Tools for Change

Instead of beating each other over the head – use more of this, less of that – today, let’s talk about some really cool innovations that are out there, and some devices that make me go, “Wow!”

• The Vertical Whirlpool Generator is a device that caught my eye recently (thanks to the power of advertising algorithms)! This generator actually has a very small footprint, and it doesn’t require the entire river to be dammed. Check this out:  Fish-Friendly Whirlpool Turbine Makes Hydropower Green Again!Though these aren’t the massive generators that are going to power an entire state or region of a country, they will sufficiently power local areas. Something that makes these sustainable and nature friendly is they divert a small portion of the water and feed it right back into the water flow. This way, many generators can be placed along the same stretch of water source and not be detrimental to those downstream. Overall, it serves many people and areas
  and not just one big system to feed the many communities.This feeds into a relatively new concept in power distribution called “microgrids.” If you haven’t read anything on microgrids, check out this article: Meet the Microgrid, the Technology Poised to Transform Electricity. I like both of these concepts because someone out there was looking at the traditional way we do something, then rebuilt it differently and efficiently, all the while making it more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
• Solar Power Shingles are another impressive product that’s popped up on the radar! Sun Roof: Solar Panel Shingles are a great change from the “standard” solar panel. In many HOA neighborhoods, many people can’t place solar panels on their roof. This gives people a new option, and in general seem to be a great change and substitute for the traditional solar panel. On the surface (pun intended), these are a great example that sustainable doesn’t have to be drab or gaudy. They would blend into a standard house roof, and at a quick glance nobody would be the wiser. It’s a great alternative to win over a few more people who are on the fence, especially when the only thing holding them back is the mounting of large solar panels on the roof. Likewise, a person could have a section of these on all portions of their roof and be able to capture the sun all day, all year.Remember, sustainability is all about change and doing something different for the overall good of the planet and human beings. It’s important not to get stuck in the same “rut” that we are attempting to change. We don’t have to continue to do something the way we do today. The key is to always be ever evolving; that goes for existing products and design!
• The Zéphyr Solar Balloon really got me excited! The balloon was designed to bring electrical power to areas that have been struck by natural disasters. Typically, what slows down the effort to restore electricity to areas that have been hit by a catastrophic event is the ability to get equipment to the places that need it most. This device can be carried in and provide localized electricity to help the relief efforts from within the area that has been struck. I like the fact that someone looked at a problem and figured out a way to do something from the other direction!

I am constantly looking at the ever-evolving world of sustainable ideas; it keeps the creative wheels spinning! Many cutting-edge technologies or products are awesome. However, some might not be fully available until a few years down the road. A good deal of them are built on technology that is remarkable in a lab, but not necessarily scalable or cost efficient to bring to the public. Some are just too forward thinking now and are a “hard sell” because it takes a mind and cultural pattern shift first; after all, Bluetooth was invented in 1994, but the first Bluetooth phone didn’t hit the market until 2001!

What sustainable ideas have you seen that have tickled the creative imagination? Do share!