The Gas Station of the Future

America’s first multi-service gas station that would serve drivers, cyclists and mass transit commuters opened recently in California. The station would allow drivers to pump gasoline, ethanol, and biodiesel, cyclists to get tune-ups, and commuters to find public transit schedules

Propel Fuels, a start-up company backed by venture capitalists and the US Government plans to open 100 more stations in the next four years. “The gasoline stations don’t want a competitor but the alternative fuels industry is dependent on its largest competitor as a pathway to the market,” says Geoff Cooper, vice president of research and analysis at the Renewable Fuels Association.



Reference: Klein, Karen E., The Gas Station of the Future Just Opened, Businessweek.com, June 1, 2012

A Floating Solar Sphere Overlooking an Energy valley

 Photo:  Mountain Dwellings, an award-winning building in the Ørestad district of Copenhagen, Denmark 

by bjarke ingels group BIG

A Danish architectural firm has proposed a new entrance and a major highway junction for Stockholm. The proposal includes a sculpted bowl-shaped valley that would connect adjacent neighborhoods with smart, pedestrian oriented design. It would mark a new entrance portal for Stockholm. The excavated soil will be used to create a sloping valley full of natural vegetation, wetlands and landscaped areas to reduce noise and air pollution. The self-sustaining sphere will be covered by solar panels, which would power the sphere itself as well as 235 houses. The bottom of the sphere will have mirrors to provide 180-degrees view to the drivers.

Reference: Dailey, Jessica, BIG Unveils Energy Valley With Floating Solar Sphere for Stockholm, Inhabitat.com, March 22, 2011

Carbon Neutral Island in Azerbaijan

A Danish architectural firm has proposed a carbon neutral eco island in the bay of Baku in Azerbaijan. The proposed scheme is an attempt to show that a community can strive on wind and solar power. The design is based on the seven peaks of Azerbaijan and its natural eco system. They will constitute seven major structures which would be connected by trails, greenbelts and the coastline.

The project will utilize heat pumps, photovoltaic cells on exteriors, desalination plant for potable water and off-shore wind farms on existing oil rigs to generate energy. “Zira Island is less of a city and more or a resort, but it still holds the same promises of sustainability and will use the sun, wind and water to heat and power the island.”



Reference: Meinhold, Bridgette, Azerbaijan’s Carbon Neutral Zira Island, Inhabitat.com and Beingdevelopment.com.

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Floating Structures of Future

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