This article is a slightly re-written assignment I had to write for my Certficate in Sustainable Energy Solutions at Pinchot University. Hope you will like it !
Buildings
Green and blue at the same time with Biosolar Roof
What I love about blogging is coming back to old posts with new developments and ideas. Years ago I was wondering what was the most sustainable : blue roofs (with solar panels) or green ones. Some people combine both ideas and this is a GREAT idea.
Mosques are going solar too
I previously wrote that there are solar panels on the Vatican and some churches. Likewise, I reported that Christians are urged by to act on climate by Pope Francis. Now, Muslims are also starting to cover their mosques with solar panels too.
A low tech and natural air conditioning system
I like Treehugger for coming up with great designs that could change a bit the world we are living in. One of their latest finds was a natural air conditioner that uses clay and evaporation.
As Treehugger noted : ” Thibault Faverie‘s Cold Pot is a natural and simple air conditioner that uses clay and the power of evaporation to cool down temperatures in a low-tech energy-efficient fashion. “
Coupled with more efficient houses and buildings – a solution that would tackle our energy and climate problems – this invention could curb the use of climate damaging A/C.
Energy efficiency brings huge returns on investment
You must know if if you have been reading this blog : albeit it is not as ” sexy “ as renewables, energy efficiency is simply a must as we embark our societies and economies on a journey towards sustainability.
Here is further proof as Cleantechnica notes : ” Energy efficiency retrofits (…) created a 387% return on investment (ROI), according to a recent report from the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA).”
” The SEEA energy efficiency retrofit effort spurred $3.87 million in economic input and 17.28 new jobs for every $1 million invested “
Five famous buildings with solar
What the common point between famous buildings around the world such as the White House in the United States, the Vatican, the Taj Mahal in India, the Burj Khalifa in the United Arab Emirates and the Eiffel Tower in France ? You give up ? They are all at least partly powered by solar. This … Read more
The value of a well insulated home
While browsing Cleantechnica I found the answer of a key question I have been having ever since writing my Master’s thesis. French houses are leaky ” thermal collanders “ as 20 million accommodations have to be weatherized.
Potential savings could be the equivalent of 200 TWh of electricity per annum, knowing that the total electricity consumption in France is of 473 TWh. I had been wondering if this was the case in other countries.
But given this brilliant article, French dwellings aren’t the only one to be vastly inefficient. as similar data are mentioned : old houses need 300 kWh per square meter per year.
France unveils new efforts to renovate buildings
It had been a long while since my last post on Cleantechies, as I didn’t post during summer. But I am back with a post on a topic close to my heart as my Master’s thesis was on it. The French residential sector could benefit immensely from energy efficiency efforts and it seems the current … Read more