Author: gavril

Skyscrapers are shooting up all over the world making sure their heads that pop up on the horizon remain green. To top them all, China will now have the world’s greenest skyscraper. This fall, the Pearl River Tower in Guangzhou, China will open its doors to the world. Soaring 71 stories high, this 2.3 million square foot building has its green features set right and boasts of a rainwater collection system which uses solar water to provide hot water for the building. The building will be the world’s tallest Zero Energy Building. These type of buildings generate more power than that they consume from the grid. This will be the first building that will use wind turbines incorporated into the body of the building and functional at lower wind speeds. The building also uses photovoltaic panels on its outer layer that absorbs and retains juice from the sun. The Pearl River is also the largest radiant-cooled office building in the world using raised floor ventilation, heat sinks, and vertical vents.

The Pearl River Tower boasts of a whole load more that we need to look out for this fall.

[Solarfeeds]

Capitalizing on the global warming situation in the Arctic sounds alternative and China is making efforts to do so. The Arctic is navigable during the summer months due to which, resources can be accessed easily, which is why the Chinese government is allocating more resources to the Arctic. The region boasts of 90 billion barrels of oil that have never been accessed before and countries like Canada, Denmark, Norway, Russia and the U.S. are debating as to who will control the frozen shipping routes. According to studies, the Northern Passage will be ice-free and accessible between 2010 and 2060. This will help cut travel costs by 40 percent. Unlike the other debating countries, China however does not have Arctic coasts and is not part of the Arctic council. Due to this, the country has no sovereign right on the waters of that region.

Just last year, Beijing approved the building of a new high-tech polar expedition research icebreaker which will set sail in 2013. Looks like China is keen on having some part of the Arctic’s abundant resources.

[Redorbit]

Saudi Arabia will soon boast its stock exchange to be built in Riyadh. Designed by Nikken Sekkei, architects from Japan who beat 31 international companies to secure this contract, the Saudi Stock Exchange Headquarters will soar 50 stories high for a cost of SAR1 billion (€179 million). The building will use a whole load of sustainable systems and green energy saving technologies. To name a few, the building will use solar shading, dry mist cooling of exteriors, mirror ducts to enhance natural light in lower levels, photovoltaics and a cool trench to pre-cool fresh air for circulation. The Saudi Stock Exchange or Tadawul, will comply with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards (LEED) and the green building rating system by the USGB.

Saudi Arabia can now proudly flaunt its cool new clean and green Stock Exchange designed by the Japanese.

Via – [Luxurylaunches]

Now here’s a huge electric car that will grab hearts around the globe with its sack load of features. What makes this electric car special? Well, for one, its 122 inch wheel base and 192 inch overall length. Known as the NVL Quant, this vehicle showed up at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. It takes the “big” concept further with its sweet and sparkly 23 inch wheels. That’s not all; the car crosses the 62mph mark in a mere 2.7 seconds with a top speed of 234mph. this four seat wonder weighs around 3,700 pounds and has a body made of carbon fiber. So what powers this huge monster? Four electric motors dedicated to each wheel and a torque vectoring software to maximize traction. The car uses a conventional battery and also a pyrite film covering that acts as a solar cell that powers instruments and charges the battery.

This monstrous contraption on wheels is sure to burn the asphalt.

[Autoblog]

They once played beautiful melodies and charmed the hearts of many; these piano keys will now be recycled into a form of art. Piano parts and keys will be recycled according to the project taken up by Arts Council of Williamson County in collaboration with Steinway Piano Gallery of Nashville. These art pieces will then be auctioned at the Encore! Reclaim the Sound event in October. Parts like piano keys, foot pedals and tuning pins, key rails, benches and grand piano lids are being donated by Samick Music Corp.

These piano parts will be given a fresh tune and a new life after the recycling program is complete and will have their rightly deserved places in the form of art.

[Tennessean]

Tired of riding up hill? Here’s a nice way to generate electricity and save your own. Sanyo unveiled its new SPL Eneloop Hybrid bicycle that can charge up while pedaling along on flat surfaces. The bike uses the energy generated to run a motor that enables the bike to climb up hill without pedaling, saving your energy. If you’re cycling to lose weight, this isn’t the bike for you. However, the SPL Eneloop can prove to be a clean energy saving way to transport. Unlike earlier versions that used to regeneratively charge up on downhills or on applying brakes, the new SPL Eneloop juices up on flat surfaces too. It also boasts a basket to carry around your tit-bits.

You can get yourself one of these ¥157,290, or about $1,800 from April 21st.

[Engadget]

Miami will proudly boast the worlds tallest building, if all goes as planned. This super tower known as Miapolis will be 183 meters higher than the Burj Khalifa. Designed by KOBI KARP, the building is a “city within a city” and will use futuristic cutting edge sustainable technology making it the world’s largest LEED-certified structure. To be built on Watson Island, the 160-floor eco-city will house entertainment zones, and amusement park, restaurants, and observatory, a 792 room hotel, 1000 apartments and a whole lot of space for shops and offices. Miapolis will be powered 60% by wind energy and will also use a green roof, greenhouse gas management systems, water desalinization, waste water management, electric trolleys and a whole load of other features packed in to make it the world’s largest green eco-friendly structure. The eco-city will also help revitalize downtown Miami by creating 46,000 construction and 35,000 permanent jobs for the locals.

This structure will be something to look out for in Miami!

[Inhabitat]

Now here’s a contraption that you can strap on to your back and will generate power. Created by Bourne Energy, this hydroelectric generator is light weight and can easily be strapped on behind you making it easily transportable. Known as the Backpack Power Plant and weighing less than 30 pounds, this system can easily generate around 500 watts and can produce energy from a stream four feet or deeper. This generator is easy to install. All you need to do is dig a trench on either side of the stream that will accommodate two lightweight anchors. A rope connecting the anchors to the generator helps keep it afloat thru tension. A flow speed of 2.3 meters per second is ideal. A more powerful and lighter version for military use has also been designed by Bourne.

You can buy yourself the civilian version for $3,000. Generating hydroelectricity has never been easier before.

[Ecogeek]

$45 million is what Valence Technology Inc. an Austin- based energy storage company took to strike a deal with France’s BJ Technologie for a multi-year rechargeable battery supply. BJ Technologie is a subsidiary of the world’s largest yacht builder, Bénéteau Group. Valence Technology will supply the boating company with batteries for their new hybrid-electric vessels which use the new ZF Marine hybrid drive system. These storage systems will be installed in hybrid-electric yachts, sailboats, and motorboats built by Bénéteau Group partners. These shipments will begin by the end of 2010 and will help Valence Technology generate estimated revenue of $9 million.

The guys at Bénéteau Group sure are taking the environment seriously and are hoping to keep the waters clean.

[Trendhunter]

The animals in Abu Dhabi’s deserts will finally breathe a sigh of relief and have access to cleaner salt-free watering holes soon. Around thirty desalinization plants will be set up over the next 15 months that will be powered by solar energy. Water purified by these plants will be used in watering holes to provide water for animals. Currently two plants are already being used for desalting brackish water from underground aquifers and converting it into fresh sparkling water. These remotely operated plants will use solar panels spread over 300 square meters at each site that will generate 45 kilowatts of electricity per hour. These plants will function for six to eight hours everyday and the brine and waste water collected will be pumped to an evaporation lake that will be fenced up to keep away animals.

According to the International Desalination Association, UAE produces 8.4 million cubic meters of desalinated water everyday. The demand however is increasing and Abu Dhabi and Dubai have invested around $40 billion (Dh146.8 billion) to meet this demand.

[Gulfnews]

This new Porsche will burn the asphalt, and will give the environment a tight hug too. The Porsche 918 Spyder hybrid plug-in concept is here with enough power to cross the 62mph mark in just 3.2 seconds. This sweet supercar gets better with a 500-horsepower V8 and two electric motors powering both the axles throwing in an extra 218 horsepower or 160kW. That’s not all. The car promises 78 milers a gallon and just 70 grams of CO2 emission per kilometer. The cars two powertrains allow maximum efficiency and performance. On the E-Drive or pure electric power mode, the car can eat up 16 miles on electrons alone. The hybrid mode uses both the powertrains and helps increase performance. The car also has a regenerative breaking system.

The awesome and marvelous 918 Spyder will feature tomorrow at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.

[Autobloggreen]

We all love music, and those hi-fi systems we use to blast out all the music our ears can take suck up a whole load of electricity. Here’s a great way to tap your feet and save the environment of its depleting resources at the same time. These speakers by Landport use solar power to play your favorite tunes. Its lithium-ion batteries are charged up using solar power harvested from solar panels on their bodies. It also features a USB port incase the sun doesn’t shine. Jack up you iPod and other devices thru its stereo mini input. These speakers measure 19.5 × 11.2 × 5cm and weigh 290g. They also offer a 2W x 2ch audio output. On a full battery charge, you can get up to 5-8 hours of music playback.

Japan’s first solar powered speakers will be available in March this year for about 5, 250 yen.

[Akihabaranews]

Big boats have their uses all over the oceans and seas, and do considerable harm to the environment too. Well, here’s a friendly giant who loves the environment just as much as you do. And what makes this huge vessel so clean? It’s solar powered! The PlanetSolar measures 31 meter by 15 meter and when its flaps at the stern and side are included, it measures 35 meters by 23 meters. Now that certainly makes it the world’s biggest solar powered boat. It uses 500 square meters of solar panels to power up the monster in its belly that enables the boat to travel at a top speed of 15 knots. The boat can also easily play host to 50 people. Chiseled at the Knierim Yacht Club in Kiel in northern Germany, the PlanetSolar will be launched in late March before starring at Hamburg port’s 821st anniversary celebrations in May. Its world tour will begin in April 2011. Weighing around 60-tonnes, this giant will take around 140 days to travel 40,000 km around the globe.

Here’s wishing a safe and successful journey in future to the biggest solar powered water vessel.

[SBS]

Do you love rock and roll? Itching to break that electric guitar of yours to impress your fans on-stage? Well, here’s a cheaper and more environment friendly way of breaking your guitar. No, you don’t need to smash your $400 Gibson anymore. Simply use the SMASH, the guitar created strictly for smashing purposes by a Japanese firm called K’s Japan. This electric guitar is like any other, except the fact that it is entirely recyclable once smashed and finished with. There’s more, the guitar also creates a smashingly devastating and destructing sound once smashed. After your done being all cool and angry with your smashed up guitar, simply send the parts back to the company and they’ll assemble it into a new guitar that will be given away to charity.

Available in black and white and weighing just 2.5 kg, this smash-able guitar costs just $60. Oh! And you need to be 18+ to buy one of these.

[Crunchgear]

Honda is here with yet another hybrid vehicle. Eager to set the road ablaze, the CR-Z Hybrid by Honda Motor Co. Ltd will enter the markets in Japan on Friday, February 26, 2010. The car uses a 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine and Honda’s very own Integrated Motor Assist™ (IMA®) system. The car looks as sweet as the fuel economy it delivers, which is a whopping 25 km/l. this car will do the environment a huge favor with its eco-friendly lifestyle. It is designed to offer a smooth and enjoyably clean ride. The name CR-Z literally means Compact Renaissance Zero. This speaks of Honda’s policies of starting a car from scratch and building it up without sticking to traditional company norms, hence creating a unique car each time. The CR-Z will also use the world’s first 6-speed manual transmission on a hybrid vehicle.

This awesome vehicle with enough storage space to carry all those belongings of yours on a green drive thru the woods is sure to win the hearts of people around the world.

[Honda]

Energy is wasted everyday in owing to various reasons. We usually tend to waste a whole load of electrical energy by leaving the on switches for our unused gadgets. Connecting gadgets into a multiple socket device and then leaving some of them powered on is one of the everyday errors we habitually perform. Well, here’s a cool ambient device that will remind you to switch of those unused gadgets and save energy. So how does this work? The Saving Energy Multitap uses the wasted juice to power up a set on ambient lights that will remind you to switch off your gadget. These ambient lights are touch sensitive and can be fitted onto your wall. Designed by Dong Hoon Han, Hwa Yong Shin & Dong Jin Shin, the Multitap can be used for switching with its touch sensitive features.

Now here’s a device we’d love to have in our homes. Its eco-friendly and looks cool too!

[Yankodesign]

Using wave energy to generate power seems to be the “in” thing nowadays. This newest technology in the generation of power from wave energy will indeed grab the heart the ocean soon. Designed by Zhang Yakun, He Siqian, Zhu Ningning, Chen Chen & Mu Zhiwei, the Wavelight concept design basically converts the mechanical energy produced by waves into electric power that will be used to juice up LED lights that will be used for mid-ocean rescue operations. Each of these lights are connected to each other and anchored on to the base of the ocean. They will together form a lighted chain that will guide passing ships to stay clear of rescue work. The only setbacks maybe the length of the anchor and the fact that the LED’s need to be powerful enough to lighten up even in the darkest waters.

[Yankodesign]

Maybe the alchemists failed in their efforts to make gold, but researches today have learnt the ways to produce energy using gold. Shining light on gold nanoparticles, researches at the Nano/Bio Interface Center at the University of Pennsylvania discovered that solar energy could be created. This will change the value of gold in future, making each little nanoparticle of this precious metal, a powerhouse in itself. The guys who brainstormed this research first packed a bunch of light-sensitive gold nanoparticles together on a glass substrate and had them exposed to optical radiation. Electrons freed from the gold particles move along the surface to create surface plasmons which induces electric currents.

Though the amount of energy generated by this process is minute, optimization of size, shape and the particles orientation will help create enough energy to power nano-circuits in future.

[Inhabitat]

Now here’s a street lamp we’d love to sit under or walk across. Eco-friendly technology is gaining impetus day by day giving rise to awesome innovations like these that will help change the way we live in future. The Sustainable City Lights concept will use solar power and wind energy to power them up instead of sucking in energy from the grid to lighten up our side walks and streets. The lights will glow only in the presence of people and will save up on energy by emitting a soft light when no ones around. They will use LED lighting technology instead of bulbs. That’s not all. These lights also mimic the action of flower buds and open and close their petal like fittings while harvesting solar and wind energy depending on the environment. Surplus energy will be sent back to the grid.

Now that’s an awesome innovation that will help make our streets greener and more eco-friendly.

[Ubergizmo]

Go green with luxury and style with the new Mercedes-Benz F 800. This mean machine loves the environment and is a multi-drive car and you can chose from a plug-in hybrid to a fuel cell powered monster. The F 800 Style uses the same technology found in the belly of the S 400 Hybrid and the B-Class F-Cell. The hybrid model of the car delivers a cool 409-horsepower while the fuel cell gives you just 136 horsepower. The car is a research vehicle that will peek out its head for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show. The styling of this car might give birth to a vehicle like this in 2013.

The F 800 plug-in version uses a 300 horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine with an 80 electric motor. It can go from 0-62 mph in as little as 4.8 seconds. The fuel cell version gives 100 kilowatts and 184 pound-feet of torque taking 11 seconds to cross the 62mph mark with a top speed of 111mph.

We wait eagerly for this car to show up on our city streets soon.

Via – [Luxurylaunches]