Eric Schmidt, Chairman and CEO of Google, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the New America Foundation, and a member of President-Elect Barack Obama’s Transition Economic Advisory Board, addressed a packed auditorium at the Ronald Reagan Building on Tuesday, November 18th.
Schmidt provided insight into the junction of technology and government, stressing that solid infrastructure is the key to an efficient and effective government, and using the internet as the model for how government should approach the current fiscal crisis facing our nation and the world. He also pressed the need for open networks and systems as a foundation for innovation.
The Google CEO also emphasized that engagement is the fundamental component in finding solutions to our countrys current economic woes, and used President-elect Obamas addresses on YouTube as an example of the way government should enlist modernization and embrace the voices of all as it contemplates solving the financial and social ills of our society.
Schmidt concluded that while there is no silver bullet, but he remains optimistic in our countrys future and its prosperity.
It’s fascinating to see environmental technologies advacing in places you wouldn’t expect to find them. Like cargo ships…
Solar Sails:
Ben Cubby writes:
Solar-powered sails the size of a jumbo jet’s wings will be fitted to cargo ships, after a Sydney renewable energy company signed a deal with China’s biggest shipping line.
The Chatswood-based Solar Sailor group has designed the sails, which can be retro-fitted to existing tankers.
The aluminium sails, 30 metres long and covered with photovolatic panels, harness the wind to cut fuel costs by between 20 and 40 per cent, and use the sun to meet five per cent of a ship’s energy needs.
China’s COSCO bulk carrier will fit the wings to a tanker ship and a bulker ship under a memorandum of understanding with the Australian company, which demonstrates the technology on a Sydney Harbour cruise boat.
“It’s hard to predict a time line but at some point in the future, I can see all ships using solar sails - it’s inevitable,” said the company’s chief executive, Dr Robert Dane.
Once fitted, the sails can pay for themselves in fuel savings within four years, Dr Dane said. They don’t require special training to operate, with a computer linked in to a ship’s existing navigation system, and sensors automatically angling the sails to catch a breeze and help vessels along.
The company is supported by NSW Government’s Australian Technology Showcase program.
“This is a breakthrough opportunity for Solar Sailor to play a leading role in the future of international shipping design during a period when rising fuel costs and environmental concerns have taken centre stage,” said the NSW Minister for Primary Industry, Ian Macdonald.
“This is a case of back to the future - back to the days of sailing ships but to the future in terms of high technology solar and wind sails operated by computer rather than sailcloth and rigging manned by crew.”
Sky Sails:
skysails.info:
It is a simple fact: wind is cheaper than oil and the most economic and environmentally sound source of energy on the high seas. And yet, shipping companies are not taking advantage of this attractive savings potential at present - for a simple reason: So far no sail system has been able to meet the requirements of today’s maritime shipping industry.
Now for the first time, SkySails is offering a wind propulsion system based on large towing kites, which meets all these requirements.
Depending on the prevailing wind conditions, a ship’s average annual fuel costs can be reduced by 10 to 35% by using the SkySails-System. Under optimal wind conditions, fuel consumption can temporarily be cut by up to 50%.
The first pilot systems are in operation on board of cargo vessels. Currently, SkySails is offering towing kite propulsion systems for cargo vessels with an effective load* of between 8 and 32 tons. The planned product program comprises towing kite propulsion systems with an effective load* of up to 130 tons.
Virtually all existing cargo vessels and new builds can be retro- or outfitted with the SkySails auxiliary wind propulsion system.
Fish trawlers and super yachts of over 30 meters in length can be retro- or outfitted with the SkySails auxiliary wind propulsion system as well.
