• Category Archives: Alternative Energy

    Bill Gates foundation invests in solar powered toilet for the developing world


    Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft Corp, who also happens to be the world’s biggest private philanthropist, is aiming to lead the developing world into a new phase with his work on sanitation and toilets. He handed down $100,000 as prize money to the California Institute of Technology recently for its work on a self-contained, sun-powered system that recycles water and breaks down human waste into storable energy. His initiative comes in the wake of millions of children dying in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia dying each year due to sanitation problems. He stated that there has been no fundamental change in toilet technology since the conception of the flush toilet in 1775 and his foundation is investing $3.4 million for toilet projects being worked on by various organizations.

    Posted in Alternative Energy on August 15, 2012
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    Solar powered roadways concept power a nation, cut costs and maintain eco-balance


    I always wondered at the mirage created on the roads whilst driving through sunny terrains, thinking exactly how much solar energy could be capitalized from it! Eventually, American electrical engineer Scott Brusaw echoed my innocent, juvenile thoughts and matured it into a concept capable of being a reality in the near future. He has developed a system of solar powered roads, naming his project ‘solar roadways’. The concept replaces the existing concrete and asphalt surfaces that are exposed to the sun with solar road panels. The technology which is currently in experimentation stage, is installed in driveways, bike paths, patios, sidewalks, parking lots, playgrounds and will go on to be integrated onto public roads if it is a success. The roads would be capable of directly infusing energy into the power-grid through photovoltaics which could power a whole nation and also replace coal and nuclear powered electricity generation plants.

    Posted in Alternative Energy on August 8, 2012
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    South Pacific Island of Tokelau is the World’s first country to endorse solar power

    The South Pacific Nations are among the most petroleum-dependant nations in the world and a new project headed by Powersmart Solar is attempting to change the statistics drastically. The Tokelau Renewable Energy Project (TREP) is about to be launched to replace the island nation’s diesel generators with expansive solar system. If the project is a success, Tokelau will qualify to be the first country to meet 100% of its climate change obligations and also the first completely solar-powered nation on earth. Tokelau is currently consuming the diesel shipped in from New Zealand, because of which the country’s diesel generators burn around 200 litres of fuel daily, upping the annual expenditure on fuel to NZ$1 million. This causes considerable environmental impact.

    Posted in Alternative Energy on July 27, 2012
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    First ever solar-powered intercontinental journey completed successfully by Solar Impulse


    Environmentalists and aerodynamic experts alike would definitely be beaming at the news of the first ever solar-powered intercontinental roundtrip journey being successfully completed by Solar Impulse. The Solar Impulse HB-SIA experimental solar-powered aircraft commuted between Europe and Africa- A 6,000km trip that commenced on May 24 and returned to Payerne, Switzerland at 8.30 pm on July 24. The main aim of Solar Impulse in making the iconic journey was to emphasize the fact that an aircraft can be powered only by the sun’s rays could be flown of night. The record-breaking journey had the aircraft visit Madrid, Rabat, Ouarzazate, Toulouse.

    Posted in Alternative Energy on July 25, 2012
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    Los Angeles welcomes home new solar power plant, the 10 megawatt Adelanto Solar Power Project


    Los Angeles, the “Entertainment Capital of the World,” now plays home to a swank new source of clean and green energy, the 10 megawatt Adelanto Solar Power Project. Unveiled by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, this solar power plant has the capacity to power nearly 3,300 homes with fresh green renewable juice! Sporting 46,000 solar panels, this $48 million plant located in the Mojave Desert began operations in June and was built on DWP land 65 miles north of Los Angeles. Also, the ambitious Department of Water and Power is currently drawing plans of obtaining a third of Los Angeles’ energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020.

    Posted in Alternative Energy on July 24, 2012
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    Goal Zero Yeti Solar Generator generates electricity for the outdoors using clean solar power!


    Looking for a great way to power up your trip to the outdoors? The Goal Zero Yeti Solar Generator is indeed the perfect companion, particularly if you’ve planned a sunny getaway. Sporting a 1250 Watt Hour battery that charges up in just 24 hours using energy from the sun soaked in by the Goal Zero Yeti’s dual solar panels, this one’s a clean and green way to power up instead of the more commonly used diesel generator. Priced at $1,800, the Goal Zero Yeti Solar Generator is capable of powering up air-conditioning units, refrigerators and packs three USB ports to quickly power up your smartphone, tablet or similar devices! Alternatively, the Goal Zero Yeti Solar Generator can also work as an eco-friendly power backup for disaster hit areas unplugged from the grid.

    Posted in Alternative Energy on July 24, 2012
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    SolarKiosk uses solar energy to to power up; works as a power center for developing areas


    Solar energy has long been hailed as one of the best ways to light up the lives of those who live away from electricity grids. Keeping just that in mind, the world’s first SolarKiosk was officially unveiled at Lake Langano, Ethiopia, designed by Graft architects in Germany. With solar panels attached to the top, the SolarKiosk concept provides its surrounding neighborhood with energy to power up mobile phones, rejoice car batteries, laptop batteries, solar powered refrigerators and solar powered lighting solutions. And that’s not all. Locals will also have access to purchasable solar lanterns, mobile phones, recharge cards and refreshments too, making the SolarKiosk more than just an energy hub for developing countries.

    Posted in Alternative Energy on July 24, 2012
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    ChargePoint Ltd installs three GE DuraStation EV charging points at the Euro Garages Eco Building, Heathrow


    Bath Road, Heathrow, now plays home to electric-vehicle charging stations with ChargePoint Ltd taking the initiative of installing three of these charging points at the Euro Garages Eco Building! Providing 32amp each, these three GE DuraStation units are capable of IEC single type 2 mode 3 charging. Also, the building currently holds a Starbucks drive-thru and a KFC outlet and was built recently from recycled materials topped with solar energy to generate power and air-source pumps included to heat the building, making it sustainable and green. With a reduced charge-time of just three to four hours, these charging stations will juice up visitor’s cars and are GPRS and RFID enabled.

    Posted in Alternative Energy on July 23, 2012
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    Energy efficient Global Explorer yacht uses solar panels


    Sailing the seas isn’t really an eco-friendly affair these days with fossil fuel prices rising out of the roof, even the richest treat travelling the high seas as a not-so-leisurely experience. Dutch design studio Van Geest has now pulled the veil off the 32M motor yacht Global Explorer that’s set apart from the rest, using energy from the sun to partly power up. sporting Caterpillar C18 Acert 2x 448kW (609 BHP) at 1800 rpm powered by diesel and solar panels cleverly arranged on the bridge deck that power up the lights onboard the yacht, the Global Explorer packs two guest cabins, one owner’s stateroom, a captain’s cabin, a cabin for crewmembers, two lounges, a laundry, crew mess, galley, storeroom and large lazarette. Beautifully built and energy-efficient indeed, the Global Explorer is an environment-friendly way to cruise the blues.

    Posted in Alternative Energy, Transport on July 18, 2012
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    Solar-powered hotel in the Alps is a boon for climbers


    Climbers hiking the Alps between the French and Italian sides can now breathe a sigh of relief. Designed by the Italy-based Leap Factory and commissioned by the Italian Alpine Club, this cleverly engineered hotel will now provide shelter to climbers in event of blizzards and nightfall. Powered by solar energy, this eco-friendly hotel seems to balance precariously on a cliff edge 1,000ft above jagged rock faces and is bound to leave quite a few visitors awestruck and frightened. Sporting a kitchen, dining room, storage racks, a living room and bunk beds, the hotel however is secured to the rock face using heavy-duty bolts and can play home to 12 climbers at a time. With internet connectivity and a digester system for waste, the hotel was built at a cost of 250,000 Euros ($304,425) and costs 30 Euros ($37) a night with reservations to be made online.

    Posted in Alternative Energy on July 17, 2012
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