Solar Powered Robotics Survey The Worlds’ Seas

Posted on September 9, 2011 by quest

The Savannah Ocean Exchange proudly announces that Liquid Robotics of Sunnyvale, CA is the recipient of the 2011 Gulfstream Navigator Award. The Gulfstream Navigator Award 2011 recognizes the best solution to positively Shape the Future of Our Coasts. Liquid Robotics’ “Wave Glider-Autonomous Ocean Vehicle” was selected by participating delegates during the inaugural Solutions Exchange, held in Savannah GA September 7-8, 2011, and was presented with the 2011 Gulfstream Navigator Award by Mr. Joe Lombardo, EVP Aerospace Group, General Dynamics, the parent company of Gulfstream. The Wave Glider solution harvests energy from the environment and is able to travel long distances, hold station, and monitor vast areas of the ocean without the need for fuel or carbon emissions. A unique two-part architecture and wing system directly converts wave motion into thrust, and solar panels provide electricity for sensor payloads and satellite communications.

Wave Glider

The Navigator Award was given to the top solution submitted as part of the annual Call for Solutions issued by the Savannah Ocean Exchange Board of Governors in February 2011. An exclusive panel of experts from multiple disciplines, chaired by Dr. Nancy Knowlton of the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum of Natural History, vetted solutions submitted from countries spanning the globe. The top ten solutions were developed as point solutions for the construction, defense, homeland security, marine research, robotics, coastal reclamation, energy, and shipping industries. Each finalist presented their solution to over 100 delegates who selected the award recipient.

Savannah Ocean Exchange brings together thought leaders around the world from cross disciplines that represent industry, education, research, technology, government and conservation. Led by a multi-disciplinary, 29-member Board of Governors, the organization sources and accelerates the adoption of solutions that positively impact economies and the environment. “The breadth and scope of proven, economically sustainable solutions that were submitted to compete for the 2011 Gulfstream Navigator Award were outstanding,” says Cort Atkinson, Co-Founder and CEO of the Savannah Ocean Exchange.

Africa’s Friend China Finances $9.3 Billion of Hydropower

The EV-Hater’s Guide to Hating Electric Cars

Hertz To Rent Electric Vehicles With BYD In China

Posted on August 30, 2011 by quest

BYD, the largest Chinese domestic auto brand and The Hertz Corporation, the world’s largest general use car rental brand, recently announced a strategic partnership to promote new energy applications to propel the development of the EV markets in China. In addition, as part of the partnership, Hertz will rent BYD’s e6 electrical vehicle (EV) to Chinese consumers, municipalities and government agencies. Mark Frissora, Chairman and CEO of Hertz stated, “Hertz is once again first to market with innovation. We are the first global car rental company to offer EVs in China for businesses and consumers to rent. With our partnership with BYD, we can offer a complete solution including rental and sales – another first for our industry.” Chuanfu Wang Chairman and CEO of BYD stated, “Innovation is a consistent theme for Hertz and innovation is also the core of BYD’s continuous fast growth — pure EVs for car rental in China is an innovative step for new energy industry development. This joint innovation for our two large enterprises in the field of pure EVs will certainly bring ‘green’ transportation to the forefront for the world to admire.”

“Hertz is once again first to market with innovation. We are the first global car rental company to offer EVs in China for businesses and consumers to rent. With our partnership with BYD, we can offer a complete solution including rental and sales – another first for our industry.”

As part of this agreement, the BYD’s e6, a 5-seat, pure-electric vehicle with the driving range of more than 186 miles (240 km) will be introduced into the Hertz China’s rental fleet making BYD’s e6 the first pure EV for rent in China. The core technology of the e6 FE battery boasts the highest safety, longest service life and most environmentally-friendly rechargeable chemistry (containing no heavy metals or toxic/flammable electrolytes). BYD’s e6 will serve in Hertz’s fleet for multiple groups of Hertz consumers including urban drivers, university students, travelers, and corporations, while bringing them a brand-new environmentally-friendly, EV driving experience.

Solar to Power Leading Wind Power Maker

Berkeley and Stanford Racing in 2011 World Solar Challenge

Posted on August 26, 2011 by quest

Panasonic Corporation of North America has announced their support for student teams in the Darwin-to-Adelaide, 3,021-kilometer 2011 World Solar Challenge in Australia this October. Panasonic is providing the latest Lithium Ion battery technologies for use with solar-powered vehicles engineered by undergraduate teams from the University of California at Berkeley and Stanford University in the seven day drive through the Australian Outback. Yesterday’s announcement came at Infineon Raceway’s first Accelerating Sustainable Performance Summit, a day-long forum for innovators and thought-leaders to explore prospects for sustainable automotive development and performance-oriented marketing of green cars. Peter Fannon, Vice President, Technology Policy, Panasonic Corporation of North America was on hand to wish the two teams the best of luck in proving their innovative solar car designs in the grueling Australian Outback environment.

“These teams are truly proving the power of nature’s most ubiquitous fuel, the sun, and helping advance the time when sun power can be a routine part of transportation, and more in our daily lives,” said Mr. Fannon. “Panasonic is pleased to be part of realizing this vision.”In addition to the Lithium Ion batteries that will power the vehicles, Panasonic will also equip the two teams with ruggedized LUMIX digital cameras and Full HD camcorders to enable them to record their performance in the 1,877 mile vehicle endurance test. Although the cars competing in the World Solar Challenge are powered by solar energy, the sun’s rays are converted to electricity, which must be stored when not used immediately. This excess energy is stored in high-efficiency Lithium Ion batteries and is then used to power the vehicles when solar power is not feasible, for example, when it is cloudy or at night.

A prestigious event that attracts the world’s best technical universities and colleges, the World Solar Challenge aims to help discover new automotive technologies that rely on the power of the sun by engaging student teams to develop electric vehicles for a week-long race across the Australian Outback. Currently in its 11th year, the 2011 event will host teams from all over the world to participate in the 3,021-kilometer journey. Dedicated to the goal of becoming the number one green business innovation leader in the electronics industry by 2018, Panasonic pledges to practice prudent, sustainable use of the earth’s natural resources and protect our environment through the company’s Eco Ideas programs.

Japan Energy Law To Cut Nukes, Boost Solar, Wind

Solar Trees Powering Electric Vehicles

Posted on August 25, 2011 by quest

Envision Solar International, Inc., a leading sustainable infrastructure product designer and developer, today announced that the company has commenced work on 15 electric-vehicle (EV) charging enabled Solar Tree structures with their integrated EnvisionTrak proprietary and patent pending tracking systems for a major US Government entity. The project will generate over $800,000 of revenue for the company and is expected to be completed in Q4 of 2011.

Envision Solar’s President and CEO, Desmond Wheatley, said, “Our ability to deliver high quality products to equally high quality customers with whom we have huge scaling potential is key to our growth strategy. This deployment of 15 of our CleanCharge enabled EnvisionTrak Solar Tree structures for the world’s largest customer is another significant indication of our ability to repeatedly execute on that strategy. We are proud and delighted to have been selected for this very high visibility project and look forward to many more.”

Company Chairman and Founder Robert Noble stated, “We are excited about seeing 15 of our iconic, archetypal “Smart Trees™” deployed at this highly visible location right here in our home town, San Diego. For many years to come, visitors to this Solar Grove will be able to charge their EVs, see clean energy generation in action, up close, and experience the sheer pleasure of a shady park of beautiful Solar Trees. It is truly an honor for us to be working on such a forward-looking project which we know will be a powerful demonstration of the government’s growing real commitment to a sustainable future.”

Elon Musk Donates Solar Power Project to Japan

Clean Cities TV Produces Electric Vehicle Video

Posted on August 24, 2011 by quest

Internet TV Network, TV Worldwide , recently completed production and launch of a training video on home installation and inspection requirements for Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE). The video was created for Clean Cities TV , the educational Internet TV channel the company produces, in support of the U.S. Department of Energy‘s Clean Cities program. The video provides vital information for electrical contractors and inspectors as they assist homeowners in ensuring that proper residential EVSE standards, practices and safety precautions are followed.
The video is part of a series of live and recorded educational Internet programs on the Clean Cities TV channel. CCTV was launched in April to support Clean Cities and its mission to reduce U.S. petroleum consumption through the use of alternative and renewable fuels, idle reduction, fuel economy measures, and new emerging technologies.

The new video features input from experts who have been engaged in the development of standards and specifications for proper design and installation of EVSEs. These approaches are customized to support a full spectrum of residential applications. “Proper EVSE installation is so vital to the national goal to get 1 million electric vehicles on the road by 2015, so it is very rewarding to support this effort, deploying our Internet TV capabilities to educate and inform,” stated Dave Gardy, Chairman and CEO of TV Worldwide.

TV Worldwide’s network of Internet TV channels currently offers several different target demographic audiences, including the National League of Cities TV , produced in cooperation with the National League of Cities. “We’re making sure that viewers on other channels such as our NLC TV audience of 22,000 city decision makers in 1,600 member cities are aware of this content, not only from the standpoint of what constituents need to know about residential installations, but also because of the future decisions city leaders need to make in deploying charging installations at the municipal level. We’re learning that across all alternative fuel technologies, once cities know about Clean Cities program solutions that have been deployed successfully, they find real savings — an important consideration in this time of tight municipal budgets,” Gardy said.

Food Sustainability Forum to be held at Claremont Resort

Game Pioneering Ideas In Solar Energy & Business

Posted on August 21, 2011 by quest

“Alex is just a woman who loves her job; she´s ambitious and that´s why she plays the game to win and have fun,” as Alice N. York describes the main character of her eBook. In this fictional story Alex takes on a job in a highly diversified team of a large international corporation to develop new technological business in the solar energy sector. Despite her background and fast success based on pioneering ideas and dedication she soon hits the glass ceiling, throwing her life into turmoil.

The reading experience is like a cocktail with a new twist; let us say a raspberry mojito – ginger style. Take a pinch of smart innovative ideas like solar-driven and robot-handled greenhouses for organic food. Then throw in a dash of spicy and daringly honest experiences of daily work life at a leading corporation and add a handful of personal bitter-sweetness to feed your soul. Finally top it off with strokes of fate as strong as vodka that will turn the heroine´s world upside down with every mouthful you take.  Just like a cocktail this book slowly takes effect on you, eventually sweeping you off your feet, leaving you intoxicated and unable to remain impartial.

GAME-Faint Signals profiles a corporate world in which Alex finds developing long-term strategies and innovational product ideas just as inspiring as implementing both practically; and where business trips take her to fascinating locales around the globe offering insights into different cultures. But it is a ruthless, unscrupulous professional world in which no prisoners are taken; a world that is dominated by demanding challenges and an unbalanced playing field in which the rules keep changing. Faint Signals indicate that something is not quite right and Alex angles her antennas. But – maybe being naive – her code book does not conform. Eventually she is left to her own devices, backed only by family and friends, and her personal supreme court – the daily look into the mirror. A Story Inspired By True Events, ebook Now Out For Kindle, ibooks, Android. Start reading GAME-Faint Signals for free: Game_extract