Green Notes

New domain name: dot eco?

Al Gore is supporting a move to introduce .eco as a top level domain. Makes sense to me.

More.

Will Google remake the national grid?

There's a fascinating article in the current issue of Portfolio about how Google, in partnership with GE, plans to reform the nation's electrical grid:

Google’s goal in energy is twofold: First, it wants to make your home energy-smart, so that appliances know when to power up and power down, and heating and cooling systems respond automatically to changes in the price of energy. The company views this as essentially a software problem, akin to making sense of the torrent of information on the Web. But before Google can transform your home, it’s pushing for a revolution in the way energy is produced.

And further on:

The world as envisioned by Google includes a vast computer network that monitors and controls the nation’s electricity grid and sets price s for power based on real-time supply and demand. For example, the system could, on a particularly hot afternoon, send a signal to millions of utility customers warning that power prices are soaring. The information could be fed directly into an energy-management system linked wirelessly to people’s air conditioners and appliances, and their Jacuzzis, garden lights, and electric cars. After being programmed, the system would automatically shut down designated devices if prices hit preset levels, just as program trading automatically buys and sells stocks. For those without automatic systems, it would take just a few keystrokes from a computer at the office to power down selected machines at home and avoid being walloped by the price spike.

The grid itself would work in similar ways. If it faced shortages, it could send out a signal offering to buy back power stored in people’s electric car batteries for a healthy premium above what the same electrons cost just 15 hours earlier. Those interested would click accept on their computer screens. The network would locate their vehicles and automatically activate decharging. Eventually, demand and prices would drop, triggering dishwashers and clothes dryers to switch on. Electric cars would resume charging.

The single biggest problem holding the upgrading of the national grid is the one we're all familiar with: It's too expensive.

But then came the stimulus bill and President Obama's commitment to renewable energy. This is a unique opportunity to take a great leap forward.

Read the rest of the story here.

Dade to support Earth Hour 2009

A news release from Miami-Dade County:

Miami-Dade County announced today that it will officially support Earth Hour 2009, a global climate event led by the World Wildlife Fund. More than 240 cities around the world have already committed to go dark for one hour on March 28, 2009 at 8:30 p.m., as tens of millions of people from all corners of the world unite in a call for global action on climate change.

“Miami-Dade County is doing its part for Earth Hour 2009,” Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez said.  “We want residents to know that we care about saving our natural resources and stand united in seeking to find solutions to climate change.”

During Earth Hour, Miami-Dade County will be turning off the lights for the Stephen P. Clark Government Center, Miami-Dade’s Courthouse, the County’s 140 and Hickman buildings.  Miami’s skyline will go dark for one hour as individuals, businesses, government buildings, schools and major landmarks turn off non-essential lighting in what will be the largest climate event in history.

Miami-Dade County is making it easier than ever for residents to make a difference.  With the County’s recently launched Going Green website, residents can learn about all things green such as the County’s new recycling program or take action by participating in the Biscayne Bay Clean up Day to help keep our beaches beautiful or have some good clean fun with one of the County's many Eco-Adventures.

Excellent news. Still, and call me cynical, I can't help wondering how much money the county is hoping to save.

$200,000 prize for environmentalists in LatAm and Caribbean

The Inter-American Development Bank is sponsoring a competition to develop innovative ideas for improving energy efficiency, and access to efficient energy, in the region. Prizes are up to $200,000.

Watch the videos on YouTube in Spanish here and in English here, or check the IDB's website.