Welcome to our weekly green news roundup. This week we’ve gathered stories about green driving, the solar industry in Spain and green Oscar fashion.

Feel free to send along any stories you’d like to share by e-mailing me at kasia@azbigmedia.com

Also visit AZ Green Scene for informative articles focusing on sustainability endeavors in the Valley and state.

Solar Industry Learns Lessons in Spanish Sun
After the small Spanish town of Puertollano hosted a brief solar power boom in 2008, the government squashed it, cut payments and capped solar construction. This article outlines how the United States, which is dragging behind Europe in solar power, can learn from Spain’s mistakes.

Department of Energy Announces $100 Million Available for Innovative Research Projects
At the inaugural ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit last week, it was announced that $100 million in Recovery Act funding will go toward innovation in green technology. It will also increase America’s competitiveness and create new jobs. The opportunity focuses on three technology areas, including Grid-Scale Rampable Intermittent Dispatchable Storage, Agile Delivery of Electrical Power Technology and Building Energy Efficiency Through Innovative Thermodevices.

10 Innovations That Could Make Us Greener Drivers
With more and more evidence that electric vehicles are the future, here are 10 suggestions – some real and in the works, others farther off and seemingly ridiculous – to help us further save the environment as drivers. According to this, it won’t be long until our cars are driving themselves while we kick back and read a book behind the wheel.

New Vending Machines Stay Cool Without Warming the Planet
The Coca-Cola Co. has come up with a great way to help the environment: vending machines that actually cool the planet as well as the soda. The secret ingredient? Carbon dioxide. Sounds ridiculous, but “fighting fire with fire” may be the best way to combat global warming.

Red Carpet Green Dress: A Catalyst for A Revolution
One of the best parts of the Oscars every year is seeing the beautiful dresses and gowns. This year, James Cameron’s wife set out to prove that the dress making process can be environmentally friendly as well as gorgeous. She created the Red Carpet Green Dress Contest, and her own dress was about 85 percent green.


Photo Credit: reviews.carreview.com