Climate change, ecology, nature, environment, eco-friendly politics, non-profit projects, human rights, preservation, wildlife... all that we care about.
Last month, there was a Solar Decathlon in Europe.
It all started in 2007, when the US Government and the Government of Spain’s Ministry of Housing signed an agreement to organize a sustainable solar architecture competition in Europe. The US actually started having Solar Decathlon competitions in 2002. This year’s Europe competition included 19 top universities [...]
While oil spill news continues to look bleak, the solar industry is on the rise.
Yesterday, US President Barack Obama announced the awarding of about $2 billion to two solar energy companies that agreed to build new solar power plants in the US. This means more renewable energy and thousands of new jobs will soon be [...]
When it comes to Egypt, most news reports tend to be about the latest archaeological findings. This report is not about that.
This great desert nation will finally have its first solar energy plant by the end of the year. The plant will be one of only 4 plants with a 140-megawatt capacity in the entire [...]
Sweden is sure making some interesting headlines this week when it comes to energy sources. First, there was the issue of the Greenpeace protest at a nuclear power plant. Now, however, I’m happy to report somewhat better news.
This Scandinavian nation plans to build Europe’s largest wind park, which will contain 1,101 wind turbines. The Markbygden [...]
Right now, the Berlin Air Show (ILA) is happening through June 13th. A world first even is expected to happen at the show: the revealing of an aircraft that uses 100% algae-based fuel, by EADS (European Aeronautic Defense and Space).
The craft being used for the grand unveiling is a Diamond D42 four-seater—the first diesel-powered plane [...]
The US is planning to build its first freshwater offshore wind farm and the location of choice is Lake Erie.
Many of you may think: “Aren’t they already planning to build an offshore wind farm near Cape Cod?”—well, yes, they are and technically that one would have been the first. However, the Lake Erie Energy [...]
The wheel has been regarded as one of the best inventions of all time; it’s simple and yet it has so many uses. Over the years, people have wondered how to improve on such a design; some have even attempted to and while it’s always nice to make an effort, they haven’t always succeeded. However, [...]
Even though they can’t seem to get a climate bill finished for the life of them, the US government has a chance to go green—for free!
Sungevity is making quite a nice offer to President Obama: a rooftop solar panel system for the White House, for free. The deal would include a 17.85 kW system with [...]
Indonesia is making a rather bold move in the realm of renewable energy. How bold? They’ve recently launched a plan to tap volcano power for geothermal energy purposes.
Considering their vast island chain (an archipelago of 17,000 islands) holds hundreds of volcanoes and at least 40% of the world’s geothermal energy potential, this kind of move [...]
Finland announced plans to step up and meet EU requirements on cutting greenhouse gas emissions this week.
The EU requirement is to raise the share of renewable energy to 38% of energy consumption by 2020. In order to meet this goal, Finland must raise renewable energy production by 38 terawatt hours. How do they plan [...]
Imagine if someone found a way to bring more renewable energy to the grid. Imagine if it would increase grid reliability. Imagine if all that power came from garbage trucks, postal trucks, and school buses.
PJM Interconnection is working on making all that imagination a reality. PJM is a regional electricity transmission organization (RTO) that provides [...]
US residents have been rather upset about the new health reform lately and understandably so. However, there is at least one positive piece of health related news to report: The largest nonprofit HMO in the US is going solar.
Kaiser Permanente is based in Oakland, California, and has nearly 200,000 employees and physicians, plus over 400 [...]
Do you live in Europe? If you do, I have a bit of good news for you. PricewaterhouseCoopers announced that all of Europe’s electricity needs may come completely from renewable energy sources by 2050.
According to the report, the goal is to create a “super-smart” grid. This grid will be powered by solar farms in North [...]
Towns and cities around the globe have embraced the use of renewable energy. Most of the time, you’ll hear about people switching to solar or wind power, but the Oregon town of Klamath Falls took the road less traveled. This town of 20,000 is one of the few that uses geothermal power—for just about everything [...]
When we think of solar panels, we typically either visualize them on roofs or scattered about a desert somewhere. However, thanks to some innovative work, we may soon see them elsewhere—and in colder climates, too.
Recently, the new SyracuseCoE building (with LEED Platinum certification) was dedicated. This center was designed to be used as a living [...]
Germany may be number one when it comes to solar power in the EU, but they are about to get some heavy competition from Italy.
Italy plans to open Europe’s most powerful solar power plant later this year. The plant will be constructed by the US company SunEdison—the top solar power company in the US and [...]
The Soil Clock is a Dutch design by Marieke Staps. With this design, Marieke graduated in 2008 from the Design Academy in Eindhoven. This cute clock is an ecological alternative for those seeking to achieve a sustainable lifestyle. The Soil Clock or Mud Clock (like the Dutch call it) works using the soil of two [...]
The world today faces two main problems: the economy and the environment. Some would suggest these 2 issues go hand-in-hand. Many have different ideas on how to deal with them. However, very few can agree on what should be done about them. Recently, I was sent a rather interesting video that gives some interesting ideas [...]
Germany has talked about cutting back on solar energy support and withdrawing wind power supplied to Taiwan as of late. The question is: Why?
According to a member of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s CDU party, their reasoning for cutting back on supporting the solar energy industry is because they don’t want the market to overheat. Germany is [...]
Social networking giant Facebook has received a lot of press lately and most of it hasn’t been good.
First, news came out that their new data center would be powered by coal. Then, Change.org ran a petition in an attempt to get them to switch to a more renewable power source. Now, Facebook comes head-to-head with [...]
If you are searching for a job these days, you may have noticed that some job search websites now offer a green career option. A company may use renewable energy or they may have a recycling program. Perhaps they offer incentives for carpooling, energy saving or other environmental practices; or maybe they are really a [...]
Facebook made headlines recently when they opted to have their new data center powered by coal (supposedly because it was a cheaper way to go).
Anyone who has at least some knowledge of coal usage is aware that coal is an extreme pollutant. It’s the number one cause of global warming and it also has an [...]
If you’ve ever checked out sites like Recyclart.org, you’ll know of all the awesome (and sometimes crazy) things people create from recycled products. What if someone decided to do something a bit differently with their art; say, create art that also generates energy? Well, look no further, because it’s being done now.
Elizabeth Monoian and Robert [...]
While the United States and other countries offer incentives for development in the renewable energy industry, China passes laws that require it. A New York Times article highlights the ways in which China is beating the pants off other nations when it comes to making clean energy. For example, China now leads the world in [...]
Solar panels have officially become mainstream: You’ll see them on homes, offices, schools, and so forth. It certainly would be great if everyone could have them. Unfortunately, they are quite unaffordable for most, with costs being around $20,000 or more. Everyone can’t afford that kind of investment, even through credit cards and even if it [...]
Those of you who followed GreenFudge last year may remember a story about the Biotruck Expedition: an old, salvaged school bus that traveled to Asia on french fry (chip) fat and biodiesel made from cooking oil. Why? They were (or actually, still are) trying to travel around the world without emitting more than 2 tons [...]
Having already made great strides in renewable energy production in the form of massive wind and photovoltaic solar panel projects, China is now building solar power plants of another type: concentrating solar power. Concentrating solar plants use large numbers of mirrors which generate electricity by capturing heat and producing steam. Europe and the United States [...]
Nine European nations are preparing to draw up plans for the first clean energy project of its kind: A renewable supergrid.
A network of undersea cables would span thousands of miles (kilometers) and cost up to €30 billion (over $43 billion). It would also act as a solution to one of the biggest problems faced by [...]
For decades, perhaps centuries, there has been one great, never-ending battle: the expansion of man and industry vs. the preservation and existence of all other natural life.
What happens when you pit two factions on the same side against one another? Big problems, that’s what. California’s BrightSource Energy company has been pushing for permission to erect [...]
Chalk another one up for the efficiency of authoritarian rule. According to an article from Reuters, the government of China has passed a law requiring power grid operators to buy ‘all the electricity produced by renewable energy generators’. This will encourage the use of power from renewable sources such as wind and solar energy plants [...]
