November 11th, 2010

From Green Right Now Reports

Who are you going to call when it’s time to tackle one of the biggest air conditioning projects ever? If you are in charge of cooling the Holy Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Milwaukee-based Johnson Controls is your choice.

“The signing of this contract…is the culmination of a long journey to win this unique and prestigious order — and also one of the largest single HVAC equipment orders in the history of Johnson Controls,” said Stephen Roell, the company’s chairman and chief executive. “We are particularly pleased that these products, which are specifically tailored to meet the expansion requirements of the Holy Mosque, will contribute to a more efficient and sustainable environment that supports the comfort of the millions of people who visit this site annually.”

Built in the seventh century, the Mosque surrounds the sacred site toward which Muslims turn and pray each day and is a pilgrimage destination that can host more than a million worshippers during the holy month of Ramadan.

[Read more →]

September 14th, 2010

Nissan's LEAF, the manufacturer's new all-electric vehicle.

As mass-produced electric cars begin to become a reality, the need for more and better batteries is expected to ramp up as well. But will demand justify the Obama Administration’s considerable investment in those batteries as part of the economic stimulus program? In deflecting criticism of the $814 billion stimulus, the administration has trumpeted the battery industry as one of its success stories.

[Read more →]

March 1st, 2010

From Green Right Now Reports

Retrofitting doesn’t always get the attention that new green building generates, with its “net zero” and passive solar designs.

Empire State Building (Photo: Empire State Building Co.)

But the impact of retrofitting can be great, and it comes with the bonus of preserving historic and treasured structures — like the Empire State Building.

[Read more →]