Conservation News

A company called Solar Bridge Technology has tackled a problem that arises with the use of solar panels. Solar panels traditionally convert solar energy to DC power, but many home appliances and electronics use AC power. A converter is available but it loses a lot of energy in the process and can be costly. The solution? A device called a ‘microinverter’. Each device is connected to individual solar panels along with a wireless monitoring system that allows the performance of each panel to be monitored.  This micro approach allows energy to be distributed in a more efficient and reliable way.

http://www.solarbridgetech.com/products/our-solution/microinverter
http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/earth/4287132.html?page=2

Scientists in Japan have come up with a new ‘biomass charcoal heater’ that uses the conventional coal heater but without the traditional coal. The new coal they developed contains a variety of waste material including trimmings from an oak tree, coffee waster, and soybean fiber. In relation to other biomass heaters in Turkey and the United States, this bio-heater is 60-80 percent more efficient. This heater could lead to increased efficient and cost savings in home heating.

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/ie8006243?cookieSet=1
http://http//www.physorg.com/news153064410.html

A Houston-based company, Hydro Green Energy, also uses current to generate electricity, but in a different way. The company uses the force produced by a hyrdroelectric dam to turn a 12-foot, 3-blade fan. This concept is similar to using ocean currents to turn turbines, but this flan is optimized to function with current flowing in one direction. This plant is the first hydrokinetic (using the motion of water) project that is federally licensed in the US.

http://www.hgenergy.com/technology.html

http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS142130+05-Jan-2009+PRN20090105

Motion of the ocean-Carnegie Corporation has developed a method of converting energy from passing waves to drive a turbine onshore and to create desalinated water. The process begins with a series of large buoys that are placed in 49-131 feet of water, attached to piston pumps. The rise and fall of passing waves moves the pumps, generating water pressure of up to 1,000 pounds per square inch. This pressure propels a turbine which forces the water through a membrane that removes the salt. Right now this process is only utilized in Australia, but other countries such as the U.K. are signing up for projects.

http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSTRE51401720090205?feedType=RSS&feedName=environmentNews&pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=00