Chrysler may be slow to the party in introducing production hybrids and electric vehicles, but that doesn't mean they haven't been working on cleaner energy. The company has been cooperating with university researchers on growing biofuel feed stocks on brownfield sites, for example. They have also been growing potential biofuel crops at their Chelsea, MI proving ground as an alternative to grass. The company's latest effort is a wind power project, also at the Chelsea track.

The first stage of the project will take place over the next year and a half at Chelsea with the construction of a 264ft tall test tower. The tower will be used to collect meteorological data that will be analyzed in conjunction with the University of Michigan, North Coast Wind and Power and Washtenaw county. Most wind power projects are built near coastal areas or large flat regions in order capture the most undisturbed winds. This project will look at the viability of wind power at higher altitudes. If the data proves favorable, Chrysler will consider construction of wind turbines on the property while the county will look at adding more capacity in the surrounding area. The Chrysler press release is after the jump.

A company in Canada, Hybridine Power Systems, has created a new solar- and wind-powered streetlight. I actually think that this idea has some merit. I can't see the need for lights like this in urban settings where the grid stretches everywhere and everything is already wired, but for rural settings and side streets this could be a good idea. When I saw this, I started thinking about the possibilities of solar and wind powered stoplights. Then, my mind wandered to those horrible red-light photo cameras and sensors. I really hate those. Not for catching me speeding, to be honest. If I'm speeding, then I deserve a ticket if I get caught. But...

Here is a true story that proves they are not infallible. I traded a car in to a dealership here in Toledo, where I live. I paid a fee for them to "dispose of my license plates" because they were not transferable. A few months later, I got a red-light-photo ticket in the mail... with my OLD LICENSE PLATES! A salesperson stole the plates and used them on his car. The worst part of it all was that the car in the photo was a red two-door and the ticket was for a purple four-door sedan. They claim that a human studies each ticket before it gets sent out. Riiiight. Anyway, I don't trust the camera's and I often need to slam on my brakes to stop, just to be sure that I don't get a ticket. Sorry for the tangent. Thanks for listening and have a nice evening.

[Source: Treehugger]