Ecofriend

Eco Factor: Energy-efficient refrigerator consumes five times less power than conventional systems.

The future of the electricity grid is green, which actually means that in the future most of the power we will consume will come from renewable sources of energy like sun and wind. However, renewable energy generation comes with its own downsides and the grid will not be able to churn out a specific amount of power continuously. In addition to the grid, the appliances we use in our homes daily have to transform and find their own way to buffer demand.

Eco Factor: Solar-powered building produces six times less greenhouse gas emissions.

Designed and constructed as the world’s most environmentally sound building, the Elithis Tower by Arte Charpentier Architects has been revealed in Dijon, France. The 54,000-square-foot, 10-story building is designed to complement the environment by integrating energy generating and saving systems.

Eco Factor: Ecofriendly flush system reduces water use by as much as 50%.

While manufacturers are now developing toilets that either save water or don’t use it at all, Brondell is working to develop means for homeowners to green their existing toilets by making them run on less water.

Eco Factor: Lead-free batteries to power homes generating solar electricity.

Homes that generate on-site electricity are the future. However, what all solar or wind powered homes need are batteries that can store all that electricity for days when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing. Storing green electricity in lead acid batteries spoils the eco-credentials of your home, but a Malaysian company called ETI Tech Corporation Bhd is claiming to have developed the world’s first lithium-polymer battery system for solar-powered homes.

Eco Factor: Speakers made from recycled car tires.

A Mobile DJ by profession, Ollie Boyce is trying to save the environment by turning used car tires into custom speakers that can be used at home or in your car as well. With a patent-pending design, Ollie converts old tires into speakers that are custom made to user specifications and their use.

Eco Factor: Renewable hydrogen made from winery wastewater.

Hydrogen has proved its worth in the field of green fuels, but global adoption still seems a far-fetched dream considering the amount of energy and resources required to produce hydrogen. The Napa Wine Company in Oakville, California is out there with a solution – a refrigerator-sized hydrogen generator that will take winery wastewater and convert it into hydrogen using bacteria and a small amount of electrical energy.

Eco Factor: Olympic stadium powered by renewable energy.

While the IOC just one day away from announcing the winning city that will host the 2016 Olympics, the Tokyo 2016 Bid Team has announced that the Tokyo Olympic Stadium will cater to the environment, as it will be the first of its kind to be powered entirely by solar energy.

Eco Factor: Low emission concept car powered by a hybrid engine.

Honda has announced that the company will be unveiling their latest concept minivan dubbed Skydeck at the Tokyo Motor Show to be held this month. The minivan will be powered by the company’s IMA hybrid system, which will promise lower emissions.

Eco Factor: Concept charger converts motion into electricity.

Designed by industrial designer Bridgette Crozier, the Wheel Powered Charger tries to make the travel experience simplified and less wasteful- including time, energy, and physical waste reduction. The wheel powered generator is the main of three innovative features. The other two are a garment bag that zips sideways around the carry-on in order to eliminate having any checked items and a table surface that rises off the top of the carry-on luggage for eating, working, or to avoid sitting during down-time.

Eco Factor: Energy generating system transforms relentless forces of waves into electricity.

ANSYS Inc, a global innovator of simulation software and technologies has announced that software developed by the company is helping transform the relentless forces of waves into electricity. Green Ocean Energy is developing two innovative devices – Ocean Treader and Wave Treader, which will bob on the surface of ocean while waves cause the attached floating arms to move up and down to power onboard generators.