GasBuddy Blog

Message Forum - Read Message

Category: GasBuddy Official Blog > Topics	Add to favorite topics Post New Topic

Author	Topic: Oregon Gas Station Pushes Energy Efficiency to New Meaning	Post a Reply Back to Topics

PD Moderator	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 8:55:01 AM Ignore PD Report Abuse Bob Barman operates the Highland Chevron gas station and ExtraMile convenience store in Beaverton, OR. And according to the Oregonian, he's taken energy efficiency for his business to a new level. Of course he sells the usual variety of convenience store beverages and snacks, but he's transformed his business into a power plant that actually produces as much electricity as it consumes. The energy advocates call it "net zero," and Beaverton's mayor proclaimed that it's "the most sustainable station in America." According to the Oregonian, much of what works there is out of sight. Nature quietly keeps the lights bright and the coolers full of frigid soda and energy drinks. More than 180 solar... Visit GasBuddy Blog for full article

Moderator

Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 8:55:01 AM

Ignore PD Report Abuse

Bob Barman operates the Highland Chevron gas station and ExtraMile convenience store in Beaverton, OR. And according to the Oregonian, he's taken energy efficiency for his business to a new level.

Of course he sells the usual variety of convenience store beverages and snacks, but he's transformed his business into a power plant that actually produces as much electricity as it consumes. The energy advocates call it "net zero," and Beaverton's mayor proclaimed that it's "the most sustainable station in America."

According to the Oregonian, much of what works there is out of sight. Nature quietly keeps the lights bright and the coolers full of frigid soda and energy drinks.

More than 180 solar...

Visit GasBuddy Blog for full article

REPLIES (newest first)Ignore Short Messages

First

Next Last

fjkcpa Champion Author Houston Posts:4,475 Points:598,210 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Nov 6, 2011 6:49:11 AM Ignore fjkcpa Report Abuse Hmmm . . .
ghostcard Rookie Author Billings Posts:64 Points:58,475 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Nov 6, 2011 1:37:43 AM Ignore ghostcard Report Abuse To much cost not enough return. That's not an investment that's a consumerist guilt money pit; want to "do the right thing", close your station and sell bycicles
1OILMAN Champion Author Alabama Posts:2,069 Points:155,610 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Nov 5, 2011 1:03:11 PM Ignore 1OILMAN Report Abuse All you tree hugging, tadpole kissing people need to put down the kool aide. He spent $500,000 and took a $192,000 tax credit (who pays for that) to install this equipment. Is there really any return on investment? Now are any of you REALLY going to pay MORE for his gasoline than the guy down the street? Publicly you say yes but privately (your money) says no. Come on, admit it.
Cashless Champion Author Akron Posts:3,499 Points:730,285 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Nov 5, 2011 11:11:42 AM Ignore Cashless Report Abuse WOW! Interesting.
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:32,915 Points:2,341,510 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Nov 5, 2011 9:23:23 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse If more large business warehouses would install solar panels and/or wind turbines on their very large mega roofs, they could cut their electrical use or sell a surplus back to the electrical supplier. Wal Mart, USPS, UPS, DHL, FedEx, Costco, Boeing, Target, NASA, many airports and military buildings are possible locations. REI, a national outdoor store, has solar panels on their roofs and high efficiency lighting in every store across the nation, LEED certified. The more electricity generated by green solutions, the more for vehicle use and electricity NOT generated by dirty coal, oil or natural gas. Cheaper renewable energy from solar, wind, hydro, thermal, tidal and/or nuclear.
bugc Champion Author Boston Posts:15,025 Points:3,000,140 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Nov 5, 2011 7:31:43 AM Ignore bugc Report Abuse He says he did it simply because "it was the right thing to do". YES!
gravityhurts Champion Author North Carolina Posts:4,073 Points:933,505 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Nov 5, 2011 4:20:36 AM Ignore gravityhurts Report Abuse Way to go Bob!
TeacherSteve Rookie Author Oakland Posts:35 Points:395,790 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Nov 5, 2011 1:14:05 AM Ignore TeacherSteve Report Abuse When the investment costs drop significantly, lots more will do this.
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:32,915 Points:2,341,510 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 10:54:46 PM Ignore tomok Report Abuse GOOD for Bob! Invest in the business to reduce expenses. State tax dollars available, anyone that qualifies can receive. Beaverton and Portland have many ‘less than sunny days.’ Direct solar gain is far more efficient than electricity generated. Trombe walls, interior thermal mass storage, high efficiency windows and other solutions for building heating and cooling. If you can design the building ‘before’ construction – proper site placement is advantages for solar gain during the winter and heat loss during the summer. Solar panel ‘hot water heating’ will save money too. The ‘extra’ power generated during the day, that the business does Not need, is fed to the electrical grid and the power at night is supplied or drawn from the electrical grid - NO storage batteries are needed, the grid is the ‘battery!’ With enough solar panels installed, the over all electrical power generated for the day is a surplus. Cheaper renewable energy from solar, wind, hydro, thermal, tidal and/or nuclear.
03Avalanche Sophomore Author Salt Lake City Posts:123 Points:279,245 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 10:28:21 PM Ignore 03Avalanche Report Abuse If it was affordable for the average person, I'm sure most of us would do the same. But it takes money to save/make money sometimes.
uptherefiners Champion Author Chicago Posts:5,048 Points:1,002,000 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 10:24:42 PM Ignore uptherefiners Report Abuse he should probably be obozo's energy czar..he knows what works
lindact Champion Author New Haven Posts:8,716 Points:1,712,970 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 10:23:55 PM Ignore lindact Report Abuse Perhaps it will inspire others...
UpSol7 Champion Author Augusta Posts:1,633 Points:754,875 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 10:23:34 PM Ignore UpSol7 Report Abuse does Paul McCartney come visit his roof like he does Apu's at the KwikiMart?
slckrck71 Sophomore Author Wisconsin Posts:154 Points:305,335 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 10:22:29 PM Ignore slckrck71 Report Abuse ok
heartbroken2010 Champion Author Ottawa Posts:4,324 Points:893,535 Joined:Aug 2010	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 10:21:15 PM Ignore heartbroken2010 Report Abuse too bad we all cant think like this and become self- sustaining . great move.
joel27nc Champion Author Raleigh Posts:10,517 Points:1,854,370 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 10:17:43 PM Ignore joel27nc Report Abuse Nice to read some Good News!
MidNJ Champion Author New Jersey Posts:7,532 Points:1,169,255 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 10:17:21 PM Ignore MidNJ Report Abuse OK, intereting, Very happy to know the article; "Oregon Gas Station Pushes Energy Efficiency to New Meaning" ---- Is the top article of the day with "69" votes at this time. But let's get real about this article, solar is bad! Perhaps? ================== Think about it.
thuathienhue Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,438 Points:629,790 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 10:16:36 PM Ignore thuathienhue Report Abuse Okay.
72_Monte Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:7,745 Points:1,992,360 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 10:15:05 PM Ignore 72_Monte Report Abuse The only thing he's missing is the wind generators.
regout Champion Author Quebec Posts:2,935 Points:828,705 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 10:11:22 PM Ignore regout Report Abuse Good for him.
abcdMA Champion Author Worcester Posts:7,902 Points:1,570,980 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 10:08:59 PM Ignore abcdMA Report Abuse interesting
YellowDucky Champion Author St. Louis Posts:1,563 Points:434,210 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 10:08:58 PM Ignore YellowDucky Report Abuse wow! good for Bob.
2tankless2day Rookie Author Barrie Posts:71 Points:7,185 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 10:07:54 PM Ignore 2tankless2day Report Abuse Good Stuff! Beats harnessing the Oregon wildlife in the back woods--to generate power at a country gas station. Or converting their crap for sustainable gasoline. Now... if we could only have solar powered vehicles, operating on reprocessed, outdoor dung! Ahhh... country living... care for a Sunday drive anyone?
TekWare Champion Author Toronto Posts:3,141 Points:668,900 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 10:07:52 PM Ignore TekWare Report Abuse If I had the cash, I'd do the same thing.
Number43 Champion Author Lexington Posts:8,672 Points:1,634,110 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 10:05:16 PM Ignore Number43 Report Abuse Doing the right thing would be to do this without all that tax payer cash. Net zero without tax dollars would be a real deal. This is just a sad joke on the taxpayers.
AcuraTSX Champion Author Ohio Posts:5,472 Points:2,178,130 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 10:04:56 PM Ignore AcuraTSX Report Abuse ok
ScottTee Champion Author Detroit Posts:4,371 Points:1,059,695 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 10:03:55 PM Ignore ScottTee Report Abuse I applaud his efforts
ratones1 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:2,897 Points:728,205 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 10:03:17 PM Ignore ratones1 Report Abuse excellent Oregon...
smoketown Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:6,211 Points:1,377,875 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 9:59:50 PM Ignore smoketown Report Abuse .
greenfog Champion Author Illinois Posts:6,470 Points:1,635,020 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 9:56:16 PM Ignore greenfog Report Abuse i would like to have the money to do that. it would really cut down on utility bills.
hhval2 All-Star Author Atlanta Posts:600 Points:104,380 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 9:47:46 PM Ignore hhval2 Report Abuse If bob can do the right thing, all others should be able to do the right thing with good planing.
WinderGuy Champion Author Georgia Posts:2,844 Points:928,380 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 9:47:17 PM Ignore WinderGuy Report Abuse ok
jrsva Champion Author Virginia Posts:9,830 Points:1,608,250 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 9:41:47 PM Ignore jrsva Report Abuse Excellent system. Pretty expensive to install but payback will continue for years. Installation costs are declining over time, so getting started will cost less in the future.
Ray_10589 Champion Author New York Posts:4,926 Points:1,178,985 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 9:39:56 PM Ignore Ray_10589 Report Abuse wish I had the money to do that ...
msienkiewicz Champion Author Maryland Posts:8,441 Points:1,592,850 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 9:39:32 PM Ignore msienkiewicz Report Abuse Excellent!
Dremwolf Veteran Author Jacksonville Posts:476 Points:94,370 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 9:37:43 PM Ignore Dremwolf Report Abuse If I had the money I would go off grid here at the house. But that currently the problem, it is out of reach of the average American!
singlemom27 Champion Author Ventura Posts:3,088 Points:635,210 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 9:35:23 PM Ignore singlemom27 Report Abuse Good job Bob! Hope others follow your lead.
aquarinut Champion Author British Columbia Posts:1,628 Points:436,005 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 9:34:58 PM Ignore aquarinut Report Abuse Great job done by this individual.... especially since done without a government guaranteed loan into the hundreds of millions of tax payers dollars ;)
30mpg80 Champion Author Lexington Posts:9,987 Points:1,483,855 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 9:34:51 PM Ignore 30mpg80 Report Abuse Great, He had the money to pay for higher efficiency. Now save on operating costs for decades.
gd83goldwinger Champion Author South Bend Posts:1,428 Points:501,230 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 9:33:50 PM Ignore gd83goldwinger Report Abuse That's great.
ortegs12009 Champion Author California Posts:1,250 Points:706,150 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 9:33:24 PM Ignore ortegs12009 Report Abuse awesome
Voltus Champion Author Miami Posts:8,441 Points:1,553,350 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 9:32:20 PM Ignore Voltus Report Abuse great, next LED cars?
Senrac Champion Author Lincoln Posts:1,594 Points:305,635 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 9:30:55 PM Ignore Senrac Report Abuse good for him
OWENALOTT Champion Author Appleton Posts:2,182 Points:500,095 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 9:29:15 PM Ignore OWENALOTT Report Abuse Great
FlyNFool Champion Author South Carolina Posts:8,219 Points:1,680,975 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 9:28:35 PM Ignore FlyNFool Report Abuse Good for him.
must87searcher Champion Author Maryland Posts:8,962 Points:1,776,300 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 9:27:11 PM Ignore must87searcher Report Abuse Sounds like some station businesses have the right idea to save money. It would be really worth it in a number of years.
Z51Corvette Champion Author Austin Posts:8,469 Points:1,667,400 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 9:26:40 PM Ignore Z51Corvette Report Abuse Great Job!!!
pse91 All-Star Author Calgary Posts:640 Points:556,025 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 9:26:20 PM Ignore pse91 Report Abuse Hope others catch the vision.
HiGramma Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,815 Points:445,690 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 9:24:01 PM Ignore HiGramma Report Abuse Nice for Oregon, I guess.
NorthglennBill Champion Author Denver Posts:7,417 Points:1,469,370 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2011 9:21:25 PM Ignore NorthglennBill Report Abuse Now if we could just get the product that he sells as clean as his station.