Department of Energy Collaborates with Industry Experts to Accelerate Advanced Green Technologies-

Steven Chu of the Department of Energy has announced a collaboration with industry experts to speed up the development of technologically advanced green vehicles, dubbed U.S. DRIVE. Formerly called the FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership, U.S. DRIVE – Driving Research and Innovation for Vehicle efficiency and Energy sustainability – will bring leading tech experts from the DOE, the national laboratories, and industry partners together to develop strategic goals and evaluate a wide variety of advanced vehicle and energy infrastructure technologies. “Government-industry partnerships like U.S. DRIVE can quicken the pace at which affordable, fuel-efficient vehicles reach and succeed in the commercial market,” said U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu. “By bringing together the best and brightest in government and the automobile, electric utility, and fuels industries, we can develop promising, innovative technologies that move rapidly from the lab into cars on the road, along with the infrastructure to support them.”

The full list of U.S. DRIVE partners include:

·Electric utility industry – DTE Energy, Southern California Edison, and the Electric Power Research Institute

U.S. DRIVE partners promise to collaborate on an in-depth analysis of advanced automotive and energy infrastructure technologies, including but not limited to battery and electric drive components, fuel cells, hydrogen technologies, advanced combustion engines and more efficient materials. A DOE press release states, “Not only will the efforts under the partnership contribute to reducing our nation’s dependence on oil, they will also lower carbon pollution and help to secure U.S. leadership globally in the development of innovative, clean energy technologies for the transportation sector.” While I’m not entirely sure as to what role big oil and gas companies could possibly play in an endeavor toward conserving resources, it will be interesting to see how this pans out.

GSA Swaps Federal Fleet for Advanced Technology Cars-

The Government Services Administration (GSA), a department that purchases cars for federal bureaus to lease, recently announced that all the new cars bought in 2011 consume 21 percent less fuel than the vehicles that were replaced. On average, the MPG for the new fleet has jumped from 19.1 in 2010 to 23.4 this year. This step toward more enhanced environmental conservation on part of the GSA is mainly thanks to an executive order signed by President Obama in 2009, which required that all U.S. government fleet vehicles be at least 30 percent more fuel efficient by the year 2020. The administration has swapped out 35,000 fleet vehicles thus far and 22,000 of those use advanced technology (fuel cell, E85, EV, and hybrid). By 2015, it is mandated that all federal fleet vehicles must use advanced technology. The new cars are estimated to save 2.4 million gallons of fuel and $9 million taxpayer dollars every year.

Telecommunications Company Continues its Environmental Commitment with On-Site Fuel Cell Generation-

Telecom giant, Cox Communications, is one of the first companies in Southern California to generate more than half of its energy needs with renewable power. Using an 800-kilowatt fuel cell, the company will reduce its environmental impact to the equivalent of taking more than 850 cars off the road annually — enough energy to power 603 average homes. Fuel cells are one of the few truly green sources of energy, as they are highly efficient and do not create pollution. By-products from fuel cell operation are simply heat and water. “At Cox Communications, we’re always looking for innovative ways to do business more sustainably to reduce our carbon footprint,” said Duffy Leone, vice president operations, Cox Communications in California. “The fuel cell technology is one of the most cutting-edge environmental solutions on the market for renewable energy. The launch of Cox’s fuel cell program at the Orange County facility, together with our overall Cox Conserves initiatives, clearly demonstrates our commitment to our customers, to our communities and to the state of California.” But the company hasn’t stopped there. Other eco-friendly initiatives by Cox include gas saving air filters in all Cox vehicles to improve mileage and save more than 200,000 gallons of gasoline each year; a lighting retrofit which reduces energy use from lighting by one-third; an employee vanpool program that saves over 480,000 commuter miles annually; a solar PV array; water-saving fixtures installed in restrooms; technology which reduces vehicle idle time to save more than 40,000 gallons of fuel annually; and a recycling program which keeps more than 83 tons of paper, metal, electronics and plastic out of landfills. Its refreshing to see large companies like this one take the initiative to create a more healthy environment both locally and, eventually, on a global scale. Hopefully more business owners will follow suit and realize that its not only their responsibility to care for the communities that have helped them flourish, but it can also help save money and resources in a wavering economy.

Harvard Researchers in Development of Methane-Fueled Portable Electronics-

Researchers at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) are working on revolutionizing fuel cell technology by enabling portable electronics to operate using fuels like methane. The research team is currently in development of solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), which convert chemical energy from hydrogen or hydrocarbon fuels into an electric current. Up until recently, the cost of materials and high operating temperatures have restricted SOFCs solely to laboratory use. Fortunately, the team has now developed a thin-film SOFC that uses nano-scale ceramic films — both eliminating the need for expensive platinum electrodes and increasing stability. Scientists confirm that they are now working with a methane-fueled SOFC operating at less than 500 degrees Celsius, about 500 degrees less than traditional SOFCs. According to the researchers, 300-500 degrees Celsius are the ideal temps for applications in portable electronics and/or transportation vehicles. With alternative technologies continuing to develop at a rapid pace, its very exciting to think about the strides that we all may get to witness in the coming years.

Examining the Efficiency of Electric & Hydrogen-Powered Vehicles-



The petrol economy drove the last century, but human reality is demanding better options. Electric and hydrogen powered cars are looking like the working models for replacement of the much opposed petrol engine. Both types of car have very strong economic, as well as environmental, credentials. These are the technologies which are looking like they’ll transform the world, and everything about driving a car from panel beating to car insurance.

The Electric Car

Ironically, some of the first cars on the road in the early 1900s were electric cars; joystick-driven carriages. They were outclassed, out-mass produced and outsold by Henry Ford’s monsters. They’ve come back with a vengeance, much longer ranges and far better performance.

Electric vehicles have one thing strongly in their favor: they’re a known technological quantity. For manufacturers, the retooling process is easy for electric cars. The engine is one of the high cost/high resources production issues in petrol cars, so if anything, they’re looking at much cheaper production – saving billions.

Frames and loads are no issue for electric cars. The only heavy things in them are the batteries, and those are known factors, easily covered in design. That, of course, drastically improves performance, with better power/weight ratios.

The only real drawback has been recharge time, and even that’s looking like it’s in the process of being solved. An Australian university has come up with something that’s basically an upgraded fan belt, and like a fan belt, recharges batteries on the move.

The Hydrogen Car

Hydrogen is now considered the new wonder fuel, with a whole predicted hydrogen economy now existing in major economic think tanks around the world. The current record speed for a hydrogen car is 461 kmh, or 286 mph.

Some stumbling blocks for hydrogen cars have been identified in terms of tank weight, durability on the road, power ratios, fuel cell life (currently averaging around 6 months) and end unit cost, which is considerably higher than electric cars. That hasn’t stopped commercial development, however, and the cost of a new hydrogen car isn’t really too different from new petrol engine cars.

BMW has already created hydrogen car models (“Hydrogen 7″, pictured below), and Daimler and Hyundai are currently gearing up to go into production mode in the next few years. Honda is also in the development stages of upgrading its famous FCX car, and policymakers are looking at production models for 2020.

The distribution of hydrogen fuel filling stations is one of the typical commercial issues with hydrogen cars. Los Angeles currently has 16 hydrogen filling stations, but the number required to service the entire city would be in the thousands. Logistically, compared to just finding a 3 point plug, that’s a problem.

And the Winner Is… Maybe Both?

At this stage, it looks like the electric car is in the lead. The technology for hydrogen, however, is developing. In China, there’s even a hydrogen bicycle. It wouldn’t be fair to assume this race has been won yet. Manufacturers have even been talking about a hydrogen fuel cell powered electric car; and a clean, green, multi-source vehicle does make a lot of sense.

Natural Grocery Chain Aims to Reduce Energy Consumption 25 Percent by 2015-

According to a recently released statement, Whole Foods, Inc. aims to cut its energy use 25 percent per square foot during the next five years. The natural foods grocer currently offsets 100 percent of its North American electricity consumption with wind energy credits, and is now taking additional steps to lighten its impact on the environment with on-site renewable energy technologies and sustainable initiatives. Developments include more use of wind, solar, and fuel cell technology as well as an electric car charging station at its headquarters in Austin, Texas. To boot, company stores will implement more rigorous green building standards, advanced refrigeration infrastructure and more efficient transportation. “With this combination of strategies, we intend to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent per square foot by 2015,” said Kathy Loftus, Whole Foods Market global leader, sustainable engineering. “Saving energy costs less than buying it, so we are reducing our energy appetite from both traditional and renewable sources.” Federal funds from the U.S. Department of Energy will help sustain the costs of existing store retrofits and new store design and, as part of the stimulus grants, Whole Foods will work with National Renewable Energy Labs (NREL) to create, test and validate green building concepts. At present, thirty Whole Foods stores are either LEED-certified, Green Globes accredited, or enrolled and preparing for certification.

Modern Device May Replace Standard Power Plants-

Bloom Energy recently unveiled its ground-breaking fuel cell design which may modernize the energy industry as it stands. The system utilizes natural gas and oxygen without ignition and is relatively small in size – opportunely providing consumers with a convenient, practical electricity source. In actual fact, the fuel cell is able to power a standard American home, and can fit right in the palm of your hand. At present, Bloom Energy is keeping most of the specs confidential due to heavy competition from various technological companies; however the company has revealed that hydrocarbon fuels, such as diesel and methane, are capable of producing electricity in their advanced on-site power generator. The Bloom Box activates when oxygen, or air containing oxygen, is combined with high temperatures – which then creates a chemical reaction that releases electricity, heat, water vapor, and carbon dioxide. Currently, there are no official statistics that offer an exact amount of CO2 generated compared to standard power plants. Due to the small number of moving parts and maximum efficiency, the Bloom Box will more than likely spur hordes of consumers to turn from the electricity grid and evolve into expedient energy production. “The Bloom Box is intended to replace the grid for its customer,” said John Doerr, a capital investor in Bloom Energy. “All they [consumers] need to do is buy Bloom Boxes, put them in the substation for the neighborhood and sell that electricity.” The Bloom Box’s current users span from Google, eBay, and all the way to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Preliminary consumer reports testing the device state that the apparatus converts natural gas to electricity with twice the efficacy of natural gas power plants – and with 60 percent less emissions, to boot. Further information about the Bloom Box may be found by visiting BloomEnergy.com. Video below is courtesy of CBS News.

Comprehensive Kit Offers Children Unique, Hands-On Experience with Green Energy Technologies-

Actively engaging young children in the trend of advanced green technologies is the Fuel Cell Car and Experiment Kit, which provides 30 research experiments to offer youngsters a practical familiarity with fuel cell technology and electrolysis. Winner of the Silver Award from the Parents Choice Foundation, the kit includes an experiment that splits water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen using electrolysis, and utilizes a solar-powered toy car which runs on the generated energy. Covered research materials introduce electrolysis and its effect on water, decomposition of water in a fuel cell, how to construct and load a reversible fuel cell, plus many more exciting projects which will keep your little one involved for hours. The Fuel Cell Car and Experiment Kit is geared toward children ages 12 and up; includes comprehensive lab manual, plus all parts and tools with the exception of distilled water. For product pricing and other information, visit www.Hammacher.com.

First-Ever Fuel Cell Aircraft Takes off near Hamburg, Germany-

The globe’s first piloted fuel cell aircraft took flight in Germany today; using hydrogen fuel cells alone to power and boasting ZERO carbon emissions. The Antares DLR-H2 motor glider was developed by Lange Aviation, the DLR, BASF Fuel Cells and Serenergy, has an incredible range of 750 kilometers, and is able to soar in flight for approximately five hours. “We have improved the performance capabilities and efficiency of the fuel cell to such an extent that a piloted aircraft is now able to take off using it,” said Johann-Dietrich Woerner of the DLR, or German Aerospace Center. He went on to say, “This enables us to demonstrate the true potential of this technology, also and perhaps specifically for applications in the aerospace sector.” The aircraft utilizes hydrogen for fuel, which is then converted into electrical energy in an electrochemical reaction with oxygen in the atmosphere, without producing any ignition. The DLR asserts that the sole result is water and, if the hydrogen is created using renewable energy resources, the motor glider is legitimately free of any carbon dioxide. The DLR also maintains that “although the fuel cell may still be a long way from becoming the primary energy source for the propulsion of commercial aircraft, it does already constitute an interesting and important alternative to existing energy systems as a form of reliable on-board power supply.”