As our nation continues to debate the issue of climate change in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, today U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell joined Rep. Frank LoBiondo in introducing the Incentivizing Offshore Wind Power Act to provide critical financial incentives for investment in offshore wind energy. U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Susan Collins introduced companion legislation in the Senate.
These bills provide the offshore wind industry with enhanced stability by extending investment tax credits for the first 3,000 Megawatts of offshore wind facilities placed into service, which is an estimate of 600 wind turbines. These tax credits are vital for this new clean energy technology because of the longer lead time for the permitting and construction of offshore wind turbines, compared to onshore wind energy. Once awarded a tax credit, companies would have five years to install the offshore wind facility. Companies would not be able to receive other production or investment tax credits in addition to the offshore wind investment tax credit.
"In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, we must do everything we can to encourage investment in new and exciting clean energy technologies, like offshore wind, that will reduce our dependence on the carbon based fuels that cause climate change," stated Rep. Pascrell. "Offshore wind offers an enormous potential for producing domestic, clean energy close to the large population centers of the northeast. The Incentivizing Offshore Wind Power Act will give tax certainty to the seed investors this industry needs to jumpstart installations, encourage the development of manufacturing facilities, create good paying jobs, and reduce costs for future projects and consumers."
"Developing wind energy off our nation's shores, especially in places like my home state of Delaware, is a critical part of boosting American energy independence and jumpstarting our clean energy economy," said Sen. Carper. "Offshore wind is a true 'win-win-win' – it is cleaner for our environment, reduces our dependence on fossil fuels and foreign energy, and helps create jobs. If we want to harness this untapped, domestic energy source, providing investment tax incentives for our country's first offshore wind projects is essential. Our bill would do just that. Additionally, it would help spur an industry that can be an engine for new, good-paying jobs in manufacturing, construction, maintenance and production. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this legislation and encouraging the growth of the American offshore wind industry."
"There is enormous potential in offshore wind, which is why I am delighted that Maine is actively working to develop deepwater offshore wind technology," said Sen. Collins. "America must become a leader in offshore wind energy. This bill would create rewarding incentives for the first offshore wind projects, which could help diversify our energy supply, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and create thousands of new American jobs."
The legislation defines offshore facilities as any facility located in the inland navigable waters of the United States, including the Great Lakes, or in the coastal waters of the United States, including the territorial seas of the United States, the exclusive economic zone of United States, and the outer Continental Shelf of the United States.
"America has been standing on the sidelines watching the rest of the world develop over 4,000 megawatts of installed offshore wind capacity, while we have yet to begin construction on our first offshore turbine," said Conathan. "Enactment of the offshore wind bills introduced today in the House and Senate would ensure that we can take advantage of the promise and opportunity of offshore wind, to diversify our energy mix, while ensuring development will not burden rate payers."
2013年2月28日 星期四
2013年2月27日 星期三
Losail MX Track ready to host a historical MXGP
MX1 defending Champion Antonio Cairoli has recently admitted that he is really excited to race in Qatar under the floodlights and he is also looking forward to visiting the country and getting involved with a different culture. The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider, who has six FIM Motocross World Titles under his belt, took part in the Italian National Championship some weeks ago and he proved that he is fully fit to the defend the Title already in the first Grand Prix.
Rockstar Energy Suzuki World’s Clement Desalle, who finished second last year, is determined to start the 2013 season fighting for the top of the podium. The Belgian rider was the only one who led the MX1 standings last year apart from Cairoli, so he is one of the clear favourites to stop the Italian to claim another MX1 Title. Desalle took also part in some international off-season races and he also obtained excellent results. This year Desalle will have his compatriot Kevin Strijbos in the team, so the Rockstar Energy Suzuki World squad expects to be fighting for a double podium position in several Grand Prix.
Another candidate to be fighting for the top three positions is the Monster Energy Yamaha rider Steven Frossard, who is coming back to the FIM Motocross World Championship fully fit again after having missed almost the whole 2012 season due to a knee injury. The French rider finished second in 2011 in his rookie year in the FIM MX1 World Championship, so he is for sure another rider to be looking at not only for this Grand Prix, but also during the whole season. Joel Roelants will be the new MX1 teammate of Frossard and the Belgian is looking forward to starting his rookie season in the FIM MX1 World Championship.
For Gautier Paulin it will be the second year in the FIM MX1 World Championship and he has recently admitted that he feels much more comfortable with his bike this season and he is ready to be more often on the rostrum. The Kawasaki Racing Team rider finished third last year and he managed to win the second Grand Prix of 2012, which took place in Sevlievo, Bulgaria. Belgian rider Jeremy Van Horebeek, who finished third last year in the FIM MX2 World Championship, has joined the Kawasaki Racing Team this season on his debut in the MX1 class.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Ken De Dycker was the big surprise last year finishing fifth in the FIM MX1 World Championship and fighting for the top three positions at every Grand Prix. It will be the second season for the Belgian rider in the KTM factory team, so his main goal is to be more consistent and try to be as close as possible to his teammate’s level.
The Honda World Motocross team is also very excited to starting the new season with Evgeny Bobryshev and their new rider Max Nagl, who had an extraordinary end of 2012 season after his comeback from a serious back injury. Bobryshev had a difficult season last seasn, but he wants to prove that he is able to be fighting for the top three positions, and his teammate Nagl will do his best to join the Russian at every Grand Prix, even if he is still recovering from a hand injury he suffered a month ago in the Starcross of Mantova.
CLS MX1 Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit’s Tommy Searle will take part in his first Grand Prix in the FIM MX1 World Championship after having finished second in the FIM MX2 World Championship in 2012. Last year the British rider had already the opportunity to test the 450cc bike, as he represented Great Britain in the MX1 class in the Motocross of Nations. Searle has always said that he feels very comfortable in the 450cc bike, so he will have to prove already this weekend if he is able to be fighting for the top positions in his rookie year.
2008 FIM MX1 World Champion David Philippaerts, who is fully recovered from the wrist injury he suffered last year in the Grand Prix of Sweden, will be back this weekend fully motivated wearing the colours of Honda Gariboldi. Another rider who changed team for this 2013 season is Shaun Simpson who is looking forward to race with his brand new TM Factory Racing machine.
Rockstar Energy Suzuki World’s Clement Desalle, who finished second last year, is determined to start the 2013 season fighting for the top of the podium. The Belgian rider was the only one who led the MX1 standings last year apart from Cairoli, so he is one of the clear favourites to stop the Italian to claim another MX1 Title. Desalle took also part in some international off-season races and he also obtained excellent results. This year Desalle will have his compatriot Kevin Strijbos in the team, so the Rockstar Energy Suzuki World squad expects to be fighting for a double podium position in several Grand Prix.
Another candidate to be fighting for the top three positions is the Monster Energy Yamaha rider Steven Frossard, who is coming back to the FIM Motocross World Championship fully fit again after having missed almost the whole 2012 season due to a knee injury. The French rider finished second in 2011 in his rookie year in the FIM MX1 World Championship, so he is for sure another rider to be looking at not only for this Grand Prix, but also during the whole season. Joel Roelants will be the new MX1 teammate of Frossard and the Belgian is looking forward to starting his rookie season in the FIM MX1 World Championship.
For Gautier Paulin it will be the second year in the FIM MX1 World Championship and he has recently admitted that he feels much more comfortable with his bike this season and he is ready to be more often on the rostrum. The Kawasaki Racing Team rider finished third last year and he managed to win the second Grand Prix of 2012, which took place in Sevlievo, Bulgaria. Belgian rider Jeremy Van Horebeek, who finished third last year in the FIM MX2 World Championship, has joined the Kawasaki Racing Team this season on his debut in the MX1 class.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Ken De Dycker was the big surprise last year finishing fifth in the FIM MX1 World Championship and fighting for the top three positions at every Grand Prix. It will be the second season for the Belgian rider in the KTM factory team, so his main goal is to be more consistent and try to be as close as possible to his teammate’s level.
The Honda World Motocross team is also very excited to starting the new season with Evgeny Bobryshev and their new rider Max Nagl, who had an extraordinary end of 2012 season after his comeback from a serious back injury. Bobryshev had a difficult season last seasn, but he wants to prove that he is able to be fighting for the top three positions, and his teammate Nagl will do his best to join the Russian at every Grand Prix, even if he is still recovering from a hand injury he suffered a month ago in the Starcross of Mantova.
CLS MX1 Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit’s Tommy Searle will take part in his first Grand Prix in the FIM MX1 World Championship after having finished second in the FIM MX2 World Championship in 2012. Last year the British rider had already the opportunity to test the 450cc bike, as he represented Great Britain in the MX1 class in the Motocross of Nations. Searle has always said that he feels very comfortable in the 450cc bike, so he will have to prove already this weekend if he is able to be fighting for the top positions in his rookie year.
2008 FIM MX1 World Champion David Philippaerts, who is fully recovered from the wrist injury he suffered last year in the Grand Prix of Sweden, will be back this weekend fully motivated wearing the colours of Honda Gariboldi. Another rider who changed team for this 2013 season is Shaun Simpson who is looking forward to race with his brand new TM Factory Racing machine.
2013年2月26日 星期二
Offshore Wind Energy Development
The progress that offshore wind energy has made thus far in the U.S. could be stymied by cuts made under sequestration, U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Ken Salazar said at the Offshore Wind Power USA conference, which is being held in Boston this week.
"We have made impressive gains - approving dozens of utility-scale solar, wind and geothermal projects in the West, and transitioning from planning to commercial leasing for offshore wind," Salazar said during his keynote address. “The potentially devastating impact of budget reductions under sequestration could slow our economy and hurt energy sector workers and businesses."
Mandatory budget cuts under sequestration could delay the DOI's ability to issue permits for new development, plan for new projects, conduct environmental reviews and lease new federal lands for future development - both for renewable and conventional energy, Salazar said.
The cuts would mean fewer studies, fewer opportunities to obtain meaningful stakeholder input, and delays in identification of potential use conflicts, Salazar continued, adding that the result could be a slower pace in identifying and leasing wind energy areas in federal waters, thus adversely impacting the DOI's ability to address offshore renewable energy management in a timely manner.
The DOI has already issued two non-competitive commercial wind energy leases - one off Massachusetts and another off Delaware - and is moving forward with the first-ever competitive lease sales for wind energy areas off Virginia and Rhode Island/Massachusetts, which will offer nearly 278,000 acres for development.
The areas proposed could support more than 4 GW of wind energy generation. Salazar also signed a lease and approved a construction and operations plan for the 130-turbine Cape Wind project.
Salazar said the DOI's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) will propose additional commercial lease sales this year for wind energy areas offshore New Jersey, Maryland and Massachusetts, and is working to determine industry interest in three areas off North Carolina. BOEM also is processing a lease request from Statoil to develop floating wind turbines in federal waters off Maine. Other demonstration projects are proposed off Virginia and Oregon.
In addition, BOEM is considering a mid-Atlantic wind energy transmission line that would 7 GW of wind turbine capacity to the grid. The Atlantic Wind Connection would run from southern Virginia to northern New Jersey, collecting power produced by wind facilities off New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia and bringing it ashore.
"We have made impressive gains - approving dozens of utility-scale solar, wind and geothermal projects in the West, and transitioning from planning to commercial leasing for offshore wind," Salazar said during his keynote address. “The potentially devastating impact of budget reductions under sequestration could slow our economy and hurt energy sector workers and businesses."
Mandatory budget cuts under sequestration could delay the DOI's ability to issue permits for new development, plan for new projects, conduct environmental reviews and lease new federal lands for future development - both for renewable and conventional energy, Salazar said.
The cuts would mean fewer studies, fewer opportunities to obtain meaningful stakeholder input, and delays in identification of potential use conflicts, Salazar continued, adding that the result could be a slower pace in identifying and leasing wind energy areas in federal waters, thus adversely impacting the DOI's ability to address offshore renewable energy management in a timely manner.
The DOI has already issued two non-competitive commercial wind energy leases - one off Massachusetts and another off Delaware - and is moving forward with the first-ever competitive lease sales for wind energy areas off Virginia and Rhode Island/Massachusetts, which will offer nearly 278,000 acres for development.
The areas proposed could support more than 4 GW of wind energy generation. Salazar also signed a lease and approved a construction and operations plan for the 130-turbine Cape Wind project.
Salazar said the DOI's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) will propose additional commercial lease sales this year for wind energy areas offshore New Jersey, Maryland and Massachusetts, and is working to determine industry interest in three areas off North Carolina. BOEM also is processing a lease request from Statoil to develop floating wind turbines in federal waters off Maine. Other demonstration projects are proposed off Virginia and Oregon.
In addition, BOEM is considering a mid-Atlantic wind energy transmission line that would 7 GW of wind turbine capacity to the grid. The Atlantic Wind Connection would run from southern Virginia to northern New Jersey, collecting power produced by wind facilities off New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia and bringing it ashore.
2013年2月25日 星期一
Design picks from Stockholm Furniture & Light
When Scandinavian sensibilities triggered a tectonic shift in multiple design spheres, we have never seen the world quite the same way again. Demigods, like Arne Jacobsen and Verner Panton, presented an alluring vision where everyday objects transcended the mundane—a chair was no longer just a chair, but a compelling piece of modern art that served a function supremely well. It’s no wonder their works endure beyond their time, their distinct aesthetic traits expressed in the genetic codes of many designs we see today.
Every year, that design philosophy is reaffirmed at the largest gathering of Scandinavian designs from established and emerging talents—the Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair. The recently concluded 62nd edition brought in 729 exhibitors from 31 countries, led by major participants Sweden and Denmark. Oki Sato, founder of the acclaimed Japanese design studio Nendo, astounded crowds at the main entrance with his all-white ethereal installation of geometrically precise hills and valleys made from laser-cut plastic foam boards and interspersed with some of Nendo’s best works, including the Zabuton chair, which was featured in this column recently. Walking through the aptly named “Snow-Capped Mountains” evoked the illusion of one floating in the clouds.
One of Nendo’s newest designs, the Cape chair, is a collaboration with the Swedish powerhouse Offecct, known for furnishing several office and public spaces around the world, from the Museum of Modern Art in New York, to the Schiphol Airport in Holland, and the BMW showroom in Belgium. The company does not disappoint with their latest product, the Carry On portable seat fashioned for flexible work solutions in public areas. Fitted with a wooden handle, the stackable barrel-shaped stool is clad in a well-tailored fabric with finely stitched seams. The Netframe sofa and armchair collection, on the other hand, reiterates Offecct’s sustainable stance. Working with design duo Cate and Nelson, the goal was to create a comfortable piece of furniture with minimal time and material usage, and extremely low environmental impact.
Shedding light on a different social issue, the charming Bake Me a Cake lamp is one Nordic company’s noble attempt to keep idle hands and minds occupied. Northern Lighting’s tabletop keeper, made with oak wood and smoke-tinted glass, will be manufactured by the inmates of a Norwegian prison. It also comes with a fascinating tidbit: the name arose from a cartoon storyline where the mother of a prisoner bakes a cake that hides a steel file to aid his escape. As one of the maxims of Scandinavian design goes, “Dough shall not take oneself too seriously.”
Denmark’s Global Zero 4 delivers their own brand of indulgence with another visual stunner from top Danish design studio busk + hertzog. Hannah, a sculptural lounge chair with a swivel base, is a strong follow-up to the Didi chair, a 2012 iF Product Design Award recipient. In eye-popping colors, the moulded foam seat’s smooth elegant shell back, interrupted by an intriguing loophole, gently cocoons the human form. I wouldn’t be surprised if this one sweeps up a few awards of its own.
Other notable designs at the event include Finnish firm Piiroinen’s newest collection, the stackable Amina chairs; and Wilkhahn’s 2012 Red Dot winner, the Graph chair, an ideal companion for the desk-bound executive. Echoing the fluid lines of a sleek automobile and just as luxuriously padded and upholstered, Graph is a German creation engineered to provide a three-dimensional range of motion without any mechanical operation. Look Ma, no hands.
Every year, that design philosophy is reaffirmed at the largest gathering of Scandinavian designs from established and emerging talents—the Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair. The recently concluded 62nd edition brought in 729 exhibitors from 31 countries, led by major participants Sweden and Denmark. Oki Sato, founder of the acclaimed Japanese design studio Nendo, astounded crowds at the main entrance with his all-white ethereal installation of geometrically precise hills and valleys made from laser-cut plastic foam boards and interspersed with some of Nendo’s best works, including the Zabuton chair, which was featured in this column recently. Walking through the aptly named “Snow-Capped Mountains” evoked the illusion of one floating in the clouds.
One of Nendo’s newest designs, the Cape chair, is a collaboration with the Swedish powerhouse Offecct, known for furnishing several office and public spaces around the world, from the Museum of Modern Art in New York, to the Schiphol Airport in Holland, and the BMW showroom in Belgium. The company does not disappoint with their latest product, the Carry On portable seat fashioned for flexible work solutions in public areas. Fitted with a wooden handle, the stackable barrel-shaped stool is clad in a well-tailored fabric with finely stitched seams. The Netframe sofa and armchair collection, on the other hand, reiterates Offecct’s sustainable stance. Working with design duo Cate and Nelson, the goal was to create a comfortable piece of furniture with minimal time and material usage, and extremely low environmental impact.
Shedding light on a different social issue, the charming Bake Me a Cake lamp is one Nordic company’s noble attempt to keep idle hands and minds occupied. Northern Lighting’s tabletop keeper, made with oak wood and smoke-tinted glass, will be manufactured by the inmates of a Norwegian prison. It also comes with a fascinating tidbit: the name arose from a cartoon storyline where the mother of a prisoner bakes a cake that hides a steel file to aid his escape. As one of the maxims of Scandinavian design goes, “Dough shall not take oneself too seriously.”
Denmark’s Global Zero 4 delivers their own brand of indulgence with another visual stunner from top Danish design studio busk + hertzog. Hannah, a sculptural lounge chair with a swivel base, is a strong follow-up to the Didi chair, a 2012 iF Product Design Award recipient. In eye-popping colors, the moulded foam seat’s smooth elegant shell back, interrupted by an intriguing loophole, gently cocoons the human form. I wouldn’t be surprised if this one sweeps up a few awards of its own.
Other notable designs at the event include Finnish firm Piiroinen’s newest collection, the stackable Amina chairs; and Wilkhahn’s 2012 Red Dot winner, the Graph chair, an ideal companion for the desk-bound executive. Echoing the fluid lines of a sleek automobile and just as luxuriously padded and upholstered, Graph is a German creation engineered to provide a three-dimensional range of motion without any mechanical operation. Look Ma, no hands.
2013年2月24日 星期日
Wind farm battle is won by villagers
VILLAGERS who have fought against plans for a four-turbine wind farm on land in south Warwickshire wept out of happiness after councillors voted to refuse to give their consent to the scheme.
In a battle that has lasted for more than four years, Broadview Energy’s application for the farm, on land close to Bishops Itchington and Knightcote, was rejected by Stratford District Council’s planning committee last Tuesday.
Having received around 1,500 letters of objection, including from Coventry Airport, the Ramblers Association and Warwickshire County Council’s archaeology department, council officials had encouraged councillors to vote against the plans.
Their unanimous decision, at the end of a two-hour meeting, centred around the view that the turbines would have been a blight on the landscape - in particular to the Burton Dassett beacon tower, that three homes would have suffered an “unpleasantly overwhelming and unavoidable presence” and that the farm would have had a “significant negative impact” on archaeological finds at the site that date back to the Roman period.
There was also concern over unresolved safety issues on how the turbines would impact on air traffic at Coventry Airport and the fact that the wind farm could have potentially interfered with a telecommunications microwave link.
Around 200 people attended the meeting - while many more were able to watch it live online. Among those at the meeting was John Bolton, a member of campaign group Feldon Residents and Wind farm Turbines (Frawt), who said: “There were tears of joy at the end of the meeting. You can see the enormous amount of local feeling there is here.
“The biggest issue was that people did not want the Burton Dassett hills to be spoilt. This is an important Warwickshire resource.”
Olly Buck, Broadview’s development manager, said: “Obviously we are disappointed. We have worked closely with the council’s planning officers over a number of years to achieve a suitable design and we had hoped that this would lead to a recommendation for approval.
“We believe the site has the potential to make an important contribution towards Government targets for renewable energy generation and the transition towards a low carbon economy, so we will seek to immediately lodge an appeal.”
Students and teachers of Kalindi College, Delhi University, have come up with an innovative way to harness wind energy produced by Metro trains.
The project, a part of the university’s Innovation Projects Scheme, aims to use the high speed winds produced by trains, as they move, for electricity.
The team, which consists of 10 students and two teachers, has proposed using small turbines that are placed strategically to tap the energy.
A turbine has a rotator with blades attached to it. When the wind strikes the blades, they start moving and mechanical energy is produced. This mechanical energy is then converted into electrical energy which can be stored in batteries.
In a battle that has lasted for more than four years, Broadview Energy’s application for the farm, on land close to Bishops Itchington and Knightcote, was rejected by Stratford District Council’s planning committee last Tuesday.
Having received around 1,500 letters of objection, including from Coventry Airport, the Ramblers Association and Warwickshire County Council’s archaeology department, council officials had encouraged councillors to vote against the plans.
Their unanimous decision, at the end of a two-hour meeting, centred around the view that the turbines would have been a blight on the landscape - in particular to the Burton Dassett beacon tower, that three homes would have suffered an “unpleasantly overwhelming and unavoidable presence” and that the farm would have had a “significant negative impact” on archaeological finds at the site that date back to the Roman period.
There was also concern over unresolved safety issues on how the turbines would impact on air traffic at Coventry Airport and the fact that the wind farm could have potentially interfered with a telecommunications microwave link.
Around 200 people attended the meeting - while many more were able to watch it live online. Among those at the meeting was John Bolton, a member of campaign group Feldon Residents and Wind farm Turbines (Frawt), who said: “There were tears of joy at the end of the meeting. You can see the enormous amount of local feeling there is here.
“The biggest issue was that people did not want the Burton Dassett hills to be spoilt. This is an important Warwickshire resource.”
Olly Buck, Broadview’s development manager, said: “Obviously we are disappointed. We have worked closely with the council’s planning officers over a number of years to achieve a suitable design and we had hoped that this would lead to a recommendation for approval.
“We believe the site has the potential to make an important contribution towards Government targets for renewable energy generation and the transition towards a low carbon economy, so we will seek to immediately lodge an appeal.”
Students and teachers of Kalindi College, Delhi University, have come up with an innovative way to harness wind energy produced by Metro trains.
The project, a part of the university’s Innovation Projects Scheme, aims to use the high speed winds produced by trains, as they move, for electricity.
The team, which consists of 10 students and two teachers, has proposed using small turbines that are placed strategically to tap the energy.
A turbine has a rotator with blades attached to it. When the wind strikes the blades, they start moving and mechanical energy is produced. This mechanical energy is then converted into electrical energy which can be stored in batteries.
2013年2月21日 星期四
Where to get your 3D mini statues
It is now time for your handcrafted miniature statues or 3-D characters to be moulded. And you don’t have to be a celebrity or movie star to get one – and it won’t break your bank to get one either.
This Is Me (TIM) is the latest category of mini statues being culled out for you by a Dubai-based 3D modelling company, Precise Middle East.
In the first six months after introducing the product, there has been a tremendous response from not only image-conscious celebrities and the rich and famous, but even from the common folk who place orders for their mini statues.
The company that introduced laser engraved 2D and 3D crystal imaging in the UAE market has now introduced MiniYou. The company says that each mini statue is hand-painted, paying attention to minute details and that there is a growing demand for the MiniYous.
Your hair, facial expression and colouring will be exactly replicated in the mini statue, which will be one tenth of your original size.
Even a tattoo on your body can be replicated in the MinYou Statues, said company officials.
Several members of a sports team like hockey, cricket, football or baseball can have their mini statues made or the same individual’s multiple statues can be mass produced for special occasions.
The statue heads are normally between 7and 8 inches, all but larger miniatures ranging from a foot all the way up to a life size can be made, depending on the requirement.
Many tourists and passengers passing through the Dubai Duty Free have had their miniatures made through Precise Middle East. Visitors to the Atlantis Hotel are also enthused by the MiniYou statues.
Lothar Hoffman, Managing Director of the Dubai Investment Park-based Precise Middle East Company, said: “We have introduced TIM as an entirely new and unique product in the market. TIM, this is me, is just a replica of an individual in a proportionately smaller size and the three dimensional statue with the real life features of the person, will be a nice piece of architecture to preserve.
“We are getting a number of orders from individuals who want to have their mini statues made for special occasions like birthdays, weddings, wedding anniversary, graduation ceremony or an engagement.
Earlier, people used to take their photographs and preserve it. Now they can make a mini statue, which will be one-tenth of their actual size and keep it for life,” said Lothar.
“Before making a mini statue of an individual, he or she is photographed in three different poses, so that the artist who makes the statue gets a clear three dimensional view. After placing an order, a preview of the mini statue is provided to the customer through the net. Once he is satisfied with it, the final statue is made and delivered.”
The price for a normal MiniYou is Dh500 and for bigger sizes or statues of couples are charged correspondingly. “Many companies have placed orders for mini statues on special occasions like giving special awards. Sports teams are also placing orders for mini statues to get their miniature structures to celebrate special occasions,” he said.
This Is Me (TIM) is the latest category of mini statues being culled out for you by a Dubai-based 3D modelling company, Precise Middle East.
In the first six months after introducing the product, there has been a tremendous response from not only image-conscious celebrities and the rich and famous, but even from the common folk who place orders for their mini statues.
The company that introduced laser engraved 2D and 3D crystal imaging in the UAE market has now introduced MiniYou. The company says that each mini statue is hand-painted, paying attention to minute details and that there is a growing demand for the MiniYous.
Your hair, facial expression and colouring will be exactly replicated in the mini statue, which will be one tenth of your original size.
Even a tattoo on your body can be replicated in the MinYou Statues, said company officials.
Several members of a sports team like hockey, cricket, football or baseball can have their mini statues made or the same individual’s multiple statues can be mass produced for special occasions.
The statue heads are normally between 7and 8 inches, all but larger miniatures ranging from a foot all the way up to a life size can be made, depending on the requirement.
Many tourists and passengers passing through the Dubai Duty Free have had their miniatures made through Precise Middle East. Visitors to the Atlantis Hotel are also enthused by the MiniYou statues.
Lothar Hoffman, Managing Director of the Dubai Investment Park-based Precise Middle East Company, said: “We have introduced TIM as an entirely new and unique product in the market. TIM, this is me, is just a replica of an individual in a proportionately smaller size and the three dimensional statue with the real life features of the person, will be a nice piece of architecture to preserve.
“We are getting a number of orders from individuals who want to have their mini statues made for special occasions like birthdays, weddings, wedding anniversary, graduation ceremony or an engagement.
Earlier, people used to take their photographs and preserve it. Now they can make a mini statue, which will be one-tenth of their actual size and keep it for life,” said Lothar.
“Before making a mini statue of an individual, he or she is photographed in three different poses, so that the artist who makes the statue gets a clear three dimensional view. After placing an order, a preview of the mini statue is provided to the customer through the net. Once he is satisfied with it, the final statue is made and delivered.”
The price for a normal MiniYou is Dh500 and for bigger sizes or statues of couples are charged correspondingly. “Many companies have placed orders for mini statues on special occasions like giving special awards. Sports teams are also placing orders for mini statues to get their miniature structures to celebrate special occasions,” he said.
2013年2月20日 星期三
BT and RES join forces on wind farm project
BT's long-standing plans to develop a wind farm took a major step forward yesterday, after the company inked a joint venture deal with renewable energy developer RES that will see the firms co-operate on the development of a new wind farm in Northumberland.
Both companies had previously identified a site 10km north west of Morpeth as a suitable location for a wind farm, but plans for two independent developments totalling 13 turbines faced local opposition and were rejected at the planning stage.
Now the firms have inked a deal to work together on a new combined proposal for a smaller five-turbine project at the site totalling 10MW of capacity.
Under the terms of the agreement, RES will take responsibility for progressing the project and producing a full planning application following the submission of a scoping request to Northumberland County Council.
BT's contribution to the partnership remains unclear at this stage and a spokeswoman for RES said the company would not be disclosing investment details and commercial terms for the agreement.
However, with the telco giant having previously signalled its interest in sourcing renewable energy direct, it could yet provide some investment for the proposed project or take up a power purchase agreement for the energy produced by the wind farm.
"RES has more than 30 years experience to bring to this project and we are very excited to be working with BT," said Daniel Leahy, RES project manager, in a statement. "We look forward to developing a successful wind farm scheme that will generate a considerable amount of clean, green electricity."
He also urged other blue chip firms to follow BT's lead and seek "innovative ways to work with the renewable energy sector to ensure that together we can secure the energy generation capacity this country needs to maintain growth and prosperity in the future".
A spokesman for BT said the alliance would allow it to accelerate efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. "Having reviewed its strategic priorities in terms of sourcing renewable energy, BT believes it can reduce its carbon footprint more swiftly by sourcing a wider variety of renewable assets," he said. "This partnership will see RES take responsibility for progressing wind-turbine projects and managing full planning applications."
BT first announced back in 2007 that it was looking to build its own wind farm, but planning barriers and changes to the renewable energy policy regime have meant the plans have been subject to years of delays.
However, the company has said it remains committed to directly sourcing growing levels of renewable energy as a means of both enhancing its energy security and reducing its long-term costs. It is now part of an expanding trend that has seen growing numbers of blue chip firms commit to generating their own power. Most notably, IKEA recently announced it would invest up to 1.5bn in becoming energy independent by the end of the decade.
Both companies had previously identified a site 10km north west of Morpeth as a suitable location for a wind farm, but plans for two independent developments totalling 13 turbines faced local opposition and were rejected at the planning stage.
Now the firms have inked a deal to work together on a new combined proposal for a smaller five-turbine project at the site totalling 10MW of capacity.
Under the terms of the agreement, RES will take responsibility for progressing the project and producing a full planning application following the submission of a scoping request to Northumberland County Council.
BT's contribution to the partnership remains unclear at this stage and a spokeswoman for RES said the company would not be disclosing investment details and commercial terms for the agreement.
However, with the telco giant having previously signalled its interest in sourcing renewable energy direct, it could yet provide some investment for the proposed project or take up a power purchase agreement for the energy produced by the wind farm.
"RES has more than 30 years experience to bring to this project and we are very excited to be working with BT," said Daniel Leahy, RES project manager, in a statement. "We look forward to developing a successful wind farm scheme that will generate a considerable amount of clean, green electricity."
He also urged other blue chip firms to follow BT's lead and seek "innovative ways to work with the renewable energy sector to ensure that together we can secure the energy generation capacity this country needs to maintain growth and prosperity in the future".
A spokesman for BT said the alliance would allow it to accelerate efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. "Having reviewed its strategic priorities in terms of sourcing renewable energy, BT believes it can reduce its carbon footprint more swiftly by sourcing a wider variety of renewable assets," he said. "This partnership will see RES take responsibility for progressing wind-turbine projects and managing full planning applications."
BT first announced back in 2007 that it was looking to build its own wind farm, but planning barriers and changes to the renewable energy policy regime have meant the plans have been subject to years of delays.
However, the company has said it remains committed to directly sourcing growing levels of renewable energy as a means of both enhancing its energy security and reducing its long-term costs. It is now part of an expanding trend that has seen growing numbers of blue chip firms commit to generating their own power. Most notably, IKEA recently announced it would invest up to 1.5bn in becoming energy independent by the end of the decade.
2013年2月19日 星期二
Swipe Diamond Trove
As 29 passengers sat aboard a Zurich-bound flight here Monday evening waiting for the last bags to be loaded, gunmen wearing police uniforms raced up to the plane and stole more than 120 packages of diamonds worth at least $50 million, and possibly much more.
Some of the eight masked robbers stood in front of the Helvetic Airways jet plane with machine guns, pointing laser sights at the pilots, while others forced ground workers to open the plane's cargo doors, according to Belgian prosecutors and other people familiar with the events.
The thieves snatched the parcels of jewels and sped off in minutes without firing a shot, said Belgian prosecutor Ine Van Wymersch. Many travelers on the plane and inside the terminal didn't know what was happening. "It was well-prepared and very professional," she said.
The theft rattled Antwerp, a world hub for trading in gems and precious metals. Nearly all of those valuables pass through Brussels Airport.
The thieves appeared to have detailed information about both the cargo and operations at the airport, and likely had help from people at the airport, according to an aviation-security specialist knowledgeable about the incident. Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, international law-enforcement officials have been concerned about security threats posed by people working inside airports and other sensitive facilities.
The brazen heist is Europe's highest-value airport-tarmac holdup in a decade, aviation-security exports said. Authorities on Tuesday didn't detail exactly what was stolen, so estimates of the value of the goods varied. The declared value of the stolen diamonds, a mix of rough and polished stones, was about $50 million, according to a spokeswoman for the Antwerp World Diamond Centre, a coordinator for local diamond traders. The aviation-security specialist knowledgeable about what happened said the jewels could be worth up to $350 million.
Ms. Van Wymersch, the prosecutor, declined to place a value on the stolen gems.
Swiss International Air Lines, for which Helvetic operated the flight, said neither the passengers nor the four crew members aboard the Fokker 100 jetliner were hurt.
At 7:47 p.m. Monday, a black Audi A8 sedan and black Mercedes van—both with blue police-style lights—pulled up to the plane, which had just been loaded, according to Ms. Van Wymersch.
The robbers appeared to know that one segment of the airport's perimeter, protected by two layers of 10-foot-high fencing and concrete blocks, could be crossed more easily because of construction, said the security specialist knowledgeable about what happened. The fences were cut before the two vehicles—models often used by Belgian security forces—reached the airport, this person said. The thieves slipped onto airport territory between security patrols, said another person familiar with the events.
The assailants appear to have waited, proceeding only after receiving word that the valuables were loaded onto the plane from an armored truck that arrived at the airport with an armed escort, according to the aviation-security specialist. The robbers' airport-police uniforms were precise down to armbands, this person said.
One vehicle was later found burned and "was probably used" in the theft, Ms. Van Wymersch said. "At this stage of the investigation, everything is still possible."
Some of the eight masked robbers stood in front of the Helvetic Airways jet plane with machine guns, pointing laser sights at the pilots, while others forced ground workers to open the plane's cargo doors, according to Belgian prosecutors and other people familiar with the events.
The thieves snatched the parcels of jewels and sped off in minutes without firing a shot, said Belgian prosecutor Ine Van Wymersch. Many travelers on the plane and inside the terminal didn't know what was happening. "It was well-prepared and very professional," she said.
The theft rattled Antwerp, a world hub for trading in gems and precious metals. Nearly all of those valuables pass through Brussels Airport.
The thieves appeared to have detailed information about both the cargo and operations at the airport, and likely had help from people at the airport, according to an aviation-security specialist knowledgeable about the incident. Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, international law-enforcement officials have been concerned about security threats posed by people working inside airports and other sensitive facilities.
The brazen heist is Europe's highest-value airport-tarmac holdup in a decade, aviation-security exports said. Authorities on Tuesday didn't detail exactly what was stolen, so estimates of the value of the goods varied. The declared value of the stolen diamonds, a mix of rough and polished stones, was about $50 million, according to a spokeswoman for the Antwerp World Diamond Centre, a coordinator for local diamond traders. The aviation-security specialist knowledgeable about what happened said the jewels could be worth up to $350 million.
Ms. Van Wymersch, the prosecutor, declined to place a value on the stolen gems.
Swiss International Air Lines, for which Helvetic operated the flight, said neither the passengers nor the four crew members aboard the Fokker 100 jetliner were hurt.
At 7:47 p.m. Monday, a black Audi A8 sedan and black Mercedes van—both with blue police-style lights—pulled up to the plane, which had just been loaded, according to Ms. Van Wymersch.
The robbers appeared to know that one segment of the airport's perimeter, protected by two layers of 10-foot-high fencing and concrete blocks, could be crossed more easily because of construction, said the security specialist knowledgeable about what happened. The fences were cut before the two vehicles—models often used by Belgian security forces—reached the airport, this person said. The thieves slipped onto airport territory between security patrols, said another person familiar with the events.
The assailants appear to have waited, proceeding only after receiving word that the valuables were loaded onto the plane from an armored truck that arrived at the airport with an armed escort, according to the aviation-security specialist. The robbers' airport-police uniforms were precise down to armbands, this person said.
One vehicle was later found burned and "was probably used" in the theft, Ms. Van Wymersch said. "At this stage of the investigation, everything is still possible."
2013年2月18日 星期一
Wind farm opponents
The Newfound Lake Region Association has announced its support for one of at least three bills before the Legislature that could affect wind farm development in New Hampshire.
The association is backing a bill by Rep. Harold "Skip" Reilly Sr., R-Hill, and co-sponsored by Sen. Jeanne Forrester. It calls for a moratorium on commercial wind projects until the state issues a new comprehensive energy plan.
The association's decision is based on information presented by Dr. Benjamin Luce of Vermont's Lyndon State College to New Hampshire Wind Watch, a 1,300-member group of residents opposed to two proposed wind projects in the Newfound Lake-Cardigan Mountain. Luce told the association that wind power will add little benefit to the state's renewable energy future.
"The NLRA believes that the state should enact a moratorium on all pending and proposed commercial wind projects until a comprehensive energy plan can be prepared to guide state energy policy toward a more carbon-free, cost-effective, locally produced, and high-efficiency energy environment which does not sacrifice the quality of life that supports our economy," the NLRA said in a letter to its constituents Thursday.
Another bill being studied in House and Senate committees would change the process for applying for a certificate for an energy facility. The House bill is sponsored primarily by Rep. Neal Kurk, R-Weare. The Senate version is sponsored by Forrester.
Forrester, of Meredith, said the bills are designed for all power projects in the state, but current proposed wind farms in the Newfound Lake/Cardigan Mountain area "will be addressed by this legislation."
"We want to establish what we want New Hampshire to look like; we don't want to be subject to the will of every wind farm company or whatever other kind of power facility plan that will come our way," the Republican said.
"Let's be intentional about it, not just let it happen," she said.
The state's Site Evaluation Committee, which has permitting control of energy projects, hasn't had enough authority or broad enough criteria in deciding whether to allow a wind farm project, she said.
The committee granted a permit last year for a wind farm project that is now online in Groton, but recently denied a permit to a farm project in Antrim. Larger projects are being proposed by Spanish wind power giant Iberdrola and by Portugal's EBD Renewables in the towns of Grafton, Groton, Alexandria, Danbury and Hebron.
Under present law, residents and their municipal governments have had little control - aside from giving input at SEC meetings - over wind power projects because the companies lease land from private landowners, and need only SEC approval.
The proposals have drawn criticism from local residents and groups, who worry about the negative impact of 40-story wind turbine towers on the views and the tourist economy in the Newfound Lake region.
Republican Sen. Bob Odell is sponsoring a third bill that would establish a new energy plan for the next 10 years.
Odell, who lives in Lempster, where Iberdrola built its first wind farm in the state, said the state's current energy plan is now more than 10 years old, and was designed before wind power projects and other modern energy projects were prominent.
The association is backing a bill by Rep. Harold "Skip" Reilly Sr., R-Hill, and co-sponsored by Sen. Jeanne Forrester. It calls for a moratorium on commercial wind projects until the state issues a new comprehensive energy plan.
The association's decision is based on information presented by Dr. Benjamin Luce of Vermont's Lyndon State College to New Hampshire Wind Watch, a 1,300-member group of residents opposed to two proposed wind projects in the Newfound Lake-Cardigan Mountain. Luce told the association that wind power will add little benefit to the state's renewable energy future.
"The NLRA believes that the state should enact a moratorium on all pending and proposed commercial wind projects until a comprehensive energy plan can be prepared to guide state energy policy toward a more carbon-free, cost-effective, locally produced, and high-efficiency energy environment which does not sacrifice the quality of life that supports our economy," the NLRA said in a letter to its constituents Thursday.
Another bill being studied in House and Senate committees would change the process for applying for a certificate for an energy facility. The House bill is sponsored primarily by Rep. Neal Kurk, R-Weare. The Senate version is sponsored by Forrester.
Forrester, of Meredith, said the bills are designed for all power projects in the state, but current proposed wind farms in the Newfound Lake/Cardigan Mountain area "will be addressed by this legislation."
"We want to establish what we want New Hampshire to look like; we don't want to be subject to the will of every wind farm company or whatever other kind of power facility plan that will come our way," the Republican said.
"Let's be intentional about it, not just let it happen," she said.
The state's Site Evaluation Committee, which has permitting control of energy projects, hasn't had enough authority or broad enough criteria in deciding whether to allow a wind farm project, she said.
The committee granted a permit last year for a wind farm project that is now online in Groton, but recently denied a permit to a farm project in Antrim. Larger projects are being proposed by Spanish wind power giant Iberdrola and by Portugal's EBD Renewables in the towns of Grafton, Groton, Alexandria, Danbury and Hebron.
Under present law, residents and their municipal governments have had little control - aside from giving input at SEC meetings - over wind power projects because the companies lease land from private landowners, and need only SEC approval.
The proposals have drawn criticism from local residents and groups, who worry about the negative impact of 40-story wind turbine towers on the views and the tourist economy in the Newfound Lake region.
Republican Sen. Bob Odell is sponsoring a third bill that would establish a new energy plan for the next 10 years.
Odell, who lives in Lempster, where Iberdrola built its first wind farm in the state, said the state's current energy plan is now more than 10 years old, and was designed before wind power projects and other modern energy projects were prominent.
2013年2月17日 星期日
Future could be very similar to science fiction
Homes in the future could look very different with clothes washed in a high-tech waterless washing machine and a bathroom that will tell you if you are sick.
The down side, however, is that there is not much space because much of the population now lives in multi-generational households with property prices soaring to an average of 423,000 pounds.
Such an outlandish vision could come straight from a science fiction novel but it’s actually what life could be like in less than 20 years.
The consumer champion has just published a report predicting what the technological breakthroughs and the social and economic trends could be by 2030, the Daily Express reported.
Most eye-catching of all their forecasts is a Rechargeable Kids System that would go some way to tackling childhood obesity and rising energy costs.
Youngsters in the future could be wearing special trainers that generate and store energy as they run around outside, which would then be used to power electronic goods such as TVs and games consoles.
A shoe rack would double up as an electricity distribution hub so when a child places the trainers on the rack, their energy transfers straight to their bedroom.
The Which? Consumers In 2030 report states: “Data contained within the trainer may also be uploaded into virtual games – telling children and their parents how fast and how far they’ve run.
“The one drawback is that they have to make sure the trainers don’t get too muddy as this interferes with the shoes’ ability to convert sunlight into electricity,” the report said.
Another space-age advance that could have an impact on our lives by 2030 is the “Bathroom GP”.
Sensors in the toilet and sink would take biological readings and screen them for illnesses such as viruses, as well as check for kidney function, glucose levels and digestive health.
The data would be sent to a microchip embedded in a wristband where it is analysed against a users’ medical records and individual DNA patterns
All the analysis would be displayed on the bathroom mirror, which is activated by mobile phone so the user has control of when and where they want to view it.
According to Which?, and think-tank Forum for the Future, which it worked with, “the microchip measures vital signs like body temperature, calories burned, heart rate and sleep quality so all this information is collated.
“It also provides a full consultation and recommendations every month, with an extra option of adding dietary recommendations to your online shopping list to help you plan meals around the nutrients your body needs,” they said.
With the earth’s natural resources running thin, conservation will be the buzz word in 17 years time, Which? predicts.
Water companies, in particular, will start searching for ways to cut water demand to lift pressure on supplies.
One possibility is that customers will be given the opportunity to switch from a traditional water tariff to one that includes a washing machine that cleans clothes by using a chemical solvent and only a tiny amount of water.
By 2030, recycling is likely to be even more prominent than it is today. Scientists could invent a handheld device that scans objects to identify what materials they contain and then offers ideas of what they could be transformed into.
The down side, however, is that there is not much space because much of the population now lives in multi-generational households with property prices soaring to an average of 423,000 pounds.
Such an outlandish vision could come straight from a science fiction novel but it’s actually what life could be like in less than 20 years.
The consumer champion has just published a report predicting what the technological breakthroughs and the social and economic trends could be by 2030, the Daily Express reported.
Most eye-catching of all their forecasts is a Rechargeable Kids System that would go some way to tackling childhood obesity and rising energy costs.
Youngsters in the future could be wearing special trainers that generate and store energy as they run around outside, which would then be used to power electronic goods such as TVs and games consoles.
A shoe rack would double up as an electricity distribution hub so when a child places the trainers on the rack, their energy transfers straight to their bedroom.
The Which? Consumers In 2030 report states: “Data contained within the trainer may also be uploaded into virtual games – telling children and their parents how fast and how far they’ve run.
“The one drawback is that they have to make sure the trainers don’t get too muddy as this interferes with the shoes’ ability to convert sunlight into electricity,” the report said.
Another space-age advance that could have an impact on our lives by 2030 is the “Bathroom GP”.
Sensors in the toilet and sink would take biological readings and screen them for illnesses such as viruses, as well as check for kidney function, glucose levels and digestive health.
The data would be sent to a microchip embedded in a wristband where it is analysed against a users’ medical records and individual DNA patterns
All the analysis would be displayed on the bathroom mirror, which is activated by mobile phone so the user has control of when and where they want to view it.
According to Which?, and think-tank Forum for the Future, which it worked with, “the microchip measures vital signs like body temperature, calories burned, heart rate and sleep quality so all this information is collated.
“It also provides a full consultation and recommendations every month, with an extra option of adding dietary recommendations to your online shopping list to help you plan meals around the nutrients your body needs,” they said.
With the earth’s natural resources running thin, conservation will be the buzz word in 17 years time, Which? predicts.
Water companies, in particular, will start searching for ways to cut water demand to lift pressure on supplies.
One possibility is that customers will be given the opportunity to switch from a traditional water tariff to one that includes a washing machine that cleans clothes by using a chemical solvent and only a tiny amount of water.
By 2030, recycling is likely to be even more prominent than it is today. Scientists could invent a handheld device that scans objects to identify what materials they contain and then offers ideas of what they could be transformed into.
2013年2月16日 星期六
Wind turbine plans cause controversy among locals
PLANS to erect a wind turbine on Richmondshire farmland have caused controversy among neighbouring residents. But the applicant said it is a step towards cutting the carbon footprint of a successful farm shop and visitor attraction.
Mainsgill Farm, near East Layton, has submitted plans to Richmondshire District Council for a 50 metre wind turbine to help ease increasing rising electricity costs.
Farmer Andrew Henshaw said the decision was not taken lightly and has been making efforts to speak to local residents, many of whom frequently use the farm shop and cafe. But neighbouring villager Rob Simpson said it would be a blot on the landscape.
He said: “Our main concerns are the blot on the landscape, threat to birds and bats and the impact on visitors passing through the area, and we are quite proud of the fact that we don’t have any.“We understand Mainsgill Farm is a business but we think it’s a selfish act.”
Mr Henshaw said he had looked at various options to cut fuel costs but only the turbine would be appropriate for the farm.
“The turbine will be sympathetically located so it is in a dip in the footprint of the farm.“Fossil fuels are not going to last forever so we need to look at ways of keeping our costs down – that way we can keep costs down on our products for our customers.”
He added: “We have approached local people and 90 per cent of comments have been very supportive but I would welcome both positive and negative feedback.”
Mr Simpson said he has been speaking to residents of East Leyton and Ravensworth, who together have written an objection letter to Richmondshire District Council planning officers.
Mr Henshaw said: “We want people to understand it is not a large turbine – I know there’s one going up near Darlington capable of producing 500 kilowatts of power and ours will generate a fraction of that.
“It will make a real difference to Mainsgill – I can understand people’s concerns but we are trying to lower our footprint and keep prices low for our customers.”
Richmondshire District Council planners said the application is in the consultation stage but Mainsgill Farm now has to convince the Highways Agency that the entrance to the farm from the A66 is safe for construction vehicles to enter before it can go before the planning committee.
Plans have been submitted to Stratford-on-Avon District Council for the Stoneton Wind Farm on land near the village by EDF Energy Renweables.
Villagers from Wormleighton, Priors Marston and Priors Hardwick have begun to register their opposition to the scheme on the council’s website and chairman of the Wormleighton Parish Meeting group, Irvin Klegerman, is calling on residents from surrounding villages to register their opposition.
Priors Marston resident Andrew Mills also registered objections to the wind farm, expressing concerns about the visual impact of the development and the effects on wildlife.
He also raised concerns about the proximity of the planned wind farm to the proposed route of the HS2 rail network which runs adjacent to the site.
“The development will have a significant adverse visual impact on local amenities such as viewing points, nature reserves and footpaths,” he said. “When taken into account with the cumulative effects of the proposed HS2 development, the loss and impact to leisure amenities becomes even more acute.”
Mr Klegerman added that while the Parish Meeting group has no official powers to challenge the application it will do everything in its power to register opposition.
Villagers are also hoping that the anticipated discovery of Roman remains under the site could help to slow the development.
Mainsgill Farm, near East Layton, has submitted plans to Richmondshire District Council for a 50 metre wind turbine to help ease increasing rising electricity costs.
Farmer Andrew Henshaw said the decision was not taken lightly and has been making efforts to speak to local residents, many of whom frequently use the farm shop and cafe. But neighbouring villager Rob Simpson said it would be a blot on the landscape.
He said: “Our main concerns are the blot on the landscape, threat to birds and bats and the impact on visitors passing through the area, and we are quite proud of the fact that we don’t have any.“We understand Mainsgill Farm is a business but we think it’s a selfish act.”
Mr Henshaw said he had looked at various options to cut fuel costs but only the turbine would be appropriate for the farm.
“The turbine will be sympathetically located so it is in a dip in the footprint of the farm.“Fossil fuels are not going to last forever so we need to look at ways of keeping our costs down – that way we can keep costs down on our products for our customers.”
He added: “We have approached local people and 90 per cent of comments have been very supportive but I would welcome both positive and negative feedback.”
Mr Simpson said he has been speaking to residents of East Leyton and Ravensworth, who together have written an objection letter to Richmondshire District Council planning officers.
Mr Henshaw said: “We want people to understand it is not a large turbine – I know there’s one going up near Darlington capable of producing 500 kilowatts of power and ours will generate a fraction of that.
“It will make a real difference to Mainsgill – I can understand people’s concerns but we are trying to lower our footprint and keep prices low for our customers.”
Richmondshire District Council planners said the application is in the consultation stage but Mainsgill Farm now has to convince the Highways Agency that the entrance to the farm from the A66 is safe for construction vehicles to enter before it can go before the planning committee.
Plans have been submitted to Stratford-on-Avon District Council for the Stoneton Wind Farm on land near the village by EDF Energy Renweables.
Villagers from Wormleighton, Priors Marston and Priors Hardwick have begun to register their opposition to the scheme on the council’s website and chairman of the Wormleighton Parish Meeting group, Irvin Klegerman, is calling on residents from surrounding villages to register their opposition.
Priors Marston resident Andrew Mills also registered objections to the wind farm, expressing concerns about the visual impact of the development and the effects on wildlife.
He also raised concerns about the proximity of the planned wind farm to the proposed route of the HS2 rail network which runs adjacent to the site.
“The development will have a significant adverse visual impact on local amenities such as viewing points, nature reserves and footpaths,” he said. “When taken into account with the cumulative effects of the proposed HS2 development, the loss and impact to leisure amenities becomes even more acute.”
Mr Klegerman added that while the Parish Meeting group has no official powers to challenge the application it will do everything in its power to register opposition.
Villagers are also hoping that the anticipated discovery of Roman remains under the site could help to slow the development.
2013年2月6日 星期三
Dreams become reality at UW-Stout with new 'Fab Lab'
Have you ever wanted to invent something but didn't know how? Well now at UW-Stout your dreams can become a reality.
It's a concept that began more than a decade ago in Boston and that concept is called Fab Lab, which is a digital fabrication lab. It means users have the opportunity to develop ideas just by clicking a mouse.
"What we like to think is you can take your idea and you can make it come to life," said Randy Hulke, Discovery Center Director.
The sky is the limit down in the Fab Lab at UW-Stout.
"I'm going to hit go here and it's going to send it to the machine," said Mike Cropp, Fab Lab Manager.
There are five machines that can make a variety of products such as a mini-mill, a vinyl cutter to make graphics and even a router to make a rocking horse is possible.
"This machine is a laser engraver. It cuts materials like wood and plastic," said Cropp.
The Fab Lab Manager even cut out a business card holder with my name on it for my desk.
"It's going back and forth right now. It's engraving the logo into the acrylic right now," said Cropp.
Students and soon members of the community, most likely spring, can use the facility at Stout to make their dreams come true.
"We're also running industry projects through here. We're allowing innovators, entrepreneurs that sort of thing, access to this space as well," said Hulke.
In the Fab Lab users have the opportunity to communicate with different Fab Labs around the world via camera to share ideas with places like Barcelona.
Only three other Fab Labs exist in Wisconsin and the creativity is endless. There's even a machine to build 3d models.
"What the software does is it will take that file, slice it into layers and then it will additively build your part in 3D," said Cropp.
A 2-inch model that was made by the machine took 6 hours for the machine to build.
"We can use these machines to build other machines that can do the same thing," said Cropp.
"Ideally what it would be is something that may be has some potential to become a business [or] maybe somebody's got a hobby they really enjoy doing," said Hulke.
The Fab Lab opened this week and took a few months to complete but was made possible through a multiyear $520,000 growth agenda award from the UW System.
Electrox supplied a bespoke automated marker/reader, which features a custom workstation to house a Scorpion Rapide laser and two Keyence SR650 cameras. This has been specially designed to hold the laser upside-down; however this brought its own problems – namely keeping the laser clean for the highly precise marking required.
Electrox overcame this with the addition of carefully positioned air knives, which ensure dust generated from the tooling being marked never comes into contact with the laser.
Brandauer specified the Scorpion Rapide because its high performance optic fibre laser offers precision marking on metal and plastics. It is now used to sequentially mark a 2D data matrix code on thin gauge (0.1mm) stainless steel strip.
The process is completely automated allowing marking of more than 20 million parts per annum to be undertaken. Furthermore, the workstation has been designed to fulfil poka yoke failsafes, ensuring marks are not only present but also readable, providing safe shut down and containment within the process.
This is complemented by a Raptor laser which is used to create customer specific 2D traceability codes on specialist power generation products and bespoke components for low volume and prototype applications.
It's a concept that began more than a decade ago in Boston and that concept is called Fab Lab, which is a digital fabrication lab. It means users have the opportunity to develop ideas just by clicking a mouse.
"What we like to think is you can take your idea and you can make it come to life," said Randy Hulke, Discovery Center Director.
The sky is the limit down in the Fab Lab at UW-Stout.
"I'm going to hit go here and it's going to send it to the machine," said Mike Cropp, Fab Lab Manager.
There are five machines that can make a variety of products such as a mini-mill, a vinyl cutter to make graphics and even a router to make a rocking horse is possible.
"This machine is a laser engraver. It cuts materials like wood and plastic," said Cropp.
The Fab Lab Manager even cut out a business card holder with my name on it for my desk.
"It's going back and forth right now. It's engraving the logo into the acrylic right now," said Cropp.
Students and soon members of the community, most likely spring, can use the facility at Stout to make their dreams come true.
"We're also running industry projects through here. We're allowing innovators, entrepreneurs that sort of thing, access to this space as well," said Hulke.
In the Fab Lab users have the opportunity to communicate with different Fab Labs around the world via camera to share ideas with places like Barcelona.
Only three other Fab Labs exist in Wisconsin and the creativity is endless. There's even a machine to build 3d models.
"What the software does is it will take that file, slice it into layers and then it will additively build your part in 3D," said Cropp.
A 2-inch model that was made by the machine took 6 hours for the machine to build.
"We can use these machines to build other machines that can do the same thing," said Cropp.
"Ideally what it would be is something that may be has some potential to become a business [or] maybe somebody's got a hobby they really enjoy doing," said Hulke.
The Fab Lab opened this week and took a few months to complete but was made possible through a multiyear $520,000 growth agenda award from the UW System.
Electrox supplied a bespoke automated marker/reader, which features a custom workstation to house a Scorpion Rapide laser and two Keyence SR650 cameras. This has been specially designed to hold the laser upside-down; however this brought its own problems – namely keeping the laser clean for the highly precise marking required.
Electrox overcame this with the addition of carefully positioned air knives, which ensure dust generated from the tooling being marked never comes into contact with the laser.
Brandauer specified the Scorpion Rapide because its high performance optic fibre laser offers precision marking on metal and plastics. It is now used to sequentially mark a 2D data matrix code on thin gauge (0.1mm) stainless steel strip.
The process is completely automated allowing marking of more than 20 million parts per annum to be undertaken. Furthermore, the workstation has been designed to fulfil poka yoke failsafes, ensuring marks are not only present but also readable, providing safe shut down and containment within the process.
This is complemented by a Raptor laser which is used to create customer specific 2D traceability codes on specialist power generation products and bespoke components for low volume and prototype applications.
2013年2月5日 星期二
Europe's "first" wind powered province touts renewables
Fifteen years ago, residents of the province of Burgenland would have laughed if you told them their region would one day be exporting energy.
But since the late nineties, the easternmost area of Austria has rapidly scaled up its wind power capacity from zero to 481MW today, so that by the end of this year it expects to become an Energieautarkie, the German term for an energy independent country, company, or even person.
With a population of less than 300,000 people Burgenland's power company, Energie Burgenland (EB), and private landowners have been able to install 286 turbines stretching as far as the eye can see. The fleet of large scale wind farms includes Europe's largest wind energy development in Andau and two giant 7.5MW Enercon turbines in Potzneusiedl.
Now the region is touting itself as a poster boy for the low carbon economy, offering real life evidence that backing renewables is key to delivering economic growth - a theme that has unsurprisingly been prevalent at the annual European Wind Energy Association conference in Vienna this week.
Michael Gerbavsits, chief executive of EB, says the utility has invested 300m so far in wind energy, plus another 85m in a transformer to ensure the power can be carried easily around the region and beyond.
Over the next few years, EB will invest another 450m in renewable energy, ramping up wind capacity to reach 1GW by the end of 2014 and enabling Burgenland to export power and cut CO2 emissions by the equivalent of taking 615,000 cars of the roads.
The feat will be a significant step towards fulfilling Austria's ambition of becoming Energieautarkie by 2050. Fuelled by a ban on nuclear that has been in place since the late 1970s, renewables already contributes 65 per cent to Austria's electricity mix and nearly 31 per cent of the total energy mix, most of which comes from hydropower, with about five per cent from wind.
The government is taking a bottom up approach to green energy, urging each local government to develop their own renewables plan with a view to gradually weaning itself off fossil fuels and nuclear power imports over the coming years.
Werner Friedl, Mayor of the town of Zundorf, believes 1,000 green jobs will be created in the region on the back of the wind power boom, making a dent in Austria's six per cent youth unemployment levels.
In fact, the region's commitment to wind energy, as well as its 9m investment to tackle youth unemployment is starting to pay off.
Germany's Enercon has recently opened a 40m production plant in Zundorf, making concrete turbine towers for its "cash cow" E101- 3MW machines.
The factory already employs 120 people, and is ramping up to operations in the early part of this year. It also has a nearby training facility for wind power apprentices and says it has made an effort to recruit local people into jobs, with most employees having to travel no more than 25 kilometers to reach the plant.
As well as tapping into local markets, Enercon hopes to use its fourth factory to reach the emerging Eastern and Central European wind power markets. Concrete towers could be floated on a barge up the Danube to Germany, or downstream to Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary, the company says.
Hans-Dieter Kettwig, Enercon's managing director, has one message for countries where unemployment is currently at high levels - switch to renewables.
But since the late nineties, the easternmost area of Austria has rapidly scaled up its wind power capacity from zero to 481MW today, so that by the end of this year it expects to become an Energieautarkie, the German term for an energy independent country, company, or even person.
With a population of less than 300,000 people Burgenland's power company, Energie Burgenland (EB), and private landowners have been able to install 286 turbines stretching as far as the eye can see. The fleet of large scale wind farms includes Europe's largest wind energy development in Andau and two giant 7.5MW Enercon turbines in Potzneusiedl.
Now the region is touting itself as a poster boy for the low carbon economy, offering real life evidence that backing renewables is key to delivering economic growth - a theme that has unsurprisingly been prevalent at the annual European Wind Energy Association conference in Vienna this week.
Michael Gerbavsits, chief executive of EB, says the utility has invested 300m so far in wind energy, plus another 85m in a transformer to ensure the power can be carried easily around the region and beyond.
Over the next few years, EB will invest another 450m in renewable energy, ramping up wind capacity to reach 1GW by the end of 2014 and enabling Burgenland to export power and cut CO2 emissions by the equivalent of taking 615,000 cars of the roads.
The feat will be a significant step towards fulfilling Austria's ambition of becoming Energieautarkie by 2050. Fuelled by a ban on nuclear that has been in place since the late 1970s, renewables already contributes 65 per cent to Austria's electricity mix and nearly 31 per cent of the total energy mix, most of which comes from hydropower, with about five per cent from wind.
The government is taking a bottom up approach to green energy, urging each local government to develop their own renewables plan with a view to gradually weaning itself off fossil fuels and nuclear power imports over the coming years.
Werner Friedl, Mayor of the town of Zundorf, believes 1,000 green jobs will be created in the region on the back of the wind power boom, making a dent in Austria's six per cent youth unemployment levels.
In fact, the region's commitment to wind energy, as well as its 9m investment to tackle youth unemployment is starting to pay off.
Germany's Enercon has recently opened a 40m production plant in Zundorf, making concrete turbine towers for its "cash cow" E101- 3MW machines.
The factory already employs 120 people, and is ramping up to operations in the early part of this year. It also has a nearby training facility for wind power apprentices and says it has made an effort to recruit local people into jobs, with most employees having to travel no more than 25 kilometers to reach the plant.
As well as tapping into local markets, Enercon hopes to use its fourth factory to reach the emerging Eastern and Central European wind power markets. Concrete towers could be floated on a barge up the Danube to Germany, or downstream to Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary, the company says.
Hans-Dieter Kettwig, Enercon's managing director, has one message for countries where unemployment is currently at high levels - switch to renewables.
2013年2月4日 星期一
Want to get rid of that tattoo?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers the inks used in tattoos to be cosmetics, and takes action to protect consumers when related safety issues arise. At the other end of the tattoo process, FDA also regulates laser devices used to remove tattoos.
The FDA has approved several types of lasers as light-based, prescription devices for tattoo lightening or removal. A Massachusetts company recently received FDA clearance to market its laser workstation for the removal of tattoos and benign skin lesions.
According to a poll conducted in January 2012 by pollster Harris Interactive, 14 percent of the 21 percent of adults who have tattoos regret getting one. And the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) reports that in 2011, its doctors performed nearly 100,000 tattoo removal procedures, versus only 86,000 a year earlier.
Artists create tattoos by using an electrically powered machine that moves a needle up and down to inject ink into the skin, penetrating the epidermis, or outer layer, and depositing a drop of ink into the dermis, the second layer. The cells of the dermis are more stable compared with those of the epidermis, so the ink will mostly stay in place for a person’s lifetime. Tattoos are meant to be permanent.
An effective and safe way to remove tattoos is through laser surgery, performed by a dermatologist who specializes in tattoo removal, says FDA's Mehmet Kosoglu, Ph.D., who reviews applications for marketing clearances of laser-devices.
"Laser" stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Kosoglu says that pulsed lasers, which emit concentrated light energy in short bursts, or pulses, have been used to remove tattoos for more than 20 years.
However, it can be a painstaking process. "Complete removal, with no scarring, is sometimes not possible," Kosoglu notes.
FDA clearance means this method for removing tattoos complies with agency requirements for safety and effectiveness, according to FDA dermatologist Markham Luke, M.D. Other methods include dermabrasion -- actually "sanding" away the top layer of skin, and excision -- cutting away the area of the tattoo and then sewing the skin back together.
There are also do-it-yourself tattoo removal ointments and creams that you can buy online. "FDA has not approved them, and is not aware of any clinical evidence that they work," says Luke. In addition, Luke says tattoo removal ointments and creams may cause unexpected reactions, such as rashes, burning, scarring, or changes in skin pigmentation in the process.
With laser removal, pulses of high-intensity laser energy pass through the epidermis and are selectively absorbed by the tattoo pigment. The laser breaks the pigment into smaller particles, which may be metabolized or excreted by the body, or transported to and stored in lymph nodes or other tissues, Kosoglu explains.
The type of laser used to remove a tattoo depends on the tattoo's pigment colors. Because every color of ink absorbs different wavelengths of light, multi-colored tattoos may require the use of multiple lasers. Lighter colors such as green, red, and yellow are the hardest colors to remove, while blue and black are the easiest.
"That depends on a person’s pain threshold," Kosoglu says. Some people compare the sensation of laser removal to being spattered with drops of hot bacon grease or snapping a thin rubber band against the skin. A trained dermatologist will be able to adjust the treatment to the patient’s comfort level.
Generally speaking, just one laser treatment won't do the trick. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the procedure requires multiple treatments (typically six to 10) depending on a tattoo's size and colors, and requires a few weeks of healing time between procedures. Some side effects may include pinpoint bleeding, redness, or soreness, none of which should last for long.
The FDA has approved several types of lasers as light-based, prescription devices for tattoo lightening or removal. A Massachusetts company recently received FDA clearance to market its laser workstation for the removal of tattoos and benign skin lesions.
According to a poll conducted in January 2012 by pollster Harris Interactive, 14 percent of the 21 percent of adults who have tattoos regret getting one. And the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) reports that in 2011, its doctors performed nearly 100,000 tattoo removal procedures, versus only 86,000 a year earlier.
Artists create tattoos by using an electrically powered machine that moves a needle up and down to inject ink into the skin, penetrating the epidermis, or outer layer, and depositing a drop of ink into the dermis, the second layer. The cells of the dermis are more stable compared with those of the epidermis, so the ink will mostly stay in place for a person’s lifetime. Tattoos are meant to be permanent.
An effective and safe way to remove tattoos is through laser surgery, performed by a dermatologist who specializes in tattoo removal, says FDA's Mehmet Kosoglu, Ph.D., who reviews applications for marketing clearances of laser-devices.
"Laser" stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Kosoglu says that pulsed lasers, which emit concentrated light energy in short bursts, or pulses, have been used to remove tattoos for more than 20 years.
However, it can be a painstaking process. "Complete removal, with no scarring, is sometimes not possible," Kosoglu notes.
FDA clearance means this method for removing tattoos complies with agency requirements for safety and effectiveness, according to FDA dermatologist Markham Luke, M.D. Other methods include dermabrasion -- actually "sanding" away the top layer of skin, and excision -- cutting away the area of the tattoo and then sewing the skin back together.
There are also do-it-yourself tattoo removal ointments and creams that you can buy online. "FDA has not approved them, and is not aware of any clinical evidence that they work," says Luke. In addition, Luke says tattoo removal ointments and creams may cause unexpected reactions, such as rashes, burning, scarring, or changes in skin pigmentation in the process.
With laser removal, pulses of high-intensity laser energy pass through the epidermis and are selectively absorbed by the tattoo pigment. The laser breaks the pigment into smaller particles, which may be metabolized or excreted by the body, or transported to and stored in lymph nodes or other tissues, Kosoglu explains.
The type of laser used to remove a tattoo depends on the tattoo's pigment colors. Because every color of ink absorbs different wavelengths of light, multi-colored tattoos may require the use of multiple lasers. Lighter colors such as green, red, and yellow are the hardest colors to remove, while blue and black are the easiest.
"That depends on a person’s pain threshold," Kosoglu says. Some people compare the sensation of laser removal to being spattered with drops of hot bacon grease or snapping a thin rubber band against the skin. A trained dermatologist will be able to adjust the treatment to the patient’s comfort level.
Generally speaking, just one laser treatment won't do the trick. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the procedure requires multiple treatments (typically six to 10) depending on a tattoo's size and colors, and requires a few weeks of healing time between procedures. Some side effects may include pinpoint bleeding, redness, or soreness, none of which should last for long.
2013年2月3日 星期日
Rail investment trend in Iowa still going strong
When the Iowa Interstate Railroad moved into a new $19 million locomotive maintenance shop and crew change center near South Amana on Oct. 25, it marked the latest example of private capital investment in Iowa’s rail infrastructure.
National, regional and local railroads operating almost 3,400 miles of track have invested close to $1 billion in the state since 2007. While some of the investment is related to replacing bridges and track destroyed by the 2008 flood, the largest percentage involves ongoing investment in infrastructure.
Union Pacific, which operates nearly 1,400 miles of rail line in Iowa, invested $540 million in Iowa between 2007 and 2012. The Omaha-based company made capital investments for branch line upgrades, east-west corridor capacity improvements, communication and signal improvements, ethanol- and grain-related projects, the growing wind turbine market, and major projects such as a new double-track bridge near Boone.
BNSF Railway, a subsidiary of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp., operates 673 miles of rail line in Iowa. The Fort Worth, Texas, carrier invested $61 million in Iowa last year, according to Amy McBeth, regional director of public affairs for the railroad.
“We feel it’s important to note that railroads invest their own money in capital improvement projects,” McBeth said. “We do not get a fuel tax subsidy like the nation’s highways.”
The 30,000-square-foot Dennis H. Miller Locomotive Maintenance Works, named for the president of the Iowa Interstate from July 2004 to April 2012, replaced an outdated facility, according to Andrew “Butch” Reid, Iowa Interstate chief mechanical officer-locomotive.
“We outgrew our building in Iowa City, which was not even a one-stall barn,” Reid said. “When we would pull one of our new GE ES44AC locomotives in for an inspection, we had to do the tests with one door open because the locomotive wouldn’t fit in the building.
“We have to test every locomotive every 92 days under Federal Railroad Administration regulations and we average two to three tests each week. We are working toward doing everything in house so we have more control over how long an engine is out of service.
“A lot of the stuff we do now had been outsourced to National Railway Equipment in Silvis, Ill. It takes a day to get an engine to National, a couple of days for them to do the work, and another day to get it back.”
Reid said the new shop is designed to service up to four 4,400-horsepower locomotives at a time. It features fueling and sanding stations, a locomotive wash bay, overhead cranes and illuminated underground walkways.
Iowa Interstate employs about 40 workers at the facility, including locomotive machinists and electricians, car repair specialists, and track and structures personnel. Reid said there are currently two shifts in operation, which could be increased to three shifts with the hiring of additional workers to handle more work.
“We built the shop so we could handle additional work without having to physically expand it,” he said. “There’s a lot of concrete and steel in the facility. Each of our GE locomotives weighs 432,000 pounds, and we can remove the shell from the engine with a 35-ton overhead crane.”
“We’re outside of town, so we won’t be blocking crossings and upsetting the citizens of Iowa City,” he said. “We have a larger break room, more room for parts storage and a more modern facility that will serve us for many years to come.”
National, regional and local railroads operating almost 3,400 miles of track have invested close to $1 billion in the state since 2007. While some of the investment is related to replacing bridges and track destroyed by the 2008 flood, the largest percentage involves ongoing investment in infrastructure.
Union Pacific, which operates nearly 1,400 miles of rail line in Iowa, invested $540 million in Iowa between 2007 and 2012. The Omaha-based company made capital investments for branch line upgrades, east-west corridor capacity improvements, communication and signal improvements, ethanol- and grain-related projects, the growing wind turbine market, and major projects such as a new double-track bridge near Boone.
BNSF Railway, a subsidiary of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp., operates 673 miles of rail line in Iowa. The Fort Worth, Texas, carrier invested $61 million in Iowa last year, according to Amy McBeth, regional director of public affairs for the railroad.
“We feel it’s important to note that railroads invest their own money in capital improvement projects,” McBeth said. “We do not get a fuel tax subsidy like the nation’s highways.”
The 30,000-square-foot Dennis H. Miller Locomotive Maintenance Works, named for the president of the Iowa Interstate from July 2004 to April 2012, replaced an outdated facility, according to Andrew “Butch” Reid, Iowa Interstate chief mechanical officer-locomotive.
“We outgrew our building in Iowa City, which was not even a one-stall barn,” Reid said. “When we would pull one of our new GE ES44AC locomotives in for an inspection, we had to do the tests with one door open because the locomotive wouldn’t fit in the building.
“We have to test every locomotive every 92 days under Federal Railroad Administration regulations and we average two to three tests each week. We are working toward doing everything in house so we have more control over how long an engine is out of service.
“A lot of the stuff we do now had been outsourced to National Railway Equipment in Silvis, Ill. It takes a day to get an engine to National, a couple of days for them to do the work, and another day to get it back.”
Reid said the new shop is designed to service up to four 4,400-horsepower locomotives at a time. It features fueling and sanding stations, a locomotive wash bay, overhead cranes and illuminated underground walkways.
Iowa Interstate employs about 40 workers at the facility, including locomotive machinists and electricians, car repair specialists, and track and structures personnel. Reid said there are currently two shifts in operation, which could be increased to three shifts with the hiring of additional workers to handle more work.
“We built the shop so we could handle additional work without having to physically expand it,” he said. “There’s a lot of concrete and steel in the facility. Each of our GE locomotives weighs 432,000 pounds, and we can remove the shell from the engine with a 35-ton overhead crane.”
“We’re outside of town, so we won’t be blocking crossings and upsetting the citizens of Iowa City,” he said. “We have a larger break room, more room for parts storage and a more modern facility that will serve us for many years to come.”
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