Move Over MPG, There’s a New Way to Measure Efficiency

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Robert Hash

Wh/kg is the new way to measure efficiency for vehicles; well, EVs and hybrids at least.

Wh/kg stands for watt hours per kilogram, and it is a measurement of energy density. Essentially, the higher the Wh/kg number, the more energy-dense the battery. Energy-dense batteries can be smaller and lighter, and thus hold great potential for creating highly efficient vehicles.

One company, Envia Systems, has recently claimed it has created a battery with 400 Wh/kg. That’s a big deal. The claim was tested, and confirmed by Naval Service Warfare Center, Crane Division, which means Envia has a world record on their hands.

Read more about Envia’s new battery here. You can also find out more about GM’s recent investment in the company here.

Friday Green Video: The Warriors of Qiugang

Posted on February 24, 2012 by Robert Hash

It’s Friday, and the Oscars are coming up. Normally that doesn’t mean much for a blog that focuses on green, but today that’s different. That’s because today we’re sharing an Academy Award-Nominated (2011) documentary about a heavily polluted area of China called Quigang.

The Warriors of Qiugang “tells the story of how the villagers fought to transform their environment, and, in the process, found themselves transformed as well.” The documentary is a production of Yale Environment 360. If you haven’t visited Yale Environment 360, you’re missing out; it’s full of great environmental information, reports and opinions.

Click the image to be taken to the documentary.

Water Efficiency Goes High-Tech, Sleek

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Robert Hash

Behance Network water meter

This isn’t your father’s water meter. This is a lean, mean, water-saving machine.

Unfortunately it isn’t available for purchase yet, (at least we can’t find it) but the water meter shown below, designed by Marc Schomann, would integrate easily into existing systems, power itself and send water use data directly to wireless devices.

water meter installed

Of course, what good is the data without a useful means to interpret it? Not much. Mr. Schomann doesn’t disappoint on this aspect of his design, as shown below.

Untitled from Marc S on Vimeo.

Green Your Commute with This New App

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Robert Hash

eco:speed app
Have you ever found yourself driving to work, constantly hitting red lights? Do you often slow down, to almost a complete stop, only to have the light turn green – and your fuel efficiency plunge? If so, read on.

Stop-and-go driving (and the fuel-wasting that goes with it) has been tormenting commuters for as long as anyone can remember, but one company eco:Speed, and it’s iPhone app, wants to help. eco:Speed does more than get you from point A to point B in the fewest miles possible. The program also factors in the number of stop signs and traffic lights on your route, and recommends speeds to keep you moving towards your destination and better fuel economy.

Visit eco:Speed to learn more, and find out when the full app will be released (a demo is currently available, so give it a try first)!

Green Building Skills Training Funding Announced

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Robert Hash

MEP logo

At the end of last week, the DOE and Commerce Department announced that they had teamed up to provide $1.3 million for green building skills training through the Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program.

The funding is intended for training programs that will increase energy efficiency, reduce waste, and save money – from 5% to 20% on energy bills alone.

Read more about the available funds here.

National Mall Goes Energy Efficient

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Robert Hash

It’s Friday, and we’re catching up on some things we’ve missed over the past few weeks. One of them was the installation of LED lighting on the National Mall. The new bulbs are expected to reduce lighting energy use by 65%.

Adding the new bulbs to the Mall was a team effort, and at the lighting ceremony, Sec. Chu and Sec. Salazar thanked Pepco, OSRAM SYLVANIA, and Siemens for donating their skills and materials to make the project a reality.

Read more about the Mall’s new bulbs here.

EIA Predicts Future U.S. Electricity Mix

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Robert Hash

EIA energy predictions

A few days ago, the EIA published its Annual Energy Outlook 2012 Early Release. In the Outlook, the EIA looks at past energy trends (1990-2010), considers current law and subsidies, and then predicts the future energy mix for the nation’s electricity.

The graph above shows that they expect renewables to grow, but for coal to remain the main source of electricity. For more, visit the EIA.

Tidal Energy Project Takes Shape in New York’s East River

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Robert Hash

Verdant Power has been testing blade designs for its tidal power units since 2002. Early testing focused on creating a durable and efficient blade design. Since then, through support from the DOE, Verdant has been able to develop blades and turbines that “ are stronger and more reliable – allowing them to capture more energy from faster currents at greater depths and at a lower cost.”

Now, the company has received a 10-year pilot license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to generate 1,050 kilowatts of power from New York’s East River. This is the first commercial license for tidal power in the U.S., and FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff called it a “major step in the effort to help our country meet our renewable energy goals.”

Energy Company Takes the Plunge on Wave Power

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Robert Hash

Wave power is one of those technologies that has yet to come of age, but that many believe holds great promise. Now, across the pond, one company has decided to give it a try.

Ecotricity, a UK-based company that has traditionally built wind turbines, is now developing Searaser, an invention that “harnesses the almost constant power of ocean swells to create electricity on demand.” Below you’ll find a drawing of how the Searaser works, and a short video of what the technology will look like once installed.

Searaser

Meet America’s Top Energy Innovators

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Robert Hash

As chosen by public vote and expert review from the Department of Energy, here are the three winners of the DOE’s “America’s Next Top Energy Innovator” challenge.