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10MW tidal farm to be built in Scotland

By Damir Beciri
18 March 2011

scottishpower-renewables-tidal-farmThe Scottish Government approved ScottishPower Renewables’ plans to develop a 10MW tidal power array in The Sound of Islay on Scotland’s west coast. The project will be capable to generate enough renewable electricity to power the equivalent of the whole island. It is also the first tidal array project to be approved by Marine Scotland,… »

Bionics| Tech»

Fish schooling inspires new ideas for vertical-axis wind turbines

By Damir Beciri
One Comment17 May 2010

dabiri-vertical-wind-turbinesIn the Los Angeles basin, the challenge of finding suitable space for large wind farms has prevented further progress in the use of wind energy. However, researcher John Dabiri, associate professor of aeronautics and bioengineering at California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and head of Caltech’s Biological Propulsion Laboratory, is using the bioinspiration from fish schooling… »

Tech»

Minesto’s underwater kite could harness tidal energy

By Damir Beciri
One Comment31 October 2009

art_minestoUnlike wind kite energy generating concepts, a concept of underwater wave energy which uses a simple 7 ton kite turbine design has been developed by Minesto. Minesto’s innovation “underwater kites” originates from the wind department at Saab Group (the aircraft and military Saab, not the automaker), who started development in 2003. The concept was more… »

Bionics| Tech»

Biosolar hydrogen production with green algae

By Damir Beciri
1 October 2009

green_algae_chlamydomanas_reinhardtiiA fuel cell combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, heat, and water. In order to produce energy, fuel cells use oxygen and hydrogen. Hydrogen is high in energy, yet an engine that burns pure hydrogen produces almost no pollution. It’s also the most plentiful known element in the universe. Despite its simplicity and abundance,… »

Gadgets»

Organic Photovoltaics on Al Fresco umbrellas

By Damir Beciri
22 June 2009

konarkaSoon, you’ll be able to charge a laptop, mobile phone, iPod or some other portable device while you are working or relaxing outdoors.A retractable umbrella that converts sunlight into electricity is in development a partnership between SKYShades, a supplier of shade structures, and Konarka Technologies, the developer of Power Plastic. Konarka has agreed to design… »