article thumbnail

Google and IEEE launch $1M challenge for downsized inverters

Green Car Congress

Google and the IEEE have launched the Littlebox Challenge—an open competition to design and build a small kW-scale inverter with the highest power density (of at least 50 W/in 3 , or 3.05 Google and IEEE are emphasizing size reduction in their challenge, without targeting a specific application area such as automotive.

Google 255
article thumbnail

Amprius’ silicon nanowire Li-ion batteries power Airbus Zephyr S HAPS solar aircraft

Green Car Congress

Combining solar power and lithium ion batteries, the Zephyr aircraft holds world records for endurance as well as altitude, flying at 70,000 feet or higher. The Zephyr platform is a new class of unmanned air vehicle that operates as a high-altitude pseudo-satellite (HAPS) enabling affordable, persistent, local satellite-like services.

Li-ion 317
article thumbnail

RMI launches “Virtual Power Plant Partnership” with support from General Motors & Ford

Green Car Congress

Initial funding of the VP3 effort was made possible by General Motors and Google Nest. VP3 includes founding members Ford, General Motors, Google Nest, OhmConnect, Olivine, SPAN, SunPower, Sunrun, SwitchDin, and Virtual Peaker. In a VPP, decentralized distributed energy resources (DERs) are aggregated into a portfolio.

article thumbnail

Wallbox introduces home energy management solutions for EV drivers in the US

Green Car Congress

Eco-Smart uses a power meter to measure the energy from a home’s rooftop solar system to charge an EV in an efficient and sustainable way. Eco Mode blends grid energy with surplus green energy from home solar panels, maximizing charging speed while taking advantage of the available power from the home solar PV system.

Energy 186
article thumbnail

Study finds GWP of electrolyzed hydrogen to meet ORD’s fuel needs would be 2.5x that of fossil fuels with 2020 grid mix

Green Car Congress

As a part of the study, Ansell assumed the adoption of one of the NREL zero emissions electric grids—one that has heavy concentrations of solar, wind, and other renewable energy sources. These might be a combination of solar arrays or wind turbines. Courtesy Google Maps and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Grid 290
article thumbnail

Wallbox introduces Quasar 2 next-generation bidirectional home charger at CES 2022

Green Car Congress

Users who have solar panel installations can also store excess energy in their EV during low usage periods and then harness this energy at another time, including peak periods, to reduce their reliance on the grid. Eco-Smart and Power Boost - The company’s first home energy management features available for EV drivers in the U.S.

Grid 293
article thumbnail

Audi investing ~€100M in charging infrastructure at German sites; 10% of parking spaces by mid-2022

Green Car Congress

In connection with the construction of the new ATC IV building, the solar power generated is used for the charging procedure in combination with a battery buffer storage device. Audi’s largest individual charging park with a power input of 2.1 megawatts is connected to the grid here.

Audi 243