Nissan’s Electric Leaf Undercuts GM Volt’s Price

John Davis

In the race for a profitable electric car, Nissan might have just raced out to a big lead. The Japanese car maker has announced that its Leaf electric car will sell for $32,780 … well below GM’s Chevy Volt’s sticker price of $40,000. When you include the $7,500 federal tax credit (which the Volt would also be eligible for), that gets the price down to just more than $25,000.

This story from CNNMoney.com says Nissan plans to sell the Leaf starting in December … just a month after the Volt hits showroom floors:

By keeping the sticker price low, the Leaf will be profitable for Nissan, said Mark Perry, Nissan’s director of product planning. That means customers should expect more variants of the Leaf in coming years, he added.

Nissan has already said that there will be a luxury Infiniti version of the car.

Industry analysts have frequently said that electric cars would not be profitable for years to come because of the high costs associated with the vehicles batteries.

“We’ve been working in lithium ion batteries for 17 years,” Perry said. “So all that advanced research and engineering work we’ve [already] paid for.”

The article goes on to say that some states have their own electric vehicle tax credits, including California, which offers $5,000 … bringing the price down to about $20,000. In addition, there are some credits that help pay for the installation of home charging stations.

Car Makers, Electric Vehicles

Green Activists Continue Ethanol Smear Campaign

Joanna Schroeder

Another anti-biofuels report has been released, this time from the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) who is arguing that an immediate benefit would ensue if current biofuels policies were repealed and replaced with policies that would take the world’s most productive cropland out of production. Maybe more alarming is that while the report attempts to discredit the most promising biofuels technologies, it gives fossil fuels along with other dirty energy sources a get out of jail card. This report has spurred the biofuels industry to respond.

“Most disappointing about the continuous barrage of attacks by environmental activists is that we share many of the same goals,” said Matt Hartwig, Director of Public Affairs at the Renewable Fuels Association. “Ethanol producers remain steadfastly committed to developing new technologies that improve efficiencies and expand the basket of feedstocks from which ethanol is made. Unfortunately, many in the environmental movement choose to rely on disproven theories and partnerships with the oil lobby to mislead and misrepresent what American ethanol production is all about. Simply put, second and third generations of ethanol technology will not exist without a successful first generation.”Read More

Environment, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

Lamborghini to be E85 Compatible

According to Car and Driver magazine, Lamborghini will soon be introducing a new generation of vehicle. This new generation Lamborghini will end the production of having a manual transmission and will be E85 compatible.

Maurizio Reggiani, the director of research and development at Lamborghini, says in an interview with the magazine that they will likely follow Ferrari in ending their manual transmission. He stated that manual transmissions are fitted to less than five percent of the firm’s cars. Other technologies to be implemented are systems like stop/start capability to thrift fuel in urban settings, cylinder deactivation – the V10 and V12 will then operate on half as many cylinders, E85 compatibility, and even a mild-hybrid solution.

Lamborghini was founded in 1963 by manufacturing magnate Ferruccio Lamborghini. It has changed ownership numerous times since, most recently becoming a subsidiary of German car manufacturer AUDI AG (itself a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group).

E85, Ethanol, Flex Fuel Vehicles, News

SolarCity Creates $90 Million Fund for Solar Projects

Joanna Schroeder

A new fund has been created for commercial and residential solar projects that will begin in 2010. SolarCity, a company that not only offers solar power system design and installation, but financing as well, has created a new $90 million fund in partnership with U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation (USBCDC) to finance new projects in the U.S. SolarCity will use the new fund to finance its SolarLease and power purchase agreement (PPA) offerings as it continues to expand to new states.

“We started this company with the simple belief that if we made solar power as affordable and accessible as other energy sources, we could make it a mainstream source of electricity,” said Lyndon Rive, SolarCity’s CEO. “Partners like U.S. Bank are making it possible for SolarCity to keep pace with demand, and helping us toward our ultimate goal of making an affordable clean power option available nationwide.”

According to SolarCity, their financing options are advantageous because they allow for customers to immediately save money when installing solar because homeowners are not required to put any money down. In addition, homeowners save more on their monthly electricity bills than they pay for the solar panels each month. A project that includes design, installation, insurance, repairs, production monitoring and guaranteed performance can cost as little as $30 per month in some areas. This addresses one of the “return-on-investment” criticisms lobbied to deter the viability of solar energy.

The company now serves five states including Colorado, Texas, Arizona, California, and Oregon.

News, Solar

Auburn, CA Wastewater Treatment Plant Goes Solar

Joanna Schroeder

Pacific Power Management (PPM) and the city of Auburn, California recently announced that the city’s wastewater treatment plant is going to be 100 percent powered by solar energy. A 680 kilowatt solar photovoltaic (PV) system will supply all of the plant’s electrical needs by this summer when the project is slated to be completed.

The photovoltaic system will consist of more than 3,300 panels installed on a single-axis ground mount trackers. An unusual aspect of the project is that the city will buy power from PPM, not a utility company. As part of this 20-year agreement, PPM will pay for the installation of the panels as well.

“The City of Auburn took advantage of Pacific Power Management’s shared savings program to build and host an emission-free solar power plant at their facility with no upfront capital expenditure,” said Kelly McMahon, Vice President of Business Development for PPM. “We applaud the City of Auburn for taking the lead with this showcase installation that demonstrates how solar makes good financial sense for public agencies today.”

The city treatment plant is located west of the city of Auburn in the Ophir area. The solar array system will generate an estimated 1,248,821 kWh of clean solar energy in the first year of operation. That is enough energy to power 112 homes for one year. Over 20 years, the system will generate more than 24 million kWh of energy –enough energy to power over 2,240 average U.S. homes for one year.

News, Solar

Study Finds Benefits of 20 Percent Ethanol Blends

Cindy Zimmerman

A new study from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) finds benefits to the gasoline blended with 20 percent ethanol (E20).

The study by RIT’s Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies indicates that E20 reduces emissions of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide compared with traditional gasoline or E10 blends. In addition, the research team found no measurable impact to vehicle drivability or maintenance in conventional internal combustion engines.

Using a 10-vehicle fleet owned and operated by Monroe County, N.Y., researchers fueled the vehicles – all with older gasoline engines not specifically designed to burn ethanol blends – over the accumulation of at least 100,000 miles per vehicle. Researchers found that the fleet showed an average reduction of 23 percent for carbon monoxide and a 13 percent reduction for hydrocarbon emissions, with no measurable stress on vehicle operation or mechanics.

“There have been concerns raised that any increase in blend would negatively impact standard internal combustion engines, however our data shows that vehicle performance remained constant, while carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions were decreased even over E10 blends,” said Brian Hilton, senior staff engineer at the center and member of the research team.

Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis says the study provides good data to support their “Green Jobs Waiver,” which seeks an increase in the allowable blend of ethanol with gasoline from 10 percent to 15 percent, by showing that higher blends are fine for older model vehicles.

“This new study confirms what we’ve been saying all along. Increasing the use of ethanol in our fuel can help clean our environment, strengthen our national security and create jobs, all without any impact on the drivability of our cars,” Buis said.

blends, Ethanol, Growth Energy, Research, University

New York Auto Show Previews “Green Cars”

Joanna Schroeder

The New York International Auto Show is set to to kick off April 2, 2010 and many car companies are previewing their latest in “green car” technologies. Yesterday, Chevrolet announced a partnership with ConEdison to introduce the electric-plug-in (and flex fuel vehicle) Chevy Volt to New York. The Volt is scheduled to go into full production in the fall of 2011 and in the meantime, Chevrolet plans to deliver 100 Volts to 10 utilities across the U.S. This “demonstration” program includes 500 charging stations that will be installed for residential, business and public use.

“Chevrolet is committed to a successful Volt launch, and to achieve that, we need to work with our utility partners to introduce our customers to electric vehicles and the infrastructure that will support them,” said Jim Campbell, U.S. vice president, Chevrolet marketing. “So far, we have invested more than $700 million in the U.S. to reinforce our leadership in this new technology.”

However, electric is not the only technology Chevrolet is offering for the near future. Tomorrow they will announce the new 2011 Cruze Eco, a compact car that is powered by a 1.4 liter Ecotec turbocharged engine with variable valve timing that is estimated to achieve 40 highway miles per gallon. Chevrolet is promoting this car as delivering the best economy in the compact segment. The car will be available later this year.

“The Cruze Eco offers hybrid-like efficiency without the price tag,” said Campbell. “Along with the Volt electric vehicle, it demonstrates how Chevrolet is working to bring new products to market that range from gas-friendly to gas-free.”

E85, Electric Vehicles, News

Award Winning Minnesota Solar Home for Sale

Joanna Schroeder

Looking for a unique green home? Look no further. The University of Minnesota (U of M), who built an all-solar home for submission in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) 2009 Solar Decathlon, is up for sale. The 550-square-foot-home house took fifth place out of 20 international entries in October’s Solar Decathlon. Interested buyers are required to submit a purchase proposal by April 12, 2010.

The home has been dubbed the ICON Solar House due to its classic gabled roof design, and was designed by a ensemble of professionals and students in U of M’s Institute of Technology, College of Design and College of Continuing Education. The home placed well is several categories including first place for engineering, first in lighting design and third in appliances and fifth place in market viability.

This green baby won’t come cheap, however. The minimum bid is $200,000 and the appraised value is listed over $550,000. As part of your purchase, you will receive $20,000 consulting and assistance allowance from the university on assembling the ICON House on site. In other words, you will be able to select where to “build” your new home.

You can take a virtual tour of the solar home here.

Miscellaneous, Solar

Ohio Pols Look to Increase Lake Erie Wind Turbines

John Davis

A pair of Ohio politicians is looking to advance offshore wind energy projects in Lake Erie.

This press release from Gov. Ted Strickland says the governor was joined by U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown(D-OH) and Cleveland leaders to unveil Brown’s legislation to advance offshore wind turbines in freshwater bodies like Lake Erie and to hear Strickland’s update on state efforts to advance wind energy:

“Lake Erie is ready to be home to the first offshore wind turbines in fresh water,” Brown said. “The Lake is shallow enough to support offshore wind turbines and is also surrounded on land by Ohio’s rich industrial base. With the right priorities in Washington, Columbus, and Cuyahoga County, we will not only make this project a reality, but we’ll also revitalize Ohio’s manufacturing base and create new jobs. Wind energy will not only lower costs and reduce our dependence on foreign oil, but will also create new demand for components produced by Ohio?s supply chain.”

“Ohio’s greatest potential for creating wind energy is offshore in Lake Erie. Offshore wind, in particular, offers opportunities for our manufacturing sector and for Ohio shipyards. Ohio can build the installation vessels needed in all the Great Lakes; Ohio can build the towers; Ohio can build the turbines and the blades; Ohio can build all the component parts,” Strickland said. “Senator Brown’s legislation will strengthen the federal government’s partnership with Great Lakes states as we make sure the wind energy industry grows in Ohio. This legislation will also provide grants to our universities that are already focusing innovative research on solving the unique challenges of offshore wind in fresh water.”

Brown’s bill, the Program for Offshore Wind Energy Research and Development (POWERED) Act of 2010, would encourage research and require the Department of Energy (DOE) to develop a comprehensive plan for offshore wind. Regional efforts include the four-year-old Great Lakes Energy Development Task Force looking at the potential for wind energy in Lake Erie.

Wind

Researchers Check “Green-ness” of Algae-Biofuel

John Davis

The assumption is that algae-based biofuels are better for the environment. But, as they say, the proof is in the pudding. And researchers are all about proving things.

This article from the Fort Collins (CO) Coloradoan says a pair of mechanical engineering professors from Colorado State are testing to see what gases come from burning algae oil:

“What are the consequences if we were to suddenly go from zero to 20 billion gallons of algae-based biofuel per year over the next 20 years?” [Anthony] Marchese said. “Are there going to be any consequences that we may not have thought about? Recent history is littered with examples of where we’ve moved too quickly with the technology without understanding the risks.”

Marchese and [Azer] Yalin have received a $325,000 National Science Foundation grant to conduct a study of emissions from algae-based biofuels, during which they’ll look at how pollutants are formed when the fuel burns.

The article goes on to say that locally-based Solix Biofuels, which produces biofuel from algae, is anxiously awaiting the results of the testing.

algae, biofuels, Research