• Category Archives: Alternative Energy

    Revolving door churns out green energy to light up the station

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    Following closely in footsteps of Tokyo’s human powered electric board, here is one more example of how humans can be free of the grid if they intend to. You will follow what I am trying to put across as you read about the world’s first energy-generating revolving door. Located at Natuurcafe La Port in the Netherland, this kind of door revolves around people to give out power to light up all the LEDs in the ceiling. Built by Boon Edam, the fundamental application is simple as it harnesses kinetic energy out of all those folks who pass through it. Estimated to generate about 4600 kWh each year, it is part of a larger sustainable refurbishment of the railway station.

    Posted in Alternative Energy on December 11, 2008
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    Power generating mat at Japan’s station brings the green energy to light

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    Human powered energy isn’t new as we have seen discos and gyms being powered by the energy exuded by people dancing or working out at such places. The latest to be hit by this green trend is Tokyo’s Shibuya station. Commuters traveling via this station walk over the thin mat that is placed at the ticket gates. This 90-square-centimeter 2.5-centimeter thick or thin piezoelectric mat generates energy as people step all over it. This in turn is used to power an electronic LED board which continuously displays updates of the amount of power generated. Also a small holiday light feeds on this energy to add a bit of green color to the whole setup.

    Posted in Alternative Energy on December 11, 2008
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    Aviation industry’s only solar-powered airport hangar opens up in America

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    Though flying across countries and continents on solar powered planes still seems to be a distant dream, the aviation industry of U.S. is moving ahead with a green objective for sure. America can now boast of the greenest airport hangar as the 60,000-square-foot structure at Bob Hope Airport opens its doors today. Believed to be the world’s greenest aviation facility, this hangar is capable of powering a Boeing 757 jetliner with solar energy while the aircraft is on the ground for maintenance. Known as Hangar 25, its roof is caked with photovoltaic panels that provide enough juice to operate the building’s lights. This green energy can also recharge electric-powered ground equipment such as forklifts and tow vehicles.

    Posted in Alternative Energy on December 9, 2008
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    Harvard and IBM aim to fabricate cheaper organic solar power cells

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    Time to find an affordable alternative for silicon-based photovoltaic solar cells and trust our scientists at Harvard and IBM to come up with such green solutions for a clean future. They are up on a revolutionary project that will enable them to harness the power of a million idle computers to develop a new, cheaper form of solar power. Based on the IBM’s World Community Grid project, Havard guys are hoping that the project will allow them to discover a combination of organic materials that can be used to manufacture more efficient, affordable, and flexible plastic solar cells. Intending to harness the sun’s energy from every corner, such a technology could be used to coat windows, make backpacks or line blankets which in turn can turn out electricity.

    Posted in Alternative Energy on December 9, 2008
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    Noise-free and well-designed Quietrevolution wind turbines for metros

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    Installation of large wind turbines may not sound as well look pleasing in metros. Many of us wouldn’t like to trade the silent grid-power over the noisy wind turbine power. But Quietrevolution steps in to break the rules with its vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT) design. Sporting a triple helix shape, DNA-style shape, these turbines will complement the aesthetics of the towers and buildings that intend to house them. The elegant S-shaped rotor blades shed noise and minimise vibration. The brand has just completed its largest installation to date, in Croydon in Greater London. Featuring a row of eight rooftop wind turbines, which together can generate enough energy for an office of nearly two hundred people, it’s the latest in a series of projects to have appeared in towns and cities across the UK.

    Posted in Alternative Energy on December 5, 2008
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    Update- SolarTaxi’s green voyage comes to an end

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    Last month SolarTaxi was on our blog as Louis Palmer was in process of materializing his dream of traveling across the globe in a solar powered vehicle. And now after 52,000 km trip around the world, this desire is fulfilled as the green drive comes to an end at the venue of U.N. climate talks in Poland. Louis Palmer smashed his “solar taxi” through a wall of polystyrene blocks marking the end of the 17-month trip.

    Posted in Alternative Energy, Transport on December 5, 2008
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    The Music City of America reduces garbage with solar powered BigBelly

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    The capital of Tennessee, Nashville, will be speckled with BigBelly that will actually reduce the city’s litter to zilch. Trash cans in crowded places are always full and overflowing with garbage much before the garbage truck’s arrival. To put an end to this menace, the authorities are all set to place the solar powered trash compactor called BigBelly. Touted as a smart green way to get rid of garbage, this bin can crush 180 gallons of garbage into a regular 32-gallon bag. powered by sun’s energy, it leaves no carbon emissions too. It can be used year round without any problem. Costing a $3,000 for one belly, it also has panels on the side that can be used to advertise and can help offset some of the initial costs.
    Source

    Posted in Alternative Energy on December 5, 2008
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    Solar-powered ASV Roboat moves ahead in the green race

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    What is green about the first world robotic sailing champion? Dubbed, the ASV Roboat, this autonomous sailboat is making waves in the world of travel and navigation technology. Fitted with sensors, it can easily sail around pre-set race courses or even simply reach any nautical destination without human support. We’ll talk about its techie features after the jump and focus on the eco-friendly element for now. The Solar panels on the Roboat lend a green trait and also make it independent of carbon emitting gasoline. Moreover there’s a direct methanol fuel cell to top up the batteries as a backup.

    Posted in Alternative Energy, Transport on December 5, 2008
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    California’s eco-friendly wineries dole out green wines

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    As you sip down the sparkling wine have you ever wondered that this tasteful, healthy drink also leaves its share of carbon footprint on our planet? A study states that producing one bottle of wine creates more than a pound of waste, and puts 16 grams of sulfur dioxide into the air. California houses over 2,500 bonded wineries and about 192 million cases of California wine were produced in 2008 that accounts to 90% of total US production. Now you can calculate the effect this brew are implicating on our environment. However trust California to take corrective measure to clean their environment. To keep up to the state’s green drift, even the wineries are doing their part to reduce their carbon footprint while still producing great wine. Many of them have turned to alternative energies like bio-diesel and solar panels to power up the whole setup. Also eco-friendly, recyclable and bio-degradable materials are being used for packaging.

    Posted in Alternative Energy on December 4, 2008
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    Eco-conscious Benedictine Nuns look forward to the eco-friendly monastery

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    After the Pope, it’s the nuns who intend to lead a green lifestyle now. Gaurdian reports that he Benedictine nuns of the Conventus of Our Lady of Consolation are all geared up for a greener location. An environmentally sensitive monastery is being built in the North York Moors national park for the purpose. Powered by solar panels, this monastery will also preach green with other eco-friendly features like rainwater harvesting, reedbed sewage systems, sedum roofs, recycled material, woodchip boiler and responsibly-sourced timber. Such a dwelling is in stark contrast to the current address of Stanbrook Abbey, Worcestershire that boasts of Victorian splendor.

    Posted in Alternative Energy on December 3, 2008
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