Eco Factor: Space-solar plant to be constructed by 2016.
California’s state legislators have finally given a green light to the first-of-its-kind space-based solar project. California’s biggest energy utility PG&E has announced that they would purchase 200MW of solar power that will be beamed from space by 2016.
Eco Factor: Zero-emission concept car powered by Li-ion batteries.
With a keen eye on futuristic technology and the need for high performance cars with a low environmental impact, auto designer Daniel Fitzgerald has designed a stunning concept car dubbed the Laminar 2, which is a three-seater electric vehicle for the family of the future.
Eco Factor: Ecofriendly charger runs on solar energy.
RAYvolution Solar Products is catering to the growth in the number of portable electronic devices with a charger that doesn’t tax the electrical grid. The company has launched a new solar charger, dubbed the RAYvolution, that comes with a large solar panel to harvest clean energy from the sun.
Eco Factor: Residential complex designed to generate solar energy for power.
Dubai has always served as a place where the most amazing and sometimes unrealistic architectural dreams come true. Be it the World Island or the Palm Islands, Dubai has proved that it can enrich itself with modern architecture to attract people with deep pockets.
Eco Factor: Sculpture made from recycled motorcycle parts.
Eco-minded designers at RoboSteel have come up with a life size MotorCycleMan (aka RoboMan), a human sculpture built entirely from recycled motorcycle parts. The sculpture is on show at the RoboSteel stand at the NEC Motorcycle Show and will be later offered as a prize.
Eco Factor: Proposal to green Toronto’s Gardiner Expressway with a solar and wind linear park.
After serving Toronto for more than 45 years, The Gardiner Expressway is in need of renovation. While some have proposed a complete tear-down, Quadrangle Architects have something more green in mind. The Toronto-based architectural firm is proposing the construction of a “Green Ribbon” over the Gardiner Expressway.
Eco Factor: Energy-saving mini desktop PC.
The fit-PC2i nettop is arriving on the market soon and is reportedly one of the most energy-efficient mini PCs, with a rated consumption of just 8W even at full load. Measuring just 4″ x 4.5″ x 1.05″ and weighing under a pound, the mini PC is also the world’s smallest dual gigabit Ethernet-equipped PC.
Eco Factor: Concept faucet reduces water wastage.
With billions of people on the planet striving hard for a few gallons of fresh water, it becomes even more important for the privileged to try and save every drop. While there are many who love to thaw frozen food under a running tap, industrial designers are using their skills to make water wastage a thing of the past.
Eco Factor: Sustainable treehouse powered by solar energy.
Lord, Aeck & Sargent Architects have constructed a sustainable treehouse that will serve as green living playground for kids with special needs. Dubbed the Wild Side, the treehouse is designed to be completely wheelchair accessible and provide a space where kids could seamlessly connect with nature.
Eco Factor: Battery-powered underwater glider tracks the effects of climate change in inhospitable locations.
Designed to track the effects of climate change in the most inhospitable locations around the world, the Scarlet Knight is about to become the first underwater glider that will cross the Atlantic. The Scarlet Knight is expected to arrive in Spain after being released from New Jersey in April.
Eco Factor: Energy-saving house relies on passive solar gain.
Don McLean of McLean Architects has designed a sustainable house for his family that offers green suburban living in a challenging site north of Glasgow. Dubbed the Beacon, the house is located on a south facing site, which maximizes passive solar heat gain to reduce overall energy consumption.
Eco Factor: Concept cellphone designed to be powered by solar energy.
Providing an answer to the growth in the number of cellphones and the energy they require to keep running, industrial designer Liu Hsiang-Ling has come up with a concept cellphone that runs on the abundant energy provided by the sun.
Eco Factor: Concept shower designed to cut water consumption.
When water conservation is a demand, cutting down on shower use could be a beneficial solution. However, there is no dearth of ecofriendly showers and concepts that let you enjoy a hot shower after a tiring day at work, while saving water and energy at the same time. Industrial designer Alemina Vranas from the University of New South Wales has proposed a water-saving shower system that can transform your showering experience into an oasis of comfort.
Eco Factors: Solar-powered bus shelter made from recycled glass bottles.
We’ve seen glass bottles being recycled to make houses and even temples. Eco-minded artist Aaron Scales has his hands on bottle recycling and has come up with a sustainable bus shelter that has been constructed from soft drink bottles.
Eco Factor: Dust-repellent nano-coating developed by researchers at Tel Aviv University.
While attempting to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, researchers at Tel Aviv University have accidentally discovered a new nano-material that can repel dust and water and could give rise to self-cleaning skyscraper windows and highly efficient solar panels.
Eco Factor: Low-emission car powered by a hybrid engine.
Volkswagen has unveiled its new low-emission vehicle, the Up! Lite, which gets powered by a hybrid diesel-electric engine. The sporty four-seater is being touted to be a direct cousin to the company’s L1 two-seater car that was showcased at the Frankfurt Auto Show.
Eco Factor: Catamaran equipped with solar panels to harvest renewable energy.
Sunreef Yachts has introduced a new catamaran, which combines sustainability and luxury in a hydrodynamic superstructure. Dubbed the ONE FIFTY, the 45m superyacht is influenced by the design of racing cars, which minimizes resistance to better fuel efficiency.
Eco Factor: Concept bicycle equipped with a trash bin and a trailer.
Industrial designer Alessio D’Onofrio assures that you use your bicycle on all occasions, even for trips where you have to carry loads of luggage with you. The designer has come up with a concept “Bike of the Park,” which is equipped with detachable compartments allowing you to carry everything from your important belongings to trash.
Eco Factor: Sustainable luminaires designed to run on solar energy.
3XN has designed sustainable LED luminaires for Bella Center in Copenhagen in conjunction with the upcoming UN climate conference. Dubbed the Gotham, the street lamps are the result of a close co-operation between 3XN, Scotia Lighting, EWO and a number of other partners.
Eco Factor: Hydrogen-generating plant relies on solar energy.
Hydrogen is often touted as the fuel of the future. However, even after being the most abundant element in the universe, producing hydrogen that can later be used as fuel is in itself a dangerous process. SolarLab Research and Design has come up with the Hydrogen Powerplant, a concept powerplant that can be one of the safest and the most efficient ways to create hydrogen.