In collaboration with Siemens, the DOE has undertaken an R&D project that will study the performance and effectiveness of land-based turbines. The project will utilize a 2.3 megawatt fan with a 331-foot diameter rotor near Boulder, Colorado. The tests for this large turbine will hopefully user in a future of increased turbine use to the U.S., decreasing the use of brown energy to create electricity. The idea behind engaging in such research is to increase the amount of renewable energy that is fed into the grids of the U.S.. In addition to other forms of green energy, the DOE looks to decrease dependence on brown energy (oil, coal, non-renewable sources) from domestic and foreign suppliers.

The research being conducted is vitally important, thought there are a few difficulties with turbines of such a large design. While the turbines may look lithe, they usually weigh 400-800 tons. Due to this, they can only be installed on certain types of land, limiting their potential effectiveness. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have devoted 5m to the process, while Siemens have contributed 9m to the initial stages of research. The research conducted will test the recent improvements of wind technology, the ability of turbines to sustain potentially destructive weather as well as the amount of noise the spinning blades of the turbine can potentially produce.

Throughout the year, car-shows appear at various venues across the globe. From motor city (Detroit) to the city of lights (Paris), every major city seems to play host to an automotive inspired event. While Detroit and Paris are nice, with the eco-friendly, green thinking of both individuals and businesses today, it is the Tokyo Motor Show that reigns supreme.

PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID Concept

The green, low-emission, high-mpg trend has been taken by the Japanese and turned into a world-wide phenomenon.

True to form, many new ideas from the Japanese have been put on display for the public. There are several notable eco-friendly autos worthy of mention. The Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid Concept is the first ever Prius to use lithium-ion batteries, and is capable of being charged from a typical household power outlet.

Honda has tried to make a hybrid car looks appealing with their CR-Z concept. Utilizing Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist Hybrid system, the CR-Z concept is an attempt to corral non- hybrid drivers with a car that is environmentally friendly to drive as well as stylish in a futuristic sense.

In addition to the Pruis Plug-In Concept, Suzuki have unveiled their own plug-in concept, the Swift Plug-in Hybrid. It too uses electricity from a traditional household socket.

While there was a large focus on green motoring for the world at large, there were also a smattering of cars that never make it to American soil. Many of these autos look like what we recognize as smart cars in the U.S.. They have been in Japan for decades, and due to the lack of space are essential to living in cramped environments.