[secondary artif@cts]

N.C. State University electrical engineering graduate students work on a first generation “smart transformer” which MIT calls one of the most important technology inventions of 2010. The digital transformer will form the electronic guts of the vaunted Smart Grid, the automated power network that is expected to replace nation’s aging mechanical power grid in the coming decade.

“Think of it as an Internet router for the electrical grid,” said Stephen Cass, special projects editor at MIT’s Technology Review.

via newsobserver.com

“One day does not a habit make.”

1. Inspire others. Give an idea or story to the Smarter City project. Better yet, champion a project from the Smarter City list in your neck of the woods.
2. Support Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution. Diet is important for our children. Have you visited your child’s cafeteria lunch room? What do you pack for lunch?
3. Recycle daily. It’s not hard for small ‘recycling’ habits in your home and workplace to add up to a big ‘reuse’ impact in the community.
4. Use CFL LED Lighting. Check out Cree’s LED Revolution for the fun & facts about efficient lighting for all walks of life, inside and out. Why is everyone is pushing low fuzzy compact florescent lights? LEDs are better for many reasons.
5. Shop local. Local merchants are good for the economy and your local environment. The next time you think that big box store is more convenient, check out the little guy. You’ll be glad you did in the long run. There are lots of sites (and people) to help you connect with fantastic local store owners.
6. Drink local beer, not bottled water, when possible. All that plastic is a bad idea yaw. At least recycle plastic when you are able. Local beer in recyclable glass bottles includes Lone Rider Beer, Big Boss Brewing and others.
7. Micro-conserve water. Trim 1 minute off your shower tomorrow, save 2-5 gallons of water. It adds up quick.
8. Plan ahead. We are a nation of cars and truck drivers. They define our culture, economy and everyday life. Electric vehicles are coming and they can’t get here soon enough for this tech nerd. Check the new Chevy Volt. By popular demand, it looks like Detroit is leading the pack toward a green-er highway. I test drove the Volt concept at SXSW 2010 (photos | video) and let me tell you: it’s no Popular Mechanics fantasy. The future is here.
9. Check yo’self before u wreck yo’self. Save serious $$ by getting an Energy Audit of your house. You can do it yourself with some ofthese tips from Jess Commins. Make it a fun family activity and impress your neighbors by making your domicile more energy efficient. Remember, energy efficiency is sexy, people!
10. Stop wasting time on the internet and go outside and enjoy some good all natural serotonin and fresh air. Plant something that reproduces oxygen. You’ll be glad you did. “The family that plants together, stays together.” (My wife made me add this one. ha ) Okay now I’ll stop.

1. Jack Mason at IBM.
2. Jason Keath of Social Fresh.
3. just my daily routine.
4. Ginny Skalski at Cree.
5. my common practice.
6. Sumit Vohra at Lone Rider Beer.
7. The good folks at Twestival and Charity: Water.
8. Phil Colley and Chris Barger at GM. (BTW, Happy Birthday today Phil! )
9. Jess Commins of Renewabelle.
10. My lovely wife Kim, resident green thumb / sun goddess / lawn beautification engineer.
11. Special shout to Ilina Ewen for her ‘Everyday is Earthday’ meme.

Another party in honor of our fellow do-gooders at South By Southwest. The Sustainable Media Happy Hour presented by Cree and Triplepundit. The party will be taking place Monday, March 15, 2010 starting at 6PM at The Ginger Man (301 Lavaca) where you’ll be able to have FREE beer and goodies.  From the looks of it, Brita and Josie Maran are listed as sponsors… could that mean maybe those “goodies” include filters and organic makeup? RSVP here to attend and find out!

You can follow @Cree, @Triplepundit, @AustinGingerMan, and @Josie_Maran on Twitter!

Also follow the most awesome @GinnySkal aka @Cree

“The city of Raleigh now favors LED lighting for all renovations and new projects,” explained Raleigh Assistant Manager Daniel Howe. “Working with Cree and becoming the world’s first LED City has given Raleigh the opportunity to jump ahead in deploying energy-efficient, solid-state lighting technology.” LED lighting can help cities save money from reduced energy consumption and reduced maintenance costs, as LED lights are designed to last longer and require less replacement than traditional lighting sources. Raleigh officials conservatively estimate the current use of LED lighting can save the city more than $200,000 annually.

“LED lighting is the best fiscal choice for our citizens in many cases,” said Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker. “As Raleigh enjoys some of the lowest energy rates in the country, if the business case works here, it most likely works anywhere. The fact that this cutting-edge LED technology is being driven by Cree, a local company, makes it even more exciting.”

Raleigh’s Shimmer Wall

About LED City

The LED City is an expanding community of government and industry parties working to evaluate deploy and promote LED lighting technology across the full range of municipal infrastructure to:

• Save energy
• Protect the environment
• Reduce maintenance costs
• Provide better light quality for improved visibility and safety