November 2008
Monthly Archive
Gadgets charged by the sun
Posted by admin on 30 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Solar
Tritec Integrated Philippines has developed a charger that uses solar power to recharge lithium batteries.
The solar chargers have solar panels made of semiconductors composed of silicon that directly converts sunlight into electricity. These are compatible with popular mobile handset models, MP3 players, digital cameras, gaming devices and other handy tech stuff. The complete adapter compatibility list is listed on the company web site, www.gmsolarcharger.com.
Large wind farm proposed in Maine
Posted by admin on 29 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Wind
The Ocean Energy Institute proposes to build large wind plants in the Gulf of Maine.
Dubbing the plan a “Manhattan Project for Maine,” the Ocean Energy Institute says it could create some 20,000-30,000 jobs. The group on its web site also lays out a larger plan to get the U.S. off of fossil fuels, which the group calls the “Pickens Plan Plus” or the “Simmons Plan’ — use wind farms to power the grid, but add in the large amounts of offshore wind around the U.S.
Bacterium found that could be used in biocatalytic biofuel cells
Posted by admin on 28 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Biofuel
Taiwanese scientists have discovered a new bacterium that reduces iron, treats waste and generates electricity.
In an experiment, Liu noted, when fed three liters of lactic acid, the NTOU1 bacteria in a one-cubic-meter container were able to produce 50 watts electricity for two days.
“Further improvements would make possible the NTOU1 strain-based biofuel cell,” said Liu, adding that for every family, such a solution could provide electricity for the household while meeting waste treatment needs.
Solar power comes to the Vatican
Posted by admin on 28 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Solar
2400 photovoltaic panels have been installed on the roof of Nervi Hall, site of papal audiences and concerts.
The new system on the 5,000 square meter roof will produce 300 megawatt hours (MWh) of clean energy a year for the audience hall and surrounding buildings.
Upstate New York office is “zero net energy”
Posted by admin on 27 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Conservation
The headquarters of Hudson Valley Clean Energy in upstate New York is a “zero net energy” building, meaning it makes more energy than it uses, a remarkable feat in an area with brutally cold winters.
The trick for a zero-net energy building in upstate New York is to “bank” enough excess electricity in the sunny summer to more than cover needs in the winter. Irish wasn’t sure if they would make it. By February, the sun’s puny power couldn’t match the need of 25 employees’ computers, printers, fax machines, milling machines and appliances. There were a few winter days when no energy was generated because of snow on the solar panels. But the building started running energy surpluses again in May and came out ahead by July 2. Irish will now send in his documentation to the NESEA, which will consider the applications early next year.
Georgia football rivalry will play in green game
Posted by admin on 26 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Conservation
The University of Georgia football team will play Georgia Tech on November 29 in a game fully powered by renewable energy.
UGA has joined with Georgia Power to provide green energy for the game — the first time electricity for a football game at UGA will be generated completely by renewable sources. The majority of the electricity in Georgia Power’s Green Energy program currently comes from the Seminole Landfill methane gas facility in DeKalb County.
Merrill Lynch predicts boom in “clean tech”
Posted by admin on 26 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Finance and Investing
Merrill Lynch’s Steven Milunovich is predicting that the current information technology age will give way to clean technology.
Noting technology revolutions occur about every 50 years, the Merrill report forecasts the current IT-centric age should give way to clean tech as the dominant technology, as the energy infrastructure moves to renewables. While acknowledging there are funding challenges in the current economy, Merrill predicts an acceleration in clean tech activity in 2010-11 after the funding issues are addressed.
New NY nightclub is green
Posted by admin on 26 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: LEED
Greenhouse, a new New York City nightclub that opened this month, is seeking LEED certification.
The two-level club, which is roughly 6,000 square feet, features high-efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning, and an LED lighting system that uses just a little more than 3 percent of the energy of a standard lighting installation. All of the materials used to furnish the venue — from the synthetic couches to the coasters on the tables — are recycled or recyclable.
Solar power from (above) the grave
Posted by admin on 25 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Solar
A Spanish city near Barcelona has installed solar panels on top of mausoleums in a local cemetery.
Permission was received by the families of those at the cemetery, and plans are underway to bring more solar panels to this location. The panels now create enough energy annually to supply the electrical needs of 60 homes.
Solar power tower to open in Spain
Posted by admin on 25 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Solar
Abengoa’s PS20, a solar power tower using next-generation solar thermal technology, is scheduled to begin operation in January 2009.
Abengoa’s PS20 solar power tower plant will initially generate 20MW of electricity, and will be a significant proving ground for the solar power tower technology. What the Guardian article doesn’t mention is that while this technology is being tested in Spain, Abengoa has actually decided to only tackle the more traditional solar trough technology in the U.S. That’s because as Abengoa’s senior adviser to the U.S., Fred Morse, says the policy framework and utility contract needs of the U.S. market require that the solar thermal technology be “proven,” “bankable” and “reliable.”
