Sat.Jun 21, 2014 - Fri.Jun 27, 2014

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Cummins progressing with lightweight downsized T2B2 diesel for pickup; 40% improvement in fuel economy over gasoline V8

Green Car Congress

'Cummins reports that it, along with partners Johnson Matthey and Nissan, is on plan in a 4-year, $30-million ($15 million from the US Department of Energy) research project to deliver a light-duty diesel engine with fuel economy 40% improved over that of baseline gasoline V8 engine for a half-ton pickup truck while also meeting the requirements of US Tier2 Bin2 tailpipe emissions. ( Earlier post.).

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Bradford: Twelve Years A Failure – His Reason To Kill CCAs

Creative Greenius

'South Bay Gets More Done In 3 Months Than SCE’s Former Flack Got Done in a Dozen As A City Councilman in Gardena. What a unique concept. First admit what a failure you were in your own personal efforts of launching a Community Choice power program where you live. Then i gnore or lie about the progress made by so many outside your community.

Vietnam 340
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Residential Solar Competitive With Electricity In 25 States Next Year: NRG CEO

Green Car Reports

'Solar power for your home has been around a long time, but for many homeowners, it''s required subsidies, special financing arrangements, and still delivered long payback periods. That''s changing fast, according to the CEO of a major Texas electric utility. David Crane, who runs NRG Energy, says that in fully half the states of the union.

Solar 167
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Electric buses recharge in just 15 seconds

Green Cars News

'Scientists in Switzerland are testing new technology which could allow electric buses to recharge in as little as 15 seconds; something that could massively increase their uptake. Working in partnership with recharging solution firm, ABB, researchers at the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne[.].

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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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Toyota to launch its fuel cell vehicle in Japan before April 2015, priced around $68,700; reveals exterior

Green Car Congress

'Toyota’s Mitsuhisa Kato briefs the media in Japan on the timing and pricing of the FCV, and outlines the company’s view of the role of fuel cell vehicles. Click to enlarge. Toyota Motor Corporation revealed the exterior design and Japan pricing of its hydrogen fuel cell sedan, first unveiled as a concept at the Tokyo Motor Show last year. ( Earlier post.

Japan 304
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USC team develops novel organic redox flow battery for large-scale energy storage

Green Car Congress

'Schematic of ORBAT. Click to enlarge. Scientists at USC have developed a novel water-based Organic Redox Flow Battery (ORBAT) for lower cost, long lasting large-scale energy storage. An open access paper on their work is published in the Journal of the Electrochemical Society. ORBAT employs two different water-soluble organic redox couples on the positive and negative side of a flow battery.

More Trending

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H2 Logic and Air Liquide to build network of hydrogen refueling stations in Denmark

Green Car Congress

'H2 Logic A/S and Air Liquide have concluded a joint investment in their joint venture hydrogen fuel company, Copenhagen Hydrogen Network A/S (CHN). The company is already operating a hydrogen refueling station in Copenhagen that will be followed by four more stations during 2014. This will make Denmark will be the world’s first country where hydrogen fueling is available nationwide and based 100% on renewable energy.

Denmark 286
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Ram introduces Doblò-based 2015 Ram ProMaster City van

Green Car Congress

'2015 Ram ProMaster City. Click to enlarge. Chrysler’s Ram brand introduced the 2015 Ram ProMaster City commercial van. The Ram ProMaster City is based on the Fiat Doblò, a two-time International Van of the Year winner with more than 1.3 million units sold. The new, smaller van joins the ProMaster and Ram Cargo vans, and is intended to provide incremental growth for Ram’s brand sales volumes.

2015 278
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Android Auto makes its debut with support from multiple automakers and tech companies

Green Car Congress

'Android Auto made its debut at the 2014 Google I/O annual technology conference in San Francisco as the first innovation resulting from the Open Automotive Alliance (OAA)—a coalition of tech companies and auto industry leaders launched in January by Google, NVIDIA, Audi, GM, Honda and Hyundai committed to bringing the Android platform to cars.

Auto 273
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Ford 1.0L EcoBoost wins 3rd consecutive Int’l Engine Of The Year; VW 1.4L TSI takes 9th straight win; Tesla the Best Green Engine

Green Car Congress

'Ford’s 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine ( earlier post ) was named 2014 International Engine of the Year for the third consecutive year. Available in Ford Fiesta and the upcoming 2015 Focus, the 1.0L EcoBoost was also named Best Engine Under 1.0-Liter for third year in a row. The Best Green Engine Award this year went to the Tesla Model S electric powertrain.

Engine 268
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Faurecia and Accenture partner on products and services for connected and autonomous vehicles

Brief

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NREL and GM announce multi-year R&D partnership to reduce cost of automotive fuel cells

Green Car Congress

'The Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and General Motors (GM) are partnering on a multi-year, multi-million dollar joint effort to accelerate the reduction of automotive fuel cell stack costs through fuel cell material and manufacturing research and development (R&D). Most major automakers, including GM, have made significant progress in the development of fuel cell electric vehicles, but achieving commercial deployment with global impact will require further cost

GM 268
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Researchers propose CO2 recycling to improve Fischer-Tropsch GTL efficiency and reduce total CO2 emissions

Green Car Congress

'Overview of the CUGP processes. Credit: ACS, Zhang et al. Click to enlarge. Researchers in South Korea are suggesting two new carbon-dioxide-utilized Gas-to-Liquids processes (CUGP) to increase the overall efficiency of conventional Fischer-Tropsch GTL. In a paper in the ACS journal Environmental Science & Technology , they report that the two CUGP options increase carbon efficiency by 21.1?

CO2 262
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GM considering bringing power electronics production back in-house

Green Car Congress

'GM is almost two-thirds of the way through a $16.6-million project ($6 million in funding support from the DOE) to design and to build a next-generation power inverter capable of 55 kW peak/30 kW continuous power. The inverter is to improve the cost of the power electronics to $3.30/kW produced in quantities of 100,000 units, and the power density to 13.4kW/l, and a specific power of 14.1kW/kg, with an efficiency >94% (10%-100% speed at 20% rated torque) to meet DOE 2020 goals.

GM 252
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New one-pot process for conversion of cellulose to n-hexane, a gasoline component

Green Car Congress

'One-pot process for conversion of cellulose to hexane, a gasoline component. Credit: ACS, Liu et al. Click to enlarge. Researchers at Tohoku University in Japan have developed a one-pot process to convert cellulose to n-hexane in the presence of hydrogen gas. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), unleaded gasoline contains about 11.6% n-hexane.

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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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Ford tops 50 Best Global Green Brands list for 2014; Toyota, Honda and Nissan 2nd, 3rd and 4th

Green Car Congress

'Automakers took the top four slots in the 50 Best Global Green Brands list for 2014, published by Fortune magazine in conjunction with the consulting firm Deloitte and Interbrand. Ford bumped last year’s leader, Toyota, to take the top spot. Toyota came in second, followed by Honda and Nissan. Panasonic was in fifth place. The list was first created in 2011.

2014 246
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JAPEX, JDC and INPEX jointly support JOGMEC’s medium and long-term offshore production test of methane hydrate

Green Car Congress

'Japan Petroleum Exploration Co., Ltd. (JAPEX), Japan Drilling Co., Ltd. (JDC) and INPEX Corporation (INPEX) have concluded a contract to support Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation’s (JOGMEC’s) medium and long-term offshore production test of methane hydrate. ( Earlier post.). The contract, which runs through 31 October, includes support for the formulation of the basic policy (draft); technical studies necessary for the formulation of the basic plan for the test; and collection of t

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Stop/start to be standard with V-6 in Jeep Cherokee and I-4 in 2015 Chrysler 200; up to 3% better fuel economy

Green Car Congress

'Chrysler Group is offering fuel-saving Engine Stop-Start (ESS) technology as standard equipment on certain models of the award-winning 2015 Jeep Cherokee mid-size SUV and 2015 Chrysler 200 mid-size sedan. Chrysler 200 customers who opt for the 2.4-liter Tigershark I-4, and Jeep Cherokee customers who choose the available 3.2-liter Pentastar V-6, will experience estimated fuel-economy improvements of up to 3%, compared with the conventional vehicle-engine pairings.

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IDTechEx sees improving supercapacitors gaining market share against Li-ion batteries

Green Car Congress

'A new report by market research company IDTechEx—“Electrochemical Double Layer Capacitors: Supercapacitors 2014-2024”—finds that supercapacitors are improving faster than lithium-ion batteries in most respects. A gradual increase in the supercapacitor component and decrease of the battery component is in prospect with IDTechEx forecasting that the global market value for supercapacitors will be $6.5 billion by 2024.

Li-ion 236
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EIA: fuel economy standards drive down projected gasoline use; diesel use, product exports rise

Green Car Congress

'In the US Energy Information Administration’s Annual Energy Outlook 2014 (AEO2014) Reference case, more-stringent vehicle fuel economy standards contribute to a decline in motor gasoline consumption through 2040. At the same time, growth in heavy-duty vehicle miles traveled (VMT) is greater than increasing heavy-duty vehicle fuel economy, contributing to rising diesel fuel demand.

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California ARB approves funding plan for low-carbon, zero-emission vehicles; improves car scrap program

Green Car Congress

'The California Air Resources Board took two actions to support the development and deployment of advanced vehicle technologies, provide incentives for clean-cars and improve existing vehicle retirement and replacement programs. ARB approved a funding plan for FY 2014-2015 that will increase investments in cleaning up emissions from freight and goods transport, and continue investments in zero-emission vehicle technologies.

Emissions 231
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Ford and Intel demonstrate in-car personalization with perceptual computing; Project Mobii

Green Car Congress

'Ford and Intel are researching new opportunities for the connected car, including giving drivers the ability to remotely peer into their car using a smartphone, or a vehicle that could identify its owner using facial recognition software. The joint research project, called Mobile Interior Imaging, or Project Mobii, explores how interior-facing cameras could be integrated with sensor technology and data already generated within and around the vehicle to create a more personalized and seamless in

Personal 231
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Toshiba to supply Lithium-titanate battery for 2MW energy storage system project in UK; 1MWh SCiB

Green Car Congress

'Toshiba Corporation will supply the battery for the United Kingdom’s first 2MW scale lithium-titanate battery based Energy Storage System (ESS) to support grid management. The company’s 1MWh SCiB battery will be installed in a primary substation in central England in September. Large-scale ESS are seen as a versatile solution in managing electricity supply.

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800 buses with China Yuchai hybrid and LNG engines ordered for Fushun City

Green Car Congress

'China Yuchai International Limited announced today that new-energy buses running on engines supplied by the company’s main operating subsidiary, Guangxi Yuchai Machinery Company Limited (GYMCL), have been launched in Fushun City, Liaoning Province located in Northeast China. As a national pilot city for new-energy buses, Fushun has made its first large purchase of new-energy buses from Zhengzhou Yutong Bus Company.

China 231
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Continental refines Conti.eContact tire for hybrids

Green Car Congress

'Continental has refined the Conti.eContact tire, originally launched in 2011 with electric vehicles in mind ( earlier post ), to meet the needs of hybrid models. Leveraging new technologies and processes, this new summer tire is narrower and larger, and is the first from Continental to obtain the top A rating on the EU Tire Label for both wet grip and rolling resistance, while making no significant compromises in terms of the many other performance parameters.

LS 600H 231
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CMU demo’ing Autonomous SRX in Washington this week

Green Car Congress

'Sample images of urban driving and screen-captures of the Autonomoous SRX’s tracking system’s results. The images in the first row show detection and tracking results from an arriving area of Pittsburgh international airport. The other two images in the second row show those of an urban street. Cho et al. (2014) Click to enlarge. Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) this week will demonstrate the CMU advanced Autonomous Cadillac SRX in Washington, DC.

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BorgWarner supplying pressure sensitive glow plug for VW Group MDB diesels

Green Car Congress

'BorgWarner is supplying its Pressure Sensor Glow Plug (PSG) for Volkswagen’s all new diesel engines starting with the 1.4-liter version and then adding the 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter versions later this year. Based on the new modular diesel engine system (MDB) ( earlier post ), the fuel-efficient, low-emission engines offer power ratings ranging from 55 kW (74 HP) to 140 kW (188 HP) and have been selected to be installed in several vehicles from VW, Audi, Seat and Škoda to meet Euro 6 emissions st

Supplies 230
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Intelligent Energy joins H2USA

Green Car Congress

'UK-based Intelligent Energy will join H 2 USA ( earlier post ) to contribute to the consortium, wherever possible, using the knowledge and experience it has gained from its involvement in similar European hydrogen programs in Germany, the UK and France. Intelligent Energy specializes in the development of modular, low carbon fuel cell systems. H 2 USA was established in 2013 by the US Department of Energy and other stakeholders.

Energy 225
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USC team finds Li-Al nanoparticles produce hydrogen from water with high rate and yield; potential for industrial scaling

Green Car Congress

'Aluminum and water react exothermically to form aluminum hydroxide and hydrogen; this basic property has lured numerous researchers interested in generating hydrogen from the aluminum-water reaction for modern transportation systems for at least 35 years. ( Earlier post.) However, among the barriers to the practical application of this reaction are the low reaction rate and poor yield.

Water 218
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Topsoe takes first steps to establish automotive catalyst production in Brazil

Green Car Congress

'Haldor Topsoe A/S is in the process of establishing a production facility in Brazil. The facility will focus on manufacturing catalysts that can removeNO x as well as particulates and hydrocarbons from the engine exhaust of diesel vehicles such as buses and trucks. Recently Topsoe leased two buildings in an industrial park located in Joinville, Santa Catarina and work is now ongoing to obtain necessary regulatory approvals and place orders for production equipment.

Brazil 218
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Researchers predict average Gulf of Mexico hypoxic “dead zone” slightly above-average in Chesapeake Bay

Green Car Congress

'Scientists are expecting an average, but still large, hypoxic or “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico this year, and slightly above­average hypoxia in the Chesapeake Bay. NOAA­-supported modeling is forecasting this year''s Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone to cover an area ranging from about 4,633 to 5,708 square miles (12,000 to 14,785 square kilometers) or about the size of the state of Connecticut.

Mexico 218
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Velocys acquires Pinto Energy and Ashtabula GTL Project; gas from the Marcellus Shale

Green Car Congress

'Velocys plc, the UK-based developer of technology for smallers-scale gas-to-liquids (GTL) production, has acquired Pinto Energy LLC (a project developer of smaller scale GTL in North America) and its 2,800 barrels per day (bpd) Ashtabula GTL project near the Port of Ashtabula, Ohio. The project will have access to abundant low-cost natural gas from the Marcellus shale region, as well as benefitting from substantial existing infrastructure.

Gas 218
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GM offering magnetic ride control on Sierra Denali pickup

Green Car Congress

'GM is offering magnetic ride control on the 2015 GMC Sierra Denali; it’s the first time the advanced, electronically controlled damping system has been offered on a full-size truck. GM offers magnetic ride control on a number of other vehicles, including Cadillacs, Corvettes and Buicks. Magnetic ride control provides more precise body motion control that correlates with a more refined ride while maintaining payload and trailering capability.

Sierra 218
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First crude oil unit train departs Meritage Midstream’s Black Thunder Terminal at Arch coal mine

Green Car Congress

'Meritage Midstream Services II, LLC announced that the first crude oil unit train loaded at its Black Thunder Terminal departed the Wyoming terminal on Friday. The 99-car train is carrying 70,000 barrels of crude oil to a refinery on the East Coast for the terminal’s anchor shipper, Black Thunder Marketing, LLC. All of the train’s tank cars are new and meet the safety standards adopted earlier this year by the American Association of Railroads.

Coal 218
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Mitsubishi Electric introduces FLEXConnect for in-vehicle systems

Green Car Congress

'Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America, Inc. introduced its FLEXConnect audio-video bridging system. This next generation in-vehicle infotainment system provides flexibility for multiple displays and multiple content streams. FLEXConnect features two rear seat screens with cameras that operate as independent units while still being connected through the Ethernet AVB architecture.