By Kate Weinkauf
January 7, 2009 – 1:03 pm
In recent months, there has been quite a bit of buzz surrounding the dangers of e-waste (most notably, releasing toxic components into the environment). However, more and more companies are making their money making you money by paying for your e-waste. The most recent company to join the ranks: Hewlett-Packard.
Under HP’s new e-waste recycle program, consumers will receive money for recycling their old PCs, servers, phones, printers, and other electronics, regardless of brand name. The amount of cash given to consumers depends on the resale value of the item being recycled, but even with no resale value, the consumer can have his/her item recycled for free. While recycling these old electronics and PCs is good for the environment, the process also has these companies seeing green.
According to greentechmedia.com, “the worldwide market for electronic recycling will come to $11 billion this year and is growing at around 8.8 percent annually, the fastest segment in solid waste. In the U.S., electronic recycling services will be a $17 billion business.” This creates an ideal situation for all parties involved: the recycler is typically free to keep any money obtained from selling old parts or raw materials. In the ideal situation, recyclers can collect a bounty for a PC, refurbish it, and sell it again. Refurbishing is more environmentally friendly (because no energy is expended and no materials get lost) and the recycler makes more money from selling a refurbished product than metals or other parts extracted from old machines. So, clean out your closets filled with unused PCs, old cell phones, broken cameras, and recycle them. Start the New Year off right, with a little clean in your closets and green in your pockets.
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By Kate Weinkauf
January 6, 2009 – 12:53 pm
According to a recent Huffington Post article, Toyota is “secretly” developing a solar powered green car. Arguably, most folks with any interest in auto technologies have already heard about the Toyota Prius with solar panels that generate enough energy to run the air conditioner, yet this all-solar model, according to The Nikkei, a Japanese newspaper, will get some of its power from solar cells equipped on the vehicle and can be recharged with electricity generated from solar panels on the roofs of homes: “[Toyota] later hopes to develop a model totally powered by solar cells on the vehicle, the newspaper said without citing sources.” One major issue, critics have cited, is that this “secret” solar-mobile can be neither confirmed nor denied. While the Toyota website openly discusses the development of a solar paneled roof for the Prius, this covert all-solar powered Prius is nowhere to be found. Additionally, The Nikkei article that supposedly broke the news does not seem to exist. Is this all-solar powered Prius simply an urban car-myth? Possibly. Would an all-solar powered Prius be an amazing feat of automotive technology? Absolutely.
Although Toyota executives have stressed that despite tough economic times for Toyota (with the company experiencing its first operating loss in 70 years) it will remain a leader in green technology and will not cut back on environmental research; therefore, until this new “secret” automobile can be confirmed by Toyota, it remains simply a car-myth, the yeti of automotive technology.
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By Kate Weinkauf
December 19, 2008 – 1:04 pm
Developed by Dr. Alden H. Gajo as a means of creating cost-effective hydrogen, the AS1 Stack-On Electrolyzer appears to be one of the first cost effective ways to produce hydrogen that is available to the public.
While other electrolyzers that produce similar hydrogen output can cost over $10,000, the AS1 will cost you fractions of the price as it is selling for less than $400. The AS1 was created with three specific and altruistic goals: (I) to help reduce carbon greenhouse gas emissions in order to slow or stop global warming (2) to reduce or eliminate our country’s dependence on foreign energy sources, specifically crude oil (3) to help create a better and cleaner environment for our children and our grandchildren.
From these objectives came a product that can efficiently and effectively create hydrogen for practical purposes such as: a) creating hydrogen on demand and on a continuous basis for pennies per liter b) combining hydrogen with compressed natural gas (CNG), making this an ideal low cost solution to a CNG refueling station, offering instead a CNG-Hydrogen blend c) use as a home hydrogen refueling station.
With the holidays just around the corner, this could be an excellent gift for those who like to tinker with hydrogen, for researchers who need in-lab on demand hydrogen, or for educators trying to spread the word about this new fuel. Let’s face it, allowing a family member to assert energy independence is a much better gift than a lousy sweatshirt with bluebirds perched on holly branches. For more information about this product, sold exclusively through Fuel Cell Store, click here.
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By Michael d'Estries
December 15, 2008 – 10:31 am
It’s not surprising these days to hear of buildings drawing their power from photovoltaics, but for some reason I still get a kick (or perhaps some hope) everytime something new embraces renewable energy.
Take for instance the new $17 million “Hangar 25″ operated by charter flight operator Avjet at the Bob Hope airport in California. The structure has rooftop solar panels that can provide enough electricity for lights, forklifts and tow vehicles. At over 60,000 sq. ft., the structure has been given LEED Platinum status.
Obviously, the $3 million dollar solar system (1,530 solar panels) isn’t the only feature making this Hangar green. The building also features sustainable landscaping that includes a synlawn (synthetic grass), electric tow vehicles, a chemical-free fire system, bamboo furniture, low-flow plumbing, and plenty of natural lighting. Los Angles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa hailed the project as “the greenest aviation facility in the world.”
Love it. Here’s to open more “green” hangars start springing up around the country.
Source
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By Michael d'Estries
December 1, 2008 – 4:25 pm
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are set to announce a breakthrough in thin-film solar technology that could bring the cost per KW down to grid prices. Such a level is often considered the ‘Holy Grail’ of taking photovoltaics mainstream. MIT hopes to have the tech commercially ready in three years. From the article,
“Conventional solar cells use thick, expensive silicon substrates. The MIT researchers said they ran extensive computer simulations and laboratory experiments on 2-micron silicon films that utilize new materials for both front and back coatings. As a result, light is trapped inside the cells’ silicon layer, permitting the thin-film to extract as much as 50 percent more energy per photon.”
One of the largest cost-saving measures will be the limited use of refined silicon. The MIT breakthrough only requires 1% of the silicon for standard solar cells.
We expect to learn more during the official announcement tomorrow. Till then, check out the press release for more information.
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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 20, 2008 – 10:51 am
Just weeks after appearing on the “Forbes Most Coveted Cars” list, the production of the Tesla Roadster may be in serious jeopardy. According to the New York Times, Tesla Motors, a start-up electric car company based in Silicon Valley, is having serious financial misfortune. Elon Musk, CEO, blames the worsening financial and credit crisis stating, “It’s not an understatement to say that nearly every business will be impacted by what has unfolded in the past weeks.” Musk did not say how many of the 250 Tesla employees will be laid off.
Tesla is perhaps best known for its all-electric Roadster projected to retail at $109,000, but the company was also planning to launch an all-electric Model S sedan for $60,000. The original 2010 launch date has now been pushed back to mid-2011 as Tesla attempts to raise $100 million, in addition to the $146 million already raised. The cutbacks come after warnings from Silicon Valley venture capitalists that start-ups should slash expenses and reach profitability as quickly as possible to survive the economic downturn. As for Tesla, we’ll have to wait to see how long they can idle before they run out of juice.
via NY Times
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By Kate Weinkauf
August 25, 2008 – 2:43 pm
With such interest in the upcoming election of 2008, we have highlighted some of the energy policies of John McCain and Barack Obama—oh, and Paris Hilton.
Obama Energy Policy:
Obama refers to his energy plan as “New Energy for America,” and, according to his website, it includes:
* Provide short term relief to American families
Obama will grant a $1,000 emergency rebate to help American families pay their higher energy bills (the money comes from oil companies).
* Eliminate our need for Middle Eastern and Venezuelan oil within 10 years
He wants to increase fuel economy standards; get 1 million plug-in hybrid cars on the road by 2015; create a new $7,000 tax credit for purchasing advanced vehicles; promote responsible domestic production of oil and natural gas.
* Create Millions of New Green Jobs
He intends to ensure 10 percent of our electricity comes from renewable sources by 2012, and 25 percent by 2025; develop and deploy clean coal technology; prioritize the construction of the Alaska natural gas pipeline; create a “Green Vet Initiative” which trains war veterans to enter the new energy economy and gain green employment.
* Reduce our Greenhouse Gas Emissions 80 Percent by 2050
Obama’s cap-and-trade policy will require all pollution credits to be auctioned, and proceeds will go to investments in a clean energy future and rebates and other transition relief for families; make the U.S. a leader on climate change.
Continue reading to view McCain’s and Hilton’s policies…
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By Kate Weinkauf
August 25, 2008 – 2:00 pm
Imagine a life with no outlets, no cords, but ample electricity. This is the life Intel chief technology officer Justin Rattner hasn’t just imagined, but actually demonstrated on Thursday at an annual developers forum in San Francisco.
Rattner showed off a wireless electric power system that analysts say “could revolutionize modern life” by removing the need for transformers, wall outlets, and cords all together. Rattner, on stage, wirelessly sent electricity to a lamp, lighting a 60 watt bulb that uses more power than a typical laptop computer. You may be asking yourself, “Wait a second, isn’t safety a concern having these electric fields all around us?” Worry not, friend. According to Intel researcher Josh Smith, “It turns out the human body is not affected by magnetic fields; it is affected by elective fields. So what we are doing is transmitting energy using the magnetic field not the electric field.” Wireless electricity could be a true reality of the future and raises many interesting questions—especially, “How will I charge my PHEV?”
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