The Challenging World Solar Challenge Race

Posted on November 6, 2011 by quest

The results of the 2011 Veolia World Solar Challenge, a prestigious international racing event that attracts the world’s best technical universities and colleges has been announced. Race officials reported,” As was stated at the awards ceremony, the near perfect weather experienced in the past three or four events lulled many experienced Solar Challengers into a false sense of security. This time there were those who were able to take on a few hours unexpected static charge while waiting for bushfire ravished roads to reopen. Others struggled under the thousands of square kilometres of smoke haze which drifted across the continent, often thick enough to blot out the sun altogether.” As reported here three US teams UC Berkeley, Stanford and the University of Michigan were strong contenders going into the World Solar Challenge. The competition 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, 1,877 mile vehicle endurance test across the Australian Outback from Darwin to Adelaide. In first place was Tokai University – Japan. Second place was Nuon Solar Team – The Netherlands. In third place was the University of Michigan – United States.

Teams not able to maintain a reasonable minimum speed are invited to maximise their experience in the event by running their solarcar for a few hours each day before moving their car forward in their truck or on their trailer. The rules surrounding this exercise allow a great deal of flexibility in their application to enable the particular circumstances and the conditions to be taken into consideration. The finalisation of the results was delayed mostly by the contention of one team who, so desperate to show their sponsors a clean finish, demanded recognition of a place the number of irregularities involved denied them.

A small number of teams questioned the number of solar kilometres attributed to them so the decision was taken to audit all the log books where these are recorded in the team log by the Observer (which the team manager should sign at the end of each day) and transmitted to Mission Control for incorporation into the overall results. Interesting errors such as trailered Km being substituted for Solar Km, and solar credits being given to Control Points instead of actual distance covered were discovered and the complications of this event outlined earlier led to some interesting arithmetic from some Observers! Some gained from the exercise, others not. The figures have now been checked and cross checked with the result that we are now able to verify the Official Record and present the final results.

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Thousands Gather Outside White House Against Pipeline

Dreamliner Solar Powered Plant Flying High

Posted on November 3, 2011 by quest

Boeing’s South Carolina 787 fabrication and assembly facility ranks 14th on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency‘s (EPA’s) Fortune 500 list of the largest renewable power purchasers in its Green Power Partnership, according to the agency’s most recent ranking released Oct. 24. The North Charleston, S.C., site ranks 33rd overall among green energy consumers, including local, state and federal governments, and a growing number of colleges and universities.Boeing South Carolina purchases nearly 130 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of renewable power annually from South Carolina Electric & Gas (SCE&G), enough to meet 100 percent of the site’s energy needs. A percentage of that power will be generated onsite by a thin-film solar laminate installation on the roof of the Boeing South Carolina 787 Final Assembly building.

Flying on 787′s first flight to Japan

“This shows our commitment to drive environmental thinking into the way we operate our company,” said Mary Armstrong, Boeing vice president of Environment, Health and Safety. “Boeing South Carolina’s commitment to renewable energy, coupled with its zero waste to landfill program and LEED certification targets for all new construction, demonstrates that what’s good for the environment is also good for business.”The site’s solar generation system, owned and maintained by SCE&G, is the largest in the southeastern U.S. by production capacity and by itself could power approximately 250 residential homes.

“EPA’s Green Power Partners consistently raise the bar for using clean, renewable electricity,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation, Gina McCarthy. “Boeing South Carolina’s commitment to using green power serves as an example of leadership for others to follow.”

Sexy Electric 2012 Cars On The Way

Climate Change Imperils Global Prosperity

Hawaii Teacher Rolls In An Electric Vehicle

Posted on November 1, 2011 by quest

Chad Miller, a language arts teacher at Kailua High School, received the prestigious designation as the 2012 Hawaii State Teacher of the Year during ceremonies hosted by the Hawaii State Department of Education. With Hawaii focusing on the development of the state’s abundant wind, wave, sun, geo-thermal, ocean-thermal and bio-mass energy resources, this year, an electric car (use for a year) was awarded to the 2012 State Teacher of the Year during ceremonies held at historic Washington Place, across from the State Capitol.

Miller will represent the state of Hawaii at the 2012 National Teacher of the Year program next year. The use of the Mitsubishi iMiEV was provided by Cutter Mitsubishi and was presented by Mitsubishi Motors North America president and CEO Yoichi Yokozawa, who said, “I believe the state of Hawaii is a great location for electric vehicles. The state can be an example to the world for zero emission cars. Hawaii can show others how to make it work.” Two electric vehicle charging stations –one for the teacher’s residence and one for the teacher’s school parking space– were provided compliments of AeroVironment, a Monrovia, California-based supplier of EV charging stations.

Pat Ah You, general manager of Cutter Mitsubishi, reminded Miller that Honolulu allows free parking for electric vehicles at all City and County public parking facilities and parking meter stalls on streets and roadways throughout the island of Oahu.”The electric car presentation to the teacher is significant this year in that it demonstrates Hawaii’s new car dealers’ commitment to education, the new renewable energy transition, and to the next generation of young people who are customers in the future,” said Ah You.

The Western Solar Energy Zone

Tesla Founder Named Innovator of the Year by WSJ

Posted on October 31, 2011 by quest

Elon Musk, CEO and Co-founder of Tesla and CEO and CTO of SpaceX, was just recognized for Innovator of the Year in Technology by WSJ. Magazine. WSJ. Magazine’s first annual Innovator of the Year Awards honors the most creative, disruptive, and influential individuals in the world today. Musk was recognized for revolutionizing three of the biggest industries in the world — automobiles, energy and space exploration — simultaneously. Artist Tom Sachs, whose recent work is based on the imagery of space, presented the award to Musk.

In conjunction with the November issue of WSJ., the winners were honored on Thursday, October 27, at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The November issue of WSJ. will hit newsstands on Saturday, October 29, as part of WSJ Weekend.
“It is an honor to be recognized by WSJ. Magazine, and to join these other visionaries here tonight,” said Elon Musk. “It is urgently important to apply innovation the areas that will most affect our future. I am committed to finding renewable energy solutions, accelerating the adoption of sustainable transportation, and revolutionizing space travel.”
The Innovator of the Year Awards were chosen by editors of WSJ. Magazine, with input from a select group of experts in each field.

Elon Musk Owes Customers 6,500 Cars

Elon Musk is also the primary investor and chairman of the board of photovoltaics company SolarCity, where Lyndon Rive his cousin is the CEO and co-founder. Just recently through his Musk Foundation, has donated $250,000 to build a solar power system in Soma City, in the Fukushima prefecture of Japan. Musk visited an area of Soma City that was devastated by a tsunami earlier this year, for a ceremony at the site where the project will be built. SolarCity is donating time and resources to manage the project, which will provide renewable electricity to a city facility located on reclaimed industrial land not suitable for agriculture.

SolarWorld Walks The Sustainability Talk

Electric Vehicles A History of Moving Americans Reborn

Posted on October 29, 2011 by quest

The popularity of mass-produced electric or hybrid cars is recent, but the idea behind using electricity as a power source for cars is more than 100 years old. The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History will explore the history of the electric car from the early 20th century to the present in a new display as part of the “America on the Move” exhibition opening Oct. 27 through January 2012. “Electrifying Cars” showcases two cars—a 1904 Columbia electric runabout, the best-selling car in the United States at the turn of the century and a 1913 Ford Model T touring car, a gasoline car equipped with an early type of electric starter and electric headlights. The cars, along with a battery charger for General Motors’ EV1 and images of additional electric models, car owners and power sources, follow the historical, cultural and physical development of the electric car.

A look at electric vehicles in history

“Electricity has always been a popular feature of cars,” said Roger White, associate curator of Road Transportation. “By the 1920s manufacturers used batteries not to propel cars but to apply the conveniences of electric cars to gasoline-powered cars.” He added that in recent years a market has developed for all-electric cars and hybrid cars with gasoline and electric propulsion because they reduce energy costs and air pollution. “These cars can draw energy from a variety of sources including fossil fuels, regenerative braking and renewable sources such as solar panels and wind power,” he said.

In the early 20th century, Americans could choose electric, steam or gasoline cars. Wealthy city residents, particularly women, bought electric cars because they were easier to operate. By the 1920s, gasoline-powered cars were the vehicle of choice because they could be driven much farther than electric cars between fill-ups, and gasoline pumps, unlike electric power stations, could be readily located anywhere. Since the 1960s, smog, greenhouse gases, global warming and strained oil supplies have prompted researchers, government and the public to take a new look at electric hybrid and all-electric cars. In the 1990s GM and other manufacturers worked to put electric cars on the market. GM’s EV1, Honda’s EV+, Ford’s Ranger EV and Toyota’s RAV4 EV were leased. But by 2003, the manufacturers determined that the electric car was not commercially viable and ended the leases. By 2010, the market led to the reintroduction of electric cars, and for the first time in almost 100 years consumers could purchase all-electric or new types of hybrid cars.

IBM Backs Sustainable Eco Smart Cities

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Villaraigosa Welcomes Solar Electric Vehicle Maker BYD

Posted on October 25, 2011 by quest

“Los Angeles is where the world creates and innovates,” said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. “By reaching out to the world and harnessing LA’s unique resources, we have attracted China’s leading green company to our city. BYD’s (Build Your Dreams) new North American headquarters in downtown Los Angeles is the latest sign that we are a growing hub of clean-technology jobs. We see BYD’s Los Angeles opening as a catalyst that will usher in good jobs, global investment, and a more sustainable future.” China’s premier global, high-tech green company focused on developing electric vehicle technologies and efficient alternative energy sources, launched its North American operations today with the opening of new headquarters in Los Angeles. Technology-based and innovation-oriented, BYD is a multi-national manufacturer of electric and hybrid or dual-mode vehicles, solar power systems, environmentally friendly rechargeable batteries and battery energy storage, and energy efficient LED lighting.

The company is 50 percent U.S.-owned and has the backing of investor Warren Buffett via his MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company, the utility division of Berkshire Hathaway. In 2010, BYD topped the Businessweek Technology 100 list and was ranked by the publication as the 8th most innovative company in the world. Based in Shenzhen, China, BYD employs more than 200,000 worldwide. BYD’s new North American headquarters, located along the Figueroa Corridor, will bring up to 150 green-collar engineering and management jobs focused on research and development to Los Angeles, as well as serving as the focal point for privately owned BYD dealerships across the continent.

I Love You City of Angeles

This green technology investment will generate hundreds of additional jobs in the region. Dealerships will sell BYD’s landmark dual-mode electric and e6 pure electric vehicles to consumers and commercial fleets, all-electric long-range eBUS commercial buses, rapid charging stations, LED and solar street and parking light systems, residential solar systems, and replacement parts. BYD aims to grow Electric Bus, e6 electric cross-over and solar panel businesses from Los Angeles; Company unveils electric bus created in partnership with Hertz for use at LA International Airport.“BYD is thrilled to be making this investment in Los Angeles, a global city working towards a green, sustainable future,” said BYD Chairman Chuanfu Wang. “We look forward to a long, productive relationship with the City, and thank Mayor Villaraigosa and his team for their hard work and dedication to recruiting green businesses to Los Angeles.”