3COTECH - Ecotechnology, Sustainability, Renewables

Ongoing Monitoring & Preventive Maintenance

Published on 2011-02-18 14:48:00

Ongoing monitoring is crucial. Building energy management and control systems are important, as they monitor and control all building functions. This includes monitoring at the whole building level as well as at every building component (lighting, air handling units, pumps, water, etc.). Data collected from ongoing monitoring of building performance help building owners and managers to: Collect data to monitor performance, maintenance and operational effectiveness;Ensure that buildings continue

Top 50 Most Efficient Geothermal Heat Pumps

Published on 2011-02-13 12:41:00

To educate and encourage professionals interested in geothermal heat pumps, Bryan Hayden from HeatSpring Learning Institute posted the ranking of the top 50 list.Full report--with explanations how these rankings were compiled--is available at http://blog.heatspring.com/top-50-most-efficient-geothermal-heat-pumps-4-ton-units/

Green Building = Energy Efficient Building

Published on 2011-02-09 01:19:00

In the United States buildings account for:72% of electricity consumption39% of energy use40 –70% of GHG emissions in urban areas30% of waste output (136 million tons annually)14% of potable water consumptionIf all new buildings, starting right now, would be zero net energy buildings, this would account for only 1% of energy savings by 2020. According to the California Long Term Energy Efficiency Plan, all new commercial construction in California will be zero net energy by 2030.Energy co

California new tougher renewable energy goals

Published on 2010-09-24 20:37:00

On Thursday September 23, 2010 CARB (California Air Resources Board) approved in a vote the new goal to raise the state's renewable energy target to 33 percent by 2020 from previous 20 percent by 2010.As usually the new law impose some controversy. While environmentalists say the goals are too low, the large-scale developers say they are too high. Industry professionals indicate this target as more achievable than a prior goal, however it requires faster approvals for plans and on

What Sustainable Means

Published on 2010-08-29 21:24:00

"Sustainable" has such a comprehensive meaning.  Among other means it involves:- environment protection, including people, flora-green plants and fauna-animals, extinction of species; - water conservation and reservoirs protection; - air & environmental quality (indoor and outdoor); - land preservation, including land use, habitat destruction, and intensive farming; - pollution prevention (including air, water, soil and land, light, noise, thermal, radioactive, litte

US Largest 62MW Solar Power Development & Solar Ramp-Up Law Signed by IL Gov Quinn

Published on 2010-08-22 19:02:00

Illinois Governor Patrick Quinn announced over $4 million stimulus grant award for 62 MW Rockford Solar Project, the largest photovoltaic (PV) solar development in the Midwest and one of the largest in the United States at the ribbon-cutting ceremony of Wanxiang America Corporation's newly built solar panel manufacturing plant in Rockford, IL on August 17, 2010.Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has cut the ribbon to officially open the largest in the Midwest and one of the largest in the USA solar dev

How solar panels are made

Published on 2010-08-15 11:42:00

The sun is able to produce electricity. Solar electric panels are made of photovoltaics cells--PV for short. PV stands for photo (light) and voltaic (electricity). PV technology enables to create electricity using sunlight. This great video shows how solar panels are made.

Polish Tragedy

Published on 2010-04-11 20:53:00

Like 70 years ago Poland again lost the most important people!Polish President Lech Kaczynski, The First Lady Maria Kaczynska, and number of top Polish officials, 96 people in total were killed after the plane crash in Smolensk, Russia.Those killed included also the Army Chief and several Army Generals, former President of Poland, President of Council of Advocates, the Head of the National Bank, Chancellor of the University, Poland's Deputy Foreign Minister, Senators, Members of Parliament, Pres

How Wind Turbines Work?

Published on 2010-03-15 17:59:00

Wind turbines and windmills uses wind energy to produce electricity. They are mounted on a high tower--100 feet (30 meters) or more, to to have a good exposure to the wind and to harvest the bulk of energy. At height they can benefit from the faster and less turbulent wind. The heart of a wind turbine is the rotor. The rotor is aligned into the wind by the tail manually or via a computer-controlled tail-fan tail.Source U.S. Department of Energy at http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/wi

Wind energy basics

Published on 2010-03-14 22:31:00

While fossil fuels continue to diminish and negatively effect out environment, as their burning process produces around 21.3 billion tones of carbon dioxide per year, scientists around the world are searching for new and more efficient methods of generating energy.Wind energy is an attractive alternative to fossil fuels. It's plentiful, clean, renewable, widely distributed, and produces no greenhouse gas emissions. Wind power is produced by harnessing the kinetic energy of wind and converting it