A team of Ohio State University engineering students has set a world land-speed record for a battery-electric vehicle this week.
Professional driver Roger Schroer guided the university team’s Venturi Buckeye Bullet 2.5 car to an average speed of 307.7mph on 24 August 2010. The lithium-ion battery-powered car eclipsed the previous 245mph world land-speed record for battery-electric vehicles, which was set in 1999 by White Lightning, driven by Pat Rummerfield. The new record set by the Bullet is pending certification by the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile, the worldwide motor sports governing body.
The Bullet was required to make two speed runs, one each in opposite directions and within 60 minutes, in order to be considered for the record.
While the record is officially determined by averaging the speed of the two runs in the middle of the 12-mile course, the Bullet exited the flying mile at 320mph. The team anticipated making further tries at besting its time this week but decided to stop after trying to replace the vehicle’s broken clutch – too much torque from the motor ripped apart the half-inch steel teeth that connect the motor to the gearbox.
The Bullet 2.5 uses the same body and chassis of the previous hydrogen fuel-cell-powered Buckeye Bullet 2 (video footage below), and nearly the same electric traction system, but it is powered by a 600+ kW A123 Systems lithium-ion battery pack that was designed, tested and assembled by the Bullet team and A123 Systems.
The team is supported by the French electric-vehicle manufacturer Venturi Automobiles, which provided significant sponsorship funding to the students.
Forty percent of consumers report they are likely to test drive an electric vehicle, according to a new study of online American adults from the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)®. The study, Electric Vehicles: The Future of Driving, suggests electric vehicles entice consumers with improved environmental quality and potential cost savings, but leave them with questions about battery life and convenience of battery charging. “But concerns regarding battery life, charging stations and limited mileage may keep some consumers away until a comprehensive infrastructure is in place.”
Consumers are open to considering an electric vehicle in the future, with 42 percent reporting they are likely to follow news reports about electric vehicles. However, overall awareness of the various types of alternative vehicles remains low. While nearly one-third (32 percent) report they are familiar, or very familiar, with hybrid vehicles, only about one-quarter are familiar with electric-powered vehicles (25 percent).
For the first time, electric vehicles will be featured at the 2011 International CES, showcasing a full range of high- and low- speed vehicles, energy storage devices and charging equipment. This new CES TechZone will feature major automotive companies, including Audi, in the Las Vegas Convention Center’s North Hall. Those consumers who are open to buying an electric vehicle cite the positive environmental impact and potential cost savings as primary reasons to do so. More than three-quarters of those surveyed (78 percent) said the vehicle’s ability to run without gasoline is the greatest advantage, followed by less pollution (67 percent), and the lack of need for oil changes and tune-ups (60 percent).
“Environmental benefits, coupled with potential cost savings in fuel and tune-ups, will lead to increased interest for electric vehicles and potential floor traffic at dealerships,” said Ely. “But concerns regarding battery life, charging stations and limited mileage may keep some consumers away until a comprehensive infrastructure is in place.”
Martin Eberhard, a former CEO of Tesla Motors, now Director of Battery Research for Volkswagen, was recently interviewed by several different publications about what direction VW was heading in regarding their research into electric vehicles. Some of the answers were pretty interesting.
While many of the OEM’s are exploring different methods for packaging cells together, Eberhard is continuing the work he did at Tesla in using battery packs made up of the “18650″ lithium-ion cells that are widely used in the laptop computer industry. The amp-hours of energy that can be crammed into a battery pack’s cells help determine the range of travel a full pack can deliver on a single charge. Eberhard said the growth rate in battery cell energy capacity had been running about 8 percent a year “and my bet is we’ll be on an 8 percent annual growth rate” in the future. To quote a friend and colleague over at Autoblog, “that’s a whole lot of percents!” At that rate the capacity of batteries will double with nine year.
In the interview Eberhard also stated that with EV’s batteries are THE most important part of the equation. He also believes the 18650 cell, is a commodity battery, and that it is the best hope for delivering less costly and more energy dense batteries because so many are made and so much work is being done by so many to improve them. In reality until the late 90′s consumer electronic boom, very little research had gone into battery technology for almost 70 years.
The most eagerly awaited car of the year is the Chevrolet Volt, the first next-generation extended-range electric car to hit the road. General Motors has a lot riding on the car, and it took a lot of workers to make it. Many of them were women in what has been traditionally the boy’s club that was yesterday’s auto industry. GM pulled together some biographies of some of the key women involved in the design of the Volt. Interestingly, each one is a mom. Here is what GM wrote about them:Design Nina Tortosa, is the lead aerodynamicist on the Volt team. Her team has spent more than 500 hours of time in the wind tunnel with the Volt, often testing and tweaking changes in 1 millimeter increments. While their work is done in small measures, the cumulative impact is significant: Nina estimates that aerodynamic development on the Volt extended the electric-only range by almost seven miles at highway speeds. She has two children, ages four and five. Nina was born in Barcelona, Spain, and graduated from Mounds View High School, just outside Minneapolis.
Britta Gross is director of Global Energy Systems and Infrastructure Commercialization. She is working to prepare utilities and to get communities across the country “plug-in ready,” not just for Volt but for the wave of electric vehicles predicted to be on the horizon (Global Insight estimates that plug-in electric vehicles and battery-electric vehicles could represent 20 to 60 percent of the market by 2030). This includes working with state and local governments on purchase incentives, with utilities to develop smart-grid and smart-charging technologies, and companies and municipalities to iron out home charging processes and to install charging stations at work places. Britta has two children, age 12 and 17; growing up, she lived in Kansas City, Chicago, and Baton Rouge.Read more
San Diego and SunEdison sign solar deal
SAN DIEGO, AT&T* and SunEdison today announced that SunEdison, a leading worldwide solar energy services provider and subsidiary of MEMC Electronic Materials, will expand AT&T’s national solar initiative by activating a new roof top solar power installation in San Diego. San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders as well as executives from AT&T and SunEdison were on hand to officially flip the switch on the solar power system. In addition to this installation in San Diego, AT&T has contracts with SunEdison to deploy five other solar power installations in California by the second quarter of 2011, equating to approximately 2 megawatts (MW) of total solar capacity for all six sites. The additional California solar deployments will be located in Dunnigan, Commerce, Mojave, Santa Ana and West Sacramento.
The solar power installation in San Diego is a 296 kW rooftop mounted photovoltaic system that will generate an estimated 420,000 kWh of energy in its first year of operation alone. Over 20 years, the power installation will generate more than 7.7 million kWh of energy – enough energy to power more than 720 US homes for one year. The environmental attributes associated with the solar power installation will avoid more than 8 million pounds of carbon dioxide during the initial 20 years of operation – the equivalent of taking more than 800 cars off the road according to SunEdison projections. “Partnerships such as this one between AT&T and SunEdison show why San Diego continues to be the national leader in solar energy,” said San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders. “Our residents and businesses have embraced clean energy, which not only benefits our environment, but also our region’s economy.”
The program is made possible through a strategic power purchase agreement (PPA) between SunEdison and AT&T under which SunEdison will construct, monitor and maintain an additional five solar power installations in California. In return, AT&T will buy the energy produced from the solar systems to offset their grid demand. Once activated, the six systems will total an estimated 2 megawatts of solar capacity and will generate over 3.2 million kWh of energy within the first year of operation. According to SunEdison projections, the environmental attributes associated with the six systems will avoid an estimated 62 million pounds of CO2 over 20 years of operation.
CHICAGO – Green For All – in partnership with the Dew Tour – announced the launch of Protect the 360°, a campaign to engage and activate the action-sports community in efforts to curb climate change. The initiative is a direct response to fans’ concerns over global warming and its impact on outdoor sports.
“Climate change is real,” said Dave Mirra, BMX legend. “It affects everything from snow quality to quality of life. But doing little things – like turning off your lights or riding your bike instead of driving – can add up to make a difference. I am doing my part and I hope fans will join me in doing theirs to protect the 360°.”
The Protect the 360° campaign includes an interactive websitethat provides simple, useful information about how people can make their lives greener.
“Green For All works to educate new audiences about the benefits of going green,” said Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, CEO of Green For All. “2010 is the hottest year on record and we all have a part to play in curbing climate change.”
Motive has announced the development of Canada’s first bio-composite bodied electric car. The car, called the Kestrel, will make its full marketing debut during the September EV 2010 VÉ Conference and Trade Show in Vancouver. The Kestrel is an electric 4 passenger compact vehicle, designed and engineered by Motive. The body of the car is made from impact resistant bio composite material. Kestrel designer Darren McKeage says – “electric cars need to be efficient, therefore the Kestrel design had to be simple (minimized part count) and light weight, while still being unique and eye catching.”
The bio composite material is made from Hemp mats produced by Alberta Innovates Technology Futures (AITF) in Edmonton Alberta from Hemp stock grown in Vegreville, Alberta. Nathan Armstrong, President of Motive says “we saw a unique opportunity to make significant advancements in the automotive sector and support the Canadian Auto Sector by providing sustainable products and opportunities to create new green manufacturing jobs.”
Prototyping and testing will begin on the vehicle later this month. The goal is to achieve the same mechanical properties as glass composites while achieving a reduction in weight. According to Dr. John Wolodko at AITF, bio- composites are becoming more popular due to their low cost and light weight. “Natural materials such as hemp can offer a green and sustainable alternative to conventional fibers used in composites.” Composite materials are currently used in formula one vehicles and many road going vehicles and have been found to have strength and safety benefits above that of steel.
Motive Industries has designed and engineered the Kestrel for participation in Project Eve, an entirely Canadian Initiative with the goal of furthering the production of electric vehicles and electric vehicle components in Canada. A full announcement about Project Eve will be made during the Vancouver EV 2010 VÉ Conference and Trade Show in September.
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Motive is a full vehicle development firm focused on advanced materials, technology and innovation to create real-world transportation solutions. Our unique blend of design capabilities and industry experience has allowed us to create processes which accelerate project cycles, reduce cost and decrease time to market. Our focus on advanced materials and manufacturing technologies keeps us at the cutting edge of vehicle design and engineering. www.motiveind.com
CHICAGO – Green For All – in partnership with the Dew Tour – announced the launch of Protect the 360°, a campaign to engage and activate the action-sports community in efforts to curb climate change. The initiative is a direct response to fans’ concerns over global warming and its impact on outdoor sports.
“Climate change is real,” said Dave Mirra, BMX legend. “It affects everything from snow quality to quality of life. But doing little things – like turning off your lights or riding your bike instead of driving – can add up to make a difference. I am doing my part and I hope fans will join me in doing theirs to protect the 360°.”
The Protect the 360° campaign includes an interactive websitethat provides simple, useful information about how people can make their lives greener.
“Green For All works to educate new audiences about the benefits of going green,” said Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, CEO of Green For All. “2010 is the hottest year on record and we all have a part to play in curbing climate change.”
I’ve got a couple of people I want to acknowledge. First of all, your wonderful Governor and First Lady, Jim and Jessica Doyle are here. Please give them a big round of applause. (Applause.) We’ve got somebody who is fighting on behalf of Wisconsin families each and every day — Russ Feingold, your wonderful U.S. senator. (Applause.) A great friend and somebody who has been really doing great work over her first couple of years in Congress — Congresswoman Gwen Moore. Please give her a big round of applause. (Applause.)
And thank you, Eric, for the wonderful tour that you provided to us. Please give Eric Apfelbach a big round of applause — CEO of ZBB. (Applause.)
It is great to be here. I just had a chance to see some of the batteries that you’re manufacturing and talk to a few of the men and women who are building them. And the reason I’m here today is because at this plant you’re doing more than just making high-tech batteries. You’re pointing the country towards a brighter economic future.
Now, that’s not easy. We’ve been through a terrible recession -– the worst that we’ve seen since the Great Depression. And this recession was the culmination of a decade that fell like a sledgehammer on middle-class families. For the better part of 10 years, people were seeing stagnant incomes and sluggish growth and skyrocketing health care costs and skyrocketing tuition bills, and people were feeling less secure economically. Read More
U.S. Mayors Continue Press Toward A Green Economy
California Mayors Share Best Practices On Energy Efficiency
The U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM), the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more, hosted a one-day meeting in San Francisco at the Fairmont Hotel to discuss how cities in California are using federal stimulus dollars to make local communities more energy efficient and to create green jobs.
Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster, who serves in the Conference’s leadership and chaired the session, was joined by host San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, Cathy Zoi, The U.S. Department of Energy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, and several mayors from the state of California to discuss how Energy Efficiency Block Grants are being used for the first time to support local green projects.
First funded under last year’s Economic Recovery Plan and administered by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program is a newly-created program conceived by the Conference of Mayors designed to assist mayors in reducing city energy use and climate emissions. The program allocates $2.8 billion directly to cities and counties to improve energy efficiency and spur economic growth in the green sector, providing direct formula funding to 215 cities and 13 counties in California.
At a press availability held during the meeting, Mayor Newsom described how he is using San Francisco’s block grant funding. “The EECBG program is allowing us to improve energy efficiency in almost 150 buildings serving San Francisco’s diverse neighborhoods,” said Mayor Newsom. “More importantly, these energy efficiency projects create and sustain green jobs, save people money on their utility bills, and cut the City’s carbon emissions by more than 3,000 tons a year.”
The U.S. Conference of Mayors began pushing for the energy block grant in 2005 in conjunction with the introduction of a Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement — a landmark pledge for mayors across the country to take bold action to reduce carbon emissions in cities by 2012. Now, more then 1,044 U.S. mayors – representing more than 87 million people – are signed onto the Climate Protection Agreement and are committed to making local economies energy efficient.
Since the Block Grant is a key priority for USCM, the organization will also take its message to Congress this fall with a push to continue the program as means of green job creation in cities and metro areas where jobs are needed most.
“Mayors know that green jobs and the new green economy are the future of America’s economic competitiveness,” said Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster, USCM Trustee and immediate past chair of the USCM Environment Committee. “This is why the Energy Block Grant program is at the top of our Mayors’ 2010 Metro Agenda for America, our MainStreet investment plan that focuses on putting people back to work and creating an economy that will lead the world for decades to come.” Of the benefits associated with EECBG program, Tom Cochran, USCM CEO and Executive Director said, “Mayors understand that a successful plan in this country for reducing U.S. energy consumption is grounded in local action, in our cities, counties and regions. California mayors have been leaders on energy issues in this country, and in particular this program, with strong support of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and others in the California delegation.”
“We know that extending the Energy Block Grant beyond the Stimulus Bill will help mayors to build upon successes already in progress and meet the climate protection goals as stated in the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement with signatories of 1044 USA mayors,” Cochran concluded.
Hundreds swap their gas mowers for battery-powered ones
Richard Morgan tried and failed to trade his 2000 Toyota in the federal government’s “cash for clunkers” program, but on Saturday he got a deal from the state of Maryland that was almost as good.
He dumped his gas-hog Honda power mower and replaced it with a brand-new, deeply discounted, battery-powered rig.
“Mowing your lawn is like driving from here to Pittsburgh,” said the 51-year-old Columbia resident, citing a comparison that underscores the environmental damage caused by small gasoline engines.
Morgan and hundreds of other eco-spirited, economy-minded Marylanders jumped at the chance to take part in the Great Maryland Lawn Mower Exchange of 2010. Staged in a parking lot between Baltimore’s downtown sports stadiums, the event was designed to spread the word that gas mowers pollute and to provide an economical way for some to make the switch to battery power. The Maryland Department of the Environment co-sponsored the event with Clean Air Partners, a nonprofit coalition of area governments. Morgan, a cancer scientist at the National Institutes of Health, drove up in a Sienna minivan judged too fuel-efficient to qualify for the clunkers program, which was designed to improve air quality and stimulate the economy by replacing older vehicles with newer, more fuel-efficient ones.
“We’ve been trying to go green in general,” he said, “and it was almost time for a new mower anyway.” Mowers with gasoline engines are unusually dirty machines, spewing harmful compounds into the atmosphere at a prodigious rate. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, gas mowers produce 5 percent of all air pollution in the United States. Most grass-cutting takes place in the warmest months of the year, when air quality is often at its worst in places like the Mid-Atlantic region
Randy Mosier, head of the MDE’s air-quality division, said he was impressed that some of the mowers that people were trading in had been purchased within the last two years and still looked new. “They’re doing it for the environmental reason, not just for the discount, which is impressing us,” he said as workers tossed the gas-powered castoffs into bright-orange, industrial-sized storage bins from Baltimore Scrap Corp., which plans to shred and recycle the metal components.
The downtown Baltimore event was a promotional coup for Vermont-based Neuton Mowers in the traditional backyard of a much larger competitor, Black & Decker, which also markets a rechargeable mower. In addition to cutting emissions, battery-powered motors also reduce noise pollution. When the blade of the Neuton “smart mower” is spinning, it sounds about as loud as a small vacuum cleaner.
Mosier said the state has run three previous gas-mower trade-in promotions, starting in 1995, but this weekend’s was the most successful by far. More than 900 people, responding to an ad campaign on TV and online, signed up in advance to qualify for the discount. A total of 1,110 new lime-green colored Neuton mowers were available for purchase at roughly one-third the regular price of $400 and $500. If people have to use gas-powered mowers, he said, the best time is “rather early in the morning,” before the atmosphere heats up and ozone pollution worsens.
Alternative Energy: Will U.S. Lead or Follow?
Oil Spill Turns American Minds to Renewable Power Sources As
Inventors, Investors Wait for Gov’t to Get Serious
The first race for electric cars, around the world in 80 days, will start on August 16, 2010, 13:30, on the Place des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.Jules Verne’s dream to go around the world in 80 days became a reality a long time ago, but is it possible to make a tour around the world in 80 days with emission-free vehicles? Five Teams from four continents are taking up the challenge. On 16 August they will start with their electric vehicles on the longest and greenest race of all time: the ZERO Race.
In 2008, Louis Palmer became the first person ever to drive a solar powered car around the world. This project was known as the Solartaxi. It took him 534 days to complete his circumnavigation and spread his powerful message that renewable energies are reliable, affordable and ecologically responsible!
In 2010, he intends to take things even further. This time Louis Palmer is challenging the world to a race via the The Zero Emissions Race. This global event is planned to be a thrill, as well as an opportunity to harness public interest and generate new ways of thinking about mobility, cars and renewable energies. The Zero Race also aims to make zero emission energy solutions accessible to a worldwide audience.
Competitors from all corners of the globe are invited to drive their own zero emission race vehicles. Each competitor’s lean, mean, green machine will be designed to run strictly on renewable energy, such as solar, wind, wave or geothermal. Thus, when the chequered flag will finally come down at the end of the Zero Race, the ultimate winner will be Planet Earth.
Since her launch in 2008, Egyptian fashion designer Nadia Nour has been wowing fashionistas with her elegantly glamorous and individual fashion range which also happen to be environmentally-friendly.
Graduating with a degree in Fashion and Philosophy, it’s seems that Nadia Nour was destined to create an ethical fashion range that gracefully combines her love for fashion with concerns for the planet. With a focus on organic cotton, silks and vintage fabrics, Nadia has also shown her commitment to her home city by producing locally in New York City’s Garment District.
She insists that you can still wear high-end fashion, show off your personal style and reduce your carbon footprint. I spoke to Nadia about what inspires her work, her top tips for eco-shoppers and how her Arab heritage shapes her work.
What inspired you to create an environmentally-friendly clothing range?
As I learned about the fashion industry’s negative impact on the environment, I realized that I did not want to be part of the problem. By producing locally in NYC, I am reducing emissions caused by transportation as well as helping to sustain the local economy and maintain manufacturing jobs through my support of the NY Garment District.
My organic fabrics are dyed with all natural ingredients which helps to keep toxic dyes from being flushed into our water supply. My organic cottons are also grown without the use of pesticides which is not only healthier for people and the planet, but also makes for a softer and more durable fabric.
Although you use natural and organic materials and dyes, your range of clothing is very sophisticated and glamourous. Was this a conscious decision?
Definitely, my goal is to design clothes that are beautiful and that are also organic. Women do not have to sacrifice style to be green.
What do you think is going to be the next big thing in Eco-Fashion?
I think we will continue to see an expanding variety of organic fabrics and collections.
Does your Arab heritage influence your work?
Yes, I am inspired by the rich colors and beautiful geometric designs found throughout the Arab world. The idea of world traveling and cross-cultural influence inspires much of work.
What eco designers do you admire?
Karim Rashid is inspiring in his approach to lifestyle design and his environmentally-conscious methods.
Any advice or top tips to offer the fashion conscious eco warrior?
Read your labels and do your homework. I think the organic fashion movement should follow the example of the organic food movement. People educated themselves about the ingredients and manufacturing of their food and as awareness was raised, demand was created for organic food. Companies responded and today almost every grocery store in the US has an organic section.
Finally, what can we expect from Nadia Nour in the future?
I am developing initial plans for expanding my line to include accessories and jewellery.
Stay tuned for more on Nadia Nour’s range of eco accessories and jewellery to go with her certified organic, lovely and sustainable clothing.
Former White House Solar Panel Goes to Chinese Museum
By Alison Pruitt
The fate of some former White House solar panels could be seen as an example of how differently the U.S. and China regard solar energy.
Since 1991, Unity College in Maine has owned 32 solar panels which Jimmy Carter had installed on the White House during his administration. In an unintentionally symbolic move, Ronald Reagan had them removed. Unity College was aspiring to be known as “America’s Environmental College” and acquired the panels in 1991. Some panels were used to heat water at the college’s cafeteria, but were past their useful life by 2005.
One of the historical panels was recently given to China’s Himin Solar Energy Group, the largest manufacturer of solar hot water heaters in the world. The company will display the panel at the Solar Science and Technology Museum in Dezhou, part of Himin’s 800-acre “China Solar Valley” manufacturing complex. Unity gave another panel to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).
Huang Ming, chairman of Himin Solar Energy Group, and a representative of SEIA accepted the gifts at a ceremony on the Unity campus. However, the ceremony was not well-attended by representatives of the U.S. government. Unity invited a number of congressional representatives, senators, and the governor. All said no.
“Here is the largest solar energy company in Asia and maybe the world; their CEO is visiting Unity, Maine, and we’re not getting responses from the politicians who are charged with bringing businesses to Maine,” said Mark Tardif, of Unity College. “You would think the people involved with economic development would be flocking to this, but they’re not.”
The panels are not the photovoltaic kind used create electricity. They are flat plate solar collectors, which heat water by circulating it though a series of fins. The panels are old-fashioned, but flat plate collectors are still commonly used for some purposes.
Most of the 32 White House panels are in storage at Unity. One was taken apart for educational purposes. Three have been donated, one each to: the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum, the Smithsonian Institution, and NRG Systems – a Vermont wind-energy company. Another panel was loaned to Google and recently returned and one is being displayed on the Unity Campus.
this week.
The Bullet 2.5 uses the same body and chassis of the previous hydrogen fuel-cell-powered Buckeye Bullet 2 (video footage below), and nearly the same electric traction system, but it is powered by a 600+ kW A123 Systems lithium-ion battery pack that was designed, tested and assembled by the Bullet team and A123 Systems.
The first race for electric cars, around the world in 80 days, will start on August 16, 2010, 13:30, on the Place des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.Jules Verne’s dream to go around the world in 80 days became a reality a long time ago, but is it possible to make a tour around the world in 80 days with emission-free vehicles? Five Teams from four continents are taking up the challenge. On 16 August they will start with their electric vehicles on the longest and greenest race of all time: the ZERO Race.
