Smart grid

The U.S. government is suddenly spending more than $10 billion in direct grants and loan guarantees, to leverage tens of billions more dollars in renewables-friendly grid investment. The aim is to develop and implement an electrical transmission system that would be tougher and more flexible: the smart grid.

Working to make the world a better place

Will a rethinking of the automobile paradigm be the solution of the carmaker crisis? Wheter or not, Shai Agassi had decided to start an innovative company: Better Place. The goal? Set up everything is needed to make electric to cars a red carpet.

BedZED - Beddington Zero Emission Development

The Beddington Zero Energy Development (BedZED) is the UK's largest carbon-neutral eco-community. The first residents moved in there during March 2002.
The 82 residentials homes are constructed from thermally massive materials that store heat during warm conditions and release heat at cooler times. BedZED houses are arranged in south facing terraces to maximise heat gain from the sun, known as passive solar gain. Every building has its own photovoltaic plant and the rain water is collected and purified. Construction have been carried on paying attention to materials enviromental impact.
Also if someone thinks that the results, after 6 years, are worse than expected BedZED is certainly a best practice to follow.

Nanosolar: would thin film be the future of photovolatic?

Nanosolar, a company founded in 2002, with a production factory in California and a panel-assembly factory in Germany (they are alreday in production, but sold out for the next 12 month), is developing the necessary technology to implement a thin film printing process that would make solar cells cheeper. The technology is very promising and we hope to see their panel in action very soon! Check the link.

Honda FCX Clarity: first hydrogen car that hit the market

The first hydrogen powered car has hit the market: the Honda FCX Clarity. After many technolgy advances that brought to FCX Clarity good performance numbers (power: 100 CV, max velocity: 160 km/h, autonomy: 620 km) Honda decided to sell it for 21,600 $ (with lease possibility) to eco-aware californians (the car brand evaluated California the right place where a customer can resonably gain access to hydrogen fuel).