James Hansen On Climate Change
NASA Chief Scientist James Hansen talks about climate change.
You might remember hearing about him and his problems with the Bush administration trying to keep him from telling the world about the science behind global warming.
Read the rest of James Hansen On Climate Change
Earthrace Calls It Quits
We have covered the Earthrace and its attempt to break the around the world speed record for a diesel boat. They had hoped to break the record using biodiesel to promote renewable fuels. Instead they had one bad break after another, including having their props fall apart on them, and a horrible accident that resulted in the death of a fisherman. It was a good idea, perhaps they will try again.
It seems a lack of parts is going to keep them from beating the record.
Even if we had a perfect run from here there’s no way we’d get the record by Barbados.
…
There’s also one other thing that’s been gnawing at me since last evening. Sharyn had phoned up from New Zealand in tears, annoyed at the lack of contact with me, stressing over a $400 bill from the vet for our cat Honey, and no doubt pissed off at how long I’ve been away. All fair enough really. Maybe I should just flag all this and get home where I belong, I think to myself. I was asked the other day on a TV show what I miss the most. I’d replied a typical Friday evening with Sharyn, involving “Rum n Coke, Spag Bog and a shag on the bean bag”. I’m not sure if they included it but it was funny how that sprang into my mind.
I wander back to the boat and pickup the Iridium sat phone to call home. After five failed attempts I give up and go back to the Internet room to send an email instead. Then the connection drops out just before I’ve finished it. I look up at the clock and its just gone 9am. Not for the first time I think what a difficult journey this is. (via)
Dutch Propose Regulations To Ensure Sustainable Biofuel
In yet another example of Europe getting farther out ahead of the US when it comes to renewable energy. The Dutch are already thinking about sustainable biofuels. They want to make sure that we don’t chop the rain forest down, or starve people in Africa so that the developed world can power their cars.
“We all know that biomass potentially can play an important role in sustainable energy production,” said Environment Minister Jacqueline Cramer. “But the question is: How do you do that in a way that is truly sustainable?”
The scheme makes the Netherlands a front-runner among nations seeking to tackle the new climate change dilemma. Other European countries are working along similar lines and are closely watching the Dutch initiative – the first to reach the level of government consideration.
The Dutch panel, called the Cramer Commission because the environment minister chaired it before being appointed to the Cabinet, has drawn up a framework which companies can use to measure the sustainability of crops used for biofuels.
The framework evaluates emission reduction compared with fossil fuels and whether the crops supplant other land uses such as food production. It also looks at whether the crops reduce biodiversity, damage the environment or use pesticides.
Dutch companies can check some of the criteria, but the government and independent monitoring also will have to ensure they are being met, said Cramer.(via)
Without a system like this in place world wide biofuels will continue to be produced at the expense of habitat and food supplies. The only good biofuel is a sustainable one.
Read the rest of Dutch Propose Regulations To Ensure Sustainable Biofuel
Early Morning Solar Gadget – XP03 Solar ‘Pulsar’ Christmas And Party Light String
Why bother spending more money on electricity next winter just to display Christmas lights. Santa does not approve of more energy being wasted for you to light up your house like the sun. However Santa does approve of holiday cheer. Can we solve this energy dilemma? Sure we can, with a little thinking and a little solar technology we get the Solar String Light, an idea that is long overdue.
From the website
104 LED bulbs.
Select a set for your desired color choice.
Sets available as all white OR white & blue OR green, amber & red.
Several selectable lighting modes/programs.
Modes include flashing, continuous, alternating, twinkling etc.
Built-in photocell ensures automatic operation at night time only.
Very easy to install, no electricity required.
High quality Crystalline solar cell panel.
Solar cell is built into the front of the control panel for outdoor siting.
Integral 6 volt 4 A/hr rechargeable battery (included) housed inside the controller.
Battery is replaceable (recommended every 2-3 years or so).
Battery is housed inside (ABS construction) weatherproof controller.
Illumination time is typically dusk to dawn.
A 6″ (15cm) pole and a 4″ (9cm) ground spike is included.
Light output is not a bright as conventional electric light bulbs therefore best installed in dark locations for better effects.
Approximately 37′ (11 metres) of LED lights on cable.
Lead in (length of wire to first LED bulb) is approximately 6′ (2 metres).
Each LED bulb is spaced approximately 4″ (10cm) apart.
Dimensions of control panel are approximately 7″ x 4″ x 2.5″ (18cm x 11cm x 6cm) LxWxD.
You can also find similar models on Amazon for much less.
2007 Ignite Clean Energy: Business Presentation Competition
| May 1, 2007 |
2007 Ignite Clean Energy: Business Presentation Competition
Learn! Network! Win!
$200K in Prizes Awarded
Date: Tuesday May 1, 2007
Time: 2:00 – 7:00PM
Location: Hyatt Regency Boston
Keynote Speaker:
Register
Description: William A. Swope, Vice President, Director, Corporate Affairs Group, INTEL CORPORATION
Sponsored by the MIT Enterprise Forum Energy Special Interest Group, the Ignite Clean Energy (ICE) competition began in 2004 to stimulate the growing clean energy industry in New England. It provides start-up clean energy companies and entrepreneurs with the opportunities and resources to develop business skills, network with industry professionals and the chance to attract potential investors. The winners will be awarded a total of $150,000 in cash and services.
ICE 2007 Semifinals Results
The Ten Finalists
Bagazo |
Alternative Fuels: Biomass |
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| Bagazo is a for-benefit organization dedicated to solving the energy needs of the poorest people in the world. Bagazo seeks to facilitate socially-responsible investments in developing countries by creating sustainable businesses that will distribute superior and more environmentally-friendly cooking fuels produced from agricultural waste. | ||
Blue Sky Green Planet |
Service |
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| Blue Sky Green Planet makes it easy for consumers to address global warming, through our Carbon Free Credit Card, our Green Rewards retail loyalty program, and online sales of carbon offsets, renewable energy and energy efficiency products. Every time consumers use our Carbon Free Credit Card, or shop with merchants in our Green Rewards program, a portion of every sale goes towards carbon offsets. Through our website, customers will learn how to best reduce their own carbon footprints, and invest in products and services to realize their own environmental ambitions. | ||
C3 BioEnergy |
Alternative Fuels: BioPropane |
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| Through commercially feasible, patent-pending technology, C3 BioEnergy will manufacture renewable propane and a hydrogen by-product from biomass feedstocks. Propane is already a 21-billion-gallon-per-year market in the US and is one of the cleanest burning fuels. C3 will be the first to market with a renewable propane fuel, using the only known economically viable route to bio-propane. | ||
Fiat Lux |
Generation: Microbial Fuel Cells |
|
| To meet the increasing worldwide demand for electricity, we have developed a small, robust and inexpensive electricity generator that harnesses energy from natural fuels. Our patent pending design produces enough energy to power lights, recharge cell phones, and operate telecommunications devices (e.g. radios and wireless routers). Because our technology uses carbon from plant and animal matter, there is no net production of greenhouses gasses. Our technology is very robust, and requires no maintenance for up to five years, and offers consistent performance in a wide variety of environments. | ||
Fox2 Technologies, Inc. |
Efficiency/ Transportation: Fuel Efficiency |
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| Fox2 Technologies is developing new sensor technology for airplane and trucking operators that improves fuel efficiency by more than 5%, improves profitability, and significantly reduces carbon emissions. We project that the potential annual sales revenue for these technologies exceeds $1 Billion. | ||
GreenRay |
Generation: Solar Cell Installation |
|
| GreenRay is developing a revolutionary product that will transform solar electric systems into a broadly accepted household appliance and help reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Our plug-and-play, solar-electric system will dramatically simplify the design and installation of photovoltaic systems and provide lower cost solar electricity. The $16 billion solar industry is poised for exponential growth with historic growth rates of over 40% during the last 5 years. The potential is tremendous given that solar only provides 0.1% of our electricity today and is a clean, renewable resource. | ||
LightFace |
Green Buildings & Systems: Efficient Lighting |
|
| LightFace is a technology firm that will manufacture customizable luminescent panels for high-end architectural lighting applications. These panels will use a new technology called organic light emitting devices, or OLEDs, that allow almost any surface to become light-emitting. As a result, LightFace’s products will represent a paradigm shift in how spaces are lit. | ||
RSI Silicon |
Generation: Solar Cell Materials |
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| RSI Silicon is a new energy materials company that has developed a unique ultra-low cost process for making Solar Grade Silicon. They are seeking $7.5M to build a pilot line and R&D facility, followed by a large Silicon plant to produce up to 15,000 tons per year of Si; with over $350M revenue in Year 5, and $200M Net Profit. This is an ultra-disruptive process which provides Solar grade Silicon at a fraction of the cost of current Siemens process plants, with only 10% of the capital cost. | ||
StarSolar |
Generation: Solar Cell Materials |
|
| StarSolar is a provider of breakthrough technology that can substantially decrease the cost of producing solar cells made from thin layers of crystalline silicon. We will either sell our manufacturing technology directly to manufacturers, along the lines of Applied Materials’ thin-film deposition machines, or lease the technology to partners in pay for use arrangements. | ||
Wakonda Technologies, Inc. |
Generation: Solar Cell Materials |
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| Wakonda Technologies, Inc. of Fairport, NY produces cost-effective solar photovoltaic (PV) products by combining the highest efficiency solar technology with low cost, roll-to-roll manufacturing processes. These products produce more power per unit area at lower costs than state of the art commercial cells. The flexibility and low weight of Wakonda’s cell technology enables the aesthetic integration of PV into buildings and structures and numerous government applications. | ||
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