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Tag:

carbon footprint

Unlikely Bedfellows: Mines That Run On Solar Or Wind Power

Unlikely Bedfellows: Mines That Run On Solar Or Wind Power

written by CleanTechies.com Contributor

Mining companies are often seen as dinosaurs when it comes to making changes that will benefit the environment, but that perception may be shifting as some companies turn to renewable energy to cut costs and lighten their carbon footprint.

At first blush, mining and renewable energy seem incongruous. Mining’s reputation as a voracious consumer of fossil fuels is well deserved, especially surface mining, where diesel-sucking haul trucks perform endless loops to and from gigantic pits scraped ever-deeper by immense earth-moving machines belching greenhouse gases.

Contrast that with solar panel installations, with their acres of gleaming panels and gently humming generators, or wind farms, where silent spinning blades crank out megawatts of emissions-free power.

But as the cost of diesel fuel and electricity continues to rise, mining companies are searching for ways to cut their energy bill, and renewables are looking increasingly attractive. The main reason is cost. Choosing renewable energy, especially in an industrial setting, used to be cost-prohibitive, but that is starting to change, in some cases dramatically.

CleanTechnica reported last week that for systems with the right economies of scale — 10 megawatts or higher — solar power can now be generated for between $70 and $100 per megawatt hour. That is four times lower than in 2009. China and the United States both have plans to make solar competitive with coal-powered electricity within a few years.

Another reason is security of supply. Mines are often located in remote areas where grid power is spotty and more costly than in cities. In South Africa, a shortage of power in 2008 caused rolling blackouts, causing several mines to shut down. Two years ago, Egyptian mining company Centamin had to temporarily close its Sukari gold mine due to a dispute with its diesel fuel supplier.

Running a mine on renewables, often in combination with fossil fuels, offers mining companies a way to own and control their own power supplies. Excess power generated by solar and wind at mines can be sold to utility companies, offsetting costs.

Lastly, using renewables in their operations is a way for mining companies to change their reputation as something of eco-pariahs, which can only help their relations with governments and host communities.

South African miners staring at the sun

If there is a test case for using solar to power mines, it is South Africa. The country receives over 2,500 hours of sun a year, but what really makes the mining powerhouse a candidate for solar is the increasing costs of electricity. As mentioned, South Africa suffered blackouts in 2008, and its power utility, Eskom, is doing everything it can to ensure that doesn’t happen again. The result has been a 25 percent annual rise in electricity prices over the last six years; for the next five years, Eskom is allowed to increase rates by 8 percent a year.

South Africa’s miners are fighting back with solar. German mining company CRONIMET was the first to connect solar power to the grid at its Thaba chromium mine in Limpopo province. The 1-megawatt solar facility supplements the mine’s diesel-based power system. CRONIMET says it used to consume almost 2 million litres of diesel fuel a year. Since installing its hybrid PV-solar system in 2012, the company has cut its diesel bill by half a million dollars.

Harmony Gold, South Africa’s third largest gold miner, has also started working solar into its electricity mix. According to PV Insider, the company has started building a 5- to 7-megawatt solar park in Free State province, and another 18-MW facility in North West province, with the goal of alleviating pressure on peak energy usage.

Over in Tanzania, African Barrick Gold is exploring the possibility of using solar power at its Bulyanhulu mine, Mining Weekly reports. The company has also looked to move away from diesel-generated power by tapping into the state-run power utility, which uses a combination of hydro, natural gas and thermal energy. African Barrick Gold expects solar could give its three mines in Tanzania 18 percent of their power needs.

And then there’s wind

Wind power is also being tried by mining companies intent on slashing electricity bills. Vale, the world’s third largest mining company by market value, has formed a joint venture with Australian company Pacific Hydro to build and operate two wind farms in Brazil’s northeast.

Vale, a major iron ore producer, is expecting its demand for electricity to jump 150 percent by 2020. In a press release, the Brazil-based company said it wants to use hydro, wind and biomass to help meet that demand, as well as to diversity its energy mix, reduce emissions and cut costs.

As mining companies continue to evaluate their power options in an era of higher diesel fuel and electricity costs, it is interesting to contemplate whether they could one day foresee operating in an environment more weighted towards renewables than conventional energy. While that seems far-fetched now, considering the amount of equipment and plant machinery that relies on conventional power and fuel, the examples cited here show that renewables are already finding increasing currency among the world’s major miners.

They also demonstrate that mining companies are not oblivious to broader environmental issues, and are willing to make changes in the direction of renewables, especially if there is a motivation to cut costs.

Article by Andrew Topf of Oilprice.com



August 21, 2014 1 comment
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How Much Energy Will the 2014 World Cup Consume?

How Much Energy Will the 2014 World Cup Consume?

written by CleanTechies.com Contributor

Along with 3 billion other viewers around the world, I plan to tune in for the month-long World Cup to see whether the 22-year old Neymar can withstand the colossal pressure that has been put upon his shoulders to deliver a win for team Brazil.

Every time I turn on my television set, I’m using World Cup-related energy. And that’s just the start. Flying in teams, trainers, equipment, World Cup personnel and the estimated 500,000-plus fans will use enormous volumes of jet fuel.

Add to that powering the stadiums on game days, moving millions of spectators around host-country Brazil, and transmitting the event to billions of viewers worldwide, and you end up with millions of tons of carbon dioxide added to the atmosphere.

So while the 2014 World Cup is going to be bigger than ever — it’s shaping up to be the most watched, most lucrative and expensive tournament in soccer history — it’s also going to be one of the biggest energy-consuming, greenhouse gas-spewing World Cups in history.

Think about this as the music blasts through the stadium and the fans cheer and scream and the players race up and down the field chasing the ball: The 2014 World Cup tournament will burn through enough energy before it’s over to fuel almost every one of the 260 million cars and trucks in the United States for an entire day, or the equivalent of what 560,000 cars use in a year.

Estimating the total energy required to mount such a massive operation with any precision is a fool’s errand, but let’s take a look at some numbers to get a sense of scale.

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FIFA did its own fascinating study of the carbon footprint that will be created by setting up and running its broadcast television operation. It found that the biggest contributor – 60 percent – is international flights for staff members. The other 40 percent comes from all the trucks needed to transport cables, cameras and furniture, and the energy required to operate all of the electronics.

All told, FIFA’s TV operations will contribute 24,670 tons of CO2 to the atmosphere – the same impact of burning 2.8 million gallons of gas, or 13,250 tons of coal.

FIFA also tried to estimate its carbon footprint for staging the tournament’s matches, which wraps in the electricity needed for stadiums, fan festivals, banquets, concession stands, training sites, travel for ticket holders, and team hotels. That number came to 2.72 million tons of CO2 equivalent. That’s like using up 306 million gallons of gasoline or burning 1.46 million tons of coal.

What’s the point of the study? FIFA says to figure out where it can do better next time. Just a 10 percent decline in international staff, for example, reduces the carbon footprint by 6 percent.

TVs and Tea Kettles

None of these numbers include other sources of Cup-related energy use, like building new transportation infrastructure and stadiums.

And speaking of stadiums, while everyone would probably love to attend the final match in Rio de Janeiro’s famous Maracana stadium, the vast majority of us will be watching at home. Which means we’re contributing to the Cup’s carbon footprint, too.

A spike in energy use is likely to occur in places when millions of people turn on their TVs at the same time to watch a match. For example, in the United Kingdom, the record for an energy surge during a TV program occurred during the 1990 World Cup, when England went to a shootout against West Germany in the semi-final. (Incidentally, West Germany prevailed and went on to win the trophy. West Germany’s title run was led by Jurgen Klinsmann, who is now coaching the U.S. national team.)

During that match, the UK National Grid experienced a spike of 2,800 megawatts of demand, as people across England tuned in to watch the game’s climax. Other significant power surges in the UK occurred during England’s 2002 quarter-final match against Brazil (2,570 MW surge), and the 2011 royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton (2,400 MW surge).

In fact, it’s relatively common for the UK to experience a spike in power demand during big soccer matches. National Grid operators have become accustomed to forecasting higher electricity demand during games, according to its operations manager, Jon Fenn. Not only does electricity consumption spike from millions of TV sets, a surge is felt most acutely during halftime or just after the final whistle, when everyone heads to the kitchen to turn on electric tea kettles or grab a snack from the fridge.

“It must be one of the few jobs where watching World Cup matches is essential to your work rather than a distraction, because we need to know to the second when half time and full time occur to be ready for the surges in demand,” Fenn told The Telegraph in an interview before the 2010 World Cup.

The 2014 World Cup will be transmitted to every country in the world and could potentially be the most watched sporting event in history.

Now we know it could set new records in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, too.

Article by Nick Cunningham and James Stafford of Oilprice.com



June 13, 2014 0 comment
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Top Seven Eco-Friendly Apps

Top Seven Eco-Friendly Apps

written by Tina Hamilton

Sparing the earth in order to create a more sustainable future can be accomplished through environmentally conscious apps. From reducing a person’s carbon footprint to saving energy to finding eco-sensitive, green products, this list of seven apps will offer users a chance to live a greener, environmentally friendly life.

1. Carma Carpooling by Avego

Basically a big carpooling network, Avego’s app design is simple: browse the app to find a ride going in the right direction, then message the driver to arrange a pick up. Depending upon mileage, the one seeking a ride must pay the driver for gas. And, both drivers and passengers can review the ride to provide future users feedback.

Price: Free

Available: Android, iOS, Windows

2. GoodGuide

This app has a barcode scanner that allows a user to find out whether or the not the product they are purchasing is safe, healthy, green, and socially responsible. GoodGuide has rated more than 170,000 U.S. products, which are broken down by criteria so the user can see the product’s details specifically.

Price: Free

Available: Android, iOS

3. PaperKarma

Instead of having an endless supply of paper junk mail continually arriving in the mailbox, PaperKarma allows users the chance to opt out of junk mail. Through the app, users can photograph the pieces of junk mail and choose to unsubscribe from the mailing lists. Users simply take a photo, hit unsubscribe, and the app does the rest of the work.

Price: Free

Available: Android, iOS, Windows

4. iViro

This app helps users to create more sustainable homes and living spaces. Users perform a customized energy analysis through the app in order to receive a detailed overview of the home’s thermostat, electricity, water, and appliance energy consumption. Additionally, the app features energy-saving alternatives and tips the user can follow in order to achieve an energy-efficient and cost-efficient home while reducing the home’s overall environmental impact.

Price: Free

Available: Android, iOS

5. Farmers Market Finder

This app allows users to locate over 2,700 farmers markets across the U.S. Only farmers markets that have been verified from market organizers will show up on the app. And, the app will provide details on what types of produce and meat are for sale, hours of operation, contact information, and real time data such as weather cancelations. This app is currently available to residents of California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, and Washington DC.

Price: Ranges from $0.99 to $4.99

Available: Android, iOS

6. Seafood Watch

Designed by the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the Seafood Watch interactive app helps users choose sustainable seafood. The app provides information about how each item was fished and farmed and how it should be fished and farmed. Additionally, the app provides information on known sustainable seafood restaurants and markets.

Price: Free

Available: Android, iOS

7. Dirty Dozen

This app alerts users of harmful pesticides on contaminated produce. The app highlights the 12 types of produce most likely to be contaminated and the best alternatives.

Price: Free

Available: Android, iOS, Windows

Use these apps to promote green living in order to have a healthier earth.



May 29, 2014 4 comments
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First Solar Signs 20 Year PPA for 52MW Jordan Project

First Solar Signs 20 Year PPA for 52MW Jordan Project

written by Walter Wang

First Solar and Shams Ma’an Power Generation announced yesterday that they have signed a 20 year power purchase agreement with National Electric Power Company for a 52.5 MW solar power plant in Jordan.

The power plant, when completed will represent one percent of the country’s overall generation capacity, supplying power to 35,000 homes.  It is estimated that the project will reduce the country’s carbon footprint by 90,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year, the equivalent of taking 20,000 cars off the road.

“This agreement marks a significant step towards fulfilling Jordan’s energy security goals. By efficiently harnessing the country’s most abundant energy resource, Shams Ma’an will help power sustainable growth and development with clean, affordable and reliable solar electricity,” said Ahmed S. Nada, Vice President of Business Development for First Solar in the Middle East.

In addition to supplying the company’s thin film photovoltaic modules, First Solar will also provide EPC and O&M services to the project.  The project is part of the Ma’an Development Area in southern Jordan, which when completed, will constitute four complementary clusters including a residential community and industrial park.



March 19, 2014 0 comment
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Calculating Your Water Footprint

written by Walter Wang

Water scarcity affects 2.7 billion people worldwide for at least a month each year and in the same way that each of us has a carbon footprint, Professor Arjen Hoekstra of the University of Twente in the Netherlands posits that every person also has a “water footprint”. Our water footprint is calculated by counting the amount of fresh water that we each use daily and the amount of water required to produce the goods and services that we

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February 11, 2014 0 comment
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Suburbs Offset Low Carbon Footprints of Major U.S. Cities, Study Finds

written by Yale Environment 360

City-dwellers in the U.S. have significantly smaller per-capita carbon footprints than their rural counterparts, according to new research from the University of California, Berkeley. But the carbon-intense suburbs surrounding major cities essentially cancel out the small carbon footprints of city residents, the study found.

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January 8, 2014 0 comment
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Low Impact Motoring – What’s The Sustainable Route?

written by Walter Wang

There is an assumption that buying a green, low emissions or even an electric car produces the lightest carbon footprint. But studies reveal that the manufacture of all cars, even green or electric ones makes up a huge chunk of their total emissions and that keeping and caring for the same car for decades instead of buying new is often the more sustainable

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September 3, 2013 0 comment
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Strengths and Weaknesses of Car Sharing

written by Walter Wang

This is a new phenomenon that has started to kick in with the current economy. People are struggling to find a way to own a car on their own and car sharing has become the solution. Car sharing is the idea of renting a car for a few hours and returning it for another driver to use. The following will focus on the pros and cons associated with car sharing.

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August 13, 2013 1 comment
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Green Initiatives Being Actively Taken in Cities

written by Walter Wang

Developmental progress in cities has been associated with cringing of environmentalists who believe that such missions destroy natural resources. However, a recent trend that has gained major support is the eco-incentive programs. Now developers who actively propose eco-friendly designs in public projects are coming onto the

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July 12, 2013 0 comment
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Reduce Paper Use, Befriend Our Planet

written by Walter Wang

Last week, we showed you a quick and easy way to calculate your carbon footprint. Was your number higher than expected?

Cutting down on paper use is one of the easiest ways to lower your carbon footprint. In fact, in today’s electronic world, there’s almost no excuse for purchasing ream after ream of paper or mega cartridges of printer ink.

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May 31, 2013 1 comment
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Sneaker Life Cycle Impact

written by Walter Wang

The American term sneakers refers to footwear with a flexible sole made of rubber or synthetic material and an upper part made of leather or canvas. Sneakers were originally sporting apparel, but today are worn much more widely as casual footwear. A typical pair of running shoes generates 30 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to keeping a 100-watt

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May 23, 2013 0 comment
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8 Ways to Turn your Home into a Green Zone

written by Walter Wang

In order to become environmentally conscious you have to start somewhere. Why not start at home? It is true that the first step to any lifestyle change has to start with yourself. Going green is no different. Often the initial expense of making updates to our homes causes us to hesitate. But the truth is that while going green may take some initial expenses, in

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May 17, 2013 2 comments
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Sustainable Companies Give Green for Going Green

written by Walter Wang

Companies commonly base executive compensation on performance, but a growing number of businesses have started associating top leaders’ pay rates and bonuses to achieving corporate environmental goals. In essence, initiatives such as reducing energy use can lead to higher compensation for those in the corner offices.

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May 9, 2013 0 comment
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Verizon Expands Investment in Alternative Energy

written by Walter Wang

Verizon has announced it will invest $100 million in a solar and fuel cell energy project that will help power 19 of its facilities in seven states across the country. The company estimates the completed project will generate more than 70 million kilowatt of clean energy, which would be enough to power more than 6,000 single-family homes a year. This amount of

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May 6, 2013 0 comment
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