News & Events
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WASHINGTON — In a U.S. patent application, a little-known Maryland inventor claims a stunning solar energy breakthrough that promises to end the planet’s reliance on fossil fuels at a fraction of the current cost – a transformation that also could blunt global warming.
Inventor Ronald Ace said that his flat-panel “Solar Traps,” which can be mounted on rooftops or used in electric power plants, will shatter decades-old scientific and technological barriers that have stymied efforts to make solar energy a cheap, clean and reliable alternative.
“This is a fundamental scientific and environmental discovery,” Ace said. “This invention can meet about 92 percent of the world’s energy needs.”
His claimed discoveries, which exist only on paper so far, would represent such a leap forward that they are sure to draw deep skepticism from solar energy experts. But a recently retired congressional energy adviser, who has reviewed the invention’s still-secret design, said it’s “a no brainer” that the device would vastly outperform all other known solar technology.
Ace said he is arranging for a national energy laboratory to review his calculations and that his own crude prototypes already have demonstrated that the basic physics for the invention work.
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May is Bike to Work Month and RTP is celebrating it by hosting several fun and educational events for RTP employees and the public.
RTP Event Listing – Bike to Work Month 2013
Event Name: Cycling Safely Lunch & Learn
Date: May 9, 2013
Time: 11:30am to 1pm
Location: RTP Headquarters (12 Davis Dr.)
Sponsor: SmartCommute@rtpDescription: Led by League of American Bicyclist Certified Instructor, this session will address important cycling safety tips, including how to negotiate vehicle traffic safely. Bicycle commuters and those who are interested in traveling to work by bicycle are encouraged to attend this event. Existing cyclists are also welcome to attend to refresh their knowledge on the topic as well as offer their own words of wisdom. Lunch will be provided.
Please RSVP: http://smartcommute.org/lunchandlearn.
Event: Bike to Work Month After-Hours Social
Date: May 14, 2013
Time: 5pm – 7pm
Location: Serena, 5311 South Miami Blvd. Suite A
Sponsor: SmartCommute@rtpDescription: Cyclists enjoy free appetizers, drinks, and giveaways.
Please RSVP: https://researchtrianglepark.wufoo.com/forms/q7p0x3/
Event: Ride of Silence
Date: May 15, 2013
Time: 7pm
Location: RTP Headquarters (12 Davis Dr.)
Hosted by: SmartCommute@rtpDescription: Cyclists will take to the roads in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. The Ride of Silence (locally organized by MS Fits) is a free ride that asks its cyclists to ride no faster than 12 mph, wear helmets, follow the rules of the road and remain silent during the ride.
Please RSVP: https://researchtrianglepark.wufoo.com/forms/q7p1m5/
Event: Bike to Work Month Breakfast and Social
Date: May 17, 2013
Time: 7am – 9am
Location: RTP Headquarters (12 Davis Dr.)
Sponsor: SmartCommute@rtpDescription: Cyclists enjoy a free continental breakfast, juice, water, coffee, and giveaways.
Please RSVP: https://researchtrianglepark.wufoo.com/forms/q7p1w7/
Event: RTP Food Truck Rodeo
Date: May 23, 2013
Time: 11:30am – 1:30pm
Location: RTP Headquarters (12 Davis Dr.)
Description: This event is open to the general public, but cyclists who ride their bikes to the event will eligible for special giveaways.And to keep up with the cycling community in RTP, join the RTP Bike/Ped listserv (http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/rtp_bike_ped).
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Ride Raleigh's buses for free, trade in your dish liquid or laundry detergent for an eco-friendly version, pick up a packet of flower seeds and learn how to turn your old T-shirts into high fashion.
It's all free in celebration of Earth Day.
Here's a roundup of just some of the Earth Day freebies available in the Triangle.
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The presence of books in a child’s home is said to be one of the biggest predictors of academic success. Unfortunately, less than half of America’s lower income children are without a single book in their home.
“Books on Break” is a program aimed to provide lower income children with reading material for the summer months when many experience “summer learning loss.” The Research Triangle Park is joining together to try and help collect over 5,000 books for children in grades 1-6. The books will range from picture books to short novels and both new and gently used books are accepted. In the past this event has been a huge success, bringing together efforts from companies across RTP and helping to show what a philanthropic entity the park can be. With combined efforts of companies and the surrounding community we have the ability to make a truly amazing difference in these children’s lives.
In 2012 the program collected over 4,000 books for children in the Durham County area. This year, we hope to exceed that.
There are several ways to donate books to the program: drop off at RTP headquarters (12 Davis Drive) in one of the drop off bins in our lobby, at one of the bins located at select RTP companies, or you can go online to Amazon.com and buy books from the wish list and they will be shipped directly to the drop off location (http://amzn.com/w/1HQGXBNUBPF0X ).
Over 100,000 books have been placed in deserving homes through our partner Book Harvest and all of the books collected will go to benefit children in Durham Public Schools. Whether it be donating one of your old Dr. Seuss books or helping to purchase a few new books online, anything helps and makes a significant difference to these young growing minds.
The program starts April 15 and will go through May 15, if you have any questions please email me at reed@rtp.org.
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The Environment@rtp Committee organizes semi-annual electronics recycling days for employees of RTP Companies. To date, this program has recycled 653,205 pounds (326 tons) of e-waste from employees of the Park.
The next electronics recycling day organized by Environment@rtp for employees of Park companies will be held April 24, 2013.
Acceptable Materials:
- Computer systems/monitors/peripherals (limit 3 systems per RTP employee)
- CRT Televisions 27”or smaller (no consoles), flat panel televisions
- Mercury thermometers/thermostats
- Stereo/audio equipment
- Desktop copiers/faxes
- Cell phones
- UPS units
- VCRs or DVD players
Materials Not Accepted:
- CRT Televisions larger than 27”
- Smoke detectors
- Large Appliances
- Office equipment (e.g. large copiers)
- Other non-residential equipment
- All other household hazardous waste
When:
April 24, 2013
7 am to 6 pmWhere:
Park Point (formerly Nortel's Gateway Facility) in RTP
4001 E. Chapel Hill Nelson Hwy (Hwy 54) -
RALEIGH – Today, two leading national research institutes, RTI International and La Capra Associates,
Inc., released a new study, The Economic, Utility Portfolio, and Rate Impact of Clean Energy Development
in North Carolina, which is an economic analysis focused on the impacts of clean energy policy in the
state.
The North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA) commissioned the two research groups to
conduct an independent and objective analysis focused on key policy drivers and the economic and
fiscal impacts of clean energy development, and the ratepayer impacts associated with this
development. The study found that the key policy drivers of clean energy development in North Carolina
include the Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (REPS), renewable energy
investment tax credit, and Utility Savings Initiative.
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Recently Bald Eagles were spotted over the Netapp campus in the lower portion of the park. These photos were submitted by employees of Netapp and you can see below the birds perched up on a snag. Lots of people know that Bald Eagles are nationally protected and also the United State's National bird, but many don't know that North Carolina is home to many. Jordan Lake actually is home to more Bald Eagles than anywhere else in the eastern United States.
Next time you are outside, look to the skies and see if you can spot any of these majestic birds of prey.
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The certification means the building meets various environmental and energy saving benchmarks. In this case, designers added a rooftop terrace to absorb carbon dioxide and generate oxygen, reducing what’s known as the “heat island effect.”
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DURHAM, N.C. – Durham residents and businesses waiting for the next free opportunity to recycle electronic waste, shred confidential documents, or recycle their Christmas tree should plan to attend the E-Waste Recycling and Paper Shredding Event this month.
Residents and businesses may safely dispose of nearly all electronic devices with a cord, unwanted paper documents, and Christmas trees on Saturday, January 26, 2013, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Durham County Memorial Stadium, located at 750 Stadium Dr.
According to Larrisha McGill, waste reduction coordinator with the City’s Solid Waste Management Department, residents will not have to leave their vehicles to unload all of their old electronics and paper. “We will have staff on hand to unload these items, so we hope residents and businesses will take advantage of this free and easy opportunity to keep these items out of our landfills,” McGill said.
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Everyone knows about the value of The Research Triangle Park to the community for research, development, and groundbreaking technology. There are, however, other benefits and roles that the park plays in the community. One of these roles is as a greenspace in the heart of the triangle. RTP’s strategic location and implementation of land use requirements allow the area to act as a sort of wildlife sanctuary. Various animal species live within the park boundaries and exist relatively unseen and undisturbed.