Eco Factor: Generating renewable energy from heated pavement.
While some researchers are working on technology to install solar panels on roads to provide renewable energy, researchers at Novotech and two Massachusetts universities are working on a system that could channel heat from asphalt and other paving materials into usable power.
Eco Factor: Revolving restaurant in Switzerland uses solar energy.
Leysin’s revolving restaurant “Le Kuklos” will now offer panoramic views of La Berneuse with a system powered entirely by solar energy. The restaurant, constructed at a height of 2048m, has installed 10 solar panels that help it revolve 360 degrees within 1.5 hours.
Eco Factor: Charging station for electric vehicles to run on solar energy.
Toyota Industries Corp has announced that the company is developing electric vehicle charging stations that won’t drain the grid, but will rely on the abundant energy of the sun. The solar-powered EV charging stations will first harness solar energy and store it in batteries, which is then used to recharge electric vehicles.
Eco Factor: Ever-changing media wall designed to be powered by solar energy.
Nabito Architects have proposed a stunning media wall to grace the Taipei Pop Music Center that integrates a photovoltaic façade to power LED panels. The ever-changing wall can broadcast news, weather information, advertisements and trailers for upcoming events.
Eco Factor: Concept yacht designed to be powered by a magnetically levitated wind turbine.
Lila-Lou has unveiled the designs of their latest Ankida sailing yacht that will be powered by wind. The concept is cradled within the bow-like arrangement, which allows the forces generated by the rig to propel the yacht efficiently. Similar to the bow arrangement, the sail is also designed to allow for the greatest surface area coverage and optimal positioning in relation to wind direction.
Eco Factor: Sustainable city center to minimize energy and water usage.
Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) have recently been awarded the contract to design a sustainable Central Business District in Beijing that will help eliminate 215,000 tons of CO2 annually, an equivalent of planting 14 million adult trees.
I arrived in Los Angeles yesterday after an amazing cross-country road trip in a 2009 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI (more on that to follow in another post). We’re about a week and a half away from the start of our shoot for season two of The Lazy Environmentalist. But before we dive in once again, we’ve been honored with a nomination from the Environmental Media Association for an award as the best environmental reality program. So Dave Metzler (our show’s awesome Executive Producer), the Sundance Channel team, and I will be on hand at the EMA awards ceremony this Sunday.
Thanks to Bahar Shahpar, stylist, fashion designer, and sustainability expert extraordinaire I’ll be styling at the EMAs in some swank eco-duds. Bahar is also handling my eco-wardrobe for season two, so I’ll get to feature much of the best men’s eco-fashion available throughout the season. You can see her in action over on our mini site at Sundance Channel as our green fashion expert on the show during season one.
Eco Factor: Concept electric pedal-assist bicycle with a carbon fiber frame.
The Tokyo Motor Show isn’t just about futuristic cars that tickle the imagination buds of most, but has a few hidden gems under its sleeve as well, and the Lexus HB concept bicycle is just one of them.
Eco Factor: Sustainable floating pavilion designed to harness solar energy for power.
Construction is underway on the climate change resilient floating pavilion designed by DeltaSync, a spin-off company of the Delft University of Technology and Public Domain Architecten. The eye-catching structure will be constructed in the Rijnhaven in Rotterdam, and will consist of three floating half-spheres. The structure will be 12 meters tall, with a total floor area the size of four tennis courts, and will be fully re-locatable.
Eco Factor: Carbon neutral housing project runs on solar energy.
This era belongs to architecture, and we’ve seen some really ingenious ways architecture can go green. Here is another similar plan by architect Carl Burdick. The architect has proposed a Zero Net Carbon Housing (ZNCH) project that makes its inhabitants live with minimum impact on the environment.
Eco Factor: One-piece solar mounting rack made from recycled materials.
Sollega Inc has announced its new InstaRack™, the solar industry’s first fully assembled, one-piece mounting rack made from recycled materials. The patent-pending no-assembly design reduces installation labor costs for flat commercial rooftops by up to half when compared with traditional systems. The InstaRack™ is compatible with most solar panels on the market today, allowing installers to continue working with the manufacturers of their choice while greatly reducing labor overhead.
Eco Factor: Ecofriendly pod generates renewable electricity and harvests rainwater.
The rise in the cost of energy has made many homeowners think about renewable energy that can initially be expensive, but they also have the potential to recoup their cost in terms of energy savings. The [Pod #001] is an ecofriendly pod that can connect with other dwellings for sustainable space and renewable energy generation.
Eco Factor: Ecofriendly vehicle runs on batteries.
Eco-minded designer Seth Kinmont surely is a designer who has the skills to bring the past into the future in a sustainable fashion. The designer has come up with an electric car that brings the great past of wooden buggies including a horse drawn carriage and an Amish cart into the future by converting it to run on clean electricity.
Eco Factor: Hi-tech recycling bin makes origami from waste paper.
Designed by Qianqian Tao, the Waste Paper Recycle Trash Bin is not just a way to dispose trash for further recycling, as this hi-tech bin recycles waste on its own. The system mixes waste paper with polyvinyl alcohol environment cement.
Eco Factor: Underwater turbines could generate 10TWh of energy annually.
Of all the forms of renewable energy, wave power seems the most complex, but if harnessed it could end the global dependence on fossil fuels for power. A spin-off from the Swedish military and aircraft design firm Saab Minesto has proposed the Deep Green Underwater turbine that could well generate about 18 terrawatthours of electricity annually by harnessing wave energy.
Driving down the Autobahn at 120mph is fun no matter what, but doing it in a 2010 VW Golf TDI clean diesel technology prototype makes me a truly inspired driver. The dialed European suspension handles as fluidly at 120mph as it does at 30mph (not that we recommend breaking any speed limits but there are none on the Autobahn).
Passing through countless villages while carving up the German countryside in a clean diesel engine makes passing all those wind-farms (clusters of giant wind energy turbines that look like robotic windmills) feel more like a pleasure cruise through a clean technology futureland than a press event — so much so that me and my fellow journalist/go-to driving partner/guy who took the picture, Big Dan Barna, accidentally got lost in four-wheel euphoria and completely missed the afternoon session at the track. That’s cool, I’ll let the real car guys take my turn there, because I’m much more inspired by the forthcoming 2010 Golf TDI than anything that whips around a track — besides, I’m doing 120mph on zee Autobahn, what more could I want?
With all do respect to the techies (particularly the green techies) of the world, here’s the skinny from VW representative Thomas E. Wegehaupt:
What makes these diesel engines clean diesel? How are they different from traditional diesel engines with regard to sustainability?
Our current 2.0 liter clean diesel TDI engine is very different from its predecessors. Perhaps the largest and most important change is the addition of a Common Rail injection system with Piezo fuel injectors. This system allows for an extremely efficient combustion process that results in a quieter engine, improved mileage, and cleaner exhaust leaving the combustion process which equates to cleaner emissions down the line.
The exhaust system of the 2.0L TDI engine is also very different from previous engines and contains, among other things, a Diesel Particulate Filter, NOx Reduction Catalytic Converter and Sulfur Catalytic converter.
Between the new common rail injection system and the advanced exhaust system, our clean diesel TDI’s meet the most stringent emissions standards of California and all 50 states…all without compromising driving dynamics.
How did VW arrive at the decision to back diesel as opposed to other clean fuel technologies?
Volkswagen believes very strongly that today’s clean diesel technology is the best fuel alternative technology that is currently available in the marketplace today because of the many benefits that today’s clean diesel technology provides, such as:
· Provides more than 30 percent better fuel efficiency.
· Approximately 25 percent less greenhouse gas emissions than a comparable gasoline engine.
· Our current clean diesel technology eliminates 98% of particulate emissions.
· Less foreign oil imports: EPA research has concluded that if diesels were to power one third of all light duty vehicles in the U.S., the shift would save approximately 1.4 million barrels of oil a day—equal to the daily shipments from Saudi Arabia to the U.S.
· Convenience factor: Higher mileage equals fewer stops to fill up.
· Longevity: Diesel engines are known for longevity and their fantastic resale value.
However, Volkswagen is not placing all of its eggs in one basket. We believe that there will be a more diverse range of propulsion technology and fuel combinations in the future, and Volkswagen is leading the way with important developments across the range. We are currently working on and developing battery electric vehicle technology, plug-in hybrid technology, hydrogen fuel cell technology, bio-fuels, and other exciting new technologies that will power tomorrow’s vehicles. We are not betting solely on any one technology for future vehicle propulsion, rather we are working on numerous technologies that will benefit future generations of consumers.
Does VW have any statistics that show the benefits to the driver (i.e. how much a driver can expect to save on fuel in the next 1-5 years driving this car) and the environment (i.e. any additional environmental benefits besides the fuel efficiency)?
This varies too much on the driving style of the individual, but we do know that diesel engines attain more than a 30 percent better fuel economy compared to a similar gasoline engine, and they emit about 25 percent less harmful greenhouse gas than gasoline engines. Here is something I found online though:
“According to EPA (www.fueleconomy.gov) a single comparison between the diesel and gasoline versions of the Volkswagen Jetta demonstrate that the diesel model would travel 36 percent more miles on a tank of fuel and save $321 annually on fuel costs, while using nearly two fewer barrels of oil and admitting one less ton of Green House Gas emissions each year.” source: Diesel technology Forum
Our clean diesel TDI models also qualify for an Advanced Lean Burn Motor Vehicle Federal Income Tax Credit. $1,300 on the Jetta TDI, $1,700 for the Golf TDI, and $1,150 for the Touareg TDI.
It sounds like the 2010 Golf is compliant with Europe’s proposed environmental standard? Does that mean that VW is launching a more sustainable car in the US than is currently available in Europe?
Vehicle currently meets all Tier II emission standards and we fully expect that we will meet the new emission standards of Government of 39.5 mpg by 2016 and all of the emissions standards that are part of it.
What is the single most important idea that you’d like to share with Lazy Environmentalists?
As I said above, the Volkswagen Group firmly believes that clean diesel technology represents the best alternative fuel vehicle choice today based on the existing infrastructure. However, this does not mean that we are only concentrating on this one technology. We believe there will be a more diverse range of propulsion technology and fuel combinations in the future, and consumers can be sure that the Volkswagen Group is leading the charge with important developments across the range. Everything from battery electric, and plug in hybrids to advanced zero emission high temperature fuel cell vehicles. Our goal is simple…to make a cleaner, greener world to live in while using our natural resources more efficiently and wisely.
Sounds good, Thomas. The clean diesel technology is a giant leap in the right direction that crushes anything that Flex Fuel was ever going to (ahem) accomplish. Meanwhile, check out the interior on the forthcoming 2010 Golf TDI. I haven’t seen too many sub $25,000 cars with a cockpit like that. And it’s a good thing because it’s that sunny-sweet, low-to-the-ground, high-torque-at-low-RPMs driving that keeps you pressed back in the seat cheesing “Guttentag” through a toothy grin and singing along with German radio stations.
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Eco Factor: Concept yacht designed to run on solar power.
Designed by Demetrius Tanase, the Poseidon Concept Yacht is a 12m long vessel designed specifically for recreation and comfort. The surprisingly green luxury yacht combines the benefits of solar power and a low-drag design for better use of electrical energy.
Eco Factor: Solar-powered charger for cellphones and PMPs.
Just a few weeks after i.Tech Dynamic launched its solar-powered Bluetooth headset, the company is back again, and this time with solar-powered charger for mobile devices. Dubbed SolarCharger 906, the charger is about the size of a deck of cards and can easily be carried along.
Eco Factor: Zero-emission powerboat gets powered by electric batteries.
UK-based Patterson Boatworks has announced its first electric performance vessel – the Elektra Carbon. The hi-end powerboat is designed by Nigel Irens and marries traditional craftsmanship, advanced hull dynamics and electrical motive technology.
Eco Factor: Zero-emission motorcycle designed to be powered by an electric motor.
We’ve always believed that in addition to offering a greener ride, electric engines allow designers to come up with brilliant machines that can definitely make a few heads turn. Yamaha has realized this fact and has come up with a stunning concept motorcycle at the Tokyo Motor Show. Dubbed EC-f, the all-electric motorcycle is designed to suit the requirements of riders of all ages and experience levels.
Eco Factor: Warship powered by gas turbines and electric motors.
The latest advancements in electric battery technology aren’t just being used to power cars to a longer distance at a fast speed but are also being used by massive machines such as the USS Makin Island.
Eco Factor: International airport designed to be powered by renewable sources of energy.
San Diego has been desperate for a new airport for years. The existing facility is too crowded since it is serving a metropolitan area of 3 million people. Short on land space for a new international airport, OceanWorksDevelopment is planning to use the Pacific Ocean for the same.
Eco Factor: Vertical farm uses algae to generate biofuel.
The dependence on fossil fuels needs a break, so governments are shifting their focus on better sources to generate better fuels. Bio-fuel made from algae can be the answer only if there is enough land to cultivate these fuel-producing plants. Designers at UPI-2M are sure that finding land space to cultivate algae at that scale isn’t possible, so they’ve tried to focus toward the sky.
Eco Factor: Zero-emission scooter powered by hydrogen fuel cell motors.
Suzuki Motor Corporation along with Intelligent Energy has announced the development of a fuel-cell powered scooter that will be showcased at the Tokyo Motor Show. Dubbed Suzuki Burgman, the fuel cell scooter is a demonstration of the potential for zero emission motorcycles to reduce global emissions.
Eco Factor: Solar-powered prefabricated mobile living unit.
Designed by Olga Kalugina, the BLOOM is a mobile living module designed to offer hi-end living on renewable energy sources far from civilization. The self-sustaining module works independently and harnesses solar energy for heat and power.
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