Mercedes-Benz adds LPG dual fuel Sprinter variant to line-up
3 November 2010
Mercedes-Benz has added a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) Sprinter dual fuel variant to the line-up: the Sprinter 316 LGT (Liquefied Gas Technology). Models begin production this month. Certified to Euro 5 standard, the Sprinter 216 LGT features s four-cylinder, 1.8-liter gasoline engine designed to run on LPG (also called autogas).
The particulate emissions of LGT engines are virtually zero, while emissions of nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide, as well as sulphur dioxide, are significantly reduced in comparison with diesel engines. Compared with gasoline engines, CO2 emissions are about 20% lower, along with the lower carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon and sulphur dioxide emissions.
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SAIC and GM sign memorandum of understanding for long-term strategic cooperation; development of new energy vehicles a core element
3 November 2010
SAIC Motor Corp., Ltd. (SAIC) and General Motors Co. (GM) signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) on strategic cooperation. The two companies jointly announced that they are planning to reinforce their collaboration in certain core areas of their business, including the development of new energy vehicles and the creation of a stronger and more integrated role for their Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) automotive engineering and design joint venture to work on future vehicles and powertrains.
The signing of the MoU builds on the automakers’ efforts to explore cooperation in Asia’s emerging markets, led by India (earlier post), and to co-develop two efficient next-generation powertrain families. It represents an extension of SAIC and GM’s plans to build a closer strategic alliance.
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EBI study concludes potential contribution of microalgae biofuels in US will be modest due to resource constraints and cost
2 November 2010
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| Micrographs of commercially cultivated algae species. Top left, Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis). Top right, Dunaliella salina. Bottom left, Chlorella
vulgaris. Bottom right, Haematococcus pluvialis. Spirulina are cyanobacteria and the other
three are green algae (Chlorophyceae). Source: EBI. Click to enlarge. |
Even with necessary advances in biology and process efficiencies, the resource potential of microalgae biofuels will always be modest mainly due to the lack of sites having all the needed resources, in particular available CO2, according to a new detailed assessment from the Energy Biosciences Institute (EBI) in Berkeley. However, the report concludes, over the long-run, algae oil could make a vital, even if modest, contribution to a US biofuels industry.
The study, “A Realistic Technology and Engineering Assessment of Algae Biofuel Production” is based on a detailed techno-economic analysis of five microalgae biofuel production scenarios based on technologies that currently exist or are expected to become available in the near-term, including raceway ponds for microalgae cultivation; bioflocculation for algae harvesting; and hexane for extraction of algae oil.
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Mission Motors launches EV powertrain division targeting OEM sales across multiple vehicle platforms
2 November 2010
Mission Motors, developer of the high-performance Mission One PLE electric motorcycle, launched Mission Electric Vehicle Technology (MissionEVT), the company’s high-performance EV Powertrain Division, at the 2010 Specialty Equipment Marketing Association Show (SEMA) in Las Vegas.
MissionEVT will design and supply high-performance EV powertrains, including energy storage systems, drive systems and software intelligence, to the OEM market, targeting a wide range of vehicle applications—including battery-electric, plug-in hybrid electric and hybrid-electric vehicles. Mission Motors CEO Jit Bhattacharya said that the company already has contracts with two major vehicle manufacturers, and ultimately envisions producing electric powertrains—using its own as well as contract manufacturing capabilities—for application in OEM gliders.
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Bloomberg New Energy Finance forecasts plug-in electric vehicles could account for up to 9% of US auto sales in 2020 and 22% in 2030
2 November 2010
Plug-in electric vehicles, including plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles, have the potential to make up 9% of US auto sales in 2020 and 22% in 2030 (1.6 million and 4 million vehicle sales respectively), according to research company Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF). However, achieving such growth level will be dependent on two key factors: aggressive reductions in battery costs and rising gasoline prices.
In the short term, price will be the most significant limitation to the uptake of both plug-in hybrid vehicles like the GM Volt and fully electric vehicles such as the Nissan Leaf, BNEF said. The median base price of autos sold between July 2009 and June 2010 in the US was $21,800. By comparison, the Nissan Leaf will cost $26,280 after federal subsidies (including an allowance for charger installation), which is a higher price point than three quarters of all new auto sales.
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Study finds highly-turbocharged alcohol-fueled DISI engines could be more efficient than diesels
1 November 2010
Highly turbocharged alcohol-fueled direct-injection spark-ignition (DISI) engines operated at a high compression ratio could be as or more efficient than diesel engines while also providing advantages of lower vehicle cost, lower emissions and higher power, according to a recent modeling study by Leslie Bromberg and Daniel Cohn at MIT.
In their paper, presented at the SAE 2010 Powertrains Fuels & Lubricants Meeting last week, the two investigated the potential of ethanol and methanol in heavy
duty (HD), long-haul applications, examining the issues of
infrastructure, engine performance, and briefly, emissions
and cost implications.
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Nissan introduces new ICT system for EVs in Nissan LEAF; new EV concept
1 November 2010
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. will introduce an Information and Communication Technology system (ICT) for electric vehicles (EVs). The new system will be implemented with the Nissan LEAF, slated to go on sale in Japan and the US in December, and in Europe early next year.
With the ICT system, Nissan LEAF owners are connected at all times to the data and information they need to optimize their EV experience. The NISSAN CARWINGS Data Center, an information control center, communicates with the car navigation system via the onboard Telematics Communication Unit (TCU). ICT has features unique to EVs, including EV usage history and battery conditions. Remote control for battery charging and climate control also exist. The system can be accessed by a dedicated website for EV owners, via mobile phones, smart phones and computers to manage energy usage.
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GM Daewoo providing 10 Cruze/Lacetti BEVs for G20 summit
1 November 2010
GM’s South Korean unit, GM Daewoo Auto & Technology (GM Daewoo), will provide 10 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) as part of a demonstration fleet to the Seoul G20 Summit Committee and Seoul Municipality for use during the gathering of global leaders in South Korea’s capital 11-12 Nov.
The demonstration fleet of Cruzes and Lacetti Premieres is part of GM’s effort to gather information on the functioning of pure BEVs worldwide. Developed through cooperation between GM Daewoo, LG Chem and LG Electronics, the demonstration fleet was unveiled in mid-September. (Earlier post.)
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Pike Research forecasts accelerating hybrid locomotive sales from 2015-2020
31 October 2010
Hybrid electric locomotive sales will have an increasing presence in global rail markets between 2015 and 2020, according to a new report from Pike Research. During that period, hybrid locomotive sales will increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.4% under a baseline forecast scenario, with annual unit sales of 109 locomotives by 2020. Pike Research’s aggressive forecast scenario anticipates that the market could achieve a CAGR of 25.4% during the same period, with annual unit sales of up to 174 vehicles by 2020. This would translate into a need for storage of 116.4 MWh of energy in 2020.
However, says Pike senior analyst Dave Hurst Hurst, growth in hybrid locomotives faces several key challenges. In Europe, track electrification will eliminate the need for either diesel or battery storage in many areas. In North America, a high-profile hybrid locomotive product (Railpower’s Green Goat, earlier post) faced a serious setback in the mid-2000s that still haunts the industry today.
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BG Group sanctions US$15B coal seam gas to LNG project; first such
31 October 2010
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| Estimated annual greenhouse gas emissions over the lifetime of the QCLNG project. More than half the emissions come from the LNG facility. Source: QCLNG EIS. Click to enlarge. |
BG Group has approved implementation of the first phase of a US$15-billion project to convert coal seam gas (CSG) to LNG—the first major commercial project to do so. The first phase of the Queensland Curtis Liquefied Natural Gas project (QCLNG) project encompasses the development of a two-train liquefaction plant on Curtis Island near Gladstone in Queensland (Australia) together with the associated upstream and pipeline facilities. BG Group will progress development and construction of QCLNG with immediate effect.
QCLNG will be operated by BG Group’s Australian subsidiary, QGC Pty Limited (QGC). QCLNG will involve expanding QGC’s existing coal seam gas production in the Surat Basin of southern Queensland; building a 730 km (454-mile) buried natural gas pipeline network; and constructing the natural gas liquefaction where the gas will be converted to LNG for export.
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ARB releases proposed cap-and-trade regulation for comment; transportation fuels impacted in 2015
29 October 2010
The California Air Resources Board released its proposed greenhouse gas cap-and-trade regulation. The release begins a public comment period culminating in a 16 December public hearing in Sacramento, California, at which the Board will consider adopting the proposed program. During the public comment period, ARB staff will continue to meet with stakeholders to refine the regulation and develop proposed changes to present at the Board hearing.
A key part of ARB’s AB 32 Scoping Plan (earlier post), the cap-and-trade program provides an overall limit on the emissions from sources responsible for 85% of California’s greenhouse gas emissions. The program is designed to work in collaboration with other complementary policies that expand energy efficiency programs, reduce vehicle emissions, and encourage innovation. The program is expected to reduce GHG emissions between 18 and 27 MMTCO2e in 2020.
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