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Chevy Volt Hydrogen

Remember the Volt? GM rolled it out in Detroit a few months ago as an electric-dominant plug-in hybrid that would recharge overnight when you plugged it into a regular household outlet.

Now in Shanghai, GM says it’s got a hydrogen fuel-cell approach for the Volt, which it’s dubbing the second variant of the E-Flex system. That’s a mouthful. It would combine “GM’s new fifth-generation fuel-cell propulsion technology” (hard to believe they’re on the fifth generation already; my, how they’ve grown) and a lithium-ion battery. For those of you who’ve been following the Volt story, you know GM hasn’t quite got that battery yet. It’s betting it will be developed in time for the Volt to be delivered around 2009 or 2010.

The big difference with the fuel cell is that this car will not use any gas; the earlier version used a gas engine to charge the battery when the electric charge ran out. The fuel-cell version, GM says, will still plug in to a household outlet and should go about 300 miles of, as they say, “petroleum- and emissions-free electric driving.”

GM says the fifth-generation fuel-cell system is only half the size of its previous fuel-cell system, something that offers even more hope for the future as engineers find ways to make these systems smaller, lighter and more efficient. The automaker also says these advancements mean fuel cells should be taken seriously as a power source for the future; we can’t prove otherwise, but fuel cells have been talked about for an awfully long time and have yet to make much of a splash in the consumer automotive world. And, as GM itself points out, without hydrogen fueling stations across the country, cars with these kinds of systems aren’t going anywhere.

Still, a car that runs totally on electricity and goes 300 miles between charges? Should save drivers a ton of money on gas, and help clean the air (though we’re still burning coal in many cases to supply the electricity in the first place). For drivers who only have short commutes, the fuel-cell Volt may be the answer they need. The question is, how long before it arrives for real at dealers, and how much will it cost?

Prometheus solar powered electric motorcycle

Jim Corning had an idea. Wouldn’t it be cool if you could put four solar panels on your house, and then be able to power a vehicle with the energy created with them? Corning, who founded Prometheus Solar LLC , didn’t have a vehicle he could powere with sunlight, but he did have a wife with a Ninja 250 that wasn’t getting much use. 

Today, Corning has a proof-of-concept electric motorcycle. At the Santa Monica AltCar Expo, Corning was talking with curious visitors all weekend, but was happy to tell AutoblogGreen about the bike. The four panels behind Corning in the picture above offer 800 watts, enough to recharge the bike. During testing, he’s blown up the batteries twice, and those accidents helped him realize the benefits of a more aerodynamic bike. Inspired by Craig Vetter’s fuel efficiency contests of the 1980s, Corning designed the Prometheus research vehicle to be quite slippery (note the front wheel cover and the extended back end to give the air somewhere to go). He also wanted to keep the upright seating of a motorcycle, which influenced the desighn. Currently, the bike uses lithium-ion phosphate batteries from Thundersky that have a 4.6 kWh capacity connected to a 10 HP Perm PMG 132 motor. That means he can go up to 70 mph and has a range of about 50 miles. The bike is not for sale, but there has been no lack of interest, both at the show and on the street. Corning said he had to buy an open face helmet to talk to all of the people who chat him up at stop lights.

Suzuki To Launch E100 Cars In Brazil and US in 2010

The Nikkei reports that Suzuki Motor Corp. plans to develop flex-fuel cars that can run completely on 100% ethanol (E100) and launch them in South America and the US in around 2010.

As a first step, the company plans to begin selling in Brazil and elsewhere a passenger car fueled by a gasoline-bioethanol mixture that is 25% bioethanol by the end of March.

Suzuki has decided to accelerate development of ethanol cars because demand for them is expected to grow worldwide, with various efforts underway to develop technologies for producing bioethanol from non-food crops, such as rice straw.

Suzuki is also reportedly considering a hybrid option for a 3-liter mid-size car by leveraging its joint development efforts with GM, as well as launching its diesels, which it sells in India and Europe, in Japan.

source: greencarcongress

Nostoc Bacteria May Produce Hydrogen

Researchers at the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom have discovered that a certain bacteria called Nostoc releases hydrogen as part of its metabolic process. The Nostoc bacteria works by fixing nitrogen in an energy intensive process that is just beginning to be understood.

Using computer modeling, the researchers are able to identify the metabolic pathways used to fix nitrogen and produce hydrogen. Through the relatively new discipline of Synthetic Biology, which combines the talents of chemical engineers, computer scientists and biologists, the University of Sheffield was able to identify the Nostoc bacteria and its series of chemical reactions to produce hydrogen.

I’ve talked about the University of Sheffield in the past, and particularly their research into microbes producing hydrogen from sugar beets. I’ve also talked about other researchers using bacteria to produce hydrogen as well.

What is noteworthy about the Nostoc research is that the methods used can be employed by other researchers as well as in future commercial applications. There needs to be more than one way to solve the hydrogen production puzzle and the bacteria angle is sure to be one of the major future pieces.

source HydrogenCarsNow

Nissan Doubles the power density of next generation Fuell Cell Stack

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. has developed a new fuel cell stack with double the power density of the previous generation stack. The new fuel cell stack also achieves a 35% cost reduction mainly due to half the use of platinum, a key material used in the production of fuel cell stacks. Test fleets incorporating the improved fuel cell stacks will be operational by the end of this year.

MEA (Membrane Electrode Assembly): Double the power density is achieved through improved conductivity of the electrolyte layer within the MEA, where the main chemical reaction occurs, coupled with a more densely-packed cell structure.

Cell Structure: A more densely-packed cell structure is achieved through the replacement of the carbon separator with a new thin metal separator. The separator functions to break down the hydrogen, oxygen and cooling water necessary for the chemical reaction. A specific coating applied to the separator helps improve conductivity and prevents chemical corrosion, leading to increased efficiency and durability throughout the fuel cell stack’s life-cycle.

Electrode: Higher durability electrode material results in a 50% reduction of the platinum required compared to the previous generation. This in turn, provides a significant breakthrough in the cost of these components.

Stack size and cost: The combined improvements in the cell result in double the power density, which enables a downsizing of the fuel cell stack size by one-third and significant cost reduction, without sacrificing performance. Compared to the previous generation, the new generation stack’s power output is increased 1.4 times from 90kW to 130kW, which can power larger vehicles. Stack size is reduced by 25% to 68L from 90L, which allows for improved packaging flexibility.

The next generation fuel cell stack is amongst a range of eco-friendly technologies being pursued by Nissan under its Nissan Green Program 2010, aimed at developing new technologies, products and services that can lead to real-world reductions in vehicle CO2 emissions, cleaner emissions, and recycling of resources.

Ford expands fuel cell test fleet tests by two years

Ford Motor Company’s fleet of 30 fuel cell vehicles has exceeded expectations of the company’s hydrogen research engineers by accumulating more than 865,000 real world miles without significant maintenance issues since the fleet’s launch three years ago. The Ford Focus Fuel Cell test vehicles also have earned accolades from the company’s global fleet partners for outstanding durability, reliability and capability.

Encouraged by the program’s success, Ford recently reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy to extend its three-year-old hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle program for up to 24 months, until the next generation system is ready for deployment in the 2010 timeframe.

According to Ford’s global fuel cell team, the first generation Focus Fuel Cell vehicles have lasted three times longer and worked much better than originally expected with virtually no degradation in performance. In light of that success, the U.S. Dept. of Energy (DOE), which shares the program’s operating cost with Ford, agreed to extend the program.

Ford researchers agree that much more work needs to be done before fuel cell vehicles can be commercialized. The biggest challenge according to Rob Riley, Ford fleet manager in California, is building a viable H2 infrastructure with fueling stations across the country. Currently, there are 70 hydrogen fueling stations and most of them are not accessible to the public. California is leading the way having recently opened its 24th station.

H2-fueled vehicles account for just one type of Ford’s alternative fuel technology research and development portfolio. Ford has outlined a near, mid and long term strategy to implement technology to increase fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 from the widespread application of EcoBoost engine technology across the line up in the near term, to the introduction of plug-in hybrids and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in the longer term.

Volkswagen Jetta TDIs now available for customer delivery

Diesel fans that have been waiting patiently for the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI will now finally have some relief. Two months after dealers began receiving their demonstrator models, regular customer units are now available and dealers can now start customer deliveries. Volkswagen is charging a $2,000 premium over the base 2.5L gas engine for the fifty-state legal diesel but the Jetta TDI is eligible for a $1,300 federal alternative fuels tax credit. The EPA has rated the Jetta at 29/40 mpg with the 6-speed DSG transmission but drivers of older Jettas have long reported that the EPA estimates for diesels underestimate real world performance. We hope to provide our own evaluation on a regular production unit soon.

In the test,the jetta TDI and found it performed 24 percent better in real world conditions, achieving 38 mpg in the city and 44 mpg on the highway.

Recently Volkswagen announced pricing for their Jetta TDI sedan and SportWagen would start at $21,990 and $23,590, respectively.

The Jetta TDI’s come standard with Volkswagen’s Prevent and Preserve Safety System, consisting of numerous standard safety features. Jetta TDI’s include six airbags, with optional rear side airbags, and like all 2009 model year Volkswagens, Jetta TDI’s also feature standard Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) for added safety.

Biodiesel from turkey company Changing World Technologies files IPO

It seems that changing world technologies have finally solved the offal odor pullution problem at their turkey byproducts to biodiesel plant and are ready to begin bigger and better things. The company, which uses a thermal conversion process (TCP) to break down waste into fuel and organic fertilizer, wants to raise $100 million to fund an expansion and has filed an S1 FORM with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to begin the process. The allocation and price of shares in the IPO will be decided by an auction process handled by the offering underwriter, WR Hambrecht & Co, as well as other securities dealers. The company currently produces between 4 to 9 million gallons of biodiesel a year and could reach 54 million gallons a year with the expansion. Although it is currently selling its fuel to industrial boilers, it has been approved by the EPA for use a an additive in diesel. It will have to be improved somewhat to be considered for full use as a transportation fuel.

Jamie Lee Curtis has a new Honda!

Jaime Lee Curtis has just taken delivery of her new Honda. It’s an FCX Clarity fuel-cell vehicle, which she will be leasing for three years. Jamie Lee Curtis is happy. “I really wasn’t expecting it to be so luxurious,” she says. “It is user-friendly and very modern.”

The FCX, whose only emissions are heat and H2O, should be a regular sight in Santa Monica, because at least one other has gone to a well-heeled beach denizen. Plus, with a range of 280 miles and hydrogen filling stations few and far between (there are currently just a handful in Southern California, and most of those are open at limited times only — demand is rather low at the moment), they won’t be undertaking extended road trips anytime soon.

However, plans are in place for all that to change. Hoping to break this chicken-or-egg deadlock, the California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP, a collaboration of carmakers, energy providers, tech companies and government agencies) has just released its vision for a hydrogen-fueled future. The full document can be seen on CAFCP’S Website . Here are the highlights. It goes into the numbers of how many fuel-cell vehicles will be humming along the Golden State’s highways from 2010 to 2025 and how much hydrogen they will need. Even fuel-cell buses are part of CaFCP’s grand scheme.

“It can be difficult to see how we move from today’s 200 FCVs and 25 limited-access stations to a commercial market,” says executive director Catherine Dunwoody. “This document provides a clear vision of how that transition can occur.”

The idea is to set up an infrastructure of stations. CaFCP realizes this would be a loss-making venture in its initial stages and proposes government funding, although Dunwoody contends: “Moving toward a hydrogen future has clear benefits for the environment and the economy. To achieve commercialization, California needs to establish a network of early hydrogen fuel stations focused in key early markets. Although the benefits may not be fully realized for years to come, it is time to take the next step.”

source Honda Press Realeases