From Tidal Power to Alternative Transportation: Revolutionary Ways We are Protecting the Environment
Designed to exceed environmental standards, these municipalities and companies are leading the way in green initiatives. From LEED certification to ingenious heating systems, each of these ideas is transforming the how people deal with the environment. Lowering carbon footprints and supporting greener building methods paint only part of the picture. At the heart of these initiatives is the desire to transform how we protect the environment and everything in it.
Alternative Transportation and Greener Tenants
Considered a revolutionary for its business model, Destiny USA has also implemented exceptional new designs within their buildings. Destiny USA, the hotspot for Syracuse entertainment, requires each tenant within their expansion to become LEED certified. In addition, Destiny has worked on promoting greener transportation methods. People who use electric cars can get the best parking spots. At these parking spaces, drivers will find charging stations for their car. In an effort to promote greener lifestyles, Destiny USA also has 200-bicycle rack space. Employees who want to bike to work can use specially designed shower rooms. The property is linked with the Creekwalk to make it easier to reach the pedestrian bridge across Hiawatha Boulevard. Each of these greener transportation methods is designed to lower the use of fossil fuels and creation of greenhouse gases.
Warming Households with Waste
In Salt Lake City, eight tons of carbon dioxide is saved due to sewage. After Hurricane Katrina, gas prices spiked and city officials had to find a way to lower costs. The alternative heating and cooling system they created was with the help of engineers from Sound Geothermal Corporation. This new system takes heat from warm sewage water. Then, the water warms a glycol and water solution. Once this is done, the solution is piped back to households where it heats the rooms. During the summer, the system works in reverse and heat from each house is piped underground. Overall, this heating method uses 40 percent less energy than its traditional counterparts.
Transforming Tides into Electricity
Manhattan has had to deal with an electricity shortage in the last few years, but New York City has found a solution. Through new underwater turbines, the city hopes to create enough electricity to power 8,000 homes. These turbines will be submerged near Roosevelt Island. This new project relies on triple-bladed rotors that spin every two seconds. Every turbine produces 36 kilowatts for the Roosevelt Island Grid. When all of the projected 300 turbines are installed, the tidal power plant should produce a total of 10 megawatts of power.
These revolutionary ideas may have started with one city, one company or one idea, but they are spreading fast. The tidal power project in New York City will be used in Ontario and Seattle in the coming years. As these projects pick steam, they have the possibility of changing the environment and the world.
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