Seattle Commercial & Industrial Electrical Contractor
4826 B Street NW Suite 101 Auburn, WA 98001
Mon-Fri: 7AM- 4PM
25 Feb 2015

Renewable Energy Gets Greener

Renewable Energy Gets Greener
Engineered trees could complement the ecological benefits of trees like this in urban areas

News outlet CNN recently reported on an inventive way for nature and technology to meet—in a steel tree designed to generate power for heating, lighting, and charging.

CNN writes that the French “Arbre a Vent,” the tree created to turn air into energy, has changed preconceptions on what renewable energy really looks like. The goal is simple: to turn air currents into energy wherever possible, particularly in cities where practical and aesthetic needs call for an alternative to traditional devices such as wind turbines.

A prototype of the artistic tree will be “planted” in Paris for two months starting mid-March, and developments and ideas will continue to flow as a result of its innovation in wind power. On the horizon, according to company engineer Julia Revuz, are “mini wind turbines” that could fit into a variety of crowded urban landscapes.

Something From Nothing: Renewable Energy

The idea of using a plentiful resource (wind) to create energy has motivated eco-friendly thinking for years. Last year we learned about the possibility of creating electricity from garbage, and Vermont’s City of Burlington managed to receive their power exclusively from natural sources: water, wind, and biomass (material from organisms, usually plants), ThinkProgress reported.

Get More Efficient

Retrofitting means enhancing or adding to something existing. In the electricity industry, retrofits are especially necessary in older buildings that don’t have today’s advanced electrical systems. Newer electrical systems not only save operating costs, but they also focus on eco-friendly output. Looking at warehouse electrical costs, Kirby Electric discovered a way for a poorly lit warehouse to save nearly $10,000 yearly, and install brighter lights that make working conditions safer and more productive.

Learn more about lighting retrofits and how they could change the way you do business.

About Kirby Electric

Kirby Electric is a premier Seattle electrical contractor specializing in commercial and industrial electrical contracting. As your local commercial electrician, we can help with any electrical needs when it comes to upgrading older buildings, including equipment hook ups, rewiring or relocating panels, and lighting upgrades. We also work with electrical companies like Puget Sound Energy, Tacoma Public Utilities, Lakeview Power and others that will provide a rebate for upgrading to a more efficient lighting upon approval of the project. Contact us today to learn more about our services or to get a quote.

(Image by rakratchada torsap via FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

31 Jul 2014

Imagine Creating Energy to Power a Home with Trash

electricity from garbage

Have you ever thought that your garbage might have a higher purpose? Surprisingly enough, it does! Seattle City Light provides some of the most environmentally responsible energy and is always trying to find ways to leave less of an environmental footprint. This is why Seattle City Light soon plans to buy all of the electricity produced by the Columbia Ridge landfill gas power plant in Oregon according to The Skanner.

Electricity from Garbage?

electricity from garbage

With the ongoing concern for our environment, now more than ever finding alternative ways to create energy is important. This is why Waste Management and Seattle Public Utilities are working together for a common purpose. Seattle Public Utilities currently ships garbage to Columbia Ridge where it sits at the landfill. Instead of just letting garbage sit and rot, Waste Management has been able to capture the methane gas produced by this decaying garbage and turn it into energy! According to Waste Management, they are going to double the amount of energy that they currently produce from 6.4 megawatts to 12.8 megawatts. This amount of energy is enough to power 12, 500 homes in Seattle.

Green Initiatives Taking Place in Washington

Not only are public utilities services trying to find more sustainable ways to create energy, but they also want to find a way to renew and reuse water. Every day gallons and gallons of water get flushed down the drain that are not polluted enough to discard completely. That is why Washington State is working on projects to reclaim water. Water that is unsafe for drinking but that has still been treated can be used for such things as irrigating crops or flushing toilets. With water being a sparse resource in some areas in the state, becoming more efficient will benefit not only the communities in Washington but also our gorgeous surroundings.

About Kirby Electric

Kirby Electric is a premier Seattle electrical contractor specializing in commercial and industrial electrical contracting. We can help with any electrical needs when it comes to upgrading older buildings, including equipment hook ups, rewiring or relocating panels, and lighting upgrades. We also work with electrical companies like Puget Sound Energy, Tacoma Public Utilities, Lakeview Power and others that will provide a rebate for upgrading to a more efficient lighting upon approval of the project. Contact us today to learn more about our services or to get a quote.

(Images by porbital and hinnamsaisuy via FreeDigitalPhotos.net)