Image by Dragonleek

Wind + solar power = a sustainable, renewable energy future … or does it?  As China’s renewable energy sector grows in leaps and bounds - doubling wind power capacity alone each year since 2005 - the US is questioning the viability of a wind and solar powered economy.  

No More Fossil Fuel?

Minimizing our dependency on nonrenewable fuel sources may be a lot more achievable than eliminating our need for fossil fuels, especially when wind and solar power are the alternative, but what does that mean for cost-efficiency and for the environment?  

• Off-shore drilling destroys natural habitats and increases the risk for hazardous spills and water, as well as air, contamination.
• Coal, while it may be abundant at the present time, is the dirtiest option.  Clean coal technology is in the works, but an expensive process that isn’t sustainable - especially with the rising demand for coal from developing countries.
• The obvious need for fossil fuel-based energy, alongside renewable options like wind and solar, means an even greater cost to the public for those receiving grid-supplied power.  
• China, Russia, India, and other developing countries are currently making worldwide deals on natural resources for their own use at a fraction of the prices available to the US - nonrenewable resources can only go so far.

The Problem with Wind and Solar Power

Image by phault

Wind farms are popping up around the world and a number of major power suppliers are supplementing their grids with solar panels - but just as many wind and solar power projects are coming to a standstill.  Cost is one of the primary obstacles, even for off-grid homes.  Even with monthly savings on electric bills and the assortment of government incentives available, a home solar system only offers minimal savings as a Washington Examiner editorial piece points out.  Even billionaire, T. Boone Pickens has postponed major plans for wind farm development.

Another pressing concern is location.  The mega-solar facilities planned for the Mojave desert are under heated debate because of the potential to interfere with natural wildlife habitats.  Wind farms have been debated because of risks posed to birds and bats.  Maintenance is also an issue - a dirty solar panel can reduce output by as much as 15 to 25%.  Keeping a large solar plant clean equates to a hefty labor cost.

Finally, there’s the obvious - wind and solar power are not 100% reliable.  Large scale storage for renewable energy hasn’t yet been perfected and it’s impossible to depend on the wind and sun alone to produce a 24/7 power source in every location.  Coupling these renewable energy options with fossil fuel-based backup will only provide a 30 to 40% decrease in carbon output - definitely not clean energy and not a sustainable solution!

Other Solutions for a Green Energy Future

There are many other possibilities for renewable energy options beyond wind and solar power, or in combination with wind and solar.  The potential of biomass is seemingly endless - from garbage to human waste.  Hydropower is another possibility, but can raise concerns for natural habitats and is only viable in certain locations.  Geothermal energy production has a future in many areas of the world.  Hydrogen power also has great potential, but will require advancements in fuel cell technology.

Small scale wind + solar power projects are another sustainable energy option.  Off-grid homes have more potential than solar and wind based grid production - energy storage solutions are more feasible on a small scale and there are also more cost-effective methods of generating small scale power.  DIY renewable energy projects are a great way to get started or consider making your own solar panels from inexpensive damaged panels.

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Just in time for the 4th of July, we’ve collected 10 eco-friendly BBQ grills to green your summer celebrations.  No, the mega Hemi-powered  grill above isn’t too clean or green - although it will fire up a whopping 240 hotdogs in just 3 minutes, but the grills featured below are some of the friendliest options for your green outdoor cooking…

There’s been plenty of debate over the best fuel for grilling - traditional charcoal produces all sorts of toxins, while propane and natural gas are nonrenewable resources that contribute a few chemicals of their own.  Aside from building your own solar oven, what are the best options for eco-friendly grilling?  

Clean and renewable solar power is always a winner and the Helios solar grill also boasts an innovative, futuristic design.  About the size of an average charcoal grill, this solar cooker soaks up the sun through a reflective parabolic dish and then transfers the energy to a receptor that heats the coil and grills your favorite foods.  The Helios also features a retractable plug for an electrical option when the sun isn’t enough.

Definitely not as intriguing to look at but just as eco-friendly as the Helios, the Hydro-que is a hydrogen powered grill that eliminates the need for charcoal or propane.  Cooking with water power is a relatively new concept, but the Hydro-que table top model is available for purchase for $495.  The price may seem a bit costly compared to similar sized grills, but I’m sure it would pay for itself in fuel savings…eventually.

WoodFlame, a Canadian-based company, also offers a charcoal and propane-free grill option - although the true eco-friendliness of the portable  cooker is a bit questionable.  The WoodFlame is a wood-burning stove that also requires electrical power, either through an AC or DC source or 4 D batteries.  Our source claims that wood burning provides health benefits, while most organizations argue that burning wood produces toxins as well as medical concerns.  The WoodFlame grill only requires a small cube of hardwood, however, and is said to “perfectly combust”, eliminating the typical pollutants and concerns associated with wood burning.

The FlameDisk by uGO is a clean alternative to charcoal grilling and offers a renewable option for gas and propane users - it’s also relatively cost efficient.  Rather than replacing your entire grill with a greener version, the FlameDisk works with traditional cookers.  Instead of dirty charcoal, the disposable insert uses plant-based ethanol to cook clean and green.  Each disk provides about 40 minutes of cooking time, requires no warm-up time, and can be recycled after just 10 minutes of cooling.

While these cookers look like your basic gas-powered BBQ grill, renewable plant-based fuel powers them as well - actual dried corn kernels, in fact!  Corn-burning grills are clean and safe alternatives that can be used on balconies and decks with no worry of fires.  They’re also easy to clean - and you can grow your own fuel at home!

Electric BBQ grills are another option that provides a greener solution to outdoor cooking, especially if your home uses an alternative energy source other than fossil fuels.  Electric grills are also one of the easiest types of cookers to get your hands on - available from many different manufacturers.  Kamado grills are ceramic cookers, retaining heat to use less fuel and boasting gorgeous designs that become a part of your decor.  Kamados can be used with charcoal or gas, but the electric grill models are ideal for any setting - including balconies and indoors.

The Big Green Egg offers a ceramic BBQ grill too, although these require charcoal or wood as fuel and do not operate on electricity.  These grills are available in 5 different sizes, including a portable model and an extra large version, and the company offers a selection of electric and natural fire starters, natural lump charcoal, and an assortment of wood chips for a more environmentally safe grilling experience.

Eco-friendly?  Well, maybe not - but this intriguing and unusual BBQ grill recycles a forgotten (and antique) baby carriage…throw in some natural charcoal and fire up your organic steaks.  Unfortunately, this model isn’t for sale but designer David Klose creates an assortment of unique smokers and grills - all made by hand rather than machines.

The first solar powered BBQ grill we featured in this post is still a concept, but the El Solito parabolic barbecue pictured above is available for $500 - or you can make your own solar cooker for a fraction of the price.  The El Solito grills meats and veggies with plenty of direct sunlight or can heat up a pot on a cloudy day.  You can also deep fry or bake with a solar cooker and never harm the planet.

If you’re not in the market for a new eco-friendly BBQ grill or just can’t bear the thought of cooking outdoors without charcoal, give the ethanol powered FlameDisk featured above a try or check out some other green charcoal alternatives like those from Big Green Egg or Enviro’s biomass grilling accessories.

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From staircases to furniture and art to lighting, a sustainably designed home requires eco-friendly accessories for a green design inside and out.  This collection of amazing eco designs goes beyond standard energy-star appliances and stainless steel cabinetry, including chairs from worn-out keyboards, elegant light fixtures from recycled aluminum, and more…

Book lovers that can’t bear to part with their old collections can transform them into bookcases and shelves to hold new books and trinkets.  These super-cool recycled bookcases are created by Jim Rosenau in Berkley, CA and can be purchased through his website.  Visit WebUrbanist for more awesome bookcase designs.

Old car parts, industrial scraps, and yesterday’s trampoline springs get new life as one-of-a-kind home decor when artist Tim Pace gets his hands on them.  Each piece of Eco-Art is imaginative, intriguing, and fashioned by hand from recycled metal.  The item pictured here is one of Tim’s amazing wine racks - other Eco-Art includes business card and candle holders, creative garden sculptures, and more.

Beautiful wood and simple steel are the only materials in this stunning spiral staircase designed by Patrick Jouin.  The magnificent set of stairs requires little space, making it ideal for modular building or prefab - not to mention the fact that it is absolutely gorgeous!  (via dornob designs)

Do your window blinds simply keep out the bright rays of sun and cool your home - or do they harvest the sun’s power and turn on your lamp?  The illuminating solar blinds, created by Yoon-Hui Kim and Eun-Kyung Kim, do just that!  During the day, the blinds shade your home while storing solar power.  Turn the blinds on after dark and an integrated table lamp, chandelier, or floor lamp will brighten the room without taking up space or using electricity.

Every home office needs a good desk.  The ‘Deborah’ is one of many pieces of innovative recycled furniture from Reestore.  An airplane wing is transformed into a sturdy and attractive surface, then topped with heavy glass.  The wing desk is supported by stainless steel legs and available for purchase for £1990.

Recycled aluminum, resin, and low-energy LEDs create amazing eco-lighting solutions.  Stem, Firefly, Cocoon, and Flur, pictured here, are part of the SKIN collection - a company featuring the award-winning lighting designs by LEED-accredited Deniece Duscheone.

Chic and modern, this creative lounger is also eco-friendly.  Named the Text-ile Chair and designed by Dante Bonnucelli and Lamm for the UMUL workshop in 2009, the furniture rescues several old keyboards to provide an intriguing and resourceful seating option.  (Via Inhabitat)

Demolition scrap piles are the perfect source for home interior remodeling - at least when A77 Studio is in charge of the job.  The house pictured here, located in Buenos Aries, was completely refurbished with discarded highway guardrails, scrap wood, and forgotten industrial doors and windows for a stunning eco interior design.

These snake-like creations are the latest innovation from designers MOI - transforming Trask lights.  The LED light fixtures are versatile and unique, doubling as an intriguing task light for your desk or end table or track lighting suspended from the ceiling.  Adding to the eco-friendliness of Trask lights, the units are manufactured from recycled sheet metal with a safe powder-coat finish and flat-pack shipped to minimize transportation costs.

Hold on to those plastic drinking straws - especially the colorful ones, and you could have your very own recycled chair, footstool, or even a lampshade.  We’re not sure exactly how many straws were used to create these intriguing pieces of recycled eco furniture, or how long they would last under regular use, but it is one of the most creative examples of reuse we’ve come across!

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Small-scale renewable energy is a must for a sustainable home - but converting your home to clean energy options can carry a huge initial price tag.  We’ve scoured the web for some of the most innovative examples of homemade energy solutions to compile a collective list of DIY projects to make your home greener and more energy efficient without costing you a fortune.  From solar water heaters and gadget chargers to homemade super-efficient refrigerators, you’ll find links (with instructions) to some of the best projects you can make at home…

Homemade Energy-Save Fridge

The ‘Ambient Air Fridge’ isn’t quite a year-round green appliance but when things cool down in the winter, this homemade fridge will definitely shave a few dollars off the electric bill!  The insulated wood box fits snugly in an out-of-the-way doorway and even controls the temperature with an inexpensive thermostat and a couple of computer fans.  

DIY Electric Lawn Mower

A small DC motor, two 12-volt batteries, a circuit breaker, and wiring can transform your polluting, fossil-fuel dependent lawn mower into a clean, green, grass mowing machine!   The first version of Lee’s mower required an electric battery charger.  After a few more updates, Lee has created a completely eco-friendly solar powered electric mower.

Make Your Own Wind Turbine

It may not generate enough power to charge up your electric mower, but this mini-windmill from GotWind.org is a great way to operate small power tools or turn on your garden lights.  DIY wind turbine projects are a bit more complicated than some of the other renewable energy options available, but are well worth the effort when it comes to off-grid living.  There are an assortment of plans available for more powerful wind generators, but do some research before buying.  You’ll find a good selection of reasonably priced DIY wind power projects at GotWind.  

Low Cost Solar Water Heater

Imagine the savings on your electric bill - and the environmental benefits - if you no longer depended on fossil fuels to warm your water!  This DIY solar water heater is inexpensive to build and provides scalding hot water in just a couple hours.  This particular project requires a little scavenging if you want to keep things cheap and the 5-gallon bucket isn’t quite enough hot water for the average family, but the mirrored solar pre-heater found on Wired actually pumps the heated water into a household tank.

Pedal Powered Generator

From laptops to cell phones to blenders - bicycle generators eliminate the need for electricity to power your favorite gadgets and allow you to stay in shape at the same time.  This particular pedal-powered charger was created by the librarian at Phillips Elementary School in Virginia - shouldn’t all schools utilize these?!  You’ll also find free plans for a solar assisted bicycle generator here or can purchase plans from the pedal power generating master, David Butcher, for $50 - including photos and online support.

DIY Hydro Power

It’s scenic, it’s rustic, it’s tranquil - and it’s clean, renewable energy.  This DIY water wheel was created with many recycled materials and generates about half of the designer’s electrical needs - complementing the output of his solar panels at the New England home.  Hydro energy is an old, but not forgotten, sustainable energy option!

Human Powered Laundry Machine

Simple construction and easy, manual operation make this energy-free washing machine the perfect choice for developing countries, as well as off-grid living.  Designed by Michael Perdriel, the ‘think-small washer’ agitates clothes by pumping the mechanical arm and can clean a load of laundry in less than half an hour.  The machine is currently in use in Nepal and features a portable, wheeled design for convenient filling and emptying.

Homemade Solar Gadget Charger

A small DIY solar charger like this one is an ideal backup if the power goes out, but this project can easily be expanded to serve as much more than an emergency power source.  The version pictured here costs about $150 to build and can charge up cell phones, laptops, or iPods or could power a portable DVD player at the pool.  The 12-volt battery requires about 8 hours of sunlight for a full charge and the unit is perfect for camping use or at home.

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