We all look to Apple for tech innovations - usually bringing us the coolest new phone, tablet, etc. But this time, Apple has submitted a patent for a new way to store wind power. The patent proposes electricity generation from heat transfer rather than rotational energy, which is how most wind turbines work.

According to the application, "during operation, the system uses a set of rotating blades to convert rotational energy from a wind turbine into heat in a low-heat-capacity fluid. Next, the system selectively transfers the heat from the low-heat-capacity fluid to a working fluid. Finally, the system uses the transferred heat in the working fluid to generate electricity."

The design helps store power generated from wind turbines to smooth out energy supply, allowing for an "on-demand generation of electricity from stored wind energy," as the patent states.  Apple says this system can replace batteries and other conventional storage technologies, as well as lower costs associated with variations in wind supply. Learn more about the technology from AppleInsider and Energy Manager Today.

This is not Apple's first foray into the renewable energy sphere. The company runs several data centers on 100% renewable energy, including the use of fuel cells and solar panels. 

So, bring it on Apple! We can't wait to see what innovations you will bring to the renewable energy world.

It has been over a month since Hurricane Sandy made landfall but there are still thousands of people across the east coast suffering from its aftermath. Throughout the month of December, Clean Currents is working to support the American Red Cross as they continue to provide shelter, meals, medical care, and other essentials for those displaced by the storm.

As part of this effort, we are donating $10 for every household that makes the switch to Clean Currents wind power during the month of December.  

Is It Climate Change?

Hurricane Sandy reminded us how much our climate is being affected by human activity. More and more scientific studies are showing a link between raising sea-surface temperatures due to climate change, melting Arctic sea-ice, and the increased intensity of storms. When Hurricane Sandy formed in the western Atlantic Ocean, sea-surface temperatures were up to 5 degrees higher than average during that time of year.

In an interview with the New York Times, senior climate scientist, Kevin Trenberth said we cannot definitely link this specific instance with climate change but "human-induced global warming has been raising the overall temperature of the ocean's surface by about one degree Fahrenheit since the 1970s. So global warming very likely contributed a notable fraction of the energy on which the storm thrived."

Rising Tides Lift All Boats (and more)

Another contributing factor to Sandy's widespread devastation was sea level rise--the sea level on the Atlantic coast of the United States has risen 8 inches over the past century. Many top climate scientists including Kerry Emmanuel have shown extremely strong correlation between rising sea levels and human induced climate change.

Climate scientists predict that we should expect sea levels to rise as much as 1 to 3 feet in the next century, making major cities like New York City and Washington, DC much more vulnerable to storms on the Atlantic seaboard. "The likely effect is that coastal flooding on a scale that once happened only once or twice per century -- the scale of Sandy, in other words -- will become much more commonplace within the coming decades" stated Emmanuel. 

So, What are We Gonna Do About it?

In a highly publicized Op-Ed, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg called on elected officials to take immediate action to address climate change. He stated that whether or not extreme weather events are a result of the changing climate, the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy should cause us all to prepare for the possibility that it might be.

The good news is Clean Currents makes it easy for businesses and individuals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that play a key role in inducing climate change through switching to clean, renewable power sources. But during times of crisis, we recognize that reducing greenhouse gases is not enough to help the people who are currently being affected.

So, we hope to address both the long and short term challenges during the month of December by:

• Helping 200 households switch to wind energy
• Donating $2000 to the Red Cross to provide immediate relief

Please help us reach our goal by switching your home to wind power and encouraging your friends and neighbors to do the same.

Read More:

Climate Change & Super Storm Sandy - President Gary Skulnik

Greener in Greenbelt Green Neighborhood Challenge group celebrates their program's success

Thanks to you, our amazing supporters, we are winners of Green America's People & Planet award. This award recognizes America's best green businesses that are committed to environmental and social initiatives in their business practices and programs.

We are thrilled and honored to have our Green Neighborhood Challenge program (GNEC) recognized by this award. GNEC gives community groups and non-profits an opportunity to raise funds for green projects while increasing support for clean energy.

Since we started this program 3 years ago, we have engaged over 150 communities in switching to wind power and donated over $20,000 to fund gardens, recycling and compost bins, energy efficiency initiatives, tree plantings, and environmental education programs. Some groups include:

Greener in Greenbelt: This community has worked together to switch over 344 homes to wind power. That's over 3% of the municipality, enabling them to become an EPA Green Power Community.

Christ Episcopal School: Raised $400 to install a community garden at their school. More in this video.

Friends of Filmore: Led by Kelly Richmond, this group engaged their community to support the Filmore Arts Center, which brings art and music to public schools in Washington, DC.

We're excited to invest the $5,000 award to grow the GNEC program and continue to energize neighborhoods to take grassroots action for a greener, cleaner, future.

This award is granted to 3 businesses each quarter based on votes by the public. Our co-winners are Third Sun Solar in Athens, OH and City Roots in Charleston, SC. Congrats to them as well!

Thank you for your support. We couldn't have done it without you!

 
Christ Episcopal School Kindergarten Class and garden build with funds raised through GNEC (2012)

The holiday season is in full swing with many of us still looking for the perfect gifts. It seems like everyone has the coolest or newest must have item of the season. If your house is anything like mine, those must have items quickly begin to collect dust and become distant memories. Instead, I want to invite you to join me in create lasting change this holiday season. Join me in shopping and celebrating at wind powered businesses.

Over the last few weeks, I've written about the importance of shopping local on Small Business Saturday and the impact of #GivingTuesday. Both days have passed but there is still the opportunity to give additional meaning to all those gifts. Hundreds of small businesses in our area have opted to make a better future for us all by choosing wind power.

From storms like Sandy to the above average temperatures this week, it is becoming increasingly clear that climate change is real. Roughly 50% of the electricity generated across the United States is produced by burning coal -- a dirty and polluting carbon fuel. Wind power is renewable and doesn't fill our atmosphere with pollutants.

By shopping at local wind powered businesses, you're building a healthy local economy and encouraging more businesses to make the switch to non-polluting wind power. Join me in making a greener future. Click here to get started.