Global climate change is today’s greatest challenge.

In fact, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has found that human activity is the dominant single cause of global warming. As a consequence, temperatures could dramatically change living conditions on the planet leading to more droughts, erratic weather patterns and rising sea levels.

Appliances account for about 20% of the average household’s energy consumption via refrigerators, dishwashers, clothes washers and dryers as well as stoves / ovens that all happen to use the most energy of any appliance in a typical house.

The much awaited 2007 Electrolux Design Lab challenges students to design eco-friendly, sustainable household appliances and solutions, for the year 2020. It’s sure good to know that some of the brightest minds out there are busy working to save the planet, one household at a time.

Like the past years, submissions are expected to be environmentally-sound, commercially-viable while enabling people to better live in harmony with the environment.

The ultimate goal, sought by the Electrolux Design Lab organizers, is to go above and beyond simple energy and water efficiency and suggest ways to foster sustainable behavior and product usage.

To get you in “the mood for innovation”, here are the finalists for the 2006 Edition of this international competition:

• Nevale – A food carrier designed in layers offering consumers the opportunity to store up to four different hot and / or cold meals.
• Organic Cook – Appliance that offers oil-free frying, grilling and boiling using infrared technology and vacuum cooking.
• VESSTO – Sleekly-designed, portable cooker that uses renewable energy as a power source through an advanced version of the Stirling Engine.
• Fit-Snack-Joy – Table-top appliance that turns raw fruits and vegetables into healthy cookies.
• HotPod – Delivers healthy food in single portions in each color-coded pod so everyone can enjoy their preferred meal.
• HydroSphere – Transparent, clear sphere, that allows consumers to grow their own herbs, small fruits and vegetables in their kitchen.
• Nutri Print – Makes use of fruits and vegetables to process them into a fun figure which can be selected from the menu screen, thus ensuring childrens’ interest into healthy food.
• SpiceHood – Revolutionary cooker hood with an integrated spice rack and dispenser system. It reduces the clutter around the kitchen while simultaneously encouraging the use of herbs.
• VEGE – Appliance that allows consumers to grow fresh, healthy vegetables in their kitchens all year round using hydroponics.

It’s pretty obvious that this prestigious competition encourages students worldwide to fire up their creative juices to design the household appliances of tomorrow.

In roughly 24 hours from the moment this post is published, the competition will close and on October 1st, 2007, the finalists will be announced while on November 27-28, the global final (in Paris) will be the place where the winner will be announced.

Anyone looking towards a more sustainable future should love this year’s exciting new entries.

Tags: electrolux, design lab, household, appliances, future, environment, competition

While ground-based wind-powered turbines are currently all the rage, tapping into the limitless power of the wind can now happen way up in the sky.

Since 1978, Magenn Power has been researching and developing advanced materials and structures, from their head office in Ottawa, ON.

Their hard work has given way to an amazing concept that helps produce power from wind currents in the sky. Generally refered to as “MARS”, the Magenn Air Rotor System is an innovative lighter-than-air tethered device that rotates about a horizontal axis in response to wind, efficiently generating clean renewable electrical energy at a lower cost than all competing systems, namely the various types of ground-based wind turbines.

The electrical energy, produced by a MARS unit, is transferred down the tether to a transformer at a surprisingly compact ground station and then transferred to the electricity power grid. Just imagine the “clean energy generation” possibilities!

From a technical standpoint, helium (an inert non-reactive lighter than air gas) sustains the Air Rotor which ascends to an optimal altitude, high off the ground, for best winds and where its rotation also causes the amazing Magnus effect.

This well-known physical phenomenon provides additional lift, keeps the device stabilized, keeps it positioned within a very controlled and restricted location allthewhile causing it to pull up overhead rather than drift downwind on its tether.

To make a long story short, Magenn has taken what’s best about ground-based wind turbines and multiplied the efficiency by inventively tweaking the basic design or the rotor while having it ascend between 150 and 1,000 feet, in the air.

The sheer genius behind the Magenn Wind Power Anywhere solution should help even more demanding customers to benefit from the wind to produce clean energy. Advantages over existing Conventional Wind Turbines and Diesel Generating Systems include: global deployment possibilities, lower costs, better operational performance and greater environmental advantages.

Remotely located potential customers will love the speed at which they can become fully independant from “the main power grid” with their very own MARS unit generating power 24/7, way up in the sky above their location.

Magenn is still working some of the technical and regualtion details but overall, this wind-power solution is, in many way, a notch above the rest.

Tags: magenn, wind power, windmills, air power, remote locations, power generation

Let’s say you had a busy week. No, better yet. A hectic few last months. Well, that’s more than enough to justify (ahem) taking a few weeks to indulge yourself, jungle-style.

You read that right: the jungle, the Indonesian jungle, more specifically.

Tarzans and Janes of the world will feel right at home at the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan. This luxurious yet intimate resort’s 18 suites and 42 villas offer the ultimate in privacy and comfort making it a wonderful tropical haven set in the lush Ayung River valley. Guest accommodations reflect the exotic surroundings, featuring uniquely crafted Indonesian furnishings and local handmade fabrics.

Locationwise, the Four Seasons Resort is located in the Indonesian village of Sayan, on the lush island of Bali. The resort is only ten minutes away from the island’s cultural and artistic centre of Ubud (be sure to visit the Monkey Forest).

Conveniently placed within the sound of the Ayung River, the resort’s two-level swimming pool is a cool and relaxing oasis cleverly designed to follow the river’s natural contours ‚Äì it’s just plain beautiful. The health club and spa features exercise facility, sauna, whirlpool and Ayurvedic spa pavilions.

Now, if you like innovative Indonesian specialty food as well as contemporary Asian-style cuisine, the resort’s Ayung Terrace, offering breathtaking views of the river below, should keep you raving for more delicious treats, meal after meal.

This is the kind of place you want to escape to, ideally with your loved one. It’s easy to imagine couples reinventing the world (hopefully, for the better), in this jungle paradise.

At between 500$ and 600$ a night, it’s another surprisingly affordable way to pamper yourself.

For travelers less familiar with this destination, let’s just say that with over 13,000 islands, Indonesia is the world’s most expansive archipelago. Bali is one of the larger islands, with a predominantly Hindu population of 3 million inhabitants and an agrarian economy.

By all means, it’s a refreshing tropical haven with a relaxed pace. Bali features splendid beaches, friendly people and a warm climate.

For all those who like Bali but would prefer a more urban, coastal experience, perhaps the Four Seasons Bali at Jimbaran Bay would be a good choice.

Tags: bali, four seasons resort, sayan, jungle, jimbaran bay, island, indonesia, travel