Test Your GTD-IQ: "Quadrant: Visionary / Crazy-Maker
Interpreting Your Results
Your 'perspective' score was 3 and your 'control' score was 2. This means you have scored in the 'Visionary / Crazy-Maker' quadrant.
On the positive side, you are a Visionary - you have no shortage of ideas and inspiration. You're probably pretty good at setting goals, being creative, and focused on 'the most important thing.'
On the developmental side, you are a Crazy Maker. The challenge is that your ideas, projects, and commitments may be outstripping your ability to keep up with them. Along with the inspiration of what you're envisioning, there may be things falling through the cracks, details being missed, and a general sense of being overwhelmed. Other people in your life may have pointed out to you that you don't adequately consider constraints or limitations when making commitments. And that contributes to overloading those around you.
GTD can offer you a sane way of complimenting your strong perspective with improved control. You can use a systematic, but flexible approach to capture and consider all the commitments you want to make. This should help you get better traction bringing your ideas to life. And the efficiency you realize will help you avoid the title 'Crazy Maker' as you build a better track recor"
Monday, December 29, 2008
The Art of Nonconformity » The Art of Radical Exclusion
The Art of Nonconformity » The Art of Radical Exclusion: "Here’s the idea: we make time for what’s important to us.
If I fail to fulfill a commitment I’ve made in a timely manner, it’s because of a conscious choice I’ve made. If I don’t return the phone call I said I would, it’s because I chose to do something else."
If I fail to fulfill a commitment I’ve made in a timely manner, it’s because of a conscious choice I’ve made. If I don’t return the phone call I said I would, it’s because I chose to do something else."
The Energy Challenge - No Furnaces but Heat Aplenty in Innovative ‘Passive Houses’ - Series - NYTimes.com
The Energy Challenge - No Furnaces but Heat Aplenty in Innovative ‘Passive Houses’ - Series - NYTimes.com: "From the outside, there is nothing unusual about the stylish new gray and orange row houses in the Kranichstein District, with wreaths on the doors and Christmas lights twinkling through a freezing drizzle. But these houses are part of a revolution in building design: There are no drafts, no cold tile floors, no snuggling under blankets until the furnace kicks in. There is, in fact, no furnace."
PDX Electric Vehicle Enthusiasts | KBOO Community Radio
PDX Electric Vehicle Enthusiasts | KBOO Community Radio: "# Title: PDX Electric Vehicle Enthusiasts
# Producer: Stephanie Potter
# Length: 27:54 minutes (19.16 MB)
# Format: MP3 Mono 44kHz 96Kbps (CBR)
In November 2006, Stephanie Potter visited with the Portland Chapter of the Oregon Electic Vehicle Association, a non-profit association of electric vehicle enthusiasts who promote electric vehicle education and encourage their safe construction and use. This show aired during the premiere of Who Killed the Electric Car?"
# Producer: Stephanie Potter
# Length: 27:54 minutes (19.16 MB)
# Format: MP3 Mono 44kHz 96Kbps (CBR)
In November 2006, Stephanie Potter visited with the Portland Chapter of the Oregon Electic Vehicle Association, a non-profit association of electric vehicle enthusiasts who promote electric vehicle education and encourage their safe construction and use. This show aired during the premiere of Who Killed the Electric Car?"
Electric past a jump-start for startup | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star
Electric past a jump-start for startup | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star: "They formed Bright, and Waters moved back to Anderson to rejoin the pool of electric-car engineers.
'There's no question we had the leadership position in innovation,' he said. 'We don't want to give it up.'"
'There's no question we had the leadership position in innovation,' he said. 'We don't want to give it up.'"
Boom Times Ahead for Solar Energy? | Green Energy News
Boom Times Ahead for Solar Energy? | Green Energy News: "Dropping solar prices plus a solar friendly president-elect plus new solar technologies could equal a tidal wave of clean energy.
First the supporting news.
Dow Corning and its joint ventures Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation and Hemlock Semiconductor LLC (together known as Hemlock Semiconductor) have announced a multibillion dollar plan to supply the global solar and electronics industry with additional silicon. The gutsy and timely move could add as much as 34,000 metric tons of polysilicon per year to the world supply chain.
The investment will include an expansion of the company’s current polysilicon facility in Hemlock, Michigan and a completely new silicon-making shop in Tennessee."
First the supporting news.
Dow Corning and its joint ventures Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation and Hemlock Semiconductor LLC (together known as Hemlock Semiconductor) have announced a multibillion dollar plan to supply the global solar and electronics industry with additional silicon. The gutsy and timely move could add as much as 34,000 metric tons of polysilicon per year to the world supply chain.
The investment will include an expansion of the company’s current polysilicon facility in Hemlock, Michigan and a completely new silicon-making shop in Tennessee."
calcars-news : BYD PHEV On Sale
calcars-news : Message: BYD PHEV On Sale:
"The Chinese battery company BYD Group lives up to its name, 'Build Your
Dreams.' This week it began selling a $22,000 PHEV with a huge
62-mile battery range (not 80 as misreported) to fleet customers in
China. BYD hopes to sell 10,000 in a year, followed by European
sales, with vehicles coming to the U.S. around 2011. The media took
notice in September when Warren Buffet's MidAmerican Energy Holdings
bought 9.9 percent of BYD for $232 million. The only negative
analysts can point to is that the vehicle's 'fit and finish' aren't
up to US standards."
"The Chinese battery company BYD Group lives up to its name, 'Build Your
Dreams.' This week it began selling a $22,000 PHEV with a huge
62-mile battery range (not 80 as misreported) to fleet customers in
China. BYD hopes to sell 10,000 in a year, followed by European
sales, with vehicles coming to the U.S. around 2011. The media took
notice in September when Warren Buffet's MidAmerican Energy Holdings
bought 9.9 percent of BYD for $232 million. The only negative
analysts can point to is that the vehicle's 'fit and finish' aren't
up to US standards."
China's First Plug-In Hybrid Car Rolls Out - BusinessWeek
China's First Plug-In Hybrid Car Rolls Out - BusinessWeek: "While U.S. automakers struggle to survive after the Senate rejected a bailout for Detroit, one company from China may be showing a way forward for the industry. On Dec. 15, BYD Auto got a jump on General Motors (GM), Toyota (TM), and Nissan (NSANY) by introducing in its home town of Shenzhen the first mass-produced plug-in hybrid, the F3 DM. BYD's new car, with a $22,000 price tag, can run for up to 60 miles on a battery charged from an ordinary electricity outlet."
Op-Ed Columnist - While Detroit Slept - NYTimes.com
Op-Ed Columnist - While Detroit Slept - NYTimes.com: "Do not expect this innovation to come out of Detroit. Remember, in 1908, the Ford Model-T got better mileage — 25 miles per gallon — than many Ford, G.M. and Chrysler models made in 2008. But don’t be surprised when it comes out of somewhere else. It can be done. It will be done. If we miss the chance to win the race for Car 2.0 because we keep mindlessly bailing out Car 1.0, there will be no one to blame more than Detroit’s new shareholders: we the taxpayers."
Op-Ed Columnist - While Detroit Slept - NYTimes.com
Op-Ed Columnist - While Detroit Slept - NYTimes.com: "It will be remembered as pouring billions of dollars into improving typewriters on the eve of the birth of the PC and the Internet."
The Radio Ecoshock Show
The Radio Ecoshock Show: "1. Testimony to Select Committee on Energy Independence & Global Warming Dec 9.
On auto bail-out & real future of green transpo. Clips from Chairman Ed Markey, Member Jay Inslee, plus testimony from Joan Claybrook of the watchdog group Public Citizen (founded by Ralph Nader). Next up is a bit from Reuben Munger, Chairman of a start-up independent auto maker - of electric plug-in vehicles, called Bright Automotive.
Also, Dr. Peter Morici, Professor of International Business at the University of Maryland, thinks the bailout is a waste of money and won't work.
Finally, from the design side of the car business, there is Mr. Geoff Wardle, Director of Advanced Mobility Research, Art Center College of Design in Pasadena California. He describes the need to design a real public transport system that is green and sustainable.
2. Frosty the Coal Man? Twisted carols and coal plant radiation. What, you didn't know coal plants emit bomb-quality radiation along with the CO2?
3. second half hour - Gwynne Dyer columnist, author, military historian on extreme climate change and resulting wars. Exclusive preview of new radio series.
Recorded at the Park Theatre December 6, 2008."
On auto bail-out & real future of green transpo. Clips from Chairman Ed Markey, Member Jay Inslee, plus testimony from Joan Claybrook of the watchdog group Public Citizen (founded by Ralph Nader). Next up is a bit from Reuben Munger, Chairman of a start-up independent auto maker - of electric plug-in vehicles, called Bright Automotive.
Also, Dr. Peter Morici, Professor of International Business at the University of Maryland, thinks the bailout is a waste of money and won't work.
Finally, from the design side of the car business, there is Mr. Geoff Wardle, Director of Advanced Mobility Research, Art Center College of Design in Pasadena California. He describes the need to design a real public transport system that is green and sustainable.
2. Frosty the Coal Man? Twisted carols and coal plant radiation. What, you didn't know coal plants emit bomb-quality radiation along with the CO2?
3. second half hour - Gwynne Dyer columnist, author, military historian on extreme climate change and resulting wars. Exclusive preview of new radio series.
Recorded at the Park Theatre December 6, 2008."
Bright Automotive(TM) Tells Congress that 'Auto Bailout' Funds Must Also be Used to Enable Innovation by Entrepreneurial Companies - MarketWatch
Bright Automotive(TM) Tells Congress that 'Auto Bailout' Funds Must Also be Used to Enable Innovation by Entrepreneurial Companies - MarketWatch: "ANDERSON, Ind., Dec 09, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Reuben Munger, Co-Founder and Chairman of Bright Automotive(TM), today told Congress that small companies are essential to America's leadership in next-generation, fuel efficient vehicles. Testifying before the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, Munger said that Section 136 funds must be available to these highly innovative businesses.
Indiana-based Bright Automotive ( http://www.brightautomotive.com) has developed a price competitive, 100 mile-per-gallon plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. The vehicle is the first to demonstrate that dramatic fuel efficiency gains can be made even with larger vehicles. Bright Automotive is on target to begin mass production of the vehicle in 2012 at an annual rate of 50,000 units."
Indiana-based Bright Automotive ( http://www.brightautomotive.com) has developed a price competitive, 100 mile-per-gallon plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. The vehicle is the first to demonstrate that dramatic fuel efficiency gains can be made even with larger vehicles. Bright Automotive is on target to begin mass production of the vehicle in 2012 at an annual rate of 50,000 units."
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Green Car Congress: BYD F3DM Plug-in Hybrid Goes On Sale in China
Green Car Congress: BYD F3DM Plug-in Hybrid Goes On Sale in China: "BYD Auto’s plug-in hybrid version of its F3 (F3DM for dual mode) went on sale in China today for about 150,000 yuan (about US$21,900). BYD plans to bring the F3DM to the US in 2010, and will show the car at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show in January.
F3dm2
The F3DM. Click to enlarge.
The F3DM, unveiled this year at the Geneva Motor Show in March (earlier post) uses a version of the dual-mode powertrain shown by BYD on the F6 at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show (earlier post).
The dual-mode powertrains actually supports three modes of operation:
* Full battery-powered EV mode;
* Series-hybrid mode, in which an engine drives a generator as a range-extender; and
* Parallel hybrid mode, in which the engine and motor both provide propulsive power."
F3dm2
The F3DM. Click to enlarge.
The F3DM, unveiled this year at the Geneva Motor Show in March (earlier post) uses a version of the dual-mode powertrain shown by BYD on the F6 at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show (earlier post).
The dual-mode powertrains actually supports three modes of operation:
* Full battery-powered EV mode;
* Series-hybrid mode, in which an engine drives a generator as a range-extender; and
* Parallel hybrid mode, in which the engine and motor both provide propulsive power."
A Plug-In Hybrid Goes on Sale, in China - Wheels Blog - NYTimes.com
A Plug-In Hybrid Goes on Sale, in China - Wheels Blog - NYTimes.com: "On Monday, BYD Auto began selling the first mass-produced plug-in hybrid car in the world.
Unlike conventional gas-electric hybrids, the F3DM can be charged from a wall outlet. It has a range of about 60 miles on a full battery charge."
Unlike conventional gas-electric hybrids, the F3DM can be charged from a wall outlet. It has a range of about 60 miles on a full battery charge."
The New Three
GM, Ford, & Chrysler are the "big 3" of American auto.
They need to be downsized, not bailed out to make room for the "New 3", Tesla, Fisker, & Aptera.
They need to be downsized, not bailed out to make room for the "New 3", Tesla, Fisker, & Aptera.
Op-Ed Columnist - Win, Win, Win, Win, Win ... - NYTimes.com
Op-Ed Columnist - Win, Win, Win, Win, Win ... - NYTimes.com: "A gas tax reduces gasoline demand and keeps dollars in America, dries up funding for terrorists and reduces the clout of Iran and Russia at a time when Obama will be looking for greater leverage against petro-dictatorships. It reduces our current account deficit, which strengthens the dollar. It reduces U.S. carbon emissions driving climate change, which means more global respect for America. And it increases the incentives for U.S. innovation on clean cars and clean-tech.
Which one of these things wouldn’t we want? A gasoline tax “is not just win-win; it’s win, win, win, win, win,” says the Johns Hopkins author and foreign policy specialist Michael Mandelbaum. “A gasoline tax would do more for American prosperity and strength than any other measure Obama could propose.”
I know it’s hard, but we have got to stop “taking off the table”"
Which one of these things wouldn’t we want? A gasoline tax “is not just win-win; it’s win, win, win, win, win,” says the Johns Hopkins author and foreign policy specialist Michael Mandelbaum. “A gasoline tax would do more for American prosperity and strength than any other measure Obama could propose.”
I know it’s hard, but we have got to stop “taking off the table”"
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Op-Ed Columnist - Win, Win, Win, Win, Win ... - NYTimes.com
Op-Ed Columnist - Win, Win, Win, Win, Win ... - NYTimes.com: "After nearly a year of flagging sales, low gas prices and fat incentives are reigniting America’s taste for big vehicles. Trucks and S.U.V.’s will outsell cars in December ... something that hasn’t happened since February. Meanwhile, the forecast finds that sales of hybrid vehicles are expected to be way down."
How Dumb Are We?
How Dumb Are We?
Friedman Win, Win, Win, Win, Win ... - NYTimes.com
Win, Win, Win, Win, Win ... - NYTimes.com: "Which play? The one where gasoline prices go up, pressure rises for more fuel-efficient cars, then gasoline prices fall and the pressure for low-mileage vehicles vanishes, consumers stop buying those cars, the oil producers celebrate, we remain addicted to oil and prices gradually go up again, petro-dictators get rich, we lose. I’ve already seen this play three times in my life. Trust me: It always ends the same way — badly."
Sports Car Examiner: Civic and Prius hybrids wilt under Tesla's mojo
Sports Car Examiner: Civic and Prius hybrids wilt under Tesla's mojo: "With a price point around $60,000 Tesla will soon be delivering a four door, five passenger zero emissions luxury sport sedan in their new $250 million factory in San Jose, California. The Model S will hit 60 mph in less than 5 seconds and will be able to travel 240 miles per charge."
Friday, December 26, 2008
China Raises Taxes on Big Cars (Up to 40%), Lowers Them on Small Cars (Down to 1%) : TreeHugger
China Raises Taxes on Big Cars (Up to 40%), Lowers Them on Small Cars (Down to 1%) : TreeHugger: "Trying to Fight Air Pollution
Only 4 months ago, we wrote about how big cars were the stars at the Beijing Auto Show. But now that air pollution is in the news more than ever because of the olympics, it seems like the Chinese government has had second thoughts: It decided to reduce taxes on small cars, and increase them on big vehicles. And they're not taking half-measures. The tax on some big vehicles can be as high as 40%."
Only 4 months ago, we wrote about how big cars were the stars at the Beijing Auto Show. But now that air pollution is in the news more than ever because of the olympics, it seems like the Chinese government has had second thoughts: It decided to reduce taxes on small cars, and increase them on big vehicles. And they're not taking half-measures. The tax on some big vehicles can be as high as 40%."
Chevy Volt cost $750 million - Beyond Fossil Fuel
Chevy Volt cost $750 million - Beyond Fossil Fuel: "Electric cars are playing a big part in the Detroit automakers plans for the future, although with all there financial problems you wonder if they will continue with their plans. The problem for GM is the Chevrolet Volt will not be profitable for years.
GM DEO Rick Wagoner told a congressional committee recently the Volt will not be in production till 2010 and will not be fully cost competitive.
Some experts believe even though electric cars will not help the bottom line immediately, these programs will be important to the survival of automakers around the world.
Money is running out to build regular cars and trucks, but the big three automakers continue to fund projects like hydrogen fuel cell and electric vehicles.
The business plan GM sent to congress showed them spending over $750 million to develop the Volt, which is mostly for battery research. What happened to the EV One they developed years ago for a fraction of that amount?"
GM DEO Rick Wagoner told a congressional committee recently the Volt will not be in production till 2010 and will not be fully cost competitive.
Some experts believe even though electric cars will not help the bottom line immediately, these programs will be important to the survival of automakers around the world.
Money is running out to build regular cars and trucks, but the big three automakers continue to fund projects like hydrogen fuel cell and electric vehicles.
The business plan GM sent to congress showed them spending over $750 million to develop the Volt, which is mostly for battery research. What happened to the EV One they developed years ago for a fraction of that amount?"
Rechargeable 9 Volt Lithium Polymer Batteries: Efficient »» MetaEfficient Reviews
Rechargeable 9 Volt Lithium Polymer Batteries: Efficient »» MetaEfficient Reviews: "When buying 9 volt batteries, you might want to consider a rechargeable Lithium Polymer 9 volt batteries. As far as I know, iPower is the only company that makes rechargeable 9V lithium polymer batteries. Their batteries are the same size as a 9 volt alkaline battery.
They also have approximately the same capacity as an alkaline 9V–the iPower lithium polymer is rated at 500 mAh, and the “professional” version is rated a 520 mAh. They will actually outperform a 9 volt alkaline battery in high drain applications.
Lithium Polymer batteries use a new gel-type electrolyte. This gel has an energy density that is 20% more than typical lithium ion batteries. They also last 2 to 3 times longer than rechargeable 9V NiMH batteries, and they hold their charge longer. See this forum thread with a discussion of the performance of this battery."
They also have approximately the same capacity as an alkaline 9V–the iPower lithium polymer is rated at 500 mAh, and the “professional” version is rated a 520 mAh. They will actually outperform a 9 volt alkaline battery in high drain applications.
Lithium Polymer batteries use a new gel-type electrolyte. This gel has an energy density that is 20% more than typical lithium ion batteries. They also last 2 to 3 times longer than rechargeable 9V NiMH batteries, and they hold their charge longer. See this forum thread with a discussion of the performance of this battery."
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Problems Persist With Red Cross Blood Services - NYTimes.com
Problems Persist With Red Cross Blood Services - NYTimes.com: "For 15 years, the American Red Cross has been under a federal court order to improve the way it collects and processes blood. Yet, despite $21 million in fines since 2003 and repeated promises to follow procedures intended to ensure the safety of the nation’s blood supply, it continues to fall short.
Skip to next paragraph
Related
Quality control has been a problem at the Red Cross.
The situation has proved so frustrating that in January the commissioner of food and drugs attended a Red Cross board meeting — a first for a commissioner — and warned members that they could face criminal charges for their continued failure to bring about compliance, according to three Red Cross officials who attended the meeting and requested anonymity because Red Cross policy prohibits public discussion of its meetings with regulators.
“If fear is a motivator, we’re happy to help out in that way,” said Eric M. Blumberg, deputy general counsel at the Food and Drug Administration, though he declined to confirm what the commissioner, Andrew C. von Eschenbach, said at the meeting."
Skip to next paragraph
Related
Quality control has been a problem at the Red Cross.
The situation has proved so frustrating that in January the commissioner of food and drugs attended a Red Cross board meeting — a first for a commissioner — and warned members that they could face criminal charges for their continued failure to bring about compliance, according to three Red Cross officials who attended the meeting and requested anonymity because Red Cross policy prohibits public discussion of its meetings with regulators.
“If fear is a motivator, we’re happy to help out in that way,” said Eric M. Blumberg, deputy general counsel at the Food and Drug Administration, though he declined to confirm what the commissioner, Andrew C. von Eschenbach, said at the meeting."
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
This Is Reality | Coal is Dirty
This Is Reality | Share our latest video: "Send the coal industry a dose of Reality this holiday season."
Dam Breach in Tennessee Releases Tsunami of Toxic Coal Sludge | SolveClimate.com
Dam Breach in Tennessee Releases Tsunami of Toxic Coal Sludge | SolveClimate.com: "A small mountain of toxic coal sludge stored in a pond near a TVA power plant in Kingston, Tennessee broke through a dike on Monday at 1 am. The sudden flow covered dozens of homes, caused a train wreck and covered more than 400 acres so far.
THE EPA has estimated the spill of the slurry to be 2.6 million cubic yards, which has muddied the waters in the Emory river and is flowing into tributaries of the Tennessee River - the water supply for Chattanooga TN and millions of people living downstream in Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky.
According to the Tennessean, a local paper:"
THE EPA has estimated the spill of the slurry to be 2.6 million cubic yards, which has muddied the waters in the Emory river and is flowing into tributaries of the Tennessee River - the water supply for Chattanooga TN and millions of people living downstream in Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky.
According to the Tennessean, a local paper:"
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
New Patent Reveals Details of EEStor’s Ultracapacitor Technology : Gas 2.0
One EESU weighs 281 pounds, has a volume of 2.63 cubic feet, can be fully charged in 3-6 minutes, is completely unaffected by temperature, will not explode or catch fire in an accident, and provides 52 kWh of electricity.
New Patent Reveals Details of EEStor’s Ultracapacitor Technology : Gas 2.0: "A newly-granted US patent (PDF) for the upcoming ultracapacitor technology from secretive Texas-based EEStor contains a ton of detailed information about their near-mythical Electrical Energy Storage Unit (EESU), which has the potential to revolutionize transportation and our energy infrastructure."
Swedish Commercial Touting Tesla Roadster « Peak Oil Garage
Swedish Commercial Touting Tesla Roadster « Peak Oil Garage: "A new Swedish commercial introducing the Tesla Roadster disses both Henry Ford and horses as major polluters.
The Tesla Motors Web site links to the commercial, now on YouTube, which promotes Fortum, an energy company that serves the Nordic countries and builds up to a glowing portrayal of the Tesla Roadster.
Before the Tesla Roadster makes its appearance, we see grim footage of oil field roustabouts that recalls the stark work of Dorothea Lange, the photographer known for her portrait of the “Migrant Mother” during the Great Depression. It also recalls last year’s Oscar-winning performance by Daniel Day-Lewis in There Will Be Blood."
Tata Indica EV Plug-In Electric Car Unveiled at Bologna Motor Show | Go Green Park
Tata Indica EV Plug-In Electric Car Unveiled at Bologna Motor Show | Go Green Park: "at the Bologna auto show
, the world got a glimpse of the Tata Indica EV. Though the price has not be finalized, the the plug-in electric car Indica EV
is expected to go on sale in Europe (Poland and Spain are Tata’s only two European countries at the moment) next summer. Here are the tech specs…
Read the entire TreeHugger post at http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/12/tata-indica-plug-in-electric-car-unveiled-bologna.php"
, the world got a glimpse of the Tata Indica EV. Though the price has not be finalized, the the plug-in electric car Indica EV
is expected to go on sale in Europe (Poland and Spain are Tata’s only two European countries at the moment) next summer. Here are the tech specs…
Read the entire TreeHugger post at http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/12/tata-indica-plug-in-electric-car-unveiled-bologna.php"
Cars of future may be money-losers | Business | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle
Cars of future may be money-losers | Business | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle: "“A business model based on gas — a gas-guzzling past — is unacceptable,” Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said this month. “We need a business model based on cars of the future, and we already know what that future is: the plug-in hybrid electric car.”"
Monday, December 22, 2008
Scientists Sound Alarm on Arctic Melting, "Abrupt" Climate Change at AGU Meeting | SolveClimate.com
Scientists Sound Alarm on Arctic Melting, "Abrupt" Climate Change at AGU Meeting | SolveClimate.com: "Scientists reporting their findings at this week's annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union in San Francisco have an important message for the world: Climate change is happening faster and more extreme than predicted.
NASA, for one, has released new satellite data showing that over two trillion tons of land ice in Greenland, Antarctica and Alaska have melted away dramatically since 2003. More than half of that ice loss has come from Greenland. In total, the melt has led to a global sea level rise of about one-fifth of an inch over the past five years."
NASA, for one, has released new satellite data showing that over two trillion tons of land ice in Greenland, Antarctica and Alaska have melted away dramatically since 2003. More than half of that ice loss has come from Greenland. In total, the melt has led to a global sea level rise of about one-fifth of an inch over the past five years."
Coal should be warming concern: scientists | Reuters
Coal should be warming concern: scientists | Reuters: "Researchers and officials concerned about global warming have focused on oil usage, but scientists on Wednesday said liquefied coal could have a greater affect on global climate change.
Global warming scenarios are based on oil reserves, but those reserves will have less impact on global climate than the extent to which liquefied coal replaces oil and gas, scientists said at a meeting of the American Geophysical Union"
Global warming scenarios are based on oil reserves, but those reserves will have less impact on global climate than the extent to which liquefied coal replaces oil and gas, scientists said at a meeting of the American Geophysical Union"
Study Shows Wind Power Much Better than Ethanol - Beyond Fossil Fuel
Study Shows Wind Power Much Better than Ethanol - Beyond Fossil Fuel: "A study compiled by Mark Jacobson, professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford University reviewed twelve combinations of electric power generation and vehicular motivation, ranking them from best to worst.
Wind power emerged as the overall victor in the study. When teamed with battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, wind power claimed the top two spots, being the best in seven of the eleven categories. Photovoltaics failed to make the top five. The Study ranked ethanol as the biggest loser of the study surprisingly falling behind clean coal.
'My hope is that policy makers will use this information and begin to focus on the best solutions to climate change, air pollution, and energy security,” said Jacobson."
Wind power emerged as the overall victor in the study. When teamed with battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, wind power claimed the top two spots, being the best in seven of the eleven categories. Photovoltaics failed to make the top five. The Study ranked ethanol as the biggest loser of the study surprisingly falling behind clean coal.
'My hope is that policy makers will use this information and begin to focus on the best solutions to climate change, air pollution, and energy security,” said Jacobson."
Clean Coal, Just Lip Service
EcoGeek - Clean Technology: "Carbon storage is one of the most important aspects of our clean energy future, but the companies that have the ability to research and implement it have no reason to do so. So we're stuck with renewables (likely a more expensive option) being researched and developed far more quickly. Just one more reason why old industries die hard."
Good Green Cars · Electric Cars OK in Winter
Good Green Cars · Electric Cars OK in Winter: "In honor of what seems to be a national snow day (I don’t even want to hear from my in-laws in southern Florida right now), I wondered how the EVs of the world were faring in cold, icy, and snowy conditions. Again, I turned to the helpful members of the Oregon Electric Vehicle Association to answer my questions.
A few of the problems with EVs in winter:
* Some, especially conversions, don’t have a heater
* The locks on older cars used for conversions can freeze up
* Lead acid batteries left in the cold lose 10-20% of their range
A few benefits of EVs in winter:
* They don’t have to warm up - “instant on” no matter the temperature
* Newer lithium, NiCd, and NiMH batteries lose less power than older lead batteries
* All batteries can be charged in a toasty garage with minimal power loss"
A few of the problems with EVs in winter:
* Some, especially conversions, don’t have a heater
* The locks on older cars used for conversions can freeze up
* Lead acid batteries left in the cold lose 10-20% of their range
A few benefits of EVs in winter:
* They don’t have to warm up - “instant on” no matter the temperature
* Newer lithium, NiCd, and NiMH batteries lose less power than older lead batteries
* All batteries can be charged in a toasty garage with minimal power loss"
Don't Be Fueled! Mothers for Clean and Safe Vehicles
Don't Be Fueled! Mothers for Clean and Safe Vehicles: "grassroots ('gasroots') effort initiated by a group of parents, especially mothers, who are concerned about the safety and the environmental soundness of the fleet of vehicles currently plying our roads. Our education and action campaign is designed to combat the myths that have stalled the trend toward cleaner and safer vehicles: that family vehicles have to be gas guzzlers; that mothers don't care about the negative impacts of their vehicle choices; and that SUVs are 'safe.'"
Batteries Can Be Beautiful | The CarGurus Blog
Batteries Can Be Beautiful | The CarGurus Blog: "The big story in all this is the car’s Energy Storage System (ESS), its lithium-ion battery pack. Tesla’s white paper on the ESS emphasizes, naturally, the innovations and safety qualities. The company has also been developing green safe-disposal procedures so as to recycle most all the components at the end of their life cycle."
global economics and energy
global economics and energy: "t is important to understand the linkage among population growth, economic progress and the amount and type of energy used around the world. Growing populations continue to advance economically over time and seek better living standards, which leads to increased energy use. Studying these linkages gives us a more accurate assessment of future energy demand.Starting with the chart on the left, the global population was roughly 6.4 billion people in 2005. Birth rates are slowing in most parts of the world and the overall average annual growth rate between 2005 and 2030 is expected to be less than 1 percent. Although this rate may sound insignificant, the result is a global population increase to 8 billion by 2030 – well over a billion more energy users than exist today."
Sunday, December 21, 2008
At G.M., Innovation Often Suffers for Profits - NYTimes.com
At G.M., Innovation Often Suffers for Profits - NYTimes.com: "G.M.’s biggest failing, reflected in a clear pattern over recent decades, has been its inability to strike a balance between those inside the company who pushed for innovation ahead of the curve, and the finance executives who worried more about returns on investment.
The two views were rarely in sync — in effect, fighting over the steering wheel that controlled G.M.’s direction — and the internal battles distracted G.M. from spotting shifts in the marketplace."
The two views were rarely in sync — in effect, fighting over the steering wheel that controlled G.M.’s direction — and the internal battles distracted G.M. from spotting shifts in the marketplace."
Charged Up for Electric Cars
Charged Up for Electric Cars: "Car 2.0 and use the American workers we have [to build them].
If we wait, it will be like trying to save RCA while the others are building plasma TVs. We've lost the TV industry, the radio industry, the PC industry. They all went to Asia and never came back. You let the car industry go through the same cycle, and it's never coming back.
You've talked about making the purchase of automobiles more like buying cellphones. If motorists subscribe to your recharging service at a certain rate, you will give them cars for free or at a deep discount.
What you need is cross-dependence. Think of razors and blades. The car industry is selling razors and everyone else is selling blades. Or it's like Hewlett-Packard selling printers cheap and making money off the cartridges. What the auto companies need is to be in the blades business.
So what you need is a model where you're getting some revenue from the miles driven. If Ford got one cent per mile for every Ford car on the road, Ford would get $10 billion a year straight to the bottom line. That's more than the assistance check they're asking for now."
If we wait, it will be like trying to save RCA while the others are building plasma TVs. We've lost the TV industry, the radio industry, the PC industry. They all went to Asia and never came back. You let the car industry go through the same cycle, and it's never coming back.
You've talked about making the purchase of automobiles more like buying cellphones. If motorists subscribe to your recharging service at a certain rate, you will give them cars for free or at a deep discount.
What you need is cross-dependence. Think of razors and blades. The car industry is selling razors and everyone else is selling blades. Or it's like Hewlett-Packard selling printers cheap and making money off the cartridges. What the auto companies need is to be in the blades business.
So what you need is a model where you're getting some revenue from the miles driven. If Ford got one cent per mile for every Ford car on the road, Ford would get $10 billion a year straight to the bottom line. That's more than the assistance check they're asking for now."
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Material Turns Sound Waves Into Electricity | EcoGeek - Clean Technology
Material Turns Sound Waves Into Electricity | EcoGeek - Clean Technology: "Just when you thought that engineers have run out of ideas for harvesting power from mundane human activity, a scientist from Texas A&M invents a piezoelectric material that can turn sound waves into electricity. His idea? Stick it in a cell phone."
Hey, Buddy, can you spare a charge? | StatesmanJournal.com | Statesman Journal
Hey, Buddy, can you spare a charge? | StatesmanJournal.com | Statesman Journal: "A plug-in electric vehicle runs on batteries that can be recharged by connecting to an electric power source and uses no fossil fuel if its batteries are charged from nuclear, hydroelectric or other renewable resources.
Compared to internal combustion engines, advocates profess that plug-in vehicles will reduce air pollution, dependence on foreign oil and greenhouse gases.
Although plug-ins may be good for the environment, the subsidies and tax credits attempting to jumpstart the adoption of the electric car are misguided and unnecessary."
Compared to internal combustion engines, advocates profess that plug-in vehicles will reduce air pollution, dependence on foreign oil and greenhouse gases.
Although plug-ins may be good for the environment, the subsidies and tax credits attempting to jumpstart the adoption of the electric car are misguided and unnecessary."
SolarEnurgy.net » Archive for Electric Car
SolarEnurgy.net » Archive for Electric Car: "Rocky Mountain Institute to convene a summit to bring together high-profile “off-oil” plans, launch “Project Get Ready” a 20-city initiative created at RMI’s Smart Garage Summit, and establish a clean mobility project in India.
Rocky Mountain Institute announced three initiatives today, including a summit to find common ground among the best features of several plans and foster consensus on national policy recommendations. Other initiatives will help lead the automotive industry’s transition towards lightweighting and electrification.
In his keynote address to the Automotive News Green Car Conference in Detroit, RMI Vice President and Practice Leader of RMI’s MOVE team, Michael Brylawski described the automotive industry as being on the verge of its fourth major shift—a shift toward lightweighting, electrification, and advanced digital technology that will fundamentally change the industry."
Rocky Mountain Institute announced three initiatives today, including a summit to find common ground among the best features of several plans and foster consensus on national policy recommendations. Other initiatives will help lead the automotive industry’s transition towards lightweighting and electrification.
In his keynote address to the Automotive News Green Car Conference in Detroit, RMI Vice President and Practice Leader of RMI’s MOVE team, Michael Brylawski described the automotive industry as being on the verge of its fourth major shift—a shift toward lightweighting, electrification, and advanced digital technology that will fundamentally change the industry."
HyperReal: Building a Green Dream Car
HyperReal: Building a Green Dream Car: "The specs for Tesla Motor's new car are in: an all-electric, four-door, five-seat sedan that gets in excess of 240 miles per charge and accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in under six seconds.
It will be built in what the company is calling the 'greenest auto manufacturing plant in the world' on the outskirts of San Jose, Calif., the self-proclaimed world headquarters of clean technology. In other words, the car of the future is on its way here.
Eventually."
It will be built in what the company is calling the 'greenest auto manufacturing plant in the world' on the outskirts of San Jose, Calif., the self-proclaimed world headquarters of clean technology. In other words, the car of the future is on its way here.
Eventually."
Tesla Says Money Shouldn’t be Diverted to Bailout Car Makers : Gas 2.0
Tesla Says Money Shouldn’t be Diverted to Bailout Car Makers : Gas 2.0: "Last year, when the US congress passed the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA), a $25 billion fund called the “Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Incentive Program” (ATVM) was established to help new and existing auto makers re-tool their operations to bring next generation car technologies to market quickly. Just this month, the program started accepting applications for funds from interested parties.
But in all the hubbub surrounding the downfall of the established American auto manufacturers, one of the ideas apparently being floated by the CEOs of GM, Ford and Chrysler is to convert some or all of that $25 billion into what amounts to a bailout.
Needless to say, car makers like Tesla aren’t happy about this strategy. Tesla has applied for funding from the ATVM to undertake two projects — an Advanced Battery and Powertrain Manufacturing facility and a manufacturing facility to build their upcoming five-passenger electric sedan known as the “Model S.”"
But in all the hubbub surrounding the downfall of the established American auto manufacturers, one of the ideas apparently being floated by the CEOs of GM, Ford and Chrysler is to convert some or all of that $25 billion into what amounts to a bailout.
Needless to say, car makers like Tesla aren’t happy about this strategy. Tesla has applied for funding from the ATVM to undertake two projects — an Advanced Battery and Powertrain Manufacturing facility and a manufacturing facility to build their upcoming five-passenger electric sedan known as the “Model S.”"
Thursday, December 18, 2008
The Tesla Battery Pack Challenge
The Tesla Battery Pack Challenge: "Tesla is betting on the improvement in Li-ion technology (currently estimated to be 8% per year) to continue on and eventually get the battery replacement cost down to around $12K. It's not clear if that is Tesla's projected cost, or the replacement cost; they've been very tight lipped on battery replacement costs. Provided Li-ion technology can maintain an 8% annual level of improvement, it will take about 18 years for the wholesale cost of the battery pack to approach $12K."
Electric Car Snake Oil? - Sag Rising
Electric Car Snake Oil? - Sag Rising: "I'd love to have an electric car for my day to day use. They are less polluting than internal combustion cars. They have fewer parts and less to go wrong. An electric motor can run almost forever if properly maintained. For example, I have a movie projector with an electric motor that is over 60 years old, and still working well."
Sustainable Development - Green News & Sustainable Business News
Sustainable Development - Green News & Sustainable Business News: "The issue of intermittent supply in solar energy (the sun doesn’t shine all the time, either) has been reportedly solved by an Australian company known as Solar24 Inc., which has developed a solar thermal system that holds heat for 14 hours, long enough to sustain through a cloudy winter night in Texas.
“That is huge,” says Don Looper, an attorney at Looper Reed & McGraw PC who has been negotiating a possible partnership between Solar24 and a Texas power company that would put the new technology’s U.S. debut in Houston. In such an agreement, the solar power and traditional coal plants would operate in conjunction."
“That is huge,” says Don Looper, an attorney at Looper Reed & McGraw PC who has been negotiating a possible partnership between Solar24 and a Texas power company that would put the new technology’s U.S. debut in Houston. In such an agreement, the solar power and traditional coal plants would operate in conjunction."
Honda Fuel Cell: EcoGeek
EcoGeek - Clean Technology: "quotes that really got my goat, though:
“So far most electric cars have been appalling little plastic snot-boxes that take all night to recharge and then take half a minute to reach their maximum speed of 40 and then run out of juice miles from anywhere”
Now, I don’t think that’s a very fair appraisal of electric vehicles. Having driven a Tesla Roadster in a previous Top Gear episode, Mr. May should know that EVs can go way faster than 40. And significant advances are being made regarding ways to make charging quick and everywhere you need it to be (think ultracapacitors and Better Place charging stations). But I guess May doesn’t care, since it doesn’t exist yet. What about hydrogen infrastructure?
“When the clarity runs out of juice, you just pull into a hydrogen filling station.”
What hydrogen filling station? Unless I live near one of the 5 dozen or so that exist nation-wide, I can’t pull into a hydrogen filling station.
[When filling up with compressed liquid hydrogen] “You have to lock it with this lever. Terribly important, that; if you don’t do it you get hydrogen all over your shoes”
Actually, it would evaporate before hitting your shoes. And while we’re on the topic, did you know that hydrogen"
“So far most electric cars have been appalling little plastic snot-boxes that take all night to recharge and then take half a minute to reach their maximum speed of 40 and then run out of juice miles from anywhere”
Now, I don’t think that’s a very fair appraisal of electric vehicles. Having driven a Tesla Roadster in a previous Top Gear episode, Mr. May should know that EVs can go way faster than 40. And significant advances are being made regarding ways to make charging quick and everywhere you need it to be (think ultracapacitors and Better Place charging stations). But I guess May doesn’t care, since it doesn’t exist yet. What about hydrogen infrastructure?
“When the clarity runs out of juice, you just pull into a hydrogen filling station.”
What hydrogen filling station? Unless I live near one of the 5 dozen or so that exist nation-wide, I can’t pull into a hydrogen filling station.
[When filling up with compressed liquid hydrogen] “You have to lock it with this lever. Terribly important, that; if you don’t do it you get hydrogen all over your shoes”
Actually, it would evaporate before hitting your shoes. And while we’re on the topic, did you know that hydrogen"
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
calcars-news : Message: Auto Industry at a Crossroads
calcars-news : Message: Auto Industry at a Crossroads: "PLUG-IN CARS HAVE EMERGED AS THE MOST AVAILABLE, PRACTICAL
TECHNOLOGY. Here's the package:
* RAPID TRANSITION: change the primary vehicle propulsion fuel from
gasoline/diesel to electricity, starting with everyday, local commuter miles.
* DOWNGRADE LIQUIDS TO 'RANGE EXTENSION' FUELS for PHEVs. (They
vanish for vehicles where an all-electric range of 100+ miles is sufficient).
* ALL FUELS EVOLVE: generate electricity from increasingly renewable,
low-carbon sources and use it mainly off-peak. Change the range
extension fuel to blends with increasingly low-carbon biofuels.
* 'HIGH EFFICIENCY' PITCHES IN: electric motors are already 4-5 times
more efficient than internal combustion engines, and any engine
modifications enable less use of liquid fuel.
* OPTIMIZE NEW VEHICLE DESIGNS: lightweight materials and
streamlining reduce consumption of both electricity and liquid fuels.
* COMMERCIALIZE SAFE, AFFORDABLE RETROFIT SOLUTIONS: partially
electrify millions of large internal combustion vehicles that will
otherwise guzzle gas for decades, whose conversion, compared to
scrapping, saves energy while accelerating market penetration and
petroleum displacement.
* REDUCE VEHICLE MILES TRAVELLED: promote and expand mass transit,
ride sharing, smart communities, satellite offices and telecommuting.
* POLICY MEASURES: prime the pump with public and private fleet
orders, incentives and benefits for new and converted plug-in
vehicles, and incentivize more efficient cars with revenue-neutral "feebates."
* READ "Energy guru Lovins to carmakers: time for big bets" at
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10112893-54.html by Martin LaMonica
for a good summary of many of these steps; also see Amory Lovins's
20-minute talk at the 2005 TED Conference (when Rocky Mountain
Institute had just published "Winning the Oil Endgame," but was not
yet focusing on plug-in cars)."
TECHNOLOGY. Here's the package:
* RAPID TRANSITION: change the primary vehicle propulsion fuel from
gasoline/diesel to electricity, starting with everyday, local commuter miles.
* DOWNGRADE LIQUIDS TO 'RANGE EXTENSION' FUELS for PHEVs. (They
vanish for vehicles where an all-electric range of 100+ miles is sufficient).
* ALL FUELS EVOLVE: generate electricity from increasingly renewable,
low-carbon sources and use it mainly off-peak. Change the range
extension fuel to blends with increasingly low-carbon biofuels.
* 'HIGH EFFICIENCY' PITCHES IN: electric motors are already 4-5 times
more efficient than internal combustion engines, and any engine
modifications enable less use of liquid fuel.
* OPTIMIZE NEW VEHICLE DESIGNS: lightweight materials and
streamlining reduce consumption of both electricity and liquid fuels.
* COMMERCIALIZE SAFE, AFFORDABLE RETROFIT SOLUTIONS: partially
electrify millions of large internal combustion vehicles that will
otherwise guzzle gas for decades, whose conversion, compared to
scrapping, saves energy while accelerating market penetration and
petroleum displacement.
* REDUCE VEHICLE MILES TRAVELLED: promote and expand mass transit,
ride sharing, smart communities, satellite offices and telecommuting.
* POLICY MEASURES: prime the pump with public and private fleet
orders, incentives and benefits for new and converted plug-in
vehicles, and incentivize more efficient cars with revenue-neutral "feebates."
* READ "Energy guru Lovins to carmakers: time for big bets" at
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10112893-54.html by Martin LaMonica
for a good summary of many of these steps; also see Amory Lovins's
20-minute talk at the 2005 TED Conference (when Rocky Mountain
Institute had just published "Winning the Oil Endgame," but was not
yet focusing on plug-in cars)."
calcars-news : Message: Auto Industry at a Crossroads
calcars-news : Message: Auto Industry at a Crossroads: "* GOVERNMENT SHOULDN'T PICK WINNERS? It's a myth that we haven't been
doing that all along. For decades, we've backed petroleum, leaving us
with today's economic, environmental and national security crises. As
Al Gore memorably said in July, 'We're borrowing money from China to
buy oil from the Persian Gulf to burn it in ways that destroy the
planet. Every bit of that has to change.'"
doing that all along. For decades, we've backed petroleum, leaving us
with today's economic, environmental and national security crises. As
Al Gore memorably said in July, 'We're borrowing money from China to
buy oil from the Persian Gulf to burn it in ways that destroy the
planet. Every bit of that has to change.'"
Embracing Simplicity — Oregon Environmental Council
Embracing Simplicity — Oregon Environmental Council: "Looking for ways to make the holidays more meaningful this year? Whether it’s the global economic meltdown that’s got you rethinking your holiday gift budget this year, or your desire to live more simply, embracing simplicity is a great way to make the holidays more joyful, less wasteful and less stressful. These five easy ideas are good for your heart, good for your budget and good for the earth.
1. Give hope, not stuff. Donate on behalf of someone you love to causes they and you care about. One idea: consider giving the gift of Oregon, in the form of an OEC gift membership. You can also give gifts of service to those you care about. Offer your time and talents instead of another sweater or tie. The holidays are also an excellent “teachable moment” for families with children. Involving your children in volunteering locally, or in giving gifts to others who may not otherwise receive gifts at the holidays is a powerful way to connect as a family and focus on the meaning of the holidays.
2. Give home-made. If you have the time and inclination, consider making gifts. A plate of cookies or jar of jam is often enjoyed as much or more than many other things you can buy. Including your recipe makes it a gift that can be enjoyed over and over."
1. Give hope, not stuff. Donate on behalf of someone you love to causes they and you care about. One idea: consider giving the gift of Oregon, in the form of an OEC gift membership. You can also give gifts of service to those you care about. Offer your time and talents instead of another sweater or tie. The holidays are also an excellent “teachable moment” for families with children. Involving your children in volunteering locally, or in giving gifts to others who may not otherwise receive gifts at the holidays is a powerful way to connect as a family and focus on the meaning of the holidays.
2. Give home-made. If you have the time and inclination, consider making gifts. A plate of cookies or jar of jam is often enjoyed as much or more than many other things you can buy. Including your recipe makes it a gift that can be enjoyed over and over."
Monday, December 15, 2008
Op-Ed Columnist - While Detroit Slept - NYTimes.com
Op-Ed Columnist - While Detroit Slept - NYTimes.com: "Do not expect this innovation to come out of Detroit. Remember, in 1908, the Ford Model-T got better mileage — 25 miles per gallon — than many Ford, G.M. and Chrysler models made in 2008. But don’t be surprised when it comes out of somewhere else. It can be done. It will be done. If we miss the chance to win the race for Car 2.0 because we keep mindlessly bailing out Car 1.0, there will be no one to blame more than Detroit’s new shareholders: we the taxpayers."
Op-Ed Columnist - While Detroit Slept - NYTimes.com
Op-Ed Columnist - While Detroit Slept - NYTimes.com: "And when it is, our bailout of Detroit will be remembered as the equivalent of pouring billions of dollars of taxpayer money into the mail-order-catalogue business on the eve of the birth of eBay. It will be remembered as pouring billions of dollars into the CD music business on the eve of the birth of the iPod and iTunes. It will be remembered as pouring billions of dollars into a book-store chain on the eve of the birth of Amazon.com and the Kindle. It will be remembered as pouring billions of dollars into improving typewriters on the eve of the birth of the PC and the Internet."
SIMPLE SOLUTIONS FOR PLANET EARTH AND HUMANITY: IS THERE ANOTHER MORE PROMISING OPTION THAN THE PLUG-IN ELECTRIC VEHICLE?
SIMPLE SOLUTIONS FOR PLANET EARTH AND HUMANITY: IS THERE ANOTHER MORE PROMISING OPTION THAN THE PLUG-IN ELECTRIC VEHICLE?: "Thomas Friedman recently published an Opinion piece in The New York Times entitled, While Detroit Slept, equating any congressional or presidential rescue of the Detroit auto industry to saving the mail-order-catalogue business on the eve of eBay or improving typewriters just before the advent of the personal computer and the internet. In his mind, the Big Three has been anachronistic, and entrusting them with an eleven-digit taxpayer loan would be foolish. He is probably right, even though the specter of a Depression triggered by their bankruptcy nevertheless cannot be totally discounted, so our domestic auto industry will no doubt be given one more chance.
He muses that the internal combustion engine / gasoline transport system as approaching obsolescence, and other concepts such as Shai Agassi’s Better Place electric vehicle network model a more promising future. Appropriately enough, an agreement was announced early this month for Hawaii being one of their first demonstration sites. A few days later, Maui Electric Company and Phoenix Motorcars signed a memorandum to use their electric pick-up trucks. All this is well and good, for Hawaii, naturally blessed with all the renewable energy options, has, for a variety of reasons, lagged behind much of"
He muses that the internal combustion engine / gasoline transport system as approaching obsolescence, and other concepts such as Shai Agassi’s Better Place electric vehicle network model a more promising future. Appropriately enough, an agreement was announced early this month for Hawaii being one of their first demonstration sites. A few days later, Maui Electric Company and Phoenix Motorcars signed a memorandum to use their electric pick-up trucks. All this is well and good, for Hawaii, naturally blessed with all the renewable energy options, has, for a variety of reasons, lagged behind much of"
EV WORLD: Run Cars on Green Electricity, Not Natural Gas
EV WORLD: Run Cars on Green Electricity, Not Natural Gas: "Choosing natural gas to power our vehicles would send the United States down the same expensive and inefficient path that created our addiction to foreign oil and our dependence on a resource that will ultimately run out. Choosing green electricity can take us in a new direction--one that leads to improved energy security and a stabilizing climate."
EV WORLD: Run Cars on Green Electricity, Not Natural Gas
EV WORLD: Run Cars on Green Electricity, Not Natural Gas: "Under normal driving conditions, well-to-wheel carbon dioxide emissions for vehicles running on electricity from natural gas-fired power plants are one fourth as high as emissions from cars directly burning natural gas. Since a PHEV operating in electric-only mode has no tailpipe emissions, electrifying transport would move the majority of carbon emissions from millions of vehicles to centralized electricity-generating plants, greatly simplifying the task of controlling emissions. As fossil-based power generation is replaced with wind and solar power, cumulative carbon emissions from centralized power facilities will be greatly reduced."
Saturday, December 13, 2008
'Smart' appliances could ease electrical-grid woes | Planetary Gear - CNET News
'Smart' appliances could ease electrical-grid woes | Planetary Gear - CNET News: "Currently, GE refrigerators' automatic defrost modes are prompted by factors like door openings. But, the company says, it could build refrigerators that delay that cycle until a local electrical grid signals it's a good off-peak time to suck down more electricity.
Refrigerators are not the only appliances that could be programmed to wait for convenient times to run."
Refrigerators are not the only appliances that could be programmed to wait for convenient times to run."
Thursday, December 11, 2008
World's First Plug-In Electric Car Goes On Sale Next Month -- in China : TreeHugger
World's First Plug-In Electric Car Goes On Sale Next Month -- in China : TreeHugger: "But as Automotive World notes, 'Many analysts believe China could adopt electric cars faster than elsewhere, largely because of its size and comparative lack of reliance on petroleum for transport.'"
AC Propulsion: Making Gas Cars Electric // Current
AC Propulsion: Making Gas Cars Electric // Current: "Imagine taking the car you drive now, and never having to stop at a gas station ever again. AC Propulsion, has been converting gas-fueled cars to electric for the last few years. This is a piece profiling AC Propulsion's car, the Ebox, with a special interview with Tom Hanks, who owns one of these cars. Is this the way of the future?"
China's dream to sell cars in U.S. and Europe fades - Automotive News Europe
China's dream to sell cars in U.S. and Europe fades - Automotive News Europe: "BYD Auto, another Chinese automaker considering the United States, received a boost in September. Wealthy U.S. investor Warren Buffett took a stake in BYD, hoping the automaker can produce practical plug-in hybrids.
But BYD still has a long way to go. Its cars still have to pass the stringent safety and emission standards of the U.S. market. It also needs a dealership network in America.
Chinese auto manufacturers have suffered a series of setbacks in their efforts to enter the Western markets. The global economic recession has made headway even more difficult."
But BYD still has a long way to go. Its cars still have to pass the stringent safety and emission standards of the U.S. market. It also needs a dealership network in America.
Chinese auto manufacturers have suffered a series of setbacks in their efforts to enter the Western markets. The global economic recession has made headway even more difficult."
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
World Green Car of the Year Finalists Announced | The Green Motorist
World Green Car of the Year Finalists Announced | The Green Motorist: "And the finalists are:
Audi Q7 3.0 TDI
BMW 335d BluePerformance
Chevrolet Tahoe / GMC Yukon Hybrid
Citroën C1
Fiat Palio Weekend Electric
Fiat Siena Tetrafuel model
Honda FCX Clarity
Mazda Hydrogen Rotary RX8
Mercedes-Benz ML/R/GL 320 BlueTEC
MINI Cooper D
MINI E
Mitsubishi iMiEV
Nissan X-Trail 20 GT
smart ed
Subaru Legacy/Outback PZEV
Tesla Electric Roadster
Toyota iQ
Volvo C30 1.6D DRIVe
Volvo S40 1.6D DRIVe
Volvo S80 2.5 FT (Flexifuel)
Volvo V50 1.6D DRIVe
Volvo V70 2.5 FT (Flexifuel)"
Audi Q7 3.0 TDI
BMW 335d BluePerformance
Chevrolet Tahoe / GMC Yukon Hybrid
Citroën C1
Fiat Palio Weekend Electric
Fiat Siena Tetrafuel model
Honda FCX Clarity
Mazda Hydrogen Rotary RX8
Mercedes-Benz ML/R/GL 320 BlueTEC
MINI Cooper D
MINI E
Mitsubishi iMiEV
Nissan X-Trail 20 GT
smart ed
Subaru Legacy/Outback PZEV
Tesla Electric Roadster
Toyota iQ
Volvo C30 1.6D DRIVe
Volvo S40 1.6D DRIVe
Volvo S80 2.5 FT (Flexifuel)
Volvo V50 1.6D DRIVe
Volvo V70 2.5 FT (Flexifuel)"
Heat-Seeking Raygun Will Save You Cash | EcoGeek - Clean Technology
Heat-Seeking Raygun Will Save You Cash | EcoGeek - Clean Technology: "In a very literal way, the Black and Decker Thermal Leak Detector is a heat-seeking raygun. It seeks heat, and tells you when it's not finding enough. And, when it senses a drop or increase in heat (because there is a compromised seal in a window, door, or wall joint) the 'rays' (light) it fires change color. OK, maybe I'm stretching a little.
Pretty awesome though, especially for something that will only cost $39.99. There are a lot of services out there that will scan your whole house for heat leaks (and one city in the UK that is doing it for the whole city with spyplanes). But there's never been a way (aside from feeling with your hand) to do it yourself. Which is good news for homeowners, since sealing drafts can save you up to 20% on your home heating and cooling."
Pretty awesome though, especially for something that will only cost $39.99. There are a lot of services out there that will scan your whole house for heat leaks (and one city in the UK that is doing it for the whole city with spyplanes). But there's never been a way (aside from feeling with your hand) to do it yourself. Which is good news for homeowners, since sealing drafts can save you up to 20% on your home heating and cooling."
Ann Vileisis: Time to break the low-meat barrier
Ann Vileisis: Time to break the low-meat barrier: "Ann Vileisis: Time to break the low-meat barrier
December 10th, 2008 by Ann Vileisis
At climate talks in Poland last week, delegates considered the issue of farm emissions. Globally farm animals generate 18 percent of greenhouse gasses—that’s more than cars, planes, and buses. According to The New York Times (“As more eat meat, a bid to cut emissions”), delegates considered some technological solutions, such as converting waste methane gas into an energy source. This elegant approach has already shown great promise. San Francisco Bay-area consumers know the Straus Creamery has a methane digester that creates more than enough energy to power its organic milk, butter, and yogurt processing operations."
December 10th, 2008 by Ann Vileisis
At climate talks in Poland last week, delegates considered the issue of farm emissions. Globally farm animals generate 18 percent of greenhouse gasses—that’s more than cars, planes, and buses. According to The New York Times (“As more eat meat, a bid to cut emissions”), delegates considered some technological solutions, such as converting waste methane gas into an energy source. This elegant approach has already shown great promise. San Francisco Bay-area consumers know the Straus Creamery has a methane digester that creates more than enough energy to power its organic milk, butter, and yogurt processing operations."
Thank goodness for thisisreality.org
Thank goodness for thisisreality.org: "The Alliance for Climate Protection (www.climateprotect.org/about/alliance), League
of Conservation Voters (www.lcv.org/about-lcv/), National Wildlife Federation (www.nwf.org/about/), Natural Resources Defense Council (www.nrdc.org/about) and Sierra Club (www.sierraclub.org/inside/) launched the”Reality” Coalition, a national grassroots and advertising effort to tell a simple truth: in reality, there is no such thing as “clean coal.”
Environmental experts agree that coal is the dirtiest fuel America uses to produce electricity."
of Conservation Voters (www.lcv.org/about-lcv/), National Wildlife Federation (www.nwf.org/about/), Natural Resources Defense Council (www.nrdc.org/about) and Sierra Club (www.sierraclub.org/inside/) launched the”Reality” Coalition, a national grassroots and advertising effort to tell a simple truth: in reality, there is no such thing as “clean coal.”
Environmental experts agree that coal is the dirtiest fuel America uses to produce electricity."
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
This Revolutionary Clean Coal Facility Doesn't Exist | EcoGeek - Clean Technology
This Revolutionary Clean Coal Facility Doesn't Exist | EcoGeek - Clean Technology: "There are several gigawatts of solar and wind online throughout the world. There are zero gigawatts of clean coal online. It's not clean...and while I support any efforts to make it clean, whether it's using the carbon to create useful materials, burying it underground, or using algae to turn it into biofuel, they're going to have to actually demonstrate the technology before they start pretending like coal is clean."
Chevy Volt will cost GM $750 milllion - AutoblogGreen
Chevy Volt will cost GM $750 milllion - AutoblogGreen: "We've heard time and again that it's really expensive to develop a hybrid, electric car or extended-range electric car. Chevy's upcoming Volt not only has a battery large enough to allow an announce range of 40 miles in electric-only mode, but it also uses a brand new engine design that's not used in that exact form in any other platform. You might imagine, then, that the Volt will be even more pricey to design than the average EV. You'd be right. According to the business plan that GM submitted to Congress, the Volt program will cost nearly $750 million to develop before it's all said and done. To top it all off, the car won't be profitable for at least the first few years that it is in production thanks to the high cost of its battery.
Still, GM seems to have learned an important lesson as it fell far behind in hybrid technology, which was another extremely expensive bit of kit to create and the court of public opinion has dictated that the cost is worth it. So, despite the fact that The General won't make any money on the Volt until around 2016, don't expect the automaker to put the brakes on the program any time soon."
Still, GM seems to have learned an important lesson as it fell far behind in hybrid technology, which was another extremely expensive bit of kit to create and the court of public opinion has dictated that the cost is worth it. So, despite the fact that The General won't make any money on the Volt until around 2016, don't expect the automaker to put the brakes on the program any time soon."
» Highly Charged - WSJ Magazine
» Highly Charged - WSJ Magazine: "It’s the automotive industry’s holy grail—the sexy ‘green’ supercar. Entrepreneurs Elon Musk and Henrik Fisker
go head-to-head."
go head-to-head."
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Banking on Batteries | Green Energy News
Banking on Batteries | Green Energy News: "one estimate using cost per watt, lithium-ion batteries are 4 times more expensive than nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries like those used in the current Prius and, to put things in perspective, 25 times pricier than the lead acid batteries used in the first generation EV1. (At the time those batteries were considered expensive.) Simply put, if the cost lithium batteries the Three want to use to achieve adequate all-electric drive range doesn’t approach NiMH prices, then the vehicles they are developing would likely end up in the expensive niche bin. In the short term niche cars might be good for imagine but not for the bottom line."
Norway electric car sales hit record as Buddy finds buyers - AutoblogGreen
Norway electric car sales hit record as Buddy finds buyers - AutoblogGreen: "The cheap price of gas may be hurting the sales of some electric vehicles (EVs) in America, but the same can not be said for Norway where gas is only down to $5.18 a gallon. Electric car sales have doubled in the past year, hitting an all-time high in November. As if to punctuate that feat, the opening days of December have seen Norwegian electric company Hafslund take delivery of 10 copies of the Kewet Buddy, bringing that car maker's numbers up to 190 for 2008.
After some false starts the Th!nk City is finally rolling out of the factory doors, contributing greatly to the sales rise. Although they have only moved 111 units so far this year, that number is expected to greatly increase in December. Indeed, the demand should soon outstrip supply as the factory only has the logistics in place currently to build 10 a day. The Oslo dealership sold 19 of the lithium-powered cars last Tuesday alone. Hit the jump for video of a bunch of Buddies boogieing about the town."
After some false starts the Th!nk City is finally rolling out of the factory doors, contributing greatly to the sales rise. Although they have only moved 111 units so far this year, that number is expected to greatly increase in December. Indeed, the demand should soon outstrip supply as the factory only has the logistics in place currently to build 10 a day. The Oslo dealership sold 19 of the lithium-powered cars last Tuesday alone. Hit the jump for video of a bunch of Buddies boogieing about the town."
Green Technology: Buddy Electric Car
Green Technology: Buddy Electric Car: "Three-seater Buddy electric vehicle from Norway will support multiple battery technology as the industry solutions evolve. ...
... 'The passengers’ safety is well taken care of by the frame and safety cabin made of steel tubes, the doors with crossbars and the deformation zones in the front and rear. The Buddy allows flexibility for varying battery technologies both where electronics and space are concerned. ' ..."
You need the right car for the right job buddy
... 'The passengers’ safety is well taken care of by the frame and safety cabin made of steel tubes, the doors with crossbars and the deformation zones in the front and rear. The Buddy allows flexibility for varying battery technologies both where electronics and space are concerned. ' ..."
You need the right car for the right job buddy
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Charge Your Electric Vehicle, On The Road, In 10 Minutes | Zoomi Life
Charge Your Electric Vehicle, On The Road, In 10 Minutes | Zoomi Life: "That’s the plan behind the PosiCharge system, built by the same people who designed the infamous EV1 for GM in the 1980s. This system basically charges a battery three to six times as fast as normal DC conversion chargers (which most 110/220v applications use). Charge speed will depend entirely on the battery type and size of the battery pack, of course.
So imagine pulling into a service station, parking at the charger and plugging your car in. Then, while you’re inside using the (hopefully clean) restroom and getting a Big Gulp, your car gets totally recharged and you’re again ready to fly down the road in your EV.
I’ll let Kevin Kelley explain the system in this video from Lloyd Alter:"
So imagine pulling into a service station, parking at the charger and plugging your car in. Then, while you’re inside using the (hopefully clean) restroom and getting a Big Gulp, your car gets totally recharged and you’re again ready to fly down the road in your EV.
I’ll let Kevin Kelley explain the system in this video from Lloyd Alter:"
Friday, December 5, 2008
Scientisfs Confirm: Chevron Did $27 B of Damage to Ecuador | EcoGeek - Clean Technology
Scientisfs Confirm: Chevron Did $27 B of Damage to Ecuador | EcoGeek - Clean Technology: "An independent panel of scientists has just confirmed the latest report from a court-appointed expert on damages done to Ecuador's Amazon by Chevron. The company dumped the 18 billion gallons of toxic waste over an area of the Amazon rain forest 'roughly the size of Rhode Island.' Damages include contaminated groundwater and cancers caused to the people of Ecuador due to exposure hydrocarbons.
They said that any funds awarded by the courts would have to go into cleaning the soil, rivers, streams and groundwater over a 1,700 square mile area. That is, as far as I know, the largest toxic site in the world. And if it only costs shell $27 B to clean it up, I'd say that's a pretty good number, considering the damage done.
The scientists estimated that the area has had roughly 1,400 more deaths from cancer than could be accounted for by natural causes.
The trial will be ruled sometime in 2009, the Chevron is questioning the validity of the entire Ecuadorian court system (which it once praised, back when they were pleased to use it instead of the United States court system.) We'll see if they will actually have to pay for the damage they have caused."
They said that any funds awarded by the courts would have to go into cleaning the soil, rivers, streams and groundwater over a 1,700 square mile area. That is, as far as I know, the largest toxic site in the world. And if it only costs shell $27 B to clean it up, I'd say that's a pretty good number, considering the damage done.
The scientists estimated that the area has had roughly 1,400 more deaths from cancer than could be accounted for by natural causes.
The trial will be ruled sometime in 2009, the Chevron is questioning the validity of the entire Ecuadorian court system (which it once praised, back when they were pleased to use it instead of the United States court system.) We'll see if they will actually have to pay for the damage they have caused."
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Will Electric Vehicles Be the Next 'It' Cars?
Will Electric Vehicles Be the Next 'It' Cars?: "Will Electric Vehicles Be the Next 'It' Cars?
Nissan is banking on electric vehicles as the next big thing in alternative fuels."
Nissan is banking on electric vehicles as the next big thing in alternative fuels."
Oregon Public Broadcasting - A Sustainable Auto Industry
Oregon Public Broadcasting - A Sustainable Auto Industry: "A Sustainable Auto Industry
LISTEN TO 'A Sustainable Auto Industry' (24MB MP3)
http://stream1.opb.org:9000/tol/episodes/2008/1201.mp3
Sustainable: it's a term we hear bandied around a lot. But do you always know what it means? Particularly, in this case, when it comes to the automobile industry? President-elect Obama has referred to the industry as the 'backbone of America's manufacturing base' but says that significant reform needs to happen in exchange for government help. What are the big American car companies doing to prepare for the future? What does sustainable look like to them?
Here in Oregon, sustainable transportation means, in part, electric cars. Governor Kulongoski, PGE, and Nissan struck a deal last month making Oregon one of the first places to pioneer their Nissan's electric car (which will be released in 2010). PGE is busy building charging stations in Portland, Salem and Corvallis. And the state is busy preparing for a world of plug-in cars."
LISTEN TO 'A Sustainable Auto Industry' (24MB MP3)
http://stream1.opb.org:9000/tol/episodes/2008/1201.mp3
Sustainable: it's a term we hear bandied around a lot. But do you always know what it means? Particularly, in this case, when it comes to the automobile industry? President-elect Obama has referred to the industry as the 'backbone of America's manufacturing base' but says that significant reform needs to happen in exchange for government help. What are the big American car companies doing to prepare for the future? What does sustainable look like to them?
Here in Oregon, sustainable transportation means, in part, electric cars. Governor Kulongoski, PGE, and Nissan struck a deal last month making Oregon one of the first places to pioneer their Nissan's electric car (which will be released in 2010). PGE is busy building charging stations in Portland, Salem and Corvallis. And the state is busy preparing for a world of plug-in cars."
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Good Green Cars · Future of the Auto Industry: EVs, Biodiesel, Bikes
Good Green Cars · Future of the Auto Industry: EVs, Biodiesel, Bikes: "My favorite phrase came from Chris Warner, Kulongoski’s transportation adviser. He says there is no silver bullet, only “silver buckshot,” which includes alternative fuel cars, bikes, walking, public transportation, and whatever else the future holds."
Good Green Cars · Future of the Auto Industry: EVs, Biodiesel, Bikes
Good Green Cars · Future of the Auto Industry: EVs, Biodiesel, Bikes: "Oregon Public Broadcasting’s call-in show, “Think Out Loud,” was about the future of the automotive industry this morning. The program focused on the state of Oregon, and most of the guests and callers were from the state, but the show had a lot to say about where personal transportation is headed in the next decade for the entire U.S."
Monday, December 1, 2008
'An electric vehicle revolution'
'An electric vehicle revolution': "One in every 20 new cars sold in Canada should be electrically powered within a decade, say members of a task force that on Tuesday is to deliver a progress report to the Harper government about the future of plug-in vehicles."
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Tesla's 'Bluestar' to be all-electric family car | Green Tech - CNET News
Tesla's 'Bluestar' to be all-electric family car | Green Tech - CNET News: "Tesla Motors has received many accolades for producing an all-electric luxury sports car. But its long-term plans may hold its most challenging task: making a mass-market electric car.
The company intends to make a 'family car' that it hopes will lead to the sale of millions of all-electric vehicles, JB Straubel, Tesla's chief technology officer, said Wednesday. He spoke earlier on a panel on 'green transportation' at the EmTech 2008 conference here."
The company intends to make a 'family car' that it hopes will lead to the sale of millions of all-electric vehicles, JB Straubel, Tesla's chief technology officer, said Wednesday. He spoke earlier on a panel on 'green transportation' at the EmTech 2008 conference here."
Saft and ABB Develop Li-ion Battery System to Enhance Stability of Power Grids | Green Energy News
Saft and ABB Develop Li-ion Battery System to Enhance Stability of Power Grids | Green Energy News: "Saft and ABB Develop Li-ion Battery System to Enhance Stability of Power Grids.
The high voltage battery system will provide dynamic energy storage to help respond to disruptions in the grid due to increasing penetration of renewables. The new system combines Saft's 5.2 kV battery with ABB's SVC (Static Var Compensation) Light technology for dynamic voltage control. Potential applications include industries with high short term power demands as well as utility grids fed by a high percentage of variable renewable energy sources, especially wind power.
Li-ion battery technology offers a number of important features in this application, such as excellent cycling capability, long calendar life, high energy density, very short response time, high power capability both in charge and discharge, and maintenance-free design. The battery system comprises eight individual units based on Saft's Intensium Flex modular, rack-mounted Li-ion modules. The units, rated at 646 V and 41 Ah, are connected in series to achieve a nominal voltage of 5.2 kV and the system can deliver 200 kW for an hour and 600 kW for over 15 minutes."
The high voltage battery system will provide dynamic energy storage to help respond to disruptions in the grid due to increasing penetration of renewables. The new system combines Saft's 5.2 kV battery with ABB's SVC (Static Var Compensation) Light technology for dynamic voltage control. Potential applications include industries with high short term power demands as well as utility grids fed by a high percentage of variable renewable energy sources, especially wind power.
Li-ion battery technology offers a number of important features in this application, such as excellent cycling capability, long calendar life, high energy density, very short response time, high power capability both in charge and discharge, and maintenance-free design. The battery system comprises eight individual units based on Saft's Intensium Flex modular, rack-mounted Li-ion modules. The units, rated at 646 V and 41 Ah, are connected in series to achieve a nominal voltage of 5.2 kV and the system can deliver 200 kW for an hour and 600 kW for over 15 minutes."
Spot.us - Fund A Story
Spot.us - Fund A Story: "Spot.Us is a nonprofit project to pioneer “community funded reporting.” Through Spot.Us the public can commission investigations with tax deductible donations for important and perhaps overlooked stories. If a news organization buys exclusive rights to the content, donations are reimbursed. Otherwise content is made available through a Creative Commons license."
Mathmos Lights - USA and Canada Shop only - Mathmos Windlight - Free USA Shipping
Mathmos Lights - USA and Canada Shop only - Mathmos Windlight - Free USA Shipping: "Mathmos Wind Light - Miniature LED wind turbine
This tiny 20cm tall light-up wind turbine has been used by leading design team Jason Bruges Studio in a number of high profile installations. A simple puff of air will send the 6cm rotor blade spinning and get the LED lights glowing. Wind light will be available in blue or red."
This tiny 20cm tall light-up wind turbine has been used by leading design team Jason Bruges Studio in a number of high profile installations. A simple puff of air will send the 6cm rotor blade spinning and get the LED lights glowing. Wind light will be available in blue or red."
Zinc-Air Batteries | EcoGeek - Clean Technology
Zinc-Air Batteries | EcoGeek - Clean Technology: "Zinc air batteries are already used in hearing aids, though companies like Power Air hope to build batteries more suited for power and charging mobile electronic devices. Toyota is even researching ways to use zinc-air cells in electric vehicles, though they have put a 2020 timeline on the project, which means we won’t be seeing it any time soon.
As far as the chemistry goes, using zinc is no different than any other fuel cell, or regular battery for that matter (zinc, in fact, is a major component of most alkaline batteries). So what’s so special about it? It has two big advantages over something like lithium. Firstly, it is abundant and cheap, whereas there are fears about the supply of lithium. Secondly, it is safe and recyclable. It also has a relatively high energy density (energy contained per unit of volume)."
As far as the chemistry goes, using zinc is no different than any other fuel cell, or regular battery for that matter (zinc, in fact, is a major component of most alkaline batteries). So what’s so special about it? It has two big advantages over something like lithium. Firstly, it is abundant and cheap, whereas there are fears about the supply of lithium. Secondly, it is safe and recyclable. It also has a relatively high energy density (energy contained per unit of volume)."
EVs in Ireland
RTÉ News: Govt to unveil electric vehicle goals: "10% of the national road transport fleet is powered by electricity by the year 2020.
The public will be told that Ireland's size suits electric vehicles, and the country can become an effective test centre for the world's car manufacturers.
This 10% target was first announced in the Carbon Budget, presented by Environment Minister John Gormley"
The public will be told that Ireland's size suits electric vehicles, and the country can become an effective test centre for the world's car manufacturers.
This 10% target was first announced in the Carbon Budget, presented by Environment Minister John Gormley"
Solar Christmas/ Party String Lights - White
Solar Christmas/ Party String Lights - White: "Solar White LED Christmas Lights are the perfect way to decorate your home this holiday season! Also available in multi color, green, blue, amber."
Top Ten Future Green Collectibles - AutoblogGreen
Top Ten Future Green Collectibles - AutoblogGreen: "A 114-horsepower 3-Phase AC motor design held much in common with the unit that powered GM's more recognizable electric vehicle (more on that later). For '97, Chevy sold the EV with a lead-acid battery pack, which was replaced in '98 with a more advanced nickel-based piece. Acceleration was decent, as was range with the later battery capable of propelling the truck to a top speed of 70mph and for a range of 90 miles. Just under 500 S10 EVs were built, and just 60 were sold as opposed to leased. A keen eye on eBay Motors sometimes turnes one up. Later, GM pulled the program out of retirement to test out in-wheel electric motors, producing a truck that could outperform a Chevy Camaro down the drag strip. See the photo above for proof."
Segway inventor touts island as an energy model - Yahoo! News
Segway inventor touts island as an energy model - Yahoo! News: "Energy independence is still only a hypothetical goal for the U.S., but the owner of a tiny island off the coast of Connecticut says he has already achieved that feat and is offering his work as a model.
Dean Kamen, inventor of the Segway and numerous medical devices, jokingly refers to his North Dumpling Island as an independent nation"
Dean Kamen, inventor of the Segway and numerous medical devices, jokingly refers to his North Dumpling Island as an independent nation"
Al Gore on clean coal - Video
Video - Breaking News Videos from CNN.com: "Former Vice President Al Gore discusses clean coal"
The new Oregon Trail: Pioneering the electric car - Opinions from The Oregonian Columnists, Editorials, Letters, Blogs, Cartoons and More - OregonLive.com
The new Oregon Trail: Pioneering the electric car - Opinions from The Oregonian Columnists, Editorials, Letters, Blogs, Cartoons and More - OregonLive.com: "It's true that electric cars would add to the demand for electric power, but the impact would be mitigated if the cars were recharged at home stations at night. A 2006 study for the U.S. Department of Energy found that if all the cars and light trucks in the nation switched from oil-based fuels to electricity, the available, overnight generating capacity could generate most of the power needed to recharge hybrid or fully electric vehicles.
The power council heard a presentation from Dr. Michael Kinter-Meyer, a scientist at the Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratory in Richland, Wash. Kinter-Meyer said Battelle's research suggests that between 43 percent and 73 percent of all cars and light trucks in the nation today could be replaced by plug-in hybrid vehicles without adding new power plants or transmission lines, provided much of the recharging took place at night, during low-demand periods for electric power."
The power council heard a presentation from Dr. Michael Kinter-Meyer, a scientist at the Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratory in Richland, Wash. Kinter-Meyer said Battelle's research suggests that between 43 percent and 73 percent of all cars and light trucks in the nation today could be replaced by plug-in hybrid vehicles without adding new power plants or transmission lines, provided much of the recharging took place at night, during low-demand periods for electric power."
The new Oregon Trail: Pioneering the electric car - Opinions from The Oregonian Columnists, Editorials, Letters, Blogs, Cartoons and More - OregonLive.com
The new Oregon Trail: Pioneering the electric car - Opinions from The Oregonian Columnists, Editorials, Letters, Blogs, Cartoons and More - OregonLive.com: "It is exciting to see Oregon in a position to be one of the world's first places to test plug-in electric cars in a big, serious way. Gov. Ted Kulongoski, Portland General Electric and Nissan Motor Co. have reached an agreement that makes Oregon one of just a few sites worldwide to pioneer electric cars, starting in 2010.
Like other such tests, it will begin with government and commercial fleets. But there's every reason to believe that one day, and relatively soon, the streets and highways of Oregon could be one of the places where zero-emission vehicles truly take off."
Like other such tests, it will begin with government and commercial fleets. But there's every reason to believe that one day, and relatively soon, the streets and highways of Oregon could be one of the places where zero-emission vehicles truly take off."
Alternative Energy Whipsawed « Zionistgoldreport’s Weblog
Alternative Energy Whipsawed « Zionistgoldreport’s Weblog: "While some hail the election of President Barack Obama as a boon for alternative energy down the road, the renewable sector remains stalled compared to the flurry of deal making earlier this year.
Although legislators in Washington are laying out an ambitious energy agenda for the coming year, the credit crises and cheap gasoline have dealt a double-blow to the prospects for biofuel, solar and wind energy champions.
No less than five initial public offerings, as well as an undetermined number of financings and mergers, remain frozen in the ice of the 2008 credit crises as the bear market pierces the alternative energy bubble."
Although legislators in Washington are laying out an ambitious energy agenda for the coming year, the credit crises and cheap gasoline have dealt a double-blow to the prospects for biofuel, solar and wind energy champions.
No less than five initial public offerings, as well as an undetermined number of financings and mergers, remain frozen in the ice of the 2008 credit crises as the bear market pierces the alternative energy bubble."
SolarEnurgy.net » Archive for Thursday, November 13th, 2008
SolarEnurgy.net » Archive for Thursday, November 13th, 2008: "reducing U.S. dependence on oil: The RMI/Brookings Oil Solutions Initiative, Project Get Ready, and RMI’s India Initiative.
The RMI/Brookings Oil Solutions Initiative is an effort to find common ground among the best features of several plans and foster consensus on national policy recommendations. “Project Get Ready” will work with a number of cities to break the barriers and build the alliances necessary to accelerate the adoption of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), and create an electrified, grid-tied infrastructure. RMI’s India Initiative is an effort to work with stakeholders in India to address the next generation of mobility problems with innovative design-based solutions—which would be ultimately applicable in the United States.
“The important thing to remember about this fourth shift in the U.S. auto industry is that it’s going to have some truly positive outcomes—reducing greenhouse-gas emissions, reducing dependence on foreign oil, and creating an entirely new American industry: green cars,”"
The RMI/Brookings Oil Solutions Initiative is an effort to find common ground among the best features of several plans and foster consensus on national policy recommendations. “Project Get Ready” will work with a number of cities to break the barriers and build the alliances necessary to accelerate the adoption of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), and create an electrified, grid-tied infrastructure. RMI’s India Initiative is an effort to work with stakeholders in India to address the next generation of mobility problems with innovative design-based solutions—which would be ultimately applicable in the United States.
“The important thing to remember about this fourth shift in the U.S. auto industry is that it’s going to have some truly positive outcomes—reducing greenhouse-gas emissions, reducing dependence on foreign oil, and creating an entirely new American industry: green cars,”"
no slappz
no slappz: "No_slappz is lazy and intellectually inferior.
Lemme 'splain.
Sign of laziness #1: 132 posts in 57 weeks. A blog doesn't have to be updated daily, or even every weekday, but averaging way less than three posts a week is not going to build readership. I was in my fourth month of blogging when I put up my 132nd post. About 6,000 people had visited Lotsa 'Splainin' 2 Do by then.
Sign of laziness #2: Little to no added value. No_slappz' main problem as a writer is that he isn't a writer. Way too much of this blog is cutting and pasting from other sources, with half hearted and half witted comments thrown in sporadically. Clearly, he is a commenter out of his league as an actual blogger.
Intellectual inferiority: No_slappz isn't monumentally ignorant or a poor user of the English language. Had he been thrust upon the world stage at random like Sarah Palin or Joe the Plumber, I have no doubt he would have made a much better show of it than they did."
Lemme 'splain.
Sign of laziness #1: 132 posts in 57 weeks. A blog doesn't have to be updated daily, or even every weekday, but averaging way less than three posts a week is not going to build readership. I was in my fourth month of blogging when I put up my 132nd post. About 6,000 people had visited Lotsa 'Splainin' 2 Do by then.
Sign of laziness #2: Little to no added value. No_slappz' main problem as a writer is that he isn't a writer. Way too much of this blog is cutting and pasting from other sources, with half hearted and half witted comments thrown in sporadically. Clearly, he is a commenter out of his league as an actual blogger.
Intellectual inferiority: No_slappz isn't monumentally ignorant or a poor user of the English language. Had he been thrust upon the world stage at random like Sarah Palin or Joe the Plumber, I have no doubt he would have made a much better show of it than they did."
BusinessCar - Roddy Graham’s Blog: 13 November 2008 – Plug and go
BusinessCar - Roddy Graham’s Blog: 13 November 2008 – Plug and go: "The study by Arup and Cenex also indicates the national grid has sufficient capacity to handle the extra demand"
Nissan/Infiniti News Room
Nissan/Infiniti News Room: "THE RENAULT-NISSAN ALLIANCE AND THE STATE OF OREGON FORM ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLE PARTNERSHIP
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Nov. 19, 2008) – The Renault-Nissan Alliance today announced that Nissan and the state of Oregon are forming a partnership to advance zero-emission mobility by promoting the development of an electric vehicle (EV) charging network. Portland General Electric (PGE) also is a participant in the partnership and is working toward the development of an easily accessible and reliable network of charging stations.
The Alliance has committed to being a global leader in zero-emission vehicles (ZEV). Nissan will introduce ZEVs in the United States in 2010 and will mass market ZEVs globally two years later. Ghosn announced the Oregon agreement during an address at the Los Angeles Auto Show."
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Nov. 19, 2008) – The Renault-Nissan Alliance today announced that Nissan and the state of Oregon are forming a partnership to advance zero-emission mobility by promoting the development of an electric vehicle (EV) charging network. Portland General Electric (PGE) also is a participant in the partnership and is working toward the development of an easily accessible and reliable network of charging stations.
The Alliance has committed to being a global leader in zero-emission vehicles (ZEV). Nissan will introduce ZEVs in the United States in 2010 and will mass market ZEVs globally two years later. Ghosn announced the Oregon agreement during an address at the Los Angeles Auto Show."
UPS expands electric vehicle fleet | Fleet News
UPS expands electric vehicle fleet | Fleet News: "UPS is expanding its green fleet with a 12 zero-emission electric Modec vans.
The order follows a nine-month trial of one Modec, where it averaged 18 miles per day and a battery consumption of 25% of full charge.
Six vehicles will be introduced into UPS’s fleet, with the remaining six joining its German equivalent.
“This order represents an important step towards making our fleet and operations more sustainable in the UK,” said UPS’s UK and Ireland managing director Jim Barber.
Each vehicle can undertake 100 miles on one overnight charge, with batteries in future models set to increase the range to 150 miles per two-three hour charge."
The order follows a nine-month trial of one Modec, where it averaged 18 miles per day and a battery consumption of 25% of full charge.
Six vehicles will be introduced into UPS’s fleet, with the remaining six joining its German equivalent.
“This order represents an important step towards making our fleet and operations more sustainable in the UK,” said UPS’s UK and Ireland managing director Jim Barber.
Each vehicle can undertake 100 miles on one overnight charge, with batteries in future models set to increase the range to 150 miles per two-three hour charge."
Nissan Electric Cars: Nissan To Sell Pure Electric Cars In Oregon
Nissan Electric Cars: Nissan To Sell Pure Electric Cars In Oregon: "Nissan will begin selling electric cars in Oregon state as early as 2010, according to a statement by Nissan-Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn at the LA Auto Show. There's been a lot buzz surrounding Nissan electric cars, especially with the debut of the Nissan Denki Cube concept at the New York Auto Show earlier this year. Oregon's governor Ted Kulongoski is recommending the state replace the $1,500 hybrid tax credit with a $5,000 electric vehicle credit, essentially subsidizing part of the cost of the vehicle. Nissan also plans a larger scale production of electric cars by 2012. Details in the statement from Nissan below."
Wheels.ca - Electric cars next big thing, says Ghosn - Canada's Most Trusted Auto Resource
Wheels.ca - Electric cars next big thing, says Ghosn - Canada's Most Trusted Auto Resource: "Earlier Wednesday, Ghosn announced a partnership with the state of Oregon and Portland General Electric Co. to promote and develop an electric vehicle charging network. He called on local and national governments to assist the process of bringing electric and other alternative vehicles to market.
'Government has a role to play,' Ghosn said. 'Indeed, governments have a history of advancing major projects to serve the broader public good.''"
'Government has a role to play,' Ghosn said. 'Indeed, governments have a history of advancing major projects to serve the broader public good.''"
Wheels.ca - Electric cars next big thing, says Ghosn - Canada's Most Trusted Auto Resource
Wheels.ca - Electric cars next big thing, says Ghosn - Canada's Most Trusted Auto Resource: "Nissan is planning to launch an electric car in the United States by 2010, making it the latest automaker to set such timeline. General Motors Corp. said it will launch its Chevrolet Volt gas-electric vehicle the same year, and Chrysler LLC plans to begin selling an electric vehicle by then, as well.
Nissan, Japan's No. 3 automaker, plans to mass-market electric vehicles globally by 2012, Ghosn said. He said there is little doubt automakers see electric vehicles as the future of the auto industry.
'Ten per cent of global sales of cars will be electric by 2020 is, in my opinion, a reasonable number,' Ghosn said."
Nissan, Japan's No. 3 automaker, plans to mass-market electric vehicles globally by 2012, Ghosn said. He said there is little doubt automakers see electric vehicles as the future of the auto industry.
'Ten per cent of global sales of cars will be electric by 2020 is, in my opinion, a reasonable number,' Ghosn said."
Possible reasons A123 lost the Chevy Volt contract - AutoblogGreen
Possible reasons A123 lost the Chevy Volt contract - AutoblogGreen: "Compact Power was able to get its battery packs to the General a full two months before A123 fulfilled its end of the bargain, but there could be more to it than that, and Technology Review is postulating on some possible reasons. Could it be that A123's units were more expensive, despite not requiring as much safety hardware? That's one scenario to consider. Another is that, while A123's batteries would likely have lasted longer, there was no provision from GM to make use of that possibility in the form of a lower output pack."
EcoGeek - Clean Technology
EcoGeek - Clean Technology: "In the last year or so, biofuels – at least first generation biofuels such as those derived from corn and soybeans – have been criticized for driving up global food prices. The argument is simple: growing crops for biofuels reduces the amount of crops grown for food and raises food prices. However, Jim Greenwood, president and CEO of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) issued a statement today claiming that the high food prices seen this past year correlate strongly with oil prices, not biofuel production.
Now, obviously Mr. Greenwood is representing a lot of biofuel companies and he’s not exactly an unbiased judge of things. But the figures he quotes certainly make one wonder. He points out that in July, when oil was $140 a barrel, a bushel of corn was $7.50 a barrel. Now that oil is down to around $65 a barrel, corn is less than $4 a bushel.
Although food prices are certainly influenced by multiple factors, Mr. Greenwood makes a fair point. Agriculture technology is constantly increasing the quantity of crops that can be grown within a limited space. Food prices have dropped since the summer despite the fact that we have not seriously scaled down biofuel crops. And besides delivering renewable energy, the biofuel industry creates thousands of jobs and keeps energy dollars within the US. So maybe we should reconsider our criticism"
Now, obviously Mr. Greenwood is representing a lot of biofuel companies and he’s not exactly an unbiased judge of things. But the figures he quotes certainly make one wonder. He points out that in July, when oil was $140 a barrel, a bushel of corn was $7.50 a barrel. Now that oil is down to around $65 a barrel, corn is less than $4 a bushel.
Although food prices are certainly influenced by multiple factors, Mr. Greenwood makes a fair point. Agriculture technology is constantly increasing the quantity of crops that can be grown within a limited space. Food prices have dropped since the summer despite the fact that we have not seriously scaled down biofuel crops. And besides delivering renewable energy, the biofuel industry creates thousands of jobs and keeps energy dollars within the US. So maybe we should reconsider our criticism"
Saturday, November 29, 2008
YouTube - recharging the dream: a California road trip
YouTube - recharging the dream: a California road trip: "seeks insight into the convergence of renewable energy and electric cars"
Welcome to Illahee — Illahee
Welcome to Illahee — Illahee: "We value questions and innovation above dogmatic pre-determined answers."
Electric Vehicles of America: Is Electric Conversion Right for Your Car? - Associated Content
Electric Vehicles of America: Is Electric Conversion Right for Your Car? - Associated Content: "Electric Vehicles of America has enjoyed a sudden surge of popularity with gas prices remaining around $4 per gallon. Drivers who fill a 16 gallon tank for $64 once a week, shelling out $3,328 for gas in a year's time, are suddenly wondering if companies like Electric Vehicles of America can help them save money. The cost of electricity for electric cars, 2-3 cents per mile, looks awfully tempting when compared to the cost of driving a mile in a gasoline powered vehicle, about 20 cents per mile for a car getting 20 m.p.g."
Tesla Motors - Its's not just the economy, stupid! - Tom's Blog
Tesla Motors - Its's not just the economy, stupid! - Tom's Blog: "* Work to be cash-flow positive within six to nine months.
* Ramp up the delivery rate for pre-sold Roadsters.
* Build revenue from powertrain sales to other car companies.
* Musk will replace Ze'ev Drori as CEO.
* Drori will remain as vice-chairman of the board.
* Scale back Model S work until their assembly site passes the environmental review.
* Delay the production target for the Model S by six months.
* Finance Model S production primarily with a low-interest DOE loan.
* Implement a modest reduction in near-term headcount.
* Survive the economic turmoil on Musk's dime for as long as it takes."
* Ramp up the delivery rate for pre-sold Roadsters.
* Build revenue from powertrain sales to other car companies.
* Musk will replace Ze'ev Drori as CEO.
* Drori will remain as vice-chairman of the board.
* Scale back Model S work until their assembly site passes the environmental review.
* Delay the production target for the Model S by six months.
* Finance Model S production primarily with a low-interest DOE loan.
* Implement a modest reduction in near-term headcount.
* Survive the economic turmoil on Musk's dime for as long as it takes."
Nissan plugs into Oregon's green vision, selecting state to help debut electric vehicles - Business - Oregonlive.com
Nissan plugs into Oregon's green vision, selecting state to help debut electric vehicles - Business - Oregonlive.com: "'Our goal is mass-marketing vehicles across the U.S. and globally' in 2012, said Nissan's Perry. 'We all believe that we'll be mass-marketing in Oregon much faster than that.'"
With roundups on hold, what to do with non-curbside plastics - PDX Green - A blog about sustainable living - The Oregonian - OregonLive.com
With roundups on hold, what to do with non-curbside plastics - PDX Green - A blog about sustainable living - The Oregonian - OregonLive.com: "With roundups on hold, what to do with non-curbside plastics"
Friday, November 28, 2008
Family At Center Of South Dakota Abortion Debate : NPR
Family At Center Of South Dakota Abortion Debate : NPR: "October 27, 2008 · Backers of a proposed ban on most abortions in South Dakota say the initiative would allow exceptions for rape, incest and to protect the life and health of pregnant women.
But just how that last exception would be interpreted — and by whom — has prompted some of the most heated rhetoric of the entire campaign season.
And most of it has swirled around a single family: Tiffany and Chris Campbell of Sioux Falls and their 18-month-old son, Brady."
But just how that last exception would be interpreted — and by whom — has prompted some of the most heated rhetoric of the entire campaign season.
And most of it has swirled around a single family: Tiffany and Chris Campbell of Sioux Falls and their 18-month-old son, Brady."
Eco Architecture: Cottages Crafted From Found Objects In Portland - Ecofriend
Eco Architecture: Cottages Crafted From Found Objects In Portland - Ecofriend: "The Garden Cottages of Upper Albina, a distinctive collection of small cottages in Portland, have been developed by land owners Jeff Gantert and Brad Bloom after six long years of craftsmanship. The duo has included everything from old tomato sauce cans to flour sacks in constructing the cottages, which can be rented for a month for just $1,000."
Kill Your Air Conditioner - TIME
Kill Your Air Conditioner - TIME: "The unnecessary refrigeration of America has become a chronic disease. It seems to have gotten worse over the past few years, with thermostats routinely set at 68deg.F, and sometimes even 65 deg., in the (far too many) hotel rooms I've suffered on the campaign trail. 'Americans seem to keep their houses cooler in summer than they do in the winter,' muses Edward Parson, an environmental expert at the University of Michigan Law School. But it's hard to know for sure, since there are no comprehensive studies that measure air-conditioning trend lines."
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Denmark “Invents” Solar Power Air Conditioner… Again : EcoWorldly
Denmark “Invents” Solar Power Air Conditioner… Again : EcoWorldly: "Danish company AC Sun recently made news with the “invention” a new solar-powered air conditioning system.The new systems are pollution-free, low-noise, and use only 10% of the energy of conventional systems. The only problem is they’ve already been invented, several times over.
Lars Stigel, director of Østjysk Innovation, an investor in AC Sun, spoke with enthusiasm about AC Sun’s design. “It is a groundbreaking technology in relation to renewable energy and energy savings,” he says."
Lars Stigel, director of Østjysk Innovation, an investor in AC Sun, spoke with enthusiasm about AC Sun’s design. “It is a groundbreaking technology in relation to renewable energy and energy savings,” he says."
Heat wave will stress California electric grid - USATODAY.com
Heat wave will stress California electric grid - USATODAY.com: "'We set a new peak today and we'll blow through that record pretty quick tomorrow,' said Gregg Fishman, spokesman for Cal-ISO, which manages most of the state's electricity grid. 'We know it's going to be hot, the question is how hot and how much of the state's coastal population centers will be hit.'
Demand peaked on Tuesday afternoon at 45,888 megawatts — nearly 1,000 megawatts higher than expected.
But state officials are hoping that, with calls for conservation, Wednesday's predicted peak demand of 47,275 megawatts and Thursday's forecast for 47,667 megawatts will not creep higher than anticipated.
California's all-time record energy demand is 50,270 megawatts. It was set last year during a two-week heat wave blamed for hundreds of deaths."
energy demand
Demand peaked on Tuesday afternoon at 45,888 megawatts — nearly 1,000 megawatts higher than expected.
But state officials are hoping that, with calls for conservation, Wednesday's predicted peak demand of 47,275 megawatts and Thursday's forecast for 47,667 megawatts will not creep higher than anticipated.
California's all-time record energy demand is 50,270 megawatts. It was set last year during a two-week heat wave blamed for hundreds of deaths."
energy demand
Record Breaker: Hurricane Season 2008 by the Numbers | SolveClimate.com
Record Breaker: Hurricane Season 2008 by the Numbers | SolveClimate.com: "Hurricane season 2008, which began on June 1, will officially come to a close on Sunday, November 30.
The verdict: Long and devastating -- a 'top ten' season in terms of the total number of named storms and hurricanes."
The verdict: Long and devastating -- a 'top ten' season in terms of the total number of named storms and hurricanes."
Hey, Auto Industry, Need a Jump? Utilities Consider Buying Electric Cars - WSJ.com
Hey, Auto Industry, Need a Jump? Utilities Consider Buying Electric Cars - WSJ.com: "The auto industry's quest to launch a new generation of electric cars may get a big boost from a sector with much to gain from getting advanced vehicles on the road: U.S. electric utilities.
Top executives at several utilities are mulling the possibility of ordering thousands of the vehicles -- known as plug-in electric cars -- as an expression of support for the technology they fear could be derailed by the auto industry's financial traumas. The cars would run primarily on electricity, with gasoline to extend their range, and would recharge by plugging into standard electrical outlets."
Keywords: Driving distance, Commute Distance, Daily Driving, Percentages of driving distances, percent
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Nissan's EV to cost same as conventional car... before leasing batteries - AutoblogGreen
Nissan's EV to cost same as conventional car... before leasing batteries - AutoblogGreen: "
Imagine a world where you don't buy cars any more and none of the cars that we do drive emit anything. Unlike the present, where no one buys Nissans Carlos Tavares believes not buying cars at all will eventually happen as a result of moving to car sharing. Such a system might be similar to what we see today with the likes of ZipCar, just on a much larger scale where customers pay for access to cars on an as-needed basis. Long before we get to that point though, Nissan plans to start selling electric cars to the public, beginning in 2010 in markets like Israel and Denmark before moving globally a couple of years later. At the Automotive News Green Car Conference, Tavares told the audience that company's first EV would have a similar price to other current small cars. Considering what lithium ion batteries cost, this might come as a surprise. However, that's because as with the toys you buy your kids at Christmas, batteries are not included in the box. The batteries will be leased separately and Tavares believes that even with this extra expense the total cost of ownership over the life of the car will be lower than a gasoline equivalent. Exactly what that cost will be has not yet been revealed."
Imagine a world where you don't buy cars any more and none of the cars that we do drive emit anything. Unlike the present, where no one buys Nissans Carlos Tavares believes not buying cars at all will eventually happen as a result of moving to car sharing. Such a system might be similar to what we see today with the likes of ZipCar, just on a much larger scale where customers pay for access to cars on an as-needed basis. Long before we get to that point though, Nissan plans to start selling electric cars to the public, beginning in 2010 in markets like Israel and Denmark before moving globally a couple of years later. At the Automotive News Green Car Conference, Tavares told the audience that company's first EV would have a similar price to other current small cars. Considering what lithium ion batteries cost, this might come as a surprise. However, that's because as with the toys you buy your kids at Christmas, batteries are not included in the box. The batteries will be leased separately and Tavares believes that even with this extra expense the total cost of ownership over the life of the car will be lower than a gasoline equivalent. Exactly what that cost will be has not yet been revealed."
Will Electric Vehicles Be the Next 'It' Cars?
Will Electric Vehicles Be the Next 'It' Cars?:
"Nissan is banking on electric vehicles as the next big thing in alternative fuels.
"Nissan is banking on electric vehicles as the next big thing in alternative fuels.
Hybrids are yesterday's news by Nissan's standards.
Although the Japanese automaker does plan to embrace hybrid technology, it's banking on plug-in electric vehicles as the next big thing."
Electric-Powered Future Two Years Away?
Electric-Powered Future Two Years Away?: "Cities like Amsterdam, Portland, Ore., and San Francisco are already implementing measures to support electric cars and entice drivers to start using them. This fall, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom invited companies to submit proposals for infrastructure that could charge electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids."
V2G, Smart Garage
V2G, Smart Garage
Wheego Whips Up A $19K EV | Autopia from Wired.com
Wheego Whips Up A $19K EV | Autopia from Wired.com: "If you're eager to get your hands on an EV but don't have the money for a Tesla or Mini-E, the time to wait for a Mitsubishi iMiEV or the smarts to build your own, the guys at Ruff & Tuff Electric Vehicles may have just the ticket - an electric car that looks a lot like a Smart and costs $19,000.
Ruff & Tuff has teamed up with China's Shuanghuan Automobile Company to bring the little EV to America as early as next spring. The two companies hope to break into the budding market for EVs that are (relatively) inexpensive, safe and cool enough for urban environs. The way they see it, the time is right to bring an affordable EV to the masses."
Ruff & Tuff has teamed up with China's Shuanghuan Automobile Company to bring the little EV to America as early as next spring. The two companies hope to break into the budding market for EVs that are (relatively) inexpensive, safe and cool enough for urban environs. The way they see it, the time is right to bring an affordable EV to the masses."
Detroit Auto Show: Full Specifications on the Chevy Volt - AutoblogGreen
Detroit Auto Show: Full Specifications on the Chevy Volt - AutoblogGreen: "Full Specifications on the Chevy Volt"
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Electric Cars in LA Limelight: Nissan, Mini E, Chevrolet Volt | Hybrid Cars
Electric Cars in LA Limelight: Nissan, Mini E, Chevrolet Volt | Hybrid Cars: "All but a handful of cars on the floor of the LA Auto Show, which runs through Nov. 30, have combustion engines—including quite a few diesels—but electric cars are getting their moment in the spotlight at the greenest of US auto shows."
Plugging In Your Volt: Not With Just Any Old Cord | Hybrid Cars
Plugging In Your Volt: Not With Just Any Old Cord | Hybrid Cars: " 
When you imagine plugging an electric or plug-in hybrid car into the wall to recharge, what do you envision in your hand? A standard orange extension cord? Time to change that picture; production electric-drive vehicles will all use a special cord, with a plug and socket on the car end that’s unlike any you’ve seen before.
GM’s much-touted Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid will plug into a wall socket to recharge its 16-kilowatt-hour battery pack for up to 40 miles of travel solely on electricity. It may be many Americans’ first exposure in a century to cars that plug into the wall.
A still-shot from a GM promotional video shows the shape of the plug-in cord.
Next up in the growing lineup of hybrid Saturn Vue models will be the Vue Two-Mode Plug-In Hybrid, which will run up to 10 miles on electricity alone at 35 mph or less. That vehicle is expected to launch late in 2010, at roughly the same time as the Volt. It replaces the nickel-metal-hydride battery pack from the Vue Two-Mode with a lithium ion pack, and it will use the same plug and socket as the Volt.
Both of these cars, and many others, will come with an onboard charger that converts standard 110V (or 220V) household alternating current into direct current of the correct voltage to recharge the battery pack. Every car will come with its own cord, with the special plug on one end to connect to the car, and a standard three-prong plug on the other end to plug into the wall socket in your garage—or perhaps your carport.
A Special Cord, For Good Reasons
Why is a special cable needed? There are several reasons, including predictable charging, better connections, future “smart charging”, and a desire for global standards for auto technology. All of these factors feed into a committee that has been working since August 2006 to agree on the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J1772 standard, which defines the mechanical and electric specifications for the plug and socket to be used in plug-in hybrid and electric-drive cars. It includes shock protections and an interlock to prevent driving away with the cord in place, and specifies that the equipment must last for at least 10,000 charge cycles. General Motors is one of several “very active” parties in developing this standard.
Trivia
Gasoline hoses last changed in 1975, when cars requiring unleaded fuel were launched with narrower filler necks, so that the wider nozzles that carried leaded fuel wouldn’t fit, preventing the leaded fuel from poisoning the catalytic converters.
An industry-standard plug and socket allows charging not only at home, but at charging stations elsewhere. If all chargeable vehicles have the same socket, then charging stations only need to offer one type of cord—in the same way that all cars have the same pipe for fuel filling, so all gas pumps can use identical nozzles.
Better electrical connections come from the power cord’s positive locking, which keeps the connection between the plug and socket nice and tight, and requires the user to actively disengage the cord to remove it. This eliminates any chance the cord might simply fall out of the car socket, averting a safety hazard.
Among the unknowns, thus far, are the length of the cable (and whether there will be options there), the cost of a replacement cable, and whether it can be extended on its grid-plug end with a standard heavy-duty extension cord. A broader question is whether plug-in cars can practically be used by drivers without garages or carports of any kind—those who park at the curb, for instance.
Demonstration of plug-in capabilities of Saturn Vue Plug-in Hybrid. If all chargeable vehicles have the same socket, then charging stations only need to offer one type of cord—in the same way that all cars have the same pipe for fuel filling, so all gas pumps can use identical nozzles.
Let's Get Smart, About Charging Our Plug-in Hybrids
A standard power cord carries only power, nothing more. But one day, your local utility will want to encourage you to charge your car in their “off-peak” hours, when they have plenty of spare power. The lowest demand for any utility comes from 11 pm to 5 am, and utilities will likely give hefty discounts to owners who agree to let the utility decide when their car should start charging during those hours.
Here’s the vision: You come home, plug in your car, and go about your evening. Through “smart meters” now being installed in many California homes (and in other locations), the utility will know that you’ve connected a car to that particular electric plug. If you’ve signed up for off-peak car charging, the utility will assess its overall load, and then decide when to start sending power to your car. It might start charging the cars in a neighborhood in sequence, to prevent them all switching on simultaneously.
In return for letting your power company control the charging time, you’ll get much cheaper rates on that power. For purposes of reference, by the way, charging an electric car is roughly the same as operating four plasma TV sets.
That’s the vision, anyway. The first Volts and electric cars that roll out in 2010 aren’t likely to take advantage of smart charging, but those cars will last 10 years or more—and by 2020, such schemes will surely be available in more advanced parts of the country.
To make all this possible, the power grid has to be able to communicate with the vehicle. So extra wires, just for communications traffic, are built into the charging cable. The signals that come from the smart meter will enter the car via these channels, and the meter will in turn receive data from the car—on how large the battery pack is, how much energy it will need, and so forth.
And that’s something your regular old extension cord just can’t handle."
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