Eco Friendly Hotel!

By Rhyan Montgomery

The Whitepod Resort in Les Cerniers, Switzerland has an interesting eco-friendly concept that has not been seen in hotels before.The resort hotel rooms are located in small white pods. The aim of the Whitepods is to create a suistanable way of tourism that helps guests be connected to the nature surrounding them, but have minimal impact on the environment. There is a limit on water usage and electricity is barely used because of the wooden stoves and oil lamps. They try to use as much local and suistanable materials and fuels as they can. The resort also tries to educate guests on how to preserve the environment. The rooms even have organic bedding! This resort allows you have a comfortable vacation, connect with nature, and also keeps you aware of minimal impact you are having on the environment and the energy you are saving!

Sources:

http://www.envirogadget.com/

Energy Efficiency Battles

Five million bulidings in the U.S. are responsible for 20% of the nations energy use and greenhouse gas emmisions. These cost nearly 100 billion dollars annually. Energy efficiency improvements are helping to save energy, reduce harmful emissions, and protect the health of Americans. It has become a competion between many companies to see who can be the most energy efficient. This competition is called "Battle of the Buildings". 26 different types of commercial buildings, some of which are over 100 years old, have been included in the contest. Competitors have the ability to share strategies and ideas through social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. Out of the 245 competitors, a select few will be chosen as finalists in July. In November, the building with the highest reduction of energy use will be recongized as the winner.





BY RHYAN MONTGOMERY :-)

An Expert Solar Power Harvester

Did you know that the common Oriental Hornet that we find in our gardens use solar power? The hornet utilizes solar power and produces electricity. If we could discover how it the hornet manages it, it would make things easier and revolutionize future solar power harvesting. A research team at Tel Aviv University have been researching the insect, and trying to mimic it's solar power qualities. They have learned that the exoskeleton works by converting the abdomen of the hornet into small solar cells. Other studies indicate that the hornet's harvesting capacity is based on the amount of intensity from the sun. Temperature, humidity and solar radiation are factors in what makes this hornet more active during the afternoon. They've found that UB V rays are one of the reasons that the bug has different activity levels during different parts of the day. Researchers have tried to duplicate the body structure of this hornet to harvest solar energy for electricity producion, but they have been unsucessful. Efforts are continuing to create a model and find a way to use the insect for power solutions.

Sources:
www.alternative-energy-news.info/hornet-solar-power/

Pepsi Bottles Go Green!

The Pepsi Company is one of the leading beverage companies in the world. During the last year, it has been focusing on natural energy resources that use soil, water, and power. They have also been focusing on useful ways to use these components. The Pepsi Company has recently been the first to create a plasic bottle made from only renewable and plant-sourced raw materials. The bottles leave less carbon trace on the planet. Soon product waste like orange peels, potato peels and oat hulls that come from their own food buisness will be used to make these green bottles. They look exactly the same as the old Pepsi bottles, but are 100% recycable and very Earth friendly!

Source:
http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/

Electronic Skin Powered by Stretchable Solar Cells!

A Stanford reasearcher named Zhenan Boa is working on creating a "Super Skin" that is powered by renewable solar energy. Boa and her team have successfully built a sensor that is flexible and sensitive to pressure. It is even able to detect the pressure of a landing fly! It has been made of simple polymers and carbon based materials that together, create a flexible organic transistor. This Super Skin is useful for detecting new types of diseases. With this skin, they can equip it onto a robot and the robot can detect new types of diseases and the side effects of the disease. The stretchable material is stronger and is very usefull in many circumstances and scenarios. Boa has also managed to create a green version of the transistor. This transisitor is made of materials that are biodegradable. This Super Skin is a huge advancement in technology. It will also help with scientific reaseach and experiments. Plus, it's environmentally friendly and uses solar energy!

Source:

www.alternative-energy-news.info/artificial-electrionic-super-skin/

A Modern and Green Yacht Park!

In Vietnam there is a project called South Saigon Yacht Park. The park will be showcased to celebrate the culture and legacy as well as the green focus. It will have green urban fusion to make the city roadsides have zero-carbon- emission zones.It is a prototype to unify city and nature, and also to bring nature to urban areas. This has been a green dream for Vietnam. It will bring green, natural beauty to city dwellers.

http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/

The Empire State Building Goes Green

One of the worlds largest buildings, The Empire State Building, has recently become the largest buyer of green renewable wind power. Throughout the next couple years, it will be using aproximatley 100 million kWh of wind energy. From now on, the building will be 100% wind powered! The Empire State Building has also insulated all 6,500 windows with a special type of glass to enhance energy savings. $13.2 million was spent on these energy efficient repairs, but it will save tons of money. This will help reduce the dealdly footprint of cabon emmisons from New York City. The renewable energy movement will help to set an example for other landlords to promote a cleaner, energy saving city. Sources: http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/empire-state-building-brighter-greener/

E- Readers Going Green!

Rhyan Montgomery

A product has come out that is perfect for people who are book lovers and have green ethics. It is called a Biblio Leaf E-Reader and is solar powered. It can connect with 3G and Wi-fi. It has a touch pad and is equipped with a rechargable solar panel. It is also the same size as the Amazon Kindle, which makes it easily portable. This solar powered electronic reader is a way to take baby steps to becoming evironmanetallly friendly. The Biblo Leaf E- Reader help you do your bit towards renewable energy.

Extreme Weather leads To Energy Efficency Action

By Rhyan Montgomery

A recent study in the UK shows that people are more willing to save energy to when their area is in risk of a flood. The study found that Britian has had many severe floods in the last ten years and there are more to come due to climate change. Awarness of the climate change could help citizens reduce the energy demand in the region. This study proves the first solid evidence that peoples experience with climate related events will promote higher awarness of the issue and suggests new ways for getting people involved with environmental issues. With extreme weather affecting the globe, citizens need to have energy efficency in their thoughts to possibly reduce the impact of climate change.



Sources:

http://www.the-esa.org/

SOLAR POWERED DEATH RAY!! OMG!

By Rhyan Montgomery

A 19 year old from Indiana has created a death ray, that's solar powered. Eric Jacqmain's solar powered death ray has 5,800 mirrors, that he claims has the power of 5,000 suns. It didnt even cost $90 to make and can almost destroy anything that the ray hits! The 5 foot 9 inch device is set up on a satillite dish and is so strong that anything it focuses on bursts into flames, including non flamible things like rocks! Jacqmain has plans to make a death ray with 30,000 mirrors which will have tons more power! This may convince parents not to let their kids get involved with science because you never know what crazy things they'll create!

Sources:

www.huffingtonpost.com/solar-powered-death-ray

Google backed start up prevents electricity waste

By Rhyan Montgomery



A Goolge backed start up called Transphorm came up with a way to dramatically reduce the amount of electricity wasted by data centers, solar panels, hybrid cars, and other things. Transphorm has made a module that will cut energy waste by up to 90%. It will also convert currents in laptops, elevator motors and computer servers. The US power grid wastes an equal amount of electricity to 318 coal powered plants. It also costs our nation 40 billion dollars a year. Google led funding for this module that raised 20 million dollars for Transphorm. The company will reveal of their first product at a conference in March 2011.



Sources

http://www.yahoo.com/

Education: An Important Way To Save Energy

By Rhyan Montgomery



A report by Kathryn Janda, a researcher at the UK Energy Research Centre, states that it is very important to educate and inform people about energy use in order to become more energy efficent. According to her study, 50% of energy use is caused by peoples personal actions and choices. The other 50% consist of consumption by factors such as buliding performance. Janda suggested that if the government supported research and teaching, then they could develop the smart people needed to maximise energy efficency. If people were to be educated and more aware about energy use, then tons of energy could be saved around the world.



Sources:

www.the-esa.org/news/-/education-and-information-vital-to-save-energy

Europes 25% Energy Cut

According to a draft created by EurActiv, a reduction of 25% of emmisions is achieveable by 2020 for the European Union (EU). It provides a twist to the current energy efficency debate in Europe. The EUs goals are to improve energy efficency by 20% by 2020 and reducing emmisons by 20%. The curve in this debate is whether the economic crisis has made the reductions realiseable. The document states that the EUs energy saving goals will reduce emmsions by 5% more. The paper says that neccesary reduction requires a 25% reduction in 2020. A commsion source told EurActiv that there are proposing new exercises, models, and measures to reach the reduction target. If the energy efficency plan works out, then over the next 40 years, Europe can save tons of money on fuel costs.





http://www.the-esa.org/

Water Powered Jet Pack OMG!!!

Ever dreamt of flying? Well if so, your dreams are about to come true (if you have the money, of course). A company called JetLev has created a jetpack that is powered by water. A Canadian inventor named Raymond Li has been working on this creation for the past ten years. Now his invention will be available this summer. The jetpack has three parts to it. The backpack part, a 10 meter hose, and an engine that is also a flotation device. The hose is important in keeping the jetpack in the air. It sucks water up, then powerfully spits it out through two nozzles, concluding in 500 pounds of force and reaching speeds up to 22 mph! I warn you before you go out and buy one for yourself, though. The JetLev jetpack set at the price of $99,500! This creative idea is going to bring to life the fantasy of flying for many people. :)

By Rhyan Montgomery

Energy Efficency Boost For Latin America And Caribbean

By Rhyan Montgomery



A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Inter-American Development Bank and Japan International Cooperation Agency to support renewable energy in the Caribbean and Latin America. The Memorandum is designed to strengthen climate change operations in the area. The area's global greenhouse emmisions are currently 12%, but it is predicted that it will grow. The bank and agency signed it to establish a co-financing model to promote energy efficient programs. The co-financing model includes loans that will cost up to 300 million dollars over the next 5 years. The Memorandum will also intensify the JICA's support for the IDB's Energy Innovation Center.



Source:

www.the-esa.org/news/-/latin-america-and-the-caribbean-get-energy-efficiency-boost

Predictions for Energy in the Future

By Rhyan Montgomery



A study by the oil company BP says that energy consumption will be higher in 2030 than today. The study estimates that energy consumption has growth by 45% in the last 20 years. And in the next 20 years the growth will be estimated at 19%. They forcast that the growth will be 1.7% every year from 2010 to 2030. Other countries outside the OECD predict their growth to rise by 68% by 2030, or even more. That would average at a growth of 2.6% each year after 2010. Thats alot of energy consumption!!



http://www.the-esa.org/

South Koreas Emercency Energy Saving Plans

The South Korean government has gone to desperate energy saving measures due to the extremely cold weather. They have decided to limit the interior temperature of large buildings and operating fewer subway trains. Even in the particularily warmer regions, power consumption has sky rocketed because of the unusually cold weather. From January 24-Febuary 18, the government will limit the indoor tempratures of 441 buildings. Intervals between subway trains will increase from 1 minute to 3 minutes between 10 a.m. and noon, the hours with the highest electricity demand. The government will launch a campain to raise awarness of the high electricity costs. The South Korean government predicts that this year's energy consumption will raise by up to 5% compared to 2010.



By Rhyan Montgomery

Solar Powered Flushometer

There is an invention for toilets that will help conserve energy. There is a thing called a exposed-solar-powered dual flush water closet flushometer. They are part of the Sloan SOLIS collection. They are the fist solar powered senser operated flushometers. If the user does not automatically press the button it will atomatically flush by itself!!! AMAZING!! This invention is not that recent but it is AMAZING!! and also a very new type of technology.



By Rhyan Montgomery

Shower Timing

Everyone that a good way to save water is to take shorter showers, but it is kind of hard to keep track of how much time you spend in the shower. Luckily, there is an invention called A STOP in Time Shower Timer. It is a timer shaped like a stop sign that sticks to the wall of your shower and keeps track of how long you are in. It is a cheap way to save water and money. When you enter the shower, all you cave to do is rotate the timer to activate it for about a 5 minute period. This invention is a great way to conserve money and water.

By Rhyan Montgomery

Solar Powered Hats

There is a cap that came out about a year ago that has a solar powered light in the front. It has two ultra bright LED lights on the front and it turns on with one simple button. It has lighting modes and can run for up to four hours! It can last up to 35 hours when set on the "dim light" mode. It is also weather proof and washable. These hats are cool, but I'm not quite sure why someone would need a solar powered cap. They could be useful if you are lost in the woods at night and need a light. These hats may not have very many uses, but they are interesting and could be useful when your stuck in the dark! They are also very energy efficent because the are solar powered.



By Rhyan Montgomery



http://www.solarsnob.com/