News Harvest

Green news harvest: Not holding breath on CO2 rules

A sampling of green-tech news with quick commentary.

Green-energy gurus not holding breath on CO2 rules - MarketWatchThe word from the money people is: "Give us the rules and let us lead the way to transitioning to a low-carbon economy." Roll-Up Solar Panels - Technology ReviewToledo-based Xunlight makes progress on flexible solar cells using combination of silicon and other materials. Startup Green Energy Tech Installs First Small-Wind Concentrators - Earth2TechHaving uncovered a couple of companies that also concentrate wind to get more power, I'd say this is officially a trend. New Chips Can Boost Solar Power - Wall Street Journal… Read more

A sampling of green-tech news with quick commentary.

Obama: Energy technology path to recovery - UPI.comObama visits Nellis Air Force base's huge solar array and stumps for an export-driven clean energy economy over rising oil imports. In the same trip, he announced $467 million from stimulus act to speed development of geothermal and solar projects. GE eyes $1.5 billion in cleantech research by 2010 - ReutersGE is looking at green technologies to drive revenue growth and is hitting its own emissions reduction targets. For MTI, a dose of much-needed relief -- Times UnionMTI, which … Read more

A sampling of green-tech news with quick commentary.

Bright Green: Solar Carbon Payback - WorldchangingA study calculates the difference between energy used to make solar panels and energy saved. Conclusion: solar panels of all types reduce carbon emissions in a few years. New Honeywell Service Helps Organizations Take Critical Step Toward Sustainability - Press releaseThere are a lot carbon management software companies cropping up. Now, an established building management company is offering a greenhouse gas inventory system. Solar Shootout in the San Joaquin Valley - Renewable Energy WorldIn the solar world, there's a raging contest between … Read more

A sampling of green-tech news with quick commentary.

Q & A: Steven Chu - Technology ReviewEnergy Secretary Steven Chu talks about coming up with a new nuclear-power and waste management strategy and why hydrogen vehicles have four strikes against them. Waxman predicts committee passage as details emerge on climate, energy bill - GreenWireA House energy and climate bill makes progress through compromises, although it's not a done deal. Latest draft lowers carbon emissions targets and renewable electricity mandate while devising a system for dealing with emissions allowances. Husk Insulation Wins $200,000 MIT Clean Energy Prize: Building Better Refrigerators from Rice Husks - Xconomy… Read more

A sampling of green-tech news with quick commentary.

Ocean Carbon: Dent In Iron Fertilization Hypothesis Previously Proposed To Address Climate Change - Science DailyThe idea of seeding the ocean with iron to create plankton blooms and sequester CO2 takes a hit in this study which finds that not a lot of carbon reaches the deep sea. Don't Single Out Ethanol on Land-Use Changes, Says Trade Group Chief - The New York TimesThe EPA's proposal to include land-use changes when measuring the greenhouse gas emissions of ethanol has the industry and ag-friendly politicians riled up. 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid - Jay Leno's Garage… Read more

A sampling of green-tech news with quick commentary.

Instant Messenger of the Smart Grid - Greentech MediaTalk about convergence of energy, communications and IT: EnerNoc is using an instant-messaging protocol to update the energy consumption status of building equipment. Wind Turbine Output Boosted 30% by Breakthrough Design - CleanTechnicaRather than build bigger turbine blades, Leviathan Energy boosts output by placing objects on the ground to direct wind flow. 'Sleep Talking' PCs Save Energy And Money - Science DailyA clever research idea: a prototype USB-connectable device that lets computer operate basic networking functions while in sleep mode. Interactive Graphic: Snug and Tight - The New York Times… Read more

A sampling of green-tech news with quick commentary.

Home Green Home: Affordable Efficiency? - The New York TimesInteresting development in western Mass. to make superefficient and affordable homes. Heavy use of solar energy, of course, but here's the best part: because the homes are so well insulated, they need only small heaters, rather than full-size furnaces. Obama's 100 Days: The 10 Greenest Acts - Earth2TechHighlights of the Obama administration's efforts to promote the green-tech industry so far. Power Hungry: Reinventing The U.S. Electric Grid - NPRThe public-radio powerhouse does a deep dive on … Read more

A sampling of green-tech news with quick commentary.

Clean Energy's Dirty Little Secret - The AtlanticFirst it was concerns over lithium supply, now it's the rare earth metal neodymium. The bigger story here is national strategies for managing mineral supplies for economic, environmental, and security reasons. State wants to pull plug on energy-guzzling TVs - San Francisco ChronicleState regulators want to apply more stringent standards on TV energy use but consumer electronics industry association says it's going about it the wrong way. Old cathode ray tube TVs consume the least. Deciphering California's Efficiency Successes - New York Times… Read more

A sampling of green-tech news with quick commentary.

Oil Companies Reluctant to Follow Obama's Green Lead - The New York TimesDespite the advertising, oil and gas companies see renewable energy as a side business that will take decades to displace fossil fuels in a significant way. Energy Secretary Chu: 'Agnostic' on Pickens Plan - The Wall Street JournalChu favors fuel efficiency and biofuels over using natural gas as transportation fuel. One reason is that natural gas will be used more for electricity and heating. Rise of the Itty-Bitty Car: How Green Are the New Uber Compacts? - Earth2Tech… Read more

A sampling of green-tech news with quick commentary.

Light Cycle: Recycling PV Materials - Renewable Energy WorldThe European solar industry is taking steps to recycle the materials--some of it highly valuable metals--inside solar panels to avoid future e-waste problems. Enbridge gears up for green gas era - The Toronto StarSnapshot of efforts in Canada to put biogas from landfills, manure, and sewage into the natural gas pipeline to make electricity. Does carbon-eating cement deserve the hype? - Climate ProgressIf you're good at chemistry and want to dig into Calera's claims of carbon-consuming cement. Bottom line … Read more