Clean Energy Creatures

According to the US Energy Information Agency over 2 billion gallons of biodiesel were produced in the US between August 2014 and August 2015. Some of the biodiesel was produced using sunflower oil. Biodiesel can be used alone or blended with petrodiesel. It's often used on farms for tractors and other equipment.

Photo:Fotolia

The USDA adopted the first national organic certification standards in 2002. Prior to that certifications were more localized and less formal. 

Photo:USDA

Wood pellets burn more efficiently than traditional wood heat sources. This is partially because pellets typically have a moisture content of between 5%-10% compared to 20% for well dried cordwood.

Photo: Fotolia

Only 10.5% of US dollars spent on domestically produced food goes to the farmer. To ensure that more of your dollar gets back to the farmer, purchase direct from the farm through a CSA or farmers market or look for certified Fair Trade foods

Photo:USDA

Solar hot water systems often use a glycol solution and heat exchanger to collect and transfer energy from the sun to a hot water tank. This reduces or eliminates the need to burn other fuels to heat water.

Photo:US Department of Energy

Using commuter rail and other forms of public transit results in dramatic emissions reductions as shown in this chart. 

Photo:Fotolia

This graphic from the Energy Information Agency illustrates how monthly wind generation patterns vary based on region.

Photo:Energy Information Agency

Geothermal (aka ground source heat pump) systems take advantage of the consistent temperature found a few feet below the Earth's surface to heat and cool a home or business. Depending on the conventional heating source in place, geothermal may use more electricity; this is why many geothermal system owners install solar pv systems to offset the use.

Photo:US Department of Energy

There are currently over 170,000 jobs in the solar industry. The industry has been experiencing tremendous growth in recent years.

Photo:The Solar Foundation Annual Solar Job Census

In addition to reducing energy consumption and costs, outdoor LED lighting renders colors more accurately than other commonly used lighting types. They typcially last longer than other bulbs, reducing the cost of replacement bulbs.
Photo:Beta Lighting

The National Renewable Energy Lab Outdoor Test Facility conducts long term testing on various photovoltaic modules in order to analyze the long term performance in real world settings. This testing assists manufacturers in setting warranty lengths. The industry standard is 80% of original output for 25 years.

Photo:National Renewable Energy Lab

In 1940 scientists from Bell Labs made the first solar pv cell. Years later, in 1954, the lab had improved the efficiency and demonstrated the usefulness of photovoltaics by powering some small toys and a radio transmitter.

Photo:emailed for permission 11/25

Not only does fresh produce from your garden taste better, but it's more nutritious as well. Fresh produce can have 30-50% more of certain vitamins compared to stored produce.

Photo:Megan Blodgett Minnick

Amorphous silicon photovoltaic modules, one of the leading solar technologies used today, were first commercially available in 1982.
Photo:Wayne National Forest Solar Panel Construction \ Flickr

The international space station uses a 120KW solar array to operate the station and charge on-board batteries. The batteries provide power when the solar cells are not exposed to the light.
Photo:NASA

Bicycle use is on the rise in the United States. The 2009 National Household Travel Survey reported that 4 billion bicycle trips were taken that year, up from 1.7 billion trips in 2001.

Photo:Fotolia

The New York Subway system has 842 miles of track. Mass transit systems like this one allow many residents to choose not to own an automobile, reducing street traffic and emissions at the same time.

Photo:Wikimedia commons

Smart thermostats can automatically adjust to your temperature preferences and schedule. Users can often adjust the settings and customize the system from their smart phone. By adapting and learning from your behavioral patterns a smart thermostat can help reduce energy used for heating and cooling.

Photo:Wikimedia Commons

Backyard chickens help convert food waste into useful fertilizer for backyard gardens. This reduces the amount of food that ends up in landfills and helps grow more food without the use of chemical fertilizers.

Photo:Megan Blodgett Minnick

Day 11: In its 23rd year, RENEW Wisconsin continues to advance renewable energy policies for Wisconsin through advocacy, education, and collaborative initiatives. RENEW is at the policy and regulation table every day representing over 60 Business Members conducting renewable energy business in Wisconsin as well as over 300 individuals and other organizations who share our vision for Wisconsin.

Annually over 14,000 people attend the annual MREA Energy Fair in Custer Wisconsin. The Energy Fair is filled with great workshops and activities centered around renewable energy and sustainable liviing. You can join the fun on June 17-19th 2016.

Day 9: Day 9: The Sierra Club John Muir Chapter (JMC) is the Wisconsin branch of the Sierra Club, and includes over 15,000 members and supporters located throughout the state. The chapter was founded in 1963 by Norm O’Neill of Milwaukee. For over 50 years they have worked to explore, enjoy, and protect Wisconsin's natural environment and the planet as a whole.

Microgrids like this one in Japan can take advantage of numerous power sources including solar, battery storage, liquid fuel generators and more. As battery technology continues to improve the possibilities for microgrids will grow. Microgrids are much like the conventional power grid only smaller and more resilliant. Homes and businesses connected to a micro-grid will be more likely to have power in the event of a catastrophic weather event or other grid outage.

Photo:NTT Facilities \ Wikimedia Commons

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) allows consumers to directly support farmers that utilize sustainable and ethical production methods. In this system, the consumer pays the farmer before the growing season begins and then is given shares of produce, meat or other items as the are harvested. The USDA reported that 12,617 CSA Farms existed in 2012.

Photo: Taproot Farm & Fruit

In 1921 Albert Einstein received the Nobel Prize for an influential paper about the photoelectric effect that he published in 1905. The paper was the first to describe light as particles called photons.

photo: Wikimedia

When the break pedal of hybrid or other electric vehicles is engaged, the electric drive motor spins in reverse to charge the battery. This is called regenerative braking. Brake systems on these types of cars typically last longer than conventional gas cars.

Photo:Dein Nordrhein-Westfalen \ Flickr

It is estimated that as much as 20% of the waste that is sent to municipal landfills is food waste. If 50% of the food waste generated each year in the U.S. was anaerobically digested, enough electricity would be generated to power over 2.5 million homes for a year.

Photo:Clean Energy Fun LLC

In 1959 the Explorer VI orbiting satellite launched with thousands of one centimeter solar cells. The solar cells replenished the battery used to transmit signals between space and earth. Many satellites today use solar panels.

Photo:NASA \ Wikimedia Commons

Modern utility scale wind turbines are over 300' tall. Each of these wind turbines generates the equivalent energy needs of hundreds of homes.

Photo:Fotolia

For 30 days 30% of all website sales will be given to three very deserving organizations that have supported the growth of clean energy for decades. You can buy a US made clean energy themed game or book for the holidays and support the Sierra Club John Muir Chapter (WI Branch), RENEW Wisconsin and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association in the process. Each day a 30-30 Fact and accompanying photo will be released on the website.

Photo: Clean Energy Fun