Alternate Energy Sources Blog

Welcome to the Alternate Energy Sources Blog.

Here you find the latest updates to my Alternate Energy Sources Website - and interesting news and opportunities about doing something about climate change.

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REPUBLISHING You may reproduce and publish any of these AES Blog entries as articles, but please acknowledge the author, Erik Leipoldt, of Alternate Energy Sources For A Flourishing Future, with a clickable link to http://www.alternate-energy-sources.com

Jul 22, 2008, Emissions Trading - What Is It?

Emissions trading is not as complex as sometimes suggested. It is an important stratefy we must embrace to reduce the effects of global warming.

Jul 21, 2008, Green Roofs -The Future Is Here

Green roofs are an exciting development. And it's catching on fast.. What are they? What are their benefits?

Jul 18, 2008, Energy Efficient Homes - Only For The Elite?

Energy efficient homes can reduce your home energy costs by as much as 40%, or more. Reduce global warming-causing greenhouse gas emissions even more.

Jul 4, 2008, How can we obtain a Grant for our Solar Installation in Spain & perhaps more importantly, what obligations does the Spanish Government have, given that we live in an area WITHOUT mains electricity?

We have had a comprehensive Solar Electricity system installed at our home, here in the countryside, close to Pliego, Murcia. The need arose because

Jun 29, 2008, Chris Landsea, on resigning from the IPCC

I personally cannot in good faith continue to contribute to a process that I view as both being motivated by pre-conceived agendas and being

Jun 24, 2008, Sustainable Policies

Definitely DEMOCRACY is not proving to be as fair, equal, transparent etc as what it sought to. Somebody's gain is because somebody is being made to

Jun 18, 2008, Now You Can Almost Buy Your Water Car!

My, don't things happen fast when you look sideways for a second! I told you it was going to happen! Just happened sooner than you think.

Japanese company Genepax has developed a car that you can run on tap water. Forget the Honda hydrogen car FCX Clarity with with its liited fuel and service points .

To those people who have already installed their own water fuel system it won't come as a surprise that the Genepax car has an on-board energy generator that extracts hydrogen from water.

This Water Energy System works a little differently to the simple home-made hydrogen generator. It has an energy generator that extracts hydrogen from water, which then releases electrons that produce electric power to run the car. A water-powered electric car.

One litre of ordinary water will be enough to drive at 80 km per hour for around one hour. By contrast, the home-made hydrogen generator uses about a litre per 600 km and increases your existing, fossil fuel driven car efficiency dramatically.

Swiss-based firm Ethos has also been working on technology to turn humble water into a fuel for drivers.

Who will drive one first? You?

Jun 18, 2008, Solar energy grants to get you going

Governments everywhere offer all kinds of solar energy grants. They cover solar water heating, photovoltaic energy, hybrid cars, wind turbines and more. Want to know how to find them?

Jun 18, 2008, Going Far

If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go

Jun 18, 2008, Super Tankers Turn Around To Save West Australians

A number of super tankers are being diverted to Western Australia (WA) to substitute its lost natural gas supplies for diesel. A coal-burning energy plant has been re-commissioned to take up some slack.

WA lost a third of its energy capacity when an explosion at the Apache gas plant on Varanus Island disrupted that supply source.

For the next few months at least diesel will have to take the place of gas to keep WA's business sector running and keep householders warm in the Southern Hemisphere's winter.

Already staff has been laid off by business and the State government has warned householders to cut consumption. Higher energy prices were forecast before this accident and will now rise sooner.

This situation pushes our noses hard on the facts of energy conservation. It may hold some lessons about how to get off our energy addiction while continuing to live our lives. Climate change demands we learn them – fast.

Jun 17, 2008, Energy Saving On Your Home Bills - Easier Than You Think

Energy saving is easier than you think. There is even an instant plug-in Powersaver gadget that may save you up to 40% off your energy bills - at home, office or factory.

Jun 16, 2008, Clarity – The First Commercial Hydrogen Car

Honda is now manufacturing the first commercial hydrogen car, the FCX Clarity. It's a medium-sized, zero-emission four-seater, with a top speed of 160km and a range of about 270km.

Its only exhaust product is water vapour. South Californians will be able to lease one at around $600 per month from end of August.

Why just them? They live in the only area so far with hydrogen fuel and service points.

Cannot afford that? Not a Californian?Perhaps install a DIY onboard hydrogen gas generator, and save on fuel and emissions until an FCX Clarity comes within your range...

Jun 16, 2008, Crude Oil Facts – Bug Poo To The Rescue

As oil- and gas prices, soar, human ingenuity does too. Various petrol and gas savers and substitutes are being employed by anxious car and truck owners all over the globe.

Now a substitute for the black stuff mimicks its properties perfectly, while being carbon-negative. What does that mean? It can be used as 'normal' oil and it emits less carbon than the materials contain from which it is made.

LS9 is one of the companies racing to "farm" tiny one-celled organisms that transform agricultural waste, like woodchips, into crude oil. Through fermentation. These organisms start out as E coli – we all have them in our gut – and LS9 genetically engineers them to produce oil.

Pie in the sky you think? Well you thought that about DIY hydrogen generators in your car too, didn't you and now the first few thousand drivers are grinning all the way to the bowser.

This "Oil 2.0" development, as LS9 senior director Greg Pal, calls it, has attracted investments from the co-founder of Sun Microsystems and Bob Walsh, formerly Shell's European supply director.

There's a big job ahead of these bacteria if they are to replace even the USA's consumption of 143 million barrels a week.

But Mr Pal plans his first commercial plant to be up by 2010 and his oil could cost $50 a barrel. Compared to a predicted $200 a barrel for Christmas this year, that's attractive to many.

We'll still need clean technology to stop oil's greenhouse gas emissions though. You'll still need to reduce your energy use.

What's your gut feeling about this?

Sources:http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23867735-26397,00.html

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23869197-401,00.html

Jun 14, 2008, Climate Change – Fast, Urgent And Social

Yet another warning has been issued that climate change is unfolding much faster than thought even a couple of years ago. It's an urgent problem with “social” causes, meaning our attitudes to energy use.

Australian climate scientist professor Barry Brook from the Research Institute for Climate Change and Sustainability at the Adelaide University heads a group of leading scientists, population and health experts - as well as politicians – who made the latest call for an urgent response to global warming.

The rapid melting of Antarctic ice may make further global warming unstoppable, they say, with severe consequences for all of us.

Yet we can still do much about reducing our energy-use through already existing technologies, political action and immediate changes in our attitudes.

Wind and solar energy can replace much of our greenhouse gas emitting technologies. You can also take personal action, firstly by using less energy, or by installing a hydrogen generator in your car or 'Powersaver' in your home. Such actions may save the planet and your wallet.

See http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/06/14/2274752.htm

Jun 11, 2008, Whisson Windmill –Water From Air

The Max Whisson Windmill may well be among those important inventions allowing us to adapt to the effects of global warming

Jun 11, 2008, An Alternative Fuel Car - Is It For You?

Having an alternative fuel car is easier than you think. Perhaps cheaper too. You need to know what alternative fuel is available where you live first.

Jun 3, 2008, What Is Renewable Energy? - An In-Depth Explanation

Exactly what is renewable energy? A good question for you to ask. The answer is not so obvious.

Jun 2, 2008, Looking for 2008 Hybrid Cars

Looking for 2008 hybrid cars already? You must be planning carefully for your next hybrid purchase. Here's a framework for choosing your next car.

May 28, 2008, Water Fuel Killing Soaring Gas Prices

Water fuel. It's one heck of an innovative way to kill gas prices before they kill you. And that's not the only reason to recommend it.

May 22, 2008, Temperature rises early in USA New Mexico

New Mexico has always been a desert with high heat and low humidity. Although the state is currently in a drought, the temperature has risen to 100

May 8, 2008, Nuclear Energy...Of course.

The advantages to Nuclear Energy outways that of the disadvantages. People say that Nuclear energy is an unwanted risk on those near the plant. As

May 8, 2008, surf's up

i think i liked the tundra before polar bears learned to

Apr 16, 2008, Nuclear energy...out of date?

There is a new energy source, relatively similar to nuclear fission, it is called fusion. This new source exists in the stars. This isn't a lie. Stars

Apr 9, 2008, 10 Alternate Energy Sources For Living Well With Global Warming

We need alternate energy sources to live with the effects of global warming. Each person can make effective practical approaches to survive and thrive.

Apr 9, 2008, Wind Power Energy - A Powerful Response To Global Warming?

Wind power energy is often held up as a powerful response to global warming. How does it stack up?

Apr 6, 2008, Health Effects Of Global Warming - Making You Sick?

The health effects of global warming are with us now. It will get worse. How will you be able to live with them?

Apr 1, 2008, Thorium

Since the early 1990s Russia has had a program to develop a thorium-uranium fuel. Their research in more recent times has moved to having a particular

Mar 14, 2008, The Proof is in Science

The twentieth century was the warmest of the past 1,000 years. Most of this warming came from human activities according to the United Nation’s

Feb 26, 2008, DIY Solar Pool Heater - Use Your Pool Into The Colder Seasons

Imagine! A solar pool heater so you may enjoy your swimming pool, or outdoor spa, all year round! Or most of the year at least, depending on where you live. For under US$100!

Feb 23, 2008, Spontaneous Hayshed Fires - An Effect Of Global Warming?

Hundreds of spontaneous hayshed fires have ignited over a large area in Australia. Another among effects of global warming?

Feb 22, 2008, Global Warming Quotes For Effect

Global warming quotes can say it succinctly-and stimulate people into action. You can find many here.

Feb 22, 2008, Global Warming Quotes Say It In A Few Words

Global warming quotes can say in a few words what you're thinking - or stimulate further thought!

Feb 22, 2008, Global Warming Quotes Can Be Powerful

Global warming quotes can be a great tool for change, for teaching, or to strengthen that point you want to make.

Feb 22, 2008, Global Warming Quotes Can Have A Powerful Effect

Global warming quotes can be powerful pronouncements. Phrases that go to the heart of the matter, electrify your mind and shock you into action.

Feb 22, 2008, Against Nuclear Power and yes for renewable energy

Nuclear power is a bad source of energy. It produces radiation, and if, by any chance reactors leak, it's going to cost the lives of innocents.

Feb 22, 2008, Go Nuclear Now

I think we should go for nuclear energy as something that can help us now with global warming. Here in Australia the Labor Party and Green Party

Feb 20, 2008, Climate Change And Poverty Go Hand In Hand

Climate change and poverty are unhappy bedfellows. What can we do about that is the question.

Feb 20, 2008, Disability and disasters - part of your global warming world

Here are some resources about disability and disasters - their impacts, and what can de done.

Feb 20, 2008, Global Warming Impacts On Disabled People Are Important?

Everyone experiences global warming impacts but disabled people experience them more keenly. Find out why it is important to know about this.

Feb 18, 2008, Disability And Global Warming Go Together

Disability and global warming go together. After all its a disabled world through human attitudes that resulted in an impaired world through climate change. And its a permanent change.

Feb 16, 2008, Rising Ocean Levels And Planning Our Towns

Rising ocean levels and coastal developments do not mix. It's official. The Australian government orders wholesale assessment of risk.

Feb 15, 2008, Rinspeed sQuba - Underwater Electric Car

The Rinspeed sQuba - an exciting electric concept car. Where will it lead us?

Jan 31, 2008, Work From Home And Save Energy

Work from home enables you to work where you live and reduce or stop commuting every day. Cities everywhere are choked with traffic. Start working locally and follow your passion.

Dec 24, 2007, How to stop pollution quickly

I have an invention that will impact on global warming as quickly or as slowly as desired. Many many people have made the claim that they have

Dec 11, 2007, nuclear energy enquiry

What will happen to the Earth if nuclear energy was

Dec 6, 2007, CO2 Offsets In Australian Election

CO2 offsets are necessary to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of election campaigns.

Dec 4, 2007, Asia -Powerhouse For Renewable Energy?

Asia -Powerhouse For Renewable Energy?

The much respected Asia Institute is conducting a 'Panel Event' about the prospect of renewable energy sources in budding economies in Asia (specifically China and India) titled Asia: The Next Powerhouse for Renewable Energy?

The Asia Institure perceives a shift in the U.S. and in Asia, where individual customers and savvy companies are deploying new, cleaner generating technologies in the first steps of what could grow to be a mass movement “off the grid.”

Title: Asia: The Next Powerhouse for Renewable Energy?

Date 7th December 2007 , 12.00-2.00 pm

New YorkAsia Society and Museum, 8th Floor, 725 Park Avenue, New York

Buy tickets online from a link on this page

Oct 21, 2007, Birdsville Geothermal Power Station Shows The Future

The Birdsville Geothermal Power Station may be the first andfirst and only of its kind in Australia, it is a sign of a glowing future for this renewable energy source

Oct 20, 2007, New Plug-in Toyota Hybrid Car

The latest Toyota hybrid car is the 1/X concept, shown at the 40th Tokyo Motorshow in 2007, doubling the fuel-efficiency of the Toyota Prius.

Oct 13, 2007, Survival Of The Fittest Under Disasters?

The following is an abstract on Impact of the South Asian Earthquake on Disabled People in the State of Jammu and Kashmir Parvinder Singh, Ph.D.