Archive for the ‘sustainability’ category: Page 597
Feb 21, 2016
New Japanese ‘Robot Farm’ Can Grow Vegetables Anywhere on Earth
Posted by Dan Kummer in categories: food, robotics/AI, sustainability
A new fully-automated farm in Japan can be used to grow vegetables anywhere on Earth with little human input, but it may not yet be a solution to solve hunger, the company’s CEO told Sputnik Japan.
Feb 21, 2016
There’s a massive shift happening in the world right now
Posted by Shailesh Prasad in categories: energy, sustainability
The cost of renewable energy is plummeting while fossil fuel companies are in distress.
Now is the time to keep on pushing.
Feb 19, 2016
SolarCity will use Tesla’s Powerpack to deliver solar power even when it’s dark
Posted by Shailesh Prasad in categories: Elon Musk, solar power, sustainability, transportation
No source of energy is perfect and one of the traditional drawbacks of solar energy has been that it’s tough to generate new power when it’s dark outside. However, SolarCity announced this week that it’s taken a big step toward fixing this problem by agreeing to use Tesla’s 52 MWh Powerpack lithium-ion battery storage system for its massive solar power project that it’s building in Hawaii for the Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC). SolarCity, of course, is chaired by Tesla CEO Elon Musk so the decision to go with the Powerpack is pretty convenient for both companies.
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SolarCity says it believes that its collaboration with Tesla will produce “the first utility-scale system in the U.S. to provide dispatchable solar energy, meaning that the utility can count on electricity being available when it’s needed, even hours after the sun goes down.” To be clear, using the Powerpack won’t completely eliminate the need for non-solar resources at night since it’s projected to feed up to 13 megawatts of electricity onto the grid, which will only reduce the amount of power used by non-renewable sources.
Feb 18, 2016
Radio Flyer Partners With Tesla Motors to Release a Miniature Model S Electric Car for Children
Posted by Shailesh Prasad in categories: sustainability, transportation
Radio Flyer has partnered with Tesla Motors to release a miniature Model S electric car for children. The vehicle has a top speed of six miles per hour, advanced battery technology, working headlights, a sound system, and other Model S inspired design elements.
The tiny cars will begin shipping in May 2016, and customers can preorder and build their little Model S now. The preorder process involves picking the color as well as optional spare batteries, a cover, and customizable license plate and parking sign.
Feb 16, 2016
Car cyber hijacking on the rise
Posted by Karen Hurst in categories: cybercrime/malcode, security, sustainability, transportation
Cyber Carjacking the new way to steal someone’s auto.
Cyber security was one of the topics on the agenda at the recent CyberTech conference held in Tel Aviv.
Last year, hackers in the US managed to remotely access a Jeep Cherokee SUV through its on-board computer, taking control of its steering, transmission and brakes.
Feb 14, 2016
History: I know that we often write about the future, etc
Posted by Karen Hurst in categories: education, food, habitats, security, sustainability
However, one also must look at the past for insights and guidance on things that were done wrong to ensure bad history is not repeated.
Therefore, let me share with you a part of history that we need to be aware of and protect our future from ever repeating again.
Many folks have never heard of Poor Farms in the South and Poor Houses in some parts of the Midwest. Before soc. Security and Welfare we had poor farms/ houses. They date from the late 1800s until 1930s.
Poor farms/ houses were often filled with the elderly and others that had no money or anyone to take care them. People often worked the land for 16+ hours days, dressed in rags, and had very little to eat. Once you were there you could not leave ever until you died.
Continue reading “History: I know that we often write about the future, etc” »
Feb 12, 2016
‘Summon’ Feature Lets Tesla Vehicles Park Themselves With No Driver In The Seat
Posted by Shailesh Prasad in categories: robotics/AI, sustainability, transportation
Tesla Version 7.1 adds driverless automatic parking to Tesla Model S and Model X vehicles.
Feb 11, 2016
Scientists adapt next-gen solar cell materials for a different purpose
Posted by Karen Hurst in categories: materials, nanotechnology, solar power, sustainability
Making Nanowire Lasers
Feb. 11, 2016 — Scientists have found a simple new way to produce nanoscale wires that can serve as bright, stable and tunable lasers — an advance toward using light to transmit data.
Feb 10, 2016
Researcher aims to engineer spray paint that can soak up sun’s elusive energy
Posted by Karen Hurst in categories: computing, solar power, sustainability, transportation
Now, that’s a concept! Spray paint from a can that harnesses solar energy. Imagine, you can spray paint windows, patio tables, your car, a bike, etc. with Solar Spray Paint in a can; and watch your gadgets get charged. It is almost like the “Computer Screen in the Can” idea that I had last week. Geez, wonder if she could partner with me on that concept?
Researcher aims to engineer spray paint that can convert sun’s elusive energy to electricity.