or even just for use that same night, has been the holy grail of the renewables industry for years. Generating power from the sun when it is shining is a doddle, storing that energy in a usable form for later has been the nightmare side of things.
Yet this, from The New York Times, suggests that the technologies for storing the energy from solar systems are moving on apace. Molten salt in an insulated tank seems to be one method that shows high promise.
"a coffee thermos and a laptop computer’s battery store about the same amount of energy"
"The thermos costs about $5 and the laptop battery $150".
So its a really big thermos flask full of molten salt. Hmmmm, I wonder if they need to add vinegar?
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Drop when you shop?
Watching BBC News, which is pitching a 'brilliant idea' to deal with plastics recycling: the introduction of a 10p deposit on bottles.
Now, while I am not sure this hasn't been mooted before, I look forward to the details as it seems fine in principle. Trouble is, as of 7.09am the detail is a bit shy. In fact all we do know is there is some resistance (yay!..controversy!), and 'the food and drinks industry has yet to comment'.
I'd also be interested in comment from retailers and the authorities, as to work there needs to be a bunch of new relationships and logistical routes established.
Because at the very least, when you take your bottle of HDPE 37 to the till, it will need to be identified, stored and then transported. And you will need to engage in a financial transaction (receipt...VAT... tax???).
It has been done, and seemed to work before. I recall collecting cans and bottles for pocket money (maybe getting the community on board... for money... would be a plan? Junkk.com stands ready to help).
But on past and present evidence, why do I see this as a quick, flip punt by the media on a few-day 'eco-issue', with a benign nod from the authorities as it takes the pressure off all their failings to sort things out.
Addendum - 7.41am
'Experts' Neil Hamilton (green sceptic) and the BBC's Newsnight Ethical Man and now One Show reporter Justin Rowlatt 'debate' the issue. Er... one says it's a daft idea and one says it isn't. Big surprise: an extremes twofer. I continue to await the detail on... HOW IT WILL WORK.
At least... by the end the consensus had admitted that the variety of plastics was not, as such, exactly helping the enviROI. In fact the only clear winner, and reason for it all, seemed to be the anti-litter brigade. Seems a lot of money and unclear systems being alluded in going to help reduce a target... if a worthy one.
Still nobody who knows anything tangible about the issue to be seen or heard.
Newsnight - Are supermarkets to blame?
This morning, on BBC Breakfast TV, there was a piece about a proposal to bring back the deposit system, this time with plastic bottles.
At least we now have two protagonists how might be able to shine a tad more informed light on the issue beyond 'experts' Neil Hamilton (green sceptic) and ex-Ethical Man and now One Show reporter Justin Rowlatt, who 'debated' the issue. That is... one said it's a daft idea and one said it isn't. Big surprise: an extremes twofer. I continue to await the detail on... HOW IT WILL WORK?
Now, accepting that this has been mooted before, I look forward to the details promised earlier, as it seems fine in principle. All I have so far is that there is some resistance (yay!..controversy!), and 'the food and drinks industry has yet to comment'.
So I am interested in answers from retailers and the authorities, who are even more at the coalface of this proposal (being where we consumers come in and who ends up with what we drop off) as to what there is in place... and needs to be doen in getting a bunch of new relationships and logistical routes established.
Because at the very least, when you take your bottle of HDPE 37 and 3/4 to the till, it will need to be identified, assessed, separated, stored and then transported (at what enviROI?). And will you then need to engage in a financial transaction (receipt...VAT... tax???).
It has been done, and seemed to work before. I recall collecting cans and bottles (what about metal and glass?) for pocket money (maybe getting the community on board... for money (if this stuff has value, then let's share the end-benefits:)... would be a plan? My organisation stands ready to help).
But on past and present evidence, why do I see this as a quick, flip punt by the media on a few-day 'eco-issue', with a benign nod from the authorities as it takes the pressure off all their failings to sort things out in the totality of the whole recycling chain?
PRW - UK litter campaigners want 10p deposit on plastic bottles - I am not sure saying 'it's going to make our lives difficult/expensive' is the stance I would have adopted, mind.
PRW - Bill Bryson's deposit plan fails to sway drink makers - Well, hardly unexpected, really.
117 April, 17.44 - Newsnight - just watched the piece with Justin King and the Govt. Minister. Not sure any questions posed on the blog were actually shared. Nor any answers given. Mr. Paxman gave all sides a pretty tough time, and there were a few occasions when Sainsbury's could have spun a better tale, but the key questions on what, when and how we get our stuff recycled here...woeful.
The new blog posting system is also in, and it does look like a great improvement. No more 502 Errors, but a lot of BIG issues taking over.
Now, while I am not sure this hasn't been mooted before, I look forward to the details as it seems fine in principle. Trouble is, as of 7.09am the detail is a bit shy. In fact all we do know is there is some resistance (yay!..controversy!), and 'the food and drinks industry has yet to comment'.
I'd also be interested in comment from retailers and the authorities, as to work there needs to be a bunch of new relationships and logistical routes established.
Because at the very least, when you take your bottle of HDPE 37 to the till, it will need to be identified, stored and then transported. And you will need to engage in a financial transaction (receipt...VAT... tax???).
It has been done, and seemed to work before. I recall collecting cans and bottles for pocket money (maybe getting the community on board... for money... would be a plan? Junkk.com stands ready to help).
But on past and present evidence, why do I see this as a quick, flip punt by the media on a few-day 'eco-issue', with a benign nod from the authorities as it takes the pressure off all their failings to sort things out.
Addendum - 7.41am
'Experts' Neil Hamilton (green sceptic) and the BBC's Newsnight Ethical Man and now One Show reporter Justin Rowlatt 'debate' the issue. Er... one says it's a daft idea and one says it isn't. Big surprise: an extremes twofer. I continue to await the detail on... HOW IT WILL WORK.
At least... by the end the consensus had admitted that the variety of plastics was not, as such, exactly helping the enviROI. In fact the only clear winner, and reason for it all, seemed to be the anti-litter brigade. Seems a lot of money and unclear systems being alluded in going to help reduce a target... if a worthy one.
Still nobody who knows anything tangible about the issue to be seen or heard.
Newsnight - Are supermarkets to blame?
This morning, on BBC Breakfast TV, there was a piece about a proposal to bring back the deposit system, this time with plastic bottles.
At least we now have two protagonists how might be able to shine a tad more informed light on the issue beyond 'experts' Neil Hamilton (green sceptic) and ex-Ethical Man and now One Show reporter Justin Rowlatt, who 'debated' the issue. That is... one said it's a daft idea and one said it isn't. Big surprise: an extremes twofer. I continue to await the detail on... HOW IT WILL WORK?
Now, accepting that this has been mooted before, I look forward to the details promised earlier, as it seems fine in principle. All I have so far is that there is some resistance (yay!..controversy!), and 'the food and drinks industry has yet to comment'.
So I am interested in answers from retailers and the authorities, who are even more at the coalface of this proposal (being where we consumers come in and who ends up with what we drop off) as to what there is in place... and needs to be doen in getting a bunch of new relationships and logistical routes established.
Because at the very least, when you take your bottle of HDPE 37 and 3/4 to the till, it will need to be identified, assessed, separated, stored and then transported (at what enviROI?). And will you then need to engage in a financial transaction (receipt...VAT... tax???).
It has been done, and seemed to work before. I recall collecting cans and bottles (what about metal and glass?) for pocket money (maybe getting the community on board... for money (if this stuff has value, then let's share the end-benefits:)... would be a plan? My organisation stands ready to help).
But on past and present evidence, why do I see this as a quick, flip punt by the media on a few-day 'eco-issue', with a benign nod from the authorities as it takes the pressure off all their failings to sort things out in the totality of the whole recycling chain?
PRW - UK litter campaigners want 10p deposit on plastic bottles - I am not sure saying 'it's going to make our lives difficult/expensive' is the stance I would have adopted, mind.
PRW - Bill Bryson's deposit plan fails to sway drink makers - Well, hardly unexpected, really.
117 April, 17.44 - Newsnight - just watched the piece with Justin King and the Govt. Minister. Not sure any questions posed on the blog were actually shared. Nor any answers given. Mr. Paxman gave all sides a pretty tough time, and there were a few occasions when Sainsbury's could have spun a better tale, but the key questions on what, when and how we get our stuff recycled here...woeful.
The new blog posting system is also in, and it does look like a great improvement. No more 502 Errors, but a lot of BIG issues taking over.
New $1Billion polysilicon plant in China
As reported in The Engineer, LDK solar is building a huge new polysilicon plant in Xinyu City, China. Polysilicon is the primary starting material for the production of solar photovoltaic cells. Hopefully, mass production on this sort of scale will lead to a reduction in the costs of PV arrays for power generation.
Just one little caveat. Please, please, please, don't handle the toxic waste materials such as silicon tetrachloride in the manner that other polysilicon plants in China appear to do.
Just one little caveat. Please, please, please, don't handle the toxic waste materials such as silicon tetrachloride in the manner that other polysilicon plants in China appear to do.
Places to visit before they disappear
Sounds crazy doesn't it? But the list as provided by Independent Traveller makes for interesting reading.
There is "an ethical dilemma for travelers looking to see the world without harming it."
Can't disagree with that at all.
"Can the benefits of travel outweigh its environmental impact? What questions should you consider when deciding whether to visit an endangered destination? And if you do decide to travel, how can you minimize your environmental footprint?"
Good questions ..... not too many answers provided though!
I'm sure that there are a lot more places on our little planet that they could have considered, but perhaps they should have included Bangladesh too?
There is "an ethical dilemma for travelers looking to see the world without harming it."
Can't disagree with that at all.
"Can the benefits of travel outweigh its environmental impact? What questions should you consider when deciding whether to visit an endangered destination? And if you do decide to travel, how can you minimize your environmental footprint?"
Good questions ..... not too many answers provided though!
I'm sure that there are a lot more places on our little planet that they could have considered, but perhaps they should have included Bangladesh too?
More on the Dubya emissions announcement
We mentioned the leak about Dubya's pronouncement on greenhouse gas emissions the other day. This time, a very funny view from the Daily Kos. Just love the task force team members.
As for what Dubya actually said: "I am announcing a new national goal: to stop the growth of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 2025".
Well, its a start, I suppose.
Oh, and here's the Guardian's take on what Dubya had to say. It has already attracted the usual crowd of 'tis'/'tisn't' poles apart views.
As for what Dubya actually said: "I am announcing a new national goal: to stop the growth of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 2025".
Well, its a start, I suppose.
Oh, and here's the Guardian's take on what Dubya had to say. It has already attracted the usual crowd of 'tis'/'tisn't' poles apart views.
CATEGORY - Advertising & Resources
A lot of 'eco' involves advertising, so I thought I'd kick off a category of some useful links in this regard.
Can't hurt, eh?
ASA Adjudications - though it is worth bearing in mind that in most cases where found against, the ad is long gone and the whole thing is more of a wrist slap.
AirportWatch - shows how over-egging can undermine
AMEC plc t/a AMEC Wind Energy - it was cleared, but I share just to show how complex the issues are.
Renault (UK) Ltd - how many 'eco-logos' are there are now?
__________
RESOURCES
brand republic - gateway to several other 'republics': creative, design , media, retail. Sends out daily updates
Creative Bulletin - TVC links, etc
Gorkana - PR & journalist exchange
Indy - NEW - 'Best in show' Featured ads
journalisted.com - Track down who wrote/writes what... well useful!
mad.co.uk-
marketingweek -
utalkmarketing.com -
utalkmarketing.com - creative showcase
thinkbox.tv - tv commercial archive
veryfunnyads - NEW - Tin. Does. Says. What.
________
NEWS
Mad - UK marketers form green alliance - Sure it will help.
I'll add 'em as I find 'em. Or get told. It's good to share.
Can't hurt, eh?
ASA Adjudications - though it is worth bearing in mind that in most cases where found against, the ad is long gone and the whole thing is more of a wrist slap.
AirportWatch - shows how over-egging can undermine
AMEC plc t/a AMEC Wind Energy - it was cleared, but I share just to show how complex the issues are.
Renault (UK) Ltd - how many 'eco-logos' are there are now?
__________
RESOURCES
brand republic - gateway to several other 'republics': creative, design , media, retail. Sends out daily updates
Creative Bulletin - TVC links, etc
Gorkana - PR & journalist exchange
Indy - NEW - 'Best in show' Featured ads
journalisted.com - Track down who wrote/writes what... well useful!
mad.co.uk-
marketingweek -
utalkmarketing.com -
utalkmarketing.com - creative showcase
thinkbox.tv - tv commercial archive
veryfunnyads - NEW - Tin. Does. Says. What.
________
NEWS
Mad - UK marketers form green alliance - Sure it will help.
I'll add 'em as I find 'em. Or get told. It's good to share.
Quote of the day - Shining knights... and high horses?
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil weighs into the biofuel 'debate':
"Food is expensive because the world wasn't prepared to see millions of Chinese, Indians, Africans, Brazilians and Latin Americans eat. We want to discuss this not with passion but rationality and not from the European point of view."
Whether you agree or not, it is refreshing to see a statesperson actually say something that does raise the issue of some often pretty sanctimonious finger wagging with often equally suspect motives.
"Food is expensive because the world wasn't prepared to see millions of Chinese, Indians, Africans, Brazilians and Latin Americans eat. We want to discuss this not with passion but rationality and not from the European point of view."
Whether you agree or not, it is refreshing to see a statesperson actually say something that does raise the issue of some often pretty sanctimonious finger wagging with often equally suspect motives.
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