Ending the Fossil Fuel Era with Methanol – Fuel of Choice at the Indianapolis 500
A recent post about methanol as a transportation fuel and one possible end to the Fossil Fuel Era. Photo credit: Antre Source: Clean Technica Leaving the Fossil Fuel Era with Methanol (via Clean Technica) For those who find themselves stuck at the gas pump and glued to the Fossil Fuel Era, it‘s always uplifting to keep alternatives in mind, even if they aren’t commonly used like they should be. Methanol, the fuel that powers the racecars at the upcoming Indianapolis…
Linde Hydrogen Station Opens in Emeryville, CA
Linde’s newest hydrogen fueling station has begun operating at AC Transit’s Emeryville, CA municipal bus operating division, fueling 12 fuel cell buses and up to 20 passenger cars daily.
Virent and Virdia Produce New Fuel From Pine Sugars
Recently the BIRD Energy Project, founded jointly by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Israeli Ministry of National Infrastructure and the BIRD Foundation, has announced that the collaboration of two innovative companies, Virent and Virdia, are capable of creating a successful conversion of cellulosic pine tree sugars to drop-in hydrocarbon fuels.
Campus Bike Transit Program from OBS Looks Promising
With everybody now in a spring’s swing, the time seems perfect for college students to make new green plans for going from place to place. As such, On Bike Share is joining the gig, announcing an affordable campus bike share system that’s designed to “make bicycling an integral part of college and corporate campus transportation.”
Waste from Pulp and Paper Mills Could be Used for Cheaper Batteries
According to the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), scientists have discovered that a plentiful natural byproduct of the pulp and paper industry – lignon – can be used to store an electrical charge.
Methanol Fuel Being Tested in China
This story about the launch of testing for the alternative fuel methanol comes from China Daily.
The “What Happened to the Methanol Economy?” Question
“Methanol in its own right is an excellent fuel. You can mix it into gasoline — it’s a much better fuel than ethanol. And we have developed a methanol fuel cell. Methanol is a very simple chemical that can be made in a very efficient way. It is just one oxygen atom inserted into methane, the basal component of natural gas; but methanol is a liquid material which is easily stored, transported, and used.”
U.S. Navy Test Successful on Algal Derived Renewable Diesel Fuel
The era of renewable biofuels is getting much closer to reality, following a successful test run for a diesel frigate traveling from Everett, WA to San Diego, CA.
Top Eight Alternative Fuels
It’s always good knowing as much as possible about alternative fuels, especially those that can be considered renewable. This is a list that was posted this week on Clean Technica. Top Eight Alternative Fuels (via Clean Technica) Gasoline and diesel are still fossil fuel kings of the fuel supply chain but alternative fuels are now swinging the scale more toward green. A growing number of people believe alternative fuels will have an expanded role in the cars and trucks of…
Smith Electric Vehicles Launches Production of All-Electric Newton Step Van
Smith Electric Vehicles Corp., manufacturer of all-electric commercial vehicles, today unveiled the Newton Step Van, an all-electric, zero-emission vehicle that features a walk-in body produced by Indiana-based Utilimaster.
ANNOUNCEMENT: “Thinking Cities” Documentary from Ericsson
Louise Ljungbergand from Ericsson’s Networked Society writes to GBE about a new, though-provoking documentary, “Thinking Cities.” This finely produced 17:49 work explores urbanization, technology and green energy. Ljungbergand cites a recent post by Jennifer Shockley:
GUEST POST: Five Tips for Green Moving
The following guest post from Kevin Hagan focuses on steps that can be taken in making a green move. He should know, as residential and commercial moving is his business. Remember what you did with all those boxes the last time you moved? Thanks for the tips, Kevin.
Service Stations Designed with the Future in Mind
As the progression of service stations continues, it is a truly inspirational story of what changes in design and technology lie ahead for sustainable resources, from the past petro designs to the future hydrogen stations.
NASA Awards Prize For Green Aviation Project
Aviation accounts for almost 3 percent of carbon dioxide emissions, according to data from the Federal Aviation Administration from 2005, so finding a way to reduce those emissions became an important goal for NASA and the aviation industry. With this in mind, NASA created the CAFE Green Flight Challenge, a competition to test fuel-efficient aircraft designs, in which the winner, Pipistrel-USA.com of State College, PA. was awarded $1.35 million from NASA. The second place team of eGenius of Ramona, Calif. was awarded $120,000.
Infographic Explains How Peak Oil Cycle Affects Us
For several years now, people have been aware that our over-reliance on fossil fuels, specifically oil, is dangerous because it is a finite resource and soon the supply won’t be able to reach our outrageous demands. This infographic, from Carsort.com, describes the peak oil problem and how we have arrived at this point. It also describes why the few alternative fossil fuels are equally as unfeasible. The infographic mentions that there are positives to the peak oil problem, in that…
New App Helps You Save Gas and Reduce Emissions By Avoiding Red Lights
When driving, the part that uses up the most gasoline, and therefore creates the most air pollution, is when stopped at a stop light. And while stoplights are clearly necessary on the road, safely avoiding them would save the driver both money for gas and help reduce pollution. It was with this in mind that researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Princeton University designed an app that would help drivers avoid stopping at red lights. The app,…
Robotic Bird: Nature & Tech Combine To Teach Efficiency
Inventors created a robot bird that has the ability to take off and fly by flapping its wings. The focus on the research involving this robot bird is learning how to maximize energy efficiency and how to conserve resources. The hope to be able to take the dynamics and qualities of this project and transfer them to create new technologies with hybrid vehicles.
New Prius Line Energizes Toyota
With tsunamis and earthquakes crippling cities and disrupting power in Japan, the Japanese are glad to have something to celebrate. Toyota’s new “Prius-a” or “Prius Alpha” series contains two models called “Prius V” and “Prius+.” The release event took place in a spacious Tokyo garden and celebrated the release of the models despite production delays. Executive Satoru Mouri said despite earthquake damage to key parts suppliers, their current production capacity of their new lithium ion batteries has reached one thousand…