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Eco Factor: Low-cost water disinfection system powered by solar energy.
The idea of using solar energy for purifying water has been around for ages and is still practiced in different parts of the globe. However now a team of students from the University of Washington have come up with a bright idea taking a little bit of technical help to devise a low-cost solution to a global problem. Using simple parts the student team has developed a cheap setup solution for drinking water in poor areas which has won them a $40000 prize.
The team reports that using parts from a keychain that blinks in response to light they have created a device that monitors how light is passing through a water-filled bottle and how many particulates are obstructing the light. When enough particulates are removed the sensor alerts that the water is now safe to drink. The student team believes that the device can be retailed at just $3.40 which makes it a viable solution for many parts of the world.
Via: Treehugger580566

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Eco Factor: Airborne wind turbines to use high velocity winds for more power.
While onshore and offshore wind farms are common in different parts of the world a NASA researcher is envisioning a future where wind farms will not be built on land or the sea but will actually take up the free space above the ground. These airborne turbines would spin with greater speeds found at high altitudes and send power back to Earth via nanotube tether cables. Swarms of these energy harvesting turbines could stay aloft for a year and could easily be reeled in during storms.
NASA aerospace engineer Mark Moore believes that the idea is definitely worth giving a thought as wind speed is more consistent and its velocity much higher at higher altitudes. At an altitude of 2000 feet once can get between eight and 27 times the power production. The plan does seem ingenious but the vision does come with its own set of drawbacks. Researchers opine that floating wind turbines could have a two-mile protected no-fly zone which will cause problems for airliners and unmanned aircrafts of the future.
Via: Popsci580684

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With our planet in a desperate need of new eco-friendly energy generating systems researchers over the globe have been working hard to develop systems that can power the world of the future in a sustainable fashion. The year 2010 saw some great breakthroughs in the field of renewable energy technology which when fully developed could help create a better world. Here we have compiled a list of 10 such breakthroughs that are bound to have a significant impact in the future.

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While electric car manufacturers kept rolling out electric vehicles throughout the year there was no dearth of analysts who believed that the electric car revolution would need the grids to deliver more electricity which won

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Eco Factor: Sustainable complex makes maximum use of natural resources.
GPP Architects have unveiled plans for a sustainable educational complex for University College Nordjylland that will be built in Aalborg Denmark. Christened the UCN IMAGO the education center will feature four buildings arranged around a common space. All these four buildings will be oriented toward the common space which will serve as the nucleus of the structure allowing interdisciplinary exchange of knowledge.

The main level of the building contains spaces for public and group functions while the other three levels include educational facilities which are grouped in four large families. Out of the four wings of the structure three will include UCN

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Eco Factor: Innovative design harnesses wind from any direction to produce renewable energy.
While researchers at NASA have put their bets on airborne wind turbines to produce a large amount of energy researchers over at ZENA System are taking a different approach. The company has unveiled an innovative design for a wind energy generating system that is able to harness wind from any direction. Christened the Wind Tower the system accommodates a power plant a tourist facility and a desalination plant in one structure.

The 50m tall structure captures wind at any speed at any height and turns it into wind masses with three-point wind compression. The wind is then accelerated in the tunnel from where it rushes toward the exit point. The exit is equipped with air pressure adjustment and produces powerful wind masses which are then used to generate large amounts of wind energy. The creators opine that the innovative system overturns conventional aerodynamics theory and Betz Limit Value theory.

Via: Greenz581260

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Eco Factor: Sustainable hotel proposal designed to be powered by renewable sources of energy.
The brainchild of architect and designer Michael Jantzen the Solar Winds Desert Hotel is a conceptual design for a large luxury eco hotel that is powered by solar and wind energy. With 140 rooms the hotel design is symbolically evolved from thoughts about certain desert plants and how they function in hot dry climate.

The symbolic leaves of the Solar Winds Desert Hotel would shade various facilities at the base such as restaurants a gym a pool a spa retail spaces and offices. These leaves will generate power for the rest of the hotel through a coating on their surface made using spray-on solar cells which allow any surface exposed to sunlight to generate renewable electricity.

The stem of the structure becomes the space in which the hotel rooms are located. At the top of the hotel is mounted a large fully integrated vertical axis wind turbine which would also generate large amounts of electricity for the hotel. Various natural cooling strategies will be incorporated into the design of the hotel including the installation of earth pipes buried deep in the desert below the hotel.

As the wind blows over the top of the center portion of the structure earth cooled air from below is pulled up through the hotel

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Eco Factor: Sustainable student pavilion aims to remain energy neutral in its operation.
Paul de Ruiter Architects have unveiled their designs for the Erasmus University

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Eco Factor: Empire state building to purchase renewable electricity from Green Mountain Energy Company.
After being the world

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Eco Factor: Zero-emission electric car powered exclusively by silicon solar cells.
Designed by students at the University of New South Wales the Sunswift IVy solar-powered vehicle has claimed the Guinness World Record for the world

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Eco Factor: Silica from desert sand to be used to make solar panels for renewable energy.
A team of Japanese scientists have come up with an ingenious proposal to provide 50 percent of the world

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Eco Factor: Technology promises better fuel consumption by converting engine exhaust into electricity.
Researchers at Purdue University are creating a system that harvests heat from an engine

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Eco Factor: PV power plant to generate about 70MW of renewable electric power.
SunEdison announced plans to build Europe

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Eco Factor: Low-cost fuel cells developed by replacing platinum with cheaper materials.
Researchers at Harvard University

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Eco Factor: Sustainable tower generates about 8MW of wind power.
An entry at the Taiwan Tower Competition the Tower of Power by NL Architects is a 300-meter high freestanding tower with sightseeing and recreational functions. The tower incorporates 2000 flower-shaped wind turbines that generate about 8MW of renewable electric power. The striking tower hides wind turbines neatly within it to investigate how power plants of the future can be converted into objects of beauty.

The tower features an exoskeleton with a structural net wrapped around the building that together with the building

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Eco Factor: Sustainable university campus aims to achieve Singapore

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Eco Factor: Sustainable tower utilizes algae to produce renewable fuel.
Sir Peter Cook and Gavin Robotham of London Studio CRAB have been awarded the $65000 second prize in the International Competition for Taiwan Tower at Taichung. The architect team has proposed a sustainable tower that can create algae for biofuel and biomass. Christened the Tower of Droplets the structure is inspired by the creation of energy.

Much of the tower is open to public to view the processes at close quarters. A variety of different arrangements of plantations and localized environment have been distributed throughout the length of the tower. When watered and filtered the algae create biomass which can be used as food for fish and plants. Moreover algae also produces biofuel and a removes a considerable amount of CO2 from the air.

The designers estimate that with 10888sqm of algae surface the tower will produce about 3266400 liters of oil and produces several thousand tons of biomass in a year. The algae surface can be doubled to double the production of biofuel and biomass. The structure also offers three observation levels at different levels three office zones which will be occupied by the City Development Authority and a five-story museum at the base of the tower.
Via: Dezeen577184

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Eco Factor: Zero-emission vehicle powered by electric batteries.
Germany

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Eco Factor: Concept yacht propelled by electricity.
Designers over at Pama Architetti Design have conceptualized a solar-powered yacht that has been made from fiberglass and includes enough photovoltaic panels to generate about 5KW of renewable electric power. Dubbed the Altair 70 the 70-foot yacht has been based on the desire to combine an aesthetically competitive form with the use of photovoltaic modules.

To include a large array of photovoltaic panels onboard the designers have thought of include two large wings to increase the surface area thus increasing the amount of energy generated. The wings can be closed when the yacht is sailing. When moored the wings can be opened and the photovoltaic panels in the bow can also be raised to recharge the onboard batteries.

When the yacht is moored the forewings can be raised to allow two comfortable reserved and shaded areas to be fitted with tables and sofas. The lower deck has a modular scheme which can be subdivided into three blocks. Each module has two versions which can be furnished in a variety of ways.

Thanks for the tip: [Alessandro Pannone]577191

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Eco Factor: Energy-saving subway cars with green credentials.
Designers at BMW Group DesignworksUSA and Siemens have designed new environmentally friendly subway cars that will go online in the Polish capital city of Warsaw in 2012. Christened the Inspiro system the new cars boast a number of environmentally sensitive designs and spacious interiors.

The spacious interiors can be accessed via extra-wide entrances that also better passenger flow. The interiors also include large electronic displays for system maps and lighting that has been placed at soothing intervals. The electronic and mechanics cabinets have also been removed to increase interior space.

The handholds inside the car are lit from above and shaped like tree branches which according to the designers are a symbol of the cars

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Eco Factor: Sustainable building generates renewable solar energy.
HOK and the Weidt Group have come up with a concept office building that has been designed to Net Zero Emission Building standards of the US Department of Energy. The office called the Net Zero Co2urt has been conceptualized to be built in midtown St. Louis which was chosen specifically for its four-season climate. The building which has to adapt its energy requirements to ever-changing environmental conditions will consume 76 percent less energy than comparable office buildings.

Optimizing the use of daylight reduces energy demand for artificial lighting. The shape and orientation of the building have also been designed to take some load off the heating and ventilation system. The designers have also put the floors of the building to work as they carry a radiant heating system and an under-floor air distribution system.

The building also includes 51800 square feet of solar panels that have been incorporated in the walls and the rooftop. The roof of the southern wing will be carrying 5000 square feet of solar thermal tubes which collectively leave the building an annual energy cost of $2418 or 1 cent per square foot.

Via: Metropolis Mag577217

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Eco Factor: Highly efficient wastewater treatment solution developed by LG.
LG Electronics has entered the water treatment business with its first wastewater treatment solution called the Green Membrane Bioreactor process. Incorporating the most advanced technologies G-MBR signals the company

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Eco Factor: Eco-friendly library proposal powered by renewable wind energy.
Eco-conscious architect and designer Michael Jantzen has conceptualized a sustainable library that will be powered entirely by renewable wind energy. Christened the Winds of Change Library the proposal seeks the development of a multi-level structure that will incorporate a large garden with trees plants and grass covering the entire two-level roof. The roof garden would help to keep the library cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. It would also function as a safe and comfortable place for the visitors to read outdoors. The roof garden is also designed to capture and store rainwater for use in and around the library.

The majority of the Winds of Change Library would be made from a single repeated structural element fabricated from various earth-friendly concrete composite materials. The shape of these structural elements is derived from the profile of the five vertical axis wind turbines (made of lightweight metal) which are custom designed and integrated into the top of the library. In this way five pieces of the structure appear to be rotating when the wind blows instead of five stuck on conventional wind turbines. These wind turbines would be designed to power the entire structure.

In addition emphasis has been placed on the most appropriate window placement in order to provide the maximum benefits from natural lighting and ventilation. Many solar light tubes are mounted into the roof so that natural sun light can be channeled into every part of the interior not illuminated by the windows. The design of the Winds of Change Library explores ways in which to fully integrate alternative energy gathering and storage systems into the structure so that these systems can become a major part of the creation of an unexpected and exciting architectural aesthetic. Due to the modular components that form the majority of the structure it would be easy to logically grow the size and shape of the library in time to accommodate changing needs.

All images

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Eco Factor: Solar powered water collector and purifier.
With more than a billion people on our planet still striving hard for fresh water industrial designers have started thinking of new ways to quench the thirst of these individuals using natural resources. Designers Chun Yen Tsao and Hsing-Tan Yang have created a concept water collector and purifier that works using solar energy and can one day help provide safe drinking water to the masses.

Christened the Swater the portable awl-shaped device collects distilled water from the condensation that builds up inside it. Moreover it also carries photovoltaic cells on its cap that generate renewable energy which is used by the device to run the electrical heating tube and disinfecting light that purifies water.

Via: YankoDesign577380

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Eco Factor: Transportable hydrogen refueling station to refuel vehicles with hydrogen generated on site.
ITM Power has announced that the company will commence Hydrogen on-site trials (HOST) using the HFuel transportable hydrogen refueling station. The self-contained module is suitable for refueling hydrogen-powered road vehicles and forklift trucks. The system is well suited to small fleet and early hydrogen highway applications.

The company states that beginning in 2011 HOST will encompass the operation and refueling of two HICE Revolve Technologies Ford Transit Vehicles with hydrogen produce on site at the point of use. The membership of HOST will also provide each partner with one week free trail of HFuel and two Revolve HICE transit vehicles.
Via: Low Carbon Economy577389

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Eco Factor: All-electric bike to be charged by solar charging stations.
In an effort to curb congestion and reduce pollution on the streets designers over the world have focused their attention toward zero-emission bikes that can run on electric motors. Chinese designers Renfei Bai and Likun Zhen have tried to find answers to such problems in a compact electric bike dubbed Patrolman.

The concept bike comes equipped with battery indicators GPS system and headlamps. The designers hope that these electric bikes will be recharged by solar-powered recharging stations that will be built across cities.

Via: Designboom577405

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Eco Factor: Methane gas powered generators to produce renewable electricity using cow dung.
Huishan Dairy in northeast China is planning to build the world

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Eco Factor: Low energy tablet PC needs no external power supply.
For over 100 million school children in India computers are a far-fetched dream as they don

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Eco Factor: 7500sqm of solar panels to be used to charge batteries of electric cars.
Audi has announced that the company will be expanding its solar capacity on the roof of its main plant in Ingolstadt in Germany which will be used to charge the batteries of the Audi

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Eco Factor: Zero-emission concept car to be powered by an electric engine.
The latest from the design house of Swiss car visionary Frank M. Rinderknecht is the BamBoo concept which is just as unique as the company

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Eco Factor: House made from eco-friendly materials is powered by solar energy.
In an effort to reduce his living expenditures in a city like Beijing Daihai Fei a 24-year-old Chinese student has started living in a house that he crafted on a bamboo frame covered with various insulating materials topped with a layer of stitched bag. The bags are filled with sawdust and grass seeds which the creator waters to enhance grass growth.

The interiors of the tiny house feature all the necessary facilities that include a bed a small sink a tiny bookshelf and a lamp that is powered by energy collected from a roof-mounted solar panel. Built with a budget of just $960 the mobile home has been the creator

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Eco Factor: Zero-emission electric aircraft hits top speed of 162mph.
A French aviation company has set a new speed record by flying its Cri-Cri all-electric airplane at a top speed of 162mph beating the previous record of 155mph set by an Italian team last year. Powered by two electric motors generating 35-horsepower made by Electravia the electric airplane made the record by using only 75 percent power.

The team stated that at full power the airplane could have managed to hit a speed of about 220mph but the airframe of the aircraft is not designed to exceed 160mph. The aircraft was fitted with custom propellers and sleek motor cowlings that helped minimize drag.

Via: Autopia577642

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Eco Factor: Renewable energy generating system uses ocean swells for power.
A team of researchers at the Florida Institute of Technology

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Eco Factor: Zero-emission electric vehicle will be powered by solar energy.
Pope Benedict XVI has made a point to preach sustainable energy which he backed up with photovoltaic cells installed on the roof of a Vatican auditorium and solar cooling units at the Vatican cafeteria. Now His Holiness wants to take another step toward a greener footprint with a solar-powered Popemobile.
The Vatican says that the vehicle will be a tribute to the Pontiff

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Eco Factor: Hybrid vessel powered by renewable energy.
Statue Cruises has announced the launch date for the revolutionary hydrogen hybrid vessel which will provide ferry services to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The 1400-horsepower New York Hornblower Hybrid is the world

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Eco Factor: Zero-emission vehicle will be powered by electricity.
Takayanagi Co. a small Japanese automaker has come up a retro-themed open-top custom-made electric vehicle that hints at an unexpected luxuriousness in the same category as scooters with engine displacement of up to 50cc. The vehicle dubbed Miluira features about 90 percent components that have been made in Japan.

The single-seater vehicle is capable of traveling 35km on a single 12-hour charge using a common household socket. Costing about $75400 the vehicle needs the driver to have a license for a car not a motorcycle. Powered by lead acid batteries the vehicle has a top speed of 60kph.

Via: Japan Times577878

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Eco Factor: Concept wind turbine can be used to generate renewable energy.
With the cost of energy rising with every passing day designers over the world have focused their attention on systems that can help homeowners generate renewable energy to reduce their electricity bills. Industrial designers Liao-Hsun Chen and Wen-Chih Chang have come up with a concept wind energy generating system dubbed Wind Cube which can somehow generate enough energy to take your home off the grid.

The design is made up of blades a generator a telescopic shaft electric power plug and a switch. Once installed these wind turbines can start producing electricity for your home. The designers estimate that each Wind Cube will be able to generate 21.6KWh of electricity and 15 such systems working together could produce all the energy a family of four needs.

The Wind Cubes can be attached to the outside wall of your house with three screws and clicking a single switch activates the system. Multiple Cubes can also be connected to generate more power and strengthen the entire installation.

Via: Yanko Design577879

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Eco Factor: Concept electric car powered by solar and kinetic energy.
The rise in pollution levels on highways has served as a catalyst in the development of clean electric vehicles. Taking advantage of the changing trends industrial designers have come up with concept vehicles that can be powered by renewable sources of energy to even reduce these high levels of pollution. Designer Hazman Malik has shared with us his new concept vehicle that can be used as a zero emission taxi.

Christened the Green Cab the vehicle hasn

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Eco Factor: Organic photovoltaic solar cells with efficiency of 8.3 percent.
The National Energy Renewable Laboratory has announced that Konarka Technologies

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Eco Factor: New process could produce paper from hard to recycle products.
Flexoresearch a Thailand-based startup has developed a new process to recover pulp and plastic from materials which until today were thought to be hard or impossible to recycle. The company has developed a series of blended enzymes that can recover pump or fiber from laminated paper such as stickers or milk cartons which can help save trees.
The enzymes initially attack the water-resistant chemical coating the surface and then take over and then tackle the paper and adhesive layers. The resulting pump can be used to produce new paper products or turned into building materials that can be used as an alternative to asbestos. The firm which was recently named one of the 31

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Eco Factor: Zero-emission tricycle powered by electric motors.
With an aim to revolutionize personal urban transport for the betterment of the environment designers Lorenz Nasdal and Laurent Hompesch have come up with a concept electric trike dubbed P.I.E.T. The plug-in electric tricycle is an environmentally friendly vehicle for modern-living urban inhabitants and combines the advantages of a motor scooter with those of a car.

The agile commuter features a sloping system of the wheels to ensure a smaller turning radius. The driver of this vehicle is protected by a frame which surrounds the head and can be folded upwards to get in and out of the vehicle. To ease parking the rear wheel of the P.I.E.T moves down and shortens the overall length to allow the vehicle to be parked between other cars.

The vehicle is driven by electricity and the energy for the integrated wheel hub motor comes from a battery pack which is located under the seat. Since car-sharing concepts are the future of urban mobility the P.I.E.T could be made available at many charging stations.

Thanks: [Lorenz Nasdal and Laurent Hompesch]578154

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Eco Factor: 500GW of renewable electric power to be added to Chinese grid by 2020.
The Chinese government has published an ambitious renewable energy plan for the next 10 years. The plan which calls for a total of 500GW of renewable electrical power on the grid by 2020 will see a massive increase in the country

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Eco Factor: Oriental Hornet bodywork works as a natural photovoltaic material.
Scientists from Israel and the UK have discovered that the Oriental Hornet has unique bodywork that works as a natural photovoltaic cell converting sunlight and useful energy. Inspired by the insect the scientists proceeded to create a cell of their own. The scientists observed that the hornet

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Eco Factor: Sustainable building made from bamboo and other natural materials.
Eco-conscious architect and designer Vo Trong Nghia has created a sustainable café in the Binh Duong province of Vietnam which has been crafted entirely from bamboo and other natural materials. Christened the Water and Wind Café the structure shows how strong bamboo can be without making use of even a single nail.

The dynamic domed structure which has been created without using any modern machinery or metal structures has been weaved together using traditional Vietnamese weaving techniques. The 30ft tall structure which is covered in a local bush plant has an opening at the top of the dome which allows daylight to filter through reducing the overall energy demands.

Via: Inhabitat/Environmental Graffiti578275

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Eco Factor: Concept charger harnesses wind energy to juice up the iPhone.
Industrial designer Tjeerd Veenhoven has crafted an eco-friendly charger for the iPhone that wraps around the cellphone to offer some protection and also charge it using renewable wind energy. Appropriately named the iFan the device is ideal for those who travel outdoors quite often but need their gear to be charged at all times.

The creator estimates that the device which you definitely cannot keep in your pocket will take about six-odd hours of breeze to juice your iPhone

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Eco Factor: Modular home to target LEED Platinum certification.
Seattle-based developer Greenfab has announced that the company will be assembling the city

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Eco Factor: Sustainable Apple campus to incorporate renewable energy sources.
After collecting land in Cupertino which included 100 acres of land picked up from HP last month for $300 million Apple has reportedly selected renowned British architect Norman Foster to design the company

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Eco Factor: Zero-emission vehicle designed to be powered by electric batteries.
The IKONE is a concept three-wheeled vehicle designed by Karim Guelmi a Montreal-based graduate from the University of Quebec in Montreal. The concept has been designed in collaboration with the Montreal-based company Fun-E Cycles. The one-seater vehicle is a vision of an eco-friendly society where humans could make use of alternative fuels for commuting.

The concept vehicle has 18.5-liters of storage space above the rear wheel. The design and strong DNA of the vehicle evokes lightness and fluidity as well as a symbiotic relationship between the rider and the ride. The IKONE has been thought with the necessity to reduce its parts to a minimum which further reduces the production costs. The electric engines of the vehicle have been designed to be powered by lithium batteries.

Thanks: [Karim Guelmi]578293

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Eco Factor: Pop-up structures designed to serve as walk-in greenhouses.
To celebrate the popularity of houseplants in Paris designer Amaury Gallon was sponsored by the Dutch Flower Council to create unique bubble gardens that offer passersby a bit of respite from their concrete environments. The designer created four bubble sanctuaries each with a different environmental inspiration.

One of the gardens hosts a jungle while the other features hundreds of orchids woven into metal structure that wraps around the igloo-shaped structures. Serving as walk-in greenhouses the structures were part of an exhibition called the

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Eco Factor: Vatican

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Eco Factor: Zero-emission aircraft powered by electric motor.
Modeled by Sonex Aircraft on a standard Waiex kit aircraft the Waiex N270DC all-electric experimental aircraft has completed its maiden flight in Oshkosh Wisconsin. The airplane is one of the several models of kit-built aircrafts designed and produced by the company and this electric variant was under development for several years.

The N270DC is powered by a 54KW electric brushless DC motor that is fueled by a 14.5KWh lithium polymer battery system. The maiden flight was just a quick hop out of the ground effect down runway 27 and back to the ground in a few seconds but it was enough for the designers to check the performance of the systems before expanding the flight testing.

The company has now started working on motor v4.0 and motor controller V 12.0 that will be integrated on the N270DC.
Via: Wired578394

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Eco Factor: Pads harvest mechanical energy from trains.
After testing piezoelectric energy generators that can produce renewable energy from passing cars on the highway Israel

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Eco Factor: Sustainable facility to harvest renewable solar energy and rainwater.
Dogs Trust the largest dog welfare charity in the UK has revealed plans to build a state-of-the-art Rehoming Center in Leicestershire which is being billed as the greenest in the world. With an aim to reduce running costs and its carbon

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Eco Factor: Artwork created from electronic waste.
Eco-conscious artist Franco Recchia believes that every product that is created by human hands has some talent imagination and great beauty. Providing his statement the artist has created stunning sculptures from electronic waste left behind by discarded computers.

While the sculptures are a testament to what is beautiful elegant and functional in the modern object they can also be viewed as a reminder of the mountains of electronic waste that comes because of our use of computers and several portable gadgets which we believe we can

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Eco Factor: Air conditioner powered by renewable solar energy.
China

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Eco Factor: Solar power project to generate 1000MW of renewable electric power.
GUVNL the apex state utility of the Indian state of Gujarat has inked a plan to build the

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Eco Factor: Swimming pool with planted roof for energy efficiency.
Vincent Callebaut Architectures have come up with a sustainable swimming pool design for the thermal center of Royat city in France as a dynamic response to the ambition of Royat city to build a mobilization swimming pool represented by attractive and contemporary architecture researched by the patients of spas.

The architecture proposes the construction of a

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Eco Factor: Sustainable green-roofed shelters can reduce construction waste.
Conceived by renowned architect Dante Bini in the 1960s Binishells have recently been imagined with a modern twist by Bini

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Eco Factor: Hybrid generator produces electricity from light and temperature difference.
Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd has developed a power-generating hybrid generator that can convert both light and heat into usable electricity. Made from organic materials the device was announced at the 2010 IEEE International Electron Devices Meeting in San Francisco.

Developed for use in energy harvesting the device works in a photovoltaic mode when the lighting conditions are good and works as a thermoelectric generator when the amount of light is not enough but the temperature difference can be utilized. The generator was developed by wiring multiple pairs of n-type organic semiconductors and a p-type semiconductors.
Via: Tech-On578591

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Eco Factor: Self-sufficient multi-purpose vertical farm proposal.
Architect Scott Johnson has taken a fresh new approach to growing food in an urban environment in a sustainable skyscraper that combines vertical farming residential hotel and retail functions into a single hybrid structure that is intended to be self-sufficient with regards to its carbon footprint and impact upon the environment.

Most vertical farm proposal aim to minimize the need for food distribution through transport but Scott

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Eco Factor: Offshore wind farm to generate 1000MW of electrical power.
Deepwater Wind the company behind Rhode Island

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Eco Factor: Solar tracker with a performance rating of 22.5KW.
Germany-based IMO has unveiled the biggest solar tracker of South Carolina that has a footprint larger than most first homes. With an area of 1614sqf the metallic square turns to face the sun

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Eco Factor: Flexible solar-powered shades and tents designed for military purposes.
The U.S. Army is testing a host of flexible portable and lightweight solar-powered shades and tent-like technologies which have been designed to allow units to deploy transferable and exportable electrical power that can charge batteries computers and other electronic gear without needing a fossil-fuel powered generator.
The products are based on the use of flexible photovoltaics to produce electricity thus eliminating the need to haul generators and large amounts of fuel. The system is being claimed to be ideal to power batteries ensuring that night vision goggles and computers are powered up.
The Army is currently testing three different technologies that include Power Shade TEMPER Fly and QUADrant. The TEMPER Fly is able to generate about 800W of power the QUADrant is a smaller variant of TEMPER Fly and can be used to generate about 200W of power and the Power Shades range in size and are capable of generating up to 3KW of exportable electrical power.
Via: United States Army578787

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Eco Factor: Pedal-powered four wheeled recumbent bike.
With fossil fuel reserves depleting at a fast rate designers all over the world have focused their attention on pedal-powered vehicles. The Floow is one such vehicle that is powered entirely by the rider himself. The trike features a carbon fiber body and integrated instruments to ensure a convenient ride in all weather conditions.

The user sits in a full seat with a large back rest and extended handles that can be used to steer and stop the bike. The Floow features a full suspension system that adds to the comfort of the user.

Via: Designboom578794

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Eco Factor: Solar power to light up Purdy Farm Christmas trees.
Stellar Solar has been contracted to power Christmas tree lots in Del Mar Carlsbad and San Diego with renewable solar energy. The company has used its Mobile Solar Station to power the Christmas tree lots which are believed to be the first in the world to be powered by renewable energy.

The Mobile Solar Station will be powering compact fluorescent lamps on the lot perimeter and the electric chain saws that are being used to trim customers

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Eco Factor: Energy-efficient concept vehicle powered by a hybrid engine.
Auto designer Nikita Kalinin has conceptualized a next-gen Sports Compact 2 Seater Sports Coupe that has been designed to be powered by a hybrid engine. Christened the Honda X-Track the concept vehicle can be used in two modes Street Mode and Track Mode. The vehicle in the street mode features aerodynamic body panels that help reduce overall drag to maximize efficiency for street use.

When at the track the body panels along with the headlamps can be removed to protect them from rock chips and also decrease the overall weight of the vehicle and improve agility. The vehicle

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Eco Factor: Eco-friendly watches powered by solar energy.
Casio has been making solar-powered watches for quite some time and they

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Eco Factor: Dye-sensitized solar cells for energy generating windows.
Sony has demonstrated new dye-sensitized solar cells for energy generating windows at Eco Product 2010. Dubbed the Hana Mado or

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Eco Factor: Fuel-efficient car powered by a hybrid engine.
Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov has unveiled the country

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Eco Factor: Self-sustaining house generates renewable energy.
The Institute for Lightweight Structures and Conceptual Design at the University of Stuttgart has unveiled a new concept home that not only generates power for itself but can also help the homeowner charge his or her EV with homemade electricity.
Christened the Plus-Energy House with Electromobility the zero-energy house includes several integrated green technologies such as a rooftop array of photovoltaic panels and solar thermal generators. The concept home also features an open face that showcases its systems with an interactive display.

The designers claim that the concept house has super efficient systems that control and divert the energy to electric vehicles in the garage or send excess electricity to the grid.
Via: Inhabitat/Treehugger578922

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Eco Factor: Sustainable multipurpose facility harvests energy and water.
In an effort to support the environmental mission of the Bronx River Alliance Kiss + Cathcart Architects have designed a new multipurpose facility for the alliance that can provide space for the alliance

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Eco Factor: Power plant to produce 48MW of solar electrical power.
With a plan to build a 500MW solar photovoltaic farm in the near future Sempra Energy has entered into the record books by building the largest photovoltaic power plant in the United States. Construction on the 48MW power plant christened the Copper Mountain Solar Facility began in January 2010 at a 380-acre desert site and included the installation of 775000 thin-film PV solar panels.

Now that the project is finished it is being recognized as the largest photovoltaic installation in the U.S.
Via: Treehugger579039

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Eco Factor: Fuel-efficient hybrid sweeper uses electric motors to reduce engine load.
With a fuel-efficient 6.7-liter Cummins diesel engine the Allianz 4000 is a new hybrid sweeper that is being touted to be the first in the world. The Allianz 4000 has a top speed of about 60mph and uses two 12-volt lithium-ion batteries and an electric-traction drive system. The company is confident that the hybrid setup allows the Allianz 4000 to reduce fuel consumption by as much as 45 percent over a diesel-only counterpart.
As a sweeper needs to propel itself and spin a broom at the same time the differential is set up to turn the broom at a constant speed regardless of the speed of the sweeper. Since the sweeping functions are handled by electric motors in the Allianz the sweeper is able to operate a smaller single diesel engine running at reduced RPMs. Moreover the reduced fuel consumption reduces emissions for clearer air.
Via: Wired/Slashgear579044

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Eco Factor: Concept generator harnesses renewable energy while riding a bike.
Industrial designer Fandi Meng has come up with a concept generator that allows you to charge your cellphones using renewable energy harvested by the device. Christened the I-Green Bicycle Charging System the device can be attached to the frame of the bike to harvest kinetic energy which is later converted into usable electricity.

While the details are scant the images make us believe that the device also features a portable wind turbine mechanism which can be opened by clicking a button. Once the blades of this small turbine are extended they can use passing wind to generate electricity as well.

Via: Yanko Design579175

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Eco Factor: Cargo pants with photovoltaic cells help charge gadgets.
Silvr Lining has introduced unique cargo pants that have been especially designed to fascinate the minds of all eco-friends. Dubbed the Go Urban these unique cargo pants include a pair of built-in photovoltaic panels on two easy-access side pockets.

Costing $920 the cargo pants have been made available in two different colors and are made from animal-friendly Ultrasuede. The low-slung drawstring trouser is light in weight and is stain and water resistant. The two PV pockets of the cargo pants function as independent power supply units so that you can charge two different gadgets simultaneously using clean solar energy.
Via: Ecouterre579177

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Eco Factor: Zero-emission motorcycle powered by electric motors.
Mission Motors has unveiled a new electric motorcycle that packs a new look and better electric motor that generates a whopping 141 horsepower. Christened the Mission R the electric motorcycle features 14.4KWh and 141hp in a package smaller than a modern 600cc sportbike.

The liquid-cooled 3-phase AC motor creates 115ft-lb of torque that propels the Mission R to a top speed of 160mph in a single gear. The R also uses swappable architecture for its batteries which enables the rider to quickly get a recharged batter bank when the first battery runs out.

Via: Inhabitat579630

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Eco Factor: Lightweight bike powered by an electric motor.
The YikeBike which initially surfaced just over a year ago has now been made available in the United States by its manufacturer. To be a proud owner of one of these lightweight electric bikes you

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Eco Factor: Fuel-efficient vehicle powered by a hybrid engine.
Honda has unveiled its new PHV the Accord plug-in hybrid demonstrator that could be launched in 2013. The vehicle which is nothing more than an early-stage prototype will make use of a new hybrid system designed for mid-size to larger vehicles. The hybrid drive system allows for short frequent trips in all-electric mode.

The hybrid system incorporates a two-motor system that continuously moves through three different modes to maximize efficiency. In the all-electric mode the vehicle uses a 6KWh lithium-ion battery and a powerful 120KW electric motor. The all-electric mode achieves a range of up to 15 miles in city driving with a top speed of 62mph. Recharging the battery is easy and takes 3 to 4 hours on a 120V outlet.

Via: AutoBlogGreen579717

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Eco Factor: Machine utilizes solar energy and harvested rainwater to create rainbows.
Michael Jones McKean a former resident at the Bemis Center and now a professor at the Virginia Commonwealth University has created a machine that can create artificial rainbows using natural materials. McKean has been practicing the feat in parking lots for years and is now preparing for a larger installation at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts in Omaha Nebraska.

Next June McKean hopes to produce rainbows twice a day for 15 minutes using rainwater harvested from the roof the Bemis Center and renewable solar energy. The unique project utilizes a system of high-powered jet pumps and custom fountain nozzles that spray water into the air creating all necessary conditions for rainbows to be formed.

The pumps are powered by a system of photovoltaic panels generating renewable electricity. McKean believes that visitors may be able to see rainbows from up to 1000 feet away and even walk through them.

Via: Inhabitat579773

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Eco Factor: EV testing program to include solar-powered public charging stations.
The lack of proper infrastructure to accommodate electric vehicles has been a major hurdle in the global adoption of clean electric cars. To find solutions Honda has revealed plans to test a solar-powered public EV charging station and conduct a range of tests on electric vehicles in real-world urban transportation environments.

The program will start in the Japanese cities of Saitama Kumagaya and Chichibu with the goal to achieve

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Eco Factor: Concept cellphone harnesses renewable solar energy.
Designers at ZTE Corporation have unveiled a new concept cellphone dubbed the Double which will never run out of juice on a sunny day. The concept phone features photovoltaic panels across its entire façade which harness sunlight to recharge the onboard battery.

On the technical specification sheet the phone will come equipped with a 360-degree hinge and a 3.2-inch LCD touchscreen display with a transparent panel for notifications. We

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Eco Factor: Zero-emission concept vehicle powered by electric motors.
Designed by Bobin Kil the Light Weight concept is a zero-emission electric vehicle for the future that can also give you the pleasure of riding a one-wheeled motorcycle if you want to. The compact urban city car concept includes transforming rear wheels that can be used as single-wheeled electric motorcycles.

To separate the bikes from the car all the user has to do is to open the rear hood remove the bumper and set down the stand to raise the car above ground. Once raised the bikes included in the rear side of the vehicle can be removed and driven. The eco-friendly vehicle also includes a solar panel roof to help it recharge its batteries on the move.

Via: Yanko Design579891

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What it is
After LG launched its first solar-powered e-book reader over a year ago we were pretty confident that other companies will soon follow the trend. Justifying our hopes Toshiba and KDDI have unveiled a uniquely designed e-book reader called the Biblio Leaf. Featuring a 6-inch e-ink display Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity the Biblio Leaf includes 2GB of memory which can be expanded via a microSD card. The device features front-mounted solar panels that juice up the onboard battery using renewable energy.
How much will it cost me?
The device will be made available in Japan from December 25 as part of a two-year 3G wireless $20 monthly contract.
The Look
The device features an electronic paper display similar to Kindle with a resolution of 800 X 600 pixels. Measuring about 8.5

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As we know it
With fossil fuel reserves depleting fast researchers over the globe are focusing their attention on systems that can generate energy from renewable sources of energy such as wind. The trend is catching up fast as in 2005 wind energy generated less than one percent of global energy by producing 58982MW of power. However by 2008 eight percent of Europe

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Eco Factor: School building made from discarded plastic bottles.
We at EcoFriend have seen architecture made from bottles in the past as well but the Bottle School is the first of its kind structure that we

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Eco Factor: Machine generates hydrogen and syngas using solar energy.
A team of researchers in the US and Switzerland have created a machine that like plants uses solar energy to produce fuels which can later be used in different ways. The machine makes use of the sun

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Eco Factor: Concept headset powered by renewable solar energy.
Industrial designer Zhong-Fa Lie has come up with concept headphones that aim to swipe the floor under your feet by combining the features of portable speakers as well. Dubbed Hexound the portable wireless headset features the use of renewable solar energy ensuring that you enjoy music without worrying much about the battery life.

The band of this concept headset incorporates photovoltaic panels that continually recharge the headset

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Eco Factor: Concept shelter works as a solar-powered water dispensing unit.
With billions of people over the world lacking access to safe drinking water industrial designers have taken up the opportunity to design systems that help improve the conditions for some. Designer Mostafa Bonakdar has shared with us his new concept water dispensing unit that collects and purifies rainwater to be used as drinking water. Christened the Hydroleaf the water dispensing unit which also functions as a shelter makes use of renewable solar energy for the filtration process.

The designer estimates that the Hydroleaf can store up to 60 liters of water in its tank and the amount of water inside can be checked using a vertical glass placed on the storage tank. The solar energy collected by the system can be also be utilized to power a set of lights to illuminate the streets after dark.

Thanks: [Mostafa Bonakdar]580550

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Eco Factor: Zero-emission electric bicycle concept.
Eco-conscious designer Juliano Bortolin aims to make zero emission bicycle transport more attractive for people who respect the environment and its resources with a new concept electric bike dubbed the E-Bike Summer Life. Designed for people who love surfing nature and outdoor life the E-bike features six lithium batteries that help propel the bike.

The electric batteries are stored in the front frame which power the bike

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Eco Factor: Low-cost water disinfection system powered by solar energy.
The idea of using solar energy for purifying water has been around for ages and is still practiced in different parts of the globe. However now a team of students from the University of Washington have come up with a bright idea taking a little bit of technical help to devise a low-cost solution to a global problem. Using simple parts the student team has developed a cheap setup solution for drinking water in poor areas which has won them a $40000 prize.
The team reports that using parts from a keychain that blinks in response to light they have created a device that monitors how light is passing through a water-filled bottle and how many particulates are obstructing the light. When enough particulates are removed the sensor alerts that the water is now safe to drink. The student team believes that the device can be retailed at just $3.40 which makes it a viable solution for many parts of the world.
Via: Treehugger580566

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Eco Factor: Airborne wind turbines to use high velocity winds for more power.
While onshore and offshore wind farms are common in different parts of the world a NASA researcher is envisioning a future where wind farms will not be built on land or the sea but will actually take up the free space above the ground. These airborne turbines would spin with greater speeds found at high altitudes and send power back to Earth via nanotube tether cables. Swarms of these energy harvesting turbines could stay aloft for a year and could easily be reeled in during storms.
NASA aerospace engineer Mark Moore believes that the idea is definitely worth giving a thought as wind speed is more consistent and its velocity much higher at higher altitudes. At an altitude of 2000 feet once can get between eight and 27 times the power production. The plan does seem ingenious but the vision does come with its own set of drawbacks. Researchers opine that floating wind turbines could have a two-mile protected no-fly zone which will cause problems for airliners and unmanned aircrafts of the future.
Via: Popsci580684

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With our planet in a desperate need of new eco-friendly energy generating systems researchers over the globe have been working hard to develop systems that can power the world of the future in a sustainable fashion. The year 2010 saw some great breakthroughs in the field of renewable energy technology which when fully developed could help create a better world. Here we have compiled a list of 10 such breakthroughs that are bound to have a significant impact in the future.

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While electric car manufacturers kept rolling out electric vehicles throughout the year there was no dearth of analysts who believed that the electric car revolution would need the grids to deliver more electricity which won

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Eco Factor: Sustainable complex makes maximum use of natural resources.
GPP Architects have unveiled plans for a sustainable educational complex for University College Nordjylland that will be built in Aalborg Denmark. Christened the UCN IMAGO the education center will feature four buildings arranged around a common space. All these four buildings will be oriented toward the common space which will serve as the nucleus of the structure allowing interdisciplinary exchange of knowledge.

The main level of the building contains spaces for public and group functions while the other three levels include educational facilities which are grouped in four large families. Out of the four wings of the structure three will include UCN

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Eco Factor: Sustainable hotel proposal designed to be powered by renewable sources of energy.
The brainchild of architect and designer Michael Jantzen the Solar Winds Desert Hotel is a conceptual design for a large luxury eco hotel that is powered by solar and wind energy. With 140 rooms the hotel design is symbolically evolved from thoughts about certain desert plants and how they function in hot dry climate.

The symbolic leaves of the Solar Winds Desert Hotel would shade various facilities at the base such as restaurants a gym a pool a spa retail spaces and offices. These leaves will generate power for the rest of the hotel through a coating on their surface made using spray-on solar cells which allow any surface exposed to sunlight to generate renewable electricity.

The stem of the structure becomes the space in which the hotel rooms are located. At the top of the hotel is mounted a large fully integrated vertical axis wind turbine which would also generate large amounts of electricity for the hotel. Various natural cooling strategies will be incorporated into the design of the hotel including the installation of earth pipes buried deep in the desert below the hotel.

As the wind blows over the top of the center portion of the structure earth cooled air from below is pulled up through the hotel

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Eco Factor: Sustainable student pavilion aims to remain energy neutral in its operation.
Paul de Ruiter Architects have unveiled their designs for the Erasmus Universitys student pavilion that aims to remain energy neutral in its operation. Designed to be built in Rotterdam in The Netherlands the pavilion will serve as a place to meet relax and study. The project makes use of the suns light and energy to reduce the overall energy demands.

Moreover the roof of the structure features a system of intelligent solar panels which allow natural light to filter through the entire interior. The architects have also ensured that the placement and orientation of skylights is such that direct sunlight and overheating is avoided. The project also features the use of a geothermal heat pump a thermally active concrete core that serves as thermal mass and minimal use of materials.

Via: Designboom581663

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Eco Factor: Empire state building to purchase renewable electricity from Green Mountain Energy Company.
After being the worlds highest building for the greater part of four decades New Yorks tallest building is now making some green records as well. The iconic Empire State Building is undergoing a multimillion dollar green renovation which includes the purchase of wind power for all its electricity needs. The building authorities will buy 100 percent wind power from Texas-based Green Mountain Energy Company.
The two-year contract is for 55 million kilowatt hours of renewable energy annually which will help prevent nearly 100 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions each year. The CO2 reduction is the equivalent of nearly every house in New York state turning off their lights for a week or planting nearly 150000 trees.
Via: USA Today581811

You’ve probably noticed that green is everywhere these days–in the news, politics, fashion, and even technology. You can hardly escape it on the Internet, and now with the Planet Green TV network, you can even enjoy eco-friendly entertainment 24 hours a day. That’s all great as far as we’re concerned, but with a million messages and ideas coming at us from all sides, it can be easy to get caught up in the quotidian stuff—switching to organic foods, turning down the thermostat, recycling, say — without thinking about the big picture of how your actions stack up. Worse, you could even be suffering from a little green “fatigue” — that is, tuning out the green messages due to their ubiquity.