21 new hybrid cars to be presented friday

November 30, 2006 at 12:35 pm · Filed under Green Tech, Bio Fuel

Automakers are rolling into the Los Angeles Auto Show with a lineup of 21 concept cars powered by alternative fuels.
General Motors, Ford and BMW will unveil vehicles that run on hydrogen. Other companies will show vehicles powered by E-85 ethanol, electric-gas hybrid engines, biodiesel, natural gas and low-sulfur diesel fuel.
But many of the alternative-fuel concept cars on display may not reach showrooms for years, but Nissan said it will roll out its Prius-killer a new Altima hybrid sedan and coupe as well as a souped-up version of the Sentra small car early next year.
The hybrid, powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine as well as an electric motor, initially will be sold in eight states mainly in the Northeast starting in January. The company said the full-sized car will get 41 miles per gallon of gasoline in the city and 36 on the highway.

The Los Angeles Auto Show opens to the public on Friday and runs through Dec. 10.

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First hydrogen Motorcycle

November 21, 2006 at 7:57 pm · Filed under Green Tech, Bio Fuel

The Intelligent Energy ENV (Emissions Neutral Vehicle) is a motorcycle like no other. The ENV (pronounced “en vee”) is the envy of some of the other H2 motorcycle, scooter and wannabe manufacturers for its power, range, quietness and sleek design, though it does face some stiff competition from a few other manufacturers.

The ENV H2 motorcycle uses CORE cell technology, which contains the hydrogen and battery components in one unit and is removable from the motorcycle. The Intelligent Energy ENV, with its 6kW, 48 volt motor and 1kw fuel cell, has a top speed of 50 mph and a range of 100 miles. The speed and range are expected to be increased by the time the ENV reaches its production version.
In order to reach peak acceleration, power is drawn from both the fuel cell and battery pack as needed. The ENV also uses disc brakes and a belt drive system for better control and traction. According to Intelligent Energy, the ENV is one of the first hydrogen motorcycles designed from the ground up rather than relying on previous technology. Read the rest of this entry »

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Danish bio-tech leads U.S. company to ethanol breakthrough

November 21, 2006 at 12:44 am · Filed under Green Tech, Bio Fuel

Broin a South Dakota company said Monday it has made breakthroughs in the production of ethanol that enables it to use corn stalks, leaves and other plant material in the production of the motor fuel. The new technology will be used at a Broin Companies plant in the northeast Iowa town of Emmetsburg, located 120 miles northwest of Des Moines. The ethanol plant will be expanded to use the entire corn plant instead of just the kernel. The plant's capacity of 50 million gallons of ethanol a year will be increased to 125 million gallons with an investment of about $200 million, said CEO Jeff Broin. He said it is the first commercial scale production facility in the United States to make ethanol from plant material other than the corn kernel. Most ethanol in the United States is made from the starch contained in a corn kernel. The starch is broken down into basic sugar components, which are fermented using yeast and a cooking process into grain alcohol. This is often refered to as the first generation ethanol process. The Sioux Falls, S.D., company will use technology it has developed with Denmark-based Novozymes and Delaware-based DuPont that breaks down the cellulose in corn stalks and other plant parts into basic sugars that can be fermented into ethanol - a much more complicated process called the second generation. Here in Denmar the first large scale first generation ethanol plant will be build from 2007-2009. The design allows for upgrade to second generation processesing.  

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Ethanol’s Economic and Environmental Benefits Resonate Among Consumers

November 18, 2006 at 11:41 am · Filed under Money and Finance, Bio Fuel

A strong majority of American consumers are more inclined to throw their economic clout behind a cleaner, greener renewable fuel when it comes to issues of energy independence, American jobs and the environment. A national U.S. survey released today found that 57 percent of respondents believe that it is important that adding ethanol to gasoline lessens U.S. dependence on oil from foreign countries. "These findings demonstrate that more and more Americans are becoming aware of the reasons why they should choose ethanol-enriched gasoline," says Reece Nanfito, senior director of marketing for the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC). "A solution to our dependence on foreign oil rests right here at home through the hard work and ingenuity of the American workforce. "Ethanol's positive impacts upon the American economy and the environment struck a chord with survey participants. Sixty-one percent of respondents indicated that they believe the American economy benefits from ethanol production. Fifty-eight percent believe that ethanol-enriched gasoline is better for the environment than standard gasoline. Respondents indicated that the most important benefit of ethanol is that it is "better for the environment."

The full results of the study are available at http://www.drivingethanol.org/survey

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New Fuel Cells heats your house - and gives you free electricity

November 16, 2006 at 11:31 am · Filed under Off Grid, Green Tech, Bio Fuel

Danish fuel cell technology can replace traditional heating systems and produce electricity at the same time - cheaper and more efficient. By installing this fuel cell stove that runs on several types of fuel from ethanol, gasoline to biodiesel, instead of a traditional oil stove, the heating cost will be about the same but you´ll get enough electricity for a familyhouse for free. The new fuel cell heater is produced by Topsoe Fuel Cell and they will have a commercial version ready by 2009-2010. Read the rest of this entry »

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EU to miss target for using biofuels - once again

November 10, 2006 at 8:31 pm · Filed under Bio Fuel, The Politics

The European Union will probably miss a 2010 target to use more alternative fuels, the second time it will fall short in five years, said Hans van Steen, an EU official in charge of promoting renewable energy.The EU wants biofuels to account for an average of 5.75% of transport fuel by 2010, Van Steen told the F.O. Licht World Ethanol Conference in Amsterdam today. The EU set a target of 2% for 2005, and member states averaged 1%, he said. Biofuels are made from corn, sugar or vegetable oils. “We can’t count on member states getting to where they want to be, based on their previous performance,” said Van Steen, from the renewable energy unit at the European Commission’s Energy and Transport Directorate General. The 25-nation EU wants to use less fuel derived from crude oil or natural gas to improve energy security and independence, limit greenhouse gas emissions and support farmers, Van Steen said. Half of all new cars sold in Europe run on diesel, of which there is a shortage, and more than half of greenhouse gas emissions come from transport. The 2% target was only achieved by Sweden and Germany, Van Steen said. He added in a separate interview that the two countries and France were the only ones likely to meet the 2010 objective.

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Fat from cows as bio fuel

November 9, 2006 at 2:00 pm · Filed under Green Tech, Bio Fuel

An economical, low-pollutant diesel fuel is being produced from beef fat in a world-first process at Brisbane’s BP refinery.
About 110 million litres of the “renewable diesel” is expected to be produced each year through the new process.
BP refinery managing director Kathy Hirschfeld said the new fuel differed from bio-diesel because it was chemically identical to conventional diesel.
Renewable diesel is claimed to burn more efficiently and creates less pollution.
Ms Hirschfeld said the first fuel from the world-first process developed at the Bulwer Island facility would be on the market next year.
“It is very gratifying and exciting when this little site in Brisbane is recognised by the world brand of BP for producing renewable diesel,” Ms Hirschfeld said.
“From such small beginnings here I have no doubt that this could go global.”
Bio-diesel or “green” diesel is produced at two Narangba plants north of Brisbane using methanol from vegetable oil and a low-temperature and low-pressure process.

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