Photovoltaic Batteries

My friend is on a role today. He just sent me these great photovoltaic batteries.  I think I'd still prefer my Solio but the flexible solar panels have me very intrigued... Check it out. 

http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/02/18/suncat-solar-batteries-by-knut-karlsen/

Growning Water in Chicago

A fellow architect sent this article to me via email and I thought it was too cool of a concept to not pass on.  It is right in line with my electrified roads for electric cars, think bumper cars with the grid coming from solar panels and wind turbines along said road and attached to any bridges over said road. I think these two plans would work beautifully together... 

Anyway, this idea from Urban Labs won a big award in 2006 and has been further recognized by the AIA in 2009 with the $100,000 Latrobe Prize. Their concept is simple, build on Chicago's vast green spaces to create green boulevards to the Lake that will naturally clean used water and return it to the lake.  They are also calling for the reversal of the Chicago River (which unfortunately would need a MAJOR clean-up first) and the reuse of the current deep tunnels that collect run-off and divert it to the Mississippi basin as new 'L' lines for the CTA since these tunnels would no longer be required.  This is an idea that could be a great model for many other Cities, so all I have to ask as a Chicagoan is: Mayor Daley, when do we start? 

The blog that was forwarded to me: http://arcchicago.blogspot.com/2009/02/theres-gold-in-that-there-h20.html

The Urban Lab website with more details: http://www.urbanlab.com/h2o/

Use the Revloving Door Everytime

This my friends is an easy green idea that pretty much any abled body person can follow.  If you are going into a building and you have a choice between either a revolving door or a side door with no vestibule, use the revolving door.  First of all those side doors are meant for handicapped access and they are usually clearly marked, if you are using it and someone that physically can't using the revolving door comes up you'll feel like a schmuck, so just don't do it.  Secondly, if the air temp warmer or colder then the inside controlled temp, you are adding to the demand of the air handling system by adding cooler or warmer air into the building in very large bursts,especially if it is windy. The revolving door mixes air by the shear nature of the door and does not add to the demands of the air handling systems, therefore not adding to the energy demands of the building.  So bottom line if a revolving door is an option use it to help conserve energy.  

A side note to this one, because I see people doing it all the time, is hitting the ADA button to electrically open a door.  This wastes energy when you can just push on the door yourself if you are able. I think bottom line is if you are able bodied don't use the items clearly marked for those that are not. It is that simple.