Gravity Powered Floor Lamps – Application of Renewable Energy

Discussions of alternative or renewable energy naturally gravitate to visions of windmills, solar panels, and perhaps even steam geysers. Few, if any, think of humans as a source of renewable energy. Although not a new concept as evidenced by wind-up watches and clocks which have always relied upon humans as energy sources, there is a new application that reinforces this notion: a gravity-powered...

Top 7 Eco-Friendly Blogs with an ‘Energy’ Focus

It is no surprise that the blogosphere is filled with content dedicated to providing information on environmentally sustainable topics. Since there is such a large environmental presence on the web, Energy Authority sorted through the most relevant eco-friendly blogs that discuss a variety of eco-topics and include specific news and information related to energy, energy efficiency, clean &...

Offshore Drilling

Offshore Drilling Rigs Worldwide daily consumption of oil generally exceeeds 80-85 million barrels thereby driving the petroleum industry to continually search the planet for new reserves. Since the world’s oceans comprise almost 75 percent of the earth’s surface, it stands to reason that much of the world’s future new oil reserves will be discovered underwater. Underwater exploration,...

Introduction to Artificial Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is the conversion of sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into usable fuel and it is typically discussed in relation to plants where the fuel is carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Using only 3 percent of the sunlight that reaches the planet, plants collectively perform massive energy conversions, converting just over 1,100 billion tons of CO2 into food sources for animals every...

Offshore Drilling – An Unending Controversy

One of the most controversial topics dominating the energy discussion is related to opening the remaining protected U.S. coastline to oil exploration. Questions remain regarding the impact of offshore drilling on the economy and the environment. Specifically: Figure 1 - Offshore Drilling Platform Those in favor of offshore drilling point toward lower gasoline prices and reduced reliance on...

Energy Efficient Refrigerators

With recent improvements in insulation and compressors, refrigerators in general are much energy efficient. Consumers can realize further savings in energy consumption and costs with the purchase of an ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerator: Per U.S. Department of Energy requirements, to receive the ENERGY STAR label all refrigerators and freezers must be at least 20 percent more efficient than the...