Once the cost of solar energy reaches the same price as electricity from the grid, then the state of “grid parity” will exist. California is close to grid parity now as it is one of the sunniest states with some of the highest utility bills. At this point consumers may see the value of installing • Read More »
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Obama Toughens CAFE Standards as Some Groups Smile
May 21, 2009 | By Kevin | No Comments | Filed in: News.President Obama this week toughened the CAFE standards for cars and light trucks beginning in 2016 giving automakers the 7 years they need to develop a whole new line of fuel efficient vehicles. The present CAFE standards are 27.5 MPG for cars and 24 MPG for light trucks. The light truck standards will increase to • Read More »
Fisker Karma Debuts in San Jose, CA
May 19, 2009 | By Kevin | 1 Comment | Filed in: Plug-In Hybrids.The last time I talked about the Fisker plug-in hybrid car was December 2007. At that point it was a month shy of making its worldwide debut at the Detroit Auto Show. Now, the Fisker Karma has made it long awaited debut in San Jose, California. The Fisker Karma combines gas-sipping plug-in hybrid green technology • Read More »
Chlorophyll and Chlorosomes in Bacteria Yield Solar Breakthrough
May 14, 2009 | By Kevin | No Comments | Filed in: Solar Energy.According to Dutch researchers chlorosomes filled with chlorophyll in green bacteria may hold the secrets to more efficient solar technology. In plants, small antenna can hold up to 250,000 chlorophyll molecules that absorb sunlight. The sunlight is then converted into chemical energy. The Dutch scientists are using concentric nanotubes to replicate the structure of plants • Read More »
President Obama Kills the Hydrogen Car
May 12, 2009 | By Kevin | No Comments | Filed in: Hydrogen Cars.Well, a few years ago General Motors and the other major automakers killed the electric car. This week, President Obama decided to give the EV’s mouth to mouth resuscitation while stabbing a knife in the heart of hydrogen cars. The Obama Administration and DOE have just decided to cut the hydrogen car budget by 60-percent. • Read More »
Optiwind Offers a New Look at Wind Turbines
May 7, 2009 | By Kevin | No Comments | Filed in: Wind Energy.Forget the large utility scale three bladed wind turbines, or even the two bladed bird Cuisinarts, there is a uniquely designed wind generator that is now turning heads. Optiwind has come out with its Optiwind 150 & 300 Compact Wind Accelerating Turbines. The six small five-bladed turbines parallel each other (three on a side) around • Read More »
Smart Charging Option for Electric Car Owners
May 1, 2009 | By Kevin | No Comments | Filed in: Electric Cars.One of the issues with a massive rollout of electric vehicle has been the question of how much this will tax the aging electrical grid. One possible solution that may help take the burden off during peak hours is smart charging. The U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) has developed a smart charger controller that • Read More »
Geothermal Rupture in Australia Causes Setback
April 28, 2009 | By Kevin | No Comments | Filed in: Geothermal Energy.A geological rupture at a geothermal plant in Australia has caused a setback for an alternative energy company called Geodynamics Ltd. There was an explosion recently at the remote Cooper Basin that caused the plant to shut down. Nobody was injured and nothing toxic escaped. In fact the only thing currently spewing into the air • Read More »
Earth Day and Wind Power Obama Talks the Talk
April 22, 2009 | By Kevin | No Comments | Filed in: News.It’s Earth Day and wind power is the subject of the talk as President Obama gives a speech in Iowa at a wind turbine plant. At a place where Maytag appliances used to be made (and apparently the Maytag Repairman slept), President Obama called upon Congress to pass $150 billion in spending on renewable energy • Read More »
PHEV Underground Utility Vehicle Unveiled
April 21, 2009 | By Kevin | No Comments | Filed in: Plug-In Hybrids.Well, I don’t usually simply copy and paste a company’s press release as I find this lazy and not really adding anything that a simple link couldn’t add. But in this one case, I’m simply going to lay out the press release of this PHEV underground vehicle and let you choose the merits of such • Read More »