By Kate Weinkauf
January 13, 2009 – 1:23 pm
For automakers, and auto-lovers, the Detroit Auto Show has always been an exciting time. Traditionally, major auto manufacturers have shown slick futuristic cars, with a focus on speed, horsepower, and design. But, these are different economic times and the shift in manufacturer consciousness is palpable.
This year, Detroit’s drum-beat is to the tune of “I Will Survive” as The Big Three convince attendees they can indeed last, at least a little longer. For example, Rick Wagoner, the chairman of General Motors, said that a $13.4-billion federal aid package would be sufficient to keep the company solvent…through March. This is a frustrating time for U.S. automakers as they are poised to bring new, clean technologies to the auto market, technologies consumers are clamoring for, but can these automakers survive long enough to make these electric vehicle dreams a reality?
Well, The Big Three have some very serious international competition. Toyota plans on releasing its plug-in hybrid during 2009—way ahead of the Chevy Volt release. Honda is not far behind with a hybrid and even China is stepping up with companies like BYD (Build Your Dreams) developing better battery technologies for electric vehicles. The good news: this year the Detroit Auto Show has focused on fuel economy, cleaner technologies, and (maintained) design. There are electric vehicle concept cars by major auto manufacturers that are visually stunning and much, much cleaner than gasoline or diesel, making a shift to electric vehicles inevitable.
Share This
By Kate Weinkauf
January 7, 2009 – 1:03 pm
In recent months, there has been quite a bit of buzz surrounding the dangers of e-waste (most notably, releasing toxic components into the environment). However, more and more companies are making their money making you money by paying for your e-waste. The most recent company to join the ranks: Hewlett-Packard.
Under HP’s new e-waste recycle program, consumers will receive money for recycling their old PCs, servers, phones, printers, and other electronics, regardless of brand name. The amount of cash given to consumers depends on the resale value of the item being recycled, but even with no resale value, the consumer can have his/her item recycled for free. While recycling these old electronics and PCs is good for the environment, the process also has these companies seeing green.
According to greentechmedia.com, “the worldwide market for electronic recycling will come to $11 billion this year and is growing at around 8.8 percent annually, the fastest segment in solid waste. In the U.S., electronic recycling services will be a $17 billion business.” This creates an ideal situation for all parties involved: the recycler is typically free to keep any money obtained from selling old parts or raw materials. In the ideal situation, recyclers can collect a bounty for a PC, refurbish it, and sell it again. Refurbishing is more environmentally friendly (because no energy is expended and no materials get lost) and the recycler makes more money from selling a refurbished product than metals or other parts extracted from old machines. So, clean out your closets filled with unused PCs, old cell phones, broken cameras, and recycle them. Start the New Year off right, with a little clean in your closets and green in your pockets.
Share This
By Kate Weinkauf
January 6, 2009 – 12:53 pm
According to a recent Huffington Post article, Toyota is “secretly” developing a solar powered green car. Arguably, most folks with any interest in auto technologies have already heard about the Toyota Prius with solar panels that generate enough energy to run the air conditioner, yet this all-solar model, according to The Nikkei, a Japanese newspaper, will get some of its power from solar cells equipped on the vehicle and can be recharged with electricity generated from solar panels on the roofs of homes: “[Toyota] later hopes to develop a model totally powered by solar cells on the vehicle, the newspaper said without citing sources.” One major issue, critics have cited, is that this “secret” solar-mobile can be neither confirmed nor denied. While the Toyota website openly discusses the development of a solar paneled roof for the Prius, this covert all-solar powered Prius is nowhere to be found. Additionally, The Nikkei article that supposedly broke the news does not seem to exist. Is this all-solar powered Prius simply an urban car-myth? Possibly. Would an all-solar powered Prius be an amazing feat of automotive technology? Absolutely.
Although Toyota executives have stressed that despite tough economic times for Toyota (with the company experiencing its first operating loss in 70 years) it will remain a leader in green technology and will not cut back on environmental research; therefore, until this new “secret” automobile can be confirmed by Toyota, it remains simply a car-myth, the yeti of automotive technology.
Share This
By Kate Weinkauf
December 19, 2008 – 1:04 pm
Developed by Dr. Alden H. Gajo as a means of creating cost-effective hydrogen, the AS1 Stack-On Electrolyzer appears to be one of the first cost effective ways to produce hydrogen that is available to the public.
While other electrolyzers that produce similar hydrogen output can cost over $10,000, the AS1 will cost you fractions of the price as it is selling for less than $400. The AS1 was created with three specific and altruistic goals: (I) to help reduce carbon greenhouse gas emissions in order to slow or stop global warming (2) to reduce or eliminate our country’s dependence on foreign energy sources, specifically crude oil (3) to help create a better and cleaner environment for our children and our grandchildren.
From these objectives came a product that can efficiently and effectively create hydrogen for practical purposes such as: a) creating hydrogen on demand and on a continuous basis for pennies per liter b) combining hydrogen with compressed natural gas (CNG), making this an ideal low cost solution to a CNG refueling station, offering instead a CNG-Hydrogen blend c) use as a home hydrogen refueling station.
With the holidays just around the corner, this could be an excellent gift for those who like to tinker with hydrogen, for researchers who need in-lab on demand hydrogen, or for educators trying to spread the word about this new fuel. Let’s face it, allowing a family member to assert energy independence is a much better gift than a lousy sweatshirt with bluebirds perched on holly branches. For more information about this product, sold exclusively through Fuel Cell Store, click here.
Share This
By Kate Weinkauf
December 16, 2008 – 1:53 pm
Mercedes-Benz has promised a gasoline free line-up of automobiles by 2015, and they are on their way to delivering on that promise with the BlueZERO. The BlueZero E-Cell will be the all-electric version of the design, while the BlueZERO E-Cell Plus will feature range-extending hybrid technology. According to the press release, BlueZERO has a “charging capacity of 15 kW, the powerful lithium-ion batteries in the BlueZERO E-CELL and the BlueZERO E-CELL PLUS can store enough energy for a range of 50 kilometres within 30 minutes.” Additionally, both of the BlueZERO vehicles incorporate an electronic control unit that supports intelligent charging stations and billing systems to better aid in smart-charging technology.
It is incredibly optimistic to see such utilization of advancing technologies, and the BlueZERO is expected to be unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in January. There are no price points yet, but I imagine that a luxury automobile with a 15kW lithium-ion battery will likely be a bit pricey. We can’t forget, though, that it’s a sleek design and Mercedes-Benz is including as many green materials as possible (even down to the lights and paint); it’s an interesting look at the future of automobiles…maybe next year you can put this on your Christmas list.
Share This
By Kate Weinkauf
November 20, 2008 – 2:21 pm
As many of you have noticed, I’m sure, gas prices have plummeted, much to consumer relief. A recent New York Times article, “Oil Price Falls Below $50 on Weak Consumption,” highlights the steep decline in oil prices to, at one point, $49.91 per barrel (as compared to $145 per barrel in July). Interestingly, some within the PH/EV sector have feared the drop in oil prices, and thereby the drop in gas prices, will lead consumers to feel less urgency toward developing alternative fuels and vehicles.
Yet, I would argue, that as consumers we recognize that foreign oil prices have real and lasting effects on our economy—and this is not our first lesson. The oil/energy crisis of the 1970s raised interest in renewable energy and encouraged research in solar and wind. Unfortunately, as the embargo lifted and prices decreased, consumer interest in alternative fuels declined and moderation waned. We were the America of the 1980s and 90s—driving excessive automobile with our excessive hair and excessive shoulder pads listening, excessively, to Debbi Gibson’s “Electric Youth”. We killed the electric vehicle; it just had no place in our polyester world.
But consumers of today are not the same. Consumers seem savvier about globalization and the geopolitical effects of our fossil fuel consumption. We lived it up in the 80s and 90s and even in the beginning of the 21st century as we rolled around in Hummers and Escalades, and now we’re seeing the effects of our profligacy. Consumers have learned that oil prices are volatile and we’re tired of the lesson. We’re exhausted by the constant up and down. Yes, it’s down today, we may think with relief, but for how long? Fear not, PH/EV sector. Consumer consciousness has shifted in your favor as we look for stable and steady energy supplies and new vehicle technologies that take us away from the unpredictability of foreign oil prices. We’ve packed away our old ideas about oil along with our Debbi Gibson tape and shoulder padded shirts.
Share This
By Kate Weinkauf
November 17, 2008 – 12:51 pm
In a recent New York Times’ article, “My Hybrid is Bigger than Your Hybrid,” the author discusses the 2009 Cadillac Escalade hybrid. Look at it, sitting there. A full three-tons of spacious vehicular decadence, featuring amenities such as heated and cooled leather seats, magnetic ride control, a side-mirror blind-spot warning system, power-deployed running boards. In a time of national economic crisis, this automobile ignores the flailing economy and entices the affluent…hip-hop mogul? Famous athlete? Turtle, from Entourage? I guess we should be thrilled that GM is embracing hybrid automobiles of all sizes and becoming more environmentally conscious. But let’s be honest, the driver of this hybrid S.U.V. is more concerned about the Cadillac crest than the lousy 20 mpg. fuel consumption and simply uses the HYBRID splashed across the door panel as a means of absolving any guilt.
Share This
By Kate Weinkauf
November 12, 2008 – 1:28 pm
In a recent New York Times op-ed piece, Al Gore suggests that with the election of Barack Obama, the time is ripe for changing not just our political direction, but also our environment. Certainly this is not a unique idea, both Obama and McCain made alternative energy a prominent and integral part of their platforms. In this op-ed piece, however, Gore lays out what he calls a 21st century technology plan.
First, Gore calls for investing and incentivizing for solar, wind, and geothermal energies. Second, he suggests we create a national smart grid that will aid in more efficient utilization of energy as well as the (third) development of PH/EV technologies. Fourth, Gore states we should retrofit older buildings with better insulation, energy efficient windows and better lighting. And finally, replace the Kyoto treaty with a more effective treaty that caps global carbon dioxide emissions and encourages nations to invest together to reduce global warming pollution quickly, including reducing deforestation. In this piece, Gore addresses not only the environmental benefits to his 5-step plan but also the geopolitical benefits. One can almost hear the chanting echo, “Yes, we can…yes, we can…”
Share This
By Kate Weinkauf
November 7, 2008 – 5:43 pm
Yokohama city, in Kanagawa prefecture in Japan, is one of six municipalities chosen by Japan’s Prime Minister Fukuda to be a “Model City.” A total of 82 applications by 89 organizations were made from all over Japan to this program where the Government provides assistance to various municipalities to set a precedent for a “low-carbon society.”
But, Yokohama can’t do this alone. The city is in agreement with Renault-Nissan, who will release their electric vehicle in Yokohama in 2010. The agreement with Nissan also calls for feasibility studies of customer incentives and for the city to develop an electric vehicle recharging infrastructure and a navigation system that can be used to alleviate traffic congestion. Under the program, Yokohama aims to achieve significant CO2 reductions by experimenting with a range of methodologies in various key areas including transportation, housing and renewable energy development.
Share This
By Kate Weinkauf
November 6, 2008 – 11:17 am
Advanced Energy, a non-profit based in North Carolina, is partnering with Duke Energy, Progress Energy and V2Green to test the positive impacts of smart-charging 12 Toyota Prius’. The Pruis’ have been converted by V2Green to incorporate specific charging management technology that will communicate to and interpret from the grid. Advanced Energy will lead the design and implementation of various charge scenarios. Both Progress Energy and Duke Energy will allow the trial to explore the billing and operational requirements of supporting plug-in vehicle roaming between adjoining utility service areas. This pilot program will also help assess the potential of plug-in vehicles to enhance electric grid operations and evaluate how well PHEV’s can really “give back” to the grid.
For more information about this demonstration, jump here.
Share This
