Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Free Auto Blogger Report
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Solar Energy Basics for Your Home
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Monday, August 30, 2010
Free Auto Blogger Report
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Solar Energy Power
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Passive Solar Heating - Glass is all you need
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Thursday, August 26, 2010
Free Auto Blogger Report
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SOLAR TRAINING DIY SOLAR PANEL PV PHOTOVOLTAIC HARBOR FREIGHT SOLAR ENERGY SOLAR PANEL KITS
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Solar Energy Concentrator
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Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Honda Releases Details and First Images of Fit Hybrid
After three years of speculation about the introduction of a Fit Hybrid, Honda is set to unveil the world�"s first subcompact hybrid next month at the Paris Motor Show this September. Not only will the Fit Hybrid be the smallest hybrid on the market, it could carry the lowest price tag.
A hybrid version will go on sale in Japan in October, and is expected in the U.S. in 2011. As we reported earlier this month, Honda plans to sell the Fit Hybrid in Japan for about $18,600. That�"s approximately $3,500 less than the Honda Insight, currently the cheapest hybrid, and about $4,600 more than the gas-powered Fit. Pricing for the Japanese market does not move in sync with U.S. pricing�but a similar strategy in the U.S. would put the base MSRP around $17,000.
Exact mpg will be released at the Paris Motor Show, which will run from September 30 to October 17, but we anticipate a significant step up from the gas-powered version, which is rated at 28 mpg in the city and 35 on the highway. The Fit Hybrid is likely to become the second most fuel-efficient hybrid, right behind the Toyota Prius (51/48 mpg). The auto industry is still figuring out how to rate the fuel economy of plug-in cars, such as the Nissan LEAF and Chevy Volt.
The Fit, marketed as the Jazz in Europe, will use Honda�"s IMA system� an 87-horsepower 1.3-liter engine combined with a CVT gearbox�currently found in Honda's Insight and CR-Z hybrids.
The new Fit/Jazz is updated for 2011�with revised headlights and rear lights, a new front grille, and restyled bumpers and tailgate. Inside, there�"s a darker single-color dashboard and blue-lit dials and instruments. The new hybrid is also available with leather trim, the first time this has been available on a Jazz model in Europe.
Read More... [Source: HybridCars.com]
Solar Sailor's Dane Says HK Star Ferry Can Go Electric: Video
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Tuesday, August 24, 2010
How to install solar panels and rails on an asphalt roof
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How To Make a Solar Charging Bag
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What Solar Cookers? How To Make a Solar CooKit
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Solar Energy Marketing
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How to Install Solar Panels : Thin Film Solar Modules
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Home Made Wind Generator still running
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How to Install Solar Panels : How to Connect an Inverter for a Solar Energy System
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100-MPG Is Pure Sexuality, According to Fisker Commercial
The company behind the bold and beautiful $87,000 Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid has a credibility challenge. The sleek vision of a four-door sports car combining 400 horsepower and 100-mpg fuel economy is alluring. Yet, the company has failed to deliver on scheduled production dates, and has not allowed journalists to drive the car or delve into details. With the next announced launch date scheduled in a few months, Fisker�"s marketing plan starts to look like a tease.
Fisker�"s new red-hot sexy television commercial does little to change that perception. The images are incredible loaded: A femme fatale in high heels steps past a spent flaccid gas pump nozzle, grabs hold of a charging wand, as a single ice cube slides down the curves of the vehicle�"s body, and the Fisker Karma wheels spins in circles. The female model opens her mouth before the tag line, �SDesigned To Get You Hot, Not the Planet.⬝
This ad represents the boldest attempt so far to sex up the hybrid. Carmakers have been trying to undo the ultra-nerdy image of the hybrid almost from the beginning of the hybrid market in the U.S.: Honda tried it by adding horsepower to the failed Accord Hybrid; Honda is trying again with the CR-Z sporty coupe; G.M. and others tried beefing up hybrids with highway power and towing capacity in SUV Hybrids; and Ford is nullifying unsexy hybrid geekiness by making gas-electric technology an invisible element of mainstream vehicles.
Does Fisker go too far? Not far enough? Is it good for the green car movement? And the biggest question of all: Can Fisker deliver on its increasingly potent promise?
Read More... [Source: HybridCars.com]
Free Solar Heat "How to build a solar panel DIY" bloom box Part 1
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Electric Universe - Solar Energy
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How to Install Solar Panels : Sealing Roof Holes With Caulk
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How To Make Yogurt and a Solar Oven
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Wind Energy on CNBC
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Solar Cells - How To Make Solar Cells At Home
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How to Make Solar Panel - A Quick And Easy 101 Guide to Solar Energy Production
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How to Install Solar Panels : Rechecking Solar Panel Placement
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Get Energized: Wind Energy Tecnician
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DIY Wind Power - Excellent DIY Wind Generator Plan!
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Monday, August 23, 2010
While Out of Reach, Porsche Hybrids Highlight Green Strategies
The Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid, a $68,000 gas-electric SUV, will not be a big seller. Like other luxury hybrid SUVs from BMW and Cadillac, the Cayenne Hybrid is more of a platform for technology experimentation�rather than a whole-hearted effort to reinvent hybrids for high living. The Cayenne S Hybrid, Porsche�"s first full hybrid, will go on sale in a few months.
If only a handful of well-heeled buyers will fork over the dollars for the Cayenne S Hybrid, then why should folks interested in hybrids�as a means to cut emissions and reduce use of petroleum�care about this vehicle?
Light and Fast
First, Porsche�"s willingness to shift down in vehicle weight is noteworthy. Porsche reduced the weight of the Cayenne Hybrid by about 400 pounds by using a lighter all-wheel-drive system rather than a 4x4 drivetrain. In addition, Porsche designers replaced heavier steel elements with more aluminum in the vehicle body. The weight trimming still leaves the hybrid nearly 500 pounds heavier than the gas-powered Cayenne V6, but it points to the industry�"s trend toward using advanced materials and forgoing features to reduce weight across all segments of vehicles. These measures are cost-effective strategies for improving fuel efficiency�even if it doesn�"t result in immediate cost savings for Porsche consumers. The Cayenne S Hybrid is about $20,000 more than the gas-powered V6 Cayenne.
The other trend that green car fans should acknowledge is the use of hybrid and plug-in technology in the high-performance segment. We�"ve written quite a bit about green high-tech in motorsports�perhaps best illustrated by Porsche�"s own 480-horsepower 911 GT3 R Hybrid.
Porsche took green speed even further when the company last month decided to put the 718-horsepower 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid supercar into production. The Porsche 918 Spyder is capable of 0-60 mph in about 3 seconds and a top speed of 198 mph. And it will cost approximately $650,000.
Read More... [Source: HybridCars.com]
While Out of Reach, Porsche Hybrids Highlight Green Strategies
The Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid, a $68,000 gas-electric SUV, will not be a big seller. Like other luxury hybrid SUVs from BMW and Cadillac, the Cayenne Hybrid is more of a platform for technology experimentation�rather than a whole-hearted effort to reinvent hybrids for high living. The Cayenne S Hybrid, Porsche�"s first full hybrid, will go on sale in a few months.
If only a handful of well-heeled buyers will fork over the dollars for the Cayenne S Hybrid, then why should folks interested in hybrids�as a means to cut emissions and reduce use of petroleum�care about this vehicle?
Light and Fast
First, Porsche�"s willingness to shift down in vehicle weight is noteworthy. Porsche reduced the weight of the Cayenne Hybrid by about 400 pounds by using a lighter all-wheel-drive system rather than a 4x4 drivetrain. In addition, Porsche designers replaced heavier steel elements with more aluminum in the vehicle body. The weight trimming still leaves the hybrid nearly 500 pounds heavier than the gas-powered Cayenne V6, but it points to the industry�"s trend toward using advanced materials and forgoing features to reduce weight across all segments of vehicles. These measures are cost-effective strategies for improving fuel efficiency�even if it doesn�"t result in immediate cost savings for Porsche consumers. The Cayenne S Hybrid is about $20,000 more than the gas-powered V6 Cayenne.
The other trend that green car fans should acknowledge is the use of hybrid and plug-in technology in the high-performance segment. We�"ve written quite a bit about green high-tech in motorsports�perhaps best illustrated by Porsche�"s own 480-horsepower 911 GT3 R Hybrid.
Porsche took green speed even further when the company last month decided to put the 718-horsepower 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid supercar into production. The Porsche 918 Spyder is capable of 0-60 mph in about 3 seconds and a top speed of 198 mph. And it will cost approximately $650,000.
Read More... [Source: HybridCars.com]
Sunday, August 22, 2010
The Energy Report - 8/20/10
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Saturday, August 21, 2010
Electric universe - Solar energy. HQ
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Brooklyn IKEA Installs Solar Panels But Can't Turn Them On
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Proposal Would Create Renewable Energy Rebate Program
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How to make Solar Panels
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Renewable Energy Payment Feed-in Tariff: Creating Jobs
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Brooklyn IKEA Installs Solar Panels But Can't Turn Them On
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20% renewable energy by 2020
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Off-Grid Living with Renewable Energy
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The MIT Energy Initiative: Sustainable Energy and Terawatt-Scale Photovoltaics
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Renewable Energy Solution of the Month - Wind
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Solar Power Solar Hot Water In Murcia, Alicante and Spain By Solar Energy Projects 1
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The Combined Power Plant - 100% from renewable energy
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Plug-in Hybrids: Renewable Energy Solution of the Month
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Windbelt Micro-wind Generator
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Friday, August 20, 2010
Toward a More Efficient Use of Renewable Energy Sources
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Hope for a Change: Renewable Energy essentials
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Pay Less For Solar Panels In Murcia, Alicante, Spain
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First Drive: Mileage Comes Up Short on 2011 Honda CR-Z Hybrid
122 horsepower. 37 mpg. 2 seats. And $20,000.
Those are the key stats for the all-new 2011 Honda CR-Z Sport Hybrid Coupe. We took the car out for a 125-mile loop to see how it fared on the two categories by which the CR-Z will be measured: efficiency and fun. Honda is billing the CR-Z as a zippy sports car that uses less fuel.
Our mileage loop consisted of a broad sampling of road conditions: highways, town streets, and sweeping country roads. We did not apply hyper-mile techniques, but instead moved right with the traffic�a fairly light touch on open roads, and slightly more aggressive in city traffic. At the end of the run, our automatic CR-Z tester tallied 35.3 miles per gallon�a couple of mpgs shy of the EPA ratings of 36 miles per gallon in the city and 38 on the highway with a CVT automatic transmission. (The fuel economy rating of the standard six-speed manual CR-Z, the only manual hybrid on the market, is 31/37 mpg.)
Perhaps other journalists babied the CR-Z to bring the mileage nearly to 40 mpg, but we would expect everyday driving to produce the same results we got: mileage smack in the middle of the 30s. That�"s a far cry from a breakthrough on hybrid fuel efficiency, with the midsize, five-seat Toyota Prius earning close to 50 mpg for most drivers.
Still, A Fun Ride
On the other hand, we believe Honda made somewhat of a breakthrough on the hybrid fun factor�especially when most people think of hybrids as the goody two-shoes of the automotive world. During our drive, the CR-Z proved to be nimble, agile, and responsive. The car actually felt quick, and took corners with confidence. The smallness and lightness of the CR-Z, combined with its tuning for a sporty ride, gives it more zip than the 122-horsepower rating would suggest.
The CR-Z's three driving modes include Sport, Normal and Economy. The Sport mode alters throttle response, electric power steering effort, and electric motor power assist for faster reaction. The inner ring of the tachometer glows red while in sport mode. We spent equal amounts of time in each of the three modes. The torque and acceleration is noticeably higher in sport mode. While the economy mode boosts efficiency by a few points, it didn�"t rob the CR-Z of the power required for everyday driving.
Read More... [Source: HybridCars.com]
Earth4Energy - DIY Renewable Energy Guide (Solar & Wind Power Electricity)
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CSRminute: Arizona + SunPower Corp Set up Largest Solar Plant; SKS Microfinance IPO Inspires Plans
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Largest Solar Site in Tennessee
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How to Install Solar Panels : Grid Tie Inverters for Solar Energy
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Thursday, August 19, 2010
The Energy Report - 8/17/10
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The Energy Report - 8/19/10
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GM Pledges to Become 'Industry Leader' in Fuel Efficiency, But IPO Still Leaves Many Questions Unanswered
Don't call it a comeback. As General Motors moves forward with plans to recapture its status as a publicly traded company, one question seems to dominate coverage in the financial press: Why now?
Despite two consecutive profitable quarters, consumer confidence continues to drag and most analysts are pessimistic about the short-term outlook for both domestic and international auto sales across the industry. Meanwhile, GM's market share has continued to shrink. As Dennis Virag, president of Automotive Consulting Group put it on Bloomberg Television today, there is a strong suspicion that the company's decision to move forward with an IPO at this stage is �Smore political than practical.⬝
Still, GM's S-1 filing with the SEC does provide us with some valuable insight into how it plans to turn things around in the coming years�even if it sends some confusing signals about what role the company's newfound commitment to fuel economy will play in that process.
Now or Later?
On Tuesday, we summarized General Motors's fuel economy strategy as follows: �SMild Hybrids, Then Full Hybrids, Then EVs, In That Order." And while there's certainly no question that winning the long-term market strategy battle is essential to success in the automotive industry, one questions just how far behind GM actually is in the efficiency race. What should be perfectly clear from reading GM's S-1 filing though, is that the company would very much prefer that gas prices remain low for the time being.
The carmaker is still heavily dependent on truck and SUV sales, and according to Consumer Reports, only one of the company's nine best vehicles gets more than 25 mpg in fuel economy. As GM itself put it in today's filing, �SAny future increases in the price of oil in the U.S. or in our other markets or any sustained shortage of oil... could reduce our market share in affected markets, decrease profitability, and have a material adverse effect on our business.⬝
Read More... [Source: HybridCars.com]
The Energy Report - 8/18/10
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The Energy Report - 8/18/10
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The Energy Report - 8/16/10
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Danish Island "CO2 Negative"
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Neighbor files lawsuit over wind turbine
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Renewable Energy
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Ford Looks to Renewables for Production Facilities
While most major carmakers have been forced to significantly "green" their fleets with fuel economy upgrades�thanks to a looming increase in federal CAFE standards�Ford is taking things a step further at the production level. According to The Detroit News, the automaker will invest in the installation of 500 kilowatts worth of solar panels at its Wayne, Mich. production facility, and 2 million watt hours of battery storage for that energy�saving enough electricity to power 100 homes for a year.
The Wayne factory will produce the forthcoming Ford Focus EV, and possibly a new Lincoln crossover SUV in 2013. "Our Michigan Assembly plant is going to be the next-generation vehicle center of the universe for next year or so," electricity supply manager Jeff White told the paper. "It just makes sense to bring this solar project to (the plant) so we can better understand how sustainable energy is developed."
Ford says that the installation will save roughly $160,000 in annual energy costs, but the move is also part of a broader strategy to become a more environmentally-friendly carmaker. Thanks to $3 million in funding from Detroit Edison and $2 million from the Michigan Public Service Commission, the company will only have to contribute $800,000 to the project, allowing it to recover its initial investment in just five years.
Ford would like to trim as much from its $9 million annual energy costs as possible, but the Wayne upgrades don't represent the carmaker's first endeavor into renewables. Three percent of the company's global energy usage already comes from wind and solar, which to this point had come entirely from its European plants. In the future, Ford would also like to retool its Wixom plant to manufacture solar and battery equipment.
In June, we interviewed Ford technical director Debbie Mielewski about the company's plan to reduce emissions and plastics consumption, with the eventual goal of making their lineup out of materials that are 100 percent hydrocarbon-free. Ford has also announced plans to make their cars 100 percent recyclable as well.
Read More... [Source: HybridCars.com]
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
GM and SAIC to Develop Efficient New Small Car Powertrain
General Motors has looked to small cars like the Chevy Spark to provide immediate fuel economy gains in the international market.
General Motors has signed a co-development agreement with longtime Chinese collaborator, Shanghai Automotive Industries Corporation, to design and build fuel-efficient internal combustion powertrains for small cars. The technology will be initially deployed in the Chinese market, but GM hopes to eventually incorporate it into several vehicles worldwide.
The new turbocharged direct injection, four-cylinder engines will offer displacements of between 1.0 and 1.5 liters, providing about 10 percent better efficiency than those currently being produced for similar vehicles in China today. Efficiency gains will stem from a compact, lightweight structure and an improved turbocharge design. The companies will also develop a dual-clutch, front-wheel-drive transmission that will cut fuel consumption by an additional 10 percent.
Whatever small cars the system eventually attaches to will qualify for a fuel-efficient gas car subsidy that was recently approved by the Chinese government. A $450 per car rebate will be given to consumers who purchase these cars, which are likely to account for the brunt of short-term fuel economy improvements as China moves toward its long-term goal of popularizing electric vehicles.
Even though a combined 20 percent improvement may not seem like a big move, most carmakers have opted to market intermediate fuel-efficient ICE vehicles, with an eye toward clean fuel technologies like plug-in cars and fuel cells in the future. In the United States, GM is looking to mild hybrids to bridge that gap, though it appears that the carmaker's international strategy will be geared heavily toward small cars as well.
Read More... [Source: HybridCars.com]
Google and Renewable Energy-KQED-This Week in Northern CA
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Tuesday, August 17, 2010
China to Best U.S. in EVs, but Not Hybrids
By John Gartner
China is likely to become the world's largest market for plug-in electric vehicles thanks to a larger relative government investment, but will trail the U.S. in hybrid sales.
The Chinese government announced it will spend $14.7 billion through 2020 on alternative drivetrain vehicles, with the bulk of the money going towards all-electric vehicles, according to news reports quoted by Edmunds.com's Green Car Advisor.
That's a greater outlay in consumer subsidies, industry incentives and spending on charging infrastructure than in the U.S., which (for now) boasts a much larger economy. The Chinese government would like 5 million alternative fuel vehicles to be on its roads by 2020.
The U.S. government has committed more than $2.5 billion in incentives for battery makers, consumer purchases, and for charging infrastructure, but won't come close to the Chinese commitment in the coming years. Not all of that money is bearing fruit. The DOE gave A123 Systems a $249 million grant last year to manufacture lithium ion batteries in Michigan, ostensibly for electric vehicles under contract to Chrysler. Last week A123 Systems ended its work with Chrysler and is now focusing more on batteries that provide energy storage for the grid.
Read More... [Source: HybridCars.com]
GM: Mild Hybrids, Then Full Hybrids, Then EVs, In That Order
Earlier this month, we reported that General Motors will bring back its low-cost mild hybrid technology. G.M. will start with at least one mid-sized mild hybrid sedan next year�ramping up to 100,000 mild hybrids per year. Does this mean that G.M. is slowing down on production of the Chevy Volt, or wavering from global plans for more electric cars? No. But everyday we see more evidence that the entire auto industry�"s green car roadmap begins with more efficient gas engines, then conventional hybrids, and finally plug-in cars.
�SAfter we�"ve explored everything in a conventional system, the next logical step is in mild hybrids, then strong hybrids and electrics,⬝ said Larry Nitz, engineering director for hybrid electric powertrain engineering for GM global product operations. Nitz, speaking at the Center for Automotive Research�"s Management Briefing Seminars in early August, was quoted by Plastics News.
That roadmap bears a striking resemblance to Ford�"s electrification strategy. Ford puts �SEcoboost,⬝ its fuel-efficient conventional internal combustion technology, as the first milestone on its green trajectory. Ford�"s Nancy Gioia, director of vehicle electrification, says that hybrids and electric cars could make up 25 percent of the company�"s offerings by 2020. But she always qualifies the claim by saying that 75 percent of those vehicles will be conventional hybrids, and only a small percentage points for full battery-electric cars. Ford�"s conventional gas-electric cars are full hybrids.
G.M.�"s new mild hybrid powertrain reportedly will be equipped with a lithium ion battery supplied by Hitachi, and will provide about four times as much power and will be 24 percent smaller and 40 percent lighter than previous mild hybrid battery packs. Unlike a full hybrid system, a mild hybrid system cannot propel a vehicle on electric power alone. It only shuts off the gasoline engine when the car stops and then uses the batteries to restart the engine. The electric motor also provides a boost during acceleration.
Read More... [Source: HybridCars.com]
Monday, August 16, 2010
Civic Hybrid Owners Disappointed with Battery Software Fix
Last week, we reported that Honda finally acknowledged a problem with the batteries of the Honda Civic Hybrid by issuing a �Stechnical service bulletin.⬝ This comes after one year of complaints�more than 100 on the HybridCars.com forum alone�about diminished fuel economy and power after a year or two driving, especially in hot weather conditions. Drivers have also complained about a reduction in the battery�"s ability to hold a charge.
Official Honda Service Bulletin
On July 23, 2010, Honda announced a product update "tohelp prevent IMA battery deterioration."
To address the problem, Honda earlier this month started to install a software update on Civic Hybrids (model years 2006 through 2008). Letters were mailed to more than 100,000 Civic Hybrid owners on July 30. According to the Los Angeles Times, only about 4 percent of the vehicles have received the software change so far.
As the first set of Honda Civic Hybrids receive the software update, the results reported in our forums are mixed.
Read More... [Source: HybridCars.com]
Civic Hybrid Owners Disappointed with Battery Software Fix
Last week, we reported that Honda finally acknowledged a problem with the batteries of the Honda Civic Hybrid by issuing a �Stechnical service bulletin.⬝ This comes after one year of complaints�more than 100 on the HybridCars.com forum alone�about diminished fuel economy and power after a year or two driving, especially in hot weather conditions. Drivers have also complained about a reduction in the battery�"s ability to hold a charge.
To address the problem, Honda earlier this month started to install a software update on Civic Hybrids (model years 2006 through 2008). Letters were mailed to more than 100,000 Civic Hybrid owners on July 30. According to the Los Angeles Times, only about 4 percent of the vehicles have received the software change so far.
As the first set of Honda Civic Hybrids receive the software update, the results reported in our forums are mixed.
�SMy 2008 [Civic Hybrid] purchased new started having these problems about 6 months ago. Now Honda reprogrammed the software. Made it even worse.⬝
Read More... [Source: HybridCars.com]
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Toward a More Efficient Use of Renewable Energy Sources
Saturday, August 14, 2010
DIY The Cheapest Solar Panel System EVER Cheap Solar Power
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Wind Energy Facilities in the Columbia River Gorge?
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Toward a More Efficient Use of Renewable Energy Sources
Guide on how to make a solar-powered camera
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Friday, August 13, 2010
GM Calls E85 'Our Best Near-Term Solution'
General Motors has apparently chosen E85 ethanol as the best "near-term" alternative fuel solution. In a post on GM's FastLane blog, technical fellow Candace Wheeler, says that the carmaker is ready to move forward with an ambitious expansion of flex-fuel vehicles, which can run on either gasoline or corn ethanol blends of up to 85 percent.
Despite commitments from major automakers like GM, E85's long-term outlook remains in question. Why's that? Because evidence suggests that very few people who own flex-fuel vehicles actually end up using the fuel. Just 2,500 of the 162,000 gas stations in the United States actually offer E85, which in most parts of the country offers little to no cost savings compared to standard gasoline.
Dr. Wheeler said that GM has pledged to produce 850,000 flex-fuel vehicles, beginning next year. That would represent a 55 percent increase over current levels. "Our 2010 lineup represents the most (flex-fuel vehicle) models on the market," wrote Wheeler. "With many new stations opening up, especially in the south and south central regions, it�"s becoming easier find a place to fill up."
But How Just 'Near-Term' is E85?
Indeed, Wheeler cites a 17 percent increase in ethanol production over last year's levels, to 839,000 barrels per day, as a reason why E85 might catch on. But even if expiring production and blending incentives are extended by congress later this year, there's still reason to be skeptical of whether it will catch on. E85 isn't in a position to immediately benefit from a spike in gas prices, and could be edged out by increased production of other alternatives should prices rise more gradually.
Even if the majority of American cars were to have flex-fuel capability and gas prices were to somehow increase to 2008 levels next summer, most drivers would have no way of cashing in on the savings until enough fuel pumps were installed at enough gas stations nationwide. Furthermore, even with production of ethanol rising, it's unlikely that enough E85 could be produced to meet a significant level of demand in the near term�especially without impacting food prices.
Read More... [Source: HybridCars.com]
Ghosts of the Deep - The Deep, Episode 3 preview - BBC One
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Ghosts of the Deep - The Deep, Episode 3 preview - BBC One
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California Senate Gives HOV Access to Plug-in Hybrids, Extends Hybrids for 6 Months
The California Senate yesterday voted 28-3 to pass a bill to would extend the use of carpool lanes for solo hybrid drivers through June 30, 2011. The legislation, SB 535, would also provide HOV access to solo drivers of plug-in hybrids under the state�"s Enhanced Advanced Technology Zero Emissions Vehicle (EAT-PZEV) designation. SB 535 now goes to the governor, who will have 12 days to sign or veto it.
Unless the governor signs SB 535, solo drivers of conventional hybrids will be denied access beginning Jan. 1, 2011. California issued yellow carpool lane access stickers to 85,000 hybrids between 2004 and 2007.
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Assembly Bill 1500 in early July, providing the solo carpool lane perk to owners of pure electric vehicles and cars running on compressed natural gas until Jan. 1, 2015. AB1500 did not extend the privilege to hybrids.
The Zero Emission Vehicles are white and the current hybrid stickers are yellow. The California Department of Motor Vehicles is considering the use of green stickers for the Enhanced AT-PZEVs.
Limit of 40,000, No Access for Volt For Now
California Senator Leland Yee, the author of SB 535, said the goal of extending hybrid HOV access for an additional six months is to give California hybrid owners time to purchase the electric cars and plug-in hybrids coming to the market. The all-electric Nissan LEAF and the Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid go on sale later this year. However, the 2011 model year Chevy Volt will not be certified as an Enhanced AT-PZEV and will therefore not qualify for the HOV perk. The Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid, expected in 2012, has been certified as an Enhanced AT-PZEV, and will therefore qualify for solo HOV access.
Read More... [Source: HybridCars.com]
Will Volkswagen Offer A Hybrid Beetle? Kansas Students Aren't Waiting
By Larry E. Hall
Three weeks ago we attended a press conference at Volkswagen�"s Electronics Research Lab in Palo Alto, Calif., where VW chairman Dr. Martin Winterkorn presented the automaker�"s plan for hybrid and electric vehicles. I checked my notes and there was no mention of an upcoming Beetle hybrid but Britain�"s Autocar.com is reporting that their sources have confirmed a hybrid model is planned for the new �SPeoples Car,⬝ which is scheduled for next year.
When it debuts next January at Detroit�"s North American International Auto Show�will it be named the New, New Beetle?�Autocar says it will have a �Sradical design,⬝ that is a completely fresh, modern take on the classic �SPeople�"s Car.⬝ Several industry pundits have already tagged the 2005 Ragster Concept as the guide for the car�"s new styling. If that�"s so, it isn�"t a radical design when compared to the current model. In fact, the Ragster is not much more than a George Barris chop job from the 1950s.
Regardless of the Beetle�"s new exterior design, it won�"t be a difficult task to incorporate a hybrid system. It is fashioned from the new 2011 Jetta platform, and the hybrid version of that car arrives in 2012. That would seem to validate Autocar�"s report that the hybrid Beetle will be equipped with VW�"s twincharger TSI in-line four cylinder, which incorporates both a supercharger and a turbocharger. The TSI engine will make its first U.S. appearance in the Jetta Hybrid, according to Dr. Winterkorn. And, if it duplicates the Jetta, it will be a full-hybrid system, enabling the car to be powered by the electric motor(s) only, the gasoline engine only or both.
Read More... [Source: HybridCars.com]
The Energy Report - 8/11/10
Read More... [Source: YouTube Videos tagged with wind energy]
Thursday, August 12, 2010
GM Calls E85 'Our Best Near-Term Solution'
General Motors has apparently chosen E85 ethanol as the best "near-term" alternative fuel solution. In a post on GM's FastLane blog, technical fellow Candace Wheeler, says that the carmaker is ready to move forward with an ambitious expansion of flex-fuel vehicles, which can run on either gasoline or corn ethanol blends of up to 85 percent.
Despite commitments from major automakers like GM, E85's long-term outlook remains in question. Why's that? Because evidence suggests that very few people who own flex-fuel vehicles actually end up using the fuel. Just 2,500 of the 162,000 gas stations in the United States actually offer E85, which in most parts of the country offers little to no cost savings compared to standard gasoline.
Dr. Wheeler said that GM has pledged to produce 850,000 flex-fuel vehicles, beginning next year. That would represent a 55 percent increase over current levels. "Our 2010 lineup represents the most (flex-fuel vehicle) models on the market," wrote Wheeler. "With many new stations opening up, especially in the south and south central regions, it�"s becoming easier find a place to fill up."
But How Just 'Near-Term' is E85?
Indeed, Wheeler cites a 17 percent increase in ethanol production over last year's levels, to 839,000 barrels per year, as a reason why E85 might catch on. But even if expiring production and blending incentives are extended by congress later this year, there's still reason to be skeptical of whether it will catch on. E85 isn't in a position to immediately benefit from a spike in gas prices, and could be edged out by increased production of other alternatives should prices rise more gradually.
Even if the majority of American cars were to have flex-fuel capability and gas prices were to somehow increase to 2008 levels next summer, most drivers would have no way of cashing in on the savings until enough fuel pumps were installed at enough gas stations nationwide. Furthermore, even with production of ethanol rising, it's unlikely that enough E85 could be produced to meet a significant level of demand in the near term�especially without impacting food prices.
Read More... [Source: HybridCars.com]
KPPC Wind Energy Webinar Part 3 of 7.mpg
Read More... [Source: YouTube Videos tagged with wind energy]
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Checkered Flag For Biobutanol Racer
By Larry E. Hall
Racing doesn�"t get much better than last weekend�"s American Le Mans Series (ALMS) at the 2.25 mile Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, located just outside the village of Lexington, OH. Chris Dyson won the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge for Dyson Racing by a whisker (0.506 seconds), besting PatrĂ³n Highcroft Racing�"s Simon Pagenaud.
The race took on additional significance for green car fans: it was the first win using biobutanol fuel.
Dyson Racing announced last year that it would fuel one of their production-derived 2.0-liter turbocharged MZR-R-powered Lola coupe racecars with a fuel combining both ethanol and biobutanol�a biofuel that BP is developing with its partner DuPont.
Read More... [Source: HybridCars.com]
Honda to Fix Battery Software for 90,000 Civic Hybrids
Bloomberg reported today that Honda will fix a software flaw in about 90,000 Civic Hybrids sold in the U.S. that can cause their batteries to wear out sooner than expected.
For the past year, issues related to the Civic Hybrid battery have been discussed by numerous owners in the HybridCars.com Civic Hybrid forum.
Honda informed owners of model years 2006 through 2008 Civic Hybrids to bring the vehicles into dealerships so the software could be reprogrammed. Other model years do not need the repair, according to Honda. The repairs are being done as a �Stechnical service bulletin⬝ rather than a recall.
The batteries may deteriorate and fail much earlier than their warranty of at least eight years and 100,000 miles, Honda said.
Read More... [Source: HybridCars.com]
If No Defect in Toyotas, Was It a Conspiracy?
Five months after the nation was gripped with fears about Prius brakes failing to engage and runaway hybrids flying out of control, federal investigators said Tuesday that driver error�not electronics�is to blame in a majority of safety cases they probed.
The preliminary findings were presented at a briefing of House Energy and Commerce Committee members, conducted by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration�"s David Strickland.
Representatives of the NHTSA told members of Congress that brakes were simply not applied in 35 of the 58 cases they reviewed. The findings are based on black box data taken from vehicles.
Toyota said its own findings show that after "more than 4,000 on-site vehicle inspections, in no case have we found electronic throttle controls to be a cause of unintended acceleration." Toyota has recalled more than 8.5 million vehicles worldwide, including 6 million in the United States, for sudden acceleration issues.
Read More... [Source: HybridCars.com]
A Little Bit of Chevy Volt in Chevy Cruze
The recent announcement of the $41,000 price tag on the Chevy Volt disappointed many fans�and spurred debate about the taxpayer dollars required to bring the plug-in hybrid to life. But the new Chevrolet Cruze shows how General Motors is hedging its bets on the Volt�"s high-cost components by installing them on a high-volume model.
The Cruze, in its own right, represents a new front for G.M. As John Zinser, compact vehicle program manager at G.M., yesterday told a media audience at the vehicle's San Francisco, Calif., introduction, "We've played in this market segment before, but we didn't play strongly." The Cruze represents the first truly competitive Chevy compact, designed to go head-to-head with the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Hyundai Elantra that lead the small car segment. And, based on an extended test drive, the car is the real deal�solid road handling, a refined interior with a high-level of standard equipment, and a spunky turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
No Car Is an Island
The 1.4-liter turbo-four Ecotec engine is the main intersection of Volt and Cruze. While G.M. will need about 50,000 of the Volt�"s 80-horsepower normally aspirated version of the engine during 2011 and 2012, the Cruze will take nearly 300,000 units of a 128-horsepower version to meet its sales target through 2012. No car is an island; the volume production helps G.M. lower its cost for the Volt.
But the Cruze and Volt will have more than just the engine in common. Zinser said interior components and acoustic treatments used to lower interior noise levels are shared between the two models. A big under-the-skin common feature between the two is the rear suspension. Both will utilize similar electronic power steering systems. The Z-link design gives the Cruze more trunk space and allows the Volt to more easily package its complex propulsion system.
40 Is the Magic Number
The Cruze Eco� mates a six-speed manual transmission to the Ecotec engine� will have some advanced technology not found on the Volt�for example, an automatic air shutter system that aids the car's aerodynamics. It uses sensors to sense wind and temperature conditions. Electric motors hooked to the sensors open and close the shutters, closing them at high speeds to reduce drag. At lower speeds, they are open to let in more air to cool the engine. That cool system adds nearly a half mile per gallon of fuel economy.
Read More... [Source: HybridCars.com]