Latest Energy News
Green Car Congress - February 9 2010 05:33:00 AM
Caterpillar Inc. intends to join the FutureGen Alliance, a public-private partnership established to build a first-of-its-kind coal-fired, near-zero emissions power plant in Mattoon, Illinois. The FutureGen facility is designed to be the cleanest coal burning plant in the world and... ... read more...
Ford Unveils Electric Transit Connect, Transit Taxi with Alt Fuel Conversion at Chicago Auto Show
Green Car Congress - February 9 2010 03:15:00 AM
The electric Transit Connect. Click to enlarge. Ford Motor Company is unveiling the all-electric version of the Ford Transit Connect at the Chicago Auto Show; the small electric van will be in fleet operators’ hands later this year, according to... Mike Millikin... read more...
Toyota Recalls Prius, Plug-in Prius, Sai and HS250h in Japan Over Braking Issues
Green Car Congress - February 9 2010 03:09:48 AM
Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announced a recall related to the software program that controls the antilock braking system (ABS) in current-model Prius, the Prius Plug-in Hybrid, Sai and HS250h sold in Japan. (Earlier post.) The recall, for which TMC submitted... Mike Millikin... read more...
Protoscar to Unveil LAMPO2 Electric Sports Car at Geneva Show
Green Car Congress - February 9 2010 03:01:00 AM
LAMPO2 components. Click to enlarge. Protoscar, a Swiss company which has been developing CleanCar projects for 23 years, will introduce the LAMPO2 electric sports car prototype at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show in March. LAMPO2 is a more energy-efficient successor... Mike Milli... read more...
Solar Cells from Tobacco Plants May Be a Reality Soon
Alt Energy Tech - February 9 2010 01:05:00 AM
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Report: Toyota To Halt Output Of Sai, Lexus Hybrids On Looming Recall
Green Car Congress - February 8 2010 06:13:55 PM
The Nikkei reports that Toyota Motor Corp. will suspend domestic production of its Sai and Lexus HS250h hybrids, which are to be recalled for faulty brakes, at the end of the week. Japan’s top automaker intends to submit plans for... Mike Millikin... read more...
Why isn't there a Building Efficiency Trade Association
Cleantech - February 8 2010 03:27:00 PM
Is it time for a real trade association for the Building Efficiency industry?... read more...
Congressman Markey visits Plasma Science and Fusion Center
MIT Energy News - February 8 2010 03:01:00 PM
Congressman Edward J. Markey toured the Plasma Science and Fusion Center (PSFC) on Feb. 5. Led by PSFC Director Miklos Porkolab and Alcator Project Head Earl Marmar, the representative of Massachusetts' seventh district was able to view the Alcator C-Mod tokamak and observe experiments being perform... read more...
Coulomb Technologies Introduces New Open Billing System for ChargePoint Networked Plug-in Charging Stations; No Subscription Required
Green Car Congress - February 8 2010 02:03:35 PM
Coulomb Technologies has introduced a new, open Flex Billing system; beginning in July, users of ChargePoint Networked Charging Stations will no longer need a subscription to the ChargePoint Network. Owners of the charging stations (Hosts), including utilities, retailers, municipalities and... ... read more...
GM Announces B20 Capability For 2011 Duramax 6.6L Turbo Diesel
Green Car Congress - February 8 2010 01:41:17 PM
GM’ new lineup of heavy-duty diesel pickups will have B20 biodiesel capability. To make the Duramax 6.6L and its fuel system compatible with B20, GM upgraded some seals and gasket materials to withstand the ester content of biodiesel and included... Mike Millikin... read more...
ORNL Researchers Modify Plug-in Hybrid Electric Traction Drive Power Electronics to Function as On-Board Charger; Mobile Power Generation and V2G Support as Well
Green Car Congress - February 8 2010 01:08:24 PM
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.... Mike Millikin... read more...
Gray Power
Cleantech - February 8 2010 12:01:00 PM
by Richard T. StuebiThe distinction between "green power" -- electricity without any carbon emissions, usually from renewable energy sources such as solar and wind -- has been clearly drawn vs. "brown power" -- electricity generated from fossil fuels.In a recent arti... read more...
Mercedes Vito All-Electric Taxi Prototype Launches in London
Green Car Congress - February 8 2010 11:26:20 AM
Eco City Vehicles PLC (ECV), a developer and supplier of eco-friendly commercial vehicles and the London licensed taxi, launched an all-electric prototype of the London-licensed Mercedes Vito taxi, developed by a consortium of companies including ECV’s manufacturing partner Penso, Mercedes... ... read more...
Mercedes Vito All-Electric Taxi Prototype Launches in London
Green Car Congress - February 8 2010 11:26:20 AM
Eco City Vehicles PLC (ECV), a developer and supplier of eco-friendly commercial vehicles and the London licensed taxi, launched an all-electric prototype of the London-licensed Mercedes Vito taxi, developed by a consortium of companies including ECV’s manufacturing partner Penso, Mercedes... ... read more...
AFE to Use Plasma Gasification of Waste in 25MW Power Project in Milwaukee
Green Car Congress - February 8 2010 09:45:14 AM
Alliance Federated Energy (AFE) last week announced the development of “Project Apollo,” a $225-million, 25MW energy project located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Project Apollo plans to utilize Westinghouse Plasma Corp.’s (WPC) plasma gasification technology to process municipal and industrial was... read more...
AFE to Use Plasma Gasification of Waste in 25MW Power Project in Milwaukee
Green Car Congress - February 8 2010 09:45:14 AM
Alliance Federated Energy (AFE) last week announced the development of “Project Apollo,” a $225-million, 25MW energy project located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Project Apollo plans to utilize Westinghouse Plasma Corp.’s (WPC) plasma gasification technology to process municipal and industrial was... read more...
EDF Video Targets Fleet Reductions in CO2
Green Car Congress - February 8 2010 09:21:28 AM
The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) has introduced a new video, titled The Power of Scale, that outlines a few simple steps—such as rightsizing vehicles, reducing idling, planning an efficient route, and removing excess cargo—to guide companies with vehicle fleets in... Mik... read more...
EDF Video Targets Fleet Reductions in CO2
Green Car Congress - February 8 2010 09:21:28 AM
The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) has introduced a new video, titled The Power of Scale, that outlines a few simple steps—such as rightsizing vehicles, reducing idling, planning an efficient route, and removing excess cargo—to guide companies with vehicle fleets in... Mik... read more...
India to Contribute Formally to IPCC Process
Green Car Congress - February 8 2010 08:54:12 AM
SciDev.net. The Indian Network for Climate Change Assessment (INCCA), formed in October 2009, will now contribute formally to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This marks the first institutional level involvement of Indian scientists with the IPCC; up to... M... read more...
India to Contribute Formally to IPCC Process
Green Car Congress - February 8 2010 08:54:12 AM
SciDev.net. The Indian Network for Climate Change Assessment (INCCA), formed in October 2009, will now contribute formally to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This marks the first institutional level involvement of Indian scientists with the IPCC; up to... M... read more...
BASF and Embrapa’s Cultivance Soybeans Receive Approval for Commercial Cultivation in Brazil
Green Car Congress - February 8 2010 06:00:00 AM
Embrapa, the Brazilian Agricultural Research Cooperation, and BASF’s jointly developed herbicide-tolerant soybeans were green-lighted on 10 December 10 by CTNBio,the Brazilian Biosafety Technical Commission. Cultivance is the first genetically modified crop developed in Brazil, from laboratory to ... read more...
BASF and Embrapa’s Cultivance Soybeans Receive Approval for Commercial Cultivation in Brazil
Green Car Congress - February 8 2010 06:00:00 AM
Embrapa, the Brazilian Agricultural Research Cooperation, and BASF’s jointly developed herbicide-tolerant soybeans were green-lighted on 10 December 10 by CTNBio,the Brazilian Biosafety Technical Commission. Cultivance is the first genetically modified crop developed in Brazil, from laboratory to ... read more...
Recent Hybrid Braking Complaints Highlight Regenerative Braking Design Issues
Green Car Congress - February 8 2010 05:30:00 AM
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... ... read more...
Recent Hybrid Braking Complaints Highlight Regenerative Braking Design Issues
Green Car Congress - February 8 2010 05:30:00 AM
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... ... read more...
Report: Toyota Will Also Recall Sai, Lexus HS250h
Green Car Congress - February 8 2010 05:21:00 AM
The Nikkei reports that Toyota Motor Corp. will begin recalling its Sai and Lexus HS250h hybrids, which use the same braking system as the company’s Prius hybrid, by the end of this month. The company is believed to have decided... Mike Millikin... read more...
Report: Toyota Will Also Recall Sai, Lexus HS250h
Green Car Congress - February 8 2010 05:21:00 AM
The Nikkei reports that Toyota Motor Corp. will begin recalling its Sai and Lexus HS250h hybrids, which use the same braking system as the company’s Prius hybrid, by the end of this month. The company is believed to have decided... Mike Millikin... read more...
Jet Engines the Inspiration for New Wind Power Technology
Alt Energy Tech - February 8 2010 03:17:59 AM
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Better Place Opens First EV Demonstration Center; Dor Alon to Deploy Battery Switch Stations in Israel
Green Car Congress - February 7 2010 10:06:20 AM
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... Mike Millikin... read more...
Better Place Opens First EV Demonstration Center; Dor Alon to Deploy Battery Switch Stations in Israel
Green Car Congress - February 7 2010 10:06:20 AM
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... Mike Millikin... read more...
Smith Electric Vehicles and Proton Power Sign MoU for Developing Commercial Electric Vehicle With Fuel Cell Range Extender; First Prototype at Hannover Fair 2010
Green Car Congress - February 7 2010 08:08:00 AM
Proton Power Systems recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Smith Electric Vehicles, the commercial electric vehicle division of The Tanfield Group Plc. Under the MoU both parties will collaborate to build and market a battery-powered commercial vehicle, equipped... ... read more...
Smith Electric Vehicles and Proton Power Sign MoU for Developing Commercial Electric Vehicle With Fuel Cell Range Extender; First Prototype at Hannover Fair 2010
Green Car Congress - February 7 2010 08:08:00 AM
Proton Power Systems recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Smith Electric Vehicles, the commercial electric vehicle division of The Tanfield Group Plc. Under the MoU both parties will collaborate to build and market a battery-powered commercial vehicle, equipped... ... read more...
Pratt & Whitney Offers PW4000 94-inch Upgrade Package; 1% Reduction in Fuel Burn
Green Car Congress - February 7 2010 07:24:00 AM
Pratt & Whitney will offer an Advantage Performance Upgrade package for the PW4000 94-inch family of aircraft engines that will deliver a 1% fuel burn reduction and improve engine durability. Other benefits of the package include lower greenhouse gas emissions,... Mike Millikin... read more...
Pratt & Whitney Offers PW4000 94-inch Upgrade Package; 1% Reduction in Fuel Burn
Green Car Congress - February 7 2010 07:24:00 AM
Pratt & Whitney will offer an Advantage Performance Upgrade package for the PW4000 94-inch family of aircraft engines that will deliver a 1% fuel burn reduction and improve engine durability. Other benefits of the package include lower greenhouse gas emissions,... Mike Millikin... read more...
Southern California Governments Rejects Federal Ethanol Funding
Green Car Congress - February 7 2010 07:00:00 AM
LA Times. The Southern California Assn. of Governments rejected $11 million in federal stimulus money targeted to build 55 ethanol fueling stations across Southern California, saying it had policy concerns about ethanol as an alternative to gasoline. Corn-based ethanol causes... ... read more...
Southern California Governments Rejects Federal Ethanol Funding
Green Car Congress - February 7 2010 07:00:00 AM
LA Times. The Southern California Assn. of Governments rejected $11 million in federal stimulus money targeted to build 55 ethanol fueling stations across Southern California, saying it had policy concerns about ethanol as an alternative to gasoline. Corn-based ethanol causes... ... read more...
Mitsubishi Heavy Signs MOU with PBMR Pty on Development of Small-size Nuclear Power Generation Plant
Green Car Congress - February 7 2010 06:29:00 AM
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (Pty) Ltd (PBMR Pty) of the Republic of South Africa to study the area of collaboration in the development of the helium-cooled, High... Mike Millikin... read more...
Mitsubishi Heavy Signs MOU with PBMR Pty on Development of Small-size Nuclear Power Generation Plant
Green Car Congress - February 7 2010 06:29:00 AM
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (Pty) Ltd (PBMR Pty) of the Republic of South Africa to study the area of collaboration in the development of the helium-cooled, High... Mike Millikin... read more...
Improving Life Cycle Assessment of US Grid Electricity
Green Car Congress - February 6 2010 10:23:28 AM
Results of GIS statistical analysis for CO2: (a) eGrid subregion emissions factors (kg CO2/kWh), (b) average emissions factor for each district (kg CO2/kWh), (c) coefficient of variation of CO2 emissions factor by district, and (d) difference between eGrid subregion emissions... ... read more...
Improving Life Cycle Assessment of US Grid Electricity
Green Car Congress - February 6 2010 10:23:28 AM
Results of GIS statistical analysis for CO2: (a) eGrid subregion emissions factors (kg CO2/kWh), (b) average emissions factor for each district (kg CO2/kWh), (c) coefficient of variation of CO2 emissions factor by district, and (d) difference between eGrid subregion emissions... ... read more...
Nissan Enters into EV Partnership with City of Houston
Green Car Congress - February 6 2010 09:15:00 AM
Nissan is entering into an agreement with the City of Houston to advance zero-emission mobility in the city by promoting the development of an electric-vehicle charging network and policies to support widespread adoptions of electric cars. The announcement, made at... Mike Milli... read more...
Nissan Enters into EV Partnership with City of Houston
Green Car Congress - February 6 2010 09:15:00 AM
Nissan is entering into an agreement with the City of Houston to advance zero-emission mobility in the city by promoting the development of an electric-vehicle charging network and policies to support widespread adoptions of electric cars. The announcement, made at... Mike Milli... read more...
Pew Environment Report Says Melting Arctic Could Cost a Minimum of $2.4 Trillion by 2050
Green Car Congress - February 6 2010 08:30:00 AM
Rapid melting of the Arctic region could carry a minimum global cost of US$2.4 trillion by 2050, according to a new report, “An Initial Estimate of the Cost of Lost Climate Services Due to Changes in the Arctic Cryosphere”, released... Mike Millikin... read more...
Pew Environment Report Says Melting Arctic Could Cost a Minimum of $2.4 Trillion by 2050
Green Car Congress - February 6 2010 08:30:00 AM
Rapid melting of the Arctic region could carry a minimum global cost of US$2.4 trillion by 2050, according to a new report, “An Initial Estimate of the Cost of Lost Climate Services Due to Changes in the Arctic Cryosphere”, released... Mike Millikin... read more...
Volvo Group Enters Academic Partnership with Pennsylvania State University
Green Car Congress - February 6 2010 07:28:00 AM
The Volvo Group has chosenPennsylvania State University to be the first North American member of Volvo’s Academic Partner Program, which was launched globally in 2009 for research cooperation with selected universities. Cooperation in Volvo’s Academic Partner Program encompasses research in... ... read more...
Volvo Group Enters Academic Partnership with Pennsylvania State University
Green Car Congress - February 6 2010 07:28:00 AM
The Volvo Group has chosenPennsylvania State University to be the first North American member of Volvo’s Academic Partner Program, which was launched globally in 2009 for research cooperation with selected universities. Cooperation in Volvo’s Academic Partner Program encompasses research in... ... read more...
ORNL Researchers Find Thermochemical Exhaust Heat Recuperation In Internal Combustion Engines Could Provide Substantial Boosts in Second-Law Efficiency
Green Car Congress - February 5 2010 02:30:00 PM
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... Mike Millikin... read more...
ORNL Researchers Find Thermochemical Exhaust Heat Recuperation In Internal Combustion Engines Could Provide Substantial Boosts in Second-Law Efficiency
Green Car Congress - February 5 2010 02:30:00 PM
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... Mike Millikin... read more...
ZeaChem Achieves Industrial-Level Fermentation Results from Biorefining Process
Green Car Congress - February 5 2010 01:58:21 PM
ZeaChem Inc., a developer of biorefineries for the conversion of renewable biomass into fuels and chemicals, has achieved successful process scaling for its fermentation of acetic acid, an intermediate in the ZeaChem process, from 0.5 liter (lab-scale) to 5,000 liters.... Mike M... read more...
ZeaChem Achieves Industrial-Level Fermentation Results from Biorefining Process
Green Car Congress - February 5 2010 01:58:21 PM
ZeaChem Inc., a developer of biorefineries for the conversion of renewable biomass into fuels and chemicals, has achieved successful process scaling for its fermentation of acetic acid, an intermediate in the ZeaChem process, from 0.5 liter (lab-scale) to 5,000 liters.... Mike M... read more...
LG Chem to Supply Li-ion Batteries to Changan
Green Car Congress - February 5 2010 01:45:49 PM
Korea Times. LG Chem will supply lithium-ion batteries to China’s Chongqing Changan Auto for application in hybrids, beginning in the second half of this year. Chongqing Changan, which has already introduced a hybrid van dubbed “CV11” last year in China,... Mike Millikin... read more...
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