Clean Energy & Transport News Roundup (Chevrolet’s Fuel Cell Truck, Solar At Brooklyn Navy Yard, 3D-Printed Electric Hondas, Tesla Hearse…)
For this clean energy and transport news roundup, we’ve got stories about a solar install at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, a potential low-income solar settlement, Underwriters Laboratory buys a renewables engineering firm, Indian and Egyptian renewable energy projects, electric car market penetration, a Tesla hearse, a 72 kWh electric utility vehicle, Chevrolet’s fuel cell truck, 3D-printed tiny electric cars, and more.
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Brooklyn Navy Yard home to 1.1 GW solar installation:
The Brooklyn Navy Yard dates back to 1801. Today, the Yard is a thriving industrial park with more than 300 businesses that employ more than 7,000 people. Its Building 92 has been an exhibition and employment center since 2011. It celebrates the Yard’s past, present and future and its role as a national model for sustainable urban industry and job creation. This week, New York mayor Bill De Blasio was on hand to dedicate a new solar installation atop Building 293. Consisting of 3,152 panels, the array will generate more than 1.1 million kilowatt-hours of electricity each year, electricity that will help power the businesses that call the Naval Yard home.
Grid Alternatives expresses support for Colorado low-income solar settlement:
In a press announcement, GRID Alternatives Colorado, an affiliate of the nation’s largest nonprofit solar installer, today announced its support for a comprehensive utility settlement being considered by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) this week to address significant state energy policy issues and increase access to solar power for Colorado’s most underserved communities.
UL (Underwriters Laboratory) has acquired an renewable energy engineering services and support firm:
“UL and AWS Truepower have a shared mission and complementary businesses. As the market for renewable energy increases and demands a full life cycle service offering for renewable energy projects, the combined portfolios enable us to capture additional business globally.”
BELECTRIC awarded 104 MW Indian solar contract:
Engineering, procurement and construction contractor BELECTRIC recently announced that it secured a contract to set up 104 MW solar power capacity in the southern Indian state of Telangana. The projects are owned by a consortium of Spain-based Solarpack and US-based Think Energy Partners.
Cuts to 2017 solar Feed-in Tariffs proposed in China:
The National Energy Administration (NEA) of China has published its draft version of proposed 2017 feed-in tariff (FiT) levels for ground mount and distributed generation PV power plants. The lowered tariffs represent significant cuts to both sectors and overall curtailment of installations.
Austin & Boulder are now SolSmart cities:
The cities of Austin, Texas and Boulder, Colorado have been awarded gold status by SolSmart for their commitment to solar energy. Austin has streamlined the application and permitting process for rooftop solar energy systems. It has pioneered a new online application process that is easy for consumers to navigate and shortens the time it take to complete the process. Boulder, Colorado has also earned gold status because of its support for solar, including tax rebates for solar installations and grants for solar panels that are installed on buildings occupied by non-profit organizations and at affordable housing sites.
India considers penalties to curb curtailment of renewable energies:
In yet another move aimed at giving relief to the renewable energy project developers, the Indian government is looking to implement additional measures to ensure utilities acquire electricity from renewable energy projects.
GE set to soon commission part of 200 MW Indian wind project:
GE Renewable Energy stated that it completed erection of 30 units of 1.7-103 wind energy turbines at Aspari I wind energy park in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The total capacity of 51 MW is part of the planned 200 MW wind energy park being developed by Mytrah Energy, one of the leading independent power producers in India’s renewable energy sector.
Eni plans to develop 420 MW of renewable energy projects in Egypt:
Italian oil and gas company Eni has announced plans to develop a portfolio of renewable energy projects in Egypt, starting with a 50 MW solar PV power plant. The first project of a 50 MW solar PV will be built in Sinai, near Eni’s Abu Rudeis facilities. The project will be jointly developed by Petrobel, an equal joint venture between Eni-owned IEOC and state-owned Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) under fast-track mode.
Electric cars need to reach 15% market penetration:
Right now in the United States, electric cars account for about 1% of all new car sales. In other words, there is a long way to go yet before electric cars go mainstream — maybe as much as a decade or more. But don’t despair. Attitudes are beginning to change. At the Paris auto show this week, the buzz is all about electric cars. In Norway, more than 25% of all new cars are electric. China is pushing hard to get more electric cars on its roads.
Nissan concept truck uses LEAF battery packs for emergency power:
Last week at the 2016 IAA mobility show in Hanover, Germany, Nissan took the wraps off its Navara EnGuard concept designed specifically for emergency workers. The concept is based on a lightly modified version of the Nissan NP300 Navara, a mid-size pickup truck sold in markets outside the U.S. It features two portable battery packs.
Nikola Motor Company taking reservations for its all-electric Utility Task Vehicle (UTV):
The Nikola Zero UTV reportedly features a 72 kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery pack, 4 electric motors (520 horsepower + 476 lb-feet of torque), and a price tag of $37,000. The range is reportedly between “100 and 200 miles.”
University of Utah brings back U Drive Electric program:
The University of Utah, in partnership with Salt Lake City and Utah Clean Energy, has brought back the “U Drive Electric” program — which provides discounts on various electric vehicle models to interested university community members, going by information posted on the university’s website recently.
Chevrolet shows off its burly Colorado ZH2 fuel cell truck:
Working with the U.S. Army Automotive Research, Development, and Engineering Center, Chevrolet has built a heavily modified Colorado pickup called the ZH2 that will soon undergo field testing. Looking like a younger, beefier brother to the the venerable HUMVEE, the Colorado ZH2 features a hydrogen fuel cell powertrain that offers several advantages in military use. The testing will focus on “near-silent operation,” “reduced acoustic and thermal signatures,” “high wheel torque at all speeds,” “low fuel consumption across operating range,” and “water by-product for field uses.”
Tork now accepting deposits for its T6X electric motorcycle:
This stylish electric motorcycle has a top speed of 60 miles per hour and a range of 60 miles. Better yet, it can be recharged to 80% of capacity in just an hour. Best of all, it has an advanced electronics package called TIROS, which stands for Tork Intuitive Response Operating System.
Mercedes will compete in 2018 Formula E:
Current Formula One champion Mercedes has signed an option with Formula E Operations Ltd. to join the open wheel electric racing series starting with Season 5. The third season will kick off this month in Hong Kong. Beginning in 2018, the series will expand to 12 teams from the current limit of 10. According to the option agreement, Mercedes may choose to be one of the twelve entries for the 2018-19 season.
Tesla Model S P100D beats Lamborghini Huracán LP610-4, goes 0–60 MPH in 2.54 seconds:
With the Tesla Model S P100D having now been available for a while, it shouldn’t be surprising that racing videos featuring the electric supercar have begun to pop up on the internet. An interesting one, showing a P100D do 0–60 miles per hour in just 2.54 seconds at the Palm Beach International Raceway (in the hands of Drag Times) seems worth posting. Notably, the P100D also managed to best a Lamborghini Huracán LP610-4 in a drag race — another big notch in the belt for the Model S.
Honda shows off 3D-printed electric Micro Commuter car:
In Japan, Honda is using 3D printing to make highly customizable vehicles to suit the particular needs of individual customers. At this year’s CEATEC show in Tokyo, the Japanese company is showcasing an all electric Micro Commuter car with a body made of 3D printed panels. The body pieces took nearly a month to be printed by a Stratsys printer.
Tesla hearse:
The Dutch stretch car builder RemetzCar has revealed the “Tesla Hearse” — a modified Tesla Model S intended to bring you to your final resting place. Perhaps autonomously.
US Transportation Secretary speaks about “automated, sustainable, & connected” vehicles:
“We are on the cusp of one of the most dramatic transformations in the history of transportation,” he stated. “When it comes to the future of technology, our policy leaves plenty of room for leadership to come in and help us continue to raise the bar on safety. It’s exhilarating to see what’s happening here at ITIC and in other places like Detroit and Silicon Valley.”
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