Archive for sustainable ideas
UK announces subsidies for conversion to renewable heating sources
Posted by: | CommentsJust recently it seems that I’ve found a number of interesting stories that illustrate the role that government can play in aiding environmental measures or conversely where funding is being cut which impacts the ability to regulate or stimulate renewable energy/reduction of emissions appropriately. The tides of change vary from nation to nation but this story is a positive one from the UK.
The British government have announced that significant subsidies will be granted to homes, businesses and schools that are using or converting to renewable heating systems throughout the country. One of the most common methods is a conversion to woodchip burners for heating rather than a continued reliance on fossil fuel heating systems which of course also provide additional pollutants. The new scheme is to begin shortly with more than £850 million ($1.4 billion US/CA) earmarked over the next four years. It’s expected that most of the subsidized funds will be directed to hospitals, schools and community housing simply due to the size of the equipment involved. Nevertheless it’s a positive and encouraging step by a coalition government who have had their green credentials challenged and selection last year. It’s another step toward the EU target for renewable energy reaching 20 percent in the years to come, although the UK has set a lesser target of 15 percent at present.
Additional incentives are in place for homeowners who add solar power to their homes or heat pumps in the ground for the purpose of heating water. There is an interesting migration in concepts around reducing emissions taking place in the UK also as analysts are documenting that more emissions are caused by heating homes and businesses than from generating electricity in the first place. This in turn may result in a new strategy that focuses on transforming the infrastructure of existing buildings. I must say that in reality as important as new green building is, the investment and commitment to try and upgrade existing structures especially for heating surely provides more benefits overall.
This new scheme in the UK is being lauded as a first of its kind, but much work has to be done to move the ratio of low-carbon heating supply in the country from its current lackluster 1% and closer to the European average of 10%. Such statistics speak volumes about the lack of previous investment and incentives. At present the island nation is reliant on gas for 70% of heat, a figure that the government will be wanting to reduce as soon as possible. In economic terms the subsidies are expected to prompt larger investment into green energy businesses which stand to prosper from the changing conditions.
Tags: air pollution, Eco Friendly, eco-friendly ideas, emissions, environment, EU energy targets, government and environment, grants for renewable energy, green construction, Green Living, green policies, pollutants, reducing emissions, renewable energy, solar power, solar water heating, stainless steel water bottles, sustainable ideasWireless charger set to make electric vehicles even more user friendly
Posted by: | CommentsSlowly but surely every obstacle faced by electric vehicles is being overcome, from increased range to better availability and pricing through to more recharging stations being implemented in towns both large and small. While the playing field with the internal combustion engine still isn’t completely level the environmental benefits coupled with continued esalation if the price of gasoline is seeing demand continue to grow and some manufacturers needing to increase production of hybrid and electric vehicles.
Today’s story adds another level of convenience to owning an electric vehicle in addition to being a very cool concept. Not for the first time science baffles me so if you can explain this better than me please do so as I’m stunned that it works. One of the smaller complaints about electric vehicles is the need to remember to plug it in to recharge when you got home each evening but a new invention will take care of that.
This clever new technology is called “plugless power” and was created by Evatran. Personally I don’t think having to plug in your car at night is a particularly arduous task but I can see the appeal to some people as it involves simply driving your car over the wireless charger and being able to step out without another thought to be given. I think it could be a hugely popular concept at the workplace, restaurants or shopping centres for example. The technology which has been demonstrated in Japan is now looking to be mainstreamed so that wireless car charging will eventually be an option at both commercial and residential places where typically you would need to plug in. According to the manufacturer the wireless charger will also be able to recharge a vehicle in the same time it would take to plug into the wall.
The manufacturer anticipates that the product will be fully compatible with existing best selling electric vehicles on the market in addition to those scheduled for release in the next year. Ultimately Evatran are looking to partner with vehicle manufactures themselves so that the wireless recharging packs are built into the vehicles as an optional extra or perhaps even a standard on certain models. I know from experience that people will put a huge premium on convenience so inventions like this can only help further the progress and adoption rates of vehicles there are more environmentally friendly.
The video below shows the wireless charger in action, very appealing as it simply involves driving the front of a car over/alongside the charging station. Learn more about ‘plugless power’ by Evatran by visiting their official site.
Evatran wireless charging system
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