Wind, water, steam as energy sources in the Philippines

Via Malaya  That's a lot of wind in 29 locations that will produce 629 megawatts at a cost of P3.285 billion. That's a lot of water that will produce 555 MW that will cost P3.602 billion. That's a lot of steam that will generate 1,224 MW at combined investments of P50.245 billion.

These are the renewable energy projects approved by the Department of Energy last year. These do not include eight other proposals whose capacities are "to be determined" (tbd).  Continue reading here  http://www.malaya.com.ph/01182010/busi1.html

Read More......

Sleek, lightweight e-bike Gaining a Toehold for the E-Bike




Via NY Times January 16, 2010 TECHNOLOGY has eliminated many of life’s milder physical demands, like getting off the couch to change the channel, or going to the store to buy a book.

Sanyo has introduced its Eneloop Hybrid bike, priced at $2,300, in the United States. Pressing a handlebar button causes a 250-watt motor to gently kick in.

The latest exertion to be conquered: biking uphill.

Electric bicycles — a regular pedal-driven bike with a motor for steeper slopes and an optional extra boost — is an idea that has been around for more than a century. But while e-bikes have caught on in certain parts of the world, particularly China, where tens of millions are sold each year, they have never quite captured the imagination of auto-obsessed Americans.

That may be about to change. At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this month, Sanyo, the Japanese electronics maker and a major producer of car batteries, showed off a sleek, lightweight e-bike called the Eneloop Hybrid Bicycle.    http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/17/business/17ping.html?ref=technology

Read More......