article thumbnail

Average carbon intensity of oil sands production has dropped ~36% in last 40 years; still 12-24% higher than conventional oil CI

Green Car Congress

The carbon intensity (CI) of Alberta oil sands production has significantly decreased over the last 40 years, according to a new study by a team from Stanford University published as an open access paper in the journal Environmental Research Letters. the Shell Quest project) could result in significant reductions in oil sands CI.

Oil-Sands 210
article thumbnail

Alberta publishes report assessing non-combustion uses for bitumen, opens $2M call for projects

Green Car Congress

Following a 2017 report that identified potential products that could be made from Alberta oil sands bitumen, this new study identifies the top potential uses to help Alberta diversify its economy outside of conventional fuels and chemical feedstocks. Vanadium flow batteries for electricity storage. fly ash and coke).

Oil-Sands 199
article thumbnail

Heating Buildings With Solar Energy Stored in Sand

Cars That Think

When we turn up the heat in our homes and workplaces, we must balance our personal need for warmth with the global impact of burning fossil fuels like oil, gas, coal, and biomass. The hot air is circulated through a network of pipes inside a sand-filled heat storage vessel. There is nothing special here!” Eronen says, laughing.

Store 105
article thumbnail

New “inverse vulcanization” process produces polymeric sulfur that can function as high performance electrodes for Li-S batteries

Green Car Congress

Battery cycling data for poly(S-r-DIB) (10 wt% DIB, C/10 rate). A University of Arizona-led international research team has developed a simple process for making lightweight plastics from elemental sulfur; the team has successfully used a new polymeric sulfur produced via the process as an electrode material for lithium-sulfur batteries.

Oil-Sands 225
article thumbnail

Argonne releases latest updates to GREET life-cycle analysis models

Green Car Congress

Shale oil: developed energy and GHG emissions intensities of U.S. shale oil production with operation data from Bakken and Eagle Ford plays. Oil sands: updated GHG emission intensities for Canadian oil sands pathways for surface mining and in-situ technologies.

Oil-Sands 150
article thumbnail

Argonne releases updates to GREET models; LiMn2O4 replaces cobalt for Li-ion batteries

Green Car Congress

Li-ion battery production pathways using LiMn 2 O 4 are added replacing Li-ion battery with Li 2 CoO 2. grid-connected HEV) with an SI engine, a battery electric vehicle, and a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) with a hybrid configuration. Alberta mix is defined and used for bitumen recovery and upgrading in oil sand operation.

Li-ion 225
article thumbnail

New Toyota Highlander turbocharged engine offers more torque and fewer emissions

Green Car Congress

Mud & Sand mode works well for beach driving, while Rock & Dirt mode optimizes AWD traction for trails. A variable cooling system (electric water pump, electric thermostat) and a fully variable oil pump help to further enhance engine efficiency. Like the hybrid powertrain itself, the AWD system is designed to work seamlessly.