University of Minnesota researchers are developing degradable plastics from soybean oil. These bioplastics could become a replacement for those made with petroleum and natural gas. Marc Hillmyer, Distinguished McKnight University Professor of chemistry and Director of the Center for Sustainable Polymers, believes that to wean the country from all things fossil fuels, including chemicals and plastics, alternatives based on renewable …
Spotted in DC
This advertisement was spotted in Washington DC this week and is part of a Beltway campaign being deployed by the Renewable Fuels Group (RFA). The ethanol organization is also advertising on politically geared websites as well as in DC political magazines such as Roll Call. This is just one element of a broader campaign the group is currently engaged in …
Algae to Omega Chooses LumiGrow
Algae to Omega, an algae company focused on producing algae crops in vertical indoor farms, has chosen LumiGrow to provide its lighting solutions for its facility in Oakland Park, Florida. The LED efficient lights are being utilized to increase algae crop yield. The algae is used for high-value products including cosmetics, fish meal and nutritional supplements. During the day the …
Solar Panel Efficiency on the Rise
The efficiency of solar panels are on the rise with several companies making recent announcements that new products have increased sun to energy conversion rates. Today SunPower Corp has launched the SunPower E20 series of solar panels that achieve total area efficiencies of 20 percent or more. The 96-cell E20 solar panels are available in 333 watt and 327 watt …
ROUSH Offers New Propane Buses
A new paratransit bus fueled by propane is being launched during the Community Transportation Association Expo this week being held in Minneapolis, Minn. The bus is a result of the partnership between ROUSH CleanTech and National Bus Sales, who will sell the buses. Also involved in the project is Elkhart Coach, a division of Forest River, Inc., who will be …
QR Codes Defined
So, we’ve got a little way to go as far as getting the whole QR Code thing going from the looks of our last ZimmPoll. We asked, “Have you ever used a smartphone to scan a QR code?” I was a little surprised to see the answer, What’s a QR code?, had the biggest response at 41%. But 37% of …
ACE Invites Presidential Candidates to Energy Forum
The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) is inviting the candidates for the 2012 Presidential Election to participate in an energy policy forum in Des Moines, Iowa on Wednesday, August 24, 2011. As part of the open invitation, ACE sent an open letter detailing the ethanol industry’s position on the ethanol tax incentive (VEETC). Last month, former Minnesota Governor Pawlenty called …
Trojan Releases New Batteries Suited for PV Systems
Trojan Battery Company has expanded its product line with the release of the Industrial flooded line of batteries designed for use with renewable energy. The batteries were developed to support large daily loads where batteries are regularly cycled, the case with photovoltaic (PV) systems. Storage of the energy generated by solar systems has been a challenge for the industry. “As …
Largest Electric Vehicle Trial Underway in Canada
The largest electric vehicle (EV) trial is underway in Canada. According to Hydro-Quebec, a number of Mitsubishi iMiEVs have been delivered to several Boucherville businesses selected to participate in the second phase of the EV trials. The iMiEV stands for Mitsubishi Innovative Electric Vehicle and is an all-electric, plug-in vehicle with zero tailpipe emissions. The iMiEV can travel 120 km, …
Canadian Solar Launches ELPS Solar Cell Technology
Canadian Solar has released its latest technology, ELPS solar cell technology. ELPS achieves up to 19.5 percent cell efficiency for the monocrystalline and up to 18 percent for polycrystalline cells. The new technology will be debuted at Intersolar Munich, 2011. “With the new ELPS Cell technology we again managed to significantly lower the production cost per watt while at the …