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Radiative forcing due to perpetual constant year 2000 emissions grouped by sector for 2020 (left) and 2100 (right) showing the contribution from each species. The net sum of total radiative forcing is indicated by the title of each bar. From Unger et al., PNAS. Click to enlarge. A new study by led by Nadine Unger at NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) that analyzes the net climate impacts of emissions from economic sectors rather than by individual chemical species has found that o
Ever since the Copenhagen climate treaty talks ended in impotence two months ago there hasn’t been a single ounce of positive news on the international scene about our chances of cutting the world’s greenhouse gas emissions and getting CO2 levels back down to the safe 350 ppm zone. Here in the United States our President and Congress haven’t shown the leadership or sense of urgency necessary to prevent a climate catastrophe and they’ve given the people no hope for their
2010 Tesla Roadster. Tesla is hoping its new leasing strategy will help usher in a new round of early adopters into the mainstream. Read more in the article: Tesla to Offer Auto Leases. ‘Starting Wednesday, the 2010 Roadster, which competes against exotic sport cars like the Porsche 911, will be available on a three-year, 30,000-mile lease based on the manufacturer’s price of $111,005, Tesla said.
Phantom diagram of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid. Click to enlarge. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG will introduce the 911 GT3 R hybrid for production-based GT racing at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show in March. The hybrid is equipped with a flywheel energy recovery system (KERS) developed by Williams Hybrid Power initially for use in Formula One racing. ( Earlier post.).
NREL simulation results showed similar fuel consumption vs. energy window trends for various drive cycles, with approximately half of the fuel savings being provided by a window ? 50Wh. Source: Gonder et al. Click to enlarge. A National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) project, funded by GM, found that an ultracapacitor-based energy storage system (ESS) in a Saturn VUE BAS (belt alternator starter) mild hybrid performed at least as well or better than the NiMH battery system in the production
The new 3.0L V9X diesel engine. Click to enlarge. Infiniti will introduce a newly-developed 3.0-liter V6 diesel for the European market. The engine, the first in the brand’s 20-year history, will initially be available in both the EX and FX crossovers and later in the Infiniti M luxury performance sedan. Designated V9X, Infiniti’s new V6 diesel develops 175 kW (238 hp) and 550 N·m (406 lb-ft) of torque.
Results of GIS statistical analysis for CO 2 : (a) eGrid subregion emissions factors (kg CO 2 /kWh), (b) average emissions factor for each district (kg CO 2 /kWh), (c) coefficient of variation of CO 2. emissions factor by district, and (d) difference between eGrid subregion emissions factor and US average emissions factor, 0.65 kg CO 2 /kWh (kg CO2/kWh).
Results of GIS statistical analysis for CO 2 : (a) eGrid subregion emissions factors (kg CO 2 /kWh), (b) average emissions factor for each district (kg CO 2 /kWh), (c) coefficient of variation of CO 2. emissions factor by district, and (d) difference between eGrid subregion emissions factor and US average emissions factor, 0.65 kg CO 2 /kWh (kg CO2/kWh).
Velozzi, a Los Angeles-based car designer and manufacturer, will integrate Capstone Turbine’s C65 and C30 microturbines into its electric supercar and a crossover vehicle, respectively. Capstone said that these would be the first production automotive applications of its microturbines, which have been used in buses, trolleys and shuttles. The Velozzi Supercar will be powered by a 770 hp (574 kW) AC-induction electric motor charged by an on-board Capstone C65 microturbine.
Pike global markets forecast of annual electric two-wheel vehicle sales, excluding Asia-Pacific, through 2016. Click to enlarge. A new report from Pike Research anticipates that the global market for electric two-wheeled vehicles—e-bikes, e-scooters, and e-motorcycles—will grow at a compound annual rate of 9% through 2016. China is currently the largest marketplace for electric two-wheel vehicles, commanding 98% of the global market in 2009.
The 2011 Elise. Click to enlarge. When Lotus introduces its 2011 model year Elise lineup at the upcoming Geneva Motorshow, it will include a new entry-level vehicle incorporating a Toyota 1ZR-FAE 1.6-liter engine with Valvematic (a variable valve lift mechanism) and Dual VVT-I (Variable Valve Timing-intelligent) technology. The 136 PS model (134 hp, 100 kW) emits less than 155 g CO 2 /km—an improvement of more than 13% compared to the 2010 Elise S—and offers combined EUropean cycle f
Comparison of regenerative/hydraulic (friction) braking ratios under normal braking. Left: 2001-2003 Toyota Prius (THS). Right: 2004-2009 Toyota Prius (THS-II). Source: Toyota Motor Company. Click to enlarge. by Jack Rosebro. Recent brake feel and application issues in Ford and Toyota hybrids ( earlier post ) have drawn attention to the inherent complexity of hybrid and electric vehicle braking systems, which typically combine regenerative braking with conventional friction braking, antilock bra
Shot of the Evora 414E Hybrid concept. Click to enlarge. Lotus Engineering will unveil the Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid concept at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. The concept is a high-performance technology demonstrator with a plug-in series hybrid drive system—featuring the Lotus Range extender engine ( earlier post )—and new technologies for enhanced driver involvement.
Ford Motor Company is launching a voluntary sustainability initiative for Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealers—the Go Green Dealership Sustainability Program—to reduce their carbon footprint and improve the energy-efficiency of their dealerships. Ford has partnered on the initiative with Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), an organization recognized as a leader in providing energy-efficiency solutions to businesses, communities and organizations around the world.
Schematic of the conceptual ideal piston engine used for the TCR study. The outer control volume (CV0) encloses the entire system. The upper inner control volume (CV1) contains the combustion chamber and piston. The lower inner control volume (CV2) contains the reformer and intercooler. When reforming is not used, the fuel and exhaust pass through CV2 unchanged.
Comparison of cycle life, 8C. Click to enlarge. Mitsubishi Electric Corp has demonstrated prototypes of a hybrid energy storage cell that combines the fast charge-discharge power capabilities and long life of an EDLC (electric double layer capacitor) and the greater energy storage capacity of a Li-ion battery in a single cell. The new device is expected to be used for storing regenerated power from a motor (i.e., through regenerative braking) or leveling the output of a photovoltaic system.
The approach for hybrids using multiple inverters and motors (left) and a single inverter and motor (right). Additional components are shown in red. Each INV/CONV functions as a switch leg while splitting the current among the 6 switches. Source: Su. Click to enlarge. Researchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory have designed , fabricated and demonstrated a PHEV traction drive power electronics system that functions as the on-board charger, and that also provides signi
Researchers at the University of Waterloo (Canada) have demonstrated a single-step solid acid-catalyzed process with the potential for industrial-scale production of biodiesel from high free fatty acid (FFA) feedstocks. A paper on their work was published online 19 February in the ACS journal Energy & Fuels. The use of waste oils and fats as feedstocks less costly than refined vegetable oils for biodiesel production is hampered by their high content of free fatty acids (FFAs).
The new two-cylinder Twin-Air. Click to enlarge. Among its displays at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, Fiat will preview its new turbocharged two-cylinder 85 hp (63 kW) Twin-Air engine fitted aboard a 500, the first Fiat model on which it will be introduced next September. CO 2 output from the engine is projected to be 95 g/km. Progenitor of new family of two-cylinder engines—to range in output from 65-105 hp—made by Fiat Powertrain Technologies (FPT), the engine implements a Multiair system com
Left, global light-duty fleet in the electric-favoring case; right, the hydrogen-favoring case. Top, without CCS and CSP; bottom, with CCS and CSP. In both electric- and hydrogen-favoring cases, availability of low-carbon electricity and hydrogen prolonged the use of petroleum-fueled ICE vehicles. Credit: ACS, Wallington et al. Click to enlarge. Increased availability of low CO 2 sources of electricity and hydrogen could counter-intuitively delay, rather than accelerate, a large-scale transition
Car Charging Group, Inc., a startup owner and provider of electric car charging stations aspiring to build-out a nationwide infrastructure, said it plans to deploy Level 3 fast charging stations. The charging stations, designed by Coulomb Technologies in partnership with Aker-Wade Power Technologies ( earlier post ) will be powered by dedicated 480-volt, 125-amp circuits.
One of the K2 series ultracapacitors. Maxwell Technologies, Inc. introduced its new K2 Series large cell BOOSTCAP ultracapacitors. The K2 replaces Maxwell’s previous MC series cell, the most widely sold large cell ultracapacitor in the world with more than 1 million cells currently in service. Primary applications for Maxwell’s K2 series products, which operate at 2.7 volts and range from 650 to 3,000 farads, include automotive subsystems; hybrid and electric vehicle drivetrains; renewable energ
The new Volkswagen Polo GTI. Click to enlarge. Volkswagen is premiering the new Polo GTI. The new Polo GTI, in what Volkswagen is calling “textbook downsizing”, is powered by a new 1.4-liter TSI with gasoline direct injection plus turbo- and supercharging. The engine, which delivers 132 kW (177 hp), is coupled with a 7-speed DSG as standard.
Business Standard. The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) will launch road-trials of an 18% blend of hydrogen with Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in the next 2-3 months. ( Earlier post.). The project, spearheaded by SIAM along with participation from all major automobile makers in the country, aims at modifying engines to suit the new blend, giving optimum power with minimum emission.
President Obama announced that the Department of Energy has offered conditional commitments for a total of $8.33 billion in loan guarantees for the construction and operation of two new nuclear reactors at a plant in Burke, Georgia. The project is scheduled to be the first US nuclear power plant to break ground in nearly three decades. The two new 1,100 megawatt Westinghouse AP1000 (Advanced Passive 1000) nuclear reactors ( earlier post ) at the Alvin W.
Cost-effectiveness of vehicle electrification using today’s assumptions. The EHEV pathway is the dynamic, road-charged hybrid. Source: Brooker et al. Click to enlarge. A study by researchers at the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory has found that, under today’s battery assumptions, while plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles significantly decrease consumption, none of a variety of electrification pathways were cost-effective compared to conventional vehicles or hybrids, except
President Obama today transmitted the proposed $3.8-trillion FY 2011 Budget to the US Congress. The President’s 2011 Budget provides $28.354 billion for the Department of Energy (DOE) in discretionary budget authority—an 8.9% increase over FY 2009 actuals and a 7.4% increase over FY 2010 estimates— to support scientific innovation, develop clean and secure energy technologies, maintain national security, and reduce environmental risk.
Schematic of a thermocell with nanostructured electrodes showing concentration gradients of the ferri-ferrocyanide redox ions during power generation. Credit: ACS, Hu et al. Click to enlarge. An international team of researchers from the US, India and Australia has demonstrated thermo-electrochemical cells (thermocells) in practical configurations (from coin cells to cells that can be wrapped around exhaust pipes), that harvest low-grade thermal energy (temperature below 130 °C), using relativel
The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Inc (JAMA), a nonprofit industry association comprising fourteen manufacturers of passenger cars, trucks, buses and motorcycles in Japan, recently issued position statements on and recommended specifications for bioethanol and biodiesel (fatty acid methyl ester, FAME). Experts from JAMA visited six countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam) to share their recommended specifications of the two first-generation biof
An eco:Drive Fleet report. Click to enlarge. Fiat is introducing a fleet version of eco:Drive, its data-collection and transmission system designed to gather vehicle efficiency data and analyze car performance and driver style. ( Earlier post.) eco:Drive Fleet allows savings of up to 15% on fuel consumption, as well as ensuring that all the car components are used with optimum efficiency, according to Fiat. eco:Drive Fleet helps to optimize the fuel consumption and the safety of company car flee
Uncertainty over the performance of electric vehicles means reliable future residual value forecasting is currently impossible, according to UK-based CAP. CAP, established in 1979, is a leading provider of vehicle valuation data, new vehicle information and business solutions to the automotive industry. Customers include the majority of leading finance institutions, contract hire and leasing companies, vehicle retail groups and insurance companies.
GE and Juice Technologies have entered a joint development agreement to create intelligent plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) charging devices for US and global markets. The chargers integrate GE’s smart meters with Juice Technology’s Plug Smart engine to help consumers charge their cars during low-demand, lower cost time periods. Juice Technologies is a provider of products and technologies that enable the intelligent charging of electric and plug-in electric vehicles as well as products to optimiz
The decrease in enzyme cost brings the low end of cellulosic ethanol production cost below the high end of corn ethanol production cost. Source: Novozymes. Click to enlarge. Novozymes has launched what it called the first commercially viable enzymes for production of biofuel from agricultural waste. The new Cellic CTec2 enzymes enable the biofuel industry to produce cellulosic ethanol at a price below US$2.00 per gallon for the initial commercial-scale plants that are scheduled to be in operatio
Under a memorandum of understanding signed by. Daimler AG and Russia’s leading investment bank Troika Dialog, Daimler will boost its stake in Russian truckmaker KAMAZ by 1% to 11%, while another 4% of KAMAZ shared will be acquired by the. European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). As a result of this transaction, the EBRD would obtain a seat on the KAMAZ Board of Directors.
Better Place announced the grand opening of the company’s first electric vehicle (EV) battery switch demonstration center in Israel. ( Earlier post.). The company marked the occasion by announcing the signing of 92 corporate fleet owners to date as well as a partnership with Dor Alon, one of Israel’s leading gas station operators, for the deployment of battery switch stations at Dor Alon’s facilities.
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