Biomass + Bathwater = Greener Games. November 19, 2009
Posted by sallylester in Celebrity, Current affairs, environmentalism, Olympics 2012, Sport.Tags: 2012, boris johnson, chris hoy, cycling, environmentalism, London, Michael Phelps, olympic, olympic flame, Sport, swimming, Usain Bolt
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Millions of lightbulbs, loudspeakers, big screens, not to mention a giant flame… The Olympic games is a black hole of energy consumption and where that energy comes from is an issue of extreme importance if the UK is to lead the way in reduction of greenhouse gases as Boris Johnson would have us believe.
A state of art energy centre is being constructed in the Olympic park to solve all of our energy problems. The centre which is being branded by Olympic officials as “Lean, Mean and Green” is going to reduce the carbon emissions of the games by over 1000 tonnes in 2012 and is even being praised by Greenpeace.
It is to be housed primarily inside an old Victorian building which would have otherwise stood derelict. This ultimate show of recycling is truly a step in the right direction and proves that the Olympic committee have really listen to environmentalists who were concerned that London 2012 would leave more than just a sporting legacy lingering over the city.
The proposed energy centre
ODA Director of Infrastructure and Utilities Simon Wright said: “Sustainability is at the heart of the 2012 project and the Energy Centre will ensure a lasting legacy of green power in the Olympic Park for generations to come. The state-of-the-art Energy Centre will be one of the largest in the UK and the lean, mean and green sustainability features that underpin this project will set a model for future urban regeneration schemes.”
Biomass boilers will use sustainable biomass fuels to generate heat, contributing to a 20 per cent renewable energy target across Olympic Park and zero carbon renewable energy sources used such as biofuel. Of course both of these things are important and exciting new developments but the idea which really captured my imagination was the waste water scheme which proposes that waste water from the Olympic park and village will be used to cool the energy centre.
This means that the water used in the pool that Michael Phelps swam to gold in could then help to light the arena in which Chris Hoy powers to victory. The water that Usain Bolt’s pots and pans were washed in could then help run the timer that records his new world record.
An exciting prospect, no? And if it helps the environment and the green credentials of the games then this new power plant really should be given more publicity.
The centre is due to be completed in Spring 2010.
Does Phelps need help? March 6, 2009
Posted by sallylester in Celebrity, Current affairs, Olympics 2012, Sport, Uncategorized.Tags: 2012, beijing 2008, gold medals, London, Michael Phelps, olympic, olympics, Sport, sports, swimming
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In my last post I mentioned the magnificent Michael Phelps. A specimin of American pride, a national hero, an object of female desire, a world record breaker….a druggie??
The last description doesn’t really seem to fit the man below; portrayed throughout the Beijing Olympics as a clean-cut, all-American gentle giant. But it seems even the best and most health-conscious amongst us can succumb to bad habits.
What do I make of Michael Phelps smoking cannabisusing a bong? Well of course it’s wrong. We all know that drugs are bad, and he should, as a professional athlete know better. Not only is my damaging his (toned, sculpted and unbelievably hench) body, he is also setting a bad example to his thousands of admirers, and that’s just not on.
Saying this…if there is one person I can forgive for the abomination that is drug use, it may well be Michael Phelps. Anyone who has won 12 Olympic gold medals for their country surely deserves a little down time…or should that be up high time…
Phelps at training.
We need a hero. March 1, 2009
Posted by sallylester in Celebrity, Current affairs, Olympics 2012, Sport.Tags: Michael Phelps, olympic, olympics, Sport, Usain Bolt
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For a while now I’ve been privately musing on the idea of 2012’s Olympic hero. I think it will be a hero rather than a heroine, although you never know, but we need a God-like figure to emerge out of London’s games – a face to put to our Olympic name.
Last year’s superstar was of course Michael Phelps, who left the world in awe (and a little weak at the knees) when his God-like figure emerged from the pool with a mighty eight gold medals.
And we must not forget the highly entertaining, world record breaking, Usain “Lightening” Bolt who will be welcome face at the 2012 games and one of the main players in terms of publicity.
Usain Bolt claiming gold in Beijing.
Bolt is an asset, but he’s last years’ poster-boy. What we need is a rising star. Obviously I hope with all of my heart that they could be a Brit, with the charisma to match their great talent, but even if they are not a home-grown hero, having someone truly memorable is the key to us having a great Games.
Speculation three years ahead of the games is perhaps a little foolish… The champion I’m hunting could still be in school, or yet to discover their amazing talent.
For now I’m content with the hope that London 2012’s Olympic messiah is out there somewhere. Ready and primed to give our games headlines to rival the very best of years past.
An event of Olympic proportions. 