Heat powered piston engine -- PowerVerde, Inc.

Air-borne wind turbines

When we talk about wind turbines most of us think big tall white fan. And for the most part we are right...but what about floating turbines? A company named Sky Windpower has proposed a solution that they estimate could provide power to users at prices as low as $0.01KWh.

This solution utilizes high altitudes, where the wind supply is almost constant, by sending (at least partially bouyant) turbines up into the air and collecting their power through conductive tethering lines or other more "wireless" means. I dont know about you but I wouldnt want a floating balloon in my backyard any more than I want a 75 foot tall wind tower, but this could definitely be a viable solution for large wind farms.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airborne_wind_turbine

"This month's electricity check is in, Bob"

If you havent heard by now, you can actually MAKE money by producing your own electricity.

Check out this house in Wisconson
http://www.metaefficient.com/architecture-and-building/energy-producing-home-disguise.html

Photosythesi-zer

It brings a whole new meaning to the word "power-plant" ...

http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/03/15/solar-plant-uses-photosynthesis-to-charge-your-gadgets/

General Power

After doing some thinking I realized I don't want to narrow you down to specific sub-topics of renewable energy. Use this post as an open thread to talk about whatever strikes your fancy -- it doesn't matter if you are looking to save the planet or just a couple bucks on your next electricity bill -- lets hear your ideas, and maybe you'll even hear some that interest you.

Solar Panels

Alright, so everyone and their half-step mom's sister's nephew-in-law has heard about solar panels. Solar power plants are popping up all over America and just about everywhere else, power companies are required to produce or buy a certain number of solar 'credits' every year, and so on and so on. I've done a good bit of my own research, but I want to hear what you have to say on the matter. Do you really think these panels are the future? Or are we still a long ways off? Is it practical or cost-effective right this day to go out and buy your house some solar panels? Or should we wait? Are we doing more harm than good using precious resources on building these panels?

One website you may be interested in looking at is http://www.astrumsolar.com/ -- Especially if you live in the Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia, or D.C. areas. They have a nice calculator for figuring out cost/savings. They even go so far as to look at your overall home worth. Let me know others you've found during your travels on the WorldWideWeb

Mmmm chinese food.

I love chinese food. If renewable power ain't your thing but you got bangin' chinese recipes post them here so we can give them a try.