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Liquavista Introduces Next Generation Displays

As display technology moves on from LCDs to LEDs, Liquavista has gone in a totally different direction. Yesterday, the company debuted their brighter, more efficient ColorBright display using electrowetting technology.

The company claims that the displays are functional in dark and direct lighting situations, can be viewed at any angle and that they provide “TV-like picture quality” while consuming much less power than traditional LCDs. The technology is currently targeted for use in watches and cell phones, but there are plans for larger video displays as well.

The technology was developed to be compatible with existing LCD manufacturing processes, so its introduction can be quick and at low cost.

Screens are a major battery drainer, but the ColorBright display could significantly add to the battery life of your mobile device since it doesn’t rely on a backlight. This could be especially useful to devices such as cell phones, whose displays often unnecessarily drain the available power resources.

For a description of what electrowetting is and how it can produce a visual display, check out Liquavista’s website.

via Earth2Tech

Image via Liquavista

By Megan Treacy | 19 Oct 08 | Comments Off

New Japanese Airport Will Be Cooled With Snow

Starting in 2010, the New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido, Japan will collect snow in the winter to provide 30% of the terminal building’s cooling needs in the summer.

The snow will be covered by heat-insulating materials, which should retain about 45% of the snow collected. The remaining snow will then be used to chill the liquid of the building’s cooling system. According to Japan Today, the practice could result in a 2,100 ton reduction in CO2 emissions per year.

This process isn’t new to Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, which receives between 20 and 30 feet of snowfall a year. The island has been experimenting with cooling systems using their icy resource since 1998 and has already installed systems in smaller public buildings.

Via GoodCleanTech

By Megan Treacy | 17 Oct 08 | Comments Off

Wireless Device Tracks Solar Energy Generated, Power Consumed

Among the many solar-related gadgets displayed at this year’s Solar Power International Conference in San Diego was the EcoTouch Energy Management System.

While home energy management systems are popping up everywhere, this one is specifically designed to work with solar PV units. The wireless, touchscreen device displays real-time energy production by the solar PV unit alongside the home’s total energy usage.

Homeowners can access information on what devices consume the most energy and make adjustments through the system. The EcoTouch generates graphs that show daily, weekly and monthly energy production and usage. It summarizes a home’s environmental impact by translating that information into carbon emissions, trees saved and auto miles avoided.

Additionally, the system can be accessed anywhere there’s an Internet connection and users can make adjustments remotely.

I get excited using my remote control garage door opener; I can only imagine the thrill of remotely controlling my house’s energy consumption. As home solar PVs become more feasible through tax credits and greater supply, these types of systems will probably become more commonplace. If this is the future thermostat, sign me up!

via Business Wire

Image via Open Energy

By Megan Treacy | | Comments Off

Ethiopia To Build Africa’s Largest Wind Farm

Last week, Ethiopia signed a deal with French wind turbine-maker Vergnet to construct Africa’s largest wind farm. It is expected to produce 120 megawatts within two and a half years, equal to 15 percent of the country’s current energy capacity. The first turbines will be installed in 16 months and will generate 30 megawatts. The $286 million project is financed by French bank BNP Paribas and the French Development Agency.

These projects come at a crucial time for Ethiopia, which relies mainly on hydroelectric power. The country has been plagued by drought and power failure in recent months. This wind farm will put Ethiopia on track to clean, consistent power production and will hopefully draw attention to the need for similar projects throughout the continent.

via Greentech Media

Image via Vergnet

By Megan Treacy | | Comments Off

Toyota’s iQ - Smarter than smart?

Toyota’s latest gas-sipper has hit the European market, but American buyers will have to wait a bit longer. First unveiled at the 2008 Geneva motor show, the iQ is a small city car which will compete with the similarly priced, but less roomy smart fortwo (the latter only seats two while the iQ can seat three adults and a child).

The iQ should appeal to young urban drivers. The price tag is rumored to be around $15,000 and the car is supposed to get 59 mpg, courtesy of its 1.4 liter D4-D diesel engine. By 2009, a smaller 1.33-liter engine will be available.

Besides the engine size, the iQ has a few additional fuel-saving features. Its Multidrive transmission continuously monitors and selects the best gear ratio and shifting speeds, which can maximize engine torque. It also features a display, called the “ECO” driving lamp, which alerts drivers as to when to they can save fuel and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The Gear Shift indicator on the manual transmission models tells drivers when to shift up or down for optimal environmental performance, taking into account the driving conditions. This indicator alone could result in lowering fuel consumption by .5-3%

So when will we be able to buy the iQ here in the US? Toyota isn’t saying yet, but they might have more information for us at November’s LA auto show.

Via Motortrend, Automobile Mag, Green Car Congress

By Peg Fong | 16 Oct 08 | Comments Off

2010 Death Date for Incandescents in the EU


The end is near for incandescent bulbs in Europe.  The year 2010 to be exact. 

Last week, EU energy ministers agreed to ban filament light bulbs across all 27 member states beginning in 2010.  In the past year Australia, Cuba and the Philippines have all announced bans on the bulbs starting in the same year. The U.S. on the other hand, is a little late to the party, with a 2014 ban date.

The Energy Independence and Security Act, passed by the U.S in June 2007, requires 25 percent greater efficiency for light bulbs starting in 2012.  This will effectively ban incandescents. The EU’s decision comes days before it lifts duties on energy-efficient bulbs imported from China. 

According to the conservation group WWF, if the EU switches to CFLs, it will decrease energy consumption for lighting by 60% and CO2 emissions by 30 million tons (out of the 4 billion tons emitted by the EU each year).  This reduction equals about half the emissions of Sweden.  

This energy savings isn’t dramatic, but it’s still progress in the right direction.     

So while I support the EU’s decision, and without getting into any arguments about CFLs and the issues of mercury/harsh lighting/higher cost that have been beaten to death, I do have to bring up this previous post.  We shouldn’t get hung up on CFLs as the only lighting or energy saving solution.  CFLs are a good alternative to incandescent bulbs now, but we have to keep pushing towards better technology, whether it’s improved LEDs or something we haven’t even discovered yet.   

I hope that these government bans won’t contribute to a complacency in lighting technology and will instead inspire the world’s great minds to think even bigger. 

Via Christian Science Monitor

By Megan Treacy | | Comments Off

Obama’s Cars Will be Electric

It’s Not necessarily an easy promise to make come true, but Barack Obama has promised that, if elected, the entire Whitehouse fleet will be Plug-in hybrids (as security permits.)

It’s not a world changing policy, but it is pretty darned cool. There’s no doubt that plug-in hybrids will come to market, but they will come to market faster with a hand from government, not just with money, but with marketing.

This kinda reminds me of Carter’s placement of solar panels on the roof of the Whitehouse. It’s something the President can decide uniltaterally and have congress fund the relatively small spending without much fuss, but it’s a vote of confidence in environmental policy from the most powerful figure in America, and that’s something that I’d love to see.

Thanks to Karl for the tip.

By Hank Green | | Comments Off

Fuel Cells Powered by Hydrogen from Sewage

Researchers at the Oregon State University College of Engineering have discovered an efficient way to produce hydrogen from different types of biowaste, including municipal sewage. 

The process uses 75% less energy than the traditional water electrolysis method of producing hydrogen, and can be done at a much lower cost, making it a good candidate for hydrogen fuel production.  In the lab, researchers are already close to the Department of Energy’s goal of $2 to $3 per gasoline gallon equivalent for hydrogen fuel. 

The university describes the process like this: 

“In these systems, naturally occurring microorganisms from sewage attach to the surface of an anode and degrade the waste in the sewage, in a device that is something like a battery. The waste decomposes, eventually leaving protons that migrate to the cathode, combine with electrons and generate hydrogen.” 

In addition to producing hydrogen, this process also cleans the water, so, ideally, treatment plants could be developed to take in sewage and send out hydrogen fuel and clean water.  Imagine sewage becoming a valuable resource.  The system can also be adapted to generate electricity directly instead of producing hydrogen. 

Beyond hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, this technology could find practical use in developing countries or remote locations where waste treatment and power production are scarce. 

via CleanTechnica 

By Megan Treacy | 15 Oct 08 | Comments Off

Indian-Canadian Electric Hatchback

Toronto, Canada’s Electrovaya and Mumbai, India’s Tata Motors have teamed up on an electric version of Tata’s Indica hatchback, which we previously announced would be electrified for the European market within 2009. The car is designed to be a direct competitor to traditional internal-combustion engine models, and will be rolled out in Norway in 2009 and India in 2010. The Norway launch was chosen due to exploding demand for electric cars in Europe. Tata’s interest lies in the nascent Indian car culture. Described as a highway car, the Indica can jump from 0-37 MPH in less than 10 seconds.

Speedsters may snore, but at the 120 miles a single charge gives, the complaints may die down. Thanks go to Electrovaya for the lithium-ion battery. Last month a prototype of the car was revealed at the SIAM exhibition in India. Don’t scramble for the waiting list yet, though, as Tata Motors has of late been dealing with facility construction disruptions from…local farmers.

via CleanTech

By Benjamin Rhatiga | | Comments Off

The Aluminum Mac Brick…is it Green?

So Apple has once again managed to get the world all excited about some fancy new device…though I don’t think anyone’s quite certain exactly why this is so cool. In essence, Apple will be carving their new MacBooks out of one solid block of aluminum, certainly not as green as some of the bamboo cases we’ve seen. The advantages, they say, are unsurpassed style and ultra-light weight. But I’m only concerned about one thing…is this thing going to save the earth…or destroy it?

Well, it turns out it’s a little of both. The new process slices the computer case out of a 2.5 lb brick of highly processed aluminum. At the end of the process, there’s a 0.5 lb case. So, right off the bat, Apple is creating a block of metal with a huge amount of embodied energy (from the mine through the final milling process) and the vast majority of it is just going into the recycling bin to be re-melted and re-processed. Green? I think not.

The current Macbook cases (I’m typing on one right now) are simple, hard, white plastic. They’re just as durable, and take far less energy to produce than a 2.5 lb brick of highly milled aluminum. I’m not sure what the advantage here is, but it’s certainly not sustainability.

The other concern with Apple’s gadgets is that they can sometimes be extremely difficult to repair. Aluminum-cased iPods sometimes can’t even be repaired without scrapping the case entirely. Obviously that would be a big environmental no-no for Apple - to have to scrap a case every time an internal repair was needed.

But on other fronts, the new Macbooks are chock full of green cred. Their rated EPeat Gold, a measure of environmental friendliness of computers, something only a handful of other computers boast. They contain no mercury, no BFRs, no lead, and the LCD screens are backlit by highly efficient LEDs. They may even be just as green as the Macbook Air.

I’m glad to see Apple focusing on the efficiency of their computers, not to mention decreasing the amount of toxic materials they contain. But this new carved-brick process isn’t green, it’s wasteful, and I’m happy to be sticking with my good-ol’ plastic clunker.

By Hank Green | | Comments Off

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