NewNergy

NewNergy discusses the latest inventions, innovations and breakthroughs in the energy & environmental sciences.

New Device to Make Energy Efficient Biofuels

Posted on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 posted by posted by Mak @ 3:04 AM

A team of scientists from the University of Sheffield, UK, has developed an innovative device that will make the production of alternative biofuels more energy efficient.The research team has adapted a unique bioreactor for use in the production of alternative renewable fuels, to replace fossil fuels such as petrol and diesel.

The team have devised an air-lift loop bioreactor which creates microbubbles using 18% less energy consumption. Microbubbles are miniature gas bubbles of less than 50 microns diameter in water. They are able to transfer materials in a bioreactor much more rapidly than larger bubbles produced by conventional bubble generation techniques and they consume much less energy. The team's unique adaption of the bioreactor and creation of microbubbles has the potential to revolutionise the energy-efficient production of biofuels.

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Concentrated Solar Power Could Generate 25% of the World’s Electricity by 2050

Posted on Sunday, May 31, 2009 posted by posted by Mak @ 8:25 PM

A new study from Greenpeace, the European Solar Thermal Agency, and the International Energy Agency’s SolarPACES Group has shown that concentrated solar power (CSP) could generate a quarter of the world’s energy needs by 2050–and create thousands of new jobs and prevent millions of tons of CO2 from being released.

CSP uses mirror to focus sunlight on water. The reaction creates steam that turns turbines and generates electricity. Unlike photovoltaic solar panels, CSP only works in places with reliable sunny weather, such as parts of the southern U.S., North Africa, Mexico, and India.

Sven Teske, co-author of the study, estimates that current investments in CSP ($2.8 billion) could grow under a moderate scenario to over $11 billion by 2010 and produce 7% of the world’s electricity generating capacity. By 2050, investments could grow to $93 billion. Combined with geothermal and wind farms, alternative energies could provide a significant portion of our overall energy needs in the next few decades.

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Bacteria Turns Excess Clean Energy Into Methane for Storage

Posted on Monday, April 6, 2009 posted by posted by Mak @ 1:55 AM

Scientists at Pennsylvania State University have discovered a solution to the problem of reliable storage for alternative energy: a bacteria that can convert electricity to methane when combined with CO2.Any surplus power from wind, solar, or tidal sources is fed into the bacteria and combined with CO2 from the atmosphere to create methane for storage. Methane is a clean-burning gas and 80% of energy fed into the process was retained at the end.Scientists note that using a bacteria instead of a high-cost catalyst is a promising development that could lead to the process’s implementation in just a few years.

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Hot cleantech startups woo investors

Posted on Thursday, February 26, 2009 posted by posted by Ecacofonix @ 7:51 AM

A good list of companies / startups here trying to woo investors here to invest in their interesting cleantech ideas

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Bio-based Succinicacid Plant: Reduce dependence on fossil fuels

Posted on Friday, January 2, 2009 posted by posted by Mak @ 2:52 AM

DNP Green Technology and ARD are pleased to announce that their Bioamber joint venture has obtained the necessary permits and begun construction of the world's first production plant for bio-based succinic acid. The succinic acid plant will have an annual production capacity of 2,000 metric tons and will be integrated into an existing bio-refinery located in Pomacle, France. The plant, which is being financed by ARD at a cost of US $27m, will begin production in the fall of 2009. This technological milestone represents a significant step forward for renewable, bio-based chemistry and it will help reduce the world's dependence on fossil fuels.

Bioamber's production of bio-based succinic acid can use various renewable feedstocks such as wheat, corn, sugar cane, rice, lingo-cellulose and glycerin. Succinic acid and succinate esters can be used as building blocks in a multitude of markets including biopolymers, plastics, polyesters, resins, runway deicers, non-toxic solvents and renewable fuels (as a diesel additive).

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Gravity Power: An Addition to Alternative Source of Energy for Fossil Fuels

Posted on Tuesday, October 28, 2008 posted by posted by visa @ 11:29 PM

Rajaram Bojji, a product of the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, has discovered a power, Gravity Power which he says would potentially save the world 70 percent of fossil fuels required for the purpose every year.

Rajaram, says that it is "an evolutionary initiative that can possibly free the world of its dependence on fossil fuels, underlying much of the volatile price rise".

Rajaram, former managing director, Konkan Railway, said his technology, unlike other sources of renewable or alternative energy like sunlight or biofuels, would not require heavy investment or land and can work with existing infrastructure even in developing countries.

Interested to know more on Gravity Power

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Genius of the Nature

Posted on Tuesday, October 21, 2008 posted by posted by visa @ 3:54 AM

In the line of solar power plants, hydro power plans, wind power plants now comes the artificial tree power plants. The idea behind this is maximum utilization of solar energy as trees and plants do in such a way that all leaves one way or another gets its share of sunshine. The branches and the leaves grow in a strategic manner to create enough space between them.

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BroadStar Breakthrough in Low-Cost Energy With New Generation Wind Turbine

Posted on Thursday, June 19, 2008 posted by posted by Ecacofonix @ 10:59 AM

Renewable energy from the wind, which previously could only be generated in restricted geographic locations – typically off-shore or in remote rural areas – can now be made available almost anywhere, including urban environments, with the introduction of the AeroCam wind turbine. The AeroCam, developed by BroadStar Wind Systems, was designed and patented for commercial applications. With its parallel rotor blades, not only does it look radically different from conventional propeller designs, but also can be manufactured, transported, installed and maintained at lower cost.

“Wind energy now can be made directly available to everyone,” says Stephen Else, president of Dallas-based BroadStar Wind Systems. “By harnessing its power in almost any setting, the AeroCam can now generate energy close to where it’s actually required. This is a new and exciting product with great potential.” Following four years of research and development and the issuance of U.S. patents, the company is currently in the final stages of negotiations to place the product with two Fortune 100 companies.

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Less-known Alternative Energy Sources, Ideas

Posted on Friday, March 21, 2008 posted by posted by Ecacofonix @ 9:25 PM

Chances are you've heard of hybrids and biofuels, but what about oil-producing yeast and turbinelike buoys that transform ocean waves into electricity? Those are just a couple of the alternative-energy sources that may power the future according to Fred Krupp, president of the Environmental Defense Fund and coauthor, with Miriam Horn, of the new book "Earth: The Sequel" (Norton).

While he says oft-cited solar power technology is our best bet for now, Krupp emphasizes that quirkier projects, like algae concoctions that eat up carbon emissions, are essential elements of a smart, diversified energy strategy. NEWSWEEK's Katie Paul talked with Krupp about why he thinks the next industrial revolution looks bright green. Excerpts @ Newsweek

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  In the beginning, there were algae,
but there was no oil Then, from algae came oil.
Now, the algae are still there, but oil is fast depleting
In future, there will be no oil, but there will still be algae  
So, doesn't it make sense to explore if we can again get oil from algae?
This is what we try to do at Oilgae.com - explore the potential of getting oil from algae