If the goal is to transform the entire energy economy of the world, a series of posters and presentations in the back banquet room of a Boston hotel might not seem the most promising place to start. But add in the idiosyncratic energy of graduate students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.) and the energy possibilities suddenly multiply exponentially.

Whether it was a Porsche 914 transformed to run on 18 batteries or the fusion experiment using magnetic levitation to confine into a small space a power source of the same type used by the sun, M.I.T. engineering creativity was on full display on March 6, 2009. The conference attracted a wide range of innovative technology companies, from growing start-ups like the producers of the solar Big Belly compacting public garbage can to major manufacturers such as Philips Electronics.

Slide Show: From Algae to Wind Turbines

According to physicist Ernest Moniz, co-director of M.I.T.'s Laboratory for Energy and the Environment, the world must practically stop emitting CO₂ in the next 25 years to avoid unpleasant climate change. "This is an issue of accelerating change [in the energy system] compared to the historical record," he said. "We need technology, policy and business model innovation."

Some businesses and governments are already on it. Swedish electric utility Vattenfall CEO Lars Josefsson noted, for example, that his company plans to become "carbon neutral" by 2050 by generating electricity from a mix of 20 percent nuclear power, 40 percent renewables like offshore wind and 40 percent fossil fuels with carbon capture and storage.

3 Comments

1. 1. www.spaceboy.in 02:24 PM 3/13/09

   Along with the big wigs, the developing nations should also volunteer - if not in research, at least in implementing proven technologies like wind and solar power. If not for this, no one can even save our planet !

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2. 2. choppam 08:05 AM 3/17/09

   Nothing on HVDC transmission? Can hardly believe it. It's just what we need to smash the CArbo-Nuclear Crack Energy Racket (CANCER).
   At least this is evidence that creative, capable and canny minds are really trying to Bring On Our Best Science (BOOBS).
   

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3. 3. ghemerick 09:20 PM 3/17/09

   
   From: Amrit <noaa.mehra@gmail.com>
   Subject: Re: FW: restoring plankton
   To: ghemerick@yahoo.com
   Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2009, 1:48 PM
   
   Mr. Hemerick,
   
   Thank you for your contacting Dr. Jane Lubchenco about the well-being of our oceans. She appreciates hearing from you and learning of your views on the uses of plankton.
   
   Dr. Lubchenco is honored that President-elect Obama has selected her for the extremely important job of NOAA Administrator, and she appreciates the outpouring of support and interest. She is working hard to transition out of her current job and prepare for Senate confirmation.
   
   Sincerely,
   
   Amrit Mehra
   
   NOAA Administrator-Designee Confirmation Team
   Department of Commerce
   1401 Constitution Avenue, NW
   Washington, DC 20230
   -----Original Message-----
   From: Glen Hemerick [mailto:ghemerick@yahoo.com]
   Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 12:42 PM
   To: Lubchenco, Jane
   Subject: restoring plankton
   
   Dr Lubchenco, I have been collecting, and growing
   plankton since 1960* i have been releasing pure
   cultures of identified plankton, by government
   request, and with government permission since
   2006**... Release of plankton has always been
   followed by desired events, such as prompt, predicted
   return of life to dead zones. *** I would like to
   see other scientists encouraged to try an
   experimental release of food-chain plankton into
   barren regions of the ocean. i have also released
   freshwater plankton into streams to keep toxic
   substances out of oceans.****
   glen hemerick, 15871 peacock hill rd se, olalla, wa
   98359 phone 253-857-7225 ghemerick@yahoo.com,
   themerick@hotmail.com, ghemerick@harbornet.com
   ***
   http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=hi%2C+tuesday+sept+5%2C2006%2C+i+released+lincoln+city+winter+marine+phytoplankton+culture+from+mo%27s+pier
   +at+51st+st+%2Clincoln+city%2C+or%2C+usa%2C+into+your+dead+zone&btnG=Goo
   gle+Search
   
   
   http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=++hi%2C+tuesday+sept+5%2C2006%2C+i+released+lincoln+city+winter++you+will+see+fish+seals&btnG=Google+Search
   
   *
   http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=hemerick+benoit+engineering&btnG=Go
   ogle+Search
   
   **http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=++food+chain++ostreococcus++micromonas&btnG=Google+Search
   ** "Ultican, Shawn" ultics@health.co.kitsap.wa.us
   wrote: Mr. Hemerick My name is Shawn UItican, and I
   coordinate the local shellfish monitoring program for
   the Kitsap County Health District. I'm interested in
   learning more about your idea. Please explain the
   technique you would use to eradicate the plankton
   that produces Paralytic Shellfish Poison, or "red
   tide", from Hood Canal. In addition, please explain
   how your technique works to target a particular
   species of plankton. Please keep in mind that any
   "treatment" of waterbodies in Washington state, even
   with beneficial intent, will likely require permits
   and a review and approval process prior to any work
   being done. I look forward to hearing from you.
   Best Regards, Shawn Ultican Kitsap County Health
   District Water Quality Program TEL (360) 337-5622
   FAX (360) 337-5291
   From: Glen Hemerick
   : Monday, October 02, 2006 4:56 PM
   To: Whitford, Stuart;
   ultics@health.co.kitsap.wa.us
   Stuart, Shawn, Thanks ,much for visiting. while
   you were here my machine recorded a phone call from
   Laurie Levanter, WA Ecology, 425-649-7039. i
   returned her call and she said we "do not need
   permits for small volumes like 30 gallons. "...
   "Whitford, Stuart"
   whitfs@health.co.kitsap.wa.us wrote: sounds good to
   us. sw
   ****
   http://research.myfwc.com/features/view_article.asp?id=9670
   --
   Amrit Mehra
   NOAA Administrator-Designate Confirmation Team
   Department of Commerce
   1401 Constitution Avenue, NW
   Washington, DC 20230
   
   
   
   
   
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