April 19th, 2013

Google Asks Utilities To Make It Easier For Companies To Buy Renewable Energy

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Google has long had an interest in renewable energy and has now invested more than $1 billion of its own money in alternative energy projects. However, as the company notes in a blog post and white paper today, it’s not always easy for companies that want to buy renewable energy to do so, given that most utilities don’t yet offer a renewable power option yet. In its white paper, Google… → Read More

December 3rd, 2011

Bus/Tram Combo Charges Battery As It Picks Up Passengers

AutoTram

German researchers are testing a unique form of public transportation that borrows the best from busses, electric cars, trains and trams without contributing emissions. The vehicle, named AutoTram, is fully electric, but instead of running on a single charge, it charges when it stops, gaining enough power in 30 seconds to move another mile.

The project comes from the Fraunhofer Institute for→ Read More

June 25th, 2011

These Car Prototypes Built By Kids Can Do Close To 2,000 Miles Per Gallon

two wheels on sides

What’s more impressive than a car that can do over a thousand miles per gallon? One that was designed by school kids.

In the UK, students from regional schools and universities took part in the annual Mileage Marathon Challenge near Leicester, England, each team vying to set new gas mileage efficiency records in a race around a track. Cars were allowed to coast, but had to maintain a minimum… → Read More

May 14th, 2011

One Day Will People Be Living In Shroom Houses?

Construction material manufacturing often produces hazardous byproducts that are either toxic or difficult to recycle, as are many of the materials themselves. Brooklyn based Planetary ONE is experimenting with the idea of grow-your-own construction materials by making bricks from mushrooms.

Their latest project, Mycoform, places mushroom roots known as mycelium spores into a mold and feeds… → Read More

November 1st, 2010

In The Fight Against IT Waste, 1E Releases NightWatchman 6.0

Computer power management software company, 1E has released a new version of its marquee product, NightWatchman.

Like its predecessors, version 6.0, helps corporations manage their network of computers to optimize energy efficiency. It gives IT managers the ability to remotely power down computers and establish energy-saving settings (ie. automatic shutdown of desktops during the weekend).

In… → Read More

August 17th, 2010

Alternative Energy: A Guide To Greening Your Home

Alternative energy is a growing market, and though many states offer tax credits, rebates, and other incentives to promote clean energy, it can still prove to be an expensive proposition.

It generally also requires plugging your energy source into the grid so you’re not left in the dark when the wind calms or the sun lingers behind clouds.

Here is a roundup of solutions that can help power a… → Read More

August 16th, 2010

A123 Systems Spinoff 24M Technologies Raises $16 Million

Energy storage system producer 24M Technologies spun out of lithium-ion battery maker A123 Systems today to become a separate venture.

The company raised a $10 million Series A funding round from Charles River Ventures and North Bridge Venture Partners. → Read More

August 12th, 2010

Flying Green: The Possibilities And Challenges Of Electric Aircraft

Airplanes release greenhouse emissions into the atmosphere and require enormous amounts of fuel to fly. A Boeing 747 can consume up to five gallons of fuel per mile. But what if planes could be powered by electricity? Though they won’t replace passenger airliners anytime soon, small, zero-emission, electric planes are flying today.

Engineers have been pursing electric flight for decades. In… → Read More

August 10th, 2010

The Top Ten Apps To Make You More Green

There’s an app for being green, and by an app, I mean a slew of apps. These iPhone apps range from offering general sustainability tips and games to store and product directories.

A lot of green apps focus on offering general tips for everyday actions you can take to help make a difference, which really doesn’t take advantage of the iPhone’s capabilities. Below are the top ten green apps across a… → Read More

August 6th, 2010

Portable Solar Panel Keeps USB Gadgets And Cell Phones Charged Off The Grid

A new charger from Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies can help power your gadgets when there’s nowhere to plug into but the sun.

The Sunbox USB has a panel that can be attached outside of a house or tent that connects to a box with several charging ports. Horizon claims the unit can power an LED light included with the device for as long as 11 hours, so long as the panel sees the six to eight hours… → Read More

August 5th, 2010

The Heat Is On: There Is Plenty Of Geothermal Energy Underground, We Just Need To Get To It

Most green technologies gather energy above ground, but like Jules Verne, we want to take you on A Journey to the Center of the Earth. Alright, not even close to the center, but deep down nonetheless, where naturally occurring hot water can be turned into clean energy above ground.

It is estimated that the amount of heat within 30,000 feet below the earth’s surface holds potentially 50,000 times→ Read More

August 3rd, 2010

Entech Solar Raises $6.95 Million

According to SEC documents, Entech Solar raised $6.95 million, primarily from Quercus Trust, which owns 54% of the company.

The Fort Worth, Texas based company makes concentrating photovoltaics and tubular skylights meant to replace office and school lighting with sunlight. → Read More

August 2nd, 2010

Stanford Heats Up Solar Power With New Harnessing Technology

A Stanford University research group says it found a way to more than double current solar power production efficiency. The technology uses both light and heat from the sun and is inexpensive enough that, if it pans out, it might be able to compete with oil.

Most current technology can either convert light into electricity at relatively low temperatures, or convert the sun’s heat at very high… → Read More

July 30th, 2010

Soladigm Smart Window Maker Emerges From Stealth, Announces Plan To Build Plant In Mississippi

Smart window startup Soladigm announced today its plans to build a factory in Olive Branch, Mississippi. The Khosla Ventures and Sigma Partners backed company makes dynamic glass windows that can be tinted on demand to block excess light and heat.

Founded in 2007, Soladigm has been operating in stealth until now. The company employs about 50 people in its Milpitas, California headquarters, and… → Read More

July 27th, 2010

Canada Sinks $5.5 Million Into River Turbine Technology

Canada is testing the water for modular river turbines. The project, led by Renewable Energy Research, received $5.5 million in funding from Sustainable Development Technology Canada and the government of Quebec. RER will install two turbines in the St. Lawrence River. → Read More

July 27th, 2010

Nissan Sprouts Leaf Rollout Plans

Nissan‘s Leaf is almost ready to be picked. The company announced its all-electric car will be available to buy as early as December, but only for those in California, Washington, Oregon, Arizona and Tennessee. Other parts of the country will have to hold their horsepower a little bit longer.

Nissan chose to release to those five states first because they’re home to the EV project, the world’s… → Read More

July 26th, 2010

Porsche Revving Up All-Electric Sports Car

The electric sports car scene is heating up with Porsche‘s confirmation of a new all-electric sports car based on its Boxster. The company is conducting daily tests of three research cars to study battery systems and electric drive components.

Porsche President and CEO Michael Macht said in a statement that Porsche will “definitely be offering electric sports cars in the future,” but that the… → Read More

July 23rd, 2010

Marriott Unveils Green Hotel Prototype

Marriott International today unveiled a prototype that will help it build more green, LEED-certified hotels.

The prototype is the first of its kind for the U.S. hotel industry, the company says.

LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a voluntary rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

LEED-certified buildings are designed to meet environmental… → Read More

July 22nd, 2010

Caltech Awarded $122 Million to Create Fuel From Sunlight

The U.S. Department of Energy announced today that it will award up to $122 million to create a Fuels form Sunlight Energy Innovation Hub led by the California Institute of Technology. The Hub’s goal is to develop ways to convert solar energy into chemical fuels and scale the technology for commercial use.

The project is in part inspired by the way plants produce energy, and will use artificial… → Read More

July 20th, 2010

A Facebook Game With a Mission: Waste Management to Launch Oceanopolis

Waste Management and its subsidiary Greenopolis are diving into social gaming with a new Facebook app called Oceanopolis. The game will launch in beta, with a full rollout expected in the coming weeks.

In the game, players maintain their own island by recycling trash to build a sustainable community and interacting with friends. Points earned virtually turn into printable coupons that can be used… → Read More

July 19th, 2010

Solazyme Provides U.S. Navy with Algal Jet Fuel

Biofuel producer Solazyme delivered 1,500 gallons of its algae-based jet fuel to the U.S. Navy’s testing and certification program today, helping the military reach its goal of switching half of its fleet to clean fuel by 2020. The Navy will use the fuel to power jets.

Solazyme produces fuel by fermenting algae to create oils and biomaterials including fuel, skin care, chemical and animal feed… → Read More

July 16th, 2010

European Ministers Push to Increase Target for EU Carbon Emissions

Ministers from France, Germany and the UK are calling for the EU to cut its carbon emissions by 30% on 1990 levels by 2020, arguing that failure to reach the goal will have long-term economic consequences. The current target is a 20% reduction from 1990 levels.

The officials say increasing the target will help create jobs in clean energy sectors and help keep the EU competitive with China, Japan… → Read More

July 15th, 2010

Direct Deposit Makes Greenbacks Even Greener

Kermit the Frog once sang about the woes of being green, but the tune could be different for businesses. One simple way to be green is to pay employees using direct deposit.

A company with 300 employees issuing paychecks every other week only via direct deposit would save 121 pounds of paper, 1,159 gallons of wastewater and 45 gallons of gas annually. Getting rid of paper paychecks would… → Read More

July 15th, 2010

Feeling Impulsive? Take Brammo's Empulse Electric Motorcycle For A Spin.

Brammo‘s electric motorcyle, the Enertia, is about to get some faster, stronger siblings. The company’s new Empulse Trio line will feature bikes that can take you an average of 60, 80 or 100 miles on a full charge at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. The Enertia, in comparison, can only travel about 40 miles on a full charge.

“We found there was a range anxiety issue with the 40-mile range,”… → Read More

July 15th, 2010

Smart Grid Company Trilliant Scores $106M In Funding – Next Up, An IPO?

Trilliant, a California-based provider of smart grid solutions that enhance energy efficiency, utility operations, and renewable resource integration, this morning announced that it has secured a whopping $106 million in funding from a global syndicate of industry and financial big-names.

The round was led by Investor Growth Capital, VantagePoint Venture Partners, ABB and GE and will reportedly… → Read More

July 14th, 2010

Enphase Energy's Thermostat Lets You Control Your Home's Temperature From Afar

Green data geeks now have another tool for controlling their energy consumption. Enphase Energy‘s new Environ Smart Thermostat lets you control your home’s temperature and monitor your solar installations remotely.

The company is known for its microinverter system, which turns solar-generated DC power into home energy friendly AC power. A microinverter is attached to every solar module, and the… → Read More

July 11th, 2010

Elon Musk: "Why Owen Thomas Is Silicon Valley's Jayson Blair"

Tesla Motors Founder and CEO Elon Musk isn’t a man that backs down when facing the press. When the New York Times wrote an error-filled article, Musk lashed out at the author, saying “What is he doing picking on an electric car company? Why would he pick on the little guy who is trying to do good when you’ve got egregious waste of money in the tens of billions occurring in Detroit?” He added→ Read More

July 9th, 2010

The Return Of The Blimp . . . As A Green Cargo Carrier

It’s not news that cargo planes aren’t the greenest way to transport heavy loads, but some companies are working on other ways to send goods through the air. Could blimps make a comeback as a greener cargo carrier? Speaking to an audience at the World Forum on Enterprise and the Environment in Oxford, England, scientist David King recently predicted that helium-powered ships could be carrying… → Read More

July 8th, 2010

eMeter Smart Grid Software Company Raises $12.5 Million

Smart Grid management software producer eMeter announced a $12.5 million Series F round of funding today. The investment comes from Sequoia Capital and Foundation Capital, who have both invested in the company previously, along with Northgate Capital.

The company was founded in 1999 and has raised nearly $70 million in funding. eMeter works with more than a dozen electric, gas and water utility… → Read More

July 7th, 2010

Tesla Stock Idling 7 Percent Below IPO Price

After a better-than-expected pop on the first day of its IPO, Tesla’s stock (under the ticker symbol TSLA) started to slide a few days after.  It is now hanging 7 percent below its initial pricing of $17, closing at $15.80 per share today.

Only a week on the market, Tesla’s stock has fluctuated greatly, trading at a high of $30.42 and dropping to a low of $14.98. While some hoped Tesla would… → Read More