Archived material from historical editions of The Generator
Energy, Carbon Dioxide emissions, nutrition: These are complex topics. If you drifted off during maths and science at school, you might find it challenging to read about kilowatts, tonnes of carbon, nitrogen levels and cyanobacteria.
This Ready Reckoner is designed to give you a quick overview of how all these measurement units hang together and their relationship to everyday objects and activities.
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| Researcher, Rosalie Louey, prepares components for the UltraBattery in CSIRO laboratories |
The UltraBattery combines a supercapacitor and a lead acid battery in a single unit, creating a hybrid car battery that lasts longer, costs less and is more powerful than current technologies used in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs).
“The UltraBattery is a leap forward for low emission transport and uptake of HEVs,” said David Lamb, who leads low emissions transport research with the Energy Transformed National Research Flagship.
“Previous tests show the UltraBattery has a life cycle that is at least four times longer and produces 50 per cent more power than conventional battery systems. It’s also about 70 per cent cheaper than the batteries currently used in HEVs,” he said.
By marrying a conventional fuel-powered engine with a battery to drive an electric motor, HEVs achieve the dual environmental benefit of reducing both greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel consumption.
A new plastic based photovoltaic cell allows appliance manufacturers to create independent devices that have their own power source anywhere there is light. In combination with a battery, the photovoltaic plastic film can be used to provide an appliance with a permanent, renewable energy source, completely independently of the power supply.
The manufacturer, Konarka, says the product can be manufactured in existing coating and printing equipment, allowing the material to be made in existing factories, bringing the cost down and making the availability almost limitless.
The product has won a number of technology and energy awards. More information is available at the company web-site .
From RenewableEnergyAccess.com
Switchgrass grown for biofuel production produced 540 percent more energy than needed to grow, harvest and process it into cellulosic ethanol, according to estimates from a large on-farm study by researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL).
Results from the five-year study involving fields on farms in three states highlights the prairie grass’ potential as a biomass fuel source that yields significantly more energy than is consumed in production and conversion into cellulosic ethanol, said Ken Vogel, a U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service geneticist in UNL’s agronomy and horticulture department.
The study involved switchgrass fields on farms in Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. It is the largest study to date examining the net energy output, greenhouse gas emissions, biomass yields, agricultural inputs and estimated cellulosic ethanol production from switchgrass grown and managed for biomass fuel.
"This clearly demonstrates that switchgrass is not only energy efficient, but can be used in a renewable biofuel economy to reduce reliance of fossil fuels, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance rural economies," Vogel said.
A massive fish kill in the Richmond River around Ballina has resulted from agricultural toxins being leached from soils during the recent flood. The tonnes of dead fish washed up on the banks of the Richmond have lead to calls for the government to close the river to fishing for one month to reduce the likelihood of food poisoning and illness among fishermen and those who eat their catch.
Green member of Parliament, Ian Cohen said last week, "If rivers like the Richmond continue to be treated like an agricultural stormwater drain then massive fish kills are set to continue and the industries that rely on a healthy river will suffer."
“Converting wetlands into agricultural fields and grazing pastures sets up an ongoing recipe for poisonous black water inundation that cannot be treated in times of flooding. We desperately need an emergency ecosystem rehabilitation plan – the Government cannot continue to
stick its head in wet sand."
GE Money will contribute up to one per cent of cardholders’ net spend made on the new GE Money eco MasterCard to buy carbon offsets. By spending $600 per month with the GE Money eco MasterCard, Australians can earn enough rewards over the year to offset the annual greenhouse gas emissions of an average Australian.
“GE Money eco MasterCard cardholders now have a simple and easy way to help save the planet,” said GE Money CEO, Mike Cutter.
“The GE Money eco MasterCard turns everyday purchases into extraordinary rewards. By spending on your card, you’ll contribute to projects that offset greenhouse gas emissions and help save the environment.”
The Generator team will discuss the Green card in relation to Green Wash on air on Monday January 18. The discussion will be podcast here on Ebono Institute.