Archive for the ‘Electric’ Category

Grid-Scale Metal Liquid Batteries Could Revolutionize Renewable Energy Use

Wednesday, May 16th, 2012

Most Exciting Development Ive Seen in Ages! Almost every week, I see some R&D project or lab prototype that makes me go “ooh, thats interesting!”. But its rather rare that I encounter something that makes me rethink my whole vision of the future! It happened to me when I saw the video below, which is a presentation by a MIT professor on how he designed grid-scale liquid metal batteries.

via Grid-Scale Metal Liquid Batteries Could Revolutionize 

CLIMATE NEWS SCAN – 15 May 2012

Tuesday, May 15th, 2012

Some highlights from this weeks News Scan:

  • Mobility will grow, but today’s politicians can determine the carbon impact
  • Civil disobedience as a means of expression
  • Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions rise 17%

The PICS News Scan is produced by ISIS at the Sauder School of Business and the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS). To be added to the News Scan distribution list Subscribe Here or to provide content feedback and/or suggestions about interesting news items, please email: isis@sauder.ubc.ca.

Authors: Neil ThomsonNeil SalmondKristina WelchJustin BullJames Noble, Clea Moray

Editors: James Tansey (ISIS), Jessica Worsley (PICS), Tom Pedersen (PICS)

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CLIMATE NEWS SCAN – 01 May 2012

Tuesday, May 1st, 2012

Some highlights from this weeks News Scan:

  • New study shows thriving jellyfish populations
  • Time-lapse tools help people understand climate change
  • Environmental and economic concerns emerge about forest bioenergy

The PICS News Scan is produced by ISIS at the Sauder School of Business and the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS). To be added to the News Scan distribution list Subscribe Here or to provide content feedback and/or suggestions about interesting news items, please email: isis@sauder.ubc.ca.

Authors: Neil ThomsonNeil SalmondKristina WelchJustin BullJames Noble

Editors: James Tansey (ISIS), Jessica Worsley (PICS), Tom Pedersen (PICS)

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Mr Cameron sees North Sea as green energy hub

Monday, April 30th, 2012

Mr David Cameron PM of British as saying that Britain’s North Sea has the potential to lead the world in offshore wind and carbon capture and storage technology as over 20 companies signed a deal to turn the region into a major renewable energy hub.

Major utilities such as Britain’s Scottish Power and Norway’s Statoil, manufacturers ranging from Siemens to Gamesa and supply chain companies are supporting a plan to develop the offshore wind potential of the North Sea, provisionally named Norstec. Further details about the operations of the network will be revealed at an offshore wind conference in London in June.

via Mr Cameron sees North Sea as green energy hub

CLIMATE NEWS SCAN – 24 April 2012

Tuesday, April 24th, 2012

Some highlights from this weeks News Scan:

  • American urban planners focus on building sustainable communities
  • Urban trees provide economic value
  • Is natural gas better for the climate? It depends

The PICS News Scan is produced by ISIS at the Sauder School of Business and the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS). To be added to the News Scan distribution list Subscribe Here or to provide content feedback and/or suggestions about interesting news items, please email: isis@sauder.ubc.ca.

Authors: Neil ThomsonNeil SalmondKristina WelchJustin Bull

Editors: James Tansey (ISIS), Jessica Worsley (PICS), Tom Pedersen (PICS)

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Solar Cells with 40% efficiency

Tuesday, April 24th, 2012

New solar cell technique could more than double efficiency.

A joint Australian/German research team have developed a way to boost efficiency of solar cells up to a record breaking 40% efficiency. Current panels have around 12-17% efficiency.

Called photochemical upconversion, the process captures energy that is normally lost in solar cells.

“We are able to boost efficiency by forcing two energy-poor red photons in the cell to join and make one energy-rich yellow photon that can capture light, which is then turned into electricity,” Associate Professor Schmidt said.

via Emergent Futures Tumblelog.

Hydrogenics and Enbridge to Develop Utility Scale Energy Storage

Tuesday, April 24th, 2012

Hydrogenics Corporation has announced it has entered into an agreement with Enbridge Inc. to jointly develop utility scale energy storage in North America. Enbridge is Canada’s largest natural gas distribution company and plans to use its existing infrastructure as a ‘Power-to-Gas’ storage system.

via Hydrogenics and Enbridge to Develop Utility Scale Energy Storage in North America.

CLIMATE NEWS SCAN – 17 April 2012

Tuesday, April 17th, 2012

Some highlights from this weeks News Scan:

  • Summer changes take their toll on aging populations
  • New study discredits skeptic argument, links CO2 to warming
  • Forest biomass a problem and opportunity in BC

The PICS News Scan is produced by ISIS at the Sauder School of Business and the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS). To be added to the News Scan distribution list Subscribe Here or to provide content feedback and/or suggestions about interesting news items, please email: isis@sauder.ubc.ca.

Authors: Neil ThomsonCalyn ShawNeil SalmondKristina WelchJustin Bull

Editors: James Tansey (ISIS), Jessica Worsley (PICS), Tom Pedersen (PICS)

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Endurance Signs RenewableUK Charter | Endurance Wind Power

Monday, April 16th, 2012

Vancouver, BC Canada Endurance Wind Power EWP, manufacturer of advanced small wind turbines 50kW in size, designed specifically for distributed wind power applications, today announced it has signed the RenewableUK Energy Charter joining founding signatories GE, Vestas and more who have vowed to make a commitment to economic stability and clean energy.

via Endurance Signs RenewableUK Charter | Endurance Wind Power.

CLIMATE NEWS SCAN – 10 April 2012

Tuesday, April 10th, 2012

Some highlights from this weeks News Scan:

  • New guidance for managing extreme weather risk
  • Understanding energy: sources and options for a low carbon future
  • Washington State first to tackle ocean acidification

The PICS News Scan is produced by ISIS at the Sauder School of Business and the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS). To be added to the News Scan distribution list Subscribe Here or to provide content feedback and/or suggestions about interesting news items, please email: isis@sauder.ubc.ca.

Authors: Neil ThomsonCalyn ShawNeil SalmondKristina WelchJustin Bull

Editors: James Tansey (ISIS), Jessica Worsley (PICS), Tom Pedersen (PICS)

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