Test Your GTD-IQ: "Quadrant: Visionary / Crazy-Maker
Interpreting Your Results
Your 'perspective' score was 3 and your 'control' score was 2. This means you have scored in the 'Visionary / Crazy-Maker' quadrant.
On the positive side, you are a Visionary - you have no shortage of ideas and inspiration. You're probably pretty good at setting goals, being creative, and focused on 'the most important thing.'
On the developmental side, you are a Crazy Maker. The challenge is that your ideas, projects, and commitments may be outstripping your ability to keep up with them. Along with the inspiration of what you're envisioning, there may be things falling through the cracks, details being missed, and a general sense of being overwhelmed. Other people in your life may have pointed out to you that you don't adequately consider constraints or limitations when making commitments. And that contributes to overloading those around you.
GTD can offer you a sane way of complimenting your strong perspective with improved control. You can use a systematic, but flexible approach to capture and consider all the commitments you want to make. This should help you get better traction bringing your ideas to life. And the efficiency you realize will help you avoid the title 'Crazy Maker' as you build a better track recor"
Monday, December 29, 2008
The Art of Nonconformity » The Art of Radical Exclusion
The Art of Nonconformity » The Art of Radical Exclusion: "Here’s the idea: we make time for what’s important to us.
If I fail to fulfill a commitment I’ve made in a timely manner, it’s because of a conscious choice I’ve made. If I don’t return the phone call I said I would, it’s because I chose to do something else."
If I fail to fulfill a commitment I’ve made in a timely manner, it’s because of a conscious choice I’ve made. If I don’t return the phone call I said I would, it’s because I chose to do something else."
The Energy Challenge - No Furnaces but Heat Aplenty in Innovative ‘Passive Houses’ - Series - NYTimes.com
The Energy Challenge - No Furnaces but Heat Aplenty in Innovative ‘Passive Houses’ - Series - NYTimes.com: "From the outside, there is nothing unusual about the stylish new gray and orange row houses in the Kranichstein District, with wreaths on the doors and Christmas lights twinkling through a freezing drizzle. But these houses are part of a revolution in building design: There are no drafts, no cold tile floors, no snuggling under blankets until the furnace kicks in. There is, in fact, no furnace."
PDX Electric Vehicle Enthusiasts | KBOO Community Radio
PDX Electric Vehicle Enthusiasts | KBOO Community Radio: "# Title: PDX Electric Vehicle Enthusiasts
# Producer: Stephanie Potter
# Length: 27:54 minutes (19.16 MB)
# Format: MP3 Mono 44kHz 96Kbps (CBR)
In November 2006, Stephanie Potter visited with the Portland Chapter of the Oregon Electic Vehicle Association, a non-profit association of electric vehicle enthusiasts who promote electric vehicle education and encourage their safe construction and use. This show aired during the premiere of Who Killed the Electric Car?"
# Producer: Stephanie Potter
# Length: 27:54 minutes (19.16 MB)
# Format: MP3 Mono 44kHz 96Kbps (CBR)
In November 2006, Stephanie Potter visited with the Portland Chapter of the Oregon Electic Vehicle Association, a non-profit association of electric vehicle enthusiasts who promote electric vehicle education and encourage their safe construction and use. This show aired during the premiere of Who Killed the Electric Car?"
Electric past a jump-start for startup | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star
Electric past a jump-start for startup | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star: "They formed Bright, and Waters moved back to Anderson to rejoin the pool of electric-car engineers.
'There's no question we had the leadership position in innovation,' he said. 'We don't want to give it up.'"
'There's no question we had the leadership position in innovation,' he said. 'We don't want to give it up.'"
Boom Times Ahead for Solar Energy? | Green Energy News
Boom Times Ahead for Solar Energy? | Green Energy News: "Dropping solar prices plus a solar friendly president-elect plus new solar technologies could equal a tidal wave of clean energy.
First the supporting news.
Dow Corning and its joint ventures Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation and Hemlock Semiconductor LLC (together known as Hemlock Semiconductor) have announced a multibillion dollar plan to supply the global solar and electronics industry with additional silicon. The gutsy and timely move could add as much as 34,000 metric tons of polysilicon per year to the world supply chain.
The investment will include an expansion of the company’s current polysilicon facility in Hemlock, Michigan and a completely new silicon-making shop in Tennessee."
First the supporting news.
Dow Corning and its joint ventures Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation and Hemlock Semiconductor LLC (together known as Hemlock Semiconductor) have announced a multibillion dollar plan to supply the global solar and electronics industry with additional silicon. The gutsy and timely move could add as much as 34,000 metric tons of polysilicon per year to the world supply chain.
The investment will include an expansion of the company’s current polysilicon facility in Hemlock, Michigan and a completely new silicon-making shop in Tennessee."
calcars-news : BYD PHEV On Sale
calcars-news : Message: BYD PHEV On Sale:
"The Chinese battery company BYD Group lives up to its name, 'Build Your
Dreams.' This week it began selling a $22,000 PHEV with a huge
62-mile battery range (not 80 as misreported) to fleet customers in
China. BYD hopes to sell 10,000 in a year, followed by European
sales, with vehicles coming to the U.S. around 2011. The media took
notice in September when Warren Buffet's MidAmerican Energy Holdings
bought 9.9 percent of BYD for $232 million. The only negative
analysts can point to is that the vehicle's 'fit and finish' aren't
up to US standards."
"The Chinese battery company BYD Group lives up to its name, 'Build Your
Dreams.' This week it began selling a $22,000 PHEV with a huge
62-mile battery range (not 80 as misreported) to fleet customers in
China. BYD hopes to sell 10,000 in a year, followed by European
sales, with vehicles coming to the U.S. around 2011. The media took
notice in September when Warren Buffet's MidAmerican Energy Holdings
bought 9.9 percent of BYD for $232 million. The only negative
analysts can point to is that the vehicle's 'fit and finish' aren't
up to US standards."
China's First Plug-In Hybrid Car Rolls Out - BusinessWeek
China's First Plug-In Hybrid Car Rolls Out - BusinessWeek: "While U.S. automakers struggle to survive after the Senate rejected a bailout for Detroit, one company from China may be showing a way forward for the industry. On Dec. 15, BYD Auto got a jump on General Motors (GM), Toyota (TM), and Nissan (NSANY) by introducing in its home town of Shenzhen the first mass-produced plug-in hybrid, the F3 DM. BYD's new car, with a $22,000 price tag, can run for up to 60 miles on a battery charged from an ordinary electricity outlet."
Op-Ed Columnist - While Detroit Slept - NYTimes.com
Op-Ed Columnist - While Detroit Slept - NYTimes.com: "Do not expect this innovation to come out of Detroit. Remember, in 1908, the Ford Model-T got better mileage — 25 miles per gallon — than many Ford, G.M. and Chrysler models made in 2008. But don’t be surprised when it comes out of somewhere else. It can be done. It will be done. If we miss the chance to win the race for Car 2.0 because we keep mindlessly bailing out Car 1.0, there will be no one to blame more than Detroit’s new shareholders: we the taxpayers."
Op-Ed Columnist - While Detroit Slept - NYTimes.com
Op-Ed Columnist - While Detroit Slept - NYTimes.com: "It will be remembered as pouring billions of dollars into improving typewriters on the eve of the birth of the PC and the Internet."
The Radio Ecoshock Show
The Radio Ecoshock Show: "1. Testimony to Select Committee on Energy Independence & Global Warming Dec 9.
On auto bail-out & real future of green transpo. Clips from Chairman Ed Markey, Member Jay Inslee, plus testimony from Joan Claybrook of the watchdog group Public Citizen (founded by Ralph Nader). Next up is a bit from Reuben Munger, Chairman of a start-up independent auto maker - of electric plug-in vehicles, called Bright Automotive.
Also, Dr. Peter Morici, Professor of International Business at the University of Maryland, thinks the bailout is a waste of money and won't work.
Finally, from the design side of the car business, there is Mr. Geoff Wardle, Director of Advanced Mobility Research, Art Center College of Design in Pasadena California. He describes the need to design a real public transport system that is green and sustainable.
2. Frosty the Coal Man? Twisted carols and coal plant radiation. What, you didn't know coal plants emit bomb-quality radiation along with the CO2?
3. second half hour - Gwynne Dyer columnist, author, military historian on extreme climate change and resulting wars. Exclusive preview of new radio series.
Recorded at the Park Theatre December 6, 2008."
On auto bail-out & real future of green transpo. Clips from Chairman Ed Markey, Member Jay Inslee, plus testimony from Joan Claybrook of the watchdog group Public Citizen (founded by Ralph Nader). Next up is a bit from Reuben Munger, Chairman of a start-up independent auto maker - of electric plug-in vehicles, called Bright Automotive.
Also, Dr. Peter Morici, Professor of International Business at the University of Maryland, thinks the bailout is a waste of money and won't work.
Finally, from the design side of the car business, there is Mr. Geoff Wardle, Director of Advanced Mobility Research, Art Center College of Design in Pasadena California. He describes the need to design a real public transport system that is green and sustainable.
2. Frosty the Coal Man? Twisted carols and coal plant radiation. What, you didn't know coal plants emit bomb-quality radiation along with the CO2?
3. second half hour - Gwynne Dyer columnist, author, military historian on extreme climate change and resulting wars. Exclusive preview of new radio series.
Recorded at the Park Theatre December 6, 2008."
Bright Automotive(TM) Tells Congress that 'Auto Bailout' Funds Must Also be Used to Enable Innovation by Entrepreneurial Companies - MarketWatch
Bright Automotive(TM) Tells Congress that 'Auto Bailout' Funds Must Also be Used to Enable Innovation by Entrepreneurial Companies - MarketWatch: "ANDERSON, Ind., Dec 09, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Reuben Munger, Co-Founder and Chairman of Bright Automotive(TM), today told Congress that small companies are essential to America's leadership in next-generation, fuel efficient vehicles. Testifying before the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, Munger said that Section 136 funds must be available to these highly innovative businesses.
Indiana-based Bright Automotive ( http://www.brightautomotive.com) has developed a price competitive, 100 mile-per-gallon plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. The vehicle is the first to demonstrate that dramatic fuel efficiency gains can be made even with larger vehicles. Bright Automotive is on target to begin mass production of the vehicle in 2012 at an annual rate of 50,000 units."
Indiana-based Bright Automotive ( http://www.brightautomotive.com) has developed a price competitive, 100 mile-per-gallon plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. The vehicle is the first to demonstrate that dramatic fuel efficiency gains can be made even with larger vehicles. Bright Automotive is on target to begin mass production of the vehicle in 2012 at an annual rate of 50,000 units."
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Green Car Congress: BYD F3DM Plug-in Hybrid Goes On Sale in China
Green Car Congress: BYD F3DM Plug-in Hybrid Goes On Sale in China: "BYD Auto’s plug-in hybrid version of its F3 (F3DM for dual mode) went on sale in China today for about 150,000 yuan (about US$21,900). BYD plans to bring the F3DM to the US in 2010, and will show the car at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show in January.
F3dm2
The F3DM. Click to enlarge.
The F3DM, unveiled this year at the Geneva Motor Show in March (earlier post) uses a version of the dual-mode powertrain shown by BYD on the F6 at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show (earlier post).
The dual-mode powertrains actually supports three modes of operation:
* Full battery-powered EV mode;
* Series-hybrid mode, in which an engine drives a generator as a range-extender; and
* Parallel hybrid mode, in which the engine and motor both provide propulsive power."
F3dm2
The F3DM. Click to enlarge.
The F3DM, unveiled this year at the Geneva Motor Show in March (earlier post) uses a version of the dual-mode powertrain shown by BYD on the F6 at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show (earlier post).
The dual-mode powertrains actually supports three modes of operation:
* Full battery-powered EV mode;
* Series-hybrid mode, in which an engine drives a generator as a range-extender; and
* Parallel hybrid mode, in which the engine and motor both provide propulsive power."
A Plug-In Hybrid Goes on Sale, in China - Wheels Blog - NYTimes.com
A Plug-In Hybrid Goes on Sale, in China - Wheels Blog - NYTimes.com: "On Monday, BYD Auto began selling the first mass-produced plug-in hybrid car in the world.
Unlike conventional gas-electric hybrids, the F3DM can be charged from a wall outlet. It has a range of about 60 miles on a full battery charge."
Unlike conventional gas-electric hybrids, the F3DM can be charged from a wall outlet. It has a range of about 60 miles on a full battery charge."
The New Three
GM, Ford, & Chrysler are the "big 3" of American auto.
They need to be downsized, not bailed out to make room for the "New 3", Tesla, Fisker, & Aptera.
They need to be downsized, not bailed out to make room for the "New 3", Tesla, Fisker, & Aptera.
Op-Ed Columnist - Win, Win, Win, Win, Win ... - NYTimes.com
Op-Ed Columnist - Win, Win, Win, Win, Win ... - NYTimes.com: "A gas tax reduces gasoline demand and keeps dollars in America, dries up funding for terrorists and reduces the clout of Iran and Russia at a time when Obama will be looking for greater leverage against petro-dictatorships. It reduces our current account deficit, which strengthens the dollar. It reduces U.S. carbon emissions driving climate change, which means more global respect for America. And it increases the incentives for U.S. innovation on clean cars and clean-tech.
Which one of these things wouldn’t we want? A gasoline tax “is not just win-win; it’s win, win, win, win, win,” says the Johns Hopkins author and foreign policy specialist Michael Mandelbaum. “A gasoline tax would do more for American prosperity and strength than any other measure Obama could propose.”
I know it’s hard, but we have got to stop “taking off the table”"
Which one of these things wouldn’t we want? A gasoline tax “is not just win-win; it’s win, win, win, win, win,” says the Johns Hopkins author and foreign policy specialist Michael Mandelbaum. “A gasoline tax would do more for American prosperity and strength than any other measure Obama could propose.”
I know it’s hard, but we have got to stop “taking off the table”"
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Op-Ed Columnist - Win, Win, Win, Win, Win ... - NYTimes.com
Op-Ed Columnist - Win, Win, Win, Win, Win ... - NYTimes.com: "After nearly a year of flagging sales, low gas prices and fat incentives are reigniting America’s taste for big vehicles. Trucks and S.U.V.’s will outsell cars in December ... something that hasn’t happened since February. Meanwhile, the forecast finds that sales of hybrid vehicles are expected to be way down."
How Dumb Are We?
How Dumb Are We?
Friedman Win, Win, Win, Win, Win ... - NYTimes.com
Win, Win, Win, Win, Win ... - NYTimes.com: "Which play? The one where gasoline prices go up, pressure rises for more fuel-efficient cars, then gasoline prices fall and the pressure for low-mileage vehicles vanishes, consumers stop buying those cars, the oil producers celebrate, we remain addicted to oil and prices gradually go up again, petro-dictators get rich, we lose. I’ve already seen this play three times in my life. Trust me: It always ends the same way — badly."
Sports Car Examiner: Civic and Prius hybrids wilt under Tesla's mojo
Sports Car Examiner: Civic and Prius hybrids wilt under Tesla's mojo: "With a price point around $60,000 Tesla will soon be delivering a four door, five passenger zero emissions luxury sport sedan in their new $250 million factory in San Jose, California. The Model S will hit 60 mph in less than 5 seconds and will be able to travel 240 miles per charge."
Friday, December 26, 2008
China Raises Taxes on Big Cars (Up to 40%), Lowers Them on Small Cars (Down to 1%) : TreeHugger
China Raises Taxes on Big Cars (Up to 40%), Lowers Them on Small Cars (Down to 1%) : TreeHugger: "Trying to Fight Air Pollution
Only 4 months ago, we wrote about how big cars were the stars at the Beijing Auto Show. But now that air pollution is in the news more than ever because of the olympics, it seems like the Chinese government has had second thoughts: It decided to reduce taxes on small cars, and increase them on big vehicles. And they're not taking half-measures. The tax on some big vehicles can be as high as 40%."
Only 4 months ago, we wrote about how big cars were the stars at the Beijing Auto Show. But now that air pollution is in the news more than ever because of the olympics, it seems like the Chinese government has had second thoughts: It decided to reduce taxes on small cars, and increase them on big vehicles. And they're not taking half-measures. The tax on some big vehicles can be as high as 40%."
Chevy Volt cost $750 million - Beyond Fossil Fuel
Chevy Volt cost $750 million - Beyond Fossil Fuel: "Electric cars are playing a big part in the Detroit automakers plans for the future, although with all there financial problems you wonder if they will continue with their plans. The problem for GM is the Chevrolet Volt will not be profitable for years.
GM DEO Rick Wagoner told a congressional committee recently the Volt will not be in production till 2010 and will not be fully cost competitive.
Some experts believe even though electric cars will not help the bottom line immediately, these programs will be important to the survival of automakers around the world.
Money is running out to build regular cars and trucks, but the big three automakers continue to fund projects like hydrogen fuel cell and electric vehicles.
The business plan GM sent to congress showed them spending over $750 million to develop the Volt, which is mostly for battery research. What happened to the EV One they developed years ago for a fraction of that amount?"
GM DEO Rick Wagoner told a congressional committee recently the Volt will not be in production till 2010 and will not be fully cost competitive.
Some experts believe even though electric cars will not help the bottom line immediately, these programs will be important to the survival of automakers around the world.
Money is running out to build regular cars and trucks, but the big three automakers continue to fund projects like hydrogen fuel cell and electric vehicles.
The business plan GM sent to congress showed them spending over $750 million to develop the Volt, which is mostly for battery research. What happened to the EV One they developed years ago for a fraction of that amount?"
Rechargeable 9 Volt Lithium Polymer Batteries: Efficient »» MetaEfficient Reviews
Rechargeable 9 Volt Lithium Polymer Batteries: Efficient »» MetaEfficient Reviews: "When buying 9 volt batteries, you might want to consider a rechargeable Lithium Polymer 9 volt batteries. As far as I know, iPower is the only company that makes rechargeable 9V lithium polymer batteries. Their batteries are the same size as a 9 volt alkaline battery.
They also have approximately the same capacity as an alkaline 9V–the iPower lithium polymer is rated at 500 mAh, and the “professional” version is rated a 520 mAh. They will actually outperform a 9 volt alkaline battery in high drain applications.
Lithium Polymer batteries use a new gel-type electrolyte. This gel has an energy density that is 20% more than typical lithium ion batteries. They also last 2 to 3 times longer than rechargeable 9V NiMH batteries, and they hold their charge longer. See this forum thread with a discussion of the performance of this battery."
They also have approximately the same capacity as an alkaline 9V–the iPower lithium polymer is rated at 500 mAh, and the “professional” version is rated a 520 mAh. They will actually outperform a 9 volt alkaline battery in high drain applications.
Lithium Polymer batteries use a new gel-type electrolyte. This gel has an energy density that is 20% more than typical lithium ion batteries. They also last 2 to 3 times longer than rechargeable 9V NiMH batteries, and they hold their charge longer. See this forum thread with a discussion of the performance of this battery."
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Problems Persist With Red Cross Blood Services - NYTimes.com
Problems Persist With Red Cross Blood Services - NYTimes.com: "For 15 years, the American Red Cross has been under a federal court order to improve the way it collects and processes blood. Yet, despite $21 million in fines since 2003 and repeated promises to follow procedures intended to ensure the safety of the nation’s blood supply, it continues to fall short.
Skip to next paragraph
Related
Quality control has been a problem at the Red Cross.
The situation has proved so frustrating that in January the commissioner of food and drugs attended a Red Cross board meeting — a first for a commissioner — and warned members that they could face criminal charges for their continued failure to bring about compliance, according to three Red Cross officials who attended the meeting and requested anonymity because Red Cross policy prohibits public discussion of its meetings with regulators.
“If fear is a motivator, we’re happy to help out in that way,” said Eric M. Blumberg, deputy general counsel at the Food and Drug Administration, though he declined to confirm what the commissioner, Andrew C. von Eschenbach, said at the meeting."
Skip to next paragraph
Related
Quality control has been a problem at the Red Cross.
The situation has proved so frustrating that in January the commissioner of food and drugs attended a Red Cross board meeting — a first for a commissioner — and warned members that they could face criminal charges for their continued failure to bring about compliance, according to three Red Cross officials who attended the meeting and requested anonymity because Red Cross policy prohibits public discussion of its meetings with regulators.
“If fear is a motivator, we’re happy to help out in that way,” said Eric M. Blumberg, deputy general counsel at the Food and Drug Administration, though he declined to confirm what the commissioner, Andrew C. von Eschenbach, said at the meeting."
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
This Is Reality | Coal is Dirty
This Is Reality | Share our latest video: "Send the coal industry a dose of Reality this holiday season."
Dam Breach in Tennessee Releases Tsunami of Toxic Coal Sludge | SolveClimate.com
Dam Breach in Tennessee Releases Tsunami of Toxic Coal Sludge | SolveClimate.com: "A small mountain of toxic coal sludge stored in a pond near a TVA power plant in Kingston, Tennessee broke through a dike on Monday at 1 am. The sudden flow covered dozens of homes, caused a train wreck and covered more than 400 acres so far.
THE EPA has estimated the spill of the slurry to be 2.6 million cubic yards, which has muddied the waters in the Emory river and is flowing into tributaries of the Tennessee River - the water supply for Chattanooga TN and millions of people living downstream in Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky.
According to the Tennessean, a local paper:"
THE EPA has estimated the spill of the slurry to be 2.6 million cubic yards, which has muddied the waters in the Emory river and is flowing into tributaries of the Tennessee River - the water supply for Chattanooga TN and millions of people living downstream in Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky.
According to the Tennessean, a local paper:"
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
New Patent Reveals Details of EEStor’s Ultracapacitor Technology : Gas 2.0
One EESU weighs 281 pounds, has a volume of 2.63 cubic feet, can be fully charged in 3-6 minutes, is completely unaffected by temperature, will not explode or catch fire in an accident, and provides 52 kWh of electricity.
New Patent Reveals Details of EEStor’s Ultracapacitor Technology : Gas 2.0: "A newly-granted US patent (PDF) for the upcoming ultracapacitor technology from secretive Texas-based EEStor contains a ton of detailed information about their near-mythical Electrical Energy Storage Unit (EESU), which has the potential to revolutionize transportation and our energy infrastructure."
Swedish Commercial Touting Tesla Roadster « Peak Oil Garage
Swedish Commercial Touting Tesla Roadster « Peak Oil Garage: "A new Swedish commercial introducing the Tesla Roadster disses both Henry Ford and horses as major polluters.
The Tesla Motors Web site links to the commercial, now on YouTube, which promotes Fortum, an energy company that serves the Nordic countries and builds up to a glowing portrayal of the Tesla Roadster.
Before the Tesla Roadster makes its appearance, we see grim footage of oil field roustabouts that recalls the stark work of Dorothea Lange, the photographer known for her portrait of the “Migrant Mother” during the Great Depression. It also recalls last year’s Oscar-winning performance by Daniel Day-Lewis in There Will Be Blood."
Tata Indica EV Plug-In Electric Car Unveiled at Bologna Motor Show | Go Green Park
Tata Indica EV Plug-In Electric Car Unveiled at Bologna Motor Show | Go Green Park: "at the Bologna auto show
, the world got a glimpse of the Tata Indica EV. Though the price has not be finalized, the the plug-in electric car Indica EV
is expected to go on sale in Europe (Poland and Spain are Tata’s only two European countries at the moment) next summer. Here are the tech specs…
Read the entire TreeHugger post at http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/12/tata-indica-plug-in-electric-car-unveiled-bologna.php"
, the world got a glimpse of the Tata Indica EV. Though the price has not be finalized, the the plug-in electric car Indica EV
is expected to go on sale in Europe (Poland and Spain are Tata’s only two European countries at the moment) next summer. Here are the tech specs…
Read the entire TreeHugger post at http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/12/tata-indica-plug-in-electric-car-unveiled-bologna.php"
Cars of future may be money-losers | Business | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle
Cars of future may be money-losers | Business | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle: "“A business model based on gas — a gas-guzzling past — is unacceptable,” Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said this month. “We need a business model based on cars of the future, and we already know what that future is: the plug-in hybrid electric car.”"
Monday, December 22, 2008
Scientists Sound Alarm on Arctic Melting, "Abrupt" Climate Change at AGU Meeting | SolveClimate.com
Scientists Sound Alarm on Arctic Melting, "Abrupt" Climate Change at AGU Meeting | SolveClimate.com: "Scientists reporting their findings at this week's annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union in San Francisco have an important message for the world: Climate change is happening faster and more extreme than predicted.
NASA, for one, has released new satellite data showing that over two trillion tons of land ice in Greenland, Antarctica and Alaska have melted away dramatically since 2003. More than half of that ice loss has come from Greenland. In total, the melt has led to a global sea level rise of about one-fifth of an inch over the past five years."
NASA, for one, has released new satellite data showing that over two trillion tons of land ice in Greenland, Antarctica and Alaska have melted away dramatically since 2003. More than half of that ice loss has come from Greenland. In total, the melt has led to a global sea level rise of about one-fifth of an inch over the past five years."
Coal should be warming concern: scientists | Reuters
Coal should be warming concern: scientists | Reuters: "Researchers and officials concerned about global warming have focused on oil usage, but scientists on Wednesday said liquefied coal could have a greater affect on global climate change.
Global warming scenarios are based on oil reserves, but those reserves will have less impact on global climate than the extent to which liquefied coal replaces oil and gas, scientists said at a meeting of the American Geophysical Union"
Global warming scenarios are based on oil reserves, but those reserves will have less impact on global climate than the extent to which liquefied coal replaces oil and gas, scientists said at a meeting of the American Geophysical Union"
Study Shows Wind Power Much Better than Ethanol - Beyond Fossil Fuel
Study Shows Wind Power Much Better than Ethanol - Beyond Fossil Fuel: "A study compiled by Mark Jacobson, professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford University reviewed twelve combinations of electric power generation and vehicular motivation, ranking them from best to worst.
Wind power emerged as the overall victor in the study. When teamed with battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, wind power claimed the top two spots, being the best in seven of the eleven categories. Photovoltaics failed to make the top five. The Study ranked ethanol as the biggest loser of the study surprisingly falling behind clean coal.
'My hope is that policy makers will use this information and begin to focus on the best solutions to climate change, air pollution, and energy security,” said Jacobson."
Wind power emerged as the overall victor in the study. When teamed with battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, wind power claimed the top two spots, being the best in seven of the eleven categories. Photovoltaics failed to make the top five. The Study ranked ethanol as the biggest loser of the study surprisingly falling behind clean coal.
'My hope is that policy makers will use this information and begin to focus on the best solutions to climate change, air pollution, and energy security,” said Jacobson."
Clean Coal, Just Lip Service
EcoGeek - Clean Technology: "Carbon storage is one of the most important aspects of our clean energy future, but the companies that have the ability to research and implement it have no reason to do so. So we're stuck with renewables (likely a more expensive option) being researched and developed far more quickly. Just one more reason why old industries die hard."
Good Green Cars · Electric Cars OK in Winter
Good Green Cars · Electric Cars OK in Winter: "In honor of what seems to be a national snow day (I don’t even want to hear from my in-laws in southern Florida right now), I wondered how the EVs of the world were faring in cold, icy, and snowy conditions. Again, I turned to the helpful members of the Oregon Electric Vehicle Association to answer my questions.
A few of the problems with EVs in winter:
* Some, especially conversions, don’t have a heater
* The locks on older cars used for conversions can freeze up
* Lead acid batteries left in the cold lose 10-20% of their range
A few benefits of EVs in winter:
* They don’t have to warm up - “instant on” no matter the temperature
* Newer lithium, NiCd, and NiMH batteries lose less power than older lead batteries
* All batteries can be charged in a toasty garage with minimal power loss"
A few of the problems with EVs in winter:
* Some, especially conversions, don’t have a heater
* The locks on older cars used for conversions can freeze up
* Lead acid batteries left in the cold lose 10-20% of their range
A few benefits of EVs in winter:
* They don’t have to warm up - “instant on” no matter the temperature
* Newer lithium, NiCd, and NiMH batteries lose less power than older lead batteries
* All batteries can be charged in a toasty garage with minimal power loss"
Don't Be Fueled! Mothers for Clean and Safe Vehicles
Don't Be Fueled! Mothers for Clean and Safe Vehicles: "grassroots ('gasroots') effort initiated by a group of parents, especially mothers, who are concerned about the safety and the environmental soundness of the fleet of vehicles currently plying our roads. Our education and action campaign is designed to combat the myths that have stalled the trend toward cleaner and safer vehicles: that family vehicles have to be gas guzzlers; that mothers don't care about the negative impacts of their vehicle choices; and that SUVs are 'safe.'"
Batteries Can Be Beautiful | The CarGurus Blog
Batteries Can Be Beautiful | The CarGurus Blog: "The big story in all this is the car’s Energy Storage System (ESS), its lithium-ion battery pack. Tesla’s white paper on the ESS emphasizes, naturally, the innovations and safety qualities. The company has also been developing green safe-disposal procedures so as to recycle most all the components at the end of their life cycle."
global economics and energy
global economics and energy: "t is important to understand the linkage among population growth, economic progress and the amount and type of energy used around the world. Growing populations continue to advance economically over time and seek better living standards, which leads to increased energy use. Studying these linkages gives us a more accurate assessment of future energy demand.Starting with the chart on the left, the global population was roughly 6.4 billion people in 2005. Birth rates are slowing in most parts of the world and the overall average annual growth rate between 2005 and 2030 is expected to be less than 1 percent. Although this rate may sound insignificant, the result is a global population increase to 8 billion by 2030 – well over a billion more energy users than exist today."
Sunday, December 21, 2008
At G.M., Innovation Often Suffers for Profits - NYTimes.com
At G.M., Innovation Often Suffers for Profits - NYTimes.com: "G.M.’s biggest failing, reflected in a clear pattern over recent decades, has been its inability to strike a balance between those inside the company who pushed for innovation ahead of the curve, and the finance executives who worried more about returns on investment.
The two views were rarely in sync — in effect, fighting over the steering wheel that controlled G.M.’s direction — and the internal battles distracted G.M. from spotting shifts in the marketplace."
The two views were rarely in sync — in effect, fighting over the steering wheel that controlled G.M.’s direction — and the internal battles distracted G.M. from spotting shifts in the marketplace."
Charged Up for Electric Cars
Charged Up for Electric Cars: "Car 2.0 and use the American workers we have [to build them].
If we wait, it will be like trying to save RCA while the others are building plasma TVs. We've lost the TV industry, the radio industry, the PC industry. They all went to Asia and never came back. You let the car industry go through the same cycle, and it's never coming back.
You've talked about making the purchase of automobiles more like buying cellphones. If motorists subscribe to your recharging service at a certain rate, you will give them cars for free or at a deep discount.
What you need is cross-dependence. Think of razors and blades. The car industry is selling razors and everyone else is selling blades. Or it's like Hewlett-Packard selling printers cheap and making money off the cartridges. What the auto companies need is to be in the blades business.
So what you need is a model where you're getting some revenue from the miles driven. If Ford got one cent per mile for every Ford car on the road, Ford would get $10 billion a year straight to the bottom line. That's more than the assistance check they're asking for now."
If we wait, it will be like trying to save RCA while the others are building plasma TVs. We've lost the TV industry, the radio industry, the PC industry. They all went to Asia and never came back. You let the car industry go through the same cycle, and it's never coming back.
You've talked about making the purchase of automobiles more like buying cellphones. If motorists subscribe to your recharging service at a certain rate, you will give them cars for free or at a deep discount.
What you need is cross-dependence. Think of razors and blades. The car industry is selling razors and everyone else is selling blades. Or it's like Hewlett-Packard selling printers cheap and making money off the cartridges. What the auto companies need is to be in the blades business.
So what you need is a model where you're getting some revenue from the miles driven. If Ford got one cent per mile for every Ford car on the road, Ford would get $10 billion a year straight to the bottom line. That's more than the assistance check they're asking for now."
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Material Turns Sound Waves Into Electricity | EcoGeek - Clean Technology
Material Turns Sound Waves Into Electricity | EcoGeek - Clean Technology: "Just when you thought that engineers have run out of ideas for harvesting power from mundane human activity, a scientist from Texas A&M invents a piezoelectric material that can turn sound waves into electricity. His idea? Stick it in a cell phone."
Hey, Buddy, can you spare a charge? | StatesmanJournal.com | Statesman Journal
Hey, Buddy, can you spare a charge? | StatesmanJournal.com | Statesman Journal: "A plug-in electric vehicle runs on batteries that can be recharged by connecting to an electric power source and uses no fossil fuel if its batteries are charged from nuclear, hydroelectric or other renewable resources.
Compared to internal combustion engines, advocates profess that plug-in vehicles will reduce air pollution, dependence on foreign oil and greenhouse gases.
Although plug-ins may be good for the environment, the subsidies and tax credits attempting to jumpstart the adoption of the electric car are misguided and unnecessary."
Compared to internal combustion engines, advocates profess that plug-in vehicles will reduce air pollution, dependence on foreign oil and greenhouse gases.
Although plug-ins may be good for the environment, the subsidies and tax credits attempting to jumpstart the adoption of the electric car are misguided and unnecessary."
SolarEnurgy.net » Archive for Electric Car
SolarEnurgy.net » Archive for Electric Car: "Rocky Mountain Institute to convene a summit to bring together high-profile “off-oil” plans, launch “Project Get Ready” a 20-city initiative created at RMI’s Smart Garage Summit, and establish a clean mobility project in India.
Rocky Mountain Institute announced three initiatives today, including a summit to find common ground among the best features of several plans and foster consensus on national policy recommendations. Other initiatives will help lead the automotive industry’s transition towards lightweighting and electrification.
In his keynote address to the Automotive News Green Car Conference in Detroit, RMI Vice President and Practice Leader of RMI’s MOVE team, Michael Brylawski described the automotive industry as being on the verge of its fourth major shift—a shift toward lightweighting, electrification, and advanced digital technology that will fundamentally change the industry."
Rocky Mountain Institute announced three initiatives today, including a summit to find common ground among the best features of several plans and foster consensus on national policy recommendations. Other initiatives will help lead the automotive industry’s transition towards lightweighting and electrification.
In his keynote address to the Automotive News Green Car Conference in Detroit, RMI Vice President and Practice Leader of RMI’s MOVE team, Michael Brylawski described the automotive industry as being on the verge of its fourth major shift—a shift toward lightweighting, electrification, and advanced digital technology that will fundamentally change the industry."
HyperReal: Building a Green Dream Car
HyperReal: Building a Green Dream Car: "The specs for Tesla Motor's new car are in: an all-electric, four-door, five-seat sedan that gets in excess of 240 miles per charge and accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in under six seconds.
It will be built in what the company is calling the 'greenest auto manufacturing plant in the world' on the outskirts of San Jose, Calif., the self-proclaimed world headquarters of clean technology. In other words, the car of the future is on its way here.
Eventually."
It will be built in what the company is calling the 'greenest auto manufacturing plant in the world' on the outskirts of San Jose, Calif., the self-proclaimed world headquarters of clean technology. In other words, the car of the future is on its way here.
Eventually."
Tesla Says Money Shouldn’t be Diverted to Bailout Car Makers : Gas 2.0
Tesla Says Money Shouldn’t be Diverted to Bailout Car Makers : Gas 2.0: "Last year, when the US congress passed the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA), a $25 billion fund called the “Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Incentive Program” (ATVM) was established to help new and existing auto makers re-tool their operations to bring next generation car technologies to market quickly. Just this month, the program started accepting applications for funds from interested parties.
But in all the hubbub surrounding the downfall of the established American auto manufacturers, one of the ideas apparently being floated by the CEOs of GM, Ford and Chrysler is to convert some or all of that $25 billion into what amounts to a bailout.
Needless to say, car makers like Tesla aren’t happy about this strategy. Tesla has applied for funding from the ATVM to undertake two projects — an Advanced Battery and Powertrain Manufacturing facility and a manufacturing facility to build their upcoming five-passenger electric sedan known as the “Model S.”"
But in all the hubbub surrounding the downfall of the established American auto manufacturers, one of the ideas apparently being floated by the CEOs of GM, Ford and Chrysler is to convert some or all of that $25 billion into what amounts to a bailout.
Needless to say, car makers like Tesla aren’t happy about this strategy. Tesla has applied for funding from the ATVM to undertake two projects — an Advanced Battery and Powertrain Manufacturing facility and a manufacturing facility to build their upcoming five-passenger electric sedan known as the “Model S.”"
Thursday, December 18, 2008
The Tesla Battery Pack Challenge
The Tesla Battery Pack Challenge: "Tesla is betting on the improvement in Li-ion technology (currently estimated to be 8% per year) to continue on and eventually get the battery replacement cost down to around $12K. It's not clear if that is Tesla's projected cost, or the replacement cost; they've been very tight lipped on battery replacement costs. Provided Li-ion technology can maintain an 8% annual level of improvement, it will take about 18 years for the wholesale cost of the battery pack to approach $12K."
Electric Car Snake Oil? - Sag Rising
Electric Car Snake Oil? - Sag Rising: "I'd love to have an electric car for my day to day use. They are less polluting than internal combustion cars. They have fewer parts and less to go wrong. An electric motor can run almost forever if properly maintained. For example, I have a movie projector with an electric motor that is over 60 years old, and still working well."
Sustainable Development - Green News & Sustainable Business News
Sustainable Development - Green News & Sustainable Business News: "The issue of intermittent supply in solar energy (the sun doesn’t shine all the time, either) has been reportedly solved by an Australian company known as Solar24 Inc., which has developed a solar thermal system that holds heat for 14 hours, long enough to sustain through a cloudy winter night in Texas.
“That is huge,” says Don Looper, an attorney at Looper Reed & McGraw PC who has been negotiating a possible partnership between Solar24 and a Texas power company that would put the new technology’s U.S. debut in Houston. In such an agreement, the solar power and traditional coal plants would operate in conjunction."
“That is huge,” says Don Looper, an attorney at Looper Reed & McGraw PC who has been negotiating a possible partnership between Solar24 and a Texas power company that would put the new technology’s U.S. debut in Houston. In such an agreement, the solar power and traditional coal plants would operate in conjunction."
Honda Fuel Cell: EcoGeek
EcoGeek - Clean Technology: "quotes that really got my goat, though:
“So far most electric cars have been appalling little plastic snot-boxes that take all night to recharge and then take half a minute to reach their maximum speed of 40 and then run out of juice miles from anywhere”
Now, I don’t think that’s a very fair appraisal of electric vehicles. Having driven a Tesla Roadster in a previous Top Gear episode, Mr. May should know that EVs can go way faster than 40. And significant advances are being made regarding ways to make charging quick and everywhere you need it to be (think ultracapacitors and Better Place charging stations). But I guess May doesn’t care, since it doesn’t exist yet. What about hydrogen infrastructure?
“When the clarity runs out of juice, you just pull into a hydrogen filling station.”
What hydrogen filling station? Unless I live near one of the 5 dozen or so that exist nation-wide, I can’t pull into a hydrogen filling station.
[When filling up with compressed liquid hydrogen] “You have to lock it with this lever. Terribly important, that; if you don’t do it you get hydrogen all over your shoes”
Actually, it would evaporate before hitting your shoes. And while we’re on the topic, did you know that hydrogen"
“So far most electric cars have been appalling little plastic snot-boxes that take all night to recharge and then take half a minute to reach their maximum speed of 40 and then run out of juice miles from anywhere”
Now, I don’t think that’s a very fair appraisal of electric vehicles. Having driven a Tesla Roadster in a previous Top Gear episode, Mr. May should know that EVs can go way faster than 40. And significant advances are being made regarding ways to make charging quick and everywhere you need it to be (think ultracapacitors and Better Place charging stations). But I guess May doesn’t care, since it doesn’t exist yet. What about hydrogen infrastructure?
“When the clarity runs out of juice, you just pull into a hydrogen filling station.”
What hydrogen filling station? Unless I live near one of the 5 dozen or so that exist nation-wide, I can’t pull into a hydrogen filling station.
[When filling up with compressed liquid hydrogen] “You have to lock it with this lever. Terribly important, that; if you don’t do it you get hydrogen all over your shoes”
Actually, it would evaporate before hitting your shoes. And while we’re on the topic, did you know that hydrogen"
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
calcars-news : Message: Auto Industry at a Crossroads
calcars-news : Message: Auto Industry at a Crossroads: "PLUG-IN CARS HAVE EMERGED AS THE MOST AVAILABLE, PRACTICAL
TECHNOLOGY. Here's the package:
* RAPID TRANSITION: change the primary vehicle propulsion fuel from
gasoline/diesel to electricity, starting with everyday, local commuter miles.
* DOWNGRADE LIQUIDS TO 'RANGE EXTENSION' FUELS for PHEVs. (They
vanish for vehicles where an all-electric range of 100+ miles is sufficient).
* ALL FUELS EVOLVE: generate electricity from increasingly renewable,
low-carbon sources and use it mainly off-peak. Change the range
extension fuel to blends with increasingly low-carbon biofuels.
* 'HIGH EFFICIENCY' PITCHES IN: electric motors are already 4-5 times
more efficient than internal combustion engines, and any engine
modifications enable less use of liquid fuel.
* OPTIMIZE NEW VEHICLE DESIGNS: lightweight materials and
streamlining reduce consumption of both electricity and liquid fuels.
* COMMERCIALIZE SAFE, AFFORDABLE RETROFIT SOLUTIONS: partially
electrify millions of large internal combustion vehicles that will
otherwise guzzle gas for decades, whose conversion, compared to
scrapping, saves energy while accelerating market penetration and
petroleum displacement.
* REDUCE VEHICLE MILES TRAVELLED: promote and expand mass transit,
ride sharing, smart communities, satellite offices and telecommuting.
* POLICY MEASURES: prime the pump with public and private fleet
orders, incentives and benefits for new and converted plug-in
vehicles, and incentivize more efficient cars with revenue-neutral "feebates."
* READ "Energy guru Lovins to carmakers: time for big bets" at
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10112893-54.html by Martin LaMonica
for a good summary of many of these steps; also see Amory Lovins's
20-minute talk at the 2005 TED Conference (when Rocky Mountain
Institute had just published "Winning the Oil Endgame," but was not
yet focusing on plug-in cars)."
TECHNOLOGY. Here's the package:
* RAPID TRANSITION: change the primary vehicle propulsion fuel from
gasoline/diesel to electricity, starting with everyday, local commuter miles.
* DOWNGRADE LIQUIDS TO 'RANGE EXTENSION' FUELS for PHEVs. (They
vanish for vehicles where an all-electric range of 100+ miles is sufficient).
* ALL FUELS EVOLVE: generate electricity from increasingly renewable,
low-carbon sources and use it mainly off-peak. Change the range
extension fuel to blends with increasingly low-carbon biofuels.
* 'HIGH EFFICIENCY' PITCHES IN: electric motors are already 4-5 times
more efficient than internal combustion engines, and any engine
modifications enable less use of liquid fuel.
* OPTIMIZE NEW VEHICLE DESIGNS: lightweight materials and
streamlining reduce consumption of both electricity and liquid fuels.
* COMMERCIALIZE SAFE, AFFORDABLE RETROFIT SOLUTIONS: partially
electrify millions of large internal combustion vehicles that will
otherwise guzzle gas for decades, whose conversion, compared to
scrapping, saves energy while accelerating market penetration and
petroleum displacement.
* REDUCE VEHICLE MILES TRAVELLED: promote and expand mass transit,
ride sharing, smart communities, satellite offices and telecommuting.
* POLICY MEASURES: prime the pump with public and private fleet
orders, incentives and benefits for new and converted plug-in
vehicles, and incentivize more efficient cars with revenue-neutral "feebates."
* READ "Energy guru Lovins to carmakers: time for big bets" at
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10112893-54.html by Martin LaMonica
for a good summary of many of these steps; also see Amory Lovins's
20-minute talk at the 2005 TED Conference (when Rocky Mountain
Institute had just published "Winning the Oil Endgame," but was not
yet focusing on plug-in cars)."
calcars-news : Message: Auto Industry at a Crossroads
calcars-news : Message: Auto Industry at a Crossroads: "* GOVERNMENT SHOULDN'T PICK WINNERS? It's a myth that we haven't been
doing that all along. For decades, we've backed petroleum, leaving us
with today's economic, environmental and national security crises. As
Al Gore memorably said in July, 'We're borrowing money from China to
buy oil from the Persian Gulf to burn it in ways that destroy the
planet. Every bit of that has to change.'"
doing that all along. For decades, we've backed petroleum, leaving us
with today's economic, environmental and national security crises. As
Al Gore memorably said in July, 'We're borrowing money from China to
buy oil from the Persian Gulf to burn it in ways that destroy the
planet. Every bit of that has to change.'"
Embracing Simplicity — Oregon Environmental Council
Embracing Simplicity — Oregon Environmental Council: "Looking for ways to make the holidays more meaningful this year? Whether it’s the global economic meltdown that’s got you rethinking your holiday gift budget this year, or your desire to live more simply, embracing simplicity is a great way to make the holidays more joyful, less wasteful and less stressful. These five easy ideas are good for your heart, good for your budget and good for the earth.
1. Give hope, not stuff. Donate on behalf of someone you love to causes they and you care about. One idea: consider giving the gift of Oregon, in the form of an OEC gift membership. You can also give gifts of service to those you care about. Offer your time and talents instead of another sweater or tie. The holidays are also an excellent “teachable moment” for families with children. Involving your children in volunteering locally, or in giving gifts to others who may not otherwise receive gifts at the holidays is a powerful way to connect as a family and focus on the meaning of the holidays.
2. Give home-made. If you have the time and inclination, consider making gifts. A plate of cookies or jar of jam is often enjoyed as much or more than many other things you can buy. Including your recipe makes it a gift that can be enjoyed over and over."
1. Give hope, not stuff. Donate on behalf of someone you love to causes they and you care about. One idea: consider giving the gift of Oregon, in the form of an OEC gift membership. You can also give gifts of service to those you care about. Offer your time and talents instead of another sweater or tie. The holidays are also an excellent “teachable moment” for families with children. Involving your children in volunteering locally, or in giving gifts to others who may not otherwise receive gifts at the holidays is a powerful way to connect as a family and focus on the meaning of the holidays.
2. Give home-made. If you have the time and inclination, consider making gifts. A plate of cookies or jar of jam is often enjoyed as much or more than many other things you can buy. Including your recipe makes it a gift that can be enjoyed over and over."
Monday, December 15, 2008
Op-Ed Columnist - While Detroit Slept - NYTimes.com
Op-Ed Columnist - While Detroit Slept - NYTimes.com: "Do not expect this innovation to come out of Detroit. Remember, in 1908, the Ford Model-T got better mileage — 25 miles per gallon — than many Ford, G.M. and Chrysler models made in 2008. But don’t be surprised when it comes out of somewhere else. It can be done. It will be done. If we miss the chance to win the race for Car 2.0 because we keep mindlessly bailing out Car 1.0, there will be no one to blame more than Detroit’s new shareholders: we the taxpayers."
Op-Ed Columnist - While Detroit Slept - NYTimes.com
Op-Ed Columnist - While Detroit Slept - NYTimes.com: "And when it is, our bailout of Detroit will be remembered as the equivalent of pouring billions of dollars of taxpayer money into the mail-order-catalogue business on the eve of the birth of eBay. It will be remembered as pouring billions of dollars into the CD music business on the eve of the birth of the iPod and iTunes. It will be remembered as pouring billions of dollars into a book-store chain on the eve of the birth of Amazon.com and the Kindle. It will be remembered as pouring billions of dollars into improving typewriters on the eve of the birth of the PC and the Internet."
SIMPLE SOLUTIONS FOR PLANET EARTH AND HUMANITY: IS THERE ANOTHER MORE PROMISING OPTION THAN THE PLUG-IN ELECTRIC VEHICLE?
SIMPLE SOLUTIONS FOR PLANET EARTH AND HUMANITY: IS THERE ANOTHER MORE PROMISING OPTION THAN THE PLUG-IN ELECTRIC VEHICLE?: "Thomas Friedman recently published an Opinion piece in The New York Times entitled, While Detroit Slept, equating any congressional or presidential rescue of the Detroit auto industry to saving the mail-order-catalogue business on the eve of eBay or improving typewriters just before the advent of the personal computer and the internet. In his mind, the Big Three has been anachronistic, and entrusting them with an eleven-digit taxpayer loan would be foolish. He is probably right, even though the specter of a Depression triggered by their bankruptcy nevertheless cannot be totally discounted, so our domestic auto industry will no doubt be given one more chance.
He muses that the internal combustion engine / gasoline transport system as approaching obsolescence, and other concepts such as Shai Agassi’s Better Place electric vehicle network model a more promising future. Appropriately enough, an agreement was announced early this month for Hawaii being one of their first demonstration sites. A few days later, Maui Electric Company and Phoenix Motorcars signed a memorandum to use their electric pick-up trucks. All this is well and good, for Hawaii, naturally blessed with all the renewable energy options, has, for a variety of reasons, lagged behind much of"
He muses that the internal combustion engine / gasoline transport system as approaching obsolescence, and other concepts such as Shai Agassi’s Better Place electric vehicle network model a more promising future. Appropriately enough, an agreement was announced early this month for Hawaii being one of their first demonstration sites. A few days later, Maui Electric Company and Phoenix Motorcars signed a memorandum to use their electric pick-up trucks. All this is well and good, for Hawaii, naturally blessed with all the renewable energy options, has, for a variety of reasons, lagged behind much of"
EV WORLD: Run Cars on Green Electricity, Not Natural Gas
EV WORLD: Run Cars on Green Electricity, Not Natural Gas: "Choosing natural gas to power our vehicles would send the United States down the same expensive and inefficient path that created our addiction to foreign oil and our dependence on a resource that will ultimately run out. Choosing green electricity can take us in a new direction--one that leads to improved energy security and a stabilizing climate."
EV WORLD: Run Cars on Green Electricity, Not Natural Gas
EV WORLD: Run Cars on Green Electricity, Not Natural Gas: "Under normal driving conditions, well-to-wheel carbon dioxide emissions for vehicles running on electricity from natural gas-fired power plants are one fourth as high as emissions from cars directly burning natural gas. Since a PHEV operating in electric-only mode has no tailpipe emissions, electrifying transport would move the majority of carbon emissions from millions of vehicles to centralized electricity-generating plants, greatly simplifying the task of controlling emissions. As fossil-based power generation is replaced with wind and solar power, cumulative carbon emissions from centralized power facilities will be greatly reduced."
Saturday, December 13, 2008
'Smart' appliances could ease electrical-grid woes | Planetary Gear - CNET News
'Smart' appliances could ease electrical-grid woes | Planetary Gear - CNET News: "Currently, GE refrigerators' automatic defrost modes are prompted by factors like door openings. But, the company says, it could build refrigerators that delay that cycle until a local electrical grid signals it's a good off-peak time to suck down more electricity.
Refrigerators are not the only appliances that could be programmed to wait for convenient times to run."
Refrigerators are not the only appliances that could be programmed to wait for convenient times to run."
Thursday, December 11, 2008
World's First Plug-In Electric Car Goes On Sale Next Month -- in China : TreeHugger
World's First Plug-In Electric Car Goes On Sale Next Month -- in China : TreeHugger: "But as Automotive World notes, 'Many analysts believe China could adopt electric cars faster than elsewhere, largely because of its size and comparative lack of reliance on petroleum for transport.'"
AC Propulsion: Making Gas Cars Electric // Current
AC Propulsion: Making Gas Cars Electric // Current: "Imagine taking the car you drive now, and never having to stop at a gas station ever again. AC Propulsion, has been converting gas-fueled cars to electric for the last few years. This is a piece profiling AC Propulsion's car, the Ebox, with a special interview with Tom Hanks, who owns one of these cars. Is this the way of the future?"
China's dream to sell cars in U.S. and Europe fades - Automotive News Europe
China's dream to sell cars in U.S. and Europe fades - Automotive News Europe: "BYD Auto, another Chinese automaker considering the United States, received a boost in September. Wealthy U.S. investor Warren Buffett took a stake in BYD, hoping the automaker can produce practical plug-in hybrids.
But BYD still has a long way to go. Its cars still have to pass the stringent safety and emission standards of the U.S. market. It also needs a dealership network in America.
Chinese auto manufacturers have suffered a series of setbacks in their efforts to enter the Western markets. The global economic recession has made headway even more difficult."
But BYD still has a long way to go. Its cars still have to pass the stringent safety and emission standards of the U.S. market. It also needs a dealership network in America.
Chinese auto manufacturers have suffered a series of setbacks in their efforts to enter the Western markets. The global economic recession has made headway even more difficult."
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
World Green Car of the Year Finalists Announced | The Green Motorist
World Green Car of the Year Finalists Announced | The Green Motorist: "And the finalists are:
Audi Q7 3.0 TDI
BMW 335d BluePerformance
Chevrolet Tahoe / GMC Yukon Hybrid
Citroën C1
Fiat Palio Weekend Electric
Fiat Siena Tetrafuel model
Honda FCX Clarity
Mazda Hydrogen Rotary RX8
Mercedes-Benz ML/R/GL 320 BlueTEC
MINI Cooper D
MINI E
Mitsubishi iMiEV
Nissan X-Trail 20 GT
smart ed
Subaru Legacy/Outback PZEV
Tesla Electric Roadster
Toyota iQ
Volvo C30 1.6D DRIVe
Volvo S40 1.6D DRIVe
Volvo S80 2.5 FT (Flexifuel)
Volvo V50 1.6D DRIVe
Volvo V70 2.5 FT (Flexifuel)"
Audi Q7 3.0 TDI
BMW 335d BluePerformance
Chevrolet Tahoe / GMC Yukon Hybrid
Citroën C1
Fiat Palio Weekend Electric
Fiat Siena Tetrafuel model
Honda FCX Clarity
Mazda Hydrogen Rotary RX8
Mercedes-Benz ML/R/GL 320 BlueTEC
MINI Cooper D
MINI E
Mitsubishi iMiEV
Nissan X-Trail 20 GT
smart ed
Subaru Legacy/Outback PZEV
Tesla Electric Roadster
Toyota iQ
Volvo C30 1.6D DRIVe
Volvo S40 1.6D DRIVe
Volvo S80 2.5 FT (Flexifuel)
Volvo V50 1.6D DRIVe
Volvo V70 2.5 FT (Flexifuel)"
Heat-Seeking Raygun Will Save You Cash | EcoGeek - Clean Technology
Heat-Seeking Raygun Will Save You Cash | EcoGeek - Clean Technology: "In a very literal way, the Black and Decker Thermal Leak Detector is a heat-seeking raygun. It seeks heat, and tells you when it's not finding enough. And, when it senses a drop or increase in heat (because there is a compromised seal in a window, door, or wall joint) the 'rays' (light) it fires change color. OK, maybe I'm stretching a little.
Pretty awesome though, especially for something that will only cost $39.99. There are a lot of services out there that will scan your whole house for heat leaks (and one city in the UK that is doing it for the whole city with spyplanes). But there's never been a way (aside from feeling with your hand) to do it yourself. Which is good news for homeowners, since sealing drafts can save you up to 20% on your home heating and cooling."
Pretty awesome though, especially for something that will only cost $39.99. There are a lot of services out there that will scan your whole house for heat leaks (and one city in the UK that is doing it for the whole city with spyplanes). But there's never been a way (aside from feeling with your hand) to do it yourself. Which is good news for homeowners, since sealing drafts can save you up to 20% on your home heating and cooling."
Ann Vileisis: Time to break the low-meat barrier
Ann Vileisis: Time to break the low-meat barrier: "Ann Vileisis: Time to break the low-meat barrier
December 10th, 2008 by Ann Vileisis
At climate talks in Poland last week, delegates considered the issue of farm emissions. Globally farm animals generate 18 percent of greenhouse gasses—that’s more than cars, planes, and buses. According to The New York Times (“As more eat meat, a bid to cut emissions”), delegates considered some technological solutions, such as converting waste methane gas into an energy source. This elegant approach has already shown great promise. San Francisco Bay-area consumers know the Straus Creamery has a methane digester that creates more than enough energy to power its organic milk, butter, and yogurt processing operations."
December 10th, 2008 by Ann Vileisis
At climate talks in Poland last week, delegates considered the issue of farm emissions. Globally farm animals generate 18 percent of greenhouse gasses—that’s more than cars, planes, and buses. According to The New York Times (“As more eat meat, a bid to cut emissions”), delegates considered some technological solutions, such as converting waste methane gas into an energy source. This elegant approach has already shown great promise. San Francisco Bay-area consumers know the Straus Creamery has a methane digester that creates more than enough energy to power its organic milk, butter, and yogurt processing operations."
Thank goodness for thisisreality.org
Thank goodness for thisisreality.org: "The Alliance for Climate Protection (www.climateprotect.org/about/alliance), League
of Conservation Voters (www.lcv.org/about-lcv/), National Wildlife Federation (www.nwf.org/about/), Natural Resources Defense Council (www.nrdc.org/about) and Sierra Club (www.sierraclub.org/inside/) launched the”Reality” Coalition, a national grassroots and advertising effort to tell a simple truth: in reality, there is no such thing as “clean coal.”
Environmental experts agree that coal is the dirtiest fuel America uses to produce electricity."
of Conservation Voters (www.lcv.org/about-lcv/), National Wildlife Federation (www.nwf.org/about/), Natural Resources Defense Council (www.nrdc.org/about) and Sierra Club (www.sierraclub.org/inside/) launched the”Reality” Coalition, a national grassroots and advertising effort to tell a simple truth: in reality, there is no such thing as “clean coal.”
Environmental experts agree that coal is the dirtiest fuel America uses to produce electricity."
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
This Revolutionary Clean Coal Facility Doesn't Exist | EcoGeek - Clean Technology
This Revolutionary Clean Coal Facility Doesn't Exist | EcoGeek - Clean Technology: "There are several gigawatts of solar and wind online throughout the world. There are zero gigawatts of clean coal online. It's not clean...and while I support any efforts to make it clean, whether it's using the carbon to create useful materials, burying it underground, or using algae to turn it into biofuel, they're going to have to actually demonstrate the technology before they start pretending like coal is clean."
Chevy Volt will cost GM $750 milllion - AutoblogGreen
Chevy Volt will cost GM $750 milllion - AutoblogGreen: "We've heard time and again that it's really expensive to develop a hybrid, electric car or extended-range electric car. Chevy's upcoming Volt not only has a battery large enough to allow an announce range of 40 miles in electric-only mode, but it also uses a brand new engine design that's not used in that exact form in any other platform. You might imagine, then, that the Volt will be even more pricey to design than the average EV. You'd be right. According to the business plan that GM submitted to Congress, the Volt program will cost nearly $750 million to develop before it's all said and done. To top it all off, the car won't be profitable for at least the first few years that it is in production thanks to the high cost of its battery.
Still, GM seems to have learned an important lesson as it fell far behind in hybrid technology, which was another extremely expensive bit of kit to create and the court of public opinion has dictated that the cost is worth it. So, despite the fact that The General won't make any money on the Volt until around 2016, don't expect the automaker to put the brakes on the program any time soon."
Still, GM seems to have learned an important lesson as it fell far behind in hybrid technology, which was another extremely expensive bit of kit to create and the court of public opinion has dictated that the cost is worth it. So, despite the fact that The General won't make any money on the Volt until around 2016, don't expect the automaker to put the brakes on the program any time soon."
» Highly Charged - WSJ Magazine
» Highly Charged - WSJ Magazine: "It’s the automotive industry’s holy grail—the sexy ‘green’ supercar. Entrepreneurs Elon Musk and Henrik Fisker
go head-to-head."
go head-to-head."
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Banking on Batteries | Green Energy News
Banking on Batteries | Green Energy News: "one estimate using cost per watt, lithium-ion batteries are 4 times more expensive than nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries like those used in the current Prius and, to put things in perspective, 25 times pricier than the lead acid batteries used in the first generation EV1. (At the time those batteries were considered expensive.) Simply put, if the cost lithium batteries the Three want to use to achieve adequate all-electric drive range doesn’t approach NiMH prices, then the vehicles they are developing would likely end up in the expensive niche bin. In the short term niche cars might be good for imagine but not for the bottom line."
Norway electric car sales hit record as Buddy finds buyers - AutoblogGreen
Norway electric car sales hit record as Buddy finds buyers - AutoblogGreen: "The cheap price of gas may be hurting the sales of some electric vehicles (EVs) in America, but the same can not be said for Norway where gas is only down to $5.18 a gallon. Electric car sales have doubled in the past year, hitting an all-time high in November. As if to punctuate that feat, the opening days of December have seen Norwegian electric company Hafslund take delivery of 10 copies of the Kewet Buddy, bringing that car maker's numbers up to 190 for 2008.
After some false starts the Th!nk City is finally rolling out of the factory doors, contributing greatly to the sales rise. Although they have only moved 111 units so far this year, that number is expected to greatly increase in December. Indeed, the demand should soon outstrip supply as the factory only has the logistics in place currently to build 10 a day. The Oslo dealership sold 19 of the lithium-powered cars last Tuesday alone. Hit the jump for video of a bunch of Buddies boogieing about the town."
After some false starts the Th!nk City is finally rolling out of the factory doors, contributing greatly to the sales rise. Although they have only moved 111 units so far this year, that number is expected to greatly increase in December. Indeed, the demand should soon outstrip supply as the factory only has the logistics in place currently to build 10 a day. The Oslo dealership sold 19 of the lithium-powered cars last Tuesday alone. Hit the jump for video of a bunch of Buddies boogieing about the town."
Green Technology: Buddy Electric Car
Green Technology: Buddy Electric Car: "Three-seater Buddy electric vehicle from Norway will support multiple battery technology as the industry solutions evolve. ...
... 'The passengers’ safety is well taken care of by the frame and safety cabin made of steel tubes, the doors with crossbars and the deformation zones in the front and rear. The Buddy allows flexibility for varying battery technologies both where electronics and space are concerned. ' ..."
You need the right car for the right job buddy
... 'The passengers’ safety is well taken care of by the frame and safety cabin made of steel tubes, the doors with crossbars and the deformation zones in the front and rear. The Buddy allows flexibility for varying battery technologies both where electronics and space are concerned. ' ..."
You need the right car for the right job buddy
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Charge Your Electric Vehicle, On The Road, In 10 Minutes | Zoomi Life
Charge Your Electric Vehicle, On The Road, In 10 Minutes | Zoomi Life: "That’s the plan behind the PosiCharge system, built by the same people who designed the infamous EV1 for GM in the 1980s. This system basically charges a battery three to six times as fast as normal DC conversion chargers (which most 110/220v applications use). Charge speed will depend entirely on the battery type and size of the battery pack, of course.
So imagine pulling into a service station, parking at the charger and plugging your car in. Then, while you’re inside using the (hopefully clean) restroom and getting a Big Gulp, your car gets totally recharged and you’re again ready to fly down the road in your EV.
I’ll let Kevin Kelley explain the system in this video from Lloyd Alter:"
So imagine pulling into a service station, parking at the charger and plugging your car in. Then, while you’re inside using the (hopefully clean) restroom and getting a Big Gulp, your car gets totally recharged and you’re again ready to fly down the road in your EV.
I’ll let Kevin Kelley explain the system in this video from Lloyd Alter:"
Friday, December 5, 2008
Scientisfs Confirm: Chevron Did $27 B of Damage to Ecuador | EcoGeek - Clean Technology
Scientisfs Confirm: Chevron Did $27 B of Damage to Ecuador | EcoGeek - Clean Technology: "An independent panel of scientists has just confirmed the latest report from a court-appointed expert on damages done to Ecuador's Amazon by Chevron. The company dumped the 18 billion gallons of toxic waste over an area of the Amazon rain forest 'roughly the size of Rhode Island.' Damages include contaminated groundwater and cancers caused to the people of Ecuador due to exposure hydrocarbons.
They said that any funds awarded by the courts would have to go into cleaning the soil, rivers, streams and groundwater over a 1,700 square mile area. That is, as far as I know, the largest toxic site in the world. And if it only costs shell $27 B to clean it up, I'd say that's a pretty good number, considering the damage done.
The scientists estimated that the area has had roughly 1,400 more deaths from cancer than could be accounted for by natural causes.
The trial will be ruled sometime in 2009, the Chevron is questioning the validity of the entire Ecuadorian court system (which it once praised, back when they were pleased to use it instead of the United States court system.) We'll see if they will actually have to pay for the damage they have caused."
They said that any funds awarded by the courts would have to go into cleaning the soil, rivers, streams and groundwater over a 1,700 square mile area. That is, as far as I know, the largest toxic site in the world. And if it only costs shell $27 B to clean it up, I'd say that's a pretty good number, considering the damage done.
The scientists estimated that the area has had roughly 1,400 more deaths from cancer than could be accounted for by natural causes.
The trial will be ruled sometime in 2009, the Chevron is questioning the validity of the entire Ecuadorian court system (which it once praised, back when they were pleased to use it instead of the United States court system.) We'll see if they will actually have to pay for the damage they have caused."
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Will Electric Vehicles Be the Next 'It' Cars?
Will Electric Vehicles Be the Next 'It' Cars?: "Will Electric Vehicles Be the Next 'It' Cars?
Nissan is banking on electric vehicles as the next big thing in alternative fuels."
Nissan is banking on electric vehicles as the next big thing in alternative fuels."
Oregon Public Broadcasting - A Sustainable Auto Industry
Oregon Public Broadcasting - A Sustainable Auto Industry: "A Sustainable Auto Industry
LISTEN TO 'A Sustainable Auto Industry' (24MB MP3)
http://stream1.opb.org:9000/tol/episodes/2008/1201.mp3
Sustainable: it's a term we hear bandied around a lot. But do you always know what it means? Particularly, in this case, when it comes to the automobile industry? President-elect Obama has referred to the industry as the 'backbone of America's manufacturing base' but says that significant reform needs to happen in exchange for government help. What are the big American car companies doing to prepare for the future? What does sustainable look like to them?
Here in Oregon, sustainable transportation means, in part, electric cars. Governor Kulongoski, PGE, and Nissan struck a deal last month making Oregon one of the first places to pioneer their Nissan's electric car (which will be released in 2010). PGE is busy building charging stations in Portland, Salem and Corvallis. And the state is busy preparing for a world of plug-in cars."
LISTEN TO 'A Sustainable Auto Industry' (24MB MP3)
http://stream1.opb.org:9000/tol/episodes/2008/1201.mp3
Sustainable: it's a term we hear bandied around a lot. But do you always know what it means? Particularly, in this case, when it comes to the automobile industry? President-elect Obama has referred to the industry as the 'backbone of America's manufacturing base' but says that significant reform needs to happen in exchange for government help. What are the big American car companies doing to prepare for the future? What does sustainable look like to them?
Here in Oregon, sustainable transportation means, in part, electric cars. Governor Kulongoski, PGE, and Nissan struck a deal last month making Oregon one of the first places to pioneer their Nissan's electric car (which will be released in 2010). PGE is busy building charging stations in Portland, Salem and Corvallis. And the state is busy preparing for a world of plug-in cars."
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Good Green Cars · Future of the Auto Industry: EVs, Biodiesel, Bikes
Good Green Cars · Future of the Auto Industry: EVs, Biodiesel, Bikes: "My favorite phrase came from Chris Warner, Kulongoski’s transportation adviser. He says there is no silver bullet, only “silver buckshot,” which includes alternative fuel cars, bikes, walking, public transportation, and whatever else the future holds."
Good Green Cars · Future of the Auto Industry: EVs, Biodiesel, Bikes
Good Green Cars · Future of the Auto Industry: EVs, Biodiesel, Bikes: "Oregon Public Broadcasting’s call-in show, “Think Out Loud,” was about the future of the automotive industry this morning. The program focused on the state of Oregon, and most of the guests and callers were from the state, but the show had a lot to say about where personal transportation is headed in the next decade for the entire U.S."
Monday, December 1, 2008
'An electric vehicle revolution'
'An electric vehicle revolution': "One in every 20 new cars sold in Canada should be electrically powered within a decade, say members of a task force that on Tuesday is to deliver a progress report to the Harper government about the future of plug-in vehicles."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)