Going green- Planet saving ideas

Going Green is the new mantra for "Saving the Planet". As it is a well known fact now that, our climate is ripping apart at the seams at a rate that's surprising even the so-called alarmists. Natural systems are collapsing. The ocean seems headed towards a series of catastrophic tipping points. Different applications have been launched by the various companies to conserve the environment's resources and save energy costs so that the ecological imbalance in the world can be corrected.  Science has continued to amaze and listed below are some of the latest discoveries which may literally change the world.

Solar Powered Passenger Ship for Berlin

Solon SE is a Berlin-based solar company that has produced a zero emission solar ship. It is Berlin's first passenger ship deriving its power from solar energy named "SOLON".  Solon SE also supplied the 24 solar modules with a capacity of 5.6 kWp. They are installed on the roof of the ship and take care of the energy needs of the ship. The Solon can provide accommodation up to 60 passengers. It will sail on Berlin's waterways and offer tours of the city and cruise trips. At least for inland tours a no greenhouse emitting clean ship will make the trip environment friendly. It also remains unaffected by fluctuations in future fuel price.

The Kite Wind Generator

Some experts estimate that the total energy contained in wind is 100 times the amount needed by everyone on the planet. So we have to think of new ways to trap that wind power blowing at a significant height. However, most of this energy is at high altitudes, far beyond the reach of any wind turbine.  The Kite Wind Generator known as KiteGen is an Italian company. They are installing kites that sprout from funnel like structures and are light and ultra-resistant. They are mounted on giant poles. When wind blows these kites come out of funnels. For each kite, winches release a pair of high-resistance cables to control direction and angle. These kites are similar to those used for kite surfing – light and ultra-resistant, capable of flying up to a height of 2,000 meters.  If the wind is strong at certain height, the height of the kite too can be adjusted accordingly. The swirling kites prompt KiteGen's core in motion, and the rotation activates large alternators producing a current. They also have a control system on autopilot. This control system manipulates the flight pattern so that maximum power can be generated be it night or day. The KiteGen has also taken care of the fact that birds flying near the kites might get affected, so they have installed the advanced radar system that can redirect kites within seconds in case they detect flying of birds.

Converting Carbon Dioxide into Liquid Fuel with Bacteria

Researchers from the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science have genetically been working on a cyanobacterium. They successfully modified a cyanobacterium to consume carbon dioxide and generate the liquid fuel isobutanol. This isobutanol can prove to be of great potential as a gasoline alternative. The whole process happens with the help of sunlight through photosynthesis.  This new method carries several advantages. If we care to look at this fuel in the long term scenario and want to achieve a cleaner and greener energy economy, this fuel might prove helpful.  Advantages: 1. It recycles carbon dioxide, which leads to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  2. It uses solar energy to convert the carbon dioxide into a liquid fuel. Other biofuels are derived from plants or algae and     both of these processes need numerous intermediate steps before refinement into usable fuels.  Researchers think that an apt location for this system would be near a power plant because they emit carbon dioxide. This carbon dioxide can be utilized and converted into liquid fuel.

150mpg Algae-Powered Toyota Prius

First algae fuel-powered vehicle in the world was officially launched in San Francisco. The car, called Algaeus is a modified Toyota Prius, which derives power from green crude, from Sapphire Energy. The car runs on an astonishing 150 miles per gallon of green fuel. But they are aspiring to cross the US on approximately 25 gallons of fuel.  The car is powered by a mixture of 5% algae fuel and the manufacturers claim that the demonstration car will leave its mark as the environmentally friendly-fuel-driven automobile.  Though, it is early to conclude that we can use algae as transport fuel. We all know that five percent blend of algae doesn't precisely indicate the initiation of an algae revolution. But as the saying goes, glass if half full too. It states that advancement is being made on the fuel with great potential. The main point of the Algaeus is to show the capability of algae to be used in an ordinary engine.

Honda Solar Hydrogen Station Introduced to Green Car Market

Honda has unveiled their new solar hydrogen solar station, it enables the car owners to refill their fuel cells overnight.  A key strategy in Honda's creation of a solar hydrogen station for home-use was to create a new lifestyle with convenient, clean, energy-efficient and sustainable home refueling, by addressing the need for refueling infrastructure that can advance the wider use of fuel cell electric vehicles by consumers.  Honda hopes the combination of a fuel cell electric vehicle and the solar hydrogen station will help lead to the establishment of a hydrogen society based on renewable energy, resulting in a major reduction of CO2 emissions and greater energy sustainability.

Seagen Tidal Power Installation

The Seagen tidal turbine has been developed by the pioneering renewable energy company Marine Current Turbines Ltd and is the first commercial system in the world capable of collecting clean energy from tidal or other marine currents and will generate clean and sustainable electricity for approximately 1000 homes.  Tidal power could play an integral role in reducing our reliance on fossil generated power.  This move towards renewable resources will help build a greener environment for our future.

Going green is no longer just about Global Warming, or technological advances.

Let us encourage individuals worldwide to participate in the "Do One Thing" Challenge to take any individual green initiatives: Step 1 It is great to talk about how important the Earth's environment is to you; but it is more important to put words into action. Some actions on our part are very simple and effective such as: Try to get by without air conditioning. If this isn't possible, turn down the A/C while you're away instead of turning it all the way off. It will take less energy to get it back up to a comfortable temperature. Step 2 Take reusable bags with you to the store. If you forget and end up with plastic or paper bags, reuse them in creative ways.  Step 3 Turn off the lights when you are not in the room (this is an easy one that is quickly forgotten). Also, unplug your appliances when not in use; even when not in use they can be an "energy sink" just by being plugged in. Step 4  Plant a tree or other plants. You might want to think about raising some edible plants (help the environment, save money on food, and feed healthy food to your family). Step 5 Use refillable bottles for water. Bottled water is a huge culprit to having a clean environment. Stop buying all of those water bottles that fill up our land-fills. If you need special water, buy a water filter. Step 6 Reuse what you can, like boxes for mailing and padded envelopes can have several uses in them. Be sure to black out the previous addresses and remove the used stamps. Step 7 Plan your trips and combine as many errands into an outing as possible. See if you can carpool to work, take a bus or ride a bike to work. Step 8 Use natural cleaners whenever possible like lemons and baking soda. It is healthier for the environment as well as for your family. Step 9 Pay bills online. Many banks, utility companies, cellular phone providers and other companies have begun offering the option of paperless billing. This means that rather than receiving a bill in the mail, you can receive a bill via e-mail and make payments online. Paying bills online is convenient and reduces needless paper waste at the same time. If you already pay bills online but still receive paper bills, check with your service providers about paperless billing.

Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children.  We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors,  we borrow it from our Children.  We are more than the sum of our knowledge,  we are the products of our imagination.