Recently in Green Technology Category


GE%20logo.jpg GE has just introduced new incandescent light bulbs that supposedly match the new compact fluorescent type in efficiency and energy savings.

See this post from the Green Tech blog on this announcement. I agree with some of the comments that this appears to be taking two steps back, one step forward, but if the energy savings (and consequent reduction in carbon dioxide) rival fluorescents -- and the prices are right -- then we are still far better off going with either option than doing nothing at all.

Also of note, check out a new Yahoo! site -- 18seconds.org -- designed to encourage people to change to compact fluorescent bulbs -- a task that supposedly takes 18 seconds. The site, sponsored by Wal-Mart, shows a running tally of dollars saved and amount of carbon dioxide reduced as a result of replaced bulbs.
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twist%20CF.gif When I first blogged about the amazing energy savings -- and competitive pricing -- of new compact fluorescent light bulbs, I wrote about 2 common versions of the twist type bulb -- 60 and 100 watt incandescent replacements. Easily found at Costco or Walmart on the cheap.

  I've basically replaced every standard bulb in my house with a fluorescent one -- except for the more "specialty" bulbs, like chandelier bulbs, globe bulbs (for bathroom vanities), reflector and spot bulbs, outdoor bulbs, dimmer bulbs, 3-way bulbs, bug bulbs, grow bulbs, blue light bulbs, red light bulbs, and very very bright bulbs. In fact, any light bulb you can think of has a fluorescent replacement.

In other words, we're still talking a heck of a lot of incandescent light bulbs still burning in my house.

Why aren't they more readily available, and at more reasonable pricing? If you surf around, you can see little chandelier bulbs priced at $9 at piece -- and globes even higher -- and that's not including shipping charges! Continue Reading...

Jon Arnold and I figured that since most everyone else was making some sort of announcement, issuing press releases and generally making noise  -- especially to pull in the crowds at Internet Telephony Conference & EXPO East going on right now -- that it was OK to make some noise of our own.

Hopefully it will be music to your ears



Robins%20Consulting%20Group%20Text%20with%20Logo.JPG          JArnold_logo.jpg






Robins Consulting Group and J Arnold & Associates Announce New Partnership

Two Prominent IP Communications Industry Research and Consulting Practices Join Forces to Offer an Array of Services and Co-Develop New Sources of Industry Intelligence

NEW YORK, TORONTO, and FORT LAUDERDALE, January 23, 2007-- Robins Consulting Group (RCG) and J Arnold & Associates (JAA) – both leading IP Communications industry research, marketing and consulting firms – have proudly announced a new partnership that includes the two firms joining forces to provide an array of marketing, communications, strategy consulting and market research services to their growing roster of IP communications technology vendors and service providers.

In addition, RCG and JAA will be jointly developing new information resources, including an electronic newsletter and related Web site, which will offer unique industry analysis, a healthy dose of opinion, provide a new platform for other industry thought leaders, and offer valuable coverage and information not readily available elsewhere about the rapidly evolving IP communications industry.

Veteran industry thought leader Marc Robins, RCG's founder and Chief Evangelism Officer, has been involved in the IP communications industry since its inception, and has served the industry as a leading reporter and analyst, conference producer and magazine publisher, and marketing executive and consultant. Continue Reading...

With all the buzz about newfangled battery technologies and lithium battery laptop explosions, wherefore the quaint old lead acid battery?

Peoria, IL-based Firefly Energy just announced that it will have an innovative carbon-graphite foam, lead-acid battery ready for production by the fourth quarter of 2007, following the announcement that the Caterpillar spin-off has completed a $10 million Series B equity round of financing, led by Milwaukee-based Stark Investments and including Caterpillar, KB Partners, the Illinois Finance Authority and the Tri-County Venture Capital Fund.

The Firefly Energy battery, which introduces the first significant improvement on lead acid battery technology in more than 150 years, is currently under development for use by the U.S. military and by lawn and equipment giant Husqvarna. After its initial production, Firefly will work to develop their advanced batteries for hybrid electric vehicles and hybrid trucks.

When compared to the current generation of lead-acid batteries, the Firefly Energy battery boasts:
- four times greater power density or less than 1/4 the weight
- double the life expectancy
- seven times faster recharge rate
- environmentally safer, using 80 percent less lead

The battery also supposedly has 1/10th the manufacturing cost of nickel metal hydride and lithium ion options.


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Recent reports about the new energy-saving, compact fluorescent bulbs indicate that if every household across the country swaps just one 60 watt incandescent bulb with a fluorescent replacement that uses just 13 watts, it could save 13 million barrels of oil.

For those of you who haven't tried these bulbs yet, they don't flicker like the fluorescents of old, and cast a nice yellowish light. In addition to saving energy (and money), they supposedly last 10 times longer than standard incandescents.

I hear Walmart is selling these bulbs at a discount, but I get mine at Costco, where I believe the prices are even lower. An eight-pack of Philips 60 watt replacements costs $11.19, or around $1.40/bulb, and a four pack of 100 watt replacements that consume only 23 watts each, goes for $7.99, or $1.99/bulb.

Highly recommended.
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EEStor's Amazing Battery that Isn't

September 29, 2006 5:06 PM

Whatever you call EEStor's new ceramic power source/ultra capacitor, just don't call it a battery, according to Ian Clifford, CEO of Feel Good Cars, an electric car company based in Toronto that plans to incorporate the technology in its cars.

Although EEStor is still operating in a sort of stealth mode, a patent issued in April for the device indicates that it's made of a ceramic powder coated with aluminum oxide and glass, and doesn't contain any hazardous materials or chemicals, so it technically really isn't a battery.

The patented device, however, is designed to store electricity -- and boy what a storage device it is! If reports can be believed, the device is designed to be charged up in 5 minutes, and provide enough juice to drive 500 miles on about 9 bucks of electricity -- or the equivalent of 45 cents a gallon. At today's gas prices, it would cost around $60 for the same trip. An electric engine incorporating the device is expected to cost around $5,200 -- a slight premium over gasoline-powered engines. Continue Reading...

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