biofuels
The exhalations of travellers passing through Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport could prove to be a new source of biofuels for the UK. UK-based Origo Industries Ltd. plans to deploy its EcoBox system at the airport in a first-of-its kind trial. The test: to capture carbon dioxide from air handling
sustainability
Who knew diapers, bandages and wipes could be so technologically advanced? Polymer Group Inc. (PGI) is not only a leading producer of such non-woven, engineered materials, but has now named its first chief sustainability officer to help its operations become more green. John Heironimus, PGI’s chief marketing officer, will
biofuels
US officials have announced $25 million in funding to promote biofuels and bioenergy research and development. A joint initiative of the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA), the funding programme aims to create “a diverse group of economically and environmentally sustainable sources of renewable biomass.” It
nanocars
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new type of nanocar that moves at room temperature — a first for the molecule-sized “vehicles” that previous needed to be heated to 200 degrees Celsius in order to run. The super-tiny cars have a paddlewheel motor powered by light energy. First developed in
jatropha
A guest commentary by Stanley Wootliff of Viridas PLC Jatropha doesn’t possess the best of reputations — not least because, due to its toxicity, it’s commonly known as the “black vomit nut.” But don’t be too quick to write off this Brazilian nut, which could become a vital
hybrid cars
Electrical engineer John Sweeney recently discovered his Prius is good for more than green cred on the road: after an ice-storm knocked out power to his Massachusetts home last month, he tapped his car to generate four days’ worth of electricity for his refrigerator, television, stove fan and a few
clean energy
What will it take to save the world from the worst of climate change? A report from the World Economic Forum in Davos says we’ll need to spend $515 billion (US) a year on clean energy development between now and 2030 to prevent an unsustainable global temperature rise. The
leds
Researchers at the University of Cambridge say they have developed a new type of LED light bulb that could slash electricity consumption and burn for 100,000 hours , which would translate into about 60 years’ worth of typical household use. The LED uses gallium nitride, which generates bright, energy-efficient lighting
cleantech
Couldn’t keep up with all the cleantech news coming out yesterday? Here are some stories you might have missed: * Texas is moving ahead with plans for $5 billion (US) worth of new electricity transmission lines to deliver wind energy to its big cities, Reuters reports. The top wind-energy producer
economy
The European Commission today proposed spending €5 billion of unspent funds from the EU’s budget to stimulate the economy while building for longer-term energy security and wider broadband access across the continent. “The EU’s Recovery Plan is all about ‘smart investment’ — a short-term stimulus targeted on long-term goals,
green economy
The government’s new package of more £2 billion in loans for the UK auto industry makes low-carbon initiatives a front-and-center priority. Included in the proposal are loans of up to £1.3 billion European Investment Bank (EIB) guarantees for investment in lower-carbon initiatives and additional loans of up to
clean energy
This week saw the founding of a new global organisation — the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) — aimed at giving renewables “an international voice and political impetus,” according to Sigmar Gabriel, Germany’s Federal Environment Minister and representative to the new group. Seventy-five nations (though neither the UK nor US) signed
