osram unit against Korean electronics makers LG Electronics Inc. (066570) and Samsung Electronics Co. Each is trying to block the other from bringing their LEDs into the U.S. through four trials in Washington that began April 26. Lawsuits also are pending in Germany, Korea, Japan and China.
The contested technology among the three also includes LEDs that are used in televisions to create the light for liquid crystal displays. They reduce power consumption, improve longevity and enable TVs to be as thin as a tablet computer.
“These are new markets, new products and a lot of money is on the line,” said David Radulescu, a patent lawyer with Quinn Emanuel in New York who has represented LED companies for more than a decade. “Companies want to protect their investments and their market.”
Another case, at the U.S. International Trade Commission, was filed by Litepanels Inc., a California-based unit of British broadcast-equipment maker Vitec Group Inc. that made the lighting for the press briefing rooms at the White House and Pentagon. It’s trying to keep Chinese competitors out of the U.S. market.
“As the popularity and goodwill associated with Litepanels-branded lighting systems has grown, so too has the number of foreign and U.S.-based operations that try to capitalize on Litepanels’ investments,” the company, which won a 2009 Emmy award for engineering, said in the ITC complaint. A trial is scheduled for June in Washington.
The market for traditional home lighting, currently about $12 billion a year, is projected to fall to about $5 billion as LED lights can last for decades. They’re expected to replace incandescent bulbs, which are being phased out in most developed countries, and compact fluorescent bulbs that have environmental concerns, Bloom said.
2012年5月1日 星期二
Every day can be be Earth Day at MSTC
Mid-State Technical College, and Wisconsin's 15 other technical colleges, are leading the way for a sustainable future. In addition to educating students for careers in renewable energy occupations, such as geothermal, wind and solar, Wisconsin's Technical Colleges are incorporating the principles of sustainability into the coursework of traditional occupational programs.
MSTC offers a variety of programs centered in sustainability, much of it the first of its kind in the Wisconsin Technical College System. Associate degree programs at MSTC include biorefinery technician, energy efficiency technician, renewable electricity technician, renewable energy specialist and renewable thermal energy technician. Countless graduates will help business and industry integrate sustainable practices into everyday operations.
We promote sustainability by purchasing recycled paper products, recycling paper and plastic bottles, reusing office supplies and using biodegradable products like cups and trash bags. Unique new water stations encourage the use of refillable water bottles and provide a digital tally of the number of plastic bottles saved from disposal. Urban forestry students have planted thousands of trees, shrubs and flowers as a part of their learning experience.
One MSTC club, Students Environmentally United for a Sustainable Society, or SEUSS, promotes environmental sustainability by engaging students, employees and members of our communities in activities, education and a proactive lifestyle of sustainability.
Our building automation systems are designed to increase energy efficiency and reduce our carbon footprint. We take advantage of off-peak electricity to make ice at night that then is used in air conditioning during the day. Computer labs are cooled with outdoor air rather than air conditioning whenever possible. We also reduce energy usage through LED and other energy-efficient light fixtures, solar tube lighting, extra insulation, motion balance sensors, carpooling and modified hours of operation.
Faculty and students in our five renewable energy programs are using Wisconsin Rapids campus facilities as learning laboratories and testing grounds, their hands-on learning an investment in making the college more energy efficient. Solar panels one day will feed directly into our Wisconsin Rapids campus, reducing our need for electricity from fossil fuel sources.
Thermal energy collectors will provide primary heat for several large areas. A buyback meter will capture electricity produced from classroom solar panels, an ethanol generator, wind turbines and bio-diesel fuel generator when they are not being used as teaching tools.
The new Center for Sustainability and Energy Technology, a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certifiable building, eventually might have a green roof -- a layer of vegetation that provides additional insulation and lessens runoff.
MSTC offers a variety of programs centered in sustainability, much of it the first of its kind in the Wisconsin Technical College System. Associate degree programs at MSTC include biorefinery technician, energy efficiency technician, renewable electricity technician, renewable energy specialist and renewable thermal energy technician. Countless graduates will help business and industry integrate sustainable practices into everyday operations.
We promote sustainability by purchasing recycled paper products, recycling paper and plastic bottles, reusing office supplies and using biodegradable products like cups and trash bags. Unique new water stations encourage the use of refillable water bottles and provide a digital tally of the number of plastic bottles saved from disposal. Urban forestry students have planted thousands of trees, shrubs and flowers as a part of their learning experience.
One MSTC club, Students Environmentally United for a Sustainable Society, or SEUSS, promotes environmental sustainability by engaging students, employees and members of our communities in activities, education and a proactive lifestyle of sustainability.
Our building automation systems are designed to increase energy efficiency and reduce our carbon footprint. We take advantage of off-peak electricity to make ice at night that then is used in air conditioning during the day. Computer labs are cooled with outdoor air rather than air conditioning whenever possible. We also reduce energy usage through LED and other energy-efficient light fixtures, solar tube lighting, extra insulation, motion balance sensors, carpooling and modified hours of operation.
Faculty and students in our five renewable energy programs are using Wisconsin Rapids campus facilities as learning laboratories and testing grounds, their hands-on learning an investment in making the college more energy efficient. Solar panels one day will feed directly into our Wisconsin Rapids campus, reducing our need for electricity from fossil fuel sources.
Thermal energy collectors will provide primary heat for several large areas. A buyback meter will capture electricity produced from classroom solar panels, an ethanol generator, wind turbines and bio-diesel fuel generator when they are not being used as teaching tools.
The new Center for Sustainability and Energy Technology, a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certifiable building, eventually might have a green roof -- a layer of vegetation that provides additional insulation and lessens runoff.
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