Stanford’s Global Climate and Energy Project brings together a partnership of academia and industry with funding from ExxonMobil, GE, Schlumberger and Toyota to explore fundamental research into green technologies that will have a direct impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Stanford professors are exploring material science enablers for more efficient and effective organic photocells.  …

…   “designing a new family of advanced electron-accepting materials to be used in organic photovoltaic cells.

Their research could lead to cells with longer lifetimes, greater efficiencies and lower costs, making organic photovoltaic cells a more viable option to harvest solar energy.”   …

Via Stanford University: Energy Projects.

Organic photovoltaic research.

Stanford Univ Global Climate and Energy programs.

Posted by Green Tech at 01:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "Toyota Prius is the biggest, most powerful iteration yet, it's also the most fuel-efficient. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 02:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "energy improvements at TEMA’s manufacturing facilities include: Reducing total energy use by 19 percent per vehicle produced since FY2000 while expanding and adding new facilities; Reducing water usage by 20 percent per vehicle produced since FY1999 through no- and low-cost improvements; The installation of solar panels at the Huntsville, Alabama engine plant – the first Toyota plant in the U.S. to have one. The new five kilowatt solar panel generates enough energy to light four bays of floor space, or over 16,000 square feet; the equivalent of 80 60-watt light bulbs; At the Georgetown, Kentucky plant, the plastics shop reduced their shut down energy use by 83 percent from the previous year. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 05:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

 Continuing the very green theme at SFO Airport ... you can also rent green cars ... and offers an incentive in the form of a rental discount for renting HYBRIDS.

" ...  offers the nation’s first Green Rental Car program that rewards customers for renting “green” alternative-fueled vehicles. ... rent hybrid cars ... such as the Honda Civic Hybrid, Nissan Altima Hybrid or Toyota PRIUS will receive a $15 discount at the counter."

" ... estimated that more than 4,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year will be eliminated through the implementation of this program."

" ... 10 percent of the rental car fleet ... is comprised of high-mileage cars—such as the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Ford Focus—in addition to alternative-fuel cars. ... SFO hopes to increase the total number of these cars to greater than 15 percent."

Via:  San Francisco Int'l Airport  LINK

Posted by Green Dude at 05:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Data centers use lots of energy ... from electricity to power the servers to electricity to power the AC units to keep things cool ...

Some are looking allowing the temperature to be set a little higher ... a recent 5 year pilot with Toyota and IBM was able to reduce consumption by 10% by looking at inefficiencies in the system. 

Read on for more ...

" ... by visualizing where hot spots and cooling inefficiencies existed and moving to address them, Toyota Motor Sales USA has been able to reduce the electricity demand ..."

"During a five-year pilot program ... Toyota was actually able to switch off two computer room air-conditioners even while maintaining a cooler ambient air temperature and reducing hot spots throughout its facility, ... relied on software from IBM Research called IMB Measurement and Management Technologies ... uses thermal readings from floor to ceiling ... and creates a three-dimensional chart that can be used to find power and cooling inefficiencies ..."

" ... assessment by Southern California Edison verified that these actions have helped reduce energy demand in the data center by more than 10 percent. ..."

Via:  ZDNet LINK

Posted by Green Dude at 06:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

So you are going on a trip and want to be green and rent a hybrid.  Sounds easy enough ... except that only approximately 1% of the rental fleet consist of hybrids.

"Booking a hybrid rental car can be a big hassle. To boost your chance of scoring one of these green rides, follow Budget Travel's advice in four easy steps ...".

For the Video "How to Rent a Hybrid" click the LINK ...

Via: BudgetTravel  Link

Posted by Green Dude at 05:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

ComEd, a Exelon company has bought 50 Toyota Prius to add to its already substantial GREEN fleet of cars and trucks. 

" ...One of Nation's Largest Green Fleets ... save utility 6,500 gallons of gas in 2009, ...  including 10 Priuses that have been specially converted into electric plug-in hybrids. ..."
   
" ... Compared to an average subcompact, the Prius hybrid and plug-in electric version consume about 30 and 65 percent less fuel, respectively. ... reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 60 metric tons."

" ... 63 percent of the ComEd fleet uses a fuel source other than 100 percent gasoline.... 1,774 trucks that use biodiesel fuel ...250 E85 flex-fuel vehicles ... 91 hybrid Ford Escape SUVs; one biodiesel-electric hybrid bucket truck; one liquid petroleum gas (LPG) bucket truck; and the 50 new Prius vehicles. ..."

Via:  Exelon  LINK

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Continue reading "More About Fox 24 Going Carbon Neutral - Behind the Scenes" »

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" ... Verizon will add another 100 hybrid sedans ...in metropolitan areas across seven states and Washington D.C., conserving thousands of gallons of gas ... doubling to 200 the number of hybrids, ... conserve an additional 16,000 gallons of fuel and cut greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 1.4 metric tons per vehicle annually. ... Toyota Prius hybrids will be used in California, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, D.C."

Via:  Verizon  LINK

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Continue reading "Mass Production Hydrogen Cars Cross the US" »

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Hybrids.

They get better mileage.  They are good for the environment.

Now they can even save you some money on Tolls!

Some toll authorities are extending discounts to cars that get a certain MPG and meet a certain emissions threshold.  Currently only 3 or so cars qualify. 

NY State grants a special GREEN EZ-Pass plan and EZ-Pass to vehicles that meet their criteria of ..." at least 45 miles to the gallon and meet specific emissions standards ..."  The discount is 10% on NY Thruway Roads.

NOTE:  Not all E-ZPass Agencies are offering Toll Discounts to Hybrids ... But I would not be surprised if other follow NY's Lead.

Continue reading "E-ZPass Discounts for Hybrid Cars" »

Posted by Green Dude at 05:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Toyota indicates that "... there’s still considerable battery development work to be done ... [in] the prototype HV models the additional MiMH capacity is gained by installing a second battery pack in the trunk area, ... Toyota is testing the Plug-in HV in Japan and is the first manufacturer to have a PHEV certified for use on public roads."

Continue reading "Toyota Prius Plug In Hybrid" »

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... "GE Energy Financial Services is acquiring a majority equity interest in the five solar photovoltaic projects, which SunPower will design and build, operate and maintain. GE Energy Financial Services will finance and own the systems under the SunPower Access power purchase agreement program, which allows customers to take advantage of the environmental and financial benefits of solar power with no upfront capital costs. The solar electricity will be competitively priced against retail rates, providing customers a long-term hedge against rising peak power prices. Construction of the projects is scheduled to begin in February and be completed by the end of the year. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 08:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

 
Hybrid cars continue to evolve ... check out the Toyota Concept Car "1/X" .  Much lighter, with better fuel economy and safety features ... the "hybrid auto" space is rapidly evolving!

"... 1/X compact hybrid concept ... as in "This vehicle weighs only 1/Xth that of other vehicles in its class."

"...1/X was intended to "redefine from its very roots the idea of what it means to be environmentally considerate."

"... has the same interior space as a Prius, but weighs only 926 pounds — about one-third the weight of a Prius — and aims to double its fuel efficiency. ..."

"... 1/X uses plug-in technology, ... 500cc gas engine t... beneath the rear seat and drives the rear wheels.

Via:  edmond.com  Link

Continue reading "Toyota Concept Hybrid - 1/X" »

Posted by Green Dude at 05:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Toyota brings compelling design and style to the hybrid vehicle.  ... 

... "The Hybrid X rewrites the design rule book for hybrid models with unconventional creative solutions that could become the norm for future hybrid designs. " ...

Via Toyota Future Vehicles: HYBRID X

Posted by Green Tech at 01:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "Masatami Takimoto, president in charge of powertrain development for Toyota, said that he foresees all Toyota models being hybrid by 2020 ... " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 08:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "MacKenzie analyzed the performance of 10 classes of vehicles produced by the eight automakers which comprise 96 percent of the U.S. car and light truck market in model year 2005. Each automaker was rated on how its vehicles compared to the industry average on global warming and smog-forming pollution. Cars and light trucks account for 25 percent of the nation's global warming pollution and 20 percent of its smog-forming pollution.

Honda and Toyota had better-than-average global warming scores in every class in which they competed. Despite producing pickup trucks and large SUVs, Toyota's use of emissions-cutting technology across its entire fleet helped it to pull up just behind Honda, which did not compete in these vehicle classes. " ...

Via Union of Concerned Scientists: Green Automaker Rankings

Posted by Green Tech at 07:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

 For some city dwellers; a car is almost a liability.  There is the higher cost of insurance, trouble or expense of parking, and if one walks to work ... an expensive asset that is little use.

I know that way back when ... when I lived in Old City Philadelphia and worked 4 blocks away my car sat for days without being used ... while I paid expensive auto insurance and monthly garage fees.  

There is a solution and it's good for the wallet and the environment!

>>>> Car Sharing!

"PhillyCarShare, ... is Philadelphia’s premier car-sharing service. ... accomplished greater positive environmental impact in Philadelphia than, well, any car company on the planet!"

• "2,100 cars off Philadelphia's streets"
• "More walking, biking, use of transit
• 10 million fewer miles driven since inception
• 53% reduction in miles driven - each member drives about 130 fewer miles per month, on average
• Members who got rid of a car more often walk (38%), take transit (36%), take a taxi (19%), or bike (17%)"
• "95% reduced auto emissions, from driving hybrids, driving less, owning fewer cars, and making fewer cold starts"
• "440,000 gallons of gas saved"
• "80% of members preferring residential locations near PhillyCarShare pods, thus strengthening the city"
• "$4,000 saved annually by each former car owner"
  

Philly Car Share rents the Toyota Prius, the Honda Elements, The Mini Minis and other cars.

Via:   Philly Car Share   Link 

Posted by Green Dude at 07:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Toyota sets February sales record on the shoulders of its hybrid cars: The Prius, Camry, Highlander, and Lexus RX400H, satisfying consumer demand for fuel-efficient vehicles.  Hybrid volume increased over 70 percent across its divisions.  ...

...   "Spurred by record hybrid sales, Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today reported best-ever February sales of 187,330 vehicles, an increase of 12.2 percent over February 2006.  Said Jim Lentz, TMS executive vice president: Setting an all-time record, the Prius hybrid led the way, nearly doubling last February's sales pace.  Passenger car sales were led by Camry, which posted February sales of 32,148, up 17.5 percent over the same period last year. Camry Hybrid reported sales of 3,332 units in February.  The Prius hybrid gas-electric mid-size sedan posted all-time best-ever sales of 12,227, an increase of 87 percent.  The Highlander and Highlander Hybrid posted combined February sales of 9,368, up 3.7 percent over the same period last year. The Highlander Hybrid gas-electric mid-size SUV reported sales of 1,892 units for the month.  The RX 400h hybrid luxury utility vehicle reported sales of 1,249 units for the month.  TMS calendar-year-to-date hybrid sales totaled 33,182 units, an increase of 45 percent over the year-ago month. In February, TMS posted sales of 18,860 hybrid vehicles, up 72 percent. Toyota Division posted sales of 17,451 hybrids, up 90 percent over the same period last year, while the Lexus Division posted sales of 1,409 hybrids. "   ...

Via Toyota: Toyota Reports February Sales ...

Posted by Green Tech at 10:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

 
One of Toyota's newest concept cars is the FT-HS Hybrid.  This hybrid is both fast and relatively inexpensive ...

Read on.

"Pairing a potent hybrid powertrain with essential sports-car fundamentals, the FT-HS is a mid-priced sports car that integrates ecology and emotion in a concept that addresses the question, “What is a suitable sports car for the 21st century?”

"Boasting a powerful V6 3.5L engine, the FT-HS is coupled with Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive® to produce a target power output of approximately 400 horsepower and a projected zero-to-60 acceleration in the four-second range. At a mid-priced market position, the FT-HS would be a true “attainable exotic” with 21st-century performance."

While no date is given for delivery to dealerships or even promise that it will go into production it is a very hot hybrid!

Via:  Toyota.Com     Link

Posted by Green Dude at 07:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Toyota's green investment in hybrid vehicles has positioned it as a leader in the automotive industry and creates a sustainable competitive advantage through value of its green image and reputation.  ... 

... "As Toyota prepares to motor past Ford as the world's second-largest carmaker, it has become a textbook case on how a green reputation delivers a competitive edge. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 12:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)