Ever heard of cooling solutions driven by the heat of the Sun? This might just be a reality for the rural folk living in large number of Indian villages. Promethean Power- a MIT spin-off is researching over the possibilities of making use of thermoelectronic technology for developing a stationary, solar-powered refrigerator. The initiative is taken keeping in mind the needs of villagers in rural India many of whom face the problem of storing diary products and vaccines due to lack of electricity and refrigerating solutions. This prototype will be showcased at the upcoming Emerging Technologies conference to be held at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The prototype’s design includes a small-sized array of solar panels on the roof and thermoelectric modules + electric compononents inside the small building. 

 
 
Thermoelectric modules are semiconducting materials used to convert electricity (from the solar panels) into currents of cold air.These are essential placed in between ceramic tiles and are already used in market in certain applications that consume low-energy like cooling car seats or computer chips. Now, technicians at Promethean Power want to test these modules for renewable energy sources like solar power. 
 
Besides working on the efficiency of this technology Promethean Power is also considering the cost of its solar-powered refrigerator- a concept which if successful will result in its mass production for rural consumption. The cost is definitely going to be a feature which will determine the successful implementation of such a solar-cum-thermoelectronic technological device in a developing nation like India and other TWCs (third world countries). Will it eventually turn out to be a boon for perishable items in such places where constant electric supply is a big concern, remains to be seen!
 
Via: Ecogeek

I was amazed to know that one of the very first oil droplets formed on our planet came from a pond scum! So far as I knew it, I remember learning about pigment producing algae in my junior science classes but this piece of news is quite good to note down. Why because algae could run your car in near future!

Some really hi-fi research is going on in Solazyme corporation-synthetic biology company that specializes in producing biodiesel (diesel oil produced from algae).

Jonathan Wolfson and Harrison Dillon at Solazyme have intriguing information to share about algae- like the mucky pond scum has a dynamic reproductive ability to double its cell mass within no time! Besides both have discovered how one can extract oil and pep up oil production by feeding algae with lots of sugars instead of sunshine! (Wow!) At the research centre of the company, small fermenters are already producing clean-burning biofuel from these microalgae. Dillon & Wolfson’s success at this procedure raises hope of large scale production of this neat, efficient and clean renewable energy source. And this is not all; industrial chemicals and household cleaners can also be produced by this algal oil which tastes like peanut oil!

You don’t believe me? Have a look at the video then!

Via: goodcleantech

Cow power could emerge as one of the green and renewable energy sources to generate electricity in future. Till now the manure produced by bovine and livestock animals has been used in farms only (that too to a certain extent). But now, it can be used to generate electricity which might meet upto 3 % energy (read electricity) consumption needs of entire North America!

The research being conducted by scientists at University of Texas (Austin) believe the results of it will imply on all countries with a large number of livestock (including India). Production of biogas from cow dung is not a new thing and it has been used in rural India to cook food and for other heating purposes. But this research stresses upon the anaerobic digestion (a process which helps in compost formation) of manure which yields energy-rich bio-gas potent enough to generate electricity by rotating standard microturbines.

In recent times, the interest and efforts in analyzing and using cow waste for studying its effect on climate change, has seen an upward trend. The IPCC reports that nitrous oxide and methane (both are Green House Gases) produced by naturally decomposing livestock manure heat up our atmosphere many times more than what CO2 does! Hence, the panel recommends proper utilization of this livestock manure. The latter if utilized fully could generate approximately 100 billion kilowatt hours of electricity (a scenario where the Americans will thank cows profusely for providing resources beyond milk and meat!)

Concerns are raised over the carbon emissions thus procuded by burning of biogas but scientists reassure that, when compared to burning fossil fuels (read coal), burning of biogas leaves a much smaller carbon footprint! Here’s what the scientists- Dr. Michael E. Webber and Amanda D Cuellar, from University of Texas has to say over this: “In light of the criticism that has been leveled against biofuels, biogas production from manure has the less-controversial benefit of reusing an existing waste source and has the potential to improve the environment.”

I’m waiting for the day when bulbs will be lighted by burning of biogas for the latter promises to be an environmentally advantageous and economical energy resource. Hail Cow Power!

Via: sciencedaily

The Sun is rising in political spheres! Valuing the sun as renewable source of clean solar power, the EU supergrid gets a crucial political backing from UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown and French President Nicolas Sarkozy. It is jointly decided now that the vast desert of Sahara would be the land where dozens of solar farms will be constructed as a part of the $71 Billion EU supergrid infrastructure. The latter is an initiative taken by the European Commission to meet the continent’s electricity demands in future. The clean power generated by this supergrid will be shared by all the EU countries.
It is projected that each farm of the supergrid will generate upto 200 Megawatts of power. This would then be transferred to EU states via high voltage DC transmission, which is a better option over AC lines. The energy loss incurred over long distances is much lesser when DC lines are used. The decision to build solar panels in Sahara originates from the simple fact that the desert receives intense sunlight throughout year which can be effectively harnessed.

 According to an estimate PhotoVoltaic panels installed in Sahara will be 3 times more energy efficient (in terms of electricity generation) than those fitted in the European countries.
The project’s success will effectively reconfirm that solar power will be the most potent among renewable energy sources which also include wind and geothermal powers.

Via: treehugger

Grace Cathedral- San Francisco landmark building is all set to don a green aspect atop its roof. After all the hue and cry over use of renewable energy sources in today’s times to ensure a safer and cleaner future, now this God’s abode will get its power supply via solar energy. Mayor Gavin Newsom announced the news today morning at the church steps. State- of-the art photovoltaic cells will now be installed on the top of Grace Cathedral and the cost incurred in doing that will be taken care by Pacific Gas and Electrics contribution of $65,000. The Cathedral’s dean Alan Jones expressed his happiness over the new initiative. He said, “We’re grateful to PG&E for its generous contribution to Grace Cathedral’s ongoing environmental efforts. This new solar power system will help us conserve valuable resources, and empower us to be a part of the solution to attack greenhouse gases and global warming.”

The drive indeed is a very positive one and will be an inspiration to private owners of huge properties and corporate giants who haven’t yet embraced this cleaner option for energy generation. Now it seems, Grace Cathedral with stand out for reasons beyond its architecture; it will be a repository of faith for all those cynics who believe global warming is only Al Gore’s muse and for all those eco-lovers who believe in a green tomorrow through today’s sustained efforts.

Via Enn

Solar energy undoubtedly is one of the cleaner and greener power sources. But currently, the solar cells which harness the sun’s radiation and convert them into electricity aren’t cheap enough to be utilized at mass scale. Thus, the true potential of this renewable energy still remains to be channeled for the larger benefits of society.

But now, scientists at Massachusetts Institute of Technology have designed a new devise which they say is an efficient and practical solar power device. The latter acts as a solar concentrator and is considered to be a key in making solar energy more affordable in the near future. Scientists at MIT used several glass sheets and coated them with organic dyes to concentrate the sunlight hitting on the solar panes. The organic dyes upon absorption of sunlight emit it onto the glass sheet which in turn carries the light to the edges of the pane following the example of transport of light through fiber-optics. In this solar concentrator, small solar cells are located at the edges of the glass sheets.These cells convert sun’s photons into electricity.

Researches hope that this technology can bring down the cost of running a solar power unit down and much closer to that used by conventional methods of power generation (fossil fuel burning). The current type of solar concentrators available in the market use either lenses or mirrors to concentrate sunlight. However, in this new solar power device, glass sheets used are light weight and flat shaped. These can be used on roofs or as windows that could generate power for the entire house/ building. This new device is under testing and the final product ready for the market will become available in a couple of years. So far the news itself promises a sustainable tomorrow. I’m waiting when it actually becomes a reality!

Via Enn