Greenbuild, the US Green Building Council's annual convention, is going to be featuring Al Gore as its keynote speaker later this year. A couple years ago, it was Bill Clinton who gave the keynote address. These guys recognize the importance of greening our buildings as part of the nation's move to improve overall energy efficiency. What about the sitting politicians in government now; do they believe the same, or are they willing to accept the status quo?
Navy Testing Biofuels in Fighter Jets
The Navy has put out a call to biofuel producers for 40,000 gallons of their best JP-5 aviation biofuel for use in test flights of the F/A - 18 Super Hornet. The Navy will decide by the end of the month who gets the contract for the test flights. The choice of company will determine what feedstock will be used in the fuel, but jatropha, camelina and algae are all likely to be in the running and no food crops are being considered. Regardless of which type of feedstock is chosen, it will be used in a 50/50 blend with petroleum-based jet fuel for the tests.
Peugot Plans Diesel Hybrid for Double Efficiency
It's always been the party line for European car companies that diesel engines save you more gas for less money than hybrid systems. Which is why Peugeot is so late to the hybrid game. Of course, that doesn't mean that they're abandoning diesel. In fact, they'll likely be the first to combine clean diesel engines with a hybrid drive train. The 3008 crossover will likely be the first vehicle to get the hybrid system. The system always has the front wheels powered by the diesel engine, while the back wheels are powered by the electric system. This allows for on-demand 4WD, as well as regenerative braking and added power through they hybrid system when needed.
Solar Efficiency Record Hits New High
A team of researchers at the University of New South Wales in Australia have set a new record for solar cell efficiency. A new multi-cell combination can convert 43 percent of sunlight to electricity, beating the previous record of 42.7 percent. While it's not a huge leap ahead, it does get us closer to that pivotal 50 percent mark.
Digital Music Can Save the Planet
Not to go against Elvis Costello, but it turns out that digital music, not radio, is a sound salvation, at least when it comes to fighting climate change. A new study conducted by researchers from Carnegie Mellon University, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Stanford University confirms what we already assumed: downloading music cuts energy consumption and CO2 emissions compared to shopping at your local record store. Digitizing wins again.
Tokyo Taxis to Go Electric with Better Place
Better Place, the start up that wants to bring electric car charging and battery swapping stations to the masses, has announced a partnership with Tokyo's Niho Kotsu taxi company. The taxi fleet will be the first to go all-electric with swappable batteries. The partners will commence on a pilot project using Better Place's infrastructure in January 2010. The project's battery-swapping station will be located in the Roppongi Hills area of Tokyo.
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