What the Heck is a "Smart Grid" Anyway?

Here's a nice little video primer on the smart grid and what it really means. All kinds of theories on what it COULD mean are thrown around, of course, but basically the little wire straw man in the GE commercials means this:

New EPA Standards from DoT Released

The Department of Transportation (DoT) released the new combined fuel efficiency standard for 2011, raising it to 27.3 from the 2010 numbers that were 2 gallons lower.

This means that passenger cars will have to be at 30.2mpg while trucks, SUVs and other larger vehicles will have to be at 24.1mpg. A 2007 energy bill signed into law requires that this 27.3 average be at 35mpg in 2020 and this new 2011 standard is an incremental step towards that.

Obama, of course, wants to one-up that by pushing the standard to 40mpg by 2022.

All of this sounds great to reasonable environmentalists, but the hard-core "bicycle or die" types are screaming that it's "not enough." In my mind, this is already too much. Why is it the federal government's job to set these standards again? Can't the market do this on its own? If people truly demand this kind of change towards efficiency, they'd push the market in that direction without government intervention.

But hey, the EPA and DoT can't collect fines (read: taxes) without this kind of legislation and we all know that larger government is happier government.

Read the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's press release here, then wonder why EPA standards have anything to do with "traffic safety" and chuckle at the stupidity that is bureaucracy.

Solar Beacon / Sustainable Shelter in the Swiss Alps

This is pretty cool. It's a sustainable shelter built in the Swiss Alps called the Monte Rosa Hut. Developed by the Swiss Alpine Club, this domicile won the Holcim Awards Bronze 2008 Europe. It sits 2,883 meters above sea level.

The cool shelter uses awesome technologies to produce energy, collect water, treat solid and liquid wastes, and more sustainably and self-sufficiently. Plus, from long distances, the "mirror" finish (used to reduce solar heat effects) acts as a beacon for miles, reflecting sunlight in all directions.

The entire "hut" is five stories high with plenty of sleeping, dining, socializing, etc. space. The spiral-shaped glass band around the building conducts passive solar energy using the staircase behind it. It gives awesome panoramic views as well.

The entire structure was designed with a special CAD system to reduce the amount of materials and transportation requirements to get them to the site to the minimum. The shelter hasn't been built yet, but plans to put it together this summer are unfolding.

Whether it's built or not, it's pretty cool regardless.

Post Delay

Sorry for the lack of posts for the past couple of days. We had a death in the family that put a lot of things on hold as we traveled for services and such. I'm back, though, so get ready to once again be reading my b.s. about the mental issues behind the environmnetal causes. :)

EcoDrain: No More Hot Shower Guilt

There aren't many things better than soaking in a hot shower. Especially after a hard day's work at the keyboa...er...in the field. The problem is, that water takes a lot of energy to heat and it sure is wasteful.

Well, not any more! The EcoDrain recycles that heat, seriously reducing the amount of energy you'll use to take that soothing hot shower.

Basically, the drain water from your steaming shower is recirculated around the cold water pipe coming into the shower, warming that water so that less hot water from the water heater is needed to make the shower just as steamy.

This isn't exactly a new or innovative idea, but the way the thing works is. First off, it's a totally easy (relatively) after-market install that can be added to most any shower already functioning.

The only downer are building codes. In my mind, most regulatory stuff is a total waste of time for everyone. True Americans view all laws and regulations prohibiting them from innovating as suggested guidelines for their consideration. This, of course, really pisses off bureaucrats.

So, back on subject, the EcoDrain is a really cool unit that can save you up to 40% of your heating costs for hot water (since most hot water in the home goes into the shower). Sweet!

Check it out at their official website here.

Floating Solar House Boat

This is only one of several "floating house" designs from MOS Kingsley Architects. These are some loony designers from the UK and it shows.

The plans are pretty cool, actually, and are definitely unique. While the house boat is a little off for me (I live in Wyoming, what do I float it on...snow?), the others are kind of cool. Actually, all of these ideas are swank, to be honest.

The idea is to float the house on water so no earth is disturbed in its foundation, no land use is lost from its area, and the water underneath both acts as a cushion for natural weather occurrences and an insulator.

Plus, the "foundation" for the floating house can be a new habitat for underwater creatures. Make sure you've got an alligator fence around the perimeter if you're in Louisiana, though...

Go over to the MOS website for more great concepts!

How to Build a Greenhouse from Used Windows or Storm Doors

Every true hugger of trees is a fan of Mother Earth News. Even those of us who aren't into global warming and Al Gore bobble dolls.

Well, Bubba, I'm here to tell you that this article is one of the coolest I've read from MEN in a long time. I dream of greenhouses. Greenhouses rule. I'm also a big fan of doing stuff on the cheap. Cheap stuff rules.

So here's yet another delivery of the best of both worlds from Mother: DIY greenhouses made from used storm doors and windows! Sweet!

Read about 'em here.