Category: Energy

Microwave Water to Save Energy

Pulsar Advanced Technologies will launch a new product that heats water on demand. It is a water heater that has super-heating capabilities because it uses microwaves to heat the water. By heating on demand it means that hot water will not have to be stored, which means that the deadly Legionella Pneumophila is a non-threat.

The heater, affectionately known as the Vulcanus MK4, will be shown in Toronto at a construction conference next week. The Vulcans MK4 can heat water from near-freezing to near-boiling in seconds.

Chinese Eco-Cities

The Guardian has reported that a few British companies have signed contracts to help build some environmentally friendly cities in China.

From the article “The eco-cities are regarded both as a prototype for urban living in over-populated and polluted environments and as a magnet for investment funds into the rapidly growing Chinese economy.”

It is arguable, and I suppose ironic, that the way that the Chinese government is structured that makes initiatives like this feasible, unlike in many Western nations. The article was also published before the recent oil spill, but the oil spill has sparked demands for more environmental action (thanks, Emily!).

For more information on the technical aspects of the first sustainable city check out the press release from Arup. This is a huge step in the right direction for China (which is notorious for poor environmental protection) and further places China in an international lead when it comes to environmentally friendly societies.

Japanese May Make Better Biodiesel

oilJapanese researchers have found a more efficient way to produce biodiesel by using common place sugars. The sugars used are cheaper to purchase and do just as good a job of turning fatty acids into a badly-needed liquid as the currently used chemicals.

Cheaper production of biodiesel could lead to a greater adoption of the fuel since it takes little (or nothing) to make diesel cars run on the fuel. About 40% of cars in Europe consume diesel, with the market in the United States of America expected to grow as a result of rising gas prices.

Solar in the SoCal

Wired has a really good article on a new solar power initiatives in California.
a good source of energy
From the article:

“There is a possibility with this project that solar energy could go commercial in a big way for the first time,” said Alexander. “It’s playing in the big leagues.”

Instead of using panels of photovoltaic cells — solar power’s mainstay technology for decades — Stirling Energy Systems uses 40-foot-tall curved dishes that focus the sun’s energy onto Stirling engines

Chavez Helps America’s poor

VenezuelaMassachusetts officials have worked out a deal with Venezuela that will provide cheap oil for the state’s poor. Hugo Chavez previously offered cheaper oil to poor Americans and Massachusetts is the first state to work out an official program to accommodate Chavez’s offer. The oil is to be sold at 40% below the market rate, the oil is also to be used for heating (not gas for cars).

The Bush administration despises the democratically elected Hugo Chavez, but a Massachusetts congressman said that the cheap oil agreement is “an expression of humanitarianism at its very best”. Talks are currently underway to provide poor people in the Bronx with a similar deal.