clean energy economy

Clean tech boosters looking to military for leg up

Bellamy Pailthorp — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 00:20:07 +0000

When you think of the clean energy economy, military barracks and mortar launchers probably aren’t the first things that come to mind.

But local clean energy boosters say the use of solar panels and biodiesel by the Department of Defense could be the key to getting more of these technologies off the ground.

Two years ago, the DOD created a new office, with a goal of reducing energy use by the U.S. military.

Smart grid pilot project debuting at University of Washington

Bellamy Pailthorp — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Most people who pay their own energy bills know that power is expensive. But where it’s coming from and how much it costs is often more mysterious.

That could change if technology that’s part of a demonstration project at the University of Washington catches on. It’s co funded by the US Department of Energy. The U-dub is the largest of 16 demo sites creating a new Pacific Northwest Smart Grid.

'Upcycling' is taking recycling to a higher level

Jennifer Wing — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 05:56:06 +0000

You already know what recycling is. Soon you will start hearing more about upcycling. No, it doesn’t involve going up a steep hill on a bike. Upcycling is one of the focuses of this week's Seattle Design Festival and a good example of what it is can be found in an old wooden warehouse in Seattle’s SODO neighborhood.

Puget Sound Energy target of 'Beyond Coal' campaign

Bellamy Pailthorp — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 17:50:00 +0000

The Pacific Northwest has made headlines for its efforts to become the first coal-free region in the United States. Washington’s last coal-fired power plant, in Centralia, is scheduled to be shut down by 2025.

Energy developers eye new grid-stabilizing hydro projects

Tom Banse — Wed, 02 May 2012 00:51:38 +0000

PORTLAND - If you thought the great dam building era of the Northwest was long over, you might be mistaken. But we're not talking about damming rivers here. This is about building long earthen dams to make new off-stream hydropower reservoirs. They're being designed to act as giant batteries and shock absorbers for the electric grid.

Here's an odd thought that relates to keeping your lights burning steady and bright. Someday a small portion of your electricity bill could go toward pumping water in a loop. Lots of water.

An under-used resource in Washington: forest biomass

Bellamy Pailthorp — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 20:48:29 +0000

Renewable energy is growing on trees in Washington – and right now, much of it is going up in smoke.

That’s the word from Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark, who has just released the results of a study on forest biomass.

Ocean energy gaining momentum in Washington

Bellamy Pailthorp — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 14:03:44 +0000

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-993677.mp3

You might call it harnessing the power of the moon.

Ocean energy is electricity that is generated when the power of tides, waves and currents moves turbines and windmills. It’s an idea that’s caught on already in Oregon. And there are plans on the horizon to bring it to Washington.

Puget Sound waters test wave energy prototype buoy

Tom Banse and KPLU News Staff — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 13:57:04 +0000

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-958630.mp3

An Oregon-based alternative energy company is one step closer to generating electricity from the ocean's waves. The company has launched a prototype wave energy buoy. For testing, the startup chose the gentler waters of Puget Sound.

Looking forward from Cancun

Liam Moriarty — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 12:18:17 +0000

It was time to put up or shut up. Delegates to the United Nations climate conference in Cancun knew if they came out of the talks empty-handed, the whole effort to reach a global warming treaty could collapse. The agreement that emerged over the past weekend made just enough progress to keep the talks alive for another year.