Off The Grid

So your backpack or sports bag may soon be charging the solar battery on your cellphone or e-book.  In a recent article in the New York Times by ANNE EISENBERG, entitled Recharging Your Cellphone, Mother Nature’s Way, Eisenberg reviewed a technological leap in the solar industry.

In the past, solar chargers used photovoltaic cells constructed with silicon or similar organic materials but these new solar cells use a photosensitive dye which starts an energy production process similar to that which occurs in the leaves of a plant when chlorophyll begins photosynthesis.

Eisenberg quoted:

The technology, long in development, will work best in full, direct sunshine, said Dr. Michael Grätzel, a chemist and professor at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne in Switzerland. But the cells will also make good use of dappled and ambient light, including the indoor light of fluorescent bulbs.

It sounds like these dye based cells had a rocky start.  They were first introduced to the science community in 1991 but they functioned only under ideal circumstances, that is in direct sunlight.  However, Dr. Grätzel and his coworkers continued to work on the cells.  Results are now considered successful enough for  Mascotte Industrial Associates to incorporate them on Sony E-book covers and the Tonino Lamborghini messenger bag.

With these cells built into the carrying cases, we will soon be able to plug our phones or ipods into our our backpack, book bag or purse and never again have to drive around for an hour so we can make a call.

I would think it would help to live in a sunny location.  However, Eisenberg’s article also confirms that  Mark Thomas, the chief executive of Dyesol (the company that supplies the materials for construction of the solar cells) agrees with Grätzel and assures us that the technology has come a long way and that the cells draw energy from many sources other than direct sunlight and have even succeeded at generating energy in the moonlight.

I can’t see these being big sellers in Seattle or northern Maine, however I may try one out in San Felipe this winter.

Technorati Tags: dye-sensitivesolarcells, newsolartechnology, photosensitivedyecells, solarbatterychargers, solarcells

By Susan L Young

Renewable resources and green energy discussions are no longer restricted the back rooms of environmentalists. As other industries are experiencing bankruptcies and cut backs the green industries are demonstrating significant growth. This is likely a result of a multitude of reasons but one of them is the current Administration’s support.

photo credit: OakleyOriginals

Whether you are newbie like me or have been promoting environmental causes since the 60’s you will find valuable information available on the official .GOV websites.

Here’s a list of the top five ranking (Google) sites and a brief summary of what you might find on them. Note: In reality all of these sites are related and are produced by the U.S. Department of Energy.

The grand-daddy of all is the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Homepage. It can be found easily at the energy.gov. This highly user friendly page has tidbits of current news events affecting or affected by energy consumption and links to an overview of the Obama Administration’s Energy Plan.

One offshoot from this page, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (eere.energy.gov) is devoted as the title suggests to energy efficiency and renewable energy. This page has links to many of the government sponsored energy programs i.e. biomass, geothermal, solar, hydrogen, fuel cells etc.

Another link will take you to energysavers.gov a platform devoted the financial savings available for engaging in green energy practices. Here you will find information about green pricing, competitive markets and green certificates. Energysavers has pages focused on savings for your home, vehicle or workplace.

Education ranks high on the DOE agenda. From their main page there is a direct link to a page dedicated specifically “for students and kids.” Here young people can find facts and fun. There are competitions and games for the very young and guides regarding scholarships and internships for older students. Designed to be entertaining and informative this is also a great resource for parents and teachers.

Number four on my list, the Energy Kid’s Page, is another youth oriented page sponsored by the Energy Information Administration which is another leg of DOE. Geared to upper elementary, junior high or high school students, this page presents facts about renewable energy in an inviting and creative presentation.

Last on the list is the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC. This is where all the research goes on folks. It is popular resource for serious students who hope to pursue a career in a green industry or field studies.

Join me as I delve further into the topic of renewable resources at DIYEnergy-Net.

Susan Young is a retired GIS Professional who is spending her golden years learning to blog and design web sites for her friends and family members.

Tagged early in life as a “professional student” Susan finally obtained a Bachelor Degree in Geography with an Environmental Studies emphasis. She now continues her education with independent studies in renewable resources, economic survival and environmentally friendly products. You can find more of Susan’s articles at DIYEnergy-Net and CheapLivingTips.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_L_Young
http://EzineArticles.com/?Top-Five-Resources-For-Green-Energy-Enthusiasts&id=2726384

More Solar Information

• 5 Tips to Picking a Green Power System | Solar Power Articles – Deciding on what kind of green power is appropriate for your life requires careful planning.

• Planning an Energy-Efficient Home | Solar Power Articles – Once you’ve discovered where your home is losing energy the most (as covered in the last post), you can now decide whether or not you should put in the effort.

• Determining the Energy Consumption in Your Home | Solar Power Articles – Before you can begin to have an energy-efficient home, you will need to determine the parts of your house where energy is often used (and wasted). The best way.

• How Do Solar Panels Actually Function? | Solar Power Articles – Regardless of your knowledge of solar panels, learning how they work really doesn’t need to be a priority on your list.

Technorati Tags: energy efficiency, green certificates, green pricing, renewable energy, renewable resourses

Renewable resources are products that can be produced by the earth without running out. Find out what renewable resources are with tips from a math and science teacher in this free video on renewable resources.

Expert: Steve Jones
Bio: Steve Jones is an experienced high school mathematics and science teacher.
Filmmaker: Paul Volniansky

Duration : 0:3:11

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Technorati Tags: earthquakes, electricity, energy, facts, how, iron, mines, nuclear, renewable, resources, science, springs, things, water, work

We are currently using our non-renewable resources faster than they are being made. They’re mainly used for cars and transportation. A lot of people are forgetting about the fact that someday we will run out of these resources and it will be thousands of years before we have a sufficent amount again. I realize that many people are finding other sources, but many people still use the non-renewable ones. What are we going to do when there’s no more non-renewable resources in the world?

once our planet runs out a non renewable rescorces we would have to rely on other reknewable rescorces, for exsample oil is alreadey being replaced with materials like vegitble juices.

I kind of know the meaning of sustainable development, in which society is trying to enhance technologies ec.. to make the world better, also thinking about future generations. Then i also know what are the renewable and non renewable resources, but i have a test coming up on sustaianabel development, and have a problem how to connect/mention the resources when talking abt sdevelopment. thanks alot

perhaps this link will give you some information

www.usda.gov/oce/sustainable/index.htm

Duration : 0:4:56

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Technorati Tags: 5, cathwor