Grouse Mountain Resort - Changing the Face of Sustainability

Look towards the North Shore of Vancouver from almost any vantage point in the city and you can see the wind turbine situated at the top. It might be turning, or it might not, but either way that turbine stands as a symbol of corporate sustainability and extends a challenge to other companies in British Columbia to put into action more bold renewable energy initiatives.

Set against the backdrop of the Coastal Mountains, the turbine, called “The Eye of the Wind”, is the most visually noticeable facet of Grouse Mountain’s Blue Grouse initiative. 

Blue Grouse is the corporate philosophy that is behind all operational decisions at Grouse. It is about balance and responsibility; in essence, what is good for the environment can be equally good for business.

Thus, the Eye of the Wind has the capacity to generate up to 25% of the annual energy usage for the mountain as well as having the world’s first elevator accessible public viewing pod, giving visitors an opportunity to get up close with renewable energy in a real sense.

When Grouse Mountain began to explore the possibility of implementing wind energy, they turned to the Canadian Wind Energy Association, a transparent comprehensive source of information on wind energy in Canada, to get their facts. The Association, as well as other consultations, gave Grouse Mountain the confidence to move forward with the project. Here are ten reasons why others should follow Grouse Mountain’s lead. 

1. The Lower Mainland, with topography ranging from oceanic coastlines to steep-sided fjords to grasslands and rocky peaks, has an abundance of wind. There are many such micro-climates across Canada where there are wind currents conducive to energy generation.  
2. Wind is an emission and waste free resource. There are no by-products and low environmental impact on the running of a wind turbine.
3. Wind energy infrastructure leaves a small ecological footprint. In fact, it would take less than 5% of Canada’s land to generate enough wind power to fuel the nation.
4. Wind turbines can be located close to the end-user, thus they do not require a massive transmission infrastructure such as power lines.
5. The energy produced by wind turbines is greatest when the need is greatest. This is because wind speeds increase as the day unfolds, which generally follows the pattern of energy demand. Wind speeds also increase during seasonal storms, exactly when people need additional energy to heat their homes.
6. Wind energy can stimulate the economy in rural areas that have seen steady declines in the agricultural or logging sectors by providing income to landowners who “host” wind farms.
7. The low start-up cost of a wind turbine makes is the most cost effective source of renewable energy.
8. The idea of marrying wind technology with tourism by introducing an elevator-accessible viewing pod is progressive and innovative for both the tourism and the energy sectors. The success of The Eye of the Wind will hopefully encourage the development of similar projects.
9. Wind power is direct energy and requires no energy for generation.
10. Wind capacity grew by 21% in 2004, 24% in 2005, and 29% in 2008, with growth rates now further increasing. China alone aims to raise its wind capacity to 100,000 MW by 2020.

The success of wind energy as an economically viable and sustainable source of energy is unmistakable. With Grouse Mountain demonstrating the success of wind energy in a tourism context as well, we will definitely see more turbines on the horizon.





Thank you for taking the time to learn more about renewable energy - Knowledge Is Power! If there is something else you'd like to know write to us at info@endeavorscorp.com and we'll do our best to address it for you! For more information go to http://www.endeavorscorp.com/ or write to us if you want to get involved. Have a green day!

Renewable Energy, Proven Technology Throughout History

As time continues to move forward we often forget to look back and remember where things began. Although significant, our historical reliance on renewable energy and the impact advancements in this area had are often forgotten. A brief look at some of the most significant and interesting examples of this reliance follows.  Perhaps we had it right the first time!

Wind Power

Perhaps one of the most iconic symbols of renewable energy throughout history, the windmill has had a long history of innovation. This innovation has developed the windmill from a single use energy source in the 10^th century, to the highly technical and versatile wind turbines we see today. Although the use of windmills dates back 2000 years in some regions of the world, the first documented case of a windmill being used for pumping water and grinding grain is in Persia during the 10^th century. This innovation was soon developed to a fuller extent around the 15^th century in Western Europe. Near the end of the 16^th century, the windmill reached its most efficient state in the Netherlands. Driven by a need for land reclamation, these windmills were the largest and most efficient ever created. Able to grind grain and spices, saw wood, and pump water, these windmills were vital for the very survival of Dutch people. Without windmills to pump water from the land, these farmers would have had no means to generate crops. With the emergence of steam engines in the 19^th century, dependence on windmills gradually decreased.


However, in the pioneer setting of the US windmill technology was further developed. Sparked by the first commercially successful windmill, created by Daniel Halladay in 1854, the use of windmills in the US saw even further technological advancement. Halladay’s windmill was the first with a self-governing design, able to rotate to match the direction of wind. Soon after this innovation, further innovations occurred and the windmill saw widespread adoption.  Primarily used for pumping water, the smaller windmill reached six million installations in the US alone from 1850 to 1970. With the first windmill capable of generating electricity being built in the US during 1888 by Charles F. Brush, the use of electricity generating windmills reached commercial success in the early 20^th century. With the Jacobs Wind Electric Company pioneering the way in 1927, hundreds of thousands of wind electric systems were in place in the US by the 1940s; providing off the grid rural farmers with a source of electricity cheaper than gasoline fired generators. However, as the energy needs of these farmers increased, the extension of major electrical grids to rural areas displaced the need for wind generators. Once again, reliance on windmills deteriorated due to the cheaper electrical producing abilities of petroleum fired power plants.


 

Wind energy is also responsible for an innovation that shaped the very presence of humans around the world. The use of sail power led to an unprecedented era of exploration and trade. Perhaps one of the earliest applications of any energy source for human purposes, Egyptian people utilized sails for transportation along the Nile River as far back as 3500 B.C.E. Gradually developing over the centuries to larger ships and more efficient sails, the Romans and other civilizations began to utilize sail power on a large scale for trade and transportation in the Mediterranean. During this time, ship designs became larger and were able to move more goods and travel further. The first to use sail power for global exploration, Vikings were able to travel unprecedented distances with sail powered ships around 1000 C.E; reaching North America for the first time. Although this exploration occurred for the next few centuries, it was not until the late 16^th century that the sail had the most significant effect on the world. The combination of exploration, warfare, and trade on a large scale, from the 16^th century to the mid 19^th century, witnessed one of largest migrations of people in history. Without the aid of wind powered ships, this migration would not have been possible on the same scale, if at all. As with many historical innovations involving renewable power, the emergence of a fossil fuel alternative led to the end of wind power dominance. In 1862, during the Battle of Hampton Roads, the C.S.S Virginia was able to prove its complete dominance over wind powered vessels. Completely destroying two large sailing ships, this iron-clad, steam engine powered ship changed the face of naval warfare. Soon after, the use of wooden sailing ships dwindled as the benefits of versatile and stronger steam powered ships were exploited.

Hydro Power

Another technology that has seen a history of innovation much like that of the windmill is the watermill, or waterwheel. With some of the earliest documented uses occurring in 100-200 B.C.E, the basic concept of the waterwheel has been widely changed and adapted to the current equivalent of hydroelectric dams.  Being adopted by the Romans for crushing grain, sawing wood, tanning leather, smelting iron, and other processes, the watermill quickly made its way across continental Europe. Emerging independently in Ancient China around 100 C.E, the waterwheel was also utilized for purposes of crushing grain and forging iron. A few centuries later, the emergence of waterwheels in the Middle East had also made a major impact. By the 11^th century, waterwheels were being used for industrial purposes in all Islamic regions. Remaining competitive with steam engines during the industrial revolution, the limited accessibility of waterwheels eventually rendered watermills uncompetitive. Although this technology did not survive competing against cheaper sources of electricity, the basic concept of the waterwheel has survived in today’s hydraulic turbines. With the first commercial scale hydroelectric dam going into operation in 1882, the utilization of hydroelectricity as a power source has grown constantly; now one of the largest sources of energy supply worldwide.

 

Solar Power

Benefiting from a greatly increased adoption rate for heating and cooling usage in recent years, the use of solar heating is not itself a recent technological advancement. Dating back to 400 B.C.E, Greek people began to orient their homes on the side of hills, allowing them to benefit from daytime heat storage being released at night. With the implementation of glass windows, the Romans further exploited the abilities of sunlight in heating homes. This innovation in Rome also led to the first use of glasshouses for growing plants and seeds with exotic origins. Even with this innovation however, the use of solar power for heating did not undergo any major advancements until more recent centuries.

Only recently becoming one of the fastest growing renewable energy technologies, the use of solar power for generating electricity actually has long history of innovation. In 1861, solar energy was first used to generate power with Auguste Mouchout’s steam engine. This engine utilized concentrated solar power with mirrors to produce steam; however, as coal was a much cheaper alternative, this invention was not able to develop further. First recognized for its potential to generate electricity by the French Physicist Edmond Becquere in 1838, the photoelectric effect underwent many studies over the next century without much major notice or commercial success. This even included a study on photovoltaic effects by Albert Einstein in 1905, which won a Nobel Prize in 1921. The actual study of solar cells actually dates back to 1876, when it was discovered that selenium exposed to sunlight could actually generate electricity. It wasn’t until the early 1950’s with the discovery of the silicon cell, that solar power gained truly credible notice for its potential of capturing the sun’s energy. This led to the use of solar cells on satellites in the late 1950’s. After many more decades, the development of solar photovoltaics has finally reached its current state of commercial success and rapid growth.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about renewable energy - Knowledge Is Power! If there is something else you'd like to know write to us at info@endeavorscorp.com and we'll do our best to address it for you! For more information go to http://www.endeavorscorp.com/ or write to us if you want to get involved. Have a green day!

Sources:Baker, T.L. (n.d). Brief History of Windmills in the New World. Retrieved September 19^th from http://www.windmillersgazette.com/history.htmlDodge, D. (2006). Illustrated History of Wind Development. Retrieved September 20^th from http://telosnet.com/wind/index.htmlFactsaboutSolarEnergy.com. (2006). Solar Energy History. Retrieved September 20^th from http://facts-about-solar-energy.com/solar-energy-history.htmlHistoryofsolarpower.com. (2009). History of Solar Power. Retrieved September 20^th from http://historyofsolarpower.com/March, C. (September 2010). On This Day: First Hydroelectric Plant Opens. Retrieved September 20^th from http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/on-this-day/September-October-08/On-this-Day--First-Hydroelectric-Plant-Opens.htmlNickolsen, J.W. (n.d). Sailboat History Timeline. Retrieved September 19^th from http://www.timeline-help.com/sailboat-history-timeline.htmlParsons, M. (n.d). Ships and Boats of Egypt. Retrieved September 19^th from http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/shipsandboats.htmProCon.org. (September 2011).  Historical Timeline: History of Alternative Energy and Fossil Fuels. Retrieved September 16^th, 2011 from http://alternativeenergy.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=002475Reece, W. (n.d). The History of Solar Power. Retrieved September 20^th from http://www.experience.com/alumnus/article?channel_id=energy_utilities&source_page=additional_articles&article_id=article_1130427780670Rickard, J. (May 2007). Battle of Hampton Roads, 8-9 March 1862. Retrieved September 20^th , 2011 from http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/battles_hampton_roads.htmlTop-Alternative-Energy-Sources.com. (2008). The History of Solar Power. Retrieved September 20^th from http://www.top-alternative-energy-sources.com/history-of-solar-power.htmlTop-Alternative-Energy-Sources.com. (2008). Water Wheel History. Retrieved September 20^th from http://www.top-alternative-energy-sources.com/water-wheel-history.html

"One man's trash is another man's treasure" - and everyone's greener Earth!

This #ecoMonday we're highlighting a company that is taking waste removal head on and going green with it - 505-Junk.

The locally owned Vancouver business prides itself on recycling as many items as possible and donating any reusable items to charities throughout Vancouver.

With countless tweets and posts of rescued items, these young entrepreneurs have caught our attention and we encourage everyone to go green and save waste!

505-Junk co-founders Scott Foran (left) and Barry Hartman in Tsawwassen, BC - Photo: South Delta Leader

About 505-Junk

505-JUNK is a full service junk removal business in Vancouver, British Columbia. No job is too big or too small for us and we strive to offer the best customer service at all times.

Our goal is to recycle as many items as possible and to donate any reusable items to charities throughout Vancouver. Contact us today at (604)-505-5865.

The process is simple:

1.) Call us at (604)-505-5865 to book an appointment. We will give you a 2-hour window on a specified date.

2.) A team of 2 will phone 15 minutes prior to arrival on the scheduled date. They will remove all your wanted material, and will always clean up afterwards.

3.) The following business day, you will receive a copy of your total weight along with an invoice by your choice of e-mail, mail, or by phone.

4.) You are now junk free!

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about renewable energy - Knowledge Is Power! If there is something else you'd like to know write to us at info@endeavorscorp.com and we'll do our best to address it for you! For more information go to http://www.endeavorscorp.com/ or write to us if you want to get involved. Have a green day!

Green Energy Conferences Worldwide

Here are a list of conferences in the renewable energy sector for October 2011 - go green!

05 Power Outages 2011 Rome Italy
06 Wind energy � meeting the climate and energy challenges in the EU HAMBURG Germany
07 2nd international SUSPLAN conference Brussels Belgium
10 The International Congress on Energy and Power ~ICEP 2011~ Beijing China
10 Energy Conference 2011 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
13 4th Annual International Conference on Energy, Logistics & the Environment Denver Colorado
14 Green Conclave and Green Leadership Forum 2011 New Delhi India
17 World Renewable Energy Congress- Indonesia: The International Conference and Exhibition on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, Bali 2011 Bali Indonesia
The Indonesian Renewable Energy Society (IRES)collaborating with World Renewable Energy Network(WREN) proudly present The World Renewable EnergyCongress � Indonesia - International Conferenceand Exhibition on Renewable Energy and EnergyEff
17 Global Renewable Energy Development Brussels Belgium
17 3rd Ukrainian Renewable Energy Forum Kyiv Ukraine
19 CEP� Clean Energy & Passive House EXPO Europa Hotels & Congress Center, Budapest Hungary
19 2011 World Green Energy Symposium Philadelphia Pennsylvania
The 2011 World Green Energy Symposium is the PREMIER B2B, G2G, B2G event held in the USA which draws top experts & buyers, decision makers, innovators from Government/Industry to Phila,PA REGISTER NOW www.2011wges.us
20 5th European Solar Thermal Energy Conference (ESTEC 2011) Marseille France
21 2011 International Conference on Oil, Gas and Environment(ICOGE 2011) Cairo Egypt
ICOGE 2011 will be published in the conferenceproceeding, and all papers in the proceedings willbe indexed by Thomson ISI Proceedings
24 Alternative Energy for Defense Vienna Virginia
24 SmartGrid 2011 Conference Toronto Canada
24 Monetizing Grid Services EAST Philadelphia PA
25 The Power Turbine Congress 2011 Vienna Austria
25 CLEAN TECH NJ 2011 Iselin NJ
26 IHT Global Clean Energy Forum Barcelona Spain
26 3rd Symposium on Environmental Management - Towards Sustainable Technologies Zagreb Croatia (Hrvatska)

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about renewable energy - Knowledge Is Power! If there is something else you'd like to know write to us at info@endeavorscorp.com and we'll do our best to address it for you! For more information go to http://www.endeavorscorp.com/ or write to us if you want to get involved. Have a green day!

28 Ways to Build a Green Lifestyle

The idea of a green lifestyle is easily attainable. It is not about changing your lifestyle completely; even small changes to your behaviour add up! Developing a new habit and sticking to it can be difficult - people often have set routines that they are comfortable with - but it takes perseverance and effort, and time! It is estimated that it takes between 21 and 28 days to create a new habit (depending on what the habit is), with a recent study suggesting it can even take up to 66 days! 

Here are 28 ways to help build a green lifestyle and a green planet!

Tip #1: Invest in energy efficient light bulbs and appliances

Remember to look for the EnerGuide tag when purchasing new appliances. Refitting your home with energy saving light bulbs labelled ENERGY STAR® not only helps the environment, but helps you save money on your electricity bill as well! Compact fluorescent light bulbs with the ENERGY STAR® label use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and halogen lighting has similar light output to a regular incandescent bulb but uses up to 40% less energy.  

                                   

Tip #2: Go paperless

Many companies, such as credit cards, cell phones and utilities, offer e-billing options so sign up for it. Receiving your account information online is fast, easy and convenient.

Tip #3: Recycle

Return your old bottles, cans and juice containers to recycling depots. Most cities even have recycling programs for old newspapers, magazines, paper and cardboards such as Vancouver’s blue box program. If don’t already have a recycling box, check to see if your city offers a recycling program and get started.

                

Tip #4: Bike or walk to your destination whenever possible

Instead of using your car, why not save your gas money and get a little exercise at the same time! You might find it very relaxing to take a leisurely walk on a nice, sunny day.

Tip #5: Carpool

If you do need to drive, organize a carpool or take public transit to limit the number of cars on the road. A smaller number of cars on the road means less carbon emissions.

                                                                                                                             

Tip #6: Conserve water

Turn off the tap and shower when not in use, limit the number of baths you take and only run a washing machine / dishware with a full load. You can even install a low-flow shower head and save as much as 60% of the water used by a conventional fixture. Dripping taps should be replaced because they can waste 9000 litres of hot water each year!

Tip #7: Invest in a high-efficiency water heater

Water heaters use up a lot of energy and switching to a high-efficiency one could lead to savings of up to $100 each year on your energy bill.

Tip #8: Turn down the heat when you are not home

Why keep the heat running if no one is home? It is another great way to save money on your energy bill. If you are someone who is in a rush in the mornings and tend to forget, try installing a programmable thermostat instead. You save 2% on your heating bill for every 1⁰C that the thermostat is lowered.

Tip #9: Unplug chargers after use

A charger will still draw power even if nothing is connect to it; so try not to just leave it plugged in!

Tip #10: Compost

Limit the amount of waste that ends up in the landfill by composting. The compost will also make great fertilizer to use in your garden.

Tip #11: Grow your own produce

If you have the space in your yard, why not grow some of your own produce? Some vegetables, such as radishes, carrots, and beans, are easy to plant and require very little maintenance to grow. If you also followed tip #10, then you should have some great fertilizer as well.

Tip #12: Shop at an organic store

Specialty shops that sell organic products are popping up everywhere. For example, here in Vancouver, the majority of products sold at Choices Market are organic. Even the major grocery stores carry a selection of organic products so be sure to check it out.

Tip #13: Fully shut down computers after use

Instead of putting the computer simply in a power saver mode, shut it down completely! You may be concerned that this will wear out the hardware faster, but those are outdated thoughts. In the last decade, computer hardware has evolved and will not be adversely affected by turning the machine on and off.

Tip #14: Properly dispose of old electronics

Do not just throw out old computers, TVs and cell phones. There are a many places you can take your old electronics for proper disposal and recycling. Some companies even offer you a credit or rebate for returning old products so take advantage of it. For example, Apple offers customers gift cards for returning old iPhones, iPads, Macs or PCs. Apple will take care of the shipping costs if you mail it back to them or you can drop it off at any apple store.               

Tip #15: Turn off the lights

Turn off all the lights in your home or office when you leave each day. You can also use a timer when you want the lights to turn on during a certain time while you are away for an extended period.

Tip #16: Purchase coffee made from sustainably grown coffee beans

Coffee is just behind oil and is the second most traded commodity in the world. Coffee beans are generally farmed in areas that are considered high priority for conservation. You can help maintain these forests and the wildlife habitat they provide by purchasing coffee that is Rainforest Alliance Certified. Approximately 1.3% of the world’s coffee is Rainforest Alliance Certified.

Tip #17: Use LED Christmas lights

Everyone loves to decorate their homes during Christmas time. LEDs have a longer lifespan and use a tenth less energy than traditional incandescent lights. It is now easier to fill your home with Christmas lights without spending a fortune on your energy bill.

Tip #18: Make sure your home is properly insulated

Heating costs take up a large chunk of your home’s energy bill. Ensure that your home is not unnecessarily losing heat through improper insulation. You can even improve your home’s air tightness by installing caulking or weatherstripping. Double glazed windows are also worthy of investment.

Tip #19: Use reusable bags instead of plastic

Most stores no longer have plastic bags or charge a fee if you require one. Reusable bags are durable and make much more sense to use. If you do not already have one, there are many stores that give them away for free or are available for purchase for a small fee.

Tip #20: Try to avoid purchasing bottled water

Plastic water bottles are a major source of waste in landfills. There are approximately 40 million plastic water bottles disposed daily worldwide. Use a water filter in your home instead and use a stainless steel water bottle (which won’t leak any chemicals) when on the go.

Tip #21: Practice Socially Responsible Investing (SRI)

People are not the only ones going green; companies are as well. Spend your dollars at companies that have corporate social responsibility programs related to the environment and avoid dealing with companies that cause the environment more harm.

Tip #22: Dry clothes naturally

The dryer uses a lot of energy so it would be a good idea to avoid using it whenever possible. You can hang clothes outside to dry on sunny day or even just hang it to air dry in your home.

Tip #23: Plant a deciduous tree on the sunny side of your home

The tree will provide shade from the sun during the summer to help keep your home cool and reduce energy spent on air conditioning.  During the winter, when the tree’s leaves have fallen off, it will allow the sunlight to shine back into your home and help heat it.

Tip #24: Check your tires regularly

If your tires are over or under-inflated, your car will have to work harder and thus will use more fuel. You can reduce fuel consumption and costs by simply checking the tire pressure regularly! Properly maintaining your vehicle will also reduce fuel costs and reduce CO² emissions.

Tip #25: Fly less

Today’s technology makes it possible stay connected easier than ever before. Reduce the amount of trips that you take by leveraging video conferencing technology whenever possible.

Tip #26: Avoid the drive thru

Gas is being wasted anytime your car is idling. It also wears out your vehicle faster. More gas is used up sitting idle for 10 seconds than it is to start up the car.

Tip #27: Wash laundry in cold water

Most of the energy used to run a washing machine goes into heating the water. It is now even easier to wash using cold water with the new detergents available in the market.

Tip #28: Donate or give away old items

Do not throw away old clothes or items in your home you no longer use; give it away for someone else to use or donate it to a charity.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about renewable energy! Knowledge Is Power If there is something else you'd like to know write to us at info@endeavorscorp.com and we'll do our best to address it for you! For more information go to http://www.endeavorscorp.com/ or write to us if you want to get involved.

Sources:

Natural Resources Canada

Rainforest Alliance

Internship Opportunity

We are committed to the ongoing education and development of green energy projects in an effort to obtain a sustainable environment.

With several internships currently underway Eco Endeavors is busily working with students and individuals in various departments to research and develop information throughout the entire renewable energy sector. We have now opened up to two additional internship positions to be filled before September 30, 2011.

If you are:

• A third year or higher university student, graduate, or masters student
• Fluent in English and an excellent communicator
• Passionate about renewable and alternative energy
• A self-starter able to work well on your own and report clearly to a supervisor
• Highly motivated, enthusiastic, resourceful, and eager to learn about the renewable energy industry and get your foot in the door

We want you: 

• To email us at careers@endeavorscorp.com with your resume and cover letter explaining why you would be an ideal candidate for an internship position.

Carbon Credits & Renewable Energy Certificates Explained

What are carbon credits?

Carbon credits are tradable certificates or permits that represent a specific quantity of greenhouse gas emissions.

One carbon credit is equivalent to one metric tonne of carbon dioxide or carbon dioxide equivalent gases.

There are many companies that sell carbon credits and it is also traded on exchange platforms, such as the Carbon Trade Exchange.

Businesses and individual consumers can purchase carbon credits to offset their emissions and lower their carbon footprint on a voluntary basis.

Carbon credits are used in countries that have signed an agreement to lower emissions under the Kyoto Protocol which sets limits to the amount of greenhouse gasses a country can emit.

What are Renewable Energy Certificates?

Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) are commodities that represent proof that 1 megawatt of electricity was generated from a renewable energy source.

RECs are similar to carbon credits in that they can be purchased and traded.

The Renewable Portfolio Standard is a policy that exists in 29 states in the US and has set a requirement for electric companies to supply a certain percentage of electricity from renewable sources.

For example, 33% of electricity must come from renewable sources in California by 2020. This means that electric companies in California must have RECs equivalent to 33% of their sales.

RECs are also purchased by corporations and individuals on a voluntary basis.

Who uses them?

Air Canada

Travellers that take a flight with Air Canada can offset their carbon footprint through Air Canada’s Carbon Offset Program. It is offered through a partnership with Zerofootprint, a non-profit organization. Travellers can estimate the cost of their share of emissions from their flight and purchase corresponding carbon credits. The program launched in May 2007 and as of September 2010, there has been a total of $263,042 carbon offset purchases made. That is equal to 16,141 tonnes of carbon.

Rogers Cup 2011

The tennis event was held in Quebec and Tennis Canada was committed to ensuring there was minimal impact to the environment. All greenhouse gas emissions that resulted from the travels of the event’s players and staff were offset with the purchase of Gold Standard carbon credits from Planetair.

Super Bowl

The Super Bowl is a major event and is also a massive consumer of energy. The event uses enough electricity to power 1,500 homes for a year! In an attempt to remain environmentally friendly, the NFL purchased renewable energy certificates from Just Energy to offset all carbon emissions from the 2011 event. The deal insures that for every megawatt of electricity used by Super Bowl 2011, a megawatt of clean energy is produced by the Sweetwater Wind Farm located just outside of Dallas, Texas.

  

Vancity

Vancity, a leading credit union in Canada, teamed up with Offsetters, a carbon management provider, back in 2008. In doing so, Vancity became North America’s first financial institution to achieve carbon neutrality. It has recently been announced that the two companies will continue to work together and Vancity will further invest in carbon credits to offset its emissions. 

   

Vancouver 2010 Olympics

The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games set a standard by being the first organizing committee to track the carbon emissions from the start of winning the bid to the final day of the games. An estimated 270,000 tons of carbon emissions were attributed directly and indirectly from the games. The emissions were offset by investing in clean technology through a partnership with Offsetters. Attendees of the games were also encouraged to purchase carbon credits to offset their emissions.


And many more!

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about renewable energy! Knowledge Is Power If there is something else you'd like to know write to us at info@endeavorscorp.com and we'll do our best to address it for you!

  

Sources:

AirCanada, DigitalJournal, JustLiveGreener, Planetair, The9Billion, TheSportsCampus, Wikipedia

Renewable Energy Book List

The search for a good book is over with our top 12 list of must read books on renewable energy!

1) Kick the Fossil Fuel Habit by Tom Rand

This book appeals to a wide range of readers: from those who want to gain a deep understanding of new alternative energy technologies to those who just want to just get a quick glimpse of this subject. The book is very engaging while at the same time very educational. Specifically, it provides a look at 10 topics: solar, wind, geothermal, biofuels, hydropower, ocean, smart buildings, transportation, efficiency and conservation, and the energy internet.

2) Hot Flat and Crowded by Thomas Friedman

Thomas Friedman is best known for his number one bestseller The World is Flat. His new book Hot, Flat and Crowded is another hit. Friedman explores two major issues: America’s loss of national purpose after 9/11 and the global environmental crisis. He examines how the solutions to these two problems are linked and “makes it clear that the green revolution we need is like no revolution the world has seen.”  This book provides great insight about what is in store in the future.

3) The Homeowner’s Guide to Renewable Energy: Achieving Energy Independence through Solar, Wind, Biomass and Hydropower by Dan Chiras

This book is a great resource for homeowners who are looking to cut their energy bills and save money. It gives homeowners ideas on how to incorporate green energy technology into their homes so that they are not so dependent on expensive energy options such as oil and natural gas. Homeowners will learn how to effectively heat and cool their homes, to provide hot water and electricity and to cook using renewable energy. It is highly recommended for people who want to reduce their environmental footprint.

4) Smart Power: An Urban Guide to Renewable Energy and Efficiency by William Kemp

Another book that offers solutions on how to achieve energy efficiency. However, it does not focus only on improvements that can be made in the home; it offers ways that renewable energy technologies can be adopted without making drastic lifestyle changes. The book shows people how helping the environment will save them money and can be done easily.

5) Energy at the Crossroads: Global Perspectives and Uncertainties by Vaclav Smil

The book provides a great analysis of the complex energy issues and challenges that the world is facing. It looks at the factors which have led to the energy shortage and how it affects the economy, quality of life, and the environment. The author also provides the pros and cons of using fossil fuels as well as alternative energy sources such as hydroenergy, biomass energy, wind power, and solar power.

6) Renewable Energy: Market & Policy Trends in IEA Countries by International Energy Agency

The International Energy Agency (IEA) published this document to examine how IEA countries have introduced policies to transition to renewable energy sources. It evaluates the success of different measures that have been established and also looks at how to increase the use of renewables.

7) Renewables Information 2011: With 2010 Data by International Energy Agency

It presents useful statistics on renewable and waste energy sources to help with market analysis and policy decisions.

8) Biodiesel: Growing a New Energy Economy Second Edition by Greg Pahl

An informative look at the biodiesel industry and its rapid growth within the past few years. The second edition has been updated to include recent developments in the industry including expansion to more than 80 countries. It also explores the new social and environmental criticisms faced by the industry.

9) Profiting from Clean Energy by Richard Asplund

It provides an easy way for investors to quickly become experts in the clean energy industry and discover its many exciting investment opportunities.

10) The Clean Tech Revolution by Ron Pernick

This book provides an explanation of how green technology is moving into mainstream business and how it is seen as the next source for economic growth. It focuses on eight major clean technology sectors: solar power, wind power, biofuels, green buildings, personal transportation, the smart grid, mobile applications and water filtration. It also presents six major forces that is pushing the growth: costs, capital, competition, China, consumers and climate.

11) Renewable Energy: Power for a Sustainable Future, Second Edition by Godfred Boyle  

An excellent resource for learning about the different types of renewable energy sources such as solar, bioenergy, hydro, tidal, wind, wave, and geothermal. It presents concepts in a detailed manner by using illustrations, tables of data and case studies.  While the data provided is primarily from the UK, it is still valuable for its in-depth look at the technology behind varying energy sources; their environmental impacts and what lies ahead in the future.

12) Renewable Energy - Facts and Fantasies by Craig Shields

The #1 best-selling energy book on Amazon and is a definite must read. It was written by 2GreenEnergy.com founder, Craig Shields. It explores the reasons for moving to renewable energy and the difficulties encountered in this process. It provides a good review of where the renewable energy industry is and where it will be heading in the future by compiling 25 interviews with a broad range of specialists in the field.

If you think our list is missing another great title email us and tell us why!

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about renewable energy! Knowledge Is Power If there is something else you'd like to know write to us at info@endeavorscorp.com and we'll do our best to address it for you!