picture update

Since in Spain we have had three major experiences regarding sustainability in Europe. The first came when we rode a Vespa(moto) 40 km outside of Seville. Truth be told the highway was a bit intense but we traveled to the PS10 solar power tower, by Abengoa. It is an 11 MW completely clean power generating device. 11 MW is approximately the same power usage as 550 average size American homes. It is a huge ceramic tower that gets heated at a focal point by thousands of reflecting mirrors. Water is pumped up to this point where it is heated by the sun and turned into vapor in order to power a steam motor that runs an electric generator turbine. The second awesome structure we saw was Casa Mila by Antoni Gaudi. It is a structure way ahead of its time. There are countless interesting parts of the building from the structure to the natural light and ventilation. Gaudi used elements of nature in his designs to produce organic forms and functions. The third thing we saw of note was this Jean Nouvel Garden in Barcelona's old textile factory neighborhood. It was a serious amount of urban redevelopement but it was totally green and extremely pretty. It will be wonderful to visit in a few years once the vegetation has grown in. On thursday we are meeting with the architect who designed the Mercador-Flor which is Barcelona's major new flower market just a little outside of the city, it should be really awesome. France is next so until then, enjoy the pictures!