The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology feels that an electric vehicle would perform better without batteries. As this is not a new idea, but an idea to get back to basics, they might be on to something. I remember as a kid, the buses in San Francisco had these long arms that reached up to wires overhead and asking my dad what they were. So we have had electric public transit for quite some time as this was over 30 years ago.

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Aside from a name that sounds like it belongs in an action movie, this is really a good idea. The premise is simple, measure the attributes of the wind and adjust the position of the wind turbines to match. This would create an optimal performance for the given wind condition.

This seems like something that would happen naturally, but wind turbines currently do not understand the type of wind hitting them, turbulent or vortex winds are most difficult for horizontal propeller type turbines to deal with. This added brain would help them optimize their efficiency for the type, not just direction of the wind.

If you remember blowing on a pinwheel or have a toy with a small propeller you can play with, you will find that you make it spin a lot faster when you blow slightly across it instead of directly at it. This device will help take advantage of that kind of knowledge.

From the article:

The Vindicator(r) fiber optic laser wind sensing system is capable of measuring real-time horizontal and vertical wind speed and direction data at varying ranges ahead of the sensor location. The sensor design is based on state-of-the-art fiber optic laser technology developed and patented at Optical Air Data Systems LLC.

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A Colorado developer, Alpine Energy Group, plans to spend $440 million to build 49 MW of waste-to-energy capacity on St. Croix and St. Thomas that could eventually lead to the closure of landfills.

Alpine plans to begin construction in May 2010 in St. Thomas and St. Croix, with expected completion in the fourth quarter of 2012. The 33-megawatt plant in Long Point, St. Thomas, is expected to serve residents of that island as well as St. John. St. Croix is expected to have a dedicated 16-MW plant in the Anguilla area near the Krause Lagoon.

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As many people in my life wear glasses and a lot of my research is on technology related sources, this popped up. Take a peek at these very high tech focus adjustable prescription glasses.

Sony has some new technology in the battery category that looks like it will be making its way into our hands soon. Due to its use of an olivine-type lithium iron phosphate for the cathode material, the battery's overall lifespan is about four times that of conventional lithium ion batteries, not to mention provide an 80% capacity retention after 2,000 charge-discharge cycles and perhaps most impressively, a promised 99% recharge in just 30 minutes.

This is a real improvement in battery technology. This type of fast recharge and power retention helps with renewable energy systems that rely on sources that vary day to day like wind. Wind power is the most environmentally friendly and gives the largest yield over the entire lifespan of the equipment compared to other renewable sources. However, not having a good way to store the energy is a road block for many small scale situations, preventing them from using wind as a power source.

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