Harvest those stray rays.
Microwaves aren’t very smart. It generally has no idea what you’re trying to heat up, and if it’s (say) a burrito and not (say) a frozen turkey, a bunch of extra microwave… waves… are going to waste. This blue box can suck up all of those spare microwaves and turn them back into electricity that — wait for it — can power your microwave again…
Continue reading… “This magic box harvests spare electricity from your microwave”
Solar Power is now a viable reality in India.
While the passage of time makes solar cost competitive for many Americans right now, the question of cost competitiveness is not a simple one for solar. It depends on location, installation costs, and what kind of power solar is competing against. In Africa, solar has already become cheaper than kerosene in many locations. And now Renewable Energy News reports that solar is becoming cheaper than diesel generators in India as French-company Solardirect has bid to supply the energy grid with solar power at a rate cheaper than the average for diesel generators…
Continue reading… “Solar Power becomes cheaper than diesel generators in India”
Electric cars have been around longer than most people think.
While a lot of environmentalists don’t like cars, I doubt it’s very realistic to expect all of the to disappear any time soon. Vast quantities of cars can be taken out of circulation because most commuting can be done with mass transit, and walking and bikes offer a healthy and green way to move around for lots of trips. But for some things (especially in rural areas), nothing beats the individual car. If only we could make it a lot cleaner… Which is what going back to the electric roots of the car would allow us to do (even moreso once we’ve cleaned up the electric grid)…
Continue reading… “100 years of electric car history”
A new way to print…or not.
At the 5th Opportunity Green conference held in Los Angeles November 10-11, new companies presented products and services in one-minute pitches for a chance to win Green Start-Up of the Year.
In a tight race with Kiverdi carbon recyclers, PrintEco Office pulled out in front at the last minute to take the prize with its print optimization software.
Eleven entrepreneurs showcased concepts in super succinct presentations and the approximately 1000 attendees from sustainably-minded businesses voted in real-time texts for the best idea…
Continue reading… “Print optimization software earns PrintEco Green Start-Up of the Year”
Award winning green car.
Honda’s natural gas-powered Civic has been named Green Car of the Year. Selected from five nominees, the car took the honors at a kick-off ceremony for the Los Angeles Auto Show (November 18-27).
The Green Car Journal presented the award to Honda for the car’s near-zero emissions, a 200-mile range, and combined average of 31 mpg (highways and streets) with a clean combustion engine…
Continue reading… “Honda’s natural gas civic is named green car of the year”
The Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Plant in Þingvellir, Iceland.
In absolute terms, lithium is not particularly rare on Earth. It’s the 25th most abundant element, close to nickel and lead. Bolivia alone is estimated to have enough lithium to make batteries for 4.8 billion electric cars, and since lithium is not destroyed in use – unlike fossil fuels – old batteries can be recycled into new ones, or used to smooth out the output of wind farms.
So the question isn’t: Will we have enough lithium? Rather, it’s more like: As demand for it explodes, can we ramp up production rapidly enough, at a low enough cost, and while keeping it as environmentally-friendly as possible. It’s still probably going to be much better to make a battery once and then use it for years with progressively cleaner electricity (as the grid incorporates more and more renewable energy) rather than fill up a gas tank with non-renewable fossil fuels from halfway around the world every week, but even in that scenario, it’s going to be better if we can get the lithium cleanly and close to where we’ll use it. That’s where geothermal power plants enter the picture…
Continue reading… “Geothermal power plants could be a massive source of Lithium for batteries”
GreenBottle in action.
To drink or not to drink..from a bottle that isn’t glass, that is the question. A UK company has invented the world’s first paper wine bottle. But will purists drink wine from it?
Continue reading… “Will purists drink wine from a cardboard bottle?”
Featured invention at the DaVinci Inventor Showcase 2011
The CozyTherm™ is an innovative, very low-cost solar heating system designed to cut heating costs by half or more. When coupled with a heat storage system in a properly designed structure, it may provide nearly all the heating necessary throughout the year. It can be used with new construction or to retrofit existing homes, businesses, greenhouses or other structures.
Continue reading… “CozyTherm™ – off-grid solar heating system”
Harnessing wast for power.
This concept design for a “microbial home” centered around a methane digester hub that feeds gas from your food into various appliances has a nice, bodgy, Rube Goldberg feel. We can call it methanepunk (not perfect, but better than “fartpunk”)…
Continue reading… “Microbial home: fuelling the kitchen with methane from waste”
A solar charger with benefits.
Besides a reduced monthly power bill, there’s a certain smug satisfaction to recharging your gear with solar energy. It’s almost like you want everyone to know how eco conscious you’re being, and with the Changer solar charging system, you’ll actually be rewarded for bragging about it…
Continue reading… “A solar charger that rewards you for staying off the grid”
EN-V
As GM gets ready to roll out its electric mini-car, the Chevy Spark, its concept electric vehicle, the Chevy EN-V, a two-seater that the automaker has developed was a-buzz at last year’s Shanghai World Expo. The EN-V could be an end to gridlock, an end to accidents and n end to driving altogether. In fact you can conduct a video conference in traffic, and this podcar parks itself. This next-generation vehicle combines zero-transmission, super-connectivity and other advanced technologies to makes the future of individual transportation actually seem sustainable. (video)
Continue reading… “Future of transportation – GM’s super-smart pod vehicle”
Where do passwords go when you die?
I have pretty secure passwords, as much to keep would-be miscreants at bay as to keep my friends and family from finding out just how horrible a life I’m living. But according to a study, a full 11 percent of Brits plan to leave their passwords in their will.
There’s some sense to that, actually…
Continue reading… “Will you leave your passwords for your loved ones when you die?”
By delving into the futuring techniques of Futurist Thomas Frey, you’ll embark on an enlightening journey.
Learn More about this exciting program.