Most Popular
1500 questions
7
votes
2 answers
How many square kilometres of offshore wind farms would be required to replace the closing of a 4GW nuclear power station
A large nuclear power plant has a capacity of 4GW and a capacity factor of about 90%.
How much installed capacity of wind turbines with a capacity factor of 40% would be required to match that output?
Here is my attempt -
From the document…
Mike H
- 171
- 3
7
votes
5 answers
Is it more environmentally friendly to use laptops or desktop PCs?
I've often wondered whether it's more environmentally friendly to use a desktop or a laptop.
To compare purely the electricity usage, I can of course calculate how long I leave my computer turned on, measure the electricity usage with a meter,…
user2596667
- 83
- 1
- 7
7
votes
1 answer
Alternatives to automotive cleaners and solvents (such as kerosene)
My question about lubricating automotive gears and chains also got me thinking about cleaning said contrivances which is required prior to lubrication. Oftly, kerosene is used as a generic cleaner. Other chemicals harmful to the environment could…
theUg
- 1,780
- 14
- 23
7
votes
2 answers
What benefits and detriments might frogs have for home gardens?
Living in suburbia I rarely see any frogs, but I understand that creating a small but unpolluted pond in my backyard is likely to provide a desirable habitat if there are any frogs in the general area.
Given the lack of suitable habitat for frogs…
Highly Irregular
- 8,795
- 10
- 38
- 78
7
votes
1 answer
Is there a sustainable binding agent for 3D printing with wood pulp?
Recently someone developed some filament for 3d printers that contains about 40% wood pulp and 60% plastic.
Could it be possible to print with wood pulp without the plastic mixed in? (Either without an additional binding agent, or with a sustainable…
Highly Irregular
- 8,795
- 10
- 38
- 78
7
votes
1 answer
Aquaponics without water pumps: Is it possible?
We have a big sort of pond which is aerated by a largish aquarium pump (air pump only). We have carp and two turtles in the pond. My guess is the capacity is in the 1000 to 1500 gallon range.
I was wondering about the possibility of incorporating…
Chris Travers
- 7,039
- 20
- 44
7
votes
4 answers
Gas/cooling strategies for reducing fuel consumption while driving: air conditioner vs windows
Looking at gas milage and air conditioner use, it seems to me I get a significantly better gas milage when I don't use the air conditioner. However, if I roll down the windows, I assume this increases aerodynamic drag.
Under what circumstances does…
Chris Travers
- 7,039
- 20
- 44
7
votes
2 answers
How many times do you need to re-use cloth napkins to offset their impact?
My local municipality has a "Waste Watchers" program that provides resources for reducing the quantity of waste sent to landfills. One of their tips is to use cloth napkins instead of paper napkins.
If I follow this advice, how many times will I…
LShaver
- 11,885
- 6
- 30
- 81
7
votes
1 answer
Is a solar cell phone charger a sustainable choice?
I bought this handy mobile solar charger for my cell phone. I wonder if it's a sustainable buy and looking for a report or similar that compares the production costs (including carbon dioxide emissions and resource consumption) vs continuing…
CARTOS
- 173
- 3
7
votes
1 answer
Freezing Ice Pops Sustainably
When storing ice pops for retail customers, I need to package them in a freezer-safe ,clear wrapping. I would like for it to be compostable, but apparently the compostable cellophane options are not freezer safe, and ruin the flavor of the contents…
Jenny
- 71
- 1
7
votes
2 answers
Composting toilet v/s urine-diverting dry toilet (UDDT)
An UDDT seems to be the most environmentally friendly alternative, but for some contexts, a composting toilet might seem preferable (like rentals, or camping sites where people don't always remember to use the toilets correctly).
What are the…
Federico
- 217
- 1
- 5
7
votes
2 answers
Are any large restaurant chains pursuing better alternatives to recyclable packaging?
Yesterday Kraft Foods announced that by 2025 all of its packaging will be recyclable. (Note that while they include "reusable" and "compostable" in the announcement, they talk almost exclusively about "recyclable.")
Earlier, Starbucks announced that…
LShaver
- 11,885
- 6
- 30
- 81
7
votes
3 answers
What is an environmentally-conscious replacement for white yogurt?
I am looking for an environmentally conscious replacement for white yogurt. I do have a couple of ideas for foods that could work well, but I have very little clue if they are a better choice from the environmental perspective. Similarly, I do not…
Martin
- 171
- 3
7
votes
2 answers
How to set up grid-tied photovoltaics without feed-in?
In my current place (Morocco), the electrical utility operator does not allow feed-in. How can I create a photovoltaics installation that respects this rule? I would like to create a grid-tied installation so that grid power can be used when locally…
tanius
- 449
- 3
- 8
7
votes
1 answer
How can you grow Hops (for beer) in an aquaponics system?
A buddy of mine is interested in attempting to grow Hops in an aquaponic system. He is particularly interested in something of the deep water culture style of system. Is this possible with Hops? If so - what methods have been successful with…
Andrew Siemer
- 854
- 6
- 16