Green Technology

California based Bio Solar has a different slant on making solar cells ... rather than focusing on improving the efficiency they focus on reducing the cost and using non petroleum based materials.

Read on for more ... >>> 

" ...developed a breakthrough technology to produce bio-based materials from renewable plant sources that will reduce the cost per watt of solar cells. ... is the first company to introduce a new dimension of cost reduction by replacing petroleum-based plastic solar cell components with durable bio-based components."

"... BioSolar materials can be used directly in conventional manufacturing systems, such as injection molding and thin-film roll-to-roll, to create superstrate layer, substrate layer, backsheet as well as module and panel components."

" ... using crystalline silicon, amorphous silicon or other solar technologies, BioSolar can help reduce the cost per watt through the use of its lower cost bio-based materials."

"By removing petroleum from solar cells, BioSolar makes solar energy a true green source of energy."

Via:  Bio Solar   Link

Posted by Green Dude at 06:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

"Officals from Major League Baseball, the ... (EPA), the ... (NRDC), Green-e Energy and WindStreet Energy, ... joined the Phillies in announcing a major initiative at Citizens Bank Park to aid in the efforts for a cleaner environment."

" To offset the carbon footprint created ... the Phillies have purchased 20 million kilowatt-hours of Green-e Energy Certified Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). According to the EPA, this is the largest single purchase of 100% renewable energy in professional sports and is equivalent to the planting of 100,000 trees."

"The Phillies are the first Major League Baseball team to join the EPA's Green Power Partnership (GPP) program, ... According to the EPA, the team is the third largest Green Power Partner in Philadelphia and seventh largest Green Power Partner in Pennsylvania."

Via:  PhiladelphiaPhillies.com  Link 

Posted by Green Dude at 06:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

Nokia has an intersting "concept" phone that incorporates some green thinking ...

Read on for more >>>

" ... two parts – a wearable sensor unit which can sense and analyze your environment, health, and local weather conditions, and a dedicated mobile phone. "

"... sensor ... made from solar cells that provide power to the sensors. ..."

" ...phone and the sensor unit will be as compact as possible to minimize material use, and those materials used in the design will be renewable and/or reclaimed. Technologies used inside the phone and sensor unit will also help save energy."

Via:  Nokia   Link

Continue reading "Nokia Eco Sensor Concept Phone -- Looking Green!" »

Posted by Green Dude at 05:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

Posted by Green Dude at 05:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

Friends Select, an independent Quaker school in center city Philadelphia, Pa, is constructing a thermal energy system,.

Drilling holes " ... 1,500 feet below the sidewalk ... in search of energy savings."

" ... will use the ambient temperature of the ground, about 50 degrees, to heat and cool the Quaker-run office complex."

" ... costing $1.3 million, ... will help eliminate the center's emissions of greenhouse gases and cut its energy costs by an estimated 46 percent. The payback period: six to eight years."

Via:  www.philly.com   Link

Posted by Green Dude at 06:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

Farm-Way of Bradford, Vermont is a family business - family owned and operated. 

They have also decided to make an investment in solar panels.  "Farm-Way and Vermont Gear have pledged over $400,000 in solar panels to “ Gro Solar” company in White River Jct Vermont. We will be generating approximately 60 KW of power, which is equivalent to 43% of our electrical power consumption. ..."

" ... our system will allow our local electrical service to avoid 76,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per year ,  ... reductions from the utility power annually of NOX @ 84 pounds  and sulfur dioxide @200 pounds."

" ... will ... monitor at our entryway and also linking our web site to the data and output information in real time,  ... continually updated views of the systems output and easily understood information on the benefits of solar."
 

Via:  EcoWorks - Vermont Gear Link

Continue reading "Vermont's Farm-Way goes "Solar"" »

Posted by Green Dude at 07:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

"... a whole-home solution that benefits the environment and your wallet. Designed to lower overall household energy consumption, emissions and indoor water consumption,... combines building science with high performance products ..."

Source: GE Consumer & Industrial

Via:  GE ecomagination Homebuilder Program  Link 

Posted by Green Dude at 06:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

March 11, 2008 - FAIRLESS HILLS, Pa. -Presidential Candidate Obama spoke at the US site of Spanish Wind Turbine Company Gamesa.

" ... spoke in a cavernous facility that ... is home to an arm of the Spanish company Gamesa, which makes giant turbines that generate electricity ... "

"Obama repeated his call to spend $150 billion over 10 years to create "a green energy sector." He said it would "create up to 5 million new jobs, including jobs in Pennsylvania.""

"We should be building windmills all across the country,... " 

Via:  news.yahoo.com  Link

Continue reading "Obama Speaks in PA About Green Energy @ Wind Turbine Plant" »

Posted by Green Dude at 05:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

Gasoline engines from lawn equipment (movers, blowers, edgers, etc) contribute a significant share of pollution.  Small engines are not subject to the same emission requirements as larger engines and so are probably the biggest non-road emissions source.

For smaller lawns a battery powered electric mower might be a practical solution.

No more oil and gas ... just plug in, charge and go.

"... relief from the arm-yanking pull-starts, the fumes, noise, and vibration of a gas lawn mower. Start it with the push of a button and mow for up to 1 hour on a single charge."

" ... doesn't use gas or oil, so it never needs a tune-up and it runs clean. It produces no pollution or carbon emissions. ..."

Via: drpower.com   Link

Posted by Green Dude at 05:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

options

Green House Data is " ... one of the only 100% Wind powered GREEN data centers in the nation. ... our green data center design is 60% more energy efficient than the average data center in the U.S."

"... perfect combination -- an environmentally responsible data center, lower than average prices, and above average professional service ... first facility will be located in Cheyenne, Wyoming .. Wyoming's first enterprise class computing center."

Via: Green Housde Data Center  Link

Continue reading "Green House Data - Green Data Center" »

Posted by Green Dude at 06:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

 Solar panels are becoming more common; almost mainstream.

  What is now needed is a way to boost the efficiency or redue the manufacturing cost.

"Nanosolar is a global leader in solar power innovation. ...  setting the standard for affordable green power with solar cell technology of distinctly superior cost efficiency, versatility, and availability."

"Leveraging ... nanostructured materials, we have developed a critical mass of engineering advances that profoundly change the cost efficiency and production scalability of solar electricity cells and panels."

Via:  Nanosolar.com   Link

Continue reading "Nanosolar" »

Posted by Green Dude at 01:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

Wind powered sailing ships are not new - the first effective ships to cross the oceans were wind powered vessels.  Now with crude oil reaching and passing the $US100 / bbl mark they are getting closer attention as a viable "assist" to modern freight vessels.

"... SkySails represents the only suitable model: no bothersome masts on deck, no restriction of stowage space, no hindrances to loading and discharging, no risk to the crew, cargo or ship as well as reliable overall performance. ... wind energy ... makes it possible to provide relief to the main engine ... when the sail is scaled up to 320 square metres ... potential savings of 20 to 30 percent are definitely feasible and realistic. ..."

An interesting observation is that in the picture to the left the vessel is carrying wind turbine equipment!

Via:  SkySails   Link 

Via:  The Beluga Group  Link

Posted by Green Dude at 05:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

 
Green Fuel for airplanes! 

Green Flight International has made history buy having "... completed the world's first Jet aircraft flight powered by 100% biofuel ..."

They are planning an around the world approx. 22,000 nautical mile flight to further demonstrate their capabilities.  The date has not yet been set but he flight will "... set an example to the International community that it is possible to implement Alternative energy into mainstream transportation sources."

Green Flight International is based in Apopka, Florida.

Via:  Green Flight International Link

Continue reading "Bio-Diesel Flight Around the World" »

Posted by Green Dude at 07:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

" ... Carolina Plantation Rice ... is the first and only business in South Carolina to be recognized nationally as being Green-e certified as an environmentally friendly user of renewable energy."

" ... purchases renewable energy from Pee Dee Electric Cooperative in the form of “Green Power” to irrigate and process its crops ... Green Power is electricity generated from landfill gas."

“"Our customer base is a very aware group of people who are environmentally concerned,” ...  All our packaging is biodegradable. It’s natural.” "

Via:  Electric Cooperative of South Carolina   Link

Posted by Green Dude at 06:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

Bio-Diesel is an alternative fuel used in lqwn movers and cars.  But what about airplanes?

Read on to learn about a bio-diesel jet ...>>>

"Biodiesel ... recently power a 1968 L-29 Czechoslovakian jet—dubbed BioJet 1—up to 17,000 feet (5,180 meters) over 37 minutes. A three minute, 15-second test the day before was the world's first flight entirely fueled by cooking oil."

"... the fuel for the historic October flight: fresh canola oil refined into biodiesel. ...""

"As little as 20 percent biodiesel in petroleum diesel fuel will reduce carbon emissions by 50 percent,... "

"...  plans to fly the experimental jet from Reno, Nev., to Orlando, Fla.—the first transcontinental biodiesel flight, in eight stops. And, eventually, he hopes to fly a similarly fuelled plane around the world. ...""

Via:  Scientific American   Link

Posted by Green Dude at 07:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

New York City is hosting the Greener Gadget Conference on Feb 1, 2008.  The one day event details:
 

10am - 6pm
McGraw-Hill Conference Center
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York City, NY

"... industry leaders, entrepreneurs, [and others] ... will gather to discuss the business case for the greening of the consumer electronics industry. ... featuring ...  consumer electronics companies ..., innovators from academic thinktanks, members of startups ... and some of the leading minds in the word of sustainable design and business. Topics to be addressed include: design for sustainability, product life cycle management, take-back and recycling programs, energy efficiency, greener materials, and green lifestyle and product marketing. An attached gallery space will feature a green prototype office display and technology exhibits from companies on the cutting edge of green tech."

" ... will showcase revolutionary design and tech innovations that will shape the future of the consumer electronics and change your world... for the better."

• "Environmental initiatives from leading consumer electronics companies, such as take-back and recycling programs"
• "New environmentally sensitive materials, product lifecycle and design for sustainability"
• "Innovations in renewable energy technologies, such as fuel cells, kinetic energy, wind and solar power"

Via:  GreenerGadgets.com  Link

Continue reading "Greener Gadgets Conference in N.Y.C. Feb 1, 2008" »

Posted by Green Dude at 07:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

"The Stillwell Avenue station in Brooklyn has just installed a 76,000-sq-ft solar roof, ... touted to be “one of the most sustainable mass transportation sites ever built in the U.S.,”..."

" ... 2,730 building integrated photovoltaic panels that create a shelter  ... panels are each 5′ by 20′, made of silicon thin-film, which is less costly to install than other solar panels because it requires minimal framing.  

"... providing 250,000 kilo-watt hours of power to the station each year, ... and ... the transparent roof of panels that lets in plenty of natural light."

Via:  Inhabitat  Link

Continue reading "Solar Subway Stop in Coney Island, NY" »

Posted by Green Dude at 07:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

options

Here is an interesting idea ... harness the body heat from commuters to warm a building.  instead of radiating into the air ... an interesting idea in Sweden uses that heat to heat a new nearby office building.  

>>> Read on for more.

" ... heat from hundreds of thousands ...  will be used to heat a new office building..."

Continue reading "Sweden's "People Powered Heating" System for Buildings" »

Posted by Green Dude at 08:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

options

"GE Energy Financial Services, PowerLight Corporation and Catavento Lda ... will build the world's largest solar photovoltaic power project. The 11-megawatt solar power plant, comprising 52,000 photovoltaic modules, ... in Serpa, Portugal, ... one of Europe's sunniest areas."

"... will produce electricity sufficient to power 8,000 homes and save more than 30,000 tons a year in greenhouse gas emissions compared with equivalent fossil fuel generation."

"... PowerLight's PowerTracker(R) ...patented tracking technology follows the sun ... generating more electricity than conventional fixed-mount systems. " 

Via:  RenewableEnergyAccess   Link

Continue reading "Portugal to Build World's Largest Solar Powr Plant" »

Posted by Green Dude at 11:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

China's Suntech Poower Co, Ltd is becoming a power player in Solar Cells.  It is a leader in both cvapacity and solar outbut ...

Read on to learn more about why sun power and solar cells are important to the future power needs of the world ...

• The Sun has sufficient helium mass to provide the Earth with energy for another five billion years and, every 15 minutes, it emits more energy than humankind uses in an entire year.
  
  
• The Earth receives only one half of one billionth of the Sun's radiant energy, but in just a few days it gets as much heat and light as could be produced by burning all the oil, coal and wood on the planet.
  
  

Via:  Suntech Power Co, Ltd.   Link

Continue reading "China Becomes a Leader in Solar Cells - Suntech Power Co, Ltd" »

Posted by Green Dude at 05:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

The normal process is to burn a hydrocarbon and get CO2.  A possible novel new process would turn the CO back into a Hydrocarbon. 

CO2 ==> CO ==> Hydrocarbon ... just add concentrated sunlight!  Pretty neat!  

"... research team from Sandia National Laboratories is building a prototype ... to chemically “reenergize” carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide ... carbon monoxide could then be used to make hydrogen or ... combustible fuel, such as methanol or even gasoline, diesel and jet fuel."

"... Counter Rotating Ring Receiver Reactor Recuperator (CR5, for short), ..."

"... “Sunshine to Petrol” (S2P). “Liquid Solar Fuel” is the end product — the methanol, gasoline, or other liquid fuel made from water and the carbon monoxide produced using solar energy."

Continue reading "Possible Route to Hydrocarbon Fuel from Air" »

Posted by Green Dude at 06:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

The New Belgium Brewery has many green aspects to their business ... In addition to their own waste water treatment plant ... they product their own methane!

"...  installation of its own process water treatment facility. ...  allows us to clean our process waters ...  without burdening the municipal system.... "

" ... byproduct of this process is the production of methane. ... capture this methane and pipe it back into ... a combined heat and power engine that produces both electrical and thermal energy. ... power about 10% of the brewery with this byproduct ..."

Via:  New Belgium Beer   Link

Posted by Green Dude at 05:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

The citizens of Seattle, Washington have several green power options.  Seattle has a long history of grren power ... in 1905 they built their first hydroelectric plant.

• "Buy green power for a portion of your electricity through City Light's Green Up Program"
  

  >>> This allows customers to pay an additional amount to get up to 100% of their power from renewable sources.

  
  
• "Pay a little more on your bill to support renewable energy demonstrations, including local solar electricity projects, through City Light's Green Power Program".
  

  >>> This funds demonstrations of renewable energy methods not curently bieung used in Seattle.

  
  

Via:  City Light Power  Link
 

Posted by Green Dude at 05:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

Recovering the potential "fuel" in materials has been the driving force behind oil shale and oil sands.  Global Resource Corp, a NJ company, has found a way to "crack "the energy" from materials using RF energy.

" ... GRC’s hydrocarbon specific frequencies are generated by much higher RF klystrons that actually crack the hydrocarbon chain into its characteristic fuels.

"... no CO2 or CO produced ... because there is no oxidation... "

"... designed klystron machinery for gasifying hydrocarbons where they exist or in fabricated systems. In-situ meaning processed deep in the ground, rock formations or anywhere naturally occurring and off-situ meaning processed above ground that is mined or material removed from site.

"... GRC ...now possess the technology that will free America from foreign oil imports.

Click the LINK to see a YouTUBE video of converting COAL into natural gas and hydrogen fuel.

Via:  Global Resource Corporation    Link 

Continue reading "Energy Recovery by RF Frequency" »

Posted by Green Dude at 06:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

"Silda Wall Spitzer, ... wants to turn the governor's mansion ... into a modern model of energy efficiency ... “Greening the Mansion” will cut its electrical energy consumption by 50% and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by half.

Highlights include:

* solar panels
* a fuel cell to  replace back up dielsel powered generator
* energy efficient appliances

Via:  TreeHugger.com   Link

Continue reading "New York Governor's Mansion Goes Green" »

Posted by Green Dude at 05:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

options

Al Gore has joined the Silocn Valley venture capital firs Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers.  He joins "... as a partner focused on alternative energy investments.