article thumbnail

Volkswagen and Audi launch sustainability programs for US introduction of e-Golf BEV and A3 e-tron PHEV; carbon offsets with 3Degrees and solar energy

Green Car Congress

The 2015 e-Golf will go on sale later this year at participating dealerships in select states. The Audi A3 Sportback e-tron is expected to go on sale at participating dealerships in all 50 states in the fall of 2015. SunPower: residential solar with energy storage. 3Degrees and carbon offsets.

Audi 287
article thumbnail

DOE awarding >$24M to 77 projects through Technology Commercialization Fund

Green Car Congress

OTT was established in 2015 to advance the economic, energy, and national security interests of the United States by expanding the commercial impact of the Department of Energy’s research and development portfolio. San Jose, Calif. Quanex Building Products Corporation, Houston, Texas SCP SYS LLC, San Francisco, Calif.

article thumbnail

BMW begins Phase 2 of ChargeForward Program with PG&E to study advanced electric vehicle charging; results from Phase 1

Green Car Congress

BMW i3, BMW i8 and iPerformance owners in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area who are Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) customers are invited to apply for participation in a 24-month program focused on managed EV and PHEV charging. BMW was the first to showcase this technology in a real-world application.

BMW 150
article thumbnail

EIA: major utilities continue to increase spending on US electric distribution systems

Green Car Congress

According to a 2015 US Department of Energy report, 70% of power transformers are 25 years of age or older, 60% of circuit breakers are 30 years or older, and 70% of transmission lines are 25 years or older. Electric distribution system costs have been increasing faster than the growth of any of the other variables.

article thumbnail

CSIRO licenses technology to Amfora for production of oil in leaves and stems of plants; participates in Series A

Green Car Congress

We are using solar energy captured by the plant to convert the leaf’s starch reserves into more energy-dense oil molecules, which significantly increases the energy value of the vegetative tissue where the oil accumulates. 2015.00164.

Oil 170
article thumbnail

California Energy Commission approves $46.6M for hydrogen refueling and $2.8M for EV charging projects

Green Car Congress

These new projects will accelerate a statewide hydrogen refueling station network that will support the commercial launch of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles in 2015 and boost the installation of electric vehicle chargers along highway corridors and in workplaces.

Hydrogen 354
article thumbnail

BMW i ChargeForward Program to demo contribution of intelligent EV charging to grid efficiency

Green Car Congress

The program also includes a “second life” for used MINI E batteries, by repurposing these batteries into a stationary solar-powered electric storage system located at the BMW Technology Office in Mountain View, California. Using BMW i Home Charging Services, the vehicle is charged with home-generated solar power whenever this is available.

Grid 150