Green Business News - Week Ending August 20th
Scottish scientists develop new whiskey biofuel
Researchers at Edinburgh Napier University have developed a process to convert by-products of whiskey production to what they’re calling a “super” biofuel. Their method is similar to a process that ferments sugar to produce butanol and acetone.
The new fuel can be used in vehicles and even airplanes, and is 30% more efficient than ethanol. Scotland produces 1.6 billion liters of by-product, called “pot ale”, and almost 200,000 tons of grain waste, called “draff”, which scientists say could become a significant source of environmentally-sustainable fuel.
A chicken poo-powered fuel cell
FuelCell Energy has produced a 1.4-megawatt fuel cell that runs on… chicken droppings! The new device has been sold to an Olivera Egg Ranch in California. Chicken droppings are typically stored in a "waste lagoon", where they release methane gas into the atmosphere. The poo-powered fuel cell will allow the ranch to capture methane using an anaerobic digester, then use the methane to power the fuel cell and generate enough electricity to power the ranch's entire operation.
As an added bonus, the heat that is a byproduct of the fuel cell will be used by the anaerobic digester, eliminating the need for a combustion-based boiler.
"My waste disposal costs will decrease as will my power bill as the poultry operation will continually generate the fuel needed to create electricity," says ranch owner Ed Olivera. Olivera Egg Ranch produces 14 million cartons of eggs per year.
Tesla co-founder: Electric cars with 500+ mile range by 2020
Martin Eberhard, a co-founder of Tesla Motors, has predicted that electric cars will have a range of 500+ miles within 10 years. Currently, most electric cars have a range around 100 miles, with the Tesla Roadster leading the pack at 244 miles. Eberhard, who currently works for Volkswagon/Audi, says the company is awaiting new 3.4 amp-hour lithium-ion battery cells that should be able to get a range of nearly 300 miles. Cost remains a factor, but Eberhard hopes economies of scale will help drive down prices as technologies continue to evolve.
New low-cost solar array for do-it-yourself residential installation
Seattle-based Clarion Power has developed a new do-it-yourself solar technology product for residential use that doesn’t require a costly professional installation. The Sunfish system starts at $799, and allows homeowners to connect the solar panels to their power supply by simply plugging it in to a regular electrical outlet.
The system has built-in circuit protection and doesn’t require a dedicated control panel, which eliminates the need for an electrician. Homeowners simply mount the solar panels anywhere on the house and plug it in. Wi-fi is used to monitor the system once it’s installed. The largest model will generate up to 150 kilowatt hours per month, with five or six needed to produce the amount of electricity used by an average American home.
Sustainable packaging promises to deliver $140bn market
A new study predicts exponential growth in demand for environmentally-friendly packaging, with the global market expected to exceed $140 billion by 2015. Last year, the sustainable products sector was worth a mere $88 million. The report attributes this explosive growth to Asian markets joining the US and Europe in demanding packaging that is either biodegradable or recyclable.
Cosmetics and food are leading adopters of sustainable packaging, with shipping and healthcare quickly catching up. Also notable is a shift in the market, with biodegradable packaging growing much more quickly than packaging made with recycled materials.
Fred Flintstone wants this car and so should you
A new human-electric hybrid vehicle called the HumanCar is powered by a combination of hand cranks and electricity. Apparently, if the driver and three friends crank full-blast, they can get the car up to an impressive 60 mph on flat roads, and 30 mph up hills. If you don't have enough crank-power, there is an electric plug-in feature that can give you a boost. The car is priced around $15,000, and -- added bonus -- you can almost certainly cancel your gym membership.
Sunny Delight goes zero waste
Ohio-based juice maker Sunny Delight's six manufacturing plants produced zero waste this year, meeting the company's goal three years ahead of schedule. In 2007, they produced 1,140 tons of landfill waste, compared to zero tons in 2010. To achieve this goal, Sunny D went paperless for accounting functions, and started allowing vendors to file invoices and payments electronically. In addition to meeting waste goals, the company is also reducing water consumption, decreasing energy use, reducing packaging weight and reducing emissions.
Mini solar Bonsai tree powers your gadgets
French designer Vivien Muller is using mother nature to inspire a new artistic solor power generator, called the Electree. The Electree is modelled after a bonsai tree, with 54 miniature solar panels for its "leaves". A battery in the device's "trunk" stores electricity which can be used to charge small devices such as cell phones. The initial run of 20 limited edition "specimens" cost $6000 each, but its manufacturer is hoping to produce a larger run at a lower price point in the future.
