Green technology : Buzz

An Annapolis company called Solar Wind Energy Inc. wants to build a massive energy tower on the U.S.-Mexico border, Forbes reports.

"Known as a downdraft tower, the project by Solar Wind Energy Inc., is an untested and hugely ambitious endeavor," Forbes writes. "It has, however, attracted some heavyweight partners, including GE Energy and Whiting-Turner Contracting Co., which has built everything from steel foundries to the Baltimore Ravens’ football stadium."

You can read the rest of the story here. 

Johns Hopkins University says it received $6 million from the National Science Foundation to improve wind farm design, writes the Associated Press in a story carried in BloombergBusinessweek. 

"The researchers will study how to match the varying output of wind farms with power grids that provide a constant flow of electricity to customers," BloombergBusinessweek writes. "Johns Hopkins says researchers from Texas Tech, Smith College and the University of Puerto Rico along with European researchers from Denmark, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium and Spain will also participate in the studies."

You can read the rest of the story here. 

A recent study says that Baltimore has the potential to become an offshore wind power hub, given its port and a steel mill at Sparrows Point, writes the Huffington Post. 

"However, study author Nick Abstoss says attracting companies would require private investment in port facilities and other infrastructure," Huffington Post writes. "The studies released Wednesday come as legislators are considering bills supported by the governor and the MEA to require offshore wind power production in Maryland."

Though plans to promote offshore wind energy died in last year's legislative session, this year Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley will renew his efforts. That's according to North American Windpower. 

The state unveiled the Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2012. 

The bill would create 1,800 construction jobs and 360 maintenance jobs, North American Windpower writes. You can read the rest of the story here. 

A website that covers environmental news has recognized Baltimore as its destination of the week.

Mother Nature Network says Baltimore -- once a "victim of Rust Belt decay -- is now an "ideal East Coast destination."  The article highlights eco-friendly retail outlets, LEED-certified hotels and restaurants that serve dishes sourced from local farms.

"Like other aged East Coast cities such as Philadelphia and Boston, Baltimore has walkable historic sightseeing routes," Mother Nature Network writes. "These, coupled with the city's parks, markets and user-friendly transit options, make it a good addition to low-impact travelers' East Coast itineraries."

You can read the rest of the story here.

In a program believed to be the first of its kind, Morgan State University has teamed with the Calvert County Watermen's Association to help watermen make the transition to aquaculture.

From the source:

A historically black college and Maryland’s designated “Public Urban University,” 140-year-old Morgan State’s campus is in Baltimore, where about 6,000 students are enrolled. The university offers graduate and postgraduate degrees and has programs in architecture, engineering and education, and other liberal arts programs.

And since 2004, Morgan State has run a marine research facility that is working with the Calvert County Watermen’s Association to provide equipment and training to help the watermen make the transition to oyster aquaculturists while preserving the culture and heritage of the profession.

“I believe we’re the first historically black college with this kind of facility,” said Kelton Clark, director of the Morgan State University Estuarine Research Center.

Read the whole story here.

The groundbreaking ceremony has been held and now it's official: the GM plant in White Marsh will begin manufacturing electric motor components in 2013.

From the source:

"Chevy Volt fans with any lingering fears that the electric car might meet a similar fate to the GM EV1 should take comfort in General Motor's latest announcement: the automaker's plant in While Marsh, Maryland near Baltimore, is scheduled to build components for electric motors (for both plug-in electric and hybrid vehicles) starting in 2013. It will be the first of its kind for a U.S. automaker and should be a good indicator that vehicles like the Volt will be around for a long time.

GM broke ground yesterday for the planned addition to the White Marsh plant which currently builds transmissions for Heavy Duty and two-mode hybrid vehicles. GM reports a total investment of $269.5 million for the project."

Read more at Motor Trend.

With a $50,000 grant from Constellation Energy, two local Catholic schools are planning to explore the possibilities of wind power.

Here's an excerpt:

"Students at Ellicott City's Our Lady of Perpetual Help School will soon be putting a lot more energy into their studies � literally.

The 215-student school in Howard County, in partnership with the Albright Foundation, University of Maryland Baltimore County and Federal Hill Preparatory School in Baltimore City, has been awarded a $50,000 grant from Constellation Energy to study the school's use of wind as an energy resource.

OLPH and Federal Hill Prep students will participate in an applied science project to evaluate whether a wind turbine can produce enough energy to meet the power needs of the two schools. "

Read the entire article.

Maryland Technology Development Corporation's new head, Robert A. Rosenbaum, took a little time out to talk with The Washington Post about his plans for the agency.

Here's an excerpt:

"Rosenbaum, a former managing director of Baltimore-based Nobska Ventures, also is pushing to close a gap in how the money is handed out. Too often, early-stage companies are left gasping for funds as they mature. If funding permits, he wants Tedco to fill that gap by following up on its seed investments with a second infusion of cash to help promising companies grow."

Read the entire article.

Washing your car. Everybody does, but few think about its impact on the environment. A local entrepreneur is on the cutting edge of the carwash industry with his green carwash in Canton.

Watch the video:

Companies developing alternative green energy sources are known for their innovation and out-of-the-box mentality.  New Energy Technologies, a Baltimore-based company, is taking it to the extreme with two new technologies that seem like something from a Sci-Fi film.

Here's an excerpt:

"In the not too distant future, companies may spray the world's tiniest solar cells on office and residential building windows to generate electricity. New Energy Technologies, (OTCBB: NENE), a Baltimore-based firm that is developing the SolarWindow technology, is also working on a MotionPower system that grabs kinetic energy from cars, trucks and buses as they decelerate to enter maintenance facilities, parking areas or drive-in windows.

The company has developed successful prototypes of its technologies. It tested MotionPower, for instance, at a Burger King, a Holiday Inn Express, and a Four Seasons Hotel and is looking for additional test sites with high bus or truck traffic in and out of a facility.

Its SolarWindow technology not only works with sunlight, but also with artificial light, says John Conklin, who recently took the helm as CEO of the company."

Read the entire article here.

Just in case you couldn't make it to the TEDxOilSpill conference held in Washington, D.C., here's what the event's two founders, Dave Troy and Nate Mook, had to say about it.

Here's an excerpt:

"There's sort of this void right now with information coming out of the Gulf," says Nate Mook. "Something catastrophic has happened. Most people don't understand the underlying issues that led to this happening. They're really not aware of the all of the complexities behind their getting into their car and driving � it's brought to the forefront a lot of things that have been on the sidelines for a long time � with our oceans, with how important the marine eco-system is, with where we are getting our energy, what are we putting at risk, and � new technologies being developed."

Read the entire post here.

A new bill signed by Gov. O'Malley lets electric car drivers travel in HOV lanes regardless of how many people are -- or are not -- in the car. It's another incentive to get Marylanders to give up their gas guzzlers.

Here's an excerpt:

"If there was ever a sign the US is taking the whole concept of electric vehicles seriously, it is the recent news the State of Maryland has mandated free access to high-occupancy lanes for plug-in models.

State governor Martin O'Malley (D) has put his signature to a bill that not only gives EV access to HOV lanes, but crucially allows their use regardless of the number of passengers.

That's a pretty important distinction - the whole point of HOVs after all is 'high occupancy' but it sends a clear message that EVs will be given preferential treatment no matter how full.

The EV sector in Maryland will also benefit from fairly generous tax breaks - namely a $2,000 excise motor vehicle credit..."

Read the entire article here.

As more and more drivers consider trading in their gas guzzlers for the more environmentally-friendly alternatives that include models that are fully or partially powered by electricity, a Maryland company, SemaConnect, has created charging stations that can be installed in area hotels, parking garages, etc.

Listen to the interview:

 

Or read the transcript here.

Been wondering what to expect with the Charm City Circulator, Baltimore's new free and green shuttle service? Adam Van Bavel, a contender for the 10th district city council seat in Baltimore, went for a ride and took his camera along.