"Solar Islands" in South Korea - Saudi Arabia

With solar energy electrifies two islands, one artificial in South Korea and a natural in Saudi Arabia, showing the way forward in the use of Renewable Energy. In the capital of South Korea Seoul, thousands of people attended the inauguration of the artificial, floating island Viva River Han.

The island Viva is an impressive structure which includes a conference center with a capacity 700 seats, restaurants and shops are powered by solar energy. The Viva is the first of the three islands to sail the waters of the Han River which runs through Seoul. The difference from the artificial islands of Dubai is that it is floating and therefore in case of overflow water instead covered will remain on the surface.

Inlet Concept Provides Power

These days, we are all looking for ways to cut costs. And energy is one of the big ones. Now, a lot of folks are really starting to look at solar, wind, and geothermal energy to help lower their energy costs over the long haul. But some companies are looking for auxilliary ways to boost energy savings. One such concept is the inlet. Now, mind you, I don’t usually like posting on concepts. But this one is a great idea that could gain ground.

Gaiam Hot Pot Solar Cooker

Having a solar cooker brings cheap, simple cooking to far away places. Whether you are camping or without power at home, the Hot Pot Simple Solar Cooker will suffice. It’s reiterative design has made for a surprisingly hot cooking experience.

The black, steel enameled pot (5 quarts) helps to absorb the sunlight. And sunlight gathering is aided by the foldable, reflective surface. And heat is kept within the cooking area by a glass enclosure. All that adds up to 350-400 degrees of cooking power! Not bad for $60.

GROW Solar Ivy mixes solar power and cool design

Well…solar and wind Ivy. SMIT, a new York based company that proclaim themselves “a sustainable design start-up company that is developing a new approach to solar and wind power” is currently exhibiting their revolutionary GROW hybrid energy system at the Museum of Modern Art. That’s right, its solar, it’s wind, and it’s art.

The grow system uses recycled materials when possible and incorporates an intuitive energy monitoring system to allow users to control and fine tune the system on their own.

Thermeleon Color Changing Energy Saving Roof Tiles

Chalk this one up to: “how the heck didn’t someone think of this before?” But the best ideas are usually the simplest solutions to a problem. MIT seems adept at this. Hence, the color changing energy saving roof tiles, code named Thermeleon. Almost sounds like a song.

Possible Breakthrough in Solar Hydrogen Production

Solar production of hydrogen has been pretty inefficient. And really, it seems like hydrogen should be thought more of a battery type solution. I know of home solar installations where people are also doing hydrogen production so that they can switch to hydrogen in low sunlight situations. Anyway, Dr. Thomas Nann at the University of East Anglia have found a way to make the solar hydrogen production at 60% efficiencies.