Articles Archive for August 2009
SURE Energy, Solar Power »
Illustration by Studio Formwork
This lightweight, inflatable solar panel concept brings renewable energy access to any building and without that pesky renovation.
Each eye-shaped piece has a white foam shell that measures 4 feet by 2.5 feet. Inside the foam housing is an inflatable polymer lined with <a href=”http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/08/53-m… Read the full story on TreeHugger
SURE Energy, Wind Energy »
photo: Yovany Alas via flickr
Despite a steady trickle of new wind power projects coming in over the past year since the recession set in, things haven’t exactly been going gangbusters in terms of financing. But as the Wall Street Journal points out today, that’s starting to change… and (gasp) it’s at least partly because of government inves… Read the full story on TreeHugger
SURE Energy, Water/Hydro »
Hawaiian Electric Co. will use reverse osmosis technology to purify the water that is used to generate steam to run turbines. The system is expected to reduce the plant’s usage of potable water by approximately 140,000 gallons a day. (Go to article in Pacific Business News, 28.08.09)
SURE Energy, Water/Hydro »
The City of London, UK begins public consultations on the draft London Water Strategy. (Go to News Release, The City of London, 08.09)
Alberta Grown, Transportation »
Some good deals are available to those who want to trade in their old vehicles for the new ones and those who want to dispose of their old gas guzzlers. Some dealerships started topping the Cash for Clunkers program with their own incentives . Also, Retire your Ride program administered by Climate Change Central offers [...]
SURE Energy, Solar Power »
A team of scientists from the University of Texas at Austin has developed a type of spray-on solar cells that could lower costs of production dramatically.
The concept of spray-on solar cells is by no means a new approach – the Australian National University has been working on one for the past three years. The University of Texas at Austin team led by engineer Brian Korgel uses copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) as the main component for the ink used to manufacture the solar cell. This nanoparticle ink allows manufacturers to completely deviate from the conventional expensive method of solar cell production. Using this ink, solar cells can be made through a roll-to-roll printing process, similar to how newspapers are printed. Plastic substrate and stainless steel are a couple of possible bases for the printing.
Energy Storage, SURE Energy, Smart Grid, Transportation »
Daily grid load versus power regulation or “conditioning,” for increased grid reliability.
Image credit:John Laumer, courtesy PJM & University of Delaware
Last week we approached the question of How Long Will Tomorrow’s Automotive Lithium Batteries Last? Short answer: battery longevity won’t be an issue for electric car owners. This follow-up post extrapolates from that answer, with the question: “What is the profit-making potential for vehicle to grid (V2G) sharing of … Read the full story on TreeHugger
SURE Energy, Solar Power »
We’re all familiar with the vast solar thermal power stations in the desert that use mirrors to make steam to drive turbines. Giant solar thermal arrays are already making electricity in the desert in Spain and California. But what if we could have just one of these units in the backyard, just for our own use?
That’s what motivated a team of MIT students to find the way to make the cheapest solar power station out there. Mass produce it for the home user and market it under their own new start up RawSolar.
Sure, it melts steel. But even more practically for the home owner, it makes steam in a flash:
SURE Energy, Water/Hydro »
The biggest commodities boom of the 20th century was a bust for water and wastewater utilities, which found themselves locked in a battle with manufacturers for vital water treatment chemicals over the past five years. Competition for more chemicals to grow biofuel crops didn’t help, either. Prices for some chemicals almost tripled between 2003 and 2008 as utilities scrambled to find scarce supplies. Though the global recession helped to ease the price and supply issues, the next boom cycle could bring things to a boiling point. Fortunately, more sustainable non-chemical water treatment methods are on the horizon and could play a role in stabilizing the situation over the long run.
Energy Storage »
CFX Battery, the maker of which makes primary and rechargeable batteries, has raised $5 million of a planned $26 million round of new funding, according to a regulatory filing. This is the Pasadena, Calif. company’s second round — it previously raised $15.18 million from CMEA Ventures, Harris & Harris Group and U.S. Venture Partners, peHUB says.
