There's some story about a tortoise and a hare that comes to mind here. Instant gratification is not always available when developing renewable energy. The U.S. government expects to earn $5 billion to $6 billion from the renewable-energy loan program that funded flops including Solyndra LLC, supporting President Barack Obama’s decision to back low-carbon technologies. The … [Read more...]
Wind turbine blades generate upward lightning
The Lightning, Atmospheric Electricity and High Voltage Research Group on the Terrassa Campus of the UPC (Polytechnic University of Catalonia) has found a direct relationship between wind turbine movement and lightning discharges. Given the right atmospheric conditions, any elevated structure can generate upward lightning flashes–especially where movement is involved. … [Read more...]
Legoland Florida will run on renewable energy for Earth Day 2014
Legoland Florida will run entirely on renewable energy for Earth Day 2014, a first for a US theme park. This is more than a single day event. Earth Day will also mark the beginning of a partnership with Tampa Electric that will provide educational installations about solar energy – as well as practical installations. A 30-kilowatt solar panel array has been installed on the … [Read more...]
Powerspout streamlines their micro hydro selection
Micro hydro turbine producer PowerSpout has streamlined their product lines, and we’re keeping an eye on them to see if there’s something new on the horizon. PowerSpout produces rugged micro hydro turbines that can run on small streams and work in arrays of up to 10 units – no dam required. Even a small stream can generate consistent, clean, dam free, renewable electricity … [Read more...]
Trying to change the world with liquid-metal batteries
Ambri, a startup founded by MIT researchers, is developing liquid-metal batteries that can store power for less than $500 a kilowatt-hour – less than a third the cost of other battery technologies. Liquid-metal sounds fancy, but apparently the materials used are abundant and easily obtainable. (The researchers won't say exactly what the metals are.) The technology promises … [Read more...]
Thermoelectricity through infrared emissions: a new, vast energy source?
We know a thermoelectric generator produces electricity from temperature differences, and we know the earth is warm compared to outer space – does that mean we have a vast, untapped energy source? Physicists at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) think so, and have proposed two different ways we could generate DC power by emitting infrared light into … [Read more...]
DIY easy solar hot water heater
Build It Solar has a great DIY article about an easy solar hot water heater (a thermosyphon system) made by a resident of Costa Rica named Peter. Peter wanted to build a simple, rugged, inexpensive system to provide hot water for showers: Like most houses in Costa Rica, our casita in Monteverde had no hot water. Our two showers were fitted with electric shower heads. At … [Read more...]
Family pays $26,750 for solar panels never received
A family in Belleville, Illinois paid A1 Energy, LLC $26,750 for solar panels they never received. Fifteen months after payment, they’re still waiting for the panels. They’re not alone – after complaining to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), the BBB found other victims and lowered A1 Energy’s rating to F, which in this case probably stands for an expletive. A … [Read more...]
U.S. solar market grows 41%, record year in 2013
We all know solar is getting big, but these numbers are impressive: according to GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association's (SEIA) Solar Market Insight Year in Review 2013, photovoltaic (PV) installations increased 41% over 2012 and reached 4,751 megawatts (MW). Solar was the number two source of new electricity following natural gas, and the cost of solar … [Read more...]
Triboelectric generators, powered by your pants
It's sounds like a utopian idea – walk around, dance, or simply convert the mechanical action of rainfall into electric current. A Phys.org article asks the question: Tribo-electric, the buzzword of the future? It is an alluring goal of clean, reliable power free from geo-political risks—and scientists in the United States said Tuesday it lies within reach, thanks to a smart … [Read more...]
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