Two energy summits at different corners of the world
Jan 21, 2009 Information of the Day
Clean Tech summit
This week saw two conferences on renewable resources in distant corners of the world - one in Abu Dhabi and another in US.
The Clean Tech Investor Summit, hosted by the International Business Forum and Clean Edge is underway in California. It’s not the biggest annual cleantech gathering, but it witnesses many of the investors. Last year saw about 500 participants from 14 countries.
On a grander scale, the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi saw investors and celebrities (like Tony Blair). One interesting announcemet was that of Dipal Barua from Bangladesh winning the first Zayed Future Energy Prize, which included a cash award of US$1.5 million. Dipal Barua is a founder of a non-profit enterprise called Grameen Shakti, which has enabled hundreds of thousands of rural poor to purchase solar energy systems.
Tags: Abu Dhabi, California
LA showstoppers : electric vehicles charging infrastructure
Nov 21, 2008 Auto Tech, Startups
Better Place - Nissan
Grand plans for setting up electric vehicles charging network in US are making all the headlines on the sidelines of the 2008 LA Motor Show. Three initiatives have been announced by Renault-Nissan, Better Place and Coulomb Technologies, that will put in place massive infrastructure for recharging and battery swap stations, many of which will use solar energy, in the cities as well as on the highways in California and Oregon. Battery swap stations should be especially exciting as it would mean you could just pop in a new battery when your old one runs out of juice on the highway and move on, a blessing considering the long charging times for batteries.
The setting up of infrastructure and sale of vehicles alternately powered has been a chicken and egg situation. Before buying electric vehicles, customers would like to be assured that they can recharge it or get batteries swapped away from their homes, so that the vehicles are practical and they are not stranded on road. Same is the case with hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, with almost non-existent hydrogen storage and disbursal facilities.
Hence, these initiatives will come as a major boost to green vehicle advocates. Read on to get the details! Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Better Place, California, LA Auto Show 2008, Nissan, Renault
California solar project on the rocks after judge ruling
Nov 9, 2008 Green Technologies, Stars, Policy and Finance
Stirling solar power in Spain
A solar energy project that aimed to install 900 MW of Stirling solar power in uninhabited Southern Californian desert wasteland, has been thrown into tailspin after a judge struck down plans to build a high power transmission line, fearing its environmental impact.
The project was struck down by Judge Vieth, who argues that its 150-foot-high transmission towers, which would cut through Anza-Borrego State Park, could be environmentally damaging. The park features many protective species and Judge Vieth calls the power lines impact “frightening”.
The project was supposed to use the method of concentrating sunlight with mirrors onto water fueling a Stirling engine, and is claimed to yield higher efficiencies than photovoltaic cells. The plant would feature 34,000 dishes, each generating 25 kW. Central to the plan was the construction of a suitable power transmission line.
This again puts at loggerhead erstwhile allies: green technology advocates and those concerned about their environmental impact. We have aready seen this in the debates raging about wind turbines and their effects on birds. Just goes on to emphasise how one should be careful and try to gauge the impact more holistically.
Read more here and here is more on Stirling engines.
Tags: California, Solar Energy, Solar power
California loves its green auto owners
Nov 8, 2008 Auto Tech, Green Technologies, Stars, Policy and Finance
Tesla Motors
If you are one of the few Tesla Roadster owners around, Martin Eberhard, co-founder of Tesla Motors has news for you. In his blog, he mentions how he got his $5000 rebate and how you can get it too!
If you bought an alternative fuel car in California recently, California’s Air Resources Board has some money for you, as part of Fueling Alternatives, California’s Alternative Fuel Rebate Program. This rebate program applies to a specific list of electric and natural gas vehicles - NGV Fords converted by BAF, the Honda NGV, The Tesla Roadster, some GEM, Miles, Zenn & Zap cars. As a highway-capable purely electric car, the Tesla qualifies for the highest rebate.
Strange that Tesla does not mention this rebate to its customers. It is probably worth mentioning here that Tesla itself may get their own form of CARB rebate in the form of ZEV Credits that they could conceivably sell to other auto companies doing business in California.
Pleasant surprise after California rejected two environmental measures that could cut emissions in a vote, coinciding with the 2008 presidential elections.
Tags: California, Rebates, Tesla Motors
Miles - another EV manufacturer get funding
Nov 6, 2008 Auto Tech, Green Technologies
Miles Ev
Miles Electric Vehicles, maker of low-speed electric vehicles and a forthcoming highway-speed sedan, is in the midst of raising $40 million in funds, PEHub reports.
Miles Electric Vehicles was founded in 2004 by Miles Rubin in California with a mission to rapidly develop advanced all electric vehicles to meet the needs of organizations and everyday drivers, while using no gas and producing zero tailpipe emissions.The current MILES line includes low speed all electric vehicles that produce zero tailpipe emissions and claims Stanford and Yale universities, NASA and the US Navy as fleet customers.
The current Miles range of vehicles have top speeds of upto 25 mph and range of 50 - 60 miles.These limit the practicality of these vehicles. But the Miles XS500 prototype sedan currently under development will top 80mph and travel over 120 miles on a single charge. The company outsources much of its manufacturing to China. This helps it keep its costs low.
Tags: California, China, electric cars, Miles
Wind turbine breaks but wind farms soldier on!
Oct 30, 2008 Green Technologies
Suzlon: Searching for answers
A Suzlon wind turbine in Wyanet, US, had one of its 140-foot long blades break off this week . Suzlon is still investigating this turbine failure but it appears to be related to the blade recall announced in March which requires the retrofitting 1,251 (417 sets) blades, mostly in the US, because of a design flaw that leads to blade cracking.
The recall problem has already cost the company millions in canceled orders. The company stock also suffered in the Indian stock market this week.
Tags: California, Suzlon, turbines, wind energy
Solar Power International 08 conference
Oct 14, 2008 Green Technologies
Solar power International
The solar conference Solar Power International, kicked off on Monday evening at San Diego, California.There are pre-conference workshops on Monday (10/13), but no conference sessions and the exhibit hall is not open. The conference and expo start on the morning of Tuesday, October 14 and go through mid-afternoon on Thursday, October 16.
The Expo is open to the public and free on Wednesday, October 15 from 5:30 to 8:30pm. If you are a member of the public attending on Wednesday evening, you do not need to register in advance.Individuals interested in attending the Expo for business reasons may attend the Expo on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for a fee of $100 Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: California, Conference, Solar Energy