Eco Factor: Solar-powered system teaches the simple principles to go green.
Designed by Valeria Bianco, the CLOVERS is a renewable energy education system that uses flexible solar panel technology to teach teenagers about the electricity usage of their entertainment devices and also allows them to help lower their family’s energy costs.
Eco Factor: Sustainable complex to feature energy-saving systems and roof gardens.
Nord Architects and 3XN have won a competition to design a sustainable masterplan in Denmark that will be a cultural hub for visual arts, literature and scenography. The cultural center takes inspiration from natural elements and uses them reduce the energy demand and the related emissions.
Eco Factor: Zero-emission electric car to be developed by Gordon Murray Design and Zytek Automotive.
The designer of the world’s renowned supercar, McLaren F1, is up to a new challenge. Gordon Murray Design and Zytek Automotive have announced an all-electric three-seater city car, which has been made possible by a £4.5m investment from the government-backed Technology Strategy Board.
Eco Factor: All-electric concept car harnesses solar energy.
Renault has announced that the company will be partnering with L’Oreal to develop an all-new 100% electric “spa” concept car dubbed ZOE Z.E. The electric car is aimed at people who need a clean car for short distance commutes.
Eco Factor: Prototype electric vehicle powered by solar energy.
A student team at the Waterloo Collegiate Institute has designed a Model-T replica that doesn’t drink gas but harnesses the abundant energy of the sun for power. The truck was built on a challenge by the Reduce the Juice Foundation that promotes projects that reduce emissions.
Eco Factor: Solar-powered aircraft designed for round-the-world flight.
After six years of designing Solar Impulse aircraft, officially known as HB-SIA, was powered up in Switzerland. The test was performed by test pilot Markus Scherdel who initially ran the motors one at a time and when the individual tests were successful, he was given the go ahead to run all four motors at 400rpm.
Eco Factor: Electronic Sound Synthesis could make electric cars more appealing.
For those of you who don’t simply want to drive an electric vehicle since they’re silent, Lotus has teamed up with Harman Kardon to develop a new gadget dubbed ESS or Electronic Sound Synthesis that will enable drivers of electric and hybrid cars to select the engine noise of their choice.
Eco Factor: Sustainable building incorporates energy-saving systems and photovoltaic cells.
Berlin and Paris based LIN have recently unveiled Cité du Design, a stunning international design center in Saint-Etienne. The sustainable project is situated on the historic site of the National Arms Manufacture in St. Etienne. The complex is powered by solar energy and incorporates several energy-saving systems to reduce the building’s power demands.
Eco Factor: Concept powerboat designed to run on wind-powered electric motors.
The use of electric engines in cars, motorcycles and yachts is nothing new. Though the vehicles where electric engines are used do their bit for the environment with zero-emission credentials, electricity doesn’t always come from non-polluting sources and isn’t usually green.
Eco Factor: Storing solar energy in the form of hydrogen for fuel cells.
The current technology might have enabled us to install a solar plant right on our rooftops, but all that energy is of no use if there isn’t enough storage medium available. Currently most PV plants use batteries as a storage medium, which not only is an expensive way but the low-energy density of batteries makes them impractical for normal use.
