Ballentine breaks ground at REBA; MetLife ensures sustainability

This sustainability roundup: Renewable Energy Buyers’ Alliance appoints an Air Force bigwig, MetLife creates a CSO role, and California state government gets stacked.

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Ballentine breaks ground at REBA; MetLife ensures sustainability

Are old orthodoxies about CSR blocking new opportunities?

It’s time to challenge assumptions and capture new value.

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Are old orthodoxies about CSR blocking new opportunities?

10 clean energy developments of 2018

Rocky Mountain Institute identifies major trends in clean energy from the last year.

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10 clean energy developments of 2018

Is personalization the key to energy efficiency?

For consumers and companies, the way that appliances will be used matters to whether or not they help the environment.

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Is personalization the key to energy efficiency?

Let’s accelerate cleantech

We’ll need innovation and investment to solve climate change — accelerators can help.

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Let’s accelerate cleantech

Craigslist can cut solid waste, one used sofa at a time

New research finds that the online network saves both material and many environmental costs of disposing of it.

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Craigslist can cut solid waste, one used sofa at a time

The Indian city of Diu is 100% powered by the sun

The city of Diu has become India ‘s first and only municipality that receives all of its energy needs from solar power. Located in the southern region of the Indian state of Gujarat, Diu is governed directly by the Indian federal government, which has prioritized the growth of solar energy throughout the country. In only three years of focused development, Diu has installed enough solar capacity to serve the energy needs of the city’s nearly 22,000 residents. It is also in competition to be selected as a finalist in Prime Minister Narendra Modi ‘s Smart Cities Mission initiative, in which 100 cities across India will receive funding and support to become more sustainable and livable. In previous years, residents of Diu received their power from the Gujarat state grid system, through which electricity was lost. Today, the locally-owned and operated power systems transport energy much more efficiently. Despite a land area of only 42 square kilometers, Diu is taking full advantage of its limited land resources. Solar power plants have been built on 50 acres throughout the city, which produces a capacity of 13 megawatts, 10 of which are from ground-based systems while 3 megawatts are sourced from rooftop systems . This is more than enough to meet Diu’s peak power demand of 7 megawatts. Related: Natural wetland in India filters 198 million gallons of wastewater a day with zero chemicals The switch to solar has also proven to be economically advantageous for consumers in Diu, as monthly electric bills have fallen by around twelve percent since the new energy system has been operating. To cope with nighttime power needs, Diu may transfer surplus energy to the larger grid, then source energy as needed when the sun is not shining. Diu is only one example of India’s solar push. Much further south, the Kochi International Airport holds the distinct honor of being the world’s first solar-powered airport . Via Clean Technica and Times of India Images via Depositphotos and  Flickr/poida.smith  

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The Indian city of Diu is 100% powered by the sun

Compact OffGridBox provides clean drinking water and power where it’s needed most

An Italian company has developed a compact solution for communities that lack access to clean drinking water and electricity – the OffGridBox . Measuring 6x6x6 feet, the container cube features everything necessary to generate, convert and store solar energy , as well as collect, treat and distribute clean drinking water . But the system does have drawbacks – including a $15,000 price point that’s hard to justify in certain corners of the world. Read on to learn how the founders are trying to scale their innovative solution for maximum impact. According to Fast Company, “Founder and CEO Emiliano Cecchini has sold a few of the units, but he worries he’s not yet found the formula to take his invention to scale.” “We’re looking for the next system to scale,” Cecchini told FastCo. “The idea came three years ago and, yeah, we’re kind of struggling to make it bigger. Back in Italy, it’s not easy to find the right financing strategy, mentors, and accelerator programs.” Related: Desert Twins produce drinking water in the driest place on Earth It’s a pity, because OffGridBox has the capability to serve up to 1,500 people per unit, the company says, and that’s without any upgrades. The basic model comes equipped with 12 solar modules, an inverter and battery storage. This system provides enough power to charge 300 battery packs that can each charge three LED lights for four hours and two cell phones, according to FastCo. OffGridBox also has a built-in water filtration system that produces food-quality drinking water, and a built-in storage tank that holds up to 396 gallons. That’s potentially life-changing for communities that lack good infrastructure. The company is persevering with a new model that will charge end users a nominal fee to use the station. “The new model is pay-as-you-go micro-payments, local contractors, and local empowerment,” Cecchini told FastCo. A family of four will pay 12 US cents per day for water, and the battery packs are subsidized by the company. They’re testing this new tactic in Rwanda , where the company plans to install units in 18 villages. Eventually they hope to equip the boxes with Wi-Fi. Head over to FastCo for the full story . + OffGridBox

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Compact OffGridBox provides clean drinking water and power where it’s needed most

Huge circular windows flood Melbourne’s Cirqua Apartments with natural light

Huge circular windows flood the interior of this funky apartment block in Melbourne with natural light. BKK Architects designed the Cirqua Apartments as a series of staggered volumes that reference the region’s historical housing while reinterpreting it in a modern way. The block occupies a steeply sloping site in a residential neighborhood in Melbourne. Its exterior is dominated by huge porthole windows that span almost the full height of the six cubes. The openings bring natural light into the interior and maximize the connection of the project to the surrounding garden. Related: 6,000 Circular Windows Flood Japan’s Kanazawa Library With Light The open-plan interiors feature a lot of natural materials and warm colors, with circular light fittings echoing the circular windows. White walls, marble and wood create a delicate visual balance. Beside its remarkable design features, the project also creates a precedent in the area’s multi-residential market. It was built to appeal to owner-occupiers rather than buy-to-let investors. + BKK Architects Via Dezeen Lead photo by Peter Bennetts

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Huge circular windows flood Melbourne’s Cirqua Apartments with natural light

GreenOrder, Cleantech Group announce merger

The two pioneering companies have found common purpose at the intersection of clean technology and sustainable business.

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GreenOrder, Cleantech Group announce merger

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