Renewable Energy and Green Design
Swedish Researchers Discover Algae-Based, Non-Metallic Batteries
Sun, 20/09/09 – 7:32 | No Comment

Researchers at Uppsala University in Sweden have discovered that a particular type of algae produces a substance that can be used to make inexpensive, non-toxic, simple-to-build, flexible, thin and durable batteries that, after optimization, are …

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Green Design

articles and videos on new ways to improve the world through forward-thinking, high-tech, and environmentally conscious design

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articles on power that is derived from the force or energy of moving water, including hydroelectric, tidal, tidal stream and wave power

Biofuel

fuel derived from recently dead biological material offering the possibility of producing energy without a net increase of carbon into the atmosphere

Solar Energy

articles and videos on the technology for electrical generation by heat engine or photovoltaic, daylighting, hot water, and space heating in active and passive solar buildings

Wind Power

articles and videos on the conversion of wind energy into a useful form, such as electricity, using wind turbines

General News »

Live Debate “Is it too late to stop climate change?”
Mon, 23/11/09 – 17:24 | No Comment

The Times Online is running a live online debate called “Is it too late to stop climate change?” on November 25 at 2pm - http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/related_reports/the_future_of_energy/article6925491.ece

Chairing the debate on will be the author of The Times’ The Future of Energy focus reports, Alan Copps. Following 20 years of reporting for regional and national papers, Copps was appointed The Times’ news editor in 1989, a post he held until 1994. He moved to the features department where he edited supplements on both motoring and technology. Since 2007, he has been freelancing, writing mainly on motoring and environmental topics.

Joining Copps will be freelance environmental, travel and property journalist Flemmich Webb, whose film The Road to Copenhagen: Seal the Deal, was broadcast on CNBC Asia and Europe last month.
Dr Jeremy Woods, a lecturer in bioenergy at Imperial College, London, will also be taking part. Woods is a specialist in global environmental change and energy policy. He has a particular interest in development, land-use and the exploitation of biomass energy. He also coordinates a large EU-funded network on the study of bioethanol for sustainable transport (BEST).

Representing Royal Dutch Shell will be David Hone, the senior climate change adviser in the Shell CO2 team. Hone joined Shell in 1980 after graduating as a chemical engineer from the University of Adelaide in South Australia. He has worked closely with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, and is lead author of its recent publications on climate change.

‘Broken’ Nanotubes are Better at Storing Electricity
Mon, 23/11/09 – 15:12 | No Comment
‘Broken’ Nanotubes are Better at Storing Electricity

University of San Diego researchers have discovered that carbon nanotubes don’t have to be perfect to do a better job. Prabhakar Bandaru, a professor in the UCSD Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering have discovered …

Chinese Invest $1.5 Billion in West Texas Wind Farm
Fri, 30/10/09 – 3:35 | One Comment
Chinese Invest $1.5 Billion in West Texas Wind Farm

Despite the tightness of global credit markets the Chinese are showing a willingness to finance renewable energy projects wherever they may be. A consortium of Chinese businesses backed by Chinese banks have committed $1.5 billion …

Team Tokai wins Global Green Challenge in Australia
Wed, 28/10/09 – 18:31 | No Comment
Team Tokai wins Global Green Challenge in Australia

The Japanese Tokai University team built the solar powered car that won the Global Green Challenge on Wednesday after averaging speeds of more than 100 kilometres (62 miles) per hour in a four-day race through …

The Smart Grid Takes Shape in Germany with E-Energy Plan
Mon, 19/10/09 – 17:19 | 3 Comments
The Smart Grid Takes Shape in Germany with E-Energy Plan

The new age of green electricity is beginning to take shape in Germany under the name E-Energy. The plan is a vision to create a giant renewable energy grid using inputs as diverse as huge …

GE Completes Purchase of Gearless Wind Turbine Manufacturer ScanWind
Tue, 6/10/09 – 9:20 | No Comment
GE Completes Purchase of Gearless Wind Turbine Manufacturer ScanWind

With the acquisition of ScanWind, based in Trondheim, Norway, GE has secured a foothold in the growing offshore wind energy market. GE is gambling that ScanWinds early-stage turbine technology that could make offshore wind farms …

Worlds Largest Electric Car Charging Network Begins
Sat, 3/10/09 – 16:48 | No Comment
Worlds Largest Electric Car Charging Network Begins

This week saw the largest transportation electrification project in history begin. On 10/1/2009, eTec announced that they have officially signed the $99.8 million grant with DOE to start installing Electric Vehicle Infrastructure in 5 States, …

Britain’s Chief Energy Scientist “Greenhouse gas emissions created by Britons are probably twice as bad as figures suggest”
Thu, 1/10/09 – 17:09 | No Comment
Britain’s Chief Energy Scientist “Greenhouse gas emissions created by Britons are probably twice as bad as figures suggest”

The government’s new chief energy scientist Professor David MacKay told the BBC that reductions in carbon dioxide emissions since 1990 are “an illusion”. Greenhouse gas emissions created by Britons are probably twice as bad as …

Solar Rooftops in Spain Make Good Investment Sense
Wed, 30/09/09 – 5:25 | 3 Comments
Solar Rooftops in Spain Make Good Investment Sense

Spain is a powerhouse for solar energy production in Europe because it has excellent sun resources and because it has a feed-in tariff for renewable energy production, as does Germany. With a feed-in tariff, project …

Electric Cars go Mainstream at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show
Sun, 27/09/09 – 10:05 | One Comment
Electric Cars go Mainstream at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show

The theme of the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show which ran for most of last week can best be summed up in one word: “electric.” Nearly every manufacturer has unveiled a vehicle using the latest battery …

California to Spend $3.1 Billion to Save Energy but who Guards the Guardians?
Sun, 27/09/09 – 6:06 | One Comment
California to Spend $3.1 Billion to Save Energy but who Guards the Guardians?

California energy regulators approved spending $3.1 billion over the next three years to cut the amount of electricity used in the state. This is one of the most aggressive energy efficiency plan among U.S. states, …