wind

There are several ways one can harness natural energy. In addition to the sun, wind, tides, and geothermal activities, the human body itself is increasingly being used to produce energy charge all sorts of electricity-hungry devices.

Music company Orange and GotWind, a firm specializing in renewable energy, have teamed up to create a device called the Dance Charge. Weighing 180 grams (about 6.3 ounces), you strap it around your arm. Dance Charge then uses the kinetic energy generated by your body in motion to juice up your phone.

It also uses a system of weights and magnets to produce … Read more

Was there another fire I don't know about? MSI is now 0 for 2 on Wind release dates. The company originally stated its Intel Atom-based mininotebook would start shipping on June 16 and then cited the LG Chem fire as it pushed back the release date until today. Well, June 27 has arrived and still no Wind.

MSI told Crave that it hopes to have an update next week about when it might start shipping the thing, but Engadget reports that those with an MSI Wind on preorder received word from MSI that it expects the first shipment to … Read more

Scheduled to start shipping today, the MSI Wind has been delayed--blown off course, if you'll forgive the unavoidable pun. Citing battery shortages because of the fire at LG Chem's Ochang plant this past March, MSI has delayed the launch of its mininotebook until June 27. On that date, the company will begin shipping an XP version of the Wind with a 3-cell battery for $479. In July, MSI will start shipping the Linux version for $399 and an XP version with a 6-cell battery for $499. All models will feature an Intel Atom CPU and 10-inch screen.

Note: … Read more

Siemens Energy plans to open its first U.S. wind turbine research and development facility in Boulder, Colo.

The energy sector of the German company made the announcement on Tuesday in Houston, Texas, at Windpower 2008, the American Wind Energy Association's annual conference.

The center will concentrate on everything from designing better wind turbine components such as aerodynamic blades to conducting atmospheric-science research.

As part of the plan, Siemens Energy will collaborate with the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) to install a Siemens 2.3-megawatt (MW) wind turbine at the National Wind Technology Center located just outside of Boulder.… Read more

A 'green' economy could provide new, improved opportunities for 14 million workers, according to a report released Tuesday by progressive environmental and labor groups.

For now, a quick look at any employment ad Web site turns up few opportunities in hands-on, "green" trades, such as installing solar panels. However, the 2007 U.S. Energy Act approved $125 million in funding for workforce training through the Green Jobs Act.

What might the new jobs look like?

Revamped professions, from agricultural inspecting to welding, would cover 9 percent of the U.S. workforce, according to authors Robert Pollin and Jeannette … Read more

Surprising no one, MSI today announced its forthcoming mininotebook will feature an Intel Atom CPU. The rest of the specifications for the MSI Wind remain unchanged from those we saw last month when MSI was dancing around the CPU question. Today's announcement, however, did include an official price and a ship date. The Windows-based MSI Wind will cost $499 and will be released on June 16. Linux versions will cost $399, but they won't be out until "later this summer."

The Windows version features XP Home, a 1.6GHz Intel Atom CPU on the Intel 945GMS … Read more

Mariah Power says its Windspire vertical-axis wind turbine is now commercially available, after having passed performance tests.

The Windspire costs $4,995, which includes the inverter, pole, and other equipment.

Typically, small-wind turbines such as Southwest Windpower's 1.9-kilowatt Skystream, are best suited for homes with a substantial amount of land.

Mariah Power said the Windspire is aimed at residential customers in urban, suburban, and rural areas. It has already been installed in a handful of U.S. locations.

"(Its) efficiency is on par with most propeller-based wind turbines, but it is priced much lower. It is also … Read more

The Eee PC launch went so swimmingly, now everyone is jumping into the pool. Dell's looking ready to make a splash with a mini Inspiron netbook, seen in the hands of Michael Dell himself at this week's All Things D conference. (Dell offered virtually no details on the product, except to say it is the "perfect device for the next billion Internet users.") Acer seems to be dipping its toes into the shallow end, with the rumored Aspire One netbook. MSI's Wind mininotebook sat poolside for a photo shoot. And champion swimmer Asus confirmed to … Read more

We've just had an exclusive hands-on with the MSI Wind, which we liked the look of in March, and by golly it's good. So good, in fact, that it could take the throne from the Asus Eee PC as the best mini laptop on the planet.

It's ever so slightly larger than an Eee PC, and slightly heavier at 1.3 kilograms, but don't let that put you off. It's still super-portable and once you see the confirmed specs--and the extra tricks up its sleeve--you'll be craving one, too.

We can't talk about … Read more