China is building wind energy farms faster than its grid can keep up. The Chinese wind power goal for 2010 was exceeded in 2008. Meanwhile the US is still arguing environmental policy. It’s sad when the greatest communist country in the world is outstripping the US in renewable energy.
Technology for a greener future
Archive for June, 2010
Electrolux starts Vac from the Sea program
Electrolux has decided to draw attention to our plastic pollution problem by starting a new Vac from the Sea initiative. The company will be collecting plastic from the floating waste dumps on oceans and seas around the world. The recovered plastic will be used to make a special line of concept vacuum cleaners.
Charlotte sets an example for light rail service
Charlotte, North Carolina has a light rail system that shines as a beacon for how to do it right. Charlotte, like so many cities in the South, has spread out to encompass smaller towns that have become the Greater Charlotte Area. The rail system that opened in 2007 opened up a number of new business corridors along the rail line and created more jobs.
Green solutions clean your grill for healthier cookouts
There are a number of eco-friendly non-toxic cleaners for your grill. Using them will reduce the chances of contaminating your hamburgers, chicken and hotdogs will grill grunge that builds up and is tough to get off. All of the products discussed here are specifically designated for use on BBQ grills although most of them have other uses as well. Just about all of them can be used on your grill utensils as well.
Carbon nanotubes can improve lithium batteries
A team at MIT has developed a method for creating carbon nanotube electrodes. The electrodes are currently created by dipping a basic layer into a solution of positively charged organically treated carbon nanotubes then into a negatively charged solution of organically treated carbon nanotubes. The layers tightly bind together because of the opposite charges “creating a stable film”.
Purdue researchers develop a better hydrogen fuel cell process
Researchers at Purdue University have developed hydrogen fuel cell technology that doesn’t require a catalyst. Instead the fuel cell harnesses both hydrolysis and thermolysis or hydrothermolysis. It uses aluminum borane and water to generate the hydrogen needed for fuel cells.
Ereader wars are heating up
Yesterday, two of the best known ebook readers, the Kindle and the Nook significantly slashed their prices. Today, Borders, the home of both the Kobo eReader and the Libre eBook Reader, announced that it would be giving $20 gift cards to those purchasers of either one of their ereaders. Wait a month or two and see if the prices don’t drop even more.
AlertMe saves you energy and your nerves
AlertMe is a simple system that allows you to control your homr’s energy usage and appliances over the internet. Using either the AlertMe online dashboard, your cell phone or Google PowerMeter, you can monitor the energy usage of various appliances in your home. You even have the ability to turn appliances off over the internet.
DOE invests in green building technologies
The Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the 58 winners of $76 million in funding for green building technologies and training. The training will involve educating commercial building technicians, building operators, and energy auditors in proper repair, use and commissioning of green technology buildings.
SkyMine® turns smokestack CO2 into baking soda
SkyMine® technology reduces CO2, NO2, SO, mercury, and heavy metal emissions cutting down on greenhouse gases while producing a saleable byproduct, sodium bicarbonate or baking soda. The technology uses a carbon mineralization process that captures smokestack emissions in a way that smokestack scrubbers can’t.