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Eucalypts are a native species and support native wildlife. Depends on where you live.
International team sequences Eucalyptus genome; potential for improving biofuel and biomaterial production
An international team of researchers has sequenced the genome of the eucalyptus tree (Eucalyptus grandis) and published the analysis in an open access paper in the journal Nature. With its prodigious growth habit, the eucalyptus tree, one of the world’s most widely planted hardwood trees, has t...
Fracked oil will last for decades-fields in Texas and California, and other sites are plentiful. A well, though, peaks within a year or two and new ones must be built to maintain volume.
Whatever, we would be better to leave it in the ground.
Rotterdam using BYD e6 for electric taxi fleet
Rotterdam Taxi Centre (RTC), one of the biggest taxi operators in the Netherlands, is switching to electric taxis and has put into service two BYD e6 models, following successful extensive operation with an e6 model. RTC plans to extend its fleet of emissions free pure electric taxis to 25 with...
Here is an ocean storage system proposed for Belgium
http://www.technologyreview.com/view/510806/a-manmade-island-to-store-wind-energy/
MIT researchers propose subsea version of pumped hydro for renewable energy storage
Researchers at MIT are proposing using a variation on pumped hydroelectric systems for storage of electricity produced by offshore wind farms. The key to this Ocean Renewable Energy Storage (ORES) system is the placement of 30-meter-diameter hollow concrete spheres on the seafloor under the win...
There is a similar proposal in Sweden to electrify some 60 miles of freeway at a cost of $US370M-this is for iron ore trucks in the far north.
Siemens ‘eHighway Of The Future’ envisions electrification of trucks and select highway lanes
At EVS26 in Los Angeles, Siemens described its ‘eHighway of the Future’ concept for the electrification of trucks and select highway lanes via overhead electrified wires similar to how modern day trolleys or streetcars are powered on many city streets. Currently being tested in Germany, pilot...
The car company(owned by BMW)is a different company to the engine manufacturer 3PS.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars confirms electric Phantom test project
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars confirmed the development of 102EX, a one-off, fully electric-powered Phantom, to debut at the Geneva Motor Show on 1 March 2011. The car will tour during 2011, serving as a test bed to gather research data which will be used in informing future decisions on alternative dr...
I remember a proposal "Sahara Forrest" that built canals from the Med to inland, below sea-level areas of the Sahara. Along the banks were evaporation systems that both cooled greenhouses and supplied desalinated water in abundance. They were also coupled with Desertec CSP installations. Such projects to the Dead Sea and the Quattari Depression in Egypt could also generate hydro power. Maybe it is time to revisit this concept.
http://www.saharaforestproject.com
AFED report: state of water resources in the Arab world is precarious and worsening
The Arab world is facing the prospect of severe water and food shortages unless rapid and effective measures are taken to address the region’s water scarcity dilemma, according to a report by the Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED). Even if all available fresh water resources in t...
Lead-acid batteries are not dead - especially for heavy duty stop-start use such as busses, delivery trucks and garbage trucks. Check out the UltraBattery from CSIRO. http://www.csiro.au/science/Ultra-Battery.html
Exide Technologies plans alliance with NorthStar Battery on AGM batteries for transportation aftermarket
Exide Technologies is planning a new collaboration, focused on the transportation aftermarket, with NorthStar Battery Company, LLC. NorthStar Battery Company is a global manufacturer of high-quality, absorbed glass mat (AGM) lead-acid engine start batteries for automobile, marine, and heavy-duty...
Arnold,
The mining industry often uses compressed air as the power source as it is the safest energy source. Batteries release hydrogen during charging and this is considered dangerous-I'm not sure how these fuel cell equipments will fare when the hydrogen leaks!!
BMW Manufacturing Introducing Hydrogen Fuel Cell Material Handling Equipment
BMW Manufacturing Co. is implementing a new alternative fuel platform to use hydrogen fuel cells to power the plant’s material handling equipment. Hydrogen fuel cell-powered forklifts, tuggers and stackers will be used in BMW’s new assembly hall that produces the new BMW X3 Sports Activity Vehic...
"The anticipated level of decommissioning will provide a major business opportunity for the oil services industry – especially vessel operators and well service companies and could be a significant boost to regional economies."
Of course this is a business opportunity for a small group of companies but it should be viewed as a totally unproductive activity that adds yet another hidden cost to our addiction to carbon fuels.
Deloitte and Douglas-Westwood Study Forecasts Decomissioning Costs of UK North Sea Oil and Gas Platforms Could Exceed $30B
New research released by Deloitte and Douglas-Westwood finds that the total cost of decommissioning the more than 260 offshore oil and gas platforms—including the associated wells, manifolds, pipelines and umbilicals—on the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) could be in excess of $30 billion over the n...
Latest test results indicate water is within limits http://au.biz.yahoo.com/100718/2/2ednt.html
Queensland Government Ordering Shutdown of Cougar Energy UCG Plant Pending Evaluation of Groundwater Contamination
The Queensland, Australia Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) is ordering Cougar Energy to keep its pilot Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) plant near Kingaroy closed until the Government is assured that groundwater resources are protected. (Earlier post.) This follows adv...
The mind boggles! Better to shut this industry down before it does irreparable damage to the local environment. It's contribution to energy security is problematic at best, given the energy expenditure to get the tar out, and the clean-up costs.
Oil Sands CEO Calls for Allowing Increased Industry GHG Emissions
Globe and Mail. Marcel Coutu, chief executive officer of Canadian Oil Sands Trust and Chairman of the Board of Syncrude Canada, is calling for allowing Alberta’s oil sands producers to significantly increase their greenhouse gas emissions, even if that means forcing other sectors to take on addi...
Two other CHP units using Gas are about to hit the German market - Ceramic Fuel Cells BlueGen unit uses low temp ceramic fuel cells and Whispergen uses a Stirling Engine to generate power. Both are dishwasher-size and are different only on the amount of heat generated. Both are in the >80% efficiency range.
Volkswagen and LichtBlick Partner on Home Combined Heat and Power Systems; LichtBlick Plans a “SchwarmStrom” for 2,000 MW of Decentralized Power
An EcoBlue CHP unit. Click to enlarge. Volkswagen and German energy supplier LichtBlick have formed an exclusive world-wide energy partnership. Volkswagen will produce the high-efficiency EcoBlue CHP (combined heat and power) plant, which is to be driven by natural gas engines from Volkswagen....
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