US Navy Researchers Synthesize Renewable High-Density Fuel With Properties Similar to JP-10 (Missile Fuel)
14 November 2009
US Navy researchers have synthesized high-density fuel candidates in up to 90% yield from ß-pinene, a renewable compound derived from wood and plant sources. Pinenes (C10H16) are important constituents of pine resin; they are also found in the resins of other conifers, and more widely in other plants. A paper on their work was published online 13 November in the ACS journal Energy & Fuels.
The synthesized fuels have a density of 0.94 g/cm3 and a net volumetric heating value of 39.5 MJ/L (141,745 BTU/gallon). These values are nearly identical to those for the tactical fuel JP-10 (primarily composed of exotetrahydrodicyclopentadiene). JP-10 is commonly used in cruise missiles and other air-breathing missle systems.
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Hyundai-Kia Developed Its First CVT for the LPI Hybrids
14 November 2009
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| Hyundai-Kia developed the CVT applied in the Elantra and Forte LPI Hybrids. Source: Hyundai. Click to enlarge. |
Hyundai-Kia developed its first, independent Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) for application in the Hyundai Elantra LPI Hybrid (earlier post) and the Kia Forte LPI Hybrid (earlier post). The work on the CVT, which took three years, as well as other components of the hybrids, was carried out at the Namyang Research and Development facility in South Korea.
The LPI Hybrid is a mild hybrid powered by a 1.6-liter Liquefied Petroleum Injection Gamma engine; a 15 kW /105 N·m pancake type Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor; the CVT; and a 180V, 5.3 Ah lithium-ion polymer battery (LIPB) pack (with cells from LG Chem) with forced air cooling. The Elantra LPI HEV emits 99 g/km of CO2 and 90% fewer emissions than an equivalent standard gasoline-powered Elantra. It qualifies as a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV).
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Sanyo to Begin Mass Production of Li-ion Systems for Power Storage and Light Electric Vehicle Applications
13 November 2009
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| Sanyo Li-ion systems for power storage (left) and light electric vehicle (right) applications. Click to enlarge. |
Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. has developed two new lithium-ion battery systems and will begin mass production of the new products in March 2010. Initial monthly production for each system will be 500 units.
The Standard Battery System for Electric Motors (EVB-101) can be used to power light electric vehicles that are in the R&D or small-scale mass production stages. The rack-mountable Standard Battery System for Energy Storage (DCB-101) can be easily incorporated into existing systems as part of hybrid schemes using solar cells, to store electricity generated by wind power, or for electrical output stabilization. It can also be used as a back-up power source for servers or mobile phone base stations.
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Exelus Selected for Up to $1.2M DOE Award to Further Biomass-to-Gasoline Work
13 November 2009
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| The basic Exelus BTG process. Source; Exelus. Click to enlarge. |
The US Department of Energy has selected Exelus, Inc. for an award of up to $1,200,000 to further its development of Biomass-to-Gasoline (BTG) technology—a novel thermochemical process that converts biomass into a clean, high-octane gasoline-compatible fuel. (Earlier post.)
The BTG process applies a series of moderate-temperature, catalyzed reactions to convert lignocellulosic biomass into gasoline-range alcohols. The BioGasoline produced by BTG has a high octane rating (greater than 105 using the (R+M)/2 method), and lower blending vapor pressure (RVP) and higher energy density than conventional ethanol.
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DOE and USDA Select Projects for More Than $24M in Biomass Research and Development Grants
13 November 2009
The US Departments of Agriculture and Energy selected projects for more than $24 million in grants to research and develop technologies to produce biofuels, bioenergy and high-value biobased products. Of the $24.4 million announced today, DOE plans to invest up to $4.9 million with USDA contributing up to $19.5 million. Advanced biofuels produced through this funding are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% compared to fossil fuels.
Projects selected must contribute a minimum of 20% of matching funds for research and development projects and 50% of matching funds for demonstration projects. Funding is provided through USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and DOE’s Biomass Program.
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Dow and HPL Sign Li-ion Technology Transfer Agreement; Dow Kokam JV Acquires Assets of Kokam America
12 November 2009
The Dow Chemical Company announced the transfer to Dow of collective assets from HPL (High Power Lithium). HPL was spun out from Professor Graetzel’s laboratory at the EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Switzerland) in 2003 and is focused on the development of nano-structured metal oxide energy storage materials and novel electrolytes for use in next generation lithium ion batteries.
HPL is financed by the founders, Draper Fisher Jurvetson ePlanet Ventures, Initiative Capital Romandie (managed by DEFI-Gestion), Bankinvest New Energy Solutions and private investors.
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Sion Power Receives $800K DOE Grant to Enhance Lithium Sulfur Batteries
12 November 2009
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| A lithium-sulfur cell. Source: Sion Power. Click to enlarge. |
Sion Power Corporation has received a three-year, $800,000 research grant from the US Department of Energy (DOE) to support Sion’s ongoing work to develop a new class of electrolytes used in lithium sulfur (Li-S) batteries for electric vehicle (EV) applications. Sion Power will provide matching funds for this three-year effort.
The project objective is to increase performance of very-high-energy lithium metal anodes used in rechargeable battery systems. Sion Power will complete development of its unique electrolyte system employing multiple components. While improving lithium conductivity, one component will be optimized to enhance metallic lithium anode performance; another will enhance cathode functionality.
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Northern Lights Energy and Reva Electric Car Company Sign Agreement to Develop the Electric Vehicle Market in Iceland
12 November 2009
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| The REVA NXR. Click to enlarge. |
Northern Lights Energy (NLE), the initiator of the 2012 charging infrastructure project and provider of infrastructure and services for electric vehicles (EV) based in Iceland, has signed an agreement with Reva Electric Car Company to jointly develop the electric vehicle market in Iceland.
NLE will have exclusive distribution rights for the NXR, the new model premiered by Reva at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, and consequent follow-up models, such as the sports coupé NXG, which will be launched in 2011. The sales and marketing of the car will commence in the second half of 2010 and customer deliveries at the end of 2010.
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DPG and EPEC Biofuels Holdings LLC Form JV to Finance Sorghum Ethanol and Other Biofuels Projects; Up To $376M for Sorghum Ethanol Project Financing
12 November 2009
DPG Investments, LLC has entered into a joint venture with EPEC Biofuels Holdings, Inc., a sweet sorghum ethanol company, to form a platform finance company which will provide project financing for EPEC and select financing initiatives in the biofuels and renewable energy sectors.
According to the joint venture agreement between the parties, DPG and EPEC have created EPEC Finance, LLC which has been granted the exclusive rights to fund up to $376 million of project financing for EPEC. These funds will be utilized by EPEC for the manufacture and
deployment of EPEC’s proprietary Ethanol Production Units (EPUs) on select sweet sorghum
farms throughout the country.
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Ford and Ontario Bio-Car Initiative Develop Wheat Straw-Reinforced Plastic; First Application in 2010 Flex
11 November 2009
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| Wheat Straw Bio-Filled Polypropylene. Click to enlarge. |
Ford Motor Company, working with academic researchers in Canada and one of its suppliers, has developed a wheat straw-reinforced plastic; the natural fiber-based plastic contains 20% wheat straw bio-filler. First application is on the 2010 Ford Flex’s third-row interior storage bins. This application alone reduces petroleum usage by some 20,000 pounds per year, reduces CO2 emissions by 30,000 pounds per year, and represents a sustainable usage for wheat straw, the waste byproduct of wheat.
Ford researchers were approached with the wheat straw-based plastics formulation by the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, as part of the Ontario BioCar Initiative—a multi-university effort between Waterloo, the University of Guelph, University of Toronto and University of Windsor. Ford works closely with the Ontario government-funded project, which is seeking to advance the use of more plant-based materials in the auto and agricultural industries.
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Peugeot Shows Three-wheel Drive Hybrid Scooter Concept: the HYbrid3 Evolution
11 November 2009
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| The HYbrid3 Evolution. Click to enlarge. |
At the Milan International Cycle and Motorbike Show, Peugeot is presenting a three-wheel drive hybrid scooter concept: the HYbrid3 Evolution. The scooter delivers 36 kW (49 bhp) of power, with fuel consumption of 2.0L/100 km (118 mpg US) and 48 g/km of CO2 in the combined cycle.
The HYbrid3 Evolution is a roofless—and higher-powered—version of the HYbrid3 compressor, presented at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. The HYbrid 3 Evolution features electric motors in each of its two front wheels and a naturally aspirated engine at the rear. There are no mechanical connections between the front and the rear, with everything controlled electronically (“by wire”), which works in favor of the vehicle’s compact size.
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