Portland commits to 100 percent renewable energy by the year 2050

Portland just announced that it plans to be completely powered by clean energy by 2050, making it one of the largest cities in the country to make the move. It's an ambitious goal for the city, but the Mayor believes that it is essential for the health of the planet and its citizens. The decision puts Portland in a growing group of 25 cities across the country who have committed to transitioning to green energy. In announcement this week, city leaders revealed that they plan to meet the...

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Researchers discover 14,000-year-old Canadian village, one of North America's oldest

The discovery of a 14,000-year-old ancient village in Canada is altering the way we think civilization started in North America. Researchers estimate the village is older than the Egyptian pyramids, and are finding artifacts that date all the way back to the Ice Age.

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World's first full-size IBC bifacial solar module takes in light from both sides

What if both sides of a solar panel could take in light? That's the idea pursued by researchers at the Solar Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS), National University of Singapore, and the International Solar Energy Research Center Konstanz in Germany. They've succeeded in developing and fabricating the first full-size interdigitated back contact (IBC) bifacial solar module in the world.

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This carved wood bench hides an unexpected surprise

This wooden bench will surprise you. If you think that this piece made of solid wood is soft, you are …right! Inspired by curved and smooth shapes of the classic Chesterfield furniture with a twist, Chester-Block-Hocker designed by Valentijn Rieb and Andrea Schimmer is a bold application of the iconic silhouette to a completely different stiff material without however giving up its main quality: comfort and softness of the seat. The successful transformation of the leather seating of the Chesterfiled...

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Honda steps up with new green car strategy

Honda's green car strategy has taken criticism over the past few years for its inability to keep up with the venerable Toyota Prius. Well Honda is finally making significant strides with the introduction the new Clarity Electric and Clarity Plug-in hybrid today at the New York Auto Show. The new Clarity Electric and Clarity Plug-in hybrid will be sold alongside the Clarity Fuel Cell, which is already on sale. With all three models, Honda hopes to be able to sell at least 75,000 Clarity...

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These 3D-printed off-grid tiny houses can withstand hurricanes and earthquakes

These 3d-printed off-grid homes, manufactured by Ukrainian startup PassivDom, are not only completely self-sufficient, but can also withstand hurricanes and earthquakes. The "gadget houses" use solar power for all its energy requirements and come as fully furnished modules with self-learning control systems that users can manage remotely by smartphone. The houses use solar energy to satisfy all the energy needs of their occupants: climate control (heating and cooling), air humidity, air quality...

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This futuristic vertical factory feeds off a city's waste to produce energy

Related: China plans its first “Forest City” to fight air pollution + Via Evolo Vertical Factories in Megacities, vertical skyscrapers, green architecture, green cities, urban design, futuristic urban design, green skyscrapers, sustainable architecture, sustainable building, carbon dioxide, clean energy,

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