GreenMonk news roundup 07/16/2009

• Ford Developing Laser Ignition to Cut Exhaust Emissions | Tilde Herrera on GreenBiz.com

  Ford Motor Co. and researchers at the University of Liverpool are developing a car ignition system that swaps spark plugs for a laser beam to start vehicles while generating fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

  tags: spark plug, ford, laser, laser ignition, greenmonktv

• Guardian Environment Network: The challenge for green energy: how to store excess electricity | Environment | guardian.co.uk

  For years, the stumbling block for renewable energy has been how to store electricity for days when the sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing. But new technologies suggest this goal may be within reach

  tags: renewable energy, energy storage, greenmonktv

• New Australian Desalination Plant Will Use 100% Renewable Energy : TreeHugger

  Australia is hurting for water, so a new $780 million desalination facility that is planned for Western Australia, which was approved late last month and will boost water supplies for the area by 20% upon completion in 2011, is a really big deal. However, despite advances in technology, desal plants are also energy intensive. So this plant is getting attention from groups and politicians who want to ensure it is run entirely on renewable energy.

  tags: australia, water, desalination, renewable energy, western australia, greenmonktv

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.