Eco Factor: Zero-emission vehicle powered by an electric engine.
The urban world of tomorrow not only needs vehicle that are powered by clean energy, but need them to be compact so that they don’t use up much space on the overly crowded highways. Auto designer Raphael Morais recognizes the challenges and has come up with a concept vehicle perfectly suited for such environment.
Eco Factor: Eco-friendly structure designed to harvest rainwater and reduce energy consumption.
The Horizontal Scraper is the brainchild of designers Rae Won Noh, In Ki Kim, Jeong Tae Kim, Hyo Bin Jung and Jang Ook Lee and has been conceptualized to reduce the environmental impact of high rise buildings. Unlike conventional skyscrapers, the Horizontal Scraper rests above the ground level on roofs of existing buildings.
Eco Factor: Low-impact shelter made affordable.
Giving a feeling of camping, the “Single Shed” is an adventure outpost located near Joseph, Oregon. Designed by Ryan Lingard, this cute little mountain cabin is sits on a mere 130 square feet area. It resides between the serene beauty of the hills and comes loaded with green features to make it an off-the-grid home.
Eco Factor: Zero-emission concept car powered by electricity.
The Lamborghini Rompighiaccio concept by designer Denis Archambault tries to break the thought that super cars can’t be ecological. The vehicle takes inspiration from the snow sculpts created by wind in the Arctic landscape and also by a wolf’s anatomy. The absence of the distinctive engine allows utilization of space in a better way.
Eco Factor: Zero-emission vehicle powered by a hydrogen/electric hybrid engine.
Auto designer Ryan Jacobson believes that the auto industry has spent too much improving conventional technologies to suit the future. With new technologies constantly being developed, the designer aims to use them in next-gen vehicles that are powered by clean energy. Ryan has conceptualized a shape-shifting trike that explains his vision.
Eco Factor: SK Energy’s lithium-ion batteries to power upcoming EVs.
We have already seen many trendy cars making a breakthrough in the world of EVs and can expect electric cars to dominate the transportation industry in the near future. Keeping this fact in mind South Korea-based SK Energy Co. has decided to expand its business by providing lithium-ion batteries for upcoming electric vehicles from both Hyundai Motors and Kia Motors.
Eco Factor: Mixed-use building achieves LEED Platinum with energy saving techniques.
Designed by Becker + Becker Associates, the 360 State Street in New Haven Connecticut is grabbing some headlines with a platinum LEED certification. The development, which is scheduled to open next week, proves how energy-efficient high-rise buildings can green the environment.
Eco Factor: New vacuum technology makes tumble drier energy efficient.
Designer Nico Klaber has devised a new tumble dryer that deserves brownie points for both its energy saving aspect and ergonomic design. Called the Dry Mate, this dryer uses new vacuum technology based on the fact that enclosed space with low air pressure evaporates water at lower temperatures. The new technology therefore helps dry clothes at a lower temperature using lesser energy. Not only does it save energy it also avoids clothes from any heat related damage. Read the full story
Eco Factor: Energy efficient tower gets powered by wind energy.
Building facades embedded with photovoltaic panels for generation of renewable solar energy is a common architecture design practice. New York based HWKN Architects have designed Windscraper Tower that envisions the Greece’s incomplete Piraeus Tower in its modern avatar. Read the full story
Eco Factor: Stylish bike concept powered by thermal and electric engine.
Stylish, powerful, aesthetically appealing and huge are the words that come to my mind when I think of this muscle hunk. Dubbed the “Custombike concept,” this dazzling bike is what I would like to call a complete green package. It is powered by a hybrid engine, which is a combination of a thermal engine and the electric one hidden in the frame.
Eco Factor: Low-emission vehicle powered by a hybrid engine.
The recent launch of Cayenne hybrid made Porsche’s intentions very clear and the company has now confirmed that a hybrid version of the Panamera will also be available in 2011. The Panamera Hybrid will also use the same petrol-electric powertrain as used in the Cayenne, which includes a 46bhp electric motor mated to a 329bhp supercharged 3.0-liter V6.
Eco Factor: U.S. Navy grants contracts to design, install and manage solar arrays.
The U.S. Navy’s association with solar power dates back in 2002 and this time around, it goes huge. The Navy has recently awarded five contracts worth up to $100 million for the design, installation and management of solar arrays at Navy and Marine Corps facilities in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah.
Eco Factor: Concept robots purify oily water.
The Gulf of Mexico oil spill has triggered the development of schemes that can protect the environment if such disasters happen in future. While some people are proposing use of dispersants or hay, the Global Response Group is proposing a more high-tech approach. The group is proposing automated robots called the Airborne Robotic Oil Spill Recovery System or AEROS that can clean oil spill in days.
Eco Factor: Sustainable apartment building minimizes energy consumption.
Halle 58 Architects have developed the Gebhartstrasse Apartment in Liebefeld Switzerland that aims to reduce energy consumption by incorporating several advanced passive energy techniques. The façade of the building features glass walls that gather passive solar heat when required.
Eco Factor: Zero-emission concept electric car powered by renewable energy.
The Bentley Jeckyll and Hyde is a zero-emission concept car for the future, which like all other Bentleys is for those with deep pockets. Designed by Bora Kim, the concept car could revolutionize the luxury car industry by merging art, philosophy and sustainability in one package.
Eco Factor: Sustainable museum to be powered by renewable solar energy.
Taking advantage of the sunny and warm climate of Xiamen in China, MAD Architects have outlined a sustainable museum that will ‘float’ above the city as a cloud. The eco-friendly structure features an organic, molten metal shape that reflects the beauty of the surrounding environment right onto its walls.
Eco Factor: UV flashlight helps detect hard to spot oil on the beach.
In the end it’s all about breaking inhibitions and at least give a try to what has never been done before. In this case it’s about a simple test widely used to detect oil using UV flashlight under lab conditions alone. One particular geologist Rip Kirby decided to conduct a similar test on a beach to detect oil pollution and was simply left amazed by the results. Read the full story
Eco Factor: Zero emission Nissan Leaf’s US launch set for December this year.
Good news has originated for the future Nissan Leaf consumers eagerly awaiting the car’s launch in the US. Nissan North America’s Executive vice president, Carlos Tavares has announced official rollout plans for the car. The zero emissions car would be launched in 5 US states California, Washington, Oregon, Arizona and Tennessee by December this year followed by Texas and Hawaii in January 201and the rest of the nation in the fall of 2011. Read the full story
Eco Factor: Redesigned wind turbines to produce more energy.
With the world walking towards a green future, every company is trying to make records for others to follow. In an attempt to design the world’s biggest offshore wind turbine, engineers from Britain, US and Norway are battling it out to taste success. He aim is to build a massive 10MW offshore machines that is twice the size and power of anything seen before. Arup, a British engineering firm has come up with a design that is inspired by floating oil platform technology and mimics a spinning sycamore leaf.
Eco Factor: WWF boat is powered by photovoltaic panels on its roof.
The World Wildlife Federation (WWF) has left no stone unturned to save wildlife. This time around, the leading wildlife and endangered species conservation organization is looking towards renewable energy to make a difference. As part of WWF Spain’s new ‘Embárcate’ campaign, the organization plans an eco-tour along the Mediterranean coastline for the next three summers. A 46-foot solar boat will visit Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) such as the Cap de Creus Canyon and as other important Mediterranean coastal areas.
Eco Factor: Organic photovoltaic cells could be worn as solar energy generators.
Researchers at the University of Southern California have produced graphene/polymer sheets that can be used to create dense arrays of flexible organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells. OPV cells have been proposed as a means to achieve low cost energy due to their ease of manufacture, lightweight and compatibility with flexible substrates.
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Eco Factor: Synthetic gasoline producing using biomass and solar energy.
Biofuels are coming up as a great renewable energy source and we can see many companies investing into their production. But, most of the manufacturers burn biomass to meet terms with the energy required to develop biofuels. Here we have a company that has a little different approach. Ditching the biomass, Sundrop Fuels, a Colorado-based company, uses concentrated solar power with their process for the production of bio-based fuels. A pilot plant is just underway and is expected to have a capacity of 100 million gallons when fully functional in 2015.
Eco Factor: Apple-shaped charger powered by renewable solar energy.
Greendix and Sonelis previously launched the world’s first leaf-shaped solar panel, which was followed by the world’s first solar-powered football. Now the two companies have launched the world’s first solar-powered “energy apple” tree, which utilizes the leaf-shaped panels to harness solar energy.
Eco Factor: Government of India plans financial incentives to attract private investors in solar and wind energy sector.
India, a country with world’s second largest population, has always faced a deficit in energy generation. With an aim to reduce dependence on conventional energy resources, the government now plans to diversify its energy-generating portfolio. The government has decided to provide incentives in the wind and solar energy sector as part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change, to increase contribution of renewable energy sources to power generations by at least 10 percent by 2015. Read the full story
Eco Factor: Zero-emission electric kart made from recycled materials.
A team of year 6 students at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Primary School in Bedwell, Stevenage have created an electric kart, dubbed the EREK – Eco Recycled Electric Kart. The zero-emission vehicle is powered by an electric engine. The student team used materials including old school furniture, old bicycle and angle iron donated by The Wheels Project.
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