CoolEarth Low Cost Concentrating PV
Published by ReidR July 8th, 2007 in Solar Concentrator. 0 CommentsInfinia Raises $9.5M for Solar Stirling
Published by ReidR June 14th, 2007 in Solar Concentrator. 0 Comments
Infinia Corporation of Kennewick, WA, raised $9.5 from Khosla Ventures, Vulcan Capital, Equus Total Return, Idealab and Power Play Energy. The deal included the acquisition of Idealab’s Stirling Cycles.
…Infinia is focuses on commercializing a Stirling power system operating on concentrated solar energy for commercial and residential users.
The “Solar Stirling” product is expected to ship in 2008. Limited information about the product is available. Infinia’s Stirling technology is featured here.
The WhisperGen AC is a residential combined heat and power system. The technology is developed and manufactured by the New Zealand 
firm, WhisperGen. The small AC co-generation unit provides central heating, water heating and supplements domestic electricity supplies. Features of the AC include:
- Small size (similar to a dishwasher)
- 90% efficiency rate using natural gas or LPG
- Quiet and clean
- Grid-Tied- Redirects surplus energy back to the grid.
WhisperGen is scheduled for 80,000 installations in Europe and is moving into North American Markets. Designed for home and small business use, the WhisperGen AC offers a cleaner and, potentially, less expensive power source.
More information at WhisperGen.
Concentrating Solar Power Overview
Published by ReidR June 2nd, 2007 in Solar Concentrator. 0 Comments
The Oil Drum presents a useful overview of the promise and prospects of Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) generating plants. The reports come for European sources but include much US information. The promise of CSP:
Every year, each square kilometre of hot desert receives solar energy equivalent to 1.5 million barrels of oil. Multiplying by the area of deserts worldwide, this is several hundred times the entire current energy consumption of the world.
The report provides promising info about the cost of CSP generated electricity:
The cost of collecting solar thermal energy equivalent to one barrel of oil is about US$50 right now (already less than the current world price of oil) and is likely to come down to around US$20 in the future.
Full copies of the referenced reports can be found at Trec-UK.
Spectrolab Announces 40% Efficient Solar Cells
Published by ReidR June 2nd, 2007 in Solar Concentrator. 0 Comments
Scientists at Spectrolab report development of multijunction solar cells exceeding 40% efficiency. PhysOrg.com (via Slashdot) reports on the research which tested the cells in concentrator applications where the cells were subject to high intensities of sunlight. Multijunction concentrator technology affords two advantages: 1) Substitution of low cost mirrors for high cost solar cells to reduce costs; and 2) Higher efficiency cells to produce more electricity in a smaller footprint.
Solar Thermal Plants Competitive With Gas
Published by ReidR May 13th, 2007 in Solar Concentrator. 0 CommentsCNET reports that some analysts believe solar thermal power can match conventional gas-fueled generation.
A large-scale solar power plant with a large energy-storage system that is close to other solar-power systems and the customers they serve could produce electricity for about the same cost as that from standard utility plants. Such a system has yet to be built, however.
Skystream’s new residential wind turbine, the 3.7, brings additional practicality and accessibility to North American home owners
interested in either wind technology or just lower electricity bills. Skystream’s technology allows it to generate electricity in winds from 8 mph (providing on avg. 400 kW a month).
Notable features include:
- Reduced size - the 3.7’s turbine mounts on a 34-70 feet (10.4-21.3 m) pole.
- Quiet and efficient- the 12 feet (3.72 m) rotors sounds like wind rustling tree leaves.
- Remote management – optional wireless 2-way monitor.
- Grid Connected – built-in inverter connects directly to utility wiring.
For more info visit www.skystreamenergy.com/skystream
Bloomberg Magazine provides an overview of the technology and business issues regarding tidal energy.
A green replacement for gas is underway. Known as biobutanol, this liquid has a few key advantages over bioethanol:
1. Biobutanol is a complete substitute for gasoline. Unlike bioethanol, it requires no modifications to vehicles and can be used in any mixture rate with gasoline (even as a standalone substitute). By comparison, using bioethanol requires equipment/vehicle modifications and must typically be combined with gasoline at a concentration of 15% ethanol or less.
2. Biobutanol has a similar Btu profile to gasoline (110,000 Btu’s per gallon of butanol vs. 115,000 Btu’s for gasoline); whereas, bioethanol has nearly 25% less Btu’s per gallon.
3. Because butanol can be mixed with gasoline in any ratio and consumed in like fashion without modifications to equipment, producers can ship butanol through existing fuel lines. Ethanol must be transported via rail, truck or ship.
Large oil companies are taking note of this clean substitute for gasoline. British Petroleum subsidiary, BP Biofuels, announced a partnership with DuPont in 2006 to develop improved technology for producing butanol. In addition, BP Biofuels recently launched a 10-year, $500 million research program with the University of California, Berkeley, focused on renewable fuels.
Zap Goes The Distance
Published by Dustin April 30th, 2007 in Electric Vehicles and Batteries. 1 Comment
Zap is partnering with Lotus Design on their new Zap-X Crossover BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle). With a projected range of 350 miles on one ten-minute charge, the Zap-X will have go approximately 100 miles further than the 2007 Tesla Roadster on a single charge. But what about speed? Using super capacitor energy bursts, the Zap-X cranks out an impressive 644 horsepower from its four electronic wheel hub motors. Zap claims the vehicle will go from zero to sixty in 4.8 seconds with a top speed of 155 miles per hour. The Zap-X uses quick charging safe lithium-ion batteries, with estimated fuel costs of $.01 per mile.
The target price for the Zap-X is $60,000 USD.
