Modified Hybrids to be Tested

CSIRO is an Australian research organization. CSIRO is working in collaboration with Victorian energy distributor SP AusNet. They both are aiming to evaluate the impact and benefits of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles on the electricity network. They are also trying to figure out how this low emission transport option could be incorporated into our [...]
Posted in: Batteries, Hybrid Cars, Transportation

Solar Calculator Add-on for the Web Released

SolarInsure, a green energy insurance brokerage in Southern California, has created a comprehensive solar calculator that allows industry specialists and customers the ability to calculate the cost of going solar in a matter of minutes. For the first time, an individual has the ability to evaluate not only the cost, but also the governmental benefits provided by both federal and state governments, and local utility companies and municipalities for installing solar panels.

The Week in Pictures: International Day of Climate Action, Green Halloween, and More (Slideshow)

A lot happened this week in green: from readers in the Hollywood Hills to our writers in Times Square, the International Day of Climate Action brought global awareness for climate change; we found out Chinese fruit bats demonstrate unusual sexual behavior–never before seen in adult animals–discovered a lamp that works only with a drop of blood, and rounded up five tips for a greener Halloween. Find out what else happened in the world of green this week in our photo roundup of most popular, most important, and most oddball stories. And if you missed it, view last week’s <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/galleries/2009/10/t…Read the full story on TreeHugger

Congress Gets a Zero Emissions Electric Bus

Photos via Autoblog Green

While Congressmen struggle with climate legislation and clean energy reform, at least they’ll be able to get an emissions-free ride to the proceedings. The Proterra electric bus made its debut on Capitol Hill yesterday, and looks set to deliver zero emission, fast-charging public transportation. More pics after the jump….Read the full story on TreeHugger

Fronius and SunWize Expand Partnership

SunWize Residential Power Systems, the premier solar installation division of SunWize Technologies, Inc., has entered into an agreement with Fronius USA, LLC to utilize Fronius IG Plus and DATCOM as their preferred inverter and monitoring solutions for residential and small commercial applications.

US Plastic More Expensive To Make, Will Have Higher Carbon Footprint Under Cap & Trade

Cleaning up waste plastic before it goes into the ocean. Image credits::Algalita Marine Research Foundation

In Europe they commonly make commodity plastics from oil-based feedstock: petroleum naptha from the refinery. In the USA, however, plastic is mostly is made from natural gas as raw material. The chemical industry is not pleased with the current cap and trade provision being voted on in Congress. They anticipate C&T will drive utilities to burn more natural gas and less coal to generate power (a good thing by most people’s reasoning), which means (per the chemical industry argumen…Read the full story on TreeHugger

TED TALK: A Non-Reusable Syringe Could Save 1.3 Million Lives

Image via TED

Around the globe, the reuse of dirty syringes kills 1.3 million people – more than malaria. Lack of time, money, access to new syringes, and simple ignorance are all issues behind reusing syringes in medical situations in places such as India. With 50 billion injections given each year, and half of those with dirty syringes, the spread of diseases like HIV and Hepatitis through reused syringes is significant. Marc Koska, however, feels there’s another solution – a syringe that cannot be reused. He gives a great presentation on how the syringe can benefit millions of people…Read the full story on TreeHugger

South Park Takes Aim at Whale Wars, Japan and Everyone Else

Image via South Park Studios

South Park has done what it does best – make fun of everyone ruthlessly, hilariously, and without bias. Their latest episode takes on the Japanese (who hate all dolphins), Whale Wars’ Captain Paul Watson (who isn’t bad-ass enough), vegans, and anyone who eats meat yet is upset about dolphins killed for food. No one – not even the Miami Dolphins – are safe in this episode.

…Read the full story on TreeHugger

Firestone Building Products Branches Into Solar Energy

Firestone Building Products Company, LLC introduced a new business division

Going Veg Where Doctors Still Promote Meat-Eating

Posters for this year’s and last year’s Planeta Vegetariana festival in Serbia.

The Balkan countries aren’t generally known for their light, healthy fare. When expat Istanbul-dwellers cross the border into Bulgaria, it’s to indulge in bacon-wrapped cheese skewers, cheese-stuffed pork loin… you get the idea. But some forward-thinking folks in Novi Sad, Serbia, are a promoting another way of eating with their third annual “Planeta Vegetariana” …Read the full story on TreeHugger

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