Paris Gets Creative with Renewable Energy

The city of Paris is about to get another makeover, this time of the renewable energy variety. The city plans to generate power with underwater turbines, called hydroliennes, from the river Seine. The turbines will be placed beneath four of the bridges that cross the famous river that winds through Paris: the Pont du Garigliano, Pont de la Tournelle, Pont Marie, and Pont au Change.

The majority of the turbines will be beneath the surface; however a portion will still be visible. Officials say this project isn’t necessarily about generating power, but awareness. Critics say it’s a lot of money to spend on awareness.

The project is set to begin next spring.

Source: The Guardian

Turning Sea Trash into Vacuum Cleaners

Electrolux, the legendary vacuum cleaner company, is launching a new model called Vac from the Sea, which will be made from recycled plastic that has been collected from the ocean. The company is recruiting volunteers around the world to gather plastic pollution that will be transformed into the new vacuum cleaners. The company was inspired to initiate the project due to increasing plastic shortages and growing public concern regarding the health of the world’s oceans. An estimated 10 percent of the world’s plastic waste ends up in the ocean posing threats to wildlife, water quality, and marine ecosystems.

Source: Fast Company