11/16 All Content on SmartPlanet

All Content on SmartPlanet         Big companies neglecting water perils November 16, 2011 at 6:47 AM   Energy companies are among the worst offenders as the world's largest corporations overlook the serious challenges of water scarcity, pollution and flooding, according to a Deloitte-backed report.         Prevention of re-admittance to Spanish hospitals November 16, 2011 at 5:06 AM   MADRID -- Part 2 of 2 on Spanish hospitals' innovative push for efficiency concentrates on lowering re-admission rates as a form of preventative care.         High tech hotel room pops up in Paris November 16, 2011 at 3:15 AM   PARIS -- Microsoft teams up with Novotel to offer guests a high tech hotel experience with a view of the Eiffel Tower         Hong Kong customs officials seize record haul of rhino horns November 16, 2011 at 12:34 AM   HONG KONG -- Customs officials made an astounding discovery in a shipping container arriving from Cape Town.         The Atlanta Beltline combines design, greenspace and transportation into one November 16, 2011 at 12:02 AM   The Beltline isn't Atlanta's answer to the High Line, despite having one of the same design firms at the helm.         Do bicycles improve urban economies? November 15, 2011 at 11:59 PM   In cities throughout the US, the amount of bike-infrastructure is increasing and the number of bicycle commuters is climbing. But should cities fast-track bicycle projects to jump-start the economy?         When biologists become designers of humans, then what? November 15, 2011 at 11:50 PM   As the tools and knowledge base for engineering genetic codes advance, the tools for designing the end product have limited usefulness.         US trails as innovation destination: global CEO study November 15, 2011 at 10:11 PM   Inadequate technical education, tax policies, and lax intellectual property protections in emerging countries threaten US innovation competitiveness.         Mongolian city to create 'ice shield' in geoengineering trial November 15, 2011 at 7:17 PM   Mongolia aims to combat the urban heat island effect by capturing temperatures in the winter and using them in the summer.         Synthetic photosynthesis makes natural gas November 15, 2011 at 5:13 PM   A start-up is mimicking photosynthesis to produce natural gas from industrial CO2 and municipal wastewater.         Obese monkeys lose weight, shrink waistlines with novel drug November 15, 2011 at 1:47 PM   Researchers have come up with a new drug that targets fat tissue by destroying its blood supply. Monkeys have lost 38% of their body fat and are at lower risk for type 2 diabetes.         Photos: World's largest fuel cell park is open for business November 15, 2011 at 11:33 AM   FuelCell Energy has unveiled what it says is the largest fuel cell park in the world: a 11.2 megawatt project that can provide electricity to 20,000 homes and only takes up one acre of land.         Ketchup technology could keep sauce from getting stuck in the bottle November 15, 2011 at 10:43 AM   New research from Harvard scientists could solve one of life's biggest problems: ketchup stuck on the bottle.         Zen and the art of biodegradable tableware November 15, 2011 at 10:31 AM   Hosting a holiday soirée but don't want to scrub dishes for a party of 30? Japanese-designed Wasara paper tableware lets you entertain elegantly with an eco-friendly flair.         Fire trucks in New York Harbor? No, just faulty GPS units November 15, 2011 at 10:11 AM   New York City recently invested in a technology project that has been proven to be flawed.         How do you service a subway system that never closes? November 15, 2011 at 9:58 AM   In New York City, transportation officials are struggling with a major problem: how do you maintain a subway system that never shuts down?         Samsung acquires ITC's Nexus; cardiac care systems November 15, 2011 at 9:39 AM   Samsung Electronics acquires ITC's Nexus division, which manufactures cardiac point-of-care testing kits that help diagnose and monitor cardiovascular diseases.         In rural southern U.S., AIDS as healthcare hurdle November 15, 2011 at 9:19 AM   A documentary called "Closer to Home" profiles Americans living with AIDS in rural areas of the southern U.S.         Fecal transplants hold promise, but face regulatory hurdles November 15, 2011 at 8:00 AM   Fecal transplants sound gross, but they are one of the most promising cures for a growing and serious health problem.         China's Area 51? Mysterious site spotted from space November 15, 2011 at 8:00 AM   Satellite photos from Google Earth show massive structures that appear designed for a military purpose.         From the horse's mouth: LED bulbs are too pricey November 15, 2011 at 7:41 AM   Lighting vendor Nexxus comes right out and says it: Consumers don't like the high price of energy efficient bulbs, no matter how much money and electricity they save in the long run.         Mexico City bike activists paint 'Wikilane' for cyclists November 15, 2011 at 7:00 AM   MEXICO CITY -- Bike activists painted a "Wikilane" near Mexico's national congress to highlight their demand that 5 percent of the country's transportation budget be directed to bike infrastructure.         Mexico City bike activists paint 'Wikilane' for cyclists November 15, 2011 at 7:00 AM   Bike activists painted a "Wikilane" near Mexico's national congress to highlight their demand that 5 percent of the country's transportation budget be directed to bike infrastructure.         40 corporate sustainability leaders (plus, 3 lists considered) November 15, 2011 at 6:44 AM   Three weighty corporate social responsibility rankings have been published this fall. What is surprising is how little duplication there is among the leaders.         Reviewing safe construction in emerging countries November 15, 2011 at 6:42 AM   A symposium at Yale University debated how to build safely in countries that have no building codes.         Green, whimsy, irony: environmental theme for Hong Kong's hippest design exhibition November 15, 2011 at 6:41 AM   HONG KONG -- Green is a hot topic, and designers want to be part of the conversation at Detour 2011.         Green, whimsy and irony: an environmental theme for Hong Kong's hippest design exhibition November 15, 2011 at 6:41 AM   HONG KONG -- Green is a hot topic, and designers want to be part of the conversation at Detour 2011.         Climate disasters: quibbling over causes November 15, 2011 at 5:00 AM   As the damage from extreme weather continues to mount, doubters keep finding reasons to deny that global warming is responsible. Columnist John Rennie questions their arguments.         Madrid hospitals look to free beds November 15, 2011 at 4:39 AM   MADRID -- Part 1 of 2 exploring Spanish hospitals' patient care, focusing on better admittance and discharge practices to avoid over-crowding.         The high cost of sprawl [infographic] November 14, 2011 at 11:21 PM   Florida is approving an alarming amount of new housing developments, despite low demand. And it's having a huge financial impact on taxpayers.         Poll: Americans want higher fuel standards, hybrid cars November 14, 2011 at 10:03 PM   Consumer Reports has concluded that its new survey demonstrates an overwhelming majority of Americans want higher automobile fuel standards and are considering buying hybrid or electric vehicles.         3D printing: coming to a library near you November 14, 2011 at 4:11 PM   A public library has converted part of its facilities into a 'hackerspace' with 3D printing equipment to encourage innovation in personal manufacturing.         SmartPlanet seeks rockstar weekend writer November 14, 2011 at 3:46 PM   SmartPlanet seeks a rockstar writer for the weekend. Don't just sit there, apply!         No Branding: Australia's new 'plain' cigarette packages November 14, 2011 at 2:50 PM   No logos, no glossy paper, no color variations. The government's "revolutionary" move allows only a solid brown background that's mostly covered by images of disease and warnings of death.         Video: Control objects with your mind November 14, 2011 at 2:33 PM   The BodyWave, an iPod-sized device, can read your mind through the body instead of monitoring directly from your head. The gadget measures brain activity to control 3D simulations on the computer screen, helping to minimize stress and anxiety.             This email was sent to georgesmelly@gmail.com. Delivered by Feed My Inbox PO Box 682532 Franklin, TN 37068 Account Login Unsubscribe Here

11/16 Cleantech Blog

Cleantech Blog         "Off the Grid and Into People's Homes" November 14, 2011 at 6:45 AM   In the November/December issue of EnergyBiz, you will find an unusual contributor to a magazine about the utility sector:  Bob McDonald, CEO of Proctor & Gamble (NYSE: PG). Being one of the largest, most successful and savviest consumer marketing companies, P&G is often considered by utility companies as a model for how to develop and market new products or [...]             This email was sent to georgesmelly@gmail.com. Delivered by Feed My Inbox PO Box 682532 Franklin, TN 37068 Account Login Unsubscribe Here

11/16 Westar Energy Blog

Westar Energy Blog         Westar crews in New England wrap up work, head home November 10, 2011 at 4:17 PM   Westar crews were released today to begin their journey back to Kansas.  Crews have been gone since October 31. On Nov. 7, crews moved from helping Western Massachusetts Electric to assisting Connecticut Light and Power. Every storm restoration presents its own challenges, and this effort was no exception. Crews were challenged by blown tires, hotel arrangements and meal accommodations, to name a few. It’s not easy to make arrangements for 77 people from Kansas to travel to New England and accommodate their stay in less than ideal conditions. A special thank you to crew comfort folks from Westar and from host utility companies for making this happen. The work that crews perform is rough. In many cases, it's a matter of completely rebuilding the electrical system, as opposed to fixing a single piece of equipment. Working on an unfamiliar electric system, combined with different safety standards, can present unique challenges .  It also presents an opportunity for craft professionals to learn new skills and overcome challenges they may not face day-to-day. They bring that gained knowledge home with them. Long work hours accompanied by customers who have been without power for an extended period of time can take a toll. Continued focus on safety is imperative. At the end of the day, the thank yous and praise from the host utility company and its customers go a long way to keep crews in good spirits. As a Kansan, it’s reassuring to know that if or when our time comes to go through a similar situation, we have brothers and sisters in the electric utility industry that will be there to help us get the lights back on as safely and quickly as possible. Thank you to all the Northeast Utility customers who have expressed gratitude to Westar employees. We’re shamelessly proud of the men and women who were given the opportunity to help get your life back to normal. For a few more photos, visit us on Facebook.             This email was sent to georgesmelly@gmail.com. Delivered by Feed My Inbox PO Box 682532 Franklin, TN 37068 Account Login Unsubscribe Here

A universal plug protocol has been accepted by the big auto makers

In an effort to streamline the process of charging electric vehicles, seven major automakers - Audi, BMW, Daimler, Ford, GM, Porsche and Volkswagen - have agreed to a single rapid charging system.

At an announcement made at the Society of German Engineers’ 15th International Electronic Systems for Motor Vehicles Conference yesterday, the car companies signed the Combined Charging System — which will give all upcoming EVs the same charging interface. The interface will be capable of one-phase AC charging, rapid three-phase AC charging, at-home DC charging or ultra-fast DC charging at public charging stations. This essentially means that there won’t be a separate wire for rapid charging, or home/wall outlets.

The automakers also agreed to use HomePlug Green Phy as the communication protocol. This method will facilitate the integration of electric cars into smart grid applications.

According to Green Car Congress, “The harmonized electric vehicle charging solution is backward compatible with the J1772 connector standard in the US. Backward compatibility also has been achieved in Europe where the system is based on the IEC 62196 Type 2. The approval of the J1772 standard has given electric vehicle owners the comfort of knowing they can charge at all Level 2 charging stations. Prior to standardization an EV owner had no way of knowing if the charge port they were pulling up to was compatible with their vehicle.”

In the end, the universal plug will help both owners and manufacturers by lowering costs and accelerate the rate of charger installation — making the car more accessible for everyone.