Morgan Solar, a Toronto-based company launched last summer, believes it has the answer to creating simple and cheap solar concentrators. While other companies are working to make solar cheaper by using mirrors or lenses to magnify sunlight that is directed into solar cells, Morgan Solar takes a different approach. Their … [continued]
The US generation of wind powered electricity has finally pushed past the 20,000-megawatt mark, reaching a milestone that took only 2 years. The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) made the announcement on Wednesday, pointing to the 20,152 MW of electricity generating capacity currently up and running in the US. “However, … [continued]
When you think about fuel cell-powered transportation, you probably also think about automobiles. But Proton Power Systems might just change your perspective. PPS claims to have launched the world’s first fuel cell-powered passenger ferry. The ferry marks the first use of fuel cells in marine passenger transport. The Zemship runs … [continued]
Desperation often yields innovation. In Japan, fear of rising food prices and low fish stocks has led scientists to create the “eco-rig”. The eco-rig, which is actually a giant floating generator, uses solar and wind power to produce approximately 300 MWh. Though some energy is lost moving the electricity onshore, … [continued]
Algae fuel is getting another boost with the announcement of a $3 million grant to create kerosene-based aviation fuel derived from the substance. Arizona State University researchers have already moved past the laboratory stage on the project and are working on a pilot scale production system. The research team says … [continued]
VentureBeat reports that PowerGenix has developed a nickel zinc (NiZn) battery that has 35 percent higher power and energy density than a nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery (used in hybrid vehicles), but is half the cost of a lithium-ion battery. This is great news for scooter fanatics, who right now … [continued]
New ideas for reducing CO2 seem to be popping up all the time. The latest scheme for getting rid of the greenhouse gas comes from Stanford Professor Brent Constanz. The Geological and Environmental Sciences Professor has invented a new type of cement that is carbon neutral—a huge innovation for a … [continued]
Solar power—is there anything it can’t do? British scientists have found a new use for solar technology with the Sahara Forest Project, a proposed plan to combine greenhouses that use seawater to grow crops with solar power installations. The greenhouse-solar power combination could potentially provide food, fresh water and energy … [continued]
What happened to the ODO Twirl n’ Take? We first saw the wind up camera in 2007 when our friends over at Engadget posted the pics below. Then, today AOL’s Green Channel at Switched had more video from Engadget posted.
This is Part Two on a debate by The Economist. The official debate concluded earlier this week, but you can still vote and leave comments or critique. The question was: “Can we solve our energy problems with existing technologies today, without the need for breakthrough innovations?” Though we often envision … [continued]
