Energy
Amazing US wind speed visualization
Check out this real-time wind speed visualization for the US. It was developed by the brains behind IBM’s Many Eyes and Google’s “Big Picture” visualization... Read More
How Information and Collective Action Cut Electricity Use on Bainbridge Island
The Bainbridge Island electricity dashboard Bainbridge Island, a short ferry ride from Seattle, was recently given a choice by Puget Sound Energy. Either cut electricity consumption... Read More
Engineers Discover Alloy that Coverts Heat Directly into Electricity
How cool is this? A group of engineers at the University of Minnesota (yeah gophers!) has created a multiferroic alloy, Ni45Co5Mn40Sn10 to be exact, that “achieves multiferroism... Read More
Can Indian and U.S. Ingenuity Lead the World to Clean Energy Solutions?
Last week, India and the United States crossed another significant milestone in their efforts to create a clean energy future for their citizens and the rest of the world. Both countries... Read More
Category Energy, Featured, Sustainable Development · Tags biofuels, building practices, green jobs, India, renewable energy, solar
The Fukushima Nuclear Crisis and Risk Perceptions
The earthquake and ensuing tsunami that occurred in Japan last month was a horrific event. The ongoing atomic crisis at the Fukushima nuclear power station is also alarming, but I think... Read More
Category Climate Change, Energy, Featured · Tags carbon dioxide, emissions, environmental vulnerability, Japan, natural disasters, nuclear, psychology
Irrational Fear of Smart Meters in California
A smart meter is an improved electricity or gas meter that allows the energy utility and the home user to monitor energy usage in real-time. It will help reduce energy consumption.... Read More
India’s Tehri Dam: Stopping the Flow of Life?
One of many farmers in the region who has been impacted by the rains and landslides. (Photo: Nuno Belchior 2010) “There’s no means to live here anymore,” said Mooni Devi,... Read More
Category Energy, Featured, Sustainable Development, Video · Tags dam, flood, hydropower, India, reforestation
Green Light for World’s Largest Solar Power Plant
Parabolic mirrors on a CSP power plant (Source: California Energy Commission) The US government has given the green light to begin construction on what will be the world’s largest... Read More
Americans have no idea of how to reduce energy consumption, study finds
Most Americans think that they can save energy (and help the planet) by making small changes to their behavior that don’t offer much savings in reality, according to a new study... Read More
Solar PV Production in China Heats Up
China is rapidly becoming the world’s leading manufacturer of renewable energy products. China is now producing 35-45% of the planet’s photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, though... Read More
The Bloom Box: The Holy Grail of Energy?
The other night on “60 Minutes”, Leslie Stahl profiled Bloom Energy, a silicon valley energy firm that is today unveiled the Bloom Box. In the 60 Minutes segment, the Bloom... Read More
Bill Gates at TED 2010: Innovating to Zero
I just watched Bill Gates’ talk at TED 2010 online: Innovating to Zero. It is an interesting talk, though I have some critiques which I will discuss below. Gates has devoted his... Read More
Enter the Green Dragon: China Moves to Dominate Clean Energy Economy
China has been rapidly building up its renewable energy production and investing in sustainable energy while the U.S. continues to stall and take small incremental steps. Failing to... Read More
Category Energy · Tags China, global warming, renewable energy, wind
