Category Archives: Alternative Energy
By integrating the chemistry between the cyclist and the rider and the environment and the latter, an experience on pedal and wheels can truly be enriching. This is the kind of experience that Piaggio want to deliver to riders of their all new electric bicycle. It serves as more than just an assisted pedal bike. In addition to a highly convenient speed-affecting gear changing pattern, the bicycle also leverages the advantage of geo location and capabilities to understand who the rider is as well as the latter’s preferences, thanks to the integration with a smart platform. Thanks to this you can also enable advanced data sharing so that your experiences are shared with your digitally connected ecosystem.
Continue reading 
Sydney is now host to the world’s very first building to leverage solar energy to harness heating and electricity form the same source. Thin solar PV and solar thermal technologies have been combined in an array that doubles up as a roofing solution. The Australian steel manufacturer Bluescope made this possible thanks to their alliance with Australian Renewal Energy Agency. “Today we are witnessing an exciting new technology solution moving from the lab to be prototyped on everyday Australian rooftops for the first time,” explains Ivor Frischknecht, CEO of ARENA. “The old corrugated steel roof on this house in Glebe has been completely replaced with the first integrated photovoltaic (PV) thermal system in Australia, generating reliable renewable energy for the residents. A tile roof in the Illawarra region has also been replaced with the integrated PV system, demonstrating its versatility. In addition to PV panels, an innovative thermal duct system warms and cools air to supplement air conditioning in the homes. These first installations are an important step as the technology moves towards commercialisation and cost competitiveness with conventional rooftop PV.”
Continue reading
There is a fear that the not-so-distant future may be waterless. This acute shortage may have inspired something in the design of the WaterDrop, a conceptual solar-powered drop. The idea has been conceptualized by Ap Verheggen. The WaterDrop employs condensation to create water out of air by leveraging sunlight, which is commonplace in most ‘warm’ regions. “If temperatures rise, the air contains more water,” Ap said. “Normally, higher temperatures also mean more sunshine. So, why not focus on harvesting water out of the air, powered only by renewable solar energy? In this way drinking water and water for agriculture become available in most dry parts of the planet.”
Continue reading
Some folks love being left alone. Wait a minute. It isn’t some. In fact that vast majority of this planet could do with some solitary peace and quiet. It’s the places we seek this refuge that differs. For instance, when Kevin Miller sent his drone soaring up a wind turbine, the last thing he expected to find was one search peace-seeker dozing comfortably on the top of it. But that’s what luck had in store for him. The video has surely hit the viral wave and now we’re wondering how often the man did this and how did he get up there (that’s something most of us want to know).
Continue reading
A perfect world would be one where we wouldn’t depend on an electric socket to charge our mobile phones. As this is too much of a hypothesis, we can instead focus on creating more charging solutions that use renewable energy sources. Which is why we applaud the becoming of the Candle Charger by Stower. This unique contraption needs only water and a candle to charge smartphones. This amazing idea can save lives and cure anxiety in trying times. The Charger effectively offers 2.5W USB power to charge devices. It employs Peltier cooler or thermoelectric modules to convert temperature gradients to electricity. A single candle can charge a phone for up to six hours, which should ideally cover charging of two batteries. Adam, the co-founder of the company said, “The Candle Charger is an emergency preparedness product, which means that you don’t know that you need it, until you really need it”.
Continue reading
While many vouch for wind energy, the problem with deploying windmills is that they are difficult to port, make a lot of sound and need a lot of place. In a country like Japan that is ravaged by constant natural calamities, it would even be a poor investment decision. Which is why the country is innovating the way they harness power. They have just introduced the world’s largest floating wind turbine, 12 miles off the Fukushima coast. The turbine has been sponsored by the Japanese government and is one of three such government-funded projects. It comprises of a 344-foot tower that can withstand waves of up to 65 feet, thus leaving most tsunamis out of its threat list. Four 20-ton anchors secure the turbines to the sea bed.
Continue reading
Ikea has announced that all twelve of their stores in Canada will offer electric charging to clientele. These Level 2 stations will be free to use and all stations will be outfitted with two stations. Each of these will charge 60 amps. Customers will be services at these stations on a first-come-first-serve basis. The service will be provided through Sun Country Highway. Brendan Seale, Ikea’s Sustainability Manager said, “Electric vehicle charging stations are an important step on IKEA Canada’s continuing journey towards sustainability.”
Continue reading
There’s something to look forward to from windy days, especially if you’re from Denmark. On July 9th, the nation experience strong winds and voila, they were glad in the days to come. How so, you may ask. Denmark have invested heavily on wind energy, the testimony of which can be found on their elaborate wind farms that span acres. The winds led to the production of 16% surplus energy during the day and an incredible 40% surplus overnight, to meet the entire nation’s demand and have some power still left. And prompt as they are, the Danes exported the excess energy to Germany, Norway and Sweden by leveraging their electricity grids. This clearly paints the picture of a very probably future, where renewable energy rules the power lines.
Continue reading
Who would have thought of Lego going the green way? The company thrives on plastic-based bricks and have been the creative building blocks of adults and youngsters for decades. The brand however has decided to play its role in global sustainability in its own way by deciding to stop the production of petroleum-based plastic bricks. By next year the company will set up the Lego Sustainable Materials Center at its headquarters in Denmark. “This is a major step for the Lego Group on our way towards achieving our 2030 ambition on sustainable materials,” said Lego Group CEO and President, Jørgen Vig Knudstorp. “We have already taken important steps to reduce our carbon footprint and leave a positive impact on the planet by reducing the packaging size, by introducing FSC certified packaging and through our investment in an offshore wind farm. Now we are accelerating our focus on materials.”
Continue reading
Kyocera and Century Tokyo Leasing had a ceremony to celebrate the completion of a solar power plant that has an output of about 2.3MW and was set up on a pond in Kasai City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, May 24, 2015.This is the world’s largest floating solar power plant, followed by a plant run by Kyocera TCL Solar in Kato City, Hyogo Prefecture.
Continue reading