Image by Ontario Power Generation

When it comes to large-scale alternative power, hydroelectric plants are currently the most common – supplying more than 80% of the word’s renewable energy.  While hydro power is much cleaner and more cost-efficient than the generation of electricity using fossil fuels, there are a number of disadvantages including the threat of dam failures, disturbance to the natural environment, and some greenhouse gas emissions.

Small hydroelectric power systems, however, create fewer threats and can be an excellent alternative energy source for residential use.  Could small-scale hydro power be a viable option for your home?  Keep reading to learn more…

Small hydroelectric projects are growing in popularity in the commercial energy sector, especially in China.  These plants generally range in capacity, generating up to 10 MW of power – enough to supply a small community.  Small-scale hydro power can also be a cost-efficient alternative for residential, off-grid living under the right conditions.

Requirements for Hydroelectric Power

Image by NeilsPhotography

To generate power with water, you’ll of course need an adequate supply of water – a flow of at least 2 gallons per minute with a substantial drop to create pressure.  A drop of just 2 feet would require a flow of 500 gallons per minute.  Mother Earth News offers some useful advice on site assessment for your homestead hydropower project.

You’ll also need the necessary hardware to harness the power generated by the flowing water and then convert the energy into a usable current for your home.  A hydro power generator is the heart of the system and can be purchased through a variety of suppliers.  You’ll also need a battery pack and inverter, as well as a sufficient amount of piping.  A complete hydroelectric power system will cost as little as $1000 up to as much as $10,000, depending on your needs.

DIY Hydro Power

If you’re mechanically inclined with a good supply of flowing water nearby, consider trying your hand at a homemade hydroelectric power system.  Build it Solar has a tremendous amount of resources to help with your hydro power planning and installation as well.

For those who prefer to start with a really small-scale hydro system, check out Sam Redfield’s bucket hydro generator – the perfect alternative energy gadget charger – or this faucet powered hydro turbine made of recycled CDs and auto parts.  If a rustic waterwheel is more your style, take a look at the DIY home energy projects we mentioned in a previous post.

If you’re considering an alternative source for residential power, hydroelectric may be an affordable and efficient option if you have a nearby supply of flowing water.  Be sure to look into local and state regulations regarding small hydro power systems before you get started.

Alternative Power: Hydroelectric Potential is a post from: Ecoble

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Wind farm development is playing a huge role in a clean energy future.  While mass wind power may offer a beneficial energy alternative, the construction of wind farms creates a great deal of controversy – from the destruction of natural habitats and dangers to birds and bats to the actual effectiveness of wind as an energy source.  Some even argue that wind farms are ugly, disrupting the scenic coastlines and natural beauty of the world.  Take a look at these wind farm pictures and let us know your thoughts – ugly or simply amazing?

Image by Wayfinder_73

The San Gorgonio Pass wind farm is one of the largest in California, generating 615 MW of power and comprised of 3,218 turbines.  

The world’s first floating wind turbine began producing energy just a few months ago, installed off the coast of Norway.  If the Hywind performs as expected over the next 2 years of testing, the concept could make offshore wind farm development much more efficient.

Whitelee wind farm went live in late May of this year and is currently the largest wind farm in Europe.  Located in East Renfrewshire, Scotland, the onshore farm includes 140 turbines and can generate enough electricity to power 180,000 homes.

Maple Ridge wind farm is currently New York’s largest wind farm and is located in the rural farming area of Lewis County.  Operational since 2006, Maple Ridge is responsible for nearly 75% of New York’s total wind power capacity.

This alternative energy concept creates an entirely new look for typical wind farms.  Designed by an Arizona State University student, freeway sign wind turbines like these could generate enough electricity to supply a small apartment at low wind speeds and require no additional land usage.

Horns Rev wind park, off the coast of Denmark, was was the world’s largest offshore wind farm when it was constructed in 2002.  The 2nd phase, Horns Rev 2, will push the farm ahead of the present offshore leader.  Still, the Greater Gabbard wind farm currently under construction in the Thames Estuary will be the largest wind farm in the world when it becomes operational in 2011.

The present title holder for the world’s largest offshore wind farm became operational in late 2008 off the coast of Lincolnshire, England. Lynn and Inner Dowsing wind farm generates power for 130,000 homes but will be surpassed by the Greater Gabbard park mentioned above.

Another of California’s amazing wind farms, Tehachapi Pass is also one of the oldest wind farms still in operation.  Since the early 1980’s, turbines in this area near the Mojave Desert have been upgraded and expanded.  Currently about a dozen different companies generate electricity in the Tehachapi Pass wind farm.

The World’s Most Amazing Wind Farms is a post from: Ecoble

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Plantware KinderForest

Got a green thumb and a hankering to get into the furniture-making biz? Take the hassle out of finding green furniture for your home by growing your own.

Building furniture from the ground up

Plantware bench

Imagine living green bus benches and playgrounds filling our cities. It’s a bit idyllic, but within the realm of possibility with Plantware’s innovative designs. Ultra practical yet totally biodegradable, Plantware’s award-winning designs could be the way of the future. The living KinderFroest in particular has tremendous benefits: grown from Ficus trees, it’s self-healing, requires only sunlight and rain to produce, is earthquake safe, and produces a ton of oxygen over its long life. What better place for your children to spend their time?

Pooktre Tree Shapers

Melding whimsical imagination with growing green furniture design, artists Peter and Becky work with wild plum and black cheery trees to shape them into both living and harvested furniture. The process can take up to 10 years, and you can even join Becky and Peter to collaborate in the making of your own pieces!

Mr. Wu’s growing chair

In another take on the tree-to-chair concept, a 60 year old Mr. Wu has successfully grown his own chair. While perhaps not the most attractive chairs we’ve seen, these sitters are certainly sustainable. Formed by bending pliable, still-growing elm trees into his desired shape, Mr. Wu prunes and fusses over his chairs (six currently in production) for up to five years each, after which they are “harvested.” This chair “designer” lives in Shenyang City, Liaoning province, China where he extols the virtues of growing furniture.

‘mushrooms ate my furniture’ by Shinwei Rhoda Yen

Made from natural wood and infused with growing mushrooms’ spawn, these are a true demonstration of biodegradable furniture. Designed by Shinwei Rhoda Yen, this stool will slowly break down as the wood is consumed by the mushrooms.

Moss carpet by Nguyen La Chanh

Nestle your toes in real, live moss after your next shower with one of these growing bath mats. Designed by Nguyen La Chanh, they’re made from plastazote (an imputrescible foam) stuffed with ball moss, island moss, and forest moss. You provide irrigation as you drip on it coming out of the shower.

Venus Chair by Tokujin Yoshioka

Perhaps a little less comfy that the preceding options, the Venus Chair is grown not from living green plants, but rather out of natural crystals in a water bath. It’s up for the Brit Insurance Designs of the Year 2009.

Grassy ass outdoor furniture

Lawnchair by f+bp

The Lawnchair by Fung+Blatt Architects take earthy to a whole new level. Made from renewable steel and rubber, and “upholstered” with a layer of sod, this lounger allows you the feeling of a lazy afternoon in the grass without the discomfort of a less ergonomic random patch of ground. And in case you were worried about keeping it green, it comes equipped with a moisture distribution system.

Peddy furniture by Mindscape

Like something out of a Seuss book, these couches, chairs, and benches help you create a truly green space, even in a concrete jungle. Peddy furniture by Mindscape can be grown by just about anyone and requires only the occasional clipping to keep them neat and trim.

Adding a green touch to old pieces

Photo by sarah.c via Flickr

The wacky embellishment of these furniture pieces by Bob Gromofsky Designs gives a whole new meaning to bringing the outdoors in. We especially enjoy the grassy treatment given to the lamp, although aren’t quite sure what that’ll do to the diffusing quality of the shade.

Photo by blackdenimgumby via Flickr

Your personal care routine has never been this green! The garden powder room displayed at a past New England Flower Show demonstrated how to turn the common vanity desk and chair into a growing work of art.

Chia Obama

And from the realm of the historical memorablia (we couldn’t resist!) comes the CH- CH- CH- CHIEF Special Edition Chia Obama for the mantle of every American home. Emblazened with Obama’s “Yes We Can!” your growing “happy” or “determined” Obama head will add to your green decorating scheme

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11 Pieces of Great Growing Green ‘Furniture’ is a post from: Ecoble

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Image by Michel Filion via Flickr

Water…it’s pure, it’s natural, and it’s abundant – right?

Well, not exactly. While nearly 75% of the world is covered with water, only about 3% is fit for human consumption – and two-thirds of that is found in glaciers and icecaps. That leaves just 1% of the planet’s water for our own use. Yes, water is a rare, valuable, and necessary resource — but is it really worth $20 a bottle?

Ok – the $20 bottle of water from Charity: Water is worth the price, only because the $19 and change profit from the bottled spring water helps supply those who don’t have a clean source of drinking water with another option. Is there any other bottled water really worth paying to drink?

Green Water

Bottling companies, especially those ‘premier’ water bottlers, hope that you’ll continue to believe that their spring water, mineral water, or enhanced tap water is at least 1000 times better than the free or nearly-free water you can get yourself…but is sustainable, all-natural, and organic water just a bunch of greenwash?

Park City Icewater Company packages 20,000 year old glacier water, directly piped from the underground source into their bottling facility. “This incredible isolated water source has been shielded and protected from modern man for centuries” - at least until this company came along, anyway. The pure, natural water from Park City also comes in eco-friendly packaging – requiring 75% less energy to produce and 96% less space in the landfill.

The bottle is definitely better than our traditional water bottles, but still not as green as a reusable. The question is – is this rare, untouched water source any more ‘natural’ or ’sustainable’ than filtered tap water? And, after 20,000 years, why are we the lucky ones who get to drink it all?

“Purified for 5000 years.” Malmberg Original Water is bottled in Sweden, extracted from an ancient underground water source. The not-so-enviro glass bottles are said to contain the oldest water in Sweden – never contaminated by modern pollution. Naturally enriched with vitamins and minerals, this so-called ‘organic water‘ actually comes from a source that is similar to the source of average Swedish tap water according to TreeHugger, and the well is rumored to be located near the pure water well used to produce Absolut Vodka. While this time-forgotten water may taste great, is it really any more natural or organic than water from a country spring after filtering?

“Every drop is green.” Fiji Water claims to be the purest and greenest natural water available. According to their marketing, their water is untouched by man until you open the bottle – “No other natural waters can make that statement.” Unfortunately, it seems to be the statement made by both of the above ‘natural water’ bottlers. Besides delivering organic water, what else is Fiji doing for the planet? They aim to reduce their PET packaging by 20% by next year.

The first flavored sparkling water to be certified organic by the USDA, Totally Organica is still fairly new from the looks of it (appears to have been introduced in summer, 2008) and seems to only be available online as of now. The ‘organic water’ also comes from an untouched spring, like the brands above, and is flavored with “organic essences” – not sugar or artificial flavors.

O water, mistakenly assumed to be organic water thanks to Safeway, may actually be the greenest bottled water on this list. O Water doesn’t claim to be organic; their website never states that their water is the purest available; they simply use natural ingredients and skip the additives and artificial flavors – still, this ‘natural water’ is nothing more than heavily filtered tap or spring water…with some extra plastic to clutter the landscape when its gone.

Greenwashing H20: WTF is ‘Sustainable Water’? is a post from: Ecoble

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Photo by Xirannisx back On

For many eco-conscience individuals, it’s just not enough to live a green lifestyle. Sustainable death, green burials, and the possibilities of renewable energy options via death are all emerging trends to take environmentalism to the grave.

Not Your Ordinary Graveyard

Photo by Ramsey Creek Preserve

Green, or conservation burials are quite popular in Europe and are beginning to make their mark in the US as well. These grave sites are typically located in a protected natural area. Bodies are prepared without embalming fluid and are typically dressed in natural fiber clothing or shrouds. Biodegradable coffins made of willow or cardboard are usually required and graves are adorned with wildflowers and trees. Vaults are also a no-no in a natural burial.

In the Fire

Photo by Colorful Coffins

Many choose to save space when they die, opting for cremation over burial. Closed incinerators have made the cremation process a bit cleaner and urns made of natural materials like willow, sustainable wood, and gourds add to the eco-friendliness of cremation.

Human Remains = Energy

Photo by Peasap via Flickr

If cremation still seems a bit dirty for your sustainable death agenda, a Swedish crematorium in Halmstead has the answer. Soon, the waste heat generated within the facility will also provide the building’s heating needs. Unless ethical concerns are brought up, the crematorium may heat the entire town in the not-so-distant future!

Rinsed Down the Drain

Photo by Randy Son Of Robert via Flickr

Resomation and alkaline hydrolysis are other controversial ideas to improve the planet and make death a bit greener. Rahter than polluting the air with cremation or taking up valuable land for burials, we simply dissolve the bodies in a pressurized vat of hot water and lye – then wash the left over goo right down the drain!

Is sustainable death part of your future or will you rest in peace within a traditional grave?

Sustainble Death: Going Green Right into Your Grave is a post from: Ecoble

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