Goal For The Green

More and more counties, cities, corporations, and individuals are finding the value in the collection and recovery of renewable resources through mineral processing and mining infrastructure. But, what happens once all this material is collected? Then, how do these types of businesses find a company that is proficient in handling all phases of these types of projects from the management phase to the end result?

Infrastructure improvements (Photo credit: Scottish Government)

In today’s competitive and busy digital world, it is important to find a company that can meet the needs of their clients and give the best return on  investment. Ausenco  in Australia, is an example of a company that offers  everything form project management to a successful end result where everybody wins.

With the fast pace of the world today, we often forget the important role that infrastructure plays in our daily lives, in most major cities everywhere. With that thought in mind, it is important to work with  companies that offers  experienced engineering solutions and management skills, to execute both large and small scale industrial and urban infrastructure projects on a global scale.

Infrastructure designed by highly qualified engineers will meet the requirements of urban growth and development world wide. In the cases of resource development works, the demands associated with heavy equipment used in mining infrastructure and mineral processing and often in very difficult environments can be very challenging. A company that can offer experience across the globe, and end to end solutions that lead to sustainability, are key influences to successful business relationships across the energy and resources industries.

From Project management to end results here are some of the areas that are most often customized to clients and projects on a global scale:

Environment and sustainability
Environmental and social solutions
Sustainability solutions
Mining engineering
Geotechnical and civil solutions
Water management
Tailings and mine waste management
Minerals processing
Energy
Transportation systems
Ports and terminals
Pipeline systems
Operations and maintenance
Infrastructure
Services
Commodities

A company such as Ausenco, also offers a vast range of services in the area of these commodities: Biomass,Coal, Copper, CSG/CBM, Gas, Industrial minerals, Iron ore, LNG (Liquified natural gas), Mineral sands, Oil sands, Precious metals, Uranium and Zinc.  They help their clients evaluate extraction processes, treatment and transportation options while creating optimum value for the entire operation.

From the time the commodities are extracted from the ground, through processing, and on to global markets, end to end solutions are customized to the projects. At the beginning of each project to the finish, the environment and sustainability are the first consideration in doing business, while conserving energy and the world’s resources is the main goal. Together all are working toward greener tomorrows for everyone.

You probably already know that installing solar panels is one of the best ways to make your home more energy efficient and environmentally friendly, but did you also know that you could wind up saving money in the process?

English: On 140 acres of unused land on Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., 70,000 solar panels are part of a solar photovoltaic array that will generate 15 megawatts of solar power for the base. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The fact that solar can save homeowners money is driving increased interest on the part of consumers. Here are some surprising Facts on Who Goes Solar? According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, the U.S. residential solar market grew nearly 62%  (see chart) last year and isn’t expected to slow down any in 2013.

Are You ready to go solar at your home or business? Perhaps you didn’t know that the typical solar customer is changing, too. While solar panel buyers ten years ago focused on environmental benefits, today’s solar consumer is looking at other factors. Many homeowners today are buying solar for the same reason they’re buying hybrids: It saves money, and the choice to go with solar powered electricity these days just makes sense.

If you’ve been paying electrical bills for more than a handful of years, you are already well aware of the fact that those bills continue to increase every year and usually consume a large chunk of your monthly expenses.

The cost of solar panels has declined dramatically in recent years. According to Rhone Resch, president and chief executive of the Solar Energy Industries Association, the prices of solar panels decreased 60% last year, making it a more affordable option for many homeowners to consider.

Federal tax credits for solar installations have helped,too. Solar systems installed from Jan. 1, 2009 to Dec. 31, 2016 can get a tax credit of 30% off the cost. State and local incentives can even further reduce the cost of installing solar panels.

When calculating the cost of solar panels, homeowners should consider how much they’ll save on utility bills. Beware of solar installers though, that are overly aggressive in estimating how much you’ll save. Remember, any projection of utility bill savings is an estimate at best; it’s impossible to know how electric rates will fluctuate or how your home energy usage will change.

It’s unclear whether low solar panel prices are here to stay, but one thing is certain: There’s never been a better time to go solar. Now’s the right time to act on this current information. You can feel good about looking into your options for going solar and saving green.

About the Author: Ryan McNeill is president of Renewable Energy Corporation, which helps homeowners make the transition to solar power homes.

Guest Post by Amanda Green

There are lots of factors that contribute to the changes in the cost of energy by region. Some of them are basic: homes in temperate climates require less energy for heating and cooling their homes and offices. Others are more complicated, like the lines have to be run through hard to reach areas. Usually, the first 500 feet of line is allowed, after that you are charged by the foot of additional line needed to connect to your power source. Across the board, though, both the federal government and the state government are getting involved and finding ways to reduce the near astronomical costs of energy.

The Northeast

In the Northeast, many states are jumping on the natural gas bandwagon. The federal government is giving homeowners tax breaks if they switch from fuel based energy to natural gas. Natural gas is also less regulated than traditional power supplies which mean that people have more choices as far as which companies they’d like to do business with. Websites like www.ohiogascompanies.com and others like it have been built to help consumers figure out which company and energy option is right for their homes and companies.

The South

The south is a particularly problematic area. It looks fine on the outside—mostly flat lands, it’s easy to get around, and the cost of living is cheap. Unfortunately the weather systems in the south make keeping energy flow consistent difficult. Hot and humid temperatures force families and businesses alike to spend lots of money on the cooling of their homes.

This part of the country is also famous for its residents’ denial of the existence of climate change so energy consumption is at an all time high. This has led to the development of the Southern States Energy Board, which is made up of government officials from across sixteen different southern states and is working on finding efficient and environmentally sound ways to get power to the states in this region.

The West

The west coast has earned a reputation for being “super green”. With Hoover Dam in Nevada, massive wind farms in Washington, Oregon, California and the formation of the Western Governors Association (which is working to find environmentally safe and friendly energy sources for nineteen states as well as three US island territories). The reputation for being “green,” has been well earned. In 2009 the group used US stimulus funds to develop and expand on alternative energy futures and the creation of “Western Renewable Energy Zones.”

A lot is being done all over the country to slowly but surely reduce the country’s need for oil and petroleum based electricity, while bringing renewable and alternative energy sources into areas that have traditionally shunned them. It’s slow work but it’s steady. Every day, thanks to efforts like these, we are working toward many better tomorrows, as the country gets greener and greener.