Solar Powered Train Stations On Track In China

Posted on May 23, 2012 by quest

Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc., a developer of state-of-the-art, flexible thin-film photovoltaic modules, recently announced it has entered into a three way strategic joint development agreement with Shenzhen Radiant Enterprise Co., Ltd. (Radiant) and Third Railway Survey and Design Institute Group Corporation (TSDI) of China. Under the agreement, TSDI will promote the use of leading-edge solar technology in China’s rapidly growing public railway infrastructure by installing Ascent Solar modules on existing and future railway stations in China. Radiant has been responsible for installing the roofing component on multiple railway station projects throughout China and is well positioned to execute the PV retrofitting of existing railway stations, as well new installations. Total volume of solar installation on China’s public infrastructure is projected to reach 800MW over the next five years.

“We are honoured to be involved with TSDI through this very important partnership, which will promote Ascent Solar’s transformational technology in a high-profile sector of China’s public infrastructure. This year, we look forward to working closely with TSDI and Radiant to design and develop systems to be installed beginning in 2013,” stated Victor Lee, Ascent Solar President and CEO.TSDI, a subsidiary of the China Railway Group, is a large-scale comprehensive survey and design corporation that has been appointed to build a uniform technical platform for China’s state-of-the-art national railway system. TSDI consistently ranks among China’s Top 100 firms in terms of overall strength, and owns a Class-A Qualification certificate for Engineering Survey and Design from China’s Ministry of Housing and Urban-rural Development. The organization has designed over 50,000km of railways in China, including the country’s first high-speed railway and first heavy-haul railway. In addition, TSDI designed China’s first modern, large-scale multi-modal transport hub, the Beijing South Railway Station.

Winston Xu, Founder of Shenzhen Radiant Enterprise Co., Ltd. and Ascent Solar Board Member, said “China’s state-of-the-art railway system is one of the largest and fastest growing in the world. Ascent Solar and Radiant Group feel privileged to work with TSDI towards the goal of incorporating green, renewable energy with this important piece of China’s infrastructure.”According to the terms of the agreement, the three parties will begin system design and engineering development in the near term, with initial project installations beginning in 2013.

Do It Yourself Renewable Energy

Ford Focus Electric Costars In ‘Plugged In’

Posted on May 22, 2012 by quest

Yahoo and Ford are releasing today a teaser video previewing ‘Plugged In,’ a weekly online reality competition show coinciding with the launch of the all-new 2012 Focus Electric and airing exclusively on Yahoo! Screen, the company’s video destination.‘Plugged In’ features two-person teams competing against each other in a series of challenges. The series begins May 29 with actor David Arquette guiding contestants through challenges at some of his favorite Los Angeles locales. Featuring celebrity hosts – David Arquette, Adrian Grenier, Jenna Bush Hager, Emily Procter, Alicia Silverstone, J.R. Martinez and more. Subsequent episodes will feature different celebrities taking contestants and viewers on an intimate tour of their respective hometowns, discovering hidden cultural gems and “best of” locations in their city.

The winning teams in each city will move on to participate in the finale event in Los Angeles, where they will compete with teams from other regions for the chance to win a Ford Focus Electric. The series will crown a winning team in a finale episode on Aug. 7. “Ford is launching the Focus Electric only on Yahoo!, once again recognizing the power and reach of the Web as we continue to rely more on the power of digital media,” says Matt VanDyke, Director, U.S. Marketing Communications for Ford. “The electric vehicle market will grow over time, so we electrified our popular small-car platform rather than creating a one-off vehicle, and now we can use a targeted online campaign instead of a big-budget advertisement.”

Focus Electric offers the equivalent of 110 miles per gallon (MPGe) city, 99 MPGe highway, and operates entirely on battery-generated power. Focus Electric also has been certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to offer 105 MPGe combined. Ford is ramping up Focus Electric retail production for dealership availability in California, New York and New Jersey. By year-end, Focus Electric becomes available in 19 markets across the United States. Focus Electric offers the equivalent of 110 miles per gallon (MPGe) city, 99 MPGe highway, and operates entirely on battery-generated power. Focus Electric also has been certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to offer 105 MPGe combined.

AAA On Driving Eco Friendly EV’s And Hybrids

Posted on May 13, 2012 by quest

Ok if Paula Patton Co star from the most recent Mission Impossible film was wiling to take a test drive with you in BMW’s new Concept Car even more EV’s would sell. But, are you hoping to decrease your carbon footprint and live a greener life? What and how you drive is a large part of your daily carbon footprint. Electric engines, several hybrid options and even traditional internal combustion engines have become more efficient and emit fewer greenhouse gasses. Even if you’re not in the market for a new car, AAA has tips to help you get the best efficiency and minimize greenhouse gasses no matter what you drive. “There has been an influx of ‘green’ technologies by automakers into the market, which is great for consumers seeking a more environmentally-conscious choice for their next vehicle purchase,” said John Nielsen, AAA’s Director of Automotive Engineering and Repair.

2012 has been an exciting year for full-electric vehicles (EV). These vehicles do not use gasoline and rely solely on battery power. With the average cost for a kilowatt hour of electric energy at approximately 12 cents, to fully charge an EV with a 24KWh battery pack would cost around $2.88. That works out to between 3.0 cents and 4.4 cents per mile for fuel. Making EV’s even more appealing and green; there is no need for oil changes, ignition system maintenance, fuel system service or exhaust pipe and muffler replacements.

In addition to full electric cars there is also the option of Gasoline-Electric Hybrids, Compressed Natural Gas/Diesel Vehicles, and More Efficient Gasoline Vehicles. But fuel economy can be realized in plug-in hybrid powertrains. These vehicles use a rechargeable battery pack that allows the car to travel up to 35 miles before the onboard gasoline engine starts. In some cars, this engine will provide power to the drive wheels. In other models this engine powers a generator that delivers power to the motor driving the vehicle while also recharging the batteries. Unlike fully electric vehicles, a plug-in hybrid is limited only by the range of its gas tank. The Toyota Prius PHEV and 2013 Ford Fusion are great examples of plug-ins in the marketplace today.

Electric Vehicle World Visionary Award Goes To LA

Posted on May 7, 2012 by quest

The World Electric Vehicle Association (WEVA) today presented the City of Los Angeles with an E-Visionary Award at the 26th International Electric Vehicle Symposium (EVS26). Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa accepted the award on behalf of the city.”WEVA recognizes leaders as E-Visionaries for their strong support of clean, efficient and sustainable modes of transportation, and for making electric drive a reality in the everyday lives of their citizens,” said Brian Wynne, president of WEVA and the Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA), the U.S. association hosting EVS26. “As an E-Visionary award recipient, Los Angeles is a prime example for other global communities to emulate.”

“I am honored to accept the E-Visionary Award on behalf of the City of Los Angeles,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “Los Angeles aims to lead the nation in cleaner, greener transportation solutions and promoting electric vehicle manufacturing, infrastructure, and use are vital parts of that effort.”In addition to serving as the hosting City for EVS26, Los Angeles has committed the City to furthering the development and adoption of electric drive technology: In addition to other initiates the City is upgrading more than 100 charging stations to provide faster charging to area EV drivers. The Mayor’s Office has supported the growth of the top EV companies in Los Angeles such as CODA Automotive, BYD, and Boulder EV. In January, 2011, Los Angeles and Shanghai agreed to be Partner Cities by sharing best practices from their respective EV demonstration programs.

E-Visionary recipients have placed high expectations on electric drive technology regarding investment, performance and their recognition of the advantages that electrification provides. The honorees have worked tremendously to ensure that their communities thrive, while also leaving a much lighter ‘footprint’ on the environment. Each winner of this award has demonstrated long-term thought and concern for the health of their community by choosing electric drive as a means to achieve better air quality and increased fuel economy for their fleets. Los Angeles also won this award in 2003.

Green Economy Opinions and Insight

Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging A Reality

Posted on April 30, 2012 by quest

Evatran, the developer of Plugless Power wireless recharging technology for electric vehicles, will welcome EVS26 attendees at the Los Angeles Convention Center May 6th through May 9th. Plugless Power technology will be featured in booth #1115 and also at the Ride, Drive, and Charge event open throughout the four-day conference. Evatran will be showcasing its Plugless Power hands-free charging system on both a Nissan LEAF and a Chevrolet Volt at the event. Booth attendees can interact with automotive-quality components, witness the alignment process, and see object detection technology. Members of the Evatran team will also be available to answer visitor questions regarding the Plugless Power system and discuss integration considerations for automotive manufacturer production systems.

Evatran’s attendance at the EVS26 conference and exhibition follows the launch of its Apollo Trial Program, an initiative that encourages electric vehicle adoption through the trial of wireless charging technology. Prototypes used in the Apollo Program on LEAF and Volt vehicles will be on display at the Evatran booth. Evatran will also be promoting the next phase of its Apollo Trial Program, where select commercial partners can join Hertz, Google, and Duke Energy to trial wireless charging on their own electric vehicles.

Rebecca Hough, chief operating officer of Evatran, commented, “Interest in wireless charging is at an all time high in the electric vehicle market and we’re excited to unveil the current generation of our product at EVS26. Wireless charging is no longer simply about transferring power over a gap; the market is demanding seamless integration into vehicles, safety features, and the incorporation of a simple user interface. With design considerations for each of these requirements, Plugless Power will be showcased as the most production-ready technology available in the market.”

SunRun Invests $150 Million In Home Solar Systems

See More On A Train

Posted on April 24, 2012 by quest

Award-winning actress, environmentalist, writer and philanthropist Rosario Dawson will serve as spokesperson for the 5th Annual National Train Day and share her love of train travel and how it allows her to be involved in the community in a more personal way with rail fans. Train passengers experience travel unlike any others; they get to see the vastness of the American landscape more intimately when traveling by rail, from cities big and small, to country vistas and everything in between. In honor of the fifth anniversary of National Train Day, Amtrak is inviting train fans to share what they see and experience on their train journeys and enter the See More On A Train online contest.

A celebration of train travel and the ways that trains touch the lives of people across America, National Train Day will take place at train stations in New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Los Angeles, as well as numerous other communities throughout the nation, on Saturday, May 12, 2012. From now through May 29, 2012, train fans can upload their original photos, videos and stories chronicling how they have been inspired by their train travel to National Train Day for the chance to win great prizes. A Grand Prize winner in each of the three categories will have their choice of one of four provided Amtrak Vacations Tour Packages for two travelers.

See More On A Train

In addition, train fans can visit facebook.com/NationalTrainDay to participate in the National Train Day sweepstakes for the chance to win an Amtrak Vacations Package to Glacier National Park and a full Samsonite luggage set.