U.S. Department of Energy Archives – The Green Optimistic

EV Range Too Short? New Heat Pump Improves Heating & Cooling Energy Consumption

Mike Sandru — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 17:52:46 +0000

Although the range problem for electric vehicles has somehow been resolved, what do you with the heating issue? As you may know, if some of that needed electricity goes to the driver cabin in the form of heat, the vehicle’s range drops by 40%…Not very inviting, is it? However, as always, every problem has its […]

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Bayer's New Composite Technology Improves Wind Turbine Blades

Mike Sandru — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 09:44:07 +0000

Bayer MaterialScience LLC, one of the world’s largest producers of polymers and high-performance plastics, has recently created a new polyurethane-based composite technology in order to improve the wind power industry. The new composite material has been designed for stronger, longer wind turbine blades. This technology was well received at the recent American Wind Energy Association […]

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The Cost of Fluorescent Lighting Continues to Increase

Mike Sandru — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 17:26:08 +0000

According to major lamp manufacturers, the cost of fluorescent lighting continues to grow due to the shortage of rare earth metals. The prices are expected to increase between 5 to 75 percent, depending on the following factors: lamp tube, lamp color, color mix, wattage and diameter. The price increase, which is expected to be as […]

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A New Research Center to Develop Methods of Generating Fuel from Sunlight

Mike Sandru — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:07:44 +0000

A new research center in California is about to be established after the U.S. Department of Energy has invested $122 million. Researchers from the new center will try to find ways of generating fuels made by using sunlight. The project will be led by a team of researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Caltech.

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Daniel Nocera's Sun Catalytix Receives $7.1 Million for Developing Photosynthesis System

Cristi — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:47:27 +0000

Daniel G. Nocera of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the inventor of the most important solar energy system of the century. His 2007 designed system is able to create cheap solar energy based on the photosynthesis process.

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Solyndra's Cylindrical Solar Cell Racks Reduce Costs of Solar Power Production

Cristi — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:19:14 +0000

Solyndra Inc. has recently developed a new solar cell system that will reduce the costs of solar power production. They will install it over the rooftop of a North Sacramento plastics factory. This investment will prove to be one of the biggest West Coast solar harvesting systems.

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