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      • Cash for Clunkers - Law
        06/30/09



        The law as it was signed will give the power to decide which vehicles will be eligible for the program to the dealers. The dealers will also be in charge of scrapping the older vehicles, which must be less than 25 years old to be eligible for federal funds.

        Their are som

      • Smart Fortwo $99 a Month
        06/30/09



        Well, here is another car. The smart car for two, shown above, is getting and incentive boost.

        From the article:
        "smart USA will allow qualified consumers using the federal rebate to purchase a new smart fortwo for as low as $99 a month. The smart Fortwo will

      • IRENA - Update
        06/30/09
        Abu Dhabi has been selected headquarters and Hélène Pelosse was selected as the first head of the emerging Agency during its second session in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

      • Air Car - AIRPod
        06/29/09
        It seems like cars are a trend this weekend. Here I am telling you about another clean air vehicle. This one has already been prototyped. Now it is a matter of working it into our day to day lives.



        From the article:
        "The 2010 MDI AIRPod emits no emissions and runs

      • An Inflateable Car - Really - The XP-MUV
        06/27/09


        This sounds a bit far fetched, but the article has enough good points to make you think there is a possibility. There is a lot of theory this far and no prototypes mentioned. However, they refer to many technologies that are already available and the way they might fit together to acco

      • Ultra High Power Density Lithium Batteries in the Near Future
        06/26/09
        It looks like another breakthrough will help solidify the transition to alternate energy. With the level of energy per pound going up, the transition to energy sources that need a battery for a buffer is made easier. This also helps with the range and efficiency of electric or hybrid cars.
      • Outback Power Systems - Renewable Energy Grid Tie and Battery Backup
        06/26/09
        Outback Power Systems is a leader in power producing equipment for renewable energy. The power generated by solar or wind is not usually ready for the power grid, the Outback devices clean it up for that purpose. They can also tie a set of batteries to the system for use as backup power when the g

      • Space Based Power Plant Coming Soon?
        06/25/09
        PG&E has invested in Solaren, a company that plans to put a power collector in orbit and transmit that power to the surface using microwaves. These are not the microwaves we have in the kitchen, but the actual radio frequency that gave the magic box its name.

        Apparently the width of

      • 40x Global Power Needs Blowing in the Wind
        06/24/09
        The last time I read a number like this it was in the mid 30's for the energy blowing in the wind. Anyway, I like to see several studies from different groups that have similar findings. It really solidifies the amount of energy available through wind power is plenty for our needs if we can h

      • IRENA - Coming Soon!
        06/24/09
        So, what or who is IRENA? IRENA stands for International Renewable Energy Agency. It is not a perfect acronym, but it fits and is easy to say. Currently there are 88 member countries and a decision to choose a headquarter location will be made soon.

        There are four proposed locations, w

      • New Prefab Homes May Be Energy Self Sufficient
        06/23/09



        From the article:

        "Zeta Communities, which is headquartered in South of Market and owns a manufacturing plant in San Leandro, is close to completing its first "zero energy" townhome in Oakland."

        The idea here is sustainable living starting

      • Solar Panels are "Looking Better"
        06/22/09



        With my eye on all things green seemingly all the time, I love to see things like this that show we are still innovating to create a sustainable future without compromise.

        If there were a red color silicon to really blend this, it would be incredible. I think as years g

      • Goodbye Kodachrome
        06/22/09



        There really isn't much to say. Production has stopped and supplies are expected to run out in the fall.

        You can read the press release at the related link below:

      • Alamo Teen Saves a Life
        06/22/09
        An inspiring story like this helps make Monday a lot better. Way to go Sara!

        From the Contra Costa Times: "As her fellow passengers panicked, 15-year-old Sara Broski, of Alamo, stepped up to the plate and calmly saved the Clayton woman's life. She knew what to do thanks to her

      • Lower Green House Gases for Fathers Day
        06/21/09
        Well, it is fathers day and I had a great one. I started the morning having breakfast with my dad and sister. Later in the morning my wife, kids and I set out for 6 flags park in Valejo. Wow, what a mistake! Traffic was backed up for miles. I thought there was an accident and took the surface s

      • The Good Guide - A Helping Hand for a Healthy and Green Life
        06/19/09
        This website I just discovered today has a lot of information about household products. There is information to help you figure out healthy and green alternatives to things we use everyday.

        I think this site has potential with a more environmentally aware population. This information ca

      • Spaceport America Breaking Ground on June, 19th
        06/18/09



        "The realization of Spaceport America is upon us. New Mexico has been working towards this end for decades," said NMSA Executive Director Steve Landeene. "When we turn that first shovel of soil, we will be breaking ground on a whole new future for the people of New M

      • $20M in CREBs for Caltrans
        06/16/09


        California State Treasurer Bill Lockyer announced the sale of US $20 million in clean renewable energy bonds (CREBs) for the California Department of Transportation. The money from these bonds will be used for the installation of solar panels. The installation is expected to save tax p

      • Today is Global Wind Energy Day
        06/15/09
        The AWEA (American Wind Energy Association) has made an effort to designate June 15th as Global Wind Energy Day. The idea is to petition for the advancement of wind energy.

        I personally have a project in the wind category, a vertical axis wind turbine design that is highly efficient and

      • The Department of Energy Injects $300 Million into Green R&D
        06/12/09


        From the press release: ------------------------------------

        New Funding Boosts Carbon Capture, Solar Energy and High Gas Mileage Cars and Trucks.

        The $300 million infusion reflects Obama Administrations broad, aggressive research and development strategy.

      • The Blue Cube and Water Conservation
        06/11/09


        Well, I have been making posts for a week and this system seems to be working pretty well.

        With this in mind, I feel it is time to share some information on systems I have begun placing in our district. In an effort to conserve water, there are several systems I am currently

      • First Full Scale Floating Wind Turbine Installed off Norway Coast
        06/11/09



        Well, a region known for windmills has moved ahead and installed the first full scale floating commercial grade wind turbine. In my perpetual search for practical every day options that I can implement here at the district, I often discover the cutting edge happenings on the subje

      • LED Lights of the future come to Japan in July 2009
        06/11/09


        I don't know about you, but I am excited for the day that LED lights get to a reasonable price and a warmer more natural light. The benefits include higher efficiency than a CFL, longer life than a CFL and they are dimable.

        The problem that I have right now is that the p

      • The Department of Energy needs to monitor their monitors!
        06/10/09



        As human beings, we like to know that even big organizations can make mistakes. As it turns out, the Department of Energy didn't pass their own energy test. There was room for considerable improvement.

        I am sure they will start working on these items immediately.

      • Google and the pursuit of cheap renewable energy
        06/09/09
        While Google is not set on one particular type of renewable energy, there has been some degree of focus on solar thermal.

        In a solar thermal system, the heat of the sun is focused on a common point. The point of focus will contain salts, water or oil depending on the technology. The h

      • Budget vs. Environment
        06/08/09
        I just read a few articles on the budget situation for the state. As a district, the state budget dictates how we operate and with how many people or programs.

        From SF Gate: -----------------------------------------------

        February 2009, lawmakers passed a budget that solved a

      • Testing the system
        06/08/09
        Hi, this entry is for test purposes only.

      • Hybrid Advancements and Modifications
        06/07/09
        I just read an article about modifying your hybrid, Prius specifically.

        If you have a Prius, and want to go more than a mile in battery mode, then you might want to check out 3 Prong Power.
        3Prong Power is delivering enhanced Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) conver

      • A new blog...
        06/06/09
        I don't know if this will be seen as a valuable tool or not. I will give it try and promise to maintain it for at least the summer months.

        If there seems to be significant interest, I will try to continue. If not, I may dismiss this blog when school starts up again in the fall.