Alternative energy-why do we need it?

Why Do We Need Alternatives?
To answer that question, we need to start by discussing fossil fuels-what they are, where they come from, how they are used and the advantages and disadvantages of each. Within this context, the pressing need for alternatives becomes quite clear.
What are fossil fuels?
Most fossil fuels are formed from the remains of long-dead creatures and plants. Buried over the course of hundreds of millions of years, these carbon-based deposits have been converted by heat and pressure over time into such combustible substances as crude oil, coal, natural gas, oil shales and tar sands. A smaller portion of fossil fuels is the handful of other naturally occurring substances that contain carbon but do not come from organic sources.
To make more fossil fuels would require both the creation of new topsoil filled with hydrocarbons, and time-lots of time. Given estimates of current fossil fuel reserves worldwide, it's not possible we can wait out the problem, and continue our dependence on fossil fuels until new reserves are built. At current consumption rates, the reserves of oil and coal and other fossil fuels won't last hundreds of years, let alone hundreds of millions of years.
As for creating more, experts have pointed out that it can take close to five centuries to replace a single inch of topsoil as plants decay and rocks weather. Yet in the United States, at least, much of the topsoil has been disturbed by farming, leading still more experts to the disturbing conclusion that in areas once covered by prairie, the past hundred years of agriculture have caused America's "bread basket' to lose half of its topsoil as it erodes thirty times faster than it can form.
The Advantages of Fossil Fuels in Energy Production
There are many reasons why the world became dependent on fossil fuels, and continues to rely on them. For example, it has so far been relatively cost-effective in the short run to burn fossil fuels to generate electricity at strategic centralized parts of the grid and to deliver the electricity in bulk to nearby substations; these in turn deliver electricity directly to consumers. These big power plants burn gas or, less efficiently, coal. Since so much electricity can be lost over long-distance transmission, when power needs to be concentrated more in one region than another, the fuels are generally transported instead to distant power plants and burned there. Liquid fuels are particularly easy to transport.
Thus far, fossil fuels have been abundant and easily procured. Petroleum reserves worldwide are estimated at somewhere between 1 and 3.5 trillion barrels. Proven coal reserves at the end of 2005, as estimated by British, were 909,064 million tons worldwide. Coal, furthermore, is relatively cheap.
Perhaps the simplest reason why the world continues to depend on fossil fuels is that to do anything else requires change: physical, economical, and-perhaps the most difficult-psychological. The basic technology for extracting and burning fossil fuels is already in place, not only in the large power plants but at the consumer level, too. Retrofitting factories would be cost-prohibitive, but perhaps even more daunting would be replacing heating systems in every home, factory and building. Ultimately, however, the true resistance may be our nature. We humans tend to resist change in general, and in particular those changes that require us to give up longstanding traditions, alter our ways of thinking and living, and learn new information and practices after generations of being assured that everything was "fine" with the old ways.
Why Do We Need Alternatives?
If there are so many reasons to use fossil fuels, why even consider alternatives? Anyone who has paid the least bit of attention to the issue over the past few decades could probably answer that question. If nothing else, most people could come up with the first and most obvious reason: fossil fuels are not, for all practical purposes, renewable. At current rates, the world uses fossil fuels 100,000 times faster than they can form. The demand for them will far outstrip their availability in a matter of centuries-or less.
And although technology has made extracting fossil fuels easier and more cost effective in some cases than ever before, such is not always the case. As we deplete the more easily accessible oil reserves, new ones must be found and tapped into. This means locating oil rigs much farther offshore or in less accessible regions; burrowing deeper and deeper into the earth to reach coal seams or scraping off ever more layers of precious topsoil; and entering into uncertain agreements with countries and cartels with whom it may not be in our best political interests to forge such commitments.
Finally, there are human and environmental costs involved in the reliance on fossil fuels. Drilling for oil, tunneling into coalmines, transporting volatile liquids and explosive gases-all these can and have led to tragic accidents resulting in the destruction of acres of ocean, shoreline and land, killing humans as well as wildlife and plant life. Even when properly extracted and handled, fossil fuels take a toll on the atmosphere, as the combustion processes release many pollutants, including sulfur dioxide-a major component in acid rain. When another common emission, carbon dioxide, is released into the atmosphere, it contributes to the "greenhouse effect," in which the atmosphere captures and reflects back the energy radiating from the earth's surface rather than allowing it to escape back into space. Scientists agree that this has led to global warming, an incremental rise in average temperatures beyond those that could be predicted from patterns of the past. This affects everything from weather patterns to the stability of the polar ice caps.
Conclusion
Clearly, something must change. As with many complex problems, however, the solution to supplying the world's ever-growing hunger for more energy will not be as simple as abandoning all the old methods and beliefs and adopting new ones overnight. Partly this is a matter of practicality-the weaning process would take considerable investments of money, education and, most of all, time. The main reason, however, is that there is no one perfect alternative energy source. Alternative will not mean substitute.
What needs to change?
It seems simplistic to say that what really needs to change is our attitude, but in fact the basis of a sound energy plan does come down to the inescapable fact that we must change our way of thinking about the issue. In the old paradigm, we sought ways to provide massive amounts of power and distribute it to the end users, knowing that while much would be lost in the transmission, the advantages would be great as well: power plants could be located away from residential areas, fuels could be delivered to central locations, and for consumers, the obvious bonus was convenience. For the most part our only personal connection with the process would be calling the providers of heating fuel and electricity, and pulling up to the pumps at the gas station. And the only time we would think about the problem would be when prices rose noticeably, or the power went out.
There are people who have tried to convince us that there is no problem, and that those tree-hugging Chicken Littles who talk about renewable and alternative energy want us all to go back to nature. More often than not these skeptics' motivations for perpetuating this myth falls into one of two categories: one, they fear what they don't understand and are resistant to being told what to do, or two, they have some political or financial stake in enabling our fossil-fuel addiction. (And sometimes both.)
The reality is that except for altering our ways of thinking, there will not be one major change but a great many smaller ones. A comprehensive and successful energy plan will necessarily include these things:
Supplementing the energy produced at existing power plants with alternative energy means, and converting some of those plants to operate on different "feedstock" (fuels) Shifting away from complete reliance on a few concentrated energy production facilities to adding many new and alternative sources, some feeding into the existing "grid" and some of supplying local or even individual needs Providing practical, economical and convenient ways for consumers-residences, commercial users, everyone-to adapt and adopt new technologies to provide for some or all of their own energy needs Learning ways in which we can use less energy now ("reduce, reuse, recycle"), using advances in technology as well as simple changes in human behavior to reduce consumption without requiring people to make major compromises or sacrifices

The Big Question: Can vertical farms end food shortage?

 vertical farmsvertical farms to meet the shortage of food in the future
Why are we asking this now?
The world has seen the problem of population explosion in the last few decades like never before. With this, comes the turn to deal with several other nuisances like where to accommodate the ever increasing populace, from where to find employment for most of them and most important, from where to feed such a huge numerical, keeping in mind that most of the forest and agricultural area is slowly being converted into residential area? The remaining plots and scratches of agricultural land are turning barren, increasing the concern regarding food supply. Naturally, there has to be a way out! The only visible path right now is to go for vertical farming just like we went for vertical expansion of architecture to accommodate the increasing population.
Is it really that serious?
Well, of course, it is. Just imagine how would it be if farms were grown inside buildings and a part of your office construction would be devoted towards growing crops? In addition to reducing space required for farming, this would also partially solve the problem of urban pollution. Everything would go hand in hand. It is estimated that by 2020, the world population would increase by another three billion, naturally the place required to grow crops which would sufficiently feed the population would also be huge. An estimate is that an area 20 percent larger than the present country of Brazil would be required to attend to the cause. So you see? The issue is damn serious and so it its proposed solution.
What others are saying?
The supporters of this proposition are many. One of the strongest among them is Dickson Despommier, Professor and researcher at the Columbia University. He is strongly of the opinion that while the remaining patches of agricultural land are being squeezed to yield the maximum using artificial fertilisers and unhealthy farming practices, there has to be a way which would stop this. Vertical farming is the only possible solution. Given the benefit of doubt of problems like from where to get sunlight for a vertically overlapping pattern of agriculture and the frequent infe3station by pests, the idea is a bright one and deserves to be given a serious thought. Another supporter is Gene Giacomelli who is the director at the Controlled Environment Agricultural Programme. Along with collaborators, Gene has successfully completed a project which involved growing vegetable and fruits in a building in the Amundsen-Scott research centre in Antarctica.
The developments
1. Columbia University vertical farm

 Columbia University vertical farmColumbia University vertical farm
This is only a concept and as yet, has not been even tested out on a pilot scale. However, the estimation is that vegetation consuming a vertical area equivalent to an eighteen storied building would be enough to feed a population of fifty thousand. The one thing that has not been considered in this model is where to rear livestock, if at all horizontal farming is taken over by vertical farming? Cows and pigs cannot be kept straying on an eighty storied building to fill in their shares of fodder. Work and thought regarding this aspect is also on the move. The possibility is, sooner than later, you would possibly come across a building green with vegetation in your very in city, let’s not forget the bleating and lowing cattle.
2. Chris Jacobs’ vertical farm

 Chris Jacobs' Vertical FarmChris Jacobs' Vertical Farm
Chris Jacobs, an architect by profession and an otherwise easy to take on person, by chance involved himself in the green movement of designing vertical farms. In fact, he has been the first person ever to have designed a workable architecture of a true vertical farm. His proposed vertical farming architecture would be a tower with different floors dedicated to different crops and livestock. Energy would be an obvious problem, which he feels could be easily overcome by further research and efforts in this direction. The principle that underlies this idea is that of hydroponics or the technique to raise crops wholly in water rich in micro and macro nutrients without the slightest traces of soil particles.
The main hurdles
Every new introduction has to face questions. Similar is the case here. The first challenge is to answer how sunlight is going to penetrate the different floors so as to supply the desired wavelengths of light? This would require artificial sources of light. And if at all artificial sources are used, how exactly is this proposition green? The next question is whether the actualisation of this concept at all possible or not. The main reason is, temperature, light and nutrient conditions will have to be critically maintained to get a profitable yield of crops.
What can be done?
Steps are being taken and answers being found out to these questions. However difficult the explanation might seem to be, the conclusion is just one this proposition will have to turn to reality some day because the expanding world population would have nothing else to live on if this practice is not used. The future is called so because it is unknown. Let’s wait and see how this whole concept is given strong grounds to exist and thrive!

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Future Perfect : Fusion power as a safe alternative to fission power

Fusion power as a safe alternative to fission power
Fusion power as a safe alternative
With various countries undergoing liberalization for faster economic development, the energy needs of the world are growing at a very fast pace. The availability of fossil fuels is only for a limited time period and their effects are also very devastating for the global environment. As increased carbon levels in atmosphere have been found to damage economic systems throughout the world, the nuclear power is emerging as a more useful and easily explorable option for fulfilling the energy needs without causing any environmental damage.

The common man in general has not been able to trust nuclear power and the word 'nuclear' still instills fear in many people. There are various dangers which people associate with the world nuclear. These includes the link between nuclear power and nuclear weapon, the nuclear disasters of Russia and Japan and the likely occurrence of such events in the future which can have catastrophic effects for mankind etc. The fast depleting energy sources have led the scientists to explore the area of nuclear energy and power in a much deeper way and such measures are being devised so that the nuclear power generation can be done in such a way so that there is no risk involved. One answer to the complexities mentioned above is thorium. thorium is a silvery metal which is present in the earth's crust in abundance, is clean and is able to produce more energy when compared to uranium.
As of now many countries are taking part in the fusion research with the EU, USA, Russia and Japan lading the way. Other countries contributing to a certain extent are China, Canada, Brazil, and Korea. In earlier days, both USA and USSR linked the fusion technology to their atomic weapons development programs. The fusion technology was classified till the year 1958's Atoms for Peace Conference in Geneva happened. Thereafter, a breakthrough at the Soviet Tokamak made the fusion research as the most sought after 'big science' in the 1970's. International cooperation for developing fusion energies ensures that cost and complexity of the devices which are involved in developing fusion energy no longer remain a setback and issue and the process is not hindered by economic shortfalls.
Evolving trends
In the last fifty areas, enormous progress has been made towards achieving scientific and technological progress in the field of fusion. The industrial scales containing fusion devices where plasma are manipulated at hundreds of millions of degrees are used by the scientists.
JET or the Joint European Taurus-the central research facility of the European fusion program is also called as the JET. it is located at Culham, Great Britain. It is the most eminent fusion facility in the world and is the focus of significant fusion research funding. The state-of-art facility has enabled Europe to make great strides in the area of fusion research. Around twenty individual EU member states run a number of specialized smaller devices. The operation of JET started in the year 1983 after the facility was approved in1974. It met all its operational goals in the year 1990. After it, new scientific program were started and JET now also serves as a research facility and hosts a great number of operational researches. JET has been able to produce significant fusion power in the deuterium and the tritium plasma with numbers going up-to 16 MW in the short pulses which are characteristic of the current and existing experimental devices. The 'beak even' condition where the output power of the fusion process equals the external power which is inputted has been successfully achieved by the JET. The jet has also demonstrated clearly that the fusion devices can be operated in a very safe manner by using the tritium fuel. By using the remote handling techniques the radioactive structures can be easily maintained and also modified in the JET.
The Eco Homes- the eco-homes use the cylindrical solar panels for generating more power. The eco house, which is 800 square foot in size uses the solyndra cylindrical photo-voltaic which by their unique shape capture more amount of sunlight when compared to traditional solar panels. The system is also termed as the green roof integrated photo-voltaic or the GRIP V. Here the green roof located beneath the panels help in creating greater efficiency for powering the solar house. The green roof underneath ensures that the reflectivity is minimized and the greenery regulates the temperature of the solar panels which are located above the house. The house is expected to produce zero emission. The house has been built using sustainable materials. The wood sided flooring is obtained form an old Pennsylvania barn and the house also has an indoor garden which contains herbs and other plants.
MIT's Alcator C Mod Reactor- MIT's Alcator C Mod Reactor is the tokamak type fusion reactor which is university based. The new process of fusion burn has been revealed after 30 years of experiments which have been done at this reactor. The basic operational problems of the fusion reactors can be solved by this reactor. As per MIT news,self heating sustains the power and fusion reactions in this reactor and no outside heat supply is needed.
The Concept- When the nuclear processes generate power the power is termed as nuclear power. A fusion reaction is said to occur when two light atomic nuclei bind or fuse together to form a more heavier nucleus. While binding, a large amount of energy is released which arises form the binding energy that occurs due to strong nuclear force that is manifested as an increase in the reactant's temperature. The fusion power forms the primary research area in plasma physics.
The Advantages- the reaction of the nuclei of tritium and deuterium produces fusion power. The availability of these hydrogen isotopes is in in-exhaustive proportions. The fusion reaction gives helium as its byproduct which is not harmful to the environment. Moreover the fusion reaction does not gives any harmful waste as is the case with fission reaction. Thus, the energy obtained from nuclear fusion reaction can be the answer to global warming, nuclear waste and the impending energy crisis.
The impact- the fusion power and energy can be seen as the future in-exhuastible source of energy for the whole world. Many researches are currently going on in the area as there are extreme scientific and engineering challenges in this fled of energy production. Different countries are contributing their scientific expertise and research acumen and working towards the attainment of fusion energy by their combined efforts. This is in sharp contrast to the initial days of exploration of fusion energy when countries like USA and USSR kept the fusion energy exploration processes secret.
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Green megastructures: The world’s largest solar bridge

 Solar bridge 

World’s Largest Solar Bridge Crosses The River Thames in London
The reliance of the world on solar energy is increasing, let apart other renewable sources (presently, sunlight is the most common renewable energy that is currently being used). This has become almost compulsory as the excessive use of conventional energy sources has lead to global warming, dwindling sources and deposits of fossil fuels and an ever toughening energy crunch. Solar energy has found its application in almost all kinds of products. There are solar phones, solar laptops, solar refrigerators, solar energy powered cars and now we have a station which would feed itself by the power harnessed by a solar bridge. Let’s have a look at the world’s largest solar bridge.
The mega structure
Bridges and stations are one of the most crucial and business generating parts of urban infrastructures. Unfortunately, they are also among the prime consumers of fuel and probably places, which see gushes of energy being blown into the air regularly.

Today there is flamboyant pressure on countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and also energy consumption. So the natural focus would be places like this, better not to talk about automobiles (personally, I believe there is no auto company left in the world which is not crunching its minds into presenting green things on the roads. Roads, bridges and stations now wait to face the same destiny). Well, London is all set to become the role model in this aspect for it will house the world’s largest solar bridge.

Come 2012, and the city will have a brand new station or rather a renovated station that completely resembles a brand new one at Blackfriars across the river Thames. The station promises to be powered by the sun’s energy. The station at Blackfriars was constructed way back in 1884 and is long overdue for a makeover. The project in hand is potentially huge and will demand an equally huge expenditure of £5.5 billion. It is being totally accredited to Network rails and has been appropriately named the Thameslink project. Now, this is a great move when 2012 Olympics are just on the cards. The city will view a huge addition to its population and a surge in its energy consumption. The number of daily commuters would drastically increase and hence the energy requirement would enhance by leaps.

There are 100 bridges, six public ferries and 20 tunnels that go over the river. However, the Blackfriars station will stand out as it will be the only one to be powered by solar panels. When the project is complete the station be adorned by better features and facilities. Longer trains, increased rail traffic, greater accessibility to rail routes will be some of them. As a toasting example, almost 24 trains will trace the route from Bedford to Brighton via London in an hour.
What makes it mega?
The company backing this project is Solar Century. As for the introductions to this name, Solar Century is an important name in the solar energy panorama that is expanding at a head spinning rate. SANYO Electric Co. Ltd, of the Panasonic flag-ship, will also be involved in this Project as it will produce high efficiency solar modules for the bridge.

The solar powered bridge when complete will generate a whopping 9,00,000 kwh of electric energy. The whole module goes somewhat like this – there would be 6,000 square metres of expanse between the Blackfrairs station and the Victorian Bridge which is to be covered entirely by solar panels. On completion, the bridge would be capable enough to support 50% energy requirements of the station, even when it buzzes with activity the most. The requirement to elongate the station’s deck would not be much, only a staggering statistic of 14,000 tons of new material.

Eco credentials
Coming to the most important part, the eco-friendliness of the bridge. Well, the most obvious thing is that the bridge will produce green energy and hence contribute towards a much strived for ‘lower carbon footprint’. The expected reduction in carbon emission lies in the scale of 511 tons.
The bridge has been overlaid by 4,400 solar panels. Besides, the project would also include setting up of rain water harvesting system and solar pipes in the station to add to the green aspect.


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IKEA United Kingdom becomes renewable

Changes in the field of clean energy and responsible consumption must be accompanied by examples of large companies, and with regard to IKEA, we have already seen their contribution with the installation of charging stations, added in addition to the creation of the ikea sunnan, a desk lamp that uses a small solar panel that is associated with a rechargeable battery (a system very similar to the scientific calculators)

On this occasion, they have decided to go further, announcing that all stores this string, it has United Kingdom will be passed progressively to a renewable energy system, with the installation of a figure close to 39,000 photovoltaic solar panels, which will be deployed on the roofs of each of the branches.
This is added the purchase of a wind farm in Huntly, Scotland, where it will be able to generate some 12.3 MW of wind power per year, enough to supply energy at least a 30 per cent of all IKEA in the area, covering widely demand using clean energy.

This investment has a significance in the long term that includes a savings in the future in the rising price of energy, then adding your investments in wind farms already owned in Germany, Denmark and France, and continuing with large disbursements of money in this well sustainable and lasting.


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How to make a solar powered toy car

 Solar powered toy car 

How to make a solar powered toy car
This article will teach you how to build your own solar-powered toy car. Knowing how to do this will not only benefit children, but also adults. When people are taught to use solar energy, they will become more aware of the fact that using natural sources is always better than thinking of sources that are fast depleting. Solar energy is available in abundance in all parts of the world. Children need to realize that electrical energy might not last really long. Drilling this thought into their minds at a really young age will augur well for the generations to come.
Using the steps mentioned below, anybody will be able to build a solar-powered toy car. This is a moderate level version. Even if someone has to take this as a science project, they are free to do so. It will be an informative project and real fun too.
Once you have all the items required to make a solar-powered car ready by your side, it is just a matter of assembling them and putting the pieces together. Depending on your creativity and level of interest, it might take just about half-hour to a maximum of two hours to get your car completely ready.
Most of the items required can be picked up easily from stores which sell radio control equipment.
A wooden panel is the first item that you require. A 2*2 panel should suffice.Next, pick up DC motors that have rubber wheels. You require two such motors. Ideally, these have to be 1 to 3 V and about 145mA - 150 mA.2 numbers solar panels (3 volts each) with all required wirestwo sided tapeelectrical taperubber wheeling
1. Solar panels - $10 per panel
2. Wooden panels - $10 per panel
All other items which you will need during the process would not cost you much.
1. Now, we will shift our focus to understanding how to make your solar-powered car. Place the DC motors facing each other on the wooden panel. Once this is completed, fix the wheels to the wooden board.
2. The wires of the motor and the solar panel need to be connected with one another. Care should be taken to ensure that the positive gets connected only to the positive not to negative. If by mistake you connect the negative and positive, the circuit will not work.
3. Using the sticky tape, attach the panels to the wooden board.
4. Put the wheels to the front portion of the wooden panel to ensure that your car is balanced.
5. You have now completed the assembly. Leave your car in the Sun so that it gets charged through solar power.
1. What other materials can one use other than wood?

Ans. You might think of using a plastic bottle in place of wood. If you are creative enough, you can use even empty milk cans, CD cases and mobile phone panels as the body of your solar-powered car.
2. Where can I buy all the items required to make my solar-powered toy car?

Ans. Most of the items which are required for making a solar-powered toy car can be purchased from stores which sell radio control equipments. Alternatively, you may also place orders for these components with online sellers. E Bay, Amazon, etc. are lots of sellers of these items which are available on online stores.
Rather than buying solar panels think of some DIY kits which are available in the market place and create your own panels. These are extremely cheap and would last longer than you ever anticipated.
There are not any dangers associated with solar-powered toy cars as such will stop, however, make sure that your kids are playing in an open ground and not in the terrace. There is always a risk of tripping and falling from the terrace, in case they are careless.
Now that you have learned the procedure, it is now time to build your own solar-powered toy car. Initially, you might find it a bit difficult. As is the case with most other things, with practice, you will be able to become an expert in building your own solar-powered toy car and it will also give you feeling of joy and happiness.
People wishing to exhibit this in their school science projects will definitely receive lots of appreciation from all people.


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I-Cool Solar, solar-powered

It has gone a long time since the last time that we had referred to the possibility of using solar combined to an air conditioner, something which was then a project that had enough, try taking everything very uncertain and no feasible and cost-effective applications at this time.


Well, something very similar is what has been done together by signatures project ICL Co Ltd., Mitsubishi Chemical Corp. and Nippon Fruehauf Co, who joined forces to give rise to an industrial called I -Cool Solar, which will maintain a fresh and comfortable using solar energy environment.

To do this there was no more than put a series of photovoltaic solar panels on the roof of this vehicle, which capture all possible energy and store in a specially placed battery for this purpose, achieving considerable fuel savings, or at least 1% that will add enough if what we combine with other systems to reduce consumption.
These companies are planning to start series production of these devices beyond than 2012, looking to equip a large number of industrial cars.


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Jellyfish manage to stop a nuclear plant in Scotland

Dozens of times I have efforts and campaigns for various associations environmentalists against nuclear energy. However those who have actually managed to halt nuclear activities have been the jellyfish! Yes, as escucháis… a group of jellyfish have been forced to stop production at a nuclear plant in United Kingdom. We told you about this strange news.

The jellyfish appeared in the vicinity of the plant of EDF Energy's Torness in Scotland, putting at risk the suction of water for the cooling of the reactor. For this reason the two reactors are unemployed since Wednesday.
This unfortunately not will remain for a long time that the nuclear power plant operators are working to send the jellyfish away from the waters near the station, and estimated that reactor 1 could return to service on July 5 and the reactor 2, on 6 July.
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KUBIK by Tecnalia

Experimental building KUBIK is a pioneer in the world. It is a concept really very interesting: a modular, removable and flexible allows the installation and monitoring of various building systems sustainable and structure of energy efficiency. In KUBIK experienced today with the technology of the future.



Experimental building KUBIK was developed by Tecnalia, with collaboration from other 28 companies engaged in the construction. Some months ago has opened in the Technological park of Bizkaia.

 KUBIK is a smart building serving as actual scenario for testing companies to research and development of sustainable construction and eco-efficient. Mainly installed and tested various "elements" of a building as: facades, air conditioning, lighting, renewable energy supply systems.

Let's look at some technical data to see what exactly is the pilot building KUBIK:
building modular, flexible and metal desmontableestructura of aceroconsta of basement, ground floor, two floors and cubiertalas plant are square with a dimension of 100 m2 each unacada plant is divided into 9-cell, 7 of them are independent test rooms each other, 1 works as a control center and the other as dealer

holds 800 censors distributed in the building to monitor aspects as the heat flow in the building, humidity, lighting , solar radación influenced, acoustics, etc.se supplies of electricity by combining conventional energies and renewable (geothermal, solar and wind).


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Seven products that should not be a part of your green home

 Products that should not be a part of your green home 

Not only these products pose a threat towards the environment but also they are harmful for humans.
With every passing day, people are becoming more and more aware of their responsibilities and duties towards the environment. If we want to maintain the balance in nature then we need to administer a number of changes in our lifestyles. For instance, there are a number of products which must not be a part of your home. Some of these products are listed below.

1. Mercury bulbs
The mercury and the filament bulbs have been in use for more than a century. However, a large fraction of power which they consume is converted into the heat energy which is thus wasted and only a small fraction is utilized as the useful light energy. Whereas a compact fluorescent lamp popularly known as CFLs uses only a small part of the energy that a regular light bulb uses. Also, regular bulbs contain mercury which is very toxic in nature. Using CFLs not only helps in the efficient use of energy, but also it lowers down your electricity bills.

2. Plastic shopping bags
What used to be the best thing about plastic bags has turned out to be their greatest drawback, they became so much popular because of the fact that they are very durable, however, now their durability has become a point of concern. Plastics are not bio-degradable which means that simply throwing them out is not going to get you rid of it. Also, burning them causes a lot of air population because they release toxic and poisonous fumes. Even in developed countries like USA, only 2 percent of the plastic bags get recycled, the rest 98% is dumped into landfills or blown out to sea. The best thing that you can do to help the environment is restrict their usage, in fact, avoiding them completely will be much better. Try using cloth or paper bags in place of them.

3. Chemical fertilizers
Although it may appear that chemical fertilizers cause a phenomenal growth in the overall crop production, but this is also a fact that these chemical fertilizers have led to immense damage to our water supply system and are the major factor behind the algal blooms. They don't decompose completely in the soil and when it rains, they are washed down to the water bodies like streams, rivers and oceans. The balance of our delicate water system gets disturbed causing the death of its inhabitants and degrading the water quality. We will recommend you to prefer organic fertilizers over the chemical ones. For small gardens, you can create compost by your own which will not only be environmental friendly but also very inexpensive in comparison to chemical fertilizers.

4. Antibacterial products
Besides interfering with the development of the immune system development, the antibacterial drugs have also contributed towards the emergence of new strains of antibiotic-resistant "super-bugs". Triclosan is the most common antibacterial additive and its widespread use can be understood by the fact that it is found in more than 100 household products ranging from toothpastes and soaps to undergarments. These chemicals gradually accumulate in the body. You must avoid using products containing anti-bacterial additives. Try to remain clean, not germ free because these less harmful germs contribute towards the development of strong immune system in us.

5. Chemical insecticides and pesticides
The chemical insecticides and pesticides are very popular among the gardeners because of the immediate relief which they provide from the pests and insects. However, they are equally harmful even for humans. For instance, the active ingredient in Round-Up which is a very popular weed killer is known to cause reproductive harms and kidney damage. The active ingredient in roach-killer Raid is cypermethrin, this is a skin, eye and respiratory irritant and even shows negative effects on the central nervous system. So, it is much better to use the natural and organic pest and weed control products. Although these organic products will not give you instant results, but believe us, they are equally effective and that too without any side effects.

6. Air fresheners
The air fresheners contain chemicals which are extremely toxic and are known to aggravate respiratory ailments like asthma. Chemicals like phthalates are found even in those which have been labeled as natural and pure, these phthalates cause reproductive problems, hormonal abnormalities and birth defects. Instead of using these room fresheners, you can try simmering cloves and cinnamon. Let the fresh air in by leaving few windows open. Consider boiling a pot of water with few drops of your favorite essential oil.

7. Non-Stick cookware
The non-stick cookware became an instant success when they were first introduced in the market in the 1960s. The utensils which had been in use before the release of non stick utensils, required to be soaked for hours and then had to be scoured with steel wool in order to clean them. However, there is one serious side effect of these non stick Teflon pans, the PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) coating which makes these cookwares non stick is known to release toxic gases at high temperatures. These gases have been linked with cancer, reproductive damage, organ failure and other harmful health effects. Therefore, it is recommended to cook foods on medium heat or less while using Teflon utensils. In fact, the safest option is to avoid them completely, and in place of them use the stainless steel, anodized aluminum or cast iron pans.


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Energy Thermal Sewers

In recent times has been given enough importance to geothermal sources, even encouraged by some of the energy companies most important countries, such as in the case of Acciona in Spain, looking for that this renewable energy is increasingly more acceptance and development.


To continue to show that it is a viable energy resource, students of the School Wattignies in Paris began to analyse the different heat sources from surrounding the Seine and adjacent sewer drains, making use of waste water discharged into various tributaries.

The analysis aims at converting the energy of hot water, washing machine, dishwasher, showers and toilets of industries and households, which can be converted and used for the production of Thermal power, with results which promise to be more than favourable.

Through a preliminary essay, for example, will allow the school to reach 70 per cent of the demand for heating, avoiding the emission of some 76.3 tons of carbon dioxide year, figures more than interesting that transported to the urban scale they become significant.



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Energy Renewable Used to Purify Water

One of the major problems at the global level is the terrible and huge amount of people who do not have access to water drinking; We speak of more than two billion cases. This crucial problem part, researchers aim to alleviate this shortcoming on desalination Navy through the use of renewable energies.


The process consumes high quantities of energy needed by reverse osmosis desalination of saltwater. Number of cases in which through solar energy has managed to develop techniques for purifying water, generating electricity used in water purification have known so far.Since Erenovable we already given some coverage as Algodonal (Ecuador) Tunisia and Morocco or Cambodia.




Today we talk about the system developed by the American company Aeolus wind energy to purify water-based. The process you have idea is to produce mechanical energy through the energy of the wind, which pumped water from source. Salt water is transported through a series of filters, which include a reverse osmosis membrane.Once you complete the process successfully obtain drinking water from salt water.We hope may be early application and reach places truly in need of this type of solution.

If you are interested in collaborating with this issue we invite you to know the NGO campaigns Charity Wate r, dedicated to providing safe drinking water to communities without access to this vital resource.



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Portable Solar Lamp

This small portable solar lamp is a development of Sunnyside up Solar and has been dubbed ´Signature your´. The name comes from the hand of drawing on his forehead showing their signature on the inside of a lamp. This lovely design makes that to light, glows the silhouette of the bulb, only that this time we can have it on hand or take with us on a night walk.

The lamp consists of two bulbs LED, a switch and two AA batteries that are rechargeable. Its tiny size (14 x 10 cm) is one of the best things about this solar lamp that you can carry it wherever you want, whether in camps for weekend or night tours.
It's a very good idea, in fact, that with just leave the lamp to the Sun during the day can be used by how many hours of the night.
A charge during the day allows that the lamp of five to seven hours you can use at night. When the solar lamp glows so do it automatically, you can schedule. It is already on sale in some stores of EE.U.S. by $38.




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Aurora Borealis

The aurora borealis is a phenomenon in the form of brightness or luminescence that appears in the night sky, usually in polar areas, although it may appear in other parts of the world for short periods of time. In the northern hemisphere is known as aurora borealis, and in the southern hemisphere as aurora austral.
The aurora of the northern hemisphere was named aurora borealis by the French scientist Pierre Gassendi in 1621, who was the first to make systematic auroral observations. The dawn of the South was named southern aurora by Captain James Cook in 1773, when he observed for the first time in the Indian Ocean. Already the Greek philosophers considered to the North as a natural phenomenon aurora, and her associated with the reflection of light in polar ice.

Aurora Borealis in Alaska
It occurs because the Sun follows charged particles whose set is called the solar wind, and travel through space and arriving at Earth, interact with the edges of the Earth's magnetic field. Some of the particles trapped by him, and follow the course of the lines of magnetic force in direction to the ionosphere.
The ionosphere is one of the layers that form the Earth's atmosphere and is characterized by high temperatures that reach it because the gases are ionized.
When these particles collide with the gas in the ionosphere, they begin to shine, producing the show we know as aurora boreal and austral. The variety of colors, red, green, blue and violet that appear in the sky due to different gases that compose the ionosphere. The Aurora Borealis is constantly changing due to the variation of the interaction between the bursts of solar wind and the Earth's magnetic field.
Chances of seeing the aurora borealis are greater between spring and the autumn equinox (September 21 to March 21). It is most frequent in late autumn and winter, and the best months to see are October, February and March. Their greater frequency is recorded between 6 pm and 1 am.
The skies Arctic and the North of Canada, Alaska, Norway and Spizbergen are the best scenario to see the aurora borealis.  The more dry weather with clear skies ensures better opportunities to see her, as they prove the statistics.

Aurora Borealis in Finland
Explanations about the origins of these fascinating lights of North abound in folklore.
In the Finnish language are called "revontulet", which means "Fox fires". The name is derived from an ancient legend about the Fox the Arctic claiming that the tails of foxes that ran by the Sami mounts, pounded against the piles of snow and sparks that came from such shocks were reflected in the sky.

The Eskimos, the Lapps, the inhabitants of Greenland, and even the tribes of the North-East of the India were familiar with this mysterious light in the sky. Their legends took many forms and were associated with their ideas of life on another world. According to an Eskimo legend, the aurora borealis was a footpath close, sinusoso and dangerous driving to the celestial regions and its light was due to the arrival of the new spirits.


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Autonomy Of Electric Cars

With the constant introduction of new models and their consequent development, electric cars still have as a common factor a problem which tries to work hard, whereas they should be a replaced those that emit large amount of carbon dioxide not only to be used in the city, but also travel long distance.

Thus the concept that it always is the autonomy, i.e. the ability of a determined amount of km with a full charge of the Lithium Ion batteries, something that in most cases, is around 150 km.

But this will surely change soon, that recently signed Innova power limited has announced that they have discovered, along with students from the University of Sunderland, a very material capable of obtaining electricity from water, extracting hydrogen molecules.

In this way we only must acquire this "magic dust", mix it with water and by a physico phenomenon may extend the autonomy of our car recharging the batteries, which should be a fuel cell , replacing the huge and heavy tanks of hydrogen have been proposed for this purpose.
Myth or reality? For the time being will have to wait for the results…


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Bio-ethanol Fireplaces

Since the fire and the chimneys came to life of human beings, materials that have been used for combustion have been the firewood, coal and oil.In comparison with the chimneys of bioethanol, the old produce polluting gases that course, they are harmful to the environment, and no longer as long term, for the society.
 

Bio-ethanol is a fuel that can be produced by plants, which qualifies it as a source of sustainable energy as it does not pollute and can be economically more accessible when compared to common fossil fuels.  At the same time, it is considered renewable energy since its base are natural resources that can grow without difficulty.Based on this reasoning, the chimneys of bioethanol should truly attractive to the consumer.

And not only the environmental benefit, but at the same time these fireplaces don't need channels, neither shot nor extractor, because there no odour or smoke after being burned, they emit only water vapor and the amount of carbon dioxide equals three candles.

 You can now have many varieties of chimneys of bioethanol up can pass as an decorative element in the room and given that you don't have channels, choose the placement of this somewhere in the House will be a real adventure for the extensive possibilities.

Now you can find models with locations as varied as a wall or in the traditional way on the ground, so much so that you can convert your conventional fireplace in a bioethanol fireplace.

When you decide to buy a bioethanol fireplace you should consider some factors that need regular ventilation of the room, therefore, you will need Windows and doors to carry it out.When Burns bio-ethanol in the chimney can you see how it will changing color or you can even make noises, but quiet, these are natural materials.

At first can smell metal or fuel, if you mind the smell airing for a few minutes.Once we have acquired a bioethanol fireplace not can't be turned on in another type of materials, similarly, bio-ethanol must be saved in a place without sunlight and heat, far from the reach of children.

In today's society we live should be a requirement awareness and real commitment to the environment, encouraging and giving facilities to consumers to purchase this type of ecological fireplaces.

Bioethanol is really a safe bet that when consumed, follows the atmosphere the same amount of carbon dioxide than the amount that has absorbed the plant during his lifetime. Therefore, there would be an increase in CO2, they would favour a true balance.


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Argentina Prohibits Incandescent Lamps

Within the framework of the efforts of countries to reduce the consumption of electrical energy, the Government of Argentina to ready the ban on incandescent lamps for residential use. The measure will come into full force in late May of 2011 and is expected to achieve an energy saving of huge proportions and, consequently, a significant decrease in the emission of greenhouse gases.

This important step has come to Argentina after a long struggle which began for nearly three years of Greenpeace hand. Draft replacement for incandescent light bulbs by the low consumption was adopted by the Government of President Cristina Fernández and presented in Congress as Bill. But while that law (Law 26.473) was approved at the end of 2008 was not put into practice, that it took two years to be regulated by the Executive branch.

He is expected that this measure will help significantly to alleviate the difficulties to supply the demand for electricity are presented since some years in the country. In times of increased consumption (during heatwaves, especially) this is often to make cuts of light in different areas of the capital and other cities.
Recall that Argentina is a country where much of the energy derived from non-renewable resources (mainly coal and oil) by that saving energy that generates this measure will lead to a significant reduction of gases greenhouse.

Each light bulb replaced by low consumption lamp brings 80% of saving of electricity. What is expected that the magnitude of energy saving is highly significant. The Government estimates will save the equivalent of four nuclear plants as atucha I production.

These are some of the most relevant points of law on ban on incandescent lamps:
prohibiting the marketing and import of incandescent lamps use residencial.la entry into force of the law begins on May 31, 2011.quedan outside of this ban incandescent lamps with equal or less than 25 Watts (25 W) power .quedan would also ban the bulb whose nominal voltage is equal to or less than 50 volts (50 V).


Images:
1 demonstration in front of Congress in greenpeace
2 campaign against incandescent bulbs in 2008 at greenpeace
3 destroying bulbs, bulbs in greenpeace


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Motorcycle electrical 2011

Update is part of the automotive industry, and since the last years, it revolves around new forms of mobility seeking to supplant progressively internal combustion engines, taking the time to the use of electricity as best option, and this is what it being applied also to the world of motorcycles.

http://alternativeenergyreport.blogspot.com/

While there is a variety of models as expected, the year 2011 will also be a phase of renovations to the world of electric bikes, and we will have some options we selected as the best, with a selection for each gender, is for the lovers of speed, as for those who only use them for the urban journey.
Nothing more to say, you leave with the Best electric bikes to 2011:

It has been presented ending the first quarter of 2010 in the Japanese event in the Hall of Tokyo, after a hard work of development and design in the hands of the Vienna Institute of development, those who were commissioned to submit two different models, one off road ready for all kinds of roads and variant Supermotard, of more sports features.
Both motorcycles equipped with an electric motor that develop an equivalent to about 30 HP power, which allows them to develop a maximum speed of 70 km per hour, powered by a lithium ion batteries that can be recharged completely in a loaded quick 1 hour and a half.
Regarding its chassis is extremely light as it has been made entirely in aluminium (giving you a total weight of 90 kilograms), with multiple adjustment joined hydraulic radial gripper brake forks seeking to stop safely turn their wheels, mounted on wheels 21 inches.

While there is a myth that electric motors are not able to provide speed, in the world of cars there are several examples that refute this idea, and electric bikes has joined the establishment named brammo empulse, which with its character and absolutely sports design allows achieving the benefits of a motorcycle gasoline.
With a weight of 177 kg, equipped with an electric motor which is able to provide an equivalent to 55 CV power and reach a top speed of 160 kilometres per hour, powered by a lithium ion batteries that have a point against, as they require a high load, time and a not so long as it should be autonomy.
In any case is to highlight this sports bike has a cost of approximately 5,500 euros to the change, and which represents without doubt the response to the combination between speed and zero emissions.

Finishing the 2010 we have encountered a creation of Spanish origin (more precisely, Granada) causing a real furor in the market, representing major technological advances in the field of electric mobility and, above all things, control of consumption.
This is possible thanks to equip a computer named AdaptativeBAT, which as its name seems to indicate is responsible for controlling all functions the Lithium Ion battery, both at the time of the load and deliver electricity to its individual components.


On its Board is absolutely everything from the amount of energy remains (expressed in remaining kilometres) to the possibility of storing in a card SD memory information obtained during their use and send via Internet to the manufacturer, who are already working on a successor with all data.
For those who are interested, it costs about 3,995 EUR, we can also make a free trial go to his official site.

Besides these motorcycles, other electric models we already analysed in depth in EspacioMotos and listed below are available:

This year will mark a turning point in the world of cars, especially as regards mobility, it will be the...
We are leaving a year that has marked a turning point in the use of electrical energy to propel cars, with the arrival of...


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Mitsubishi iMiEV comes to us and will be the EV cheaper market

The very popular Japanese electric car Mitusbishi iMiEV, which is in the Spanish market for some months, it is by arriving at the United States. One of its top attractions will no doubt its price ($27.990 without discounting the incentives) so that become it the EV more cheaper in the United States. United States

To this base price, should detract from the different incentives that exist for the purchase of electricity, cars which without doubt are very interesting and it may lead to a final price up to 50% cheaper, or even more. To begin with, the U.S. Government provides a credit of $7,500 in federal taxes. They are joined the incentives offered by States, also in the form of tax credit, which can reach the juicy sums of $ 6,000 in Colorado or $5,000 in California.

There are also other regional or local benefits that can reach $3,000. On the outside of the State incentives , also any private such as for example company sony pictures which offers to its employees for a sum of $5,000 for the purchase of electric cars.He is expected that in November this year start selling, although already interested in the web site can register for the Mitusbishi iMiEV.




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The Job Scope in Alternative Energy

The technological advancement has gifted us a number of wonderful products, devices and upgraded methods which have made our life bright, smooth, flexible and much more attractive. If you closely observe the society which is under the full glare of modern science and technological upgradation, you will feel the difference in comparison to those days dating back to 100 years or more. The difference lies in the technological development and improvement of science to a great extent.

Alternative energy is now an interesting topic and the whole world is showing the massive interest towards the green world. The big bosses like America and UK show their eagerness to opt for the alternative energy to make the world green and free of dark smoke, dust and lethal chemical components which have already done irreparable damage to our sweet planet.

In America, White House has sanctioned different types of financial aids and grants for the development and improvement of the renewable energy sources for activating the social life with much comfort.
Therefore, with the times proceeding, the job scope is increasing in this field with the implementation of the various projects to install the heavy machinery and alternative energy plants to produce the cost effective, environment friendly and purified electricity and fuel to heat the kitchen, to light the bed chamber and to drive the vehicles.

Though the researchers have opted for this sector as the social work to benefit the people by providing the assistance and necessary backups for getting the energy to lead their lifestyles without depending on the fossil fuels, they should possess the prestigious portfolios in different departments.
When a company will be set up there should be a recruitment drive to absorb the competent persons in various departments to supervise the whole alternative energy projects. The company will require a laboratory and scientists inclusive of engineers to continue the research in upgrading the sphere of alternative energy and power.
Though, comparing to the oil industry, the periphery of the alternative energy industry is still limited to certain sectors, the future prospect of renewable energy is very bright and shinning. It will become multi billion worth industry in near future.

Therefore, young educated generation will feel free to get good jobs in this sector. If you probe deeply, you will feel that till now, the government and other private sectors start investing money to revitalize this industry for the production of the alternative energy and power. The continuous price rise in the oil and petroleum products compels entrepreneurs and business magnets to boost up themselves for investing money in the renewable energy industry to get profits.

You will be highly benefited in the coming future because of the steady expansion of this sector in the world. There will be new job offers in the field of alternative energy sectors.

Day of the Earth Philippines

Last Friday was celebrated in different countries and cities of the world day of the 2011 land, customary that in addition to the so-called day of the environment, seeks to raise awareness on the use of renewable energy and the subsequent care of the planetcarrying out various initiatives and projects, or simply to spread a message.


One of the countries which has taken various socks associated with the clean energy is Philippines, where alarming figures indicate that emissions of vehicles in the city of Manila reach 80% of the population, where about 30% is generated by public transport.

As a way to counteract this situation, and within the framework of this special day, the Government decided the dissemination of electric tricycles for urban transport, estimated approximately 20,000 units, a way that people become familiar with the use of electric motorsits benefits and advantages that have other means of transport.

The use of these vehicles will look not only for environmental benefit, but it also provides for a reduction in the import of fuel, with figures that estimate a saving of around EUR 25 million on an annual basis.


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Creative alternative energy and insolita

Perhaps many are not effective in the future, but we must recognize that they are very original. Most of them because aim to capture alternative energy actions and perfectly regular elements (like a revolving door). Others with an innovative proposal, how to transform noise in electricity. And finally, those who are frankly funny - as the Bras to get energy from the movement of the breasts of women! Here you have a varied selection.

Soccket: A soccer ball that generates energy.

Four Harvard University engineering students have designed the "Soccket ", which is a soccer ball that generates energy when is it kick, producing energy throughout the day to provide light at night."
Flats to generate energy footprints

The Design school, Loughborough has designed a system of unique soil that is capable of generating electricity from the steps. In this concept, the soil is cleverly designed to transform the kinetic energy of the steps into electrical energy - a highly sustainable source of renewable energy.
Fluxxlab captures energy from revolving doors

The energy generated by revolving doors can also be a potential source of alternative energy discovered by designers of the Fluxxlan study. Called the "revolutionary gate", it would a turbine to capture the kinetic energy and then transport it and store it.
Alternative energy produced by the movement of the breasts.

While it is a fairly ridiculous question, should assess the creative ability of the designer adrienne So. After all, do you know something that is in motion produces energy. For this reason, So he believes that women who have long bust can generate energy from the movement of rebound that occurs. This energy can be harnessed through the special fasteners that have an elastic material with nanowires that help in the generation of energy.
sonea energy absorbing system captures the sound and makes it energy

Jihoon Kim, Kim Boyeon Kim Myung-Suk Chun and Da-woon industrial designers have found an innovative method to convert the sound into a source of renewable energy So they developed a device for absorption of the noise that has the capacity to generate about 30 watts of clean energy from just a decibel of sound.



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