Saudis Confused About Solar Power

In this issue of the Climate Column, we find out why Saudi Arabia’s oil minister seems to be confused as to what he thinks about solar power, and investigate whether the world can replace dirty Saudi Arabian oil with clean solar power as the world’s primary energy source. One thing is for certain, in the future we will be seeing more and more progressive companies investing in major solar power projects and the future is certainly looking bright for solar.

Ernst & Young CleanTech Trends Report

New Energy World Network (Newnet) reports on Ernst & Young’s second annual global cleantech insights and trends report which shows CleanTech is expected to boom, and as a result climate change and CleanTech are rising up the corporate priority lists.

Al Gore’s 5 Step Plan to Clean Energy

Al Gore’s 5 Step Plan to Clean Energy
Live Earth, November 14, 2008

Al Gore introduced a five point plan that “…would simultaneously move us toward solutions to the climate crisis and the economic crisis–and create millions of new jobs that cannot be outsourced,” at the Web 2.0 Summit in San Francisco. Gore claims that the two major crisis’s we currently face can be alleviated through the same steps:

1. Incentives for construction of concentrating solar-thermal power plants in the southwest, wind farms in the Midwest, and plants in geothermal “hot spots.”
2. A $400 billion investment over 10 years to build a “national smart grid” to distribute renewable energy.
3. Aid to automakers to convert to the production of plug-in hybrids. Smart-grid technology that enables the cars to be charged during off-peak hours.
4. A nationwide effort to retrofit buildings, which account for 40 percent of carbon dioxide emissions, to be more energy-efficient.
5. Climate regulations to cap carbon dioxide emissions.

Pedal-A-Watt Stationary Bike Power Generator

The Pedal-A-Watt Stationary Bike Power Generator
econvergence.net

Pedal-A-Watt Stationary Bike Power Generator

The Pedal-A-Watt bicycle stand keeps the user aerobically fit while creating power that may be used to power lights and/or other small appliances. The Pedal-A-Watt may also be used to charge a battery so that the power may be used at a later time (see the PowerPak under the Accessories page). The battery may then be tapped at a later time, after dark for example, when the energy is needed to power lights or appliances.

The Pedal-A-Watt bicycle stand is an excellent addition to an existing battery system that may already be charged from the photovoltaic panels, 120 VAC grid power or wind power. The concept behind the Pedal-A-Watt bicycle is that electricity can be created from human effort and then stored in batteries.

The Cycle Charger

Charge a Cell Phone, iPod, Blackberry, Garmin GPS, any GPS or any other device that you can plug into your car’s cigarette lighter plug
* Easily clips onto any bicycle
* Has a female cigarette lighter plug just like a car
* As you ride your bicycle your device will charge!
* Has a voltage regulator to ensure that the voltage never exceeds 12 vdc just like you car’s cigarette lighter socket
* $89.95 with free shipping within the US ($19.95 shipping outside the US)

The PowerPak for The Pedal-A-Watt

A small, portable combination of a 400 watt (300 watt for 220 volt European version) inverter and battery. The PowerPak plugs into the Pedal-A-Watt and stores the electricity created in a battery. The PowerPak also has a two, typical household outlet, allowing you to plug appliances in (up to 400 watts) and power them! Cigarette lighter plug for powering small appliances. Meter shows battery state of charge. Unit has overvoltage protection. Includes a charging cable that terminates with a male cigarette lighter plug with blocking diode. PLEASE NOTE that this product is available for 120 volts AC, 60 Hz (United States) or 220 volts AC, 50 Hz (for Europe). PLEASE SPECIFY in the dropdown menu when ordering!

Power Meter for The Pedal-A-Watt

See exactly how much power your Pedal-A-Watt creating with this power meter. It connects easily inline in series with your Pedal-A-Watt and displays volts, amps, watts (power), watt hours and amp hours. A great way to demonstrate how much power the Pedal-A-Watt is creating. Needs no battery. Measures voltage from 0 to 60 v and current from 0 to 100 amps. The meter measures 2.8 inches long by 1.7 inches wide and is .83 inches thick.

The Carbon Footprint Consumer Products Summit

The Carbon Footprint Consumer Products Summit

Here’s the plug for the summit coming up on February 26-27, 2008:

The Carbon Footprint Consumer Products Summit is part of the first ever global series of conferences to demonstrate the business case for measuring your carbon footprint. The event will dissect the WHYS, going beyond the environmental arguments and analyzing the business case for climate change initiatives. Using case studies from industry leaders, the event will then show you how to get started, literally taking you, step by step, to define a reference point for your carbon reductions investments, both internally and across the supply chain.

You can get more information and register for the summit here.