Southface Energy Institute Headquarters In Atlanta, GA

Energy efficient building designs and technologies are everywhere these days. In fact, the sheer number of options can seem a little overwhelming for those interested in sustainable construction techniques. But Southface Energy Institute, headquartered in Atlanta, can be a valuable resource for homeowners, commercial or residential builders, or individuals who simply want to learn more about environmentally friendly design.

Southface Energy Institute is a nonprofit organization founded in 1978 that provides a wide variety of services, ranging from community education events to technical assistance for builders. The Southface website is full of handy tips and information for improving everything from individual building designs to big-picture community dynamics.

Southface practices what they preach, too. Their Atlanta headquarters is a showcase of innovative building designs and techniques that was awarded a LEED-Platinum designation.

For tips you can use in your own home or office, or to learn more about Southface, visit their website.

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This summer I’ve been working on food-related optimization projects, here are some updates:

I now have subscriptions with two local farmers (through a CSA or Community Support Agriculture). One farmer provides me with raw milk, raw butter and eggs, the other farmer provides vegetables and fruit. They both happen to deliver to same street in my neighborhood, so I ride my bike about one kilometer and pick up both deliveries using a bike trailer. (more…)

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The World’s Smallest Lightbulb (photo: Regan Group, UCLA)

As LED lights and fluorescent bulbs become increasingly mainstream, scientists at UCLA’s Department of Physics and Astronomy have developed a groundbreaking new variation of Thomas Edison’s incandescent light bulb. But don’t expect to find this bulb in your local hardware store anytime soon – unless you normally bring an electron microscope along to do your shopping.
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Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) are a new type of LED where a thin film of organic compounds is used to produce electroluminescence. (more…)

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Bank of America Tower, Greenest Skyscraper In The U.S. (photo: BoA)

A while back, MetaEfficient profiled what could be the greenest skyscraper in America, the Bank of America Tower in New York City. Located in midtown Manhattan at One Bryant Park, the 945-foot tall, 55-story structure is scheduled to open later this year. Here’s a closer look at some of the groundbreaking features that should help the building earn a coveted LEED Platinum designation.
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Benjamin has already posted some great reviews like: a solar powered ferris wheel lit up with LEDs, the world’s largest LED chandelier,  safety clothing with built-in LEDs, and an ultra-minimalist LED headlamp.

See more at LED Light Reviews.

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An Irish company, Surface Power, has launched what could be the most efficient solar hot water panel ever produced. The company says it plans to distribute its product internationally. The new solar panel was independently certified by TUV Rhineland. Their tests verified that when compared to other solar panels, Surface Power’s solar panel was in one case as much as 131% more efficient in the morning and evening, and 76% more efficient at midday.

Surface Power estimates that the product, which has undergone six years of development and testing, has the potential to reduce domestic and commercial hot water bills by up to 70% if insulation standards meet new building regulations.

“The market for the solar collector was worth in excess of one billion dollars  in 2008 and has grown by 300% since 1998. We received over 400 enquiries from the USA alone last month after the specifications were released during the Christmas period. We also expect the international home renovation market to be very strong during the next three years, as our collector is the only pre-packaged vacuum collector on the world market. This leads to quicker, simpler and cheaper installations,” said John Quinn, Surface’s founder.

Source: Renewable Energy World via Cleantechnica

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