Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[First solar-powered boat to circle the world pulls into home port, contemplates next move]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/04/first-solar-powered-boat-to-circle-the-world/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/04/first-solar-powered-boat-to-circle-the-world/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/04/first-solar-powered-boat-to-circle-the-world/#comments First solar-powered boat to circle the world pulls into home port, contemplates next move

It's been two years since we last heard of the 98-foot-long solar-powered boat, which at the time was gearing up for its big journey around the world. Well, some 19 months and 37,286 miles after setting sail from Monaco, the MS Turanor PlanetSolar has finally made it home. The PlanetSolar broke four Guinness world records along the way, including the all-important "first circumnavigation by solar-powered boat," and it made stops on six continents to promote solar energy. Oh, and the team fended off Somalian pirates in the process, too. Now that it has a moment to catch its breath and soak up some rays at leisure, the MS Turanor could become any number of things -- from the world's largest solar battery to a "green luxury yacht." The latter option would certainly befit its chichi home port.

First solar-powered boat to circle the world pulls into home port, contemplates next move originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 May 2012 20:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boatboatsenergy efficientEnergyEfficientgreenguinness book of world recordsGuinness RecordGuinness World RecordGuinnessBookOfWorldRecordsGuinnessRecordGuinnessWorldRecordMS TuranorMS Turanor PlanetSolarMsTuranorMsTuranorPlanetsolarnauticalPlanetSolarPlanetSolarYachtsolarsolar energysolar powersolar poweredsolar-poweredsolar-powered boatSolar-poweredBoatSolarEnergySolarPowerSolarPoweredFri, 04 May 2012 20:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Inhabitat's Week in Green: space pod hotel, Lego LED lamps and the world's largest solar-powered boat]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/21/inhabitats-week-in-green-space-pod-hotel-lego-led-lamps-and-t/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/21/inhabitats-week-in-green-space-pod-hotel-lego-led-lamps-and-t/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/21/inhabitats-week-in-green-space-pod-hotel-lego-led-lamps-and-t/#commentsEach week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green.

Incredible green architecture projects lifted off to the stars and charted the seas this week as Inhabitat showcased a solar-powered space pod hotel that could launch in 2016 and PayPal founder Peter Thiel invested $1.25 million to create a chain of floating micro-countries. Meanwhile, Apple unveiled new images of its spaceship-shaped headquarters and its Grand Central Terminal store, and OPEN Architecture floated plans to transform a Zeppelin hangar into a green-roofed extreme sports center. Living green building projects also got a boost as Mexico unveiled plans to develop the world's largest urban park and an incredible crop of grass-covered cubicles sprung up in downtown Denver.

It was also an epic week for electric vehicles as Germany's "Schluckspecht" car set a world record for driving over 1,000 miles on a single charge, Lightning Motorcycles broke the 200 MPH electric bike speed record, and Stanford unveiled what could very well be the fastest solar car ever built. We also watched the world's largest solar-powered boat arrive in Hong Kong as it continues its trip around the world, while Google Street View began mapping the Amazon using cameras set on canoes and trikes. Solar Roadways also received a $750,000 grant to develop a large-scale installation and Zero2Infinity proposed a cheaper way to travel to space via an immense helium-filled balloon.

In other news, the past week was charged with renewable energy developments as a 13-year-old kid harnessed the Fibonacci sequence to make a solar power breakthrough and researchers developed an energy-harvesting LCD screen that could one day power our gadgets. We also learned that deep-sea mussels can convert hydrogen into energy, we were shocked to see another shiny slick of oil turn up near a BP well in the Gulf of Mexico, and we saw Australia outfit its soldiers with photovoltaic systems. Finally, on the home front we brought you a set of fun LEGO LED lamps perfect for illuminating any room, and we shared five tips for greening your finances.

Inhabitat's Week in Green: space pod hotel, Lego LED lamps and the world's largest solar-powered boat originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 21 Aug 2011 20:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boatcarInhabitatInhabitats week in greenInhabitatsWeekInGreenlampledlegendsolarsolar powersolar poweredsolar-poweredSolarPowerSolarPoweredweek in greenWeekInGreenSun, 21 Aug 2011 20:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Inhabitat's Week in Green: transparent airplanes, photovoltaic subdivisions and a wind-powered yacht]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/19/inhabitats-week-in-green-transparent-airplanes-photovoltaic-s/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/19/inhabitats-week-in-green-transparent-airplanes-photovoltaic-s/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/19/inhabitats-week-in-green-transparent-airplanes-photovoltaic-s/#comments Green transportation soared through the skies this week as Inhabitat reported on Airbus' plans for a transparent airplane, and we showcased a crazy working hover bike capable of flying up to 10,000 feet. We were also excited to see China begin to roll out high-speed rail across Asia and we spotted several out-of-this world Frankenstein vehicles -- a Mercedes-Benz bus train in Bolivia and a wind-powered yacht that doubles as an airplane.

It was a momentous week for energy news as well, as Italians voted to end the use of nuclear power, and we took a look inside Germany's Wunderland Kalkar Amusement Park, which is built inside of a decommissioned nuclear plant. Solar power also had its moment in the sun as Enfinity unveiled two gorgeous photovoltaic-laden landscapes in Les Mées, France and Bangladesh announced that one million of the country's homes are powered by photovoltaic panels. We even spotted a new type of flexible generator that could be built into shoes to produce power as you walk.

This week we were also excited to unveil the winners of our Bright Ideas Lighting Design Competition -- the elegant geometric Tetra Pak Lamp, the gorgeous glowing Nourishment Lamp, and the cute cork Pinha Pendant Light. We also launched our new Ask a Tech Geek Series where gadget guru extraordinaire Peter Rojas answers your questions about green technology, and we reported on one Japanese researcher's dubious plan to create an artificial meat substitute from poop. Finally, we shared an awesome steampunk rotary smartphone and a set of fun foldable Paper Punk robots that are perfect for terrorizing your coworkers' cubicles.

Inhabitat's Week in Green: transparent airplanes, photovoltaic subdivisions and a wind-powered yacht originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 19 Jun 2011 21:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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[Thanks, Panos]

Meet Marvin, the ginormous solar-assisted catamaran originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Jul 2010 21:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boatcatamaranconceptdesigneco-friendlygreenMarvinphotovoltaicshipsolarsolar boatsolar powersolar poweredsolar-powersolar-poweredSolarBoatSolarPowerSolarPoweredThu, 08 Jul 2010 21:44:00 EST<![CDATA[PlanetSolar boat aims for Earth circumnavigation with Sun's help, enters testing stage (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/planetsolar-boat-aims-for-earth-circumnavigation-with-suns-help/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/planetsolar-boat-aims-for-earth-circumnavigation-with-suns-help/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/planetsolar-boat-aims-for-earth-circumnavigation-with-suns-help/#comments You'll be forgiven for letting the PlanetSolar boat slip your mind in the year that's passed since we last heard of it, but the engineers behind the project haven't been slacking and today we're hearing that the multihull vessel has been put into the water to begin its seafaring tests. With nearly 5,400 square feet of photovoltaic cells adorning its roof, this is by far the biggest and most ambitious solar-powered boat yet, so it's no surprise that it won't be casting off on its globe circumnavigation attempt until at least April 2011. For now, you can enjoy photos of the vast ray-muncher at the PlanetSolar link below or skip past the break for the latest video from the team.

[Thanks, Pavel]

Continue reading PlanetSolar boat aims for Earth circumnavigation with Sun's help, enters testing stage (video)

PlanetSolar boat aims for Earth circumnavigation with Sun's help, enters testing stage (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Apr 2010 06:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boatcircumnavigationeco-friendlyenvironmentally friendlyEnvironmentallyFriendlygermanyknierim yachtbauKnierimYachtbauphotovoltaicplanetsolarraphael domjanRaphaelDomjanrenewable energyRenewableEnergysolarsolar energysolar powersolar poweredsolar-poweredSolarEnergySolarPowerSolarPoweredvideoyachtThu, 01 Apr 2010 06:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Solar boat crew heading out on a fantastic voyage around the world]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/11/solar-boat-crew-heading-out-on-a-fantastic-voyage-around-the-wor/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/11/solar-boat-crew-heading-out-on-a-fantastic-voyage-around-the-wor/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/11/solar-boat-crew-heading-out-on-a-fantastic-voyage-around-the-wor/#comments
A group of engineers, scientists and sailors have banded together to form a team they call Solar Planet. The group are now building a 98-foot-long solar-powered boat, for the express purpose of sailing all the way around the world using nothing but the delicious power of the sun. The $13 million dollar vessel -- which is currently in construction in Kiel, Germany -- will have 5,059 square feet of photovoltaic cells, and should be able to circumnavigate the earth in about 120 days, at a rate of about 10 knots. The project is being funded by Swiss company Rivendell Holding AG, that has committed to investing in green technology. The group hopes to set sail sometime next year from Marseilles, France, with various stops off along the way. They will undoubtedly tire of hearing that Daft Punk song long before they ever leave the shore. Check out a sweet render of the boat after the break.

Continue reading Solar boat crew heading out on a fantastic voyage around the world

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Solar boat crew heading out on a fantastic voyage around the world originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 11 Apr 2009 22:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cruising across the open seas may seem like a great way to get close to nature, but take a look at the sheer quantity of fuel most boats suck down as they power through waves (and manatees) and you'll realize the truth. Thus a new breed of eco-friendly boat has arisen, the latest entry being San Francisco's Alcatraz Cruises Hornblower Hybrid ferry. The ship, which will take passengers on trips to the Rock and elsewhere in the Bay, uses two vertical wind turbines and a solar panel to power its on-board electronics, with any excess juice going to the boat's propulsion systems -- which still rely mostly on diesel to get the craft and its passengers where they're going. Okay, so it's perhaps not as green as other eco-boats we've seen, but a tour on this one should be a good bit more affordable when it enters service early this year.

[Via Inhabitat]

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New eco ferry uses wind and solar to get you to the Rock -- and hopefully back originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 10:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yachts are usually pretty environmentally unsound, so the DSe Hybrid just debuted by Island Pilot at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show should be a real breath of fresh air (literally) if green is your thing. And apparently it's really about as eco-friendly as it gets -- using a combination of diesel, solar and electric power (when it goes into commercial production it will also boast wind turbines) the vessel can cruise at up to six knots on a sunny day for an indefinite period of time without any fuel and zero emissions. Possibly best of all (for those like us with delicate ears, anyway), it's virtually silent when not running on fuel. If you need to get somewhere in a hurry however, its Parallel Hybrid Propulsion System in diesel mode will move at up to 13 knots. There are all sorts of "luxury" amenities on board including a 26-inch HDTV and totally ferocious Bose home theater system. Island Pilot is taking pre-orders now (you have to lay down $5,000 just to reserve one) for delivery in 2009, but fair warning: this thing has a price tag of $600,000.

[Via gizmag]

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DSe Hybrid yacht is super eco-friendly, totally unaffordable originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boatdieseldseeco-friendlyfloridagreenhybridisland pilotisland pilot dseIslandPilotIslandPilotDseluxurysolarsolar powerSolarPowerwind powerWindPoweryachtMon, 03 Nov 2008 11:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese firms to partially propel cargo ship via solar panels]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/28/japanese-firms-to-partially-propel-cargo-ship-via-solar-panels/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/28/japanese-firms-to-partially-propel-cargo-ship-via-solar-panels/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/28/japanese-firms-to-partially-propel-cargo-ship-via-solar-panels/#commentsFirst things first -- when we say "partially" propel, we mean partially. Nippon Yusen and energy distributor Nippon Oil are teaming up to spend around $1.37 million in order to equip a car-hauling cargo ship with 328 solar panels. Rather than just provide energy for the crew's on board entertainment system, it will be the first solar installation to actually produce a smidgen of power for the boat's engine. If successful, the panels would provide 0.2% of the ship's energy consumption for propulsion, and they're hoping to raise that to a whopping 1% by 2010. Gives a whole new meaning to "baby steps," huh?

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Japanese firms to partially propel cargo ship via solar panels originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Aug 2008 06:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Although this isn't the first time we've heard "solar-powered" and "kayak" used in the same sentence, the SPK-1 does its darnedest to make us shake our heads in disbelief. This "outrigger attachment" essentially hooks onto any medium / large-sized kayak and relies on the sun to charge up the 12V deep cycle marine battery. From there, a Minkota trolling motor provides the power your kayak needs to move about in the water, leaving you with nothing better to do than kick back, enjoy a book and keep an eye on any incoming yachts. Sure, you could consider the $1,100 adornment an exemplification of indolence, but we think it's more like training wheels... only, for your kayak.

[Thanks, Rich H.]

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Solar-powered kayak attachment nixes need for paddling originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Nov 2007 08:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A DIY nuke detector won't be the only oddity out in the San Francisco Bay before too long, as we're hearing that Hornblower Yachts is currently lobbying for Coast Guard approval to operate a solar-powered ferry in the area by 2009. The sails (but not the actual vessel) would be created by Australia's Solar Sailor, which already has a sun-lovin' boat that cruises around the sunny Sydney Harbor and utilizes eight solar sails to dramatically decrease its consumption of diesel. Furthermore, the firm is planning to deliver a set of sails to a ginormous passenger boat in Shanghai and could be close to landing a contract for four 100-person ferries in Hong Kong. If you're wondering just how much coin you'd have to cough up to snag a few solar sails for personal use, we're told that $1.5 million of the estimated $8.5 million reserved for the San Fran boat will be headed straight to Solar Sailor, so yeah, only the affluent need apply.

[Image courtesy of Solar Sailor]

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Solar-powered ferry could be headed to San Francisco originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Nov 2007 03:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boatshipsolarsolar boatsolar powersolar sailorsolar shipsolar-poweredSolarBoatSolarPowerSolarSailorSolarShipFri, 09 Nov 2007 03:05:00 EST