We started CleanOregon over a year and a half ago. Our main purpose was to learn about developments in clean tech and sustainable businesses in Oregon.
At this point, we’ve decided to take a breather and focus on other endeavors. We hope that we’ve been able to provide you with some useful and interesting information.
Please feel free to contact us at: fross [at] hevanet [dot] com if you’d like to get involved in the future.
Again, thanks!
Ashland, Oregon-based Brammo recently debuted a new electric motorcycle that travels about 80 miles on a single charge.
The 324-pound Enertia Plus uses a 6.0 kWh Lithium-Ion battery and travels twice as far as its predecessor. Improvements include a simplified charger and better maneuverability.
The sticker price is around $9K – fairly inexpensive for the latest in EV energy storage technology. It is also eligible for all applicable Federal and State EV tax incentives; Oregonians can subtract $1,869 from the price thanks to these tax incentives. Though not delivered until 2011, the Enertia Plus can be pre-ordered now on Brammo.com.
The 2011 Enertia Plus will be revealed at the 68th EICMA in Milan, Italy Nov 2nd – 7th. Also on display at EICMA will be the recently announced 2011 Empulse together with the Enertia TTR and Empulse RR race bikes. After EICMA the Brammo electric motorcycles will travel to China for the 57th Macau Grand Prix Nov. 18th – 21st.
The Portland Sustainability Institute is gearing up for its second annual EcoDistricts Summit on Oct 25-27 in Portland, Oregon. It is shaping up to be an exciting three days of exploration, inquiry and dialogue about the future of neighborhoods. Registration is filling up fast — but there are opportunities to take part beyond the Summit’s main program. We’d also like to invite you to a few other events happening in our EcoDistrict pilot neighborhoods.
Azuray Technologies, an emerging leader in solar power optimization electronics, announced today it is collaborating with Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd., the world’s largest producer of crystalline silicon solar panels, to explore ‘smart panel’ technology.
These panels bring greater solar energy generation to new solar installations. The new technology will draw on Azuray’s exceptional maximum power point tracking (MPPT) DC to DC technology, which yields up to 25 percent greater solar energy harvest from panels affected by shading, mismatch or other real world conditions.
“This cooperation with Azuray Technologies bolsters our commitment to innovate solar energy beyond today’s standards of excellence,” said Mr. Shijun Cai, Senior Vice President of Suntech. “Through collaboration with Azuray we hope to support solar installers and owners in their quest for greater power generation and faster returns on investment, in any environmental conditions.”
Azuray Technologies power optimization solutions increase energy harvest from solar panels and use power-line communications in combination with its communications gateway to track and enhance solar panel performance. The Azuray communications gateway offers monitoring and safety features for installation and grid power disruption.
FoodHub has evolved since its February 2010 debut and is now inviting users to taste version 2.0.. The online directory and marketplace connects food buyers of all types and sizes with farmers, ranchers, fishermen and food manufacturers throughout the greater Northwest.
This latest version of FoodHub was introduced earlier this month at the 2010 Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association Convention in Bend, Oregon. Improvements and new developments reflect changes made as a result of user analysis and feedback gathered over the last eight months, including:
Membership Discounts Now Available
To motivate regional farmers, ranchers, fishermen and food buyers of all kinds to join FoodHub now, several diverse entities from the region’s food and farming community have brought discounts, ranging from 20 to 80 percent off the annual $100 membership fee, to the table. Go to food-hub.org and visit the “Join Now” page to learn more about special discounts and promotions currently available for new members.
Wineries in Oregon are reducing their carbon footprint in innovative ways.
Advanced insulation and solar panels are part of the solution, complemented by the use of goats and raptors, rather than lawnmowers and pesticides. Remaining carbon offset purchases are funding a dairy farm methane digester.
Sustainable Business Oregon is covering the story.
Oregon wineries are poised for an even bigger spotlight in the national fight against global warming.
Beginning in 2011, when a voluntary carbon reduction program becomes a full-fledged certification process, these winemakers will leapfrog ahead to become the first in the world to develop an industry-specific program.
Oregon wineries are poised for an even bigger spotlight in the national fight against global warming.
Beginning in 2011, when a voluntary carbon reduction program becomes a full-fledged certification process, these winemakers will leapfrog ahead to become the first in the world to develop an industry-specific program.
It isn’t just cute labels and talking points.
A new $92,000 grant expected from the United States Department of Agriculture will evolve the Oregon Environmental Council’s Carbon Neutral Challenge by funding the development of long-term certifications for wineries that remain carbon neutral, and others that follow their lead.
The new certification, called Climate Pioneers, will build on the success of the 14 wineries that completed the Carbon Neutral Challenge in April — a list that included three of the state’s largest wineries: Willamette Valley Vineyards of Turner, King Estate Winery of Eugene, and A to Z Wineworksof Dundee.
In what was expected to be an electric vehicle tour kicked off at Portland State University, Ford Motor Company announced a major partnership with Portland General Electric.
Sustainable Business Oregon is writing about the partnership that will support the influx of new electric vehicles within Portland and Oregon.
Ford Motor Company announced Tuesday that it will make formal a partnership with Portland General Electric to develop electric vehicle infrastructure and policy and study driver behavior as the cars start hitting the streets. The auto giant made the announcement during the launch of its national electric vehicle tour at Portland State University.
The partnership is further validation that Portland — and Oregon —are making strides toward the head of the U.S. pack when it comes to electric vehicle infrastructure.
“We set out to make Portland a premium launch site for electric vehicles,” said Charlie Allcock, director of economic development for Portland General Electric and the utilities point person on electric vehicles. “This is another recognition by a global brand that we’re doing something right here.”
The PGE-Ford partnership involves the following elements:
- • Ford and PGE will work together to share information on charging needs and requirements to ensure the electrical grid can support the necessary demand for electric vehicles, as well as partner on electric vehicle consumer education.
- • The companies will work with state and local governments to support charging station permitting, electric vehicle tax credits and future legislation or regulations.
- • Over the next two years, Ford will introduce the Transit Connect Electric small commercial van, the Ford Focus Electric passenger car, two next generation lithium-ion battery hybrids and a plug-in hybrid. While the company has not yet made formal its launch cities for these new vehicles, the partnership with PGE makes it clear that Portland will get them early — if not first — in the game.
- • Ford and PGE will work with universities such as Portland State University to further study urban mobility and the integration of energy and sustainable design.
Rendering of Vestas Americas HQ in Portland
Vestas, the world’s leader in high-tech wind power systems, announced yesterday it will move its North American sales and service headquarters into the historic Meier & Frank Depot Building in Portland’s Pearl District.
The $66-million building retrofit will focus on meeting the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification. There are currently only 15 buildings in Portland designated as LEED Platinum, the highest rating given by the U.S. Green Building Council.
Built in 1928, the Meier & Frank Depot Building, vacant since 2001, will undergo a complete historic renovation by Gerding Edlen Development, one of the country’s largest developers of LEED-certified properties. Construction should begin this October, with Vestas moving into the building in early 2012.
Planned features include a rainwater collection system, raised-access flooring with under-floor mechanical ventilation, thermally insulated operable windows, and a central, multi-story atrium to provide natural light and to reduce energy usage. Also planned is the largest roof-mounted solar array in Portland’s central business district along with an eco-roof terrace and gardens.
After a much-needed break, we are back and excited to discuss some positive changes taking place in Oregon and around the country. We have a new editor and are seeking suggestions and contributing writers for the blog. If you’d like to get involved, contact Blake at [mblakemorgan at gmail dot com].
Check back for regularly updated content, and feel free to follow us out on Facebook.
We started CleanOregon just about a year ago. Our main purpose was to learn about developments in clean tech and sustainable businesses in Oregon.
At this point, we’ve decided to take a breather and focus on other endeavors. We hope that we’ve been able to provide you with some useful and interesting information.
Please feel free to contact us at: fross [at] hevanet [dot] com if you’d like to get involved in the future.
Again, thanks!
