Author: Green Tech

Latest round of funding will support basic research that may yield a solar cell efficiency breakthrough. …

… “Bocian cites lack of funding for basic research as the reason why today’s solar cells have only 6-11 percent energy efficiency. But there is hope in Congress’s recent approval of funding for PARC and 45 similar Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRCs) through the Department of Energy. ” …

Via UC Riverside: $1 million to study light-harvesting compounds

The Dept of Energy support a portfolio of research centers focused on renewable energy. …

Energy Frontier Research Centers: “he 46 EFRCs, which are to be funded at $2–5 million per year each for a planned initial five-year period, were selected from a pool of some 260 applications received in response to a solicitation issued in 2008 by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Science. ”

UCLA researchers use bacteria to convert carbon dioxide to isobutanol fuel using solar photosynthesis. Isobutanol can be used as tranportation fuel using the existing gasoline infrastructure. …

… “In a new approach, researchers from the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science have genetically modified a cyanobacterium to consume carbon dioxide and produce the liquid fuel isobutanol, which holds great potential as a gasoline alternative. ” …

Via UCLA: Bacteria to liquid fuel

Green city infrastructure strategy is planned for St. Charles, Maryland. The power source will be delivered through a portfolio of clean energy projects. …

… “Building the largest combination of clean energy infrastructure in the United States, including a 640 megawatt natural gas powered power plant, a 75-acre solar farm generating 10 megawatts, geothermal well fields for heating and cooling buildings, and a biomass gasification technology plant potentially incorporating methane from the Charles County landfill to produce additional renewable electricity. ” …

Via State of Maryland: St. Charles, Maryland

William & Mary Chesapeake Algae Project scientists endorse algae pathway to biofuel as a sustainable approach to production. …

… “algae feedstocks can be grown with low greenhouse-gas emissions and without competing for arable land and water that might otherwise be used to grow food crops. Bioalgae also is efficient. … ” …

Via William & Mary: ChAP algal biofuel

Indiana University Professor Elinor Ostrom shares thoughts on innovation, collaboration, and sharing information with consumers to drive positive behaviors with respect to sustainable living. …

… “She said it’s also important that people find ways to consume less energy by driving less, using solar power and insulating their homes. There are a very large number of things people can be doing on a small scale that give them benefits as well as reducing externalities … ” …

Via Indiana University: Virtues of collaboration, research freedom