Deployed Goat Herd to Save Energy, Money

During the summer of 2010, the extreme overgrowth and underbrush on the hillside behind the Richard H. Chambers U.S. Courthouse in Pasadena, California, prompted the U.S. General Services Administration's Pacific Rim Region property management to take quick action to avoid summer fires. Ultimately, the choice was easy: Use a herd of goats. The decision meant a cost-saving to taxpayers over hiring manual labor and proved to be better for the environment than bulldozers.

The unusually wet winter and spring caused the overgrowth, which, in California, always means the risk of summer wildfires and grass fires because of tinder underbrush. The goats are an efficient vegetation management tool, costing thousands less and taking three days vs. a week for manual labor, with few side effects. Unlike bulldozers, used historically for the annual project, goats control brush and weeds without disturbing the grass and soil. They also do not pollute or leave synthetic chemicals that could run off into lakes and streams or be ingested by other animals.

U.S. Solar Market Heating Up

A recent study by GTM Research, a market analysis company focusing on renewable energy industries, estimated that the U.S. solar market could grow eightfold to $8 billion by 2015. Driving such growth are state policies that require power companies to generate a certain portion of their electricity from renewable sources. Generous federal and state government tax credits aimed at spurring clean energy sector growth have also made such investments more competitive with already-subsidized, traditional fossil fuel plants.

In late November, for example, a Seattle-based solar developer, Summit Power, teamed up with one of the world’s largest manufacturers of photovoltaic solar panels to form a joint venture to build solar plants in the western United States. The new company, NorthLight Power, has signed a contract to provide a California electric utility with power from a 60-megawatt solar farm that will be built in California’s sunny Central Valley and go online in mid-2013. Read more.

Volvo Group Contributes to Carbon-Neutral Airports

In partnership with Schmidt and Swedavia, the Volvo Group is participating in a field test to trial the world’s first biogas-fueled snow sweeper. The vehicle is equipped with two nine-liter Volvo engines fueled by biogas combined with conventional diesel, which may ultimately be replaced by biodiesel, enabling entirely carbon-neutral driving.

The state-owned company Swedavia aims to make all of its 14 airports in Sweden carbon-neutral in terms of upkeep and maintenance. Daily operations involve the deployment of an extensive fleet of machinery comprising Volvo products featuring customized equipment, including snow removal machines that keep the runways clear of snow. Read more.

Hawaii Hydrogen Infrastructure Gets Boost

Ten companies, agencies and universities have joined an initiative between The Gas Company (TGC), and General Motors to make hydrogen-powered vehicles and a fueling infrastructure a reality in Hawaii by 2015.

The plan, called the Hawaii Hydrogen Initiative (H2I), aims to integrate hydrogen as an essential building block for Hawaii’s sustainable energy ecosystem. The effort to reduce the state’s 90 percent dependence on imported oil is expected to make hydrogen available to all of Oahu’s 1 million residents by 2015. The goal is for 20 to 25 hydrogen stations to be installed in strategic locations around the island. Read more.

Skanska to Launch Green Office Project, Lustgården, in Stockholm - Invests SEK 1.4 Billion

Skanska is starting the first phase of the Lustgården office project on Kungsholmen in Stockholm. According to Skanska, the property will be the largest green office project in the Nordics and the most environmentally compatible project developed by Skanska to date. The investment amounts to approximately SEK 1.4 billion and the construction contract for Skanska Sweden to approximately SEK 1 billion, which will be included in the fourth quarter order bookings.

The phase starting now comprises about 35,000 square meters of modern office premises. A second phase, consisting of an additional 20,000 square meters, is on the starting blocks when demand requires it. The investment is Skanska’s single largest investment to date in the development of new offices. In a third phase, approximately 170 new residences are planned. Skanska expects to invest a total of approximately SEK 2.5 billion in the project in the next few years. Read more.

Swedish Hamburger Chain Max Committed to Sustainable Practices

Max is a family owned hamburger restaurant chain in Sweden. The company dates back to 1968, when Curt Bergfors and his fiancée Britta Andersson opened the first MAX Restaurant in Gällivare, a small Swedish city just north of the Arctic Circle. In 2008 Max became the first company in the world to publically disclose declarations of CO2 emissions for all its products. Furthermore, and in addition to a number of other corporate social responsibility programs, MAX offsets its entire carbon footprint through agro forestry programs in Africa.

In the process, Max turned to the international NGO for strategic sustainable development, The Natural Step (TNS). In the summer of 2007, a model for collaboration between Max and TNS was agreed upon. The project started in September 2007 and early results could be presented in May 2008, encouraging further efforts. The Natural Step (TNS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to research, education, and consultancy in sustainable development.

Hertz Launches First Electric Vehicle Rental and Carshare Service in the U.S.

Hertz announced today that New York will be the first city to receive electric vehicles (EV) as part company's Hertz Global EV initiative with cars also being delivered to Washington DC and San Francisco. Beginning December 15, 2010, Hertz will make next generation of electric vehicles available to the general public through its Connect by Hertz car sharing operation and, starting today, local area residents and visitors can sign up to be among the first to try an EV such as the smart Electric Drive and Nissan LEAF. Read more.