Sustainable Solutions

512_ Geospatial Challenges and Choices for California and Colorado
CH2M HILL is now on the track of a $6 Billion, privately held engineering services company, construction management, and program management company. It is one of the largest privately held companies in the state of Colorado. They have 1800 – 2000 employees here, 26-28,000 employees worldwide. Jeff Akers, President, Enterprise Management Solutions, CH2M HILL points out, "In addition we’re doing things like being the program manager for the rebuild of the Panama Canal; program manager for the London 2012 Olympics; and are relocating the largest military base in the world out of Seoul, Korea. Larry brought up the successful efforts at Rocky Flats and Jeff said, "Yes we are still the number one nuclear environmental cleanup company. We’re doing a great job at the Idaho National Laboratories right now...and the worldwide list goes on."

CH2M Hill originally was in the business of building and managing telecom networks, wireless networks, fiber networks and cable networks all over the world. Jeff mentioned, "We have specific leadership in areas, first and foremost, this one, Geospatial Information Management; we’re the number one systems integrator for Google Works, for Microsoft Virtual Earth, the company called ERSI which makes 3-dimensional software; and there is another company called Auto Desk that we’re a large systems integrator for; and we have over 500 consultants. We also manage a lot of data for very large customers both here in the United States and all over the world. We help companies like Corporate Express, Level3." CH2M HILL has done a great deal for San Francisco and other cities with solar mapping. Now we are looking forward to the same in Denver.
Related Links: Enterprise Management Solutions || Conscious Economy Channel || CORE Colorado || Podcast Directory || Keywords: Jeff Akers, CH2M HILL, Enterprise Management Solutions, Geospatial Information Management, Google Works, Microsoft Virtual Earth, Corporate Express, Level3 - Bytes: 10156306 LISTEN 6/23/08

513_ What Do Corporate Express and Bill Gates Have in Common?
Solar mapping is a new area that industry leader CH2M HILL is looking forward to working with Denver on in 2008. Early this year, Denver became one of the 25 Solar American Cities. Jeff Akers, President, Enterprise Management Solutions, CH2M HILL points out, "We have done a great deal for San Francisco and other cities, now we are looking forward to the same in Denver. They are working with the Department of Energy and are working in GIS (Geospatial Information Systems), Managed Services, other IT Systems and the list continues to grow. Another of the fascinating projects CH2M HILL has taken on is working with The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. One of their biggest challenges relates to where specific activities are happening. The Foundation is dedicated to bringing innovations in health and learning to the global community.
      In addition to all the cities CH2M HILL is working with, are organizations around the world such as Corporate Express, Korea Yon Sun Relocation program C4I IT and communications, PMS, IDHO National Lab, MASDAR, and many others." Jeff also shared some insight where his market / industry is heading in the next 3 to 5 years. CH2M HILL is doing more more than just pushing the pencil. LISTEN
Related Links: Enterprise Management Solutions || Conscious Economy Channel || CORE Colorado || Podcast Directory || Keywords: Jeff Akers, CH2M HILL, Enterprise Management Solutions, Geospatial Information Management, Google Works, Microsoft Virtual Earth, Corporate Express, Bill Gates, Melida Gates - Bytes: 15134618 LISTEN 6/30/08

515_ The ‘Solar Mapping Solution’ from CA to WI to NY
The ‘Solar Mapping Solution’, that CH2M HILL developed in conjunction with the city of San Francisco is an example of “Green IT services to promote sustainable solutions regarding renewable energy.” points out David Herrmann, VP Sales, CH2M. The big advantage of the solar map is that it allows a citizen of the city to go into a web site and determine what the solar potential of their building or in fact any building in the city is. Using aerial imagery we render the rooftop of the building and determine which part of the rooftop is most suitable for PV installation. We determine where most of the sunlight is shinning on the rooftop, and you can determine how much electricity would be generated, how much it will impact your electric bill, and how it effects your carbon footprint. This technology allows you to assess the potential on a residential structure, on a commercial structure, or for that matter, open land and where to put the solar on that land to generate the most electricity. We’ve had success with the city and county of San Francisco and that has lead to a number of other cities to look at solar mapping as well. One of our big contracts today is with the Department of Energy’s Solar American Cities Initiative program, so that’s one market. A second market is the solar companies, whether they are installers or manufacturers." What is interesting is the cities are a variety of sizes from Andover, Michigan or Madison, Wisconsin to cities as large as New York City. Listen for more...
Related Links: Solar Mapping || Conscious Economy Channel || CORE Colorado || Radio Blog || Keywords: David Herrmann, CH2M HILL, Solar Mapping, Energy’s Solar American Cities, San Francisco, Denver, Madison, New York - Bytes: 9505544 LISTEN 6/30/08

517_ Renewable Energy and Environmental IT Systems and More
(Part 2 of 2) There are a number of renewable energy and environmental IT systems or green IT systems that CH2M HILL is building with their mapping technology. David Herrmann, VP Sales, CH2M HILL goes onto explain, "One current area of interest is eco or green maps, that include a variety of environmental information. And, it's really targeted at reducing the carbon footprint, whether it be of a person, a building or a city. These include things like LEED Certified buildings, energy efficiency models, where to buy a hybrid car or who owns a hybrid car in your neighborhood, where flight patterns are and really much much more. Each map we build, the information is unique but really the purposes tend to be the same. The cities, which are typically building the eco maps are looking to do three things. One Is to educate the public, and really let them know what green environmental services are out there; two, to provide case studies. Often it is very compelling or at least eye opening to learn that people in your neighborhood are doing some very environmentally sensitive things that maybe you haven't thought about. But thirdly, what these cities are doing with this eco map is accumulating the effect of each of us, individually, doing our part to show the impact that we can make collectively, on the carbon footprint of the city. When you can see the impact of our community overall, it's much more impactful." Listen and you'll hear how we can tapped into this technology with ease.
Related Links: Solar Mapping || Conscious Economy Channel || CORE || Radio Blog || Keywords: David Herrmann, CH2M HILL, Solar Mapping, Energy’s Solar American Cities, San Francisco, Denver, Madison, New York - Bytes: 9307013 LISTEN 7/7/08

490_ Venture Capital Firm Targeting the Green Tech Industry
Here's a person who went from 10 years in the manufacturing industry, to President and CEO of Webroot Software and David Moll is now founder and partner of Infield Capital, a Venture Capital firm targeting the Green Tech industry. "Our specific target market is focused on the transportation industry specifically, with a tight orientation around what I'm calling future power train. Those innovations between the key and the wheel that are going to reduce the amount of energy we consume in transportation and the amount of pollution we do generate when we consume. So there are just a number of areas that jump out. Between the key and the wheel, we've got the transmission. There's some really neat companies doing things with 'continuous variable transmission'. There's the internal combustion engine, and I am stunned, to see how many university engine labs are spitting out tech transfer programs. And there are some very very promising concepts that are early, and not all of them are going to work. But there are some new engine technologies that I think are extremely viable and is going to cut gas consumption even, if we continue to burn gas in the near term, by potentially 30-60%." David also works with and suports other startups in unrelated sectors including Boulder Non-Linear Systems, Newton Running, University Parents and remains on the Webroot BOD. See David at the Colorado Capital Conference on the Building a Winning Team panel.
Related Links: 20th annual Colorado Capital Conference || Conscious Economy Channel || Rockies Venture Club || Find It || Keywords: David Moll, Infield Capital, Rockies Venture Club, Colorado Capital Conference, Teams - Bytes: 20583970 - 5/19/08

489_ Green IT Infrastructure Costs Less: Bigger is not Better
Green IT infrastructure costs less and improves the health of our planet. Trent Hein co-founder of Applied Trust and CEO and Ned McClain, co-founder and CTO talk about the proactive steps Applied Trust has taken to implement a Green IT infrastructure and take that even a step further and call it EcoInfrastructure. Everyone knows that with today’s high cost of data center real estate, the increasing cost of energy, and your company’s desire to be more eco-friendly, infrastructure is on everyone’s mind. Trent and Ned discussed specific tactics and strategies for taking steps to building a Green IT infrastructure. Here are five key points: 1) Bigger is not better 2) Consolidate 3) Server virtualization 4) Organizational philosophy 5) Reduce the waste stream. Applied Trust engineers will work closely with your staff to ensure that a thorough assessment is conducted. All assessment recommendations will be presented in an actionable manner, such that network and system administrators can use the document as a guide for mitigation. Here are some results you can expect: • Reduced capital costs • Stronger bottom line through significantly reduced operating costs (including reduced energy consumption and reduced system administration labor) • Support for the environment • Improved employee morale and workplace environment • Improved corporate image as a “green business,” which can provide a marketing or recruiting edge. Listen Now...
Related Links: Applied Trust (ATE) || Women in IT || Conscious Economy Channel || Safe Surfing || BYTES: 21668156 - 5/12/08 > Keywords: Trent Hein, Ned McClain, Applied Trust, ATE, EcoInfrastructure,
Green IT

451_ Getting Thanked for Doing the Right Thing...Awards Too
Five years ago Dan King and partners bought the Outlook Hotel in Boulder. It had been a Holiday Inn. Dan went onto point out, "We made it an independent hotel and from the beginning we wanted to make it feel like Boulder, act like Boulder, look like Boulder. We really wanted to develop that attitude, and it was a process. We didn’t start out being very ‘green’ – I mean we had some green initiatives, but it’s really grown with our business plan." Today the Boulder Outlook Hotel is Boulder's first Zero Waste hotel" and Dan wants to see more! "This is how we’re reflecting our community, and it is part of what we are about." Larry asked Dan to recommend the beginning steps an organization should take if going 'green'. "Recognize that it is a journey. It’s important for a business to figure out what they can take on first. What can they do and do well and accomplish it. Commit to the journey. I think each business has to look at what is within their reach first. I mean we’re a small business, we don’t have a lot of money to throw around. So I have to look at things that don’t require a lot of capital dollars." Dan went on, "The challenges are, it’s not going to happen until you get corporate buy-in, you’ve got to get everyone to buy-in and make the commitment. You do need commitment from the top. Then you need a champion within the organization who is not from top management. I was lucky enough to have a woman chef, Diane, who is our 'green goddess' at the hotel. And she became our champion. She got staff buy-in. But change is hard." Dan was a speaker at the CORE Sustainable Opportunities Summit. LISTEN 3/3/08

Related Links: Boulder Outook Hotel || Conscious Economy Channel || CORE Colorado || 2008 Sustainable Opportunities Summit || Keywords: Dan King, Outlook Hotel, Boulder, CORE, Going Green, Sustainable Opportunities Summit, Zero Waste Hotel LISTEN

449_ In the Beginning There Was Resistance, But Slowly One Plant at a Time...
At the SOS conference Doug Hietkamp, Director Sustainable Programs, Teknion Corporation – Toronto, Ontario, Canada was addressing the greening of the manufacturing process. The main thing he brought to the discussion was the implementation of ISO 42001 environmental manufacturing system and changing the culture of the company. Teknion is a manufacturer of office furniture products, architectural products and Caven Hill is the District Manager, of Teknion in Denver. They discussed with Larry the challenges, the changes and the future of going 'green'. They pointed out that the biggest challenge was just changing people, changing their minds, getting them to think a little bit differently. Make sure there not afraid of a new approach, that goals coincide with the change in the culture. It’s getting people to start with something, doesn’t matter how small it is, just as long as they start with it and continue to move toward bigger and bigger things. "One of the things we did at the start was to show quick results, that people can see. So instead of starting with wasted kilowatts, you know, nobody can touch or feel a kilowatt. We have our waste programs, people can see waste, they understand reducing it, diverting it, whatever it might be and they can actually be a part of that. That was a good first step where people could grab a hold of it. Caven and Doug talked about the future and how carbon credits will be important and how we interact with those carbon offsets or taxes. There's more... LISTEN 3/3/08

Related Links: Teknion || Teammates Commercial Interiors || Conscious Economy Channel || CORE Colorado || 2008 Sustainable Opportunities Summit || Keywords: Doug Hietkamp, Caven Hill, Teknion, Sustainable Programs, Change, CORE, Sustainable Opportunities Summit Bytes: 17878938 LISTEN

CORE – 3rd Annual Sustainable Opportunities Summit
The rules of business are changing. Climate change is at the height of media attention and has become an important part of current business trends.You can't afford to miss this: 2/27 – 29/08 W-F 3rd Annual Sustainable Opportunities Summit

439_ Welcome to the Sustainabilty Era - Defined and Debated
Addressing Climate Change for Sustainable and Profitable Business is no simple matter. Differing definitions and understandings along with misunderstood concepts make it challenging for some. Bud McGrath, Executive Director of CORE and Graham Russell, Director of the CORE Foundation discuss what is going on in the Clean Tech and Sustainability space and clear up many of the misunderstandings. Regardless on your position on the topic, the rules of business are changing. Climate change is at the height of media attention and has become an important part of current business trends. Companies are recognizing significant opportunities by creating new sought-after products, realigning the way they operate, and reducing their energy costs. Companies are finding that managing the risk of climate change and lowering their impact on the environment allows them to gain investor confidence, reduce their exposure to non-compliance, and increase their profits. The most significant conference (SOS) with world-renowned leaders will be in Denver February 27 - 29...w3w3.com will be there. LISTEN 2/11/08

434_ Will Sustainability and Cleantech Work Together in the Real World?
It’s all about the sea of change for the acceptance of the principals, practices and opportunities that intersect under the overarching umbrella of sustainability according to Paul Jerde, Executive Director of the Deming Center of Entrepreneurship, Leeds School of Business. What’s changed in the past couple of years with regard to Sustainability – trends, business acceptance and understanding of it? Will and how does Sustainability and Cleantech come together and if they do, will it last? How does Sustainability and Entrepreneurship intersect? These are questions that will be addressed head-on at the third annual Sustainability Opportunities Summit. Listen to Paul and you will gain further understanding of and some context pertaining to the ideas of sustainability, sustainable venturing, and business opportunity. He goes on to suggest," Perhaps some understanding of the myriad drivers...and hopefully some understanding of why this vague term has been so firmly adopted within business lexicon." 2/04/08 > LISTEN

Related Links: Conscious Economy Channel || CORE Home || 2008 Sustainable opportunities Summit || Cleantech Venture Challenge Keywords: Paul Jerde, Deming Center, Leeds School of Business, Sustainability, Cleantech, Green Tech > Bytes: 19275758 LISTEN

272_ Zero Landfill: Is That Even Possible?
Bill Reinert, opening keynote speaker at the CORE Sustainability Opportunities Summit (SOS), surprised (even shocked) many attendees when he shared what Toyota is doing to be a leader in Clean Tech and Climate Change. Bill sites the three biggest challenges for the coming year.
      Bill Reinert is National Manager of Advanced Technology for Toyota Motor Sales, USA. His primary function is to coordinate Toyota’s various research, development and marketing activities related to alternative-fueled vehicles and emerging technologies. He is currently working on several advanced hybrid electric products, direct hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, reformed fuel approaches for hydrogen, full-featured electric vehicles, city electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid concepts, ethanol fuels and sustainable transportation systems.
Related Links: 2007 Sustainable Opportunities Summit || CORE Colorado  || Cleantech Innovation Challenge || Toyota Environment|| Event Photos || Channel: CEC, || Keywords: CORE, Sustainability, Opportunities Summit, Bill Reinert, Toyota, Clean Tech, Climate Change - 3/5/07 > LISTEN Bytes: 4069149 > PHOTO Album - Reception 2/28/07

NREL: Tech Transfer Success Stories
LISTEN

The Tech Transfer Team of NREL supports the Mission of “Realize the Value of Public Investment.PART 1 >” Listen to them explain how it’s done for everyone to see. Tom Williams, Bobi Garrett, Walter Copan, Marty Murphy, George Douglas explain how the barriers to use are overcome by leveraging knowledge. PART 2 The NREL Way to Bring it to Market > PART 3 Answers to Renewable Challenges - NREL > PART 4 Unlimited Energy – Fact or Fiction?