Scotts Valley, California based Zero Motorcycles is now shipping an all-electric 250cc equivalent motorcycle for a list price of $7,450 complete. These nifty little bikes are available in on- and off-road configurations and really fly (check out the videos hosted at their website.) The standard configuration has a duration of 2 hours and/or range of 40 miles and accelerates from zero to 30mph in less than 2 seconds.

Some interesting and distinguishing characteristics about this offering are the programmable interface allowing for different personalities to be exhibited from easy to sport. This is critical because the bike has 100% of torque available throughout the power range and is capable of delivering 300A at peak power. The storage system consists of an array of 168 second generation lithium-ion cells designed to avoid thermal incidents seen in other electric vehicles. The entire bike weighs only 140lbs (without the rider) and has successfully made 65 foot jumps, so it’s sufficiently tough for the task at hand.

We promised not to make this a humor site when we posted our first renewable-related humor on wind power.

Custom Low RPM Alternator

Photo Credit: The Other Power

But, we came across this project and it was simply too good to pass up for commentary. So, without further ado, here’s the striking new, renewable energy source: hamsters!

Custom energy hackers, The Other Power, have been releasing serious DIY energy projects for some time. These include wind turbines, steam generators, low-speed diesel generators, and camper mounted solar arrays. But, the most interesting project involves creating a custom low RPM alternator designed to be driven by hamster power. They call the project, The Hamster-Powered Night Light.

Hamster Power Harvest System

Photo Credit: The Other Power

It turns out to be not so simple to build a generator that relies on an animal driving a wheel 40-60 RPM with relatively low torque. But the folks at Other Power spend the time to walk you through the intimate details of the project including the new field of hamster psychology. Read the details of the project and enjoy!

Geothermal and waste heat harvest equipment maker and electricity generator Ormat issued a short earnings preview this morning stating that revenue was up year over year from $72M to $73M. Net profit however dropped from $87M to $47M; however, the prior comparison period had a one-time capital gain of $47M reported. Excluding this gain, profit increased from $40M to $47M year over year.

Recently Nevada Power Corporation, MidAmerica Holdings, and Ormat announced a project to recover waste heat at the Kern River Gas Transmission station at Goodsprings, about 35 miles south of Las Vegas. The project, scheduled to go into commercial operation subject to regulatory approval in 2010, will be sufficient to supply around 1,200 homes with electricity. This represents another important step in micro-generation and harvest and will be net positive for all parties involved.

Details of the announcement are available from Sierra Pacific Resources, the parent company of Nevada Power.

Polaris Geothermal, who recently announced a successful well test on their Nicaraguan concession, has recently announced a debt funding round of $27M in exchange for 27,000 units. A unit will consist of $1,000 in 9.5% senior debt, 667 warrants, and 75 penalty rights. The debt is due in 18 months time and will be paid quarterly in arrears. Jacob & Company, the underwriters of the deal, stand to benefit $1.89M for their fee and an option to acquire 7% of the offering.

The proceeds from this funding round will be used to retire $8.3M in debt due and the balance will be used for general corporate purposes according to the company. This debt round comes on the heels of a prior $32M private placement completed in July, 2007.