Sundance Channel

Green tech finds (7/14/11)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 18:54:37 +0000

"Brown" hybrids, super-efficient wind turbines, and a solar-powered golf bag... your green tech finds for the week.

Not all hybrids are created equal: Yep, the Prius, the Honda Civic Hybrid, and the Ford Fusion Hybrid all deliver on the value promised by this vehicle platform. But, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists, there are also a number hybrid models that just aren't worth the cost, and do very little in terms of fuel efficiency... check out the video from CNET above to see the top five "brownest" hybrids.
Enterprise, Fed Ex love them some EVs: Yesterday at the National Summit on Energy Security, Andy Taylor, CEO of Enterprise Holdings (which owns Enterprise Rent-a-Car and others) and Fred Smith, CEO of Fed Ex, made impassioned arguments for ramping up vehicle electrification. Marc Gunther has the details...

Green tech finds

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 21:30:52 +0000

eople-powered gyms, transmitting from turtles in Illinois, and combining flies and poop for good use... your green tech finds for the week.

The open-source solar concentrator: Designer Eerik Wissenz claims that his Solar Fire open source solar concentrator concept can harvest power at ten times cheaper than photovoltaics. Check it out in the video above... (via Earth Techling)
New university trend -- the human-powered gym: Powering exercise and recreation facilities with energy harvested from workout equipment is catching on at universities... the Sustainable Cities Collective takes a closer look at Drexel University's approach.

Green tech finds (5/26/11)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 26 May 2011 19:51:52 +0000

Diaper-eating mushrooms, recycled oil booms, and global warming's effects on your wi-fi signal... this week's green tech finds.

Solar and wind power for apartment dwellers: Jonathan Globerson's Greenerator concept allows apartment dwellers to harvest both wind and solar power from their balconies. (via Inhabitat)
GM recycling oil booms into Volt parts: Lots of oil booms left over from last year's BP oil spill. Instead of letting them get tossed into landfills, GM is collecting these materials and recycling them into air-deflecting baffles for the Chevy Volt. (via Earth 911)

Green tech finds (4/7/11)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 18:23:09 +0000

T-BOX-2010_liteonaward from jiangqian on Vimeo.

We've got mushroom materials this week... plus another upgrade in ENERGY STAR standards, and algae's potential for cleaning up nuclear wastes...

Dell piloting mushroom packaging: I mentioned this development last year... this week, Dell packaging guru Oliver Campbell announced that the company will be piloting use of a mushroom-based packaging materials for shipping products. (Note: Spent a few days in Austin to attend a Dell CAP Day last week... they paid for my trip).
Ford's looking at mushroom-based foam insulation: Yep... a mushroom twofer -- Ford's also considering using Ecovative's material to replace petroleum-based foams used as insulating material in its cars interior elements.

Green tech finds (3/24/11)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 18:02:57 +0000

Lots of solar this week... plus an app for Earth Hour, and lighter footprints for U.S. embassies.

Water, water everywhere: It's World Water Week, and this cool new interactive map and tool allows you to explore water supplies and consumption by country, and to see the embodied water in a wide range of products. (via @togethergreen)
The Earth Hour app: Earth Hour 2011 is this Saturday... and this year, while the lights are off, you can check in on activities around the world with the Earth Hour iPhone app. (via The Alternative Consumer)

Green tech finds (2/3/11)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 19:30:41 +0000

warning signs from Susan Ngo on Vimeo.

T-shirts that detect pollution, wind power from transit tunnels, and solar power in coal's heartland... your green tech finds for the week.

The pollution-detecting t-shirt: NYU grad students Nien Lam and Sue Ngo's Warning Signs t-shirts display either a heart or a pair of lungs that change color according to the levels of carbon monoxide in the air. Watch it work above... (via Green Energy News and @greeneconpost)
All renewables by 2050? A brand new report from WWF claims we can get there, "...with only isolated residual uses of fossil and nuclear fuels." (via Mail & Guardian Online)

Green tech finds (1/27/11)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 21:38:24 +0000

Electric scooters, drainwater heat recovery, and 313 mph... this week's green tech finds.

80% by 2035: Hard to think of any bigger news this week than President Obama's call for massive investment in clean energy technology... with a goal of 80% of the US' energy coming from "clean" sources by 2035. SustainableBusiness.com has some reactions to the POTUS' declaration of a "Sputnik moment."
Green foundry jobs come to Michigan: The small town of Eaton Rapids will be home to a new foundry that will produce castings for wind turbines. (via MLive)

Green tech finds (1/6/11)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 20:17:31 +0000

The mother of all electronics trades shows -- CES -- starts today, so lots of new on that front this week... plus another green Groupon, and hornets that harvest solar power.

CES' green cred for real?: CES is promoting itself as green this year; Heather Clancy at GreenTech Pastures and Matthew Wheeland at Greenbiz dig into the claims, and the impact, of the monster trade show.
Bob Marley comes to CES: The House of Marley, a company founded by the legendary musician's family, is debuting its eco-friendly lines of earbuds, headphones, and docks at CES.

Green tech finds (12/30/10)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 20:30:48 +0000

For our last green tech finds of the year, we've got some predictions (of course), as well as new thoughts on tobacco, and high praise for white roofs.

Green tech predictions: IBM's fifth annual "Next Five in Five" list of tech predictions has four items with a green bent, including much more efficient "breathing" batteries, and environmental data collection from all of us via our phones and other devices. (via Information Week)
Green tech hopes: Heather Clancy at GreenTech Pastures isn't going so far as to make predictions, but has a thorough list of stories she'd really like to write in 2011.

Green tech finds (12/23/10)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 19:19:26 +0000

Because green tech never takes a holiday... your finds for the week.

Biodegradable Styrofoam: Styrofoam is a great insulating material... but is made from a nasty chemical mix that doesn't break down. AeroClay blends milk proteins and clay to create the insulation benefits of Styrofoam (along with strength and light weight) without the waste impact. (via Springwise)
Are wind turbines good for crops? Preliminary research from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Ames Laboratory suggest that might be the case... see the video above. (via GreenTech Pastures)

Green tech finds (10/28/10)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 19:34:06 +0000

Electricity from beer, DIY electric bikes, and purple wind turbines... it's green tech finds time!

Beer power: Suffolk, UK's Adnam's Brewery will be contributing waste to an anaerobic digestion plant which will create enough power for 235 homes in the area. (via Green Upgrader)
Florida utility offers solar hot water option: Lakeland Electric became the first utility company in the country to offer fixed-rate solar hot water service this week. (via The Ledger)

Green tech finds (10/21/10)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 19:43:03 +0000

Hybrid CFLs, more convenient e-waste recycling, and Steven Chu on Youtube... this week's green tech finds.

Floating wind turbines pay off: A new study from Energy Technologies Institute finds that floating offshore wind turbines are both technically and economically feasible because of stronger, more consistent winds. (via Cleantechnica)
Grades are out on electronics takeback...: And while no one'd doing a stellar job, Dell, Asus, and Samsung received the highest marks from the Electronic Takeback Coalition in their new Recycling Report Card. (via Mother Jones' Blue Marble)

Green tech finds (10/14/10)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 20:48:31 +0000

A solar-powered motorcycle, a geothermal motherlode in West Virginia, and Abraham Lincoln meets clean energy... your green tech finds for the week.

The solar-powered Suzuki: Purdue University physics major Tony Danger Coiro has received a provisional patent for the '78 Suzuki motorcycle he converted into a solar-powered vehicle. Check it out in the video above... (via Cleantechies)
More Google renewable investments: The Internet giant has announced a $5 billion investment in a mid-Atlantic offshore wind "grid."

Green tech finds (9/30/10)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 19:15:19 +0000

Solar ivy, French hybrids, and green cheese... your weekly green tech finds.

Are smart grids smart for cities?: Stephen Hammer at Harvard Business Review wonders if smart grid technology is the most efficient way to make our cities more sustainable.
New portal features green tech ready for funding: Looking for a green technology investment opportunity? The US Department of Energy's new Technology Commercialization Portal features over 200 marketing summaries of technologies ready for investment or licensing. (via Environmental Leader)

Green tech finds (7/22/10)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 20:46:33 +0000

Infrared photography, a green Motel 6, and solar in the South Pole... this week's green tech finds.

Lower-carbon flying: Air travel is pretty energy and carbon-intensive, but GE's trying to make flying a bit greener with "software that will help pilots choose the most environmentally efficient flight trajectories taking into account conditions on four dimensions – latitude, longitude, altitude and time."
California's the green energy leader... right? Maybe now, but according to Alexis Madrigal at The Atlantic, Alaska and Hawaii may have some of the most innovative approaches out there for moving to low-carbon energy sources.

Green tech finds (7/15/10)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 22:00:43 +0000

Fishy iPhone apps, soy car parts, and another solar Air Force base... this week's green tech finds.

Sustainable seafood and wine? There's an app for that... The Blue Ocean Institute and Brancott have launched the free Fishphone iPhone app, which not only provides sustainable seafood information on the go, but also suggest wine pairings.
The eco-travel planner: The Rainforest Alliance has beta launched its new sustainable travel guide and planner, SustainableTrip.org. Currently focused on south of the border destinations, the site features tour operators, hotels, restaurants and other amenities that have been certified by reputable NGOs.

Green tech finds (5/27/10)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 27 May 2010 18:20:08 +0000

Energy to ice, and cardboard to energy... and much more. Here are your green tech finds for the week:

Nokia still tops in greener electronics: That's the word from Greenpeace, which released the latest update on its Guide to Greener Electronics. The Finnish company has stayed ensconced in that position; the biggest mover this time was Toshiba, which dropped from 3rd place to 14th. (via Fast Company)
Alabama airships: 21st Century Airships, a division of E-Green Technologies, will build its updated versions of the blimp (they prefer airships) in Alabama... so another win for the green jobs push. The vehicles can be used for transporting cargo and people very efficiently, and could even be employed by the military for high-altitude observation.

Green tech finds (4/15/10)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 21:50:36 +0000

Your pre-Earth Week green tech finds...

Wind farms and weather: Wind power's one tool in our arsenal against climate change, but large-scale wind installations can end up creating their own "micro-climates" with unique weather effects. (via Greenopolis)
Greener summer road construction: Doesn't mean you'll get around it any faster, but the Missouri Department of Transportation is using warm-mix asphalt for road work (which requires less heat, and thus creates lower carbon emissions) while looking into materials consisting almost entirely of recycled glass.

Green tech finds (3/25/10)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 18:23:39 +0000

Is the solution to carbon capture sitting in your conditioner bottle? This, and more, at this week's green tech finds.

Biomimicry and boat-building: We noted earlier this week that David de Rothschild set sail on the Plastiki. Designer Michael Pawlyn explains how biomimicry played into the creation of this boat made from plastic bottles.
A greener web: Greentouch, a consortium of academic and corporate partners, is exploring methods to make the internet, and other computer networks, much more energy efficient.
Another greener smart phone: Sprint has unveiled its LG Remarq at the International CTIA Wireless Show. The phone features some recycled materials, and meets RoHS standards; its charger is even ENERGY STAR certified. (via TFTS)

Climate Science Controversy Flares in EPA Budget Hearing

Sundance Channel — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:31:40 +0000

U.S. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson's appearance today before a Senate Committee to justify the agency's $10 billion FY 2011 budget became a showcase for the split in the Senate over climate change and clean energy that has to date prevented approval of a climate bill. The House of Representatives passed a climate bill in June 2009.

Green tech finds (2/4/10)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:37:41 +0000

Hummer horse carts, cheap(er) wind power, and make-you-own toilet paper machines... this week's green tech finds.

Sony adds to its green cred: The VAIO W Series laptop and Aspen phone both feature power saving and recycled materials. (via Stuff.tv)
Trash to energy in Milwaukee: Developer Alliance Federated Energy announced Project Apollo, a trash-to-syngas project planned for the city's North Side.

Green tech finds (1/21/10)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:47:18 +0000

Glitter-sized solar panels, green electronics, and cow fat... your green tech finds.

Lubing your engine with cow fat: Green Earth Technologies' G-OIL, a "bio-oil" created from cow fat, has been named the official motor oil of green racing series American Le Mans.
Design your own electric vehicle: Trexa has created a concept platform for electric vehicles, which could allow specialty vehicle developers to create cars much like tech developers create iPhone apps (via Auto Blog Green)

Obama Awards Clean-Tech Manufacturing Tax Credits Worth $2.3 Billion

Sundance Channel — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 16:26:45 +0000

President Barack Obama today announced the award of $2.3 billion in Recovery Act Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credits for 183 clean energy manufacturing projects across the United States.

Green tech finds (1/07/10)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 22:17:58 +0000

Will 2010 be a good year for green tech? Looks like it from the first finds of the new year...

Green tech at CES: It's that time of year again... the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show opened today in Vegas, and CNET is keeping on top of green tech on display.
The sun doesn't shine all the time: That's one of the criticisms of solar power... but start-up Sun Catalytix thinks it might have a solution to storing energy produced when the sun is shining: mimic photosynthesis.

California Approves New Wind Power Transmission Lines, Solar Roofs

Sundance Channel — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 16:59:07 +0000

California energy regulators have approved Southern California Edison's request to construct a 173 mile long electricity transmission line to bring wind power generated in the Tehachapi Wind Resource Area in Kern County to Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties.

Vertical axis wind turbine catches eyes in Kansas

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:45:27 +0000

Wind power opponents often cite aesthetics, noise, and bird kills as reasons for not wanting wind farms or turbines nearby... call it renewable NIMBYism. General contractor (and past installer of Christo projects) A.L. Huber has installing a next-generation vertical axis wind turbine at its Overland Park, KS headquarters that designers claim addresses all of these complaints lodged against wind installations.

Harvard inks wind power deal

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:30:32 +0000

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.

Green tech finds (10/29/09)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:23:59 +0000

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.

Green tech finds (10/22/09)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:17:03 +0000

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 Ethernet^TM 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).

Green tech finds (10/1/09)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:46:26 +0000

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 [...]

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

Perrin Drumm — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:20:50 +0000

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.

Green tech finds (9/11/09)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:41:34 +0000

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."

Green tech finds (7/23/09)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:09:38 +0000

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."

Green tech finds (6/5/09)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:00:28 +0000

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)

Green tech finds (5/7/09)

Jeff McIntire-Strasburg — Thu, 07 May 2009 20:55:47 +0000

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)