Archive for January, 2006
January 31, 2006 at 8:29 pm
· Filed under Solar
InnovaLight, a Californian start-up, is developing light-activated power generating. Silicon ink could lead to a way cheaper manufacturing. Fraunhofer Institute in Germany has been working on nanocrystalline dye (PDF) and organic solar cells for some years.
These cells convert sunlight to electricity with the help of dye, carbon and polymer molecules. Both areas of research are still in the early stages and face technical challenges like keeping the chemicals stable and sealing the solar cells.
In future it could be possible to paint cars with such a silicon paint. Invisible to our eyes, cars could be “rolling solar cells”.
optics.org: “According to Burke, the ability to solution-process the dots in a so-called silicon ink could lead to cheaper manufacturing. ‘You now have the potential to produce thin-film photocells which lends itself to high-throughput manufacturing using existing roll-to-roll printing technology,’ he said. ‘Our modelling indicates that there will be substantial improvements in cost versus how silicon is used today.’Solution-processing also means that InnovaLight can deposit its silicon nanocrystals onto flexible substrates. This opens up a vast array of markets from consumer applications such as clothing to charge up portable electronics through to flexible battery chargers for the military.”
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January 31, 2006 at 10:37 am
· Filed under Mobility
I have been following the German start-up SkySails for some time. It´s such a fascinating idea. Now they found their first customer: the Beluga Shipping GmbH in Bremen, Germany. (image: Skysails)
Green Car Congress: Beluga Shipping to Try Wind Hybrid Kite Propulsion Assist for Cargo Vessel: “The SkySails system consists of a large towing kite similar to a paraglider of up to 5,000 m2 in area, which is connected to the ship via a towing rope, and managed by a fully automatic control pod. Route optimization software helps chart a course designed to maximize the wind power benefit.The cross-sectional profile of the aerofoil is adjustable via the use of compressed air to achieve optimal aerodynamic properties at all wind speeds and under various weather conditions. At very high wind speeds the performance of the aerofoil can be reduced without having to reduce the area. (No “hauling in” sails.)
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January 31, 2006 at 9:51 am
· Filed under Fuel Cells
My Portland friend John Gartner reports in his Wired Autopia Blog on the released Roadmap on Manufacturing R&D for the Hydrogen Economy. Based on this roadmap, inital market penetration is planned for 2010, commercial availability in 2015. Honda is planning production of their fuel cell FSX car in 2010. I guess it´s time to check on plans of German car makers again.
Autopia: “Of course the inside joke is that fuel cell cars are always 20 years away, no matter when you ask the question. In 1999, GM promised fuel cell vehicles would be available by 2004, which according to my calendar already came and went. “
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January 31, 2006 at 8:43 am
· Filed under Sustainability
(Happy New Chinese Year!)
The Chinese environment minister Zhu Guanyao said at the first “German Chinese Environmental Forum” in Quingdao that Germany is considered as the prime partner when it comes to environmental protection. Now that´s a market to grow with!
In his speech he also mentioned that German companies will get first priority. Ways to go and many opportunities: Go east, Germans!
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January 31, 2006 at 7:58 am
· Filed under Germany
In the beginning of 2006 a German three person household pays for electricty an average of 57 Euros on a monthly basis, about 2 Euro cent more than in the beginning of 2005.
IWR-News aus der Regenerative Energiewirtschaft: “Ein Drei-Personen-Musterhaushalt zahlt Anfang 2006 in Deutschland monatlich knapp 57 Euro für Strom. Das sind im Bundesdurchschnitt rund 50 Cent pro Woche oder zwei Euro im Monat mehr als im Vorjahr und entspricht einem Zuwachs von vier Prozent im Vergleich zu 2005, ermittelte der Verband der Elektrizitätswirtschaft (VDEW), Berlin.”
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January 30, 2006 at 12:20 pm
· Filed under Solar
Sunny times for solar in California. And there is also Arni´s One Million Solar Roofs Program to be executed. Looks like someone in the US has been waking up to energy realities.
Solar Incentive Program: “On Jan. 12, 2006, we approved the California Solar Initiative (CSI), a a comprehensive $2.8 billion program that provides incentives toward solar development over 11 years. It also develops complementary policies and rules, sets new incentive levels, and addresses program administration.”
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January 29, 2006 at 3:58 pm
· Filed under Uncategorized
An Australian couple left a few days ago for a 18,000 mile trek across five continents in a standard Volkswagen Golf but using “specially formulated” Shell gasoline. How are they doing? Follow their trip on their FuelChallenge website. Nice website, by the way.
The Aussie drivers are currently in Pakistan, 4th fill-up and logged 5.500 km – I wonder, 1100 km per fill-up…they must be driving 45 km an hour in 5th gear — and, they must have survived German Autobahn which is Hell for slow cars because everything slower than 180km/h is seen as an offence and has to be tackled from the street. But tell me this: Why do they have to wear those silly racing suits? (image source: FuelChallenge site)
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January 28, 2006 at 4:29 pm
· Filed under Uncategorized
I was actually looking for a useful solar alarm clock (and found one). But I also found this cool solar messenger bag. I wish it could also power my Powerbook because the batteries are always the “weak link” for road warriors.
Quantys: The solar panels generate 4 watts of power, enough to charge most devices smaller than a laptop computer. They are lightweight, waterproof and UV resistant, but are tough enough to withstand the rigors of everyday use.
The solar panels charge a 2200mAh Lithium Ion Battery Pack inside the front pouch. This stores any power generated by the panels, and delivers a smooth regulated flow of power to your devices, even when the sun is not shining.
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January 28, 2006 at 3:46 pm
· Filed under Uncategorized
This vehicle has been sitting in my street for a few weeks (Munich, Germany). It´s the perfect bike for meetings outside. For more info on this bike visit the ConferenceBike website.
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January 28, 2006 at 10:06 am
· Filed under Uncategorized
Download this practical guide to planning and building low-cost telecom. infrastructure here (PDF). This is an interesting and inspiring book.
Wireless Networking in the Developing World: “The massive popularity of wireless networking has caused equipment costs to continually plummet, while equipment capabilities continue to increase. By applying this technology in areas that are badly in need of critical communications infrastructure, more people can be brought online than ever before, in less time, for very little cost. “
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January 28, 2006 at 9:41 am
· Filed under Uncategorized
German car makers Audi and Volkswagen just decided to discontinue their famous “3 Liter cars” Audi A2 TDI and Lupo 3L (78 mpg), so the most efficient German car is currently the smart CDI (at 3.4 l/100km – 69 mgp). But Daimler-Chrysler is still considering to discontinue or to sell the smart series as well.
But there is hope: Volkswagen introduced the light-weight (850kg) and fast (240 km/h – 142 mpg) Eco-Racer (source: VW) which has an enormous mpg of 69 mpg (3,4 l/100km). I don´t think everybody will drive such a two seater carbon fibre car but the incidentially introduced 1,5 l/100km 136 PS Diesel will have certainly future.
Oberpfalznetz: “Die Käufer wohlfeiler Automobile rechnen längst mit Zehnteln. 3,4 Liter pro 100 Kilometer nach Norm beim smart cdi sind die Messlatte, nachdem VW Lupo 3L und Audi A2 1.2 TDI mit 2,99 Litern das Zeitliche segneten. Wo die Reise hingeht, zeigt der Eco-Racer von VW: 850 kg, von null auf 100 in 6,3 Sekunden, 230 km/h, 3,4 Liter. Natürlich fahren wir morgen nicht alle in einem Kohlefaser-Zweisitzer. Den kann kein Mensch bezahlen. Aber der in ihm beiläufig angekündigte neue 1,5-Liter-Diesel (136 PS, 250 Nm), der hat Zukunft.”
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