Archive for the ‘solar’ Category

Cool videos: street lamp electric bubble car, Disney’s 1958 hovering solar car

Wednesday, November 28th, 2007

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The video above is all about Ross Lovegrove’s electric car that doubles as a street lamp. We wrote about the Ross′ concept car, which is also solar powered and super lightweight, in a post about a Ted Talk he gave in June. If that’s too realistic for you, below the fold is a video from a 1958 Disney TV show titled “Magic Highway USA” with wild visions of our automotive future.

Disney predicted that after the gas cars, “more efficient” gas turbine cars would become popular, then speedy jet cars, nuclear powered cars (why not?) and last but not least, solar powered hovering cars. A lot of the other ideas in the Disney video are wrong as well but several were spot on: like GPS maps in cars (except they thought punch cards would store the map data) and rearview TV instead of rearview mirrors.

I hope Disney is right about that hovering solar car. They look like fun.

[Source: YouTube]

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Original post by Lascelles Linton

ABG’s youngest “correspondent” checks out the Solar Decathlon solar homes

Wednesday, December 31st, 1969

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I’ll admit, I’ve got a lot of respect for Colin and Carrick McCullough. The father-son team have been making environmentally-aware movies (including a rare interview with Darth Vader) for almost a year now and Colin (the dad) likes to let ABG know when they’ve got something new up on YouTube. The duo has just posted a three-part series on the Solar Decathlon, which is a competition for college students to build a solar-powered home that can power itself and something in the driveway. As Colin writes, “The requirements were that it had to be 800 sq. feet or less, had to produce all of its own power, hot water, and heat, it had to look good, and it had to produce enough extra electricity to power an electric car.” In this case, the cars are GEMs, which Carrick doesn’t think really qualifies for an EV. He’s more of a Tesla fanboy.

800 square feet is not a lot of space, but I wouldn’t mind if pretty much all of my daily energy use came freely from the sun. The homes were recently on display in D.C. and you can view the three-part series on the show above and after the break. For a look at a somewhat similar commercial solar option, check out SolarCity, the company behind the solar garage (for your Tesla Roadster or otherwise).

Related:

[Source: YouTube]

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Original post by Sebastian Blanco

Instructable of the day: Homemade green solar powered helmet

Wednesday, December 31st, 1969

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Instructables is a pretty cool website where you can find out what crazy talented inventors are doing with their spare time. Take, for instance, the helmet shown above, which is referred to as “The Green Helmet”. Remember… while riding bikes, skateboards, rollerblades and the like: safety first!

Here’s what you′ll need:

  1. Helmet
  2. Solar Charger
  3. LED’s
  4. LED Mounts
  5. LED Mount Lenses
  6. Battery Holder/Switch
  7. Batteries
  8. Battery snap connectors
  9. Black Shoe Goo
  10. Super Glue
  11. Shrink Wrap
  12. Electrical Tubing

Wondering how it all goes together or where to find all those parts? Fear not! Click here for the complete rundown.

[Source: Instructables]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski

Solar cells that work at night?

Wednesday, December 31st, 1969

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The Idaho National Laboratory, Microcontinuum, Inc. and Patrick Pinhero from the University of Missouri are developing an exciting new technology which uses “nano-antennas” to capture solar energy. What is especially cool about this new solar technology is that it would operate both during the day and at night by using the leftover radiation after the sun goes down. Each nano-antenna is a spiral as wide as 1/25 the diameter of a human hair, meaning that many of them can be fit into a tiny space, and may be as much as 80 percent efficient.

At this time, researchers have a ways to go before the technology is commercialized, but they are hoping that their finished product would be no more expensive as a coating than a cheap layer of carpeting.

[Source: Gizmag]

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski

Knight Rider movie producer: the new KITT is a solar powered, “hybrid”

Wednesday, December 31st, 1969

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KITT

Turns out I was wrong when I said the new KITT from the Knight Rider movie coming February was not a hybrid. According to the show’s executive producer, David Bartis, the new KITT is very efficient and a hybrid in “some ways.” KITT will also have solar panels and other green technologies. Here is exactly what David said:

CS: Was there any attempt to make this a “green” car? Is the new KITT a hybrid?

Bartis: The new KITT is incredibly efficient. Yes, it is a hybrid in some new ways. You’ll see it incorporate solar energy and technology that we could create because it is a TV show. There are some cool new technologies we have applied; it is a highly efficient vehicle.

Stay tuned for full review when Knight Rider airs February 17th.

Related:

[Source: Coming Soon]

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Original post by Lascelles Linton

New KITT’s “Solar Powered Hybrid Engine” TV ad

Wednesday, December 31st, 1969

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Recently, I told you the new KITT, in the upcoming Knight Rider TV movie, would have a solar powered hybrid engine. NBC is showing a TV commercial highlighting this green feature. You can watch video of the TV commercial below the fold. The ad also mentions that the new KITT has 550 horsepower and race-tuned suspension standard.

As AutoblogGreen reader CARazed reminds us, the first KITT was actually very green too. According to Wikipedia, the first KITT used liquid hydrogen in a turbine engine and got 100 MPG. The new KITT is based on Ford’s Mustang Shelby Cobra, which is not a hybrid. In reality, Ford’s only hybrid is the Escape SUV. If you want a green, all-electric Mustang, check this out.

Stay tuned for a review of the movie after it airs February 17th.

[Source: NBC]

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Original post by Lascelles Linton

DOE picks 2009 Solar Decathlon teams

Wednesday, December 31st, 1969

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Twenty college teams from around the world (well, the U.S., Germany, Canada, Spain and Puerto Rico) will compete in the 2009 Solar Decathlon competition that will take place next fall in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Department of Energy’s challenge is to build and run an entire home on solar power. As in previous years, the teams will also need to take into consideration generating enough electricity to power an electric car.

True to the name, the student-led teams will need to focus on ten areas. Transportation is covered by the EV aspect mentioned above. The other nine categories are architecture, engineering, market viability, communications, comfort, appliances, hot water, lighting, and energy balance. The DOE states:

In addition to producing enough electricity and hot water to perform all the functions of a home, from powering lights and electronics to cooking, washing clothes and dishes, each home must produce surplus energy sufficient to power an electric car. The team that finishes the week of competition with the most points wins.

The 20 teams (listed after the jump) will each get $100,000 for this contest, which is part of President Bush’s Solar America Initiative, a plan the DOE says “seeks to make solar power cost-competitive with conventional forms of electricity by 2015.” The video above was shot at the 2007 Solar Decathlon, where the team from Technische Universistät Darmstadt won. Here’s the DOE press release announcing the 2009 teams.

Related:

[Source: DOE via Renewable Energy Access]

  • Boston Architectural College, Boston, Massachusetts and Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts
  • Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
  • Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Ames, Iowa
  • Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, Missouri
  • The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
  • The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
  • Rice University, Houston, Texas
  • Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, California
  • Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
  • Universidad de Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
  • Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
  • The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
  • University of Calgary, SAIT Polytechnic, and Mount Royal College; Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
  • University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
  • University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, Louisiana
  • University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario; Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario; and Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
  • University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  • Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Original post by Sebastian Blanco

Power your car with paint

Wednesday, December 31st, 1969

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Need electricity to power your future PHEV or electric car but don’t want more coal or nuclear power plants to add to our pollution problems or maybe drain the country’s water resources? It seems with each impending disaster our past and present technology creates, a new technology emerges to counter the effects. After reading about new studies which warn of the need to end CO2 emissions and feeling a bit worried, relief came quickly this morning as I read on ScienceDaily of a new breakthrough in solar energy generation. Whilst we have all been fretting about how we were going to power the future, the alchemists in the Materials Research Center at Swansea University in Wales have “kept nose to grindstone″ and have now announced they can collect energy from the sun with paint.

The kinks haven’t been completely worked out yet but if they can succeed in applying the paint properly to the metal cladding commonly used on buildings, they believe they could produce 4,500 gigawatts of electricity collectors a year. And that’s in not-so-sunny England with an energy conversion rate of a meager 5 percent. The secret to the huge total amount is simple. Volume Volume VOLUME! Corus Colours, the manufacturer the research team has been working with, produces around 100 million square meters of steel building cladding a year. I’m not sure what I should reach for first, my calculator to guesstimate the worldwide implications or my dancing shoes.

[Source: ScienceDaily]

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Original post by Domenick Yoney

Solar company claims it can power a fleet of electric cars… and 90 percent of our homes

Wednesday, December 31st, 1969

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As much as we report on the electrification of the automobile, it’s important to remember that electric cars need to be charged somehow, and with a huge amount of the electricity in the world coming from less-than-clean power sources, alternatives must be found. Solar power is one such alternative, and energy from the sun can be captured by either using PV cells or through solar-thermal technology, which focuses the sun’s rays on a fixed point, heating fluids and powering turbines. Solar-thermal company Ausra believes that soon they will be able to provide enough power for 90 percent of the homes in the U.S. along with an entire fleet of electric cars using their Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector technology. Wouldn’t that be nice!

As intriguing as solar-thermal technology already is, there are hurdles to overcome. Some question how well the successful small power plants will scale to become large providers of energy. The biggest question, though, remains how to store the heat generated throughout the day so that power can be made throughout the night as well. Until these questions are adequately answered, solar-thermal technology is likely to remain a small player against the established players, including coal.

[Source: Wired Science]

Study: Solar Thermal Power Could Supply Over 90 percent of U.S. Grid Plus Auto Fleet

New scientific findings from Ausra show solar can affordably power our cars, homes, factories and economy

PALO ALTO, Calif.-March 6, 2008-Ausra Inc., the developer of utility-scale solar thermal power technology, has published a peer-reviewed study showing that over 90 percent of the U.S. electric grid and auto fleet’s energy needs could be met by solar thermal power.

Solar power is the nation′s largest primary renewable energy resource, offering many times total U.S. energy needs. Solar thermal power stations use fields of mirrors to capture the sun′s energy as heat to boil water and drive steam turbines. Solar thermal’s low-cost, efficient heat storage makes solar thermal power uniquely able to provide a reliable energy supply from ever-varying sunshine.

The Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration projects over 70 percent total growth in the nation’s electricity demands by 2025, and analysts predict a further increase in electricity needs as plug-in electric hybrid vehicles come to the market.

“The U.S. could nearly eliminate our dependence on coal, oil and gas for electricity and transportation, drastically slashing global warming pollution without increasing costs for energy,” said David Mills, chief scientific officer and founder at Ausra. “This new study shows that our daily and annual energy needs closely match the energy production potential from solar thermal power plants with heat energy storage, and our models show solar thermal power will cost less than continuing to import oil.”

Mills is the inventor of the absorber surfaces used in the majority of the world’s solar hot water heaters and the pioneer of Ausra’s compact linear Fresnel (CLFR) technology. He presented his findings yesterday at the IEA SolarPACES solar research conference in Las Vegas (http://solarpaces.org). He co-authored the new paper with Robert Morgan, Ausra’s chief development officer. A copy of the complete findings can be found at http://ausra.com/technology/reports.html.

Converting the national electricity grid to solar thermal power would reduce overall American global warming pollution by 40 percent. The combination of plug-in hybrids and solar thermal power would eliminate the importation of 13 million barrels of fuel per day. The study finds that because the seasonal and daily patterns of solar radiation already correlate strongly with electricity use, just 16 hours of thermal storage can provide reliable, load-following electric power.

“Near-zero pollution technology has to replace most of our current electricity generation by mid-century to prevent the worst global warming outcomes,” said Stephen Schneider of Stanford University, who was a principal author of the 2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Synthesis Report. “We’ve got to cut pollution 80 percent by mid-century, and that means transforming both our electric power and transportation sectors.”

Solar thermal power complements other technologies such as wind, solar photovoltaic and geothermal generation. “Historically, our country has moved rapidly to build generation to meet market opportunities and grid needs,” said Robert E. Fishman, Ausra’s chief executive officer. “Between 1996 and 2005, the decade of gas, we built over 250 gigawatts of natural gas-fired power plants, a quarter of total U.S. generating capacity. As the solar thermal power industry moves to scale now, we are entering the decade of solar and building a reliable, affordable source of power to meet both the needs of our growing economy and the challenge of eliminating pollution.”

About Ausra Ausra Inc. develops and deploys utility-scale solar thermal power technology to serve global electricity needs in a dependable, market competitive, environmentally responsible manner. Located in Palo Alto, Calif., Ausra is a privately held company funded by Khosla Ventures and Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield &amp Byers. To learn more about Ausra and solar thermal power in general, visit www.ausra.com.

 

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Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski

SUNN EV: order a solar electric NEV kit car

Wednesday, December 31st, 1969

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Remember last year when we posted the video Infinity Miles per Gallon? In that video, Art Haines of Applied Robotics Company set out to build a solar powered electric car … and succeeded. At the time, we lauded the independent thinking that Haines clearly showed in the project. The story was far from over, however, as Haines is now offering his unique solar NEV in kit form from his website, sunnev.com. So far, five of the kits have been ordered and Haines is working to get them shipped out now. One of those kits, a sedan with a trunk, is headed to an all-girls school in London, and another, a pickup, is on its way to La Grange, Texas.

If you are interested in reading more about the SUNN EV, visit the official website. Pricing is currently broken down into major component packages and can be found here. After assembled, an MSO will allow the vehicle to be registered in your state and the vehicle would qualify as an NEV. We’re pretty high on this idea and hope that these kits find happy owners who’ll enjoy never filling up their city errand-runner.

[Source: SUNN EV, Morning Sentinel]

 

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Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski

Nelson Kruschandl shows how to make a solar car on the cheap

Wednesday, December 31st, 1969

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Wanna build a solar car? Good new for you, then! Nelson Kruschandl has set up a website where he gives you the ins and outs of solar car construction. Sure, there’s plenty of power available from the sun, the tricky part is harnessing enough of it to get anywhere. Therefore, lightweight parts and low power consumption are the name of the game. The make the process as simple to understand as possible, Kruschandl has broken the design down into nine essential components:

  1. Chassis and seating
  2. Mechanics - suspension, steering, brakes
  3. Motor and drive train
  4. Motor controller
  5. Solar Array - usually part of body
  6. Batteries or fuel cells
  7. Electrical System and instruments
  8. Driver Controls - switches, lighting, etc
  9. Bodywork - Screen, etc

That doesn’t seem to hard, right? Just kidding, obviously, but the process set out in those nine steps makes for an entertaining read, so feel free to follow this link to check it out.

[Source: Bluebird Design via Automotive Blogs]

 

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Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski

2008 Shell Eco-marathon Americas roster - all 38 teams - announced

Wednesday, December 31st, 1969

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We’re getting close to the start of the 2008 Shell Eco-marathon Americas, and the list of 38 teams that will participate in the competition in some ways mimics real-world power train usage. The overwhelming majority (28) of the vehicles will use combustion engines to try and top last year’s incredible 1902 mpg winning score. Alongside the gas engines will be six fuel cell, one LPG, one diesel, and two solar entrants. You can find a full list of the schools from five high schools and 24 universities that are participating - and the names of their vehicles - after the jump. The competition runs from April 10 to 12 at the California Speedway in Fontana, California. The goal is to go the furthest distance on the least amount of fuel. Based on the names alone, I like Peanut Butter and The Hot Pocket. Good luck to all the teams.

Press Release:

Not Your Average Spring Break - Student Teams From Across the Americas Prepare to Help the World Use Less Fuel

2008 Shell Eco-marathon Americas welcomes 38 teams from the U.S., Canada and Mexico

HOUSTON, March 28 /PRNewswire/ — While many “spring breakers″ spend their time enjoying some rest and relaxation with fellow students, 38 teams from across the United States, Canada and Mexico are hard at work putting the finishing touches on their high-mileage, fuel-saving prototype vehicles. After months of plotting, planning and pushing the limits, these students are down to the wire as they work to complete their vehicles for the 2008 Shell Eco-marathon(TM) Americas — a global mileage challenge and forum for current and future leaders who are passionate about finding sustainable solutions to the world′s energy challenge.

“We realize the future of transportation ultimately depends on alternative energy sources,” said David Ulrich, student team leader of the Cal Poly team, who set the Shell Eco-marathon Americas record in 2007 with an astonishing 1,902.7 miles per gallon (809 kilometers per litre). “And as an engineering student, being given the opportunity to design and build fuel-efficient vehicles is an important part of gaining practical experience for the future.”

Taking place April 10-12 at the California Speedway in Fontana, Calif., the challenge tests students to design and build eco-friendly vehicles that travel the farthest distance using the least amount of fuel. From vehicle design to financing, student teams manage their projects from start to finish. The winning team receives a grand prize of $10,000 U.S. dollars for their school.

The 2008 Shell Eco-marathon Americas roster contains 38 teams from 5 high schools and 24 universities from the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The entries include 28 vehicles powered by combustion engines, six by fuel cell/hydrogen technology, one by diesel fuel, one by liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and two by solar power.

The complete 2008 Shell Eco-marathon Americas roster is:

Combustion Engine Entrants:

School Location Team Name Vehicle Name

  • Barstow High School Barstow, Calif. The Aztecs Team II Grease Lighting
  • Barstow High School Barstow, Calif. Barstow High School The Az-Tech
  • California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, Calif. Cal Poly Supermileage Black Widow
  • California State University, LosAngeles Los Angeles, Calif. CSULA Supermileage Super Eagle II
  • Cedarville University Cedarville, Ohio Yellow Jackets Lightning III
  • Cedarville University Cedarville, Ohio Yellow Jackets Slipstream II
  • Centennial High School Corona County, Calif. Huskies The Blur
  • Colorado School of Denver, Colo. Ramblin Wreck Peanut Butter Mines
  • Grand Rapids Technical School Grand Rapids, Minn. G-Rock Spirit of Columbia
  • Lamar University Beaumont, Texas Team Havoc Wicked 1
  • Lamar University Beaumont, Texas Team Full Of It Lamar Prototype Vehicle
  • Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, La. Tiger Racing Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
  • Louisiana Tech University Ruston, La. LA Tech Bulldogs De Donderhond
  • Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, Calif. The Lion The Roar
  • Mater Dei High School Evansville, Ind. Mater Dei Supermileage Team 5th Gen
  • Mater Dei High School Evansville, Ind. Mater Dei Supermileage Team 6th Gen
  • Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, Ariz. Team SAE@NAU The Hot Pocket
  • Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, Ariz. NAU Efficient Vehicle Efficient Vehicle
  • Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Terre Haute, Ind. Rose-Hulman Efficient Vehicles RHEV 74
  • Universidad Nacional Mexico City, Escuderia Puma Puma Azteca Autonoma de Mexico - Mexico Unam Facultad de Ingenieria
  • Universite Laval Laval, Quebec, Canada Alerion PSD 2.2 Supermileage
  • University of British Columbia Vancouver, British Columbia UBC Supermileage Team UBCST
  • University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, Calif. Cal SMV Papa Bear
  • University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles, Calif. Supermileage The Enterprise
  • University of California, Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, Calif. UCSB Gauchos Gaucho 1
  • University of Colorado, Boulder Boulder, Colo. Mile High Club F-CAT
  • University of Houston Houston, Texas UH Cougars Red Streak
  • University of Texas, El Paso El Paso, Texas Miner Dilemma Chimichanga

Fuel Cell Entrants:

School Location Team Name Vehicle Name

  • Lamar University Beaumont, Texas FullThrottle 1602
  • Los Altos High School Hacienda Heights, Calif. LAAE A Infusion I
  • Los Altos High School Hacienda Heights, Calif. LAAE B Infusion II
  • Los Altos High School Hacienda Heights, Calif. LAAE C High Voltage
  • Penn State University University Park, Pa. Penn State HFV Bad to the Bond
  • University of Victoria Victoria, British Columbia H2Drive UVic Fuel Cell Vehicle

Diesel Entrant:

School Location Team Name Vehicle Name

  • College of the Redwoods Eureka, Calif. Diesel Corsair Diesel Corsair

LPG Entrant:

School Location Team Name Vehicle Name

  • Schurr High School Montebello, Calif. Spartans Mach 1

Solar Entrants:

School Location Team Name Vehicle Name

  • Centennial High School Corona County, Calif. Huskies The Flash
  • Purdue University West Lafayette, Ind. Purdue Solar Racing Pulsar

To help ensure the 2008 Shell Eco-marathon Americas is a successful event for all the student participants, Shell is pleased to welcome the 2008 event sponsors:

SKF USA Inc. — As one of the leading global suppliers of products, solutions and services in the areas of rolling bearings, seals, mechatronics, services and lubrication systems, SKF is providing up to $1,000 in equipment and engineering support for the student teams (http://www.skfusa.com).

Autodesk — Autodesk, a world leader in design innovation technology, is recognized as a Shell Eco-marathon global sponsor. Autodesk, Inc. is the world leader in 2D and 3D design software for the manufacturing, building and construction, and media and entertainment markets (http://www.autodesk.com).

Michelin — Michelin, a sponsor of Shell Eco-marathon in Europe, is providing low-rolling resistance tires for use in the competition and offering them to the student teams at a discounted rate. Michelin is also engaging students to understand how tires effect fuel economy and how the same principles relate their project cars to vehicles in the real-world (http://www.michelinman.com).

Pennzoil — Pennzoil is providing one quart of Pennzoil Platinum (R) full synthetic motor oil for each student team, along with technical support. The active cleansing agents in Pennzoil Platinum(R) help remove built-up dirt and deposits 3X better than the leading conventional oil*. Pennzoil is the most preferred motor oil brand in America, and its line of quality products meets or exceeds industry specifications to offer exceptional engine protection. (http://www.pennzoil.com).

With many successful years in Europe, the Shell Eco-marathon came back to the U.S. as the Shell Eco-marathon Americas in April 2007. The Eco-marathon concept started as the Shell Mileage Marathon in 1939 between employees of Shell at a research laboratory in Wood River, Illinois. Today, the Americas event extends to student teams from across North and South America.

In Europe, the 2008 Shell Eco-marathon project will take place May 22-24 at the Nogaro Circuit, France. The 2007 European event attracted teams from 20 countries, with the winning teams hailing from Denmark, France, the Netherlands and Norway.

For more information on the Shell Eco-marathon Americas, please visit http://www.shell.com/us/ecomarathon.

Shell Oil Company, including its consolidated companies and its share in equity companies, is one of America’s leading oil and natural gas producers, natural gas marketers, gasoline marketers and petrochemical manufacturers. Shell, a leading oil and gas producer in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, is a recognized pioneer in oil and gas exploration and production technology. Shell Oil Company is an affiliate of the Shell Group, a global group of energy and petrochemical companies, employing approximately 112,000 people and operating in more than 130 countries and territories.

Disclaimer statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements concerning the financial condition, results of operations and businesses of Royal Dutch Shell. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning the potential exposure of Royal Dutch Shell to market risks and statements expressing management’s expectations, beliefs, estimates, forecasts, projections and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as ”anticipate”, ”believe”, ”could”, ”estimate”, ”expect”, ”intend”, ”may”, ”plan”, ”objectives”, ”outlook”, ”probably”, ”project”, ”will”, ‘’seek”, ”target”, ”risks”, ”goals”, ‘’should” and similar terms and phrases. There are a number of factors that could affect the future operations of Royal Dutch Shell and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements included in this Report, including (without limitation): (a) price fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas; (b) changes in demand for the Group’s products; (c) currency fluctuations; (d) drilling and production results; (e) reserve estimates; (f) loss of market and industry competition (g) environmental and physical risks; (h) risks associated with the identification of suitable potential acquisition properties and targets, and successful negotiation and completion of such transactions; (i) the risk of doing business in developing countries and countries subject to international sanctions; (j) legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments including potential litigation and regulatory effects arising from recategorisation of reserves; (k) economic and financial market conditions in various countries and regions; (l) political risks, project delay or advancement, approvals and cost estimates; and (m) changes in trading conditions. All forward-looking statements contained in this presentation are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this presentation, May 4, 2006. Neither Royal Dutch Shell nor any of its subsidiaries undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other information. In light of these risks, results could differ materially from those stated, implied or inferred from the forward-looking statements contained in this document.

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) permits oil and gas companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only proved reserves that a company has demonstrated by actual production or conclusive formation tests to be economically and legally producible under existing economic and operating conditions. We use certain terms in this presentation, such as “oil in place” that the SEC’s guidelines strictly prohibit us from including in filings with the SEC. U.S. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our Form 20-F, File No 1-32575 and disclosure in our Forms 6-K file No, 1-32575, available on the SEC website http://www.sec.gov. You can also obtain these forms from the SEC by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.

* Based on a severe sludging test using SAE 5W-30.

[Source: Shell Eco-marathon Americas]

 

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Original post by Sebastian Blanco

Video: Huge solar project to begin this year

Wednesday, December 31st, 1969

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Lately when talk of using solar energy via large installations comes up it seems the suggestion will invariably be made that we should cover huge swaths of the desert with a solar panel blanket. This strikes me as a little wrong-headed. What might seem a barren wasteland to some is home to a large variety of flora and fauna and there’s just a little bit of irony in the proposition of destroying the environment to save it.

I’ve always thought that rooftops in the cities where we live would be the ideal location for solar panels, and apparently Southern California Edison agrees with me. With a little help from the world’s favorite Terminator, the Californian utility has announced a project to install 65 million square feet of thin-film solar panels on rooftops across three Southern California counties. As Arnold says in the video after the jump, this is the equivalent space of “1100 football fields” The project begins this very summer and will take five years to complete. With a total cost of $875 million, the amount of electricity produced will be 250 megawatts which is enough to power 162,000 homes. My humble math skills tell me that each of these homes could have their power needs met for $5,468.75. That sounds like a good deal! Now, if I could only figure out how many miles 250 megawatts would move an Aptera.

[Source: Alternative Energy YouTube]

 

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Original post by Domenick Yoney

Thule to install solar cells on roof of U.S. headquarters

Wednesday, December 31st, 1969

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Thule, self proclaimed “experts in maximizing a vehicle’s roof space,” have decided to maximize their own roof space, so to speak, by installing a 318-kilowatt (kW) DC solar photovoltaic (PV) system at their Seymour, CT U.S. headquarters. Consisting of two separate arrays with a total of 1,876 solar panels, the system will provide 26 percent of the facility’s total electrical needs. The sun-loving system was subsidized by The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund’s On-site Renewable Distributed Energy Program and is owned by Nautilus Solar Energy, LLC, which will provide electricity at a fixed-price below what other energy sources cost.

According to Fred Clark, President of Thule, Inc., “We encourage our employees to ride bikes to work and provide
facilities for those who do so — leading to Thule being recognized as an industry leader in going green by Bicycle Retailer and Industry News.” Adding a solar roof will certainly do nothing but add to that green reputation.

Read the press release after the break.

Press Release:

Thule to Install 318-Kilowatt Solar System on Roof of Seymour, CT US Headquarters

Company Expands Green Initiative with Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Integration by American Capital Energy

SEYMOUR, Conn., April 8, 2008 — Thule, Inc., the world leader in the manufacturing of transportation accessories including vehicle roof rack systems, innovative RV solutions and truck racks and boxes for professional contractors, today announced that a 318-kilowatt (kW) DC solar photovoltaic (PV) system will be installed by North Chelmsford, Massachusetts-based American Capital Energy on the roof of Thule’s Seymour, Connecticut US headquarters.

“We are experts in maximizing a vehicle’s roof space and we are pleased to be able to use our building’s roof space to reduce and stabilize our energy cost,” said Fred Clark, President of Thule, Inc. “This installation represents yet another step Thule is taking to minimize our energy footprint. We have made substantial improvements in lighting, maintenance and operations over the past few years to achieve significant energy savings. We encourage our employees to ride bikes to work and provide facilities for those who do so — leading to Thule being recognized as an industry leader in going green by Bicycle Retailer and Industry News. In deciding to move forward with going solar at our facility we chose American Capital Energy as our integrator because of their extensive and proven experience in large commercial solar projects,” concluded Mr. Clark.

The Thule solar PV system will consist of two separate arrays with a total of 1,876 solar panels. The PV system will supply an estimated 324,800 kWh annually, or about 26% of the facility’s total electrical needs. Thule will be hosting the system under a power purchase agreement (PPA), where Nautilus Solar Energy, LLC, a developer of distributed generation and utility scale solar power projects, will own the solar system and Thule will purchase energy produced at a fixed price below current utility rate. This allows Thule to stabilize its energy costs and Nautilus to receive federal tax incentives, rebates and renewable energy credits associated with the project. The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund’s (CCEF) On-site Renewable Distributed Energy (DG) Program is providing a $1.3 million grant to subsidize the system.

“Thule will enjoy two distinct advantages by using the power purchase agreement model to go solar — controlled energy cost and minimal capital investment,” stated Tom Hunton, President of American Capital Energy, the company designing and installing the Thule system. “We look forward to working with Thule, Nautilus Solar Energy and the CCEF to provide Thule with a system that will generate low cost electricity for a minimum of 25 years.”

Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell commented, “Once the Thule solar PV system is installed, Connecticut as a whole will benefit from reduced demand on the grid and greenhouse gas reduction. I am delighted that many of our resident businesses have been eager to embrace clean, renewable forms of energy generation. They are to be congratulated for their environmental stewardship and resolve to make a difference.”

James Rice, CEO of Nautilus Solar Energy, LLC, applauds both Thule and the CCEF for their commitment. “Nautilus Solar is very excited to provide renewable energy to Thule for many years to come. Their leadership will reduce dependence on fossil fuel, demand on the distribution system and greenhouse gas emissions.”

[Source: Thule]

 

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Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski

Zap’s Earth Day delivery: Solar Electric catering car in Chicago

Wednesday, December 31st, 1969

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click to enlarge

It’s Earth Day, so we would have been shocked to see the day slip by without a press release from Zap about their something or other. True to form, the EV company presents us with news that the Sopraffina Marketcaffe in Chicago will be using an electric Xebra truck with solar panels on the roof in its catering business (read more after the jump). Can’t let the Ford Transit Connect have all the food fun, right?

The Xebra is Zap’s one legitimate electric vehicle that has more than two wheels, but it does have some drawbacks compared to a “real” car because it’s classified as a motorcycle. Still, for deliveries in downtown Chicago, running on electrons is a pretty good plan. Not a lot of sunlight reaches the street in the middle of the Windy City, but if you’re on Lakeshore Drive, those panels should be able to suck up some juice. The three-cents-a-mile operating cost has got to be appealing to the business owners as well.

Press Release:

Chicago Rolls Out ZAP Solar Electric Car for Catering on Earth Day

Chicago’s Sopraffina Marketcaffe to Unveil Solar-Electric Catering Vehicle in Chicago

CHICAGO, April 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Chicago’s Sopraffina Marketcaffe today is celebrating Earth Day with the unveiling of a new, first-of-its-kind, 100 percent solar-electric powered catering vehicle. La Grange Park electric car dealer Jessup’s Automotive helped bring the vehicle to Chicago as part of a dealer network being formed by ZAP (BULLETIN BOARD: ZAAP) .

The modified ZAP Xebra truck being unveiled on Earth Day at Sopraffina’s 222 West Adams location runs on electric power throughout the day and can be charged by solar panels located on the roof. At night, the vehicle recharges at a standard outlet. Owner Dan Rosenthal had the car modified for catering in downtown Chicago.

“The economic impact on companies is marginal and the environmental impact is huge,” said Dan Rosenthal, president of The Rosenthal Group, which owns five Sopraffina Marketcaffes as well as Trattoria #10 and Poag Mahone’s. “Electric vans should become the vehicle of choice for city-based deliveries. Every minute our van is on the street it is telling our potential clients that we are making a serious effort to help the environment. We’re delighted to be the first in Chicago to have this type of vehicle.”

The delivery vehicle is part of several initiatives The Rosenthal Group is taking to make Sopraffina one of the greenest restaurants in the city: Sopraffina Marketcaffe is a founding member organization of the Green Chicago Restaurant Co-op (http://www.buygreenchicago.org/). Started in October 2007, the Co-op has grown to include nearly 100 restaurants.

The Xebra truck hits a top speed of 40 MPH and is virtually silent during operation. It was modified with special compartments to keep insulated catering containers secure so food remains at the correct temperature during delivery. The vehicle does not require gasoline, diesel fuel, oil or any of the regular maintenance of conventional cars. The vehicle costs about three cents per mile to operate.

“With high gas prices the timing is right for electric cars, but when you are talking about Earth Day I think it all comes down to the doing the right thing,” said Mike Jessup. “This truly is a unique vehicle created by Sopraffina and the guys at Fischer Crane. I look forward to working with them in the future to get more of these out on the road.”

Test drives of the Xebra are available at Jessup’s Automotive, located at 1118 East 31st Street, La Grange Park, IL 60526 or by calling 708-352-8800.

About ZAP

ZAP has been a leader in advanced transportation technologies since 1994, delivering over 100,000 vehicles to consumers in more than 75 countries. At the forefront of fuel-efficient transportation with new technologies including energy efficient gas systems, hydrogen, electric, fuel cell, ethanol, hybrid and other innovative power systems, ZAP has a joint venture called Detroit Electric to manufacture electric and hybrid vehicles with Youngman Automotive Group, one of China’s leading manufacturers of buses and trucks. Detroit Electric is developing a freeway capable electric vehicle called the ZAP Alias in collaboration with Lotus Engineering. ZAP is also developing a new generation of vehicles using advanced nanotech batteries with Advanced Battery Technologies. The Company recently announced a strategic partnership with Dubai-based Al Yousuf Group to expand its international vehicle distribution. ZAP also makes an innovative, new portable energy technology that manages power for mobile electronics from cell phones to laptops. For product, dealer and investor information, visit http://www.zapworld.com/.

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, continued acceptance of the Company’s products, increased levels of competition for the Company, new products and technological changes, the Company’s dependence upon third-party suppliers, intellectual property rights, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

[Source: ZAP]

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Original post by Sebastian Blanco