French govt. report debunks optimism on all-electric cars
Dec 18, 2008 Information of the Day
In a week that saw a report claiming that the rate of rise of sea levels is not as bad as has been predicted, now leaked parts of a report commissioned by the French government has concluded there “isn’t much future” in all-electric cars, at least before the year 2030. The 129-page report, drawn up by Jean Syrota, one of France’s leading energy experts, was originally destined to be unveiled at the Paris motor show in September. The Sarkozy Administration has not publicly commented on the report, but it seems unlikely it will ever be officially published.
In what may come as a surprise to some, the Syrota report concludes that the internal combustion engine still has a lot of life in it. With advances in engine design, lighter materials, start-stop technology, and expanded use of electric-gas and electric-diesel hybrids, fleet mileage could be made to double. High battery pack costs, limited range and speed, and the absence of any battery charging infrastructure all combine to make all-electric vehicles unviable, according to the report. It predicts these factors are all unlikely to change significantly over the next two decades. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: electric cars, France
Largest sub-Saharan wind farm plans unveiled
Oct 22, 2008 Green Technologies
Wind Energy
Ethiopia may get to have the largest wind farm in Sub-Saharan Africa following an agreement between the country’s national power company, Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPC) and France’s only wind turbine maker, Vergnet.
The deal valued at more than €200m will see the installation of 120 one-megawatt turbines over three years. The first 30 turbines are expected to be in place next year, the backers claim. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Ethiopia, France, renewable energy, wind energy