In an effort to fast track solar farm permitting and construction, the Obama administration has set up “solar energy zones.” The zones cover six western states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah.
Technology for a greener future
Archive for the ‘renewable energy’ Category
SustainX listed on 2011 Global Cleantech 100, receives seventh patent award
An ongoing problem with solar and wind technologies is their intermittent output. Solar works when the sun shines and wind works when it is windy. No surprises there but SustainX’s technology would even out these renewable energy technologies by storing extra energy as compressed air that would be released when solar and wind technologies are down.
Nanyang Tech develops cheap silicon thin film solar cells with better efficiency
Scientists at Nanyang Technical University (NTU) and A*STAR Institute of Microelectronics (IME) have developed a thin film silicon solar cell using nanotechnology. The resulting solar cells are significantly cheaper than other thin film solar cells and produce almost as much electricity as traditional silicon solar cells.
Blackfriars bridge will house London’s largest solar array
London is working hard to host the greenest Olympic Games ever. As part of that ambitious plan, Blackfriars station platform will be extended and 4,400 solar panels will be installed on top of the bridge. The work began on Tuesday and has to be finished in time for the Olympics in 2012.
Enviromissions solar tower will power 100,000 homes
When thinking of solar power most people envision either photovoltaic cells that turn sunlight to electricity or they might think of solar thermal where mirrors reflect solar heat onto a water filled tower, boiling the water which turns a turbine which creates electricity. Enviromission uses hot air created by suns heat to turn turbines creating power.
Japan plans renewable energy resurgence
Every cloud has a silver lining, every disaster an opportunity. The devastation in parts of Japan as a result of the earthquake and tsunami six months ago is now ushering in a new age of renewable energy.
Google supports hog waste energy project
One of the ways that Google fulfills its goal to be carbon neutral is with the purchase of carbon offsets. Duke Energy and Duke University collaborated with Loyd Ray Farms near Yadkin, North Carolina, to build a prototype waste-to-energy system. Google has agreed to pay for part of the system operations and maintenance costs for the next five years in exchange for a portion of the carbon offsets.
Solar products give the U.S. an export edge
Solar products are one of the few areas where the United States actually exports more than it imports. Who says that green energy isn’t good for the economy. Solar energy is one area that is giving the U.S. an edge in exports and boost in jobs and revenue.
LCD screens may soon charge smartphones
Photovoltaic polarizers contained in an LCD screen may someday be able to charge your phone, or other LCD device from the sun, ambient light and even the devices backlight. Using your phone while outside, under a lamp or only with the backlight on would keep your phone charged up. Since current smartphones have rotten battery life, this type of recharging could extend your talking, texting, and game playing by quite a bit.
Wildpoldsried, Germany now has an energy surplus generating $5.7 million in revenue
Wildpoldsried, Germany is a little farming town that decided over a decade ago that they were going to move towards a green community without incurring debt. Fourteen years later they have a diverse portfolio of renewable energy installations, new community buildings and more energy than the town needs. By selling the excess energy, Wildpoldsried has eliminated all the towns debt and generates 4.0 million Euro (US $5.7 million) in annual income.