EnviroPolitics Blog

Tech funded by Bill Gates explores new wind-energy approach

The Airloom turbine uses vertical blades—what company calls “wings”—that revolve on an oval track mounted on posts. The turbine track can be expanded by enlarging the oval and increasing the number of posts, generating more wattage. Multiple turbines can also be used together, according to the company.

By Frank Brill, EnviroPolitics Editor

As the world races to combat climate change, innovations in renewable energy are at the forefront of the global effort to transition away from fossil fuels. One of the most promising areas of development is wind energy, which has long been seen as a reliable and scalable source of clean power. Now, a cutting-edge wind technology, backed by Bill Gates and his investment firm Breakthrough Energy Ventures, is aiming to dramatically reshape the wind energy landscape.

The company behind this breakthrough is Heliogen, which is pioneering a new approach to harnessing wind energy that could revolutionize the industry. While traditional wind turbines rely on large rotating blades to capture kinetic energy from the wind, Heliogen’s innovative technology focuses on increasing the efficiency of wind energy production through advanced materials, artificial intelligence (AI), and next-generation design. This new wind energy system promises to lower costs, increase energy output, and, most importantly, help accelerate the transition to a cleaner energy future.

A New Frontier in Wind Energy: More Efficient, Less Expensive

The primary challenge with current wind turbine technology is efficiency. Traditional wind farms, with their massive turbines and long, sweeping blades, face limitations in terms of both energy capture and maintenance costs. These turbines can be expensive to manufacture, install, and maintain, and their size can also create logistical challenges, especially in more remote or environmentally sensitive areas.

Heliogen’s innovation targets these pain points by reimagining how we capture and use wind energy. At the heart of the technology is a method that enhances the strength and durability of wind turbine components, using advanced materials that are both lighter and stronger than the metals currently used in conventional turbines. Additionally, the company is leveraging AI-driven optimization software to predict wind patterns with unprecedented accuracy, which helps to maximize energy production and reduce downtime.

By designing wind systems that are not only more efficient but also less costly to produce and maintain, Heliogen’s technology could unlock a new wave of wind energy projects, particularly in regions where large-scale wind farms were previously unfeasible. This technology is not just a step forward for wind energy—it’s a leap.

Heliogen’s Innovative Wind Technology: What Makes It Different

Traditional wind energy generation relies on large horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWTs) or vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs). These turbines use massive blades to capture kinetic energy from the wind. The energy captured from the blades’ rotation is then converted into electricity through a mechanical process involving a gearbox, generator, and other components.

While this technology has been effective for the past few decades, there are several key challenges:

Size and scale: Traditional turbines are massive, with some blades reaching up to 100 meters in length. This requires significant land area and infrastructure to install, which can be both costly and environmentally invasive.
Maintenance: The larger and more complex the turbine, the more difficult and expensive it is to maintain. Mechanical parts, especially in extreme weather, can wear down more quickly.
Efficiency: Traditional turbines have relatively limited energy efficiency, as they are often affected by wind speed variability and turbulence.

Heliogen is changing this traditional approach by utilizing advanced materials, artificial intelligence (AI), and modular designs to create a new, more efficient wind energy system. Their goal is to make wind energy generation more affordable, efficient, and scalable—especially in regions where large, traditional wind farms may not be practical.

Bill Gates and Breakthrough Energy Ventures

Bill Gates has long been a champion of clean energy innovation. Through his philanthropic work, including his Breakthrough Energy Ventures initiative, Gates has invested in numerous companies that are pushing the boundaries of sustainable technologies. Breakthrough Energy Ventures focuses on startups that are developing breakthrough solutions across a variety of sectors—from energy storage to clean agriculture to carbon capture.

The investment in Heliogen is just the latest example of Gates’ commitment to accelerating the global shift toward clean energy. “We need to innovate faster than ever before if we want to meet the climate challenge,” Gates said in a statement regarding the venture. “Heliogen’s technology is poised to make wind energy not just more efficient, but dramatically cheaper, which is a crucial step in reducing global emissions.”

The Road Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities

While Heliogen’s wind technology shows great promise, there are still challenges to overcome. Scaling up any new energy technology is a complex and costly endeavor, and the company will need to prove that its systems can be deployed at a large scale and in a variety of environments. Moreover, competition in the renewable energy sector is fierce, with numerous companies working to develop their own advanced solutions for wind, solar, and other forms of clean energy.

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UPDATE: NJ Wildfire grows to 2500 acres; takes life of NY teenager

Smoke and flames rise as wildfire burns and spreads on a mountain in West Milford, New Jersey on Nov. 9, 2024. Large flames have overtaken the mountain and more than 2000 acres have burned. Photo credit Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images

By Isabel Keane, New York Post

An 18-year-old New York state parks worker and high-school baseball star died fighting a large wildfire in Orange County over the weekend, officials said.

Dariel Vasquez was killed while battling a massive 2,000-acre forest fire in Sterling Forest, not far from the New Jersey border, on Saturday, authorities announced.

The New Jersey blaze, which has become known as the Jennings Creek wildfire, stretches the New York-New Jersey border and threatens 10 structures, including the Long Pond Ironworks Historic District, New Jersey Forest Fire Service said.

The West Milford Fire Department said firefighters had plans to begin backburn operations in the area of East Shore Road, Long Pond Iron Works, and various areas of Ringwood off Margaret King Boulevard.

The multi-jurisdictional fire has seen the involvement of 43 municipalities in the area from Passaic, Morris, Sussex, and Bergen counties for the structure protection of all buildings and roadways, the department said.

State Police said the dead teen worked as an aide employed by the state Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Department.

Eastern Duchess County Fire and Rescue wrote in a Facebook post that a tree fell on the teen and killed him.

“Orange County Emergency Services wishes to extend our condolences as we mourn the passing of a dedicated service member we lost today during the Greenwood Lake brush fire response,” the agency said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and colleagues of this brave individual.”

A GoFundMe set up for the teen’s family described the Ramapo High School senior as “a young man full of promise, hope, and dedication.

“Born into a family known for community service, Dariel embraced this legacy wholeheartedly. He was not only an admired figure in his community but a guiding light for his family,” the fundraiser read.

Vasquez’s death comes as firefighters battle severe brush fires across New Jersey and the Hudson Valley as the region’s bone-dry and gusty wind conditions sparked massive blazes.

An air quality alert has been in effect for New York City and the Hudson Valley, along with northern New Jersey.

Red flag warnings will remain in effect from the Garden State to the Big Apple and southern Connecticut until 6 p.m. Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.

Firefighters have been battling multiple blazes across the state this weekend, including a two-acre inferno that broke out Friday night in a densely wooded area of Brooklyn’s Prospect Park.

UPDATE: NJ Wildfire grows to 2500 acres; takes life of NY teenager Read More »

Will Trump make good on his promise to kill offshore wind energy?

Trump has vowed to kill offshore wind in the US. Will he succeed? — Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump gestures at a campaign rally at the Santander Arena, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, in Reading, Pa.

Despite President-elect Donald Trump’s vow to end offshore wind energy projects, the industry remains optimistic. Trump has pledged to block such projects, citing environmental concerns and their impact on views. However, industry advocates highlight the economic benefits and job creation potential of offshore wind, expressing willingness to collaborate with the new administration.

By AP Last Updated: 09 November, 2024 01:55 PM -5 GMT

In campaign appearances, Trump railed against offshore wind and promised to sign an executive order to block such projects.

“We are going to make sure that that ends on Day 1,” Trump said in a May speech. “I’m going to write it out in an executive order. It’s going to end on Day 1.”

“They destroy everything, they’re horrible, the most expensive energy there is,” Trump said. “They ruin the environment, they kill the birds, they kill the whales.”

Numerous federal and state scientific agencies say there is no evidence linking offshore wind preparation to a spate of whale deaths along the U.S. East Coast in recent years. Turbines have been known to kill shorebirds, but the industry and regulators say there are policies to mitigate harm to the environment.

Trump has railed against offshore wind turbines spoiling the view from a golf course he owns in Scotland. But numerous environmental groups say the real reason he opposes offshore wind is his support for the fossil fuel industry.

There is almost 65 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity under development in the U.S., enough to power more than 26 million homes, and some turbines are already spinning in several states, according to the American Clean Power Association.

Currently operating projects include the Block Island Wind Farm in Rhode Island, the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind pilot project and the South Fork Wind Farm about 35 miles (56 kilometers) east of Montauk Point on New York’s Long Island.

Read the full story here

Will Trump make good on his promise to kill offshore wind energy? Read More »

Deer me, Deer You – Watch out!

*Deer Activity Increasing In Philadelphia Region. Authorities warn drivers to be mindful of deer near roads now that it is darker earlier each day.*

By Dino Ciliberti, Patch Staff

With deer becoming increasingly active, and daylight-saving time putting more vehicles on the road during the hours when deer move most, authorities are advising motorists to slow down and stay alert.

Authorities said that deer become more active in autumn, leading up to their fall breeding season, commonly referred to as the “rut.”

Around this time, many yearling bucks disperse from the areas in which they were born and travel, sometimes several dozen miles, to find new ranges.

Meanwhile, adult bucks more often are cruising their home ranges in search of does, and they sometimes chase the does they encounter.

Data from around the country indicates Pennsylvania drivers face some of the highest risks of a vehicle collision with a deer or other large animal.

A recent report shows Pennsylvania led the country in animal-collision insurance claims in the fiscal year 2023-24.

Meanwhile, Pennsylvania drivers, according to the report, have a 1-in-61 chance of a vehicular accident involving a big game animal – one of the highest rates nationwide.

Drivers can reduce their chances of collisions with deer by staying alert and better understanding deer behavior. Just paying close attention while driving on stretches marked with “Deer Crossing” signs can make a difference.

Deer often travel in groups and walk single file. So even if one deer successfully crosses the road in front of a driver, i

Deer me, Deer You – Watch out! Read More »

Tesla Cybertruck is 1 year old. How’s it doing?

By Maxim (October 30, 2024)

If you’re tired of hearing about the Cybertruck, you’re not alone. Since it was first unveiled as a prototype in 2019, the electric truck’s sharp features, boxy frame, and hefty price tag have been the subject of endless memes and criticism — following the wave of fanatic pre-release excitement.

Now it’s been nearly a year since those 2 million or so pre-order customers started receiving their trucks, and in that time, the vehicle has received some pretty intense criticism for its appearance, its design flaws, and its notoriously high price tag.

But weirdly, none of that — not even its growing average transaction price, now north of $116,000 — has stopped the truck from turning into a pretty big success. Here’s what’s happening:

A wave of popularity: The Cybertruck is now the country’s best-selling electric pickup truck, with around 16,000 vehicles purchased in the third quarter of this year.
No problems with price: The truck is also the country’s best-selling vehicle over $100,000 — clear evidence that enough drivers are comfortable with the cost.
The influencer effect: As we’ve noted here before, the Cybertruck has become a bit of a status symbol, with everyone from Beyoncé to Bad Bunny to Jason Kelce driving them.

Love it or hate it, the Cybertruck’s popularity could teach us something. For example, this doesn’t mean EV trucks are becoming a thing — recently, Ford announced it was temporarily halting production on its truck, the F-150 Lightning.

And, despite some very cool new models from Chevy, Rivian, and more, electric trucks in general have underperformed compared to other EVs — let alone gas-powered pickups, which remain one of America’s most popular vehicle types.

So, did Tesla just beat other brands to the punch on finding an electric truck niche, or is the Cybertruck truly a one-off? A few more months of sales reports may give us the answer.

Tesla Cybertruck is 1 year old. How’s it doing? Read More »

Here’s the latest on five forest fires raging in bone-dry New Jersey

A massive forest fire occurred in Pompton Lakes, NJ, on Nov. 9, 2024. Strong winds caused the smoke from the fire to drift all across Bergen and Passaic counties, causing a smoky smell and poor air quality.
Christopher Sadowski photo,

By Cecilia Levine, Jackson Daily Voice

Here’s the updated status for each of the five wildfires as of noon Saturday, Nov. 9:

Cannonball 3 Wildfire – Pompton Lakes, Passaic County

Currently burning 100 acres with 0% containment, this fire has threatened 55 structures, though no evacuations have been ordered. The NJFFS has deployed ground crews, fire engines, and a helicopter capable of dropping 350 gallons of water. Backfiring operations are underway to reduce available fuel for the fire. Closures include Cannonball Road and the right lane on northbound I-287.

Englewood Cliffs Wildfire, Bergen County

This 39-acre fire near the Palisades Interstate Parkway is now 40% contained. While no structures are threatened, NJFFS has closed Henry Hudson Drive as fire engines and crews continue containment efforts.

Shotgun Wildfire – Jackson Township, Ocean County

The Shotgun Wildfire has burned 350 acres and reached 90% containment. Initially threatening 25 structures and causing the evacuation of 15 homes, it no longer poses a risk to structures. Stump Tavern Road remains closed as fire crews monitor the area.

Bethany Run Wildfire – Burlington and Camden Counties

Burning 360 acres along the border of Evesham and Voorhees Townships, this wildfire also stands at 90% containment. Earlier evacuation orders affecting 12 homes have been lifted, and all previously closed roads have reopened.

Here’s the latest on five forest fires raging in bone-dry New Jersey Read More »