Archive for March, 2010

Waldt Construction Restores Coastal Heritage

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010

Waldt Construction was an integral part of the rennovation team for the Oregan Inlet Lifesaving Station that was originally built in 1897.

“It was a fascinating project to work on… we found original artifacts in the wall like coast guard logs from 1897, books and newpaper clippings. We enjoyed returning a part of local history back to its orginal beauty.”

–Bridge McDowell, President, Waldt Construction

See more about this process and the plans for this building here:

http://www.metronc.com/article/?id=2060

Before the rennovation…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the rennovation….      

Adobe’s Energy Conservation Efforts Take a New Turn

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

More exciting news about Windspire product placement… check out the photos of the installed Windspires on the roof of the Silicon Valley…

The two buildings on either side create a wind tunnel effect for the Windspires...

20 Windspire Wind Turbines Create Renewable Energy at Silicon Valley Headquarters

03.15.2010 – SAN JOSE, Calif. — Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) and Mariah Power (www.mariahpower.com) today announced Adobe has completed the installation of 20 Windspire® wind turbines at its San Jose, Calif., campus, marking the company’s first renewable energy installation. Adobe is a recognized leader for its green building efforts, which have earned it the U.S. Green Building Council’s highest accolade for green practices. Adobe is the first commercial office building to receive the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design LEED®-EB Platinum certification for its San Jose headquarters and the world’s first commercial enterprise to achieve a total of four Platinum certifications under the LEED program.

The new Windspires are located on Adobe’s sixth–floor patio, which doubles as a rooftop garden and recreational area above an office parking garage. The patio sits between Adobe’s three office towers, which create a wind tunnel effect from sustained winds off the Pacific Ocean.
Each Windspire is 30-feet-tall, 4-feet wide, and weighs 650-pounds. The propeller-free, vertical-axis wind turbine can harness wind power in urban, suburban and rural locations. Adobe selected the Windspire for its powerful, sleek, quiet and aesthetically pleasing design.
“With the installation of the Windspires, we’re adding renewable energy to a long list of green measures Adobe has taken to lessen our environmental impact,” said Randall H. Knox, III, senior director, Global Workplace Solutions, Adobe. “We’ll continue to seek innovative green technology solutions to reduce our energy dependence and inspire others to go green.”
“We feel honored to be included in Adobe’s effort to reduce their impact on the environment,” said Walt Borland, president and CEO of Windspire developer Mariah Power. “The presence of these advanced wind turbines in San Jose will give Adobe’s employees and the greater community an opportunity to experience firsthand our ability to leverage the power of the wind.”
Since 2001, Adobe has saved approximately $6.7 million as a result of its energy and sustainability efforts which include projects such as energy-efficient lighting, real-time water meters for landscaping and an intelligent control system to help monitor building efficiencies.

About Adobe Systems Incorporated
Adobe revolutionizes how the world engages with ideas and information – anytime, anywhere and through any medium. For more information, visit www.adobe.com.

About Windspire
Windspire wind turbines are low-cost, low-noise, attractive wind power generators for use with residential, business, and commercial buildings. Manufactured in the U.S., the Windspire wind turbine is a 30-foot tall, propeller-free, vertical-axis wind turbine designed for harnessing wind power in urban, suburban and rural locations. Windspire’s patented technology maximizes energy conversion from wind into electric power, regardless of changing wind speed and direction. For more information, visit www.mariahpower.com.

Jockey’s Ridge Wind Turbine Installation begins…

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

If you are visiting Jockey’s Ridge these days, watch the wind turbine installation process behind the visitors center.

We will post pictures of the process as it goes along on the www.waldtrenewables.com blog.

Rebar installation

New wind resource map released…

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

Estimates for wind resources for the lower forty eight states have been revised upwards based on new data presented by a collaboration between the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and AWS Truwind.

New Wind Resource Map for the US

This data does help here on the Outer Banks to understand the potential for harvesting wind for energy, specifically at heights greater than 80 feet.

Learn more about this here at

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2010/03/us-wind-potential-higher-than-previously-estimated?cmpid=WindNL-Wednesday-March10-2010.

3rd Annual Green Building Seminar and Expo

Friday, March 5th, 2010

Thanks to everyone who showed up with enthusiasm for renewable energy solutions yesterday at the Green Building Expo at COA in Manteo. We had a great time!

 

 

And the Unanswered Questions about the Bloom Box Are?

Monday, March 1st, 2010

I had several people send me links and other information about the Bloom Box last week. I am as curious as anyone to know what the real story is with this technology.

Here’s a good piece with video that outlines some great questions about the Bloom Box:

http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/video-the-bloom-box-lands-and-the-unanswered-questions-are/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+greentechmedia-all-content+%28Greentech+Media%3A+All+Content%29