New York City using tidal flows to generate electricity

By 2030 New York City will be unable to meet its energy needs without finding alternative sources of energy. These tidal power projects help supplement the city's existing energy sources, and do so with green renewable energy.

First Solar (FSLR) and the Thin Film Future

Here's a video of a representative from First Solar giving a company overview. I have followed the First Solar stock (ticker symbol FSLR) for quite some time. It has always intrigued me because they use a different technology than other solar companies that rely on traditional photovoltaic cells. It is quite clear that their main focus in cost reduction. Their thin film technology is much cheaper than the photovoltaic cells that are subject to the rising silicon prices. People who evaluate the company's business prospects always hold up this cost advantage as a reason to invest in it as a "sustainable" business. They're the only outfit out there that can make money without heavy government subsidy. Because of their cost advantage, First Solar has huge aspirations: to create solar energy that is on par with the economics of traditional electricity sources.

To learn more about First Solar's thin-film cadmium telluride semiconductor material technology, visit their website.

University of Michigan makes power out of slow water currents

Here's a cool video from the University of Michigan about a device called VIVACE that derives energy from slow water currents. This new renewable energy technology, developed by University of Michigan researchers, can make energy out of slow currents in the ocean and rivers. This is a great way of tapping into new vast energy resources, as the great majority of all water currents worldwide are under 3 knots, Professor Michael Bernitsas explains. Even a water current as slow as 1 knot can be tapped for energy