Posts filed under 'Energy ideas and observations'
From Wisconsin comes this trendy new living idea. Called the E.D.G.E (Experimental Dwelling for a Greener Environment) by its designer (Revelations Architects/Builders Corporation) it is a 2 bedroom, 320 square foot, passive solar home perfect for today’s much smaller, less ostentatious families who are very conscious of cost, maintenance and time.
As a personal note, I can assure everyone that a smaller house is much easier to clean, maintain and get around in as you grow older – in our 70s, even our 900 sqft home is sometimes too large a chore. This home, or something like it, is perfect for the young, just starting out in life, and the elderly (although stairs can be difficult). Practical, inexpensive and cozy. Nice job, Revelations.
Such dwellings might be just the thing for areas devastated by flood, storm or quake, too. Smaller houses leave more room for growing food.
July 28th, 2010
Paul Ridden’s fine article about Spain’s Solar Decathlon covers an antaean
line of entries, from the earthbound to what might be a wormhole, the FabLabHouse. All of the entries must be totally solar powered in order to qualify and most of them would not seem out of place in any neighborhood.
Ridden supplies 21 photos with his report. You are invited to see them
Solar Decathlon Europe.
Originally posted by Gizmag.com
July 17th, 2010
THE SOLAR FOREST
Neville Mars has shown us a wonderful concept which creates electric power, charges hybrid-electric cars and shades the hotest, some say ugliest parts of our cities. His Solar Forest, animated by Burb.tv makes it easier to cool buildings and saves both money and energy, as well as provides a carbon neutral ‘factory’. It pleases the eye and sense of order. If we simply have to have parking lots, this is the way to go.
From the air these forest-parks, along with the millions of solar rooftops, will display a shining symbol of a renewable future.
Perhaps Mr. Mars will now turn his attention to designing a drop-in, fully self-contained ‘earth-ship’ replacement for all of those eyesore swimming pools, and someone will figure out what to do with the thousands of golf courses which demand so much water and pollute the present and future. Perhaps we should simply let the tree lines take over and have a real forest.
War Stories for My Grandchildren – a memoir
by H. F. Jansen Estrup
Ask for it at your favorite bookstore or local library
August 6th, 2009
SCULPTURE OR DESIGN?
This beautifully strange object might be classified as both, for it is fully functional, and it does evoke a futuristic, otherworldly sense for the viewer.
As a hybrid-electric two-seater, three wheeled transport, the Aptera can cruise freeways at 80mph and get an estimated 300 miles per gallon. The plug-in version gets 100 miles per charge. Both have a drag co-efficiency of 0.15 which enables this ‘earthbound bird’ to flow through the air. Yet even though Aptera seems to mean ‘wingless bird’, it does sport gullwing doors and its cast ‘egg’ shape is re-enforced with steel beams. Passengers are protected by standard air bags and air-conditioning and heat. In California it is permitted to drive in the fast lane without passengers, a sight certain to grab attention of the bumper-to-bumber crowd.
Aptera’s design team is led by Steve Fambro of Southern California and his vision is currently in production. Pricing for the Aptera begins at $25,000 and it is eligible for the current rebates. Reserve your own "2e" for $500 (refundable).
I imagine this piece of art would look just as stunning in your driveway as on city streets or Jay Leno’s garage (check out his endorsement).
GO SOLAR (and wind)! It is a matter of national security! I am not impressed with the auto industry's new 'economy' standards. More than 50 years ago my family and I were driving cars which got 30 or more mpg (VW and Morris Minor) ... we've simply been dragging our feet, letting the cheap oil (and a huge military expense) dictate our foreign policy as if nothing would ever change ... but things have changed and even 50 mpg cars are behind the times!
May 30th, 2009
Worried about foreign attacks on our electric grid?
It is happening all too often, according to our Homeland Security experts. Why not become a SUNSHINE PATRIOT and provide your own power? Go Solar and wind. It is a matter of national security.
And you will save big bucks, too. Over the past 30 years I estimate savings of $58,000 dollars by installing Photo-voltaic panels, charge controllers, battery banks, inverters, refrigerator, washer, TV and entertainment center, computers, air conditioners (I do live in the desert) for a total of $12,000. It sounds like a lot of money but
compared to the $65,000 the power company wanted to charge me for the privilege of paying them $150 a month for the rest of my life, it is not much. Total estimated saving over 30 years – more than $100,000! And I did not even cash in on the many government rebates.
Many of you watch the Green Channel and see all of these Hollywood celebs showing off their multi-million arrays and wind machines. You have also seen the rooftop investments many forward looking businesses and government office buildings have installed. Truly impressive. You can do it, too! Start slowly, like we did if you have too, but start!
Plug-in electric cars are coming off the lines now, too. And congratulations to that new Florida city, Sunshine City, going up in Lee County!!! The largest solar array in the world to serve 45,000 people with power for their homes, businesses and cars!
Join up now in the Sunshine Uprising! Shine some light on our future! Become a SUNSHINE PATRIOT! Go solar! It is a matter of national security. Copy the logo, join the future and spread the word!
April 11th, 2009
WIND IN THE CORN
Corn crops, thankfully, have proven to be flops as renewable energy sources. Now maybe we can get the cost of food under control again. However, according to Harper’s Index, a quarter acre of Iowa farmland can earn $300 a year for corn, but that same plot can earn $10,000 if the farmer erects a single wind generator. And, if he so desires, he can still raise most of a corn crop!
While he’s at it, he can probably plow his field with an electric tractor conversion (which he recharges at his own wind machine) using new fangled, more efficient batteries. There are an estimated 10,000 different chemicals, most safer than those we currently use, which would make a more efficient battery. So far, 1700 of these ideas have been ‘virtually tested’ with computer models.
December 13th, 2008
