Technologies Pitch The Public To Help Them Win SAFE Energy Security Prize

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Today’s low prices at the pump may have many people believing our nation’s energy security problem has been solved, but don’t be fooled. The truth of the matter is energy security can only be achieved by tackling oil’s near complete monopoly over our transportation sector, of which it powers 92 percent, and insulating our economy from oil price shocks inherent to a volatile global oil market. To that end SAFE is proud to support the advancement of next generation technologies that have the potential to reduce U.S. oil consumption and diversify the fuels that power our cars, trucks, and aircraft.

The 2015 Energy Security Prize, Powered by The InterTech Group awards a grand total of $175,000 to three technologies that prove they can significantly reduce U.S. oil consumption. The grand prize winner will receive $125,000, the first runner up $35,000 and the second runner up $15,000.

Truly innovative technologies cannot just be impressive concepts or machinery, they need to be marketable and cost-effective, as well as accepted and embraced by the public. We’re proud to share the cutting-edge products of this year’s four Prize semifinalists and ask for your help in determining the winner. Hear straight from the entrants below on their plans to reduce U.S. oil dependence, why they should win the grand prize of $125,000, and then cast your vote for the most promising technology.

– Robbie Diamond, Founder and CEO, Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE)

FreeWire Technologies
by Jawann Swislow, CCO

freewire

At FreeWire we created the first integrated electric vehicle (EV) charger and mobile energy storage system, called Mobi. We use second-life electric vehicle batteries supplied by our partner, Spiers New Technologies, to build both level 2 and level 3 fast charging models. Mobis mitigate many of the issues plaguing traditional fixed charging stations by avoiding expensive construction projects, allowing much higher utilization of EV charging assets, and preventing the time wasted rotating cars through assigned parking spots. Instead of bringing cars to the charging, we’re bringing charging to the cars using a service-based business model that eliminates large capital expenditures. Distributed energy storage is critical to eliminating America’s reliance on oil and a fundamental tenet of FreeWire’s business.

FreeWire is addressing America’s energy future on multiple fronts. Our Mobi EV chargers encourage EV adoption, resulting in lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduced reliance on oil. Mobis can also be used as grid resources while recharging by soaking up excess renewable power and modulating recharge rates in response to demand response events. Our diesel generator replacement version, Mobi Gen, delivers clean, quiet power wherever it’s needed, further reducing greenhouse gas emissions and demand for oil. At FreeWire we do not believe America’s energy security can be obtained by addressing any one market, nor are there enough successful companies to cater to each market individually. That’s why using a core competency, mobile battery systems, to add value in multiple different markets allows us to play a major role in securing America’s future energy.

Momentum Dynamics
by Andy Daga, CEO

SONY DSC

Momentum Dynamics is leading a revolution that will forever alter America’s century-long dependence on foreign oil with an electric vehicle (EV) charging system that will accelerate the market adoption of electrically powered vehicles.

Our technology is a wireless charging system for EVs that charges cars and trucks quickly and automatically by transmitting electricity through the air using a safe magnetic field. Today, the Momentum wireless charger is poised to replace low power manual plug-in chargers with a system that will enable fast opportunity charging, which is the best way to increase EV driving range.

This revolution is happening in the transportation sector, where we can have the most dramatic impact on reducing our need for petroleum. Cars and trucks consume 66 percent of the oil we use in the U.S. each day. That amounts to 13 million barrels of oil, far more than any other economic sector. The movement to electric cars and trucks has begun, but it can only progress rapidly if America installs a charging network that can charge the batteries of EVs quickly and automatically. That’s where Momentum’s wireless charging becomes an enabling technology, it relegates charging to a carefree and automatic experience that will encourage car buyers and fleet operators to switch to EVs. Drivers of EVs will experience range and performance that exceeds today’s gasoline vehicles without ever needing to plug their vehicle in. For these reasons and the vast scale of our impact, we believe we should win the SAFE Award.

SeaChange Group
by Geoffrey Lamdin, Founder & Director

SeachangeSeaChange Group (SCG) has two really exciting fuels that provide important, measurable, meaningful reductions in the amount of petroleum diesel in the marketplace.

Our Eco-Hybrid™ Fuel and Bio-Eco-Hybrid™ Fuel can reduce petroleum diesel use from 35 percent to 100 percent respectively.

The first, patented Eco-Hybrid™ Fuel (EHF), replaces 35 percent of the petroleum diesel required in a diesel fuel. EHF™ uses glycerol, the primary byproduct from biodiesel production, emulsified with ultra-low sulfur diesel. The other (patent-pending) is Bio Eco-Hybrid™ Fuel, a glycerol emulsion with bio-diesel. Thus the entire product is bio-renewable. Bio-EHF™ replaces 100 percent of petroleum diesel. Additionally, these fuels are expected to be less expensive than regular diesel.

Initially, we are tackling an important opportunity for oil displacement: maritime vessels, locomotives and heavy-duty off-road equipment. SCG’s Eco-Hybrid Fuels markedly reduce oil use and emissions from all manner of seafaring vessels while eliminating the need for costly add-ons such as exhaust scrubbers. Our fuels will significantly impact the 154 billion gallons of annual petroleum fuel consumption by small and mid-sized shipping. Currently SCG is undertaking sea-trials with Maine Maritime Academy. EHFs will make a critical difference in the 65,000 deaths attributed to vessel emissions each year. We are dedicated to less petroleum, markedly fewer emissions, and a safer, healthier environment.

Funds from the Energy Security Prize will immediately enable SCG to scale up, take its fuels to the early market within 12 months, add professional management and technical personnel, and reduce the need for investment by leveraging additional matching funds.

Peloton Technology
by Joshua Switkes, CEO

Peloton imageThe Peloton Technology Platooning System combines advanced sensing, collision prevention, communications and cloud-based monitoring to bring a new level of safety and efficiency to today’s trucking operations.

Platooning can provide double-digit fuel savings by safely putting the trucks closer together than what is safe when manually driving. The closeness of the trucks alters the aerodynamics, reducing wind resistance and saving fuel for both trucks at the same time: up to 10% for the rear truck and 4.5% for the front truck.

Peloton Image 2Peloton’s cloud-based network operation center, or NOC, knows where every Peloton-equipped truck is and notifies them of potential platooning opportunities. The NOC recommends platooning only if conditions are favorable, including approved roads, weather and traffic. The NOC adjusts platooning distance to ensure safety.

Additionally, trucks are equipped with a forward-looking radar sensor that can see many hundreds of feet down the road. If an obstacle is detected, the system automatically applies the brakes in both trucks at the same time. A human driver typically takes about one to two seconds to react but we can do it in about one hundredth of a second.

Our blend of collision prevention and cloud-based management helps drivers be safer at all times, whether trucks are on their own or teamed up in a platoon.

With interest from major fleets and smaller fleets in deploying our technology, our goal is to get the system out there in huge numbers quickly and thereby reduce overall oil use in the country significantly.

Cast your vote for the technology you think has the most potential to reduce U.S. oil consumption at www.secureenergy.org


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