'GREEN' Initiatives, Products and Systems.

[Mike Lucey]

I think many of us here have more than a passing interest in things 'GREEN'. This thread will be dedicated to the various initiatives, products and systems that are being developed and launched currently.

To kick things off!

Rawlemon Solar Devices

Andre Broessel, a German architect, has been working on the development of a high efficiency solar collector devices and has launched his project on Indegogo to raise €120K and I am happy to see that he has passed the €200K mark. http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/rawlemon-solar-devices

This ingeniously designed system claims, 'We are actually able to produce +70% of energy than conventional PV Panels!' This will change the ball game when it comes to solar energy collection using buildings.

The challenge, *'The problem is low efficiency: the vast majority of PhotoVoltaic panels worldwide have a performance of just 15% or lower: and if the panels aren't tracking the movement of the sun in the sky, there are further losses of 40% during the year.'

'When I discovered that the ball lens is the perfect sun tracker for solar applications because of it's geometry, I realised that it was a chance for us all to reconsider the way we produce renewable energy'*

[Mike Lucey]

We here in Ireland could have up to 2,300 giant wind turbines being built across the midlands between now and 2020 to supply 5,000 megawatts (MW) of power to the British market. However, the agreement has run into problems due the the UK plans for fracking.

If you don't have an export market its looks unlikely that this huge multi billion investment probably won't go ahead as it currently very expensive to 'store' wind power generated electricity.

All may not be lost if according to New Scientist, Batteries of ice, iron and glass store renewable power
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg22129595.600-batteries-of-ice-iron-and-glass-store-renewable-power.html

With these technologies it should be possible to store the energy reasonably cheaply and it looks that low cost hydrogen could be generated. I note that a number of car manufactures are developing hydrogen vehicles, BMW, Honda come to mind.

While the towers do look terrible on the landscape, the good may outweigh the bad. Now if these turbines can be made safer for birds? There looks to be some simple enough methods under test that look promising. In Norway UV lights are proving effective and the intention is to go on to test UV-reflecting paint. Paint has an advantage over UV light in that it can be applied during the production of the turbine.

[Mike Lucey]

THE GREEN LOOP

'THE IDEA: The Green Loop is a composting hub and park, and part of a larger proposal for a network of ten waterfront composting hubs in New York City.'

'The Green Loop has a street-level composting facility with an elevated public park on top thats large enough to accommodate anything from educational facilities and neighborhood gardens to cross-country skiing in the winter. New York City has less open space per person than almost every major city in the country, and the Green Loop alleviates two major urban problems at once'.

More details and images may be found here, http://www.presentarchitecture.com/

[Mike Lucey]

Keeping an eye on Green Vehicles, I have just watched the launch of the new Tesla Model X and was extremely impressed with what Tesla are going to produce. The Model X is a very capable SUV (Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive), People Carrier (7 Adults and good luggage space), Sports Car (quicker that a Carrera!) and a decent effort at a being a Van when required!

For me the best part of this is that these cars are being designed and built in CA, USA. Its about time that USA got serious about car design and manufacturing and Tesla is definitely leading the way. I'd imagine many Americans that currently drive BMWs will be seriously looking at the Tesla Model X now!

The launch presentation video is here,
http://youtu.be/mURbzh9t0_0
and it worth watching how the rear 'Falcon Wing' doors operate.