Mechanical systems

Belgium's offshore wind power reservoir uses excess power to pump water, storing it as latent hydroelectric power. One of the biggest drawbacks to renewable energies like wind and solar, is that it is unpredictable. This presents a challenge to grid operators, as they struggle to meet demand while compensating for…

An introduction to the math behind the placement of solar panels to optimize your yield, and speed up your return on investment. There is a lot you can do in home construction to take advantage of the free energy provided by the sun. That can be passive solar , which is about home orientation and window design to…

The inside of city water mains has up to this point not been a newsworthy place. With in-pipe power generating turbines, that is now poised to change. Hydroelectric power generation is definitely renewable but not always 'green' when you consider all the side effects, especially when it comes to large hydroelectric…

Electricity is clean at its destination but can be very dirty at its source. Not all of us have the means to install solar panels or wind turbines, but with the help of Bullfrog Power you can live a greener lifestyle hassle-free. Bullfrog’s green electricity comes exclusively from wind and hydro facilities that have…

Electric resistance heating converts almost 100% of its energy into heat. Ultimately though, the true efficiency and environmental impact of heating with electricity is determined by the source of its production. Is electric heating eco-friendly? Determining whether or not electricity is an efficient and…

During the combustion process, natural gas is the most efficient and least harmful of fossil fuels. How affordable or ecologically responsible it will be in the future depends largely on supply, sourcing and the supply network. The cleaner burning process (than diesel fuel) and price has made heating and cooking…

Dense hardwoods like maple, oak, birch and cherry are some of the better woods for heating & burn hottest. Different species of wood are available in different areas, so the best firewood will vary by location, see below. First rule for choosing the hottest firewood? Before we get into which wood is best for…

Improvements in stove technology have made wood and biomass fuel a more popular and efficient heat source. There has been an increase in the use of wood and other biomass fuel for heating homes across the colder parts of North America & Canada for the last decade . In Eastern Canada and the USA in particular this…

Geothermal is an excellent renewable heat source but there are many variables in calculating whether it's cost effective. Geothermal heating systems for homes Domestic Geothermal heating systems can be a great way to heat a home , replace a furnace, and are labeled as money savers. Question is, are they worth the…

Jang Wooseok designed the Eco Bath grey water recycling system to address water conservation in washrooms. Mission accomplished, and elegantly so. Gray water recycling for toilets, how does it work? The Eco Bath concept is simple: use the waste water from the sink to flush the adjoining toilet. The execution is…

Renewable power sources such as sun and wind present challenges for grid operators in being able to consistently meet demand. Tidal and river generators remove that unknown, and Cornwall, Ontario will soon benefit from a river turbine pilot project. A project started in 2002 by Verdant Power Inc. saw tidal turbines…