article thumbnail

This Nigerian Startup’s Minigrid Began as a School Project

Cars That Think

When Ifeanyi Orajaka was an undergraduate engineering student in 2008, he had his career all mapped out. After he graduated from the Federal University of Technology in Owerri, Nigeria, his plan was to get a high-paying job at one of the multinational oil and gas companies based in the country.

Nigeria 67
article thumbnail

US National Research Council Report Finds Plug-in Hybrid Costs Likely to Remain High; Fleet Fuel Consumption and Carbon Emissions Benefits Will Be Modest for Decades

Green Car Congress

Penetration rates for the PHEV-10 and the PHEV-40 were compared to a Reference Case that assumes high oil prices and fuel economy standards specified by EISA 2007 (with modest increases after 2020, when those standards level off), as described in the 2008 Hydrogen Report from NRC. Click to enlarge.

Plug-in 186
article thumbnail

Grail Engine Adopts Enerpulse Pulse Plugs for Forced Semi-Homogeneous Charged Compression Ignition in Concept Two-Stroke Engine

Green Car Congress

A 1-liter 2-cylinder Grail Engine using Pulstar pulse plugs is expected to yield 100+ mpg without batteries or power grid [Note: Using a commuter vehicle weighing 1,600 lbs/726 kg]. Oil is kept away from center of crank shaft by inertia and centrifugal force. Matthew Riley. Elements of the Grail Engine. Click to enlarge.

Engine 186
article thumbnail

Cash for Volts?

Revenge of the Electric Car

The “cash for volts&# approach was touted Monday by the Electrification Coalition, a 13-member group that sees electric plug-ins as the answer to a host of problems, from dependence on foreign oil to tailpipe emissions that some believe is contributing to global climate change.

Volt 100
article thumbnail

Electric Cars and a Smarter Grid - Green Inc. Blog - NYTimes.com

Tony Karrer Delicious EVdriven

French construction company Bouygues Immobilier is working on an office in Meudon, western Paris, which uses 4,000 square metres of solar panels to meet not only its own energy needs but also to export surplus energy back to the power grid. Oil is the alternative. Alternative is no longer an alternative. — Bada Bing 9.

Grid 47
article thumbnail

How Carmakers Are Responding to the Plug-In Hybrid Opportunity

Tony Karrer Delicious EVdriven

In late 2008, BYD started selling the first production PHEV in China. Small long-term evaluation program, including modeling of vehicle-to-grid building benefits and economics, begun with Southern California Edison, joined by EPRI, other utilities, US DOE. First Escape PHEV delivered to SCE Nov 2007; 20 in 2008-2009.

Plug-in 45
article thumbnail

Renault Unveils Four Concept EVs and Quickdrop Battery Switch System; Commits to 100,000 EVs with Better Place

Green Car Congress

A hydrating function sprays an active substance to rehydrate the skin; a detox function uses toxicity sensors to monitor air quality and shut off airvents if required; and an active scent function that exhales essential oils (aromatherapy in the car). The plug socket can be easily adapted to the current grid by an electrician.

Concept 294