Energy Hub helps consumer gain awareness of their energy consumption via simple networked devices. Their devices also communicate with the developing Smart Grid. Lots of great stats on US energy use.

Serge showcases the recent Bank Of America Building in NYC that uses a co-generation plant to produce “responsible” energy on-site. He then unveils plans for a complex in Boston that will use the same technology to produce more energy than the site consumes. The excess will be sold back into the grid, and will provide an energy back-up for government buildings in the area surrounding the site.

Tri-State Biodiesel takes used cooking oil and makes clean fuel for use in trucks and buildings. See this fuel is so much better than standard diesel and why manufactures are inhibiting the potential for expanding its use. Lots of digestible facts and statistics. He also touches on the insane potential of converting algae into a biofuel.

“Solar power is not more expensive than other soruces of energy…” according to Anthony, it just doesn’t get the same amount of subsidization. Anthony discusses our need for power in NYS, and the part solar plays in addressing that need. He shows NYC’s statistical solar potential and how current regulation helps or hinders the progress of solar installation, as well as what contexts provide realistic opportunities, financially and in terms of use.

Join us at Smart Design in NYC on June 25 to uncover insights and opportunities for the sustainable workplace. These insights will form the brief for the next web-based Design Green Now contest.

Details:
- FREE!
- Invitation only (via Design Green Now Newsletter)
- 40 person limit
- Pre-event research required

The Big Questions
• How can sustainable thinking be integrated into a team based, dynamic creative workshop?
• How should we balance user needs, brand and business goals and sustainability?

Approach
A 3hr workshop aimed at inspiring new thinking about sustainability and the workspace. The workshop will take participants through a scenario‐based approach to uncovering opportunities and identifying sustainable solutions.

Design brief
Typical employees spend at least a third of their waking hours (per week) in the workplace. Much of our individual environmental impact is caused by work related activities. How can we enable businesses and employees to create more sustainable workspaces and practices?

For the purposes of this workshop, we will focus on a fictitious small design/media business (less than 100 employees) which has taken some initial steps to reduce its carbon footprint and is committed
making smarter choices in reducing consumption. The company is looking to invest in new solutions which will have a positive impact on its brand, employees and clients as well as the environment. You will choose 3 brand attributes (from a broader set of attributes) to represent this organization and give it a name.

We will examine 4 categories of activity that occur within the company: Basic Needs, Collaboration, Personal Space, and Communication. Each participant will be assigned to one activity area and will carry out some preliminary background research prior to the workshop. Groups will be formed upon arrival at Smart.

Gaia Soil, created by Paul, solves one of the biggest challenges in the wide spread adaptation of green roofs in urban centers. Paul provides of myriad of statistics on soil water and air quality as well as other solutions to solve the big challenges to generation sustainable urban environments.

Mitch offers road maps for cities without carbon, made from waste, that are soft like people and flocks of pneumatic cars that tickle you when they run you over. Other treats within this image and video filled presentation…

Jason gives a lot of statistics on the material economy in the US, and how Comet Skateboards use of bio-composites requires no compromise for people, planet or profit.

Andrew covers Biopolymers, advances in natural materials, and better recycling. He highlights innovative products such as fabric cars and single mold cast shoes.

In a city as dense as New York, space is still being wasted. Human productivity is working against nature’s innate ability to stabilize our environment, costing us millions of dollars and our health. Andrew talks about green roofs, rooftop farming, solar, and other productive uses of our rooftops in NYC.

Poop, vomit and trash. All good fodder for new products. Tiffany lays out the path TerraCycle takes from waste to product.

Thank you for all of your support. We will be having a party with ideablob on April 29th, 7-10pm at Treehouse (our office).

Come put back a drink or two and watch us receive a ginormous, over sized check!

Due to limited space RSVP required for each attendee.

rsvp [at] designgreennow [dot] com

Sign-up for updates on the contest page.

New Approaches to Energy at Parsons, The New School for Design, happens 04.13.09, 6:30pm.  Register now to save a seat.

Come listen to our expert panel present. Ask questions during the moderated discussion with Susan Szenasy, Editor and Chief of Metropolis Magazine.