Author: smadmin

Biblio Leaf: solar-powered e-reader

Glad tidings for book lovers with green ethics! Maybe the e-reader does not consume much power. But if you love to read online and think you should do your bit towards using renewable energy, you have Toshiba and KDDI joining the ranks of LG to provide solar-powered e-readers. Biblio Leaf is the new kid in the e-reader block to match LG’s Solar eReader.
Biblio Leaf has a six-inch e-ink display and 2 GB memory that can be enhanced with a microSD card. With 3G & Wi-Fi connectivity, touch pad and buttons to turn pages etc, there is a battery onboard which can be recharged by a solar panel. Once charged fully, some 7500 pages can be read non-stop.
Biblio Leaf is to be released only in Japan presently as an add-on with the 3G wireless two-year contract at a $20 monthly cost. The smaller sized solar panel of Biblio Leaf may need more time for recharging as against the 4 hours needed by LG! The reader has to be careful not to cover the solar panel while holding the Biblio Leaf and reading from it.
Source: www.alternative-energy-news.info/e-reader-biblio-leaf/

Biodiesel fuel from ‘chicken feather meal’

If we go by the stats, every year 11 billion pounds of poultry industry waste accumulates annually, because we have gigantic appetite for poultry products. They can’t be stuffed into pillows. Mostly they are utilized as low-grade animal feed. Scientists in Nevada have created a new and environmentally friendly process for developing biodiesel fuel from ‘chicken feather meal’. Professor Manoranjan ‘Mano’ Misra and his team members at the University of Nevada discovered that chicken feather meal consists of processed chicken feathers, blood, and innards. Prof. Misra has been honored as the 2010 Regents’ Researcher by the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents.

Chicken feather meal is processed at high temperatures with steam. This feather meal is used as animal feed and also as fertilizer. Chicken feather meal has high percentage of protein and nitrogen. The researchers have paid attention to the 12% fat content of the chicken feather meal. They have arrived at the conclusion that feather meal has potential as an alternative, non-food feedstock for the production of biofuel. They have extracted fat from chicken feather meal using boiling water and processing it into biodiesel. Another advantage of extracting fat from feather meal is it provides both a higher-grade animal feed and a better nitrogen source for fertilizer applications.
Stats tell us that if we take into account the amount of feather meal generated by the poultry industry each year, researchers could produce 153 million gallons of biodiesel annually in the U.S. and 593 million gallons worldwide.

Source: www.alternative-energy-news.info/fuel-from-chicken-feathers/

High Capacity Solar Charger and Battery

With powerful 20,000 mAh battery and 29 unique adapter tips, this solar charger will power and charge of almost all portable electronic devices and is extremely easy to use: Just set the battery voltage, find your adapter tip, and connect! For even more convenience, the adapters are also quick-switch and interchangeable, meaning you can start recharging your laptop immediately after you finish charging your MP3 player!

The most popular devices include laptops and mobile phones, but it also works with MP3 players, MP4 players, portable GPS navigators, GPS trackers, digital cameras, HD camcorders, portable DVD players, portable video game players, and an endless list of other cool tech gadgets and electronics.
With its powerful 20,000 mAh battery, this Solar Charger and Battery will provide many more hours of usage for your electronic devices and will seem like an endless power supply thanks to the constant charging by the solar panels. Also included is a handy button to show the amount of power left in the battery and when it’s low, just use the car charger, wall plug, or even leave it out in the sun to quickly recharge.
At a Glance…
20,000 mAh Battery and Solar Charger
Battery itself can be recharged quickly via AC adapter, car charger, or even by solar energy
29 unique adapter tips, works with most electronic devices
Power and charge electronic devices on-the-go
Includes a free carrying bag
Brought by chinavision
Source: http://www.chinavasion.com/product_info.php/pName/high-capacity-solar-charger-and-battery-20000mah/

Solar Installation Program in LA

With the earth’s fossil fuels set to be exhausted within the next 50 years, solar paneling and green energy are quickly becoming an indispensable. Coast Career Institute’s Solar Installation program gives students everything they need to become proficient, skilled, and ready to take on high paying jobs providing solar installation, maintenance and repair.
The Solar Installation program includes thorough coursework that covers photovoltaic principles, system wiring, mounting, system installation, and the maintenance and troubleshooting of solar panels. Upon completion of this program, students are qualified to attain employment in a variety of settings, ranging from entry-level positions to private contracting work. A mixture of lectures, field trips, and hands-on education at the Coast Career college in Los Angeles ensures that students finish the program with the confidence and knowledge to succeed.
Located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, the Coast Career Institute is accessible from all reaches of the LA metropolitan area, and the campus’s intimate learning atmosphere is ideal for making new friends and acquaintances.
Source: http://www.solarthermalmagazine.com/2011/03/16/solar-installation-training-allows-students-to-get-on-the-fast-track-to-career-success/

I-GET project – regarding geothermal energy

People utilize geothermal energy to heat their homes and to produce electricity. This is achieved by digging deep wells and pumping the heated underground water or steam to the surface. But we can also use the stable temperatures near the surface of the earth to heat and cool buildings.
Dr. Ernst Huenges is the head of Geothermal Research at the institute GFZ – German Research Centre for Geosciences. He is of the opinion, “The new methods deliver important decision-support for the selection of sites for future geothermal projects. With this we can considerably reduce the risk of expensive misdrills,”
Geothermal energy is making its presence felt worldwide and Iceland is the best example of the utilization of geothermal power. In fact Iceland leads the world in the development of geothermal utilization. They have doubled their annual power supply capping it up around 500 MW as far as electricity supply is concerned. Germany is also emerging as a major user of geothermal energy. Germany is deriving its 100 MW of heat from geothermal energy. Italy is not far behind. A team of European scientists, in the region of Travale (Italy), is planning to tap the potential of localized geothermal reservoirs. If this project is completed it will produce energy akin to a potential of around 1,000 wind power plants. This is one of the projects discussed at the international final conference of “I-GET” (Integrated Geophysical Exploration Technologies for deep fractured geothermal systems) in Potsdam.
The European Union is also feeling the “heat” of geothermal energy. European nations are waking up to the potential of geothermal energy. This conference aimed at the development of state-of-the art technology with potential geothermal reservoirs. Seven European nations participated in this “I-GET” conference. They want to explore more and more geothermal reservoirs and utilize it for clean and green energy. The project “I-GET” could be a substantial step towards renewable energy source.
The newly developed techniques have been tried at four European geothermal locations. They are combining different geological and thermo¬dynamic conditions. High-temperature reservoirs have been examined in Travale/Italien having metamorphic rocks and in Hengill/Island (volcanic rocks). They are also examining two deposits with medium-temperature in deep sediment rocks in Groß-Schönebeck/Germany and Skierniewice/Poland.
The implications of the results of “I-GET” would be felt worldwide. Geothermal experts from Indonesia, New Zealand, Australia, Japan and the USA also participated in the “I-GET” project. There were 120 scientists and industry representatives from the 20 countries.
“Reliable geothermal technologies are in demand worldwide. Even countries with a long experience in geothermal energy such as Indonesia and New Zealand are interested in the results acquired in I-GET,” says Dr. Ernst Huenges. Therefore, we hope that this “I-GET” will give the necessary push to the geothermal research. GFZ is currently establishing an International Centre for Geothermal Research, which will, focus on carrying out application-oriented large-scale projects on a national and international level.
Source: www.alternative-energy-news.info/geothermal-energy-intelligent-use-of-earths-heat/

3rd Wind Power Africa Conference & Renewable Energy Exhibition

AFRICAN WIND ENERGY ASSOCIATION is proud to announce the 3rd annual Wind Power Africa Conference & Renewable Energy Exhibition to take place on 9-11 May 2011 in Cape Town, South Africa.
The 3rd Wind Power Africa Conference & Renewable Energy Exhibition is the premier international event on wind energy in Africa hosted by the African Wind Energy Association in partnership with other African and international organizations. A powerful networking platform, the event will bring together key African and international stakeholders from the public and private sectors with the aim to unlock Africa’s wind energy potential.
This event will examine the current and future wind energy markets in Africa and highlight attractive business opportunities, with in depth analysis and country case studies. The 3rd Wind Power Africa Conference & Renewable Energy Exhibition will take place from 9 – 11 May 2011 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in Cape Town, South Africa featuring a high-profile Conference & Renewable Energy Exhibition, Site Visits, a Networking Cocktail, Gala Dinner and Spouses Programme over the 3-day period.
Source: http://www.afriwea.org/events/wpa2011

Geothermal projects get started in USA

The United States’ geothermal industry is cautiously celebrating the return of investors to hot projects that had cooled off with the recession.
The Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) expects at least a half-dozen idled projects to finally begin construction in the next three years thanks to $6 billion in renewed investments, including a $96.8 million U.S. Department of Energy loan guarantee announced last week for the 23 MW Neal Hot Springs power plant in Eastern Oregon.
“There are probably more geothermal projects under development today in the United States than there has ever been in U.S. history,” said GEA Executive Director Karl Gawell.
The GEA hopes to release better estimates at the end of the month, so it is still unclear how many projects will actually get enough funding for completion. For now, Gawell says he has accumulated anecdotal evidence that more investors are picking up where they left off in 2008 and 2009.
Though exploration has all but stopped, the industry is hopeful that the extension of the Section 1603 Tax Credit program could provide a cash incentive for new development. Some say federal grants could also help jump-start investment in rapidly advancing low-temperature technology, creating the potential for a new wave of next-generation projects.
Some of the biggest geothermal developers are not yet convinced that 2011 will be the time to invest in the costly drilling of new exploration wells. Since the U.S. has become mired in the politics of climate change, there are no guarantees that cash grants through a one-year tax credit extension will sustain growth beyond 2011.
Yes even amid all the uncertainty in the U.S., Ormat and other developers are focusing attention overseas, where developing countries view geothermal resources as less expensive alternatives to coal power plants.
“When things are slow in the U.S. … our sales folks are developing projects in the ring of fire region in places with prolific geothermal resources, like Indonesia,” said Ormat spokesman Paul Thompson.
GEA estimates the addition of at least 1,000 MW of U.S.-based geothermal projects in the next three years.

Source: www.renewableenergyworld.com

A floating house along Danube river

The Romanian Naval Authority took the opportunity and created a floating house also known as Pontoon Bedroom.
They got their inspiration from a vacation house that was located in the Danube Delta, residing closer to water and carrying the advantage of being mobile. Due to this advantage of mobility, it can be shifted to different locations depending upon the season and needs of tourists.
The advantages consist in:
  • No maintenance costs
  • Stability at much higher weight, even under the influence of waves and wind pressure
  • Ability to check the inside of the float and react immediately in case of any problem

Also extremely economical LED lamps provide lightning that are powered by 12 V batteries. The batteries are loaded by wind turbines and solar panels. There is also a heat engine generator for powering the batteries if they do not get enough power. Solar panels and instant gas also provide hot water.

Source: http://www.ecofriend.com/

Renewable Energy World Conference & Expo North America

Renewable Energy World Conference & Expo North America will be one of the prominent events dedicated to promote renewable energy. In the event, Aerotek Energy Services will be participating as exhibitor and will also get an opportunity to showcase their products and services like Solar, Biofuel, Wind, Geothermal and Hydro.
Renewable Energy World Conference & Expo North America holds various seminars, training programs, discussion, demonstrations and lots more to improve energy efficiency and to promote renewable energy sources. It will be a great opportunity for the participants to interact with the professionals and experts pertaining to renewable energy at this event.
Timing: 03/08/-03/10/2011
Source:http://www.biztradeshows.com/trade-events/renewable-energy-world.html