News

Billionaire oilman backs wind power

T. Boone Pickens is pumping billions of dollars into a wind farm in Texas. It could become the biggest in the world.

Avalanche effect in solar cells

One photon can release two or three electrons, hence the term avalanche effect. This could lead to an increased maximum output.

Focus Fusion, unlimited, economical energy

Chilean Nuclear Energy Commission expect to begin an ambitious $2M three-year experimental program using the Speed-2 plasma focus device that will determine the scientific feasibility

Offshore floating wind turbine

The world’s first full scale floating wind turbine, Hywind. Planned startup is autumn 2009.

Town 100% Wind Powered

Rock Port Missouri, population 1,300, is the first 100% wind powered city in the US. Wind Farm uses four 1.25-MW wind turbines

Ethanol, the ultimate Home Brew

What if you could make fuel for your car in your backyard for less than you pay at the pump? Would you?

Solar Thermal Power

One of oldest forms of energy used by humans, sunlight concentrated by mirrors, is poised to make an astonishing comeback.

Oil Deposit Could Increase US Reserves 10x

Estimates have ranged to the hundreds of billions of barrels underlying parts of North and South Dakota.

Disposable Nuclear Batteries

A US government program is in the works to design small nuclear reactors for use by developing countries.

Nanoparticles Could Make Hydrogen Cheaper Than Petrol

QuantumSphere has developed nanoparticles that could make hydrogen cheaper than gasoline.

Lamp lit by Gravity Wins Greener Award

A lamp powered by gravity has won the second prize at the Greener Gadgets Conference in NYC.

Energy From Raindrops

Researchers have developed a technique that harvests energy from rain showers and converts it into electricity. The technology could work in industrial air conditioning systems, where water condenses and drops like rain. It could also be used in combination with solar power to scavenge as much energy from the environment as possible, or to power tiny, wireless sensors designed to monitor environmental conditions.

Biofuels make greenhouse gases worse, scientists say

Almost all biofuels used today cause more greenhouse-gas emissions than conventional fuels if the full emissions costs of producing these "green" fuels are taken into account, two studies published have concluded.

Tiny Biodiesel Reactors

A professor of chemical engineering at Oregon State University developed a small reactor to directly convert vegetable oil to biodiesel. Goran Jovanovic reports his invention is approximately the size of a credit card. It pumps vegetable oil and alcohol through parallel channels to convert the oil into biodiesel almost instantly.