Author: gavril

Blimps are now seeing the light with the newest zeppelin with a technological twist being developed at an institute in France. Christened as the Aerolabe, this air ship is solar powered and kisses and hugs the environment with its green, clean and eco-friendly strategy. The vessel is designed by painter and sculptor Gaspard Schlumberger and is juiced up using solar energy. It also has a twist with the use of wings to assist flying. This design could pave the way for a clean and energy efficient mode to air transport and promises a zero carbon footprint. This blimp would cost around three and a half million Euros and will need engines that are energy efficient and consume lesser energy than contemporary one’s. So let’s wait and watch as this environment friendly blimp raises its clean and green head in the sky showing us the way for cleaner air transport in the future.

[Treehugger]

Charging stations that will have your electric vehicle up and running in 30 minutes or less will soon be around in the future. Developed and designed by Coulomb Technologies and Aker Wade Power Technologies, these charging stations will be similar to gas pump type charging stations. Known as the Level 3 charging stations, the charging stations will be powered by dedicated 480-volt, 125-amp circuits and will be available for purchase mid year for $40,000 with an additional $20,000 for installation. However, companies like Ford are skeptical about the use of rapid charging stations since it can have an adverse effect on safety, durability, battery life and reliability. A 240 volt source to charge an electric car takes about four to eight hours, but is more reliable than these rapid chargers.

However, according to Bret Aker, CEO of Aker Wade Power Technologies, developments in lithium ion technology will enable cars to be charged in fifteen minute, rendering gasoline useless.

[Hybridcars]

Plans were unveiled last for an ethanol pipeline that covers a stretch of 1800 miles running from the mid-west to the east coast of the United States of America. Designed and planned by Poet Ethanol Products and Magellan Midstream Partners, this pipeline measuring 20 inches in diameter, will help supply a whopping 3.6 billion gallons annually. The pipeline will help the spread in use of bio fuel. This pipeline will also run along petroleum pipes in some areas and will need to make its way through other areas. The construction of this ethanol pipeline will help provide around 80,000 jobs according to Poet and Magellan and 1,100 people will be needed in order to operate it. The estimated time for the pipelines opening is around four years ahead in the future.

Ethanol fuel has been successfully transported using pipelines before and this process has been tried and tested. Costing a sum of $4 billion dollars, this project depends on getting a U.S. Department of Energy loan guarantee.

[Autobloggreen]

Yet another hybrid sports car rolls out on the race track, this time its Toyota’s baby. The new GRMN MR2 Sports Hybrid is a concept vehicle by Toyota that was unveiled at the Toyota Auto Salon. Toyota’s racing and tuning partner, Gazoo had a hand in this car. The car is a two seat all wheel drive sports machine based on the MR2 roadster. It packs a 3.3-liter V6 petrol engine that powers the back wheels. Toyota’s THSII hybrid system combined with an electric motor makes the cars front wheels spin. This enables the car to fire out a whopping 400 horsepower.

The roadster weighs just around 1300kg and is capable of zipping up to speeds that make you stick on to your seat. The technology used for this car may be only a concept for now, but in the near future may be the base on which more similar cars are built. So will the MR2 Sports Hybrid be an inspiration for future cars that are greener and environment friendly? We keep our fingers crossed!

[Carscoop]

Nothing sounds better than a fast car that is equally environment friendly. This supercar is powered by electricity and was unveiled at the Autosport International 2010 in Birmingham. Known as the Radical SRZero, this car is designed and chiseled into shape by EVO Electric. The car uses two EVO electric motors to make its wheels spin and zip ahead. And zipping ahead simply means, this car can go from dead stop to 60mph in 3.5 seconds. The car can be pushed to its top speed of 118 miles per hour. The car uses EVO Electrics Axial Flux technology. This car is a winner in every aspect, be it energy efficiency, weight, power, size, reliability, torque or durability The car will cover 16,000 miles in an epic journey from Argentina to Alaska as a test run later this year. Now that’s one long test run, long enough to let the car prove its capabilities!

[Autobloggreen]

Housing goes green and energy saving with the design used to build homes in Cold Spring Green, Newton, Massachusetts. These houses are based on common New England houses with an eco friendly twist. The soaring ceilings, electrically operated skylights, stainless steel accents and glass prominence gets you wonder struck on the first look itself. These houses save out on lighting costs due to large portions of it being exposed to sunlight. Also, they use energy efficient technologies like a photovoltaic roof and a geothermal heating and cooling system that helps save out on power wastage. While building, care was taken to use locally sourced raw material and engineered lumber. The roof of these homes reflects and retains water. The total reduction of CO2 emissions and carbon footprint is 17% overall energy requirements for the buildings, or financial savings equivalent to supplying a full year of free gas to four large size cars for every unit in that area. So live with style and leave no trace of carbon in the air with these awesome new homes in Cold Spring Green.

[World Architecture News]

Sanyo together with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. joins in the research of Hybrid Car Carrier using Natural Energy. The company in order to reduce its carbon footprint has started expanding its energy solution business. They have also begun the race to cut down on running costs of facilities like factories and stores by using Smart Energy Systems. Sanyo has also introduced a system that helps marine vessels reduce CO2 emissions by using photovoltaic systems and lithium-ion battery systems or by combining solar panels with lithium-ion rechargeable batteries. This system is a hybrid one using diesel and providing marine vessels with electrical power. Power generated when the vessel is docked can be stored in the batteries and used in the harbor instead of diesel. The Hybrid Car Carrier will use this system and will be completed in 2012.

[Sanyo]

For those who were ignorant of what the Chevrolet Camaro is, the Transformer, Bumblebee, said it all. This time, our favorite Chevy goes green. The Special Edition Camaro is Synergy Green in color and was unveiled at the SEMA show in Las Vegas last year. The car is available in a six speed manual and an automatic transmission. This vroom machine packs 304 horsepower with a 3.6 liter V^ engine. The car also has a remote start option incase you chose an automatic. The black rally stripes make the car look faster and the 19 inch silver alloy wheels gets its share of heads turning round for a closer look. The car uses the green theme inside too with the panels, seats, gear knob, console and steering wheel all going green. The car begins production next month and GM will confirm the price that is expected to fall below $27,000. The last car of this kind will be produced in May at. So go get yourself this green Chevy and make a greener statement every time to zip by!

[LeftLaneNews]

Out goes the LCD technology, and here comes the latest in town, the LPD technology. LPD’s or laser phosphor displays are greener and more environment and eco friendly, given the fact that they use 25 percent lesser energy than LCD’s and LED’s used today. These screens are available in all shapes and sizes and not just plain long rectangular screens. LPD’s do away with transistor layers and use blinking lasers that create patterns of phosphor stripes. The first generation of this technology may prove to be expensive; however, long term financial gains are expected from the use of LPD screens. The company Prysm, that is currently working on the development on the screens are keeping the information of this technology confidential and are aiming to hit it big screen for the start, to check out on costs and financial benefits. So down go the LCD’s in our malls and city squares, and make way for an energy efficient alternative.

[Gizmodo]

Designed by an innovative genius from Germany, Nika Rams, a range of products known as UseLess Products teach us how to save energy and depleting natural resources in a simple and practical way. Okay, the name may suggest that they have absolutely no use (if you haven’t figured it out yet, it actually means USE LESS), but then again, names are meant to be innovative, right? Well, these three products are just as innovative as their name. The UseLess Paper is a toilet paper role with guidelines that enable you to tear off just that part of the paper and not wasting too much of it on natures call. The UseLess Energy is simply a stopper that blocks your wall electric outlet and discourages you from using it too much. The UseLess Water concept is a tap with a lid that helps stop water dripping and flowing down the drain. This goes to show that saving energy isn’t really a difficult task and can be done in many practical ways, if only we care that much about our environment and the danger it faces.

[Notcot]

Now cook your food with electricity using the Cooktop for Environment. Designed by Alejandro Sanchez, this innovative design has three gas burners and one electric heater that can be used to cook. This helps reduce energy consumption. The body of the cooktop is made of glass ceramic alloy that resists the high temperature of the gas burners. The body is recyclable and hygienic to use. The device also has a digital display, like a microwave, that can be used to control temperature and other components. It allows users to preset cook-time. Each arm of the burners has sensors that detect the temperature of the vessels placed on top. When you’re not cooking, the cooktop will automatically switch of the valve to prevent gas flow.

Yet another advantage of the cooktop is the fact that it is shock resistant. This makes it safe to use and prevents accidents too! So cook in style with this sleekly designed kitchen appliance and save energy too!

[TheDesignBlog]

Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles now have Hitachi to power them up, with the new lithium-ion battery developed by Hitachi Ltd and Hitachi Vehicle Energy Ltd. This battery pack has a higher energy density (120Wh/kg) and a high output density (2,400W/kg), making it ideal for use in plug-in hybrids. The energy density of this cell is twice as high as the one’s available in the market today. Measuring 146 x 110 x 30mm and weighing around 0.75 kg, this lithium-ion battery has an average voltage of 3.6V. The positive electrode contains a manganese substance, and the negative electrode contains a carbon material. Samples of these batteries will be shipped by 2010.

The company currently is producing its second generation products and plans to chisel out 300,000 third generation units per month for General Motors Corp. these third generation units are 40mm in diameter, 92mm in length, have a current capacity of 4.4Ahv, an average output of 3.6V and an output density of 3000W/kg. A fourth generation unit developed by Hitachi has an output density 1.5 times more than this third generation unit. PHEV’s will benefit from these developments by Hitachi.

[Techon]

The Detroit 2010 Auto Show saw an innovation that we all would love to use and own. A car that can travel on water! The brainchild of Korean electric car makers CT&T, this six wheeler baby can travel on water and land, without a trace of pollution left behind. This car is powered by electricity, and can seat four people. Known as the Multi Amphibious Vehicle, the car can travel up to speeds of 40mph on land and a sweet 90mph on water! This sure makes traveling by waterways quicker than land. The Multi Amphibious Vehicle by CT&T, when launched in the market will find its uses for recreation as well as organizations like the coast guard and other services that require land as well as water travel. The car looks cute, and sounds powerful. Now escape the wrath of polluted and crowded city streets and simply travel on water instead!

[Autoblog]

Toyota is taking its fuel cell technology seriously and has planned to let lose 100 of these vehicles in the US in preparation of its market launch there. The company believes in the future use of this technology, making the automotive industry more energy efficient and the maintenance and use of cars cheaper. These vehicles are the environment friendly version of the Toyota Highlander using fuel cell stacks, power electronics and hydrogen storage tanks. The car was tested upon by the U.S. Department of Energy with results of 68 mpg equivalent and a 431 mile range. These fuel cell hybrid vehicles will be used in university, corporate and government fleets first in California and New York, the places playing host to General Motor’s Project Driveway. The installation of refueling stations will lead to the use of these cars in those places. Toyota’s plans for the future sure look green.

[Autoblog]

You can now power up a torch light every time you skip. That may sound weird to you, but with designers Hyun Joo Lee & Eu Tteum Lee’s newest innovation, your skipping rope is now a torchlight that uses kinetic energy to flash up! And how is that possible? Simply by converting the kinetic energy you produce every time you skip, into electrical energy that is then stored in a torchlight integrated in the skipping rope itself. This stored kinetic energy is used to power up the light. This innovative torchlight and skipping rope requires no batteries and depends on your exercise to power up. The spinning of the “rope” produces kinetic energy, which then converts into electricity. The rope also records the number of jumps made and the amount of charge is indicated. The torch uses an LED bulb. So go skip and make some energy that will help you see in the dark, literally.

[Yankodesign]

The newest hybrid rolls out in town, this time from Volkswagen’s end. The car was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Known as the New Compact Coupe, this concept hybrid boasts of a fuel consumption of 45mpg with an extremely low CO2 emission (98g/km). It also packs a TSI engine powered by a 20kW electric motor and a seven speed gearbox with direct shift. The car can zip up to a top speed of 141mph. it requires as little as 8.6 seconds to cross the 62mph mark. Volkswagen has embraced the concept of hybrid technology and is eagerly awaiting the release of their first hybrid this year, a 4X4 SUV. The car nestles a four-cylinder TSI petrol engine with intercooling, turbocharging and direct injection. This generates 110kW if power at the cost of and engine displacement of 1.4 liters. Besides all this, the car also generates kinetic energy every time you step on your brakes and saves this energy in the lithium ion battery. Volkswagen is sure taking the hybrid theory seriously!

[TheGreenCarWebsite]

Auto rickshaws powered by solar power and zooming about on Indian streets are not a far fetched dream. Auto rickshaws are a symbol of Indian transport and having them go green is indeed a laudable effort. Known as Soleckshaws, these human electric hybrid rickshaws come to the rescue of the Delhi 2010 Commenwealth Games that will be held this October and can carry 2 passengers at a speed of 9 mph for 25 miles on a single charge. When drained, the empty cells will be replaced with charged up cells at dedicated stations. The electric modification will also help curb the spread of tuberculosis among rickshaw pullers who are stricken by this disease due to hard work and malnutrition.

A hub in partnership with the Indian government involving IIM Ahmedabad, UK Carbon Trust and British Petroleum’s Alternative Energy Group is working towards the designing of the solar powered rickshaw. The shortcoming is the significant engine damage caused due to the starting and stopping of the motor in crowded areas like Chandni Chowk. However, these little solar powered three wheelers are sure to come to the rescue of the Delhi government during the oncoming games.

[Wired]

An unmanned vehicle in the air monitoring forest conditions is the newest desire of Queensland University of Technology, Australia. This light weight vehicle uses solar energy to power itself up. It will be available in 24 months after flight tests are carried out. Known as the Green Falcon, this UAV is capable of providing round the clock service with the added benefits of zero emission and pollution. The vehicle is also suitable for use in coastal and border surveillance, forestry, atmospheric conditions etc. The Green Falcon has a wingspan of 2.5m and weighs around 4kg. The UAV is powered using 28 monocrystalline solar cells and a lithium ion battery. It also packs a maximum power point tracker and an energy management system making it efficient and practical for use.

The testing of this project will cost $45,000-75,000 for resources like wireless cameras and electronics. This innovation should help make surveillance a whole lot easier.

[Flightglobal]

Traveling around with a bag that charges your phone sounds incredible, right? Samsonite displayed this messenger bag that can charge up your BlackBerry Curve using energy from the sun. The back is equipped with a system that can charge the phone when exposed to direct sunlight for 4.5 hours. That may seem long, but remember, this bag is serious about saving energy. The bag can carry a notebook of 15.6 inches, though it cannot charge its battery. A 12V automotive charger adapter in the bag enables phones with a standard car charger to be attached and charged. The bag turns greener with the materials used to build it. The body of the bag is made out of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET). This cool bag that uses sunlight to charge up your mobile phone can be yours for under $100 when it shows up in the market this spring.

Via – [Newlaunches]