CleanTechnica

Flexible Solar Cells, Transistors, & Displays May Get Boost From Transparent Electrode

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Guest Contributor

Electron microscope images show a new material for transparent electrodes that might find uses in solar cells, flexible displays for computers and consumer electronics, and future "optoelectronic" circuits for sensors and information processing. The electrodes are made of silver nanowires covered with a material called graphene. At bottom is a model depicting the "co-percolating" network of graphene and silver nanowires. (Click here to enlarge.)
Image Credit: Purdue University image/Birck Nanotechnology Center

Flexible solar cells are certainly fun. New research from Purdue University may give them a boost. Here’s the news: WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Researchers have created a new type of transparent electrode that might find uses in solar cells, flexible displays for computers and consumer electronics and future “optoelectronic” circuits for sensors and information processing. The electrode is made of silver nanowires covered with a material called graphene, an extremely thin layer of carbon. The … Read More

PG&E Unveils Battery Storage System In San Jose, California

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Zachary Shahan

The grid storage space is really starting to heat up. We’ve already featured a couple of promising-looking energy storage companies getting close to commercialization (and claiming to offer safe, reliable, nontoxic grid storage at very competitive prices). And we’ve got a handful of other companies and technologies we plan to highlight in the coming weeks. But the announcement late yesterday from PG&E caught me by surprise. It and the California Energy Commission just yesterday “unveiled an innovative … Read More

Bob Lutz: Stuff Sexy Fisker Corpses Full Of V8 Engines

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Jo Borras

Ah, poor Fisker. It may have to surrender the Karma’s wonderful body to Bob Lutz. Here’s the latest news, courtesy of the venerable Gas2: There’s significant demand for the Bob Lutz-backed Fisker Karma V8 conversions, especially now that Fisker, the company, doesn’t look particularly suited to provide parts and/or technical support for their existing hybrid powertrains. So his interest in Fisker getting bailed out makes sense. That said, it’s specifically because of Lutz’ involvement that I hope the … Read More

Google Buys Makani Wind Power (Kite Power Company)

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Zachary Shahan

It’s been a long time since we covered Makani Power, the company developing kite-like wind turbines. But the company didn’t float away (bad pun intended). In fact, it has just been bought by Google, for development under its Google[x] division. Some quick history: Makani’s creators several years ago came up with the idea of essentially combining kites with wind turbines in order to capture the strong and steady wind energy high up in the sky … Read More

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Partners With NRG Solar In Global Alliance

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Andrew

The two heavyweights in their respective industries are teaming up to install solar PV and renewable energy systems across Starwood properties worldwide, a key element of Starwood’s 30/20 by 20 sustainability strategy..

Malta Solar PV Feed-in Tariff, Solar Hot Water, & Energy Efficiency Schemes Announced

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Tim Tyler

Malta is following the lead of many of its European colleagues with a new feed-in tariff for solar PV. It’s also implementing some solar hot water and energy efficiency rebates. Here are more details repost from Solar Love. In an effort to increase its renewable energy generation, Malta has started a photovoltaic subsidy and rebate scheme worth €21 million. The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is co-financing the fund and will pay a feed-in tariff (FiT) rate of … Read More

First Wind/Current Power System To Be Installed Off Japanese Coast Later This Year

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Nathan

The world’s first wind/current energy generation system is now set to be installed off the coast of Japan, sometime towards the end of the year. The system, capable of producing twice as much energy as a conventional wind turbine, is estimated to be able to generate enough electricity to power around 300 homes. CBSNews provides specifics: “The Savonius Keel & Wind Turbine Darrieus (SKWID) power generation system being developed by Mitsui Ocean Development & Engineering … Read More

Boron For Better Batteries

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Guest Contributor

A theory developed at Rice University determined that a graphene/boron compound would excel as an ultrathin anode for lithium-ion batteries. The compound would store far more energy than graphite electrodes used in current batteries.
Image Credit: Vasilii Artyukhov/Rice University

Tina about one year ago wrote about Rice University research exploring the benefits from the use of boron in batteries. Rice has an update for us, reposted below (with minor changes). Frustration led to revelation when Rice University scientists determined how graphene might be made useful for high-capacity batteries. Calculations by the Rice lab of theoretical physicist Boris Yakobson found a graphene/boron anode should be able to hold a lot of lithium and perform at a … Read More

Kial Soul EV — $35,000 With A 120-Mile Range?

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Nicholas Brown

Remember the car advertisement in which the Kia Soul was driven by hamsters? That was for the original gasoline-powered Kia Soul, with a tag line “a new way to roll.” Well, now, the company is looking to offer a really new way to roll. Kia is expected to release an electric version of this car in 2014, so the hamsters can roll silently and efficiently! Obviously, there won’t be any hamsters driving it, but it is … Read More