Venture Architecture Blog

Hydrogen Fuel Cells in your Computer?

Friday, December 30, 2011

Yes, you read the title correctly... in the near future, will hydrogen fuel cells supply power to our computers and cell phones? According to Apple, most definitely. Recently, the US Patent and Trademark office released a patent, filed by Apple in 2010, to manufacture portable fuel cell recharging stations and an embedded fuel cell inside mobile electronics. The fuel cells would be capable of both providing power and receiving power from a battery. The patent claims the fuel cell technology could power a mobile device for weeks. Weeks! Whether or not this new technology is in the works for Apple, or if it is just an attempt to corner a future market remains to be seen, but the prospects of using your computer for weeks without recharging is very exciting. Read More...

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More Good News from the Solar Industry!

Monday, December 19, 2011

More good news is coming from the solar industry! Even with the ongoing scrutiny and criticism of solar power,  technology continues to improve, financing is more accessible, and "the price of solar energy-generated electricity, calculated by a legitimate levelized cost of energy (LCOE) method, is now competitive in many regions with the price of electricity generated by conventional sources." What does that mean? Solar, in many regions, is just as cheap, or in some locations cheaper, than the electricity you get from the grid! A main reason for this big drop in pricing is due in large part to overly-conservative LCOE calculations that neglected the long life-span of PV panels, and the low to almost non-existent maintenance costs. Compared to the costs of maintaining a power plant, these low costs seem even more obvious. Finally, this study does NOT include any of the cost benefits associated with cleaner energy when compared to coal or natural gas. If those values were included, solar pricing could drop below grid parity. You can find the full article here, and the full study with data hereRead More...

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Harding and Shelton Offices Featured on AIA Oklahoma's Website!

Monday, December 19, 2011

Have you been on AIA Oklahoma's website recently? Read More...

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Design Miami features an installation by David Adjaye

Tuesday, December 06, 2011

Last week's Design Miami event in Miami Beach featured an installation by David Adjaye, architect of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Denver. Adjaye was honored with the fair's Designer of the Year award. Design Miami is a part of a global art forum associated with Art Basel in Switzerland that celebrates design culture and commerce. Each year it attracts collectors, designers, curators and critics interested in viewing the best in cutting edge design from around the world.  Read More...

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