In total, the report showed that China, Japan, and South Korea will invest about $509 billion in clean tech over the next 5 years, whereas the US (with our greenest President in decades, maybe ever) is only expected to invest $172 billion (about 3 times less) — this is assuming the climate and energy legislation in Congress passes.

If the US were to invest the same percentage of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as South Korea, it would invest almost $140 billion per year ($700 billion over this five year period)! Compared to China, the anticipated per-GDP investment ratio is 1:4 (US to China).

In 2008, Japan almost matched US R&D spending on energy and achieved almost the same number of international clean energy patents despite having dramatically lower GDP.

The financial investment is not the only thing giving these countries a major advantage in this field, though.

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The new report found that North Carolina has a lot of solar energy potential due to its “vast” solar energy intensity (which is nearly as much as Florida’s) combined with other economic, policy and technological factors.

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Several of the neighborhood kids climbing the walnut tree in the Latona Community Garden.

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The Japanese space agency has unveiled an incredible new plan to start collecting solar power in space, and zap it down to Earth via microwaves or laser beams.

Under the plan, known as the Space Solar Power System (SSPS), floating photovoltaic dishes several square miles across would hover in geostationary orbit outside the Earth’s atmosphere as soon as 2030.

According to a researcher at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, one of the project participants, “Since solar power is a clean and inexhaustible energy source, we believe that this system will be able to help solve the problems of energy shortage and global warming. The sun’s rays abound in space.” (Another picture after the jump).

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This project would have powered over a million homes and made a huge dent in New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions. It is not happening now because of a group of NIMBY activists and the Environment Court’s ruling.

This is a huge blow, in itself, to renewable and wind energy proponents, but it also brings concerns for future wind energy projects.

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OK, I know this isn’t strictly the type of car that you’re used to hearing about on Gas 2.0. For starters, you can’t even drive it. But, with Christmas looming just around the corner, I couldn’t resist writing about this funky little hydrogen fuel cell-powered remote-control car.

Called the H2Go, this is a toy car aimed at teaching kids about alternative energy in a fun and exciting way. Forget falling for the classic disappointment of (duh) forgetting the batteries and having to wait till the shops open, this little number runs on a combination of solar and zero-emission hydrogen.

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At the tail-end of last week’s Tokyo Motor Show Suzuki unveiled an exciting e-scooter concept, the Burgman, powered by a combination of hydrogen fuel cells and a li-ion battery.

Suzuki says that the innovative powertrain would enable the Burgman to reach distances of up to 220 miles at an average speed of 30kph (20mph) - so no wild freeway jaunts just yet then.

However, the company also reckon that performance will be comparable to a standard 125cc scooter (but I’d imagine that riding at higher speeds would most likely significantly reduce range).

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The articles of association for the DESERTEC Industrial Initiative (DII) were signed by the joint venture group of 12 companies and the DESERTEC Foundation in Munich on October 30.

Additionally, a CEO for DII was appointed — Paul van Son.

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Cops based near Oxford in the UK have revealed that they are unable to to use flashing blue lights on their new electric car - in case it drains too much power from the battery.

The Thames Valley police force is testing out the £20,000 ($33,000) Mitsubishi iMiev in an effort to improve its environmental credentials. Apart from this quite obvious setback, they have been pleased with the silent, emission-free car, capable of travelling 100 miles on a single charge (with the lights off).

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Hawaii’s initiative will make it possible for homeowners and businesses to sell power they generate from small to medium-scale renewable energy projects (i.e. solar panels) to Hawaii’s main power producers at higher than market-value rates.

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Take a look at the first picture of what Honda hopes will become the future of motorbikes. The Honda EV-Cub is an all-electric version of the company’s top selling Super-Cub, and could be on sale as early as next year.

Details are scant about the new machine, but sources say that the retro looking EV-Cub will be two-wheel drive to offer riders more stability and traction.

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]]> http://gas2.org/2009/10/15/honda-debuts-electric-version-of-worlds-best-selling-motorcycle/feed/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/09/17/solar-power-is-green-and-blue-orange-and-red/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/09/17/solar-power-is-green-and-blue-orange-and-red/#comments Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:18:00 +0000 Jeff Kart http://cleantechnica.com/2009/09/17/solar-power-is-green-and-blue-orange-and-red/

Solar power comes in many forms, from rigid to thin film. The panels are shiny, gleaming and ready to harness the power of the sun.

They’re also usually silver. Yet they also come in colors, not just for looks, but for efficiency.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/09/17/solar-power-is-green-and-blue-orange-and-red/feed/ http://gas2.org/2009/08/18/magenn-wind-power-turbine-in-the-sky/ http://gas2.org/2009/08/18/magenn-wind-power-turbine-in-the-sky/#comments Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:12:42 +0000 Christopher DeMorro http://gas2.org/2009/08/18/magenn-wind-power-turbine-in-the-sky/

Wind power is a great, effective way to make energy, but only when the wind blows. Or if you can find the open space to plant large wind farms that tear apart birds, bats, and low-flying hot air balloons. There are also many people who would hate to live in the shadow of one of these wind farms. But what if the turbines were 1,000 feet in the air?

This is the idea behind a conceptual wind turbine in the sky built by Magenn Power Inc. Called the MARS (Magenn Air Rotor System), this system utilizes an inflatible rotor that floats high above the air without requiring a tower, just a tether.

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]]> http://gas2.org/2009/08/18/magenn-wind-power-turbine-in-the-sky/feed/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/08/12/when-the-power-goes-out-renewable-energy-trailer-goes-to-work-in-michigan/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/08/12/when-the-power-goes-out-renewable-energy-trailer-goes-to-work-in-michigan/#comments Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:24:36 +0000 Jeff Kart http://cleantechnica.com/2009/08/12/when-the-power-goes-out-renewable-energy-trailer-goes-to-work-in-michigan/

Here’s a feather in the cap of renewable energy supporters.

When the (baseload, coal and nuclear) power went out after storms in Muskegon, a mobile renewable energy unit came to the rescue.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/08/12/when-the-power-goes-out-renewable-energy-trailer-goes-to-work-in-michigan/feed/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/07/25/italy-to-get-largest-rooftop-solar-power-plant-in-the-world/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/07/25/italy-to-get-largest-rooftop-solar-power-plant-in-the-world/#comments Sat, 25 Jul 2009 16:53:08 +0000 Andrew Williams http://cleantechnica.com/2009/07/25/italy-to-get-largest-rooftop-solar-power-plant-in-the-world/

An Italian company has announced plans to install the world’s largest rooftop solar photovoltaic plant, with an energy capacity equivalent to the power needs of 5,000 households.

Solon SE will establish the facility at its Padua warehouse and truck-loading complex, generating an output of up to 15 megawatts when the sun is at its brightest.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/07/25/italy-to-get-largest-rooftop-solar-power-plant-in-the-world/feed/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/07/25/austrian-nuclear-power-station-converts-to-100-solar-energy/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/07/25/austrian-nuclear-power-station-converts-to-100-solar-energy/#comments Sat, 25 Jul 2009 16:23:40 +0000 Andrew Williams http://cleantechnica.com/2009/07/25/austrian-nuclear-power-station-converts-to-100-solar-energy/

Earlier today the Zwentendorf nuclear plant in Austria reopened as a solar power station, making it the largest facility of its kind anywhere in the country.

Following its completion over 30 years ago, the plant’s operation was fiercely contested - culminating in a 1978 national referendum forcing it to close. Since then it has lain dormant as a visible testament to Austrian concerns over nuclear energy.

Now, following a €1.2 million investment the plant has reemerged as a major renewable energy production facility.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/07/25/austrian-nuclear-power-station-converts-to-100-solar-energy/feed/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/07/24/us-firm-to-invest-2-billion-in-indias-renewable-energy-industry/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/07/24/us-firm-to-invest-2-billion-in-indias-renewable-energy-industry/#comments Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:20:56 +0000 Andrew Williams http://cleantechnica.com/2009/07/24/us-firm-to-invest-2-billion-in-indias-renewable-energy-industry/

Major US renewables company Astonfield is set to invest a massive $2 billion in India over the next five years, the largest single cash-injection in renewable energy ever seen in the sub-continent.

The deal will generate about 1,000 MW of power, most of it from solar sources.

Much of the proposed $2 billion investment will go towards building solar-photovoltaic powered projects with a capacity of 500 MW.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/07/24/us-firm-to-invest-2-billion-in-indias-renewable-energy-industry/feed/ http://ecolocalizer.com/2009/07/24/my-vagina-is-8-miles-wide/ http://ecolocalizer.com/2009/07/24/my-vagina-is-8-miles-wide/#comments Fri, 24 Jul 2009 11:38:02 +0000 Rhonda Winter http://ecolocalizer.com/2009/07/24/my-vagina-is-8-miles-wide/ Portland based artist Storm Large brings us some happy and enthusiastic vagina love with this incredibly catchy song from her one woman show “Crazy Enough“. She sings that her vagina is a “metaphor for my super vagintastically mystical feminine goddess core“.

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]]> http://ecolocalizer.com/2009/07/24/my-vagina-is-8-miles-wide/feed/ http://gas2.org/2009/07/21/hydrogen-poweredvega-well-almost/ http://gas2.org/2009/07/21/hydrogen-poweredvega-well-almost/#comments Tue, 21 Jul 2009 04:50:42 +0000 Christopher DeMorro http://gas2.org/2009/07/21/hydrogen-poweredvega-well-almost/ This past weekend, over 7,000 hot rods, street rods, muscle cars and classics invaded Syracuse, New York for the annual Syracuse Nationals. This is NOT the eco-friendly event of the year; it is in fact, anything but. But I still love me some cool cars, and you don’t have to be a gearhead to appreciate classic sheet metal of this caliber.

But still, I was shocked to stumble across this 1972 Chevy Vega claimed propulsion by hydrogen. An alternative fuel car at a show full of dinosauce suckers? Where are the mobs and pitchforks?

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]]> http://gas2.org/2009/07/21/hydrogen-poweredvega-well-almost/feed/ http://gas2.org/2009/07/10/first-ever-manned-hydrogen-powered-aircraft-takes-to-the-air/ http://gas2.org/2009/07/10/first-ever-manned-hydrogen-powered-aircraft-takes-to-the-air/#comments Fri, 10 Jul 2009 10:25:58 +0000 Andrew Williams http://gas2.org/2009/07/10/first-ever-manned-hydrogen-powered-aircraft-takes-to-the-air/

Earlier this week, the world’s first piloted aircraft powered solely by hydrogen fuel cells, took to the skies above Hamburg Airport, Germany, producing zero carbon dioxide emissions.

The Antares DLR-H2, jointly developed by the German aerospace centre DLR, Lange Aviation, BASF Fuel Cells and Denmark’s Serenergy, has a range of 750km (390nm) and can stay airborne for 5 hours at top flying speeds of about 90kt (170km/h).

According to DLR, a main hurdle was improving fuel cell performance capabilities and efficiency to such an extent that the motor glider could take off using fuel cell power alone. DLR’s Johann-Dietrich told reporters, “This enables us to demonstrate the true potential of this technology.” (see more pictures after the jump).

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