If you’ve gone as far as pricing a renewable energy system for your home, you may have suffered a bit of sticker shock: solar and wind systems can easily run $20,000 — $40,000 before any incentives. Now, imagine the prices on systems for large businesses and institutions. It’s no wonder that these big players have sought out alternatives to buying systems outright, and often entered into power purchase agreements (or PPAs) for energy produced by technology owned by others.
Harvard University went this route yesterday when it signed a contract with Boston-based wind energy developer First Wind.
Wind-powered techies, energy-capturing pavement, and DIY hybrid electric sports cars… it’s time for your weekly green tech finds.
This light rocks: Literally… kinetic energy from rocking the Murakami chair powers an attached OLED lamp. (via Gizmodo)
Plug-ins aren’t so weird: CNET editor Martin LaMonica takes note of the strides automakers are taking to make electric vehicles perform in a similar manner to their gas-powered counterparts.
From a green ride to a clean (hand-cranked) shave, it’s all here: this week’s green tech finds.
Solar that doesn’t stand out: Or, not as much, anyway… Iowa’s Powerfilm has developed “thin, flexible solar sheets that can be integrated with architectural building materials.” (via Springwise)
Eco wifi: Australia’s D-Link has announced its Green EthernetTM technology which “automatically detects link status and network cable length, then adjusts power accordingly.” It’s also allows a user to schedule wireless up time (like thermostats).
Where do climate change and Sudoku come together? At your weekly green tech finds, of course…
What’s the best computer out there for a student in Cambodia? One that sips energy… and the Open Institute has installed 400 such computers for Cambodian students and teachers.
Water heats and cools new classroom building: Michigan’s Saginaw Valley State University showed off its new Health and Human Services building yesterday, which features the state’s largest aqua-thermal heating and cooling system.
Want to see what climate change might look like?Google Earth is launching a new series of layers showing “…potential impacts of climate change on our planet and the solutions for managing it.” See the introductory video (narrated by Al Gore) above. (via EcoGeek)
Because everything’s big in Texas: E.ON Climate & Renewables (EC&R) announced the completion of one of the world’s largest wind farms around Roscoe, Texas. (via CNET Green Tech)
California mandates cool cars: By 2012, the state has mandates that “vehicle windows must prevent 45 percent of the sun’s total heat-producing energy from entering the interior and the windshield must reject at least 50 percent.” (via Cleantechnica and Greencar.com)
Got flowing water? Make electricity!: The Hydro-Electric Barrel uses a simple design to make micro-hydro power generation more efficient. (via Blue Living Ideas)
Will “radical collaboration” produce the world’s coolest green iPhone app? That’s what 3rdWhale and GenGreen hope as the one-time competitors merge to form GenGreen Digital Media.
Got other green tech news? Let us know… share it in the comments.
Since its release last month, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind has been regarded by pretty much everyone as one of the most inspirational stories in recent history. It was Amazon.com’s Best Book of the Month in September, and I haven’t been able to find a single bad review about it. If you don’t know about William Kamkwamba, now a TED Fellow and world famous inventor, you’re truly missing out.
Tree-power and homemade submarines… all that and more in your green tech finds for the week.
Google… the solar company?: The company announced on Wednesday that it’s “working to develop its own new mirror technology that could reduce the cost of building solar thermal plants by a quarter or more.”
Wind power from the air conditioner: Renewable energy company EarthSure has announced its WindAir system, which is designed to “[transform] the exhausted air flow from central air conditioning units into a source of renewable, clean energy.”
Beer and gas? Sound like a National Lampoon movie… but it’s your green tech finds for the week.
Fart-powered fuel cells? Sort of… Danbury, Connecticut-based FuelCell Energy recently installed two fuel cell power plants at food processor Gills Onions that “…create electricity using old onions and a process that mimics how the human body expels gas”
Solar-powered parking: Austin, Texas is replacing traditional parking meters with “pay stations [that] are solar-powered, take credit cards, debit cards and coins, and will replace the 3,800 outdated single-space parking meters around the city.”
It’s Friday… time for your round-up of interesting and innovative green tech stories.
Sony Ericsson announces the release of two new “Greenheart” mobile phones. The company claims both models have a 15% lower carbon footprint than comparable models, and feature a minimum of 50% recycled plastic. (via eWeek)
Ever had your hat blown off in an urban “wind tunnel?” Ohio-based start-up Green Energy Technologies is trying to replicate the effect of wind tunnels, and harness the energy, with its WindCube wind speed amplifier. (via earth2tech)
Check out more green tech finds and see if you can greenify your life!
In the spirit of Em and Lo’s “Naked News,” here’s a run-down of some of the latest green technology stories to come across the wires… not as hot, but definitely safe for work!
Green on the go:3rdWhale and Creative Citizen have developed a new iPhone app: the “Creative Solution” for sustainable living. Track your eco-friendly efforts, as well as the tangible benefits (savings of energy, water, and even money). Download the app for free. (via MNN)
From a green ride to a clean (hand-cranked) shave, it’s all here: this week’s green tech finds.
Tree-power and homemade submarines… all that and more in your green tech finds for the week.
Beer and gas? Sound like a National Lampoon movie… but it’s your green tech finds for the week.
