December, 2013

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NASA Glenn develops automated flywheel pulse-and-glide system; improving fuel economy up to 40-100%

Green Car Congress

'Innovators at NASA’s Glenn Research Center have developed an automated pulse-and-glide technique using a flywheel energy storage system for on-road vehicles; the technology, which NASA Glenn says can improve fuel economy over existing internal combustion or battery hybrid systems by 40-100%, is available for licensing. Drivers can use a manual “pulse-and-glide” (PnG) driving technique—accelerating and decelerating an automobile in cycles of approximately 10-30 seconds—as a way to im

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Electric Cars So Disruptive, Gas Cars Will Be Obsolete In 2016, Says Futurist

Green Car Reports

'Many people like to think they can predict the future, but only futurists (and psychics) get paid to do it. And futurist Lars Thomsen thinks that electric cars are such a disruptive technology that they will make gasoline cars obsolete--starting in 2016, or much earlier than most other analysts suggest. Thomsen delivered a speech this past.

2016 168
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Renault, GM, Tesla all promising 200+ mile range electric cars in a few years

National Green Transportation

'Renault is working on a plug-in hybrid for 2014, and is joining General Motors in predicting that by 2020 electric cars will commonly have an electric range over 200 miles. The statements were made late last week and.

Miles 103
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MOT changes to clamp down on illegal removal of diesel car DPFs

Green Cars News

'A loophole which allowed motorists to have their diesel particulate filters (DPFs) removed yet still pass their MOTs, is to be closed in response to concerns over the environmental impact of this practice. It was an issue raised by the campaign group, Clean Air in London (CAL) back in August, whic[.].

Diesel 74
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How serious is Norway about climate change? So much that its streetlights self-dim

emissions global warming Norway climate change carbon dioxide youtube lighting

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Thankful To Be Home — And ALIVE!

Creative Greenius

'It all started with the video. It was sent to me last Thursday via email. A YouTube link from someone calling themself Primrose Evergreen. The email said “ We made this video. We want 2 talk 2 U. If U want 2 talk w/us B sitting on the 9/11 bench @ Pier & Valley/Ardmore @ 11:15 PM. Thanksgiving. No phones. No cameras. No recording devices. “ Debra didn’t want me to go and I will admit I was tired from too much food and too much drink.

Chevron 342
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Oak Ridge-GM prototype low-viscosity ionic liquid-additized engine oil delivers 2% fuel economy improvement over 5W-30

Green Car Congress

'A team from Oak Ridge National Laboratory and General Motors, led by ORNL researcher Dr. Jun Qu, has developed a new group of ionic liquids as lubricant additives that could help improve the energy efficiency of cars and trucks. Prototype low-viscosity ionic liquid-additized engine oil demonstrated a 2% improved fuel economy compared to Mobil 1 5W-30 engine oil (3.93% over the 20W-30 baseline oil) in standard fuel efficiency engine dynamometer tests.

More Trending

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Study shows bamboo ethanol in China technically and economically feasible, cost-competitive with gasoline

Green Car Congress

'Bamboo, the composition of which is highly similar to energy grasses used for biofuel production such as switchgrass, is an interesting potential feedstock for advanced bioethanol production in China due to its natural abundance, rapid growth, perennial nature and low management requirements. Now, researchers at Imperial College London have shown that bioethanol production from bamboo in China is both technically and economically feasible, as well as cost-competitive with gasoline.

Gasoline 351
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Ford to make start-stop technology available on 70% of its N. America lineup by 2017

Green Car Congress

'Auto Start-Stop technology will be available on 70% of Ford’s North American vehicle lineup by 2017, the company said. Ford Auto Start-Stop can increase fuel efficiency by up to 10% in city driving. A major part of the company’s Blueprint for Sustainability, the expansion of Auto Start-Stop comes as the 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine ( earlier post ) is set to go on sale in the 2014 Ford Fiesta.

Available 351
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BAL scientists engineer yeast to produce ethanol from brown seaweed; brown seaweed biorefinery

Green Car Congress

'An international team of researchers from Bio Architecture Labs, a synthetic biology and enzyme design company focused on the production of biofuels and biochemicals from macroalgae (seaweed) ( earlier post ), reports the development of a synthetic yeast platform based on Saccharomyces cerevisiae that can efficiently produce ethanol from brown seaweed; the paper is published in the journal Nature.

Engine 344
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US Army flies Black Hawk with 50:50 isobutanol-derived alcohol-to-jet fuel blend

Green Car Congress

'Bio-isobutanol company Gevo, Inc. announced that the US Army has successfully flown the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter on a 50:50 blend of Gevo’s ATJ-8 (Alcohol-to-Jet)—a renewable, drop-in alternative fuel for JP8 derived from isobutanol. ( Earlier post.). This flight marks the first Army Aircraft to fly on the isobutanol ATJ blend. (The US Air Force flew its first test flight using ATJ fuel in 2012.

Fuel 319
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Faurecia and Accenture partner on products and services for connected and autonomous vehicles

Brief

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California ISO publishes roadmap for integrating EVs into grid

Green Car Congress

'Summary of the path to enable EVs to provide grid services. Source: CA ISO. Click to enlarge. The California Independent System Operator Corporation (ISO) has released a blueprint for integrating electric vehicles (EVs) into the grid: “ California Vehicle-Grid Integration Roadmap: Enabling Vehicle-based Grid Services ”. The VGI blueprint outlines three inter-dependent tracks to assess how consumer use of electric vehicles could benefit electric reliability, and to determine policies and technol

Grid 319
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Mercedes-Benz announces strategic partnership with smart watch company Pebble Technology

Green Car Congress

'Mercedes-Benz announced a strategic partnership with smart watch company Pebble Technology in the run-up to the 2014 International CES. The partnership gives Mercedes-Benz early access to some of the newest hardware and early releases of application programming interfaces (APIs) offered by the Silicon Valley-based company, allowing it to develop innovative integrated applications that pave the way for the future of in-vehicle use cases.

Mercedes 319
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ClipperCreek introduces 30 Amp 240V vehicle charge station starting at $590

Green Car Congress

'ClipperCreek introduced its latest product, the HCS-40, a 30 Amp, 240 Volt Level 2 electric vehicle charging station, with prices starting at $590. The indoor/outdoor HCS features a fully sealed NEMA 4 enclosure and comes standard with 25 feet of charging cable and a 3-year warranty; an optional connector holster costs $19. The HCS-40 is designed to be easy to install by any licensed electrician; after the junction box is run from the main service, installing the HCS requires just two wall scre

Charging 317
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Two case studies outline how Houston and Loveland are saving money with EVs in their fleets

Green Car Congress

'The Electrification Coalition released two case studies outlining how two cities— Houston, Texas and Loveland, Colorado —are saving money by using electric vehicles (EVs) in their vehicle fleets. The Electrification Coalition, launched in November 2009, is committed to promoting policies and actions that facilitate the deployment of electric vehicles on a mass scale in order to combat the economic, environmental, and national security threats posed by US dependence on petroleum. ( E

Houston 312
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ExxonMobil announces 6th oil discovery offshore Guyana with Ranger-1; Guyana may move from non-producer to regional powerhouse

Oil

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Global geothermal industry passes 12,000 MW operational

Green Car Congress

'The global geothermal industry surpassed 12,000 MW of geothermal power operational, with about 600 MW of new geothermal power coming online globally, according to a year-end update by the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA). New geothermal power came on line in Kenya, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Turkey, and Mexico, as well as Oregon, Nevada and Utah in the United States.

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American Axle introduces EcoTrac disconnecting all wheel drive

Green Car Congress

'American Axle & Manufacturing (AAM) announced the introduction of the automotive industry’s first disconnecting all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. EcoTrac is featured on the all-new 2014 Jeep Cherokee (rear-axle disconnect). The EcoTrac Disconnecting All Wheel Drive takes a new approach to minimizing the effect of inertia and drag on a vehicle’s driveline system by disconnecting many of the rotating components from the driveline when they are not needed.

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ExxonMobil Outlook: 35% growth in energy demand by 2040; hybrids to account for ~50% of new vehicle sales

Green Car Congress

'By 2040, hybrids are expected to account for about 35% of the global light-duty vehicle fleet, up from less than 1% in 2010. Hybrids are expected to account for about half of global new-car sales by 2040. Source: ExxonMobil. Click to enlarge. Driven by increasing population, urbanization and rising living standards, the world will require some 35% more energy in 2040, according to ExxonMobil’s annual forecast report: Outlook for Energy: A View to 2040.

Oil-Sands 309
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US PIRG report finds reduced driving and rates of car commuting in most populous US urbanized areas

Green Car Congress

'VMT per capita has declined across the US (2006 to 2011). States with shading are missing reliable data for all or part of an urbanized area, and ‘X’s denote the location of excluded urbanized areas. Source: US PIRG. Click to enlarge. A new report by the US PIRG Education Fund and the Frontier Group details reduced driving miles and rates of car commuting in the US’ most populous urbanized areas, as well as greater use of public transit and biking in most cities.

2006 309
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Siemens and Cummins partner to provide diesel-electric EPA Tier 4 passenger rail locomotives in US

Green Car Congress

'Siemens Rail Systems and Cummins are partnering to bring EPA Tier 4 compliant locomotives to market. Under the agreement, Cummins QSK95 diesel engines will be used in Siemens’ diesel electric locomotives in the US. Leveraging Siemens proven rail technology, these locomotives will be designed and built specifically to deliver a smoother, more reliable and more energy-efficient riding experience for passengers.

EPA 301
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Honda begins sales of new VEZEL and VEZEL hybrid in Japan

Green Car Congress

'VEZEL HYBRID. Click to enlarge. Honda Motor Co., Ltd. began sales of the VEZEL in Japan today. Honda says that the VEZEL fuses the dynamic qualities of an SUV, the elegance of a coupe, the functionality of a minivan and excellent fuel economy. The conventional VEZEL is equipped with a 1.5L direct-injection DOHC i-VTEC engine coupled to a CVT, as is available in front-wheel and four-wheel drive versions.

Japan 296
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CRC ACES Phase 2 report finds emissions from modern heavy-duty diesels well below required levels

Green Car Congress

'2010 engines emissions reduction relative to 2010, 2007, and 2004 US emission standards. Source: CRC. Click to enlarge. A rigorous emissions testing of modern heavy-duty diesel engines in the US has demonstrated a greater than 94% reduction in the levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 - an important contributor to ozone smog), and substantial reductions in all other pollutants, even when compared to engines first marketed to meet 2007 standards, according to a study released today by the Coordinatin

Diesel 296
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Study explores impact of changing gasoline and diesel taxes in Europe

Green Car Congress

'Diesel is currently taxed at a lower level than gasoline in Europe; however, since 2011 the EC has been considering reversing that situation by making energy taxes systematically reflect the CO 2 performance of the energy product. As on a volumetric basis, diesel contains more carbon than gasoline, the tax on diesel fuel would increase. In a paper published in the journal Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board , a team of researchers in France explore the e

Tax 294
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Ford researchers report detailed study of the effect of different ethanol blend levels on emissions from FFVs

Green Car Congress

'FTP cycle-weighted tailpipe emissions of N 2 O, NO x , and the sum of NMOG and NO x. The minimum in NO x and NMOG emissions for midlevel ethanol blends points to future opportunities for emission reductions from FFVs. Credit: ACS, Hubbard et al. Click to enlarge. A team at Ford Motor Company’s Research and Innovation Center in Dearborn conducted a detailed study of the effect of ethanol blend level in emissions, using a 2006 model Mercury Grand Marquis flexible fuel vehicle (FFV) operating on E

Emissions 294
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Converting glycerol from biodiesel production into bio-gasoline

Green Car Congress

'A team at the University of Idaho has demonstrated that glycerol, a byproduct from biodiesel production, could be used as a substrate for producing drop-in gasoline-range biofuel. In a paper published in the ACS journal Energy & Fuels , Guanqun Luo and Armando G. McDonald describe their study of converting methanol (MTG) and a mixture of methanol and glycerol (MGTG) into gasoline-range hydrocarbons using a bench-top, fixed-bed microreactor.

Gasoline 294
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EIA: light duty vehicle energy consumption to drop 25% by 2040; increased oil production, vehicle efficiency reduce US oil and liquid imports

Green Car Congress

'Energy consumption by light-duty vehicles in the United States, AEO2013 and AEO2014, 1995-2040 (quadrillion Btu). LDV energy consumption declines in AEO2014 Reference case from 16.0 quadrillion Btu in 2012 to 12.1 quadrillion Btu in 2040, compared with 13.0 quadrillion Btu in 2040 in the AEO2013 Reference case. Source: EIA. Click to enlarge. Reflecting slow growth in travel and accelerated vehicle efficiency improvements, US light-duty vehicle (LDV, cars and light trucks) energy use will declin

Oil 290
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DSM and DONG Inbicon show cellulosic bio-ethanol fermentation on industrial scale with 40% higher yield

Green Car Congress

'Royal DSM, together with DONG Energy (Denmark), has demonstrated the combined fermentation of C 6 and C 5 sugars from wheat straw on an industrial scale. The combined fermentation results in a 40% increase in ethanol yield per ton of straw, which can result in significant cost cuts in the production of bio-ethanol from cellulosic feedstock. The demonstration took place in DONG Energy’s Inbicon demonstration plant in Kalundborg (Denmark), the longest running demonstration facility for cellulosic

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New Berkeley Lab spectroscopy technique for in situ measurement of charge dynamics in an operating battery electrode

Green Car Congress

'This schematic depicts the new soft X-ray spectroscopy technique. Windows etched into a foil covering allow soft X-rays to measure charge dynamics in an operating electrode. Click to enlarge. Researchers at Berkeley Lab and its Advanced Light Source have developed a new soft X-ray spectroscopy technique that can measure the migration of ions and electrons in an integrated, operating battery electrode.

Batteries 286
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DOE releases three reports showing strong growth in US fuel cell and hydrogen market

Green Car Congress

'The US Department of Energy (DOE) released three new reports showcasing strong growth across the US fuel cell and hydrogen technologies market. According to these reports, the US continues to be one of the world’s largest and fastest growing markets for fuel cell and hydrogen technologies. In 2012, nearly 80% of total investment in the global fuel cell industry was made in US companies.

Hydrogen 284
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UMTRI: average fuel economy of new light-duty vehicles sold in November up slightly from October

Green Car Congress

'The average fuel-economy (EPA window-sticker) value of new light-duty vehicles sold in the US in November was 24.8 mpg, up 0.1 mpg from the revised October value, according to the monthly report from Michael Sivak and Brandon Schoettle at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. Vehicle fuel economy is up 4.7 mpg or 23% since October 2007 (the first month of their monitoring).

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Shell floats hull for Prelude, world’s largest floating facility; 3.6M tonnes LNG per year

Green Car Congress

'The 488-meter (1,601-foot) hull of Shell’s Prelude floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facility has been floated out of the dry dock at the Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) yard in Geoje, South Korea, where the facility is currently under construction. Once complete, Prelude FLNG will be the largest floating facility ever built. ( Earlier post.) It will produce approximately 3.6 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) per year.

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Univ. of Tokyo researchers demonstrate new “oxygen-rocking” battery

Green Car Congress

'Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a battery based on the concept of a combination of a perovskite-type cathode and a low-electrode-potential anode that can achieve high energy densities through the use of organic rather than aqueous electrolytes. The work is derivative of their earlier investigation into a “oxygen-rocking batteries” reported in 2012. ( Earlier post.).

Sodium 276
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New Bosch start-stop system with coasting mode can reduce fuel consumption by up to another 10%

Green Car Congress

'Bosch has developed a new start-stop system with coasting mode; the system stops the engine when the vehicle is traveling at speed, helping to reduce fuel consumption by up to 10%. The function can be combined with any type of combustion engine. First generation start-stop systems stop an engine only when the vehicle is completely stationary; enhanced versions of this start-stop system cut the engine as soon as the vehicle is coasting to a halt—e.g., at a red light.

Fuel 275
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GM investing $24M in electrical generation equipment to use more landfill gas at two plants

Green Car Congress

'General Motors is making a $24-million investment in electrical generation equipment that will allow the company to use more landfill gas at its Fort Wayne, Ind., and Orion, Mich., assembly plants. The new equipment will generate more than 14 MW of electricity from landfill gas, helping GM avoid producing more than 89,000 metric tons of CO 2 per year.

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Ford brings cellulose fiber reinforced thermoplastic to 2014 Lincoln MKX

Green Car Congress

'Early version of CRP-based armrest piece under development. Source: Weyerhaeuser. Click to enlarge. A three-year collaboration between Lincoln, Weyerhaeuser and auto parts supplier Johnson Controls has resulted in the creation of a tree-based, renewable alternative to fiberglass for use in auto parts. ( Earlier post.) The 2014 Lincoln MKX features the use of Cellulose Reinforced Polypropylene (called “ THRIVE ” composites by Weyerhaeuser) in the floor console armrest substrate—a structura

2014 273