Unsought Input

Wind turbines are cool. The might not be able to replace all the coal power plants in the world, but they’re a great example of how old concepts and new technology can be put together like peanut butter and jelly to become a delicious source of power.

They’re also a great example of the sort of positive environmentalism that sees efficiency and economic growth as two sides of the same coin. I would go so far as to say that most of the various groups opposing wind farms around the country are really lame.

But what if I wanted to join in on the blade-spinning fun, instead of just blathering on and on about it on the Internet? There’s a cool-looking rooftop vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT) from a company called Mag-Wind that looked really promising when I first saw it late last year. It’s compact, doesn’t require a tall mast, and it’s designed specifically for roofs.

Unfortunately, it might not be on the up-and-up.

(more…)

Earlier one of our writers stumbled on a report that claimed gas-guzzling Hummers were better for the environment than hybrids like the Toyota Prius. This is one of those great stories that everyone loves - where the conventional wisdom is wrong, and we can all have a good laugh knocking someone or something off it’s high horse.

This story has been passed furiously around the Internet for a week or so, by email and blog, featured on Digg and Slashdot. It’s a good anecdote about unintended consequences and a little boost to Hummer owners who are sometimes criticized for their very conspicuous consumption.

It’s also pretty much a load of crap.

(more…)

I am sure that most people out there don’t really care if their car puts out a lot of carbon dioxide or whatever other bad gasses and liquids that leak from their choice mode of transit. I am sure, though, that most people care if they are getting really good gas mileage. Or if they don’t care about the mileage, yes I am talking to you Hummer and other SUV owners out there (and don’t tell me it’s for car pooling! I never seen more than two people in a SUV ever), they do care about saving money. Which buying gas less often can do for you.

Recently I have seen what GM has been experimenting with in the saving the world with better designed cars venture. I know that it will not acutally become a real car but the concept is really interesting. It’s refreshing to see that car companies still know how to be creative, and it touches my tree-hugging hippie heart that they still care about the environment. Or, at least they noticed the sales of hybrid cars and decided they needed something fresh and innovative. Let’s think about what could be cooler than a hybrid car. Something eyecatching and easy to remember. Something special. Something kinda rediculous and not manly at all. So, what am I talking about, you wonder? None other than the Hummer O2. (more…)

Ford is in trouble. Some new models are doing well, but all their gas guzzlers are in decline big time. So CEO Bill Ford has hired his own replacement - Alan Mulally, formerly of Boeing.

What can Mullaly do to turn the company around, and why was he chosen? Bruce Nussbaum at Business Week says that Ford needs innovation in their business model, to be more like Apple and Amazon. I think he’s right, but I will let those with more knowledge talk about how to improve Ford’s business model (if you have ideas, please comment below).

What I will talk about is product innovation. I think Ford Motor Company has picked exactly the right person to be CEO, and here’s why: the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The Dreamliner is not just a new jet. It makes extensive use of advance carbon-fiber composite materials to make it lighter, stronger, and more efficient.

Ford needs something really innovative, not just more cup holders or higher, skinner windows. They need to build a car using similar composite materials and blow past everyone in terms of safety and fuel efficiency.

(more…)