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."
Sunday, November 30, 2008
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."
Honda EV Plus, the full story - AutoblogGreen
Honda EV Plus, the full story - AutoblogGreen: "As the story goes, Honda realized in the late '80s that petroleum wouldn't last forever. Buoyed by the successes that General Motors was having with its solar racers, Honda embarked on a program to bring a practical electric vehicle to market that could be powered by stand-alone solar systems.
As you might imagine, getting a vehicle from such a basic idea into sheetmetal, batteries and the production line is extremely difficult. Fortunately, Honda documented the entire process, so it's all been saved for posterity's sake. We've gotten our mitts on the whole sordid tale and have pasted it past the break for your reading pleasure. See below:
It all began with a debate concerning the feasibility of solar power.
'An electric vehicle (EV) running on solar power?' thought Junichi Araki, LPL of the first-generation EV basic research team. 'Maybe the time is right for alternative fuel cars to be running all over town.' He had just read a magazine article describing the exploits of the General Motors Sun Racer, the solar car that had taken the first place at the inaugural World Solar Challenge (WSC) race held in Australia in November 1987."
As you might imagine, getting a vehicle from such a basic idea into sheetmetal, batteries and the production line is extremely difficult. Fortunately, Honda documented the entire process, so it's all been saved for posterity's sake. We've gotten our mitts on the whole sordid tale and have pasted it past the break for your reading pleasure. See below:
It all began with a debate concerning the feasibility of solar power.
'An electric vehicle (EV) running on solar power?' thought Junichi Araki, LPL of the first-generation EV basic research team. 'Maybe the time is right for alternative fuel cars to be running all over town.' He had just read a magazine article describing the exploits of the General Motors Sun Racer, the solar car that had taken the first place at the inaugural World Solar Challenge (WSC) race held in Australia in November 1987."
MINA Breaking News - Sweet Revenge of the Electric Car
MINA Breaking News - Sweet Revenge of the Electric Car: "Sweet Revenge of the Electric Car PDF Print E-mail
While the Big Three U.S. automakers in Detroit cry for a $25-billion dollar bailout, we should keep in mind the documentary, 'Who Killed the Electric Car.' This important documentary released in 2006 investigates the 'creation, limited commercialization and subsequent destruction of the battery-powered electric vehicle in the United States, specifically the General Motors EV1 of the 1990s.'
CAR-ma?
On November 14, 2008, Nate Holden, former California State Senator and L.A. City Councilmember, held a press conference demanding General Motors apologize to the American people for destroying the automaker’s EV1 plug-in electric vehicle. Mr. Holden demanded the EV1’s immediate re-introduction before, or in exchange for, any Government bailout of GM.
GM now has a hybrid-electric car called the Volt due in 2010. It promises to be a great car - it's just far too late.
Chris Paine, director of 'Who Killed The Electric Car,' is currently working on the sequel titled, 'Revenge of the Electric Car.'
Simply put, the Big Three don't deserve a bailout - they've had 30 years of bad management and refused to give the American people what they wanted: Fuel-efficient vehicles. Instead, they seemed to be holding hands with the oil companies and othe"
While the Big Three U.S. automakers in Detroit cry for a $25-billion dollar bailout, we should keep in mind the documentary, 'Who Killed the Electric Car.' This important documentary released in 2006 investigates the 'creation, limited commercialization and subsequent destruction of the battery-powered electric vehicle in the United States, specifically the General Motors EV1 of the 1990s.'
CAR-ma?
On November 14, 2008, Nate Holden, former California State Senator and L.A. City Councilmember, held a press conference demanding General Motors apologize to the American people for destroying the automaker’s EV1 plug-in electric vehicle. Mr. Holden demanded the EV1’s immediate re-introduction before, or in exchange for, any Government bailout of GM.
GM now has a hybrid-electric car called the Volt due in 2010. It promises to be a great car - it's just far too late.
Chris Paine, director of 'Who Killed The Electric Car,' is currently working on the sequel titled, 'Revenge of the Electric Car.'
Simply put, the Big Three don't deserve a bailout - they've had 30 years of bad management and refused to give the American people what they wanted: Fuel-efficient vehicles. Instead, they seemed to be holding hands with the oil companies and othe"
Portland to electric car maker BYD Auto: Build your car here. Please!
Portland to electric car maker BYD Auto: Build your car here. Please!: "Portland to electric car maker BYD Auto: Build your car here. Please!
Officials hope to get BYD Auto to import – or even make – hybrids here
By Chris Lydgate
Pamplin Media Group, Sep 11, 2008 (2 Reader comments)
(news photo)
Chinese carmaker BYD Auto is being wooed by Oregon officials from Gov. Ted Kulongoski to Mayor-elect Sam Adams to select Portland as its distribution hub or even produce some of its hybrid or all-electric cars here.
Political and business heavyweights are rolling out the green carpet in hopes of convincing a Chinese electric car manufacturer to set up shop in the Portland area.
Representatives from BYD Auto of Shenzhen have met with Gov. Ted Kulongoski, U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith, Mayor Tom Potter, Mayor-elect Sam Adams, and a host of other local dignitaries who are chasing a collective dream: to persuade the Chinese carmaker to make Portland its distribution hub, its North American headquarters or even – buckle your seatbelt – its U.S. manufacturing base."
Officials hope to get BYD Auto to import – or even make – hybrids here
By Chris Lydgate
Pamplin Media Group, Sep 11, 2008 (2 Reader comments)
(news photo)
Chinese carmaker BYD Auto is being wooed by Oregon officials from Gov. Ted Kulongoski to Mayor-elect Sam Adams to select Portland as its distribution hub or even produce some of its hybrid or all-electric cars here.
Political and business heavyweights are rolling out the green carpet in hopes of convincing a Chinese electric car manufacturer to set up shop in the Portland area.
Representatives from BYD Auto of Shenzhen have met with Gov. Ted Kulongoski, U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith, Mayor Tom Potter, Mayor-elect Sam Adams, and a host of other local dignitaries who are chasing a collective dream: to persuade the Chinese carmaker to make Portland its distribution hub, its North American headquarters or even – buckle your seatbelt – its U.S. manufacturing base."
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: "As the ghost of GM's assassinated electric car haunts a fearful Detroit, another boogeyman is waiting in the wings: the world's first mass-produced plug-in hybrid electric car, being readied for its December release -- in China.
BYD, a company that first made its reputation as the world's largest maker of cell phone batteries, has announced it will release the F3DM hybrid sedan on December 15. And BYD says it plans to release a version of the car in the US and Europe in 2010 or 2011, just when GM plans to begin selling its own plug-in hybrid, the Chevy Volt.
As Mike has reported previously, the F3DM -- which can be charged using a standard electrical outlet -- can switch between a fully electric mode and a hybrid one that uses both electricity and gasoline. BYD says the car can travel as far as 60 miles (100 km) after one charge in full-electric mode, or longer when also using its small gas tank. The all-electric range of the Chevrolet Volt is only 40 miles."
BYD, a company that first made its reputation as the world's largest maker of cell phone batteries, has announced it will release the F3DM hybrid sedan on December 15. And BYD says it plans to release a version of the car in the US and Europe in 2010 or 2011, just when GM plans to begin selling its own plug-in hybrid, the Chevy Volt.
As Mike has reported previously, the F3DM -- which can be charged using a standard electrical outlet -- can switch between a fully electric mode and a hybrid one that uses both electricity and gasoline. BYD says the car can travel as far as 60 miles (100 km) after one charge in full-electric mode, or longer when also using its small gas tank. The all-electric range of the Chevrolet Volt is only 40 miles."
Eco Tech: Utah’s 10MW Geothermal Power Plant Ready To Function - Ecofriend
Eco Tech: Utah’s 10MW Geothermal Power Plant Ready To Function - Ecofriend: "Eco Factor: Raser Technologies’ geothermal project to provide 10MW of green power.
We all want our houses to be powered by solar panels and wind turbines, but apart from their dependence on local climatic conditions, the high installation price of both these technologies has kept them away from global adoption. Until future technology delivers cheap and efficient solar panels and wind turbines, geothermal energy seems to be the most promising source of energy. If you live in Utah, then you might get a chance to become eco-friendly, as Raser Technologies has announced the completion of the first geothermal plant of Utah in over 20 years.
The project has been made along the largest geothermal hotbeds exposed since the last 25 years and has took just 6 months to complete. The company has stated that their zero-emission plant will be able to provide 10MW of green power once it starts functioning. The power plant is expected to begin operations before 2009."
Miles EV highway speed sedan, first official rendering - AutoblogGreen
Miles EV highway speed sedan, first official rendering - AutoblogGreen: "Back in 2007, this car was called the Javlon XS500. Then it got shortened to just XS500. Now, the all-electric sedan that Miles EV wants to bring market in 2010 or so is called, well, nothing yet. A highway-speed sedan that Miles hopes to sell 9,000 of in 2010 is visually just what you see above, but there are running prototypes in the states today. The estimated cost is under $40,000 (before government incentives) and the top speed is 85 mph. Range = 150 miles.
While in LA for the auto show this week, we managed to slip out to Santa Monica and visit the Miles EV offices for chat with president and CEO Kevin Czinger. We'll bring you the full details of that chat soon, but for now, what do you think of the look?"
While in LA for the auto show this week, we managed to slip out to Santa Monica and visit the Miles EV offices for chat with president and CEO Kevin Czinger. We'll bring you the full details of that chat soon, but for now, what do you think of the look?"
Best Solar Energy : Mitsubishi MiEV - high efficient electric vehicle
Best Solar Energy : Mitsubishi MiEV - high efficient electric vehicle: "Another electric car will also be tested in the United States in autumn 2008: Mitsubishi MiEV (Mitsubishi Innovative Electric Vehicle) with lithium-ion batteries (16 kWh) and an electric motor (47 kW). Tetsuro Aikawa, head of product development Mitsubishi, who disclosed this information in the Salon of New York in 2008. The Mitsubishi MiEV is presented there at the moment. It is based on the sub-compact model “i” run on gasoline, sold in Japan. Small reminder: Mitsubishi has 10 such cars to green energy supplier TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Co.) for testing until March 2009 in Japan.
Concerning the European market it has certainly arguments to seduce the old continent. Already with the price predict of 17 000 (Euros).
mitsubishi-MiEV.jpg
Mitsubishi MiEV is being tested with Japanese companies since this autumn and can be recharged on specific terminal in less than 30 minutes. On the domestic sector will be around 5 hours.
Please note that our English colleagues and the European spokesman of the Japanese campaign for the import of the MiEV in Britain, especially since the right-hand drive like in Japan and the MiEV could be sold with just minor changes."
Concerning the European market it has certainly arguments to seduce the old continent. Already with the price predict of 17 000 (Euros).
mitsubishi-MiEV.jpg
Mitsubishi MiEV is being tested with Japanese companies since this autumn and can be recharged on specific terminal in less than 30 minutes. On the domestic sector will be around 5 hours.
Please note that our English colleagues and the European spokesman of the Japanese campaign for the import of the MiEV in Britain, especially since the right-hand drive like in Japan and the MiEV could be sold with just minor changes."
Nissan Opens LA Auto Show by Stressing EVs | EcoGeek - Clean Technology
Nissan Opens LA Auto Show by Stressing EVs | EcoGeek - Clean Technology: "In speaking of the long term, Ghosn seemed optimistic that the markets in India and China were about to explode, driving world total vehicle ownership up to 2.5 billion units by 2050 (compared to 600 million currently). Though he did not comment about the future of the automotive industry in such long terms, he remained confident that cars would be the transportation of choice across the world for at least the next 10 to 15 years."
EcoGeek - Clean Technology
EcoGeek - Clean Technology: "With the rise of wind power, many critics have focused on its unreliability and how there's no efficient storage available. Other companies have worked on making the turbines themselves more efficient, but so far there hasn't been a low cost storage solution. Xcel Energy is hoping that their 'Wind-to-Battery' project holds that solution.
The company is testing an 80-ton sodium-sulfur battery on a Minnesota wind farm and believes that it can power 500 homes for seven hours when fully charged. The battery consists of 20 50-KW modules that are together the size of two tractor trailers and can store 7.2 MWh.
The project is the first in the country to test the storage of wind power and while 500 homes isn't even a dent in the amount of homes that would need to be powered, it will give the company a good indication of how this type of storage could be expanded if the test is successful."
The company is testing an 80-ton sodium-sulfur battery on a Minnesota wind farm and believes that it can power 500 homes for seven hours when fully charged. The battery consists of 20 50-KW modules that are together the size of two tractor trailers and can store 7.2 MWh.
The project is the first in the country to test the storage of wind power and while 500 homes isn't even a dent in the amount of homes that would need to be powered, it will give the company a good indication of how this type of storage could be expanded if the test is successful."
Eco Tech: City Of Portland To Have $140,000 Solar-powered Restrooms - Ecofriend
Eco Tech: City Of Portland To Have $140,000 Solar-powered Restrooms - Ecofriend: "Eco Factor: Solar powered public restrooms for the City of Portland.
The City of Portland’s public bathroom program has given rise to a solar-powered public restroom that costs a whopping $140,000. This expensive “loo” is expected to make its debut early next month. The concept of the design is to reduce security concerns through reduced privacy.
The reduction in privacy reduces any desire to spend excessive time there to engage in illegal activities like drugs or prostitution. The compartments of the restrooms are designed in a fashion which allows damaged compartments to be replaced easily. The hand washing station is on the outside to discourage bathing and wasting water in the process. The restrooms will completely be off-grid and will have a hard connection to water and sewer with solar panels providing all the electricity needed by the restroom.
The electricity generated by the solar panels will be used to heat water and sewer pipes in the evenings to prevent water from freezing during cold winter nights. The restrooms will remain open all through the day and will have to be cleaned twice daily. The creator of this restroom says that its cost can be brought down to about $25,000 apiece once the restrooms are mass produced.
The Dark Side:"
The City of Portland’s public bathroom program has given rise to a solar-powered public restroom that costs a whopping $140,000. This expensive “loo” is expected to make its debut early next month. The concept of the design is to reduce security concerns through reduced privacy.
The reduction in privacy reduces any desire to spend excessive time there to engage in illegal activities like drugs or prostitution. The compartments of the restrooms are designed in a fashion which allows damaged compartments to be replaced easily. The hand washing station is on the outside to discourage bathing and wasting water in the process. The restrooms will completely be off-grid and will have a hard connection to water and sewer with solar panels providing all the electricity needed by the restroom.
The electricity generated by the solar panels will be used to heat water and sewer pipes in the evenings to prevent water from freezing during cold winter nights. The restrooms will remain open all through the day and will have to be cleaned twice daily. The creator of this restroom says that its cost can be brought down to about $25,000 apiece once the restrooms are mass produced.
The Dark Side:"
Monday, November 24, 2008
Foreign Companies Charge Ahead with EVs
The Cutting Edge News: "While U.S. manufactures may actually be putting the brakes on developing electric vehicles, overseas-based manufacturers are surging ahead.
Even though Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors have gone hat in hand to Congress for their unwanted internal combustion machine, the momentum towards electric transportation among foreign companies is fully charged. The unveiling of the MINI E produced by BMV made some waves at the L.A. Auto Show but a November 20 press conference with Mayor Gavin Newsome of San Francisco, Mayor Chuck Reed of San Jose, and Mayor Ron Dellums of Oakland promises more far-ranging impact. The mayoral threesome announced public-private investment coupled by a multi-step plan to transform the San Francisco Bay Area into the “Electric Vehicle Capital of the U.S.” The region will host the nation's first EV network."
Even though Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors have gone hat in hand to Congress for their unwanted internal combustion machine, the momentum towards electric transportation among foreign companies is fully charged. The unveiling of the MINI E produced by BMV made some waves at the L.A. Auto Show but a November 20 press conference with Mayor Gavin Newsome of San Francisco, Mayor Chuck Reed of San Jose, and Mayor Ron Dellums of Oakland promises more far-ranging impact. The mayoral threesome announced public-private investment coupled by a multi-step plan to transform the San Francisco Bay Area into the “Electric Vehicle Capital of the U.S.” The region will host the nation's first EV network."
Miles Electric Vehicles to intro high-speed car (Tech Confidential - Behind The Money Blog)
Miles Electric Vehicles to intro high-speed car (Tech Confidential - Behind The Money Blog): "Move over Tesla Motors Corp. Miles Electric Vehicles just got its first institutional investment, a $15 million round led by the Angeleno Group, a private equity firm focused on the energy sector.
That's a drop in the bucket, compared with the $140 million Tesla has raised from VCs and private investors, including chairman Elon Musk (the serial entrepreneur best known as the founder of PayPal Inc., which eBay Inc. bought for $1.4 billion in 2002). Tesla, which makes the sexy but oft-delayed $100,000 Tesla Roadster, recently closed a $40 million round from Valor Equity Partners and Musk, who hopes to raise another $250 million to develop a sedan and may take the company public this year or next.
By contrast, Miles has done everything on a smaller scale, focusing on low-cost, low-speed electric cars made in China that are more suitable to a country road, or slower city speeds, than to a racetrack. Now the company plans to develop a high-speed sedan, the Miles XS500, powered by lithium-ion batteries.
Miles was founded in 2005 by entrepreneur and philanthropist Miles Rubin, who has led a wide range of companies, including Polo Ralph Lauren and Detroit Iron & Metal. Rubin's inspiration for an all-electric, zero-emissions car company reportedly came while watching a presentation on hydrogen cars. When Rubin, 78, heard hydrogen cars were still about 18 years away -- past the time he expected to be alive -- he asked what could be done in 18 months. The answer was an electric car, and Miles invested $30 million to launch Miles Electric Vehicles. Now he expects the high-speed Miles XS500 to hit the road in roughly 18 months. - Mary Kathleen Flynn"
That's a drop in the bucket, compared with the $140 million Tesla has raised from VCs and private investors, including chairman Elon Musk (the serial entrepreneur best known as the founder of PayPal Inc., which eBay Inc. bought for $1.4 billion in 2002). Tesla, which makes the sexy but oft-delayed $100,000 Tesla Roadster, recently closed a $40 million round from Valor Equity Partners and Musk, who hopes to raise another $250 million to develop a sedan and may take the company public this year or next.
By contrast, Miles has done everything on a smaller scale, focusing on low-cost, low-speed electric cars made in China that are more suitable to a country road, or slower city speeds, than to a racetrack. Now the company plans to develop a high-speed sedan, the Miles XS500, powered by lithium-ion batteries.
Miles was founded in 2005 by entrepreneur and philanthropist Miles Rubin, who has led a wide range of companies, including Polo Ralph Lauren and Detroit Iron & Metal. Rubin's inspiration for an all-electric, zero-emissions car company reportedly came while watching a presentation on hydrogen cars. When Rubin, 78, heard hydrogen cars were still about 18 years away -- past the time he expected to be alive -- he asked what could be done in 18 months. The answer was an electric car, and Miles invested $30 million to launch Miles Electric Vehicles. Now he expects the high-speed Miles XS500 to hit the road in roughly 18 months. - Mary Kathleen Flynn"
1998 - Electric vehicle sales in the US are expected to reach 110,000 units, valued at $3.3 billion
10 years later and this same article could be posted today, just toss-in a mention of the Volt and Tesla.
Electric vehicle sales in the US are expected to reach 110,000 units, valued at $3.3 billion, in the year 2003, based primarily on California's zero emission vehicle sales mandate. Automotive > Automotive Sector Performance from AllBusin: "Electric vehicle sales in the US are expected to reach 110,000 units, valued at $3.3 billion, in the year 2003, based primarily on California's zero emission vehicle sales mandate. However, the outlook for the electric vehicle industry remains tenuous. Despite intense marketing programs, sales have been tepid at best, ranging in the hundreds rather than the thousands anticipated just a few years ago. Electric vehicles are hampered by performance problems, a limited driving range and high costs. Nevertheless, while sales have been minimal, the electric vehicle industry will continue to spend significantly on research and development, with expenditures forecast to surpass $1 billion by the turn of the century. These and other trends are presented in Electric Vehicles, a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based industrial market research firm."
Electric vehicle sales in the US are expected to reach 110,000 units, valued at $3.3 billion, in the year 2003, based primarily on California's zero emission vehicle sales mandate. Automotive > Automotive Sector Performance from AllBusin: "Electric vehicle sales in the US are expected to reach 110,000 units, valued at $3.3 billion, in the year 2003, based primarily on California's zero emission vehicle sales mandate. However, the outlook for the electric vehicle industry remains tenuous. Despite intense marketing programs, sales have been tepid at best, ranging in the hundreds rather than the thousands anticipated just a few years ago. Electric vehicles are hampered by performance problems, a limited driving range and high costs. Nevertheless, while sales have been minimal, the electric vehicle industry will continue to spend significantly on research and development, with expenditures forecast to surpass $1 billion by the turn of the century. These and other trends are presented in Electric Vehicles, a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based industrial market research firm."
Lithium ion battery easily achieves 180,000 miles in testing - AutoblogGreen
Lithium ion battery easily achieves 180,000 miles in testing - AutoblogGreen: "While it's true that we have posted before about extraordinary performances turned in by the batteries of Altairnano before, in light of the recent claim by AFS Trinity that lithium ion batteries in a plug-in hybrid could only achieve 25,000 miles (unless the energy was buffered by ultracapacititors as it is in the AFS design), we thought you might particularly enjoy hearing about a recent test conducted by other entities. The utility company Southern California Edison (SCE) has been putting a battery from Johnson Controls-Saft through its paces for some two and a half years now and have just released some of their results thus far. Simulating the conditions that might be experienced within a light commercial van, the utility has so far racked up 180,000 miles on the pack with minimal deterioration. The results were positive enough for the Department of Energy (DOE) to throw down for a full size battery to test whether it would be suitable for a passenger car. Since it was stated in AFS Trinity's press release that CEO Edward Furia was unaware of the existence of such a durable lithium ion battery, we respectfully suggest he call up SCE for confirmation."
Cranking the Volt to 100 M.P.G. - NYTimes.com
Cranking the Volt to 100 M.P.G. - NYTimes.com: "Because the Tesla never consumes petroleum while driving, the E.P.A.-required window sticker lists the energy consumed in kilowatt-hours of electricity. Translating the Roadster’s numbers — 32 kilowatt hours per 100 miles in town and 33 on the highway — to more familiar units using a textbook conversion factor yields impressive ratings of 105 m.p.g. in the city and 102 on the highway. But applying the adjustment factor devised by the Energy Department, which takes into account not only energy content but also such considerations as scarcity of the fuel and production and distribution efficiency, yields far more impressive mileage figures: 256 m.p.g. in the city and 249 on the highway."
Databases Track Renewable Energy Incentives | EcoGeek - Clean Technology
Databases Track Renewable Energy Incentives | EcoGeek - Clean Technology: "It's wonderful that the government offers incentives, subsidies and tax credits for using renewable energy, but up until now, there hasn't been a centralized place to find out which of these you might qualify for. North Carolina Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council have joined forces to create two new databases for just that purpose.
The Federal Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (FIRE) database lists federal incentives as well as their rules, regulations, policies and incentive summaries for corporations. The Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) does the same, but for state, local and utility incentives.
Now, no matter where you live, you can find out exactly what kind of incentive you're entitled to if you're using renewable energy or planning on doing so in the future."
The Federal Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (FIRE) database lists federal incentives as well as their rules, regulations, policies and incentive summaries for corporations. The Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) does the same, but for state, local and utility incentives.
Now, no matter where you live, you can find out exactly what kind of incentive you're entitled to if you're using renewable energy or planning on doing so in the future."
Auto Industry Tracker - WSJ.com : Toyota Plans Electric-Vehicle Concepts for Detroit Show
Auto Industry Tracker - WSJ.com : Toyota Plans Electric-Vehicle Concepts for Detroit Show: "Toyota Plans Electric-Vehicle Concepts for Detroit Show
The leader in hybrid vehicle sales, Toyota Motor Co. plans to show off the redesigned 2010 Prius at the Detroit auto show in January — but also some electric-vehicle concept cars.
Bob Carter, group vice president at Toyota Motor Sales USA, said Toyota is working on many different technologies despite its big bet on hybrid vehicles.
“There will be more than one technology that will meet everybody’s needs,” Mr. Carter said in an interview at the L.A. show, whether that is an electric vehicle, clean diesel, electric-gasoline hybrid technology or fuel-cell vehicle.
That mantra was repeated throughout the day at the show. Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn is focusing on zero-emission electric vehicles, planning to bring one to market in the U.S. and Japan by the end of 2010, that will then be offered globally in 2012.
But Mr. Ghosn acknowledged that the electric technology won’t work for all markets. Take Brazil where biofuel is already in wide use, Mr. Ghosn predicts electric vehicles won’t be favored as they will in more mature urban markets. – Kate Linebaugh
Permalink | Trackback URL: http://blogs.wsj.com/autoshow/2008/11/20/toyota-plans-electric-vehicle-concepts-"
The leader in hybrid vehicle sales, Toyota Motor Co. plans to show off the redesigned 2010 Prius at the Detroit auto show in January — but also some electric-vehicle concept cars.
Bob Carter, group vice president at Toyota Motor Sales USA, said Toyota is working on many different technologies despite its big bet on hybrid vehicles.
“There will be more than one technology that will meet everybody’s needs,” Mr. Carter said in an interview at the L.A. show, whether that is an electric vehicle, clean diesel, electric-gasoline hybrid technology or fuel-cell vehicle.
That mantra was repeated throughout the day at the show. Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn is focusing on zero-emission electric vehicles, planning to bring one to market in the U.S. and Japan by the end of 2010, that will then be offered globally in 2012.
But Mr. Ghosn acknowledged that the electric technology won’t work for all markets. Take Brazil where biofuel is already in wide use, Mr. Ghosn predicts electric vehicles won’t be favored as they will in more mature urban markets. – Kate Linebaugh
Permalink | Trackback URL: http://blogs.wsj.com/autoshow/2008/11/20/toyota-plans-electric-vehicle-concepts-"
Sustainable Development - Green News & Sustainable Business News
Sustainable Development - Green News & Sustainable Business News: "The state of Oregon and automaker Nissan Motor Co. Wednesday unveiled a partnership Wednesday to promote the development of an electric vehicle charging network.
The deal includes a commitment from Nissan to supply electric vehicles to the Oregon’s fleet of state vehicles in 2010, when the vehicles are introduced to the North American market.
News releases from Nissan and the state did not specify the number of vehicles.
Kulongoski announced the partnership while meeting with Nissan officials in Japan while Carlos Ghosn, president and CEO of Nissan Motor Co. and Renault SA, did the same from the Los Angeles Auto Show.
As part of the deal, the Oregon Department of Transportation wants to develop charging stations in partnership with utility companies and local governments.
Both Nissan and the state will work with electric utility Portland General Electric Co. to create the charging network. PGE already has a head start. This summer it began installing a model infrastructure across the metro area, with six charging stations across Portland and Salem and plans for about six more.
The partnership is the second in North America for the Renault-Nissan Alliance. It has a similar agreement with the state of Tennessee and the Tennessee Valley Authority. The group is working on similar initiatives globall"
The deal includes a commitment from Nissan to supply electric vehicles to the Oregon’s fleet of state vehicles in 2010, when the vehicles are introduced to the North American market.
News releases from Nissan and the state did not specify the number of vehicles.
Kulongoski announced the partnership while meeting with Nissan officials in Japan while Carlos Ghosn, president and CEO of Nissan Motor Co. and Renault SA, did the same from the Los Angeles Auto Show.
As part of the deal, the Oregon Department of Transportation wants to develop charging stations in partnership with utility companies and local governments.
Both Nissan and the state will work with electric utility Portland General Electric Co. to create the charging network. PGE already has a head start. This summer it began installing a model infrastructure across the metro area, with six charging stations across Portland and Salem and plans for about six more.
The partnership is the second in North America for the Renault-Nissan Alliance. It has a similar agreement with the state of Tennessee and the Tennessee Valley Authority. The group is working on similar initiatives globall"
Battery Life In Electric Cars | The Grayline
Battery Life In Electric Cars | The Grayline: "There have been specific cases of electric cars like the Toyota Rav 4 EV reaching 100,00 miles on it's original battery with no significant loss of battery life. The battery in question is the Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery, which is composed of cells, otherwise known commonly as the rechargable batteries you buy in the store. In electric cars however instead of say a AAA or D battery, the NiMH battery in your electric car utilizes cells on a much larger scale."
Battery Life In Electric Cars | The Grayline
Battery Life In Electric Cars | The Grayline: "There have been specific cases of electric cars like the Toyota Rav 4 EV reaching 100,00 miles on it's original battery with no significant loss of battery life. The battery in question is the Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery, which is composed of cells, otherwise known commonly as the rechargable batteries you buy in the store. In electric cars however instead of say a AAA or D battery, the NiMH battery in your electric car utilizes cells on a much larger scale."
Tesla Motors Set To Tackle "Range Anxiety"
Tesla Motors Set To Tackle "Range Anxiety": "
SAN CARLOS, California — Tesla Motors Chairman and CEO Elon Musk says the automaker is studying ways to tackle the problem of "range anxiety" in electric vehicles such as the upcoming Model S sedan, including a battery pack that consumers "can swap out."
Musk made the revelation in a wide-ranging interview with The Deal.com, in which he also explained the thinking behind dumping Tesla Motors Co-Founder Martin Eberhard earlier this year.
"[He] was definitely not the right person [for the job]," said Musk, 37, who is best known as the founder of PayPal Inc. "We discovered that Martin was wrong about important elements of the business. He had misled us about the cost of the [Tesla Roadster] and the time frame of when it could go into production."
As of Tuesday morning, Eberhard had yet to fire back on his blog.
Musk said his immediate challenges are "get to cash-flow positive, reach profitability in the core business, continue developing the Model S, get the DOE [U.S. Department of Energy] loan guarantee and go public."
In the meantime, he said Tesla may address the issue of "range anxiety," the concern that all-electric vehicles can only travel about 300 miles on a charge, with such things as a "battery pack you can swap out, like you would with a laptop.
"It would be done mechanically and it would be done faster than you can fill a car with gasoline," he explained. "There's also a fast-charge capability so that a battery could be recharged in 45 minutes instead of three and a half hours.
"Say you were driving from L.A. to San Francisco, which is 400 miles. By 300 miles, I'm sure you need a bathroom break or a meal break. So you go to a fast-charging station that's near a selection of restaurants and other amenities. You stop for a meal or a cup of coffee, come back in 15 minutes and you've charged the battery for another 100 miles."
."Portland's famed Powell's Books going solar | Business | kgw.com | News for Oregon and SW Washington
Portland's famed Powell's Books going solar | Business | kgw.com | News for Oregon and SW Washington: "In December 2008, the company will begin harnessing the suns power with one of the largest solar electric installations in the State of Oregon.
It will include a roof-mounted 100-kilowatt photovoltaic system that will provide approximately 110,900 kWh per year or about a quarter of the building’s annual electricity consumption
The Portland bookstore has been called Oregon's second-largest retail attraction, behind only the Tillamook Cheese Factory. The bookstore covers a city block containing multiple, connected buildings.
Meantime, Powell's may also get a facelift if the economy allows.
Bruce Guenther, chief curator of the Portland Art Museum, told the Portland Design Commission he liked the idea. Officials will revisit the proposal after reviewing next year's budget at the start of the new year.
More: More on proposed renovations
The project would include a three-level entrance, renovations and interior remodels of the other existing buildings. The new building would have a green roof, designed to capture rainwater to irrigate the roof garden.
'We consider (the current) building as a vanilla wrapper and when you open it you find something delightful,' she said. 'This is a more exhibitionist building. As a business, we're excited a"
It will include a roof-mounted 100-kilowatt photovoltaic system that will provide approximately 110,900 kWh per year or about a quarter of the building’s annual electricity consumption
The Portland bookstore has been called Oregon's second-largest retail attraction, behind only the Tillamook Cheese Factory. The bookstore covers a city block containing multiple, connected buildings.
Meantime, Powell's may also get a facelift if the economy allows.
Bruce Guenther, chief curator of the Portland Art Museum, told the Portland Design Commission he liked the idea. Officials will revisit the proposal after reviewing next year's budget at the start of the new year.
More: More on proposed renovations
The project would include a three-level entrance, renovations and interior remodels of the other existing buildings. The new building would have a green roof, designed to capture rainwater to irrigate the roof garden.
'We consider (the current) building as a vanilla wrapper and when you open it you find something delightful,' she said. 'This is a more exhibitionist building. As a business, we're excited a"
Future rests with longer-range electric car
Future rests with longer-range electric car: "According to Car Magazine, Tom Purves, CEO of the storied English marque, thinks an electric Phantom would make sense. 'Many of our customers do small mileages exclusively in the city,' Purves said. 'For these customers, an electric Rolls-Royce would be ideal.' That would see Rolls-Royce join the ranks of Mini, Audi, BMW, Nissan and others that have announced or at least contemplated the introduction of electrically powered products."
Fiat Bugster A Plug-In Electric Car | Other Motorsports | Auto Racing Daily
Fiat Bugster A Plug-In Electric Car | Other Motorsports | Auto Racing Daily: "Some might view an environmentally friendly off-road vehicle as a contradiction in terms, but as far as the Brazilian team that designed the Fiat Bugster is concerned, it’s all about guilt-free fun.
The Bugster, rolled out this week at the little-known Sao Paulo motor show in Brazil, is a plug-in electric car powered by 93 lithium-ion batteries built into the chassis.
Click Here For More Fiat Buggy Images"
The Bugster, rolled out this week at the little-known Sao Paulo motor show in Brazil, is a plug-in electric car powered by 93 lithium-ion batteries built into the chassis.
Click Here For More Fiat Buggy Images"
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Living Green Magazine - Amory Lovins Leads Oregon Workshop on “Smart Garage” Concept
Living Green Magazine - Amory Lovins Leads Oregon Workshop on “Smart Garage” Concept: "A key factor in Smart Garage is the increasing development of fully electric and partially electrified vehicles, notably plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). “Vehicle start-ups are sprouting like mushrooms, and we haven’t seen this in years,” notes RMI Analyst Laura Schewel, who manages the Institute’s Smart Garage project. She lists new automakers such as ZEN, Miles EV, Fisker, Phoenix, Aptera, Vectrix, GEM, Zap, and Venture Vehicles—all of which came on the scene within the past few years, or even months—as evidence of what’s happening.
Companies such as Tesla Motors and Th!nk are already selling electric vehicles in small quantities, and Toyota and General Motors have both committed to having a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle for the U.S. market by 2011. Renault-Nissan recently announced the development of a mass-market electric vehicle in conjunction with Morgan Stanley-backed Project Better Place, a business based on revenues from charging the new vehicles.
A fleet of 500,000 PHEVs could reduce carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by 40 million tons compared with the equivalent gasoline-powered vehicles over the ten-year life of the PHEV, RMI calculated last year."
Companies such as Tesla Motors and Th!nk are already selling electric vehicles in small quantities, and Toyota and General Motors have both committed to having a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle for the U.S. market by 2011. Renault-Nissan recently announced the development of a mass-market electric vehicle in conjunction with Morgan Stanley-backed Project Better Place, a business based on revenues from charging the new vehicles.
A fleet of 500,000 PHEVs could reduce carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by 40 million tons compared with the equivalent gasoline-powered vehicles over the ten-year life of the PHEV, RMI calculated last year."
Saturday, November 22, 2008
EcoGeek - Clean Technology
EcoGeek - Clean Technology: "Mitsubishi's i MiEV, the tiny electric vehicle based on a current kei car in Japan. Right now the vehicles are in town prior to their being handed over to Southern California Edison for fleet testing, and they were definitely drive ready. Mitsubishi stressed that these cars were production-ready models, though they may undergo a few final tweaks before they hit the market in Japan in 2009."
San Francisco Joins "Better Place" Electric Car Project | SolveClimate.com
San Francisco Joins "Better Place" Electric Car Project | SolveClimate.com: "The mass-market electric car could finally hit California's roads.
That's thanks to the mayors of San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose, who have declared their intention to transform the Bay Area -- and eventually California -- into the 'Electric Vehicle Capital of the US' (video of the press conference here). To do so, they've signed up Palo Alto EV firm Better Place to deliver the charging infrastructure -- the first US deployment of the company’s technology."
That's thanks to the mayors of San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose, who have declared their intention to transform the Bay Area -- and eventually California -- into the 'Electric Vehicle Capital of the US' (video of the press conference here). To do so, they've signed up Palo Alto EV firm Better Place to deliver the charging infrastructure -- the first US deployment of the company’s technology."
Thursday, November 20, 2008
SF Bay leaders plan $1B for electric car stations - International Herald Tribune
SF Bay leaders plan $1B for electric car stations - International Herald Tribune: "A $1 billion network of electric car recharging stations will dot San Francisco Bay area highways under a plan unveiled Thursday that aims to greatly expand the number of electric vehicles on the road.
Palo Alto-based Better Place along with San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums and San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed announced the deal, which sets out to install charging stations in homes, businesses, parking lots and government buildings by 2012."
Palo Alto-based Better Place along with San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums and San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed announced the deal, which sets out to install charging stations in homes, businesses, parking lots and government buildings by 2012."
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
News Room: Governor Nissan PGE Partner to Promote Zero Emission Vehicles | PGE
News Room: Governor Nissan PGE Partner to Promote Zero Emission Vehicles | PGE: "Governor Ted Kulongoski today announced Nissan’s commitment to make available a supply of electric vehicles to the state’s government vehicle fleet in 2010, the year Nissan’s electric vehicle will be ready for the commercial market. Nissan also committed to work with the state, in partnership with Portland General Electric, toward the development of an electric vehicle charging network to promote the use of zero-emission vehicles.
Governor Kulongoski made the announcement after meeting with Nissan executives overseas as part of the state’s business mission to Japan and China."
Governor Kulongoski made the announcement after meeting with Nissan executives overseas as part of the state’s business mission to Japan and China."
Engine efficiency
Engine efficiency - Wikipedia: "Engine efficiency of thermal engines is the relationship between the total energy contained in the fuel, and the amount of energy used to perform useful work. There are two classifications of thermal engines- (1) Internal combustion (gasoline, diesel and gas turbine, ie., Brayton cycle engines). (2) External combustion engines (steam piston, steam turbine, and the Stirling cycle engine). Each of these engines has thermal efficiency characteristics that are unique to it.
Modern gasoline engines have an average efficiency of about 25 to 30% when used to power an automobile. In other words, of the total heat energy of gasoline, 70 to 75% is rejected (as heat) in the exhaust or consumed by the motor (friction, air turbulence, heat through the cylinder walls or cylinder head, and work used to turn engine equipment and appliances such as water and oil pumps and electrical generator), and only about 25% of energy moves the vehicle. At idle the efficiency is zero since no usable work is being drawn from the engine."
Modern gasoline engines have an average efficiency of about 25 to 30% when used to power an automobile. In other words, of the total heat energy of gasoline, 70 to 75% is rejected (as heat) in the exhaust or consumed by the motor (friction, air turbulence, heat through the cylinder walls or cylinder head, and work used to turn engine equipment and appliances such as water and oil pumps and electrical generator), and only about 25% of energy moves the vehicle. At idle the efficiency is zero since no usable work is being drawn from the engine."
Sunday, November 16, 2008
VIDEO: Drag race between Dodge Challenger and Dodge EV - AutoblogGreen
VIDEO: Drag race between Dodge Challenger and Dodge EV - AutoblogGreen: "Dodge has their recently revealed electric vehicle line-up in L.A for the upcoming Auto Show and, at the tail end of a press event in the Rosebowl parking lot, had occasion to indulge in a little 'impromptu' drag racing. The two cars involved were the Lotus Europa Dodge EV and a Dodge Challenger they 'just happened' to have laying around. Now, electric cars are known for their instant torque off the line and, as the Tesla Roadster recently demonstrated, make pretty good quarter mile sprinters. However, the Challenger not only looks intimidating but packs a lung disease-inducing 6.1 liter Hemi under it's striped hood. That's good for 425 horses with 420 lb ft of torque. Yikes! The Dodge EV has its own secret weapon though (its driver) and gamely noses up to the line for the confrontation. Hit the jump to watch the pair of parking lot passes."
Supreme Court Chooses Navy Over Whales » Eco-Chick
Supreme Court Chooses Navy Over Whales » Eco-Chick: "The Supreme Court chose the Navy over marine mammals in a dispute involving the military use of sonar in the Pacific. Environmentalists have long voiced concern regarding sonar, which has been shown to affect whales, dolphins, and other ocean species that use sonar for communication and navigation."
Dodge EV takes to the streets | Electric Car Blogging
Dodge EV takes to the streets | Electric Car Blogging: "While a lot of the legwork was done for them by Lotus, we still have to give Chrysler a little credit for getting an electric vehicle prototype on the road so quickly. When we first saw the Dodge EV a couple of months ago, it looked like it was ready to roll, with a Tesla-like blend of Lotus platform and electric powerpack. Soon after we heard that the car was likely to make it to production, with a delivery date that would challenge the Chevrolet Volt. While it had appeared that Chrysler was way behind its domestic rivals in developing an electric car, we know that through their GEM subsidiary, Chrysler has actually accumulated a lot of EV expertise and become the nation’s leading electric car seller in the process.
The Dodge EV is essentially a Lotus Europa, but uses lithium batteries and a 268 hp electric motor in place of the standard 2.0L four cylinder engine and transmission. It promises a range of 150-200 miles and a 0-60 time of under 5 seconds. It’s a full-blown, plug-in EV, just like the Tesla Roadster, and should require a 4-hour recharge from a 220V outlet or 8 hours on a 110. To help launch Chrysler’s new ENVI electric car division, the Dodge EV has been traveling the show circuit, but today we spotted it at one of our favorite local cruise-ins."
Electric Drag Racing · Oregon Public Broadcasting
Oregon Field Guide — Electric Drag Racing · Oregon Public Broadcasting
John Wayland, White Zombie, Plasma Boy
John Wayland, White Zombie, Plasma Boy
Boulder Blog: Revenge of the Electric Car...
Boulder Blog: Revenge of the Electric Car...: "A very good speech by Chelsea Sexton, who has become the face of the EV movement due to her appearance in the movie, 'Who Killed the Electric Car'. She's earnest, but realistic and lays out a sober explanation of where the electric vehicle movement stands today and where it's going.
If you'd like to see 'Who Killed the Electric Car?', go here. It's in 10 parts on YouTube and the remaining 9 parts can be found in the 'Related Videos' menu on the right. It's a great film.
From EV World:
Chelsea Sexton: Electric Car Lightning Rod
By EV World Television"
If you'd like to see 'Who Killed the Electric Car?', go here. It's in 10 parts on YouTube and the remaining 9 parts can be found in the 'Related Videos' menu on the right. It's a great film.
From EV World:
Chelsea Sexton: Electric Car Lightning Rod
By EV World Television"
Saturday, November 15, 2008
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."
...
"Electric Power Research Institute, a utility-funded research group, and the Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental group, concluded that if 60% of U.S. light vehicles were electrified by 2050, it would increase national electricity consumption by less than 8%. But it would cut total U.S. carbon-dioxide emissions by 450 million metric tons annually, equivalent to taking 82 million cars off the road."
Troubling Numbers: The IEA Forecasts World Energy From Now Until 2030 | SolveClimate.com
Troubling Numbers: The IEA Forecasts World Energy From Now Until 2030 | SolveClimate.com: "The International Energy Agency (IEA) has made a new projection of world energy to 2030 and finds that 'nothing short of an energy revolution' is needed to end 'patently unsustainable' trends in global energy supply and consumption."
The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia
The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia: "This special edition of The New York Times comes from a future in which we are accomplishing what we know today to be possible.
The dozens of volunteer citizens who produced this paper spent the last eight years dreaming of a better world for themselves, their friends, and any descendants they might end up having. Today, that better world, though still very far away, is finally possible — but only if millions of us demand it, and finally force our government to do its job."
The dozens of volunteer citizens who produced this paper spent the last eight years dreaming of a better world for themselves, their friends, and any descendants they might end up having. Today, that better world, though still very far away, is finally possible — but only if millions of us demand it, and finally force our government to do its job."
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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