Toyota is moving and shaking in clean energy patents, leading green-tech patents for the third consecutive quarter. The US Patent and Trademark Office approved 798 clean-tech patents during the third quarter of 2012, including 71 from Toyota.
The feel-good news about renewable energy never ceases. A 1.85 megawatt solar farm in Japan’s Wakayama prefecture will donate all profits to local non-profit organizations, Kyocera recently announced. The so-called “social contribution mega power plant project” — a partnership between Kyocera and Ryukoku University — is expected to cost about … [continued]
A comprehensive set of renewables readiness assessments were laid out for Mozambique, Senegal, Kiribati, and Grenada by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) during the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi last week. The assessments address how each country can establish a business model; set policy; hone regulatory structures; … [continued]
Visiting the Grand Canyon is the trip of a lifetime. Trying to take in the natural beauty of the Southwest through a nitrogen oxide haze is a total bummer. To avoid this scenario the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed an emissions cut for the coal-firing Navajo Generating … [continued]
Oh, naysayers, brace yourselves for this doozy! The World Wildlife Fund has come out with a report that land used for solar panels is an insignificant amount and does not conflict with conservation goals. The WWF goes as far as saying that, if by 2050 100% of the world’s electricity … [continued]
During the first annual International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) assembly in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates announced it would host the headquarters for the international organization. The UAE — where our friend and CleanTechnica Director Zachary Shahan is this week for Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, the World Future Energy … [continued]
Electric vehicle sales are coming on strong in Europe. In 2012, 5,663 completely electric vehicles were sold in France — double the figure in 2011. You may be thinking that 5,663 is chump change. That’s where a registered vehicle comparison puts things into perspective. Here’s the math: There are about … [continued]
Concrete jungles have been plagued with violent crime much more so than small towns, with few concrete answers as to why. In a recent Mother Jones article, Kevin Drum outlines why exposure to gasoline lead has driven violence in major cities. What’s all the brouhaha about lead? For starters, lead … [continued]
The days of stinky, oil-burning, black smoke–producing ferry boats will be the days of yore if Norway has anything to say about it. The world’s first electric ferry will hit the open seas (well, not exactly) in 2015. The 360-passenger, 120-car electric ferry will be operated by shipping company Norled … [continued]
Cheaper models and more charging stations are reasons to expect UK electric vehicle sales to double in 2013. If you’re jumping for joy, hold your horses — there are currently only about 3,000 electric cars in Britain, and most of those are part of company fleets. But any increase … [continued]
