Energy Breakthroughs
Clean Burning Fuel Breakthroughs
As Brazil Fills Up on Ethanol, It Weans Off Energy Imports
Brazil has been using clean burning ethanol fuel, made from sugar, for more than thirty years and will become completely energy independent this year. With the swelling prices for fossil fuels and uncertainty in the middle east region, Brazil has much to benefit from clean energy and energy independence.
Indy 500 Racers Fuel Up With Souped-Up Corn Moonshine
Race cars in the Indy 500 this year were all fueled by 10% clean burning ethanol fuel as they raced each other at speeds reaching 200. Drivers and sports fans alike noticed no difference in performance as the engines cut 18-29% CO2 emission per gallon. The ethanol fuel did so well that the racing league has announced that they will be using 100% ethanol fuel in 2007.
South Africans Using Ethanol Gel
Working class individuals in South Africa are quickly becoming aware of the increasing benefits of using sustainable fuels like ethanol gel in their daily lives. Ethanol gel burns safer and more efficiently than traditional paraffin or coal fires. While more traditional fuels are becoming more unreliable and expensive, ethanol gel is a renewable energy source that burns carbon-free and is becoming more readily available.
Bacteria May Be Used As Energy
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts have discovered that bacteria can be used to make energy. Researchers hope that fuel cells using bacteria will be able to convert organic wastes and biomass into electricity, providing an alternative fuel source.
Iceland and Clean Energy Iceland could become the first nation in the world to power its economy entirely with hydrogen through its Icelandic New Energy (INE), a "cooperation platform" whose goal is to power the country's transportation system and fishing fleet entirely with hydrogen.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. may offer ethanol made from corn at its 383 U.S. gas stations by developing a network for supplying gas stations at its stores and Sam's Clubs with E-85 fuel, a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. It will be a big step in transition toward bio-fuels.
Solar Energy Breakthroughs
EnviroMission Limited, a venture company based in Australia, has announced an ambitious project to erect a 3,280-foot Solar Tower on a farm in the Australian outback. The massive tower should generate enough electricity to power 200,000 homes and will cost somewhere between $500-$750 million to build.
Solar Power 2006, the largest business-to-business solar event in the U.S. will be taking place in San Jose, California from October 16th through the 19th. The Expo will feature exhibitions, lectures, and other opportunities to work together for sustainability.
Solar American Initiative (SAI)
President Bush has announced a new $148 million Solar America Initiative (SAI) that will increase funding to solar projects by $65. The goal of the Solar America Initiative is to make solar power competitive with other renewable energy resources by 2015 by accelerating the development of solar electric technologies.
Solar Cell Developers Look Beyond Silicon
HelioVolt Corp. has been able to improve the efficiency of the photovoltaic process, making it more cost effective than current technologies. In addition, the new process will permit new materials, like interior furnishings and exterior building surfaces, to be used to make solar cells.
Portugal Starts Huge Solar Plant
An 11-megawatt, 58m-euro (£40m) solar power plant near Serpa, 200km (125 miles) south of Lisbon, in Portugal will produce enough electricity for 8,000 homes and save 30,000 tons of CO2 annually.
Technology Breakthroughs
Electric Car First At Finish Line
Ian Wright has created X1, an electric race car, that beats out the Ferrari 360 Spider and Prorshce Carrera GT. X1 can go from 0 to 60 in 3 seconds and is only second to the $1.25 million Bugatti Veyron, which can do it only half a second faster. The X1, powered by a Lithium-ion batteries, does not produce green house gases and is energy efficient, while delivering precision controlled driving and extreme speed.
A recent Swedish project has been exploring ways to make air travel more sustainable by 2050. Project results advise slower aircraft configuration cruising at lower altitudes in order to achieve 56% cut of CO2 emissions compared to 2000 levels.
The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission has cleared six hybrid models to be used as taxicabs in the city. This new development will not only save cabbies money in view of spiraling gas prices, but should also lead to a cleaner and greener New York city.
Wind Power Breakthroughs
UK Makes Steps Toward Sustainability With New Wind Farm
Scottish Power will be constructing 140 wind turbines south of Glasgow by 2009 at the cost of £300 million. The wind farm is expected to produce 322 megawatts of energy, enough to power about 200,000 homes. This is a significant step toward Scotland's target of generating 40% of all it’s energy sustainably by 2020.
In Other News ...
China Plans to Protect the Environment
China plans to spend $175 billion cleaning up its environment over the next five years. A portion of the funds will be allocated for the improvement of water treatment and reduction of water contamination. The plan will also cut both land and air pollution.
