Clean Ops Blog

A group of recent Carnegie Mellon University graduates are beautifying their community and contributing to the green scene.  Taking a walk through the streets of many Pittsburgh, PA neighborhoods will undoubtedly present you with fields and fields of empty, abandoned lots.  These CMU grads have taken the initiative to turn those empty urban properties into opportunity.  They’ve managed to acquire 12 acres of those lots across the city and turn them into sunflower gardens with the intentions of harvesting the seeds from the flowers and produce biodeisel from them.  Every acre of sunflower seeds can produce 100 gallons of manufactured biodeisel. 

These grads work for a Pittburgh, PA-based company known as G-Tech (Growth Through Energy and Community Health).  They’re committed to turning vacancy into value, one flower at a time.  Check them out at http://www.gtechstrategies.com/.

Technorati Tags: biodeisel, g-tech, pittsburgh, sunflowers

Technorati Tags: dealership tips, water recycling, water rights

For those of you who are not attending the J.D. Power Roundtable or Digital Dealer conference, considering checking out the Clean Tech Open’s (CTO) Transportation Symposium on the UCLA Campus on October 9th.

The CTO is an organization of leading entrepreneurs, academics, investors and companies, working together to accelerate the development of clean technology startups. It provides resources, education and support for clean tech entrepreneurs, of which its annual business plan competition is the foundation.

Transportation is one of the prize categories of the competition, and has attracted a mind boggling array of ideas and innovative technologies. Anyone working in automotive who wants a glimpse into the future of our industry should take note. Winners will be announced in November.

Visit www.cleantechopen.com and read below for more details.

Clean Tech Open Transportation Symposium

Traffic congestion, air pollution and rising fuel costs are strong drivers for our modes of transportation. What technologies are emerging to address these issues? How are savvy entrepreneurs and investors taking advantage of the massive market for transportation?

Come listen to the expert panel address applications of clean technologies and innovative business models for transportation issues. Hear from two local entrepreneurs working for mass transportation solutions. Get the perspective from local government on successful programs and incentives to implement clean technologies. Learn from investment and marketing experts on how to take these technologies to market and deploy them at scale.

Proterra’s brand new Hybrid-Electric Bus will also be on display. As with all Clean Tech Open events, join us for food and drinks, and plenty of networking opportunities.

When:
October 9, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Location:
UCLA Campus, Tom Bradley International Hall
Los Angeles

Program:
Welcome and Keynote:

Introductory Remarks
Keynote Address: Paul M. Williamsen, National Manager, Lexus College, University of Toyota

Panel:

Jack Rosebro, Green Car Congress (Moderator)
Sean Arian, Director of Economic Development Strategy, Office of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
Josh Bigelow, CEO, Syncromatics (2007 CTO Transportation Winner)
Kimberly Gardiner, Toyota Motor Sales
Dale Hill, CEO, Proterra
Robb McLarty, Associate, NGEN

There will be a poster session from Clean Tech Open Transportation Alumni and current contestants, and time for networking.

Who Should Attend and Why:

    * Industry professionals seeking the newest ideas in transportation clean tech
    * Entrants of the Clean Tech Open’s 2008 California Competition to pitch their business ideas
    * Entrepreneurs and potential entrepreneurs interested in applying their skills at new ventures
    * Angel investors and VCs looking at startups at a formative stage
    * Researchers and engineers interested in discussing transportation technologies

The goal of these events is to accelerate the creation and growth of clean tech businesses by building a vibrant clean tech ecosystem through networking and the sharing of ideas.

Registration Fees           Online     At Door
General Admission             $20      $30
Students                            Free     Free
Members of Paid Teams    Free     Free

Click Here to RSVP Now

Sponsors:
This event is sponsored by Lexus.
Venue generously provided with the support of the UCLA Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research.
 

Technorati Tags: clean tech, clean tech cars, electric cars, green cars, green transportation, sustainable automotive

Technorati Tags: car maintenance, dealer green checkups, fuel efficiency, NADA green checkup, september green checkup

Recently, another Toyota dealership, Toyota of Rockwall, received the U.S. Green Building Council certification, at the gold level.  This is the second dealership to receive certification, next to the infamous Pat Lobb store, which received a silver standard certificate.  Savings are huge, according to the store managers, saving nearly $10,000 a month on electricity alone, according to the Dallas Morning News.  Not to mention only spending $600 a month on the water bill when they average about 3,000 washed cars per month.  Those savings are incredible.

There’s no denying that going green can save the environment, as well as your wallet in the long run.  There’s also no denying that it takes a bit of capital to get it started.  If you’re considering investing your store in the green campaign, do your research first.  Talk to dealers in your area specifically.  There are a lot of greening options on a local level, for example, choosing landscaping comprised of trees and plants that thrive in your local climate so you don’t have to water as much.  Also, talk to other dealers that have taken action to go green.  What worked for them?  What would they do differently?  Find out what builders they used and investigate your own.  My own limited research on the subject reveals that Gensler Architecture was the builder for both the Lobb and Rockwall Toyota Stores.  You can check Gensler here. 

NADA wants you to be prepared too, if you’re looking to make your store green.  Click here to check out a list of Do’s and Don’ts for going green with your dealership.  Your colleagues are your biggest asset when it comes to researching, comparing, and brain storming ideas for all practices, including going green.  Heck, that’s why we’re at DrivingSales isn’t it?

Technorati Tags: Green Building Council, green dealership tips, Toyota of Rockwall

As we’ve discovered over the last few blogs, there are plenty of ways to help your dealership become a little more eco-friendly without having to build a brand new store from the ground up (thought kudos to those who can do so).  So, what have you done?  Maybe you’ve tried to implement a number of those tips, but how much are you saving and how do you measure up? 

Well, here’s a green survey you can take from NADA to measure your accomplishments.  It asks you about improvements you’ve made and your implementation.  It’s a short survey and may give you a marker to see where you stand.  Have fun!

Technorati Tags: eco-friendly store, green dealership survey, green improvements survey

About a week ago, the EPA released an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) with the intent of receiving comments and input from the public (more…)

Technorati Tags: ANPR, Clean Air Act

According to an article posted by Engadget.com, Toyota plans to take their Prius solar, or at least, partially.  Toyota plans on designing solar panels for their Prius.  But it probably won’t power what you think it will.  The solar panels will not be used to power the car, but instead to run the air conditioner. 

Some talk about this project is less than optimistic.  However, I agree with this CarsCarsCars blog that it is a step in the right direction.  Who knows, maybe by the time they design these panels, the energy could be used to power the dashboard or interior lights of the vehicle as well.

Apparently, Audi is on this track as well, and one step ahead.  They have plans for solar panels that will power the A/C and reduce temperatures of the car even when the ignition is off.

Technorati Tags: Audi going solar, Prius going solar, solar panels

We hear a ton a talk about new ways to power cars:  hydrogen cells, electricity, etc.  But (more…)

Technorati Tags: fuel efficient cars, hybrid cars, plug in cars

As usual, California is leading the pack, especially when it comes to environmental issues. This time it’s not (more…)

Technorati Tags: global warming cars, green car labels, standardized car ratings