Solar Powered Supertower to Eclipse the Burj Dubai?
from Inhabitat
 Even though the 2,600 ft tall, 126 story Burj Dubai is still under construction, a fierce race is already brewing to construct the world's next tallest building. Recently Santa Monica building designer Tommy Landau threw his hat into the ring by proposing a super-tall 224 story skyscraper to be located in Abu Dhabi. While the building is years away from being built, Landau is convinced that by that time technology will be advanced enough to coat the building in solar cells and power it completely with the sun. Very apropos given the tower's desert location. More 
Facilities America: Two Days of Education + AFE Chapter Awards!
from AFE
 Featuring over 20 educational tracks focused on technical issues and sustainability topics for facilities professionals. Learn about the latest technologies, best practices, products and services for optimum facilities operations. AFE Chapter Awards will be presented on Friday, Oct. 30! Click here for more information and to register.
Corporate America's Adoption of Green Practices Doubles, Study Says
from GreenerBuildings
Corporate America's embrace of sustainability has more than doubled in strength in the past three years with 76 percent of the largest U.S. firms reporting efforts and commitments that exceed those required by law, according to a new study from Siemens Building Technologies Inc. and McGraw-Hill Construction. More
Dalian Shide: China's Stunning New Sustainable Stadium
from Inhabitat
Sports fans get ready for a spectacular new experience ™ NBBJ recently revealed their design for China’s new Dalian Shide Stadium and it’s like nothing we’ve ever seen before. Built as though the stadium literally opened up from underground, two exterior walls of the structure are covered in grass and plants and the other two are open to connect the games with the city and allow glimpses of the intense action inside. Sustainability is a top priority and the design includes water recycling, daylighting, renewable energy and the beautiful and original living walls on the exterior. More
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Product Showcase:
SAFETY AND SAVINGS from AddLight
 Fail-Safe solid aluminum photoluminescent EXIT sign is a problem solver and pays for itself. Sign is pvc-free, uses no power, batteries, bulbs, protective cages, or wiring and is inherently explosion proof. Significantly less cost in new construction; qualifies for LEED points; reduced inspection, maintenance and operating costs forever. Listed and usable under building codes and NFPA®. More info
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Advanced Solar Panels Coming to Market
from Technology Review
A promising type of solar-power technology has moved a step closer to mass production. Nanosolar, based in San Jose, CA, has opened an automated facility for manufacturing its solar panels, which are made by printing a semiconductor material called CIGS on aluminum foil. The manufacturing facility is located in Germany, where government incentives have created a large market for solar panels. Nanosolar has the potential to make 640 megawatts' worth of solar panels there every year. More
Certified Plant Engineer (CPE) Online and Classroom Review Classes Now Scheduled!
from AFE
Online CPE Review: Join instructor Jim Taylor of Machinery Management Solutions for an extended review of the CPE Review Pack. This online class is double the instruction time of the traditional week-long review to allow working professionals to dedicate the appropriate time to prepare. Classes will be held from 12-2 EST. Traditional Classroom Review: To be held Nov. 14, Nov. 21, Dec. 5 and Dec. 12,
2009 in Eastern Massachusetts.
For the schedule, pricing and registration, please click here. or contact Carol Lawrence at (571) 203-7238 or CLawrence@AFE.org.
Europe's $57 Billion Plan to Put Windmills in the Ocean
from The Christian Science Monitor
Wind is the fastest growing renewable energy in Europe – making up a third of new energy here, with 20 turbines added every working day in 2008, according to EU statistics.
What the European wind energy industry now wants is to expand – offshore. Ocean winds are a stronger and more predictable form of energy than the ones on land, and the industry is pushing a $57 billion investment to allow broad-winged turbines to spin at sea.
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Take the AFE Benchmarking Survey
from AFE
AFE is researching a benchmarking tool to offer as part of a member benefits package and we need your feedback! This benchmarking tool will help you identify the cost and consumption metrics for your facility, and then provide comparisons for similar facilities. Based on the comparison, you will be able to identify the best way for you to improve your metrics. AFE needs to know what areas are most important for you to track - Utility consumption? Maintenance? Custodial/Security? Operating Expenses? Sustainability?
To take the survey, please click here.
A Cheap Fix for Climate: Retrofitting
from The New York Times
Though it looked as if it might be something of a nail-biter, the New York State Senate ultimately passed a landmark energy efficiency and green jobs bill. The implications of the bill, which has already passed the state Assembly and appears likely to be signed by the governor, might seem profoundly local. But like similar endeavors quietly unfolding across the globe, the New York legislation aims at one of the most intractable barriers to curbing global greenhouse gas emissions: inefficient buildings.
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