Wind farm development is playing a huge role in a clean energy future.  While mass wind power may offer a beneficial energy alternative, the construction of wind farms creates a great deal of controversy – from the destruction of natural habitats and dangers to birds and bats to the actual effectiveness of wind as an energy source.  Some even argue that wind farms are ugly, disrupting the scenic coastlines and natural beauty of the world.  Take a look at these wind farm pictures and let us know your thoughts – ugly or simply amazing?

Image by Wayfinder_73

The San Gorgonio Pass wind farm is one of the largest in California, generating 615 MW of power and comprised of 3,218 turbines.  

The world’s first floating wind turbine began producing energy just a few months ago, installed off the coast of Norway.  If the Hywind performs as expected over the next 2 years of testing, the concept could make offshore wind farm development much more efficient.

Whitelee wind farm went live in late May of this year and is currently the largest wind farm in Europe.  Located in East Renfrewshire, Scotland, the onshore farm includes 140 turbines and can generate enough electricity to power 180,000 homes.

Maple Ridge wind farm is currently New York’s largest wind farm and is located in the rural farming area of Lewis County.  Operational since 2006, Maple Ridge is responsible for nearly 75% of New York’s total wind power capacity.

This alternative energy concept creates an entirely new look for typical wind farms.  Designed by an Arizona State University student, freeway sign wind turbines like these could generate enough electricity to supply a small apartment at low wind speeds and require no additional land usage.

Horns Rev wind park, off the coast of Denmark, was was the world’s largest offshore wind farm when it was constructed in 2002.  The 2nd phase, Horns Rev 2, will push the farm ahead of the present offshore leader.  Still, the Greater Gabbard wind farm currently under construction in the Thames Estuary will be the largest wind farm in the world when it becomes operational in 2011.

The present title holder for the world’s largest offshore wind farm became operational in late 2008 off the coast of Lincolnshire, England. Lynn and Inner Dowsing wind farm generates power for 130,000 homes but will be surpassed by the Greater Gabbard park mentioned above.

Another of California’s amazing wind farms, Tehachapi Pass is also one of the oldest wind farms still in operation.  Since the early 1980’s, turbines in this area near the Mojave Desert have been upgraded and expanded.  Currently about a dozen different companies generate electricity in the Tehachapi Pass wind farm.

The World’s Most Amazing Wind Farms is a post from: Ecoble

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While wind and solar power may not be the complete solution to a green energy future, these 2 sources of clean, renewable energy definitely have some amazing potential.  From off-grid homes and gadget chargers to bike helmet generators and fully-functional campers, there are already plenty of awesome applications for wind and solar power and just as many other unbelievable ideas to come…

Reminiscent of days gone by but with futuristic flair, the Westfalia Verdier solar camper doesn’t appear to have made it to the production lines but is an awesome concept regardless.  Using GPS technology, solar panels power the camper van when you’re ready to camp – lowering the vehicle onto the wheels to increase stability.  The pop-up design will accommodate a family of 4, but the proposed $69,000 price tag might be the holdup on getting this cool camper on the market.

This has to be the geekiest concept ever for a solar gadget charger – a solar necktie, complete with a built-in pocket and adapters to keep your favorite gadget safe while it charges.  The small solar panels create an intriguing design for the tie but I wonder how comfortable it would be with an iPod stuffed in the underside?

We’ve seen a few solar powered cars already, as well as a couple wind powered vehicles, but this intriguing concept by RORMaxx combines both wind and solar power into one amazing car that may actually see production later this year.  The Formula AE is designed to be a wind and solar powered race car, boasting a top speed of 155 mph, with a layer of solar cells and an innovative energy recovery system using intakes and turbines to store additional power.

Similar to the Hymini wind powered gadget charger we’ve featured before, the K3 offers solar and wind energy to power your portable devices.  This off-grid gadget charger is compatible with most rechargeable handhelds, including phones, cameras, and iPods, and will charge the typical cell phone 5 times when the K3 is fully powered (and it’s a bit more appealing than the solar tie above).

Creatively artistic and completely renewable, these street lamps produce 380 watts of power with nothing more than sun and wind.  Solar panels and a small wind turbine are masked amid the creative design of the hybrid street lamps by Urban Green Energy.  LED bulbs increase the lights’ efficiency and the company will customize the posts to suit the area where they will be installed.

The latest addition to China’s skyscraper skyline is an eco-friendly tower powered by the wind and sun.  The Austrian designed Shenzhen Tower will house businesses, meeting rooms, recreation facilities, and residences within it’s 49 floors and is created to provide natural ventilation and shade to increase efficiency and reduce China’s dependency on nonrenewable resources.

Forget electric motorbikes – a wind-powered helmet can create enough juice to operate headlights, turn signals, and tail lights!  Three Cheng Shiu University students came up with the light-powering helmet, using 5 small turbines to generate electricity while the bike is in motion.  Four batteries store the energy and then transmit power to the lights.  Plans to reduce the weight of the helmet are in the works, with hopes of public production in the future. 

Image by Michael Jantzen

Completely off-the-grid and totally recyclable, the Homestead House makes the most of solar and wind power.  The futuristic prefab, designed by Michael Jantzen, is still a concept but definitely one worth considering.  The house is made of recycled steel, is low cost, and easy to customize.  A small wind turbine and a series of solar panels provide the off-grid home’s energy, while utilizing passive solar technology to control the climate and the unique arched shape to harvest rainwater – a simply awesome use of wind and solar power!

8 Awesome Uses of Wind and Solar Power is a post from: Ecoble

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Image by Dragonleek

Wind + solar power = a sustainable, renewable energy future … or does it?  As China’s renewable energy sector grows in leaps and bounds – doubling wind power capacity alone each year since 2005 – the US is questioning the viability of a wind and solar powered economy.  

No More Fossil Fuel?

Minimizing our dependency on nonrenewable fuel sources may be a lot more achievable than eliminating our need for fossil fuels, especially when wind and solar power are the alternative, but what does that mean for cost-efficiency and for the environment?  

• Off-shore drilling destroys natural habitats and increases the risk for hazardous spills and water, as well as air, contamination.
• Coal, while it may be abundant at the present time, is the dirtiest option.  Clean coal technology is in the works, but an expensive process that isn’t sustainable – especially with the rising demand for coal from developing countries.
• The obvious need for fossil fuel-based energy, alongside renewable options like wind and solar, means an even greater cost to the public for those receiving grid-supplied power.  
• China, Russia, India, and other developing countries are currently making worldwide deals on natural resources for their own use at a fraction of the prices available to the US – nonrenewable resources can only go so far.

The Problem with Wind and Solar Power

Image by phault

Wind farms are popping up around the world and a number of major power suppliers are supplementing their grids with solar panels – but just as many wind and solar power projects are coming to a standstill.  Cost is one of the primary obstacles, even for off-grid homes.  Even with monthly savings on electric bills and the assortment of government incentives available, a home solar system only offers minimal savings as a Washington Examiner editorial piece points out.  Even billionaire, T. Boone Pickens has postponed major plans for wind farm development.

Another pressing concern is location.  The mega-solar facilities planned for the Mojave desert are under heated debate because of the potential to interfere with natural wildlife habitats.  Wind farms have been debated because of risks posed to birds and bats.  Maintenance is also an issue – a dirty solar panel can reduce output by as much as 15 to 25%.  Keeping a large solar plant clean equates to a hefty labor cost.

Finally, there’s the obvious – wind and solar power are not 100% reliable.  Large scale storage for renewable energy hasn’t yet been perfected and it’s impossible to depend on the wind and sun alone to produce a 24/7 power source in every location.  Coupling these renewable energy options with fossil fuel-based backup will only provide a 30 to 40% decrease in carbon output – definitely not clean energy and not a sustainable solution!

Other Solutions for a Green Energy Future

There are many other possibilities for renewable energy options beyond wind and solar power, or in combination with wind and solar.  The potential of biomass is seemingly endless – from garbage to human waste.  Hydropower is another possibility, but can raise concerns for natural habitats and is only viable in certain locations.  Geothermal energy production has a future in many areas of the world.  Hydrogen power also has great potential, but will require advancements in fuel cell technology.

Small scale wind + solar power projects are another sustainable energy option.  Off-grid homes have more potential than solar and wind based grid production – energy storage solutions are more feasible on a small scale and there are also more cost-effective methods of generating small scale power.  DIY renewable energy projects are a great way to get started or consider making your own solar panels from inexpensive damaged panels.

Wind + Solar Power: Is There a Future for Green Energy? is a post from: Ecoble

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Small-scale renewable energy is a must for a sustainable home – but converting your home to clean energy options can carry a huge initial price tag.  We’ve scoured the web for some of the most innovative examples of homemade energy solutions to compile a collective list of DIY projects to make your home greener and more energy efficient without costing you a fortune.  From solar water heaters and gadget chargers to homemade super-efficient refrigerators, you’ll find links (with instructions) to some of the best projects you can make at home…

Homemade Energy-Save Fridge

The ‘Ambient Air Fridge’ isn’t quite a year-round green appliance but when things cool down in the winter, this homemade fridge will definitely shave a few dollars off the electric bill!  The insulated wood box fits snugly in an out-of-the-way doorway and even controls the temperature with an inexpensive thermostat and a couple of computer fans.  

DIY Electric Lawn Mower

A small DC motor, two 12-volt batteries, a circuit breaker, and wiring can transform your polluting, fossil-fuel dependent lawn mower into a clean, green, grass mowing machine!   The first version of Lee’s mower required an electric battery charger.  After a few more updates, Lee has created a completely eco-friendly solar powered electric mower.

Make Your Own Wind Turbine

It may not generate enough power to charge up your electric mower, but this mini-windmill from GotWind.org is a great way to operate small power tools or turn on your garden lights.  DIY wind turbine projects are a bit more complicated than some of the other renewable energy options available, but are well worth the effort when it comes to off-grid living.  There are an assortment of plans available for more powerful wind generators, but do some research before buying.  You’ll find a good selection of reasonably priced DIY wind power projects at GotWind.  

Low Cost Solar Water Heater

Imagine the savings on your electric bill – and the environmental benefits – if you no longer depended on fossil fuels to warm your water!  This DIY solar water heater is inexpensive to build and provides scalding hot water in just a couple hours.  This particular project requires a little scavenging if you want to keep things cheap and the 5-gallon bucket isn’t quite enough hot water for the average family, but the mirrored solar pre-heater found on Wired actually pumps the heated water into a household tank.

Pedal Powered Generator

From laptops to cell phones to blenders – bicycle generators eliminate the need for electricity to power your favorite gadgets and allow you to stay in shape at the same time.  This particular pedal-powered charger was created by the librarian at Phillips Elementary School in Virginia – shouldn’t all schools utilize these?!  You’ll also find free plans for a solar assisted bicycle generator here or can purchase plans from the pedal power generating master, David Butcher, for $50 – including photos and online support.

DIY Hydro Power

It’s scenic, it’s rustic, it’s tranquil – and it’s clean, renewable energy.  This DIY water wheel was created with many recycled materials and generates about half of the designer’s electrical needs – complementing the output of his solar panels at the New England home.  Hydro energy is an old, but not forgotten, sustainable energy option!

Human Powered Laundry Machine

Simple construction and easy, manual operation make this energy-free washing machine the perfect choice for developing countries, as well as off-grid living.  Designed by Michael Perdriel, the ‘think-small washer’ agitates clothes by pumping the mechanical arm and can clean a load of laundry in less than half an hour.  The machine is currently in use in Nepal and features a portable, wheeled design for convenient filling and emptying.

Homemade Solar Gadget Charger

A small DIY solar charger like this one is an ideal backup if the power goes out, but this project can easily be expanded to serve as much more than an emergency power source.  The version pictured here costs about $150 to build and can charge up cell phones, laptops, or iPods or could power a portable DVD player at the pool.  The 12-volt battery requires about 8 hours of sunlight for a full charge and the unit is perfect for camping use or at home.

8 Completely Awesome DIY Home Energy Projects is a post from: Ecoble

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We’ve highlighted some amazing options for sustainable boating in the past, including the creative solar-powered bicycle boat pictured above.  In this post, we’re bringing you a few more examples of eco-friendly watercraft – a few of which are available, or will soon be available to the public!  From solar power to electric, there are some exciting innovations on the horizon for sustainable fun on the water…

The Nereus is a concept designed by Mathias Koehler for a wind-powered personal watercraft.  Using a kite to make the most of available wind, the jetski-like watercraft is designed to bounce across the waves at ‘relatively high speeds’ and also submerge beneath the water for short periods. 

The EcoWatercraft is the very first electric jet ski, created by the American-based company of the same name. The emissions-free personal watercraft has already been tested and will reach speeds near 50 mph on open water. The Eco will provide 90 minutes of fun on a full charge and the electric motor offers extremely low-maintenance. US customers will be able to enjoy the electric jet ski – manufactured in a renewable energy-powered facility – sometime in 2010 for a price of $32,000.

Eco-sailor Kenichi Horie received the Special Award of the Naomi Uemura Adventure Prize in February, 2009 after several amazing eco-friendly boating expeditions.  In his latest voyage, the Suntory Mermaid II – a wave-powered boat – sailed across the Pacific, from Hawaii to Japan, in 2008.  The ship features a series of solar panels and was constructed out of recycled aluminum, but is primarily powered by the movement of the water it propels.

The Aqua Watercraft is the winner of the 2008 IDEA Design Awards and is an intriguing concept of a submersible electric-powered watercraft.  Joystick controls, oxygen supplies, and even water pressure monitoring were integrated into the futuristic single passenger design.  The Aqua is an option for underwater living in the future and provides a sustainable mode of transportation both above and below the ocean’s surface.

Buffalo Solar Boats, formerly Tamarack Lake Electric, offers 2 models of solar-electric watercraft.  The Loon is their newest option, featuring twin electric motors that are assisted by top-mounted solar panels.  The Loon is an 8-passenger boat, similar to a pontoon, and requires no gas for operation.  The company also sales used electric boats, a selection of inflatable electric watercraft, and the 30-passenger solar-electric Osprey.

5 (More) Extraordinary Examples of Eco-Friendly Watercraft is a post from: Ecoble

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