Dubai has been the innovator of some amazing architecture over the recent years, and this complex is likely to keep them ahead of the rest.
The Vertical Village is the latest solar-power building designed by architects at Graft Lab. It utilises the maximum exsposure to sunlight, by using mutiple solar panels located at the base of the building. These panels trace the sun's movement, thus maintaining the collection of energy.
The elaborate structure of the Vertical Village has a purpose. Its buildings, each seperate from one another, are self-shading on the northern side and between the east and west regions -- this minimises long-angle sun penetration. The roof of each building is designed to seperate the solar field into more manageable sections.
Once the design becomes the real thing, developers hope to introduce hotels, cinemas, restaurants, shops and a theater, as the main indoor attractions of the Vertical Village.
**More pictures at the linkDubai has been the innovator of some amazing architecture over the recent years, and... more
Long before anyone thought of the term ‘green building’, there were handmade houses created with sustainability, respect for the land, and the pride of creating something by oneself as high priorities. Such handmade houses have been around since the dawn of man, but they saw a resurgence – and a new wave of creativity – starting in the 1960s.Long before anyone thought of the term ‘green building’, there were handmade... more
The world's first eco-themed fun park is energizing Hollywood with a unique twist on entertainment. Environmentaland, operated by Global Inheritance, is conveniently located near major transit stops and freeways and already offers an array of fun-filled eco friendly exhibits in it's beginning. (To see this full story and more, follow The Green Connoisseur Blog link on our homepage @ http://thegreenconnoisseur.com )!!The world's first eco-themed fun park is energizing Hollywood with a unique twist on... more
Exxon partners up in search of a new bio-fuel made from algae. AAA will now include Green Icon for eco-friendly hotel, motels,and bed breakfast along highway, Also in the news Zap! releases all electric no emissions vehicle, and Walmart takes another step to becoming greener. For More please visit www.greenstocksrock.comExxon partners up in search of a new bio-fuel made from algae. AAA will now include... more
Scientific American runs down their top environmentally friendly accessories, including energy saving monitors, vegan high heels, recycled bags and more!Scientific American runs down their top environmentally friendly accessories,... more
Next time you go to Japan and purchase the I LOHAS bottled water, don't forget to twist it before you throw it away. This is the all-important angle that Coca-Cola Japan are taking with their environmentally-friendly bottled beverage.
The bottled can be scrunched up into a 12 gram piece of plastic -- 40 per cent less than other PET bottles. This has resulted in people maniulating the bottles artistically, into various shapes.Next time you go to Japan and purchase the I LOHAS bottled water, don't forget to... more
Box Of Worms is the first episode of a short series showcasing new ways how families across Britain can do their bit to help the environment and become more eco-friendly. On paper these methods don’t seem to be ground breaking, but if everyone across Britain did their bit, no matter how small, then it would have a great positive effect on our environment. Each episode will focus on a new way to help the environment, either at the home, office or travelling – such as alternative fuels for cars, dealing with garbage and saving electricityBox Of Worms is the first episode of a short series showcasing new ways how families... more
Okay remember jelly shoes? The ones your mom made you wear when you were a kid? They use to be made out of nasty PVC plastics. Now there is a factory in Brazil that makes eco Jelly shoes? Could it be possible?Okay remember jelly shoes? The ones your mom made you wear when you were a kid? They... more
China is rushing in to build its own network of electric charging stations. Xinhua, the government's official newspaper, announced last week that the State Grid Corporation, the world's largest electric power transmission and distribution company, is speeding up its plans to build electric car charging stations.
The stations will be located in Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin and other large cities.
The power charging stations will be built as a pilot project to initially serve electric buses and sedans in a trial run with plans to eventually cover the entire nation. Each station will cost the equivalent of about $37,000 to $44,000.
The country showcased its charging station networks around venues during the 2008 Beijing Olympics last month to power the 600 electric vehicles used, including 55 buses powered by electric-lithium-cells.
China hopes to bring in 10,000 fuel cell, electric and hybrid cars as well as infrastructure to power the vehicles in 10 chosen cities around the country within two years, according to the ministry of science and technology.
The experiment will help the government agencies work out policies for developing more new energy cars, says Wan Gan, the country's minister of science and technology. The minister hopes that within five years, alternative energy vehicles will account for one in every ten of the country's car productionChina is rushing in to build its own network of electric charging stations. Xinhua,... more
Shipping containers, those big metal boxes used to transport the lamps, washing machines and furniture in our houses, are now becoming homes in their own right.
The 40-foot-long and 8-foot-wide containers left empty at ports around the country are being recycled into stylish, eco-friendly housing that's less costly than traditional construction.
Initially developed as an experiment for art installations, emergency housing and vacation homes for wealthy modernists, cargo container housing is moving off the fringe and into the mainstream.Shipping containers, those big metal boxes used to transport the lamps, washing... more
So for years we've been talking about how cool it is to split hydrogen from water and burn it creating water as a byproduct.... now someone figured out how to make the process into a fuel cell! I slapped myself on the forehead... it's such a no-brainer I can't believe someone had not already thought of it.
Use the solar energy from your roof to split the hydrogen and oxygen, then when you need the power during the evening they've figured out how to combine the two back together again forming... yes, water.
If this is really true (because it seems so simple I think it must be bogus) it's going to revolutionize our ability to easily and cheaply store energy generated by the son with cheap easily accessible natural materials!
It's the elegance of a several billion year's worth of natural research (Thanks Plants!) coming to fruit for their buddies us humans. Look to nature for the answers friends.
Cheers.
StradiusSo for years we've been talking about how cool it is to split hydrogen from water and... more
Everday we are coming one step closer in becoming a more enivormentally friendly nation! Lets just hope that we take an opportunity like this and put it to use.Everday we are coming one step closer in becoming a more enivormentally friendly... more
Parisians and tourists embraced the citywide bike-sharing program, (Vélib’), that began a year ago, so now Mayor Bertrand Delanoë is suggesting a four-wheeled version, using electric cars!Parisians and tourists embraced the citywide bike-sharing program, (Vélib’), that... more
One part engineer, one part philosopher and a splash of Fred Flintstone running in his car. The rickshaw philosopher at Burning Man offers a great means of transportation that is both educational and environmentally sound.One part engineer, one part philosopher and a splash of Fred Flintstone running in his... more
The Los Angeles City Council voted Tuesday to prohibit plastic shopping bags in stores, beginning July 1, 2010. Customers will have the option of either bringing their own bags, or paying 25 cents for a paper or biodegradable bag.The Los Angeles City Council voted Tuesday to prohibit plastic shopping bags in... more
"Professor Martin Schreibman says our oceans have been overfished beyond repair. If we're going to keep eating fish and chips, tuna tartare, and all those omega-3 fatty acids, we may have to rely on aquaculture. Schreibman is working to bring those fish farms into the city. Urban aquaculture? We'll bite."
(End of excerpt)
A fuel station producing enough hydrogen to run householders' homes and cars has been unveiled today.
The British invention, due to go on sale within two years, is roughly the size of a heating boiler and will cost under £2,000.
Its creators say it will revolutionise commuting, help homeowners slash energy bills, and give easy access to a fuel that does not produce carbon dioxide emissions, helping to combat climate change.
ITM Power also unveiled a Ford Focus that has been converted to run on hydrogen.
The hydrogen generator, which when it goes on sale will be small enough to fit in a garage or home, will use water and offpeak electricity to generate the gas.
It will be stored in a pressurised tank and can be used to provide power for a range of domestic or commercial purposes.
(End of excerpt)
Full story at link by Daily MailA fuel station producing enough hydrogen to run householders' homes and cars has been... more
The previously negative attitude of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to climate change shifted in 2007, as the UAE led several members of the organisation to take a positive lead in developing alternative energies, and began investment in technologies like carbon capture and carbon storage. "Abu Dhabi is now selling an environmentally-conscious image and wants to be a leader in alternative energy,"the UAE has made a significant shift in its thinking when it ceased to be frightened of the consequences of both climate change and climate change mitigation.Up till 2007the UAE had focused on its vulnerability to climate change mitigation as world markets moved to accommodate the new measures to combat climate change.
These would impact the UAE mainly through a highly variable oil price, and possible long-term shift away from use of hydro-carbons, both damaging to the present economy of the UAE.The UAE had also has largely ignored the future impact of climate change on its national security, from the potential threats of rising temperatures, falling water resources, and potentially elevated sea levels.The old style of thinking was still present as recently as December 2007 when the UAE's address to the UN conference on climate change in Bali was mostly full of progressive thinkingexcept for the section that argued that the interests of economies based principally on fossil fuels had not been sufficiently addressed in the negotiations, and demanded that no additional obligations should be placed on developing countries that would impede their development.
In the last six months, however, the impact of the UAE's interest in alternative technologies has come to the fore, exemplified by the launch of Abu Dhabi's Masdar project earlier this year. Masdar is made up of various projects on alternative energy and carbon management, and included building a "totally green city" of 50,000 residents and 1,500 businesses by 2016. The previously negative attitude of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting... more
"Smart Energy Stuff offers a variety of solar-powered golf carts, from $6,000 to $9,000. The costs are on par with those of regular electric-powered golf carts, but they come with the added sweetener of one-time state and federal tax credits of up to $990.
"Things are tight," said Njoku, a Nigerian-born New York City transplant who has lived in Fayetteville with his wife for the past three years, "and tight people are holding onto their money. What we're trying to do is give them products that will save them money and also be very green."
Smart Energy Stuff sells other solar-powered products, such as a sun-powered water heater, electric panels and outdoor lights.
A self-professed "solar geek," Njoku said he is a civil engineer and architect by trade with a natural affinity for cars and all things solar."
Just saw this and I think it's great! "Smart Energy Stuff offers a variety of solar-powered golf carts, from $6,000 to... more
