| Blog Rating: |   |
(4.9 out of 5 as rated by 12 users) |
| Powered By BlogNow - Get Your Free Blog |
|
Alternative Fuels | |
Wave Energy - Australia could do thatFor some time, a number of small companies have tried to develop and commercialise a range of different wave energy technologies as a non-polluting source of energy.From the Australian Government - Greenhouse Office: "However, finding a reliable and efficient method to extract that power has long been a barrier to commercial wave-energy production. Over the past couple of years, this has begun to change with the emergence of various new wave-energy technologies. Ocean waves represent the most concentrated form of renewable energy and abundant resources are available around Australia's lengthy coastline." Yes, believe it or not - The Australian Government has been discussing and investing in renewable energy sources for 11 long years! See: http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/renewable/projects/index.html. Wouldn't that just stop your bed from burning. Wave Energy in Australia: CETO is one company pursing wave energy prospects in Australia stating that a small array of their CETO II units will be operating off Fremantle by the end of 2008. The company wants to build the world's first wave-energy farm to produce electricity from the ocean and details are being finalised for a $400 million, 50MW demonstration plant. Oceanlinx is currently in late-stage negotiations with a major Australian energy company for ten units to be located in Portland with a peak capacity of 15 MW. A guide to the different types of Ocean Wave Energy Technology: http://ocsenergy.anl.gov/guide/wave/index.cfm http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/s1117412.htm http://discovermagazine.com/2005/dec/ocean-energy Video: A system gaining a lot of attention is the Pelamis Wave Power System by Ocean Power Delivery LTD - Video runs for about one hour. A European Commission video that introduces the Wave Dragon wave energy converter - video runs for a few minutes. Solar Power - Solar Systems for AustraliaAustralian treasurer, Peter Costello, announced in the budget this week a package of rebates and grants to encourage homeowners and public buildings to install solar panels. This is somewhat of a great initiative which not only looks at the possible climate change issue and maybe more importantly take some load of the power grid.The water shortage is starting to seriously effect electricity generators with two of Victoria's power stations have used most of their water entitlements and unsure of the future. Should read: ABC report - Water Shortages Worry Power Stations .
Photovoltaic solar systems convert solar energy into the same kind of power homes draw from energy grid. The energy produced by the solar panels can also be fed back into the grid. Photovoltaic systems should not be confused with thermal solar plants, which collect solar energy and convert it into heat for example a solar hot water system. For a good overview of home solar power and how it works see: BP Solar. For a listing of home solar power manufacturers and installers see: Solar Power in Australia Solar energy could also become even more affordable following a breakthrough by UNSW scientists, who have boosted the efficiency of solar cell technology. See: Efficiency boost makes solar cells more affordableA Car that Runs on AirNow, if someone started telling you about a car that runs on air at the Saturday arvo barbecue you would probably think it was part elborate spoof and retort with a story about the Labor Party actually having real, workable policies on climate not just soapbox marketing.Although the car that runs on air is much more of a fact than the latter. MDI (Moteur Developpment International) have been working on this for a number of years, having developed the technology which utilizes compressed air to power a vehicle. A prototype has seen various trials in France as a taxi. A Taxi version of the Air Car:  Tata Motors recently signed an agreement with MDI (the developers of the Air Car) to help develop the technology and retain a licence for it's use in India. Tata cars, buses and trucks are being marketed in several countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and in Australia. There is an article on how compressed air technology works at The Air Car Or watch the video of the air car: { Last Page } { Page 1 of 2 } { Next Page } |
NavigationHomeArchives LinksGreen Vehicle GuideAustralian BioFuel Users Fuel Cell Institute GreenHouse.gov.au Directory of Energy in Australia RSS feed for Alternative Fuels
CategoriesArticlesBio Fuels Diesel Vehicles Hybrid Vehicles LPG Peak Oil Recent EntriesFaux Green: Handouts for Toyota Little for Australian RenewableThe Looming Energy Crisis Wave Energy - Australia could do that Volkswagen: From Supercar to Superfrugal Chevrolet Volt gets closer to production Wild Grass Biofuel - Cars can eat grass too! Should Australia go Nuclear Solar Power - Solar Systems for Australia Global Warming is it Just a Big Con? Five Ways To Save The World A Car that Runs on Air GM Hy-wire - Fuel Cell Technology at work The Fossil Fuel Generation Biofuels - ethanol Biogas |
