Fox claims its nail-biting, torture-heavy drama “24” is the first television series to become carbon neutral, according to an item in SNAFU-ed. The network says it’s taken such steps as installing compact fluorescent light-bulbs, using motion sensors to control lighting in bathrooms and kitchens, powering trucks and generators with
biofuels
The corn-to-biofuel concept took another hit this week as researchers at Duke University concluded it’s an “inefficient and expensive greenhouse gas mitigation policy.” Biologist Robert Jackson led the study that found the potential carbon benefits of corn-based ethanol can take years to materialise: “Depending on prior land use, our
Smart Grid
New Jersey-based NRG Energy has announced a deal in which it will purchase Reliant Energy’s Texas-based retail business for $287.5 million (US). The acquisition brings into NRG’s fold the second-largest mass-market electricity provider in Texas. Reliant currently serves about 1.8 million customers in the state. “Matching
solar power
One of Spain’s largest solar power companies is on track to achieve similar status in the US now that it’s agreed to a major purchase of solar energy facilities there. Fotowatio this week agreed to buy the core solar assets of MMA Renewable Ventures, which is a wholly
carbon dioxide
A new barcoding system unveiled this week will inform consumers about the carbon emissions associated with a product and will also help them learn about any projects the manufacturer supports to offset those emissions. The CO2code, offered by the CO2code Initiative, “creates public awareness of products emissions and opens innovative
cleantech
Cleantech news as it happens — check back for regular updates: * UK-based Liberty Electric Cars says it will begin producing a zero-emissions, electric Range Rover this year; * Half of all US residents surveyed by researchers at Duke University say they expect another nation will take the lead in dealing with technology
cleantech
Still getting in the swing of things after the weekend? Greenbang can help with our daily summary of cleantech news you might have missed: * Engineering students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison created a hydrogen-based system that improves the mileage of the already fuel-efficient Vespa by 10 percent; * Efficiency gains are
carbon footprint
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown is responsible for far more carbon emissions than three of his EU counterparts, according to a new report from the French eco-publication, Terra Eco. As reported in an article in today’s Yahoo! Green, Brown’s travels last year resulted in the emissions of 8,
cleantech
Cleantech news as it happens — check back for regular updates: * First Solar today announced it’s acquiring OptiSolar’s solar power pipeline, with a total potential generating capacity of more than 20 gigawatts; * The Sunday Times this weekend published its first ever Green Rich List, a compilation of the top
This week’s CeBit technology fair in Germany aims to survive the troubled economy by enticing attendees with IT offerings designed to cut energy consumption and costs, Reuters reports today. Set to run Tuesday through Sunday in Hanover, CeBit is itself struggling, with vendor participation down by 25 percent, according
nanotechnology
Nifty: the bane of caffeine-craving bookworms everywhere — those round, brown and ugly coffee stains — could actually prove the inspiration for cutting-edge television screen technology. New Scientist reports this week that Ivan Vakarelski, an engineer in Singapore, envisions the mechanism that creates coffee stains as a way to more easily and
carbon cap
After years of Bush administration officials warning that a cap on carbon would be bad for business, the “conventional wisdom” has done an about-face. In fact, the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) has just launched a new Website and online map identifying more than 1,200 companies across the US likely
