" Solar Decathlon Europe 2010 Contests
Solar Decathlon Europe 2010 consists of the following 10 contests:
Architecture
Assesses architectural design quality, coherence, flexibility of space, use of bioclimatic strategies, and seamless integration.
Construction and Engineering
Evaluates the implementation of engineering and construction design principles and pays special attention to functionality, performance efficiency, safety, reliability, and technical soundness.
Solar Systems and Hot Water
Evaluates the functionality, efficiency, robustness, and economic value of the solar and hot water systems.
Energy Balance
Evaluates the degree of electric energy self-sufficiency and effective use of solar energy.
Comfort Conditions
Assesses the capacity to provide a comfortable interior through control of temperature, humidity, acoustics, and lighting as well as the quality of interior air.
Usage
Evaluates functionality as well as the efficiency of appliances by simulating the normal daily use of a contemporary house.
Communication and Social Media
Assesses communication and public awareness about the possibilities and benefits of solar energy, energy efficiency, sustainable construction, and other topics relevant to Solar Decathlon Europe.
Industrialization and Market Viability
Evaluates market viability, industrialization, and grouping possibilities.
Innovation
Evaluates the incremental, emergent, or revolutionary changes in the house design, its systems, and its components that increase the house value or improve its performance.
Sustainability
Evaluates the skill and environmental sensibility of the teams to design and construct a house with little environmental impact during its life cycle. "
"..Officials remain wary about the effects of the 86-day leak, partly because the damage to the ecosystem below the surface is not yet fully understood..."
" ..........
_184 million: Estimated number of gallons of oil released into the Gulf of Mexico since April 20.
_572: Miles of Gulf Coast shoreline currently oiled.
_2,700 square miles: Size of the visible slick of surface oil
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" The IRS has set up several resources for those affected by the Gulf Oil Spill. These resources are designed to provide affected taxpayers (including individuals and businesses) with assistance for payments received for lost wages, damages, and physical and emotional injuries. "
" A team of University of Hawaii researchers has produced a long-range computer simulation with new details showing where the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico could spread. "
Long-term projection of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico
"On the program:
- The Deepwater Horizon spill is now officially the largest ever in the Gulf.
- BP would be denied new offshore drilling leases for 7 years, under new legislation by democratic Congressman George Miller.
- Global CO2 emissions held steady last year, the first year since 1992 that emissions from fossil fuels didn't show a rise.
- The New York Power Authority says it will seek federal license to build an offshore wind farm 13 to 15 miles off the Long Island coast."
" After touring the ”America House,” a U.S. designed demonstration of cutting edge ”zero energy” building technology, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced a new agreement between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Chinese Ministry of Urban-Rural Development (MOHURD) to foster collaboration and partnership in the development of improved, more efficient building designs as well as sustainable communities that rely on greater use of renewable energy.
”Making buildings more efficient represents one of the greatest, and most immediate opportunities we have to create jobs, save money, save energy and reduce carbon pollution," said Secretary Chu. ”Our goal should be buildings that are 80 percent more efficient. Doing so will save families money and create millions of jobs in both countries.”
.......... "