Due to several kinds of global disasters, so many people get homeless. They keep on wandering for months without any sufficiently livable shelter. There are thousands of tsunami, hurricane and earthquake disaster victims who are just left stranded. There are very few who are lucky to get a temporary housing unit. But, most of the governments across the world have not been able to house displaced people as they were unprepared to deal with disasters.

Considering these issues, there is a need to design disaster relief shelters that are able to accommodate at least a few of these millions of refugees. There have been some good attempts in this direction that are not only accommodating  but offer unique environmentally friendly solutions. Let’s check out some of these green shelter options.

The Reaction Housing System

This housing system is a low-costing and flexible disaster relief shelter solution. There are simple housing units that can easily be delivered in large quantities when needed. The transportation is quite easier as a single cargo ship can stock and deliver about 300,000 Exo units. This is sufficient to house a million refugees in one go. Up to 20 huts can be moved together using a semi-truck. The design of a base plate and an upper shell is easy to install. Each hut has a comfortable living area of more than 75 square feet for a family of four. Structurally sound and properly insulated, these huts can also be combined to form a complete house with family rooms, bedrooms and bathrooms.

Disaster Relief Solar Villages

California-based Green Horizon has done a lot of research and come up with a services hub that is solar-powered. This hub is capable to provide water and electricity to refugee communities through its Central Service Unit. This can be easily transported and assembled into a solar-powered village. The same way, it is quick to disassemble and relocate it. Its QuickHab shelter unit is equipped with a shower, water heater, toilet, and small kitchen. With connections for water, sewage and electricity, each unit even has a lockable door. The larger version of this green unit, SFH40, additionally includes an air conditioning system, heat pump, large hot water tank, bathroom and kitchen that all is sufficient for about six people.

The Clean Hub

It is a portable solution that is self-sustained to provide clean water, electricity and sanitation services to inhabitants. Designed using shipping containers, it can be easily fabricated, transported and deployed anywhere. As a greener option, it includes a rainwater catchment system, composting toilets, and reverse osmosis and ceramic filtration system.

Ekinoid Shelter

Designed to be a self-sufficient house, this spherical shelter is elevated on stilts and can even withstand storms and floods. Powered by wind and solar energy, Ekinoid captures rainwater, recycles waste water  and grows food in a hydrophonics garden. This home is prefabricated and can then be shipped to and easily installed at any desired place.

The buBbLe House

This is a portable housing alternative that is easily transportable. There are all basic comforts for inhabitants. This house has a lightweight bubble skin and includes a metal locker to lock the drop-down aluminum frame. It also has an insulating chamber that can be used for alternative storage. There is a small kitchen, water hookup, and lighting and laundry facilities.

There is a variety in concept electric cars that have been unveiled over a short time period. These are saving the environment in various ways and claim to make a green difference. Let us see some of these recently launched electric cars that would maintain a cleaner and greener environment.

Renault’s Twin’Z concept electric car

Ranault describes its Twin’Z to be playful in nature while being a small city car. There is a scattering of design details inspired by nature. This concept car is quite compact with wheels designed to provide good stability to the car. There is a minimalistic interior design, and instead of a normal dashboard, a tablet computer controls its systems. There is also a place to dock your smartphone while the car offering you a feeling of being quite spacious. Twin’Z is a lightweight car that can reach a top speed of 80 miles an hour.

Vauxhall’s Two-seater E-car concept

A future concept car by Vauxhall, RAK e is a lightweight electric vehicle. This is a radical, two-seater concept of an electric car. The car is a good catch for a young audience that is tech-savvy and environment-conscious. This concept car has a range of about 60 miles and can reach a top speed of 75 miles per hour. It has a highly affordable design and low cost of running. The concept has the capability to reach zero-emission level.

Volar-e electric vehicle racer

It is designed by Applus IDIADA to be a high-performance electric vehicle. Volar-e has four electric motors that are all controlled independently to make the vehicle super-powerful. The vehicle has a regenerative braking system. Within 3.4 seconds, the racer can accelerate up to 62 miles an hour, while it claims to achieve a top speed of 186 miles per hour. According to the European Commission, Volar-e has been designed to promote electric vehicles and is potentially sound for the European markets. Thus, it claims to be a significant reference point as far as the green electric vehicles are concerned.

Valmet’s Dawn EV concept car

This marvelous concept car boasts of an inbuilt electric charging system that is wireless. There is an innovative integration of solutions to offer great electric mobility, while displaying a drive train, control unit, battery pack, and different charging options. The best thing with Dawn EV is that you would not have to use an electric cord to power-up your vehicle.

BMW i8 concept sports car

This is a high-efficiency and high-energy sports car. The BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car offers a significant saving on fuel costs. It is based on the plug-in hybrid concept that is quite innovative and includes a modified electric drive system. There is a three-cylinder combustion engine that is highly powerful to run a sports car, while it uses fuel as a small car does. It runs on eDrive technology using a lithium-ion battery. In less than five seconds, the vehicle can be accelerated to go from 0 to 100 km/h.

The Solar Vineyard House by Michael Jantzen is a conceptual proposal for a house designed especially for wine lovers in the temperate climate of California. The 5000 square foot structure incorporates a small wine making facility, and it would be built in the middle of its own private vineyard. The house would be partially powered by four large curved solar panels that are integrated into the south side of the structure. The house also incorporates natural ventilation and the interior is shaded with large overhangs that extend over all of the glass windows and doors.

Organically grown wood slatted pathways run throughout the small vineyard that surrounds the house. Five of these pathways flow up and over the structure and three of them cover and partially shade three large sections of glass that bridge between four concrete composite arch shaped segments of the building. Rainwater will be collected off of the roof and contained in storage tanks for use in and around the house.

The interior of the house is naturally illuminated during the day by the sun, which is filtered through the slatted wood panels. There is a lower and upper level that forms the interior of the house. Both levels are primarily open spaces that contain cylindrical shaped modules of different sizes. These modules are symbolic of the fermentation tanks used in wineries to make wine. Most of these modules are mounted on wheels so they can be easily moved. The facilities needed to live in the house, including the wine making equipment, food preparation area, baths and storage, are contained inside of the modules, and can be easily accessed whenever needed.

The entire shape of the Solar Vineyard House is symbolic of the oak covered hills that usually surround the wineries in California.

There have been several car manufacturers looking to find some greener ways to replace their not-so environment friendly products. One such practice that you might soon get to notice commonly is the transition from gasoline-fueled cars to air-fueled cars. The petroleum sources are getting lowly depleted, and thus, there is a need to adopt alternative sources that could offer power to modern-day cars. Manufacturers are finding air to be a renewable and easily accessible source of energy. While air cannot be used alone to fuel a car, it can surely be compressed to drive the pistons powering the car. Let us check out more about this airy technology.

The Advantages

The usage of compressed air to power a car engine would not produce pollution at the car’s tailpipe. Basically, future air cars have been predicted not to pollute the environment at all unless they reach a speed of more than 35 miles/hour. A higher speed would also cause a little emission only and that’s because the air compressor responsible for speeding would be powered by a small amount of fuel. The upcoming compressed air engines would also allow the usage of bio-fuels to heat the air that enters the engine. In comparison to cars running on the engine’s internal combustion technology, air-fueled cars would show a marked technological improvement. Air cars are also designed to be lighter than the conventional cars so they get more fuel-efficient. Since these cars run on a cheaper fuel, these are claimed to come at a cheaper price too.

The Impact

If the air car technology becomes available soon, we cannot be sure of the availability of compressed air pumps at the filling stations. There would be only a few such stations initially and that could create an impact on frequent travelers. The distance an air car would be able to cover without being refueled is an issue for such travelers. Traveling for short commutes would be okay, but waiting a long time for getting it refueled is major time wastage while you would be on a cross-country trip. In addition, a compressed air tank could be dangerous, especially in case of an accident. Though these tanks are being designed to crack during an accident, there could be a propelling effect to the car! There are also concerns about these cars being lightweight. Would they be able to pass the standard tests? Well, these concerns need to be addressed before air cars impact the lives of drivers.

Some Examples

1. The MDI’s American arm, Zero Pollution Motors, is planning to make available an air car that would be able to travel up to 1,000 miles on just one tank of air, along with eight gallons of gas.
2. Tata Motors of India is likely to soon produce an air car with the CAE engine.
3. MDI has unveiled AirPod that is driven by a joystick. This can be an addition to the air car market.
4. There have been some prototypes created for air-fueled light vehicles by the French company named K’Air Energy.
5. The Spanish company, Air Car Factories SA, has also been developing an air car engine.

So, we can see that there are opportunities in the air car industry and several manufacturers are already involved in the race.

Nuclear energy is probably the world’s largest source of energy that is emission-free. But, there still are various pros and cons that experts have suggested for this form of energy. Those who are advocates of nuclear energy or are against its usage are equally curious to know about these facts in order to make an informed decision about nuclear energy use.

The Good

If we look at the good part of utilizing nuclear energy, the uranium costs do not fluctuate as frequently as oil and coal costs. Thus, comparative to fossil fuels, you would find nuclear as a more stable option. It is a reliable source as nuclear power plants usually go uninterrupted for a very long time and you get a proper energy supply. There are no greenhouse gas emissions that happen due to nuclear energy. Thus, it is an environment friendly, green energy source. Also, a small amount of fuel can produce abundant amounts of nuclear energy. This is quite an economically beneficial source of energy.

The Bad

Along with these benefits, there is also a bad side of nuclear energy that is associated with the disposal of nuclear waste. Due to being radioactive, the nuclear waste is difficult to be disposed off. It has to be done in a way that does not harm the environment. Another con of nuclear power plants is that their decommissioning is expensive and time-consuming. In addition, heavy metals and other pollutants can get released in the environment when nuclear fission chambers are cooled off by water. It can damage the nearby ecosystems. If a reactor is shutdown for some reasons, it also occupies land space.

The Ugly

The worst part that can go wrong with a nuclear power plant is its installation or maintenance. If that I not done in a proper manner, major accidents can happen. There have been such nuclear accidents in the past where huge amounts of harmful nuclear radiation got released and killed thousands of people. The leakage of radiation can even go catastrophic if these become the target of terrorists! Radiation leakage could cause long-term diseases among people and can even lead to death. Nuclear radiation can cause genetic defects among future generations too! These are the reasons some experts get away from supporting the use of nuclear power.

The bottom line

Thus, with all the benefits that nuclear energy derives, there are also severe disadvantages that come along. Probably, there would be more safety and control measures required while dealing with such a dangerous form of energy. There are pros and cons with any type of energy, but when the danger is higher, the precautions should be increased. If there are proper checks and constant maintenance of nuclear power plants, better safety can be ensured. Ways should be found out to dispose of the nuclear waste in a better manner. The solution is not to stop the use of nuclear energy, but to find out measures to reduce its side effects.

Geothermal energy originates from the earth when it gets heated due to the hot rocks present under it or due to the fission of radioactive materials present inside its core. Some places inside the earth get extremely hot and are thus called hot spots. These hot spots cause water to form steam that gets pressurized to come out of the earth in the form of hot springs, and this generated energy is known as geothermal power.

Why it matters?

The major advantage of tapping geothermal energy is that it reduces emission of greenhouse gases and can lead to a non-polluted environment. This renewable source of energy does not cause any generation or wastage of byproducts and is thus very much environmentally friendly. This type of heat energy can directly be used in various applications, and it is also independent of weather changes. There is no special maintenance required for geothermal plants and they also help in protecting nature. Thus, geothermal energy is a versatile, sustainable and reliable form of power with lower carbon dioxide emissions and minimal environmental impact.

The lowdown

Though geothermal energy is a great plus for the environment, it has some lowdown aspects too. Firstly, there are limited sites that can be the potential sources of geothermal energy. Further, these sites are located away from cities and markets that have the most energy consumption requirements. Also, there is always a need to find such sources that may provide geothermal energy in abundance. If some source does not provide enough energy, the high costs of setting up the geothermal plant for extracting it would not prove to be justified. Additionally, a danger of volcano eruption is present at the source sites.

Interesting facts

There are always some pros and cons associated with each type of energy. But, geothermal energy has some interesting usage aspects too. You would be surprised to know that it involves such low running costs that can save around 80% of costs spent on fossil fuels. There are hardly any plant maintenance, energy purchase or transportation costs involved with the use of geothermal power. It is, in fact, a great source of energy in places that volcanically active, including Iceland and New Zealand. In California, there are more than 30 geothermal power plants already producing over 90% of geothermal electricity in the U.S. By 2025, geothermal energy could be offering the U.S. over 30,000 MW of power.

The alternatives

Since geothermal energy is a sustainable and renewable form of energy, it can easily replace any non-renewable source of energy. The dependence on fossil fuels can be greatly reduced by its use. Also, there is no requirement of any fuels while the geothermal power is extracted. Several countries are adopting geothermal power to reduce their dependence on the constantly diminishing oil resources. Geothermal power also avoids any pollution in the environment as most of the fuel sources create. It is even better than solar energy in the sense that you would not require any major equipment to tap it. The running cost of a geothermal power plant is quite lower than any other power plant.

The bottom line

Thus, geothermal energy can be great future energy source as it keeps the environment clean and healthy. It is a green energy source that produces huge amounts of energy from a single source site. There are several types of economic benefits associated with the use of geothermal power. Its actual output over a period of time can be higher than any other source of energy. Thus, every country should orient itself toward tapping this huge and reliable energy source.

No matter hard we gainsay but lamping or observing the consumption of electricity in everyday use is something that most of us tend to overlook. Although there’s a slew of energy tracking systems that help get an eyeful of which appliance consumes electricity at its largest, complete efficacy and precision are certain attributes that most of them would lack. Hence, to help users deal with that, Green Energy Options has just unveiled its latest Chorus PV monitoring device which will enable homeowners with PV panels to see both generation and consumption levels of electricity. Great, isn’t it?

Well, the new solar monitoring solution hopes to change a lot of things for better – beginning with allowing PV system owners to see both generation levels and electricity use on one display. Designed to be highly portable, the compact device functions by communicating wirelessly with the generation as well as with the consumption meter using a current lamp and LED readers.

However, the efficient yet stylish looking Chorus PV will work with the Company’s online portal ‘energy note’ which will assemble the entire system performance data and display it in an easy-to-read format. In fact, the same information will also be made available online on smartphones and laptops. Well, while the device endeavors to help consumers become more efficient with how they consume their generated electricity, it will also ensure enhanced generation and consumption of electricity through their existing solar array.

Enclosed in a sturdy chassis, the Chorus PV system will (however) be suitable for use in retrofit and new installations. As far as the availability goes, the new Green Energy Options Chorus PV Monitoring Device is anticipated to be made accessible really soon. However, the device and energy note online service is presently on sale on Amazon and through the company’s official distribution network.

It isn’t unusual when innovative thinkers generally stay swamped with designing unique concept for wider future possibilities and advanced mechanism. While we have caught quite a lot of glimpses of interesting concepts, the one by Nemesi & Partners Srl, Proger SpA and BMS Progetti Srl thoroughly stands distinguished. As part of eco-friendly projects, the team led by Nemesi & Partners Srl, Proger SpA and BMS Progetti Srl has now designed a unique Four-block ‘The Tree of Life’ Concept – which is already chosen for an international competition for the design of the Padiglione Italia at Expo 2015.

The four-block concept, which has been entitled ‘The Tree of Life’, is actually an energy-independent four-block community hub that integrates an expansive open courtyard space. Although the team of Nemesi & Partners Srl, Proger SpA and BMS Progetti Srl is yet to divulge further details on the project, the massive energy-independent concept is chosen for the World Expo 2015 which will be held in Milan.

To provide an insight of the four-block community hub, The Tree of Life comprises a huge 12,000 square meter main pavilion and smaller institutional and exhibition spaces laid across the 325-meter-lonh Cardo. Since the focus of the project remains on utmost energy independency, the building will (as per the structure) be segregated into four blocks connected by bridges to ensure seamless circulation.

However for now, The Tree of Life has been selected for Padiglione Italia at Expo 2015 in Milan – following on from the widely renowned Shanghai Expo in 2010.

Oh yes, we’ve seen quite a number of aesthetically designed planters that beautify the surroundings in nothing else but a greener way. But, we have not really seen anything that sanitizes the air while being firmly seated in an intriguing looking chassis. Well, the new Air Drop Concept by Jillian Tackaberry precisely represents such an amazing amalgamation of air filtration and pretty looks.

Designed uniquely with elegance stretched all across the delicate structure, Air Drop is basically a beautiful hanging pendant that benefits from its integrated air-filtering properties to help flush out impurities from the air in your home. The concept, however, has been developed for the Electrolux Design Lab competition – igniting the possibility of coming real in the future (someday).

But, what would catch many unawares is the unique ability of Air Drop that helps clean the air using the purifying ‘power of plants’.  Integrated with a highly efficient built-in system, the concept strives at promoting the air-filtering properties and cleansing the air using living plants. However, the filtration process takes place in two meticulous ways – whereby the foremost throws out the larger particles of the air that can come from candles or pet dander.

Featuring an efficient fan driven air flow system, the new concept by Jillian Tackaberry also embeds the ability to seamlessly disassemble for cleaning the fan areas where dust particles may accumulate. The second filtration level, on the other hand, proceeds by using air plants ‘Tillandsia’ – which basically can survive on very little water and (in fact) without soil.

Since air plants can more effectively filter the air than those typical plants that grow using soil, the concept hopes to literally transform the way the air could be cleaned. Although it may be a bit too early to comment if it will strike its chord in real, the Air Drop Concept certainly looks highly promising! Way to go.

As true as it could get, renewable energy sources generally tend to get adversely affected due to the intermittent nature of wind and solar power generation. While offshore wind could render sufficient electricity, the intermittency caused by solar energy induces unpredictability as well as mammoth inconvenience. To help solve the intermittency problems of offshore wind, researchers at MIT have recently conceptualized a new approach that could mitigate the problems by rendering floating wind energy storage technology.

The new concept for offshore wind would basically enable electricity generation by floating wind farms to be utilized thoroughly and then used adequately. Although further details are yet to be divulged on the technology, the floating energy storage by MIT researchers anticipates to eliminating the intermittency issues of offshore wind through its huge concrete spheres – which can be considered as a key to the concept.

Weighing thousands of tons apiece, the spheres would be located on the seafloor under floating wind turbines and help anchor the turbines when needed. In fact, the energy storage system would also help store energy for the turbines for the later use – which certainly appears to be a remarkable accomplishment.

However interestingly, if the wind turbines induce power in excess or more than it is actually needed, the energy storage concept would efficiently divert the extra power to drive a pump attached to the underwater structure – helping pump seawater from a 30 meter diameter hollow sphere.

Subsequent to which, when the wind passes on and power is needed, a valve would open to permit the water back into the concrete spheres – but by the virtue of a turbine that drives a generator to create electricity. Well, although the MIT floating wind turbine concept looks promising to trim down the intermittency problems of offshore wind, it also hopes to be economically feasible at depths as shallow as 200 meter – contributing massively to declining the overall cost structure eventually!