Solar Towers, Alternative For Energy and Food Production
30 September, 2008
Besides the "traditional" solar systems, which transform solar energy into electricity, there are solar towers, constructions that besides the electricity production allow the cereals cultivation, producing food.
The operating principle of a solar tower is quite simple: to the tower bottom there is a will, which is heated directly by the sun. The heat allows the cereals growth, the hot air goes then up, in the concrete portion of the tower, which put in motion wind mills which produce electricity.
The only problem of the solar towers represents the feasibility only for very large buildings, so this type of solar system was implemented on a large scale. However, there is in plan the construction of such structures in Namibia, a country that enjoys space and over 300 sunny days per year. For beginning, the towers will have approximately 1.5 km in height and 280 meters in diameter.
Japanese Go Solar Power into Their Homes
Japan joins the world's new trend in solar power generation by supporting households that would buy a solar power system, with a subsidy of about 200,000 yen (a little under $2000). This plan is intended to promote "the green" power and to help reduce the greenhouse gas emissions, according to Nikkei bussiness daily.
One of the objectives of the subsidy payment is to stimulate the mass production of solar power systems so that to lower the costs. The price of such systems is about 2 million yen each and the subsidy represents only 10% of its value. The subsidy is more likely to be introduced as early as the current fiscal year to end March 2009.
At the present, in Japan, there is a total of 1.4 million kilowatts of electricity generated from the household solar power systems. One of the targets set by the Japanese government is to give a boost to the solar power generation by mobilizing also the forces of science and technology.
This means less negative effects on the environment and more "green" happy smiles.
New World Record in Solar Cell Efficiency
Scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy (NREL) have announced a new world record, obtaining a value of 40.8% for solar cell efficiency. This was possible with a photovoltaic device that transforms 40.8% percent of the light that hits it into electricity.
The new solar cell was designed, manufactured and measured at the NREL headquarters and represents a natural candidate for space satellite market and for terrestrial concentrated photovoltaic arrays which use lenses or mirrors to focus sunlight onto solar cells.
The new solar cell differs significantly from the previous record holder by it's composition that makes the sun to be absorbed more easily, thus becoming more efficient. The properties of the new semiconductor material have a greater potential to convert the sun light into electricity.
The previous record was a percentage of 31.25% net efficiency.
Scotland Tests Tidal Energy
29 September, 2008
A system based on the the tidal energy will be tested in Scotland. Some underwater turbines that will capture the wave's energy to generate electricity will be located in three places. The company ScottishPower Renewables has identified the Pentland Firth sites, Sound of Islay and the north coast of Antrim town as the most suitable for underwater turbines.
Each place will have between 5 and 20 turbines of 1 megawatt which could lead to a combined capacity of 60 megawatts enough to supply electricity to 40,000 homes.
In these three places will be used Lànstrøm turbine, which it says that it is the most advanced from the world. after it was tested for three years. This is described as an underwater wind turbine, but with shorter propellers, which rotated at a less speed.
Unlike wind, tides are completely predictable, and the operators soon will know how much energy will generate these turbines. Scottish government is a convinced supporter of waves energy and tidal energy and believe that Scotland can become a world leader in this technology.
Wave energy is a source completely renewable and can play a very important role in reducing carbon dioxide emissions from Britain.
Pinhole Glasses : A Green Solution For Your Eyes
In our days more and more people use solar energy and this is a good thing because in this way they help the planet, but on the other hand sun's rays can hurt because it affect our eyes. While looking for some information on the internet I founded a very interesting site.
In this site you can find and buy environment-friendly glasses. Pinhole glasses are effective and helpful in restoring vision for a number of eye disorders like myopia, hyperopia, cataract and astiqmatism. It is also useful over all distances. Whether it is for working on computer, for reading or for watching TV.
Pinhole glasses are highly effective, quality tools and are made with laser technology. May people have reported immediate benefits on wearing them.
Some Indications
In Pinhole glasses, holes of 1-1.5mm are spaced regularly using laser technology. They may not be suitable for use in some instances.
Wearing pinholes affect your peripheral vision. They should not be used when you are driving or while moving about. It reduces the amount of light entering your eyes. Therefore, it cannot be used in environments having dim light. Wearing pinhole glasses does not prevent harmful UV rays from entering the eyes. So, do not use them to view the sun. It is also not useful for people measured as requiring lens of more than 6 diopters. Other eye problems like diffraction will prevent them from experiencing any significant benefits upon wearing pinholes.
Very surprising is the fact that the Pinhole glasses are very cheap in comparison with other glasses that are expensive, producing more harm than good. The price for one pair is just $14.52 (free shipping). They are much cheaper that your prescription eyeglasses.
Unlike prescription eyeglasses, are a one-time investment. It saves your trouble and the money you would otherwise spend on changing your eyeglasses every now and then.
Another important thing is that these glasses are made form organic material, so they are natural.
So, if you want to buy Pinhole glasses please visit the site.
Toyota’s Record-Breaking Solar Power Installation in North America
28 September, 2008
With a coverage of 242,000 square feet and composed of 10,417 solar modules, Toyota’s single-roof solar installation has become the largest in North America. The solar power system was installed on rooftop at the North America Parts Center manufacturing plant in California. With a total capacity of 2.3 megawatts, the installation will help generate 60% of the energy needs of the entire unit.
The system was designed and built by SunPower, using high-efficiency panels with the capacity of delivering 50% more “green” power per unit than conventional panels.
Toyota’s project is an important and a long step forward in the field of green energy. The solar single-roof not only does it provide clean energy, but would also avoid carbon dioxide emissions by 6.4 million pounds annually.Although the initial costs are really high, we can proudly say that we can take a deep breath!
Chrysler Presented Three Electric Versions
26 September, 2008
Chrysler presented three electric vehicles that will be available on the United States market since 2010. Was presented the electric versions of the models Chrysler Town & Country, Jeep Wrangler and Dodge EV.
These three cars have the same technology, which consists of an electric motor and an advanced lithium-ion batteries, all controlled by a device that operates energy from the system. Due to this technology the vehicle have zero emissions and autonomy between 240 and 320 kilometers.
The electric engine of the Dodge EV hybrid model develop 200 kilowatts, about 268 HP. The battery loading can be made from a standard outlet, with which the vehicle can be charged partially in four hours or fully in eight hours, giving an autonomy of around 320 km.
The electric Jeep Wrangler will be propelled by the same engine of 268 HP, but will receive a gas engine of smaller capacity.
The Chrysler electric vehicle based on Town & Country owns an electric engine something less efficient, giving it 255 HP. It will traverse about 640 km with only 30 liters of fuel.
Portugal Take Its Energy From Waves
25 September, 2008
Portugal has launched the first water power generator that uses only the wave motion. At a distance of five kilometers from the coasts of Portugal was installed a device named Pelamis, that floats to the surface of the sea, sending the power produced to the Agucadoura beach, at north of the Porto city .
The launching to the water was delayed by a year after it was discovered a problem at the plant's underwater connections. The plant is composed of four long sections with three power modules coupled together. While sections are involved of the wave force, these operate components of modules that function like the pistons. The force generated is enough for the generators of the modules to produce energy. The plant is anchored by sections made of foam that float to 15-20 meters below the sea surface. These were the reason for the delay of putting the generator into function.
A "farm" of 40 such generators can feed more than 20,000 households. The engineers are delighted by the project's success and two other such generators are planned to be installed soon. The three generators can feed 1,500 households, other 25 were ordered by the Portuguese authorities.
The Pelamis company wants to build similar projects for Norvergia, Spain, France, North America and Africa.
New Invention: Bicycle Powered By The Sun
A bicycle that works with solar energy was invented as a new transportation. The solar bicycle works as an ordinary bike with pedals, but this bicycle has a canopy lined with solar cells overhead. Once the user pedal on a sunny weather, the rays charge up a battery that powers a small electric motor positioned on the back wheel.
Bicycle was invented by designer Miroslav Miljevic. 'I designed the bicycle as an eco-friendly piece of technology to help commuters.' he said. The inventor says that the bicycle's engine can be fully charged in a sunny day and at night it can be can be charged up by plugging it into the electricity mains.
"It's an electric bike, except that the engine charged by the sun's energy" said the inventor. "To save energy, the motor can be turned off or on so the cyclist could just use it when they're peddling up a steep hill."
The solar bicycle is currently in the concept stage, but Miljevic hopes to develop a mass production of this bicycle, when he will find a producer.
It Opens the Microsoft's Greenest Data Center
Microsoft announced the opening of its new data center in San Antonio, USA, which says that it is the greenest project so far. Building area is approximately 44,000 square meters, and the official opening of the center will take place in this week.
The company invested 550 million dollars in the greenest data center developing. It will use recycled water for cooling systems and solar panels on the roof.
In addition, Microsoft discuss with the CPS Energy referring to a partnership for wind energy. If the proposal is accepted, Microsoft will become the largest consumer of the CPS Energy company, and will use up to 50 megawatts energy.
Today, Microsoft tax the business units depending on the amount of energy that they use in data centers.
In August, Microsoft announced that the company's recycling programme has led to the halving of the waste amount generated in the headquarters from Redmont, Washington (USA).
Bosch and Samsung Make Batteries for Electric Cars
Bosch and Samsung have set up a new company that will produce Lithium-Ion batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles. The new company, SB LiMotive Co. Ltd, make part from long-term strategy of the two companies to develop cars with electric engine.
Bosch engineers regarded as a transitional technology the combination between the internal combustion engines and electrical equipments from a hybrid. The final goal is that on long-term to be used exclusively for electricity, more friendly to the environment. This will happen if the engineers will gain significant progresses in improving the batteries performance and if drivers will accept to recharge after a distance of 100 - 200 km.
"We start from the premise that, in 2015, from a number of 91 million new cars and vans, more than three percent will be hybrid and electric vehicles," explained Wolf-Henning Scheider, president of the Board of Directors of Gasoline Systems, a division of Bosch group. Samsung and Bosch want to start production of batteries in 2011.
Against an electric motor, hybrid models equipped with the spark ignition can save up to 25 percent of CO2 emissions, and the hybrid Diesel up to 20 percent, compared with the conventional aggregates with spark ignition.
These figures indicate that the internal combustion engine will become in the next 20 years the most often used propeller.
Green Market Will Double By 2020
The environmental products and services market will double by 2020, estimates a study of the United Nations Environment (UNEP). The efforts to combat climate change have already led to the creation of millions of green jobs and the emergence of new sectors of the economy.
ONU officials are calling for governments to continue developing in the direction of environmental protection despite the global economic crisis. "People will spend hundreds of billions of dollars in the next 12 months to stabilize the global economy. Imagine for a moment that some of the incentive package would be targeted by the new economy of the XXI century" said Achim Steiner, Director of UNEP.
The UNEP report indicates that the green market will reach in 2020 at a value of 2.74 billion dollars, half of it focusing on energy efficiency, and the other half on sustainable transport, reserves of water, sanitation and waste management. Also, the study shows that 2.3 million people have green jobs in recent years in the renewable energy field. The jobs in the wind energy field could reach 2.1 million in 2030, and in the solar energy field could grow to 6.3 million.
ONU has launched a new initiative to assist developing countries to combat deforestations, a phenomenon responsible for 20% of greenhouse gases that are reaching in atmosphere. Nine countries, including Indonesia, Congo and Vietnam, will benefit from this campaign. Norway is one of the countries that contribute with funds, donating 35 million dollars to stop the deforestations.
BMW Will Launch 7-Series Active Hybrid
23 September, 2008
BMW has released the first details of a hybrid concept which will start at Paris. The model is called S400i BlueHybrid and prefigured a future ecological limo.
Thus, the big auto manufacturer has disclosed the first informations about the concept that intends to attack Mercedes: 7 Series Active Hybrid. It joins the other two hybrid concepts designed by German manufacturer: Vision Efficient Dynamics, a diesel-hybrid based on the X5, and x6 Active Hybrid, disclosed in 2007 at Frankfurt.
The new BMW concept will be equipped with a V8 engine of 4.4 liters and 407 HP and a electric unity of 20 HP. S400i Blue Hybrid, the new 7 Series, will provide much more power than the model presented by Mercedes, which is propelled by an electric motor and conventional one of 3.5 liters. The difference will be made by the consumption. BMW says that it will improve by 15% while Mercedes sustain an economy of 21% for it's hybrid concept.
A production version of the concept from Paris will be available on market at the end of 2009.
Einstein's Fridge Without Electricity
22 September, 2008
The new cooling technology is based on a model create by Einstein with 78 years ago. The refrigerator that works without electricity use ammonia, water and butane in place of Freon.
The environment-friendly cooling technology uses ammonia, butane and water instead of Freon, substance so harmful to the environment, and constitutes an important step in combating climate change, writes the British daily The Guardian. "
The Oxford University engineers have announced that they have completed a prototype of a refrigerator invented by Einstein and his colleague, the physicist Leó Szilárd. It has no mobile parts and uses only gases under pressure for the process of cooling food.
According to Oxford engineers, the technology is follow the working principle according to which the liquids concoct to lower temperatures when air pressure around them is less.
"If you get on the top of the mountain Everest, you'll find that the water will boil at a temperature much lower than when the process takes place at the sea level. And that's because the air pressure is much lower in high heights," explains the engineer Malcolm McCulloch .
It will use solar energy
Einstein's refrigerator was used until the 1950s, when more efficient technologies based on freon have taken it place. Engineers from Oxford argue that the effectiveness of the new refrigerator will be four times higher than that of the technology developed by Einstein, that will replace the types of gases used in refrigeration.
Also, they aim to develop the project so that in future the only form of energy supply of a refrigerator to consist in a heating pump through solar energy.
Whether that use Freon or other gases, a refrigerator operates on a sector-pressure and low temperature - inside - and on a pressure and high temperature - the radiator from the back. The sectors are separated by a pump to get gas from the inside, causing such a difference in pressure and a difference of temperature.
Renewable Energy For Mobile Phones
All mobile telephony stations from developing countries could switch to renewable energy supply, according to a plan of the GSM Association (GSMA). Investments could be recovered in two years.
GSMA, the representative of approximately 750 mobile operators, has launched the "Green Energy for Mobiles" this month and follows that till 2012 to obtain it's application in 118. 000 base stations for transmitting and receiving calls. Switching to solar energy, wind or other renewable energies would save approximately 2 billion and a half liters of fuel per year, used for power stations.
GSMA has discover from it's research that the world exist about 1,500 stations that use renewable energy, but companies are not extend more because of its high cost and lack of equipments.
25 telephony operators are part from the "Green Energy for Mobile" scheme and the GSMA is working already to the development of alternative energy systems with Digicel, Idea Cellular and Safaricom.
Top 10 in Solar Energy
20 September, 2008
The solar cells efficiency grow, and a number of projects based on solar panels rises everywhere in the world. In the following are some of the most interesting, including solar buildings and giant solar "plants". We hope that the their successors to be more larger and more efficient.
1. Dunster Castle, Somerset, UK
Approximately 15-20% of the energy used by Dunster Castle is generated by solar panels on its roof. Although the investment of 55,000 pounds which ended a few weeks ago is not very efficient in financial terms, but electric bills of the castle will be approximately 550 pounds less each year. This castle is the only building of 'Grade 1' which uses this technology.
2. Strizki House, New Jersey, United States
Today, many houses have solar panels on the roofs. What's different about the house from East Amwell belonging to the civil engineer Mike Strizki, is that this is a hybrid house (hydrogen and solar energy) - the first of this kind from the United States. Combined use of solar panels and fuel cells based on hydrogen stored in tanks, produces 100% of the energy it needs the whole house during the year. But the system, whose installation cost 500,000 dollars, is too expensive to be implemented on a large scale.
3. Telefonica building, Madrid, Spain
The Spanish telecommunications company, Telefonica, buy a new building that will contain 16,000 solar panels covering the entire surface of the roof. With a power estimated at up to 3 MW, the building is one of the largest buildings powered by solar energy. The company hopes to reduce about 15% of heating bills, and about 34% of air-conditioning bills.
4. Dana Building, Michigan, United States
Dana building, owned by the University of Michigan, is covered with solar panels that generating about 30 kilowatts-hour of energy. The project was at the beginning a research effort intended to compare two types of solar panels. The building also uses the methods of passive solar power, such as making the building more responsive to sunlight through its many windows.
5. Four 'Times Square', New York, United States
Four Times Square in the heart of the Manhatan incorporate solar panels in the building itself. The building, relatively new (completed in 2000), which has 48 floors has photo-voltaic panels integrated into external walls. On the south and the east side of the building are photo-voltaic panels with thin film.
6. U.S Capitol Building, Washington
In 2005, Capitol Building from Washington was renovated with 144 solar panels generating about 20,000 kilowatts-hour of energy per year - enough to supplies Capitol Dome and the street lighting every night.
7. Pocking solar park, Bavaria, Germany
One of the world's biggest columns of solar panels, Pocking solar park, produce 10 megawatts of electricity - enough to send electricity to 3300 homes. The allocated space is a former military bases, where solar panels covers about 16 km of land, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 10,000 tonnes per year.
8. Beneixama solar plant, Beneixama, Spain
Beneixama, photo-voltaic plant, with 100,000 solar panels covering about 500,000 square meters of land, is another world's largest solar park. The plant, which generates 20 megawatts power, was completed in the second half of 2007.
9. Nevada Solar One, Nevada, U.S.
Since June 2007, Nevada Solar One produces 64 MW of electricity, supplying up to 40,000 houses from the Las Vegas area, in the hot days. Instead the solar panels, Nevada Solar One uses a parable of curved mirrors. In the center of the mirrors is mounted a tube filled with oil which is heated by the sun. Then the oil flows into a reservoir where the water is turned into steam, which operate a turbine that generates electricity.
10. Girassol solar plant, Moura, Portugal
This plant will be the world's second largest solar plant and will be finished in the near future. With an improvement in the second phase of design, it will generate 62 MW to maximum capacity with nearly 350,000 of solar panels. Located in one of the most sunny and less developed regions economically from Portugal, "the plant will supply electricity to more than 20,000 houses.
And one extra:
11. Victorian Solar Park, Victoria, Australia
Although it is still in the stage of the project, Victorian solar park will generate more than the double energy that generates Girassol. Australian company Solar Systems plans a solar plant with "heliostat" panels advanced, producing up to 154 MW of electricity at maximum capacity. Solar panels, developed initially to supply electricity to satellites, can increase the power of the sun by 500 times, according to company Solar Systems. The project of 420 million dollars will produce electricity for more than 45,000 houses when it will be finished in 2013.
Mercedes Launches First Series Hybrid
18 September, 2008
Mercedes will launch its first car with a hybrid propulsion system in the summer of 2009. It's called S400 BlueHybrid and is equipped with a V6 engine on gasoline and an electric motor. The combination between these make this car to be the most economical luxury car.
The mixed consumption is 7.9 litres of gasoline per 100 km. This help in getting the lowest CO2 emissions from its class, only 190 grams C02/km. Consumption is 2.2 liters per 100 km lower against S350 model from which was start, and CO2 emissions are reduced by 21%.
The luxury car can achieve with the help of additional power obtained from electric engine, a maximum speed of 250 km per hour, electronically limited.
S400 BlueHYBRID is the first series hybrid equipped with lithium-ion batteries developed specifically for vehicles.
Car Without Driver Will Revolutionize Urban Transport
17 September, 2008
The new vehicle is fast, cheap, efficient in terms of energy and not polluting. The vehicle run on overhead rails and has no driver.
The car, called "podcar", will operate on a narrow rail created especially for it. The "podcar" system will have specially equipped stations, where cars will be called to order, like a taxi.
The new vehicle operates on electricity and can traverse seven kilometers in 12 minutes. This vehicle has no driver, but is controlled by a computer. In this way, the danger of production accidents is reduced to maximum. Further, as a result of automation, the costs are significantly reduced, making the "podcar" system to be accessible for all.
According to "Los Angeles Times", the building of a "podcar" system can cost up to 12 times less than that of a railway system. The special rail network, along with vehicles and stations can reach 25 to 40 million dollars per mile (1.6 kilometers) compared with 100 to 300 million dollars as a normal railroads system would cost. A similar system is being build on Heathrow Airport in London.
Vehicles will carry about 11,000 passengers per day. Such cars will be used in Masdar, the famous green city that United Arab Emirates intends to transform it into the first city with zero emissions of carbon dioxide.
GM Launches Chevrolet Volt Hybrid at 100th Anniversary
General Motors (GM) has celebrated the anniversary of 100 years of existence in the international automotive industry by launching the model series, Chevrolet Volt hybrid.
"Volt symbolizes the GM commitment towards the future, or the type of technological innovation that our industry needs to face the challenges of environmental and energy from the present and future," said Rick Wagoner, GM's executive director.
Unlike the concept model, the series model has suffered several changes in order to achieve the standards imposed by GM to be able to traverse a distance of 65 km without using fuel and with 0 CO2 emissions. For that the GM engineers have developed one of the most aerodynamic models in the company's history.
The new Chevrolet Volt is propelled by an electric motor with Li-Ion battery. When the battery remain without electricity a gasoline engine starts to continue the car functionality and to load the battery. This operation increases the movement distance with up to several hundred kilometers where the battery can be loaded from receptacle. The model top speed is 160 km per hour.
The vehicle's interior contains which have not been found until now at a Chevrolet model or even to the competitors from the same class. It has a touch screen display, Bluetooth connectivity, and optional navigation system with hard disk for the maps storage or for storing music.
The car production is scheduled to start from the year 2010 at the GM plant in Detroit-Hamtramck. The price has not been announced yet.
Tesla Will Produce 15,000 Electric Cars Per Year
The electric sports car maker, Tesla Motors, built a auto factory of 250 million dollars in Silicon Valley, California, to produce sedan models that will go out on the United States market at the end of 2010.
The Tesla Roadster car has attracted some attention and is already considered a must-have which established trends in the green cars field.
The mayor from San Jose, Chuck Reed, said that Silicon Valley, the site of the new automobile factories Tesla, has a great potential in regards the clean technology, especially solar one.
The Executive Director of Tesla, Ze'ev Drori, said that the company's goal is to manufacture the Model S of the sedan, worth 60,000 dollars at a rate of 15,000 models per year until the end of 2011.
Other auto manufacturers are working on vehicles with zero emissions, and big companies like General Motors and Toyota Motor are in competition to build electric cars that operate solely on batteries.
Google Wants Wave Energy In Its Data Centres
16 September, 2008
Google, which is probably the most popular search engine on the Internet, wants to green its data centers, informs Greener Computing.
The company intends to place platforms on the ocean on which to put data centers that will be powered by wave. Floating platforms would allow to the new data centers to be constructed quickly and to move easily in locations where users have great need of Internet and fast services.
"Such a proje would be quitcte expensive to enforce, and the access to electricity would not always be easily to found and a process of water cooling for these data centres would be quite difficult," said Google officials. "But these are systems and methods that can be applied and which can provide to the data centers speed and flexibility in operation services"
Mercedes-Benz Will Launch Hybrid Models Annually
15 September, 2008
Mercedes-Benz announced that it will launch a new hybrid model per year since 2009 and hoped that 20% of sales to be from hybrid cars until 2015, informs Motor Authority.
The German maker initiative reflects the current status of legal requirements and customers demand, but at the same time help the brand to survive in case there will not be requirements for combustion engines. Mercedes considered that the conventional engines will be there 20-30 years.
"Will not be a sudden pass, will be a series of steps, from what is offered now, to the new technologies. The power and electric motors performances will amount to the ones on fuel, so we could finally give up on combustion engines " German officials have indicated.
The future hybrid models will be S400, followed by ML450 in 2009, which will enter into competition with the BMW X6 hybrid.
Hopes For Solar Energy From Space
A former NASA scientist has carried solar energy through radio waves over a distance of almost 150 km.
The need of energy for humanity can be assured by satellites which capture solar energy, to send later on Earth, believes the former NASA scientist John C. Mankins. He put into practice an experiment to showing that this technology already exists: has used radio waves to carry the capture energy of a series of solar panels between two islands from Hawai, situated at a distance of 148 kilometers one of another.
To be efficient, the system should involve satellites of 500 kg and receivers of the lakes size, said the scientist, who thanked in his demonstration with modest equipment. However, his experiment involved a cost of one million dollars, which were borne by the post "Discovery Channel, which has made a documentary about this topic.
Renault Presents Ondelios - Luxury Hybrid Concept
11 September, 2008
Renault announced that it will present in premiere, at the Paris Motor Show, a top concept called Ondelios, a hybrid crossover created for the travel lovers, according to Motor Authority.
The car measures 4.8 meters in length, 1.6 meters height and benefits of doors in "butterfly" style. On the inside, six passengers can travel comfortably, thanks to the three rows of individual seats. The fluid and aerodynamic lines of the concept Ondelios are inspired from the world aviation.
"Ondelios was inspired more by the movement than the speed and represents a new response to long trips," said Patrick Le Quement, the design director of Renault.
The elegant hybrid benefit from an engine that develops 205 horse power, plus two electric engines of 20 kilowatts, located in the back side. Renault has introduced this concept to reduce fuel consumption.
Ondelios consume an average 4.5 litres per 100 kilometers, and carbon dioxide emissions are 120 grams per kilometer. The new hybrid concept Ondelios will be presented in world premiere at the Paris Motor Show with the new generation Megane.
Energy Ball - A Efficient and Cheap Wind Turbine For Homes
The new turbine works with low-intensity winds, makes no noise and will be cheaper than the conventional one. The wind turbine was named Energy Ball. This has a futuristic design and looks like a sphere when it is put into function. Energy Ball may be located on the roofs of houses along with solar panels or in the gardens.
These devices can be installed inside the cities to provide necessary energy street lighting. Located at a height of at least 12 m in a region where wind beating with approximately 7 m / s, the new wind turbine can produce up to 500 kW per year. Further, Energy Ball will cost less than a conventional turbine.
The Swedish have created an innovative wind turbine that can be located on the houses or in the middle of town.
The new turbine, which looks like a sphere, works with low-intensity winds, makes no noise and will be cheaper than the conventional one.
There are many renewable energy sources that can provide an alternative to fossil fuels. Energy wind, sun or wave will replace oil in the future. Specialists in energy believes that one of the major challenges consist, actually, in finding the most efficient and cheaper alternative energy sources.
The new turbine works with Venturi effect - a phenomenon of fluid dynamics where gaseous or liquid are accelerated as a result of restricting their movement area. Because Venturi effect, the new wind turbine is more efficient in terms of aerodynamic and so may use no loudly winds to produce electricity. Further, Energy Ball will cost less than a conventional turbine.
The new turbines created by Swedish manufacturer comes to improve the existing wind instruments so far .Many Britons have shown disaffection of the wind farms because the noise and visual pollution decrease their houses prices.
The new wind turbine comes to counter these disadvantages by the fact that they are silent and do not have an disagreeable aspect. Energy Ball does not need strong winds to work.
Porsche Change Engines For The Environment Good
10 September, 2008
Porsche announced that will change the its engine architecture, from six cylinders to four cylinders boxer, if it will prove that this measure is necessary to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Porsche advantage is that as the six-cylinder engines, of the model 911, are designed by German engineers so that it can be changed in the units with four cylinders, without excessive changes in their architecture.
"With all that the 911 models and Boxter models are recognized for the six-cylinder engines and our goal is to keep the same architecture, we can reduce the number of cylinders if this will be necessary. But currently we have no plans in this direction," said an Porsche representative.
A large part of the Porsche history is related to the use of engines with four cylinders. A large part of the legendary models produced by the manufacturer from Sttutgart were noted by the use of such units, the most conclusive examples being the model 356.
British Government Invests in Renewables And Green Cars
09 September, 2008
British government plans to invest nearly 150 million pounds sterling in programs to increase the manufacturing industry, including helping low-emission vehicles and renewable and nuclear energies.
Great Britain, which is the sixth world producer, owns a sector of eco goods and services with annual revenue of 25 billion pounds sterling. The government estimates that it could reach 45 billion pounds sterling until 2015, which would create 1 million green jobs until 2030.
Government intends to establish next year a strategy for the manufacturing sector with low levels of carbon, which will focus initially on energy and cars. The British executive will put aside 20 million pounds sterling for the government fleet of cars with low emissions.
The strategy also includes assistance for renewables and nuclear energy. Through the Office for Nuclear Energies Development and the Office for Renewable Energies Development the government wants to help the industry to overcome barriers in the creation, assembly, installation, operation and maintenance of energy systems to expand the use of renewable and nuclear energies. The government estimates that the renewables sector and nuclear energy will lead to the creation of 260,000 jobs in the next decade.
Other green aspects of the strategy concerning the manufacturing sector include supporting the technology development and a pilot program for electric cars.
Hybrid Trucks For Waste Collection
08 September, 2008
The first truck for the household waste collection, equipped with hybrid engines, will be put into operation in Lyon, France, from the month of October this year.
The experiment was made by a partnership between Renault Trucks, SITA (Suez Environnement) and Grand Lyon. The waste collection from Lyon using a truck with hybrid engines aims at reducing CO2 emissions by 30 percent.
The vehicle is equipped with a hybrid engine that allows a reduction of 20 percent of carbon dioxide emissions. The truck has a additional battery for the electric power supply. This battery is loaded in the vehicle braking phases.
The hybrid technology principle developed by Renault Trucks is simple: the vehicle's kinetic energy is recovered during the braking then to be transformed into electricity. Reserved in a battery, the electricity supply the electric engine of MDS type (Motor Drive System) which provides the car's inrush, feeding their electric functions and the propulsion up to 20 kilometers per hour.
Diesel engine is used then when it consumes least, namely in circulation. Hybrid technology allows, in addition to reducing emissions of carbon dioxide, and limiting phonic pollution due to electric motor functioning.
It Opened The World's First "Eco" Night-Club
04 September, 2008
Hundreds of energetic dancers opened the world's first "eco" night club in Rotterdam. Watt Club, opened Thursday night, has the motto: "We want your energy," .
Every night, the club is ensure almost a third of the energy needed, through a particular dance. The dancers movements make the dance floor to vibrate, vibrations that are converted into energy. In the meantime, the dancers can see on the monitors from the DJ's stage, how much energy is produced.
In Watt Club everything is "eco", from the rain water used in toilets to the reusable plastic glasses from the bar.
Managers say that the club will save a huge amount of energy and money as to cover the costs of drinking water for 13,000 people.
Clubs owners from Berlin to Paris and from Sydney to San Francisco have already shown interest in the unique concept developed by the Rotterdam club.
The Desert Can Be Productive
Extensive portions of desert could become producible following an ambitious initiative belonging to a team of architects and engineers from Dubai. According to the plan, several greenhouses and solar panels could be spread on huge portions of sand. This technology is sustainable and healthy for the environment.
Sahara Forest project consists in the arrangement of solar panels that will capture sunlight for electricity, while the excess heat that it produce will be used to the sea water evaporation and turning it in drinking water.
Project developers argue that can come with a solution to the world water crisis, which is threatened by the population growth and global warming. In Tenerife, Oman and United Arab Emirates(UAE) there already demonstration greenhouses that producing tomatoes, green peppers and cucumbers and have attracted the attention of other countries.
The technology provided by Seawater Greenhouse along with solar panels are completing each other. The solar panels warm the water used in greenhouses, of which a part is used to clean the mirrors so these to generate constant electricity.
The Sahara Forest project team estimated that the arrangement of 20 hectares of land with greenhouses would cost approximately 65 million pounds.
The Hybrid That Can Be Built At Home
Green car lovers can now build their own hybrid after a designer has launched the XR3 package which, after it was assembled, can reach speeds of 136 kilometers per hour.
XR3 is a two-person car that has a diesel propellant that will pair with an electric motor. The vehicle comes with a series of instructions on a DVD with the help of even people with average building capacities of a car, will succeed to install.
Robert Riley, the car designer pretend that it will offer a super fuel efficiency of 360 km per litre.
According to designer, the efficiency key of this car consists in its low weight, only 700 kilograms, modern design and hybrid engine.
Unlike most hybrid vehicles, XR3 has three wheels, a futuristic look and is similar to a conch that opens the front back. The car li-ion battery can upload in a per cent of 80% in just a half of hour.
China and Singapore Build An Eco-City Model
Singapore and China have decided to build together an eco-city near the port-city from northern China, Tianjing, which to be a model of sustainable construction, according to Earth Times. Collaboration between the two countries will give birth to a model city that will have an economy based on sustainable use of resources.
The eco-city will be will be situated at 40 kilometers from Tianjin, an industrial city located at 150 kilometers near Beijing.The project represents the first cooperation between China and Singapore which focuses on increasing pollution, which serves, too, as an example for similar projects.
The town plan will be based on the expertise made by Singapore on wind and solar energy. The eco-city building began in July and will be ready over 10 or 15 years, then will be able to host 350,000 inhabitants.
China's 3rd Largest Hydropower Station Will Be Ready This Year
03 September, 2008
Longtan hydropower station, the China's 3rd largest, will be put into operation until the end of this year. The seven sets of generators with a capacity of some 700,000 kilowatts each, will come into operation until the end of 2008, announced Dai Bo, the general manager of Longtan hydropower station.
The Longtan hydropower station project is the third largest project from China and has a value of approximately 4.35 billion dollars. It is located on the upper course of the Hongshui river, tributary of Zhujiang river, and is designed to provide 18.7 billion kilowatts of electricity annually.
The Longtan project has recorded 2 world records: the highest concrete dam and the largest underground factory. This project will improve navigation on the Hongshui river and will contribute to flood prevention.
Dubai Plans an "Eco" Tower With One Million Inhabitants
Its name is ZIGGURAT and is more than a pyramid made from towers. Dubai manages to impress again with the project of the world's biggest pyramid, which plans to refuge one million inhabitants into a base of 2.3 square kilometers.
This project will be environmentally friendly because ZIGGURAT will operate independently, without being connected to a network of electricity or heating, using only wind power and other natural resources to ensure its energy needs.
Since there are no details of the construction costs or the date when this will be finished.
Toyota iQ Is The Smallest Hybrid
02 September, 2008
Toyota iQ could win the title of "the smallest hybrid" and "the smallest car with four seats ever built" at the Auto Salon from Paris. A rumor is about that the Japanese works to a hybrid version of this model, which would appear in 2010.
The model equipped with classical variant of motorization has an aggregate of 1.0 litre, but the auto producer number 1 in the world will provide customers that are friendly with environment a propellant that will pair with an electric motor, exactly like Prius.
So far, more details are not know, but those from Toyota said that the hybrid version of iQ will be able to run at least 25 kilometers helping only by electricity.
The Japanese Install Solar Panels On Vessels
The biggest naval company from Japan wants to install solar panels on its vessels. Nippon Yusen KK recently announced that plans to invest 1.37 million dollars into a system of 328 solar panels with a capacity of 40 kilowatts for its marine vessels. The system will be ready in December.
Initially, the vessels that are carrying goods, which are quite high that can carry up to 6,400 cars will be powered by approximately 0.2% solar energy.Japanese company intends to install another system at the same price with a capacity of 1 or 2% until 2010.
Other shipping companies already enjoy of the success that they have with wind energy. The German company Beluga Skysail announced that has reduced fuel costs up to 1500 dollars per day due to wind energy.
6 Million Free Eco-Bulbs In Panama
Panama will share 6 million ecological bulbs, approximately two for every citizen, as a measure to meet the increasing demand for electricity, president Martin Torrijos announced. The operation " ecological bulb" implies that the government buy ecological fluorescent bulbs, worth of 13 million dollars to replace the incandescent ones.
This program is similar with others that have taken place in Cuba, Venezuela, Europe and Australia. Torrijos claims that the economy resulted from the replacement bulbs with ecological ones assimilate with the construction of a central energy of 60 megawatts, but to a price of ten times lower.
In recent years, electricity suppliers from Panama have made efforts to keep the pace with the demand increasing caused by economic growth of the state.
The first shipment of 3 million ecological bulbs will arrive in Panama at the end of the month. The bulbs will be distributed free in poor suburbs of Panama City.
Czechs Will Build In Romania The Biggest Wind Farm From Europe
The national company for electricity from Czech Republic announced its intention to build in Romania the largest project of wind farms from Europe. The company has already bought two lands near Constanta, on the Black Sea bank.
For project development have been allocated 1.1 billion euros. The Czechs have announced that the first works to create the largest wind farms from Europe will begin next month and will finish in two stages: first stage in 2009, second in 2010.
"Concept Ice Vehicle" Powered by Biofuel
01 September, 2008
An auto manufacturer has revealed a concept vehicle on the ice which resists temperatures of -72 degrees Celsius, going with a speed of up to 134 km per hour and is friendly with the environment at the same time.
The new Lotus ice vehicle which goes on biofuel, will be tested on a distance of 4,800 km in Antarctica. 1150 BMW motorcycle engine adapted emit by approximately 70% less greenhouse gas emissions then petrol.
"Antarctica remains one of the greatest mysteries of the world," said Kieron Bradley, an ex Formula 1 designer who built the vehicle.
At first view, the vehicle is similar to a helicopter with three legs. This has a radar which allows it to detect the sections with thin ice that measure only 350 kg thus allowing the crew to push manually in abrupt areas.
Tacoma Company Buys Renewable Energy Credits
Tacoma Power Company will invest 15 million dollars in credits for renewable energy from Iberdrola Renewables. The contract will start in 2012 and will remain in force until the end of 2019. The credits for renewable energy will come from Iberdrola Renewables project to generate wind power.
Acquisition will help the company to abide by Initiative 937, in which 15% of usefulness energy to result from renewable sources until 2020. The law allows too, companies to buy renewable energy credits instead to buy renewable energy.
Tacoma Power Company said that because it does not require an additional generator of electricity, the purchase of renewable energy credits is the perfect financial solution for utilities as well as for the client.