With those clamoring for greener energy options and cleaner energy sources constantly keeping their focus fixed on solar power, there is no doubt that wind energy has taken a back seat for sometime now. But with the help of creative new engineers who are altering the traditional perception of windmills and some help from Mother Nature herself, the Windfarm in Spain has managed to create a record that might be hard to beat for sometime now. With strong winds that battered the Iberian Peninsula, Spain’s huge network of windfarms jointly poured the equivalent of 11 nuclear power stations’ worth of electricity into the national grid. The astounding performance over the weekend saw 53% of total national power being supplied by windfarms alone!

This not only has seen a sudden spurt in interest when it comes to wind energy but has given further boost to many Windfarm projects that are taking shape across the globe. Spain’s officials themselves are hoping to increase the national wind energy output from the current 17Gw to 40 GW by 2020 and that ambition seems all too modest after this weekend’s blitz. Of course, with wind’s fiddle nature, it is always better to be cautious than overconfident… Let’s just hope Spain’s performance is repeated elsewhere as well.

Guardian

Cleantech depends on energy policy. US President Obama deals with two core climate issues: meeting the larger goal of reducing carbon emissions, and finding a way of rescuing the renewables industry from Wall Street’s collapse. The benchmark of 450 ppm is a crucial figure issued by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. ‘Limiting concentration to 450 ppm requires halting emissions at current levels.’ This needs tremendous policy structure.

But Obama is unflinching and relentless in his pursuit of cleantech. He believes that clean energy is not only the path to the future but also the key to economic revival. He says, “To truly transform our economy, protect our security, and save our planet from the ravages of climate change, we need to ultimately make clean, renewable energy the profitable kind of energy.”

He puts the money where his mouth is. ‘The stimulus alone dumped $167 billion in grants and loan guarantees for clean-energy and other projects onto the Department of Energy, dwarfing its $27 billion annual budget to such a degree that its inspector general frantically warned that the department could buckle under the strain. There’s even talk of refitting the White House with solar panels.’

Clean technology is based on the principle that ‘the growing scarcity and higher cost of fossil fuels, coupled with environmental concerns, will drive society toward alternative sources of energy, with enormous wealth accruing to whoever can supply them.’ It is still a capitalistic venture for the sake of economy. Along with conjuring up images of ‘towering wind turbines, sleek electric cars, and acres of mirrors shimmering in the desert’ is the strategic viability of having these commercially available.

Only the commercial readiness of cleantech can transform it from advocacy campaign to green economy.

Via The Atlantic

According to a report issued by the international environmental group WWF, green technologies offer the hope in averting climate disaster but the ultimate deadline for committing to these technologies is 2014. The group has come up with the conclusion that should the world miss the said deadline, runaway global warming and economic meltdown are sure results.

WWF adds that ‘green technologies will have to grow by 22 per cent each year for the next four decades. Such growth would be the “fastest industrial revolution” witnessed in our history.’ Such an imperative move will result in a 63 percent decline in emissions of key greenhouse gases between 1990 and 2050. This crucial drop is ‘enough to prevent global warming exceeding the 2 °C limit agreed by the G8 industrial nations.’

This massive reindustrialization comes with a hefty cost: $17 trillion worldwide by 2050. Of this amount, $7 trillion will be dedicated to renewable energy technologies. The rest of the massive funds will go to harnessing energy efficiency, low-carbon agriculture, and sustainable forestry.

The report also reveals that ‘only three green energy technologies out of 20 assessed are growing fast enough: wind, solar photovoltaics and biodiesel.’

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Via NewScientist

The Obama administration has long been pushing for the use of renewable energies to slow down the US dependence on oil. But the US recession that caused the credit freeze stalled the program, even after the Renewable Energy production and investment tax credits got a short term extension to its expiration by end of 2008. Still, ‘there was little to no money to borrow to get projects off the ground. The extension of the production tax credit was almost moot.’ Now, the government’s Treasury and Energy departments have finally issued the much-awaited implementing rules for green energy grant money.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 solves the problem of program inertia due to the credit freeze. The US Treasury Department is now instructed to ‘make immediate, direct payments to companies for projects—in lieu of tax credits—for an estimated 5,000 bio-mass, solar, wind and geothermal energy facilities.’

“The renewable energy program provides another important avenue for the Recovery Act to contribute to economic development in communities around the country. This partnership between Treasury and Energy will enable both large companies and small businesses to invest in our long-term energy needs, protect our environment and revitalize our nation’s economy,” said Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner have announced that the government is ready to give out grant monies, starting from the rules governing the application and approval for grants. An online site by the Treasury, to be launched posthaste, will contain ‘the web-based application system in the coming weeks and begin making direct payments within 60 days after projects are submitted.’

Via Renewable Energy for Green Life

It is widely believed by every eco-expert across the globe that fuel cell technology and one that can convert water into hydrogen and use it as a stable fuel, is where the future of green and clean technology lies. With the world running out of fossil fuel at an alarming rate and the efficiency of both wind and solar energy increasing in a trickle, hydrogen fuel cell technology could be the ultimate answer to all our energy needs. The H2Go is a prototype vehicle that is the blue print for those giants that will roam around on the roads of tomorrow.

Designed to reduce drag, increase efficiency and yet maintain a performance output that does not compromise on speed or mileage, the RC prototype vehicle runs on a combination of solar, wind and fuel cell technology. The combination takes the pressure of harnessing energy entirely from one source and hence makes accommodation for back up power even on a rainy and calm day. With its ultra-cool and stylish design and emission-free ride, the H2Go is ideal for urban commuters. One only hopes that such models will one day see daylight!

Via: 7gadgets

Green construction and eco-architecture is where the future lies for any budding architect, who is busy drawing up those rough sketches. Modern building techniques along with the use of revolutionary new materials has meant that today we can give shape to structures that are both planet-friendly and maximize on available space and resources. Created by Mass Studies, Air Forest is a giant inflatable pavilion that fills you with awe, as it springs to life using nothing beyond the power of the wind.

Made from nylon and sporting 9 hexagonal canopy units held together by anchors and other lighting equipment in each of its 35 column, Air Forest is like a strong and study giant inflatable that provides you with instant shade. The structure draws from wind currents to gain its mammoth size and once you are done with it, you can just deflate it, pack it up and move to another venue.

Perfect for temporary shelter arrangements, for quick disaster relief, small rock concerts and general gatherings, the Air Forest is a dazzling eco-solution to the problem of space.

Via: Archdaily

Designed and conjured up by the London-based Rainsford Mann Design, the next generation carrier of luxury and style on the waves has just been unveiled and the sleek and sublime 80metre Eco Yacht that not only indulges your senses with its cool new design, but floors you with its green features as well. Driven electrically by Azipull Thrusters, which are charged by ultra-efficient generators, the wind and solar powered engine allows you not only to travel across the high seas leaving less impact on the planet, but also ensures that the hybrid-green engine powers your trip with plenty of clean power.

The ultra-modern vessel is studded with 100sqm of PV modules and a vertical axis wind turbine that collectively generate 30KW of green electrical power, which ensures that the bulk of the energy comes from clean renewable sources. Furthermore, the LED lighting all across its deck, Sky Sail system that further cuts down the fuel consumption by 50%, the power-saving gadgets and the sleek design make for one resourceful and energy-saving unit as a whole. While the yacht can accommodate 13 people and wrap them complete luxury, you might have to wait just a bit longer to get aboard its sizzling deck!

Via: Synfo

It’s the conceptual building design by Michael Jantzen who has earlier produced some of the best green urban designs. So what’s special about Revolutionarium? It is that, it can produce energy for itself! Haven’t you often wished those staid glass-n-metal buildings produced their own electricity instead of sapping power from elsewhere?

Revolutionarium is a conceptual design study for a special kind of prefabricated, modular, interactive, functional art structure, designed to stimulate the creativity of its occupants.
Revolutionarium has a small vertical axis wind turbine to generate renewable power. At places where wind is not strong, solar panels can be added to supplement the wind turbine. All the energy produced is stored in a battery pack underground.

It can also be used as meditation space or yoga center, party house, office or studio. This ready-to-use structure will be built from sustainably grown wood products and other green material. It has a glass and steel cylindrical structure in its centre, and four wooden screens that can be pulled around the cylinder, to control sunlight entering the area or adjust privacy levels its people need. It is 26 feet in diameter and 14 feet high.

Via: Michael Jantzen

Wind energy can be a rich source of alternative energy provided you have the right climate for it. Additionally, it is important to see that the energy can be harness appropriately and in good time. Unfortunately, often enough, the presence of one thing leads to the absence of another.

In the United States, the Midwest provides for the best locations to harness wind energy. However, even though the means of acquiring the energy is present, the means of delivering them to the right locations have been encountering some difficulty. The Green Power Express if a 3,00 mile wind power super highway intended to deliver 12,000 megawatts of power from the Midwest to the opposite end of the country. The project is worth $10 to $12 billion and had been in hold since February seeking approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Now that the project has been approved, it will lead access to wind power generation as well as ease of transmitting the harnessed power.

The Green Power Express project would be ready only by 2020. Although this may seem like a long wait in cutting down the use of non-renewable energy resources, the wait would indeed be fruitful.

Via: FastCompany

Mathmos is one of the most beautiful looking green gadgets that is simple, clean and conserves energy in such a delightful little way that you will start falling in love with eco-friendly products. UK lighting designer Mathmos’ latest creation combines LED technology with eco-conscious wind power to create light without need for batteries or plug-in power. This not only is good news for the planet and the green-wave, but also is something that would help people who decorate their homes for the festive season do it with lot less fuss and a lot more ease.

Mathmos Wind Lights measure in at just under 8″ tall and generate electricity through the power of the wind, just like larger windmills. Each tiny light uses a 2.4″ propeller to power a pair of bright red or blue LEDs. 1200 of these Wind Lights are right now installed on River Thames in London to demonstrate their red and blue magic and green-ergonomics.

At a price of around $ 18 you can get each of these light and while you might consider that as a tad bit expensive for decorative lighting, just think about the long term investment you are making in this regard and also the favor you are doing for the planet- All in the spirit of the festive season!

Via: technabob / jasonbruges / onedotzero