Made from bamboo (fast growing and renewable) and aluminum (very recyclable -- I worked in an aluminum warehouse one summer as the "scraps boy", so I should know), the [re]drive is also fan-free, dissipating heat through those metal sides.

The other power saving feature is an auto on/off function. This seems to be some kind of very low powered standby mode, which is good if you always leave things plugged in and switched on, but not so great if it tricks normally frugal folks into, well, always leaving things plugged in and switched on.

The packaging is also minimal: just a box with instructions printed on the inside and the USB and power cables taped into place. What's really nice, though, is that it is increasingly possible to go green and not have to opt for the wholemeal cardboard option. In fact, with looks like this you could probably buy the [re]drive and your friends wouldn't even know what a hippy you really are.

via /blog.wired 

VIZIO today provided early details of three new display lines, including the company's first true hybrid display. Known so far as the VMM Monitor, the 26-inch LCD will have dual HDMI inputs but also DVI and VGA as well as RCA audio inputs for built-in 3W speakers. The TV maker promises a more desktop-capable design with a relatively thin bezel, a glass front panel, and the option of tilting or swiveling the image. VIZIO expects the VMM to appear in August for $450, or less than many stand-alone HDTVs at the same size. In its more familiar business, VIZIO also plans to launch an environmentally friendly 32-inch set. The ECO is capped to 720p but consumes about 65 watts less than a typical 32-inch model, or about 40 to 50 percent less than average sets. It also contains less toxic materials than full sets and even comes in thinner, recyclable packaging. The TV maker gives the screen a 2,500:1 contrast ratio as well as three HDMI inputs, dual RCA, and one each of component, S-video and VGA inputs. Shipments should start in October at an undetermined price.

A third introduction will see VIZIO debut the Java FHD line, which will give the company's smaller TVs a more upscale copper-and-black look as well as 1080p at sizes as small as 32 and 37 inches. Both sizes produce a 6,500:1 dynamic contrast ratio as well as three HDMI connections, dual component and RCA video inputs and one VGA input. The 37-inch Java FHD ships in September for $850, while the smaller panel ships on October 1st for $650.

via  electronista

Nissan cars sold in North America and Europe will feature solar chargers from ICP Solar, under a sales agreement announced Tuesday by the two companies.

The chargers will serve to keep the 12-volt batteries of new Nissans charged while they are parked on sales lots. Car dealers often have to replace batteries left dormant, even on new vehicles.

 With the new generation of cars including more and more electronics embedded such as GPS navigation systems, DVD player, cruise control, hands-free cell phones, and voice activation, the battery drain on new cars will become more of an issue for major automotive manufacturers and car dealers," said Tom Clark, Nissan's vice president of sales for the Americas, in a statement.

ICP sells consumer solar chargers between $50 to $1,350 for keeping the batteries of cars and recreational vehicles juiced up. Its chargers are included in Volkswagen Beetles shipped from Mexico.

Solar applications being explored by automakers include Toyota's reported plans to integrate Kyocera solar cells to power the air conditioning in Prius hybrids.

And Envision Solar's solar LifePod parking structures, which could charge up electric cars, are attracting attention in Hollywood.

Meanwhile, the sun-powered SolarTaxi from Swiss engineers hit the Bay Area last week during a promotional trip around the world.

The Montreal-based ICP Solar also sells solar cells integrated into the roof tiles of buildings.

The company announced in June that it will supply solar chargers for Sea Choice boating equipment.

via news.cnet 

At a breakfast meeting with MINI USA VP Jim McDowell this morning he was asked to elaborate on recently announced plans for a battery powered MINI. McDowell acknowledged that the US branch was caught somewhat by surprise with the announcement. Plans have not been finalized at this point as to whether the cars will be leased or sold, or how many will be built. What McDowell did say for certain is that electric MINIs will be on the road in the hands of regular customers in the summer of 2009, one year from now. He could not say if all those customers would be in California or if they would be made available nationwide. No specifications such as range are available at this time either.

Update: After the presentation, we talked to McDowell for a few more minutes and although he couldn't say what type of battery will be in the cars, he did say that MINI will make a further announcement later this year, possibly around the time of the Los Angeles Auto Show.

via autobloggreen 

Texas is already the national leader in wind power, and wind supporters say Thursday's move by the Public Utility Commission will make the Lone Star State a leader in moving energy to the urban areas that need electricity.

"We will add more wind than the 14 states following Texas combined," said PUC Commissioner Paul Hudson. "I think that's a very extraordinary achievement. Some think we haven't gone far enough, some think we've pushed too far."

via msnbc.msn 

ElectraTherm installs first waste heat generato

CARSON CITY, NEV.: ElectraTherm, Inc. has installed its first commercial waste heat generator, which makes electricity from residual industrial heat that usually goes to waste.

Using patented heat and pressure recovery technology, ElectraTherm employs minimal heat (200 degrees F liquid) to generate fuel-free, emissions-free electricity at low cost: three to four cents per kW/hr during payback period, under a penny/kW hour thereafter.

Testing of the 50kW ElectraTherm Green Machine, installed at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas, by Gulf Coast Green Energy and ElectraTherm, has exceeded the companies' expectations, reaching output beyond its 50kW rating.

"ElectraTherm has unlocked the power of recycling the largest source of renewable energy in the U.S. - waste heat," said ElectraTherm CEO Richard Langson. "This technology has the power to increase electrical output at every fossil fuel burning power plant without burning oil, gas or coal, and without further pollution or damage to the environment."

According to some government estimates, electricity generated through waste heat recovery could surpass all other renewable sources, given the amount of waste heat generated in the U.S.

ElectraTherm estimates that its units have a subsidy-free payback period of three years or less, and company officials claim "the implications on the world stage of a modular, scalable (50-500kW output) unit making electricity from unused, accessible heat are huge."

The company's patented Twin Screw Expander enables the ElectraTherm Green Machine to do its work. The expander is one-tenth the cost of a turbine as the energy block, according to ElectraTherm. Since the energy block generally constitutes 30 to 40 percent of the cost of an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) system, the ElectraTherm Green Machine will cost approximately 30 percent less than turbine ORC systems.

The unit operates without gearboxes or the high end electronics required to synchronize a turbine to a generator. Inline process lubrication eliminates oil pumps, filters, separator tanks, parasitic loads and maintenance issues usually associated with lubrication. ElectraTherm officials say the technology reduces maintenance and extends the life of the ElectraTherm Green Machine compared to turbine-based energy solutions...

via energycurrent 

Dell Packs More Punch in New Green Small-Business PC

ROUND ROCK, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dell today announced the Energy Smart Vostro™ 410 desktop, delivering industry-leading performance and expandability in a system designed exclusively for small businesses. The latest in a series of energy-efficient products and initiatives designed to drive unprecedented customer savings, the Vostro 410 starts at $599 and saves customers up to 47 percent in annual energy costs¹. For more information, visit www.dell.com/vostro, and share your feedback on the new small-business blog.

The Vostro 410 is available tomorrow in North and South America and the United Kingdom. It will be available to customers in Asia June 2 and the rest of Europe, the Middle East and Africa June 5.

“Small businesses are increasingly concerned about rising energy costs,” said Frank Muehleman, vice president and general manager, Dell Small and Medium Business. “With the Energy Smart Vostro desktop, we’re able to save our customers money and collectively cut down on CO2 emissions, while delivering the features and functionality they require - especially high-performance processing power, graphics technology, fast networking and maximum expandability.”

Direct customer feedback guided Dell to design and deliver the Vostro 410 desktop six months earlier in the product cycle than originally planned. Customer-driven enhancements include:

• Outstanding desktop performance with Intel® Core™2 Quad processors, 512MB graphics cards and 800MHz system memory;
• A larger “tower” design to allow the desktop to grow according to business needs with space for up to four hard drives vs. two in the Vostro 400 and up to 3TB of local storage and memory;
• More expansion slots (six vs. standard four) and bays (four vs. standard three), holding up to six PCIe/PCI cards to increase configuration flexibility;
• Gigabit Ethernet for fast wired network access;
• Continuation of Dell’s 30-day worry-free return policy; and
• Available with no trial ware and free services including 10GB of Dell DataSafe Online Backup, Dell Network Assistant and Dell Automated PC TuneUp.

“The changes we’ve made to the Vostro 410 aren’t moderate improvements but an unrivaled combination of performance and expandability for a small-business PC,” said Muehleman. “For customers running complex spreadsheets or databases, multi-tasking frequently and heavily, or using video-intensive applications, you can’t beat the Vostro 410.”

In addition, Vostro customers can take advantage of Dell’s new services portfolio, ProSupport, which gives them the ability to customize and tailor services to fit their technical expertise and business needs. With growing demand for mobile technology among small businesses, Dell also recently announced its refreshed line of Vostro laptops.

To complement the Energy Smart Vostro 410, Dell announced today worldwide availability of its first EPEAT Gold-certified display – the E207 20-inch widescreen flat panel monitor. More than 25 percent of its plastics are made from recycled materials, plus flat panel monitors save customers up to 28 percent in annual energy costs when compared to using a boxier CRT monitor². The E207 display starts at $259.

Dell’s Commitment to the ReGeneration

On World Environment Day 2007, Dell announced it would partner with the ReGeneration – people of all ages who care about the environment – to become the “greenest” technology company on the planet. The company has since pledged to become the first in its industry to neutralize the carbon impact of worldwide operations by the end of 2008.

Dell offers the industry’s only free recycling program for consumers and an award-winning suite of asset recovery services for businesses. Launched in January 2007, Dell’s “Plant a Tree for Me” program helps customers offset the CO2 emissions related to their use of IT products. Expanded to corporate partners in September 2007, “Plant a Forest for Me” enables organizations worldwide to share best practices and facilitate the planting of trees in sustainably managed reforestation projects.

For more information on Dell’s energy and environmental initiatives, visit www.dell.com/earth. To join with the company and thousands of others in lending a voice and saving the planet, visit www.regeneration.org.

About Dell

Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) listens to customers and delivers innovative technology and services they trust and value. Uniquely enabled by its direct business model, Dell is a leading global systems and services company and No. 34 on the Fortune 500. For more information, visit www.dell.com, or to communicate directly with Dell via a variety of online channels, go to www.dell.com/conversations. To get Dell news direct, visit www.dell.com/RSS.

Dell is a trademark of Dell Inc.

Dell disclaims any proprietary interest in the marks and names of others.

¹ Based on testing by Dell Labs in May 2008 and Dell energy calculations comparing a Vostro 410 with Energy Smart settings vs. the same configuration without Energy Smart settings. Actual performance will vary based on configuration, usage and manufacturing variability.

² Based on testing by Dell Labs in May 2008 and Dell energy calculations comparing a Vostro 410 system with Energy Smart settings and a 17-inch flat panel vs. the same configuration with Energy Smart settings and a 17-inch CRT. Actual performance will vary based on configuration, usage and manufacturing variability...

via businesswire 

Crystal brings solar energy closer

Professor Max Lu, from UQ's Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, said researchers were one step closer to the holy grail of cost-effective solar energy.

"We have grown the world's first titanium oxide single crystals with large amounts of reactive surfaces, something that was predicted as almost impossible," Professor Lu said.

"The crystals absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity."

Prof Lu, who has been working on the project for the past 15 years, said the crystals were a cheaper alternative to solar panels.

He expects it to take up to 10 years for the technology to be commercially available.

Prof Lu said the crystals could also be used to purify air and water, and expected that to take about five years to commercialise.

The work was the result of a long-term international collaboration with Professor Hui-Ming Cheng's group from the Chinese Academy of Sciences...

via www.news 

Nintendo confirms injection of color for European DSes

For so long now, Europe has lived beneath a cloud, with a populace that is served by Smart Black, Crystal White, and Platinum Silver DSes. Where's the color, Nintendo? We know all about Noble Pink, but some of us are manly men, and it would hurt our fearful reputation to be seen with such a gentle shade of DS! Across the Atlantic, our North American friends have enjoyed those lovely two-tone models.

But no longer must our portable consoles lack vividity! Following much rumor and speculation, Nintendo has started e-distributing the advert you see to the right, featuring a rainbow of DSes (kind of an ugly rainbow, but a rainbow nonetheless). We've suspected this was real for a while, but it's nice to have some confirmation -- and some cheery color back in our lives.

In case you forgot, the Ice Blue, red, and green will all be here June 13th...

via dsfanboy 

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