MIT Team Builds Solar Car for World Solar Challenge (Video)
March 4, 2009 by editor
Filed under Electric Cars, Featured
Calling any vehicle Eleanor is a bit cheeky, considering that it evokes the image of brawny Ford Mustangs made famous in the movie “Gone in 60 Seconds.” In this case, it may even be ironic, since the car the MIT Solar Electric Vehicle Team is referring to is solar-powered, rides on three wheels, and tops out at 90 mph.
Eleanor, a solar-powered vehicle built by the MIT Solar Electric Vehicle Team, will compete in the 2009 World Solar Challenge covering 3,000 kilometers between Darwin and Adelaide, Australia.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s latest competitor in the upcoming 10th World Solar Challenge couldn’t be more different than its namesake. Its Eleanor is low slung, highly aerodynamic, and covered by 6 square meters of silicon solar cells that generate 1,200 watts of electricity. On board the car is a 6kWh lithium ion battery pack that stores enough power to travel from New York to Boston without the sun, or about 250 miles at around 55 mph.
But on a sunny day, the solar car can run nonstop at a cruising speed of 55 mph, and calculations show that it can reach 90 mph.
A123Systems Announces Plan to Build U.S.-based Lithium Ion Battery Mass Production Facilities
January 7, 2009 by editor
Filed under Electric Cars, Technology
A123Systems
Watertown, MA - A123Systems today announced it has submitted an application under the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive Program to qualify for $1.84 billion in direct loans to support the construction of new world-class lithium ion battery manufacturing facilities in the United States, with the first construction location in southeast Michigan.
If A123’s application is approved, this program would enable the company to dramatically expand production capacity in the United States, with full production volumes designed to supply battery systems for five million hybrid vehicles or half a million plug-in electric vehicles per year by 2013.
“We’re entering an exciting new phase for the automotive industry where we increase the electrification of vehicles, reducing consumption of gasoline through advanced batteries. This new facility would greatly accelerate this change and help ensure that the American economy replaces its dependence on foreign oil with reliance on advanced, homegrown batteries,” said David Vieau, A123Systems President and Chief Executive Officer.
At full operation, A123 expects the combined plants would occupy as much as 7 million square feet and create over 14,000 jobs. These plants would produce battery cells and systems to meet the needs of A123’s broad automotive customer portfolio, which currently includes over seven vehicle manufacturers and 19 vehicle models ranging from HEVs (hybrid electric vehicles) to EVs (electric vehicles).
High-Level U.S. Presence Confirmed for World Future Energy Summit 2009
December 30, 2008 by editor
Filed under Eco News, Technology
Video from the 2008 World Future Energy Summit
In three weeks, leading US renewable energy companies will be in Abu Dhabi at the world’s principal renewable technology trade fair, the World Future Energy Summit 2009 (WFES09). The US pavilion, consisting of 19 companies, has been co-ordinated by the US Commercial Service because the UAE represents “one of the world’s most lucrative and expanding renewable energy markets”.
The US high-level presence at the summit will be everywhere with technology giants, GE Energy and Applied Materials also in the exhibition and senior management representatives expected from Exxon Mobil, Conoco Phillips and Occidental Power. CH2M Hill, one of the largest engineering firms in the world, will be exhibiting, present on the MASDAR stand and presenting commercial case studies on water desalination and clean transport on Jan 20th.
The range of technologies available from the US exhibitors include turn-key solar factory providers, solar PV and thermal equipment manufacturers and suppliers, engineers and construction experts in electrical, mechanical, plumbing and fire protected Green Buildings.
In addition, electric cars and low carbon transportation, power grid systems and renewable energy university courses available in the US will be on exhibit from Jan 19-21st, 2009.
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Major Discovery From MIT Primed To Unleash Solar Power Evolution
Scientists mimic essence of plants’ energy storage system
In a revolutionary leap that could transform solar power from a marginal, boutique alternative into a mainstream energy source, MIT researchers have overcome a major barrier to large-scale solar power: storing energy for use when the sun doesn’t shine.
Until now, solar power has been a daytime-only energy source, because storing extra solar energy for later use is prohibitively expensive and grossly inefficient. With today’s announcement, MIT researchers have hit upon a simple, inexpensive, highly efficient process for storing solar energy.
MIT and Chesonis Foundation Announce Solar Revolution
Goal: Bring the sun’s power to the people
Promising to transform solar power from a “boutique” option to an affordable, dependable, mainstream energy solution, MIT and the Chesonis Family Foundation today launched a “solar revolution” with the ultimate aim of making solar energy America’s primary carbon-free fuel.
The Solar Revolution Project (SRP), funded by a $10 million gift from the Foundation, will explore new materials and systems that could dramatically accelerate the availability of solar energy. The SRP will complement and interact closely with other large solar projects at MIT, creating one of the largest solar energy clusters at any research university.
