September 2nd, 2010 by EBR_EBdaily
In the depths of winter, on the harrowing Simplon pass connecting Switzerland to Italy 6,578 feet above sea level, Volkswagen (VW) successfully completed long-range testing of its new HY.POWER fuel cell Bora (Jetta) prototype. The goal was to see whether VW’s new HY.POWER technology could withstand strenuous demands at sub-zero temperatures, which are the major setbacks for cold-combustion hydrogen fuel cells. So far, so good.
Continue reading ‘VW Successfully Completes Long-Range Test on HY.POWER Fuel Cell’
September 2nd, 2010 by EBR_EBdaily
Dust removing technology developed by NASA for robotic machines working on Mars might be an ideal application on solar panels. Large-scale solar power plants are increasingly landing in desert and arid areas across the globe. However, solar arrays in these areas are susceptible to dust and grime collection. Dr. Malay Mazumder from Boston University says a dust layer of 4 grams per square meter can reduce a solar panel’s efficiency by 40%.
Continue reading ‘Dust Removing Technology Could Increase Solar Panel Efficiency’
September 1st, 2010 by EBR_EBdaily
A Canadian company has been receiving a lot of buzz about a recent announcement regarding its new electric car. Motive Industries Inc., a “full vehicle development firm focused on advanced materials, technology and innovation to create real world transportation” is developing Canada’s first bio-composite bodied electric car made from hemp. Material from hemp stock, grown in Canada, will be used in the body of the electric vehicle, the Kestrel.
Continue reading ‘Electric Car Made from Hemp – the Green Kestrel’
September 1st, 2010 by EBR_EBdaily
Columbia University researcher Shahzeen Attari conducted a survey of 505 Americans in 427 different zip codes, and 34 states, about energy conservation. Her study indicated that the sample group was not aware of the most effective measures they could take to save energy. Turning lights off was selected as the best choice by the survey participants. Options such as purchasing fuel efficient cars, energy conserving appliances and weatherizing homes, which actually do make an impact, were not popular with the participants. Attari said that many people in the study seemed to believe in taking steps like turning off lights or unplugging cell phone chargers. 2.8 percent of the participants said that sleeping more and relaxing more would reduce their energy consumption.
Continue reading ‘Americans in the Dark about Energy Conservation’
August 31st, 2010 by EBR_EBdaily
Journalist Mac McClelland is reporting today that oil clean-up supervisors in the Gulf of Mexico have been informed by British Petroleum (NYSE:BP) that “a 200-foot-by-2-mile swath of oil is going to make landfall on Grand Isle in the next couple of days.”
Continue reading ‘BP Warning Clean-Up Crews that a 200-foot, 2-mile Oil Slick About to Hit Grand Isle’
August 31st, 2010 by EBR_EBdaily
Large untapped reserves of shale gas are actually bullish for the natural gas industry, a contrarian view for most in the energy business, according to Rich Kinder, chairman and CEO of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP, a pipeline and storage company.
Continue reading ‘Untapped Shale Gas Reserves Good News for US Natural Gas Sector’
August 30th, 2010 by EBR_EBdaily
Under the 2007 Energy Independence Security Act, there is a requirement for the Marines to reduce energy consumption by 30% by 2015 compared with 2003’s energy consumption. Additionally, the Marine Corps is mandated to have 25% of its energy come from renewable sources by 2025.
Continue reading ‘Marines Required to Reduce Energy Consumption by 30%’
August 30th, 2010 by EBR_EBdaily
Energy Secretary Steven Chu announces a new loan guarantee solicitation for renewable energy manufacturing projects. The Commercial Technology Manufacturing Systems and Components solicitation is supported by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and will support the deployment of renewable energy technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase green manufacturing sector employment, which is part of a plan to create new green energy jobs.
Continue reading ‘Recovery Act Funds to Support Renewable Manufacturing Initiatives, Create Green Jobs’
August 28th, 2010 by EBR_EBdaily
Industry survey reveals challenges of smart grid conversion efforts. As efforts to modernize the electricity grid role out across America, there’s evidence that using smart grid technology will prove a tough sell to consumers, according to “Smart Grid: Achieving Customer Buy-in” a new report by Energy Business Reports.
Continue reading ‘Achieving Customer Adoption of the Smart Grid is Key to its Success’
August 27th, 2010 by EBR_EBdaily
Backers of Scottish independence from the United Kingdom may be calling for the country’s fair share of profits from North Sea gas and oil revenues, but others are banking on its alternative energy future. Already home to Europe’s biggest onshore wind farm—the 322-megawatt Whitelee facility—the wind-swept, surf-pounded nation is hoping to use its water-drenched geography to ramp up renewable energy production.
Continue reading ‘Scotland Moves toward Tidal Power’