Energy isn’t a topic on which we’ve heard Bill Gates speak as much as his entrepreneurial and charitable work, but the founder of Microsoft is investing heavily in innovation of zero-carbon energy generation – a subject about which he has long been passionate.

Gates has centred his energy projects in mind of the goals of environmental living, namely that it is not enough simply to find new ways of generating energy, but to do so with no carbon emissions.

Bill Gates has admitted that zero-carbon electricity is a significant challenge.

His investments tend to adopt the premise that there is no one direct route to creating energy without damaging the environment – rather, he believes it better to fund a variety of different approaches. Researchers involved with Gates have made incredible progress in lower carbon emission reductions.

Gates himself has started a company based around nuclear energy, which at first may seem odd, but he believes it a feasible approach that overcomes many of the traditional barriers in generating carbon free technology.

Gates is mindful that he can’t address the problem of CO2 alone – making it clear that many projects and initiatives are needed and inter-communication between them is essential.

In energy, innovation really is the word of the day, not just within technology but in changing attitudes towards energy generation itself.

High earners may well be able to put up with paying more for their electricity, and be in a position to consume less. Yet for the poor, these lifestyle choices are often a luxury they simply cannot afford. Bill Gates has emphasised in statements that putting constraints on the poor has serious consequences. People may not have as much access to drinking water, fertilizer, and be unable to travel to their workplace.

The advancement of civilisation, believes Gates, has and will depend on energy becoming less expensive. Energy conservation, he states, is useful in achieving reduced energy use – yet what is needed is not mere efficiency, but a new dynamic in generating electricity that can meet the growing demand for energy in a carbon friendly way.

It’s clear why a foresighted investor such as Bill Gates is interested in such a fascinating topic: it fits the innovation framework, and yet there is a sizable role for profit within the private sector. Companies will see the benefit in their own firms. It’s true that many of these companies will fail in the act – in fact the vast majority will not come up with a winning solution.

But all that is needed, according to Gates’ press releases, is a few initiatives to succeed. In so doing this success helps the poor and greatly contributes in getting man-made climate change under control.

If the likes of Bill Gates can come together through funding and research, the result will be a win both for the health of the planet and developing nations hungry to meet increasing energy demands in a cost efficient way.

Recently a California-based company named Alta Devices announced the news that it had achieved a record for the efficiency of an individual solar cell.

Alta Devices have broken their own previous record of 23.5% and the new efficiency levels of 27.6% has been verified by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Alta Devices makes solar panels using gallium arsenide. Gallium arsenide is a more efficient material than the silicon-based cells which are currently more prevalent.

To keep prices down the company uses remarkably small amounts of gallium and arsenic. This is done by creating layers of gallium arsenide only a micron thick.

The development of the new panels is still only in a pilot stage, but the company has apparently started to plan for full scale and commercial production. The company has crossed one major hurdle by setting a high conversion record, but moving this panel into the general market is another.

Yet every incremental improvement is a crucial step toward bringing solar power into a truly competitive range with fossil fuels.

The CEO of Alta Devices, Christopher Norris said in a press release ”We are committed to using new scientific understanding, such as internal light generation and extraction, to push the limits of solar cell and module efficiencies while simultaneously driving production costs down through other important developments. The goal of achieving the $1 per installed watt target set by the Department of Energy has energized our entire company.”

The Department Of Energy’s goal he mentioned is part of the SunShot Initiative. The initiative aims to bring solar costs down to 5 cents per kilowatt-hour.

Technology makes life easier and more convenient.

With the advancements in software and micro chip design, technology has enabled consumers to reduce their carbon footprint by consolidating many devices into one.

For instance, it is no longer necessary to carry a camera, or an mp3 player, or a GPS or a laptop or a gaming console or an eBook.

Instead a compact Smartphone can do the work of all the above mentioned devices and proves the proverb that “good things come in small packages”.

Due to the personal nature of this mobile technology, we as consumers can modify our behaviour and consumption habits.

For example, there are now apps available to help you conserve resources in the home. Both water and electricity usage can be monitored thus saving money as well as reducing your home’s reliance on fossil fuels.

With the great revolution in information technology we can be connected with everyone instantly. Communication across the globe facilitates enhancements in education, health and scientific endeavours as pioneers collaborate on projects and share their findings.

The plight of underprivileged people and endangered habitats or animals can be brought to the attention of a global audience. By enabling our children to see the world through the power of technology we are preparing them for a connected future. The security and sustainability of the global community will lie in their hands and it is essential that they feel intrinsically linked to that community.

Technology compels us to do more with less energy, to be resourceful and innovative. In some cases that resourcefulness and drive to innovation is being used to find solutions to problems) in countries where clean, drinking water and a consistent electricity supply are still out of reach of millions of people.

Digitizing
The transformation of the music distribution industry is one of the most significant benefits of digitization.

In the past there were huge costs associated with the packaging and transportation of records, cassettes and CDs. Now the music can be downloaded directly to your device in a matter of seconds with services such as Google Play. Thus reducing the burden on the environment and keeping the energy wasted to a minimum.

The same benefits apply to the legacy of paper documents generated by businesses around the globe. Now these important records can be scanned digitally, archived securely and the actual documents shredded and recycled.

Reading electronic books is also becoming a regular habit for many people. This simple and environmentally friendly activity is far better for our planet than allowing deforestation to continue at its frightening rate.

In part three of Green Efforts, we take a brief tour of Berlin.

A city who, like the previous two destinations, has seen its fair share of hardships, if not more. But the once divided city is now a leading innovator for technology and design, especially in architectural design and transport.

As a world class city, Berlin has a smorgasbord of  amenities to offer and its leading efforts in efficient living are no exception. That said, we will highlight some of Berlin’s greatest green assets, both intentional and accidental.

Bike Friendly
Bike riding is a common practice is Berlin and one of the best ways to tour the city. Many streets have separate bike lanes and drivers are happy to share the road, as most are courteous and respectful to their cycling neighbors.

Velotaxi
As the incubator of the Velotaxi, Berlin’s many streets and districts are well traveled by muscle powered cabs, which are a resourceful alternative to traditional taxis. These open-air coaches can be found around Berlin’s major districts during non-winter months and can be summoned with a simple hand signal.

Public Transport
Thanks to the U-bahn and S-bahn, Berlin has a reliable public transport system that makes traveling through farther stretches of the city enjoyable. Despite being owned by separate companies, the only real difference between the U- and S-bahn are their routes. With a majority of U-bahn covering underground tracks, along with some above ground routes within the city, while S-bahn stops are further apart, making it a faster option, and has routes that stretch beyond the city proper. Many stations in Berlin have platforms for both and travelers can use the same ticket for either one.

Potsdamer Platz
This quarter  is an assemblage of architectural masterpieces, orchestrated by Italian architect Renzo Piano. It could easily be considered the centerpiece of energy efficiency in Berlin. Aside from the historic Haus Huth, all buildings have been built from the 1990s onward and make use of their innovative designs to save significant amounts of energy. The advanced ventilation system of these buildings allow for a 50 percent reduction in energy use. Meanwhile, the roofs of these buildings harvest rainwater and save some 20 million liters of drinking water per year. Still, one of the quarter’s best assets is its lack of delivery traffic. This is due to an underground delivery system, by which trucks inter an underground tunnel from a route outside of the quarter, leading to an basement level supply center. This keeps the streets clean of pollution and allows for easy access to its residents. And so far, has reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 70 percent.

Organic Eateries
As a cosmopolitan city, Berlin serves up a variety of palette please-rs and many vegan and organic restaurants dot the bustling streets and avenues. So if you are wandering around the city on foot or bike, it would be hard not to spot one. A couple vegan cafes of local appraisal are the Viasko bar & restaurant and the Jivamuktea cafe. Both have menus that change either weekly or daily, as ingredients are fresh and served in season.

Low Cost of Living
The cost of living is fairly cheap in Berlin when considering the sophisticated prices of other European capitals. According to a cost comparison between Berlin and other large cities, Berlin’s consumer price is 29.04 percent lower than Paris and 27.18 percent lower than London. Rent in Berlin is also significantly cheaper than the sometimes astronomical prices of other capitals.  Such savings allows for more disposable income, which can be saved for necessities and spent locally to support the economy of  Berlin’s many small businesses, which account for much of its street-life and livelihood.

Resource
Image Source

Green Efforts: Intro
Green Efforts: St Louis
Green Efforts: Helsinki

We’re lucky that Blackle Mag is able to bring articles to the world by the power of the internet.

Were it not for the internet, Blackle Mag would have to be published on paper – not exactly the most eco-friendly way of spreading the green message. Paper can, of course, be recycled, but a Spanish company has hit upon a way of making new materials from used paper.

Waste paper was harvested from various locations across the province of Granada and taken to scientific research facilities in the city.

The result: bricks.

Already light-bulbs (hopefully LED) are popping in heads as the potential of making building material from waste paper becomes obvious. Indeed the best ideas often are those that seem so obvious we wonder why they’d never been thought of before.

The wasted paper is mixed with water, preferably from a grey-water system, in other words it uses previously used water in the process. This forms a papier-mâché that isn’t particularly easy on the eye but when mixed with quaternary clay and left to dry, the result is a pretty efficient building block.

The original organic nature of paper makes it a great tool in the reversal of heat transfer – already homes are using wasted paper as a means of insulation. Bricks made from paper are a clear evolution in creating homes built around the environment rather than adapted to it, the latter being more difficult and often expensive. Houses built with these new bricks are, say scientists, likely to have excellent heat conservation – good news for the environment, and your heating bills.

Do they work?

There does always seem to be a downside when it comes to new technology, especially in emerging markets such as green infrastructure. The answer is yes, to a point. These paper bricks (they’re pretty hard by the end of the process) cannot take as much weight as our traditional clay block. Yet many developing countries are building temporary homes that do not require traditional bricks, and so there is most definitely a market, particularly in Africa.

Rome was not built in a day, in clay or paper – but if continuing tests are successful, we could see yet more building materials made from recycled waste.

This is the ultimate goal in sustainability. Complete control over the circle of material is the green Utopia. It isn’t so much that ‘bricks from paper’ is a tremendous leap forward – the achievement is in adopting a mode of thinking that considers ideas as simple as these.

After all, green technology will only ever go as far as our imaginations allows.

Image: Courtesy of designboom

While more efforts are being taken to generate energy through various methods very little research is being done on the field of storing energy. This is an extremely significant criterion because energy demands will not be the same all the time and there must be an efficient system to store the produced energy.

Air medium is used for many purposes such as communication, transportation etc, but the next generation energy storage will be carried out with the help of air.

Compressed Air Energy Storage may look like a new concept but it has a history dating way back. During late 1970’s this compressed air technology was used but in a different, less technical way. In Germany underground caves were used to store compressed air and a similar one now exists in Alabama.

However, there are a few problems with compressed air energy storage such as the thermodynamic effect where the gas gets heated up when it is compressed. But researches have created new prototypes to make it more efficient. Though this method of storing energy is considered quite energy efficient, the Alabama plant ends up burning an amount of natural gas to reheat the compressed air equal to about 1/3 of what it would use for direct combustion power generations. This makes the whole energy efficient storage concept slightly absurd. Another associated problem is the location for the plant which needs to meet certain criteria.

A new prototype of compressed Air energy storage has been created by a company called SustainX which looks more energy efficient and cheaper compared to existing models. The idea is to use high pressure bottles instead of caves or underground structures which require particular a geographic area and other necessary requirements.

Another attractive side is the Energy Bag. In many cases, high pressure vessels or cave structures are used to contain the air under high pressure and the energy bag is a lightweight (75 kilograms or 165 pounds) bag that can store pressurized air sufficiently to provide 70 megawatt hours of storage. This method does not require natural gas like the Alabama plant and therefore it is clean as well as energy efficient.

Image and article source

We’ve heard it time and time again in the news – “LEED is fine, but these touted green buildings use more energy than other buildings”. Or “LEED is great, but the buildings use more energy than predicted!”  Hold on – let’s take a look.

First, many LEED buildings do use more energy than other buildings.  What is being compared? A science lab from 1940 will have entirely different usage parameters for energy, even if upgraded, than a science lab from 2012.

A classroom of today employs better lighting and more controls and hopefully includes exceptional insulation and integration of daylight, but it also has more plugs, higher demand vending machines, a projector in every room, and higher air quality requirements pushing more conditioned air through the systems.

We each use much more delivered energy today for nearly every task than we did even 20 years ago. Times and processes have changed.

Let’s also address the “more energy than predicted” part.  I would hope the buildings still use less energy than code.  If the predictions were too heavy handed, ok, but ideally the building should be more efficient than your average or code compliant building.  Remember that meeting code means you just avoided breaking the law, and we can do so much better.

Even so, we have a clear and growing need to better control the operations of our buildings.

The new LEED V4 rating system, to be released in 2013, is including much more attention to the actual performance of the buildings, and putting more weight on controls and maintenance.  This will of necessity include training the building operators and the occupants to be engaged partners in running these more efficient buildings.

Now that we have green buildings we will learn to run them better.

Refrigerators are one of the best inventions of all time. Ever since their creation, refrigerators have found their vital place in both the rich and middle-class homes to preserve food and to provide cooled food.

The basic principle of cooling the box has never changed but the body, colour and structure are the factors which differentiate modern refrigerators from the older ones. A Massey University (in New Zealand) third year undergraduate student, Ben de la Roche, has come up with the idea of a new refrigeration “wall” which has absolutely no door and displays all the food so that you don’t forget about your leftovers.

The proposed wall looks like a honeycomb structure made of hexagonal chambers; each chamber is covered by a plate which gives way when you place an item in the wall. When the item is inserted and pushed in it is refrigerated via a number of pins around it.

“How many times have you put leftovers in the fridge and forgotten about them, only to come back a week later and find them spoiled? Impress is a refrigeration wall that holds your food and drinks for you, out in the open and not behind closed doors so you will always remember the lunch you prepared for work or find that midnight snack with ease” said de la Roche proudly about his design.

Impress has received a great response because of its innovative design (not a USB fridge or a car fridge) that not only looks impressive but wins with its power and energy savings that intelligently cools items placed in the hexagonal wall. The fewer items placed in the wall the less power the fridge uses.  On a practical note, because there is no door and it is transparent it reminds busy people of their refrigerated leftovers.

De la Roche is one of 10 finalists in International Electrolux Design Lab 2012 award competition; the winner of this competition will receive $6,400 and an internship at Electrolux.

Designs like these from Generation Y are desperately needed to save us power in the future.

http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/about-massey/news/article.cfm?mnarticle_uuid=3C2EE5C4-97C5-DAE0-E805-6A9AD5E911A7

In Lewis carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, Alice comes across the famous cat from Cheshire which discusses philosophy with Alice. After the talk the cat grins and disappears. The cat is gone but the grin stays. Electronic devices like Integrated circuits and CMOS have become an important part of life but what do we do once we are done with them? Throw them away? But this causes e-waste piles and it is estimated that these kinds of e-waste alone account up to 70% of toxic wastes currently found in landfills and a good percentage in the sea too.

Electronic devices like pacemakers and sensors are implanted inside our bodies for various vital reasons. The trouble with them is that once they are past their use we remove them by surgery and simply throw them out. How nice would it be if these devices were like Alice’s Cheshire cat?? Now it seems there could be devices that do their work and dissolve in our body and comes out through the body as liquid.

Dr. John Rogers of University of Illinois and his group teamed up with Dr.Fiorenzo Omenetto of Tufts University and have devised an implantable electronic thermal therapy device which can last inside a rat’s body for a few weeks before dissolving away.

To be water soluble, every component of the device must be made of molecules and materials which are water soluble, not the conventional aluminium, rare-earth metal compounds or plastics. To be water soluble magnesium is used as the electrical conductor, MgO and silicon dioxide as dielectrics, specially fabricated nano-membrane silicon semiconductor and so forth in order to build the electro thermal device. The entire device along with transistors, resistors, IC’s, capacitor’s etc. dissolves when kept in deionized water. The device is packed in a sheet of silk, which is specially made so as to stay intact for a set of period of time, after which it dissolves in the body of water, exposing the electronic devices which too dissolves away.

The prototype these scientists have created (for transient thermal therapy) was implanted inside rats through surgery. Weeks later, they found no traces of infection after surgery and the prototype disappeared leaving no trace in the rat’s body.

Such biodegradable electronic devices can have many uses; this concept could also be extended to portable devices like mobile phones which, after use, may also be dissolved in water.

Source: http://rogers.matse.illinois.edu/

A more efficient and consistent alternative to the dated grid system