A Solar Flower Tower Rises In The Desert

by Justin on June 23, 2009

in Renewable Power

AORA Solar Flower Tower

This unusual solar tower was designed by Israeli architect Haim Dotan for AORA Solar. It is set to launch on June 24 in South Israel.

The tower has 30 tracking mirrors (heliostats) that reflect sunlight towards the top of a 30-meter high solar tower. The top of the tower has a special solar receiver and a 100kw gas turbine.

Constructing The Solar Tower In Israel

The patented receiver uses the sun’s energy to heat air to a temperature of 1,000 degrees Celsius and directs this energy into the turbine. The turbine in turn converts the thermal energy into electric power that is fed directly into the national power grid. [Click to continue...]

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Hyper-Efficient House Completed In Virginia

by Justin on June 22, 2009

in Architecture

Hyper-Efficient LEED Platinum In Virginia

Hyper-Efficient LEED Platinum In Virginia

This new home in Virginia was designed for optimal efficiency. It’s the first to receive LEED platinum in Virginia.

Optimal elements that set it apart: an integrated rain water collection system (the site design features zero site runoff for a one-inch rain event), integrated geothermal wells, and exceptional indoor air quality.

A Deck On A Hyper-Efficient House In Virginia

The home was built by Metro Green and designed by Kaplan Thompson Architects.

Found via Preston Koerner. Thanks Preston!

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The Best Wireless Earbuds For iPods

June 14, 2009

Wireless earbuds allow you to listen to an iPod or MP3 player without a tangle of cords. They are particularly useful for listening during sporting activities, listening on-the-go.
There are two types of wireless earbuds: those that transmit wirelessly via an iPod adapter, and those that attach directly to an iPod shuffle. Most of the transmitting wireless [...]

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Efficient Home Improvement: Re-Using Materials Gets Easier

June 9, 2009

For “D.I.Y.”ers, using recycled construction products is a great way to reduce raw material consumption and lessen stress on landfills.  But for retailers, the “Re I. Y.” trend (Re-use It Yourself) is taking the idea a step further, giving unused building products a new lease on life.

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The Best Cargo Carrying Bikes Of 2009: A Review

June 5, 2009

If you are interested in carrying cargo on your bike you should consider a dedicated “cargo bike” or “utility bike”. These bikes are great for transporting luggage while commuting, touring or running errands.
Cargo bikes feature a long wheel base for more space on the rear luggage rack. They usually have a strong frame and wheels [...]

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Naturemill Pro Promises Easy & Efficient Indoor Composting

June 4, 2009

Nobody’s going to put up with a compost heap in a closet.  But what if you could quickly compost your organic waste with no odors or bugs, indoors or outside, with a device small enough to fit in a kitchen cabinet?  Naturemill promises that its Pro Edition automatic composter will do just that, producing hassle-free [...]

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How To Stay Efficiently Cool This Summer

May 31, 2009

Summertime is almost here, but hot weather doesn’t have to mean skyrocketing power bills and nonstop air conditioning. We’ve compiled these tips to help you maximize your summer comfort and energy efficiency.

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The Best Women’s Cruiser Bikes: 2009

May 27, 2009

Recently, we featured some of the best men’s cruiser bicycles. Now let’s take a look at some women’s cruiser bikes, which have become very popular in recently years. Nearly every major bike manufacturer now offers at least one cruiser model, if not an entire line. Here are some of the best:

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Chicago’s Green Alley Initiative

May 26, 2009

Urban alleyways. Grubby places that only scrappy cats or cop-show perps could love, right? Not in Chicago, where the Department of Transportation is giving them some serious TLC with its recently implemented Green Alley Program. This city-wide renovation initiative will offer some surprising environmental benefits and improve quality of life for residents.

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Top Mountain Bike LED Lights Under $300

May 22, 2009

LED systems are natural choice for mountain bikers given their efficient power consumption, durable construction and distinctive white light. Finding quality LED light systems for mountain bikes under $300 isn’t easy, so we’ve scoured the net and studied dozens of reviews from Amazon, MTBR.com and retailers to find the LED systems that stand out as [...]

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Optimal Ride: Best Cruiser Style Bicycles

May 19, 2009

“Cruisers”, the sturdy, balloon-tired bicycles that were a common sight on American streets through the 1950s, have seen a serious spike in popularity lately. Their throwback style is attracting commuters and other riders for some very good reasons. We review seven top cruiser bikes — read more on Optimal Ride.

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World’s First 100% Solar-Powered Stadium

May 15, 2009

A couple of years ago, we wrote about a 1.3 megawatt solar-powered stadium in Switzerland. A new solar powered stadium has been built in Taiwan for the 2009 World Games in July. Designed by Japanese architect Toyo Ito, the stadium incorporates 8,844 solar panels on the roof. The roof will generate enough energy to power [...]

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Is This The World’s Most Efficient Windmill?

May 11, 2009

Sometimes the epitome of efficiency is using whatever tools are available to accomplish the job at hand. No one understands this better than William Kamkwamba, a teenager from rural Malawi whose ingenuity provided his family and neighbors with electricity from a most unlikely source.

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The World’s Smallest Lightbulb

May 11, 2009

As LED lights and fluorescent bulbs become increasingly mainstream, scientists at UCLA’s Department of Physics and Astronomy have developed a groundbreaking new variation of Thomas Edison’s incandescent light bulb. But don’t expect to find this bulb in your local hardware store anytime soon – unless you normally bring an electron microscope along to do your [...]

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Falcon Wind Turbine: Versatile & Efficient Power Generation

May 8, 2009

Innovative Windpower AG, a German manufacturer of wind turbines, has developed the Falcon 1.25 MW model to be the most efficient and versatile wind turbine ever created.  It is designed for use in challenging new locations as well as existing wind farms, with substantial advantages over competitors in both its construction process and operation.

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Ultra-Efficient Design Meets Low-Impact Manufacturing: Patagonia Wetsuits

May 7, 2009

If you’re not a surfer or a diver, a wetsuit may seem like a fairly specialized or even obscure piece of equipment. But once in a while, a product arrives on the market that’s noteworthy not only for how well it performs its job, but also for how it’s designed and produced. Such is the [...]

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Delta Airliners Integrating Wheeltug Hybrid Motor Technology

May 6, 2009

Hybrid vehicles keep getting bigger: first there were tiny experimental cars, then hybrid SUVs began to appear on the road. And now some of Delta’s next-generation Boeing 737 aircraft (like the one pictured above) will be equipped with Wheeltug hybrid motors for taxiing on the ground. These motors will improve efficiency and safety while planes [...]

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Incredibly Slim, Versatile Loudspeakers Could Change The Face of Audio

April 28, 2009

Audiophiles have long been presented with an unending dilemma, pitting the need for sonic perfection against the desire to maintain a comfortable, aesthetic living environment (and happy spouse). This is usually a precarious balance, since the best-sounding speakers are often the largest and, dare we say, ugliest. While many technologies have addressed this dilemma in [...]

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New On Optimal Ride: The Best Around-Town Bike Panniers

April 22, 2009

We review around-town bike panniers on Optimal Ride.

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“Low-E” Windows Maximize Buildings’ Energy Efficiency

April 20, 2009

Low-E stands for low emissivity, and these windows are constructed to minimize heat transfer through the glass. Since windows are essentially huge holes in the walls of a building, choosing a low-E window design that’s appropriate for local climate and architecture can greatly increase a structure’s thermal efficiency, while reducing energy use and utility costs.

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