.gif)
|
Letter from the Executive Director:
As we recover from one of the worst snow storm to ever hit the mid-Atlantic, I can’t help but to think about back-up power. The importance of back-up power can never be underestimated especially when power lines go down for an extended length of time such as in a storm, when crews can’t get to the problem until the roads are clear. As long as turbines and PV panels can do their intended job, a source of backup is always available.
Which brings me to the next point regarding back-up power. The Solar and Wind Expo representatives were fortunate to visit both the Washington Car Show and RETECH conference in the past week. We listened to exciting news regarding batteries which will lead to better range in electric cars in the not so distant future. A number of companies are working on battery technologies that will allow the storage of large amounts of energy in minutes. These technologies are being explored for a number of industries such as cell phones, cell phone tower back up systems and for improving electric vehicle range, but it will not stop there! Batteries will eventually become so powerful and efficient that they will have a permanent place in the home. |
| While at the Auto show I listened as Think’s Richard Canny suggested using batteries that are no longer strong enough to power electric vehicles, but still have some life left to store energy from small solar or wind installations. This seems to be an option which should be presented to the consumer who is always looking for ways to prevent waste. |
 |
 |
At RETECH we discovered a solar-powered generator that can power a job site or provide power in remote areas without relying on a fossil fuel source, as well as a device that uses solar power to produce clean water. This device is currently being used to provide an absolutely vital resource to thousands of refugees in Haiti. These items represent truly useful products that are being marketed today. |
Last but not least was the large number of foreign companies at RETECH, such as Zuzlon the biggest wind energy producer in India. Entire countries are making great investments in the USA, which leads one to the confirmation that the future of renewable energy is here and the amount of business that will be gained over the coming years in the USA and especially in the East Coast is large enough to attract entire countries to engage this market.
From newer, faster, more powerful batteries to devices that save and improve lives, new alternative energy technologies are showing signs of economic and social leadership in the nation and the world. With the economy improving we can be sure that if we stay on course, the future will be as bright as the Sun and as cool as the Wind.
George Lopez
Executive Director |
|
The Washington Auto Show and RETECH: Two expositions point to a vibrant, diverse renewable energy future
Alan F. Cohen
|
Two major expositions within one week in the nation’s capital provided a look at the exciting renewable energy path on which our country is hopefully headed. Though they highlighted different products and energy sectors, the 2010 Washington Auto Show and RETECH 2010 both demonstrated the many different ways renewable energy can be produced and used, and also how these various methods can complement each other in truly innovative ways.
|
|
One was struck by the sheer number of different types of electric vehicles (EVs) on display at the Auto Show’s “Advanced Technology Superhighway.” These included basic gas/electric hybrids such as the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight, which can be filled up at any conventional gas station; plug-in hybrids such as the Bright Automotive IDEA van; pure electrics such as the Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf, THINK City, Global Electric Motors (GEM) neighborhood vehicles, Wheego Whip, BMW Mini-E and Boulder delivery van; and fuel-cell vehicles such as the sleek five-passenger Honda FCX Clarity that use hydrogen to generate electricity without any emissions but water. |
Then, there is vast potential of biofuels – including generating power from nonrecyclable paper. Maryland-based Fiberight uses a pulping and washing process combined with enzymes from Novozyme to turn paper waste into sugars that are then fermented into biofuel. Novozyme and Fiberight displayed a Ford F-150 pickup truck at the show modified to run on E85 ethanol, a blend of 85% biofuel (in this case generated by paper waste) and 15% gasoline. Fiberight says its process could potentially unleash 85 gallons of biofuel encapsuled in every ton of non-recycled trash – which could generate more than 10 billion gallons of sustainable biofuel annually without affecting food sources, an issue with corn and grain-based biofuels. |
 |
In the solar energy field, roof-mounted photovoltaics (PVs) produced by companies such as Suniva are constantly improving technology to boost how much power they can generate and at lower cost. There are also a growing number of alternatives that could make applications easier as well as more versatile and even less expensive. Take, for example, two interesting-looking, innovative devices made by Timber Rock Energy Solutions that were on display at RETECH. The first is the EverGreen Oasis, a platform mounted on poles on which solar panels are then arrayed. “This is a smaller, less expensive turnkey alternative to larger roof-mounted systems,” says Brent Hollenbeck, Timber Rock’s founder and CEO. In addition, the structure provides shaded work or play-space. Timber Rock also just launched its PV Trees, a turnkey, highly portable, solar-powered generator that can power a job site or provide energy in remote areas or emergencies without needing fossil fuels. |
 |
In the wind sector, witness the growing number of small turbines that can be used by homes and small businesses in areas that can’t accommodate huge towers. (Some of these, such as those distributed by Bergey Windpower, Groundloop and Atech will be on display at The Solar and Wind Expo.) There’s also an increasing variety of designs besides the common, three-blade turbine now most often associated with windpower. These include “architectural wind,” placed horizontally atop buildings to blend in with the building itself, and vertical, cylindrical designs that can be squeezed into fairly narrow spaces. |
And then there’s power generated from water – also solar in that it takes the sun’s energy stored in the sea. Water has been used to generate power for centuries – at first for mills, more recently for electricity through hydroelectric stations. But new technologies and ideas, such as the screw-like ECOAuger on display at RETECH that can capture energy directly from tides and be mounted close to shore, hold the promise of generating vast amounts of power renewably from a highly reliable and steady source, tidal currents. |
 |
Finally, there is the exciting, creative cross-fertilization of technologies highlighted in the Letter from the Executive Director [click here] that could make renewable energy that much more versatile and powerful. Take, for example:
- Using older car batteries from EVs to store energy from wind and solar devices, as suggested by THINK CEO Richard Canny;
- Using gearboxes made for cars to help run wind turbines and solar arrays, which is being explored by automotive parts manufacturing giant Magna.
- Mounting solar panels directly on wind turbine towers to generate even more energy, including when the wind isn’t blowing or the sun isn’t shining, as is already done by Nikko in Japan.
- The latest Toyota Priuses, some of which come with solar panels embedded in the roof to provide renewable power directly.
Based on what we saw at the Washington Auto Show and RETECH, it’s clear there is a bevy of technologies, creative applications, cross-applications, and constant improvements – such as in battery and PV design – that promise to make renewable energy much more practical as well as affordable in the near future. It’s hard not to conclude that this is just the beginning of the renewable energy revolution, and that we can expect many, many more exciting innovations and applications in the years to come. |
|
Latest info. on the Expo
Expo partnering with public TV station to raffle off a solar/green home
The Solar and Wind Expo is excited that it’s going to partner with Maryland Public Television to help sell tickets for and publicize MPT’s “Green Home Raffle.”
In this cool contest, a $1.9 million solar, near-zero-energy home between Baltimore and Washington is the Grand Prize in a raffle to help keep “TV worth watching” in the community. First Prize is a 2010 Honda Insight hybrid vehicle. Tickets go on sale for just $100 each online starting tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 22, at www.mptgreenhomeraffle.com.
Plug In America VP, electric vehicle champion Paul Scott to speak at Solar and Wind Expo
The Solar and Wind Expo is excited to announce that Paul Scott, vice president of Plug In America and a long-time electric vehicle driver and renewable energy advocate, will be speaking at the event, to be held May 7-9 at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium. We’re awaiting details on what Scott plans to speak about (on the main stage at noon on Sunday, May 8), but will post another entry with that information as soon as we have it available.
You may not recognize the new face of the TSWE blog but we think you will like it! Check it out here!
Additional Blog topics:
RETECH 2010: Cool renewable energy on display despite advancing “Snowmaggedon”
The 2010 Washington Auto Show: Let a hundred (green) flowers bloom!
The Washington Auto Show II: Many (exicting) ways to go electric
Electric vehicles inevitable at this point, declares Green Car Summit participant
U.S. wind industry breaks all records, installs nearly 10,000 megawatts in 2009, AWEA reports
WYPR/NPR PARTNERS WITH THE SOLAR AND WIND EXPO 2010
Who killed the electric car review
|
Show how to's
- Establish meaningful goals, masterfully plan your strategy, and measure your return on investment.
- Implement powerful marketing initiatives before, during, and after the event that engage potential buyers.
- Choose the most effective booth that meets your marketing needs and budgetary requirements. This includes evaluating different sizes, designs, and configurations.
- Determine design requirements and sizes to support your brand positioning and deliver the greatest message impact.
- Effectively utilize accessories, graphics, and lighting techniques to heighten visibility. This includes selecting high-impact display boards , banners and quality booth materials that support your brand positioning.
- Select tradeshow promotional products and giveaways that complement your company image.
|
Definition of the Month
SYNERGY
syn•er•gy
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural syn•er•gies
Etymology: New Latin synergia, from Greek synergos working together
1: SYNERGISM; interaction of discrete agencies (as industrial firms) or conditions such that the total effect is greater than the sum of the individual effects; broadly: combined action or operation
Pronunciation: \ˈsi-nər-ˌji-zəm\
2: a mutually advantageous conjunction or compatibility of distinct business participants or elements (as resources or efforts)
Synergy conveys that one group is thinking of another group in a positive light, finds its capabilities appealing, that working together can enhance eachother’s capabilities, and thus greater things can happen to each group, their industry, and ultimately the world. Synergy is what The Solar and Wind Expo is creating for you.
Consider our recent blog (http://thesolarandwindexpo.blogspot.com/) about the 2010 Washington Auto Show held just last week. Did you ever think that green automotive technology can be applied to other forms of renewable energy? This kind of synergistic cross-fertilization of alternative energies represents an exciting, outside-the-box example of how different forms of renewable energy could complement each other.
What holds even more synergy for exhibitors of The Expo is the publicity we have garnered from the renewable energy industry through our efforts to establish a significant venue. The Expo is on an ever increasing number of events calendars. Our logo is on our exhibitors' and supporters' websites. Organizations and followers that we have not yet spoken with directly have picked up on our extensive efforts, blogging and writing about The Expo on their own, having heard about The Expo through word of mouth from our supporters who are their colleagues. Everyone recognizes that The Expo is unique and will drive the industry forward. Click here for a partial list of where anyone can reach The Expo and thus our exhibitors.
It’s that kind of boomerang effect that makes The Expo imperative for you to be a part of and add to. We will all benefit from this kind of natural synergy. |
We are very excited and pleased at all the attention the show is receiving so don't wait for the show to sell out, call us now and order your dealer packet. 410-439-1577 or info@TheSolarandWindExpo.com |
|
