10.12.10/FEATURES

GREEN/CONSTRUCTION

The nation's greenest federal building

When it opens next spring near San Francisco in Mountain View, the $20.6 million NASA Ames Sustainability Base will showcase some of the energy technologies used in space. The host of eco-friendly features will make the 50,000-square-foot structure one of the greenest buildings in the federal system as well as a new workplace for 210 people. By Michele Chandler

ENERGY/SOLAR

Crunching the sun's numbers

Planet-Profit Report has analyzed the cost and potential of solar energy circa 2010 and one of key conclusions is, it all depends. Let's look at the numbers. Crunching away on our behalf was Robert Quist, sales director for Denver-based Vibrant Solar Inc., who was working from a new and reasonably generic photovoltaic system case study. By David Lewis

Read part one of David's series .

WATER IN THE WEST

Planning for some kind of climate change

A $700 billion pipeline project in Nevada is just one example of the mitigation and adaptation measures taken by the nation's metropolitan water providers as they prepare for a climate that in some places will be wetter, other places drier -- but in all cases, very different. By Allen Best

ENERGY/INNOVATION

His mission: make money -- and do right by the planet

It's cheaper not to use energy than create it, and B.D. Erickson is onto that. His global energy saver, a device that stabilizes voltage and corrects the power factoring of incoming electricity, was designed for "an energy user with no time and little money." By Joan Melcher

HOTTEST STORIES ON PLANET-PROFIT REPORT

PRICING THE SUN : Planet-Profit Report has analyzed the cost and potential of solar energy circa 2010 and one of key conclusions is -- it all depends.

SELLING THE WIND : It's a paradox that is possibly more pronounced in Montana than any other state - the chicken and egg dilemma: which comes first - transmission availability or wind power development.

SMART ABOUT SMART GRIDS : U.S. Undersecretary of Energy Kristina Johnson said the U.S. could well have 100 million electric and hybrid cars on the road by 2030 that would have to be charged by the power grid.

ELEGANT FINANCING : Here's some insight into how renewable energy projects are being structured in light of recent U.S. tax policy changes.

Riding the wind

Editor Mike Cote talks with the president of Vestas-American Wind Technology about the company's current and future plans.

Nuke on a truck

Editor Mike Cote continues his conversation with Hyperion CEO John Deal, who explains who actually gets to buy one of his $75 million compact reactors.

Clean over green: looking to a sustainable future

Planet-Profit Editor Mike Cote talks with Dr. Joseph Stanislaw, independent senior adviser on energy and sustainability for Deloitte, about the growing global approach to energy, sustainability and a low-carbon future.

Gateway Canyons is a premier retreat destination with 54 rooms, state-of-the-art meeting facilities, breathtaking scenery, a range of outdoor activities, and the Gateway Colorado Auto Museum. Located one hour southwest of Grand Junction on Scenic and Historic Byway 141.