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Times Square’s frst solar and wind-powered electronic billboard is due to be unveiled by Ricoh in December. Four wind turbines and 45 solar panels will power the 14.3 x 38.4 metre screen and the lights needed to illuminate it, saving 18 tons of CO 2 a year. Most of the power produced in an average day (98 kwh) comes from the wind turbines (93 kwh), with the solar panels contributing just 5 kwh. Energy is stored in 16 batteries that can hold enough power for four days. No other energy sources will be used, so if there is not enough wind or sun the screen will remain blank. This is not the only example of a wind and solar-powered billboard. Unlike Ricoh’s electronic billboard, which needs all the electricity generated to power itself, Nedbank, a South African bank, is using the power-generating capacity of its poster billboard to provide power and hot water to the Athlone Youth and Family Development Centre in Cape Town.

Carbon View is an interesting way to engage staff in carbon reduction initiatives. Developed by energy management and smart metering specialist PRI, it displays energy consumption data gleaned from smart electric, gas and water meters. CO 2 emissions are displayed in real-time on a series of colour-coded dials so that employees can see at a glance whether an organisation’s emissions are within or outside parameters set for a building. PRI argues that providing this information in such a visually appealing way makes it more likely that employees will adjust their own behaviour to reduce energy consumption.

Businesses that want to reduce the energy consumption of PCs and peripherals can do so using an intelligent power module from DPG/Form Fittings. eco2power is a six-socket desk module with one permanently-powered master socket for the PC and a USB connection that enables the power system to detect when the mouse and keyboard are not being used. Based on parameters set using the management software, eco2power will put devices on standby or turn them off completely after a period of inactivity. One nice feature of the software is the ability to see on-going and cumulative energy savings in real time. DPG/Form Fittings estimates that eco2power can deliver annual savings of £20-£100 per user for a payback period of 1 to 3 years.

Pentel launch “Recycology” a new range of recycled fling and presentation products and writing instruments. “Recycology is about so much more than recycling,” explained Pentel marketing manager Wendy Vickery. “It’s a range of products made from at least 50 per cent recycled material, many of which have been chosen because they last longer than our standard products or can be reflled to prolong their life.” She added: “From an offce products purchasing point of view it makes sense for buyers to choose products that last longer and provide better value for money – with the added reassurance of knowing that the products they’re choosing use fewer valuable virgin materials than our alternatives.” Recycology fling and

presentation products include display books, presentation fles, clip fles, document wallets and organisers. The comprehensive writing instruments collection features EnerGel, the company’s quick-drying liquid gel pen; ballpoint pens; permanent and drywipe markers; automatic pencils and refll leads; correction and glue tapes; and an eraser.

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