End of the road for old bulbs

Ban on light bulbs a real turn-off

Updated: 05:28, Monday August 31, 2009

Shoppers in the United Kingdom are stockpiling traditional light bulbs while they still have the chance.

An EU ban comes into force on Tuesday making it illegal for retailers and wholesalers to import most of the old-style bulbs.

It means once stocks have run out, the only ones available will be the more pricey, low energy variety.

Roger King, who runs Hampton Hill Hardware in Middlesex, said: 'I've taken orders this week for quantities in the 50s and 100s.'

'People don't like being told what to do for a start. Many are concerned that they are not going to be able to see properly with the new type of light because it rapidly diminishes in effectiveness.'

But the evidence suggests energy-saving bulbs have come a long way since they first went on sale.

While much more expensive, these days they are said to be as bright as conventional ones but use a fifth of the energy and last up to 10 times longer.

It is estimated that each bulb could save as much as $77 before they need to be replaced.

Energy Saving Trust spokesman, Richard Llloyd, said: 'There is no time limit on when people have to replace their bulbs but the question would be: why wouldn't you?

'They save you money, they save energy, they could save one million tons of CO2, which is the equivalent of taking 70,000 cars off the road.'

But one shopper at Mr King's hardware store was not impressed: 'It's probably another big brother attitude, everybody trying to tell each other what they should and shouldn't be doing.'

Another was happy with the change: 'There are a lot of people who are very selfish and think about their lifetime but we have got to think about our children and our children's children.'

The first bulbs to go will be conventional frosted or pearl bulbs.

Time is also running out to buy clear 100 watt bulbs. Lower wattage ones will be phased out by 2012.

Worlds first Zero Emissions Powerplant

Enel opens hydrogen power plant

Italian energy company Enel says it's opened what it calls the world's first industrial-scale, zero-emissions power plant fueled by hydrogen.

The 47 million euro ($A79.78 million) project in Fusina, on the coast near Venice, generates enough electricity to meet the needs of 20,000 households while avoiding the emission of 17,000 tonnes of CO2 each year, Enel said in a statement on Friday.

Though similar plants have been built as a test, this is the largest in the world and the first of its kind, the Rome-based company said.

The plant has a capacity of 12 megawatts and burns hydrogen gas in a turbine developed in partnership with General Electric.

Enel said the only by-products of the process are hot air and water vapour. These are used to generate steam, which is sent to an existing coal-fired plant to produce another potential four megawatts of energy.

The hydrogen is brought to the plant through a specially built pipeline and is a by-product of chemical manufacturing in the nearby industrial zone of Porto Marghera, Enel said.

Nissan rolls out electric car in Japan

Updated: 11:54, Monday August 3, 2009

Nissan Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn drove quietly out of the Japanese automaker's soon-to-open headquarters in the first public viewing of its new zero-emission vehicle.

It was the first time the external design was shown of Nissan Motor Co.'s environmentally friendly electric automobile, set to go on sale in Japan, the US and Europe next year. The blue hatchback had a sporty design and a recharging opening in the front.

Designer Shiro Nakamura said the vehicle was designed to avoid a stereotypical futuristic design.

'This is not a niche car,' he said. 'We didn't make it unusual looking. It had to be a real car.'

Nissan has promised that the Leaf, which goes into mass-production as a global model in 2012, will be about the same price as a gas-engine car such as the 1.5 million yen ($A18,192.84) Tiida, which sells abroad as the Versa, starting at about $US10,000 ($A12,128.56).

Ghosn drove out on stage with former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi sitting next to him, and with a Yokohama governor and mayor in the rear seats.

'This car represents a real breakthrough,' Ghosn told reporters and guests at a showroom in the new headquarters.

He said the new car and new office building in Yokohama, southwest of Tokyo, marked two fresh starts for Nissan, which hopes to take the lead in zero-emission vehicles.

Nissan, which has an alliance with Renault SA of France, has fallen behind Japanese rivals Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. in gas-electric hybrids that have become increasingly popular recently.

Nissan said the new 22-story headquarters was designed to be sufficiently energy efficient to qualify as one of the most ecological buildings in Japan.

The company, which is losing money amid the global downturn, is selling its old Tokyo headquarters as part of efforts to cut costs.

Koizumi said environmentally friendly auto technology is key to Japan's economic growth.

'It was so unexpectedly smooth and quiet,' he said after getting out of the car. 'I am sure this car is going to be popular.'