Exxon gets into Algae; Recycling robot; Baltimore smart grid; Rural coops using wind turbines; Smart appliances go on the grid

Smart appliances go on the grid. GE should start selling its smart appliances — dishwashers, water heaters, microwaves and other devices embedded with communications technology — as early as this summer, and these appliances will be able to securely and efficiently connect with the grid because of Tendril, the 5-year-old Boulder, Colo.-based startup that has developed energy management software and hardware for utilities and consumers. They are going to be able to turn the power usage down at night when the appliances don’t need as much.

Rural coops using wind turbines. Rural electric cooperatives across the country are adding more wind power, but it is not always easy. However, on my recent cross-country drive, I saw a giant wind turbine farm in Iowa that was quite impressive!

Exxon gets into Algae. If this is for real, and not a greenwash, I will be a very happy man indeed. Synthetic Genomics has announced a $300 million agreement with Exxon to research and develop next generation biofuels using photosynthetic algae. And according to the New York Times, Exxon is going to invest another $300 million in in-house research.

Recycling robot. DustCart is a green-colored recycle bot who is currently undergoing a test run in Peccioli, a small Italian town. Part of a $3.9 million project called DustBot, DustCart will operate autonomously, responding to users’ calls within its service area. Cool, heh?

Baltimore smart grid. Baltimore Gas & Electric has just announced that it has filed paper with the Maryland Public Service Commission to roll out a program that will see some two million smart meters will be installed, and a new pricing plan implemented that promises to save customers $2.6 billion over the life of the program. I bet the residents of Baltimore are pretty psyched to hear that!