Wave energy generator pumps power to Scotland
November 25, 2009
The Oyster, located in the waters off Orkney makes electricity
Climate change policies ‘improve health’
November 25, 2009
Research shows that the reduction of GHG emissions promises to improve public health as well as reduce climate change
Shrimp shells
November 25, 2009
Food and fuel meet again; shrimp shells increase the efficiency of bio-fuel production.
The conventional method of turning soybean or canola oil into valuable fuels requires a single-use catalyst like sodium hydroxide that needs to be neutralized by lots of water. Despite making a “greener” fuel than gasoline, all this polluted water isn’t doing anybody any favours.
Scientists in Wuhan, China have done what they always knew makes a dish better- they have added shrimp. Not only is shrimp a cleaner catalyst, but it can be reused, and is much more efficient at rendering plant oil into bio-fuel.
The shrimp shells are composed mainly of chitin. That’s significant, because it’s a material that when heated, becomes very porous. That makes the process much faster. In only three hours, 89 per cent of the batch can been successfully converted.
The researchers at Hua Zhong Agriculture University heated the shrimp shells beforehand, making a framework material that is then mixed with potassium fluoride. The goal was to find an environmentally friendly way to make an environmentally friendly fuel.
Certainly the scientists were happy with the result. By adding shrimp shells to the process, there is less waste and pollution, less energy required due to its efficiency and no wasted water to neutralize. Additionally, there is less cost associated with this method, as the shrimp shell catalyst can be used again, and shrimp are cheap to acquire. The results are a sustainable process and a cleaner fuel.
That’s a deliciously good solution for all.
Wednesday Words
November 25, 2009
Cluster | geographic concentration of interdependent competitive firms that do business with each other; includes upstream suppliers of materials and equipment and downstream customers
DOE smart-grid trials fund utility-scale energy storage
November 24, 2009
$620 million awarded for smart grid projects
Norway Makes Power From Seawater
November 24, 2009
This power plant that will produce power from seawater will cost an estimated $8 million
Energy statoids
November 24, 2009
A country’s wealth is a key indicator of economic performance in that it represents the potential to generate income and benefit society. Natural resources are arguably the most fundamental component of wealth and the latest quarterly Envirostat from Statistics Canada highlights the importance of the role played by resources in general and energy resources in particular.
The latest numbers show that in 2008, the value of energy, minerals and timber rose 45.3 per cent to $1,723 billion in 2008 and accounted for more than 22 per cent of Canada’s overall wealth.
Unsurprisingly, given the state of world markets last year, the value of energy in Canada soared by 72.5 per cent to $1.162 billion as higher commodity prices easily offset higher capital and operating costs. Energy assets accounted for more than 67 per cent of total natural resource assets in 2008, up 10 points from the previous year.
The value of crude bitumen nearly doubled last year, rising 97.5 per cent to $604.8 billion, which reflected increased reserves and production as well as record prices for much of the year. In dollar terms, crude oil ranked second at $256.9 billion (up 55.4 per cent from 2007), followed by natural gas at $231.8 billion (up 40.2 per cent) and coal at $68.7 billion (up 86 per cent).
Bolivia hopes to be the Saudi Arabia of the electric car age with rare metal
November 23, 2009
Bolivia is home to half of the world’s known reserves of ultra-light metal lithium
Full Story [The Vancouver Sun]
Scientist Discovers Way to Cut an Open Refrigerator’s Energy
November 23, 2009
Research shows that by slowing down the air circulating in the open refrigerator will lead to a reduction in velocity, infiltration and energy
Shop green? Global survey lists top eco-friendly retailers
November 23, 2009
Senior management, key to the implementation of sustainable practices