The carbon fiber and aluminum turbine was designed by Marcos Madia, Sergio Ohashi and Juan Manuel Pantano.  The Eolic’s designers haven’t divulged how much their product would cost, but chances are it will be significantly more expensive than the tiny $75 HYMINI wind-powered gadget charger. Still, we’re always happy to see new tools added to our portable alternative energy arsenal.

Send us your practical innovation.

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The GridKicker, by Solaroad Technologies

A picture is worth 1,000 words, so I will be brief and only share two pictures of one of the most practical, obvious renewable energy solutions that I have seen in some time.  The GridKicker by Solaroad Technologies, Inc.  Designed for use by road construction workers this device has obvious applications for any niche of the construction industry.  According to the company, the GridKicker can generate up to 5,000 watts, about the same as a high-end gasoline powered generator, only this beauty makes no noise, has no fumes, and continually re-charges itself while in use.  Is there a gas generator that can automatically re-fill itself, at no cost to you?  When I saw this picture my first thought was, how soon will I be able to buy on at The Home Depot or Lowes, and for how much? 

Imagine workmen coming to put on an addition to your house, repair your deck, or install solar panels on your roof.  Instead of a Honda gas powered generator and red tanks of gasoline to power thier tools they pull a GridKicker out of thier truck, set it up in the sunlight in your front lawn, run a yellow extension cord to thier work bench, and away they go with drills, saws, and other power tools.  Come to think of it, I can see myself doing just that working on my house in New Hampshire, or even for back up power supply.

THIS is what I call being an ‘emergy locavore’ – one construction site at a time.

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BBB Weekly Recommended Reading.

Renewable energy is energy that is generated from sunlight, rain, tides, geothermal heat and wind. These sources are naturally and constantly replenished, which is why they are deemed as renewable. The usage of renewable energy sources is very important when considering the sustainability of the existing energy usage of the world. While there is currently an abundance of non-renewable energy sources, such as nuclear fuels, these energy sources are depleting.  Read more reviews (more…)

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Solar home

In just the past six to twelve months the number of home made/do-it-yourself (DIY) renewable energy solutions has increased dramatically. And a growing number of innovative, low-cost  renewable energy solutions are available online at Amazon.com, as well as retail stores across the country.  But how well do they work?

Do a web search for ‘do it yourself solar’ and you will get a full compliment of hosted and non-hosted responses. Books to Power Your Home with Solar, DIY kits complete with solar panels and mounting systems, Solar Powered Outdoor Spotlights, online guides, Renewable Energy Education Kits for your kids, and more – it seems like everyone is trying to cash in on the movement towards energy independence in America.  Some of these products are quite useful and will help you reduce your electric bill, while others are not so useful at all.  And like most new things the best source of reliable information is users; people who have bought, installed and are using home-based renewable energy systems.

So rather than ranking each one ourselves, BBB is asking its readers to share solutions that you have actually used, and give a report of how well – or not – they worked. Did you buy a home solar kit that has worked flawlessly for three years now? Did you buy a book hoping to learn more and feel ripped off? Share your Comments with other BBB readers, and help us promote a nation of Energy Locavores – people who generate at least a portion of the energy they use right on their own home (or office).

In the next installment, we will explore the impact of distributed renewable energy generation on the national energy industry and some of the ways that local utilities are promoting it.

In the final installment of this series we will rate/review renewable energy products for the home.  Somple, low-cost solutions that reduce your electricity demand.

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Track your energy use with Microsoft Hohm

Have you wondered about how to improve energy efficiency at your house?  Overwhelmed by green tips and advice?  You’ll be grateful for this new product!  You can track your own, personal energy use with Microsoft Hohm with its FREE convenient, online service.  Released to the public just yesterday, why not be one of the first to try it out!

As stated on its official website:

Microsoft Corp. today announced Microsoft Hohm, a new online application that enables consumers to better understand their energy usage, get recommendations and start saving money. Microsoft Hohm uses advanced analytics licensed from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the U.S. Department of Energy to provide consumers with personalized energy-saving recommendations. Microsoft Hohm is an easy-to-use tool that helps consumers lower their energy bill and reduce their impact on the environment. The beta application is available at no cost to anyone in the United States with an Internet connection and can be accessed directly by visiting http://www.microsoft-hohm.com.

In short, with Microsoft Hohm, you’ll be able to track your electrical usage online (provided your utility is a participating energy provider).  If you keep a close eye on it …. think online banking for energy consumers … you may be able to save money and energy at the same time.

Did we mention that its free?

…………..

As its a brand new service, there are only a few early participants, including Puget Sound Energy, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Seattle City Light and Xcel energy. If you would like access to the project, go to the webpage and follow the instructions.  You can also follow Microsoft Hohm on Twitter and become a friend on Facebook.

Some commenters are giving Microsoft kudos on the name for its new product, declaring that its more clever than Google PowerMeter.

Check out the new site and let us know what you think.  My observation is that, if we all cut back on energy usage, its a step in the right direction for the planet.

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Wind Farm Radar? (image courtesy of kqedquest Flickr Creative Commons)

One of the most commonly-voiced concerns about wind energy is the perceived danger of turbines to birds.  As global warming becomes virtually undeniable, one may wonder – which is worse: potential bird kills from wind energy, or significant loss of bird species because of climate change?

Recent studies have concluded that global warming already has had an impact on the abundance and distribution of birds and could lower some species’ chances of survival.

Now, putting aside the fact that tall buildings, communications towers, electric lines, pesticides and house cats kill far birds than wind turbines, we would agree that it is a good idea to employ wind farm radar to protect birds.

The state of Texas is leading the way.

Before we get to the wind farm radar, let’s review some of the facts and myths about wind energy.  This video is a great primer:

Reducing the potential impact of wind turbines on birds

photo credit: hellomike

Generally, studies show that birds can detect variations in turbulence and will avoid wind turbines on their own.  Still, in the nation’s largest wind producer – the state of Texas -millions of birds fly through the airspace on their way north along the Central Flyway.  The flyway is one of the biggest bird migration routes between South America and the Arctic region.  As many as 4,000 birds per hour have passed through a one-kilometer wide band, during the peak of fall migration.

In order to minimize any potential risks of wind turbine bird strikes, two companies came up with wind farm radar to protect birds.  Iberdrola Renewables of Spain and Babcock & Brown of Australia, noted that when bad weather hits, birds generally fly lower and may be at higher risk of danger.  To avoid the impact of wind turbines on birds, they installed radar that was originally developed for NASA and the military in order to detect a large migrating flock, which would then shut the turbines down.

This may partially appease conservation groups like the National Audubon Society which supports wind power as a way to reduce CO2 emissions, provided that the turbines are placed with care to avoid unnecessary harm to birds.  Considering that wind power is expected to increase by a factor of 10 by the year 2030, it is appropriate to consider the most environmentally-friendly way to harness renewable energy.

Could we see wind farm radar as standard in the near future?  Its possible.  The American Wind Wildlife Institute is working on guidelines for turbine use.  All eyes will be on Texas to see if the radar installations reduce the impact of wind turbines on birds.

Related posts:

1. Wind Energy Basics

Bringing Small Wind Energy to the Masses

This fall, Ace Hardware will be bringing small wind to the masses!  Across the United States, in over 4,600 independently owned and operated stores, you’ll be able to purchase a new technology small wind turbine.  The EarthTronics Honeywell Wind Turbine is especially developed for homeowners and small businesses.

To start out, Ace Hardware gets the bragging rights as the launch partner with Honeywell.  I suspect that other home improvement retailers will also ask for the rights to sell the micro-turbine.  Fortunately, the EarthTronics wind turbine will be made available on request to other outlets.

Here are some fast facts about the new product:

• MSRP Cost:  About $4,500
• Maximum power output: 2 kW
• Maximum wind speed: 45 mph
• Rotor diameter: 5.7 feet
• Expected clean energy generation: In a location with class 4 winds (average 16 mph) the EarthTronics turbine should generate 2000 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year of electricity, which represents approx. 18% of annual household energy needs.

Earthtronics Honeywell wind turbines to be sold at Ace Hardware

photo credit: .Larry Page

Wonder if a $4-5,000 investment is too much?  Consider that it costs 2/3 more to install traditional wind turbines, than an Earthtronics wind turbine.  This gives it a lower installed cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) than other small wind turbines on the market.  Don’t forget that you’ll be eligible for federal and state rebates which further drop the cost to you by 30-80%!

Home and small business owners can easily install the micro-turbine on the edges of rooftops.  Power is generated at the bladetips, instead of at the central shaft.  The design allows for a slower “cut-in speed,” for operation – in other words, even gentle light breezes will be able to reduce your grid-tied power consumption.

As part of its “Home Energy Solutions” package, the Earthtronics Honeywell wind turbine comes with an inverter, interconnect switch to wire the system, a computerized smart box, and even a package of 30 compact florescent bulbs to save energy inside, while you generate clean power outside.

I love this idea to help bring small wind to the masses!  Can’t wait for Ace Hardware to start selling these turbines in the fall.  What do you think?  Are you in the market for a home wind turbine?

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Re-manufacturing old wind turbines can create even more clean energy

photo credit: Biggunben

As we roll into the new energy of the 21st century, we can celebrate the success of technological advances.  Today, new wind turbines are larger and more efficient than those constructed just 15-20 years ago.  With improvements, we can now tap into even more clean electricity from the same area of land.  In other words, less is more.

In the spirit that is green and eco-friendly, the older equipment and turbines used in the 1980s are not merely scrapped into the trash heap.  Many companies are re-manufacturing old wind turbines for re-sale to farmers or small, community wind developers.  Yes, we’re advocating recycling of renewable energy!

Why is this such a good idea?

First, the prices are significantly lower than those associated with a brand new wind turbine.  Think of it as the “used car” market for wind energy.  There are a number of companies that offer re-manufactured old wind turbines that have been salvaged from wind farms erected in the late 20th century.  These include Halus Power Systems (CA), Energy Maintenance Service (SD), Aeronautica Windpower (MA) and Nexion DG (OR).

Second, distributed generation wind projects, which are usually smaller scale, can use the re-manufactured wind turbines at a competitive price.  Generally, these projects generate less than one megawatt of electricity and are used by cash-strapped operations like schools and rural communities.  As noted in a NY Times “Green, Inc.” blog post:

“To go out and build a new turbine of the size we’re working with, it would end up costing twice as much,” said Matt Stein, director of operations for Nexion DG. “And anybody building components for new wind turbines is focusing on the 1 megawatt-plus turbines because that’s where the action is.”

The bottom-line difference for using re-manufactured wind turbines, as opposed to brand new ones, is about 1/2 the cost of energy per kilowatt.  Add in the significantly reduced waiting period for a used vs. new wind turbine (2 months to a year), and it makes sense for smaller operations to get a re-manufactured turbine and get going as soon as possible!

Lest you think you are compromising in quality or lifetime, experts advise that a well-rebuilt wind turbine will last at least 20 years.  So, it could be a sound investment.  Just be sure to think about a warranty, if offered.

Here on the West Coast, the Oregon Department of Energy is predicting more demand for used turbines, in order to meet the state’s renewable portfolio standard.  The state is required to generate 25% of its energy from renewable sources by 2025.  This includes an 8% goal from distributed generation, smaller community-based projects.  But nationwide, we’re already seeing more demand for community wind projects, due to the federal funds available through the Stimulus Bill/bailout.

Its worth considering whether re-manufactured old wind turbines makes sense for your property!  Get on the clean, wind energy bandwagon and let’s start building/re-building our way to a green tomorrow.

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As I marveled at these simple, yet highly effective devices, I thought to myself how many people are really buying these things?  What can the industry do to help people understand how important and easy it is to provide outdoor security lighting for your house for just $20 – yup, $20 for a set of two Westinghouse Spotlights or $20 for a set of 8 Pathway lights?

Illuminating my Path in NH

I wanted to buy a few of the lights that look like a rock but there were none in a box. So I asked a representative in the garden center to please check their stock. Using her SKU device she concluded that they had sold out but more were due in the following day. Sold out, I thought, sold out. That’s right, the representative told me that all of their solar powered yard lights were flying off the self; they could not keep enough in stock and people were telling her that neighbors were telling neighbors about how they now light their yards, driveways and walk ways without paying PSNH (Public Service of NH, the local power company) one red cent.

Clearly the value proposition was a winner in an old New England community like North Conway.

We bought one of the spot light sets and one of the pathway sets and drove home quite enthusiastic. Not so much about our new solar toys, but more about what this means for the distributed generation renewable energy marketplace. You see, I’m a consumer marketing guy, and I believe in the model/concept put forth by Geoffrey Moore is his book Crossing the Chasm. Simply summarized – but read the book because it’s prescient – innovations are purchased by ‘early adopters’ who like new things and are willing to spend a premium for them. The ‘mass market’ want to wait for the Jones on the street to buy first and test the innovations’ capabilities before they are willing to buy one, and the mass market will not pay a premium. The ‘chasm’ is between the early adopter and mass market. It is the hurdle that radio, TVs, phones, PCs, the Internet, virtually every high tech innovation has had to overcome.

Shining light on my front step in NH

Today, many people wonder whether or not the current renewable energy enthusiasm will stick.   Or, as has happened several times in the past, it is a fad that will fade as gas prices recede again (only to rise again in the near future)?  Will we cross the chasm this time or will renewable energy again be just a fad among early adopters?

Well I can tell you, when solar powered garden lights, developed by a major manufacturer like Westinghouse, are flying off the shelf of the largest retailer on the planet, in a small town where the sun is in short supply for much of the year – we have crossed the chasm.

No more whether, when, if – just build baby build – at home, in your community, and in your state. Every watt that you generate yourself moves us one step closer to becoming a nation of ‘energy locovores’

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Black and Decker Home Energy Savings Tools

Renewable energy is as much about efficiency and reducing energy consumption as it is about wind turbines and solar panels. The renewable energy projects you see in our Greenspotting campaign are an important step towards a sustainable future, but a much more immediate impact can be had simply by increasing efficiency and reducing the amount of energy we consume.

Black and Decker has recently introduced the Energy Saver series of products which are designed to help you reduce your home’s energy consumption. The Power Monitor and Thermal Leak Detector are available now, with the Lights Out AutoSwitch that will be available shortly.

The Power Monitor is a two-part device with one part attaching to your electric meter and wirelessly broadcasting information about your energy consumption to a handheld device. The device then uses information about your electric rates to determine changes in energy use – displayed real time in either dollars or kW – as you turn your household appliances on or off.

Black and Decker’s Thermal Leak Detector is a simple infrared device that helps you detect leaks in your home’s windows, doors, and insulation.  Areas such as electrical outlets, recessed lighting, and floor molding can all be potential energy leaks. Simply point the Thermal Leak Detector at an area and a LED indicator will change to red or blue depending on the type of temperature change registered. Heating and cooling typically account for 53% of household energy costs and properly insulating your home can reduce these costs by up to 20%*.

For more information on Black and Decker’s Energy Saver Series visit their website here. You can also purchase the Thermal Leak Detector and Power Monitor through Amazon.com.

Don’t forget that you can win both the Power Monitor and Thermal Leak Detector in our Greenspotting promotion!

*Source: EPA

Related posts:

1. Join our Greenspotting team and Win a FREE Black & Decker Power Monitor
2. Greenspotting Contest is Underway
3. June Wrap Up: Featured Greenspot