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A man powers home for eight years using a thousand old laptop batteries
a year ago
- A man powered his home for eight years using over 1,000 recycled laptop batteries.
- The system combines solar panels and recycled batteries for an eco-friendly, economical solution.
- Started in 2016, the project aimed for energy independence without relying on the electrical grid.
- Initially used a 1.4 kW solar panel system and an old forklift battery, later expanded.
- The core of the system is repurposed laptop batteries, showcasing a second life for e-waste.
- Glubux built a separate warehouse to store and assemble battery packs, each with ~100 Ah capacity.
- Faced uneven discharge rates initially but solved it by rearranging and adjusting battery cells.
- No batteries have needed replacement in eight years, a testament to the system's durability.
- The system now includes 24 solar panels (440W each), ensuring sufficient power year-round.
- Despite being homemade, the system has had no major issues like fires or swollen batteries.
- Glubux's setup powers his entire home, including appliances like a washing machine.
An e-bike that charges off USB-C
a year ago
- Ampler introduces the Nova and Nova Pro, the first commercial e-bikes chargeable via USB-C integrated into the frame.
- USB-C charging is compatible with laptop chargers, aligning with Europe's standardization efforts to reduce waste.
- The Nova series features 48V 336Wh batteries, chargeable in three hours with a 140W USB-C PD 3.1 charger.
- Bikes also work with older USB-C PD 3.0 chargers, like those from Ikea and MacBook, with a 15W output for gadgets.
- The Nova and Nova Pro come in step-through and step-over frames, with EU-standard 250W motors capped at 25km/h.
- Nova Pro offers a single-speed Gates Carbon belt drive, contrasting with the base Nova's nine-speed chain system.
- Preorders available in the UK, EU, and Switzerland, with shipping starting in June, backed by a two-year warranty.
Aptera's First Solar Road Trip. 300 Miles, One Charge
a year ago
- Aptera completed its first solar-supported road trip, driving over 300 miles on a single charge.
- The trip showcased the vehicle's real-world viability, handling various terrains and weather conditions.
- Solar input reached over 545 watts, even on overcast days, reducing dependency on chargers.
- The panoramic windshield provided an immersive driving experience, attracting attention on the road.
- Aptera is celebrating the milestone with a giveaway, offering a solar-powered prize pack worth $800.
Introduction to Open Source Laptop Project (2023)
a year ago
- The author is fascinated by the idea of designing an open-source laptop, recognizing it as a monumental task requiring significant time and resources.
- Consumer electronics, like laptops and smartphones, contain hidden knowledge from years of optimization and innovation in design and manufacturing.
- Reverse engineering existing devices provides limited insights, as much of the design knowledge remains hidden unless one works in R&D.
- The project aims to make hidden knowledge accessible by sharing source files and documenting the design process, despite lacking the experience of big manufacturers.
- Open-source hardware projects serve as valuable references for learning complex areas of electronics, and the author hopes to contribute back to the community.
- Designing a laptop involves multidisciplinary challenges, including electronics, thermal management, mechanical design, and high-speed PCB design.
- The challenge of designing, manufacturing, and testing a laptop is a motivator, as failure is part of the learning process.
- The project also aims to promote repairability, upgradability, and sustainability, countering the trend of disposable consumer electronics.
- Initiatives like the 'right to repair' and projects like the Framework Laptop and DELL’s LUNA concept are steps toward more sustainable products.
- Future updates will include detailed design decisions, open-source simulation tools, and insights from the project’s journey.
- Subscribers will receive monthly articles, videos, a podcast series, and access to project files on Altium 365.
Space Debris: Is It a Crisis?
a year ago
- Latest ESA Space Environment Report available in PDF format.
- Video playlist related to space debris.
- ESA Space Debris brochure from 2017 in PDF.
- Search and download proceedings on space debris.
- Access the Space Debris User Portal.
- Use DISCOSweb for space debris information.
- ESA provides reentry predictions for space debris.
- Explore the Blue Dot poster collection.
- Topics covered include space debris, collision warning, clean space, and boosting sustainability.
AI Energy Use in Everyday Terms – By Marcel Salathé
a year ago
- One year of regular chatbot use consumes less energy than driving a car for 10 kilometers, taking five hot showers, or filling two hot baths.
- A typical text-only interaction with a GPT-4-like chatbot consumes about 0.2 watt-hours (Wh) of energy.
- Assuming 100 interactions per day, this adds up to around 7.2 kilowatt-hours (kWh) over one year.
- A 10-kilometer car ride in a gasoline-powered car uses about 7.6 kWh of energy.
- A five-minute hot shower uses around 1.6 kWh of energy, so five showers total about 8 kWh.
- A hot bath consumes around 5.2 kWh per bath, meaning two baths exceed 10 kWh.
- AI energy use can vary significantly with larger models or specialized tasks, but typical chatbot interactions are relatively low-energy.
- Data centers also consume significant amounts of water for cooling, adding to AI's resource footprint.
- Some studies suggest chatbot energy use could be more than 10 times higher, and ongoing model training is not included in these estimates.
Porsche explores EV battery recycling tech to power its new cars
a year ago
- Porsche is piloting a project to recycle high-voltage batteries from electric cars.
- The process involves shredding used EV batteries into 'black mass' containing valuable materials like lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese.
- The black mass is then separated into raw materials for new battery production.
- Porsche aims to increase independence from volatile raw material markets and comply with EU recycling regulations.
- The EU mandates an 80% lithium recovery target by 2031.
- Currently, only 5% of EV batteries are recycled, despite 95% of materials being retrievable.
- Porsche has produced 65 tons of black mass so far.
Big tech's new datacentres will take water from the driest areas
a year ago
- Amazon, Microsoft, and Google are expanding datacentres in water-scarce regions, raising concerns about sustainability.
- Datacentres use significant amounts of water for cooling, with 38 active and 24 under development in water-stressed areas.
- Amazon plans to become 'water positive' by 2030 through offsetting, but internal criticism questions the ethics of this approach.
- In Spain, Amazon's new datacentres in Aragon are licensed to use vast amounts of water, sparking local opposition and fears of ecological collapse.
- Google and Microsoft also aim for 'water positive' status, but experts argue water offsetting is less effective than carbon offsetting due to its localized impact.
- Arizona faces extreme drought, yet Google continues to build datacentres, raising questions about water usage versus economic benefits.
- Trump's 'Project Stargate' aims to expand AI infrastructure, but concerns remain about water usage and sustainability.
- Critics argue that while tech companies promise efficiency improvements, current trends show increased reliance on water cooling for AI infrastructure.
France's new high-speed train has Americans asking: Why can't we have that?
a year ago
- France's TGV Inoui high-speed train features futuristic and retro designs, with energy efficiency improvements and new accessibility features.
- High-speed rail offers significant carbon emissions savings and convenience, with potential to displace flights.
- The U.S. lacks transformative high-speed rail, with Amtrak's Acela being the fastest but still limited.
- Brightline West, a private high-speed rail project, aims to connect L.A. with Las Vegas by 2028.
- High-speed rail provides flexibility, convenience, and scenic travel experiences unmatched by planes or cars.
Last Gasp of the Landfill Economy
a year ago
- The Landfill Economy is characterized by shoddy products, planned obsolescence, and accelerated product cycles, all of which are hyper-profitable but detrimental to consumers and the planet.
- Consumer choice is an illusion in this economy, with no durable options available, forcing repeated purchases of low-quality items.
- Extended warranties are a common extortion tactic, as products are engineered to fail shortly after the warranty period ends.
- Digitization exacerbates the problem, with cheap electronics becoming obsolete quickly and parts becoming unavailable.
- Even high-priced items, like vehicles, are not truly reliable, as repair costs can exceed the value of the item itself.
- The story of a failed solar panel illustrates the wasteful nature of the Landfill Economy, where products are unrepairable and quickly end up in landfills.
- The author lists multiple household items that have failed, highlighting the systemic issue of product durability.
- The Landfill Economy is profitable for manufacturers and retailers but costly and frustrating for consumers, who have no choice but to participate.
- The author suggests that the demise of the Landfill Economy might be something to celebrate rather than mourn.
Apple surpasses 60 percent reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions
a year ago
- Apple has surpassed a 60% reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions compared to 2015 levels.
- 99% of rare earth elements in magnets and 99% of cobalt in batteries are now recycled.
- Apple's supply chain now uses 17.8 gigawatts of renewable electricity, avoiding 21.8 million metric tons of emissions in 2024.
- 26 semiconductor suppliers committed to reducing fluorinated greenhouse gases by 90% by 2030.
- Apple's Zero Waste program has redirected 3.6 million metric tons of waste from landfills since 2015.
- The new MacBook Air contains over 55% recycled content, the highest in any Apple product.
- Apple and its suppliers have saved over 90 billion gallons of fresh water since 2013.
- For Earth Day, Apple offers a 10% discount on accessories when recycling eligible devices until May 16.
- Apple Watch users can earn a limited-edition Earth Day award by completing a 30-minute workout on April 22.
- Apple TV+ features Earth Day content, including documentaries and family-friendly shows.
"Fragile, impermanent things": Joseph Tainter on what makes civilizations fall
a year ago
- Joseph Tainter's theory posits that civilizations collapse when the costs of complexity outweigh the benefits, leading to a rapid simplification of society.
- Historical civilizations like the Roman Empire faced collapse due to increasing costs of maintaining complexity, such as higher taxes and larger armies, without corresponding benefits.
- Modern global civilization is unique in its interconnectedness, making a potential collapse more catastrophic, affecting billions worldwide unlike isolated collapses in ancient societies.
- Tainter suggests that societal collapse is not caused by single events but by long-term trends of diminishing returns on investments in complexity.
- The concept of tipping points in civilizations mirrors those in climate systems, where prolonged stress leads to irreversible changes, though societal tipping points may span decades.
- Current signs of potential societal stress include rising dissatisfaction with governance, economic inflation, and ideological strife, similar to precursors of past collapses.
- Tainter argues that innovation, while crucial, is becoming more costly and less productive over time, challenging the notion that technology alone can indefinitely sustain complexity.
- The sustainability of modern civilization hinges on transitioning to renewable energy sources, though this shift introduces new vulnerabilities, such as reduced capacity to rapidly increase energy production during crises.
- Education and broader societal awareness are seen as vital tools to mitigate collapse, by fostering a deeper understanding of global interconnectedness and the costs of complexity.
- Despite the grim outlook, Tainter maintains a cautious optimism, emphasizing humanity's capacity to 'muddle through' crises, though he acknowledges the unprecedented scale of current challenges.
The first giant 15 MW turbine is up at Germany's largest offshore wind farm
a year ago
- Germany's largest offshore wind farm, EnBW's He Dreiht, has installed its first turbine in the North Sea.
- He Dreiht uses Vestas' 15 MW turbines, the first project globally to do so, capable of powering four households per rotor spin.
- Upon completion, the farm will feature 64 turbines generating 960 MW, supplying 1.1 million homes without government subsidies.
- EnBW aims to increase renewable energy output from 6.6 GW to over 10 GW by 2030 with this project.
- Vestas highlights the installation as a milestone for Germany's energy security and sustainability.
- Located 85 km northwest of Borkum, the project involves over 500 workers and 60 ships for construction.
- Installation involves setting foundations, shipping turbine parts from Denmark, and assembling on-site.
- A consortium including Allianz Capital Partners and Norges Bank owns 49.9% of He Dreiht.
Japan unveils first solar super-panel
a year ago
- Japan introduces perovskite solar cells (PSCs), a lightweight and flexible technology, to revolutionize urban solar energy production.
- Japan aims to generate 20 gigawatts via PSCs by 2040, equivalent to 20 nuclear reactors, aligning with its 2050 net-zero emissions goal.
- As the second-largest iodine producer, Japan ensures a self-reliant PSC supply chain, boosting economic security and reducing foreign dependence.
- PSCs overcome space limitations by being installable on buildings, cars, and streetlights, unlike traditional silicon panels.
- Hybrid systems combining wind and solar energy are feasible with PSCs, enhancing renewable efficiency.
- Challenges like durability and high costs remain, but costs are projected to drop to JPY 10/W by 2040.
- Solar energy in Japan grew from 1.9% in 2014 to nearly 10% of total energy production, with a 2030 target of 36%-38% renewables.
- Government-backed Sekisui Chemical Co. is developing advanced PSC modules for broad market application by the 2030s.
- Japan’s PSC advancements position it as a renewable energy leader, offering a model for global sustainable development.
Beyond Performance: Measuring the Environmental Impact of Analytical Databases
a year ago
- ATLAS methodology measures environmental impact of analytical databases.
- Evaluates four database architectures: DuckDB, MonetDB, Hyper, and StarRocks.
- Architectural choices significantly affect power consumption and sustainability.
- Deployment location is a critical factor for environmental efficiency.
- Considers both operational impacts and hardware manufacturing costs.
Restoring oil wells back to nature with moss
a year ago
- Researchers have developed a new method using moss to restore peatlands damaged by oil and gas exploration in Western Canada.
- The method involves lowering the surface of decommissioned well pads and transplanting native moss to recreate peatlands, a first for full-scale well pad restoration.
- This technique ensures sufficient water for peatland moss growth, improving carbon sequestration and wildlife habitat.
- Traditional restoration efforts focused on planting trees or grasses, but this new approach returns well pads to their pre-drilling condition.
- The study's findings can help mitigate the long-term environmental impact of resource extraction on peatland ecosystems.
- Future research will focus on optimizing soil moisture by increasing water flow from surrounding peatlands to well pads.
- Peatlands are crucial for water storage and carbon sequestration, making them vital for climate change solutions.
- Collaborators include Mount Royal University, the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, and Athabasca University.
I started an open source project in 2004. This week, it hit 30000 GitHub stars
a year ago
- Started an open-source project in 2004 to improve phpMyAdmin for client use.
- Project grew organically over 21 years, reaching 30,000 GitHub stars.
- Initial phase (2004-2014): Built alone, no community, used GPLv3 license.
- 10k stars (2015-2020): Gained traction, refactored code, faced scaling challenges.
- 20k stars (2020-2023): Formed a company, raised $1M seed, navigated VC challenges.
- 30k stars (2023-2025): Grew to 50 people, focused on sustainability, raised $9M.
- Future (2025+): Full rewrite planned, staying true to open-source ethos.
- Key lessons: Build for yourself first, simplicity scales, community is the engine.
Rams is a documentary portrait of Dieter Rams (2018)
a year ago
- Dieter Rams is one of the most influential designers alive, known for his work at Braun and Vitsoe.
- His design ethos and 'Ten Principles of Good Design' emphasize simplicity, honesty, and restraint.
- Rams' work has significantly influenced modern consumer products, including Apple devices.
- Despite his success, Rams now regrets contributing to the proliferation of unnecessary products.
- The documentary 'Rams' explores his life, philosophy, and concerns about over-consumption and sustainability.
- Directed by Gary Hustwit, the film includes original music by Brian Eno.
- Rams advocates for environmental consciousness and long-lasting, meaningful design.
- The documentary premiered on the BBC and is available for digital streaming.
End of 10: Replace Windows 10 with Linux
a year ago
- Computers bought after 2010 can still be useful by installing an up-to-date Linux OS.
- Installing an OS is manageable with local help available in many areas.
- Upgrading to Linux is cost-effective, with free software updates and potential free assistance from repair cafes.
- Linux offers an ad-free and spyware-free experience, unlike Windows.
- Extending the life of a computer is environmentally friendly, reducing carbon emissions significantly.
- Community and online support are readily available for Linux users.
- Linux provides users with full control over their software usage.
Port of LA terminal just ditched all propane forklifts for electric
a year ago
- SSA Marine transitioned its entire forklift fleet at Berth 55, Port of Los Angeles, from propane to electric.
- The shift to 44 electric forklifts will reduce propane use by 44,000 gallons and cut carbon emissions by 264 metric tons annually.
- This initiative makes Berth 55 SSA Marine's first terminal with 100% zero-emissions cargo handling equipment.
- The project was a three-year collaboration between SSA Marine, the Port of LA, and other partners.
- The Port of LA aims for all yard equipment to be emissions-free by 2030; SSA Marine achieved this goal five years early at Berth 55.
- The article also promotes EnergySage, a service for comparing solar installers and adding battery storage for home resilience.

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#sustainability

A man powers home for eight years using a thousand old laptop batteries

An e-bike that charges off USB-C

Aptera's First Solar Road Trip. 300 Miles, One Charge

Introduction to Open Source Laptop Project (2023)

Space Debris: Is It a Crisis?

AI Energy Use in Everyday Terms – By Marcel Salathé

Porsche explores EV battery recycling tech to power its new cars

Big tech's new datacentres will take water from the driest areas

France's new high-speed train has Americans asking: Why can't we have that?

Last Gasp of the Landfill Economy

Apple surpasses 60 percent reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions

"Fragile, impermanent things": Joseph Tainter on what makes civilizations fall

The first giant 15 MW turbine is up at Germany's largest offshore wind farm

Japan unveils first solar super-panel

Beyond Performance: Measuring the Environmental Impact of Analytical Databases

Restoring oil wells back to nature with moss

I started an open source project in 2004. This week, it hit 30000 GitHub stars

Rams is a documentary portrait of Dieter Rams (2018)

End of 10: Replace Windows 10 with Linux

Port of LA terminal just ditched all propane forklifts for electric