Hybrid Living

Electric bikes are ideal for commuting because they allow you travel up to 30 miles in a stretch, and you are less likely to drenched in sweat when you arrive at your destination. Some models have motors that assist as you pedal, making your ride easier, especially when going up hills. Some models allow you [...]

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The best earbud headphones are designed to give users the best in noise isolation and sound quality. Many steps above the standard low quality headphones that come bundled with MP3 players, or even the inexpensive budget brands, these best earbud headphones earn their price tag through durability and aural brilliance. Most of these models are [...]

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If you’ve ever heard one of the innumerable jokes about boxed wine, your connotation of grapes in cardboard probably isn’t great. But box wines have come a long way in the last few years, and, with more and more wineries going green, it’s easier than ever to find a delicious, quality wine that isn’t packed [...]

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Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has approved the Cape Wind offshore wind farm project!  In additon to giving the go-ahead, Salazar outlined a few tweaks to incorporate the concerns of those who have opposed the project.

1. The project will be reduced in scope from the original 170 turbines planned to 130.
2. Additonal marine surveys will be required before construction to make sure the archaeological heritage of the site can be preserved.
3. Other measures will need be incorporated to minimize the “visual impact” of the wind farm.

It’s hard to believe it’s been nine years since the first announcement of the project in the Nantucket Sound.  Some residents of the surrounding area, including Wampanoag indian tribes and the late Sen. Kennedy, have opposed the project because they believe it would obstruct their views (and disrupt spriritual rituals and ancient burial sites of the indians).

But environmentalists around the country and five East Coast governors all rallied for its approval, and in the end, the U.S. is finally getting its first offshore wind farm.  The wind farm will have a capacity of 420 MW — enough to meet 75 percent of Cape Cod and the Islands’ electricity needs.

The U.S. leads the world in wind energy capacity, but we’ve lagged behind other countries, especially in Europe, that have forged ahead with offshore wind.

Why is this a big deal?  Because offshore wind is stronger, more consistent and near coastal population centers, meaning more power generation, less gaps in electricity and no need for huge transmission networks (like those needed to distribute wind energy generated in the middle of the country).

via  Boston Globe

Japan’s solar sail-powered “space yacht” is all set to launch on May 18.  Ikaros (Interplanetary Kite-Craft Accelerated by Radiation of the Sun) will be the first spacecraft of its kind to attempt to reach deep space.

The craft’s 46-foot sails, outfitted with ultra-thin solar cells, will be steered by mission control from the ground, tweaking the angles to ensure enough of the sun’s rays are hitting the craft to keep it powering on into space.  Other solar-sailed crafts have gone into space, but none have made it beyond orbit.  One reason could be that it’s not a cheap mission.  The JAXA space program has already spent $16 million on this project.

Ikaros will be launched into space by a rocket along with Japan’s first Venus-bound satellite before they separate and Ikaros goes fuel-free for the rest of its journey.

The Planetary Society also has a solar-powered space flight planned for sometime this year.  It will be interesting to see how the two fair.

via Popular Science

Scientists from the University of South Florida have discovered the water purifying power of the prickly pear cactus.  An extract from the desert-dweller is very effective at removing sediment and bacteria from dirty H2O and, even better, it grows all around the world.

The scientists aren’t the first to realize this plant’s ability.  Nineteenth-century Mexican communities used the cactus as a water purifier. The thick gum in the cactus that stores water is responsible for the purification.  The scientists extracted the gum and then added it to water that had been dirtied up with sediment and bacteria.

The gum caused the sediment and bacteria to combine and settle to the bottom, filtering 98 percent of the bacteria from the water.  The next phase is to test it on natural water.

The scientists see communities in developing countries using the cactus on daily basis.  They could boil a slice of it to release the gum and then add it to water just like the scientists did.  But there are hurdles to overcome.  What resources would be necessary for widespread growth of the cactus for this purpose and how can people ensure the “treated” water is truly bacteria free?  If these problems can be solved, cheap, clean water could be accessible for millions who are currently without.

via New Scientists

The best headsets have been created in response to the amount of laws now in place against driving with cell phones in front of our faces. Manufacturers have jumped in to help consumers keep talking on their phones without having to actually hold it by creating headsets hands free. These headsets hands free are capable [...]

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If you’re looking for a ride to work that shrinks your carbon footprint and your rear end, picking up a commuter bike is a perfect choice. With space to hold your pocket book, briefcase or even your groceries, commuter bikes work as hard as you do. Here is a rundown of the best women’s commuter [...]

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Want to bring your child along on an extended bike ride? One easy way is to use a trailer bike — it’s a one-wheeled bike extension that attaches to the back of your bike. Your smaller companion can then assist you with pedaling, while you control the steering and speed. If  your child gets tired, [...]

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Indonesia’s 17,000 islands are home to hundreds of volcanoes and approximately 40 percent of the earth’s geothermal energy potential and the nation’s government is ready to harness that hot, clean energy.

The country has set a goal of bringing online 4GW of geothermal capacity by 2014, which will almost quadruple the current capacity of 1,189 MW.  If you think that sounds ambitious, you’re right.  It generally takes three to five years just to complete field exploration and then another three years to actually build a geothermal plant.

And then there’s the cost of the project — $12 billion to be exact. The country is looking to the World Bank, private investors and developed countries like Japan and the U.S. for help raising the money.  But once the plants are up and running, they’re basically tapping into endless, clean energy with little overhead required.

Plus, this plan will go a long way towards reaching the Indonesian president’s goals of cutting emissions to 26 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 and adding 10GW of clean energy capacity by 2014.

via AFP