Upcoming SEI Workshops

Interested in building with straw, or teaching kids about solar? There is still room in SEI's Straw Bale Design & Construction workshop, April 13 - 15, and SEI's new Renewable Energy for Educators, June 26 - 29.

In the Straw Bale workshop gain an in depth look at the design considerations and the variety of styles and techniques of the evolving field of straw bale construction.

In Renewable Energy for Educators learn about the impacts that our energy use has on the planet and how to best teach youth about solutions: energy conservation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy technologies.

For more information see SEI's website

SEI Donates to New Orleans Aid

More than sixteen months ago, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated New Orleans in the greatest national disaster in American history. The cost in human lives and dislocated families, and the loss of property and communities, has exacted a toll that will never be forgotten... and is still being felt today.

Common Ground Collective (CGC) was formed to meet the emergency needs of New Orleans residents. Starting with just $50 and three committed founders, people from all walks of life came together as CGC to provide some of the first available disaster services in the city. Over the course of one year, this effort has grown to include 10,000 volunteers from around the world spearheading multiple relief and community-building projects throughout New Orleans.

SEI recently completed a PV Design & Installation workshop in New Orleans, and we are donating 50% of the profits from that workshop to the Common Ground Collective.

For more information on the work of CGC check out the Common Ground video.

Solar Village in Colorado

A new mixed use housing and commercial development in Longmont, Colorado is boasting incredibly low utility bills and healthy living. This is because it is built using environmentally friendly technologies such as solar power, energy efficient appliances, and low or non-toxic materials.

Solar Village Prospect consists of 16 condos, lofts, flats and a yoga studio, ice cream parlor and a restaurant (coming soon). It has solar assisted radiant floor heated, superinsulation, efficient lighting and appliances, and passive solar design. It also contains low toxic paints, finishes, glues and woods throughout, , and 100% of its electricity is provided by clean renewable wind and solar power. And tenants get one year of free yoga classes!

for more information on the Solar Village visit www.solarvillagelife.com

SEI is Focus of US Green Building Council's Design Competition

This year the US Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Colorado Chapter has partnered with SEI for their Natural Talent 2007 Design Competition. The intent of this partnership is to provide an applied learning experience in the principles of integrated design, passive design strategies, sustainability, innovation, and social consciousness to emerging designers entering the field. The challenge of this year’s competition is to design a net carbon neutral multi-use building for SEI’s new Eco-Campus utilizing principles and practices of sustainable design. This project will allow SEI to expand its rural development education program and further its mission of working with grassroots and development organizations to meet sustainable development goals with renewable energies.

Participants will compete to be one of five local finalists, the top winner of which will move on to compete for a national award at Greenbuild. The Competition is hosted by the Emerging Green Builders Committee and is open to all university level students (of any discipline and level) and individuals with less than five (5) years experience in the building industry. Registration is open now! To enter your team, complete an online registration form by visiting the Emerging Green Builders national website at www.usgbc.org.

Reducing Risks from Climate Change

The final report of the Scientific Expert Group on Climate Change and Sustainable Development, just released by The United Nations Foundation and Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society, was prepared for the upcoming meeting of the UN's Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD).

Confronting Climate Change: Avoiding the Unmanageable and Managing the Unavoidable outlines a roadmap for preventing climate changes by using technology to seize opportunities around the globe to reduce emissions and provide other economic, environmental and social benefits, including meeting the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals.

To read more about the report visit ReneawbleEnergyAccess.com

Cuba Experiments with Wind Farming

In an effort to ease power shortages across the island and reduce dependence on oil, Cuba has opened a $3.4 million experimental wind farm on Isla de Juventud, an island south of Havana, the Associated Press reported.

The island, featuring six 180-foot windmills, is expected to produce 1,800 megawatts of electricity in its first year. That would save Cuba approximately $136,000 in oil costs on the international market, according to newspapers. The farm was built with French technology and the windmills can be quickly disassembled in the event of a hurricane or tropical storm. Another six windmills are currently being constructed on the eastern part of the island and should be completed by the end of the year.

Your Generosity Ensures our Success!

SEI would like to welcome new members! As a membership-based non-profit, SEI's members are the heart of our organization and allow us to continue our educational programs. SEI Staff are passionate about the work we do and membership dues help sustain our renewable energy endeavors.

Please join us! Membership benefits include (depending on membership level) discounts on workshops, a one year subscription to either Home Power magazine or E magazine, an organic cotton/hemp SEI t-shirt, a SEI bumpersticker, and more!

Click here for details on how to become an SEI member.

To all SEI members . . . SEI sends thanks!