Olmix, a French company that specializes in what they call "green chemistry," has announced a prototype vehicle powered with a new type of biofuel. This fuel is a type of biogas obtained from green algae plus a mix of animal and vegetable waste. Animal waste contains a lot of highly pollutant nitrates and green algae proliferation and is actually a problem at the region's beaches.
In order to produce this fuel, Olmix had to develop a new type of "green refinery," which will be installed in the town of Ploërmel, French Bretagne, and will be completed by the end of this year. As a bonus, the new fuel, which uses no heavy chemicals for its production, creates fertilizer as a byproduct.
What if we found a system to transform one of our big "enemies" into a fuel again, and then, when produced, re-transformed again? This is the aim of a project made at University of Nottingham's Centre for Innovation in Carbon Capture and Storage (CICCS), in the UK, directed by Mercedes Maroto-Valer. They have successfully completed a cycle of transforming CO2 into natural gas (CH4). This could lead to making most carbon capturing processes obsolete while also powering cars we already have. According to Ms. Maroto-Valer, the CICCS group tacked the problem by studying what plants do - capturing CO2, water and solar light and transforming it into carbohydrates - and then replicated the process to create methane instead of carbs. However, it's still unknown what the energy balance the system is - we can't defeat the laws of Thermodynamics, after all.
Fiat is reportedly planning on introducing a natural gas-fueled version of its Palio compact in the Indian market in 2009. Compressed natural gas is a popular fuel in India, especially for buses. There are also experiments ongoing with using Hythane, a blend of 10 percent hydrogen gas along with the natural gas. The Palio hatchback is already available with both gas and diesel engines in India. Fiat is planning several vehicle introductions in the coming months in India including the tiny 500 and locally-produced versions of the Grande Punto and Linea. The 500s will be imported from the plant in Poland that produces them for the European market.
[Source: MyIris.com, thanks to Justin for the tip]
The Institut Français du Pétrole (IFP, French Oil Institute), has introduced a natural gas-powered car which reduces its CO2 emissions down to 84 g/km. The prototype, called Vehgan, was made from a standard older model Smart Fortwo with several technologies added to reduce fuel consumption. First of all, there is a downsized engine which uses a turbo and an intercooler, in this case, optimized for use with natural gas. Then, the powertrain is mated to a Valeo StARS 14V+X hybrid system, for which the IFP developed a new management process to minimize fuel consumption. This mild hybrid system has a Start&Stop function and features regenerative braking.
The car has a range of about 200 km (120 miles), but the composite-made gas reservoirs don't affect the vehicle interior. IFP expects future developments to reduce CO2 emissions down to 80 g/km. That would be 32 percent less than the standard gasoline version. Oh, and let's mention that despite Smart being a German brand, the factory that makes these cars is in France
The city of Monterrey, Mexico, will have its subway system, called Metrorrey, propelled with electricity obtained from biogas. Simeprode, the company that manages the city waste system, is finishing a 5.3 MW power plant that will produce electricity for the two subway lines. This plant will allow Monterrey not only to run its mass transit system with bioenergy but also to expand the subway networks in the near future. The remaining power will be used for public lightning. The technology was imported from Germany, and the total cost of the project was about $6.5 million.
Fiat was recently named the lowest CO2-producing automaker in Europe. One reason if the brand's collection of small cars, some with alternative powertrains. Buried in an article about Fiat's low-CO2 win, reader Justin C. noticed that Fiat is readying a new version of its Grande Punto, one that can use methane for clean forward motion. Carpages says that the methane-petrol dual fuel system Grande Punto is supposed to be on sale by the end of this year. Other Fiat models that have this system include the Doblò, Doblò Cargo, Multipla, Panda and the Panda Van. Fiat says the Natural Power system is excellent for many Fiat users, especially trade customers. Fiat also offers a T-Jet version of the Grande Punto that gets 35 mpg on the combined EU cycle and emits 155 grams of CO2 per km. Thanks to Justin C. for the tip!
San Diego's Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) has announced the launch of a bus which not only features a hybrid powertrain, but also uses natural gas as fuel. The drivetrain was installed in a regular bus and it's made up from a Cummins ISB Gas Plus engine, a Siemens 165kW electrical generator, two Siemens duo inverters, two Siemens 85kW drive motors and Cobasys-developed NiMH batteries. Some alterations had to be made to the standard chassis to adapt it to the new configuration. The $1 million bus will not only improve overall consumption figures, but will also burn a cleaner fuel which, while still producing CO2, reduces NOx pollutants and noise pollution. All aboard.
The fact that the Green Grand Prix makes an appearance on our list should not come as a shocker. Where else are you gonna see pod-racers (like in the picture above) racing alongside vehicles running on biodiesel, electrons, LP, CNG, hybrids, flex-fuel vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell cars, a wood-powered SUV and a vegetable oil-powered car? Nowhere, as far as we know, which means we wish we could be in upstate New York on May 3rd.
Here's a race we'd like to watch. The fourth annual Green Grand Prix is coming to Watkins Glen in upstate New York in a week and a half (May 3rd). While there are some podracer-like entries (e.g., the photo above), the bulk of the vehicles are standard-looking but powered by an alternative fuel source: we're talking biodiesel, pure EVs, LP, CNG, hybrids, flex-fuel vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell cars, a wood-powered SUV and a vegetable oil-powered car. The Green Grand Prix is also the only official SCCA Time-Speed-Distance Road Rally for alternate fueled vehicles and hybrids in the United States.
The road rally takes place over 60 miles (at legal highway speeds) and was created by Bob Gillespie. A fan of hybrids, Gillespie said in a statement he just wanted to "give people a first hand look at alternative personal transportation. This year's event will be even bigger than the last, as more and more people realize the multiple benefits of green power." The race portion will take place at the Racing Research Center. There will also be a presentation from the Cornell University X-Prize Team. Learn more about the Green Grand Prix here and read the release after the jump.
Hydrous methane is sometimes called "white gold." But what is it, exactly? It's the result of the decomposition of live matter which is usually stored in non-deep layers of our soil. Currently, the common source is under permafrost. Now, because of an increase in overall temperatures, hydrous methane is being released into the atmosphere, and contributing to the greenhouse effect. There's also a good amount of hydrous methane under the sea inside the upper layers under water. This, some say, is potentially easy to extract.
Although rich in water, hydrous methane decomposes at normal temperatures in methane and water, and this makes it readily available for use as a fuel, with all the advantages (burns clean) and inconvenience (CO2 production) of natural gas. The process is very similar to the methane produced in landfills. Current investigations in Japan, Europe and by BMW are pursuing the efficient use of this gas and some estimates are that it could provide 100 years of natural gas at current usage levels.
With all the attention being paid to alternative fuels, it is not surprising that Big Oil should launch a PR counteroffensive. The American Petroleum Institute (API), advertising itself as "the People of America's Oil and Natural Gas Industry," is running a new TV ad, Delivering America's Energy Security, which can be viewed at their website at energytomorrow.com. Their contention is that there is still so much oil under America that we can achieve energy independence without getting off oil for a long time. According to API, there are "112 billion barrels of technically recoverable oil beneath U.S. federal lands and coastal waters. That's enough oil to fuel 60 million cars for 60 years." Unfortunately, we already seem to have about 250,000,000 passenger vehicles in the U.S. And perhaps we don't have 60 years to reverse the effects of 100 years of gasoline-powered internal combustion.
Warning! This post has a great "yuck" factor. You've been warned.
Imida, an institute in the region of Murcia in SE Spain is currently investigating making biogas from carcasses of and other animal parts discarded from slaughterhouses. Murcia is the right place to do this, as the region produces more than 1,600 tons of unused pork meat and bones waste per month.
Imida liquefies the discarded parts using bacteria present in the meat itself. This meat "juice" then is fermented in tanks and produces about 30 to 40 m3 of biogas per 40,000 liters. If you do the math for the aforementioned 1,600 tons of pork, that's 48,000 to 64,000 m3 of biogas on a monthly basis. Cool and gross.
If you're involved with monitoring a fleet of trucks, then you may have considered using liquefied natural gas (LNG) in those vehicles. Wal-Mart, PG&E, and the California ports have all taken a look at the technology. If you'd like a window into how LNG can reduce costs and emissions when compared to petroleum products, check out the latest webinar (I still don't like that word) from the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute. On April 22, the AFVI will present the free "LNG as a Transportation Fuel" session (registration is required). AFVI says the webinar will preview the new course ""Driver, Technician and Fuel Handler Safety Training for LNG Vehicles" and cover:
Mercedes-Benz premiered two new models - updated A and B Class vehicles - at the Auto Mobil International exhibition in Leipzig. When the B Class was previewed last month, we learned it would get a start-stop "mini hybrid" system as well as a BlueEFFICIENCY option. The A Class 150 and 170 now also gain the start-stop system (no surprises there). The new A 160 CDI with BlueEFFICIENCY can now go 52 miles on a U.S.-sized gallon of gas (4.5 litres per 100 kilometres) and the 60 kW/82 hp Coupé emits just 119 grams of CO2 per km. Overall, the eco-additions to the three A and B class models that have the BlueEFFICIENCY packages reduce fuel use in the city by up to nine percent. The new B 170 NGT (that stands for "Natural Gas Technology") can also burn either petrol or natural gas, something that will appeal to emissions-minded European drivers. The NGT has a tank for gasoline and five natural gas reservoirs and will able to drive over 1,000 km (620 miles) if all available fuel space is filled to start. These updated models will be available starting this fall. Full details after the break.
In some countries, LPG (liquified propane gas) is an increasingly common fuel for automobiles due to its comparatively low cost and 15-20 percent lower emissions compared to gasoline or diesel fuel. Though some are against the practice, a few governments encourage the use of LPG through lowered taxes. In America, propane for automotive use is usually limited to large fleets, where the specialized pumping equipment can be cost effectively purchased. As we mentioned before, Roush has decided to tap into this fleet market with a new LPG version of the popular Ford F-150.
Using Ford's 5.4-liter, 3-valve Triton™ V-8 engine, Roush promises the same performance as the gasoline version. Available in available in Regular Cab, SuperCab and SuperCrew cab styles with XL, XLT, STX, & FX4 trim along with all three different bed lengths and two different sized LPG tanks, we'd imagine that no matter what your needs may be, Roush has an LPG-equipped truck that will suit you. According to the press release after the break, Roush is currently taking orders for the new pickup, which can be ordered, delivered and serviced through a network of select Ford dealers across the nation.
What if we found a system to transform one of our big "enemies" into a fuel again, and then, when produced, re-transformed again? This is the aim of a project made at University of Nottingham's Centre for Innovation in Carbon Capture and Storage (
The Institut Français du Pétrole (IFP, French Oil Institute), has introduced a natural gas-powered car which reduces its CO2 emissions down to 84 g/km. The prototype, called Vehgan, was made from a standard older model Smart Fortwo with several technologies added to reduce fuel consumption. First of all, there is a downsized engine which uses a turbo and an intercooler, in this case, optimized for use with natural gas. Then, the powertrain is mated to a Valeo StARS 14V+X hybrid system, for which the IFP developed a new management process to minimize fuel consumption. This mild hybrid system has a Start&Stop function and features regenerative braking.
Hydrous methane is sometimes called "white gold." But what is it, exactly? It's the result of the decomposition of live matter which is usually stored in non-deep layers of our soil. Currently, the common source is under permafrost. Now, because of an increase in overall temperatures, hydrous methane is being released into the atmosphere, and contributing to the greenhouse effect. There's also a good amount of hydrous methane under the sea inside the upper layers under water. This, some say, is potentially easy to extract.
With all the attention being paid to alternative fuels, it is not surprising that Big Oil should launch a PR counteroffensive. The 
Warning! This post has a great "yuck" factor. You've been warned.
If you're involved with monitoring a fleet of trucks, then you may have considered using liquefied natural gas (LNG) in those vehicles. 
_thumbnail.jpg "Beijing 2008: BYD e6")
