Green Technology

If you are looking to by an EV – electric vehicle – you can use EV Profiles to see how far you can drive b y using your current driving habits to model what you might expect with an EV.

.  EV Profiler “ …  evaluates your driving conditions as they are today, in your existing car, and predicts your battery needs for the same travel in different models of electric vehicles. …”

EV Profiler uses a sensor called a DDR – digital data recorder.  After a week of typcial driving it can predict “ …  your electric vehicle battery needs from your … real world driving.”

Via:  EV Profiler LINK

Posted by Green Dude at 09:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

GE charging station can be installed in the garage and quickly charge your electric vehicle to be ready for the next day’s commute.  The NEMA rating enables the device to be installed outdoors, if your situation requires.  …

…   “The GE WattStation Wall Mount delivers a full-cycle charge to a 24kWh battery in only 4-8 hours, whereas plugging an EV into a standard electrical outlet would require 12-18 hours to provide the same level of charge. 

Suitable for both indoor and outdoor installations, the GE WattStation Wall Mount is NEMA 3R rated to resist rain, sleet and even ice.

The unit measures only 24 inches tall, 16 inches wide and 6 inches deep.”   …

GE WattStation.

Press release for the WattStation.

Posted by Green Tech at 10:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Sumitomo Electric has developed a new metal that is adaptable for hybrid car batteries.

The material, Aluminum-Celmet is low in resistance and light and easily processed by cutting or shaping. 

“ … features lead to favorable filling, retaining and current-collecting performance, … recently been adopted as a positive electrode current collector in hybrid vehicle nickel-hydrogen batteries.”

Sumitomo’s studies show that it can increase battery capacity between 1.5 x and 3 x.  Another way to view this is that for a given charge capacity a battery footprint can be 1/3 to 2/3 smaller by volume.

Via:  Sumitomo Electric  LINK

Posted by Green Dude at 09:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Changing stations will quickly swap battery packs into an electric vehicle in a few minutes.  Denmark begins to implement the EV infrastructure with the Better Place battery station.  …

…   “Better Place subscribers purchase their cars, but not the expensive battery packs. For a fixed fee of about $350 a month, they will lease access to the batteries, swap stations and charge points.”   …

Via New York Times: Better Place Stations.

Posted by Green Tech at 11:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

And, MIT researchers may be on the right track, as the school’s battery research team has re-architected the traditional battery design of storage and discharge functions.  …

…   “The new battery relies on an innovative architecture called a semi-solid flow cell, in which solid particles are suspended in a carrier liquid and pumped through the system.”   …

Via Massachusetts Institute of Technology: New Battery Design.

Posted by Green Tech at 01:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Nanosys offers SiNANOde additive to address problems historically associated with using silicon in lithium ion battery anodes.  Yimin Zhu, director, battery & fuel cell, at Nanosys, explains that the additive deforms to fill void areas in the carbon anode material matrix and remains intact and fully functional after 100% DoD cycle testing.  …

…   “Nanosys’ architected materials increase the capacity of lithium ion batteries with its novel anode composite, maintaining standard coulombic efficiency, improving energy and power density, while providing the stability and safety of existing solutions.”   …

Via Nanosys: Energy Storage Solutions.

Nanosys, Inc. is an advanced material architect, harnessing the fundamental properties of inorganic materials into process ready systems that can integrate into existing manufacturing to produce vastly superior products in lighting, electronic displays, and energy storage.

Posted by Green Tech at 12:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

United has a green sustainability program called eco-skies.  Among the highlights of the program are ...

... over 300 planes with winglets that reduce emissions by up to 5% ... 3600+ service vehicles that are either electric or alternative fueled ... recycling over 3 millions lbs plastic and aluminum from flight service over a 5  year period ... 

"First U.S. biofuel and synthetic fuel demonstration flights and signed letters of intent to advance cost-efficient and environmentally responsible alternative jet fuels derived from biomass feedstock ..."

Via:  United  LINK

Posted by Green Dude at 05:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Posted by Green Tech at 12:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Posted by Green Tech at 11:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

piloted by GE research team.  The team integrates a high-energy density sodium battery with a high-power lithium battery into a dual power system to optimize performance for acceleration and range.  …

…   “While significant advances in battery technology have been made, further reductions in the size and cost of batteries will be needed to enable the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.

GE researchers believe a dual system with high power and energy storage capacity could achieve the optimal electric driving range and acceleration requirements at a more practical size scale and cost for larger vehicles.

The research is being done as part of a $13 million research project GE is engaged in with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Northeast Advanced Vehicle Consortium, funded under the National Fuel Cell Bus Program. ”   …

GE Hybrid Systems Team.

Research at GE.

National Fuel Cell Bus Program (PDF).

A view of fuel cell bus use in United States bus fleets (PDF).

Posted by Green Tech at 01:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

General Electric announced that they would purchase 25,000 EV by 2015.  This is the largest EV purchase announced so far and will get GE closer towards their goal of having half their global fleet being EV by 2015.  

The plan is to buy 12,000 Chevy Volts (General Motors) starting in 2011 and then buy from other manufacturers as they are brfought to the market.

GE will initially purchase 12,000 GM vehicles, beginning with the Chevrolet Volt in 2011, and will add other vehicles as manufacturers bring them to market. By 2015 GE will convert at least half of its global fleet of 30,000 vehicles and will partner with its fleet customers to deploy a total of 25,000 EVs.

GE's Jeffery Immelt says ..." Wide-scale adoption of electric vehicles will also drive clean energy innovation, strengthen energy security and deliver economic value.”"

Via:  GE  LINK

Posted by Green Dude at 03:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Sheldon Crossing in Manayunk (Philadelphia) Pa offers the latest in GREEN LIVING.   In addition to being LEED certified they offer a Coulomb Technologies electric  car charging station.

" ... will earn a Platinum LEED certification ... homes will use less energy, water, and natural resources ... "  Features include " ... solar panels, vegetative green roofs, insulation, plumbing, HVAC, water purification and smart home automation ..."

The model home's Charging Station for electric vehicles is the first in the city of Philadelphia.  Picture >>>>>

Via:  Sheldon Crossing  LINK and Philadelphia Inquirer LINK

Posted by Green Dude at 08:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Smith Electric Trucks has approx. 80 years (in the UK) building electric vehicles and has US Operations that have delivered electric trucks to companies such as Staples, Frito-Lay and AT&T.

Electric Vehicles produce no smog in operation and are very low cost to operate.  They have a range of up to 100 miles and are great for city use. 

Via:  Smith Electric Smith Electric Vehicles

Posted by Green Dude at 05:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The CityCar is an EV designed to take up minimum space while parked.  This is achieved by "folding" the car.  Instead of the engine and drive train of a gas powered car the drive components are in each wheel eliminating the need for a long rigid structure for the exhaust pipe or drive train components.

" ... weighs less than a thousand pounds, get the equivalent of 150 to 200 miles per gallon of gasoline. ... no tailpipe emissions."

" .. powered by four in-wheel electric motors ... enables maneuvers like spinning on its own axis ... moving sideways ... "

" ... park nose-in to the curb in ... possible to park three or four CityCars in the length of a traditional parking bay."

Via:  MIT LINK

Posted by Green Dude at 05:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Networked mobile charging integrated with electric vehicle intelligence will optimize the placement of recharge stations.  …

…   “To determine where the stations are needed, in-car sensors would monitor the level of charge in the battery and periodically report this to a central operations centre … ”   …

Via New Scientist: Mobile Chargers.

Electric vehicle researcher, Zafer Sahinoglu at Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories.

Posted by Green Tech at 11:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

 EPA Fuel Economy stickers are on all new cars and light trucks and ahve been for decades. They list the city and highway mpg as well expected annual feul costs and some information about emissions.

The EPA is now looking to modify (again) the labels ... to allow meaningful comparisons between newer type vehicles ... such as hybrids where MPG does not really apply.  They might group cars by letters like A, B, and C.

" .. provide ... simple, straightforward energy and environmental comparisons across all vehicles types, including electric vehicles (EV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), and conventional gasoline/diesel vehicles. ... information, such as ratings on fuel economy, greenhouse gas emissions, and other air pollutants ..."

Via:  EPA  LINK

Posted by Green Dude at 06:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Rapid charging could be just the capability to make electric vehicles more appealing to consumers.  Level 3 battery charging could reduce charge time to the thirty minute target.  Technology exists to address barriers to developing the EV infrastructure.  …

…   “ECOtality, also a partner in the EV Project, will roll out a public fast charger in the fall, and Mr. Read predicts that it will be easy for consumers to operate.”   …

Via New York Times: 30 minute recharge.

Frog Design Blink Level 2 Ev Charger: "A crucial component in making this a reality and bringing the EV to consumers across the country is the cultivation and creation of electric-vehicle charging stations that are available for both residential and commercial use. "

Posted by Green Tech at 09:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Electric vehicles and charging stations ... which comes first ?  Without a built out infrastructure people will not invest in electrics cars. 

Coulomb Technologies makes the " ... ChargePoint Network, the most advanced, easy to use, electric vehicle ... charging infrastructure ... "

" ... make electric vehicle use a practical reality ... controlled power at convenient locations wherever EVs park. ... easy to use, and support international power and connector standards. "

Via:  Coulomb Technologies  LINK

Posted by Green Dude at 05:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The auto marketplace has been eagerly waiting official pricing for the Chevy Volt - an all electric auto.  Unlike hybrids with a gas engine that provides additional HP for motion the Volt engine does not directly drive the wheels but recharges the battery.

Pricing is approx. $41,000 before a federal tax credit of $7,500 resulting in $33,500 to the consumer.

" ... uses gas to create its own electricity. ... run on a pure electric charge for up to 40 miles ... gas and emissions free. ... uses a range-extending gas generator that produces enough energy to power it for hundreds of miles on a single tank of gas. "

Via:  Chevrolet  LINK

Posted by Green Dude at 05:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Solar Impulse is testing its ability to fly in the dark in this flight from Payerne in Switzerland.  ...

...  "The big question is whether the pilot can make efficient use of the battery energy to fly throughout the night. If this mission is successful, it will be the longest and highest flight ever made by a solar plane. "   ...

Via Solar Impulse Project: Night flight.

BBC: Solar test flight.

Posted by Green Tech at 08:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Univ of Arkansas team develops electric vehicle to research new technology and educate students.  …

…   “Additional engineering tasks include implementation of a fast on-board charging system, integration of flexible solar membranes for trickle charging two maxillary batteries and integration of a new LCD instrument cluster for displaying speed, voltages, currents and battery conditions.”   …

Via University of Arkansas, Fort Smith: Electric Vehicle Project.

Posted by Green Tech at 05:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

India has lots of gas and diesel powered rickshaws ... these emit significant quantities of pollution ... there is work to outfit rickshaws with batteries and an electric motor.  These cost close to 3 x the cost of a traditional rickshaw but the government may offer loans to help offset the cost differential.

" ... Soleckshaw ... can either be pedaled or run off of a 36-volt battery that is charged every 45 miles from a solar charging station ... prototype ... seats three and has electric lights, an FM radio, four mobile phone chargers, and can travel at 12 and a half miles per hour. ..."

Via:  cleanechnica LINK

Posted by Green Dude at 06:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Continue reading "Up Close with Tesla Roadster Electric Vehicle at Philly Auto Show" »

Posted by Green Tech at 11:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Nissan has announced the Nissan Leaf - a zero emission electric car that is designed for "the mass market".  In addition to the car, Nissan is working with partners to develop the required infrastructure to support an a all electric car.  The LEAF is expected to be priced similar to other family sedans.

" ...  Nissan LEAF zero-emission, all-electric car ... five-passenger, five-door, gasoline-free car ..."

"Nissan is the only automaker committed to making all-electric vehicles available to the mass market on a global scale. ... has partnered on the development of an electric-vehicle infrastructure through partnerships in the State of Tennessee, the State of Oregon, Sonoma County, San Diego, Phoenix, Tucson, Washington D.C., Seattle, Raleigh, and Vancouver. Additionalpartnerships will be announced in the near future."

Via:  Nissan  LINK

Posted by Green Dude at 09:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Posted by Green Dude at 11:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "Solar City, a Silicon Valley neighbor of Tesla, has installed a whole corridor full of charging stations between the Bay Area and LA. " ...

Posted by Green Tech at 08:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "Better Place designed the software with a single goal in mind, calming the fears of owners of EVs who believe drained batteries will leave them stranded in the middle of nowhere. " ...

Continue reading "Electric Vehicle Range Addressed by Better Place" »

Posted by Green Tech at 04:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "Lead-acid batteries, which are used for transportation and stand-by applications, account for half of the rechargeable battery market. Although alternative battery chemistries are growing in popularity, such chemistries are not expected to diminish the demand for lead-acid. " ...

Continue reading "Lead-Acid Battery Chemistry Improvement" »

Posted by Green Tech at 09:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

What do you get when you take a Segway "scooter" and put a seat and "body" on it?  GM and Segway are prototyping this concept to develop a P.U.M.A. - personal urban mobility and access device.

Read on for more ... 

" ... Project P.U.M.A. (Personal Urban Mobility & Accessibility) prototype. ... working concept ... in collaboration with General Motors Corp. ..."

"... demonstrate a dramatically different approach to urban mobility ... Built off of the proven reliable and safe technology you find in Segway Personal Transporters (PTs), the prototype truly does expand upon the exhilarating riding experience…"

Via:  Segway  LINK

Posted by Green Dude at 05:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

"WHEEGO ELECTRIC CARS, a division of RTEV, Inc., ... a full line of recreational and street electric LSVs (Low Speed Vehicles), ... is taking reservations for its first car, the Wheego Whip, which will begin shipping in May."

" ... a fully loaded two-passenger automobile ... Remote keyless entry, air conditioning and an mp3 stereo system are standard equipment  ... retails for under $19,000, and it only costs about 3 cents per mile to operate.  ... a 10% Federal Tax credit on the purchase price of the car as a Low Speed Vehicle in 2009. When the Whip is eventually certified and sold as a full speed car, the Federal Tax credit will be $7,500."

Via:  wheego.net LINK

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

Green Wheel is a cross between a regular bicycle and a motorcycle developed by scientists at MIT.

" ... GreenWheel ... will turn any pedal bicycle into an electric hog. ... has the radius of a small dinner plate and is about 2 inches thick. Inside the aluminum frame sits the three major GreenWheel components: an electric generator, batteries and an electric motor."

" ... a bike powered solely by a single GreenWheel ... has an estimated range of 25 miles. ... bike can be charged by pedaling or by plugging it into the electric grid.

" ... estimates its range at 40,000 miles, or about eight years work of travel at an estimated 20 miles per business day. ...

" ... getting people out of cars and onto bikes ... GreenWheel designers hope to reduce the use of fossil fuels and carbon emissions. ... GreenWheel is also made from environmentally friendly processes by companies like A123 Systems, which manufactures the lithium ion batteries used in the GreenWheel."

Via:  msnbc.msn.com  LINK

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

"Ford ... entered into a partnership with battery producer Johnson Controls-Saft to develop advanced lithium-ion battery system ...  seven regional electric utility partners are joining Ford and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) to conduct real-world tests on an expanding fleet of Ford Escape PHEVs."

" ... partnerships will help Ford accelerate its electrification strategy, including bringing a full battery electric vehicle (BEV) van to market in 2010 for commercial use, a small BEV sedan developed jointly with Magna International by 2011 and a PHEV by 2012."

" ... battery system that Johnson Controls-Saft is designing and manufacturing ...  the cells will be produced at the supplier's production facility in France, but the system will be assembled in the United States. The five-year supply agreement includes delivery for committed production in 2012 with a target of at least 5,000 units per year."

Via:  Ford Motor Company  LINK

Posted by Green Dude at 06:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)