Wednesday 28 December 2011

Top 25 Alternative Energy Moves of 2011


Top 25 Alternative Energy Moves of 2011


1. NASA uses solar to power new spacecraft
In August, NASA launched its solar-powered Juno spacecraft for a 2 billion-mile mission to Jupiter, the longest journey ever powered by the sun. As of Dec. 14, Juno was approximately 61 million miles from Earth, crossing the orbit of Mars. READ MORE HERE
2. California hits 1GW milestone
California reached a major renewable energy milestone in November: 1 gigawatt – or 1,000 megawatts – worth of solar installations. One gigawatt is roughly the size of two coal-fired power plants and is enough to power 750,000 homes. READ MORE HERE
3. Google goes green
Google gained a lot of ground on the green scene in 2011. After investing in a biofuels startup, solar power plants in Germany and California’s Mojave Desert and a fund to help homeowners finance solar systems, the Web giant took a much smaller PR hit when it finally released data on its energy consumption and carbon footprint in September. READ MORE HERE
4. U.S. Navy embraces biofuel
The U.S. Navy made headlines in November by deploying a destroyer ship powered by algae-based biofuel for a 20-hour trip up the California coast. In December, the Navy placed the world’s largest biofuel order of 450,000 gallons in preparation for a 2012 strike group demonstration of ships, destroyers, cruisers, aircraft, submarines and a carrier powered by alternative fuels. READ MORE HERE
5. Tallest building in the U.S. goes solar
Chicago’s Willis Tower, which once went by the much more famous title of Sears Tower, went solar in March of this year – fitting the entire south side of the 56th floor with transparent solar-powered windows. Made by Pythagorus Solar, the windows were part of a pilot program to test the tower’s performance as a vertical solar farm. READ MORE HERE
6. U.S. airlines launch biofuel flights
U.S. airlines raced to be the first to launch biofuel-powered flights after hydroprocessed renewable fuels were approved for commercial uses in July. United Airlines took off first – launching a flight powered by 40 percent algae-derived biofuel on Nov. 5 – followed closely by Alaska Airlines, with two biofuel-powered flights on Nov. 7. READ MORE HERE
7. Tulane scientists power cars with newspaper
In August, students all over the nation thought twice about skipping science class after Tulane University undergrad Hailee Rask helped to discover what could be the fuel of the future. A bacterial strain, discovered by Rask, associate professor David Mullin and postdoctoral fellow Harshad Velanker, successfully converted copies of New Orleans’ venerable Times Picayune into a biofuel that could be used to power cars. READ MORE HERE
8. Intel researches solar-powered chip
Researchers at Intel debuted an experimental processor at the company’s developer forum in September that was powered by a solar cell the size of a postage stamp. The chip, codenamed “Claremont,” may never find its way into consumer products, Intel researcher Sriram Vangal told CNN. But it could be a significant stepping stone to future solar processor development. READ MORE HERE
9. Used cooking oil powers U.K. homes
In November, Merseyside, England teamed up with Veolia Environmental Services and green energy firm Living Fuels to collect used cooking oil, refine it and use it to power the national grid – a move that promised to shrink the region’s footprint and keep sewage systems clean. READ MORE HERE
10. Organic photovoltaic systems developed
Mitsubishi Chemical Corp. unveiled the world’s first organic photovoltaic (OPV) solar model in March. Other than sounding scientific and cool, the promise of a solar system that is cheaper to produce and easier to install is what really makes this move significant. Most PV cells use silicone and glass, while OPV systems use ultra-thin organic compounds for superior flexibility and “nanosize thickness.” READ MORE HERE
11. Japanese inventor turns plastic bags into oil
After being taxed, charged and banned all over the nation in 2011, plastic bags did appear in one positive headline after a Japanese inventor discovered a way to turn them into usable crude oil. The fuel, which can also be made from plastic bottles and caps, can be used for heating homes on an individual level (if you’re not too alarmed by the $10,000 price tag). READ MORE HERE
12. Greece goes solar to relieve debt
After facing an economic meltdown earlier in the year, the Greek government looked to solar energy in September to lift its debt crisis and jumpstart its lagging economy. Through “Project Helios,” the Mediterranean country could increase its solar output to 10 gigawatts by 2050 and pay back as much as $21 billion in debt, according to the European Union. READ MORE HERE
13. Wind-powered vehicle crosses Australia
The Wind Explorer finished its 18-day, 3,100-mile trek across Australia in February, setting several records – including first wind-powered vehicle to cross a continent. The German adventurers that created the vehicle, Stefan Simmerer and Dirk Gion, made it from Perth to Melbourne in a little more than two weeks – reaching a top speed of 55 mph. READ MORE HERE
14. Discovery could double PV solar efficiency
This month, chemistry professor Xiaoyang Zhu and his research team at the University of Texas at Austin made a discovery that could allow PV solar cells to double their efficiency. The organic plastic semiconductor discovered by the UT team could double the number of electrons harvested out of one photon of sunlight – which basically means twice the power. READ MORE HERE
15. Japan makes fuel from old bras
Two Japanese underwear manufacturers – Wacoal and Triumph International Japan Ltd. – are turning used skivvies into renewable energy. So far, the companies have collected enough used bras to make more than 32 tons of solid fuel for boilers and power generation facilities. READ MORE HERE
16. Tiny island powered by coconuts and sunshine
Tokelau, a territory of New Zealand that consists of three small atolls, went 100 percent renewable this year – powering itself with its two most plentiful resources: coconuts and sunshine. Under an energy plan announced in September, 93 percent of the islands’ power will come from solar energy, while coconut oil will supply the remaining 7 percent – proving that an alternatively-powered utopia is possible. READ MORE HERE
17. Coffee-powered car breaks world record
A coffee-powered car built by volunteers in Durham, England shattered Guinness World Records in September, speeding up to 66.5 mph. The car beat out last year’s record of 47.7 mph – which was set by a wood-burning car – for vehicles run on organic waste. READ MORE HERE
18. Facebook and Greenpeace become “friends”
Greenpeace and Facebook became “friends” in December of this year, ending a two-year feud that lead Greenpeace to openly criticize the social networking giant for using “dirty” energy to power its data centers. The two organizations will collaborate on future efforts to power data centers, and Facebook even paved its own way to renewable energy in November by installing a solar cogeneration system at its new headquarters in Menlo Park, Calif. READ MORE HERE
19. High-speed Euro trains run on solar
High-speed trains running from Paris to Amsterdam got a boost of green in June when Infrabel, the company that runs Belgium’s railroad network, installed solar panels atop a 2.1-mile tunnel. The solar tunnel, which supplies power directly to trains as they pass through, is expected to produce 3,300 megawatt-hours of electricity annually. READ MORE HERE
20. Hawaiian steam turbine powered by 100 percent biofuel
Hawaiian Electric Co. announced in January that it successfully used 100 percent biofuel to power a steam turbine generator that normally uses petroleum. The test marked the first time a utility-scale steam unit had burned 100 percent biofuel at 100 percent of its 90-megawatt generating capacity. READ MORE HERE
21. Japan pledges solar for every new building
Japan was already at the forefront of the alternative energy scene going into 2011. But after the March earthquake and the events at the Fukushima nuclear facility, the nation began stepping up its commitment to renewables even more. At the G8 summit in June, Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan announced a bold plan to mandate solar panels on every new building by 2030. Will it be successful? Only time will tell. READ MORE HERE
22. Offshore wind farm off Massachusetts coast approved
In April, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement approved a construction and operations plan for the Cape Wind project off the Massachusetts coast, clearing the way to for work to begin on America’s first offshore wind farm. While the project was slowed by controversy and red tape, construction is expected to begin next year. READ MORE HERE
23. Startup invents tiny solar cells
While most companies struggled to attract consumers to bulky PV cells in 2011, Durham, N.C.-based startup Semprius came up with a solution – a solar cell the size of a pen tip. Unveiled in December, the tiny cells are capable of converting 41 percent of solar energy to electricity – which could mean improved LED lighting performance, better hard drives or advanced sensors for medical devices. READ MORE HERE
24. France commits $10B to offshore wind
In February, the French government announced plans to commit €10 billion ($13.8 billion) for offshore wind development. While some saw the move as a shift away from solar energy, others relished in the promise of at least 3 gigawatts worth of clean power. READ MORE HERE
25. Light bulb powered by bacteria
Late this year, Dutch electronics company Philips began testing a futuristic lighting technology powered solely by recycled household waste and live bacterial culture. Part of the Microbial Home project – a science fiction-like vision of a household ecosystem utilizing bacteria – the light bulb uses no electricity, but the idea of inviting bacteria into the home may dissuade consumers. So, is this move gross or green? it’s up to you to decide. READ MORE HERE

Monday 19 December 2011

News






Study claims solar power is more viable than ever

Many analysts claim that solar power for the masses is simply not cost effective, and therefore not a realistic option for most power requirements.

However, a recent study conducted at Queen’s University and published in the December edition of Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews concludes the public isn't properly informed about the viability of solar photovoltaic energy.
   
"Many analysts project a higher cost for solar photovoltaic energy because they don’t consider recent technological advancements and price reductions," says Joshua Pearce, Adjunct Professor, Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering.
   
"Older models for determining solar photovoltaic energy costs are too conservative."
   
Pearce believes solar photovoltaic systems are being innovated to the point where they are practically capable of generating energy at the same cost as more traditional sources of energy.
   
Obviously, there are multiple factors used to determine the cost of solar photovoltaic systems for consumers, including installation and maintenance costs, finance charges, the life expectancy of the system, and the amount of electricity it generates.
   
The problem, Pearce says, is that some analytical studies don’t consider the impressive 70% reduction in the cost of solar panels since 2009. Additionally, research now shows the productivity of the top solar panels only drops between 0.1 and 0.2 percent annually. This is much less than the one percent used in most cost analyses.
   
The cost of equipment is determined in dollars per watt of electricity produced. A study in 2010 estimated the cost at $7.61, while a 2003 survey weighed in at $4.16. According to Pearce, the real cost in 2011 is less than $1 per watt for solar panels purchased in bulk on the global market. He says system and installation costs vary widely.
   
Pearce has created a calculator program that is available online and can be used to more accurately determine the costs of solar energy.

Thursday 21 July 2011

Endeavour for Education and Environment: DIGITAL LIBRARY

Endeavour for Education and Environment: ."DIGITAL LIBRARY": "Digital Libraries have received wide attention in the recent years allowing access to digital information from anywhere across the worl..."

Wednesday 20 July 2011

Endeavour for Education and Environment



Organisation was founded by national and international awards winner Late Dr. Biplab Bhusan Basu. The organisation working for education, social awareness & welfare of poor, R&D on environment management technology and renewable energy and its products development.

We arrange various types of vocational training courses for women, un-employed youth, tribal, villagers  and handicapped persons with a view of self determination. We promote basic computer education to the IT illiterate people.

We want to work for the education, social awareness, walefare and development of the subjects at the bottom line of the pyramid. Our mission is to empower the subject through proper training & awareness about their right & duty as well towards nation development.

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ENDEAVOUR FOR EDUCATION AND ENVIRONMENT
  61/O G. T. Road(West), Mallickpara, Serampore, (Near Belting Bazaar),
 Hooghly, West Bengal, INDIA
                  Phone :             +91 9477305556       Email : eee.ngo@gmail.com
                                                 Regn No. – S/IL/54157