Tuesday, March 31, 2009

HYmotion3: The Latest Hybrid Compressor Concept From Peugeot

Worried about getting wet in the rain or tanned in the sun while driving a 2-wheeler? Peugeot brings forward a three mode scooter that will drive these fears away. Taking its brainwave from the earlier BMW C1, it appears like a hybrid between an electric scooter and a car. This vehicle comes with 3 wheels and an overhanging bubble shaped roof that will protect the drivers from sun, shower and storm.

HYmotion 3 can function on a 3kW electric motor when driving on city roads or on a 15kW petrol engine when using an open road or both. The blend of the 3-wheel outline with regenerative breaking system and ABS offers this urban scooter a shorter breaking distance (30% less compared to conventional 2 wheeler), which is an indispensable obligation for driving on the packed city roads. The breaking system also charges the Lithium Ion batteries needed to run the electric motor. This attractive futuristic vehicle will combine safety and eco-friendly benefits tagged with an efficiency of a two wheeler in an urban set-up.

Peugeot being one of the best scooter makers in the world, HYmotion3 which is just a concept now will take shape soon. This car-bike hybrid design will rock the automobile world on its release and will also benefit the environment. Via

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Monday, March 30, 2009

Cluster Housing: Cool and Affordable

Enter Architecture of Sydney presently designs housing prototypes whose main consideration is alleviating extreme temperatures. The main principle behind the innovative design layout is for air to flow freely – longitudinally and laterally. The user can customize the many openings in the panels. There are even ways to configure the facade for full sun protection. The “air layer” model, found on external surfaces, can expel the sun’s direct heat off the surfaces. The user, then, enjoys thermal comfort.

This cluster housing will use curved metal profiles and formed plywood panels, all lightweight materials that are easy to transport and assemble. The user has ease and convenience of use and application, with the benefit of a strong architectural design whose model can very well be a practical solution for many other places in the world. The first of this cluster housing site, the Redfern scheme that addresses low income housing challenges in the poor inner-city suburb of Redfern in Sydney, will rise towards the end of November. Enter Architecture will be working on a similar scheme for a remote housing cluster in Western Australia, as well as in the Emirates. The architectural objective is to introduce design innovation while trying to preserve the old traditional aesthetic.


Image

Via

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Sunday, March 29, 2009

AlertMe Smart Plug: Computer-Programmed Energy Watch via an Electrical Plug

Via a computer program, this electrical plug monitors energy use and cuts off electricity remotely. The “Smart Plug,” a new product from the energy line of British company Alert Me, does more than just conduct electricity. The Smart Plug that you insert into an electrical socket automatically connects to the Alert Me Hub, where the Smart Plug now acts as wireless broadband and GPRS connection. Through a website on your computer or handset, you can, then, view the electrical outlet’s energy usage statistical data.

The web interface can also let you remotely cut the power off in that particular outlet where the Smart Plug is connected. It can also program a schedule system for you as to what specific time you want the power to be cut off. According to Alert Me, the Smart Plug can save as much as 20 percent of your power consumption.

The product set containing the Smart Plug and the Security package where the Alert Me Hub is found costs $350 and will be available in November. Alert Me will also release soon its line of electricity meter and heater. Via

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Saturday, March 28, 2009

Powerwise: A Table with Power


The Powerwise, a table that keeps eight electrical outlets, is a one-stop charging station for your iPods, cameras, cell phones, mp3 players, and other hand-held electrical devices. It is designed by Swedish based designers Johanna Strand and Asa Elmstam. The chargers may remain in place in their outlets all the time. The electricity that powers the entire table can be turned via the red switch. You can then pull the plug and wind up the cord into the table leg designated as cord compartment. When the green cord pulls back into the leg, energy consumption is reduced.

The whole idea behind the design is to give convenience to users who have their electrical and electronic devices constantly charged. This table gives the residents of the home a central charging station that will eliminate the possibility of several individual chargers being forgotten to be pulled out from sockets after use, making them fire hazard.



The Powerwise is still a functional and decorative table as it is. Only, it is a powered table that hides convenient internal electrical outlets that have their own on-off switches. Chargers can remain plugged in even when not in use under the lid or table top. This is truly a wise design to manage the flow and use of power. Via

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Friday, March 27, 2009

Street Lamps Run on Drained Batteries

South Korean designer Sung Woo Park’s Energy Seed is a smart street lamp powered entirely by low-life batteries. Community members drop their discarded batteries into Energy Seed’s disposal holes, making these batteries stacked up together. The drained batteries become a chain of combined energy that gives long-lasting supply of power to the LED lamps.

The Energy Seed is a timely project that is a showcase of energy conservation, recycling trash, and even social concern for public safety. Community members are encouraged to recycle, electrical power is generated sustain ably, and pedestrians get their much-needed light on sidewalks at night. It is also all about saving energy. Above all, it is a smart concept for a smart product.
The Energy Seed is truly a product that will fly after it passes from the present concept stage to mass production. It can also be a complete community project. Members of the community can pool together their drained batteries, assign some member to drop these batteries into the lamps’ disposal holes, and further assign some more to collect the totally used-up batteries and dispose of them safely. And this product is very conceptual and based on latest technology, actually usable technology is based on South Korean and usable part of body is very reliable.

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Thursday, March 26, 2009

Eco-friendly toilets


Sven Ingvar-Nilsson, a 77-year old Swedish man–farmer by nature doesn’t only want to keep his piece of land fertile but is making efforts to maintain the green beauty of the world. As a result he has started a company that sells dry toilets. The very functioning of the Eco-friendly dry toilets helps in the flow of the urine and the solid waste in separate tunnels, thereby converting human waste into manure for farms. Till date, around 2,000 dry toilets has been sold and its whooping demand assures a definite decrease (may be by a per cent) in the growing black spots on our environment. Certainly, you must carry this device at your home without raising eyebrows.


These technological advancements are happening at the personal front but what about public places that define our country and at the same time gives the transparent image of our height of shabbiness. Without a single look to right or left, today generation think public places viz. railways, roads, platforms, pedestrians as their private property and take some time across the corner to relieve. Considering this shameless attitude of the citizens, the Railway sector is quite cautious to bring down such happenings by providing Eco-friendly toilets with septic tanks at stations and in trains. With the use of this “biotech” project, the the Railway Research and Design and Standard Organisation (RDSO) in collaboration with Microphor of the United States and Aikon Technology of India is hopeful that it is the hygiene way to do away with the biological wastes. The tanks use the bacteria that convert wastes into a harmless and odourless liquid. Initially, such toilets are accessible in AS-2 coach of the Delhi- Allahabad Prayagraj Express since 17 May. Presently, the pilot project is carried in one of the 25 coaches of the Prayagraj Express.
Having announced 2007 as “Clean Railway Year”, the Railway Minister Lalu Prasad has plans to provide Eco-friendly coaches along with modern toilets on the line of airlines.

Via DNA India/ Zdnet

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Wednesday, March 25, 2009

EU Looks Up to Sahara’s Massive Solar Project for its Energy Needs.

The Sun is rising in political spheres! Valuing the sun as renewable source of clean solar power, the EU super grid gets a crucial political backing from UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown and French President Nicolas Sarkozy. It is jointly decided now that the vast desert of Sahara would be the land where dozens of solar farms will be constructed as a part of the $71 Billion EU super grid infrastructure. The latter is an initiative taken by the European Commission to meet the continent’s electricity demands in future. The clean power generated by this super grid will be shared by all the EU countries.

It is projected that each farm of the super grid will generate up to 200 Megawatts of power. This would then be transferred to EU states via high voltage DC transmission, which is a better option over AC lines. The energy loss incurred over long distances is much lesser when DC lines are used. The decision to build solar panels in Sahara originates from the simple fact that the desert receives intense sunlight throughout year which can be effectively harnessed.

According to an estimate Photovoltaic panels installed in Sahara will be 3 times more energy efficient (in terms of electricity generation) than those fitted in the European countries. The project’s success will effectively reconfirm that solar power will be the most potent among renewable energy sources which also include wind and geothermal powers.

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Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Solar Powered Ski Jacket by Zegna

Famed Italian fashion designer Ermenegildo Zegna, in collaboration with Germany’s Interactive Wear that produces amazing innovations in ‘smart’ textile technology, brings to the world the world’s first solar-powered ski jacket. The slightly hefty price (hey, it’s a Zegna!) of $1,350 apiece may be justified if you look at the corollary benefit: you can also charge your cell phone or iPod while out on the ski slopes.

The Microtene jacket is waterproof, and comes with its own solar cells connected internally within its neoprene collar. You will be a walking (or skiing) carrier of renewable power since what you’re wearing converts sunlight into energy. If you don’t want to be carrying the solar converter, you may detach the collar and use it as a power source. This is sheer convenience and, yes, power! No more problems with cell phones, cameras, or iPods that have run out of electrical charge while you’re on top of a snowy mountain.

Interactive Wear has also pioneered another textile technology called iThermX. This one is capable of generating heat, this time. The technology is applied in Thermotec, a new line of sensor-controlled heating snow gloves from Reusch. Fashion has, indeed, become ‘intelligent.’ Among recent innovations along this line are a man’s suits that can control hidden electronic devices through an ordinary touching of the sleeve. Yes, think James Bond and there is also a kiddie backpack that can send SOS to the police. Via

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Monday, March 23, 2009

Organic Farming Welcomes Electrons to Take Over Fungicides

With the population on Earth increasing rapidly, there’s always a supply-demand mismatch with respect to all resources, especially food. Companies like Monsanto have made attempts to balance these deficiencies with herbicides and bovine growth hormones. Well versed with the damaging effects of these steroids and chemicals, people are now turning to organic foods which are grown without their use.

Keeping in view the interests of consumers, Fraunhofer Institute for Electron Beam and Plasma Technology FEP has come forward with a substitute for fungicides. According to the newly introduced technique, the fungal spores in the husk and on the surface of the seeds are exposed to accelerated electrons, which will annihilate the chemical bonds in the molecules of the spores without producing any heat. This organic sterilization technique will be exhibited along with the other similar methods at the latest Parts2Clean fair to be held in Stuttgart from 28th October.

The plant set up by FEP is working with the seed growers Schmidt-Seeger-GmbH to treat approximately 5,000 metric tons of seeds per year at a rate of 30 metric tons per hour. This innovative revelation is all set to help the food industry with its increasing demands for organic foods and give the people safer nutrition.

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Sunday, March 22, 2009

Greenhouse Rooftops in Spain Responsible for Reducing Local Temperature!

Sometimes the most complicated of problems can have simple solution that are easy to apply and really do not cost a fortune. So instead of trying to suck out Carbon Emissions from the atmosphere using giants suction pumps are digging holes in the ocean floor, it would be far more beneficial if you just painted your rooftops white with a good reflective material. If the Spanish region of Almeria has truly dropped its average temperature by 0.3 degrees per decade in the last two decades as the scientists claim, then we might all soon be forced to paint our own rooftops with radiation reflective material.

Almeria in Southeastern part of Spain is home to the largest collection of Greenhouses in the world and this region apparently has experienced a cooling effect because of the structures. While since 1983, the average temperature of Spain has gone up by 0.5 degree, Almeria has only got cooler. Scientists have concluded that the reflective rooftops of the region are responsible for this phenomenon. They claim that if everyone across the world painted their own roofs in a similar fashion then the world would be a lot cooler place and that too without spending too much. Now, that should not be much of a problem, should it? Via

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Saturday, March 21, 2009

Jarst Composter: Stylish and Sleek Composter for Home-Grown Nutrition

There is a very special attachment between those who live in the urban jungle and the greenery that is scant around them. There are two vividly different sets of people who have contrasting approach towards green landscape. The vast majority either just does not care about plants and shrubs or if taking a walk playful engage in a bit of destruction by ripping off a branch or clipping away a few twigs of leaves. But there are others who take great care of the little greenery they can fit into their own balcony and corners of the living room. Here is a perfect gift for all of them.

The Mini Jarst Composter designed by Leonardo Fortino and Andrea Bartolucci is ideal for the modern home with its simple and ergonomic design. The composter has a seal drum and cap inside the pot, where all your organic waste can go. Just wait for another five to six months and you will have fertile organic compost for your cute little shrub. This might appear small but is really very useful in dealing with organic waste. Via

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Friday, March 20, 2009

Blu Homes Build Sustainable, Convenient and Inexpensive Green Abodes

Looking for a green home that is both affordable and seems perfect for you? Blu Homes is planning such adobe at Colorado and Utah where the costs of other homes are nearly 50-70% higher. Ever since the company decided to build sustainable and comfortable homes, it has been working on the designs and the cost factor to make them reasonably priced. These homes look contemporary, provide enough space and are eco-friendly. The blue-prints of these homes have been released.

The houses planned at Utah measure 800 square feet in area and if this in any way sounds smaller, don’t get disheartened because the area will double after the basement is put in. Estimated to cost $150,000 these homes require an easy foundation, easier to build and finish. Furnished with wooden cupboards, tiled restrooms and low windows that give good ventilation, these homes also have spray foam insulation and a furnace, so that the inhabitants need to spend a lot less on such utilities. In addition, these are provided with an upgraded full ICF basement, bamboo flooring and are built using recycled concrete.

The homes at Colorado are spacey compared to ones at Utah with an area of 1700 sft, priced at $250,000 (land value not included) and differ in the basement. Beautifully designed to accommodate a modern family, these homes tend to the tastes and economy of people and will sure find many occupants. Via

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Thursday, March 19, 2009

Sewage-Powered Hydrogen Fuel for a Cleaner Tomorrow!

What you might be flushing down the toilet could be the material that would power your car or even your home in the near future. Surprised or maybe you just think that we have lost it and are going plain crazy! Well, If Oregon State University College of Engineering has its way then very soon every sewage plant across the world can also open its own Hydrogen fuel supply chain. Just imagine the day big firms and multi-million dollar corporate houses would be fighting over sewage rights… Truly, stuff tailor-made for a reality television show.

But in all seriousness, Oregon State University College of Engineering has found a new way to clean up water and get energy from it. The new technology purifies water using natural microorganisms and in the process produces Hydrogen. A prototype plant is already being set up in Oregon as we speak. The technology saves 75% of energy involved in purification of water using the current method. It also produces Hydrogen equivalent of $2-$3 per gasoline and that meets the target set by US Department of Energy.

The new technology could really transform the way we look at treating sewage water and could transform the fuel market very soon. Via

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Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Green Genius: Texas Teenager Crafts his Own Electric Car for $10,000

Texas teenager Lucas Laborde will be driving to school in an all-electric car that he built all by himself. No, we are not kidding when we say that he will drive to school in it as the guy is still only 17 years old. While most teens would spend the summer away doing far more attractive and far less productive stuff, Lucas spent it converting his gas-guzzling old car into an all-electric vehicle with no emissions. So how many hundreds of thousands of dollars did he spend on it? Lucas just spent around $ 10,000 in making the revamp!

Now if that does not put the top firms of the auto world to shame, then I really do not know what would. Here is a 17-year old boy spending just 150 hours with an old car and an electric engine bought from eBay to create his own electric vehicle at $10,000 and Chrysler Peapod GEM goes around speaking how good it is! The car build by Lucas has a top speed of 45 mph and a range of 40 miles. Comparing it to the Peapod GEM once again- GEM’s Top Speed- 25 mph and range on single charge-35-40 miles. Now maybe Chrysler will understand why we dislike their small cars so much.

Lucas spent $5000 for the batteries and $5700 for the compatible parts and the integration. So, the vehicle is not perfect and the heavy batteries have already done a bit of distorting to the car. But, if a teenage boy can do so much, it is time the big boys pull their act together. Via

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Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Future is here: Philips Brings Stunning Green Magic to give you a space-age Kitchen!

This is exactly why Philips is rated so highly despite all the competition that it has across the board over the past few years. While we hate to sound like we are campaigning for someone, this Philips Concept Kitchen of the future is a must-have to everyone who loves to take their home to the next level. So if you want to buy this, start saving up some serious cash and if you think you really cannot afford this, then make sure you keep your wife away from getting a peak at it. The Green Cuisine kitchen from Philips allows you to take energy saving to a whole new plane with its futuristic look and technology that matches the ergonomics.

The kitchen is completely green with eco-friendly features galore. The central table can be used as a stove at any point as its smart technology detects a pan or other cooking utensils apart from your own hand. So, just place the pan at any spot and it will do the rest for you. The settings can be adjusted with an energy-conscious yet stylishly crafted LED panel. Water wastage is reduced by selecting the temperature they need to be at when they come out of the tap. You can a so cool your drinks on the central table with a whole different setting for cooling purposes!

The touch-sensitive pads, the LED panels and the energy-conscious heating systems along with beautifully crafted design and sleek ergonomics make this the dream kitchen of the future. You could bet Monica Galler would be going nuts about it! But you will have to still wait for 3-5 years for this to really materialize into a consumer product. Yup, that’s a long wait indeed. Via

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Monday, March 16, 2009

Pelamis Wave Power Introduces a New Renewable Energy Source to the World

The beauty of the waves is admired by every person who goes to a beach, but none of us ever thought of the marvels these waves can perform. There is probably tons of energy stored in them (estimated to be 2 Terawatts of power). Portugal’s Pelamis Wave Power has recently introduced this renewable source to the world through the first ever wave farm in Agucadoura.

This project which was started last year and the first phase with 3 machines is functioning now. Very soon the second phase will also start with 25 such machines and then the farm will be able to provide electricity to over 15,000 homes. The converters are huge in size and have a power of 2.25MW. These devices are attached to the ocean floor by cables and lie at right angles to the coast line. These under water cables transmit the electrical energy produced from high pressure fluid pumped through the motors against resistance given by the hydraulic rams when waves pass over them to the land. Thus, the power of the waves determines the amount of energy generated.

The United States for example has 1TW capacity of power hidden in the waves off it’s coast, and can use it light up many homes in the country. This new found Eco-friendly source of energy has a long way to go and will surely impress environmentalists with its capability.


Via

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Sunday, March 15, 2009

Husk Power Systems: On the Way to Electrify Rural India’s Rice Belt

Chip Ransler and Manoj Sinha, founders of the Husk Power Systems (HPS) have found a way to give electricity to parts of India which still manage without one of the most essential energies today. This company focuses on providing power to the people in villages using rice husk (rice being abundantly grown here) through a small, off-grid system. The company already has five such projects operating in various parts and hopes to increase the number to a hundred.

Rice husk, which forms about one-third of the gross weight of grains is usually either burnt or left to rot in the fields by the farmers. This process leads to emission of harmful greenhouse gases like methane. HPS uses gasifiers to heat the husk (rice, wheat or corn) and then the gases thus released are filtered and passed through diesel-like engines to generate power. The left over debris will contain silica and this is sold to the concrete makers. The company is charging only $900-$1000 per KWh at the moment, which is far less compared to power generated from other sources including solar and wind.

The company is looking forward to setting up more projects in other places and anticipates providing power to over 2,500 villages in a decade. Agricultural waste being converted to electricity and minerals thereby saving the environment from its harmful effects is an applauding innovation by the company. Well done HPS… Via

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Saturday, March 14, 2009

Eco-friendly Houseboats with a Contemporary Touch by Spring 2009

Germany will see a new fleet of modern green houseboats this spring. Schwimmhaus was designed by a company called confusion-direction. Who wouldn’t want to live in an attractive home in the middle of water at a price that is less compared to a house on land? The pictures just show the model of these homes.

Measuring 14m in length, 4m in height and 3m in breadth, Schwimmhaus looks roomy enough for a couple to stay. The boathouse has four rooms- a bedroom, a bathroom, a kitchen and also a living room. Over this, the house seems eco-conscious with a green roof and zero-emission. The house is made out of recycled wood from an old farm barn.

Though these boathouses look modern and beautiful, I feel that they wouldn’t be suitable for permanent dwelling. They would be too small for even a family of four to live. They don’t even seem to have a renewable energy source to provide power. Schwimmhaus will be fun when we are on a holiday, but to live here daily, would be boring and uncomfortable. Via

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Friday, March 13, 2009

Atkins’ Anar Towers to Embellish Dubai Skyline

Dubai, the land of fascinating skyscrapers will decorate its skies with its avant-garde Anar Towers very soon. The British company Atkins, which had in the past given Dubai other such beautiful buildings like Iris Bay will be the creator of this huge mixed-use project.

This 125 story building will house every thing from offices, shops, around 300 apartments, a lavish hotel with 250 rooms and like all this was not enough, it also has an art gallery which will conduct exhibitions and auctions. Sounds amazing! The building will have an empty circle at the top which will allow you to get pleasure from the panoramic view of the city. Apart from the sky gardens every 27 floors, each apartment will have an exclusive elevator and a private swimming pool, and are expected to be the most expensive in Dubai.

Though the building claims to be green, how thoughtful is it to give it that name? Especially, considering the amount of water the 300 swimming pools would need and the amount of power this giant building would consume. Whether Anar Towers will be able to satisfy its enormous energy demands in an eco-friendly way is for us to wait and watch. Via

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Thursday, March 12, 2009

Chlorophyll Organic Battery Can Use Any Liquid

In a quest to find alternative sources of energy, researchers have continued their efforts in and out of laboratories and nothing concrete has come out yet. Though there are many alternate sources of energy, they are expensive, unmanageable, or simply not friendly enough for lay users to use, to charge small gadgets. Now, a researcher and professor from Taiwan have claimed to create the world’s first chlorophyll organic battery. Though it’s not clear how the battery works, Chungpin Hovering Liao claims that it can practically use any liquid to generate charge and that within just 10 seconds. Even urine could be used, says he. Apparently, the storage capacity is a lot more than traditional water-powered fuel cells and consumes very little power. It would also cost only 3 to 6 cents to manufacture one biodegradable unit. The fact that the battery is biodegradable makes it more environmentally friendly. It would be interesting to see if his claims can be substantiated with batteries that can truly use any liquid and help people charge their gadgets. If so, I must say this is a brilliant invention. Via

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Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Raser Technologies Gives Utah a New Geothermal Plant to Power Homes

The enormous energy stored in the Earth’s interior will now power over one-third homes in Utah. Raser Technologies has finally announced the completion of the first geothermal plant in Utah over 20 years. Built over the countries largest geothermal hotbeds that have been exposed since the past 25 years, this project took just 6 months to complete.

Where the conventional plants would take five to six years to reach completion, Raser technologies was quick enough to finish this zero-emission power plant using its proprietary technology. The 10MW power plant which uses a new low temperature technology devised by UTC Power would start functioning before 2009.

With Raser finishing an efficient power plant in such short time, we can expect similar plants coming up at the same site in the near future. I think very soon Utah will get all its power from these renewable geothermal power plants. Via

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Sunday, March 8, 2009

Futuristic Power Generating Photovoltaic Glass Windows via RSi

After an array of solar windows flourished in the solar market, new transparent photovoltaic-glass windows from Rainbow Solar are here to make their mark. In a recent study done by the NTUST (National Taiwan University of Science and Technology), the windows have proven their efficiency through energy savings of about 50%. Now, that seems a practical option!

The new building-integrated photovoltaics generate 80 to 250 watts of electricity and have classy add-ons like a new technology that converts windows into light panels and an in-built electrical privacy curtain. This new technology, which the RSi claims, would one day eliminate the need for electrical power plants has a life span of 55 years.

I agree that these window panels are different from the previous ones, but I feel it is still too quick for the company to make such statements regarding its competence. However, if they click, the buildings would soon be able to generate their own electricity without the power grid. Via

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Friday, March 6, 2009

Best Eco-Friendly Friday Tips


The 40% of landfill room in use up by paper refuse and includes your normal coffee filters. Coffee fanatic may go during a numeral of these and smooth if you create one pot a day. Via

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Thursday, March 5, 2009

Eco Friendly Wedding

This is a best eco friendly wedding and various couples face through these tough economic period.This is very nice and looking good wedding dress, place and location. Via

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Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Gas Cost in Sardinia

There is much talk these days of the issue relating to high energy costs compared to European standards to which the Italians are forced to cope. In this regard it is interesting to note that, even among the regions of our country, there is a marked difference to support these costs. The reason for this of the market is basically due to two factors: the absence of a distribution network of natural gas on the island and the presence of a few companies to monopolize the fact, when only gas available in ' island. In recent years the price of gas cylinders is increased in an exponential equation and the other one, so why the same companies ended up in the viewfinder Antitrust who, after buying the gas were employed to store and distribute it. The Antitrust essentially launched an investigation on 24 April 2008 to verify the existence of an agreement restricts competition in the LPG cylinder in Sardinia. Via

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Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Triple their orders for cars on methane

According the national association of dealers of gas for vehicles, the recently approved are having an immediate effect on the market for cars in methane. Already in 2008 the car market in methane had surprised everyone, with growth rates exceeding 30% in a depressed market, but now the government measures, clearly in favor of environmentally friendly vehicles, they are tripling their orders over the same period of ' last year. As usual, it's not just the environment to motivate the market. The first price, thanks to new incentives, which came to € 5,000 for cars and € 6500 for commercial vehicles and then comes the variety of models with double-methane feed gas to ensure a wide choice, guarantees freedom of movement even in provinces not covered by the distribution network. Via

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Monday, March 2, 2009

Hydrogen to increase the efficiency of solar cells

Hydrogen to increase the efficiency of solar cells this is a treated several times for new studies capable of making more efficient solar cells. In this respect it seems to me interesting to point out a new project is particularly curious. The research in question has as its objective the development of a spray that would be able to significantly increase the efficiency of photovoltaic panels and therefore make them more affordable and competitive in the market. Currently, researchers do not have bodies revealed what will be increased efficiency, but they are limited to stress that the study will focus on developing a system which will spray a film of hydrogen and a non-reflective material on panels. The estimated cost for research will be 1.85 million dollars and the company Spark Solar Australia already plans to produce, by 2010, eight million of solar cells with this new system, which, according to estimates of the data processors, will be enough to power 10,000 homes in Australia and create over 100 jobs. Via

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Sunday, March 1, 2009

Madagascar: amphibians and reptiles threatened with extinction because of climate change

Madagascar is a biodiversity hot spot of the world's most important being simultaneously inhabited by a large number of species and highly threatened by the destruction of natural habitats by man made. Destruction of habitat must now add the effects of climate change, as demonstrated by research conducted by scientists of the American Museum of Natural History, is having dramatic effects on many species of endemic amphibians and reptiles of Madagascar. This phenomenon has been observed in other parts of the world and is in perfect agreement with the observed and predicted on the basis of climatological models. The problem is that there is in Madagascar and the Himalayas, the same climate models that fully explain the observed shift, predict that within a few tens of years, the height of the mountains Malagasy no longer sufficient to guarantee the existence of climatic conditions suitable for the survival of many species. Now the challenge, in Madagascar, as elsewhere, is to rethink the planning of protected areas in order to take into account that the species of animals and plants, in order to survive, must be able to meet the changes taking place and which will take place. Via

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