Ronald Corbin @ronaldcorbin - Tumblr Blog

10 Tips On How We Can Protect The Environment

Time and again there is the talk of environmental pollution and what devastating effects it has on our habitat earth if we do not do anything about it: Everyday mountains of garbage land in the seas and endanger the animals living there. The earth's resources are still being used up too much and the air is still too heavily polluted. Here are ten simple tips on how we can better protect the environment.

1. Create less waste

To protect the environment, it is very important to drastically reduce the amount of waste produced every day. This can be implemented in very different ways.

You should be careful when shopping to buy a few products that are packed in plastic and rather resort to alternatives in glass containers. Pack your groceries - food, clothing or whatever - preferably in a recyclable cloth bag or backpack instead of grabbing the plastic bag. Avoid using packaging such as to-go cups for coffee, which ends up in the trash immediately after use.

What's also very important: Throw your garbage in the trash and do not just leave it on the street or in a meadow. Distributing the waste in nature not only looks ugly but is also very harmful to plants and animals, especially since plastic can not biodegrade.

2. Reuse things and materials

Generally uses containers that can be reused and materials that can be recycled. So there are companies that ensure that substances can be reused. There, products such as used advertising banners, flags or flags, which are robust in terms of material, are transformed into new products by means of high-quality craftsmanship and thus reused. Tissues of disused textiles or waste can also be recycled and turned into sustainable products.

But you too can reuse some things instead of throwing them away. So less waste for packaging, fruit bowls, and other leftovers as well as old textiles and you have to say goodbye to some of your favorite pieces yet.

Used T-shirts and undershirts are still good to use for work on the house, on the car or in the garden as a rag. The sleeves of old pullovers are suitable as cuffs that warm your wrists in winter.

To collect the plastic waste in the apartment, plastic shopping bags are well suited, which can be used again and again after emptying.

Paper that has been printed incorrectly does not necessarily end up in the garbage, but can serve as a sticky note or be reprinted on the still-white page for printing. The same applies to one-sided printed texts that you no longer need.

3. Consume less

In our company, we have everything available at all times, whether it is food and care products, furnishings or even clothing. This luxury entices you to buy more than you need. And especially the annual trends in furnishings and clothing are very tempting for many.

As these goods must also be transported and produced, CO2 emissions and waste accumulate accordingly. To counter this, you should limit yourself to the things that you really need and use. Wear your clothes longer instead of exchanging them for new ones every year.

4. Sustainable food

When it comes to food, you can easily do something to protect the environment by eliminating fish and seafood from your diet whenever possible. This is useful in two ways: First, it helps to ensure the survival of marine life.

Most of the fish stocks are already overfished or at least threatened by overfishing. On the other hand, there are fewer ways to transport food from the oceans into our fields, which in turn means less fuel consumption of heavy vehicles.

In general, you should keep an eye on where the products come from, which end up in your shopping baskets every week. Prefers to regional food, which has not already been driven several miles and made for enormous fuel consumption, until they finally arrive at the supermarket.

5. Throw away less food

In the supermarket, you can also pay attention to how much you buy and whether it must always be a large supply of everything. This reduces the risk of having to dispose of a lot of food in the garbage later because it has expired.

Because this is what happens daily in many German households and can be avoided by buying only what is actually needed.

6. Save water

Many run the water when they soap or shower their teeth while showering. This unnecessarily consumes a lot of fresh water, which can be avoided. Just turn off the water if you do not need it anyway.

Basically, bathing consumes more water than showering. That's why full baths should be the exception as far as possible, then you are all the more looking forward to it. Using less water not only protects the environment but also your wallet.

7. Drive less

In order to pollute the environment less and to protect the climate, it helps enormously to leave the car now and then. For paths that you can easily walk or cycle, you should definitely do without the car. This saves the air, in the long run, a lot of exhaust gases and saves fuel. Besides, exercise does well and keeps you healthy.

Another way to save the environment is driving ahead. To get off the accelerator early when approaching a traffic light or speed limit also saves a lot of fuel. This effect also occurs when you slow down instead of going full throttle.

Alternatively to the car, you can also use public transport and get you sometimes brought by bus and train to work. Carpooling and car sharing are also good ways to protect the environment and reduce fuel consumption.

8. Save electricity

Take care to use only lamps with LED technology or energy-saving lamps. This significantly reduces the cost of electricity bills and is good for the environment. But there is more. Because electronic devices like the TV, which are turned off, still consume power in standby mode.

You can counteract this by attaching such devices and lamps to multiple sockets with a central switch. If this switch is off, no electricity flows into the devices. This helps you to save a bit of electricity every day.

9. Save heating energy

If you ventilate properly, you can save a lot of heating energy and thus protect the environment. Rip open the windows and balcony doors for a few minutes several times a day instead of letting the windows tilt all day long.

Because the forced ventilation consumes much less energy and prevents mold from forming on the walls of the room because the air humidity can escape better from the rooms.

In order to noticeably reduce heating costs and the environmental impact of CO2, it is enough to turn down the room temperature in the home by just one degree Celsius.

10. Use the fridge properly

In order to use the refrigerator, which is one of the largest power guzzlers, energy-efficient, it should be in the coolest possible place. The refrigerator door should only be opened as long as necessary and food should be allowed to cool to room temperature before you put it in the refrigerator. As a result, he needs less energy to cool things down.

If you go on holiday for a long time and you are not at home, you should switch off the fridge completely to reduce power consumption. For this reason, it is also advisable to defrost the refrigerator when icing has formed.

from Steel My Straws - News http://bit.ly/2MSd3Fp via http://bit.ly/2JwdmT3

#save planet #save ocean #pollution #avoid plastic

Plastic Attack: An Effective Initiative To Combat Overpack

An inverted butterfly effect. It is, in any case, the consequences of the first "plastic attacks". The principle is simple: customers go to a supermarket to do their shopping and leave all unnecessary packaging inside the store. On June 2nd, 2018, citizens decided to organize an awareness campaign on the overconsumption of plastic in a Parisian supermarket.

"The goal is to make customers aware of the overconsumption of plastic but also to alert supermarkets to the uselessness of all these packagings," says Fanny Vismara, co-organizer of this action. "Above all, it is important to raise awareness among politicians", adds Belgian Frédéric Sioen, who coordinates plastic attack operations around the world via a dedicated Facebook page. The citizen has published a petition so that, in Belgium, politicians legislate and reduce the production of plastic. In Paris too, the organizers want to encourage parliamentarians to act through a petition.

These actions are inspired by the great idea of English. The first operation of "Plastic attack" took place at the end of March in Great Britain. To draw everyone's attention to the astronomical amount of plastic waste we produce, some 20 customers at a Tesco supermarket in Keynsham, near Bristol, had extracted the purchased products from their packaging and left them there. Result: three full caddies filled with useless plastics. The operation caused a stir and prompted the British brand to lobby to reduce plastic packaging. A petition asking British supermarkets to reduce packaging already brings together 500,000 signatures.

Shortly after, Brussels followed suit with the British and, rebelotte, this time it was the turn of the group Delhaize to make commitments on the reduction of plastic packaging.

"Ridiculous packages" bloom on the canvas

The success of these actions is such that all over the world are preparing "Plastic attacks". Like Paris, many cities will organize next June 2 operations to encourage politicians and citizens to review their habits and stop the consumption of plastic packaging for single use. Thousands of people have already registered in Gant, Belgium, but also in the Netherlands, Canada, Washington, Peru, Spain, Switzerland, India, Australia, South Korea ...

These actions are accompanied by a Greenpeace campaign. Since last month, photos of apples or bananas protected by plastic films or strawberries placed individually in small foam packs have been blooming on the social networks ... accompanied by the hashtag #RidiculousPackaging and #BreakFreeFromPlastic with the names of the companies ... advertisements they would do well!

The NGO behind this campaign is putting pressure on companies to reduce packaging. Greenpeace points out that plastic pollution continues to contaminate the oceans and that 90% of the plastic produced is not recycled. More than a million people have already signed the association's petition to ask several companies including Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Nestle and McDonald's to stop using single-use plastic.

Every year, between 6 and 8 million tonnes of plastics are released into the sea, killing hundreds of thousands of birds and marine mammals. According to a report from the foundation of sailor Ellen MacArthur, if nothing changes, the oceans could contain more plastic than fish by 2050. Today, we estimate there are about 150 million tonnes of plastic waste in the oceans. If the consumption of plastic continues at the same rate, the ocean should contain 1 ton of plastic for 3 tons of fish in 2025 and 2050, more plastic than fish, in terms of weight, "says the study. Unless businesses and politicians take the problem seriously... the citizens are ready to take action to change things.

from Steel My Straws - News http://bit.ly/2YAjBJV via http://bit.ly/2JwdmT3

#save planet #save ocean #pollution #avoid plastic

$ 2 Trillion Of Plastic Waste Floating In The Middle Of The Pacific

This large "natural discharge" concentrates 80,000 tons of plastic on an area equivalent to three times that of France.

It does not have much to do with a continent as it was read in many media a few years ago, but still. In the middle of the Pacific, between Hawaii and California, a large area concentrates huge amounts of plastic waste. A new study was published in Scientific Reports can measure the extent.

On a territory as big as three times France, nearly 2 trillion plastic waste floats freely, according to researchers at The Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit organization founded by a young Dutchman, Boyan Slat, who dreams to clean the oceans. This represents nearly 80,000 tons of plastic, which is 4 to 16 times more than previous estimates.

"We must not imagine a sea of plastic," warns Laurent Lebreton, oceanographer and first author of this publication. "The concentrations vary between 1 and 100 kg per square kilometer. This is not noticed at first glance. But when you take a closer look, it's still a lot of waste for such an isolated place, in the middle of nowhere. "The waste is concentrated here by the currents that come around this area. calmer.

The researchers conducted the first expedition with fifteen boats in 2015 to sample the waste in several hundred locations. The nets used were nevertheless too small to give a good idea of the distribution of the largest waste (above 50 cm). They returned with a LIDAR-equipped aircraft, an infrared camera and high-resolution cameras in 2016. And that changed everything.

"Micro-plastics (size less than half a centimeter, Ed) are the majority in number - 94% of waste - but they represent only 8% of the total mass," says Laurent Lebreton. Waste of more than 10 cm represents three-quarters of this mass of floating plastic. "It's a big surprise. Rather a nice surprise in a way because the biggest waste will be the easiest to remove. "

Another surprise, almost half comes from fishing boats. It is most often buoys or nets, often deadly for many species, starting with sea turtles. "We do not want to point the finger at fishermen, this situation is a collective responsibility," warns Laurent Lebreton. "It's our way of life and consumption, the society at all disposable as a whole that needs to be questioned."

This year, The Ocean Clean Up will test a first 600m long curved floating dam. Objective: "rake" this large patch to concentrate the waste of more than one centimeter and allow their collection by boat. In the long term, it would take 60 "barriers" of one to two km long to collect 90% of this waste by 2040, the organization predicts. Their unit cost is estimated at € 5 million (including the three-year transaction costs). The price to pay for cleaning the oceans as long as it is time: little by little, plastics break up to form micro-plastics which will be much more difficult to get rid of.

from Steel My Straws - News http://bit.ly/2E4ZFad via http://bit.ly/2JwdmT3

#save planet #save ocean #pollution #avoid plastic

"Straw Wars": NGO War Against Plastic Straws

Britain's environment minister Mickael Gove announced last month that he wants to ban plastic straws. The French association "Bas Les Pailles" has published a forum for France to emulate this example.

Refreshing news for the environmentalists. The petition of the association Bas Les Pailles recently reached the 99.000 signatories on the platform Change.org. This collective launched by the anthropologist Mounia El Kotni wants to simply ban plastic straws in France, quite simply.

Indeed, if the plastic straws that garnish our juices and cocktails look harmless, they have an impact on the environment far from harmless. Small, light, they are among the most collected waste on the beaches when they are not found directly in the ocean. "Plastic straw is the disposable product par excellence, it is used for a few minutes and then we forget it. A true champion of the disposable society, "says Flore Berlingen from Zero Waste.

"In France, every day 8.8 million straws are used and discarded and this only in fast food. Plastic straws are among the 10 most collected garbage on the French coast. "Can be read on the site of the collective. "Their small sizes make them difficult to recycle," says Flore Berlingen. "Often by the effect of runoff they end up in nature or in the ocean".

Once at sea, fish and birds confuse straws with food, all the more easily as the straw breaks up into small pieces over time. "And all this obviously comes back to us: ingested by animals, this plastic is found most of the time ... in our plates." Can be read on the page of the petition.

An ecological fight "in the air of time"

"Prohibiting plastic straw is really a simple way to reduce plastic waste," says Berlinger. This is certainly the reason why many collectives militate for their prohibition. Some have bet on a striking name that attracts attention like the London Straw Wars Association or Straws Suck, the campaign run by the Surfrider Foundation. Others are the result of the outrage of very young activists, such as the one less straw campaign launched in 2009 by Olivia and Carter Ries when they were respectively 8 and 7 years old at the time.

A growing mobilization that reaped political victories. In Canada, the city of Tofino in British Columbia has eradicated plastic straws since 2016. In the United States, Seattle became the first city to ban plastic straws in the summer of 2018. Mickaël Gove, Minister English environment, announced last month that it wanted to ban plastic straws. Scotland, Costa Rica, Belize, Kenya, and Taiwan also provide for a total or partial ban on plastic straws.

In France, commitments have already been made to reduce the number of plastic waste. Indeed, the previous government has already promised to ban the sale of disposable plastic tableware, plastic swabs, and micro-marbles in beauty products by 2020. A promise that the Minister of the Ecological and Solidarity Transition, Nicolas Hulot, is committed to holding.

"This decision of 2015, was indeed a great step forward for the fight against polluting plastic waste, confirms Flore Berlingen, now we would like to extend this list of disposable plastic products banned, already with the straws but also, with the coffee taps that exactly the same problems. "On this point, the representative of Zero Waste is optimistic:" It is in tune with the times in Europe, the Commission should also announce measures in this direction in a few days ".

from Steel My Straws - News http://bit.ly/2JeMiZk via http://bit.ly/2JwdmT3

#save planet #save ocean #pollution #avoid plastic

New thermal energy storage system launched

A patented thermal energy storage system (TESS) powered by biogas has been launched by 1414 Degrees at SA Water’s Glenelg Wastewater Treatment Plant, the company’s first commercial pilot site. Developed in South Australia, the GAS-TESS system is set to revolutionise the global energy environment, costing less than lithium-ion batteries and pumped hydro despite offering the same electrical energy storage, with the additional benefit of heat energy production.

The grid-scale system hopes to solve one of the biggest problems for renewable energy — intermittent supply — and in turn facilitate major growth of low-cost energy without sacrificing reliability.

The TESS takes gas or electricity from any source and stores it as latent heat in silicon that melts at 1414°C. The energy from the latent heat can then be reclaimed and distributed as electricity and/or clean heat when required. The GAS-TESS will enable SA Water to timeshift the use of its biogas to produce electricity and heat on demand, rather than use the biogas as it’s generated.

1414 Degrees Executive Chairman Dr Kevin Moriarty said, “Partnering with us to pilot this world-first technology demonstrates visionary leadership for SA. The wastewater management industry is watching closely, as are many other heat-dependent industries looking to reduce energy costs, save jobs and lower environmental impacts.”

Globally, biogas is an increasingly important source of energy, from wastewater management to agribusiness and landfill gas.

“Renewables are about more than wind and solar. It’s time to put our vast sources of biogas to more efficient and sustainable use. Naturally occurring biogas has the potential to lower the cost and increase the stability of energy with reduced demand on fossil fuels.” Dr Moriarty commented.

SA Water CEO Roch Cheroux said, “SA Water is working to reduce operational expenses to maintain low and stable water prices for our customers. Timeshifting of heat and electricity output from the GAS-TESS is expected to provide more control over heat flows to maximise our biogas generation and result in reduced costs of our energy requirements.”

1414 Degrees’ energy storage systems will feed power back into the grid at peak times and provide heat for industrial purposes, a process that is expected to reduce costs for consumers and create a more reliable source of power.

Dr Moriarty said, “We have a clear vision to scale our clean TESS technology to gigawatt-hour capacity and stabilise renewable generation. Our progress today marks another step forward.”

The GAS-TESS is co-funded by the South Australian Government’s Renewable Technology Fund and 1414 Degrees shareholders. The development of the technology was assisted with a grant from the federal government’s Department of Industry, Innovation and Science.

Image courtesy of 1414 Degrees.

from Sustainability Matters RSS Feed http://bit.ly/2ZPkRdt via http://bit.ly/2W60gzh

What's stopping integration of renewable storage and the grid?

Robert Morgan, CEO of Energy Storage at GE Renewable Energy, says that resistance to change and people’s attitudes are the main obstacles to integration of renewable energy storage technology and the grid. Morgan says he’s confident that energy storage is an integral part of the sector’s next big step — if only industry and regulatory forces could align to spur the transition.

“Energy storage is a natural progression of the industry as society progresses through phases of fuel efficiency and environmental improvements, and now confronts ever-increasing penetration of renewables,” he said.

“We already have the control systems and software to enable more energy storage, but regulators and politicians need to help push system change. The grid is ready to accommodate energy storage technologies today,” Morgan claimed.

“What is really needed is system operators and interconnection rules to recognise that energy storage both generates electricity and demands electricity — it flows both ways. Control systems and grid software need to be updated but the wires can fundamentally handle energy storage — incumbent operators often have a resistance to change,” he said.

With regards to current energy storage trends, Morgan spoke enthusiastically about lithium-ion batteries and the growing synergy between energy storage and renewables.

“Right now, the trends in energy storage are twofold. First, electric vehicles are advancing to a scale that makes lithium-ion batteries the cheapest and most effective of the proven storage technologies at modest durations — less than six hours.

“Second, customer demand for shaped energy supply products means that we can offer wind, solar and gas technologies in combination with energy storage to create a hybrid renewable solution that meets customer needs.”

Morgan highlighted the ‘three Ds’ — decarbonisation, digitisation and decentralisation — which he said are creating key opportunities in energy storage.

“The three Ds, along with electrification of vehicles and other goods, are driving consumer behaviour and making it a necessity to ramp up volumes of renewables, as well as smaller scale projects and automation. This creates the opportunity for energy storage to enable more consumer choice, eg, ‘sun and wind when I want it’, and more localised energy system deployment and control.”

In addition to rallying behind critical system reforms, Morgan emphasised the importance for storage companies to keep abreast of industry trends, which can aid decision-making and make it easier to spot market opportunities.

Morgan will discuss these issues in his keynote presentation at the Australian Energy Storage Conference & Exhibition from 13–14 June at the International Convention Centre in Sydney. Click here for more information.

Image courtesy of Australian Energy Storage Conference & Exhibition.

from Sustainability Matters RSS Feed http://bit.ly/2UQgHys via http://bit.ly/2W60gzh

Spirulina: Countless Benefits For The Environment!

Spirulina is a microalga consumed for millennia because of its nutritional properties. Nowadays, it is used as a healthy and effective dietary supplement. Spirulina cultivation also has less known environmental and environmental benefits. Can it be used to clean up?

Spirulina cultivation: ecological and environmental benefits

Spirulina is part of cyanobacteria or blue algae. These organisms have contributed to the oxygen enrichment of the original atmosphere of the earth. They have also contributed to the formation of ozone that protects against harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. This microscopic alga is therefore ideal for:

Produce oxygen and capture CO2;

Preserve the soil;

To preserve the environment.

Spirulina produces oxygen

On the principle of photosynthesis, trees capture carbon dioxide (CO2) and release oxygen. It is estimated that a tree can set between 1 and 4 tonnes of CO2 per year per hectare. Spirulina, which is generally used as a sports food supplement, is able to do better. Spirulina also contains chlorophyll and produces 16.8 tons of oxygen per hectare per year. At the same time, it can capture 23 to 40 tons of CO2.

Today, the pollution rate in cities is alarming. According to statistics, air pollution is responsible for the deaths of more than 3 million people each year. Less than 12% of the world's population would breathe healthy air. Fine particles and atmospheric pollutants are at the root of several ills, among which we can mention:

Asthma;

Heart disease;

Stroke.

The rate of oxygen in the atmosphere keeps decreasing. It has dropped 0.7% on average over the past 800,000 years, according to studies. On the other hand, CO2 levels are increasing. In a polluted environment, trees provide a barrier to filter the air. Thanks to their leaves, they can hold up to 20 kg of dust. That's why most ecological and environmental organizations recommend planting trees. However, spirulina is more effective than a tree. Spirulina culture offers solutions in the fight against pollution. Oxygen is an essential element for any form of life. Large spirulina cultures should help to rebalance the oxygen and CO2 levels on the planet. In addition, it has the capacity to absorb toxins, heavy metals and many elements present in its environment.

Spirulina is one of the first living creatures to appear on Earth billions of years ago. Its properties have helped to promote the appearance of life.

Spirulina preserves the soil

The cultivation of spirulina has several advantages:

It offers an excellent yield of proteins;

It requires little water;

It does not require the use of fertile soils.

Spirulina has a high vegetable protein content, about 60% of its dry weight. On one hectare, it produces 20 times more protein than soy, 40 times more than corn or wheat. Its protein production is 200 times stronger than for beef. The cultivation of Spirulina requires a small volume of water. For example, to produce 1 kg of protein, spirulina consumes 4 times less water than soy. The quantity of water is 6 times less than for corn or wheat. It is 50 times lower than for beef.

Spirulina cultivation does not require the use of pesticides, fungicides or herbicides. It does not require the use of fertile soils either. It can be grown on unproductive land and in pools a few centimeters deep (aquaculture). It is estimated that the production of one kilogram of wheat protein led to the destruction of 22 kg of fertile soils. And, for 1 kg of beef protein, about 145 kilograms of soil are destroyed. The arable land is scarce. Therefore, spirulina cultivation is ideal because it does not cause soil erosion. In addition, it uses fewer surfaces for an excellent performance.

Spirulina preserves the environment

Agriculture contributes greatly to the destruction of natural resources. The cultivation of spirulina makes it possible to fight against:

Pollution and contamination of water;

Overconsumption of water;

Soil erosion;

Deforestation.

Inputs such as plant protection products and fertilizers have adverse effects. They can contaminate runoff and affect humans and other species. According to official figures, 95% of herbicides reach a destination other than their targets. In addition, the costs of researching inputs and the consequences of their use are enormous. However, growing spirulina does not require the use of chemicals. Spirulina grows well in sunny and arid areas.

The destruction of forests remains a major problem today. Classical agriculture is one of the main causes of this phenomenon. An estimated 300 million people live in and around forests. More than 1.6 billion people depend to varying degrees on forests to live. The cultivation of spirulina uses few surfaces without destroying the soil. In addition, spirulina is an excellent producer of oxygen. Large-scale production could, therefore, improve the quality of the air on the planet. But, large-scale crops could also promote optimal reforestation.

Spirulina, production and environmental cost

The production of spirulina generates almost no environmental cost. Ecological and simple, it is respectful of the environment. The production is done in greenhouses or in pools a few centimeters deep (aquaculture). When produced in a greenhouse, water heated to 37 degrees Celsius is required and brewed regularly. Organic Spirulina can be grown using natural products such as:

The laundry of ashes;

The nitrate of Chile;

Magnesium sulfate.

These natural products are ecological and economical. The ash liquor is obtained by adding water to the ash. The resulting laundry is kept indefinitely. Chilean nitrate is a mineral fertilizer that is extracted from the subsoil. Commonly called anhydrous Epsom salt or bitter salt, magnesium sulfate exists in nature.

Compared to other cultures, Spirulina requires less energy for its production:

2 times less than corn or wheat;

5 times less than soy;

100 times less than the be.

In some countries, many spirulina farms have been established because of the benefits of this alga. The ease of production and the little surface required are also ideal for the cultivation of this seaweed.

Spirulina and malnutrition

Malnutrition kills more than 11 million children worldwide each year. Spirulina can be used to fight this plague. The UN considers this microscopic alga as " the best food of the future ". Not only does it produce healthy and abundant food, but spirulina is also a source:

Protein;

Antioxidants;

Vitamins;

Of iron ;

Essential fatty acids.

Spirulina contains beta-carotene or provitamin A. It is a powerful antioxidant that protects the body against oxidative stress. In other words, the antioxidant protects cells against free radicals. 1 g of spirulina can provide enough vitamin A, B12, and manganese. With 10 g it is possible to fill the body with iron and phosphorus. Essential fatty acids are essential to the body. The latter does not know how to make them naturally.

But where does Spirulina come from?

Spirulina has been on Earth for over 3.5 billion years. It has a spiral shape and is able to synthesize the energy of the sun. This microscopic alga multiplies by cell division in the manner of bacteria. Moreover, it owes its survival to this mode of multiplication.

The properties of Spirulina have been known for millennia. In South America, the Aztecs used it as a natural dope for runners. These had to supply the palate with fresh fish. Harvested in Lake Texcoco, the seaweed was nicknamed "Tecuitlatl".

In Africa, in northern Lake Chad, a local population (the Kanembou) also consume this alga. For centuries, she harvests spirulina present in natural pools. Then she dries it in the sun, creating pancakes called "die".

What to remember? Spirulina is a superfood rich in beneficial nutrients. It can be used in the fight against malnutrition. It can also play a major role in the fight against pollution.

source https://steelmystraws.com/blogs/news/spirulina-countless-benefits-for-the-environment

Home Heating: Different Renewable Energy Solutions

Home renewable energy solutions have been in existence for some years now and continue to be developed. They allow households that adopt them to lower their energy bills and their environmental footprints at the same time. How to heat your habitat ecologically? What are the advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy sources? What are the devices to put in place and how much do they cost? Is there an ideal home heating system? This article tells you everything about existing systems that use renewable energy for home heating.

Why use renewable energy as a means of home heating?

The first reason justifying the use of renewable energies is the environmental issue. Indeed, France is a signatory of the "2020 energy-climate package". As part of this agreement drawn up by the European Union in 2008, the objective of the French State is to reach by 2020 23% of renewable energies. France therefore strongly encourages the use of heating devices that work thanks to renewable energies. The second reason relates to the substantial savings from the adoption of renewable energy solutions. Admittedly, the acquisition and assembly of equipment are expensive, but in the medium or long term, it is a good investment.

How to heat your habitat in an ecological way?

There are many sources of renewable energy that allow you to heat without negatively affecting the environment.

Among the sources of ecological renewable energies we have:

the wood which is a component of biomass with a high calorific value and which can be obtained cheaply;

the sun, which is an unlimited resource and has another notable advantage of not emitting any greenhouse gases when it is exploited;

the heat of the earth that produces so-called geothermal energy; and,

the heat of the air that provides aerothermal energy.

The use of one or the other of these renewable energies is conditioned to the installation of specific equipment.

How to make domestic heating with biomass?

The biomass is composed of organic materials such as wood, which are convertible into energy. In France, wood energy is the main source of renewable energy:

it can be purchased in the form of pellets, wood chips, chips, pellets, sticks or briquettes; and,

it is then used for domestic heating by means of a boiler or a suitable stove for example.

You should know that wood energy is the most economical and the most ecological of all renewable energies. Wood is indeed a raw material that exists in abundance and is renewed. As an illustration, every year, the European stock of wood grows by 770 million cubic meters. Wood forms mentioned above, the granule is particularly economical and is much cheaper than electricity, oil or gas. In addition, there are now wood pellet stoves up to 95% efficiency. It is then quite possible to heat all of your habitat with such a device. The pellet stove:

also has an autonomy of several days;

is adjustable and programmable;

is not at all cumbersome;

is easily installable; and,

guarantees economical combustion.

What are the benefits of wood energy?

It should be known that wood energy has many advantages. First of all, wood is the appropriate complement for heating during off-season periods. Similarly, the C02 balance of wood energy is almost zero and the cost of this fuel is very affordable compared to fossil fuels. In this regard, the price of the log is almost insignificant in case you do not buy it and do it yourself.

Wood is also a source of energy that is totally renewed as long as forests are managed sustainably. It can also be used in many forms and as it is manufactured locally, it contributes to the growth or maintenance of the economy. Finally, the wood enjoys the stability of its price. Prices fluctuate weakly because of its independence from oil and gas conflicts.

What are the disadvantages of wood energy?

The use of wood as a source of energy can become binding if it is exclusively wood logs. In addition, the wood requires that the reload is performed regularly except for systems with automatic feeding. Also remember that apart from pellets, you will need a good place to store your firewood. This place should also be dry and airy. Finally, you have to learn how to properly regulate a heater that works with wood and make sure you take a good quality fuel. Because, if one of the two conditions was missing, the wood would become a major source of pollution.

How to make domestic heating with the sun?

You can heat your home with sunlight without spending a penny.

Just do what is called climate design. That is to say, to orient the rooms of the habitat and to position the openings as appropriate in order to raise the temperature inside. The other way to get warm ecologically through the sun is to use solar thermal panels. These are usually placed on rooftops and convert solar energy into heat. And the heat obtained is then transmitted to a water storage tank. Thus, water is heated and used to either supply radiators or operate a heated floor.

It is important to emphasize that confusion must not be made between solar thermal panels and photovoltaic panels. The two do not work in the same way, because photovoltaic panels turn into electrical energy, energy from the sun.

What are the benefits of solar thermal energy?

Already, the sun is a source of energy that is both inexhaustible and free! In addition, it does not emit carbon dioxide and its use is extremely simple. It is also possible to use solar thermal energy as a complement to another heating device already installed.

What are the disadvantages of solar thermal energy?

The first limitation of solar thermal energy is that it is entirely dependent on sunshine. Another limitation is that its performance is rarely enough to cover the heating needs of a habitat.

How to make domestic heating with geothermal or with the heater?

The geothermal is the method for operating the heat stored in the earth's surface. It requires the installation of a geothermal heat pump. This one then captures, at first, the free heat of the earth that it transmits in a second time. The diffusion is done thanks to a device of radiators and by a circuit of hot water or heating.

The fan heater, for its part, allows domestic heating by using the calories from the air. We use either an air-to-air heat pump or an air-water heat pump to capture the calories from the air:

in the case of an air-to-air heat pump, the calories captured are directly diffused inside the habitat;

in the case of an air-water heat pump, however, these calories are injected into the heating circuit.

What are the advantages of the heat pump?

The heat pump provides up to 80% of free energy. In addition, this type of device is less and less noisy and can be used to produce hot water. With the heat pump, it is also not necessary to store fuel and the device can relay a boiler in use. It must also be remembered that the heat pump is compatible with the radiators already installed and that its use is reversible. It can also be used to refresh the habitat during the summer.

What are the disadvantages and limitations of the heat pump?

In addition to asking for high initial investment, the heat pump does not give a satisfactory performance in a unit heater, that is to say, very cold. Also, its installation requires to clear enough space for the installation of a sensor or drilling. Similarly, the heat pump, especially the aerothermal, generally generates noise. Finally, the heat pump works thanks to the electric current. So, we have to subscribe to a more expensive electricity subscription.

What are the costs of heating equipment using renewable energy?

Prices are of course dependent on many variables such as power, but also the capacity of the product on which you choose. We can only give you price ranges:

for a wood pellet stove, plan to spend between 4,000 and 15,000 euros;

a geothermal heat pump sells for between 20,000 and 50,000 euros;

the air-water heat pump has a value between 10,000 and 18,000 euros;

for the purchase of an air-to-air heat pump, you will need a grant of 6 000 to 15 000 euros

However, there are state aids and subsidies to support those who are considering buying such devices.

What help can you use to finance your work?

Significant financial investment must be made if one wishes to heat up using clean energy. The state is well aware of this and has therefore developed aid and subsidy programs. The energy transition tax credit (ISCED) is the most emblematic of these programs. It ensures you a refund of 30% of the money you will have spent to install an air-water heat pump. Other helpers you can access are for example:

the energy bonus;

the eco-loan at zero rates;

the reduced VAT rate; and,

the financial assistance of the National Agency for Housing (Anah )

Also, take information from your local communities. To do so, go to the website of the Departmental Agency for Housing Information (ADIL).

Is it possible to achieve domestic heating only through renewable energies?

As we have already said, heating up with renewable energies means choosing a choice that is both ecological and economical. And, know that you can only heat yourself thanks to renewable energies! But to do it, it will be necessary to combine several sources. For example, you can use solar thermal panels and complete them with a pellet stove. Thus, in times of intense cold, you will have no problem to stay warm in your home. There are several possibilities of combination considering your type of accommodation and your budget. Get closer to a professional and with him, you will determine the best combination.

What is the best home heating system with renewable energy?

There is no ideal heating solution, each with advantages, but also disadvantages. It is therefore important, whatever the energy for which you opt, to drastically reduce the heating needs of your home. For this, you must insist on the quality of its thermal insulation and ensure its exposure.

So remember before replacing your heating system to improve the insulation of the building. Thus, you will reduce the power required and therefore limit your investment. The questions you will have to answer before you replace or install a heating system are:

Do you want to replace or install the main heater or is it more like an auxiliary heater?

what are your real heating needs and depending on the surface of the dwelling, the number of people occupying it or its orientation?

what are the energies already available in the house?

What budget do you have for heating your home?

For you who are going to build a house, you must comply with the regulations in force for new homes. It is the RT 2012 thermal regulation that makes the use of renewable energies mandatory. Individual houses are thus required to ensure clean water production of domestic hot water. You must use at least renewable energy and you have the choice between:

a solar thermal installation, that is to say, have at least two square meters of solar panels;

a connection to a heat network that is powered by at least 50% renewable energies: it can be wind energy, geothermal energy, biomass or even hydropower;

a thermodynamic device;

a micro-cogeneration device; and,

a decentralized production that guarantees you to produce 5 kWh per square meter per year.

With rising fuel prices and greenhouse gas emissions, fossil fuels are no longer in a state of sanctity. And the last decades have been the opportunity to design and adapt equipment to heat with renewable energy. Solar panels, heat pumps, and geothermal installations are all tools that help households reduce their carbon footprint. In addition, renewable resources are cheaper than gas or electricity and provide energy independence.

source https://steelmystraws.com/blogs/news/home-heating-different-renewable-energy-solutions

Sustainable solutions for rare earth metal recovery

Researchers from Deakin University and Spain’s Tecnalia Research & Innovation have improved the process for recovering rare earth metals (REMs), which are essential for producing the components used in mobile phones and other technologies such as hybrid electric vehicles. The team’s research is published in The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters.

Dr Cristina Pozo-Gonzalo, researcher at Deakin Institute for Frontier Materials and leader of the electromaterials project, said there was an urgent need to develop a cleaner and simpler process for recovering REMs, explaining that current extraction methods generate huge amounts of toxic and radioactive waste.

“After separating the metals from their end-of-life product, our team uses advanced electrolytes known as ionic liquids (liquid salt-based systems) to recover the rare earth metals from the resulting solution using a process of electrodeposition — when you use a low electric current to cause metals to reform and deposit on a desired surface.

“This new method for recovering REMs has great potential and minimises the generation of toxic and harmful waste. We are also aiming for a method that can easily be implemented widely across the world,” she said.

Dr Pozo-Gonzalo explained that increased demand for REMs — which include elements such as cerium, praseodymium, neodymium and lanthanum — was creating pressure on global supply chains.

“Consumption of REMs has been gradually increasing since the 1960s due to their use in electronics, optics and magnetics, making them ubiquitous in everyday applications such as television screens and computer systems. They’re also a key component of many modern technologies, including hard disk drives, clean technologies such as wind power turbines and batteries for hybrid electric vehicles.”

Dr Pozo-Gonzalo pointed to the unsustainable practice of sourcing raw rare metals. “Almost 85% of the world’s REM primary resources are in China, where their government has restricted exports for periods of time in the recent past, endangering availability and price stability,” she said.

“There’s growing concern that future access to these materials won’t be reliable, leading to them being targeted for reclamation and recycling. The primary extraction and processing methods for REMs are also energy-intensive processes that lead to the excessive generation of toxic and radioactive waste. We need a real alternative,” she urged.

Dr Pozo-Gonzalo said REMs were among the top critical raw materials identified by the European Commission, Geoscience Australia and the United States Department of Energy.

“The efficient recovery of REMs from recycled materials is becoming increasingly important, given that only about 3–7% of REMs are currently recovered from end products because of technological difficulties,” she said.

“Our work addresses a key knowledge gap in the REM recycling process and is an important early step towards establishing a clean and sustainable processing route for REMs and alleviating the current pressures on these critical elements.”

The project is a collaboration between Deakin IFM researchers Dr Cristina Pozo-Gonzalo, Professor Maria Forsyth, Associate Professor Jennifer Pringle and Dr Matthias Hilder; and Tecnalia Research & Innovation researchers Laura Sanchez-Cupido, Amal Siriwardana and Ainhoa Unzurrunzaga.

Image caption: Dr Cristina Pozo-Gonzalo supervising a PhD researcher. Image credit: © Deakin University

from Sustainability Matters RSS Feed http://bit.ly/2vEwZAp via http://bit.ly/2W60gzh

NSW school commits to long-term renewable energy use

Ascham School has made a long-term commitment to renewable energy by signing a corporate renewable power purchase agreement (PPA) with business energy retailer Flow Power.

Under the agreement, the Sydney-based school aims to reach a 90% renewable energy target, with power sourced from a combination of wind and solar farms. The school is claimed to be the first school in NSW to enter a deal of this kind.

The agreement will help Ascham School achieve its ambitious sustainability targets, contribute to a lower carbon economy and reduce overall emissions, as well as offset electricity consumption from the grid. Real-time monitoring of renewable energy, calculated at 30-minute intervals, will allow the school to control and optimise its use of renewable power.

Ascham School Business Manager Candice Heapes said, “Late last year we felt pressured by another provider into accepting significantly higher energy retail prices when our three-year agreement with them ended. This, along with our growing focus on sustainability as part of our strategic plan, spurred us on to look at alternative options and sources of energy. At Ascham, the whole school is committed to sustainable actions, so drawing energy from wind and solar farms is a terrific step in greening our future.”

Flow Power first introduced corporate renewable PPAs to the Australian market in 2017 and now counts Olam Orchards Australia, ANCA Machines and Burra Foods as customers. The latest agreement with Ascham School highlights the growing appetite for PPAs in the Australian market.

Flow Power Managing Director Matthew van der Linden said, “We’re thrilled to welcome Ascham School as a customer, and applaud their leadership in taking on an agreement of this kind.

“The education sector is uniquely placed to benefit from corporate renewable PPAs, due to the longevity of its schools and of the PPAs themselves. We look forward to collaborating with Ascham School throughout the duration of this agreement to deliver an energy solution that evolves to fit the school’s needs.”

from Sustainability Matters RSS Feed http://bit.ly/2GOudxp via http://bit.ly/2W60gzh

Woolworths green bond gets $30m injection

The Woolworths Group green bond has received an injection of $30 million courtesy of Clean Energy Finance Corp (CEFC). The $400 million green bond will help fund the Woolworths 2020 sustainability strategy, which will involve installation of LED lighting, energy-efficient refrigeration, solar panels and other clean energy technologies.

Reported to be the first certified green bond issued by an Australian retailer, and by a supermarket globally, the bond is an exciting milestone in the continued development of Australia’s green bond market.

CEFC Debt Markets Lead Richard Lovell said, “This green bond has been instrumental in setting new standards and expectations across the entire retail industry. Woolworths’ work on a green bond framework has increased its business-wide focus on sustainability. It sends a strong message to participants of Woolworths’ extensive supply chain and makes a clear statement about its sustainability and emissions reduction objectives to the estimated 30 million customers who shop the Woolworths brand each week.

“This retail-focused green bond also provides a new asset class for institutional investors seeking opportunities that meet environmental, social and governance requirements. It creates a simple and highly transparent way for the private sector to invest in clean energy technologies.

“The CEFC’s investment in this bond enables us to continue our support for Australia’s emerging green bond market, actively monitor the secondary market for green bonds and gain useful insights into the emissions profile of Australia’s supermarkets.”

The bonds are certified by The Climate Bonds Initiative, which has developed global low-carbon buildings criteria for supermarkets as a result of Woolworths’ commitment to green bonds. The Climate Bonds Initiative is an international, investor-focused, not-for-profit organisation working to mobilise the $100 trillion bond market for climate change solutions.

Woolworths Group Chief Financial Officer David Marr said, “We’re pleased with our inaugural green bond transaction. The issue of the bonds is a further reflection of our ongoing work to improve our environmental impact and operate a more sustainable business.

“The transaction has given us the opportunity to build relationships with a number of new investors who focus on ESG investment such as the CEFC, supporting our objective of diversifying our investor base.

“We hope that the success of this transaction will drive the development of the Australian green bond market, delivering higher awareness of its benefits for corporate Australia and how funds are allocated.”

Woolworths Group includes well-known Australian and New Zealand brands Woolworths, Countdown, Dan Murphy’s, BWS and Big W. It has over 3000 stores, with more than 200,000 employees. The group has reduced its emissions by 13% since 2015.

Click here to view the Woolworths Group Green Bond Framework.

from Sustainability Matters RSS Feed http://bit.ly/2GT2cpE via http://bit.ly/2W60gzh

Bupa to save 5000 kg of plastic per year going digital

Bupa will cease providing plastic membership cards to its members and will instead shift to digital memberships in a bid to save up to 5000 kg of plastic annually.

Last year Bupa provided over 1 million plastic cards to its members. The health insurer hopes that the move to digital membership will help mitigate climate change and support the effort to rid plastics from the environment.

Bupa Director of Customer Experience Sally Damiani said the move to digital membership was made in response to customer feedback and to make it easier for customers to claim health expenses on the spot.

“Many of our customers told us they didn’t want to carry a plastic card,” Damiani said.

“They saw what was happening in other parts of their life and they rightly had the expectation that health insurance should be just as easy. This now means that customers can get their digital cards as soon as they become members and [this] is particularly useful for overseas students who don’t like to rely on post.

“In addition to giving members the benefit of online claiming, reducing manual claims and allowing money to be back in the bank account of customers quicker, this move will also save up to more than 5000 kg of plastic each year.

“Whilst in the scheme of things 5000 kg is not a significant contribution on the global scheme, every bit helps and customers get better service as a result,” she continued.

The digital card is optional for all Bupa members and it is estimated that more than half of all members will take up the offer. Tap and claim is available now for Android customers.

from Sustainability Matters RSS Feed http://bit.ly/2WcehM4 via http://bit.ly/2W60gzh

Engineered protection for water and wastewater applications

Polibrid 705E is more than just a protective coating; it is an engineering solution with the ability to solve problems in a wide range of environments. Fast-setting properties ensure rapid return to service, improving productivity and reducing costs.

Outstanding impact and abrasion resistance whilst combining an ability to withstand a broad range of chemicals make Polibrid 705E the ideal engineering solution for many challenging environments where conventional coatings fail. Features include:

100% solids, solventless, odourless, meets all VOC regulations.

Corrosion protection for steel and concrete suitable for numerous immersion, chemical, abrasion and impact-resistant applications.

Protects against microbiologically induced corrosion, making it perfect for wastewater applications.

Ideal for encapsulation of rivets, bolts, edges and other surface imperfections.

Bridging cracks in concrete.

Extremely low water permeability giving excellent long-term performance.

Fast curing times — can be placed in-service as soon as touch dry.

Case histories spanning over 25 years.

Outstanding performance across a range of applications

Water transmission pipe coated with Polibrid 705E

Concrete structures and secondary containment

This tough and flexible product has crack bridging properties and the ability to withstand typical movement in concrete. Embedding a geotextile fabric prevents the need for grouting heavily pitted or eroded concrete.

Polibrid 705E is resistant to a range of chemicals over a wide pH range.

High product flexibility and elongation allows Polibrid 705E to be used in situations where substrate movement is a problem for most coatings. In this example, Polibrid 705E is used to keep water from migrating beneath a steel tank reducing the rate of underfloor corrosion.

Water and wastewater

Boasting over 25 years of track records, Polibrid 705E’s unique blend of properties makes it the ideal solution for many applications such as sewerage treatment plants, manhole pits and pump stations, secondary containment and water purification plants.

Suitable to protect sewerage treatment plants against microbiologically induced coating and concrete breakdown as Polibrid resists the harmful effects of hydrogen sulphide and sulphuric acid production.

Mining and mineral processing

Polibrid 705E provides excellent protection against the extremely abrasive and chemically harsh environments experienced in the mining industry, such as coal slurries, thickener, flotation and CIL tanks as well as secondary containment. The life of the asset can be increased significantly by the use of Polibrid.

Technical information

Colour Buff Volume solids 100% Typical dry film thickness 700–5000µm (27.6–196.9mil) dry Temperature Touch dry Hard dry Min. Recoat 15°C (59°F) 25°C (77°F) 40°C (104°F) 2 hours 1 hour 40 minutes 2 days 1 day 1 day 2 hours 1 hour 40 mins VOCs 0 g/l (0.0 lb/gal) – calculated

Test data

TEST METHOD RESULTS Tensile strength ASTM D412 2,800psi minimum (19.3MPa) Flexibility ASTM D-1737 Passes multiple bends on 3.2mm (1/8”) diameter mandrel @ 30mils (762µm) Abrasion resistance ASTM D-4060 40mgs maximum weight loss Taber Abraser w/ CS-17 wheels, 1,000 revs: 1kg load Impact resistance 160lbs (72.5kg) minimum / Direct and reverse Elongation ASTM D-412 43%

For further information, visit https://www.international-pc.com/product/polibrid-705e-1.

Image supplied by AkzoNobel.

from Sustainability Matters RSS Feed http://bit.ly/2GK6YET via http://bit.ly/2W60gzh

Keller LEO 5 high-resolution digital manometer with recording function

Bestech Australia offers the high-resolution digital manometer from Keller — LEO 5 — designed for reliable peak monitoring in the water industry. The LEO 5 achieves this by combining the notable features of Keller’s products, LEO Record and LEX 1 digital pressure gauges.

The LEO 5 digital pressure gauge features an IP66-rated stainless steel enclosure with a large backlit LCD. This robust housing contains contemporary micro-controller electronics and capacitive touch controls that are operated through the environmentally sealed safety glass front panel.

With two available measurement modes, Standard and Peak, the LEO 5 offers versatility for measurements in a wide range of applications. It can measure up to 5000 samples/s when operated in Peak mode to capture sudden hikes in pressure. The data are sampled with 16-bit resolution.

The Keller LEO 5 allows easy connection to the PC via USB interface. This allows data to be recorded in real time so that operators can quickly spot abnormalities, if present. An optional Bluetooth interface is available for measurements in inaccessible areas. Future developments of Keller LEO 5 include the integration of LoRa technology for Internet of Things applications.

Key features include: pressure ranges 0–1000 bar, 0.05% standard accuracy and a large 5-digit display.

from Sustainability Matters RSS Feed http://bit.ly/2V5Qpgz via http://bit.ly/2W60gzh

Grid automation gets smart

The WAGO-I/O-SYSTEM 750/753 is characterised by its scope for universal application and extensive product portfolio. With more than 500 different modules, the versatility and flexibility is so great that virtually every requirement within the broadest range of industries is covered. Whether it’s industrial, process or building automation, sensitive safety applications, telecontrol or in hazardous areas: The WAGO-I/O-SYSTEM 750 provides the decentralised periphery required. International certifications such as IECEx, UL61010 or ABS, as well as several additional marine approvals mean that the WAGO-I/O-SYSTEM can be used worldwide for virtually any industry.

The WAGO-I/O-SYSTEM 750 XTR is instantly recognisable by its dark grey housing. Extremely temperature resistant, immune to interference, as well as unfazed by vibrations and impulse voltages — the WAGO-I/O-SYSTEM 750 XTR’s unique features make it ideal for extreme environments. WAGO meets all relevant guidelines in the area of IT security. The PFC100 and PFC200 are characterised by cross-platform real-time Linux. The PFC controllers use an open-source operating system that can be scaled, updated and support tools such as Rsync. The Linux foundation supports essential security protocols and is constantly being enhanced.

Other advantages include the support for CODESYS PLC runtime. Interface and fieldbus diversity: CANopen, PROFIBUS DP, DeviceNet, MODBUS TCP, RTU, IEC 60870, IEC 61850 and DNP 3.0. Maximum security requirements per ISO 27000 series. On-board VPN tunnel is also possible via IPsec/OpenVPN directly.

Furthermore, the controller encodes data directly via SSL/TLS 1.2 and support parallel data access via OPC UA or Cloud via MQTT.

Case study: WAGO technology increases efficiency in wastewater treatment

Using the WAGO Telecontrol RTUs, a controller module can be developed that gives operators of wastewater treatment plants need-based control of the blowers in their aeration tanks, depending on the degree of contamination in the wastewater. This type of control saves electricity, lowers nitrogen concentration in the discharge and increases operational reliability. Practical experience shows that in many cases, plant operators can recoup the investment through the waiver of the wastewater discharge fees alone.

Case study: Hydropower — forces firmly under control

Renewable energy from hydroelectric plants is an important part of the global energy transition. A high level of automation is required to operate hydroelectric plants economically. Among other things, WAGO solutions can be found in turbine controls that are connected to a higher-level SCADA system for monitoring and power station control.

Case study: Water resource management — intelligently networking measurement values

Using the right measurements is vital when optimising processes. This may sound easy, but usually it is anything but. Using the right measurements means determining that the data are actually relevant for the process analysis, evaluating the data using suitable mathematical models and bringing it into a targeted context. If this succeeds, then measures can be derived that have the potential to sustainably increase the efficiency of the process.

In wastewater treatment, data is primarily recorded in the sanitary sewer network or at wastewater treatment plants. Using WAGO RTUs, a solution that links data from geographically distant stations into a network can be established in a comparatively easy way.

Advantages of the above also include convenient measurement and monitoring of generation or consumption rates (eg, voltage, reactive power, active power, current, cos ᶲ, frequency and energy flow direction).

Cybersecurity: PFC100/PFC200 Controllers comply with current IT security regulations for grid operators and can be hardened as described in the BDEW white paper. Communication via telecontrol protocols per IEC 60870-5-101/-103/-104, 61400-25, 61850-7-420, MODBUS, DNP3. Separate ETHERNET interfaces permit the creation of parallel networks.

Cybersecurity: Encryption that follows Europe’s most stringent energy and security guidelines per BDEW and BSI. Cloud connectivity: Connection to the cloud thanks to an MQTT software upgrade. Password-protected web-based management prevents unauthorised users from changing system settings.

Image supplied by WAGO.

from Sustainability Matters RSS Feed http://bit.ly/2GIJmjS via http://bit.ly/2W60gzh

AMS Instrumentation & Calibration FPI Mag flow meter

The FPI Mag magnetic flow meter is suitable for capital or maintenance projects, retrofits and sites never before metered. The unique combination of accuracy, ease of installation and total cost savings makes the FPI Mag a good choice for a wide range of municipal and industrial applications.

The flow meter meets or exceeds industry standards of 0.5% accuracy with third-party testing verification. The multi-electrode design and unique operating principle deliver high accuracy.

Available in battery- or solar-powered options for forward flow sensors, the flow meter can be installed in remote applications without access to power. Additionally, the new Smart Output feature allows the FPI Mag to connect to AMI/AMR systems through an encoded digital output.

The insertion design of the flow meter allows for easy, hot-tap installation, without interrupting service, dewatering lines, cutting pipe, welding flanges or inconveniencing customers.

Savings of up to 45% on installation and the total cost of ownership can be achieved because there is no need for heavy equipment or added manpower required during a typical full bore, flanged meter installation.

The FPI Mag has a single-piece design with no moving parts. The multi-electrode water flow sensor contains nothing to wear or break and is generally immune to clogging by sand, grit or other debris. It is available with forward flow only or bidirectional measurement for line sizes from 4–138″.

For more information: https://www.ams-ic.com.au/services/flow-liquids/.

from Sustainability Matters RSS Feed http://bit.ly/2V6Ab6W via http://bit.ly/2W60gzh

Sustainable power solution transforms classrooms into hives of energy

With changes to national electricity markets and a growing community desire to embrace environmentally sustainable practices, Australian schools must consider how to meet their future energy needs.

In the past, schools have had to address energy insufficiencies by upgrading their grid power supply — a costly and time-consuming process that goes against the values of school communities that want to implement sustainable practices. School energy demands are likely to continue increasing as student populations grow, temperatures rise and more attention is focused on the internal classroom environment.

In response to the challenge of how to best power the nation’s schools, Hivve Technology has developed a comprehensive and sustainable energy solution that will allow schools to reduce their reliance on grid-sourced power. The alternative clean energy solution avoids the economic, environmental and social costs of grid-supplied electricity.

The Hivve system generates energy from solar PV panels, which is combined with battery storage and classroom-level energy measurement and control. This allows classrooms within a school to be managed as a network, creating an on-site power supply. As classrooms are added to the Hivve network, the school becomes more energy self-sufficient and less reliant on grid power. In most cases, the Hivve system is a lower capital- and operating-cost alternative to grid-supplied electricity.

Hivve iQ — the technology at the heart of the Hivve system — monitors and reports classroom conditions in real time. Data on temperature, air quality, energy generation and use is captured, allowing teachers, students and the school community to actively engage with their environment. The benefit of this capability is reinforced by research on the impact of the indoor environment on learning, which demonstrates that comfortable temperatures, healthy air quality and thoughtful design are major contributors to good educational outcomes.

Hivve’s classroom-by-classroom approach is designed to suit any type of classroom or learning area, so that all classrooms in a school, regardless of age or design, can be Hivve enabled, allowing school-wide management of energy use and learning conditions.

For new-build projects, Hivve Technology has created an advanced modular classroom — The Hivve — providing schools with a green, zero-net-energy learning space that is scalable, flexible and fast.

David Wrench, Executive Director of Hivve Technology, will discuss the sustainable energy solution in more depth at the National Clean Technologies Conference & Exhibition, being held from 29–31 May 2019 on the Sunshine Coast. Click here for more information.

Image courtesy of Hivve Technology.

from Sustainability Matters RSS Feed http://bit.ly/2V0Jyox via http://bit.ly/2W60gzh

Trending Blogs

Recently Viewed Blogs

Ronald Corbin