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sulleny
a hateful black hole
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More of these automotive/electronics partnerships will arrive as electrification becomes one of the largest growth industries on the planet. EVs are pushing the two sectors together into a hybrid business model that utilizes the strengths of both consumer electronics and automotive manufacturers.
After all, plugging in your EV is little different than plugging in your iPhone overnight. And Texans love to be in the big-anything business.
Toshiba to Supply Electric Drive Motors to Ford Staring in 2012; Expanding Manufacturing Capacity in US
Ford Motor Company has awarded Toshiba a major contract to supply electric drive motors for hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Toshiba Corporation will expand manufacturing capacity at its plant in Houston, Texas for production of the high-performance drive motors for HEV, PHEV and EV applicati...
Agreed SJC. This is good news for electrification in general. The problem with your tax is it raises the cost of fuel just when the economy is hurting. So the reaction and likelihood of passage is poor. If the tax was legislated to rest solely at the wellhead - it might fly.
Better might be to charge big oils the cost of military operations that protect wellheads in hostile territories. Many oilcos benefit from the courage of young men and women stationed overseas. Were they to PAY for these services into an energy independence fund - it could help finance the transition to domestic energy resources.
Dow Kokam Breaks Ground on Li-ion Battery Manufacturing Plant in Michigan
Dow Kokam’s Chief Executive Officer Ravi Shanker was joined by Vice President Joe Biden, Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, The Dow Chemical Company Chairman and CEO Andrew Liveris and others at a groundbreaking ceremony in Midland, Michigan for Dow Kokam’s new advanced, large-format battery p...
EP - what did Toppa say here to deserve your rancor?
All this is backwards technology. The idea of generating power and then having to transmit it great distances is primitive and will feed energy monopolies political power far more dangerous than electrical.
The simple elegant fact there is energy all around us at all times appears to be lost on these big energy engineers. And while these massive projects do make work for restless workers - big electrical arteries in big electrical grids are high security risks.
First 800-kV High-Voltage Direct-Current Link in China Now Fully Operational; Transmission of Hydro Power to Pearl River Delta
Siemens Energy and the utility China Southern Power Grid have put into operation the second pole of a world-record high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) system. The transmission capacity has now been doubled to 5,000 megawatts (MW). With one pole operating at plus 800 kilovolts (kV) and the other a...
Presumably someone thought about the implication of this technology before making this award.
Alain, IF your reactor works with photosynthetic organisms producing certain wavelengths, it can also work with direct sunlight properly filtered to the wavelength desired. Solar by day, synth by night.
Alcohols play a major role in the transition to electrification of transport and energy independence.
Dr. James Liao Wins 2010 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Academic Award; Second 2010 Green Chemistry Award for Advanced Biofuels
Dr. James Liao has genetically engineered microorganisms to make higher alcohols from glucose or directly from carbon dioxide. Easel Biotechnologies. Click to enlarge. The US Environmental Protection Agency selected Dr. James Liao at UCLA as the recipient of the 2010 Presidential Green Chemi...
In sun belts cars with small PV panels and a cooling fan could circulate enough cool air to dissipate the solar heating. The Chevrolet Volt will have a PV roof panel option for this purpose.
Study Finds That CO2 Emissions in Europe from Mobile AC May Be An Average Six Times Higher Than Predicted by the EPA MOBILE6 Model
A study by researchers at Empa in Switzerland on the impact of mobile air conditioning (MAC) activity on CO2, fuel consumption, and pollutant emissions of diesel cars representing the European fleet confirmed that, as determined in an earlier study of gasoline cars, MACs remain running at ambien...
One of the most progressive Counties in the US. Congratulations on making some smart choices and further prompting the electrification of transport.
King County, Washington, Purchases 24 Azure Dynamics Balance Hybrid Electric Buses
Azure Dynamics Corporation announced the sale of 24 Balance Hybrid Electric buses to King County, Washington for its Access Transportation services. King County was able to award this contract with the support of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) stimulus funds aimed at providing fuel-efficie...
Interesting progress in the use of non-noble metal catalysts. But still a hard path to generate large volumes of the most abundant element in the universe. There are far more sound methods of obtaining H2 from earth's vast resources.
Combined with low cost, high efficient FCs, the hydrogen energy carrier will free us from the century old "grid" concept.
Light-Driven, Iron-Based Catalytic System Generates Hydrogen from Formic Acid
A sustainable and reversible energy storage cycle based on hydrogen storage in, and release from, formic acid. Credit: ACS, Boddien et al.Click to enlarge. A team of researchers in Germany report on the first light-driven, iron-based catalytic system for hydrogen generation from formic acid ...
Most of these chemical processes seem to have a poor energy balance. IF they can reuse heat and cheap electric at nuke plants this MAY be a modest added revenue stream for nuke operators.
New Catalytic System for the Efficient Conversion of CO2 to Methanol
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati, Ohio, report on the development of a catalytic hydroboration system for the “highly efficient” reduction of CO2 with a borane and subsequent hydrolysis of the resulting methoxyboryl species to produce methanol (CH3OH) in good yield. A paper on their w...
Is this a surprise to anyone? And just to get pedantic for a moment, cellulosic alcohol is a key to energy independence. Each gallon of domestic produced ethanol means less $$$ sent to oil cartels holding us hostage to petroleum.
It also means the money is spent paying salaries of domestic employees thus circulating cash. And the less we rely on foreign oil the less (logical) expenditure on defense of those resources.
Lifecycle Analysis Finds Cellulosic Ethanol Produced by POET’s Project LIBERTY Will Reduce GHG Emissions 111% Over Gasoline
Cellulosic ethanol produced by grain ethanol producer POET’s Project LIBERTY (earlier post) first commercial cellulosic ethanol plant will reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 111% relative to gasoline, an independent lifecycle analysis (LCA) compiled by Air Improvement Resource, Inc., has f...
Even though this is just one test, it bodes well for the greening of jet fuel.
"The renewable jet process uses a selective cracking step which reduces the natural oil C16-C18 carbon chain lengths to carbon chain lengths in the C10 to C14 range for jet fuel. UOP has shown the process using C18 oils like soy, palm and canola oils; C12 oils like coconut oil; inedible oils like jatropha and camelina and a variety of algal oils, to produce SPK fuel."
It would be interesting to know a bit more about the algal process. While soy palm canola are a renewable source they may not be sustainable. Algae can be grown in abundance in seashore farms. If Honeywell has a feasible process it would hasten the transition to green jet fuels for many applications.
Royal Netherlands Air Force Tests 50% Renewable Jet Fuel Blend in Apache Helicopter
The Royal Netherlands Air Force concluded a test flight of a Boeing AH-64D Apache helicopter powered by a 50% blend of renewable jet fuel produced by UOP, a Honeywell company. This first helicopter flight using sustainable aviation biofuels to date was conducted at Gilze-Rijen Airbase, the home ...
Sustainable Oils big brass ring is in jet fuel. They have already provided biofuel for the Air Force's 50% all engine test flight. While biofuels may never fully replace JP-series fuels, they may supply a blended portion. And each gallon of jet fuel not imported from foreign oil cartels is money spent on domestic sustainable fuels. Circulating the money at home and achieving energy independence.
Sustainable Oils Opens Expanded Camelina Research Facility in Bozeman
Camelina-based biofuel producer Sustainable Oils has opened an expanded camelina research facility in Bozeman with the goal of delivering improved camelina varieties to growers even more quickly. Sustainable Oils’ research team moved into the new location in March and has already planted its 201...
"high pollution vehicle fleets such as trash trucks, transit buses, semi-trucks, school buses, urban delivery and distribution vehicles, and shuttle buses."
All of which are owned by municipalities. Does this incentive apply to city and state governments?? It is a good idea to promote conversion of these fleets to anything other than petro diesel and gasoline. The US (not just T Boone) has plenty of natural gas. Canada has even more.
NG is the best fuel for distributed energy Residential Power Units. By installing RPUs in single and lulti-family dwellings we can reduce need to build new coal or nuclear power plants and dramatically improve energy security. Not to mention the opportunity to remove old grid towers and wiring.
US Conference of Mayors Adopts Resolution Calling on Federal Government to Support and Expand Natural Gas Vehicle Efforts
The US Conference of Mayors adopted a resolution at its 78th Annual Meeting calling on the Federal government to accelerate its support for natural gas vehicles. The resolution calls for the following specific initiatives: Enact the New Alternative to Give Americans Solutions (NAT GAS) Act (S....
Products like these are a positive step in making the waste to non-fossil fuel process attractive. We are running a program of attraction here.
Novozymes and Lignol Partner on Cellulosic Ethanol from Wood
Enzyme-producer Novozymes and cellulosic ethanol company Lignol Energy Corporation signed a research and development agreement to make biofuel from wood chips and other forestry residues. The partners aim to develop a process for making biofuel from forestry waste at a production cost down to $2...
Toppa applies the old paradigm to the present day vehicle buyer - it must have long range (3-400 mi.) But as EP points out the ER-EV Volt and like provide 40 mi AER which meets the needs of 85+ percent of daily commutes.
Extended range EVs like volt will provide the range anxiety bridge until batteries achieve a higher energy density. What we may discover is that once an EV owner feels comfortable with short range AER - provided an small extender is onboard - they may not want an expensive, long range battery.
Bottom line is if Volvo does not move a bit faster, they may get left in the electric dust.
Volvo to Deliver 10 C30 Electric Vehicles to Göteborg Energi; First Elements of Test Fleet
Volvo Cars and energy company Göteborg Energi signed a letter of intent regarding cooperation in the area of electrical vehicles and recharge infrastructure. Under the agreement, Volvo will provide 10 Volvo C30 Electric cars (earlier post), with delivery starting during this autumn. The cars in ...
Harvey, not sure the utils will want to buy V2G power at $.30 /kWh they just sold for $.10. But they could be mandated to buy it at some net profit to the seller.
If however, the electrification of North America is to be successful we will have to implement residential distributed energy. This means huge opportunities for domestic manufacturing as portions of municipal grids are retired and replaced by Residential Power Units functioning as combined heat, power and cooling systems.
Initially this shifts fuel consumption away from aging coal fired plants to much cleaner and lower emission GHG, methane/NG. Minimizing the need to build new power plants, maintain aging grid hardware, and removal of old power lines.
California Study to Explore Repurposing EV Batteries for Household Energy Storage
The California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE) will lead a joint research study of how the useful lifespan of electric vehicle batteries could be extended by repurposing them as household electric storage devices with a $992,000 grant from the University of California. The grant was awarde...
Forest products companies are finally getting the idea they have a valuable second source revenue from their waste. By investing in digesters and gasifiers, these companies will earn big points with greens and escalating revenue from energy products.
Locally we have a new development utilizing a wood chip gasifier to heat hot water for all residents.
Forest Products Company UPM Begins Environmental Impact Assessment for Second-Generation Biofuels Plant
UPM, one of the world’s leading forest products groups, recently began an official procedure for an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for a second-generation biofuels plant in Lappeenranta, Finland. The main end products of the plant would be renewable diesel, and bio- gasoline, kerosene and...
Toyota is wisely understanding that in the field of EV design things are moving VERY fast. Far faster than stodgy old Toyota and its conservative culture can accommodate.
This move is a purchase of the superior innovation power found in entrepreneurial companies like Tesla. Without this JV Toyota would still be worrying about battery pack safety issue - pushing their first BEV off to 2015.
Report: Toyota, Tesla To Create Prototype Electric Car This Year
The Nikkei reports that Toyota Motor Corp. indicated that it plans to develop an electric-car prototype jointly with Tesla Motors Inc. for testing as early as this year. Upon forming capital and business ties last month [earlier post], Toyota and Tesla said that they will jointly develop electr...
The Idaho geothermal project claims to have supercritical water coming up... Reform steam to H2. But then you gotto compress and ship the stuff. In situ on demand seems a whole lot better.
Hydrogen Production from Waste Tires Using a Catalytic Pyrolysis-Gasification Process
Schematic diagram of the two-stage pyrolysis-gasification experimental system. Credit: ACS, Elbaba et al.Click to enlarge. A team at the University of Leeds (UK) is investigating hydrogen production from waste tires using a two-stage pyrolysis-gasification reactor and Ni-Mg-Al (1:1:1) cataly...
This is worthwhile investment of taxpayer loan guarantees. While it may not produce a large power output - it also does not consume fuel to generate power. Nor generate waste. That's a damned good accomplishment if it works. I'd like to know how much waste heat is lost in this design - and if they are utilizing it in some way.
And this is a loan guarantee. No taxpayer money goes out unless the thing goes bust. Let's hope "supercritical binary geothermal cycle" can deliver.
US DOE Offers $102M Conditional Commitment for Loan Guarantee to US Geothermal; Supercritical Binary Geothermal Cycle Technology
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has offered a $102.2-million conditional commitment for a loan guarantee to US Geothermal, Inc. to construct a 22 megawatt geothermal power project in Malheur County, in southeastern Oregon. US Geothermal estimates that the planned project will create 150 jobs d...
Volvo owners are huge environmentalists. And family safety people. Volvo could do very well to cater to their prime customers and offer a family 4 door EV. But the C30 looks pretty sexy for the young couple/single set and they could grab share from Volt and Leaf if they brought this out sooner than later.
Best indication is how brand loyal Volvo owners are. These people would rather walk than buy a different brand. Bodes well for Volvo EVs.
http://www.plugincars.com/volvo-c30-electric
Volvo to Deliver 10 C30 Electric Vehicles to Göteborg Energi; First Elements of Test Fleet
Volvo Cars and energy company Göteborg Energi signed a letter of intent regarding cooperation in the area of electrical vehicles and recharge infrastructure. Under the agreement, Volvo will provide 10 Volvo C30 Electric cars (earlier post), with delivery starting during this autumn. The cars in ...
"The selections announced today are expected to capture and store 6.5 million tons of CO2 per year and increase domestic production of oil by more than 10 million barrels per year by the end of the demonstration period in September 2015."
What they are saying is this is a $$Billion subsidy for domestic oil producers. Not that it's bad in pursuit of the energy independence goal. But let's not pretend this is a "green" project.
DOE Awarding $612M to Three Carbon Capture and Storage Projects; Matched by $368M in Private Funding
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has selected three projects to receive up to $612 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act—matched by $368 million in private funding—to demonstrate large-scale carbon capture and storage from three different types of industrial sources: a methano...
One must consider that the very first (and lowest power density) batteries are all built to a 10 year minimum life cycle. So, ten years from now a few thousand used car batteries MIGHT be available for sale. Provided the cost of disassembling the EV is minimal.
Long before then, an enterprising entrepreneur will have groked the idea for electronics to allow V2H-ome UPS services. Solar packagers will be vying for ways to build PV storage systems from EV batteries. It has yet to be seen if these used batteries are better applied to storage solutions or recycled into new batteries with 100% capacity.
IF the used EV units can be obtained cheap enough there may be a viable application "time shifting" grid energy in high cost utility areas. Charge overnight, discharge into local loads during peak - save on e-billing.
California Study to Explore Repurposing EV Batteries for Household Energy Storage
The California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE) will lead a joint research study of how the useful lifespan of electric vehicle batteries could be extended by repurposing them as household electric storage devices with a $992,000 grant from the University of California. The grant was awarde...
It's nice to recycle stuff like tires and get useable energy carrier out of the deal. But at 5-15% tops this will never be a H2 production solution.
There are far better albeit disruptive methods of producing massive volumes of H2 and O via water electrolizing. The more restrictions placed on this research - the faster it will come to surface. Lift restrictions of kind - desired order will prevail.
Hydrogen Production from Waste Tires Using a Catalytic Pyrolysis-Gasification Process
Schematic diagram of the two-stage pyrolysis-gasification experimental system. Credit: ACS, Elbaba et al.Click to enlarge. A team at the University of Leeds (UK) is investigating hydrogen production from waste tires using a two-stage pyrolysis-gasification reactor and Ni-Mg-Al (1:1:1) cataly...
EP - progress is accomplished by transition. The goal is sustainable energy independence. With literally zero EVs on the road right now any such plan MUST include a broad portfolio of resources to meet the goal. Sure cellulosic is still in R&D. Does not mean we quit on it. And with the first generation of alcohols growing toward 15 billion gallons annually - there is a real business there.
Transitioning from corn to cellulosic will take 10-15 years. So what? With each new FFV and alcohol pump installed we move closer to the goal. At the same time we are introducing EVs - which further lowers demand on foreign oil. Saving billions in exported dollars and defense costs.
The plan is multi-layered/dimensional utilizing EVERY independent energy resource that is viable. Not only is this better than all eggs in one basket (EVs) - we grow more jobs and expand the economic base further. Cellulosic and algal alcohols are in their infancy - we will give them time and support to grow batter.
Oh yeah. Developing a bunch of different solutions to a problem is just plain more fun than a single game. FUN is the sub-textual goal.
http://cleantech.com/news/5787/total-biofuel-investment-cleantech-coskata
UL Certifies Veyance Flexsteel Future Hose for Mid- and High-Level Ethanol Blends
Growth Energy and Veyance Technologies (formerly Goodyear Engineered Products), a manufacturer of liquid fuel dispenser hoses, announced Underwriters Laboratory (UL) certification of the Veyance Flexsteel Futura liquid fuel dispenser hose for use with mid- and high-level blends of ethanol. This ...
10 cars = PR stunt. 110 cars, they might be serious. Get serious Volvo! You are another company with a customer base that is invariably "green." Meaning prime adopters of a Volvo EV.
Volvo to Deliver 10 C30 Electric Vehicles to Göteborg Energi; First Elements of Test Fleet
Volvo Cars and energy company Göteborg Energi signed a letter of intent regarding cooperation in the area of electrical vehicles and recharge infrastructure. Under the agreement, Volvo will provide 10 Volvo C30 Electric cars (earlier post), with delivery starting during this autumn. The cars in ...
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