Dallas Kachan's blog

The folks over at Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies have introduced a new toy for bigger boys... with decidedly bigger budgets.

Horizon's H-cell is a kit is a “drop in” that turns 1/10th scale radio controlled model cars into long-lasting, hydrogen powered speed demons.

The H-cell can be fit into any car built with the popular TT-01 type chassis from Tamiya. It comes with a hydrogen fuel cell power unit and an adaptable, futuristic body shell.

What do goats and a man Moaning have to do with biofuels in Belieze?

We used to wonder that ourselves—often, actually—until the following press release issued today explained all.

Blue Diamond Ventures (PINKSHEETS: BLDV) today announced plans to construct a bio-diesel plant in Belize, with an eventual capacity of 50 million gallons per year (GPY).

This follows approval from the Government of Belize for Blue Diamond to purchase 180 acres of land, forming part of the Old Lynam College in the Stann Creek District, which will serve as a headquarters for the company's bio-fuels, goat and research and development operations.

In a phenomenon never seen before, cinemas throughout the Netherlands are showing the film "An Inconvenient Truth" for free.

It's the first initiative of a new group called the Planet Prosperity Foundation.

Six weeks ago, the foundation publicly set itself a goal to show the film for free in 20 cities in the Netherlands. Not only for one day, but for four weeks in a row, starting March 8th.

Last week, the project started in 17 major cities, including Rotterdam and The Hague. It immediately led to a run on the 50,000 free tickets that are available in the coming weeks.

The foundation's initiative has gotten the public support of respected politicians and businesses, and constant attention in the media.

We thought this was a joke.

But no - there's a project under way in the U.K. to turn dead cows into an energy source. Seriously.

Read the BBC's story here.

Yet on second consideration, maybe these folks are are onto something.

Did you miss snapping up the biodiesel refinery offered for sale this week on eBay?

If so, don't worry. Nobody else bought it.

The sellers, in a small town in the Canadian province of Manitoba, were selling the Swiss-built refinery for $1.275M USD.

A new magazine for the environmentally and socially responsible bride and groom (hey, there's a magazine for everthing!) has introduced the first U.S. wedding carbon calculator.

"Weddings are a special way to announce a lifetime commitment," says Portovert Magazine editorial director Meghan Meyers. "But the truth is, even the most eco-savvy couple will create carbon emissions on their wedding day."

In partnership with NativeEnergy, Portovert has published its calculator at http://www.nativeenergy.com/Portovert today, Valentine's Day.

How do you prove your new automotive technology is real? Why, prove it in the racing environment, of course!

Not to be outdone by ethanol and its IndyCar coup, fuel cell vehicle makers are starting their OWN racing league to show the viability of their technology. And now they've released to specs for automakers to build to.

The Hydrogen Electric Racing Federation's hubristically-named Future of Racing™ and Hydrogen 500™ concepts were introduced recently in Detroit to "an impressive gathering of leading auto industry executives and motorsports dignitaries."

Y'know, on one hand, it was tempting to dismiss this, given the other two (read 'em: 1 and 2) Christmas and fuel cell (yup!) posts we've done in recent weeks.

But they say good things come in threes. And this one was just so darn cute, plus SUCH a coup for fuel cell marketing folks, that even we more-jaded-than-average types here at the Cleantech Group couldn't help but run it...

Renewable power plant developer Laidlaw Energy Group, apparently oblivious to juvenile interpretations and fun-poking by its customers and the industry [ed.: not to mention certain journalists] issued a press release today characterizing its wood-to-energy initiatives as "clean woody biomass."

California governor and alternative energy action hero Arnold Schwarzenegger lit up a holiday tree at the state capitol yesterday... powered by a fuel cell.

In a ceremony yesterday at the California State Capitol, Governor Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Shriver lit the official State holiday tree, featuring 6,500 light-emitting diode bulbs.

"Now, just pour that liquid hydrogen in here," guv Schwarzenegger guides his young protege. "Be careful not to spill any."