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Hybrid car conversions getting 80 MPG right now
SAN JOSE, CA (KGO) -- About a year ago, CEO's in Silicon Valley challenged one another to start driving electric. On the eve of a huge conference in San Jose, high tech leaders say the plug-in movement is well underway.
Last week Tom Hayse was getting 40 miles a gallon driving his hybrid Prius. That was before his plug-in conversion and a lithium battery packed in the back.
"With the plug-in hybrid, I'm getting actually getting close to 80 miles a gallon, so I'm pretty happy with that."
Tom is one of 30 Silicon Valley CEO's and community leaders who have pledged to be part of what they call the 'plug-in revolution'.
"If only ten percent of the million or so Prius owners converted their cars like we're doing, the price of the battery conversion would come down," says Sass Somekh, Ph.D of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group.
SAN JOSE, CA (KGO) -- About a year ago, CEO's in Silicon Valley challenged one another to start driving electric. On the eve of a huge... more -
On energy, T. Boone Pickens sees bipartisan fault
When T. Boone Pickens discusses energy policy with Democrats and Republicans this week, neither side may like all that they hear.
With average gasoline prices above $4 a gallon, energy issues have come to dominate the legislative debate this summer and both parties have sought the counsel of the oilman/investment whiz/wind power promoter.
What does Pickens, a geologist before he was a billionaire, think of the debate?
“There’s nothing they are saying that is going to solve the problem,” he told The Hill.
For example, Pickens doesn’t expect much oil to be found off the coasts. That would seem to undercut the Republican push to open the areas to drilling.
“The public thinks, ‘Well, God. If we got 86 billion barrels of oil sitting out there, why don’t we go drill it and produce it and lower the price of gasoline to $2?’ That’s kind of the way it’s been characterized. Which I think is totally misleading,” he said (editor’s note: A transcription of the interview will appear in the Business & Lobbying section of Tuesday’s edition of The Hill).
That should bolster Democratic leaders who are resisting pressure to drill, although Pickens does support conducting seismic studies to get a better handle on potential resources.
What about Democratic efforts to rein in “speculation,” a push that Democrats in both the House and Senate may make this week?
Pickens doesn’t think much of that idea, either.
“It’s a waste of time. Doesn’t have anything to do with it. … Everybody tries to place the blame, and the blame is our own lack of leadership over the past 40 years on energy.”
Pickens’s main mission in Washington this week is to promote the Pickens Plan (www.pickensplan.com.), his effort to use natural gas as a transportation fuel instead of as a source of electricity.
Wind power would replace the natural gas on the grid. And natural gas would replace gasoline, saving the country $700 billion over 10 years that would otherwise go to buy foreign oil, he said.
When T. Boone Pickens discusses energy policy with Democrats and Republicans this week, neither side may like all that they hear. ... more -
The Plan To Get Away From Oil
America is addicted to foreign oil.
It's an addiction that threatens our economy, our environment and our national security. It touches every part of our daily lives and ties our hands as a nation and a people.
The addiction has worsened for decades and now it's reached a point of crisis.
Click link to read on and join the cause America is addicted to foreign oil. ... more -
Power America with Cheap, Clean Energy in 10 Years? Yes We Can!
Al Gore calls out to America,
"Today I challenge our nation to commit to producing 100 percent of our electricity from renewable energy and truly clean carbon-free sources within 10 years." Al Gore calls out to America, ... more -
Low-Cost Clean Energy for Home
Looking for low-cost ways to create some clean energy for home use? Me too.
These TRULY micro wind generators are perfect for urban/suburban use. I actually love the way they look, too -- some arrangements have bright colors -- very funky and fun...like pinwheels!
Check out the motorwave website...interesting Celtic music for a HK-based company.
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From CNN.com
Lucien Gambarota: Alternative energy pioneer
POSTED: 0746 GMT (1546 HKT), April 16, 2007
(CNN) -- As concern for the environment grows, people are starting to take small steps to do their part -- such as driving a hybrid car or installing solar panels.
One Hong Kong inventor is taking renewable energy a step further, developing technologies to generate electricity while you workout, and even figuring out how to create a wind farm on your balcony or roof.
Lucien Gambarota's micro-wind turbines are a fraction of the size of the traditional towers and need wind speeds of just 2 meters per second to generate relatively cheap, efficient electricity.
"To date, renewable energy generators have been too expensive and too complex to be used by individual consumers," says the founder and president of Motorwave Limited.
"Our philosophy is to make renewable energy accessible in terms of price and technology, so that every citizen can potentially play a role to improve our environment."
Conventional small wind turbines only work 20 percent to 40 percent of the time due to variations in wind speed, according to the Department of Mechanical Engineering of The University of Hong Kong and Motorwave.
The micro-wind turbines, by comparison, can operate 80 percent in most wind conditions, according to the department.
The electricity generated by a micro-wind turbine is transmitted and stored in a battery before being used to drive home electrical appliances such as lights, LCD monitors and TV sets. To help power a small apartment would take a set of about 60 micro-turbines, costing about US$100 dollars.
According to Motorwave, the new technology can reduce energy bills by up to 50 percent and costs between 10 and 20 per cent of current small wind turbine systems to run.
Gambarota started looking at ways to generate his own power after receiving his only hefty summer electricity bill.
"A thousand US ... for one month! I don't have a castle, I have just a flat.... and I started thinking," he says.
The design includes 26 centimeters-round compact plastic gear wheels and a small generator. The micro-wind turbine can be arranged in a range of shapes and sizes, from two to thousands of square meters.
They can be located where conventional small wind turbines would not be possible let a lone allowed -- such as the numerous balconies and sky scraper roofs in cities like Hong Kong.
Dr. Dennis Leung, assistant professor at Hong Kong University's Department of Mechanical Engineering, says the innovative design will enable people to harness wind power and reducing greenhouse gases at an affordable price.
Looking for low-cost ways to create some clean energy for home use? Me too. ... more -
Billboard Bags - Manila's massive vinyl advertisements get a second life.
Binggirl Clemente has worked in environmental advocacy in the Philippines for the past eight years. Today, she leads a project to recycle old billboards into bags backed by local NGO, the Earth Day Network. Binggirl Clemente has worked in environmental advocacy in the Philippines for the past eight years. Today, she leads a project to recy... more
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Stop limiting electric vehicles
A group spearheaded by the local automobile dealership EnVironmental Motors in Glendale, California is petitioning the Federal government to create a new vehicle classification. The Medium Speed Vehicle (MSV) Classification. Currently, the federal government limits electric cars capable of going 35-40mph to 25mph. Help us create the MSV class so these cars can be driven on more roads by more people to help offset the tons of carbon released into the air by gasoline vehicles.
While more Americans are seeking new transportation technology that is clean, green and electric, this new category could result in a five- to ten-fold increase of affordable (under $20K) zero-emission vehicles being driven on our nation's roads today.
Modern Electric Vehicles capable of going 35 to 40 miles per hour are currently available for sale, yet they are limited by Federal low speed vehicle (LSV) regulations to 25 miles per hour. People driving in Montana and Washington have modified these zero-emission vehicles to travel at 35 miles per hour under new state laws that permit a faster speed. That speed is opening up the market in those states as people find the new speed works for local trips and their second car uses.
As a recognized business offering consumers the option of driving 100% electric cars, EnVironmental Motors has become the lead sponsor to help formulate a new Medium Speed Electric Vehicle (MSEV) classification. As part of a joint effort with The MSEV Coalition consisting of at least eleven Electric Vehicle manufacturers and numerous advocates, the group recently submitted letters of request to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for rulemaking review.
These same vehicles are available throughout America, although our federal law has not been updated to reflect the latest innovations in transportation technology. Many customers are happy to have this choice available to them for all their local driving, as the actual energy costs are about 2-3 cents per mile.
Per Santa Monica Fleet Superintendent Rick Sikes, "We could replace more than 10% of our fleet with MSEVs, limited to 35 mph, without a decrease in service or operator acceptance."
EnVironmental Motors sells the ZENN luxury Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) which comes equipped with a solid aluminum alloy frame used for highway cars in Europe, along with a robust AC drive motor, heater and option for air conditioning. The ZENN is one of several cars that can satisfy the need for a zero emission 35mph second car right away - once the Federal Government removes the legal obstacles.
This is the natural progression for electric vehicles from golf carts at 15 mph to NEVs at 25 to around town cars at 35 mph. This would be easiest, fastest and most affordable way to get zero emissions vehicle on our streets says Russell Sydney, Coordinator for the Coalition.
To join the efforts and support the greening of our city streets, or for more information about the Medium Speed Electric Vehicle Coalition, call 310.450.7419 or email: Main@sustainableclub.org. For anyone who would like to learn more or enjoy a truly ZENN experience (the name ZENN is an acronym for Zero Emission No Noise), visit www.EnVironmentalMotors.com or contact EnVironmental Motors directly at 818.244.MYEV to schedule a test drive appointment.
PLEASE sign this and PASS IT ON. It's another step in the right direction, even if it was prompted by business.
Also, in other news, only 27% of Schiff's constituants are idiots!
See here: http://schiff.congressnewsletter.net/mail/util.cfm?retu... A group spearheaded by the local automobile dealership EnVironmental Motors in Glendale, California is petitioning the Federal governm... more -
Senate blocks debate of clean energy tax credits
The U.S. Senate on Tuesday blocked debate of a bill to offer about $17.7 billion in tax incentives for consumers to build renewable energy sources like windmills and solar arrays, and buy plug-in cars that run on electricity rather than gasoline.
The Energy Independence and Tax Relief Act of 2008 would have extended a tax credit to build windmills by one year through December 31, 2009, and extend for three years similar credits for renewable energy sources like biomass, geothermal, landfill gas and trash combustion.
The bill failed to garner enough votes to limit debate and move to a vote, leaving the fate of the clean-energy credits uncertain.
Extension of renewable energy credits was the most expensive portion of the bill, at about $7 billion over 10 years.
The bill also offered incentives for demonstrating ways to capture heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired electric plants, and offered at least $3,000 in tax incentives for consumers to buy plug-in electric vehicles.
The U.S. Senate on Tuesday blocked debate of a bill to offer about $17.7 billion in tax incentives for consumers to build renewable en... more -
Intel enters solar panel market
Intel Corp. disclosed that an internal team has been working on technology for use in solar panels, and now is spinning off that effort to form a new company.
The chip maker said the company, SpectraWatt Inc., will make photovoltaic cells, the primary component in solar panels that use sunlight to generate electricity. It will receive $50 million in initial funding from a consortium including Intel's venture capital arm, Goldman Sach's Cogentrix Energy subsidiary, PCG Clean Energy and Technology Fund, and Solon AG, a German solar-panel maker.
Intel's move is the latest in a scramble among Silicon Valley companies to jump on the clean-energy bandwagon. Applied Materials Inc., for example, is branching beyond machines for making chips to sell equipment for use in making photovoltaic cells. Chip maker Cypress Semiconductor Corp., by contrast, spun off a maker of solar cells called SunPower Corp. that now boasts a market capitalization of about $7 billion.
Engineers inside Intel's new business initiatives group in Oregon have been working on the effort for several years, led by Andrew Wilson, who will become SpectraWatt's chief executive. The startup isn't disclosing much about its technology, but Mr. Wilson said its goal is to reduce the cost and improve the power-generating efficiency of solar cells that are made from silicon, the material used to make silicon chips. Intel Corp. disclosed that an internal team has been working on technology for use in solar panels, and now is spinning off that effor... more -
The world can't wait for urgent action on climate change.
Climate change is already having devastating effects on poor people in developing countries. The world's richest countries, which use most of our natural resources, need to help poor communities deal with their changing climates.
The G8 Summit coincides with the famous Japanese Tanabata festival, where people tie written wishes to bamboo trees. We will present the global petition along with the wishes to end global poverty.
Please add your voice today and then forward this link to five of your friends.
Climate change is already having devastating effects on poor people in developing countries. The world's richest countries, which use ... more -
UK climate protesters halt a train full of coal
Using a red flag to bring the train to a halt, the protesters then put wires on the wheels of the train to stop it from moving any further, they have described the plan as a carefully rehearsed procedure.
One of the activists, Ben Tennyson said: "We've stopped this train to prevent it delivering a thousand tonnes of coal to be burned at Drax and then released into the atmosphere.
"If we're serious about fighting climate change we have to leave this dirty fuel in the ground and invest in clean, renewable energy sources instead."
With enough supplies to last weeks, the protesters climbed aboard the train and began to unlead the coal onto a nearby track with shovels! Is this the sort of climate protest the UK needs to get things moving in the right direction, or is this counterproductive to our common goal? Check the link for the video. Using a red flag to bring the train to a halt, the protesters then put wires on the wheels of the train to stop it from moving any fur... more -
Japan: Oil prices could spur global recession
Japan's energy chief launched a meeting of ministers from the world's top industrialized nations Sunday by warning that soaring oil prices could trigger a global recession if they're not checked.
The Group of Eight rich nations met in northern Japan with representatives from China, India and South Korea to discuss oil and gas markets, energy investment, energy security and climate change amid deepening concerns about the world economy.
Oil prices made their biggest single-day surge on Friday, soaring $11 to $138.54 on the New York Mercantile Exchange, an 8 percent increase. On the same day, the United States announced a rise in unemployment.
Five top energy consumers -- the United States, China, Japan, South Korea and India -- urged oil producers on Saturday to boost output to meet growing demand, while pledging to develop clean energy alternatives and increase efficiency.
Japan's energy chief launched a meeting of ministers from the world's top industrialized nations Sunday by warning that soaring oil pr... more -
Amazing vertical algae-to-biofuel technology produces cost-effective, non-pollutin...
Glen Kertz, CEO of Valcent Products, explains HDVB algae-to-biofuel technology.
From Valcent Products, Inc.:
The Holy Grail in the renewable energy sector has been to create a clean, green process which uses only light, water and air to create fuel. Valcent's HDVB algae-to-biofuel technology mass produces algae, vegetable oil which is suitable for refining into a cost-effective, non-polluting biodiesel. The algae derived fuel will be an energy efficient replacement for fossil fuels and can be used in any diesel powered vehicle or machinery. In addition, 90% by weight of the algae is captured carbon dioxide, which is "sequestered" by this process and so contributes significantly to the reduction of greenhouse gases. Valcent has commissioned the world's first commercial-scale bioreactor pilot project at its test facility in El Paso, Texas.
Current data projects high yields of algae biomass, which will be harvested and processed into algal oil for biofuel feedstock and ingredients in food, pharmaceutical, and health and beauty products at a significantly lower cost than comparable oil-producing crops such as palm and soyabean (soybean).
The HDVB technology was developed by Valcent in recognition and response to a huge unsatisfied demand for vegetable oil feedstock by Biodiesel refiners and marketers. Biodiesel, in 2000, was the only alternative fuel in the United States to have successfully completed the Environmental Protection Agency required Tier I and Tier II health effects testing under the Clean Air Act. These tests conclusively demonstrated Biodiesel's significant reduction of virtually all regulated emissions. A U.S. Department of Energy study has shown that the production and use of Biodiesel, compared to petroleum diesel, resulted in a 78.5% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.
Algae, like all plants, require carbon dioxide, water with nutrients and sunlight for growth. The HDVB bioreactor technology is ideal for location adjacent to heavy producers of carbon dioxide such as coal fired power plants, refineries or manufacturing facilities, as the absorption of CO2 by the algae significantly reduces greenhouse gases. These reductions represent value in the form of Certified Emission Reduction credits, so-called carbon credits, in jurisdictions that are signatories to the Kyoto Protocol. Although the carbon credit market is still small, it is growing fast, valued in 2005 at $6.6 Billion in the European Union and projected to increase to $77 Billion if the United States accepts a similar national cap-and-trade program.
Valcent's HDVB bioreactor system can be deployed on non-arable land, requires very little water due to its closed circuit process, does not incur significant labor costs and does not employ fossil fuel burning equipment, unlike traditional food/biofuel crops, like soy and palm oil. They require large agricultural acreage, huge volumes of water and chemicals, and traditional farm equipment and labor. They are also much less productive than the HDVB process: soybean, palm oil and conventional pond-grown algae typically yield 48 gallons, 635 gallons and 10,000 gallons per acre per year respectively.
http://www.valcent.net/s/Ecotech.asp?ReportID=182039
Glen Kertz, CEO of Valcent Products, explains HDVB algae-to-biofuel technology. From Valcent Products, Inc.: ... more -
Electric Car Capital
Kathmandu, Nepal, has one of the highest per-capita rates of electric vehicles in the world.
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Cannabis hemp: a viable option to oil dependency
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown yesterday told millions of families hit by the soaring costs of running a car in the United Kingdom, or running a domestic heating or cooking system in rural regions, that high oil prices were a long-term global issue that could not be tackled by Britain alone, but some disagree.
Chancellor Alistair Darling has once again assured voters he will "take another look" at a proposed 2p fuel price rise which is set to come into being from October 2008, but seriously is 2p enough? Is NOT increasing the price of fuel the bait needed to win back a million (or two) voters? Hardly.
Only a couple of days ago, members of the UK road haulage industry threatened to blockade oil refineries and ports unless the government managed to find a 20p-25p essential user rebate for the transport sector in seven days. An industry which has borne the brunt of the last decade and of Labour rule has decided clearly enough is enough.
Isn't it about time we as a nation looked to break our dependency on the petroleum industry, by investigating the other alternatives? There are a few.
Follow link for full story. UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown yesterday told millions of families hit by the soaring costs of running a car in the United Kingdom, or... more -
Renewable, carbon-neutral oil - from algae
This sounds like it has amazing potential!!!
It doesn't drive the price of any foods up, and it's supposedly carbon neutral.
Exciting times... This sounds like it has amazing potential!!! It doesn't drive the price of any foods up, and it's supposedly carbon neutral. ... more -
The future of transportation?
Despite being pulled over by curious police 26 times in Colombia, Seth Warren and Tyler Bradt's homemade biodisel vehicle (named Baby) manages to make it from Alaska to Argentina without using one drop of petroleum.
The boys, expert kayakers, split their road-trip time between tackling high-octane adventure sports and educating the public about biofuel. The documentary follows Warren and Bradt on their adrenaline-heavy journey as they meet with curious schoolchildren, ambassadors, reporters, and Rastafarians, demonstrating how used cooking oil can be turned into fuel. ... more -
Study supports U.S. wind energy expansion
Wind energy can supply 20 percent of U.S. electricity needs by 2030 at a "modest" cost difference, a new U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) report says. The analysis predicts that the 20 percent wind scenario would cost about 2 percent more than sticking with the current energy mix, which relies more heavily on traditional fossil fuels.
"The 20 percent wind scenario entails higher initial capital costs (to install wind capacity and associated transmission infrastructure) in many areas, yet offers lower ongoing energy costs than conventional power plants for operations, maintenance, and fuel," said the report, which was written in conjunction with industry and environmental analysts. Under the scenario, 500,000 new jobs would be created.
Wind energy provides just 1 percent of U.S. electricity today, compared with about 7 percent in Germany where the government has provided steady support for the industry since the early 1990s. State laws that require utilities to purchase wind power have recently revived the U.S. industry, and the country has led the world in wind power installations over the past two years.
The U.S. industry remains dependent on a short-term federal tax credit that will expire at the end of this year unless Congress extends it. "We need to fix the production tax credit uncertainty... as part of a plan to get [20 percent by 2030]," said Daniel Kammen, director of the Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory at the University of California at Berkeley.
The new study estimates that the increase in wind generation would avoid 7.6 billion cumulative tons of the principal greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, from being emitted - the equivalent of protecting about 48 million acres (19.4 million hectares) of forest from deforestation. This would nearly eliminate the projected increase in emissions from U.S. power plants between now and 2030.
The added wind power would also avoid 4 trillion gallons of water from being consumed for electricity generation, the report estimates. Less coal-fired power results in fewer emissions of mercury and the pollutants that cause acid rain, as well. Wind energy can supply 20 percent of U.S. electricity needs by 2030 at a "modest" cost difference, a new U.S. Department of Energy (DO... more -
U.S. House Passes Renewable Energy Tax Credit Extension
Message on May 21, 2008 from our friend Bill Brown up in Taos, New Mexico with www.nmglobalwarming.org
Greetings, All -- Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that attempts to continue production and investment tax credits for clean energy.
The concept faces opposition in the Senate and veto threat from the Bush Administration.
-- Bill Brown
www.nmglobalwarming.org
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from TouchArt.net and OneEarthBlog.blogspot.com
for Earth Day is everyday.
Write, call, email and lobby your congress people to support this bill to continue production and investment tax credits for clean energy.
And please remember to turn off the lights and switch off your power strips when not using electronic devices. We are all part of the problem and can each be part of the solution.
Go to the link below to find contact information for your senators and congress people.
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/congdir.t...
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Photo "Clouds over Santa Fe" by Jacques Paisner Message on May 21, 2008 from our friend Bill Brown up in Taos, New Mexico with www.nmglobalwarming.org ... more -
Planilum light emitting glass can illuminate your home for 20 Years [lighting]
With fluorescents and LEDs making major headway in the market, energy efficient alternatives to the incandescent bulb are becoming big business. That having been said, the next big thing could be coming out of a partnership between Saazs and Saint-Gobain Innovations in the form of Planilum—the "world's first light emitting glass." Planilum is only 0.8-inches thick and is composed of four layers of special glass, a rare gas and serigraphed phosphors—which will give you 500,000 hours or around 20 years of normal usage.Because of their soft glow, Planilum lights only get about as hot as the human body, which means that there is no need for a shade or diffuser. They are also about 90% recyclable because the design is nearly all glass.For these reasons, the Planilum can be integrated into designs that make a break from traditional lighting fixtures. With fluorescents and LEDs making major headway in the market, energy efficient alternatives to the incandescent bulb are becoming big... more
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Clean Energy
