euronews science - Samsø: where renewable energy rules the roost

euronews science - Samsø: where renewable energy rules the roost Tube. Duration : 2.18 Mins.

www.euronews.com The tiny, Danish island Samsø, is garnering a rather big reputation as a leading 'sustainable energy island'. In 1997 the Danish Energy Agency gave it the tough task of eschewing all forms of non renewable power, in favour of greener alternatives. Since then CO2 emissions have been significantly reduced and the island even has its own Energy Academy. To improve household energy efficiency, a national program subsidised the installation of various biomass heating, solar collectors and heat pump systems for the entire community. The population of Samsø own all the wind turbines on and off the island as a collective cooperative but with cars and ferries still relying on fossil fuels, the islanders have one last obstacle to overcome in their pursuit of sustainability. Find us on: Youtube bit.ly Facebook www.facebook.com Twitter twitter.com

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euronews terra viva - Total energy independence in the Alps

euronews terra viva - Total energy independence in the Alps Video Clips. Duration : 4.22 Mins.

www.euronews.com French engineer and inventor Fabrice André is whizzing up the Alpine road to his refuge on his latest invention: a tricycle that can climb upwards at more than 50 kilometres an hour and has 270 kilometres autonomy. "The technology is based on the slow discharge from one battery to another in order to achieve maximum autonomy. And you can always use the pedals," he says with a smile. We meet Fabrice on his tricycle some 2000 metres up high, above Alpe d'Huez, where he chose to settle down some ten years ago. "I wanted to build a place in the middle of nowhere and prove that I could be totally energy independent. That didn't just mean electric autonomy but also for heating, for the garden, the vegetable plot and for transport," he tells us. The refuge is an Aladin's cave of ideas and energy tricks. The priorities are independence and comfort. The refuge is built with logs from trees that came down in a storm. "When it comes to insulation, a 20 centimetre-thick log is as good as 2 metres of glass wool. Then there's compression. The more the building ages, the more water-proof it will become. It's the weight that ensures it is water-proof," says Fabrice. He shows us his new generation wind mill. "This is a vertical wind mill with variable geometry blades. See how it speeds up. As the wind picks up, it closes up. When the wind weakens, it opens up completely. It's virtually indestructible because, on a very windy day, it will adapt and turn into a cylinder ...

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