Channel: energy

Fri 20 Nov ∞ Permalink
electricpower: Solar energy and lithium-ion batteries: Sanyo now builds “green” homes in Japan Sanyo is already being considered Japan’s “greenest” brand in the consumer electronics field (which is the main reason Panasonic is about to acquire the company), but them building complete, eco-friendly buildings is certainly new. Sanyo Homes [JP], a wholly-owned subsidiary, will start marketing all-electric homes with lithium ion batteries providing back up power to Japanese customers as early as tomorrow. (Sorry for the tiny picture, which shows a CGI-model of how these houses look like.) Each house will be equipped with a 3.78kw solar energy system. But buyers will also get 1.57kw Sanyo lithium ion batteries to make sure they’ll have access to eco-friendly energy during the night or during days without enough sunlight. Sanyo Homes says that each of their houses will come with ten LED light fixtures running on direct-current power to minimize energy loss and a solar-powered heat-pump water heater. The company expects these extras to boost the prices for their homes to some extent, but says buyers will be able to recoup the initial plus in investment over time and will also get financial from the Japanese government. A 132sqm Sanyo home, for example, will sell for $355,000, which is $62,000 more than a comparable conventional one (but only eco-friendly homes will get government subsidies, in this case $30,000). Via Nikkei [registration required, paid subscription] (via Crunchgear)

electricpower:

Solar energy and lithium-ion batteries: Sanyo now builds “green” homes in Japan

Sanyo is already being considered Japan’s “greenest” brand in the consumer electronics field (which is the main reason Panasonic is about to acquire the company), but them building complete, eco-friendly buildings is certainly new. Sanyo Homes [JP], a wholly-owned subsidiary, will start marketing all-electric homes with lithium ion batteries providing back up power to Japanese customers as early as tomorrow. (Sorry for the tiny picture, which shows a CGI-model of how these houses look like.)

Each house will be equipped with a 3.78kw solar energy system. But buyers will also get 1.57kw Sanyo lithium ion batteries to make sure they’ll have access to eco-friendly energy during the night or during days without enough sunlight. Sanyo Homes says that each of their houses will come with ten LED light fixtures running on direct-current power to minimize energy loss and a solar-powered heat-pump water heater.

The company expects these extras to boost the prices for their homes to some extent, but says buyers will be able to recoup the initial plus in investment over time and will also get financial from the Japanese government. A 132sqm Sanyo home, for example, will sell for $355,000, which is $62,000 more than a comparable conventional one (but only eco-friendly homes will get government subsidies, in this case $30,000).

Via Nikkei [registration required, paid subscription]

(via Crunchgear)

Fri 20 Nov ∞ Permalink

Read the Truck 2020 Study in the popular iPaper format with the Fullscreen mode. The report can also be downloaded.

Thu 19 Nov ∞ Permalink
infoneernet: 33 Excellent OLED Energy Saving & Eco-Friendly Designs OLEDs are like a new type of magical material, self-illuminating and eco-friendly. They are organic and work in a way similar to the bioluminescence that makes a firefly and certain deep sea fish glow. OLEDs can be extremely thin, flexible, varying in shapes, colors and sizes, some are even transparent while providing a lovely ambient glow. The function and creative possibilities of OLEDs in clothing, furniture, jewelry, and art are only as limited as the creator’s imagination. Here are 33 excellent OLED eco-friendly and energy efficient designs, from the super-sly spy to the interactive. Seen at WebEcoist

infoneernet:

33 Excellent OLED Energy Saving & Eco-Friendly Designs

OLEDs are like a new type of magical material, self-illuminating and eco-friendly. They are organic and work in a way similar to the bioluminescence that makes a firefly and certain deep sea fish glow. OLEDs can be extremely thin, flexible, varying in shapes, colors and sizes, some are even transparent while providing a lovely ambient glow. The function and creative possibilities of OLEDs in clothing, furniture, jewelry, and art are only as limited as the creator’s imagination. Here are 33 excellent OLED eco-friendly and energy efficient designs, from the super-sly spy to the interactive.

Seen at WebEcoist

Fri 13 Nov ∞ Permalink
datavis: Global Emissions via GOOD.is

datavis:

Global Emissions via GOOD.is

Fri 13 Nov ∞ Permalink

IBM Truck2020 co-author Kal Gyimesi shares the results of survey conducted as part of recent Automotive News/IBM webinar.

Download Truck2020 (pdf)

Fri 13 Nov ∞ Permalink
electricpower: Thin-Film Solar Panels to Double their Share of the Market by 2013? A new report by iSuppli Corp. predicts that by 2013, 31% of the solar panel market will be accounted for by thin-film solar panels. These thin-film panels are rapidly replacing traditional crystalline photovoltaic panels. Thin-film solar is being used in a variety of new applications, from solar roof shingles to solar tiles (like clay tiles) to solar panels glued right onto the roof. Its flexibility in use is one major benefit of this technology. Lower cost is the number one factor responsible for its anticipated growth, but there are trade-offs as well. (via CleanTechnica)

electricpower:

Thin-Film Solar Panels to Double their Share of the Market by 2013?

A new report by iSuppli Corp. predicts that by 2013, 31% of the solar panel market will be accounted for by thin-film solar panels. These thin-film panels are rapidly replacing traditional crystalline photovoltaic panels.

Thin-film solar is being used in a variety of new applications, from solar roof shingles to solar tiles (like clay tiles) to solar panels glued right onto the roof. Its flexibility in use is one major benefit of this technology.

Lower cost is the number one factor responsible for its anticipated growth, but there are trade-offs as well.

(via CleanTechnica)

Quote:
Thu 12 Nov ∞ Permalink

Dana Holding Corporation has developed a heat exchanger designed to extend battery life in hybrid and electric vehicles. The technology, the first of its kind, recently debuted on Tesla Motors’ 2010 all-electric Roadster Sport.End quote.

— Industry-First Battery Cooling Technology for Electric Vehicles - Green Wheels | Auto123
Thu 12 Nov ∞ Permalink
Wi-Fi wants its piece of the Smart Grid | VentureBeat The Wi-Fi Alliance has created a task force to work on setting standards so that Wi-Fi can play a large role in future development of the cleaner, more efficient Smart Grid. Today, this new group released a white paper exploring all of the areas where Wi-Fi could aid in communication between the new electric meters, utilities and their customers.

Wi-Fi wants its piece of the Smart Grid | VentureBeat

The Wi-Fi Alliance has created a task force to work on setting standards so that Wi-Fi can play a large role in future development of the cleaner, more efficient Smart Grid. Today, this new group released a white paper exploring all of the areas where Wi-Fi could aid in communication between the new electric meters, utilities and their customers.

Wed 11 Nov ∞ Permalink
infoneernet: Powering cell phone towers with wind Helix Wind announced Wednesday that it’s beginning a trial run in Southern California to see if its wind turbines might be useful for powering cell phone towers. The manufacturer is becoming known for its small vertical-axis wind turbines that can generate electricity with winds as low as 10 mph, as well as its unique business model to finance them. Seen at cnet news

infoneernet:

Powering cell phone towers with wind

Helix Wind announced Wednesday that it’s beginning a trial run in Southern California to see if its wind turbines might be useful for powering cell phone towers.

The manufacturer is becoming known for its small vertical-axis wind turbines that can generate electricity with winds as low as 10 mph, as well as its unique business model to finance them.

Seen at cnet news

Mon 09 Nov ∞ Permalink
smartercities: Solar Plant on Chicago Brownfield: The Future of Electric Power: BusinessWeek Half the states in the U.S. require utilities to generate a certain percentage of power from renewable sources, helping to fuel rapid growth in wind and solar power. Exelon is working with SunPower to put a solar photovoltaic plant on an old brownfield site on Chicago’s South Side. The 10-megawatt plant will have 32,000 solar panels and should be able to power between 1,200 and 1,500 homes.

smartercities:

Solar Plant on Chicago Brownfield: The Future of Electric Power: BusinessWeek

Half the states in the U.S. require utilities to generate a certain percentage of power from renewable sources, helping to fuel rapid growth in wind and solar power. Exelon is working with SunPower to put a solar photovoltaic plant on an old brownfield site on Chicago’s South Side. The 10-megawatt plant will have 32,000 solar panels and should be able to power between 1,200 and 1,500 homes.

Sat 07 Nov ∞ Permalink

A new screencast from the authors of IBM’s Truck2020 Study, produced collaboratively with Screenr and hosted on the new IBM Institute of Business Value Channel on YouTube.

Wed 04 Nov ∞ Permalink

From old to new, and a smarter planet. developerWorks’ Scott Laningham stops while driving in West Texas to talk about the Smarter Planet demo series on developerWorks. He just couldn’t pass up the symbolism of the setting — old oil wells rimmed by miles of wind turbines. (via developerworks)

Share/Save/Bookmark