Green Career Central Blog

Need for Carbon Accounting Software and the Promise of Green Jobs

While nations and the US Federal government are unable to agree on carbon emission standards, it may take action at the state level to get standards in place.  Passed and signed into law in 2006, California's AB 32 requires regulations that will reduce CO2 emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.  For worldwide emissions to be reduced at significant levels, it is going to take more than just one state enacting a single piece of legislation.  Large and small businesses need to adopt uniform carbon accounting principles, they also need to measure all emissions involved in their product or service, i.e. suppliers.  As businesses reduce their emissions they will also be reducing their energy costs and improving their bottom line.  Consumers also need to become better informed about the products and services they are purchasing.  Some retailers are now requiring their suppliers to list their carbon footprint on their packaging.

As the requirements for accurate carbon emission data continues to expand, so will the need for software that can produce results.  With this tangential industry will come jobs for programmers, accounting team members, and their support teams.

The Bottom Line: When companies report on all of the emissions generated throughout the supply chain, they can no longer project an inaccurate picture of how green and sustainable they are.

For more information, see Software Advice's original article.

Green Career Trends: Urban Mining to Recover Rare Earth Minerals, Military Using Biofuel, EV Infrastructure Being Built in Bay Area

In an effort to recover rare earth minerals, Japan has started to recover these valuable minerals in used computer parts.  This recycling process is more environmentally friendly and even has been given a name, "Urban Mining."

You may want to consider a green career with the US military.  A 49 ft Naval gunboat was successfully tested using a 50/50 mixture of diesel and algae biofuel from a company in San Francisco.  There are many steps that need to be taken before this biofuel is ready to compete with gasoline however.  The Air Force has also been testing a biofuel mixture for use on jet engines.  The US Marines have sent solar panels and solar chargers to Afghanistan to power radios.

With funding help from the Department of Transportation, Better Place, an electric car infrastructure company, will build four battery swapping stations in the Bay Area of California.  Better Place has a similar project already operating in Japan.

Green Career Tip - LinkedIn Invitations – Are You Committing My Pet Peeve?

After attending two conferences within a week, I’ve seen an uptick in my LinkedIn invitations.

Unfortunately a number of these individuals are committing my pet peeve in their efforts to connect. Are you? Read this week's article to find out!

Follow the Green Money: ClearEdge Power Raises $10 Million, Ice Energy Secures $24 Million, MBA Polymers Rasises $25 Million

Based in Hillsboro, OR, ClearEdge Power raised $10 million in funding from venture capitalists.  ClearEdge Power produces fuel cells that convert natural gas into power and heat for residential and small business use. 

Ice Energy, based in Windsor, CO., has secured $24 million in funding to continue to provide distributed ice-based energy storage to utilities and businesses.  By using off-peak energy overnight to make ice and then using the ice to reduce the cost of air conditioning the next day, Ice Energy is reducing the power used during peak times and reducing costs. 

Richmond, CA based MBA Polymers has secured $25 million in funding from venture capitalists.  MBA Polymers recycles plastics from waste streams and end-of-life durable goods such as appliances and computer equipment.

Green Career Trends: Corn Stalks and Husks Being Made Into Corn Board, Stoneyfield Farm Switches to Plant Based Material for Yogurt Cups

Using corn as an abundant and renewable resource, researchers at the University of Illinois have created CornBoard, a corn based composite board that can be a suitable replacement for particle board, plywood, or fiberboard. Corn Board Manufacturing Inc.(CBMI) has signed an agreement with the University to bring the patented technology to market.  The primary ingredient used in Corn Board are the corn stalks and husks commonly known as corn stover, a by product of growing corn. The binding agent is resin-based and non-toxic.  CBMI estimates that the corn stover from just two acres would provide enough Corn Board to build a two story house supplying the roof decking, flooring, and outer wall sheathing.

Speaking of corn, Stoneyfield Farm has announced it's no longer using petroleum based styrofoam to make its multi-pack organic cups. Instead they are being made from corn and stamped on the bottom with the words, this cup is made from plants.  By March of next year, fresh fruit juice maker Odwalla will be using plant-based material, sugar cane, to make its single use bottles.

Green Career Tip - Wake Up! The Time for Sustainability is Now!

It’s amazing how different the world can look when you have the opportunity to see the world anew.

If you are feeling stifled or stuck in how you are thinking about your green career options, I encourage you to find a way to expand your world view.With the current, never-ending flow of information, you don’t have to look far to find opportunities to gain a new perspective of your options. Read this week's article to learn more.

Follow the Green Money: DOE Makes Conditional Loan for Wind Farm, Halosource Raises $80 Million in IPO, Redwood Systems Secures $15 Million

The Department of Energy has made a conditional commitment for a partial loan guarantee for $1.3 billion for the world's largest wind farm to date to be sited in Eastern Oregon.  The 845 megawatt farm will use 338 GE turbines to produce energy that will be sold exclusively to Southern California Edison through a 20 year purchase power agreement. 

Based in Seattle, WA, Halosource has raised $80 million in an initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange.  Halosource has developed two technologies for treating water, one for drinking water; the other for recreational, industrial, and storm water runoff.

Redwood Systems, based in Fremont, CA, has raised $15 million from venture capitalists.  Redwood Systems uses network systems to control lighting to reduce the power consumed in commercial buildings.

Green Career Trends: The National Renewable Energy Labaoratory (NREL)

NREL is located in Golden, CO., about 15 minutes west of downtown Denver.  It is a Federally funded reserch, development, commercialization and deployment lab whose projects span the spectrum of renewable energy including wind, solar, biofuel, ocean, geothermal and hydro.  The photo to the right is the visitors center built using a Trombe wall to light and heat the building.  The photo below is of the Trombe wall interior.

 

 

 

 

Outside of the visitors center are several small demonstration solar panels and a portion of a wind turbine blade. The photo below is of a cross section of a wind turbine blade.  The visitors center is an educational tool to teach students and the public about renewable energy and where it comes from.

There are employment opportunities at NREL for qualified scientists, engineers, research technicians, project leaders, analysts and other professional people.  Also available are student internships and research participants.  The website has more details.

Green Career Tip - The Gifts of Focus: Simplifying Your Green Career Search

Opportunities, information, and career options abound within the emerging economy. Finding the areas that are a good match for you takes focus in several areas of your job search. Take a look at this week's article for more details.

Follow the Green Money: Aspen Aerogels Receives $21.5 Million, Power-One Purchases Fat Spaniel, Community Energy Secures $4 Million

Based in Northborough, MA, Aspen Aerogels has received $21.5 million in funding from venture capitalists.  Aspen Aerogels manufactures insulation products for industrial and residential properties. 

Creator of software that monitors and analyzes the performance of solar projects, start up company Fat Spaniel, was purchased by solar inverter manufacturer Power-One for an undisclosed amount.  Power-One has recently opened an office in Phoenix, AZ and has career openings there and in CA

Radnor, PA based Community Energy has secured $4 million in venture capital funding.  Community Energy develops wind and solar energy projects and sells renewable energy  directly to business and residential customers. Here are their career openings.

Other companies receiving funding this week were:  Zep Solar, PV Evolution Labs, Sun Catalytix, and Optimum Energy