Monday, May 31, 2010
Solar Energy Fundamentals Part 3
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Solar Energy Fundamentals Part 2
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Saturday, May 29, 2010
Solar Energy System: How To Make?
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NV Solar Energy Overview Video
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Friday, May 28, 2010
Senate Bill Would Ban All Offshore Drilling, Raise CAFE Standard to 55 MPG
As the nation awaits news on the success of operation "Top Kill," Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has introduced legislation that would seek a permanent halt to offshore drilling the United States�and a drastic increase in fuel efficiency standards beyond targets already set by the Obama administration in April.
Senator Sanders praised a recently announced six-month moratorium on new drilling projects, but said that it does not go far enough. "I think a moratorium is obviously a sensible idea," Sanders told MSNBC. "I would go further�I think you need a permanent ban on the West Coast, East Coast and parts of Florida."
But an offshore drilling ban isn't the only solution that the legislation aims to provide. Senator Sanders would like to see the United States go above and beyond Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards that will raise the average the average gas mileage of cars sold in the United States to 35.5 mpg by 2016. Sanders' Clean Coasts and Efficient Cars Act of 2010 would raise fuel economy standards to 55 mpg by 2030.
Read More... [Source: HybridCars.com]
Credibility Challenge for Fisker Karma
One of the most exciting new developments in the auto industry is the emergence of small start-ups with big visions for electric-drive cars. But the ability for these companies�like Tesla, Fisker, Coda, Think and Aptera�to fulfill their vast promise is dependent on their ability to deliver cars on a promised schedule.
The Fisker Karma is bold and beautiful�an $87,000 four-door plug-in hybrid theoretically capable of 50 miles of all-electric driving, and then hundreds more miles with help from a 2.2-liter four-cylinder gas engine. But a series of production delays could undermine the credibility of the company with any of its announcements.
Bad Karma?
In January 2009, chief executive Henrik Fisker said that production of the Karma would �Sdefinitely⬝ begin in December 2009. When December rolled around, Mr. Fisker encouraged consumers to order a Karma right away because production will begin in May 2010. And this week Ray Lane, a managing partner of the venture capital fund Kleiner Perkins, a large shareholder in the company, told Reuters that �Smass production⬝ will begin in February 2011.
The Energy Report - 5/26/10
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A Homemade Wind Turbine (Free Energy)
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Solar Energy to 7 Billion People
How Solar Energy Works - Great Explanation !
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Thursday, May 27, 2010
13 Key Questions and Answers about Nissan Leaf Battery Pack and Ordering
Yesterday�"s groundbreaking for Nissan�"s Smyrna, Tenn. battery plant allowed us to do a deep dive with Mark Perry, Nissan's director of product planning for the Nissan Leaf. The new facility will thrust Nissan and the State of Tennessee into the forefront of global manufacturing of electric cars and the lithium batteries that power them.
First these facts, and then what we learned compiled into a set of Qs and As:
- Annual battery pack production in Smyrna (starting in 2012): 200,000
- Annual Nissan Leaf vehicle production in Smyrna: 150,000
- Number of battery modules in a Nissan Leaf: 48
- Number of cells per module: 4
- Weight of pack: 300 kilograms (660 pounds)
- Amount of lithium in the pack: 4 grams
- Weight of the Nissan Leaf: Approx. 3,500 pounds
- Amount of DOE loan for new facility and retooling: $1.4 billion
- Anticipated number of jobs created: 1,300
The Nissan Leaf Battery Pack
What�"s the advantage of producing the batteries in Smyrna?
The battery pack is expensive to ship. Local production reduces logistics cost, protects the company from currency fluctuations, and brings jobs to the United States. The DOE loan helped make it happen quicker.
Read More... [Source: HybridCars.com]
The MIT Energy Initiative: Sustainable Energy and Terawatt-Scale Photovoltaics
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HAIL - The Return of the Sun
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Solar Tower - renewable energy green global warming
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Renewable Energy and the Future
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20% renewable energy by 2020
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Plug-in Hybrids: Renewable Energy Solution of the Month
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Off-Grid Living with Renewable Energy
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Renewable Energy Solution of the Month - Wind
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Payback Time - Germany's Renewable Energy Program
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Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Rooftop Wind Turbines
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Buy Wind Turbines
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The Promise of Clean Energy
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Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn Explains His Electric Car 'Ah Hah' Moment
Nissan today held a groundbreaking ceremony marking the start of construction on a manufacturing facility in Smyrna, Tenn., that will produce lithium ion batteries for the all-electric Nissan Leaf. The Leaf itself will also be produced in Smyrna, where the Nissan Altima hybrid and other conventional vehicles are currently assembled.
In a follow-up roundtable press conference with Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Nissan, journalists learned about the new production facility, which will be capable of producing 150,000 units of the Leaf beginning in late 2012. HybridCars.com was on hand to get details about Leaf and Nissan�"s production plans. Stay tuned for a full report.
In the meantime, here�"s what Mr. Ghosn had to say in response to our question about Nissan�"s high-level vision for electric cars.
HybridCars.com: What was your ah hah moment about electric cars? Please take us through your personal thought process that convinced you to move forward.
Read More... [Source: HybridCars.com]
Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn Explains His Electric Car 'Ah Hah' Moment
Nissan today held a groundbreaking ceremony marking the start of construction on a manufacturing facility in Smyrna, Tenn., that will produce lithium ion batteries for the all-electric Nissan Leaf. The Leaf itself will also be produced in Smyrna, where the Nissan Altima hybrid and other conventional vehicles are currently assembled.
In a follow-up roundtable press conference with Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Nissan, journalists learned about the new production facility, which will be capable of producing 150,000 units of the Leaf beginning in late 2012. HybridCars.com was on hand to get details about Leaf and Nissan�"s production plans. Stay tuned for a full report.
In the meantime, here�"s what Mr. Ghosn had to say in response to our question about the Nissan�"s high-level vision for electric cars.
HybridCars.com: What was your ah hah moment about electric cars? Please take us through your personal thought process that convinced you to move forward.
Read More... [Source: HybridCars.com]
How to Save Money With Solar Energy
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Florida Minute with Barry Moline
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Earth4Energy Review - Homemade Renewable Energy
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Lincoln MKZ Hybrid
Take notice: Ford wants as much as 25 percent of its vehicles to be powered by motors and batteries in the coming decade. The company expects 75 percent of those vehicles to be conventional hybrids�and the rest made up of pure electric cars or plug-in hybrids.
The 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is a good example of how Ford will scale up to reach its target�by spreading its best electric-drive technology across common platforms. Instead of dreaming up a brand new purpose-built gas-electric vehicle for its Lincoln luxury brand, Ford is migrating the technology from its award-winning Ford Fusion Hybrid to the MKZ. That�"s a good thing, considering the Fusion Hybrid swept 2010 lists for car of the year�including the North American Car of the Year, Motor Trend, and our own Hermance Award.
Like the Fusion Hybrid, the gas-electric Lincoln MKZ combines a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle engine and two electric motors to produce a total of 191 horsepower. It�"s not just the remarkable 41 miles-to-the-gallon city mileage that earned the Fusion Hybrid so many accolades. It�"s the refinement of the hybrid system. Ford engineers set a new standard for how smoothly the vehicle�"s power seamlessly shifts between engine and motor. The system is an ideal fit for a luxury package, like the MKZ.
The 2010 Lincoln MKZ itself has a smooth new look for this year�featuring new fascias, stretched tail lamps, and updated dashboard and gauges. The 2011 Hybrid version, due out in the fall, will add a few more refinements, including the latest version of the dashboard SmartGauge with EcoGuide.
The list of features available with Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is extensive: SYNC (Ford�"s voice-activated communications and entertainment system); adaptive HID headlamps; 10-way power seats; heated and cooled front seats; reverse sensing system; keyless entry; capless fuel-filler; a suite of safety features including dual-stage front air bags; parental key systems to limit speed and audio volume for teens; and integrated spotter mirrors.
Read More... [Source: HybridCars.com]
Solar Energy Sonoma County
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Renewable Energy
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Lincoln MKZ Hybrid
Take notice: Ford wants as much as 25 percent of its vehicles to be powered by motors and batteries in the coming decade. The company expects 75 percent of those vehicles to be conventional hybrids�and the rest made up of pure electric cars or plug-in hybrids.
The 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is a good example of how Ford will scale up to reach its target�by spreading its best electric-drive technology across common platforms. Instead of dreaming up a brand new purpose-built gas-electric vehicle for its Lincoln luxury brand, Ford is migrating the technology from its award-winning Ford Fusion Hybrid to the MKZ. That�"s a good thing, considering the Fusion Hybrid swept 2010 lists for car of the year�including the North American Car of the Year, Motor Trend, and our own Hermance Award.
Like the Fusion Hybrid, the gas-electric Lincoln MKZ combines a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle engine and two electric motors to produce a total of 191 horsepower. It�"s not just the remarkable 41 miles-to-the-gallon city mileage that earned the Fusion Hybrid so many accolades. It�"s the refinement of the hybrid system. Ford engineers set a new standard for how smoothly the vehicle�"s power seamlessly shifts between engine and motor. The system is an ideal fit for a luxury package, like the MKZ.
The 2010 Lincoln MKZ itself has a smooth new look for this year�featuring new fascias, stretched tail lamps, and updated dashboard and gauges. The 2011 Hybrid version, due out in the fall, will add a few more refinements, including the latest version of the dashboard SmartGauge with EcoGuide.
The list of features available with Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is extensive: SYNC (Ford�"s voice-activated communications and entertainment system); adaptive HID headlamps; 10-way power seats; heated and cooled front seats; reverse sensing system; keyless entry; capless fuel-filler; a suite of safety features including dual-stage front air bags; parental key systems to limit speed and audio volume for teens; and integrated spotter mirrors.
Read More... [Source: HybridCars.com]
Renewable Energy
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Earth4Energy Review - Homemade Renewable Energy
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Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Solar Energy Sonoma County
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BOLOWIND: Wind energy offshore system
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Fossil Gulch Wind Park
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Solar Energy to 7 Billion People
Power Of One Solar Energy
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The World's Fastest Growing Energy Source
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The MIT Energy Initiative: Sustainable Energy and Terawatt-Scale Photovoltaics
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Hope for a Change: Renewable Energy essentials
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Solar Energy to 7 Billion People
As Gulf Oil Gushes, Obama Increases Fuel Economy Standards
On Friday, the White House took another step towards increasing the efficiency of American vehicles and offering support for electric-drive vehicles. Is it a coincidence that this new drive for vehicle efficiency comes as the impact of the Gulf oil spill reaches disastrous proportions? No way.
"The disaster in the Gulf only underscores that even as we pursue domestic production to reduce our reliance on imported oil, our long-term security depends on the development of alternative sources of fuel and new transportation technologies," the president said.
What specific actions did the President take? First, he signed a Presidential Memorandum to the EPA and Department of Transportation instructing them to draft a policy to increase fuel efficiency for medium and heavy-duty trucks. The standards would mark the first time that large commercial trucks will have to meet national fuel economy targets. Combine these new rules for trucks, with a 35.5 MPG fuel efficiency target for cars and trucks by 2016 already on the books�plus the President�"s push for even higher standards from 2017 � 2025�and you can see small glimmers of a genuine effort by the Obama administration to make a dent in the nation's addiction to oil.
Mixed Messages on Drilling
President Obama also called on the Energy Department to expand incentives for electric cars. Currently there is a tax credit of between $2,500 and $7,500 for buying an electric car, and $4,000 for converting a hybrid to a plug-in hybrid. These credits are scheduled to phase out after an automaker builds 200,000 battery-electric cars, and after Dec. 31, 2011 for plug-in hybrid conversions. Without these incentives in place for at least several years, the electric car movement would be slow and uncertain.
Read More... [Source: HybridCars.com]
Solar Energy: Can You Afford It?
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Made in Germany | Offshore Energy: Germany Plans Wind Parks on the Open Sea
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Space Based Solar Power - Alternative Energy Solution
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Renewable Energy - Geothermal Energy
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University of Michigan - A new renewable energy concept
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Toyota Is Working on a Seven-Seat Prius
For more than year, we�"ve heard rumors and hints about a family of Priuses. But we haven�"t had any details about what a Toyota Prius SUV, minivan or compact car would look like�until now. Motor Trend is reporting that a slightly stretched Prius�badged as Alpha�is in the works.
Calling the model a minivan is a slight exaggeration. The Prius Alpha is just one foot longer than the current Prius. It�"s hard to imagine, but that extra foot apparently will allow for a third row of seats.
According to the report, the Prius Alpha is expected to launch in March 2011, presumably only in Japan (where hybrids are hot sellers.)
The new model would feature lithium ion batteries, marking the first Toyota production hybrid to use the lighter weight more powerful battery technology. The Prius Alpha seven-seater would use the Prius's 1.8-litre engine and current-generation hybrid system. The maximum combined power output will be 135 horsepower�but given the extra size and weight, the new model�"s fuel economy will likely fall below 50 MPG.
Read More... [Source: HybridCars.com]
Renewable Energy and the Future
Industrial Wind Turbine Shadow Flicker in Wisconsin 2008
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Monday, May 24, 2010
Vacaville, Calif. Gets First Public Electric Car Rapid Charger in U.S.
The city of Vacaville, Calif., a small town halfway between the Bay Area and Sacramento, has a little known distinction: It has more electric car charging stations per capita than any other city in the country.
That�"s why the city has earned the nickname of �SVoltageville.⬝ As of a few weeks ago, Vacaville now boasts a 50-kilowatt EV quick charging station, which is about the size of a conventional gas pump. The new station packs a powerful punch of electricity. It�"s capable of juicing up the 16 kilowatt-hour battery pack of the all-electric Mitsubishi i-MiEV�which has a driving range of about 75 miles� to about 80 percent capability in 30 minutes, or half-way in about 10 minutes.
�SThis is the first publicly accessible DC fast charger in the country. It was installed by Pacific Gas & Electric as part of a California Air Resources Board (CARB) grant to do research on fast charging, including user acceptance, grid impact and power quality,⬝ said Efrain Ornelas, environmental technical supervisor with Pacific Gas and Electric�"s Clean Air Transportation Department. �SWe have to gain knowledge for what�"s going to happen when a bunch of these go in. What better way to do it than putting one of these in, and testing it ourselves?⬝ The rapid charger was installed in conjunction with Mitsubishi, because PG&E has an i-MiEV in its fleet. The i-MiEV is expected to go on sale to consumers in the US in 2011.
Wind and Solar Energy
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Sunday, May 23, 2010
Charlie Munger on Solar Energy and BYD
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MCC Ontario presents: Solar Energy Information Night.
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how to make solar panel | home solar panels
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Saturday, May 22, 2010
Wind Turbine Generator
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Pellet Mills, Renewable Energy, Pellet Stove using sawdust and a pellet mill
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Thomas Werner Sees `Phenomenal Prospects' for SunPower: Video
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Using Free Solar Energy At Home
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Plug-in Hybrids: Renewable Energy Solution of the Month
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Renewable Energy Solution of the Month: Wind - Part 2
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Renewable Energy Solution of the Month - Wind
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Toward a More Efficient Use of Renewable Energy Sources
Friday, May 21, 2010
Renewable Energy Solution of the Month: Wind - Part 2
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Plug-in Hybrids: Renewable Energy Solution of the Month
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Chevron Human Energy : Renewable
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What the Tesla-Toyota Partnership Means, and Doesn�"t Mean
News that Tesla and Toyota will work together represents a giant step forward in the development of sustainable electric-drive automobiles. In recent years, the two car companies have occupied the opposite ends of the spectrum: the ultra-conservative corporate behemoth that has dominated green car sales for nearly a decade�and the ultra-adventurous start-up with big ambitions.
Toyota will buy $50 million of Tesla�"s common stock, but more importantly it will be purchasing the company�"s sense of daring and adventure. �SWhen we look at Tesla�"s venture business spirit, we recall how Toyota started back in the day,⬝ said Jana Hartline, Toyota�"s environmental communications manager, in an interview with HybridCars.com. �SToyota would like to learn from the challenging spirit, quick decision-making, and flexibility that Tesla has,⬝ Toyota President Akio Toyoda, said in a press release.
What does Tesla get out of the deal? Simple: more legitimacy. It was almost exactly one year ago today that Daimler took an equity stake of 10 percent in Tesla. That was a big vote of confidence for Tesla, especially during a time when it had delivered very few vehicles.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
What the Tesla-Toyota Partnership Means, and Doesn�"t Mean
News that Tesla and Toyota will work together represents a giant step forward in the development of sustainable electric-drive automobiles. In recent years, the two car companies have occupied the opposite ends of the spectrum: the ultra-conservative corporate behemoth that has dominated green car sales for nearly a decade�and the ultra-adventurous start-up with big ambitions.
Toyota will buy $50 million of Tesla�"s common stock, but more importantly it will be purchasing the company�"s sense of daring and adventure. �SWhen we look at Tesla�"s venture business spirit, we recall how Toyota started back in the day,⬝ said Jana Hartline, Toyota�"s environmental communications manager, in an interview with HybridCars.com. �SToyota would like to learn from the challenging spirit, quick decision-making, and flexibility that Tesla has,⬝ Toyota President Akio Toyoda, said in a press release.
What does Tesla get out of the deal? Simple: more legitimacy. It was almost exactly one year ago today that Daimler took an equity stake of 10 percent in Tesla. That was a big vote of confidence for Tesla, especially during a time when it had delivered very few vehicles.
Electric Car Bombshell: Tesla and Toyota Are Teaming Up
Tesla called a press conference for today 5 p.m. Pacific this afternoon, but the big news may have already leaked. According to the Los Angeles Business journal, Tesla Motors and Toyota will announce a partnership to jointly build an electric car in California. �SI would not say that it�"s an accurate statement,⬝ Jana Hartline, Toyota Environmental Communications Manager, told HybridCars.com.
Rumors spread based on comments that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger made during an appearance Thursday at Google�"s headquarters in Mountain View today.
Hartline informed us that there will indeed be a partnership, but did not disclose more details. Khobi Brooklyn, a Tesla spokeswoman, also declined to elaborate. �SWe�"re not commenting on or confirming anything the governor said,⬝ Ms. Brooklyn said. �SWe�"ll wait for our announcement later today.⬝
Stay tuned for a follow-up report on HybridCars.com immediately after the event.
PRESS RELEASE
Read More... [Source: HybridCars.com]
Electric Car Bombshell: Tesla and Toyota Are Teaming Up
Tesla called a press conference for today 5 p.m. Pacific this afternoon, but the big news may have already leaked. According to the Los Angeles Business journal, Tesla Motors and Toyota will announce a partnership to jointly build an electric car in California. �SI would not say that it�"s an accurate statement,⬝ Jana Hartline, Toyota Environmental Communications Manager, told HybridCars.com.
Rumors spread based on comments that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger made during an appearance Thursday at Google�"s headquarters in Mountain View today.
Hartline informed us that there will indeed be a partnership, but did not disclose more details. Khobi Brooklyn, a Tesla spokeswoman, also declined to elaborate. �SWe�"re not commenting on or confirming anything the governor said,⬝ Ms. Brooklyn said. �SWe�"ll wait for our announcement later today.⬝
There will be a live webcast of the event:
http://event.onlineseminarsolutions.com/r.htm?e=215196&s=1&k=3B9B50D823E5EC2A9FED63811774116F
Read More... [Source: HybridCars.com]
Solar hydrogen home Michael Strizki
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Solar Energy to 7 Billion People
40 MPG Is New Norm for Small Cars
Is the line between gas-electric hybrids and small internal-combustion-only cars starting to blur?
On Monday, Ford announced that the 2011 Ford Fiesta equipped with the 6-speed automatic transmission will be rated at 40 miles per gallon on the highway. It�"s not official yet, but the Chevrolet Cruze Eco is also expected to join the 40-mpg club when later this year. Look Ma, No hybrid! And still delivering better than 40 miles per gallon on the highway.
Ford�"s advertising tag line for the Fiesta brags: "The Fiesta gets 40 highway miles per gallon. That's more than 21 hybrids." Ford�"s spinmeisters are correct that most hybrids, including expensive models from BMW, Lexus and Mercedes, as well as the mid-market Toyota Camry Hybrid, don�"t reach 40 mpg on the highway. What Ford omits is that all five of Ford�"s own hybrids don�"t hit the 40-mpg mark on the highway.
Ford also don�"t highlight the city numbers for the Fiesta�29 mpg for the automatic version. That�"s a far cry from the Fusion Hybrid�"s 41-mpg rating in the city or the Toyota Prius�"s 51 miles to the gallon. Of course, the comparison between the Fiesta and Prius on mileage is not entirely fair. The Fiesta, starting about $14,000, costs half as much as the Prius. The more apropos comparison is other compacts. On the highway, the Fiesta is 5 miles a gallon better than Honda Fit and 4 miles a gallon better than Toyota Yaris.
An Emerging Trend
To get a better handle on the new trend of 40-mpg small gas-engine cars, we reached out to John German, who was Honda�"s manager of Environmental and Energy Analyses for more than a decade and is now a senior fellow and program director for the International Council for Clean Transportation.
Read More... [Source: HybridCars.com]
make solar panel | solar energy | make wind
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Calgary's Solar car hits the streets
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Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Top Five Insights from Our First Drive of Chevy Volt
General Motors yesterday gave electric car enthusiasts and a handful of journalists an opportunity to spin the Chevy Volt around a parking lot next to San Francisco�"s AT&T Park. HybridCars.com had its first two or three minutes behind the wheel, spoke with the Volt team, and came away with these insights.
1The EV miles are the easy ones. Charge sustaining mode is the tough part.
The most widely known fact about the Volt is that it can travel for up to 40 miles using only electricity, before the engine comes on to maintain the battery pack�"s state of charge. During those first 40 miles, the Volt behaves just like a pure electric car. There�"s simply not much more to say about the driving experience and handling than it drives like an electric car: speedy, smooth, and whisper-quiet. (It will take some more time behind the wheel to determine if we like the dashboard instrumentation, which at first blush seemed slightly overwhelming.)
So, the unique proposition, and technical challenge, of the Volt is what happens after those 40 electric miles. �SThe EV mode was the easy thing,⬝ said Tony Posawatz, vehicle line director for the Chevy Volt. The hard part, according to Posawatz, was using the vehicle�"s sophisticated software to �Sblend and smooth out⬝ how and when the engine is employed to extend the driving range.
�SAt low speeds, the engine almost never comes on in charge sustaining mode. At high speeds, we take advantage of running the RPMs a little bit higher, but never to a point where it affects the pleasability of the car. The engine is never roaring.⬝
Read More... [Source: HybridCars.com]
Next Generation of Cheap Solar Cells
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Renewable Energy Solution of the Month - Wind
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Toward a More Efficient Use of Renewable Energy Sources
Solar energy for homes
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Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Could Honda CR-Z Be The World's First Sexy Hybrid?
Honda�"s new CR-Z hybrid coupe is schedule to hit dealerships in the UK and USA at about the same time this summer. But while the Honda CR-Z has so far remained under the radar in America, the small sporty hybrid is garnering a lot of positive press on the other side of the pond.
We can�"t imagine that Honda Motor Europe�"s project in group filmmaking, Live Every Litre, is the reason for the extra attention. The marketing effort�hypothetically designed to promote the CR-Z as hip�yielded a set of YouTube road trip vignettes that induce equal parts confusion and boredom. Nonetheless, a trio of British auto reviewers recently reported a much better time from behind the wheel of the CR-Z.
Quentin Willson of The Mirror was nearly ecstatic about the car. He wrote that the CR-Z �Sis set to become one of the most desirable cars on the planet.⬝ Willson added, �SLooking like nothing else on the road, with a wonderful swooping roofline, it's a lulu to drive.⬝
He praised the CR-Z�"s handling and steering. �SThis is one of Honda's best cars yet, and the world's first truly sporting hybrid coupe⬦Sustainability never looked sexier.⬝
Jason Barlow of BBC�"s Top Gear�usually no fan of hybrids�agreed with Willson. �SBy sticking the Insight's hybrid tech into something that doesn't look like a slapped arse,⬝ Barlow quipped, �SHonda might finally have made eco motoring sexy.⬝ Barlow also praised the CR-Z for its handling. �SIt's proper fun to drive,⬝ Barlow wrote.
Read More... [Source: HybridCars.com]
Monday, May 17, 2010
Are Lithium Air Batteries the Future of Electric Vehicles?
With the first wave of plug-in cars set to hit the market later this year, there is still uncertainty as to whether consumers will balk at price tag and range limitations of early-model electric vehicles. Both of these drawbacks can be traced to the shortcomings of the current generation of lithium ion batteries, which have made huge strides in the last decade but are still perceived to not meet the needs of some drivers.
But what if lithium batteries could be lighter, cheaper and at least five times more powerful than those that will power cars like the Chevy Volt, Mitsubishi i-MiEV, or Nissan Leaf?
Argonne Laboratories says that lithium air batteries could be all of these things and more, and it's using an $8.8 million government grant to develop them.
A Battery That Breathes, But Don't Hold Your Breath
A regular lithium ion battery works by moving ions from a carbon anode through an electrolyte (usually lithium salts) to a solid metal oxide cathode. Lithium air batteries use a lithium anode and a porous carbon cathode, allowing the lithium ions to move freely through an unlimited supply of oxygen. The difference, in layman's terms, is that a lithium air battery �Sbreathes,⬝ allowing its capacity to be limited only by how much lithium is contained in its the anode. This results in a battery that is smaller, lighter, and hopefully cheaper. It could also mean electric vehicles that are more powerful, carrying ranges of 500 miles or more.
As a technology, lithium air is still in its infancy, but clean-tech start-ups, universities and carmakers all over the world are racing to figure out whether it is indeed the future electric mobility. Most experts say that the battery is at least a decade away (possibly two,) and there are several major hurdles to bringing down costs and ensuring that the technology will hold up to real world challenges.
Read More... [Source: HybridCars.com]
NV Solar Energy Overview Video
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Are Lithium Air Batteries the Future of Electric Vehicles?
With the first wave of plug-in cars set to hit the market later this year, there is still uncertainty as to whether consumers will balk at price tag and range limitations of early-model electric vehicles. Both of these drawbacks can be traced to the shortcomings of the current generation of lithium ion batteries, which have made huge strides in the last decade but are still perceived to not meet the needs of some drivers.
But what if lithium batteries could be lighter, cheaper and at least five times more powerful than those that will power cars like the Chevy Volt, Mitsubishi i-MiEV, or Nissan Leaf?
Argonne Laboratories says that lithium air batteries could be all of these things and more, and it's using an $8.8 million government grant to develop them.
A Battery That Breathes
A regular lithium ion battery works by moving ions from a carbon anode through an electrolyte (usually lithium salts) to a solid metal oxide cathode. Lithium air batteries use a lithium anode and a porous carbon cathode, allowing the lithium ions to move freely through an unlimited supply of oxygen. The difference, in layman's terms, is that a lithium air battery �Sbreathes,⬝ allowing its capacity to be limited only by how much lithium is contained in its the anode. This results in a battery that is smaller, lighter, and hopefully cheaper. It could also mean electric vehicles that are more powerful, carrying ranges of 500 miles or more.
As a technology, lithium air is still in its infancy, but clean-tech start-ups, universities and carmakers all over the world are racing to figure out whether it is indeed the future electric mobility. Most experts say that the battery is at least a decade away (possibly two,) and there are several major hurdles to bringing down costs and ensuring that the technology will hold up to real world challenges.
Read More... [Source: HybridCars.com]