CleanTechnica

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

New Solar Aviation World Distance Record Set By Solar Impulse

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Amber Archangel

solar impulse 2013_05_23_AcrossAmerica_FlightPhoenixtoDallas_landing_revillard-13_thumbPSflat

The Solar Impulse, flying from Phoenix to Dallas this week, set an absolute distance world record for solar-powered aviation. The departure from Phoenix was picture perfect. After a blessing from the Apache Spiritual Leader and the well-timed assistance of their ground crew, Solar Impulse lifted off so quickly it seemed nearly impossible. For those of us who followed this leg of Solar Impulse’s journey, it was deeply moving to see this craft soar into the dark … Read More

Germany To Begin Renewable Power-To-Gas Research Project

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Tim Tyler

Soon Germany will be conducting another phase of its Energiewende (aka “energy transition” or “energy revolution”) with a power-to-gas research project. The large collaboration will consist of various institutes and companies. The goal of the project is to achieve a long-term energy storage system based upon a 100% renewable energy electricity scenario. The power-togas (P2G) technology converts electrical power to fuel. It takes the excess power generated by wind generators, solar arrays, or biomass power plants … Read More

Rooftop Solar Eats Away At Network Business Models

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Giles Parkinson

This article originally appeared on RenewEconomy. SP Ausnet, one of the few listed energy network operators in Australia, has given a small but revelatory insight into how rooftop solar and changing consumer patterns are turning the business of delivering electricity on its head. The Victorian-based company, majority-owned by Singapore interests, has three main businesses: a state-wide network transmission business, an electricity distribution division based in the eastern part of the state, and a gas distribution … Read More

Bicycle Infrastructure Policy Needs To Change To Increase Ridership, Improve Public Health (Harvard Study & My Own)

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Zachary Shahan

Via the delectable Bikocity, here’s some recent news on bicycle infrastructure research and the need to change the bicycle guidelines in transportation planning’s “Bible” (something I’ve been advocating for, after researching the topic, for years) in order to stimulate a bigger boost in bicycle ridership and better public health. More or less, bicycle infrastructure policy and its relationship to riderships was the topic of my 2007 master’s thesis. It’s been obvious to some of us for … Read More

Taller, Stronger Wind Turbines From Concrete

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Zachary Shahan

Aaron Shelman -- green shirt, a doctoral student in structural engineering -- and Owen Steffens, red shirt, a research associate in civil, construction and environmental engineering -- check a concrete panel for signs of cracking. (Click to enlarge.)
Image Credit: Mike Krapfl.

Iowa State engineers have been working on making wind turbines taller and stronger by using concrete instead of steel. Will it stick? Taller wind turbines are better – really, it’s been confirmed. So, making wind turbines taller and stronger seems like a never-ending goal (though, I imagine it does have its limits). Let’s just hope the concrete that is used is one of the greener and stronger types of concrete being developed. For more details on … Read More

Compressed Air Energy Storage In The Northwest — Enough Wind Energy To Power 85,000 Homes For 1 Month Can Be Stored In Porous Rocks

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Nathan

Around 85,000 households in the Northwest could be powered every month by the energy that could be stored deep underground in the region’s porous rock, according to new research. By utilizing such an energy storage solution, the region’s substantial wind energy resources could be put to full use. The work, done by researchers at the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Bonneville Power Administration, has identified two practical methods for putting this energy … Read More

New Solar Cooker Could Greatly Improve Health In ‘Developing World’

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Nathan

Here’s an exciting story about a promising-looking solar cooker that could significantly improve (and even save) the lives of people in the developing world, via Solar Love. A new solar cooker design, capable of cooking food, purifying water, and powering small electronics, has just been developed by researchers at Cranfield University and COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad. A large number of people living in the ‘developing world’ don’t have a reliable, or cheap enough, … Read More