projects
Projects Updates
I aim to provide a compendium of projects here. Do read on...
:: March 2013 ::
Perform research and due diligence for propagating Jatropha tree use in sustainable development biomass/biofuel applications in Haiti for Grarado Green Energy.
:: November - December 2012 ::
Proposed a schema to deploy everyday brilliance for disaster resilience that includes back-up power emergency response options and contingencies for deployment during disaster relief events at two locations of the St.Vincent de Paul Society of Alameda County. My proposal outlined performing a wind resource study, conducting energy efficiency optimization audit for meeting day-to-day power needs, and investigating alternative, agile and adaptable storage opportunities for uninterruptible power requirements to serve during disaster relief events, and for robust, longer term sustainable needs.
9 November 2012 - Prepare. Respond. Adapt. RE Power `Em Short Business Plan Concept
19 November 2012 - Wind Resource Feasibilty Study Proposal
:: February 2012 - May 2013::
Decommissioning a small wind turbine generator (WTG) that was installed in Berkeley, CA, USA in December 1981.
Information about the Indiegogo.com fundraising campaign can be viewed here. Unfortunately, the campaign fell far short of its fundraising goal of ~$20,000 that would have covered the costs of insurance, surveys, permits [demolition, electrical, zoning, encroachment], PG&E Utility Clearance, inspections, CA Licensed C10 electrician, general contractor, wind turbine expert, crane operator, rigger and waste removal. The City of Berkeley FINALLY stepped in in early May 2013 to offer the homeowner guidance.
Check out these PDFs and archived video:
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25 March 1982 "Family sets up city's first residential windmill" article in The Berkeley Gazette. |
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14 March 2012 Presentation - Installing a Small WTG in the Built-Environment - What not to do... |
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A digitized 8 mm film on YouTube of the December 1981 installation. |
:: January 2012 - In-progress ::
Investigating opportunities utilizing LED lighting technology for optimizing indoor plant propagation and repurposing shipping/building materials for raised bed production in the urban environment.
N. Oakland, CA, USA - Raised 4x4 garden bed created from repurposed shipping crates + compost pile. Garden bed can be moved w/a forklift.
:: September 2011 - In-progress ::
Performed renewable energy policy research for the Local Clean Energy Alliance (LCEA) located in Oakland, California, USA. Investigating distributive/decentralized energy, energy/demand reduction, community choice alliance energy programs arenas. This includes investigating where and how renewable energy technology systems will play a part in the CA SB843 Community-Based Renewable Energy Self-Generation Program.
:: April - September 2011 ::
Performed the duties of a WWOOFing Acolyte, applied my sustainable development knowledge in the field on an organic farm-vineyard in Napa, CA, USA, an organic orchard-ranch in Sonoma, CA, USA and an organic farm in Napa, CA, USA with a fruit orchard and vegetable garden, that also raises goats and chickens. This included developing a commercial application schema for installing small wind turbines in the built environment. I additionally sought out opportunities for installing photovoltaics, solar hot water and biomass waste recovery systems. My aim is to mindfully identify and address how ecosystems respond to change, how to facilitate public engagement by telling a story that resonates with all stakeholders, to help the environment and to learn how to mitigate the decline of biodiversity--even in the urban environment. The goal is to build on and better understand how my multidisciplinary insights apply in a real-world, urban setting, and in identifying and understanding the landscape and culture of all stakeholders. And ultimately, I aim to provide big picture, sound, pragmatic and as-green-as-possible renewable energy technology recommendations that minimize any potential impacts on the landscape and culture being served, so an environmentally and socially accountable end can be ultimately achieved.
:: March 2011 ::
Provided consultation on small wind turbine installation, and made data acquisition and visualization recommendations at the Phipps Conservatory Center for Sustainable Landscapes in Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
:: February 2010 ::
Entered the 2010 Cleantech Open along with my collegues at SilverCrest and SunBD. We submitted a nascent, service-oriented business model, RE-Power `Em. You can learn more about RE-Power `Em here.
:: October 2009 ::
Submitted a proposal to Portland State University, Portland, OR, USA to conduct vibrational and noise mitigating research for a small, urban, rooftop wind turbine system. The impetus for this project proposal was due to a revelation I had in early 2009 about mechanical noise issues propagated by aerodynamics when analyzing wind resource data from the Warwick Wind Trials in the UK.
:: February 2009 ::
Performed research and investigated opportunities for siting small wind turbines in the built environment using the Warwick Wind Trials (WWT) data. The WWT was the first study of its kind in the world to monitor 26 rooftop wind installations on a variety of urban and rural sites over 12 months that commenced in 2007 in the Midlands of the UK.
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