GE and the Three Models of Sustainability Venturing
by: Greener Design, 2011-01-10 17:56:47 UTC

The second phase of GE's Ecomagination Challenge -- a call to generate ideas for managing home energy use -- highlights one of three ways companies are scouting out sustainability innovations.

Could 'Poo-Gloos' Replace Wastewater Treatment Plants?
by: Greener Design, 2011-01-10 19:55:27 UTC

"Poo-Gloos," igloo-shaped domes that clean up wastewater, are able to strip pollution from sewage water as well as large, expensive treatment facilities.

New, More Efficient Residential Wind Turbines
by: Eco Geek Latest, 2011-01-08 23:27:24 UTC

An improved, more powerful residential-scale wind turbine was premiered at this year's Consumer Electronics Show. According to the manufacturer, the Skystream 600 produces 74% more energy than its predecessor, the Skystream 3.7, yielding "up to 7,400 kWh of low-cost energy per year."

The Skystream 600 also will be the first fully smart grid-enabled wind turbine. The company says that "depending on the wind resource, siting and energy efficiency, a Skystream 600 could provide up to 60 percent of an average home's energy requirements." Of course, that also means it could produce all of the electricity needed for a relatively efficient house. The new Skystream also has a system called Skyview which allows monitoring of the turbine's power production via the internet.

Retail pricing for the new Skystream turbine has not yet been set. The Skystream 600 is scheduled be available for consumers beginning in April, so the price should be set in the near future.

via: Jetson Green

The Water Vapor Project
by: Yanko Design, 2011-01-10 08:14:28 UTC

This year’s IIDA has some pretty interesting entries. For example the Water Vapor Project is an attempt to hydrate the parched desert landscape of Africa. It proposes to build an environment where greenery thrives thanks to the basic principles of water vapor.  Hat tip Designboom!

Designers: Sangwook Park, Sinjeong Lee, Hoyoung Lee & Hyeonju Jo

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david shrigley recent projects
by: Designboom - Weblog, 2011-01-09 23:12:00 UTC

with two of his recent works the glasgow based artist, david shrigley has been promoting causes such as environmental awareness and government arts funding.
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ZENA System designs world’s first Wind Tower system to capture wind from any direction
by: Ecofriend, 2011-01-04 10:28:48 UTC

Eco Factor: Innovative design harnesses wind from any direction to produce renewable energy.

While researchers at NASA have put their bets on airborne wind turbines to produce a large amount of energy, researchers over at ZENA System are taking a different approach. The company has unveiled an innovative design for a wind energy generating system that is able to harness wind from any direction. Christened the Wind Tower, the system accommodates a power plant, a tourist facility and a desalination plant in one structure.

The 50m tall structure captures wind at any speed at any height and turns it into wind masses with three-point wind compression. The wind is then accelerated in the tunnel, from where it rushes toward the exit point. The exit is equipped with air pressure adjustment and produces powerful wind masses, which are then used to generate large amounts of wind energy. The creators opine that the innovative system overturns conventional aerodynamics theory and Betz Limit Value theory.

Via: Greenz

Clean, Green, and Wheelchair Accessible, Paris' Public Toilets Are Pretty Sweet
by: TreeHugger Design, 2011-01-09 15:09:19 UTC
Images: Mairie de Paris If you've spent time in Paris, you've certainly seen the work of French designer Patrick Jouin, and maybe you've even ridden one. Last year, the designer of the Vélib' turned his attention away from transportation and to another, more basic need: going to the bathroom. Now installed throughout the city, Paris' new public toilets are cleaner, greener, and wheelchair... Read the full story on TreeHugger

GE and Partners Seek Best Ideas for Eco Home of the Future in Next Phase of $200 Million “ecomagination Challenge”
by: GE Ecomagination, 2011-01-07 19:49:00 UTC

Commitment to Accelerate Home Energy Management Technology

Through Open Innovation

· Largest challenge of its kind continues with a global call for the best eco-home ideas

· GE and venture capital partners seek innovations to improve household energy efficiency and harness wind, solar, hydro and biomass power

atelier gras: eethuis
by: Designboom - Weblog, 2011-01-07 10:30:00 UTC

charmingly translated to literally mean 'eat house', the project consists of plastic produce crates, mesh and packed soil to grow vegetables along its structure.
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Chemically Powered to Charge
by: Yanko Design, 2011-01-07 08:05:17 UTC

The Eco Power Strip is an alternate energy production source that bypasses traditional oil and the new-age hydrogen alternatives. Electricity is produced by electrolysis – the combination of oxygen with hydrogen in bio-ethanol (DEFC: Direct-ethanol fuel cells); using energy without carbonic acid gas. The tech is viable but will we ever see this in practical applications?

Designers: Jun Hyuck Choi, Jooyeon Kim & Sungi Kim

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