Saturday, November 15, 2008
Canada's Largest Wind Farm Opens | EcoGeek - Clean Technology
Canada's Largest Wind Farm Opens | EcoGeek - Clean Technology: "Canada's Melancthon EcoPower Centre opened on October 30 after three years of construction. The country's largest wind farm is located near Shelburne, Ontario and has a capacity of 199.5 MW."
T Boone Pickens Discusses Electric Cars & Natural Gas
T Boone Pickens Discusses Electric Cars & Natural Gas: "T. Boone Pickens appeared on The Daily Show with John Stewart on November 12th to share his new book 'The First Billion Is the Hardest: Reflections on a Life of Comebacks and America's Energy Future' and ended up sharing some of his thoughts on renewable energy, natural gas and electric cars. We've got a short clip below and the full episode is available here."
NiMH upgrade to Lithium
upgrade to Lithium: "Replacement packs are designed to be within 1.75VDC of the original factory specifications.
Chevrolet S-10 EV
$15,900.00"
Chevrolet S-10 EV
$15,900.00"
Friday, November 14, 2008
The Plug-In Paradox | The New America Foundation
The Plug-In Paradox | The New America Foundation: "Rothman can get 99.9mpg, but an average driver will get 80, an aggressive one, 60 and a negligent one, who forgets to plug in the vehicle the night before and then drives like Dale Earnhardt Jr., less than 40. Argonne National Lab found that a bad driver who turns on the air conditioner can squash the plug-in's performance by reducing battery range from 40 miles to 15, which won't get most commuters to work and back.
UC, Davis anthropologist Thomas Turrentine and engineer Kenneth Kurani have spent 19 years looking at how the wiring in drivers' heads interfaces with the engineering under the hoods of alternative vehicles. Their interviews with drivers have flipped conventional thinking on its head more than once. While everyone knows how much they pay at the pump, none of 57 households surveyed kept track of annual gas spending.
...
"West Texas wind blows in the middle of the night, when the electricity is almost worthless!" Hybrids plugged in at night could capture that electricity and redirect it to the morning commute or feed it back onto the grid at noon when it's worth something."
UC, Davis anthropologist Thomas Turrentine and engineer Kenneth Kurani have spent 19 years looking at how the wiring in drivers' heads interfaces with the engineering under the hoods of alternative vehicles. Their interviews with drivers have flipped conventional thinking on its head more than once. While everyone knows how much they pay at the pump, none of 57 households surveyed kept track of annual gas spending.
...
"West Texas wind blows in the middle of the night, when the electricity is almost worthless!" Hybrids plugged in at night could capture that electricity and redirect it to the morning commute or feed it back onto the grid at noon when it's worth something."
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Green SupplyLine | Solar material absorbs entire spectrum
Green SupplyLine | Solar material absorbs entire spectrum: "PORTLAND, Ore. — Current solar materials must be chosen to match a specific wavelength of sunlight, but a new hybrid inorganic/organic material could usher in solar cells that absorb all solar wavelengths.
The new polymer could also enable much more efficient charge separation since electrons dislodged by light in the material remain free much longer than in conventional solar cells.
The inorganic/organic hybrid polymer material can be made into polymer blends that can 'absorb essentially across the entire solar spectrum--they go from about 300 nanometers down to about 10,000 nanometers,' said professor Malcolm Chisholm of Ohio State University.
Solar materials work by using incident light to boost the energy of electrons, thereby separating then from the hull of atoms in the material. They can then be harvested to generate electricity.
However, separated electrons fall back into their host atoms if not collected quickly. Usually, solar materials either fluoresce (called singlet emisson) or phosphoresce (triplet emission). The new hybrid material does both, further increasing potential efficiency.
'The materials we have made show both singlet and triplet emissions,' said Chisholm. 'The singlet state lasts a relatively long time, in the region of about 10 pico seconds; the triplet lasts a lot"
The new polymer could also enable much more efficient charge separation since electrons dislodged by light in the material remain free much longer than in conventional solar cells.
The inorganic/organic hybrid polymer material can be made into polymer blends that can 'absorb essentially across the entire solar spectrum--they go from about 300 nanometers down to about 10,000 nanometers,' said professor Malcolm Chisholm of Ohio State University.
Solar materials work by using incident light to boost the energy of electrons, thereby separating then from the hull of atoms in the material. They can then be harvested to generate electricity.
However, separated electrons fall back into their host atoms if not collected quickly. Usually, solar materials either fluoresce (called singlet emisson) or phosphoresce (triplet emission). The new hybrid material does both, further increasing potential efficiency.
'The materials we have made show both singlet and triplet emissions,' said Chisholm. 'The singlet state lasts a relatively long time, in the region of about 10 pico seconds; the triplet lasts a lot"
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Futuristic Green Transit: 10 Vehicles for 2010 | ecoble - ecological design, green innovation and environmental sustainability
Futuristic Green Transit: 10 Vehicles for 2010 ecoble - ecological design, green innovation and environmental sustainability
Futuristic Green Transit: 10 Vehicles for 2010
Posted by jbloom under Climate Change, Design and Architecture, Earth-Friendly Products, Ecological Tips, Electric Car, Green Fashion, Hybrid Car,Living Green, Solar Power, Sustainable Innovation, Transport Technologies
Want to green your ride, but can’t afford a Tesla? That’s okay… there are plenty of cool (if not quite so flashy) new transportation options coming down the pike that will cost you less than $100,000. Some of ‘em you can even build yourself.
Seriously Strange Fossil Fuelings:
Who needs hydrogen? Some energy alternatives have been around for years, and are making a comeback.
1. Wood
It’s not talked about as much as the Manhattan Project, but there was a big energy crisis during WWII, when the military sucked up a huge portion of the world’s petroleum output. Individual car-owners across Europe converted their cars and trucks to run on… wood.
Wood?
Wood. Engines don’t run onliquid gasoline - they literally run on fumes. Same goes for the fire in your fireplace – when you see flames rising, that’s the fumes of volatiles coming off the logs and igniting. You can do the same thing in your car.
Some folks are working on making this high-tech, with scrubbers and sealed, carefully controlled burners. Renewable Energy Systems are currently running a demonstration coast-to-coast tour with a couple of modded 1991 Dodge Dakota V8 pickups.
But for now you can go very low-tech – plonk a stove on the back of your pickup and run a vacuum hose to the carburetor; after that your spark plugs ignite the fumes as per usual. You can get information on the web to rig your vehicle with a hundred or so dollars in parts: Jim Mason offers workshops and info, or order a how-to guide fromMother Earth News.
But either way, your fuel can be wood if you want – or any scrap biomass.
2. Steam
The British Steam Car looks like the Batmobile and runs like an iron horse. It is not quite road-ready just yet, though, as it guzzles 1,000 litres (one ton!) of water per 25 minutes of travel time. So for now it is recommended only for shorter commutes (or perhaps not at all).
3. People Power
HumanCar is driven by people - even the steering is human powered, like on a bicycle or motorcycle.
How does it work? They’re being very, very cagey – there’s lot of talk on their website about patents and proprietary trade secrets, not too much on how it will run.
But for sure, this won’t be aFlintstones-style feet-through-the-floor operation.
Already on the Market:
4. ZAP Xebra
Perfect for in-city commuting or shopping, this little car only has a 25-mile range. Still, it brags that even after counting emissions from generating the electricity it uses, it produces 98% less pollution than a gas vehicle. And it’s available now. Next up: A ZAP trucklet with a solar panel to fuel itself.
5. Smart Fortwo
This may look like a toy, but it pumps out 110 horsepower (between a 4-cylinder gas engine and a 50-kilowatt electric motor) And it is kind of cute. This vehicle seats two comfortably (depending on the individual, of course); at a stretch you can cram in thirteen contortionists.
Future Green Transport:
6. Zoop
This little electric flitter can travel at up to 120 mph (although that prospect raises the specter of “Unsafe at Any Speed”). The Zoop is more about being seen – hence the clear canopy and the flashy design by EV-proponents André and Coqueline Courrèges of Paris-based fashion house Maison de Courrèges.
7. Ecooter
It is hard to say whether this Chinese offering is even a car, and even the name implies it is some sort of scooter…
Still, it has four wheels (in a diamond layout, rather than the standard “four corners” formation) and there is a roof over your head to keep out the wind and rain, so perhaps it qualifies.
The way it parks is particularly interesting - thanks to the diamond wheelbase, you can do some remarkably tight turning with this little thing:
7. Loremo
The name stands for “Low Resistance Mobile” This just goes to show that you don’t need to wait for next decade’s technology to accomplish amazing things with milage: The Loremo combines a highly-efficient German-engineered diesel engine with extremely low-drag design to achieve 150 miles per gallon. Coming next year to Europe, with US launch to follow.
8. Helios
Want to really get off the grid? Helios has the answer: a solar-powered buggy with a saurian solar sail that spreads out to soak up the sun and recharge, photovoltaicly. This concept car won the Best Use of Technology at the Interior Motives Design Awards 2008. Note to racers: do NOT attempt to deploy the sail as a drag chute…
9. The Air Car
Coming as early as spring 2009 from MDI and Zero Pollution Motors, it runs on compressed air. Developed by Formula One engineer Guy Nègre, the Air Car is expected to make big inroads in India, where it will be sold as the Tata Nano for $2500.
10. VW 1-Liter
A few of the mainline automakers are trying to break out of the gas-guzzler mode (although not GM, who have announced they won’t be bringing their min-cars to the US market, further demonstrating their brilliant business acumen and why the government should give them a big bailout.) VW wanted a car that would go 100 miles on one liter of gas, but it’s taken them more than six years to perfect the high-tech low-weight materials like carbon fiber and titanium. Along with a super-sleek aerodynamic shell, this diesel-powered commuter car is scheduled to get a spectacular 235 mpg when it hits the roads (in a limited edition test release) in 2010.
Can’t wait - or really want to do something now? Don’t despair - you can upgrade your current rustbucket to at least make it a little more fuel-efficient.
Futuristic Green Transit: 10 Vehicles for 2010
Posted by jbloom under Climate Change, Design and Architecture, Earth-Friendly Products, Ecological Tips, Electric Car, Green Fashion, Hybrid Car,Living Green, Solar Power, Sustainable Innovation, Transport Technologies
Want to green your ride, but can’t afford a Tesla? That’s okay… there are plenty of cool (if not quite so flashy) new transportation options coming down the pike that will cost you less than $100,000. Some of ‘em you can even build yourself.
Seriously Strange Fossil Fuelings:
Who needs hydrogen? Some energy alternatives have been around for years, and are making a comeback.
1. Wood
It’s not talked about as much as the Manhattan Project, but there was a big energy crisis during WWII, when the military sucked up a huge portion of the world’s petroleum output. Individual car-owners across Europe converted their cars and trucks to run on… wood.
Wood?
Wood. Engines don’t run onliquid gasoline - they literally run on fumes. Same goes for the fire in your fireplace – when you see flames rising, that’s the fumes of volatiles coming off the logs and igniting. You can do the same thing in your car.
Some folks are working on making this high-tech, with scrubbers and sealed, carefully controlled burners. Renewable Energy Systems are currently running a demonstration coast-to-coast tour with a couple of modded 1991 Dodge Dakota V8 pickups.
But for now you can go very low-tech – plonk a stove on the back of your pickup and run a vacuum hose to the carburetor; after that your spark plugs ignite the fumes as per usual. You can get information on the web to rig your vehicle with a hundred or so dollars in parts: Jim Mason offers workshops and info, or order a how-to guide fromMother Earth News.
But either way, your fuel can be wood if you want – or any scrap biomass.
2. Steam
The British Steam Car looks like the Batmobile and runs like an iron horse. It is not quite road-ready just yet, though, as it guzzles 1,000 litres (one ton!) of water per 25 minutes of travel time. So for now it is recommended only for shorter commutes (or perhaps not at all).
3. People Power
HumanCar is driven by people - even the steering is human powered, like on a bicycle or motorcycle.
How does it work? They’re being very, very cagey – there’s lot of talk on their website about patents and proprietary trade secrets, not too much on how it will run.
But for sure, this won’t be aFlintstones-style feet-through-the-floor operation.
Already on the Market:
4. ZAP Xebra
Perfect for in-city commuting or shopping, this little car only has a 25-mile range. Still, it brags that even after counting emissions from generating the electricity it uses, it produces 98% less pollution than a gas vehicle. And it’s available now. Next up: A ZAP trucklet with a solar panel to fuel itself.
5. Smart Fortwo
This may look like a toy, but it pumps out 110 horsepower (between a 4-cylinder gas engine and a 50-kilowatt electric motor) And it is kind of cute. This vehicle seats two comfortably (depending on the individual, of course); at a stretch you can cram in thirteen contortionists.
Future Green Transport:
6. Zoop
This little electric flitter can travel at up to 120 mph (although that prospect raises the specter of “Unsafe at Any Speed”). The Zoop is more about being seen – hence the clear canopy and the flashy design by EV-proponents André and Coqueline Courrèges of Paris-based fashion house Maison de Courrèges.
7. Ecooter
It is hard to say whether this Chinese offering is even a car, and even the name implies it is some sort of scooter…
Still, it has four wheels (in a diamond layout, rather than the standard “four corners” formation) and there is a roof over your head to keep out the wind and rain, so perhaps it qualifies.
The way it parks is particularly interesting - thanks to the diamond wheelbase, you can do some remarkably tight turning with this little thing:
7. Loremo
The name stands for “Low Resistance Mobile” This just goes to show that you don’t need to wait for next decade’s technology to accomplish amazing things with milage: The Loremo combines a highly-efficient German-engineered diesel engine with extremely low-drag design to achieve 150 miles per gallon. Coming next year to Europe, with US launch to follow.
8. Helios
Want to really get off the grid? Helios has the answer: a solar-powered buggy with a saurian solar sail that spreads out to soak up the sun and recharge, photovoltaicly. This concept car won the Best Use of Technology at the Interior Motives Design Awards 2008. Note to racers: do NOT attempt to deploy the sail as a drag chute…
9. The Air Car
Coming as early as spring 2009 from MDI and Zero Pollution Motors, it runs on compressed air. Developed by Formula One engineer Guy Nègre, the Air Car is expected to make big inroads in India, where it will be sold as the Tata Nano for $2500.
10. VW 1-Liter
A few of the mainline automakers are trying to break out of the gas-guzzler mode (although not GM, who have announced they won’t be bringing their min-cars to the US market, further demonstrating their brilliant business acumen and why the government should give them a big bailout.) VW wanted a car that would go 100 miles on one liter of gas, but it’s taken them more than six years to perfect the high-tech low-weight materials like carbon fiber and titanium. Along with a super-sleek aerodynamic shell, this diesel-powered commuter car is scheduled to get a spectacular 235 mpg when it hits the roads (in a limited edition test release) in 2010.
Can’t wait - or really want to do something now? Don’t despair - you can upgrade your current rustbucket to at least make it a little more fuel-efficient.
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