http://enertechreview.com Mon, 16 Jun 2008 23:19:17 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Edgar Gunther reports that CoolEarth Solar has joined forces with energy financing company Radiant Energy LLC. CoolEarth projects a $0.29/watt installed cost for their systems. CoolEarth's technology is based on "metallicized inflatable mirrors" (i.e. "balloons") made from low costs commodity materials. The units are designed to be cheap to build, ... http://enertechreview.com/?p=106 Infinia Corporation of Kennewick, WA, raised $9.5 from Khosla Ventures, Vulcan Capital, Equus Total Return, Idealab and Power Play Energy. The deal included the acquisition of Idealab's Stirling Cycles. ...Infinia is focuses on commercializing a Stirling power system operating on concentrated solar energy for commercial and residential users. The "Solar Stirling" product ... http://enertechreview.com/?p=103 The WhisperGen AC is a residential combined heat and power system. The technology is developed and manufactured by the New Zealand firm, WhisperGen. The small AC co-generation unit provides central heating, water heating and supplements domestic electricity supplies. Features of the AC include: - Small size (similar to a dishwasher) - ... http://enertechreview.com/?p=97 The Oil Drum presents a useful overview of the promise and prospects of Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) generating plants. The reports come for European sources but include much US information. The promise of CSP: Every year, each square kilometre of hot desert receives solar energy equivalent to 1.5 million barrels of ... http://enertechreview.com/?p=94 Scientists at Spectrolab report development of multijunction solar cells exceeding 40% efficiency. PhysOrg.com (via Slashdot) reports on the research which tested the cells in concentrator applications where the cells were subject to high intensities of sunlight. Multijunction concentrator technology affords two advantages: 1) Substitution of low cost mirrors for high ... http://enertechreview.com/?p=92 CNET reports that some analysts believe solar thermal power can match conventional gas-fueled generation. A large-scale solar power plant with a large energy-storage system that is close to other solar-power systems and the customers they serve could produce electricity for about the same cost as that from standard utility plants. ... http://enertechreview.com/?p=91 Skystream’s new residential wind turbine, the 3.7, brings additional practicality and accessibility to North American home owners interested in either wind technology or just lower electricity bills. Skystream’s technology allows it to generate electricity in winds from 8 mph (providing on avg. 400 kW a month). Notable features include: Reduced size - ... http://enertechreview.com/?p=88 Bloomberg Magazine provides an overview of the technology and business issues regarding tidal energy. http://enertechreview.com/?p=87 A green replacement for gas is underway. Known as biobutanol, this liquid has a few key advantages over bioethanol: 1. Biobutanol is a complete substitute for gasoline. Unlike bioethanol, it requires no modifications to vehicles and can be used in any mixture rate with gasoline (even as a standalone substitute). ... http://enertechreview.com/?p=85 Zap is partnering with Lotus Design on their new Zap-X Crossover BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle). With a projected range of 350 miles on one ten-minute charge, the Zap-X will have go approximately 100 miles further than the 2007 Tesla Roadster on a single charge. But what about speed? ... http://enertechreview.com/?p=77