We’ve seen in a couple of previous posts how Denmark is making great progress in advancing towards a more sustainable future. Today we’ll analyze the case of Lolland, a Danish island that is combining wind power with fuel cells to come closer to a complete renewable energy system.
A consortium of nine companies called Dansk Microvarme is carrying out a 6-year project to develop the necessary technology and deploy it in the village of Vestenskov. The island generates 50% more wind power than it uses. The problem is that pure wind energy cannot be stored. So, when the wind doesn’t blow, there is a lack of energy, and the village might be forced to resort to fossil fuels. That’s when the idea of hydrogen and fuel cells comes in. The project being developed in Lolland consists of using excess wind power to obtain hydrogen, which is then used in fuel cells to generate electricity and heat.
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We have already looked at Cambridge and its green development plans. Now it’s the turn for Yale University. One of the most surprising and encouraging facts I’ve found doing some research is that Yale has developed a new building which has recently been awarded the highest LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certificate. It also has an organic farming project on campus, and has pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 10% by 2020, compared to 1990 levels.
The building I just mentioned is the Kroon Hall, home of the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. It consumes 81% less water and 58% less energy than other similar buildings.
The Kroon Hall also uses renewable energy; it has solar panels on its roofs that provide it with 25% of its electricity needs. Solar power is also being used for heating around 50% of water, with solar water heaters.
As regards recycling, the Kroon has a system to reuse water. Storm water is collected, as well as grey waters. These are filtrated using native aquatic plants. Grey waters and storm water are used for flushing toilets and for irrigation. On the other hand, plumbing includes low-flow mechanisms, and so do irrigation fixtures, which greatly lowers the demand for water.
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Energy efficiency is the relationship between the amount of energy consumed and the products and services obtained. It can be improved by the use of technology, legislation and education.
A program of energy efficiency should include the following issues: power consumption for residential, commercial and industrial sectors, efficient machines, cogeneration, sustainable architecture, and transportation. It should also include appropriate legislation; because for example, low energy prices cause an artificial increase in demand. Finally, education at schools, universities and companies is crucial; we must all be involved in this subject. Energy efficiency should be part of the long term energy planning.
Countries with low energy resources have the highest levels of energy efficiency in order to reduce imports, examples are Japan, Denmark and Chile.
Chile installed the Energy Efficiency Program (PPEE) in 2005. PPEE includes an educational program for primary schools, replacement of electric engines in the industrial sector, efficient lighting in the residential, commercial and public buildings; and studies of cogeneration for the power system.
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Cambridge University is extremely well-known for the outstanding education it provides. However, concerning its environmental performance, it isn’t nearly as successful. Thanks to the North West Cambridge development, this will most likely change.
Construction of North West Cambridge begins in 2012, and it will be the “greenest development of its size and scope in the UK”. It will be built in the 120-hectare site owned by the university and will lodge Cambridge’s expansion in the next 25 years. Estimates are the amount of students and staff will rise about 8,000.
Construction has not been approved yet. But what is sure is that housing in North West will initially seek to achieve level 5 on the Code for Sustainable Homes; and level 6, which means being zero carbon, by 2016. Commercial, academic and public buildings will aim to obtain an ‘excellent’ on the BREEAM (Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method) rating.
North West will have 2,500 student beds, a center for academic and commercial research, a local centre with a supermarket and shops, a primary school, a hotel, a nursery and new homes which will be for sale.
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