tagged w/ Venus Project enabling tech
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A new catalyst makes it feasible to split water with solar power.
MIT chemists say the catalyst, used in conjunction with cheap photovoltaic solar panels, could lead to inexpensive, simple systems that use water to store the energy from sunlight.
In the process, the scientists may have cleared the major roadblock on the long road to fossil fuel independence: Reducing the on-again, off-again nature of many renewable power sources.
The catalyst enables the electrolysis system to function efficiently at room temperature and at ordinary pressure. Like a reverse fuel cell, it splits water into oxygen and hydrogen. By recombining the molecules with a standard fuel cell, the O2 and H2 could then be used to generate energy on demand.
"You've made your house into a fuel station," Daniel Nocera, a chemistry professor at MIT said. "I've gotten rid of all the goddamn grids."A new catalyst makes it feasible to split water with solar power.
MIT chemists say... more
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"For those who love 'green' compact fluorescent bulbs but hate their cold light, here's some good news: Researchers are closer to flipping the switch on cheaper, richer LED-type room lighting.
University of Florida materials science and engineers have achieved a new record in efficiency of blue organic light-emitting diodes, or OLEDs. Because blue is essential to white light, the advance helps overcome a hurdle to lighting that is much more efficient than compact fluorescents — but can produce high-quality light similar to standard incandescent bulbs.""For those who love 'green' compact fluorescent bulbs but hate their... more
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"LED lights aren't just a potential replacement for lighting technologies used today.
It's actually being eyed as the next-generation wireless communications technology.
Under a grant by the National Science Foundation, Boston University's College of Engineering will work on developing a wireless technology based on visible light instead of radio frequency (RF).
Called "Smart Lighting," data is transmitted through light emitted by LEDs, making each light the equivalent of a WiFi hotspot. This means the moment you flick a light on, you can access data on any device with wireless capability anytime without the use of wires...""LED lights aren't just a potential replacement for lighting technologies... more
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Acumentrics Corporation, a leading developer of solid oxide fuel cells has won the 2007 New England Innovation Award from SBANE, the Smaller Business Alliance of New England. The company was one of 7 winners chosen from a pool of 171 applicants.
Carbon neutral biogas
Another highly important feature of the SOFC's is that they do not require hydrogen or the hydrogen economy - which is mired in controversy because it requires huge investments in production, distribution and storage technologies. Acumentrics' fuel cells instead run on biogas, natural gas, propane, ethanol, diesel, and biodiesel
The combination of the efficiency of the SOFC fuel cells - which is far higher than power plants using combustion engines or turbines - and the low carbon footprint and efficiency of biogas production based on organic waste, may probably be the cleanest and most efficient large-scale energy system currently in operation anywhere.Acumentrics Corporation, a leading developer of solid oxide fuel cells has won the... more
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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has published the report from the Providence Portland Medical Center (PPMC), Portland, OR, demonstration of LED luminaires for commercial parking garage applications.
Results: LED luminaires drew less than half the watts of the HPS luminaires, and maximum and minimum light levels were equal to or higher than the HPS.
For more details, download the complete PPMC demonstration report at http://www.netl.doe.gov/ssl/PDFs/gateway_ppmc.pdf. This commercial LED lighting demonstration is one of a number of DOE GATEWAY demonstrations that showcase high-performance LED products for general illumination.
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passing up CFL for LEDs may be a better optionThe U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has published the report from the Providence... more
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Glen Kertz, CEO of Valcent Products, explains HDVB algae-to-biofuel technology.
From Valcent Products, Inc.:
The Holy Grail in the renewable energy sector has been to create a clean, green process which uses only light, water and air to create fuel. Valcent's HDVB algae-to-biofuel technology mass produces algae, vegetable oil which is suitable for refining into a cost-effective, non-polluting biodiesel. The algae derived fuel will be an energy efficient replacement for fossil fuels and can be used in any diesel powered vehicle or machinery. In addition, 90% by weight of the algae is captured carbon dioxide, which is "sequestered" by this process and so contributes significantly to the reduction of greenhouse gases. Valcent has commissioned the world's first commercial-scale bioreactor pilot project at its test facility in El Paso, Texas.
Current data projects high yields of algae biomass, which will be harvested and processed into algal oil for biofuel feedstock and ingredients in food, pharmaceutical, and health and beauty products at a significantly lower cost than comparable oil-producing crops such as palm and soyabean (soybean).
The HDVB technology was developed by Valcent in recognition and response to a huge unsatisfied demand for vegetable oil feedstock by Biodiesel refiners and marketers. Biodiesel, in 2000, was the only alternative fuel in the United States to have successfully completed the Environmental Protection Agency required Tier I and Tier II health effects testing under the Clean Air Act. These tests conclusively demonstrated Biodiesel's significant reduction of virtually all regulated emissions. A U.S. Department of Energy study has shown that the production and use of Biodiesel, compared to petroleum diesel, resulted in a 78.5% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.
Algae, like all plants, require carbon dioxide, water with nutrients and sunlight for growth. The HDVB bioreactor technology is ideal for location adjacent to heavy producers of carbon dioxide such as coal fired power plants, refineries or manufacturing facilities, as the absorption of CO2 by the algae significantly reduces greenhouse gases. These reductions represent value in the form of Certified Emission Reduction credits, so-called carbon credits, in jurisdictions that are signatories to the Kyoto Protocol. Although the carbon credit market is still small, it is growing fast, valued in 2005 at $6.6 Billion in the European Union and projected to increase to $77 Billion if the United States accepts a similar national cap-and-trade program.
Valcent's HDVB bioreactor system can be deployed on non-arable land, requires very little water due to its closed circuit process, does not incur significant labor costs and does not employ fossil fuel burning equipment, unlike traditional food/biofuel crops, like soy and palm oil. They require large agricultural acreage, huge volumes of water and chemicals, and traditional farm equipment and labor. They are also much less productive than the HDVB process: soybean, palm oil and conventional pond-grown algae typically yield 48 gallons, 635 gallons and 10,000 gallons per acre per year respectively.
http://www.valcent.net/s/Ecotech.asp?ReportID=182039
Glen Kertz, CEO of Valcent Products, explains HDVB algae-to-biofuel technology.... more
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With all the problems associated with modern agriculture, from pesticides to deforestation, and with ever more food miles and space with productive soil and water that can be used for growing craps running out, could urban, vertical farms be the answer? Time investigates (see link for more).
What do you think? Could we be seeing skyscrapers full of cabbages in the middle of our cities?With all the problems associated with modern agriculture, from pesticides to... more
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Is it possible to create a "heaven" on earth (each to his own version of heaven)? When respect and care for each other (that would equal "love"), and respect for our precious planet outweighs greed and fear, we may be able to create different ways of supporting each other and our world. Here is one way!
"Imagine a world where war is outdated, there is no shortage of resources, and every human being enjoys a high standard of living."
Well probably not the NeoConNewWorldOrderBankingCartel's (whoever they are) view of a great idea, but for the rest of us.....Clean air, water, food , respect - less stress - sounds good to me!
http://www.TheVenusProject.com/
Click on green youtube link above, or the image "Venus Project"Is it possible to create a "heaven" on earth (each to his own version of... more
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