The British based company Rolls Royce is bringing the good old propeller engines back into the aviation industry with a little difference. The company is making an attempt to decrease fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emission by the aircrafts.

Read the full story »

Google has never failed to surprise us with its eco-consciousness. Time and again the organisation has come up with tips on how to save energy in data centers to investments in plug-in cars and batteries.

Well, most recently Google has come up with an energy savings calculator which even matches with the Halloween theme. Do check out the website www.google.com/hauntedhouse08/ and enjoy the spook. The brains behind this initiative have kept the Halloween air throughout, like, “Ghosts: Hear that eerie moan? That’s the sound of warm air escaping up your chimney.” Even Zombies are in action with, “Computers can feed on energy even when they’re not in use.”

Read the full story »

Plug-in electric vehicles are in the first phase of their road tests and are about to hit the roads by 2010. In this scenario, debates were on at the Rocky Mountain Institute’s Smart Garage Workshop on its first day on the subject whether it would be wiser to use the much advantageous and eco-friendly V2G PHEVs to power the grid. A wide range of opinions have been expressed on this. While the participants of the workshop support the suggestion, it sure looks like a possibility that is a decade away.

Mujeeb Ijaz, Director of Automotive Applications engineering at A123 Systems says that the V2G plug-in hybrids will attract customers because of their ability to store and discharge power and help them reduce their electricity bills, and the batteries wouldn’t reduce the performance on being used daily. Further, he agrees that the battery’s chemistry wouldn’t support it for fast charging and hence makes them unavailable for long distance travel.

Read the full story »

Antarctica has been man’s last unchartered territory but only till sometime ago. Now the cold continent is seeing unprecedented growth in tourism and up to 40,000 people visited Antarctica in 2007. However, the tourists have a negative effect on the ecology of Antarctica and environmentalists have started to worry. Maastricht University in Holland seeks to solve this problem by dramatically controlling the number of tourists to the continent.

The problem lies in the fact that Antarctica has no government of its own and hence, no regulatory body. The university has proposed to auction off parts of the continent and limit tourists and their numbers in the auctioned parts. This could have a positive impact on the way the continent sustains itself and protect the unique fauna of Antarctica. Perhaps tour organizers and travel agencies must get in touch with the regulatory bodies in their own countries and inform prospective tourists about how their visit to Antarctica can affect the continent.

Read the full story »

The big news is – Google decides to go green. In an attempt to rescue the USA from the energy crisis before 2030, the largest search engine in the world has decided to pursue a new energy plan. Experts believe that the company is being a little too modest calling their effort as too small, when now they are supporting and promoting green technology like wind power, solar energy, geothermal energy etc like enevr before.

The idea here is to take pressure off the fossil fuel resources. Google has cut down on its servers and buildings, even their computers are more efficient now so as to decrease consumption.
A very simple approach by Google that is hoped to inspire many others to actually sit back and think about the amount of energy they consume. It has even partnered with General Electric Co to develop a power grid that will have real-time pricing to show people their energy consumption.
Via planetark

Fuel Cells are the ultimate answer to all our energy troubles. If not in a shape and form that they are in today, they have a potential to evolve into something both potent and clean. The heavily bleeding aviation industry seems to be going the eco-friendly way so that it can cut both on pollution and on costs. In a positive step in that direction, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) demonstrated the world’s first manned airplane that can fly exclusively with the use of a fuel cell. The fuel cell, which is based on polymer electrolyte membranes (PEM), generates power for the motor glider’s electric engine.

While PEM fuel cells are not the ultimate answer to our energy needs, the aviation industry could use all the wind that it could get beneath its wings to help it fly in the tough times. The new fuel cell is not hard to manage and its relatively simple cooling needs and consistent power generation make it a true alternative. While the commercial version of this technology might still be a few months away at the least, one can hope for a partial fuel cell powered commercial flight maybe somewhere in the next year. That would truly be a journey towards greener solutions.

Via:Â Cleantechnica

We had been hearing of it unofficially for some time now, but finally Toshiba has come out with the actual schedule of the fuel cell-powered mobile devices. Releasing in March 2009, the new mobile devices will be equipped with a methanol fuel cell that gets charged with a dedicated cartridge. However, there will be a second built-in-Li-ion battery that will provide a strong back up.

Hear hear the cartridge can make space for around 50 ml of 99 per cent methanol which can charge a mobile phone 10 times. Priced at 700 yen, the cartridge has already become hot property but Toshiba is planning to reduce the cost price further down to 100 yen. A wise move as it will increase salability manifolds.

The big Toshiba plan is to use these fuel cells in digi cams, lappy etc as well. And the best part is, the cartridge being designed will be of a single type and will be compatible with many devices.

Via nikkei

There is good news for all the Chrysler fans. The famous car brand has decided to present an electric version of its Voyager MPV to the world by 2010. Research is on and eco-lovers even got a peek of its looks at the Detroit Motor Show, yep this new eco-car will be based on the ecoVoyager concept.
Information is limited at the moment. But we do know that this zero-emission car will have range of 300 miles. A neat deal for an MPV that can accommodate the entire family plus the luggage!

As if this wasn’t enough. Chrysler is also working on a model that will be a good reply for rival Chevrolet’s Volt, which will be launched in 2012. A small gasoline engine in the Chrysler model will be busy topping up batteries when they drop below 40% charge.
Via http://enn.com/sci-tech/article/38272

Solar parking lots have been discussed many a times by the environmental technologists. The concept speaks of putting photovoltaic arrays and parking lots together so that sunlight can be harnessed. Then again, the array functions like a canopy thus providing shade to the cars. After much talks, finally someone paid attention. A Silicon Valley manufacturer that goes by the name of Applied Materials has incorporated a solar parking lot in its campus. Since the company makes semiconductors, LCD displays among other high-tech equipment, the solar energy harnessed basically will contribute to their energy uses.

Such parking lots will be a blessing for electric cars and with the demand growing for the latter, the parking system will need to be updated with the photovoltaic arrays. After all what does a solar parking lot need but just sunlight! The benefits are plenty.

Via ecogeek

The world famous Bachchan sasur-bahu jodi will be doing their bit for mother earth this December. Yes, acclaimed actor Amitabh Bachchan and star daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai will be doing a jig together on stage as part of the ‘Live Earth’ concert in Mumbai this year end. The show has been creating a lot of buzz as Big B will be setting the stage on fire with famous names like Jon Bon Jovi and Shekhar Kapur.
Aishwarya finally confirmed to the press that she will be participating in the venture with Pa-in-law. The concert is believed to be held at the Andheri Sports Complex in December, 7th. The proceeds from the show will be donated to ‘Light a Billion Lives’ project, an initiative that will ensure solar-powered lanterns in homes across India.
Via zeenews