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SOLAR CAR TRAVELS AROUND THE WORLD

After a 17 month journey around the globe, Swiss teacher Louis Palmer pulled into the parking lot outside the UN Climate Change talks in the Polish city of Poznan. He used 0 gallons of gasoline. The small solar car towed a trailer of batteries across 38 countries at a top speed of 55 mph covering around 190 miles per charge. Palmer had the opportunity to taxi around, among others, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Monaco’s Prince Albert and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Palmer plans on repeating his voyage from other forms of natural energy such as hydro-power, geothermal and wind.

Read more here.

“Forget about a bailout. American car manufacturers should probably be requesting some face time with Louis Palmer.”

Where else can one go?

by Mike Randall Brand Futurist The Republik Captain Strategic Ops

Photo Credit: © SolarTaxi

GENERAL MOTORS UNVEILS ELECTRIC CAR

GM introduced its Volt, an extended-range electric car. The company hopes the Volt will become the first mass-produced, plug-in electric car in 2010.

Unlike a regular gasoline car engine, the Volt’s 1.4 liter won’t be connected to the wheels. Instead, it will power a generator to make electricity for the car’s motor.

“A step in the right direction?
Remains to be seen.

There was a 100% electric car 12 years ago. And where are they now? Probably used for steel in hummers.”

by Brady Bone Brand Futurist The Republik Captain Creative Ops

Photo Credit: © General Motors

NO MAN’S LAND

Aeronautics company Qinetiq claims their unmanned plane broke the world’s record for most hours aloft, drawing power from the sun at 60,000 feet. The 66-pound plane was launched by hand on July 28 of this year in the Arizona desert (U.S.) and flown by autopilot and via satellite.

“Solar power is soon to be an integral part of our everyday lives. That power not only lies in the energy it creates, but also the generation of ideas that will better the world.”

by Mike Randall Brand Futurist The Republik Captain Strategic Ops

Photo Credit: © QinetiQ

FOSSIL FUELS

German automaker Mercedes announced they will cut petrol-fueled cars out of their lineup by 2015 in favor of alternative-powered vehicles, such as electric and bio-diesel.

Read more about that here.

“It’s not surprising to see an automotive leader taking this step given the current environmental concerns. The questions to ask are: What is really the motivation behind this and which brand will next take these same steps in cars for the masses?”

by Sam Knoll Brand Futurist The Republik Commander Analytic Ops

WINDS OF CHANGE

Windmills can generate 80% of home’s electricity.

Wind is a wonderfully renewable source of energy, but until now ordinary consumers who wanted to live off of — or contribute to — the electrical grid had no way to capture it. That’s where the Skystream 3.7 comes in. It’s a wind turbine designed especially for home use. Installed on a 35-ft. tower, it connects to standard utility hookups and starts turning in breezes as low as 8 m.p.h. It can provide up to 80% of the average household’s electricity and shave $600 or more off annual utility costs.

Inventor: Southwest Wind Power
Availability: Now; about $10,000, including installation

To learn more visit the Southwest Wind Power website

by Jacqueline Stevenson Brand Futurist The Republik Corporal Strategic Ops

Photo Credit: © Southwest Wind Power