Author: shvveta

I understand that we all hate getting preached. We hate to be told to things the right way every time. The reason I am writing this philosophical stuff here is because, it’s always that some company or the other keeps making some EV or some solar battery for the consumer and we forever told to go green. Even if we do realize and are environmentally conscious, unless we see someone else doing it, we will not really be awakened. The East Peoria government is doing just that. Their Police Departments fleet of vehicles runs all day using various facilities like the video camera system, radar, laptop, light and siren controls, there is a constant usage of the batteries that goes bad over time. Now, a smart solar energy battery system is going to replace the old ones.

The solar charger will store up the energy required for all these purposes. Developed for government vehicles used to patrol the Mexican border, the solar chargers recently were released to the civilian market.

[pjstar]

With everything and everyone getting environmentally conscious the ‘Mobile Garden’ concept from American artist Joe Baldwin is a good idea, but somewhere it is not also. The mobile garden concept is a rail car that the Chicago Transit Authority will be driving around. It is actually a regular train but with one cargo of a flowerbed. The much required green space certainly looks good and refreshing, but my question is if it’s really required. Technically, its just additional weight that the train has to haul around, that only adds to the energy consumption. This is a green project but has a slightly ‘un’green way of doing it I guess.

[greenmuze]

We have come a long way with all the magnificent portable gadgets and deviced and cutting edge mobile phones, netbooks and what not. Work had never been so easy, simply and convenient. One thing that perhaps everyone missed out on working upon was the printer. While now you can practically deal with all your work while travelling, printing is one thing that is a spoke in the wheel of your wire free, hassle free official working. PlanOn’s Printstik PS905ME printer provides completely portable printing power. The Printstik weighs in at 1.5 pounds and measures 2×2×11 inches, making it tiny enough to fit inside a laptop bag uses thermal printing technology for its monochromatic printing process. In other words it eliminates the need for ink cartridges that is a huge green advantage since it saves on a whole lot of packaging wastes. It runs on Lithium-ion polymer rechargeable batteries that is way more eco-friendly than disposable ones. They admit that the printer does run slower than the regular ones, and that the output quality may not be up to the mark of a laser yet in times of desperate need, this does come handy.

[Inhabitat]

Solar energy, wind energy has always been used to generate power, but I am more fascinated when kinetic energy is smartly utilized. The Ciclups from Rubcn is an extremely new concept that exploits human physical power to generate energy. This produced energy can thus be utilized effectively in the day-to-day tasks. The device includes an integrated gyroscope with a pedal that has to be pushed to generate sustainable power. It can also be connected to a socket for charging. It also features a low voltage screen to display the function and battery charge. All one has to do is pedal like a bicycle and let the gyroscopic effect produce energy, which increases and decreases according to the paddling speed. Not only does this produce energy, but it also keeps you fit!

[The Design Blog]

With the Copenhagen summit on and everyone talking about global warming and figuring ways to tackle the environmental hazards at the Vancouver Winter Games, new ways and schemes have been thought of to spread awareness. They believe that the beverage bottles are not entirely a waste after the beverage is over. Nicola Kettlitz, general manager of the Coca-Cola Olympic Project team that they will also turn the recycled plastic into toques, scarves and vests to go back to the Ray-Cam community centre. Also the bottles consumed at the venue will go to build an outdoor sports court in the poverty-ridden Downtown Eastside. It’s a $350,000 investment in the inner city. “The Games have been a catalyst, but they alone are not the end result. It’s what we do afterwards that makes the difference” Mary McNeil, the B.C. Minister of State for the Olympics was quoted saying.

[CTV Olympics]

I have not been really impressed with this particular creation, for a basic reason that it is nothing new. Artist David Edwards designed the Power Flower to fuel interest in wind and solar energy. His intention was the usual but I guess his design is something that is yet slightly different from all the other power generators in the world. Standing 14-foot-tall, made of aluminum is this sunflower sculpture that produces electricity with its solar panel covered leaves and petal powered wind turbine. This power is stored in batteries and can be used to charge a cell phone or even a laptop easily.

Some part of the power generated this way is even used to light up the LED bulbs around the sculpture at night.

[pittsburghlive]

With so many talks happening over e-waste and how it is a major problem that needs urgent looking into, it was high time someone came up with an interesting solution such as this. Junk-metal artist Gabriel Dinshaw, is the man in question and his creativity really has no bounds I guess. Even if the old and spoilt motherboard is nothing but a piece of useless metal trash, he looked deeper and observed the gold, silver and copper materials in these circuit boards to creating stuff from the dangling earrings to the short skivvies. These up scaled designs were mainly created to impart awareness about technological wastes such as e-waste, mining industry and over consumption.
This amazingly stunning looking necklace is actually been made out of the circuit boards, and of course a little bit of magnet and sterling silver to complete the whole design.

Far less provocative are Oye’s delicate drop earrings, cut from circuit-board scraps from her larger installations, then embellished with synthetic alpinite set in silver.

Before you think why is everything recycled only for the women, here is something for the guys as well. Electronic hardware takes a surprisingly pretty turn with David Casella’s floral-esque brooch of recycled circuit boards, anodized aluminum, and brass.
[ecouterre]

The solar decathlon that takes place annually in Europe, is scheduled this June to be held in Madrid. Here each team designs a home for a specific climatic condition and solar resource. The ‘Fablab’ house is a solar panel coated house designed completely off the ground. The rounded house designed as an ellipsoid structure made of wood in a rib-like form has space underneath for air to circulate and lead to natural ventilation in the house. A customized photovoltaic panel covers the roof which even collects rainwater.

Certain smart systems are installed to monitor and control the home’s temperature and energy use. When the home is built for the competition, it will also come with a garden capable of growing food.

[inhabitat]

Designer Ondrej Jirec’s college project has been receiving accolades from the EV fanatics’ world over. The Maserati Tramontane is a concept vehicle that was conceived not to be a part of some EV competition, but primarily as a luxury supercar in its own right. It is mainly designed for scenic winding roads. The design personifies simplicity and is a beautiful blend of exterior and interior elements. The slippery, aerodynamic overall shape is the most eye-catching aspect of the concept’s design. At 4,250mm (167 inches) in length the Maserati Tramontane is just 50mm (2 inches) shorter than the Lamborghini Gallardo.

The 1,170mm (46 inches) height is almost identical to the Gallardo.The proposed drivetrain for the concept is an all-electric setup. The front wheels are driven by one electric motor, while the rear wheels each get their own motor.

Ferrari is all set to unveil a hybrid model at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. There were reports that the lords of formula racing were planning on such a move, but Ferraris foray into the hybrid market has now been confirmed. “We’ll present a 599 hybrid in Geneva, which will represent a great path towards the future,” said Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo. They are known to introduce technological innovation through their cars, this time around too, people are expecting a lot out of them.

[leftlanenews]

French designer Philippe Starck presents his new line of the amazing alternative energy source, the wind turbines. The turbines, which will be made in the Tuscan city of Siena, can be placed in the garden or on the roof. While the use of micro wind turbines is on the rise in the urban areas, this micro wind turbine is going to be having transparent blades.

The shape consists of a quadrangular model with a power output of 400W. Its helicodial shape can generate power of 1 KW with the wind blowing at 14 m per second. The innovative shape and the ability to be used at home add to the credibility of the Phillipe Starck micro wind turbine.

[designboom]

Honda has always vouched for the usage of hydrogen fuel cells as a solution to zero emissions mobility. They have now developed a new version of solar hydrogen station that can be used at home. In about eight hours, it will add 0.5 kilogram of hydrogen to the car, enough for about 30-35 miles, which would cover most drivers’ daily commute. During the day the solar panels would generate power and supply to the grid, while at night, during the over-night charging, the grid power would be used. The premise is similar to that behind an extended range EV, like the Volt, to provide enough energy at overnight for most daily needs.

[green-autoblog]

As I always say, when the big men do it, it is always noted. Coming to the point, Mikhail Prokhorov, who is the richest man in Russia, is reportedly planning on launching a new car with some sort of ‘advanced technology’ through his company, Onexim Group. Many are speculating that it is going to be a hybrid or a fully electric drivetrain. In any case, the goal is to put the small eco-friendly vehicle on the road for about $12,500. At that price, the machine would be going up against such well-known and formidable competitors as Volkswagen and General Motors.

[green.autoblog]

The kitchen is where most household wastes are produced. These need to be disposed smartly and in a proper way. Designers Victor Massip and Laurent Lebot of Faltazi have designed a conceptual system where water is recycled and waste is broken down by worms inside the kitchen itself.

‘Ekokook’ as it is called, includes storage containers for packaging, a reservoir under the sink for collecting water to be reused and a container where earthworms break down organic waste.

There is a double sink for retention, with an intermediate reservoir situated below the sink and two pitchers that collect kitchen water that has no grease scum. This enables users to recycle clean water by using it to water household plants. The earth worm composter uses earth worms to break down organic wastes.

Slowly but surely, the accumulated effects of these eco-benefits will change our environmental footprint for the better.

[dezeen]

Lexon has now announced its all new range of small bamboo and bioplastic appliances. Designed by Elium Studio this range of renewably-powered small appliances are encased in corn bio-plastic with bamboo trim. This cute radio allows for an I-Pod to get plugged in. This is one in a range of eco-design pieces geared to renewable energies.


[notcot]

Virginia Techs zero-energy smart house will be a part of this year Solar Decathlon and will be featured in Times Square for some time. Lumenhaus is an 800-square-foot, 1-bedroom residence with open spaces to allow the free flow of sunlight and air. Unlike most energy conscious houses that have closed structures to not allow the passage of heat, this house is a tad different. The fully automated Eclipsis System, that includes independent sliding layers, permits a revolutionary design in a solar-powered house, while filtering light in flowing patterns throughout the day. The home’s smart system gathers information from its rooftop weather station to automatically control the rooftop solar system, heating and cooling and lighting. The home also includes several other green features such as gray water harvesting, rainwater collection, LED lighting and use of sustainable materials.

[newsleader]

AEG-Electrolux Super Eco L64850LE is a ‘green’ washing machine. Now you must be wondering how could a washing machine possibly be eco-friendly. It’s because the Super Eco cold wash technology saves upto 83% energy compared with Easy Care 40ºC, and 72% compared with Easy Care 30ºC. It does this by its unique way of using cold water for washing clothes. Is is the world first ever washing machine to use cold water in a wash cycle along with cold active/activated washing powders and solutions such as Ariel Excel Gel. So, with no heating involved, the washing machine offers great washing solutions even at low temperatures.

The revolutionary feature allows the AEG-Electrolux Super Eco to use only 41 litres of water in its Eco Wash setting, against an average of 50 litres, by creating the optimum amount of cleaning foam.

[appliancist]

Nicolas Dorval-Bory and Emilio Marin have thought of an interesting dreamhouse for a ski-enthusiast. The speciality of this home is that it is made of ‘aerated concrete’. Though these blocks look like regular concrete, they are in fact filled with tiny air bubbles that perform some green functions. Firstly they reduce the shipping weight as well as increase the insulating properties. The green quotient of the construction has just taken off. A geothermal heat pump is used to pump air into a trombe wallthat trap the air in them. Since the wall is exposed to the sun, they warm the air. This warm is is inturn circulated inside the house at night. Not only this, the house is constructed in such a way that bedrooms and bathrooms lie at the house’s south end, where they’re exposed to the sun but buried partially in the ground, so those areas are naturally warmer.

[fastcompany]

A standard art gallery is a good gallery only when it satisfies the elements of space, sustainability and accessibility. But the School of Art has defied convention and has converted an old shipping container into a zero carbon mobile exhibition gallery. Powered by 130 watt solar panel, the designers replaced the old wooden toxic flooring with wood recovered from shipping pallets. They also installed skylights made from recycled frosted glass, placed at angles corresponding to the degrees of the Tropic of Cancer and Capricorn. This way they have very smartly used recycled materials and applied small scale sustainable methods to build up this green design!

[treehugger]

Designer Ji Sung Park has thought of a unique park bench that has solar panels which collect sunlight to illuminate the bench at night. The design is extremely stylish looking and perfect for a garden since it’s in the shape of a flower with petals. The petals open up to become benches for people to sit on. During dusk, the petals flod up and the bud illuminates light to light up the pathway. On a sunny day, that big solar panel could collect more energy than needed to power an LED night light. It is a very good looking concept but I seriously doubt the practicality of it.

[treehugger]