tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42871774503304146212024-03-13T03:42:15.497-07:00A Green Reality Dawns...Green Thoughts, Ruminations and DiscoveriesTechnohippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592974918363822565noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287177450330414621.post-14243976489121124312011-05-10T05:02:00.000-07:002011-05-10T05:07:20.919-07:00Sustainable Landscapes<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>The American Society of Landscape Architects has a fascinating page about sustainable design concepts. From turning a car-centric community into one that enables active living to converting industrial wasteland into community parks, its interesting stuff.<br />
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<a href='http://www.asla.org/sustainablelandscapes/videos.html'>Designing Our Future: Sustainable Landscapes</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.asla.org/sustainablelandscapes/images/Videos/ActiveLiving_INDEX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="162" width="162" src="http://www.asla.org/sustainablelandscapes/images/Videos/ActiveLiving_INDEX.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<div class='zemanta-pixie'><img src='http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=77c6fbed-2332-816e-aaf5-b305ea524668' alt='' class='zemanta-pixie-img'/></div></div>Technohippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592974918363822565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287177450330414621.post-77579328989802096492011-04-15T10:32:00.000-07:002011-04-15T10:32:24.133-07:00Getting the most from your compost<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>So do you compost? I mean really compost, have a compost bin at the bottom of your garden that you put your food leftovers in? maybe you fill your kitchen waste bin for road side collection. Either way, just when you think you're doing everything you can for the planet, someone comes along with something better... check this out!<br />
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<a href='http://johalisa.com/rca/compostDistiller/'>Compost Distiller, Lisa Johansson's Portfolio</a><br />
<blockquote>This is a system in which organic kitchen waste gets processed into alcohol, soil nutients and compost.<br />
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The design which I developed is suitable for communal kitchens, canteens and restaurants. The same system can be developed for smaller or larger scale applications.<br />
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Via <a target='_blank' href='http://www.notcot.com/archives/2011/04/compost-distiller-by-lisa-joha.php'>notcot</a></blockquote></blockquote><br />
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<p class='scribefire-powered'>Powered by <a href='http://www.scribefire.com/'>ScribeFire</a>.</p></div>Technohippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592974918363822565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287177450330414621.post-4441892420768489192011-01-18T06:49:00.001-08:002011-01-18T06:49:18.534-08:00Grow your own air and recycling plastic into useful materials<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><a href='http://greenspaces.in/blog/ted09/'>How to Grow Your Own Fresh Air – TED 2009 – GreenSpaces</a><br/><blockquote>With only three varieties of plants, we can “grow our own fresh air” indoors, to keep us healthy.<br/><br/><br/></blockquote><a href='http://blog.ponoko.com/2010/10/25/material-monday-smile-plastics-%e2%80%94-amazing-recycled-materials/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Ponoko+%28Ponoko%29&utm_content=Gmail'>Amazing Recycled Materials Transform Plastic Waste into Multicolored Sheets « Ponoko – Blog</a><br/><blockquote>Amazing Recycled Materials Transform Plastic Waste into Multicolored Sheets</blockquote><br/><br/><div class='zemanta-pixie'><img src='http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=84c3ae1e-04db-888e-95e3-491642fd8d3e' alt='' class='zemanta-pixie-img'/></div></div>Technohippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592974918363822565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287177450330414621.post-4957324459434616042010-10-01T03:58:00.000-07:002010-10-01T03:58:13.964-07:00Solar News<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>When Buildings attack! the solar death ray has been around for centuries as is shown at <a href='http://www.combobulate.com/solardeathray.php' target='_blank'>combobulate.com</a> and yet architects designed a building which they knew might have a slight 'ignition' problem, shall we call it! <br />
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<a href='http://bldgblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/las-vegas-death-ray.html'>BLDGBLOG: Las Vegas Death Ray</a><br />
<blockquote>Las Vegas Death Ray<br />
</blockquote>All that focused sunlight could be put to better use than combusting plastic cups and hair... instead providing the heat for the Vdara Hotel itself via a system of <a target='_blank' href='http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_thermal_collector'>solar collectors.</a><br />
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In other Solar related news, the generation of electricity via photovoltaic cells has long been the least efficient form of micro generation around, however a new type of solar panel could replace the inefficient PC cell capturing lost heat and the scifi sounding Exiton Particles... Go to <a href='http://io9.com/5652404/new-technology-that-captures-exciton-particles-could-replace-todays-solar-cells' target='_blank'>IO9.com</a> for the hard science, Exciting? no... Exiton!<br />
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<div class='zemanta-pixie'><img src='http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=8617aec2-b2e8-8015-af79-f29b574a917f' alt='' class='zemanta-pixie-img'/></div><br />
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<p class='scribefire-powered'>Powered by <a href='http://www.scribefire.com/'>ScribeFire</a>.</p></div>Technohippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592974918363822565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287177450330414621.post-65855220263872538272010-07-21T06:01:00.001-07:002010-07-21T06:06:32.770-07:00Green Roof Research<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><img width='238' height='139' src='http://www.smithwick.org/steves/greenroof.jpg' style='max-width: 800px; float: left; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 10px;'/>Spurred on by the possibility of specifying a green roof on a domestic extension, I am trying to find out the best system to use in such an application. <br/><br/>From <a href='http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_roof#United_Kingdom'>Wikipedia</a> - "A green roof is a roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and a growing medium, planted over a waterproofing membrane. It may also include additional layers such as a root barrier and drainage and irrigation systems."<br/><br/>The benefits are quite beguiling to an eco-freak like me.<br/><ol><li>reduced heating and cooling loads on a building.</li><li>reduced rainwater run-off</li><li>can help to filter pollutants from rainwater</li><li>can help to filter pollutants from air</li><li>reduced sound transmission through roof</li><li>visually attractive</li><li>can reduce the visual impact of a building<br/></li></ol><br/>Given that a lot of information relates to commercial scale roofs, I am going to focus on small scall roofs, and as such found <a href='http://www.livingroofs.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64' target='_blank'>this</a> page on <a href='http://www.livingroofs.org/#' target='_blank'>livingroofs.org</a>. which has a very useful <a href='http://www.livingroofs.org/images/stories/pdfs/living%20roofs.pdf' target='_blank'>PDF</a> which helps to explain the basics of small green roofs.<br/><br/>There are three main types of green or living roof<br/><ol><li>Extensive - a very shallow system suitable for sheds, garages and small extensions</li><li>Semi-extensive - a medium depth system suitable for domestic flat roofs</li><li>Intensive - A deep system suitable for commercial applications as it allows for complete gardens to be planted</li></ol>Of these I will concern myself only with the first two systems, as these are the ones which are applicable in this situation. Essentially we are looking at a structure around 200mm deep that will be low maintenance & will have hardy drought loving plants.<br/><br/><a href='http://www.thegreenroofcentre.co.uk/' target='_blank'>The Green Roof Centre</a> has a number of interesting <a href='http://www.thegreenroofcentre.co.uk/green_roofs/diy_case_studies' target='_blank'>DIY case studies</a> showcasing a variety of techniques, from the simplest sedum matt upto a deep multiplant roof.<br/><br/>Sedum is the primary plant used in British green roofs. <a href='http://www.greenroof.co.uk/greenroofs.html#plants' target='_blank'>Greenroof.co.uk</a> describes Sedum as follows <br/><blockquote>They are a versatile and attractive ground cover plant belonging to the Crassulacaea family. Sedums are evergreen, self-generating, drought resistant and capable of withstanding extremes of climate. They flower from early summer through to autumn in shades of pink, purple, yellow and white. Needing very little attention and no mowing or cutting back, they give excellent foliage colour and texture and are attractive to all kinds of insects and birds. Sedums are generally pest and disease free but,like most plants, can suffer from aphids, mealy bugs, thrips or vine weevil which can be controlled by biological means. <p>Other succulents, grasses, herbaceous perennials and bulbs are also used depending on the project.<br/></p></blockquote><a href='http://www.greenroof.co.uk/greenroofs.html#plants' target='_blank'>Greenroof.co.uk</a> also provides a very interesting product called <a href='http://www.greenroof.co.uk/naturemat.html' target='_blank'>Nature Mat</a> which is a geotextile base layer preplanted with Sedums etc. which can be rolled onto the substrate of the roof. This can help provide an instant greening effect.<br/><br/>So down to the nitty gritty (there's a pun there somewhere) how are green roofs constructed? again <a href='http://www.greenroof.co.uk/greenroofs.html#construction' target='_blank'>Greenroof.co.uk</a> comes to the rescue with this diagram <br/><br/><img src='http://www.greenroof.co.uk/images/roofbuildup3.gif' style='max-width: 800px; float: left; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 10px;'/>As you can see green roofs can be quite complex, although not much more than conventional modern roofs. Especially considering requirements for airtightness and thermal performance which are placed on new domestic roofs of any sort.<br/><br/>Green roofs have been around for years in various forms and one of the most beguiling reasons to have one is that instead of sitting on the landscape, these roofs help your structure become part of the landscape. If that isn't a planners dream... I don't know what is!!<br/> <br/>If you want more information, then check out this extensive product listing at the <a href='http://www.greenroof.co.uk/images/roofbuildup3.gif' target='_blank'>green roof directory</a>. If you are considering a green roof for your own project, please <a href='mailto:dawnofreality@gmail.com' target='_blank'>email</a> me to arrange a consultation.<br/><br/>Don't forget you can follow me on <a href='http://twitter.com/realitybuilding' target='_blank'>twitter</a> and <a href='http://www.facebook.com/pages/Reality-Building-Design/363702082922' target='_blank'>facebook</a> or you could just check out my <a href='http://sites.google.com/site/realitybuildingdesign/' target='_blank'>website</a>.<br/><br/><div class='zemanta-pixie'><img src='http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=63d30138-71d3-8325-879c-dcd87fc23837' alt='' class='zemanta-pixie-img'/></div><br /><br /><p class='scribefire-powered'>Powered by <a href='http://www.scribefire.com/'>ScribeFire</a>.</p></div>Technohippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592974918363822565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287177450330414621.post-7452528471882977652010-05-04T14:46:00.001-07:002010-05-04T14:46:32.697-07:00Container Housing<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><img src='http://www.intermodal-design.com/images/main_content/MainImage_Test_2.jpg' style='max-width: 800px;'/><br/><br/>The use of shipping containers as housing has long been something which fascinates me. I have fantasised about designing building my very own home as a way of building with limited funds. There are three things which fascinate me about shipping containers.<br/><ol><li>modular design - containers come in a range of sizes, all of which can be placed together in any number of imaginative ways (think Lego blocks).</li><li>availability - there is a roaring trade in used shipping containers and you can pick up one moderate sized used container for about £1000. </li><li>Infrastructure - This is the kicker for me... you can get containers to almost anywhere on Earth, the infrastructure is there already. Lorries, trains and ships are designed around the standard sizes on an international level.</li></ol>Having not heard much about the use of shipping containers lately, I was pleased to notice the following on <a href='http://www.notcot.org/'>NOTCOT</a>.<br/><br/><a href='http://architecture4us.com/house/six-container-cabin-design-by-intermodal-design-part-1/'>Six container cabin design by InterModal Design - part 1 | architecture 4 us</a><br/><a href='http://architecture4us.com/uncategorized/six-container-cabin-design-by-intermodal-design-%E2%80%93-part-2/'>Six container cabin design by InterModal Design – part 2 | architecture 4 us</a><br/><br/>The company who designed these great dwellings are <a href='http://www.intermodal-design.com/index.html'>InterModalDesign</a> and their website is well worth a look around... Enjoy!<br/><blockquote/><br/><br/><div class='zemanta-pixie'><img src='http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=bd0b9a95-9979-8e77-8988-667b1b6713ca' alt='' class='zemanta-pixie-img'/></div></div>Technohippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592974918363822565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287177450330414621.post-27257269932282168322010-03-18T12:18:00.001-07:002010-03-18T12:18:05.979-07:00New construction methods<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>The world of 3d printing has come some way, to the extent that it is now possible to construct structures large enough to suggest that buildings are the next step. looking at some of the photo's, this method of construction could give rise to some seriously trippy buildings that would Gaudi a run for his money!<br/><br/><a href='http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/03/17/3-d-printer-creates-entire-buildings-from-solid-rock/'>3-D Printer Creates Entire Buildings From Solid Rock | Inhabitat</a><br/><blockquote>3-D Printer Creates Entire Buildings From Solid Rock<br/><br/><img src='http://www.blueprintmagazine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/02_model.jpg' style='max-width: 800px;'/><br/></blockquote><br/><br/><div class='zemanta-pixie'><img src='http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=a50be638-2a99-8c61-a1c9-97de14968372' alt='' class='zemanta-pixie-img'/></div></div>Technohippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592974918363822565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287177450330414621.post-48372894344750782092010-03-11T06:19:00.000-08:002010-03-11T07:07:33.906-08:00Reduce, reuse and recycle construction materialsFurther to the previous post, a recent personal project I've been working on, <a href="http://sites.google.com/site/realitybuildingdesign/gallery/the-freegan-greenhouse">The Freegan Greenhouse</a>, has highlighted the need to make more of our construction industry waste materials. During the constuction of this and some accompanying raised beds, I had to buy new timber for the structure... which bugged me somewhat. Whilst building the raised beds it was suggested to me that the local timber yard might have some overstock or miscuts, and guess what they did! after that a client of mine suggested that a simple search on ebay might have turned up some interesting results for over stock timber in the local area, and you know what, that did too! a little late for me but not so late I can't pass it on. <br /><br />The 'Net' result of this (if you'll pardon the pun) is that todays post is all about online resources which cater for the more eco-aware among us who are trying to source materials to keep them out of landfill.<br /><br />Top of todays list is <a href="http://www.freecycle.org/group/UK/South%20West">Freecycle</a> possibly the most well known site for this kind of thing, best thing about it is everything is free, worst thing is you never know when something will posted that you need. Its not a wishlist for those wanting the next big games console, but it is a way of passing on old furniture and the like that would otherwise be wining its way to the tip.<br /><br />Next up is a new one to me, <a href="http://www.tradeleftovers.com/">tradeleftovers.com</a>/ is an interesting site that does what it says on the tin, contractors post up their overstock, miscut and incorrectly ordered materials. The materials posted here is either free, priced or has make an offer next to it. Definitely worth a browse. Be warned it covers the whole of the UK!<br /><br />Not sure how useful this one is in this context, but I think <a href="http://bristol.gumtree.com/">Gumtree</a> should be included for it's craigslist like qualities. <br /><br />Another untested one here <a href="http://www.selftrading.co.uk/taxonomy/term/52">Selftrading</a> buys and sells overstock, <blockquote>Self Trading is an international trader of all types of consumer products. From clothing, footwear, jewellery, electrical items, almost anything that the consumer will use! We will make offers on anything from Surplus stock, bankrupt stock, and liquidated stock to Superstore Clearances. We guarantee to make an offer on your stock regardless of where you are in the world!</blockquote> currently has things like a warehouse mezzanine and some stair balustrading spindles!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.ecoconstruction.org/">ecoconstruction.org</a> has a very useful links page which has lead me to<br /><br /><a href="http://www.recycledproducts.org.uk/view/index.cfm">recycledproducts</a> which is a directory of products containing recycled materials.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.salvo.co.uk/">Salvoweb</a> is a directory of architectural salvage websites. I love looking around these places... full of so much potential!<br /><br />Finally, <a href="http://www.wrap.org.uk/construction/construction_materials/index.html">Wrap</a> has a bunch of information about recycling in general, including construction materials.Technohippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592974918363822565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287177450330414621.post-26517501834621235232010-02-28T09:16:00.001-08:002010-02-28T09:16:14.501-08:00Somerset Wood Recycling Project<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><a href='http://www.somersetwoodrecycling.co.uk/index.html'>Somerset Wood Recycling Project - Weston super Mare - Reclaimed Timber</a><br/><blockquote>Somerset Wood Recycling is a not for profit social enterprise, set up early in 2007 to re-use and recycle waste wood, as well as to support regeneration in Weston-super-Mare.<br/><br/><br/></blockquote><br/><br/>having investigated used scaffold boards and pallets to no avail, I'm going to give these guys a call.<br/><br/><div class='zemanta-pixie'><img src='http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=69ec204e-b2db-8391-994a-47a437447a5a' alt='' class='zemanta-pixie-img'/></div></div>Technohippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592974918363822565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287177450330414621.post-86041420855956603522010-02-10T07:14:00.000-08:002010-02-24T08:53:14.871-08:00Reality Building DesignReality Building Design - Creative Design For Home Improvement And Technical Services for Design Professionals<br /><br />Blatant plug time, I am an Architectural Technician and Building Surveyor and have recently gone self-employed.<br /><br />You can see my business website here <a href="http://sites.google.com/site/realitybuildingdesign/">Reality Building Design</a><br /><br />You can see some of my work in the gallery section of the website, including this lovely building<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://sites.google.com/site/realitybuildingdesign/_/rsrc/1255711144455/home/small%20barn%20merge.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 214px;" src="http://sites.google.com/site/realitybuildingdesign/_/rsrc/1255711144455/home/small%20barn%20merge.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Technohippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592974918363822565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287177450330414621.post-25597687774012670922009-11-29T14:00:00.001-08:002009-11-29T14:00:14.909-08:00justfortheloveofit - the freeconomy community<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><a href='http://www.justfortheloveofit.org/home'>justfortheloveofit.org | Promoting Skillsharing | Learn Skills, share tools, save money and make great new friends</a><br/><blockquote>Join the world's fastest growing alternative economy ...<br/><br/> * - Save money. Learn new skills. Reduce your carbon footprint.<br/> Meet new friends locally. Get help with projects for free.<br/> * - Share skills, tools, and spaces through freeshare.<br/> * - Share advice, information or ask freeconomic questions in<br/> our forum.<br/><br/>The Freeconomy Community's aim is to help reconnect people in their local communities through the simple act of sharing.<br/><br/><i>after freecycling for the last year, it looks like this is the next step</i><br/></blockquote><br/><br/><div class='zemanta-pixie'><img src='http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=33d5a14d-f30e-86f6-bdc8-da3cee5fb8db' alt='' class='zemanta-pixie-img'/></div></div>Technohippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592974918363822565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287177450330414621.post-3702656819286134152009-09-10T06:02:00.001-07:002009-09-10T06:02:35.499-07:00pv cell stuff<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><a href='http://www.liloontheweb.org.uk/handbook/solarpanelsphotovoltaics'>Solar Panels (Photovoltaics) | Low Impact Life Onboard</a><br/><blockquote/><br/><br/><div class='zemanta-pixie'><img src='http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=04f80742-ddda-8701-bf2e-ec16a09391b9' alt='' class='zemanta-pixie-img'/></div></div>Technohippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592974918363822565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287177450330414621.post-31391792712759950632009-06-16T13:46:00.001-07:002009-06-16T13:46:41.355-07:00The riversimple car<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>I really hope this catches on, I think its a really great idea.<br /><blockquote>Riversimple</blockquote><br /><br />I think that our salvation will come from the hackers of the world.</div>Technohippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592974918363822565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287177450330414621.post-49610371287287352812009-05-12T05:35:00.001-07:002009-05-12T05:35:46.390-07:00A Final Act<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>If it was possible for your final act to be one of recycling, of loving the planet, would you do it. My preference would be to be buried in a bio-degradable coffin with a tree as my headstone. If i was inclined to be cremated (which I'm not at present) I would seriously consider this as an option. A cardboard urn with a lid filled with oak seeds.<br /><br /><a href='http://benignobjects.blogspot.com/2009/05/ultimate-recycling.html'>Benign Objects: Ultimate Recycling</a><br /><br /><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJ87lPkoB11mazie-bcPLOPjL2OiOEsemGugcc1yEOmhQvhv30_IJZVY_hMlYlGLJD54-d_gRrNtpamI8EvE2RAOcp87IE-fAK7L8sTa2TiRpXjuGudRVUCg7jyuOVL_oca1BaO3jxU8/s1600-h/christelle_boule2.jpg'/><br /><blockquote/><br/><br/><div class='zemanta-pixie'><img src='http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=4fe13a48-79e2-8839-a02c-5f94d2dd29a1' class='zemanta-pixie-img'/></div></div>Technohippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592974918363822565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287177450330414621.post-64727832875700737062009-04-19T14:25:00.001-07:002009-04-19T14:25:35.102-07:00interesting but expensive<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><a href='http://naturemill.com/index.html'>NatureMill: Automatic Indoor Composter</a><br/><blockquote/><br/><br/><div class='zemanta-pixie'><img src='http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=2f0f3e87-39b3-83b6-b2d8-38de801a266f' class='zemanta-pixie-img'/></div></div>Technohippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592974918363822565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287177450330414621.post-23719252145463588712009-04-07T15:30:00.001-07:002009-04-07T15:30:43.278-07:00RENEWABLE ENERGY UK<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><a href='http://www.reuk.co.uk/'>Renewable Energy UK</a><br/><blockquote/><br/><br/><div class='zemanta-pixie'><img src='http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=6f9faabc-e2d6-8e5f-bd24-ecd2fd5fc7e5' class='zemanta-pixie-img'/></div></div>Technohippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592974918363822565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287177450330414621.post-89831076133323046532009-03-26T14:33:00.001-07:002009-03-26T14:33:41.315-07:00Earth Hour<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><a href='http://www.voteearth2009.org/home/'>Earth Hour: Vote Earth - The world’s first global election.</a><br/><br/>switch of your lights to save the earth!! between 8.30 and 9.30 for one hour... go on, do it!<br/><blockquote/><br/><br/><div class='zemanta-pixie'><img src='http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=b71faf3e-7ee6-8980-963b-bdd8190e62b6' class='zemanta-pixie-img'/></div></div>Technohippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592974918363822565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287177450330414621.post-9628249918919131112009-02-19T14:32:00.001-08:002009-02-19T14:32:47.354-08:00Crossways - a zero carbon house<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>So... its not that i'm jumping on the band wagon of this particular media zeitgeist, Fact is, I will have a part in designing zero-carbon houses in the future and I wanted a bunch of links to this very interesting house.<br/><br/><br/><div align='center'><img src='http://www.hawkesarchitecture.co.uk//wp-content/uploads/crossway-explored-300x300.jpg' style='max-width: 800px;'/><br/><div align='left'>Now I'm not an architect... but there's something about the form of this building which doesn't sit right with me. I find the timbral roof beautiful and intriguing, but the blocks on the front detract from the simplicity of the overall form. but what do I know? anyhoo here are the links<br/></div></div><br/><a href='http://crossway.tumblr.com/'>www.crossway.tumblr.com</a><br/><blockquote>Crossway is one of the first zero carbon houses in the UK. The building explores the uniqueness of 'place' as well as harnessing solar energy to generate all its own electricity and thermal energy.<br/></blockquote><br/><br/>The Architects (and clients) professional website - <a href='http://www.hawkesarchitecture.co.uk/'>Hawkes</a><br/><br/><a href='http://energain.co.uk/Energain/en_GB/index.html'>DuPont™ Energain®</a><br/><blockquote>The Homepage of Energain<span class='elementTitle'> - Providing essential thermal mass in low inertia buildings</span></blockquote><br/><br/><div class='zemanta-pixie'><img src='http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=d093f6a7-6d70-4a60-9676-1965b32d9d27' class='zemanta-pixie-img'/></div></div>Technohippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592974918363822565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287177450330414621.post-17898181596625605752009-02-17T14:25:00.001-08:002009-02-17T14:27:29.359-08:00A new solution to rechargable batteries?<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><img width='252' height='168' style='max-width: 800px;' src='http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3398/3284220703_02beeb41c8.jpg'/><br/><br/>I don't know about you but we have a stack of rechargeable batteries that we've used two or three times and then given up because of the inherent inconvenience of waiting for 8 hours whilst the damn things charge. So i was very interested to see these things on <a href='http://www.notcot.org/'>NOTCOT.</a> <a href='http://blog.bareknut.no/2009/02/rechargeable-batteries-with-solar-cells.html'>Notes from Knut: The SunCat Batteries - DIY prototypes</a> describes his idea of wrapping a battery in a flexible photovoltaic cell.<br/><br/>Probably flawed in some way, but i love the simplicity of this.<br/><blockquote/><br/><br/><div class='zemanta-pixie'><img src='http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=151bb2c9-efe2-47eb-af91-07b0ab5d44f5' class='zemanta-pixie-img'/></div></div>Technohippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592974918363822565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287177450330414621.post-76594927252800627282009-02-01T15:24:00.001-08:002009-02-02T06:03:56.006-08:00Carbon Footprint Calculators<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>So... having attempted to figure out my carbon footprint using a couple of calculators, I find myself disappointed and frustrated. I figured it was worth which of the available calculators was the most accurate and let me take into account some of the less obvious thing that i do in my life to reduce my carbon footprint.<br/><br/>I have to start from a point at which I know that I need at least 2 planets to survive, but the calculators I have used to figure this out are a blunt instrument. I want a more precise measure.<br/><br/><a href='http://actonco2.direct.gov.uk/index.html'>DirectGov - Act On CO2 Calculator</a> - very pretty this one but really slow (there is an html version), it was the first calculator that I used. To do it right you need to have some of your gas and electricity bills on hand... my score? my <b class='black'>carbon footprint</b>, which is <b class='black' id='emissions_bar_num'>7.07</b> <b>tonnes</b> per annum. this is quite close to my original WWF calculator result<br/><br/><a href='http://independent.footprint.wwf.org.uk/'>WWF Footprint Calculator</a> - this is the one favoured by Dick Strawbridge of "its not easy being green" i have to say i'm not a fan of it. its too simplistic for my tastes. My result on this one is <b>2.52 planets</b> Equating to an Ecological Footprint of <font id='hectares_num' style='font-weight: bold;'>4.54</font><span style='font-weight: bold;'> hectares</span>, leaving my <b class='black'>carbon footprint</b>, which is <b class='black' id='emissions_bar_num'>9.91</b> <b>tonnes</b> per annum. this is an increase from the last time I did this one (see my first post). This is a quick one though so if you are in a rush and want a quick idea of how much you are killing the planet... this one is for you<br/><br/><a href='http://www.google.co.uk/carbonfootprint/index.html#utm_source=en-emea-uk-ha-goog&utm_medium=ha&utm_campaign=google&source=cfha'>The UK Carbon Footprint Project</a> - aha... google's getting in on the act. so the google calculator adds itself as a new page onto your google homepage, which is a nice touch with various eco-centric google gadgets. the calculating process is even quicker than the wwf calculator. The result, however, muddy's the waters a bit. According to Google my carbon footprint is <b>3.69 tonnes</b> which I can only assume is somewhat erroneous, because that would my planetary target less than one planet!! in which case I have done enough and I need do no more!! <br/>So I guess the google calculator is for those of us who are in a rush, but need to feel good about the planet. I have to say I don't quite trust this result though.<br/><br/><a href='http://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx'>Carbon Footprint - Carbon Footprint Calculator</a> - Ok this is a bit more like it. Well in a bad way anyway. This is a fairly utilitarian calculator which is pretty quick to use and seems accurate. The bad news (For me anyway) is in the results. This one says my carbon footprint is <b>8.57 tonnes</b>. This then seems to hit the mean.<br/><br/>At the end of this process, what have I learnt? not a lot. These things are only as good as the information put in. The Google calculator stood out as the one with the most erroneous result. Despite its speed i prefferred the direct.gov calculator which, whilst slow, allowed me to be more specific in most areas.<br/><blockquote><blockquote><blockquote><blockquote/></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></div>Technohippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592974918363822565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287177450330414621.post-76814950432149188642009-01-18T14:28:00.000-08:002009-01-18T14:29:09.213-08:00Borderline Brilliant/Crackpot Renewable Energy<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><a href='http://infranetlab.org/blog/2008/12/harnessing-the-energy-from-the-earth%E2%80%99s-rotation/'>InfraNet Lab » Blog Archive » Harnessing the Energy from the Earth’s Rotation</a><br /><br />Had to post this from <a href='http://infranetlab.org/blog/'>InfraNet Lab</a> <br /><blockquote>In most energy production, one form of energy is converted to another via gears, pulleys, magnets, etc.<span> </span>If we consider the earth’s rotation as a form of energy, to harness it, we would need to create a ring of resistance that would covert this to electricity.<span> </span>Gyroscopes are privileged devices in this manner because they maintain their orientation in space.<span> </span>According to Physicist, <a href='http://mb-soft.com/public2/earthrot.html' onclick='javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/mb-soft.com/public2/earthrot.html');'>C Johnson</a>, if one could build a massive ferris-wheel type gyroscope on the North Pole, there would theoretically be a potential to harness this energy.<span> </span>The gyroscope would initially be started with a motor and once in motion, it would spin endlessly.<span> </span>Further, the gyroscope would have to be fixed to the earth – the difference between the earth’s rotation and the gyroscope would create a torque, or moment force as Johnson posits, “The Earth’s rotation would externally directly drive the gear train, using the gyroscope simply as a fixed object to push against.”<br /><br /></blockquote><br /><br />Of course there maybe ramifications on the earth's rotational speed, length of an earth day, the position of our planet in the solar system and other trivial considerations like that.</div>Technohippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592974918363822565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287177450330414621.post-70022018613899601652009-01-18T14:14:00.001-08:002009-01-18T14:14:47.705-08:00Electricity from the oceans?<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><a href='http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20026836.000-plumbing-the-oceans-could-bring-limitless-clean-energy.html?full=true'>Plumbing the oceans could bring limitless clean energy - tech - 19 November 2008 - New Scientist</a><br/><br/>An interesting one this... generating electricity by exploiting the difference in temperature between seawater near the surface and deep down.<br/><br/>Whilst its not a new idea, it seems that this technology has fallen in and out of favour over 120 years. Successful pilot projects have been tried a number of occasions since the late 70's, none of which seem to get very far. With the current economic climate heading the way it is, here is yet another way in which we get clean energy from the planet.<br/><br/>With a company like Lockheed Martin behind it you'd think that this might actually get somewhere... watch this space.<br/><br/>p.s. gotta love new scientist... the comment threads are all so civil and intelligent. makes a change from the standard YouTube fare.<br/></div>Technohippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592974918363822565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287177450330414621.post-61154004728561824612009-01-18T13:57:00.001-08:002009-01-18T14:18:03.199-08:00Recycle Books<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>Now I like this... I have a pile of books I won't read again... ever! so here's a place where you can sell your unwanted books and buy other peoples second hand books. What a great idea, I shall be testing it out and will report back.<br/><br/><a href='http://www.greenmetropolis.com/'>Green Metropolis</a><br/><br/><blockquote><span style='position: relative;'>Imagine if you could earn money and<br/>help the environment at the same time… well now you can! Join a growing<br/>community of buyers and sellers, where the more unwanted books you buy<br/>and sell, the more trees can be saved and planted - we donate 5p from<br/>every sale to the Woodland Trust.<br/><br/><br/></span></blockquote><blockquote/></div>Technohippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592974918363822565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287177450330414621.post-82575586096277036852009-01-14T15:08:00.001-08:002009-01-15T05:55:08.347-08:00Wind Turbine Efficiency<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>Wind turbines are a technology which gets a bad rap occasionally. I think they are beautiful things, but there are those who think they are noisy, ugly, that they affect radio and tv signals (no bad thing you might argue) but more importantly that they are inefficient.<br/><br/>The inefficiency argument can now be addressed somewhat more successfully with one company rethinking the mechanics of the technology. <br/><br/><a href='http://www.dailytech.com/New+Wind+Turbine+Generator+Ditches+Mechanical+Transmission+Ups+Efficiency+50+Percent/article13472.htm'>DailyTech - New Wind Turbine Generator Ditches Mechanical Transmission, Ups Efficiency 50 Percent</a><br/><blockquote>Startup ExRo is not your average wind power company, though. This think-outside-the-box firm has reinvented one of the most basic components of wind turbines -- the generator. Its new design promises up to 50 percent more efficiency and lower production costs as well.<br/><br/></blockquote>Of course there are those who will see an end to humanities use of this nefarious technology <br/><br/><a href='http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/4174333/Wind-turbine-destroyed-after-octopus-UFO-seen-in-sky.html'>Wind turbine destroyed after 'octopus UFO' seen in sky - Telegraph</a><br/><blockquote/></div>Technohippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592974918363822565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287177450330414621.post-68550050807962470102009-01-14T14:51:00.001-08:002009-01-15T05:55:15.319-08:00The theory of the moisture farm<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Having read sci-fi books such as dune and watched star wars to death, the concept of a <a href="http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Moisture_farm">moisture farm</a> has always seemed like one of those sci-fi inventions which could plausibly be made reality in our life times, and now it seems it has. As reported by The Guardian/Observer, this is <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/nov/23/water-mill-eco-invention">The eco machine that can magic water out of thin air</a><br /><br /><img src="http://blog.silive.com/homegarden_impact_improvement/2008/08/medium_water.bmp" style="max-width: 800px; float: left; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" height="255" width="170" />A Canadian company, Element Four, has created <a href="http://www.elementfour.com/products/the-watermill">The WaterMill</a> which in their words<br /><blockquote><em>"is an atmospheric water collection device that condenses water vapor and purifies it. In English: It's a home appliance that makes drinking water for your whole family - using only air."</em></blockquote>With demand for water increasing, and the possibility of <a href="http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/natres/waterindex.htm">wars over water</a> looming for many countries, this seems like it maybe a way for civilisation to decrease its water consumption.<br /><br />The device can produce up to 12 liters of drinking quality water per day, fixed to the outside of a house and connected to the sink, refridgerator or a custom dispenser. It also contains a filtration system which ensures the water is "clean and free of toxins and bacteria - more pure than tap water or even spring water."<br /><br />The possibilities of this device and the technology which may come from it in the future are quite awe inspiring. At the moment these devices are suitable for houses, I can easily imagine the potential for larger devices serving companies, or more importantly, communities. In addition, Element Four intend to have systems available that run on a solar panel or wind generator in the near future.<br /><br />This looks great but I wonder what the effect millions of these devices, sucking the moisture out of the air, might have on the climate?<blockquote><br /><blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></div>Technohippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09592974918363822565noreply@blogger.com0