Rising Sun for
Electric Cars
ENN
As my sustainability work consonant
with the gravity of the climate crisis and the urgency of the
ecological challenges we face?
At Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), as a complement to our
work on renewable energy hedges, we are working to transform energy
use on campus. One project underway is a system of grid-tied
electric vehicles (Vehicle to Grid or V2G) combined with a solar
photovoltaic charging system and smart computer control.
The V2G plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles will replace
traditional fossil fuel cars on campus and become an economic source
of power for the electric grid during peak times. V2G cars can help
balance the system load, reduce storage requirements, and reduce the
need for fossil fuel baseload plants...
Click
here for the rest of the story.
Ford Delivers Hydrogen
Buses to Detroit Metropolitan Airport
Green Progress
Ford Motor Company and US
Congressman John Dingell and the Wayne County Airport Authority
today announced the delivery of two hydrogen-fueled Ford E-450
shuttle buses to be used for transporting airline passengers between
terminals at Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW).
Today’s delivery is the result of a partnership involving Ford, the
Wayne County Airport Authority and the Southeast Michigan Council of
Governments (SEMCOG). The project is being funded with a Department
of Energy grant that was supported by Congressman Dingell, who
represents Michigan’s 15th District.
“These buses represent part of Ford Motor Company's strategy to
deliver transportation solutions that emit less CO2 and reduce our
dependence on oil,” said Ziad Ojakli, Ford group vice president,
Government and Community Relations. “We are pleased to partner with
the State of Michigan and Wayne County to place these buses into
service so that locals and visitors alike will be able to experience
this unique form of clean transportation. The buses also serve as a
visible demonstration of Michigan’s commitment to innovation and
sustainable mobility ...”
Click
here
for the rest of the story.
IDC Develops
Eco-friendly Inflatable Solar Panel for Domestic Use
Green Progress
TAs a leading sustainable product
designer, Industrial Design Consultancy (IDC) is delighted to
announce its latest product development; an inflatable solar
collector called SolarStore. The SolarStore harnesses the sun’s
natural energy to warm domestic water and can heat up to three full
tanks of water per day at temperatures close to 80°C.
For consumers, the SolarStore could provide a cheap source of
domestic hot water; with an initial cost of under £100 per product,
trial data has shown that the system will pay for itself in only 6
months. This compares extremely favourably to conventional domestic
solar hot water systems, which cost in the region of £2000-3000 and
have payback times of around 10-20 years. It is anticipated that the
product will also be extremely beneficial in developing countries,
where a reliable electricity supply can be a problem. Other
applications for the SolarStore include hot water for camping and
caravanning holidays or for hot water in remote locations...
Click
here for the rest of the story.
PlayPumps: A New
Invention Turns Work Into Play
by
Catherine Clarke Fox, National Geographic
For kids in many rural parts of
Africa, the colorful PlayPump is the first playground equipment
they’ve ever seen. When they give a push and jump onboard for their
first ride, smiles of wonder break out on their faces.
The fun of whirling in a circle is just part of the amazement. This
incredible invention doesn’t just change their playtime, it changes
their lives.
As the merry-go-round spins, it pumps clean water up from deep
underground and stores it in a huge tank. People are welcome to come
and help themselves to the water.
In rural Africa, clean water is a luxury. Most people don’t have
plumbing in their homes. Instead, they often must walk long
distances to wells and haul heavy containers of water back...
Click
here for the rest of the story.
Diesel Fuel
Can Grow on Trees
Gimundo
Diesel fuel, much like cold,
hard, cash, is a rare and precious resource.
And, much like money, it doesn't grow on trees... Or does it?
Amazingly, it's true: The Copaifera langsdorffii, or so-called
"diesel tree," from Brazil produces a form of oil that can be used
to power both cars and farm equipment. A single hectare crop
(approximately 2.5 acres) can provide 12,000 liters of oil each
year: enough to fuel all the equipment on a standard family's farm...
Click
here for the rest of the story.
|
