Alice C. - "We Need Clean & Safe Energy"

The American public's relationship with clean energy is complicated: Polls consistently show that we overwhelmingly want more of it. The majority of Americans want the government to invest in clean power research and to create jobs in the industry. Yet at the same time, there's a pervasive sense of "we're not there yet" with technologies like solar and wind.

Which is why, if I could choose to have one message unambiguously made clear to the public -- like, maybe, dragging the world's largest airplane banner (towed behind a giant, emissions-free electric plane, of course) across the nation -- it'd be this: We are there. Right now. If we start deploying solar and wind to scale right now, we could run all of the U.S. on clean energy by 2026.

From Energy Self-Reliant States (via Climate Progress): "The Germans have installed over 10,000 megawatts of solar panels in the past two years, enough to power 2 million American homes (or most of Los Angeles, CA). If Americans installed local solar at the same torrid pace, we could already power most of the Mountain West, could have a 100 percent solar nation by 2026, while enriching thousands of local communities with new development and jobs."

And what might that look like? ESRS continues: "The following map shows what could have happened had the U.S. kept pace with Germany on solar power in the past two years (installed the same megawatts on a per capita basis). Sunshine could power 10 states!"

The report makes the point that most of Germany's solar expansion hasn't been in huge, centralized plants -- it's been with distributed solar projects like rooftop installations. Which means the projects have been uncontroversial and have had minimal impact on the environment (no desert tortoises imperiled, in other words). We can do this too. Check out Energy Self-Reliant States' breakdown of what percentage of each states' power can be generated by rooftop PV:

That's a lot of headway that can be made on idle, currently unused spaces. Paired with the deployment of wind farms along our coastlines, across the Great Plains, and in Texas, and some central solar generation -- potentially, large-scale concentrated solar projects -- we absolutely can run the nation on clean energy. Within our lifetimes. We just need more shouting from the (soon-to-be-covered-inPV) rooftops to get the word out to Americans that it can be done.

Recently, the world’s largest solar-powered office building was unveiled in Dezhou, Shangdong Province in northwest China. The 75,000-square-meter office building bears a resemblance to an ancient sun dial and reminds visitors of the importance of renewable energy. Today, we have for you the world’s largest solar powered creations that amaze us with their size and purpose they’re built for. Hit the jump to see them all…

The world’s largest solar-powered building has been unveiled in Dezhou, Shangdong Province in northwest China. The 75,000-square-meter office building is based on the sun dial structure and marks the urgency of seeking renewable energy to replace polluting fossil fuels. The building provides space for exhibition centers, scientific research facilities, meeting and training facilities and a sustainable hotel. Dubbed the Sun and the Moon Altar micro-row buildings, the architecture features the Chinese characters for sun and moon, while the white exterior symbolizes clean energy. In addition to a massive solar array, green ideas have been applied throughout the construction process. The external structure used only 1% steel for the Bird’s nest and advanced roof and wall insulation systems reduce 30% more energy than the national energy saving standard. The building will be the main venue for the 4th World Solar City Congress.

World’s largest solar-powered footbridge

Premier Anna Bligh has officially opened the world’s largest footbridge of its kind in Brisbane’s CBD. Constructed at a cost of over $63 million, the Kurilpa Bridge is expected to be used by about 36,500 people each week. The structure is 470m long and more than 1050 people were employed on the project. Spanning the Brisbane River, the bridge employs a sophisticated LED lighting scheme that can be programmed to produce an array of different lighting effects, which will become a feature of Brisbane’s annual Riverfire celebrations. The energy-saving lighting system will be powered by 84 solar panels that collectively generate a daily output of about 100KWh and an average yearly output of 38MWh. The solar energy generates supplies 75% of the power required to run the LED setup in the fully lit mode, but in most lighting configurations, 100% of the energy required will come from the solar panels. Surplus electricity generated by the solar array will be returned to the main grid.

World’s largest solar powered trimara

PlanetSolar is a multi-hull vessel, commissioned by German investor Immo Stroeher. The vessel being built at a shipyard in Kiel, Germany is said to be the world’s largest solar-powered trimaran. It will not have sails; instead will rely on solar panels to circumnavigate the world in 140 days. The triple-hull, 30-metre-long, 15-metre-wide boat will incorporate solar cells onto the 508-square-metre top of the main centre hull. The solar panels are capable of producing 1,000 watts of electricity daily. Surplus energy is stored in the batteries, enabling the 58-ton trimaran to continue its journey without sun for up to three days at a speed of 10 knots or 18 kilometres per hour.

World’s largest solar audio system

Grzebik Design has come out with what is being called the world’s largest solar powered loudspeaker system. Located in the Taiwan National Stadium in Kaohsiung, the audio system is capable of cranking out 105 dB of sound to 40,000 spectators. The ultra-modern $5 billion Taiwan National Stadium features a stunning 14,155 square meter roof incorporating 8,844 solar panels, which emulates the form of a flowing river, and generates 1.14 million KWh annually preventing the release of 660 tons-per-annum of atmospheric carbon dioxide. The electricity generated is used to power the audio system. Designed by renowned Japanese architect Toyo Ito the whole system comprises of 60 distributed Apogee Sound AE-7SX weather-resistant loudspeakers for primary seating area coverage, 12 Apogee Sound ALA-5WSX weather resistant Acoustic Linear Array loudspeakers provides field coverage, and 2 Apogee Sound AFI-205 and two AFI-Point5 loudspeakers provide Control Room audio monitoring.
World’s largest Solar Power Tower Plant

Abengoa, a Spanish engineering company has developed a huge 54 story high tower near Seville in Spain. Said to be the world’s largest solar power tower plant, it consists of more than 1200-mirrored heliostats neighboring a huge tower. Called the ‘PS20 plant’, the installation has heliostats covering 1291 ft2 area each, giving the entire heliostat field a massive area of 155,000 m 2. Each heliostat tracks the sun throughout the day on two axes and concentrates the radiation onto a receiver located on the upper part of the 531 ft tower. After this, the receiver converts 92% of received sunlight into steam that is piped down to a turbine driven generator at the base of the tower. The PS20 plant is capable of generating 20 megawatts (MW) of electricity, enough to supply 10,000 homes.

World’s Largest Solar Project

Taking advantage of the dryness of Sahara Desert, renewable energy giants are prepping up the installation of the world’s largest solar power plant that collectively will generate a whopping 100GW of concentrating solar power. Promoted by Desertec Foundation, the plant will be built by 20 blue chip German companies, who would be gathering together to discuss plans and investments to create the massive project. Unlike other solar power plants, which are usually built on a single location, this massive plant would be scattered throughout politically stable countries in northern Africa. The collective output of the plant would be 80 times larger than a similar plant being planned for the Mojave Desert. The power output would be transported across the Mediterranean Sea to Europe on high-voltage DC lines that will finally supply 15% of the energy demand. The companies involved in the planning state that similar installations have to be constructed to end the gripping energy crisis. The €400bn project would take 10-15 years to go online, but once constructed it will help other countries of the world to aim towards renewable energy generating plants to end their dependence on fossil fuels.

World’s largest solar powered tree

Brisbane City Council have recently refurbished world’s largest solar powered Christmas tree to delight the Brisbane crowds. The beautiful tree has decked it out with new foliage, decorations and a sophisticated solar powered lighting system featuring 16,000 bulbs. Location in King George Square, the Christmas Tree features 250 red opaque baubles, a multicoloured twinkling light system and a giant star made up of solar panels for the tree’s top. The new-look tree would be more sustainable and help in saving the environment.

World’s Largest Solar Stadium

No one has ever attempted to power an entire stadium with solar energy before, but Japan-based Toyo Ito Architects are using solar energy beyond all conventions to power the main stadium built for the World Games. The $150 million stadium can house 55,000 spectators and can power 80% of the surrounding neighborhood if it‘s solar array is connected to the grid during days when the stadium is not being used. Every inch of the stadium’s incredible 14,155-sq-m roof area is covered with 8,844 solar panels that could potentially generate a whopping 1.14GWh of electricity annually. The record braking stadium is touted to be the world’s largest solar-powered stadium.

World’s largest solar cooking system

India has been working on to escalate the use of solar energy in the country. The country is boasting the development of the world’s largest solar steam cooking system that has been installed in Shirdi in the state of Maharashtra. The system, built at the cost of about $280,000 uses solar energy to convert water into 3,500kg of steam daily, which is then used to cook food for the pilgrims visiting the shrine of 19th century saint Sai Baba. The system can feed up to 20,000 people per day and can save about 100,000kg of cooking gas annually. Of the total cost needed to install the system about 43% was paid by the government.

Inquiry-based, science and engineering education provides students with the tools necessary to assess and make healthy choices for themselves, their families, and their communities. The work of the K-12 Education Department is to provide opportunities that nurture the development of informed and pro-active citizens, infused with a team-spirit approach to face the challenges that lie ahead with dignity and resourcefulness.

NESEA K-12 WINTER 2010 E-NEWS

Junior Solar Sprint Northeast News: Sprint Coordinators Convene in Massachusetts
Northeast Junior Solar Sprint area coordinators met in Deerfield, Massachusetts for the first Area Coordinator’s Conference November 20-22, 2009. The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) organized the weekend gathering to facilitate the exchange of resources, ideas and information specifically for those who organize area events for teams from different schools and organizations. We held a number of group discussions around topics of special interest including...Read the full article.

Teacher Tip: Getting Started With Gears

At the workshop teachers and non-formal educators will receive: