Smart Takes

Archive: 06-2011

• White House unveils smart grid strategy, $250 million in loans

  The White House renews its attack on America’s aging power grid. Jason Hiner summarizes the Obama administration’s plans and outlines the two biggest obstacles.

  June 15, 2011, 9:48 AM PDT | By Jason Hiner

• Virgin America taps fuel-efficient engine for Airbus fleet

  Virgin America will use CFM International’s fuel-efficient LEAP engine to power 30 new Airbus A320neo aircraft.

  June 15, 2011, 9:06 AM PDT | By Andrew Nusca

• Total closes SunPower deal: Big oil goes solar

  Oil and gas giant Total has completed its cash-tender offer to own 60 percent of solar power system player SunPower.

  June 15, 2011, 7:30 AM PDT | By Larry Dignan

• IEEE: Price parity for solar PV, fossil fuels in 10 years

  In a decade, solar photovoltaic systems have the potential to be more economical than fossil fuels in generating electricity, according to a new report.

  June 15, 2011, 7:24 AM PDT | By Andrew Nusca

• DOE awards Abengoa $1.2 billion for Mojave solar farm

  The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded energy company Abengoa with $1.2 billion for the construction of the Mojave Solar Project.

  June 15, 2011, 7:03 AM PDT | By Andrew Nusca

• From the past, imagining a connected future

  Twenty-nine years ago, a National Science Foundation report imagined a connected future in 1998. In doing so, researchers accurately predicted the Internet, telecommuting, e-commerce and social media.

  June 14, 2011, 12:35 PM PDT | By Andrew Nusca

• Airbus envisions the future of air travel: high-definition flying

  Airbus envisions the future of flying: a recyclable concept cabin that offers panoramic views, interactive zones and an intelligent passenger interface.

  June 14, 2011, 11:04 AM PDT | By Andrew Nusca

• Itron, Landis+Gyr team up on smart grid integration

  Meter maker Itron and energy management outfit Landis+Gyr will integrate their technologies to make it easier for utility companies shopping for a smart grid solution.

  June 14, 2011, 10:39 AM PDT | By Andrew Nusca

• What we’re reading: lie-detecting ATMs

  What we’re reading: lie-detecting ATMs; New York: design capital?; Bill Gates and the developing world; CEO psychopaths; American job creation.

  June 14, 2011, 9:36 AM PDT | By Andrew Nusca

• An urban revival: skyscrapers, or historic preservation?

  Should cities revive themselves through high-rise skyscrapers or historic preservation of housing stock? Architecture critic Inga Saffron writes that it’s complicated.

  June 14, 2011, 8:10 AM PDT | By Andrew Nusca