Sky Sails Use Wind Propulsion to Reduce Shipping Fuel Consumption
The use of Beluga Sky Sails towing kites to propel ocean-going freighters can save 10-50% of fuel usage. Imagine a kite the size of a football field pulling boats across the oceans. Instead of using a sail attached to a mast, like ocean crossing vessels of yore, a Sky Sails towing kite looks like a paraglider in the sky above the ship.
Based in Nicaragua, Llamadas Pedaleadas brings affordable, renewable cell phone service to the people. By using a car alternator, a vendor can use pedal power to charge the batteries on the cell phones and bring telephones to the people, who usually go to call shops rather than use their expensive personal cell phones.
Celebrating Human Ingenuity for Earth Day: The Air Powered Motorcycle
Happy Earth Day! Of course, every day is Earth Day, and here at Really Natural, we want to celebrate individual human ingenuity at solving the climate crisis on this special day. We've told you about the 16-year-old that converted his truck to an EV and the revolutionary car that runs on compressed air, now Jem Stansfield, a University of Bristol graduate with a degree in aeronautics, created a bike that runs on air. By strapping two high-pressure tanks onto the side of his Puch moped, Jem created this moped in his garage that has a top speed of 18 mph and travels seven miles before the compressed air runs out. Via: EcoGeek
Solar Thermal Power Could Supply 90 Percent of US Electrical Needs
Ausra Inc., a developer of utility-scale solar thermal power technology, has published a peer-reviewed study stating that over 90 percent of the U.S. electric grid energy needs, including the auto fleet, could be met by solar thermal power. David Mills, chief scientific officer and founder at Ausra, stated:
The U.S. could nearly eliminate our dependence on coal, oil and gas for electricity and transportation, drastically slashing global warming pollution without increasing costs for energy," . "This new study shows that our daily and annual energy needs closely match the energy production potential from solar thermal power plants with heat energy storage, and our models show solar thermal power will cost less than continuing to import oil.
The less appliances and gadgets I have the better, so combining a wall clock with a smoke alarm sounds like a great idea to me. The Quantys Solar Clock requires solar charging once a year and doubles as a smoke alarm. This atomic clock is silent and perhaps the modern equivalent of a sundial using the sun to power its batteries.
Is it a Toilet? Is it a Washing Machine? It's Both!
I am always up for gadgets that multi-task and simplify life, but I am not sure how I feel about the WashUP washer and toilet combination. This appliance takes soapy water that drains from the washing machine and uses it to flush the toilet. I think that is a good idea, and it would help keep the toilet cleaner by using greywater from the washer, but what happens when you unload the washing machine and drop a clean sock into the toilet?
When I took an alternative energy course at Humboldt State University over ten years ago, the Real Goods Solar Living Source Book was our textbook. This book is the definitive source for renewable technologies and sustainable living. Even if you don't plan to install solar panels in your home, you can learn a lot from this book. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the Real Goods Solar Living Source Book includes brand new sections on Peak Oil, Climate Change, Relocalization, Natural Burial, Biodynamics and Permaculture. Other expanded chapters include:
Land & Shelter
Natural Building
Passive Solar
Biofuels
Sustainable Transportation
Grid-tied Photovoltaics
Solar Hot Water Systems
This book covers it all and is a basic reference for almost all things green!
Sky Sails Use Wind Propulsion to Reduce Shipping Fuel Consumption
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