Plug-In Solar And Wind Power Systems On The Market In 2011

So you want to feel better about your “green-self”, but don’t know how to, or the affordability concerns. Well, here’s the first bit of knowledge to get you on your way – one step at a time – start simple and slow, then grow.

Your power for instance, there’s no regulation, mandate, nor physics law that requires you to completely (more…)

Travelers on Germany’s A9 Autobahn are likely to do some double-takes this holiday. That giant light isn’t an alien–it’s the world’s largest spinning Christmas star.

Power giant Siemens contracted multimedia artist Michael Pendry for the massive project done in partnership with Munich City Utilities. A crew attached 3,000 tiny, colored LEDs on each of three turbine blades using special adhesives. The lights glow in different patterns as the blades rotate, putting on a show evenings and early mornings through January 6, 2010. Since the turbine is part of a local smart grid system, clean energy is powering the lights.

Hat tips to Jacob Gordon at TreeHugger and Bridgette Meinhold at Inhabitat for bringing this star story to light. Maybe next year power companies here in the States will see their turbines as canvases.

Do you know who the top ten countries are as far as wind farms is concerned?

1. Germany
2. United States
3. Spain
4. India
5. China
6. Denmark
7. Italy
8. France
9. United Kingdom
10. Portugal

Interesting list but what do you think?

….  as the green world turns!

The Electric InterGrid – Why A Smart Power Grid is Essential

Source: LiveScience.com

On October 27, President Obama announced $3.4 billion in grants to help build a “smart” electric grid aimed at reducing blackouts and cutting utility bills. The grid, as envisioned, would do a better job incorporating wind and solar energy into the nation’s electricity supply.

The existing power grid is a patchwork of often antiquated systems that, under stress, can fail to deliver electricity where it’s needed. The grants will pay for better transformers at utility companies and also smart meters to help consumers manage their energy use.

“It is fair to say that the current (grid) system is certainly outdated. It’s dilapidated,” said Carol Browner, the president’s top adviser on climate change and energy issues. The new plan is expected to created tens of thousands of jobs, Reuters reports.

What’s a smart grid and why do we need it? Find out below.

The first video being:

America’s electric infrastructure is undergoing a massive make-over. It must develop Internet-style intelligence.

The second video being:

To create an Internet-style power system, every electric device has to learn when to listen and how to talk.

….  as the green world turns.