By Michael d'Estries
January 9, 2009 – 4:18 pm
We’ve seen solar-powered cell phone chargers before, but this is the first pocket-size device I can remember powered exclusively by hydrogen. It’s called the Mini-Pak and comes to us from Horizon. According to the release, the charger combines the company’s mass-produced consumer fuel cells with compact solid-state hydrogen cartridge systems. It can be used to charge everything from cell phones to MP3 players and contains no heavy metals (mercury, lead or cadium). Up to 1,000 charge cycles can be expected from the unit.
In terms of refills, the press pack indicates that you can purchase 2 packs or 6 packs. Even more interesting, the company is planning a home refueling station for 2010. Of course, pricing is currently unavailable — so we’ll be left guessing until we catch up with the future. Still, great to see such products emerging.
For more details, check out the PDF on the Horizon here.
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By Kate Weinkauf
November 20, 2008 – 2:21 pm
As many of you have noticed, I’m sure, gas prices have plummeted, much to consumer relief. A recent New York Times article, “Oil Price Falls Below $50 on Weak Consumption,” highlights the steep decline in oil prices to, at one point, $49.91 per barrel (as compared to $145 per barrel in July). Interestingly, some within the PH/EV sector have feared the drop in oil prices, and thereby the drop in gas prices, will lead consumers to feel less urgency toward developing alternative fuels and vehicles.
Yet, I would argue, that as consumers we recognize that foreign oil prices have real and lasting effects on our economy—and this is not our first lesson. The oil/energy crisis of the 1970s raised interest in renewable energy and encouraged research in solar and wind. Unfortunately, as the embargo lifted and prices decreased, consumer interest in alternative fuels declined and moderation waned. We were the America of the 1980s and 90s—driving excessive automobile with our excessive hair and excessive shoulder pads listening, excessively, to Debbi Gibson’s “Electric Youth”. We killed the electric vehicle; it just had no place in our polyester world.
But consumers of today are not the same. Consumers seem savvier about globalization and the geopolitical effects of our fossil fuel consumption. We lived it up in the 80s and 90s and even in the beginning of the 21st century as we rolled around in Hummers and Escalades, and now we’re seeing the effects of our profligacy. Consumers have learned that oil prices are volatile and we’re tired of the lesson. We’re exhausted by the constant up and down. Yes, it’s down today, we may think with relief, but for how long? Fear not, PH/EV sector. Consumer consciousness has shifted in your favor as we look for stable and steady energy supplies and new vehicle technologies that take us away from the unpredictability of foreign oil prices. We’ve packed away our old ideas about oil along with our Debbi Gibson tape and shoulder padded shirts.
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By Kate Weinkauf
November 12, 2008 – 1:28 pm
In a recent New York Times op-ed piece, Al Gore suggests that with the election of Barack Obama, the time is ripe for changing not just our political direction, but also our environment. Certainly this is not a unique idea, both Obama and McCain made alternative energy a prominent and integral part of their platforms. In this op-ed piece, however, Gore lays out what he calls a 21st century technology plan.
First, Gore calls for investing and incentivizing for solar, wind, and geothermal energies. Second, he suggests we create a national smart grid that will aid in more efficient utilization of energy as well as the (third) development of PH/EV technologies. Fourth, Gore states we should retrofit older buildings with better insulation, energy efficient windows and better lighting. And finally, replace the Kyoto treaty with a more effective treaty that caps global carbon dioxide emissions and encourages nations to invest together to reduce global warming pollution quickly, including reducing deforestation. In this piece, Gore addresses not only the environmental benefits to his 5-step plan but also the geopolitical benefits. One can almost hear the chanting echo, “Yes, we can…yes, we can…”
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By Kate Weinkauf
November 7, 2008 – 5:43 pm
Yokohama city, in Kanagawa prefecture in Japan, is one of six municipalities chosen by Japan’s Prime Minister Fukuda to be a “Model City.” A total of 82 applications by 89 organizations were made from all over Japan to this program where the Government provides assistance to various municipalities to set a precedent for a “low-carbon society.”
But, Yokohama can’t do this alone. The city is in agreement with Renault-Nissan, who will release their electric vehicle in Yokohama in 2010. The agreement with Nissan also calls for feasibility studies of customer incentives and for the city to develop an electric vehicle recharging infrastructure and a navigation system that can be used to alleviate traffic congestion. Under the program, Yokohama aims to achieve significant CO2 reductions by experimenting with a range of methodologies in various key areas including transportation, housing and renewable energy development.
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By Kate Weinkauf
October 9, 2008 – 12:07 pm
Austin Energy will host the ALTCar Expo and Conference on October 17 and 18, held at the Palmer Events Center in Austin, Texas.
This conference will be a gathering of experts and exhibits promoting eco-friendly automotive technology with seminars addressing topics ranging from exploring cleaner fuel technologies to reducing air pollution. The expo will play host to burgeoning industry players such as Coulomb Technologies and Alien Scooters as well as industry leaders including Austin Energy, the DOE’s Advanced Vehicles Testing Activity, and the Idaho National Laboratory. Yet, perhaps the best part of this conference is that admission for the public is FREE—so, you can stop in, learn a lot of really interesting stuff, grab some free pencils and t-shirts, and not spend a dime.
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By Michael d'Estries
October 2, 2008 – 1:49 pm
One of the more interesting aspects of the renewable power revolution is watching how designers are taking advantage of the technology to create efficient and practical accessories for the home. Take for instance the “Flow” — which is a collection of six photovoltaic panels crafted as a vertical turbine. It’s the brainchild of designer Wang Yigang, who managed to grab top honors with his creation at the National Exhibition of Arts.
From the article,
“This dual power generating system consists of arciform photovoltaic cells that absorb all the goodness of the sun. A collection of six photovoltaic cells sums up as a shell that is used as wind concentrator. The accelerated speed of the wind enhances the performance of the rotor. Also the joints on the solar cells help to adjust them at optimum angle so that maximum solar energy is soaked up.”
Nice looking, right? I’ve no idea how much energy a system like this might generate, but it’s great to see designers thinking outside the box. Now, can we please see one turned into reality?
More photos available at Ecofriend.
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By Kate Weinkauf
September 15, 2008 – 11:47 am
Manure from a herd of 3,900 dairy cows will be used in Ohio’s first-ever project to capture methane from manure for generation of electricity. Buckeye Power, Inc. has started purchasing cow manure produced power from Bridgewater Dairy in northern Ohio, to provide green energy to the state’s 24 electric cooperatives. This is good news, though I wouldn’t want to live around that processing plant. While Ohio is certainly not the first to utilize cow manure for this purpose, they are also considering a second biodigester generation system using waste from a poultry farm.
Old MacDonald would be proud.
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By Kate Weinkauf
September 12, 2008 – 1:45 pm
For every commuter who has ever been stuck in traffic and dreamed of simply lifting off in their car and flying over the crowded street, this flying car, ahem, road-able aircraft is for you.
The autovolantor prototype was recently developed by Moller International whose rotary engine is designed specifically for compact, high power-to-weight applications. Interestingly, this particular prototype was developed at the behest of a wealthy foreign businessman who was unable to commute from the city to his country home due to the overcrowded streets of Moscow. Thus, Moller International created this two-passenger sports car with the capability of vertical lift off and a flight speed of 150 mph, which will likely get you to work on time.
The autovolantor cost $5 million dollars to develop. However, Moller International believes it could be sold for $250,000, raising many interesting questions about operator licensing, air space, and the overall politics of innovative technologies. Regardless of the questions, the autovolantor gives us the answer to commuter woes and at the very least, offers us something to dream about as we sit in traffic.
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By Kate Weinkauf
September 4, 2008 – 12:35 pm
Twelve states, New York City and the District of Columbia are taking environmental matters into their own hands and suing the Environmental Protection Agency, claiming the Bush administration has failed to control oil refinery emissions. Other states in the suit are California, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.
This suit follows the April 2007 Supreme Court decision that carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels is a pollutant subject to the Clean Air Act. Thus the goal of the suit, according to New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, is to force the EPA to adopt new, strict regulations to reduce oil industry pollution, contributing to global warming. The suit was filed in a federal court for the District of Columbia Circuit, and it is the latest (though certainly not the first) by states critical of the EPA’s record.
Good for you, twelve states et al, for trying to establish that the administration needs to be accountable for making bad environmental decisions that negatively the effect the health of our country and our globe.
via cbsnews
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By Michael d'Estries
August 25, 2008 – 2:36 pm
Just when you thought the iPhone couldn’t get any cooler, along comes a case that will juice it up courtesy of clean energy from the sun.
The design comes from Mobilefun and the case will charge up your phone for functional use in about three hours. It will take about 10 hours of direct sunglight to charge the battery to capacity. Energy is stored in a 1500 mAh battery. As the 11th Hour Action site points out, the best thing to do may be to keep the charger on the dashboard of your car (or another sunny location) and then charge your phone at night. You can also choose to charge the battery via USB.
Look for this solar case to be available later this month.
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