One Silly Green Goose » New York

Astor Wines & Spirits Micro-Turbine Tour

Poonam Sharma — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:26:03 +0000

Last week I took a tour of the micro-turbines at Astor Wines & Spirits in Greenwich Village, New York. Astor Wines & Spirits generates its own electricity using two natural gas powered Capstone Micro-Turbines to offset the intense energy consumption required for chilling sake and wine, resulting in lower emissions, reduced natural resource depletion and lower energy costs.

Astor Wines & Spirits

The Capstone Turbine Corporation ® is the world’s leading producer of low-emission micro-turbine systems. The entire system, including the two micro-turbines, hot water chiller, large pipes and digital control panels, is located in the storage cellar of Astor Wines & Spirits and takes up about 600-800 SF of floor area.

Capstone Micro-Turbine at Astor Wines & Spirits

The benefits of using micro-turbine technology

Electricity, often generated using coal, is the prime cause of CO2 emissions that ultimately lead to global warming, acid rain and urban smog. A micro-turbine system is a clean, reliable and energy efficient alternative for generating electricity.

A micro-turbine system is a clean, reliable and energy efficient alternative for generating electricity.

Similar to a miniature jet engine, micro-turbines are designed to reduce pollutants and greenhouse gases as well as reduce energy costs. Unlike traditional technologies, no coolant or oil is required to lubricate the micro-turbine system, resulting in a cleaner combustion burning process and lower emissions. Furthermore, the higher on-site energy efficiency of micro-turbine technology, such as the ability to capture heat from the exhaust stream, results in a reduction of natural resource use and lower energy costs. Finally, since micro-turbines are designed to operate on a variety of gaseous and liquid fuels, renewable fuels such as methane, a gas emitted from landfills, or clean burning fuels such as natural gas, can be used to power the system.

Capstone Micro-Turbines can help green buildings earn more than a dozen LEED points including up to ten points for Energy & Atmosphere Credit 1, one point for exhaust-driven absorber and up to 4 points if fueled with biogas.

New Year’s in Times Square goes Green!

Poonam Sharma — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 22:00:30 +0000

New Year’s in Times Square is going green this year by using energy stored up from bicycle pedaling to power the 2-0-0-9 sign that lights up as the New Years Ball drops at midnight.

Six bicycles with generators connected to batteries are available for the public to pedal at the “Duracell Power Lodge” located at 1540 Broadway (between 45^th & 46^th streets). Approximately 230 hours of pedaling are required to light the sign for about 10 to 15 minutes. You can pedal now through Dec. 31 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

Although everyone seems really impressed by the noble idea of powering the New Year’s sign with bicycle pedaling, when I went over there this afternoon, very few people were actually riding the bikes. When I first heard about it, I figured there would be a line-up to try the bikes. I am curious to know how much power they have stored up already and if they will have enough by New Year’s Eve. I tried cycling for a few minutes myself and really worked up a sweat. But it was fun and I got a snazzy sticker that says “I powered 2009” for my efforts.

Film: “HOMEGROWN”

Poonam Sharma — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 22:34:38 +0000

I recently saw a film called “Homegrown”, part of the Green Screen series at Lincoln Center’s Walter Reade Theater. Directed by Robert McFalls, the film is a humbling documentary about the Dervaes family farm. But here’s the clincher- the family farm, which harvests over 6000 lbs of produce annually, is actually located in the city, on their modest urban homestead no larger than a quarter of an acre, in Pasadena, California. They plant crops on every square inch of their backyard and front yard. The family of four-father and three adult children-lives entirely off their urban organic farm. They sell produce to local restaurants, make their own bio-diesel, and use energy generated from solar panels. A true inspiration for this city dweller, who never thought an urban homestead was possible, I highly recommend you check out this movie if you get the chance. For now, you can view the trailer and find out more info here http://www.homegrown-film.com/index.html .

However, the film is more than just about a unique family farm. “Home Grown” reveals how a sustainable lifestyle is not only feasible, but absolutely expedient for a better quality of life, for the future of our planet and as a quiet protest of “the corporate powers that be”.

A better quality of life…In the film, a local chef praises the superior taste and texture of the organic produce he purchases from the Dervaes family farm for his gourmet restaurant. Meanwhile, one of the Dervaes daughters strolls into the backyard garden and snips a few fresh greens for a salad. They may not have cable television, but I haven’t had a decent tasting tomato in years, so it makes you think who is really living a better quality life.

The future of our planet…The Dervaes’ are devoted environmentalists who consciously minimize their impact on the earth with everything they do. They maintain an informative website that promotes sustainable living called http://www.pathtofreedom.com. The future of our planet is in peril, the Dervaes family are an inspiring example of the responsible stewards of the earth we all could be.

A quiet protest…I think we all agree that our leaders haven’t done such a great job of the whole “stewards of the earth” thing. It’s tough to really distinguish between our leaders and our corporations these days. Maybe there is no difference? “Home Grown” reveals how one family fought back by taking matters into their own hands.

“In our society, growing food yourself has become the most radical of acts. It is truly the only effective protest, one that can–and will–overturn the corporate powers that be. By the process of directly working in harmony with nature, we do the one thing most essential to change the world–we change ourselves.”
-Jules Dervaes

“Homegrown” and the Dervaes family are an inspiration on many levels, allowing you to take away from their story whatever you are ready and willing to, but unwilling to let you walk away from the film without seeing the world and your place in it a little differently.