For Silicon Valley investors and entrepreneurs, 2012 was the test zone that allowed countless innovations in green technology to become a 2013 reality.
Throughout the years, green technology has struggled to break into the spotlight. Events such as the Solyndra’s devastating 2011 shutdown, A123’s recalls, or the numerous stories of consumer’s accidently “bricking” electric cars like Tesla’s Roadsters or the Fisker Karma have fed into the negative reputation of green technology.
However, 2013 stands as a year where such technology is anticipated to thrive.
With the overflow of American bumps, the idea of green packaging became a necessity. For this reason logistics giant PCH International turned toward a sustainable packaging design center for excellence that will focus on creating reusable packaging that breaks down faster that Styrofoam and plastic.
As introduced in time for Earth Day the Dutch electrics company has unveiled a new super energy-efficient light bulb. This LED revolution was designed to have a shelf life of 25 years, making it the longest lasting light bulb to date. While the bulb started at a selling price of $60, it is anticipated to be stocked and sold in a variety of international and national companies for an estimated $20.
Advances in light bulbs were not the only change in green energy in 2012. Electric cars have long been the domain of short-range enthusiasts, but in 2012 battery developer Envia changed the playing field.
The company built a 400 watt-per-kilogram battery, which was called by the company’s chief executive Atul Kapadia the holy grail of electric cars.
This is the milestone that car companies have been waiting for; with this the electric car industry is anticipated to rise.
One of these electric cars is the Tata Nano, a tiny, highly efficient auto that was debuted in American in late 2012. The Tata Nano has a top speed of 65 mph and its design has been compared to those of the Austin Mini, Smart cars and the Fiat 500.
It’s two feet shorter than the Mini and decidedly bare-boned inside. Despite the small compartment it is the newest of many all electric cars that is expected to be widely popular in urban areas.
One of the largest of the year’s green technology stories did not take place in the laboratories of a massive data center or the production lines of hybrid car manufacturers.
Nest is the greening gadget for consumers’ homes and in spite of the significant obstacles the product is considered one of the most prominent green advanced as of late. The Nest thermostat is 20 percent thinner than normal cooling systems.
It was created so that 10 wires in total support more systems, including two-stage cooling, three-stage heating, heat pump emergency heating and a house wide humidifier and dehumidifier system. The system is considered very easy to use, and drastically cuts the energy amount used to control a houses temperature system.
With the continuation of 2013, other advances are being made in the green technology field. MIT is in the process of designing a solar power house paint, and advances in green houses are still increasing.