Stepping off the Grid

Pavegen tiles are tiels that produce energy when stepped on. Each step on the tile creates a small amount of energy such as 4-8 watts but, if these tiles are put in a very populated area where there are thousands of people walking everyday, a great amount of energy can be produced. Pavegen tiles were tested in London at a subway station during the 2012 Olympic Games and the results proved that it can produce a substantial amount of energy. The energy that is produced can be connected to traffic lights or even charge mobile phones. Overall, it is a interesting step in the right direction concerning alternative energy ideas.

http://conservationmagazine.org/2013/03/stepping-off-the-grid/

Plastic shopping bags make a fine diesel fuel

Americans throw away about 100 billion plastic bags each year and majority of them end up in landfills or escape by the wind and take over the ocean. We always hear about how plastic bags are doing horrible things to wildlife, especially in the ocean, and now there finally is good news about something to reduce this issue. Plastic bags can be converted into diesel, natural gas, and other petroleum products. Also, it is great because it creates much more energy than it takes to convert it. This is excellent news for the future and it is hopeful for the animals that are in danger daily due to the effects of plastic bags.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/02/140212132853.htm

Huge Fresh Groundwater Reserves Found beneath Ocean Floor

According to many researchers from Australia’s National Center for Groundwater Research and Training and Flinders University, a lot of freshwater has been found under the seabed on continental shelves around the world. This is good news considering the massive demand for water everywhere recently. Studies show that the amount of water that was found could sustain countries for decades. There are two ways to get to this water under the seabed and that is building a platform out at sea and drilling into the seabed or you can drill from the islands/main lands close to the aquifers. Although both are very costly, it could be very worth retrieving the abundance of freshwater that is needed everywhere.

http://www.sci-news.com/geology/science-fresh-groundwater-reserves-ocean-01606.html