An application of the Cyclone. Cyclone Technologies LLP, developer of the Cyclone external combustion engine, received an Automotive Engineering International (SAE’s publication) Tech Award at the SAE World Congress in Detroit. The Cyclone modifies the traditional Rankin cycle steam engine to deliver the use of super-critical pressure (3,200 psi) and... Read more →

During its 7 April meeting, the Board of the California South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) will vote on a set of proposals to further accelerate the development of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV). The actions, which AQMD staff recommended for approval, have three components: (1) increasing resources to... Read more →

The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA), organizer of the Tour de Sol, is inviting invites anyone who drives a hybrid or flex-fuel ethanol vehicle, or uses biodiesel in their diesel car or truck, to join the Monte Carlo-style Rally and the new Fuel Efficiency Competition in the upcoming 18th annual... Read more →

Kerala. The Indian state of Chhattisgarh will plant 160 million jatropha saplings in all its 16 districts this year with the aim of becoming a biofuel self-reliant state by 2015. (Earlier post.) Some 80 million of the jatropha plants are to be planted by the forest department in wasteland areas,... Read more →

Changes in March sales. Click to enlarge. Sales of full-size SUVs dropped 28% in March from the same month the year before, from 145,918 units to 105,745. All automakers experienced the decline, although a very few models, notably the new GM Tahoe and the Ford Range Rover line-up, saw sharp... Read more →

At this week’s SAE World Congress in Detroit, MANN+HUMMEL is featuring a number of emissions-control systems for gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles. These include systems for hydrocarbon adsorption, urea filtration, and a secondary air charger for enhanced catalytic system performance. The company’s hydrocarbon absorption technology is a solution for meeting California... Read more →

The Texas Environmental Research Consortium (TERC) has opened a solicitation for the development, verification and testing of technologies to reduce NOx emissions by at least 25% from diesel engines, including engine upgrade or retrofit kits and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technologies. TERC’s overall objective is to increase the commercial availability... Read more →

DENSO DC-DC converter. DENSO Corporation has developed three components for hybrid vehicles that are smaller, lighter, and deliver better performance: a DC-DC converter, a battery-monitoring unit, and a system main relay. Toyota is using these components in the new GS 450h hybrid. The DC-DC converter converts the high voltage (288... Read more →

General Engine Products (GEP), a subsidiary of AM General, will use ArvinMeritor’s new fuel-vaporizer technology for the active regeneration of particulate filters and/or NOx traps on GEP’s 2007 Optimizer 6500 V8 TurboDiesel engine line. The aftertreatment system will help the Optimizer engines meet the upcoming US EPA 2007 emissions regulations.... Read more →

By Jack Rosebro Defining Sustainability: Part 8 of 8 General Motors headquarters, Renaissance Center, Detroit. Much has been made of the recent woes of General Motors, which has at times resembled a reversed reflection of the recently soaring success of Toyota, heir-apparent to GM’s long-standing title as the largest automaker... Read more →

Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide has acquired a 19.9% stake in Vancouver, British Columbia-based Advanced Lithium Power Inc. (ALP), a newly-formed company developing lithium-ion and advanced battery control systems. ALP’s systems control state-of-charge and provide for thermal management—its primary asset at this point is intellectual property. Working in concert with... Read more →

The four major country groups within which disruption is likely to occur. In testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last week, Hillard Huntington, Executive Director Energy Modeling Forum (EMF), Stanford University, told the senators that based on its research, the EMF assesses that the probability of a major oil... Read more →

The pipeline from landfill to GM plant in Shreveport. One of seven GM LFG projects. General Motors is the largest direct, corporate user of landfill gas (LFG) as a replacement for natural gas in the United States. General Motors has reduced its natural gas consumption by 21% since 2000 and... Read more →

By Jack Rosebro The Subaru 80/2.0 Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., the parent company of Subaru, announced that it has been testing its newly-developed two-megawatt wind generation system since the beginning of 2006. The prototype of the system, called Subaru 80/2.0, is at Hasaki, Kamisu City, Ibaraki Prefecture, facing the Pacific... Read more →

Corning Incorporated will invest approximately $15 million to expand the manufacturing capabilities for clean-air products at Corning Shanghai Company, Ltd. (CSCL) in Shanghai, China. This investment will increase the manufacturing capability of the facility to meet anticipated demand for Corning advanced ceramic substrates for light-duty vehicle applications. Corning advanced ceramic... Read more →

Hydrogen Engine Center (HEC) unveiled its new Mini Oxx three-cylinder 2.4L engine at the Aviation Industry Expo in Las Vegas, Nev. The Mini Oxx is a compact version of HEC’s Oxx Power six-cylinder 4.9L engine—the company’s basic product. (Earlier post.) HEC is targeting the 65hp (48.5kW) Mini Oxx for applications... Read more →

TNA. The Thai Energy Ministry is proceeding with a plan to encourage local biodiesel consumption to bolster demand for locally grown palm oil. Under a plan approved by the cabinet, B5 biodiesel (5% biodiesel, 95% petroleum diesel) will be made available countrywide by 2011, with B10 available by 2012. With... Read more →