Green Energy News Items - 3/02/2008
Rainy Day Power
One of the problems with solar power is rainy days. But a new technology is focused on how to harness the energy in falling water i.e. raindrops. French scientists have recently “developed a system that recovers the vibration energy from a piezoelectric structure impacted by a falling raindrop”, energy that can be used to power sensors and other electronics.
Surprisingly, slow-falling raindrops generate the most energy. Not surprisingly, larger raindrops also cause the largest vibration on the piezoelectric material and thus more energy. The scientists are working on practical applications for their system, as well as on a way to store the energy which would provide a steady current. Rain Power: Harvesting Energy From the Sky
PV Cells Even Greener Than We Thought
Everyone knows that solar power is greener than coal or other fossil fuels. The cells basically just soak up the rays and quietly produce electrons, so there’s no pollution and very little environmental impact.
But what about the manufacturing process? PV panels are made from raw materials that must be mined and what about the electricity involved in their production? A recent study looks at just how green PV cells really are and even reports which type is greenest. Photovoltaic Cells Are Still Very Green, Comparative Test Shows
Pollution Sponge
A new material can actually soak up, trap and eliminate pollutants, including some of the worst offenders in the hydrocarbon industry and road traffic emissions. Amazingly, the new material, which is a monolithic carbon aerogel, can also be easily regenerated and used over and over again for several cycles.
Obviously, this technology is badly needed and will have a huge impact on alleviating the health problems associated with aromatic hydrocarbons, which can be toxic even at low levels. New Material Is Capable Of Eliminating Pollutants By The Hydrocarbon Industry
Ceramic Fuel Cells Pick Up The Pace
A five year deal with a Dutch energy firm means that some Dutch homes will soon be using boilers which are powered by a ceramic fuel cell. The cells, called stacks, run on natural gas and turn boilers into small power stations that generate electricity, which can be fed back to the power grid.
Britain, also, has its eye on the ceramic units and they may start showing up in British homes as early as 2009. Because generating electricity in homes is twice as cheap as generating it on a grid, utilities will actually save money with the ceramic fuel cells. Ceramic Fuel Cells gets first major order
Organic Farming Can Trap Carbon
One of the ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is by trapping carbon in the soil, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the European Commission. Using organic fertilizers which can be obtained through composting, can trap more carbon, it seems.
Composting is also earth-friendly in other ways. It reduces waste and recycles plant material and returns nutrients to the soil. Large factory farms have resisted composting, but it is possible on a large scale. Compost Can Turn Agricultural Soils Into a Carbon Sink, Thus Protecting Against Climate Change