I personally do not use green web hosting due to the fact that there’s no green hosting companies that can provide dedicated servers that match my requirements but if you are looking for a cheap shared hosting for your next web project, you might want to consider the Top 7 best green web hosting companies from our sister blog Keetsa:

(The above chart lists green hosting companies in the order of price per month.)

via keetsa eco-friendly blog, Zedomax Blog Network

Here’s a quick re-cap of interesting science and technology posts from our Keetsa Eco-Friendly Blog this week:

Solar-powered bike Cycle Sol may allow bikers to re-use the power of the sun.  Portable Eco-Frienldy Fridges are really neat idea.  Here’s a commercial Wind-Power Charger for all your gadgets.  Solar Powered Traffic Lights are definitely in these days.  Solar Powered Trash Compactor is another one that big cities should start using more of.

For more, check out Keetsa!

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Here’s a great way to re-use cooking oil in a DIY homemade diesel engine to power up your garden lights.

“I have built a “off the Grid” home generator using a 1950’s Coventry Victor one cylinder diesel generator, I can run this on diesel or a diesel and used cooking oil mixture and have it attached to a large battery via a 40amp car alternator which supplies my garden lighting and via an inverter for 600 watts of home power and lighting. The waste heat is used to keep my garage warm as well.

via hackedgadgets

With the gas prices these days, it makes sense that you do your part to help cut down on energy costs.

Here’s a couple tips for green commuting:

1. If you drive an SUV or anything that guzzles gas more than 20MPG, you should really either get a smaller vehicle for commuting or take public transportation.

2. If you want to have fun while saving gas, try getting yourself a motorcycle such as the Suzuki GSX-R1000 pictured above, you will get 50MPG+ on every commute to work while being able to cut through dense traffic.  (In California, it’s legal to drive between cars, of course, this isn’t super safe but pretty safe if you are in a dead-stop traffic.)  This is the method I used to use when I had a 9 to 5 (8 to 5 actually) job.

Electric cars are great but they still get you stuck in traffic with its massive body, a bike is probably the most efficient way to get around without having to spend more time in public transportation or dead-stop traffic.

3. Public transportation is great for saving some money and you can relax while going to work.  Even better, get a netbook equipped with a broadband card then you can surf the web while going to work.  Map out the shortest public route using Google’s bus route feature.  (I use this on my Blackberry on the go if I am taking buses in San Francisco and works great for real-time adjustments)

4. Move to an urban area with lots of people and public transportation, preferably a metrolpolitan city such as San Francisco or New York.  If you are going to live in LA, you will have to suffer the consequences of bad traffic and long travels between “anything”.  Avoid cities where you must drive a lot or in constant traffic.

Metropolitan cities dense with population usually means short walking distances to most things in life such as groceries, retail shops, etc…etc…  On an average, people in big cities save more energy since a big percentage of people use transportation and are also more green-conscious.

I have to admit to living in a suburban neighborhood where it took 5 miles to get to 7-eleven or even a gas station, that’s a big waste anytime you want to do something.

If you really feel you can’t be a city slicker, you will need to get the Suzuki Gixxer man…

5. If you job can be done from your home computer, ask your boss if you can work from home at least once a week.  Everybody’s doing this and if your boss says no, he’s called an A-hole.

6. If you do drive your car, make a short to-do list of where and what so you get everything done efficiently.

7. Turn your electronic devices off when not in use such as the cable box, lights, etc…etc…

8. STAY AWAY FROM TRAFFIC whenever possible.  Always schedule yourself to stay out of rush traffic hours.

I used to go to work 5 in the morning just so I could avoid traffic, you should too since early bird eats the worm.

Well, I am sure there’s more stuff you can do, it’s really common sense and trying to help earth will also help your life.

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Check out this really cool DIY on how to make a vertical wind turbine.  This thing can produce some good amount of electricity for under $300.

With this one I am hoping to get the 100 watts.

Here is how I did it.

First we need:
–5 pvc tube. size 3″X10′ (hardware store)$48

–3 bike wheels. size 12″ (junk yard or ask your kid to use their bikes for a minute) maybe $5

–Ametek38 volt (ebay or surplus store) $60 (a problem with ametek, it needs 700 rpm to reach 14.1volt.

–Or buy windblue alternator (ebay) $250 it will only need 200prm to reach 14.1 volt

–1 square foot 1″ plywood or anything 12″ diameter (laying around)

– 3 X 2×4 X 12′ studs (from lumber store)$11

I am not going to name the tools, but I used the usual tools.

faroun

via hackaday, instructables

Gasohol, a mix of gas and ethanol, is being offered to the public in Vietnam.  Ethanol added to gas can be effective and proven safe for most gas vehicles without any modifications.

Of course, you can always make your own ethanol using some yeast, water, and sugar.

When will we get Gasohol in America?  Probably never, gasoline companies make way too much more selling regular gas to us.

The timing could not have been better as far as providing alternative solutions to the oil requirements. We all know for a fact that fuel prices are dipping ($91 and falling the last I heard) but this does not mean that the search for alternative fuel should be stopped. In fact, the more alternative fuel that is available then the better it is for the market. For Vietnam, combining Ethanol and Petrol seems to be working for them as this is being distributed named Gasohol E5 by Hanoi.

via keetsa

Well, it took me all day to get all my sites running today, there’s was a massive DoS attack by some hackers I had to take care of.

With that cleared away, here’s how to make some inexpensive solar cell panels.

Mike Davis is an astronomer. To practice his hobby away from the light-pollution of cities, he bought some land in a remote part of Arizona. But there was a problem: No electricity…. But he’s a resourceful fellow. He built some home-made solar panels using inexpensive blemished and damaged solar cells from eBay!

via treehugger

Mercedes unveils their new S400 BlueHybrid, which sports a V6 engine and supposedly would get 29MPG.

It’s not a great feat for a hybrid car, I think they have to at least get somewhere around 35MPG otherwise it’s not worth going “hybrid” here.

The V6 produces 279 horsepower and can be aided by the electric motor during acceleration with an additional 20 horsepower and 88 lb-ft of torque, giving the drivetrain a combined torque output of 285 lb-ft and what MB calls an electric “boost” effect. Like most hybrids, the S400 features a start-stop function and regenerative braking, but since Mercedes didn’t want any interior or trunk space sacrificed for batteries, the S400’s special li-ion battery was made small enough to be placed under the hood with the engine.

via autoblog

Press Release:

Mercedes-Benz S 400 BlueHYBRID: The CO2 champion in the luxury class, with an efficient hybrid drive system and lithium-ion technology

Mercedes-Benz is launching its first passenger car model equipped with a hybrid drive system in summer 2009 - the S 400 BlueHYBRID. The combination of a modified V6 petrol engine and a compact hybrid module makes the S 400 BlueHYBRID the world’s most economical luxury saloon with a spark-ignition engine. The NEDC combined fuel consumption is a mere 7.9 litres per 100 kilometres. This makes for the world’s lowest CO2 emissions in this vehicle and performance class - just 190 grams per kilometre. These exemplary figures go hand in hand with assured performance. The 3.5-litre petrol engine develops an output of 205 kW/279 hp, the electric motor generates 15 kW/20 hp and a starting torque of 160 Nm. The result is a combined output of 220 kW/299 hp and a combined maximum torque of 385 newton metres. Moreover, the new S 400 BlueHYBRID is the first series-production model to be equipped with a particularly efficient lithium-ion battery specially developed for automotive use. This is another major contribution by Mercedes-Benz to the electrification of the car.

The new Mercedes-Benz S 400 BlueHYBRID is based on the S 350, and features an extensively modified drive train. This encompasses a further development of the 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine, an additional magneto-electric motor, the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission specially configured for the hybrid module, the necessary operating and control electronics, the transformer and a high-voltage lithium-ion battery.

The compact hybrid module is a disc-shaped electric motor that also acts as a starter and generator. The system offers a double benefit, as it both helps to save fuel and increases driving enjoyment. This is partly due to the booster effect of the electric motor, as it powerfully backs up the petrol engine with a maximum additional torque of 160 newton metres during the high-consumption acceleration phase. The driver benefits from the combined action of these two units in the form of even more impressive torque characteristics and smooth, effortlessly superior acceleration.

The hybrid module also has a comfortable start/stop function, which switches the engine off when the vehicle is at a standstill - for example at traffic lights. When it’s time to move off again, the electric motor almost imperceptibly restarts the main power unit. This likewise makes a contribution to fuel economy and environmental protection: because the engine restarts first time, and practically instantly, emissions are also minimised during the starting phase.

When the vehicle is braked the electric motor acts as a generator, and is able to recover braking energy by a process known as recuperation. Working in finely tuned partnership, the electric motor supplements the braking effect of the petrol engine and the wheel brakes to deliver a smoothly progressive braking action. The recuperated energy is stored in a compact yet highly efficient lithium-ion battery in the engine compartment, and made available when required. This complex system is managed by a high-performance control unit, which is likewise located in the engine compartment.

A milestone on the road to electrification
The centrepiece of the modular, very compact and highly efficient hybrid drive system is the new high-voltage lithium-ion battery, which was specially developed for automotive use and is the first such unit worldwide to be introduced in a series-production vehicle. In this way Mercedes-Benz is making a trailblazing contribution to the electrification of the car, with the S-Class once again playing the role of the technological trendsetter.

Major advantages over conventional nickel/metal hydride batteries include a higher energy density and better electrical efficiency, together with more compact dimensions and a lower weight. Thanks to space-saving installation in the engine compartment, where it replaces the conventional starter battery, the generous interior space and boot capacity of the S 400 remain unchanged. The lithium-ion battery not only stores energy for the electric motor, but is also connected to the 12-Volt onboard network via the transformer to supply power to other standard consumers such as the headlamps and comfort features. The completely newly designed battery system consists of the cell block with its lithium-ion cells and the cell monitoring system, the battery management function, the high-strength housing, the cooling gel, the cooling plate, the coolant feed and the high-voltage connector.

Optimised thermal efficiency lowers the engine’s fuel consumption
The 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine with variable valve control has been throughly re-engineered and improved. In the process the development engineers made use of the advantages offered by the Atkinson principle,where the expansion phase is longer than the compression phase. The intake valve is kept open slightly longer between the intake and compression phases, which improves the engine’s thermal efficiency while reducing the specific fuel consumption and untreated emissions. A new cylinder head, different pistons and a modified camshaft with different camshaft control increase the output by 5 kW/7 hp to 205 kW/279 hp - while reducing fuel consumption at the same time.

Especially on rural journeys and on motorways, the S 400 BlueHYBRID achieves a further efficiency improvement by moving the so-called operating point of the petrol engine to produce a lower specific fuel consumption. The extremely high start-off torque made possible by the boost effect of the electric motor gives the driver a particularly exhilarating feeling of powerful acceleration, while fuel consumption and emissions are reduced.

The electric motor improves efficiency
The compact, disc-shaped electric motor, which is space-savingly installed in the torque converter housing between the engine and the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission, improves efficiency even further. This is a 3-phase AC external rotor magneto motor, which develops a peak output of 15 kW/20 hp and a starting torque of 160 newton metres with an operating voltage of 120 Volts.

This compact motor also acts as a starter and generator, adopting the functions of both these conventional ancillary units.

Sophisticated interaction with the internal combustion engine makes numerous additional functions possible that positively influence the emissions and agility of the S 400 BlueHYBRID in equal measure. Moreover, this disc-shaped motor effectively dampens torsional vibrations in the drive train, thereby further reducing noise and vibrations in the interior. The result is even more ride comfort for both driver and passengers.

“Boost” effect for even more driving pleasure
The overall system offers extensive benefits: firstly by helping to save fuel, and secondly by increasing driving pleasure with the help of the “boost” effect, where the electric motor gives powerful assistance to the petrol engine with its maximum torque of 160 newton metres right from the beginning of the fuel-intensive acceleration phase. This means that the hybrid drive system of the S 400 BlueHYBRID moves off powerfully even from very low engine speeds, as the torque curve impressively confirms. The additional torque of the hybrid module also has a consistently positive effect during subsequent acceleration phases. In all driving situations, the driver therefore benefits from the interaction between the two units in the form of powerful responsiveness and muscular torque - but without an increased fuel consumption.

The S 400 BlueHYBRID accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds, and reaches an electronically governed top speed of 250 km/h. The S 400 BlueHYBRID betters the already very favourable NEDC fuel consumption of the conventionally powered S 350 by up to 2.2 litres per 100 kilometres. CO2 emissions are reduced by 21 percent.

The start/stop function already saves fuel when rolling to a stop
In addition the hybrid module features an extremely comfortable and efficient start/stop function, which already switches the engine off when the vehicle is rolling to a stop at less than 15 km/h, for example before stopping at traffic lights. When it’s time to move off again, the electric motor immediately and imperceptibly restarts the main engine as soon as the driver releases the brake pedal or operates the accelerator. This likewise contributes to fuel economy and environmental conservation: as the engine restarts practically instantly, emissions are also minimised during the starting phase. The vibrations and jolts that are unavoidable when starting with a conventional starter are also reduced to a minimum.

Steering and climatic comfort remain unchanged, as both the steering servo pump and the refrigerant compressor are electrically powered. Both systems therefore continue to operate even when the vehicle is at a standstill with the engine automatically switched off. The intelligent control logic is able to detect whether the driver is executing a turning or parking manoeuvre. In this case the automatic start/stop function is temporarily deactivated, so that these manoeuvres can be carried out in comfort.

Every braking action generates electric power for the battery
When the vehicle is braked, the electric motor acts as a generator and uses a process known as recuperation to convert the kinetic energy into electrical energy. This energy is stored in the compact yet highly efficient lithium-ion battery, and made available when required.

In the process the electric motor assists the engine braking effect of the internal combustion engine in two smooth, seamless stages: In stage one, on the overrun with no braking action, the electric motor acts as a generator and begins to recuperate energy. Stage two commences as soon as the driver lightly operates the brake pedal: the generator output is then increased proportionally, and perceived as heavier deceleration by the driver. Only when more brake pedal pressure is applied are the wheel brakes activated in addition to recuperation. In this way more electrical energy can be generated, while saving wear and tear on the hydraulic braking system at the same time. To make the best possible use of this double benefit, Mercedes engineers also developed a new braking system with a new brake pedal module for the S 400 BlueHYBRID.

Cleverly located control electronics
Dedicated control electronics are required to operate the 3-phase AC electric motor in the 120-Volt high-voltage DC network. The current converter is accommodated in the space formerly occupied by the starter. As the control electronics heat up as a result of electric currents measuring up to 150 amps, the system is equipped with its own, additional low-temperature cooling circuit.

Mercedes-Benz engineers have accommodated the transformer in the right front wheel arch, where it facilitates the exchange of energy between the 120-Volt high-voltage network and the 12-Volt onboard network - and also allows the option of emergency starting with jump leads if the standard battery should lose its charge. To ensure a consistently high level of electrical efficiency, the transformer is likewise cooled by a low-temperature circuit. The 12-Volt lead/acid battery is installed in the boot, and not only supplies the standard consumers but also the monitoring system for the high-voltage components with energy. Thanks to its interaction with the lithium-ion battery, it is considerably smaller in size and lighter than usual.

Tried-and-tested automatic transmission with a new configuration
Mercedes-Benz developers also adapted the well-proven 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission to suit the hybrid drive, with newly programmed software for the transmission management system. A newly developed auxiliary oil pump ensures reliable lubrication of the transmission even during phases when the internal combustion engine is switched off.

This complex system is managed by the modified high-performance engine control unit. This incorporates extensive functions, and distinguishes between operating conditions such as city traffic, rural journeys, motorway driving or slow manoeuvring.

Hybrid status is shown in the instrument cluster
The driver is also able to monitor the status of the hybrid drive system visually. The instrument cluster has a separate, centrally positioned, display showing the energy flow during boost and recuperation phases, as well as the battery charge status.

Seven-stage safety concept in addition to the Mercedes-Benz standard
As is usual at Mercedes-Benz, the development engineers gave safety aspects their very special attention. Know-how incorporated into the series-production car included long years of Daimler research experience with fuel-cell technology. The challenge lay in not only complying with all the worldwide and in-house legal crash test requirements, but also in ensuring the greatest possible safety for the electrical components. This safety system already applies in production, includes workshop personnel during servicing and maintenance, and also takes the emergency services into account when passengers need to be recovered following an accident.

Accordingly the hybrid technology of the S 400 BlueHYBRID is equipped with an extensive 7-stage safety concept.
1. In the first stage all the wiring is colour-coded to eliminate confusion, and marked with safety instructions. This prevents assembly errors in production, and makes the regular quality checks easier to carry out.