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PESWiki News -- March 2007 Archive

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2007

March

March 28,2007

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March 27, 2007

• Waste to Energy > Plasma > EnviroArc® (http://www.enviroarc.com/) - Processes to recover material and energy from waste - leaving virtually no toxic or non-toxic residuals. They are built on four core technologies: gasification, PyroArc® (http://www.enviroarc.com/pyro.asp) plasma decomposition, vitrification and flash smelting. The principles of the waste process are also applicable to gasification of biomass into a fuel gas.
  

• Engines > The Incredible Shrinking Engine (http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/18304/) - A new engine design could significantly improve fuel efficiency for cars and SUVs, at a fraction of the cost of today's hybrid technology. (MIT Technology Review; March 12, 2007)
  

March 26, 2007

• Solar > Concentrated > Solenergy (http://www.solenergy.com.au/) - Sunflower SRC (http://www.solenergy.com.au/SineWaveInverters.htm) Solar Ridge Concentrators are a simple, reliable and low cost way to generate twice as much energy as fixed modules. They have achieved a recordable 12 cents per kW-hour energy cost. Ridge concentrators do not require precise tracking, which makes them very simple in installation and reliable in operation.
  

March 25, 2007

• Krystal Planet > Krystal Planet Markets Available Renewable Energy Devices (http://pesn.com/2007/03/25/9500465_Krystal-Planet/) - Company network presently sells wind, solar, biodiesel and energy conservation products for residential and commercial applications, at competitive price points, with financing available. (PESN; March 25, 2007)
  

March 24, 2007

• Secondary Oscillations > Mehess > Using a Clock Pendulum to Generate Electricity (http://pesn.com/2007/03/24/9500464_BillMahess_pendulum_clock_generator/) - Bill Mehess has invented a system in which a clock pendulum mechanism swings magnets into coils, allegedly generating enough electricity to recharge the clock spring as well as power other devices. (PESN; Mar. 24, 2007)
  

• Flywheels > Piller Power Systems (http://www.piller.com/site/energystore.asp?nav_id=117) - The Powerbridge vertically mounted flywheel and generator is a highly reliable, easily maintainable and environmentally clean source of back up power. Designed to operate within a speed range of 3,600 to 1,500 rpm, it can deliver 10 seconds of ride-through at 1.65 MW load and proportionately longer ride-through at lesser loads.
  

March 23, 2007

• Stirling Engines / Biomass > Stirling Denmark (http://www.stirling.dk/) - Provider of CO2 neutral Combined Heat and Power plant based on a biomass fired Stirling Engine. The advantage for combustion of biomass is that the combustion is not inside the cylinders like in an internal combustion engine. The hot heat exchangers have been designed directly for biomass combustion based on experiences from biomass steam boilers.
  

• Home Generation > CHP > Combined Heat and Power as Small as Your Dishwasher (http://www.aboutmyplanet.com/environment/combined-heat-and-power-as-small-as-your-dishwasher) - The Climate Energy (http://www.climate-energy.com/) Micro-CHP System combines a high-efficiency gas furnace with a natural gas engine/generator module. This combination provides unrivaled total energy efficiency. Combined heat and power means that the fuel normally used to keep a home warm is used twice, first to heat the home and then to produce electric power. (AboutMyPlanet; Feb. 15, 2007)
  

March 22, 2007

• Engines > Linear Combustion Electromagnetic Engines - Index of designs and companies promoting designs in which a lineaer two-piston system drives magnets by induction coils to generate electricity, so that the output energy of combustion is electricity, not torque.
  

• Electric Vehicles > Cleanova testing Fiat Doblo EV (http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/03/21/cleanova-ev-system-now-being-tested-on-fiat-doblo/) - Cleanova (http://www.cleanova.com/) is turning a Fiat Doblo (http://www.micro-vett.it/english/things.html) into an electric vehicle with a 120 km/h speed and 150 kms range, by combining a TM4 electric motor with lithium-ion batteries. The Cleanova system has already been tested on the Renault Kangoo (http://www.whatvan.co.uk/newvans_s.asp?id=3979) and adds about $10,000 to the cost of a vehicle. (AutoblogGreen; Mar. 21, 2007)
  

• Fuel Efficiency > Engines > Volkswagen TSI Twincharger engine (http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/03/21/volkswagen-sells-over-41-000-tsi-engines-in-one-year-on-the-mark/) - Volkswagen's TSI engine provides the power of a larger engine with the fuel efficiency (38mpg) and emissions of a much smaller engine. It uses a combination of both belt-driven supercharger and a turbocharger for on demand power while still achieving high efficiency at low load conditions, at a substantially cheaper cost than a diesel engine. (AutoblogGreen; Mar. 21, 2007)
  

• Wind / Solar > 70% Of Navarra's Power Comes From Wind, Solar (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/03/70_of_navarras.php) - The region of Navarra, in Northeastern Spain, gets approximately 70% of its electricity from the wind and the sun. With 1,100 windmills, this tiny region is capable of generating more electricity from renewable sources than France or Poland. Navarra plans to reach 100% renewable energy generation by 2010. (TreeHugger; Mar. 22, 2007)
  

• Water as Fuel > Hypower Fuel > Dr. Ricketts Joins HyPower Advisory Board (http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/070322/20070322005196.html?.v=1) - Dr. S. Clifton Ricketts, Ph.D. has agreed to sit on the HyPower Fuel Scientific Advisory Board after attended the filming of a live demonstration of their H2 Reactor. "The technology displayed exceeded my expectations," stated Dr. Ricketts. The webcast is in post-production editing and the finished webcast will be available very soon. (Yahoo! Finance; Mar. 22, 2007)
  

March 21, 2007

• Magnets > Quadratic Magnet Gate - When a small magnet is placed into the entrance of a quadratic magnet set-up, it shoots forward. No front-end loading apparent, with work applied by magnets, illustrates that magnets can be a source of free energy, like the wind.
  

• Thermal Electric / Solar > Ergenics - Developing a metal hydride heat engine that converts solar hot water into electricity for an estimated cost of less than 1¢ per kilowatt hour. The solar panels produce hot water which is pumped to a hydrogen compressor, that compresses a gas that is then expanded in a hydraulic motor-generator set that produces electricity.
  

• SEG > Searl on YouTube (http://www.americanantigravity.com/articles/675/1/Searl-on-YouTube/Page1.html) - The Searl Effect Generator has always been hip. It was the first over-unity device anybody had ever heard of, and it defined the meaning of ‘antigravity’ in the 60’s. It was also too difficult and expensive for anybody to replicate, and faded into obscurity by the 80’s. Meet Terry Moore, spokesman for the team bringing the SEG back from the brink. (American Antigravity; Mar. 20, 2007)
  

• Wind / Storage > Compressed air wind turbines (http://www.insidegreentech.com/node/910) - General Compression (http://www.generalcompression.com/) thinks it's found a way to make wind power available on-demand using turbines to compress air and store it underground. A pipeline network collects and stores compressed air and a power plant of expanders and generators produces electricity when needed. Wind farms could sell power during peak demand, making them grid compatible. (Inside Greentech; Mar. 20, 2007)
  

• Solar > Cheaper, More Efficient Solar Cells (http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/18415/) - StarSolar (http://starsolar.net/) aims to capture and use photons that ordinarily pass through solar cells without generating electricity, to cut the cost of solar cells in half while maintaining high efficiency. The technology uses a material called a photonic crystal, that enhances infrared light absorption 7x, thus increasing overall power generation by 37%. . (MIT Technology Review; Mar. 21, 2007)
  

• Transmissions > Barloworld CVT Technologies (http://www.barloworld-cvt.com) - The Naudic iCVT is the only positively driven CVT in the world, eliminating the shortcomings of conventional CVTs., exceeding the fuel savings of 18% currently being quoted for conventional CVTs. A prototype of the Naudic iCVT (Incremental Continuously Variable Transmission) has been tested to 600 N.m input torque in a Porsche 924 turbo. The transmission, which features 64 ratios that shift under load without any clutch action, is positively driven at all times. This is the world's first CVT-type transmission to accomplish a positive drive even when shifting and the first time a prototype of such a gearbox has been successfully tested in an actual vehicle.
  

• Air Conditioning > Solar-Powered Air Conditioner (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/03/solarpowered_ai.php) - SolCool (http://www.solcool.net/) will launch the Millennia version 4 hybrid solar air conditioner that runs on solar panels, or a wall socket, or batteries. It's designed to cool a large room while substantially lowering electricity costs. The unit operates at a maximum of 500 watts, which is much less than half what typical air conditioning units use. (TreeHugger; Mar. 21, 2007)
  

• Wind > Vertical Axis > Windspire's Final Testing (http://www.aer-online.com/e107_plugins/content/content_lt.php?content.367) - Mariah Power (http://www.mariah-power.com/) is testing the Windspire, a residential-scale wind turbine that may overcome historical obstacles such as cost and aesthetics. It is a complete consumer-friendly appliance that is designed for plug-and-produce installation, with a 30-foot standard height that is below the typical residential zoning restrictions. (Alternative Energy Retailer; Mar. 21, 2007)
  

• Hybrid Vehicles > 225 mpg XR-3 Plug-in Hybrid Kit (http://thefraserdomain.typepad.com/energy/2007/03/225_mpg_xr3_plu.html) - Robert Q. Riley Enterprises (http://www.rqriley.com/) will introduce its XR-3 plug-in hybrid kit, a sleek two-passenger, three-wheel sports car that is expected to generate up to 225 miles per gallon and have a battery-only range of up to 40 miles, in June 2007. With quick acceleration and a maximum speed of 85 mph the XR-3 Hybrid is equally at home on freeways and surface streets. (The Energy Blog; Mar. 20, 2007)
  

• Fuel Cells > Scaled up microbial fuel cells (http://www.physorg.com/news93696881.html) - Generating electricity from renewable sources will soon become as easy as putting a brush and a tube in a tub of wastewater. A carbon fiber, bottle-brush anode will provide more than enough surface for bacteria to colonize, for the first time making it possible to use microbial fuel cells for large scale electricity production. (PhysOrg; Mar. 21, 2007)
  

March 20, 2007

• Magnet Motors > Mac McCarthy Magnet Motor - Mac McCarthy claims to have an all-magnet motor (no electrical or other fuel input) prototype ready to launch into the process of engineering for production. He is looking for partners and funding.
  

• Global Warming > The Global Warming Swindle (http://pesn.com/2007/03/19/9500463_Global_Warming_Swindle/) - Documentary produced in England destroys the arguments put forward by Al Gore and other activists who lay the primary blame for Global Warming at the feet of mankind. (PESN; March 19, 2007)
  

• Hydrogen / Fuel Cells > Combined Hydrogen, Electricity and Heat Generation (http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story;jsessionid=0B0A2728CF5DFA4D9AACDF918FDCB8ED?id=47815) - Air Products (http://www.airproducts.com/) and FuelCell Energy (http://www.fuelcellenergy.com/) announced construction of an advanced hydrogen energy station, providing low-cost hydrogen, electric power and heat from one integrated unit. It will combine Direct FuelCell (DFC) power plants with advanced gas separation technologies using renewable fuel sources. (Renewable Energy Access; Mar. 20, 2007)
  

• Alt Fuels > Algae Oil > Biodiesel from Algae in Argentina (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/03/biodiesel_from_1.php) - Argentine company Oil Fox (http://www.oilfox.com.ar/ingles/principal.htm) announced they would produce biodiesel from algae oil for commercial use at 50% less cost than biodiesel produced from soy. They will grow four species of algae in “secret” pools (to avoid industrial espionage, they claim), to produce 240 thousand tons of biodiesel. (TreeHugger; Mar. 20, 2007)
  

• Fuel Cells > Voller runs prototype fuel-cell on CNG (http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/03/18/voller-runs-prototype-fuel-cell-on-compressed-natural-gas/) - Voller Energy (http://www.voller.com/) has developed a fuel-cell that can run on readily available compressed natural gas (CNG/LPG) or propane, instead of hard-to-find hydrogen. Voller plans to commercialize their 1kW class auxiliary power units (APUs) by the end of the year. (AutoblogGreen; Mar. 18, 2007)
  

• Engines > Linear / Electromagnetic > The Linear Combustion Engine (http://www.ecogeek.org/content/view/482/) - Researchers are developing a linear combustion engine (http://www.lceproject.org/en/principle/), with two opposing pistons at either end of a cylinder. The design promises greater efficiency than rotary combustion engines, but it requires sophisticated control electronics to keep the system in check. Because the compression ratio can be variable, it will run on a wide variety of fuels. (EcoGeek; Mar. 17, 2007)
  

March 19, 2007

• Home Generation / Storage > Using Wood For Battery Power (http://www.mercextra.com/blogs/takahashi/2007/03/18/modern-marvels-top-25-winner-using-wood-for-battery-power/) - The Enertia® Building System (http://enertia.com/) turns wood into a material that can store solar energy. Zeolitic seed crystals are injected into the wood, altering the molecular structure at a nanolevel- turning it into a thermal battery. When the house is properly configured and sited it can heat and cool itself. (Mercury News; Mar. 18, 2007)
  

• Wind > Tiny, Plastic Wind Turbines for City Dwellers (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/03/hong_kong_inven.php) - Engineers have developed a new micro wind turbine that can generate electricity at low wind speeds, on rooftops and balconies of crowded cities. Plastic gearwheels are linked to one another and can be arranged in an array from two to thousands of square meters. A set of 20 gearwheels costs about $25. (TreeHugger; Mar. 19, 2007)
  

• Batteries > Flexible ‘organic radical’ battery (http://www.physorg.com/news93539877.html) - Japanese scientists have made a paper-like, organic polymer film rechargeable battery that is around 200 nanometres thick. It only takes one minute to fully charge and is good for 1,000 recharge cycles. It could be used for electronic devices and electric vehicles. (PhysOrg; Mar. 19, 2007)
  

• AC and Refrigeration > Freeaire Refrigeration System (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/03/freeaire_refrig.php) - The Freeaire (http://www.freeaire.com/) can save 90% of electricity used by walk-in coolers, freezers and cold storage warehouses for 150 days of the year. A microprocessor controls a fan and damper to monitor the temperature of the cooler and the air, and brings in as much outside air as required to keep the temperature stable. (TreeHugger; Mar. 17, 2007)
  

• Solar / Electric Vehicles > Solar-powered 42-passenger boat (http://www.gizmag.com/go/6997/) - The SolarShuttle solar powered electric boat, designed by SolarLab (http://www.solarlab.org/), is entirely pollution-free and silent running. It can carry 42 passengers in all daylight conditions, has reserve power for night-time running and even generates surplus energy that can be fed back into the national grid. (Gizmag; Mar. 17, 2007)
  

March 18, 2007

• Milkovic Pendulum > Berrett Replication > Proving the Secondary Oscillation Mechanical Amplification Effect (http://pesn.com/2007/03/18/9500462_Berrett_pendulums/) - Brian Berrett’s various test rigs demonstrate the gain derived in the secondary mechanical movement of a lever attached to a primary pendulum oscillator -- mechanical ‘overunity’ -- validating Veljco Milkovic’s claims. (PESN; Mar. 18, 2007)
  

• Batteries > Lithium Ion > A123Systms > A New Battery Takes Off in a Race to Electric Cars (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/11/business/yourmoney/11stream.html?em&ex=1173758400&en=d8c20a6cba4738a6&ei=5087%0A) - A123Systems, a start-up in Watertown, Mass., says it has created a powerful, safe, long-lived battery. If the cell fulfills the ambitions of its maker, that softer sound will be the future of automobiles. (NY Times; Mar. 11, 2007)
  

March 16, 2007

• Batteries > A123 Systems lithium-ion battery technology - A123 replaces the cobalt oxide in lithium-ion cells with nanophosphate, enabling a quick charge, while delivering high power density, with a long life-time. Is used in power tools, and is process of breaking into hybrid vehicle market.
  

• Solar > Concentrated > 64MW Solar Installation About To Be Switched On! (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/03/nevada_solar_on.php) - Nevada Solar One is one of the world's largest solar installations, and will generate 64 megawatts when it goes live next month in Boulder City, Nevada. It covers 300 acres and contains 760 mirror arrays, each measuring about 100 meters. The mirrors direct sunlight onto an oil-filled tube which creates steam to turn a turbine. (TreeHugger; Mar. 16, 2007)
  

• Hybrids / Electric Vehicles > Aptera > Aptera's Prototype Unveiled (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/03/the_future_is_h.php) - Aptera Motors (http://apteramotors.com/) last week unveiled a working prototype of their diesel-electric hybrid car that will get 230 mpg at 55 mph. An all electric version will be available with a 150 mile range using NiZn batteries. Estimated price is $20,000. (TreeHugger; Mar. 15, 2007)
  

• EV > Tesla Motors > Tesla Motors To Open Five Dealer Outlets (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/03/tesla_to_open_f.php) - Tesla Motors will open five customer service centers in conjunction with the public launch later this year of the Tesla Roadster, an all-electric sports car. More will follow, largely because the company will start producing a line of sedans in 2009. "To do 10,000 units for Whitestar we need to be in a lot more places." (TreeHugger; Mar. 16, 2007)
  

• Wind > Efficient Wind Tunnels: Could Be Big? (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/03/efficient_wind.php) - Green Energy Technologies (http://www.getsmartenergy.com/) has developed a wind tunnel product that captures wind and pulls it into the center where the turbine is, increasing the velocity of the wind by Bernoulli's Principle. The WindCube is the urban-friendly rooftop application and the WindMAX is the tower application for high power users, with a payback period of 3-7 years. (TreeHugger; Mar. 16, 2007)
  

• Waste to Energy / Non-Fossil Oil > BioPetrol (http://www.bio-petrol.com/) - Developing a process of low temperature thermochemical conversion of municipal sewage sludge into oil. It can also process agri-wastes, bagasse, pulp and paper residues, tannery sludge and other end-of-life products such as plastics, tires and the organics in municipal solid waste.
  

March 15, 2007

• Engines > Cyclone Technologies Schoell Cycle Engine (Sat. 6:00 pm eastern, live (http://freeenergynow.net)) - The Cyclone Engine is designed around the principles of an external combustion engine, to efficiently use any liquid or gaseous fuel and create more power and significantly less emissions than current gasoline or diesel powered internal combustion engines.
  

• Hydrogen from Water > QuantumSphere Electrode for 7x H2 Production (http://www.greencarcongress.com/2007/03/quantumsphere_t.html) - QuantumSphere (http://www.qsinano.com/) water electrolysis (http://www.qsinano.com/apps_hgen.php) electrodes are high surface area metallic nanoparticles that eliminate the need for platinum catalysts, reducing electrolyzer cost. The Stingray electrode allows for nearly a sevenfold increase in clean hydrogen production, while maintaining efficiencies in excess of 85%. (Green Car Congress; March 15, 2007)
  

• Clean Coal > Clean coal technology for capture of CO2 (http://www.insidegreentech.com/node/885) - Babcock & Wilcox (http://www.babcock.com/) and American Electric Power are exploring bringing to market a new combustion technology to reduce emissions from coal-fired power plants. Oxy-coal combustion uses pure oxygen by eliminating nitrogen from the air, assisting CO2 capture and sequestration. Inside Greentech; Mar. 15, 2007)
  

• Engines > Meditronica (http://meditronica.com/dmm/) - The De Moura Motor is an internal combustion rotary engine that is more efficient and reliable, with a very good power to weight ratio, high torque, very simple, easy to manufacture. The DMM has only 3 moving parts, using a circular combustion chamber and rotor with 2 vanes for circular intake, compression, combustion and exhaust. (Thanks Odilon De Moura (mailto:odilon@meditronica.com))
  

• Thin Film Solar > Cyrium Technologies (http://www.cyriumtechnologies.com/aboutus_companyprofile.html) - Developing a photovoltaic solar cell technology using semiconductor quantum dot NanoTechnology to increase photovoltaic solar cell efficiency by 40% above the state-of-the-art products.

• Biodiesel from Algae Oil > Consortium to Construct Algae-to-Biodiesel Demonstration Plants (http://www.greencarcongress.com/2007/03/consortium_to_c.html) - Green Star Products (http://www.greenstarusa.com/) and its consortium of independent companies will begin (http://www.csrwire.com/News/7834.html) construction of two demonstration algae-to-biodiesel production facilities in the US and abroad, scheduled to be in production by late summer 2007. (Green Car Congress; March 15, 2007)
  

• Events > UC Berkeley Energy Symposium on Sustainable Energy (http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/528111/?sc=dwhp) - March 21, 2007. The symposium will highlight clean energy innovations emerging from several segments of the UC Berkeley community and include discussions about energy-efficiency, transportation fuels, solar technologies, carbon regulation and innovation, energy storage, and energy economics. University of California, Berkeley.
  

March 14, 2007

• Solar Silicon > New Kind of PV Has Emerged, Says Report (http://www.pureenergysystems.com/news/) - Research and Markets has published Thin Film and Organic PV: New Applications for Solar Energy (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reportinfo.asp?cat_id=0&report_id=328418&q=Thin%20Film%20and%20Organic%20PV:%20New%20Applications%20for%20Solar%20Energy&p=1), a EUR€ 2,670.00 report that examines the emerging market for thin film / flexible photovoltaic technology, including the advantages and disadvantages of non-silicon alternatives. (RenewableEnergyAccess; Mar. 14, 2007)
  

• EV > Electric Cars > Keystone Carts (http://www.keystonecarts.com/) - The Keystone Flyer is a three wheel electric car that can pay for itself in less than a year in gas and insurance savings. It has a top speed of 50 mph, can go 100 miles on a charge, has a heater for winter use and is delivered anywhere in USA.
  

• Waste to Energy > Poo Power : N-Viro Fuel Tested in Coal-Fired Plant (http://www.waterandwastewater.com/www_services/news_center/publish/article_001221.shtml) - N-Viro International (http://www.nviro.com/) successfully tested a blend of coal and N-Viro Fuel at a major power generation facility. N-Viro Fuel is a biomass fuel that has physical and chemical characteristics similar to coal. It is created from municipal waste or manure utilizing alkaline stabilization and mechanical drying. (Water and Wastewater.com; Mar. 8, 2007) (Thanks Keelynet (http://www.keelynet.com/))
  

• Batteries / Hybrids / PCM > All Cell Plug-in Escape Hybrid (http://www.greencarcongress.com/2007/03/all_cell_plugin.html) - All Cell Technologies (http://www.allcelltech.com/) is testing a converted Ford Escape Hybrid designed to double the fuel efficiency without altering the original controller. They added a li-ion battery pack that utilizes a passive thermal management system using phase change material (PCM), solving lithium's problem of heat release. (Green Car Congress; Mar. 14, 2007)
  

• Solar / Flight > Solar Plane to Fly Continuously Around Mars (http://www.physorg.com/news93089585.html) - Scientists believe that Sky-Sailor will reach the inner orbit of Mars within a decade or two. In 2005 a prototype achieved a continuous flight time of five hours, with a 24-hour flight test planned for the summer of 2007. With a lithium-ion polymer battery the plane can fly all night and during cloudy or foggy conditions, all on solar power. (PhysOrg; Mar. 14, 2007)
  

March 13, 2007

• EV > Electric Cars > Mitsubishi Delivers EV Prototypes to Utilities (http://www.greencarcongress.com/2007/03/mitsubishi_deli.html) - Mitsubishi Motors has delivered prototypes of its i MiEV research electric vehicle to two utilities in Japan, for data collection on driving performance and battery-charging capabilities. Mitsubishi plans to sell the commercial version in 2010 for less than ¥2 million (US$17,000). Subaru has also begun field trials of 10 EVs. (Green Car Congress; Mar. 12, 2007)
  

• Electromagnetic > New motor for hybrid electric vehicles (http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/03/10/dandh-global-enterprises-is-working-on-new-motor-and-controller-te/) - D&H Global Enterprise (http://www.dhglobalentllc.com/) is claiming to have created a new motor\generator which weighs in at 72 pounds with a 5.7" depth which can generate 415 lb.ft. of torque, that is neither an induction motor or any current motor type in the market. It would enable a small hybrid vehicle to achieve over 100 MPG, or 50 MPG for a large SUV. (AutoblogGreen; Mar. 10, 2007)
  

• Ocean Wave Energy > SwellFuel (http://swellfuel.com/) - The DuckDiver is a lever operated pivoting float with generator that is attached to the bottom and will adjust itself to the tide. The diving method is designed to make more energy and protect the equipment in large waves. Pulling the arm down one time turns the generator 200 revolutions. It will under go rigorous testing at this time. (Thanks Keelynet (http://www.keelynet.com/))
  

• Solar > Quantum Dots > Quantum-dot solar power could boost output in cheap photovoltaics (http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/18285/) - Some chemists think that quantum dots--tiny crystals of semi­conductors just a few nanometers wide--could at last make solar power cost-competitive with electricity from fossil fuels. They could have a maximum efficiency of 42 percent, far better than silicon's maximum of 31 percent, and would be cheap to manufacture. (MIT Technology Review; Mar. 12, 2007)
  

• Geothermal > Model for improving geothermal power (http://www.physorg.com/news93003259.html) - Research shows that a combination of experimental field work and geochemical modeling programs can provide accurate indicators of the impact of silica scaling in geothermal wells, one of the biggest problems plaguing the industry. The findings may help to control silica scaling at geothermal power plants to reduce the cost of maintenance. (PhysOrg; Mar. 13, 2007)
  

March 12, 2007

• Storage > Capacitors > New DESD Capacitor Technology (http://uanews.org/cgi-bin/WebObjects/UANews.woa/3/wa/SRStoryDetails?ArticleID=13679) - Researchers are developing Digitated Energy Storage Devices that quickly store and discharge large amounts of power using capacitors built on nano-scale structures, with a capacitance-to-volume ratio that's 10,000 times larger. DESDs would make hybrid vehicles more efficient, and also more environmentally friendly because they don't wear out like batteries. (UANews; Mar. 9, 2007)
  

• Solar > Concentrated > Delta commercializing Spectrolab's high efficiency cells (http://www.insidegreentech.com/node/863) - Delta Electronics (http://www.delta.com.tw/) has developed a manufacturing process (http://www.delta.com.tw/press/press_detail.asp?sid=1&id=219) for modules using the high efficiency solar cells recently developed by Spectrolab (http://www.gizmag.com/go/6563/). The new concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) modules will boast greater than 35% efficiency, compared to 22% for the best conventional commercial silicon PV panels today. (Inside Greentech; Mar. 9, 2007)
  

• Storage > Batteries > Hybrid battery will cut energy use (http://www.capetimes.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=3725944) - A new hybrid battery can charge and discharge simultaneously, and cuts energy use up to 27% due to lower requirement for electro motor force (EMF). It can be adapted to any size battery, from cell phones and vehicles to utility storage. (Cape Times; Mar. 12, 2007) (Thanks Keelynet (http://www.keelynet.com/))
  

• Home Generation > Combined Heat and Power > A 90% Efficient Power Plant for Your Home (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/03/senertec_dachs.php) - Senertec (http://www.senertec.de/englisch/frames.php) Dachs micro-CHP has a continuous output of 5.5kW of electricity and 12.5 kW of heat from 20.6 KW of fuel, for an efficiency of 90%, with a plant oil burning version available. An additional external exhaust heat exchanger can provide a further 2.5 kW of thermal energy, raising the efficiency up to 98%. (TreeHugger; Mar. 11, 2007)
  

• Ocean Wave > Electricity from the sea (http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-wave11mar11%2C0%2C2922563.story?coll=la-home-headlines) - In a world addicted to fossil fuel, turning waves into watts might seem far-fetched, but ocean power is gradually joining the ranks of wind and solar as a source of renewable energy. In less than three years, U.S. energy regulators have received nearly five dozen applications for water-related energy projects from South Florida to Washington state. (LA Times; Mar. 10, 2007)
  

• Engines > Ambient Air > Generator from Ambient Air by Kim Zorzi - Inventor from Ultralight America proposes a multicylinder air type engine, which is different from previous systems in that it has a regenerative tank. Zorzi alleges that this will enable the system to repressurize itself, drawing its energy from ambient air heat.
  

March 10, 2007

• Solar > Concentrated > Cool Earth Solar - Company has developed an inflatable solar concentrator technology that slashes materials costs, making solar farms competitive with commercial electricity generation systems within three years.
  

• Ocean Wave > GyroWaveGen™ - Innovation uses a gyroscopic flywheel to provide the stationary position against which the oscillations of the wave motion can then be converted to usable energy. Owners of 1982 patent now looking to take improved design to market.
  

• Ocean Wave > O.S.M.E.G.S. (http://wavepower.homestead.com/Page1.html) - The OSMEGS Ram is a ship mounted hydraulic pump that utilizes gravity and the ocean wave "swell effect" to swing it back and forth. The electricity generating system on board is kept out of the water for durability. The ship is moored at a location where submarine cables are installed to transmit the energy to shore.
  

March 9, 2007

• Thermal Electric / Engines > Stirling > ReGen Power Systems (http://www.rgpsystems.com/) - Developing a 1 megawatt low temperature Stirling engine to convert excess process heat and steam energy at industrial plants into electricity. It has an efficiency of 13% for steam and 20% for industrial heat, with O&M costs projected at $0.006/kWh and a payback period from 2-3 years.
  

• Water as Fuel > HyPower Fuel > HyPower Extends Production Date of Web cast (http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/070308/20070308006074.html?.v=1) - HyPower Fuel will delay its March 9, 2007 web cast to accommodate additional scientists who wish to be present during the filming. They expect to announce the new date in mid March of 2007. The H2 Reactor is an electrolyzer that creates hydrogen and oxygen gases from water with 2 to 2.5 times greater efficiency than current technology. (Yahoo! Finance; Mar. 8, 2007)
  

• Human-Powered / Electric Scooters > Kronosport (http://www.kronosport.com/) - This human/electric powered TAXI can travel up to 12 mph with a range of 25 miles and recharges in 5 to 6 hours. It carries two passengers and sports a mini-trunk for packages or groceries and is also available in a VAN or TRUK model.
  

March 8, 2007

• Tools > Crackpots and Genius (http://pesn.com/2007/03/08/9500460_Other_Crackpot/) - New energy pioneers are often also involved in pushing the envelop in other areas of life. Such involvement should not be shunned but should serve as a sign that someone is cut out to launch a revolutionary technology -- practiced at withstanding the heat. (PESN; Mar. 8; 2007)
  

• Alternative Fuels > Prometheus Energy (http://www.prometheus-energy.com/) - Capturing methane from waste or low-quality sources close to where it is used and converting it into liquid natural gas, LNG. With a unique integration of basic technologies, this clean burning and safe alternative fuel can be sold at prices lower than traditional fuels such as diesel, propane, and gasoline.
  

• Solar / EV > Solar-electric Mowers & Tractors (http://www.motherearthnews.com/Livestock-and-Farming/2006-08-01/Solar-electric-Mowers-Tractors.aspx) - A farmer has converted six farm tractors to run on rechargeable batteries and electric motors, rather than a gas or diesel engine. Some carry their own power source: a canopy of solar panels suspended over the machine. They generate less than a kilowatt, but for planting and harvesting, that’s enough to run the tractor. (Mother Earth News; Aug/Sep 2006)
  

• Solar Heating > Zomeworks (http://zomeworks.com/solar/control/sunbender.html) - The Sunbender® Reflector/Shade for skylights reflects from 100,000 to 200,000 extra BTU's per square foot of skylight into the building below for winter heating, as the curved shape of the reflector concentrates reflected light. In the lowered summer position, it shades the skylight and greatly reduces heat gain, while still allowing light to enter.
  

• Waste to Energy > Organic Energy (http://www.organicenergy.ca/) - OE Gasification technology is applied in small-scale combined heat and power plants with a thermal output of 2–3 MW, low emissions and low ash. Each module can process up to 7,500 metric tons of solid waste per year, converting it into syngas, used by boilers to produce hot water, and to feed steam generators for the production of electricity.
  

March 7, 2007

• Batteries / EV > Advanced Battery Technologies (http://www.zqpt.com/zqenglish/) - ABAT’s Polymer Lithium-Ion (PLI) batteries for electric vehicles (http://www.abat.com.cn/yysl.asp) offer a high energy density with quick charge, long usage time, 199 mile range and are non-polluting. There are no liquid electrolytes or leakage problems, they are chemically stable, have no “memory problem”, and are full function at temperatures as low as -20 C.
  

• Solar / EV > ZAP solar electric Xebra Xero (http://www.gizmag.com/go/6945/) - ZAP (http://www.zapworld.com/) has designed a solar option for the three-wheeled electric Xebra Xero (http://www.zapworld.com/ZAPWorld.aspx?id=3804) - a photovoltaic panel that ZAP says can offer short-distance driving on sunlight alone. The Xebra is a city car, available as a 4-door sedan or 2-passenger truck, for city driving up to 40 mph and will cost about US$12,000 with the Xero Solar Panel Option. (Gizmag; Mar. 7, 2007)
  

• Lighting > LED > Cyberlux (http://www.cyberlux.com/) - Cyberlux’s lighting systems are less expensive than conventional bulbs or tubes by 200% in total cost of ownership. They consume 92% less energy than incandescent bulbs and 30% less than fluorescent. Cyberlux is developing Hybrid Organic/Inorganic (http://news.com.com/Cheaper+LEDs+to+light+a+green+path/2100-1008_3-6151515.html?tag=ne.fd.mnbc) white-light LEDs that would both cost substantially less to manufacture and provide more light than conventional LEDs.
  

• Water / Solar > Solar powered water desalination (http://www.insidegreentech.com/node/843) - Spectra Watermakers' (http://www.spectrawatermakers.com/) portable Solar Cube is powered by sunlight and wind, and can provide up to 3,500 gallons of clean drinking water per day from polluted water or salt water. It can also provide enough emergency electricity to refrigerate medical supplies or power communications equipment. (Inside Greentech; Mar. 7, 2007)
  

• Biofuels / Suppression > State makes big fuss over local couple's vegetable oil car fuel (http://www.herald-review.com/articles/2007/03/01/news/local_news/1021491.txt) - Decatur resident Dave Wetzel may be in hot cooking oil with the Illinois Department of Revenue, who claim he needs to pay $244 in back taxes for the gallons of vegetable oil he has been running his Volkswagon car on for the past 5 years. A threatening letter stated that acting as a supplier and receiver without a license is a Class 3 felony, requiring a $2,500 bond. (Herald and Review; Illinois; March 1, 2007)
  

March 6, 2007

• Ocean Wave > Rothman Energy Systems (http://waveenergymachine.com/) - The Wave Energy Machine is inexpensive, flexible and scalable, based on a truss anchored to a pivot point on shore, with a float device attached over water. The wave motion provides a "teeter-totter" effect which is translated into useable mechanical energy through a connector rod attached to a cam assembly.
  

• Solar / LED > New antireflection coatings for solar cells and LEDs  (http://www.technologyreview.com/Nanotech/18265/) - Researchers have developed a new type of nanostructured coating that can virtually eliminate reflections of a wide range of wavelengths to 10 times less than current coatings. It would increase solar cell light absorption by a few percentage points and a 40 percent improvement could be seen in LEDs. (MIT Technology Review; Mar. 06, 2007)
  

• Conservation > Sound waves turn natural gas into liquid (http://www.physorg.com/news92419771.html) - Worldwide, 100 billion cubic meters of natural gas is wasted every year. Swift LNG aims to turn that gas into a usable liquid fuel with a thermoacoustic natural gas liquefaction technology. It converts heat into sound waves and then into cold refrigeration using highly pressurized helium contained in a network of welded steel pipes. Commercial readiness is expected by 2010. (Physorg; Mar. 06, 2007)
  

• Political Action > SustainLane Government (http://www.sustainlane.us/) - Advancing Cross-Sector Sustainable Development for State and Local Government. Open-source knowledge base covers climate change, energy efficiency, green building, water and waste management. Articles include top ten alternative fueled City Fleets (http://www.sustainlane.us/articles/Top_Ten_Alternative_Fueled_City_Fleets.jsp) and top five US cities for CleanTech (http://www.sustainlane.us/articles/cleantech.jsp). (Thanks Abendigo Reebs (mailto:ben@sustainlane.com))
  

March 5, 2007

• Wind / Inverters > Grid-Friendly Power Converter for Wind Turbines (http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=47642) - Northern Power's (http://www.northernpower.com/) new power converters are grid-friendly, effectively managing the variable power output of wind turbines, capturing partial power and lower wind speeds, with minimum disruption to the grid system. They use 40% fewer power transistors and 50% fewer capacitors while yielding higher performance and reliability. (Renewable Energy Access; Mar. 5, 2007)
  

• Electric Vehicles > Electric Vans for French Post Office (http://thefraserdomain.typepad.com/energy/2007/03/electric_vans_f.html) - France's postal service used eight experimental electric-powered mail-delivery vans (http://www.cleanova.com/public/rubrique.tpl?id=8148&hl=FR) to meet a government requirement to reduce pollution. They worked so well and proved so cheap to operate that La Poste is planning to replace its 48,000-vehicle fleet with electric cars developed by Société de Véhicules Électriques (http://www.dassault.fr/filiale.php?docid=82). (The Energy Blog; Mar. 04, 2007)
  

• Solar > Cheap Nano Solar Cells (http://www.technologyreview.com/Nanotech/18259/) - Researchers have demonstrated improved efficiency in solar cells made from low-cost chemicals used in paints. They added single-walled carbon nanotubes to a film made of titanium-dioxide nanoparticles, doubling the efficiency of converting ultraviolet light into electrons when compared with nanoparticles alone. (MIT Technology Review; Mar. 05, 2007)
  

• Engines / Thermal Electric > New engine to slash 50% off emissions (http://www.businessweekly.co.uk/news/view_article.asp?article_id=11600) - Epicam's dexpressor (http://www.shellspringboard.org/?p=96&sub=3) concept would harvest wasted car exhaust heat to drive a pump-like rotor, improving engine efficiency, emissions and fuel economy up to 50 per cent. A heat exchange coil around the exhaust manifold of the engine super-heats water, building up pressure that is used to turn rotors that feed into the crankshaft of the engine. (Business Weekly; Feb. 28, 2007)
  

• Oil > Oil innovations pump new life into old wells (http://news.com.com/Oil+innovations+pump+new+life+into+old+wells/2100-11392_3-6164239.html?tag=cd.top) - Technology advances such as steam-flooding have made it possible to unlock more oil from old fields, and higher oil prices have made it economical for companies to go after reserves that are harder to reach. Forecasts that the world's reserves are drying out have given way to predictions that more oil can be found than ever before. (CNET News; Mar. 05, 2007)
  

March 4, 2007

• Secondary Oscillations > Milkovic-Berrett Secondary Oscillator Generator - Brian Berrett of Lehi, Utah has built a two-wheel device that uses the two-stage mechanical oscillator principle set forth by Mikovic. The electrical output from the secondary wheel is far in excess of the electrical input required to maintain the primary pendulum oscillation on the first wheel.
  

March 3, 2007

• Solar > Steven E. Jones Solar Funnel for Cooking - Prof. Steven E. Jones (http://profjones.com/index.php?p=about) (of 9/11-demolition fame) presents a method for building a cooking device that is safe and low-cost, easy to make, yet very effective in capturing the sun's energy for cooking and for pasteurizing water. Requires cardboard, tin foil, black paint, and a mason jar.
  

• Batteries > Cymbet (http://www.cymbet.com/) - High cycle, high energy density thin-film batteries have a very high discharge rate, do not lose power during storage, have unlimited recharge capability, stable chemistry and can be made in any shape or size. The POWER FAB™ battery is a flexible lithium cobalt oxide cell that uses a solid state LiPON electrolyte. Applications include consumer electronics, RFID tags, medical devices and semiconductors.
  

• Fusion > Practical Fusion, or Just a Bubble? (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/27/science/27fusion.html?_r=2&th=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&emc=th&adxnnlx=1172588880-XacSLlMti1+1/2yzSxBbsA&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin) - An overview of various approaches to useful fusion, including sonofusion, Eric Lerner's Focus Fusion, the $10 billion international Tokamac project. (NY Times; Feb. 27, 2007)
  

• Transmissions / Hybrid Vehicles > Van Cor Transmission (http://www.vancortransmission.com/) - Symbiotic Drive (http://www.vancortransmission.com/web011_051130.html) runs both the gas engine and an electric motor at the same time in varied proportions to produce continuously variable output, an energy efficient process called “torque amplification”. The two power sources are combined through a planetary system in which the electric motor can become an output generator when the gas engine is idling or when the vehicle is decelerating.
  

• Conservation > Space Heating > "Green Building" Electric Radiant Floor Heating (http://www.prweb.com/releases/SpeedheatGeneration4/EnhancesGreenBuilding/prweb506858.htm) - Speedheat® (http://www.speedheat.us/) electric radiant floor heating produces energy savings up to 20% from heating only the occupied areas. It produces even heating from the ground up, with more comfort at lower temperatures, allowing reduced thermostat settings which also lowers heating costs. (PRWeb; Feb. 22, 2007)
  

March 2, 2007

• Power Systems for Future Exploration: STAIF 2007 - Energy-related abstracts from the 2007 STAIF Conference posted by Tim Ventura at AmericanAntigravity.com. STAIF allows industry, government, and universities to share their latest achievements.
  

• Reverse Engineering > UFO science key to halting climate change (http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070228/wl_canada_afp/canadaenvironmentkyoto_070228180440) - A former Canadian defense minister is demanding governments worldwide disclose and use secret alien technologies obtained in alleged UFO crashes to stem climate change. Alien spacecrafts would have traveled vast distances to reach Earth, and so must be equipped with advanced propulsion systems or used exceptional fuels. (Yahoo News; Feb. 28, 2007)
  

• Biomass > World Sustainable Energy: biomass pellets (http://biopact.com/2007/03/note-from-world-sustainable-energy-days.html) - Biomass fuel pellets are a clean, CO2-neutral and convenient fuel made from wood chips, forestry residues or woody energy crops. Biomass has become directly competitive with fossil fuels in Europe, where highly efficient combined heat-and-power (CHP) biomass plants have replaced an increasing amount of coal and oil. (Biopact; Mar. 1, 2007)
  

• Solar > Portable “micro utilities” powered by renewable energy (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/03/it_generates_it.php) - Ecos LifeLink (http://www.ecospheretech.com/htm/ecos_lifelink.htm) folds out of a shipping container to meet the demand for off-grid water, energy and communications. It has 16 kW of photovoltaics, an optional wind turbine, a wireless communications control center with a range of 30 miles, and can filter 30 gallons per minute of contaminated ground water. (TreeHugger; Mar. 2, 2007)
  

• Solar Heating / AC > Solar Air Heating and Cooling (http://www.starnewsgroup.com.au/story/36817) - The Sun Lizard (http://www.alternativefuels.com.au/sunlizard/) heats the air, and then uses a fan to pump that air around the building to keep people warm in winter. In summer the fan is used as a heat extractor, pulling rising heat from the building and venting it outside. It retails at $2500 but mass production may reduce the cost. (Star News; Feb. 28, 2007) (Thanks KeelyNet (http://www.keelynet.com/))