Google's investment in geothermal is the latest string of green initiatives by a company with a stated goal of becoming carbon neutral. Here is a run-down of Google's recent green investments and initiatives. Nanosolar: Google invested in this revolutionary thin-film photovoltaic technology, which is solar, but without the ... keep reading
Written by Peter D. in August 2008, about Clean Technologies (1 comment)
Google Inc announced today they will invest $10 million in enhanced geothermal systems. The systems, known as EGS, allow engineers to drill their own geothermal outlets and pump in water to create steam to power a turbine. The idea is to find "hot rocks" relatively close to the surface. This ... keep reading
Written by Peter D. in August 2008, about Clean Technologies
The electric Zecar, a car that costs less than 2p a mile to run, goes on sale in Britain today. The Zecar has space for five adults, is shorter than a Mini, is almost six feet tall, and costs around £15,000 ($30,000 US). The company also produces Zevan ... keep reading
Written by Peter D. in August 2008, about Energy Saving, Transport
There are over 103 new geothermal plants either under construction or planned for the US over the next few years. An article in the Chicago Tribune this week looks at the enormous potential of geothermal energy, laying right beneath our feet: The renewable energy laboratory estimates that if all the ... keep reading
Written by Peter D. in August 2008, about Clean Technologies
The first solar photovoltaic concentrator to receive certification for commercial use will be available soon. Manufactured by Energy Innovations, the Sunflower rooftop system concentrates light over 1,000 times, which the manufacturers claim will provide cheaper electricity than produced by traditional solar systems. The self-powered system solar concentrator tracks the ... keep reading
Written by Peter D. in August 2008, about Clean Technologies
Microsoft have got together with a start-up called Verdiem to produce Edison, a free software tool to help save energy usage on PCs. Gartner Group estimates that 40 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions resulting from information technology and telecommunications are attributable to PCs. The software is available for free ... keep reading
Written by Peter D. in August 2008, about Clean Technologies, Energy Saving
In an article in the Guardian today, Professor Bob Watson, one of the UK government's chief scientific advisers, warns that we should prepare for the effects of a 4C global average temperature rise. This is twice the current EU target of 2C. "No other single factor focussed the minds ... keep reading
Written by Peter D. in August 2008, about Climate Change, Emissions
Following successful experiments flying giant kites at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, kite power may become another lucrative tool in alternative power generation schemes. The experiment, which harnessed wind energy by flying a 10-sq metre kite tethered to an electric generator, produced 10 kilowatts of power, enough electricity ... keep reading
Written by Peter D. in August 2008, about Clean Technologies, Energy Saving (1 comment)
One of the problems with biofuel is that it often consumes farmland that could otherwise be used for growing food. But what if we could easily produce biofuel from marginal land? Chhandak Basu, a researcher at the University of Northern Colorado, may have the answer. Basu has received a grant ... keep reading
Written by Peter D. in August 2008, about Agriculture & Food, Biofuels, Coal & Oil (4 comments)
A new material, thallium-doped lead telluride, could make cars more efficient by converting heat wasted through engine exhaust into electricity. The material is almost twice as efficient as existing technology. Roughly 25 percent of the energy produced by a car engine is used to move a car, whilst 60 percent ... keep reading
Written by Peter D. in July 2008, about Clean Technologies, Energy Saving, Transport (3 comments)
