CHINA BLOG: Possible Joint Venture Biz for Self-Sufficient Neighborhoods and Green-Collar Jobs

The greenest, most self-sufficient and sustainable eco-neighborhoods on the globe: that is my goal for Portland's next four greenfield and brownfield redevelopment areas, which include the freeway industrial lands in East Portland (we want it to stay industrial use), the current central city main post office (a great opportunity to build an employment center), Con-way/Slabtown site in Northwest (mixed use redevelopment opportunity) and the Rose Quarter district (another mixed use redevelopment opportunity).

Redeveloping these four underutilized areas is key to our ability to successfully absorb the 150,000 to 200,000 in population growth (both from births and in-migration) over the next couple of decades. While at the same time, preserving our existing single-family neighborhoods, reducing green house gas emission, minimizing transportation citywide congestion and holding firm on the current urban growth boundary.

Since each of these areas lack basic infrastructure such as adequate sewers, water or transportation, we have an opportunity to work with property owners in these areas to build districtwide heating and cooling systems (ironically, Portland used to have districtwide steam heating systems)

These districtwide sustainable energy systems have the potential to save millions in capital and operating costs and tons in green house gas emissions related to heating and cooling buildings.

And, if we build these districtwide heating and cooling systems with the latest technology and best construction practices, Portland-based firms can then use that technology and experience and sell it to other cities and companies around the world.  Thus, creating local green-collar jobs.  Portland already has some established firms that pursue this type of  business.

Doing business in China is often accomplished by establishing joint venture business partnerships that then do work in both China and the U.S.

In pursuit of joint partnerships around the latest technology for district wide heating and cooling systems, today I met with Lloyd Song General Manager of the Ever Source Science & Technology Development Co., which already has a ten-year-old research partnership with the University of Nebraska.

Ever Source has discussed forming a joint partnership with Portland-based Gerding Edlen Development also known as "GED." GED President Dennis Wilde and Bill Nesmith (the official foreign energy advisor for Shanghai who is based out of Oregon) suggested I meet with Ever Source while here in China.

Ever Source has patented closed system renewable energy technology for shallow ground geothermal energy heating and cooling. It's process for heating and cooling buildings and providing hot water saves 70% on costs based on similar electrical systems.

Ever Source's systems are being used in significant buildings here in China including the National Theater, Olympic Village National Gymnasium and Bicycling Training Center. And, with their University of Nebraska-related partnership they are currently installing a pilot project system in Baker City, Oregon.

EMAIL

Your Email: *

Your Name: *

Send To: *

Enter multiple addresses on separate lines or separate them with commas.

Message Subject: (Your Name) has forwarded a page to you from CommissionerSam.com

Message Body: (Your Name) thought you would like to see the CommissionerSam.com web site.

Your Personal Message: *