Green innovators connect to create electric vehicles

Posted on November 21, 2010 by quest

Green Vehicles a plug electric car innovator and battery industry leader Leyden Energy have created a new technology partnership at Green Vehicles’ new factory location in Salinas, CA. The company has also recently received a $2.05 million grant from the California Energy Commission. President and co-founder Mike Ryan said “Green Vehicles is innovating in a new category of automobile, clean commuter mobility. The Triac directly addresses the growing demand among daily drivers who want affordable transportation that is the most environmentally responsible available.” The company aims for zero waste in manufacturing and vehicle recycling — making the Triac truly green, not just on the road, but throughout its product life cycle.

Leyden Energy will co-locate its battery test equipment alongside the manufacturing operations at the 80,000 square-foot Green Vehicles factory. This integration into the production process improves whole-system quality assurance and reduces production time. “Leyden Energy lithium-ion battery technology innovator formerly known as Mobius Power, sees great potential in partnering with Green Vehicles to address the needs of environmental and cost-conscious commuters,” said Leyden Energy CEO Aakar Patel. “Our high energy-density, highly reliable battery technology is a perfect fit for efficient, lightweight automotive applications like the Triac.”

Green Vehicles was born out of necessity in 2007. The company’s founders wanted all-electric transportation options for their day-to-day needs, but no practical solutions then existed. Green Vehicles has been building and shipping vehicles based on lithium-ion battery technology since 2009.

RECYCLING WORKS

Vehicle charging stations to electrify San Francisco

Posted on November 18, 2010 by quest

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, the soon to be next Lieutenant Governor of California joined the Port of San Francisco, Coulomb Technologies and MasterCard PayPass to begin installation of the first new electric plug-in vehicles (EV) charging stations in San Francisco. A $15 million grant funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the Transportation Electrification Initiative administered by the Department of Energy made the project possible. The two EV charging stations are part of the ChargePoint America program that will allow EV drivers in the Bay Area to pay for parking and charging their electric cars quickly and conveniently.

Last month, San Francisco took major steps toward making the San Francisco Bay Area a national demonstration project of the promise and potential of electric vehicles, with the award of $14 million in Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) grants to support four innovative electric vehicle (EV) projects across the nine county region. The funds will leverage additional funds exceeding $30 million to put EVs in government fleets, taxis, and car-share programs, as well as develop a network of charging stations available to the public throughout the region. LA Metro has also recently announced an electric vehicle pilot program.

In addition to supporting the build-out of public EV charging infrastructure throughout the Bay Area, the projects funded by this grant money will include purchasing approximately 90 plug-in vehicles and installing charging equipment to support them in municipal fleets, a car sharing electrification program and a pilot project for EV taxi cabs. This innovative taxi program will launch a fleet of taxis with rechargeable batteries for local neighborhood trips in San Francisco, and will also create the nation’s first battery-switch demonstration for a fleet of cabs built with switchable battery packs and served by battery-switch stations in San Francisco and San Jose.

EXPLORE RECYCLING

Solar energy charging up electric bicycles

Posted on November 17, 2010 by quest

Kyocera is in the news again. This time the solar manufacturer has introduced an environmentally friendly solar-powered recharging station for electric-assisted bicycles that uses the company’s high performance solar modules. The system, which was codeveloped by two companies, is sold in Japan by KCCS starting this month. Recently Kyocera in cooperation with the World Bank’s Renewable Energy for Rural Access Project provided two Mongolian villages with solar power.

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Kyocera seems to be providing new and interesting applications for solar energy. Some of their projects have provided solar modules for cars, boats, parking lots and “Solar Grove” shading structures, as well as more conventional residential and large-scale solar power generation. The development of its new “Solar Cycle Station” responds to the popularity of electric bicycles which have grown immensely due to a growing awareness of environmental issues. This expanded awareness has Kyocera responding to the needs of people seeking ways to use alternative means of transportation, including use of electric bicycles at rental shops as fun and relaxing recreation in tourist areas. However, with expanded use comes a growing need to construct more recharging stations. By using solar modules to generate the power for these bicycles Kyocera aims to provide an economical and ecological solution.

Not only will these stations generate clean energy for recharging the battery of electric bicycles, but they are also connected to the regular power grid, via a DC-AC converter, ensuring stable service during cloudy weather and for recharging during the night. The stations are equipped with conventional outlets so that they can be used as a power source in the event of a power outage or emergency.

VISIT: THE SOLAR WALL

Half of GE fleet to be electric vehicles by 2015

Posted on November 12, 2010 by quest

In a move that will put some confidence into the future and sustainability of the reborn electric vehicle industry; General Electric has placed an order tens of thousands of electric vehicles. GE CEO Jeffrey Immelt said the large order will, “accelerate the adoption curve, drive scale, and move electric vehicles from anticipation to action.”
GE is a global powerhouse and diversified technology, media and financial services company. They are already in power generation including solar and wind energy. From Fairfield, CT GE announced

The Austonian Gets Four-Star Rating From Austin Energy Green Building

The Austonian, Austin’s newest and tallest luxury residential high-rise in the heart of downtown, has been awarded a coveted Four-Star rating from Austin Energy Green Building (AEGB).

The Austonian is the newest and most modern example of a sustainable and environmentally-smart high-rise community in the United States.
The Austonian’s Four Star rating from Austin Energy is the equivalent to the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Gold rating.
“This accomplishment is the result of support from

Update A New Green Renaissance VI

Obama selects Suniva for US-India Innovation Roundtable

Posted on November 8, 2010 by quest

Metro-Atlanta based solar maker Suniva was part of President Obama’s U.S. – India Innovation Roundtable. The roundtable, held in Mumbai, was part of the President’s first official visit to India. Suniva was the only solar company invited to participate in the roundtable discussion. “It’s an honor to be recognized as one of the premier examples of collaboration between India and U.S. business, as well as to have the opportunity to discuss with the President recommendations for continuing to develop business relationships with India,” said Bryan Ashley, chief marketing officer for Suniva. “Exports are key to the growth of the U.S. economy. Strengthening the economic and innovation bonds with India will result in greater export opportunities for businesses, which in turn will create new jobs in both countries.” New York-based Curtis Instruments was also invited to the conference. Through its partnership, with India based Mahindra Reva; Curtis provides key technology used in advancing the commercialization and adoption of ‘clean’ electric vehicles in India and across the globe.

In a speech at the US-India Business Council summit after the panel, President Obama heralded Suniva as an example of U.S. businesses that are deepening trade relations through its work with Indian customers. Suniva’s high-efficiency solar cells and modules have been used in some of the most pioneering projects in India. The company recently announced that its solar cells power a 3 MW solar farm in Karnataka, one of the largest grid-connected solar fields in India. Suniva solar cells are also used in the first 1 MW rooftop solar array in India, built on the roof of the new Thyagaraj Stadium in New Delhi. In addition, multi-megawatts of cellular phone towers in India are now Powered by Suniva and leading Indian solar module manufacturers use Suniva’s high efficiency cells to make their panels more efficient and competitive in other world markets, including Europe, Asia, and the U.S.

ECOTOURISM

Free Electric Vehicle Charge in Downey California

Posted on November 5, 2010 by quest

ClipperCreek, a provider of electric vehicle charging stations announced the installation of the first upgraded EV Charging Station site in Southern California to offer Free Public Charging for the all the new Electric Vehicles and Plug In Hybrids coming to market beginning this year. The stations are located at the Home Depot & Office Max stores at 7075 Firestone Blvd in Downey, CA. ClipperCreek is replacing over 500 obsolete Charge Stations across the state with the latest technology.

Dave Packard, ClipperCreek’s President. said, “We are already seeing the charge station market moving in this direction at retail business & commercial facilities and expect the trend to escalate as increasing numbers of EV buyers enter the market. By supplying just one dollar’s worth of electricity, customers can extend their range by 40 miles. It’s a clear win/win, while further enabling business leaders to underscore their support for USA energy security through reduced oil imports.” Customers will now be able to plug-in and charge on these new CS-40 units while shopping at Home Depot, Office Max, or even when getting a bite at Taco Bell.

The two Charging Stations, which offer Free Charging at the Andrews Rancho shopping center, are the first of hundreds more across California to be similarly upgraded, and highlight the importance of Free Public Charging. These installations will provide EV drivers with the comfort of knowing they can extend their driving range in daily travels without having to pay unknown fees or charges to plug in.