In a recent New York Times’ article, “My Hybrid is Bigger than Your Hybrid,†the author discusses the 2009 Cadillac Escalade hybrid. Look at it, sitting there. A full three-tons of spacious vehicular decadence, featuring amenities such as heated and cooled leather seats, magnetic ride control, a side-mirror blind-spot warning system, power-deployed running boards. In a time of national economic crisis, this automobile ignores the flailing economy and entices the affluent…hip-hop mogul? Famous athlete? Turtle, from Entourage? I guess we should be thrilled that GM is embracing hybrid automobiles of all sizes and becoming more environmentally conscious. But let’s be honest, the driver of this hybrid S.U.V. is more concerned about the Cadillac crest than the lousy 20 mpg. fuel consumption and simply uses the HYBRID splashed across the door panel as a means of absolving any guilt.
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Pseudo-Green
November 17, 2008 – 12:51 pm
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weekly posts in review
Al Gore’s 5 Step Plan To Repower America
November 12, 2008 – 1:28 pm
In a recent New York Times op-ed piece, Al Gore suggests that with the election of Barack Obama, the time is ripe for changing not just our political direction, but also our environment. Certainly this is not a unique idea, both Obama and McCain made alternative energy a prominent and integral part of their platforms. In this op-ed piece, however, Gore lays out what he calls a 21st century technology plan.
First, Gore calls for investing and incentivizing for solar, wind, and geothermal energies. Second, he suggests we create a national smart grid that will aid in more efficient utilization of energy as well as the (third) development of PH/EV technologies. Fourth, Gore states we should retrofit older buildings with better insulation, energy efficient windows and better lighting. And finally, replace the Kyoto treaty with a more effective treaty that caps global carbon dioxide emissions and encourages nations to invest together to reduce global warming pollution quickly, including reducing deforestation. In this piece, Gore addresses not only the environmental benefits to his 5-step plan but also the geopolitical benefits. One can almost hear the chanting echo, “Yes, we can…yes, we can…â€
Yokohama Attempts To Be Environmental Model City
November 7, 2008 – 5:43 pm
Yokohama city, in Kanagawa prefecture in Japan, is one of six municipalities chosen by Japan’s Prime Minister Fukuda to be a “Model City.†A total of 82 applications by 89 organizations were made from all over Japan to this program where the Government provides assistance to various municipalities to set a precedent for a “low-carbon society.â€
But, Yokohama can’t do this alone. The city is in agreement with Renault-Nissan, who will release their electric vehicle in Yokohama in 2010. The agreement with Nissan also calls for feasibility studies of customer incentives and for the city to develop an electric vehicle recharging infrastructure and a navigation system that can be used to alleviate traffic congestion. Under the program, Yokohama aims to achieve significant CO2 reductions by experimenting with a range of methodologies in various key areas including transportation, housing and renewable energy development.
Smart-Charging Pilot to Begin
November 6, 2008 – 11:17 am
Advanced Energy, a non-profit based in North Carolina, is partnering with Duke Energy, Progress Energy and V2Green to test the positive impacts of smart-charging 12 Toyota Prius’. The Pruis’ have been converted by V2Green to incorporate specific charging management technology that will communicate to and interpret from the grid. Advanced Energy will lead the design and implementation of various charge scenarios. Both Progress Energy and Duke Energy will allow the trial to explore the billing and operational requirements of supporting plug-in vehicle roaming between adjoining utility service areas. This pilot program will also help assess the potential of plug-in vehicles to enhance electric grid operations and evaluate how well PHEV’s can really “give back†to the grid.
For more information about this demonstration, jump here.
Mini Quietly Seeking Deep Pockets To Lease Electric Version
November 3, 2008 – 4:11 pm
Automaker Mini will soon begin accepting potential applicants to lease and try out its initial run of 500 Mini-E all-electric vehicles. The fun will be available to California, New York and New Jersey drivers — and only for one year. Eight dealers on each coast will service the electrical components. From the article,
“The Mini E is based on the current two-seat, three-door hatchback car. The E has a lithium ion battery powering an electric motor with 204 hp that takes 23.6 hours to charge at 110 volts–and 4.4 hours on 240 volts, which is used in Europe and elsewhere in the world.”
With the difference in charge times being so massive, it’s easy to see why 240 volts in the future of car charging.
Obviously, first adopters often have to pay a massive price for new tech — and this lease is no different. Monthly lease costs are expected to surpass $500. Still interested? Jump on over to MiniUSA.com for more information.
Quiet Personal Wind Turbines Now Available In The U.S.
October 28, 2008 – 3:38 pm
After enjoying success at 250 sites across Scotland, wind energy firm Cascade Engineering is ready to bring their Swift turbine to Canada and the United States.
The feature most championed on these turbines is their relative quiet. Like others, the Swift features blades for catching the wind. To reduce noise, however, those five blades are encompassed by a ring. This element brings the noise level down to 35 decibels and reduces vibration, according to the company.
Additionally, the turbine can be attached to a home — rather than require the use of a pole or tower. From CNET,
The turbine, with a 7-foot diameter, also has two fins to direct the turbine to face the wind. It can turn 360 degrees and shut down if the wind is too high. It can generate 1.5 kilowatts with 14 mile-per-hour wind and about 2,000 kilowatt-hours over a year, the company said. U.S. households typically consume between 6,500 and 10,000 kilowatt-hours in a year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Current cost before tax rebates and other state and federal incentives is $10K. Cascade estimates the payback on the upfront cost can be as low as three years, but that it varies widely. Check out their official website for more info.
via CNET
Solyndra’s Cylindrical Solar Panels Catch Sun From All Angles
October 23, 2008 – 1:56 pm
As most solar gurus understand, solar panels are only as effective as the amount of light they’re angled to catch. Often times, entire sites can be written off as candidates because of their ineffective ability to catch the sun’s rays. To truly maximize efficiency, some panels can be mounted on arms that track the sun throughout the day — however, this can add considerable cost.
A new company called Solyndra — which literally shot onto the public scene two weeks ago (though they’ve been around in secret for three years) — has announced a sales deal with German solar integrator GeckoLogic GmbH valued at $250 million. This deal is part of the $1.2 billion in contracts Solyndra unveiled in its coming out announcement.
What’s so special about their technology? Well, as you can tell from the title, Solyndra’s panels are a bit different from the ones we’re used to seeing. From the NY Times,
A photovoltaic copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) compound is wrapped around a series of tubes until they resemble a row of black, fluorescent lights. Each module is curved to catch the maximum amount of light from any direction, so the panels don’t need to be carefully angled and laboriously secured like traditional PV panels.
Great idea — and a lot of investors seem to think so as well, to the tune of $600 million in funding. You can check out this great video of their automated fabrication process below or visit their official site for more info here.
Really, Nissan? Really?
October 20, 2008 – 10:53 am
Perhaps this is Nissan’s attempt at the anti-Aptera. Perhaps Nissan felt Smart Cars don’t look ridiculous enough. Perhaps Nissan believes this is…modern? Forward thinking? Desirable to consumers? While it’s not clear what Nissan Nuvu Concept engineers were thinking in terms of design, it is clear that this electric vehicle has some interesting technology. There is an electric powertrain using lithium polymer batteries, something Nissan will offer in production when it starts selling its electric car in a couple of years. Yet, if Nissan wants to be taken seriously as a manufacturer of electric vehicles, they may need to pair their technology with a design that looks a bit less cartoonish.
Tesla’s Financial Crisis
October 20, 2008 – 10:51 am
Just weeks after appearing on the “Forbes Most Coveted Cars†list, the production of the Tesla Roadster may be in serious jeopardy. According to the New York Times, Tesla Motors, a start-up electric car company based in Silicon Valley, is having serious financial misfortune. Elon Musk, CEO, blames the worsening financial and credit crisis stating, “It’s not an understatement to say that nearly every business will be impacted by what has unfolded in the past weeks.†Musk did not say how many of the 250 Tesla employees will be laid off.
Tesla is perhaps best known for its all-electric Roadster projected to retail at $109,000, but the company was also planning to launch an all-electric Model S sedan for $60,000. The original 2010 launch date has now been pushed back to mid-2011 as Tesla attempts to raise $100 million, in addition to the $146 million already raised. The cutbacks come after warnings from Silicon Valley venture capitalists that start-ups should slash expenses and reach profitability as quickly as possible to survive the economic downturn. As for Tesla, we’ll have to wait to see how long they can idle before they run out of juice.
via NY Times
Tesla Roadster Appears on Forbes Most Coveted Cars List
October 20, 2008 – 10:49 am
Most vehicles on the Forbes Most Coveted Car List are high performance vehicles with exclusive waiting lists. Thus, with a list price of $98,000 and an estimated wait time of one year, the Tesla Roadster has piqued the interest of wealthy eco-conscious car enthusiasts and celebrities, including George Clooney and Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers. It is a true sign of the times as the all electric Roadster and the Fisker Karma ultra sporty PHEV make an appearance on the list amongst Porches and Bentleys. Admittedly, the attention paid to this EV and PHEV likely has more to do with their exclusivity then being green, but hopefully these cars will raise awareness as well as eyebrows when they are driven.
Check out the full list of coveted cars here.
Beth McKenna Bill Hobbs colin read Dan Gurvich Doris Lo Ethan Vimont Greg Brown Kate Weinkauf Kurt Robbins Lois Zendarski Michael d'Estries Patty Shillington Sarah Boll Shabna John Sharif Virani Shea Gunther Tim Plaehn
Devin Serpa: Uh yea can I get a super-sized double-quarter-pounder with fries and a Diet Coke? Modise: Hi I’m currently doing a project on the treatment of mine effluent using membrane technology at the... Johny english: I have been starting to gather information from a number of individuals in the north east who have... Adam: How about just taking whatever plug in technology the company has and placing it in the least expensive car... intemeakimi: Heh. Nice. I am proud of my logical ratio A JOKE! ) What do you call a frightened scuba diver? Chicken...
Pseudo-Green Al Gore’s 5 Step Plan To Repower America Yokohama Attempts To Be Environmental Model City Smart-Charging Pilot to Begin Mini Quietly Seeking Deep Pockets To Lease Electric Version
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