New discoveries

Coupla things...

I love reading Cleantechnica, they have all sorts of posts that make me happy and give me hope that well used technology can really help people live better lives. So reading this, and this made for a good day.

Dean Kamen seems to be working on an electric car based on his stirling engine, we'll see how that works out.

A new tool for evaluating the embodied water in objects (Dune much?)

Futuristic sea "eco-rigs"

This article makes me think of that quote; "the future is already here, it's just unevenly distributed". Japan has been big leader technologically for a while and this is yet another example. This is the kind of project that I wish we were seeing seriously pursued in the US. I see projects all the time like this in the US and you know what the difference is? They're pipe dreams. Plans by architecture post-grads with good media connections, politicians or business moguls trying to get attention by announcing a "forum" or "committee-formation" to discuss some incredible idea that no one will actually pursue. This seems like it might actually have some resources behind it.

The road to zero emissions shipping

A great article from Wired about various technologies that people are working on with the goal of making international shipping a zero emissions business. I've posted about the resurgence of sails in shipping and here's more in that vein. I find this idea really interesting because one of the assumptions of many local food advocates is that international shipping will always be less environmentally friendly that buying local and I just think the situation is more complex than that. I'll be keeping an eye on this.

Cool wind power design

Wow! This looks so awesome. It probably won't be useful for large scale stuff but using it for small scale home stuff might be really good.

Kinetic Motion Energy storage device

Ok, Winter and I have talked about this for a long time and I've been more on the "con" side that the "pro" side but this charger is really cool! Maybe I'll have to rethink my position.

New Energy Mapping tool

Renewable energy maps have been available for a long time, but you had to know where to look and what to look for. This new mapping tool helps makes things easier. I like

Neat biomass energy tech development

So I've been following the development of algae based bio-energy for a while and this was a really clear and concise article that explains how it could be cool (watch the video that he links to, even if it is biased).

Solar Power Gathering momentum (again)?

In a new post on Yale's blog Jon Luoma goes over the recent rapid expansion of solar power. My reasons for supporting solar power over other forms are somewhat complex (an not completely developed) so I may post in more detail later but suffice to say I'm glad to hear this. Although it should be said that we've heard this story before.

A good point

Ashley Lin over at Breakthrough Gen makes an excellent point; assorted politicians are advocating drilling for oil, wouldn't it make much more sense to advocate drilling for something renewable, say geothermal power.

An interesting message from BP

BP discuses renewable energy

SNAAAAAAAAKKE!!!!!!

Very strange new technology for generating renewable energy

Ok, what lessons can we take from this

TNY publishes a nice in depth article on Scandinavian town that has pretty much moved to using 100% renewable energy. My question is: what lessons can we take from this project that are applicable elsewhere or scalable (if any)?