Alternative Energy

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Google Reels In Wind-Kite Firm Makani

Extending its already deep reach into renewable energy, Google reportedly has acquired a startup and its flying-kite wind turbines that promise to tap better wind energy resources at higher altitudes with far lower costs and more efficient output.

House Republican accidentally tells truth about Solyndra investigation

House Republican accidentally tells truth about Solyndra investigation:

Michael Kinsley famously referred to a “gaffe” as a moment when a politician accidentally tells the truth. E&E brings us a hilarious example today (sadly behind a paywall).

You may recall that the other day, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee held the four-gazillionth hearing on Solyndra and the DOE’s clean-energy loan-guarantee program, during which lawmakers spent their time repeatedly badgering DOE Secretary Steven Chu to give himself a letter grade. Yes, really.
At this point, everyone knows that there’s not going to be any wrongdoing uncovered. After over a year of investigations, many thousands of pages of documents, testimony from dozens of people, a half-dozen hearing, there’s … nothing.
The investigation has long since become about hurting Obama’s election chances and discrediting clean energy. It’s a political disagreement masquerading as a show trial.
Anyway, everyone knows this, including the journalists who cover it, but you’re not really supposed to say so out loud. So … oopsie:

For all the talk over possible “smoking guns” that might show some wrongdoing on the part of the Obama administration on Solyndra or another Department of Energy loan, one House Republican acknowledged yesterday that multiple GOP probes on the subject are in some ways a play for votes on Election Day.
In an interview after as he left yet another hearing in which Energy Secretary Steven Chu testified about the controversial loan program for clean energy companies, Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio said that — smoking gun or not — Republicans are finding value in drawing attention to the more controversial aspects of the loan guarantee program.
“Our staff will continue to dig into it and see,” Jordan said. “But what I hope happens is we stop doing these kind of things … this whole cronyism approach to the marketplace.
“Ultimately, we’ll stop it on Election Day, hopefully. And bringing attention to these things helps the voters and citizens of the country make the kind of decision that I hope helps them as they evaluate who they are going to vote for in November.”

There you have it.

Spark EV Priced From $27,495

Spark EV Priced From $27,495:
Today Chevrolet announced the 2014 Spark EV will start at $27,495 including $810 destination charge, and before potential $7,500 federal subsidies.
Lease deals will start at $199 per month for 36 months with $999 due at signing and before applicable tax, title, license dealer fees.
“The Chevrolet Spark EV is the most efficient – and now one of the most affordable – EVs you can buy” said Chris Perry, vice president, Chevrolet Marketing. “Combined with outstanding infotainment and great design, the fun-to-drive Spark EV is engineered to impress.”
By comparison, a Nissan Leaf S starts at $29,650 including $850 destination fee and is a larger class of vehicle, and the Leaf has become the world’s top-selling EV with over 25,000 sold in America, and 62,000 worldwide.
With regard to the value offered to the Spark EV Chevrolet adds state subsidies could drop the net outlay to as little as $17,495, taking the $2,500 California state incentive for example.

Chevrolet estimates the Spark EV will save drivers on average $150 per month in fuel costs assuming EPA estinmated numbers for mileage driven, efficiency comparisons and fuel costs.
Select dealers in California and Oregon will have these cars available some time in mid June, Chevrolet said, without mentioning roll out details for any other state.
The Leaf is available in all states, and has just seen an uptick in its EPA mileage estimates, but the Spark EV is rated a bit higher.
Chevrolet’s Spark EV promises 400 pound-feet of torque however, much more than the Nissan’s at less than half that.

California and Oregon buyers – or those who travel to those states to buy – will have several more variables to consider besides in assessing between the Leaf or Spark EV.
However individual value comparisons turn out, there is now one more EV due on the roads from a major manufacturer, and this is a stepping stone toward progress in the eyes of EV proponents.
The post Spark EV Priced From $27,495 appeared first on HybridCars.com.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Tesla Motors Repays $465M Government Loan 9 Years Early

Tesla Motors Repays $465M Government Loan 9 Years Early: Tesla Motors announced today it has completely repaid the $465 million loan from the U.S. Department of Energy the company received in 2010. The funds were generated by Tesla through a recent sale of their stock, worth close to a billion dollars. The stock price had risen sharply after the company reported its first profitable quarter (and the stock still sits roughly 50% higher than before their earnings release). Today's payment of $451.8 million finished off both the loan's principal and its interest, nine years before the final payment was due. Tesla CEO Elon Musk said, 'I would like to thank the Department of Energy and the members of Congress and their staffs that worked hard to create the ATVM program, and particularly the American taxpayer from whom these funds originate. I hope we did you proud.'

Save at the Pump and Charge While You Work

Save at the Pump and Charge While You Work: Save at the Pump and Charge While You Work

Take these steps to work toward plug-in electric vehicle charging at your workplace.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

5 Hybrid Car Myths Debunked

5 Hybrid Car Myths Debunked:

There are numerous myths and urban legends circulating on hybrid cars, and they die hard! Here are five of the most tenacious hybrid cars myths, debunked.
Hybrid Cars Are Less Powerful
While the first models of hybrids did lack in power, the newer, modern models have nothing to envy to their gas powered cousins; their performance is only increasing. According to Carsdirect.com, the Lexus GS 450h has more than 300 horsepower and can beat many gas powered vehicles in a 0 to 60 road test. And that says nothing of the myriad of performance-oriented hybrids, like the Porsche 918, on the horizon.
Hybrid Cars Are The Greenest of the Greens
Sadly, this is a myth too. While they undoubtedly reduce your gas consumption, hybrid cars are manufactured at a high ecological cost. The making of their battery, among other of their components, is extremely polluting and necessitate rare earth metals. The exploitation of rare earth is one of the most polluting industries on the planet.
Hybrid Cars Are Too Expensive
Granted, if you compare a hybrid with an equivalent gas powered car, the price will be slightly higher. But saying that hybrid are significantly and systematically more expensive is simply wrong. Truth is, hybrids, just like regular cars, come in a whole range of sizes and prices. Not to mention that, with all the money saved on gas, the investment is quickly made profitable. Here is a list of the 10 best hybrid values on the market.
You Need Practice to Learn How To Drive Them
For some reason, some people are lead to believe that hybrid cars are tricky to drive, that you must trigger some kind of complicated device in order to switch from gas to electricity. In fact, you don’t do anything differently when you drive a hybrid then when you drive a gas powered vehicle. You just buckle up, turn on your engine, press on the accelerator and drive. Your hybrid car itself will decide which power source is best, electric or gas.
Hybrid Cars Must be Plugged In
Hybrids rely on two power sources: Gas and electricity. When you run out of electricity, gas will take over and the battery will recharge itself, just like a conventional car’s battery recharge itself when the engine is running. Plug-in hybrids do require being plugged in to recharge their batteries, but conventional hybrids do not. Pretty self-explanatory, right?
Hopefully this has helped debunk some of the myths surrounding hybrid cars. Pretty soon, with gas prices only going up, we may all drive a hybrid of one kind or another.
Mireille is a travel, music and theater enthusiast. She wrote for the stage and television, and is now working as a freelance blogger for Via Rail a Canadian railroad transporter helping travelers find the best Toronto packages and getaways.
The post 5 Hybrid Car Myths Debunked appeared first on Gas 2.