CleanTechnica

Karmann Ghia EV Driving On Tweets From Kansas To DC, Thanks To Teenagers

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Important Media Cross-Post

The world is changing fast. Here’s a fun story documenting that in various ways, courtesy CleanTechnica sister site Gas2. By Chris DeMorro Can the power of social media literally propel a car halfway across the country? That’s the hope of a group of high school students who converted a Karmann Ghia into an EV, with plans to drive it from Kansas City to Washington D.C., but with a twist. The car will only go when … Read More

European Biomass Technology Manufactured In Minnesota: An Interview With WoodMaster

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Dan Thiede, CERTs

The WoodMaster Flex Fuel Series is Phase II EPA qualified and is currently the cleanest product listed on the EPA’s Burnwise website.

Joel Haskard of Minnesota Clean Energy Resource Teams had a chance to chat with WoodMaster co-founder and President Chuck Gagner about their biomass boilers and furnaces, and the industry here in Minnesota. Read on to hear what Chuck had to say! Joel Haskard: How do you see the health of the biomass industry here in Minnesota and nationally as well? Chuck Gagner: I feel over the past couple years the residential market took a dip … Read More

California’s Third Cap And Trade Auction Sells Out, At Record Price

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Silvio Marcacci

California’s third cap and trade carbon allowance auction was held last week, and businesses snapped up all available 2013 permits, setting a record price level in the process. In addition to the 2013 permits, over three-quarters of advance allowances for 2016 were sold to businesses.

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