Alternative energy sources - Overview

Alternative energy sources are sometimes also called renewable energy sources, which is not entirely true because there are some energy sources that are alternative but not renewable energy sources, like for instance nuclear energy. Alternative energy source is basically every energy source that is not based on fossil fuel consumption. Though world still heavily relies on fossil fuels to satisfy...

Read more »

Sustainable energy research center planned for Milwaukee

From an article by Kathleen Gallagher in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:A California couple has pledged $5 million to endow a chair at Marquette University's engineering school.The Thomas H. and Suzanne M. Werner Chair in Secure and Renewable Energy Systems will lead a multidisciplinary research cluster of four to six faculty members and develop an advanced curriculum, said Stan Jaskolski, Marquette's dean of engineering.Marquette is working with the Milwaukee School of Engineering and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to create a major research cluster for sustainable energy, Jaskolski said."Gifts like this are just tremendous momentum builders," he said.Thomas Werner said his vision for the program is that it "trains new technologists in a new field and primes the pump for America to be...

Read more »

Public transportation will bring the most ‘bang’ for the economic stimulus buck

From a news release issued by the Urban Economic Development Association, NAACP Milwaukee, Spotted Eagle, Inc., ACLU of Wisconsin Foundation, Midwest Environmental Advocates, Citizens Allied for Sane Highways, Transit Matters, WISPIRG, Sierra Club - John Muir Chapter: A coalition of community and environmental groups is urging Governor Doyle and the Department of Transportation to devote economic stimulus money to expand and improve Wisconsin’s public transportation system. In a letter to WisDOT Secretary, Busalacchi the coalition urged that money allocated to Wisconsin by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009’s Surface Transportation Program (ARRA STP) go to projects that will deliver the highest return on investment.“Particularly in light of Wisconsin’s $6.6 billion current...

Read more »

Johnson Controls creates solar system for Orlando convention center

From an article in the Orlando Business Journal:The Orange County Convention Center’s $8.8 million solar project that will turn sunlight into electricity is ready to go on line.The photovoltaic array, the largest in the Southeast, uses solar panels on the center’s roof to generate 1.1 megawatts of power, enough to provide electricity for 80 to 100 residential houses. The array is expected to considerably reduce the center’s energy demand.The panels cover about 200,000 square feet of the north/south building’s rooftop. Visitors to the center will be able monitor the system’s output at an on-site education center. The education center also promotes the environmental and economic benefits of solar and other renewable-energy technologi...

Read more »

Open house and tour of We Energies wind farm, May 20

A view of the Blue Sky Green Fields wind farm from the project's operations center.An announcement from We Energies:Wednesday, May 20, 20093 p.m. – 7 p.m.Blue Sky Green Field OfficeN9470 County Highway WMalone, WI 53049Tours will be given approximately every 30 minutes. Please stop by at your convenience during the tour hours listed above. No reservations required. The turbine is located a short walking distance from the parking area. Please wear sturdy shoes suitable for walking on a graveled surface.The Blue Sky Green Field Wind Energy Center, located in the towns of Calumet and Marshfield in northeast Fond du Lac County, is designed to generate 145 megawatts (MW) of electricity, and is capable of powering approximately 36,000 average residential...

Read more »

Developer: Janesville's future rests on renewable energy manufacturers

From "Helgesen wants to fill space with jobs for Janesville" by Jim Leute posted on GazetteXtra.com:JANESVILLE — Jeffrey Helgesen’s life is all about challenges.His two sons from a first marriage are Navy SEALs. One just returned from his third tour in Iraq and Afghanistan, but the other remains in Iraq.His father, with whom he’s had a rocky relationship, suffers from dementia.And the developer’s largest Janesville tenant has flown the coop, leaving Helgesen with a massive hole in his commercial real estate portfolio.One challenge after the next, he worries about them all.But before you start feeling bad for Helgesen, don’t, he says.He’s happily remarried and spends a lot of time at his summer home in Menomonee, Mich., a perfect port to launch his 52-foot “Gaudior” on extended sailing trips...

Read more »

Solar-powered housing proposed for Bay View

From an article by Tom Daykin in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:A housing development proposed for Milwaukee's Bay View neighborhood would produce the same amount of energy as it consumes, if the project goes forward.The city Housing Authority is proposing the $40 million development, dubbed Eco-Bay, for the former Army Reserve site at 2372 S. Logan Ave.Eco-Bay would feature 20 single-family homes and townhomes, which would be sold at market rates. It also would have 110 to 120 below-market rental units: 75 to 80 independent living senior apartments, and 35 to 40 assisted living senior apartments, the Department of City Development announced Thursday.The Housing Authority would finance Eco-Bay with private investments, funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and federal...

Read more »

Milwaukee state senator calls missed wind opportunities ‘sad commentary’

State Senator Jeff Plale (right) of Milwaukee testifies in support of identical companion bills (Senate Bill 185 and Assembly Bill 256) that he co-authored with State Rep. James Soletski (left). The bills direct the Public Service Commission to begin a process to set state-wide uniform standards for wind project permitting. From an article by Paul Snyder in The Daily Reporter:In addition to missing out on an estimated $3.5 million of economic opportunity for each wind turbine not built in Wisconsin, the state also is missing out on new energy without uniform standards.“We’re looking at about 600 megawatts of stalled energy right now,” said R.J. Pirlot, director of legislative relations for Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce.State Sen. Jeff...

Read more »

Stimulating Wisconsin's green economy, May 14, Turner Hall, Milwaukee

4th STREET FORUM at MILWAUKEE TURNER HALLStimulus money is flowing. It could nurture green jobs, energy, and transit. But will bureaucratic inertia and a powerful status quo stifle Wisconsin’s green future?FORUM DATE AND TIME: MAY 14, NOONWHERE: Milwaukee Turner Hall, 2nd Floor, 1034 N. 4th Street (Main entrance across from the Bradley Center on 4th; elevator access off the parking lot on 4th and Highland.) MODERATOR: ENRIQUE FIGUEROA, PhD, Director, Roberto Hernández Center, UW-Milwaukee, www.uwm.eduWITH GUESTSANN BEIER is the director of Milwaukee’s Office of Environmental Sustainability. She coordinates the City’s efforts to improve water quality, reduce energy consumption, and to create more green technology jobs throughout Milwaukee. Prior to accepting her position here, Ms. Beier...

Read more »

RENEW Wisconsin's spring newsletter now online

The spring edition of RENEW's newsletter includes the following articles:Legislature to Tackle Wind Permitting The Importance of Doing the MathStimulus Package 101 Policy Drives Solar Hot Water MarketPSC Investigates Renewable TariffsOpen Letter from RENEW PresidentCalen...

Read more »

Why go for geothermal energy?

When it comes down to renewable energy, most people think only of wind turbines, and solar panels, because most people think how solar and wind power are the two only renewable energy sources. But this is far from truth, there is also geothermal energy that can be quite useful energy source but many people know very little about this energy source. Maybe this has to do with the fact that oil...

Read more »

Innovative energy efficient apartment building opens for low-income Milwaukee residents

From a news release issued by Focus on Energy:MILWAUKEE (May 5, 2009) — On April 4, 2009, Prairie Apartments, an innovative eco-friendly new construction building, opened its doors to low-income Milwaukee residents experiencing obstacles such as homelessness and mental illness. With the help of Focus on Energy, developers Heartland Housing of Chicago and Guest House of Milwaukee were able to integrate energy efficiency measures into the 24-unit complex.“Not only does the apartment provide high-quality affordable housing for Milwaukee residents in need, it incorporates important energy efficient features,” said Carter Dedolph, Focus on Energy Program Manager. “Prairie Apartments is a shining example of our goal to help buildings throughout the state reduce their energy use, operating costs...

Read more »

Renewable energy education and training opportunities in Wisconsin

Focus on Energy provides links to renewable energy training courses -- professional development, technical colleges, and universiti...

Read more »

CO2 can be turned into methanol

CO2 is the biggest reason why world today faces very difficult challenge in overcoming the climate change problem caused mostly by excessive CO2 emissions. These excessive emissions are mostly the result of fossil fuels burning because world needs energy, and energy demands keeps on growing all the time, so fossil fuels are really a necessary evil we need to satisfy our everyday needs.Carbon...

Read more »

Regional transit authority for Milwaukee gets state budget panel OK

From a story by Scott Bauer in The Capital Times:The Legislature's budget committee on Friday approved a plan to use a mixture of higher sales taxes and car rental fees to pay for high-speed rail and other transit projects in the two most populated parts of the state.The measures, part of the two-year state budget, must pass the full Legislature and be approved by Doyle before it becomes law.In Dane County, a half-cent sales tax could be imposed to pay for commuter rail and other transit projects.In Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha counties up to $16 could be charged on car rentals to pay for a commuter rail line connecting the three southeastern Wisconsin cities. A new board created to oversee the rail line's construction also could levy $50 million in bonds to help pay for it. The project has...

Read more »