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1. Nanosolar Starts Thin-Film Solar Panel Production
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2. Monitor Greenhouse Gas With IBM's GreenCert
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3. Chrysler and MSU complete second year of growing biofuel crops on brownfield
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4. Carmakers' lawsuit thrown out, judge rules California can regulate tailpipe emissions
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5. Paris Hilton: "I'm buying a hybrid car right now"
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6. Detroit 2008 Preview: Honda CR-Z Hybrid concept comes to North America
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7. SkyFuel Heats Up Solar Thermal
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8. Ener1 chairman says lithium-ion batteries coming to market in 2008
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9. Saturn Astra production could shift to US
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10. Volvo & Saab teaming up to bring 10 plug-in hybrids on the road by 2009
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11. Ford says you can eat interiors, and expands the idea
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12. Volt aero and styling: Touring the E-Flex design studio and GM wind tunnel
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13. European biodiesel manufacturers against US biodiesel imports (again)
Nanosolar Starts Thin-Film Solar Panel Production
Katie Fehrenbacher - Startups
Nanosolar CEO Martin Roscheisen tells us this morning that the company has already started production of its thin-film solar panels. The company had set a goal to start production and shipping by the end of this year, and in our post “10 Questions for Nanosolar CEO Martin Roscheisen” back in July, Roscheisen told us: “Yes, we're on track with this. Do not expect an Apple-style product launch, though.”
Roscheisen tells us that the company has reached that goal with production at its San Jose, Calif., manufacturing facility. We’re not sure to what extent production is being done, but Roscheisen says there will be more info coming soon. The fact that Nanosolar is producing on schedule is a big step for the thin-film solar industry, as many thin-film companies have faced setbacks and delays.
This morning we read this Gunther Portfolio report (hat tip to GreentechMedia) with an update and pictures of a Nanosolar production facility in Luckenwalde, Germany. Of the San Jose and German facilities, Roscheisen tells us:
[The] German panel-assembly factory was always scheduled to start operation one quarter behind our San Jose operation. We have a secondary, semi-automated 24×6 panel-assembly operation up and running in San Jose which is capable to address all of our initial panel-assembly needs until the German factory kicks in. The German operation is geared towards multi-100MW capacity — in fact a total capacity much larger than what our current cell operation is designed for — and in a fully-automated “lights-out” way for maximum cost efficiency.
Founded in 2002, Nanosolar has raised at least $100 million from a long list of venture firms including Benchmark Capital and Mohr Davidow; individual investors such as Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, and entrepreneur Jeff Skoll; as well as the Department of Energy.
The company is producing thin-film solar panels made of copper indium gallium selenide; it counts Heliovolt and Miasole among its competitors. Thin-film technology promises to be cheaper than traditional solar technology because it uses little or no silicon, and it can be printed on flexible materials. But there's a trade-off, as those developing the technology are still struggling to boost its efficiency levels.
Monitor Greenhouse Gas With IBM's GreenCert
Craig Rubens - Big Green
IBM today released greenhouse gas emissions-metering software called GreenCert. Made in collaboration with Enterprise Information Management Inc. and Evergreen Energy Inc., GreenCert takes data from a variety of emissions-monitoring sources and synthesizes it into Certified Carbon Emissions Reduction Credits (CCERC) that can be sold on the open carbon market. CCERCs are valued between $3 and $8 per metric ton, according to Big Blue.
Developed on IBM Websphere Portal-based software by Evergreen subsidiary C-Locks Technology, GreenCert can be deployed across a variety of industries, from data centers to cement factories to office buildings. The release follows IBM’s announcement last month that it would issue “energy efficiency certificates” to customers that reduce the energy consumption of their data centers. “This GreenCert announcement goes beyond the data center,” Tim Kounadis, director of worldwide channels and small and medium business at IBM, told Earth2Tech today. Issuing CCERCs instead of energy efficiency credits is a complimentary move, Kounadis said. “It’s about putting the data center in the context of the greater carbon footprint.”
There is currently no market for energy efficiency credits, but GreenCert could provide industries with a new revenue source by allowing companies to monitor and verify their own CCERCs. The World Bank values the global carbon market at $30 billion.
Monitoring tools and metrics have been an obstacle for the carbon market. GreenCert could provide an accessible tool to provide reliable, automated information on emissions. GreenCert will be available from C-Lock in the first half of 2008. A trial beta is available from C-Lock now; pricing will be disclosed when the software is launched.
Update: The Wall Street Journal reported today that New York Mercantile Exchange parent Nymex Holdings Inc. is planning on launching a carbon trading exchange. Scheduled to start next quarter, the “Green Exchange” will compete with the Chicago Climate Exchange as a major carbon trading market. This bodes well for IBM’s GreenCert program by creating more venues for companies to “store” and trade carbon credits.
Chrysler and MSU complete second year of growing biofuel crops on...
Sam Abuelsamid - biofuels-from-brownfields
Filed under: Biodiesel, Ethanol, Chrysler
Chrysler and Michigan State University have just completed the second year of a five-year development program for growing biofuel feed-stocks. In this case however, there is no threat of competing with food sources. The company and university are growing a mix of corn, soy beans, switch grass, canola and sunflowers on a two-acre plot that is part of former superfund site in Rose Township, MI. The site belonged to a former supplier of Chrysler and was used as a dump in the 1970s. The crops are being grown with a minimum of water and fertilizer. MSU Professor Kurt Thelen is analyzing the crops right now to determine the yields and how much of any contaminants might have been absorbed. One potential issue is the crops absorbing contaminants that might get passed through to the fuel. On the other hand, these sort of use of these sites could also help to clean them up and eventually make them useful for other purposes.
Related:
[Source: Chrysler]
Chrysler, Michigan State University Complete Second Year of Biofuels Research on Former Superfund Site
* Testing Production of Plants for Biofuels on Once-Polluted Land
* Analysis of Productivity, Fuel Quality Begins
Auburn Hills, Mich., Dec 11, 2007 - The collaboration between Chrysler LLC and a research team from Michigan State University (MSU) to test production of crops for renewable fuels has completed its second year of work at a former Superfund site in rural Michigan.
The MSU team has harvested its second year of five crops that are feedstocks for ethanol or biodiesel, the two major renewable fuels in use in the U.S. The crops include soybeans, sunflowers and canola for biodiesel production, and corn and switchgrass for making ethanol.
"The first year of the project in 2006 was our 'proof of concept' year. We demonstrated that we can grow these crops with minimal water, fertilizer and cultivation on once-polluted lands," said Professor Kurt Thelen of the MSU department of Crop and Soil Sciences.
"With our 2007 harvest, we can begin to measure productivity and start looking at the quantities and quality of the fuels produced on this site," Thelen said.
The crops are grown in small plots on the rolling undeveloped property in Rose Township, about 20 miles northwest of Chrysler headquarters in the Detroit area. Once farmland, the site was abandoned in the 1960s and used for the unauthorized disposal of waste materials. Chrysler, working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, has taken charge of the cleanup.
The test site for growing crops for fuels is part of the U.S. EPA's "Return to Use" program to encourage re-development of former Superfund sites that have undergone environmental cleanup.
"At Chrysler, we are committed to protecting the environment and to encouraging greater use of clean, renewable, American-made biofuels. This project supports both those commitments," said Deborah Morrissett, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs.
"While former Superfund sites may not be good for producing food for human consumption, they could be very useful in producing crops for renewable fuels," Morrissett said.
In addition to the Rose Township Superfund site, the research team is growing similar stands of fuel crops on the MSU campus and on two plots of marginally productive soil in northern Michigan.
With the 2007 crop harvested, the MSU team will spend the winter months analyzing the fuels produced for content, quality, and contaminants.
One additional benefit will be determining if the fuel crops absorbed remaining residual contaminants from the soil of the former Superfund site.
Chrysler's Environmental Initiatives
Chrysler supports the increased use of biodiesel and ethanol to:
* Reduce the nation's dependence on oil
* Reduce carbon dioxide/greenhouse gas emissions to address climate change
* Support the American agricultural economy
* Reduce tailpipe emissions of pollutants
For the 2008 model year, Chrysler offers 11 products with the E85 Flexible Fuel option:
* Dodge: Dakota, Ram, Durango, Avenger, Grand Caravan
* Chrysler: Aspen, Town & Country, Sebring sedan and convertible
* Jeep: Grand Cherokee, Commander
Chrysler also promotes the use of biodiesel in the Jeep(R) Grand Cherokee and the Dodge Ram and Sprinter diesel vehicles. All are approved for use with B5 (5 percent biodiesel) fuel; Grand Cherokees and Ram pickups are delivered to customers running on B5.
In addition, Chrysler has invested more than $10 billion over the past two decades to either refurbish existing sites or to prepare vacant sites for productive use.
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Carmakers' lawsuit thrown out, judge rules California can regulate...
Sebastian Blanco - anthony-ishii
Filed under: Legislation and Policy, Green Daily
Big legal news out of California today. A federal judge has just ruled that the State of California does have the right to regulate vehicles' greenhouse gas emissions. This decision goes against the automakers' wishes. They prefer that the federal government set national standards. Naturally, it is easier for them to build a car that can meet national standards and then be sold anywhere in the U.S.Here's AP writer Samantha Young:
[The automakers] argued that a federal energy law passed in 1975 gives the U.S. Department of Transportation sole jurisdiction over fuel economy. But [Judge] Ishii rejected that claim, saying Congress gave California and the EPA the authority to regulate vehicle emissions, even if those rules are more strict than those imposed by the federal government.
If this ruling stands, and California get a waiver from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to enforce the state's emissions standards, then the automakers might have to design and build a variety of cars and powerplants to meet each state's standards. In California, the AP reminds us, those standards were set in 2004 and call for a roughly 30 percent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2016. The EPA has said it will decide before the end of the year if that waiver will be approved.
I wonder if U.S. District Court Judge Anthony Ishii will now become a bit of a hero to some in the environmental movement, as it was his decision that California Attorney General Jerry Brown is calling "a major victory and a giant step forward for California." Brown is also involved in the suit that is asking the federal government to limit emissions on oceangoing ships. More news to come on this, without a doubt.
Related:
- California and environmental groups to sue EPA over emissions rules
- Judge dismisses California greenhouse nuisance lawsuit
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Paris Hilton: "I'm buying a hybrid car right now"
Lascelles Linton - celebrity
Filed under: Green Culture, Hybrid, Green Daily
While promoting Rich Prosecco, sparkling wine in a can, Newsday reports that celebrity Paris Hilton said she is buying a hybrid, like, right now. Paris also said she changed all her light bulbs to energy-safe light bulbs, and turns off the light and TV when she leaves the house. In the words of Paris herself:
I changed all the light bulbs to energy-safe light bulbs and I'm buying a hybrid car right now. ... Little things that people can do every day to make a huge difference.
Good luck to which ever hybrid car maker she chooses. I am sure Paris won't do anything too embarrassing.
Related:
- Paris Hilton is getting a hybrid Hummer "designed"
- Paris Hilton gives up her Range Rover for an Escape Hybrid, is scared for the environment
- Video: Paris Hilton in a Prius
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Detroit 2008 Preview: Honda CR-Z Hybrid concept comes to North America
Sam Abuelsamid - cr-z
Filed under: Hybrid, Honda, Detroit Auto Show
Honda unveiled what is expected to be their next-generation hybrid vehicle in October at the Tokyo Motor Show in the shape of the CR-Z coupe. The CR-Z is a twenty-first century successor to the old Civic base CR-X coupe now powered by Honda's Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system. The CR-Z will make its North American debut at the Detroit Auto Show next month. The CR-Z is expected to go into production as soon as 2009.
[Source: Honda]
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SkyFuel Heats Up Solar Thermal
Katie Fehrenbacher - Startups
While you might have heard of some of the older and well-funded firms like BrightSource Energy (retooled Luz founded in 2004), Kleiner and Khosla-backed Ausra, or Spanish giants Abengoa and Iberdrola, we recently chatted with Albuquerque, N.M.-based SkyFuel, which incorporated earlier this year. The company has 20 employees and is in the midst of raising a Series B round, led by New York-based investors G.C. Andersen Partners.
Chris Huntington, vice president of business development for SkyFuel, told us that the company is very close to announcing projects to build major power plants for "well-known members of the power industry." According to Emerging Energy Research, SkyFuel comes in second for the most solar power capacity coming online in the U.S., just slightly behind Stirling Energy Systems, and in front of Solel, Ausra, BrightSource and three others.
Of course SkyFuel says its technology will be the "highest performing" and "lowest cost" when it is available. The company's initial product will use parabolic trough technology -– reflective troughs that concentrate sunlight onto the liquid-filled tube. Solel also uses this technology, and announced a deal with PG&E earlier this year.
Huntington said the company's innovation on the decades-old trough technology is that it doesn't use glass troughs, but a proprietary material it calls "ReflecTech," which is cheaper, lighter, less expensive and more durable than glass. According to a report from Emerging Energy Research, parabolic trough technology is the most credible of the solar thermal technologies, but "the technology's head start will soon begin to diminish as central receiver and other technologies are realized at a commercial scale."
Beyond getting its first-gen technology out there soon, SkyFuel's next-generation solar thermal technology is also promising. Recently the company announced that it will receive a $435,000 grant from the Department of Energy to develop its Linear Power Tower (LPT). Huntington says the LPT tech will be available in three to four years; it uses "linear Fresnel" technology, which uses nearly flat reflectors that track the sun to focus the rays onto stationary collectors overhead. Ausra also uses linear fresnel technology, but Huntington said that unlike Ausra, SkyFuel's LPT will use molten salt-filled tubes to power the turbines, not water.
With all the media attention focused on solar thermal right now, Huntington also said he hopes that the solar thermal industry won't endanger itself by making undeliverable promises:
"When we hear talk of plants being built from scratch to deliver power for under 5 cents per kilowatt hour, in just a year from now, now that is unrealistic, though it makes for great headlines."
Perhaps one day SkyFuel's next-gen technology can get that much closer to those price points that Huntington says, for the time being, are out of reach. If it can come close, we know a search engine-turned power investor that might be interested.
Ener1 chairman says lithium-ion batteries coming to market in 2008
Sebastian Blanco - ener1
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Green Daily, Th!nk (Think)
At EVS23, AutoblogGreen had a chance to speak with the chairman of Ener1, Inc., Charles Gassenheimer, about his company's batteries and the future of Enerdel's lithium-ion batteries in automotive applications. He told us then that "We think 2008 is going to be a very exciting year for us." Now we know one reason why.
Yesterday, Gassenheimer told Fox Business News that his company's batteries will be on the market by the end of 2008. From what we know so far, it's likely that Th!nk will have the first vehicles featuring an Ener1 lithium ion battery inside (see links below).
According to a press release sent out by Ener1, here are Gassenheimer's comments to Fox:
Our batteries have already been tested by the United States Advanced Battery Consortium, which is General Motors, Ford and Chrysler. We are the only battery company today using this Lithium-ion technology, which has met or exceeded all of the Big Three's requirements, especially and most importantly best-in-class in safety. We have already announced a commercial contract with Think Electric Vehicle in Norway. It's the largest electric vehicle company in Europe. You will see our batteries in their cars by the end of 2008 (read the rest after the jump).
In the race to bring lithium-ion to the masses, Ener1 is not waiting around. Now, let's see what happens when these cars are on the road, preferably with us in the driver's seat.
Gallery: EVS23: Enerdel booth
Related:
- Ener1 first to integrate lithium-ion battery into HEV
- Ener1 shuffles management in preparation of battery commercialization
- Everything you ever wanted to know about Ener1's batteries
- Ener1 and Th!nk sign the largest contract for lithium-ion batteries in automotive history
Dec 12, 2007 06:00 ET
Ener1, Inc. Chairman Tells Fox Business News Company's Lithium-ion Battery Will Be in Cars by End of '08
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Dec. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Appearing Tuesday on Fox Business News, Charles Gassenheimer, chairman of Ener1, Inc. (BULLETIN BOARD: ENEI) , an alternative energy company, said that the company will bring its automotive Lithium-ion battery to market by the end of 2008.
"Our batteries have already been tested by the United States Advanced Battery Consortium, which is General Motors, Ford and Chrysler," Mr. Gassenheimer told viewers of the Fox morning broadcast "CEO Corner." "We are the only battery company today using this Lithium-ion technology, which has met or exceeded all of the Big Three's requirements, especially and most importantly best-in-class in safety."
"We have already announced a commercial contract with Think Electric Vehicle in Norway," Gassenheimer added, referring to a $70 million development and supply agreement signed in October. "It's the largest electric vehicle company in Europe. You will see our batteries in their cars by the end of 2008." the Ener1 chairman told interviewer Alexis Glick.
Mr. Gassenheimer said that the size of the market for Lithium-ion power sources for electrical transportation, including hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and pure electric vehicles will burgeon in the next decade. The new technology provides consumers an immediate positive return on investment in purchasing a hybrid electric vehicle, while the nickel metal hydride batteries currently in use require a payback period of seven to ten years to cover the hybrid premium.
"This is really a supply problem," Mr. Gassenheimer commented to Fox, adding that the few U.S. companies currently involved in manufacturing Lithium-ion automotive batteries, rather than competing directly against each other, are collectively building a new industry. He says that Japanese automaker Toyota now accounts for 90 percent of the battery market for electrical transportation and that U.S. industry must rapidly catch up or risk ceding a major share of the new car market to foreign carmakers.
The Ener1 chairman notes that energy legislation now moving through Congress that would mandate a minimum 35-mpg standard in new cars has provided strong impetus to American carmakers to adopt more fuel-efficient technologies.
"Much of the world now, including Detroit, grasps that more efficient internal combustion engines and biofuels such as ethanol will not bring about the major environmental improvements and freedom from foreign oil that the times demand," Mr. Gassenheimer said. "That the Lithium-ion battery is the Holy Grail is now a given, and we and others have proven that it's a fully realizable technology for revolutionizing automotive transportation."
About Ener1, Inc.
Ener1, Inc. (BULLETIN BOARD: ENEI) is an alternative energy technology company that is developing 1) lithium ion batteries for hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) at its 80.5% owned EnerDel subsidiary through corporate ventures and strategic partnerships with Delphi, ITOCHU and EnerStruct, 2) commercial fuel cell products through its EnerFuel subsidiary, and 3) nanotechnology-based materials and manufacturing processes for batteries and other applications at its NanoEner subsidiary. For more information, visit http://www.ener1.com/ or call 954-556-4020.
Safe Harbor Statement
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Federal Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 conveying management expectations as to the future based on plans, estimates and projections at the time the statements are made. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not necessarily limited to: the Company's ability to achieve the milestones upon which the funding from its controlling shareholder is conditioned; EnerDel's ability to succeed as a supplier of batteries to the hybrid electric vehicle and other markets; Ener1's ability to successfully develop and market proposed lithium battery, fuel cell and nanotechnology-based products and services; the degree of competition in the markets for lithium battery, fuel cell and nanotechnology-based products and services; Ener1's history of operating losses; EnerFuel's ability to complete the development of and sell the surveillance camera; the lack of operating history for the development stage Ener1 businesses; the need for additional capital; the dependency upon key personnel; and other risks detailed in filings made from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results or performance to differ materially from any future results or performance expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements included in this release. Ener1 undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
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Saturn Astra production could shift to US
Sam Abuelsamid - saturn-astra
Filed under: Saturn
It's always been tough for automakers to build small cars profitably in the United States. The high overhead that they faced, combined with limited demand for small cars, made things tough. When GM decided to start selling the Opel Astra as a new small Saturn in the US market they started off by exporting European-built cars to the U.S. With the US dollar in free-fall against the Euro, this obviously isn't a sustainable strategy. As a result, if the Astra proves to be popular as a Saturn, GM is likely to start producing them in the U.S. especially when the next-generation model debuts and shares more hardware with the Chevy Cobalt.
[Source: Detroit News]
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Volvo & Saab teaming up to bring 10 plug-in hybrids on the road by...
Sebastian Blanco - etc-saab
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Saab, Volvo, Green Daily
The Volvo ReCharge
Well, for this post we're going to need to rely on our tipster, Stefan N. The link he sent is to a story in Norwegian (I think), a language I can't read. Therefore it's difficult for me to confirm any of what Stefan N. says (and Google Translate doesn't have Norwegian). Still, what I hear the story says is that Volvo and Saab are collaborating on plug-in hybrids. "In brief, Volvo and Saab plan together with Vattenfall (electric supplier) and ETC (battery provider) to have 10 PHEV in traffic by 2009. The project has budget of 10 million US$," he writes. I do see words like "Saab" and 'Volvo" and "plugin-bilprojekt" so it seems accurate. I've asked Stefan for more help, but does anyone else want to flesh out the details?
Gallery: 2007 Volvo ReCharge concept
[Source: Miljorapporten, h/t to Stefan N.]
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Ford says you can eat interiors, and expands the idea
Xavier Navarro - ford-soy
Filed under: Emerging Technologies, Etc., Ford, Lincoln
Ford is announcing that the 2008 Ford Mustang, F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator will have soy-based seat foam, which Ford claims will deliver a carbon reduction of 605,000 pounds per year. The company also announced that the 2008 Escape uses 100 percent "post-industrial waste" (never sold to customers, and I guess not edible) that would otherwise end up in landfills. Sure, these aren't the greenest models in Ford's range, but these initiatives will expand to all Ford models and Ford has licensed the technology to other companies like John Deere.Other developments Ford has announced are quite curious. The Lincoln MKR concept features extensive use of wood, which is "reengineered oak", which comes from recycled sources reassembled grain by grain. The concept also includes chromium-free leather. The 2009 Lincoln MKS (pictured) will "introduce soft leather perfected with vegetable dyes and a chromium-free tanning process" as well as "reclaimed wood and an Olive Ash wood trim".
But there's more, Ford is studying how to replace fiberglass "now used between the headliner of a vehicle and the roof sheet metal" with a bio-sourced material that could improve insulation and reduce weight. And finally, Ford is also confirming work on ways to introduce hemp, corn (as a kind of plastic-like), switch grass, flax and other natural fibers into the vehicles.
Press releases after the jump.
[Source: Ford]
GREEN INSIDE: FORD COOKS UP 'EDIBLE' INTERIORS
From hemp clothing and bamboo floors to chemical-free makeup, today's Earth-friendly choices are de rigueur for millions of consumers worldwide. A growing social consciousness has elevated sustainability from trend to lifestyle in less than a decade, driven by waning natural resources and global security concerns.
While this cultural shift may be relatively recent, Ford's history of pioneering renewable solutions dates back to the Model T. Here are just a few green technologies you may not know about - found inside Ford vehicles on the road today - and potential sustainable solutions for the future:
* What Lies Beneath - The 2008 Ford Mustang, F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator are giving customers a greener ride, thanks to Ford's industry-first soy-based seat foam. Based on the Mustang application alone, Ford's soy-foam is on track to deliver a carbon dioxide reduction of 605,000 pounds annually. The technology now is being expanded to additional vehicles lines and further developed for use in John Deere tractors, riding mowers and other equipment. (See soy release -below- for more details)
In addition to recycled wood, the Lincoln MKR concept includes chromium-free leather, renewable soy foam seat bases and mohair carpet. This unique combination of materials gives the concept a rich-looking interior while demonstrating the more environmentally friendly amenities luxury buyers are expecting in premium goods, including vehicles.
* Coming Soon - The 2009 Lincoln MKS flagship will introduce soft leather perfected with vegetable dyes and a chromium-free tanning process. Reclaimed wood and an Olive Ash wood trim, made when roots of two trees grow together, offer green luxury as well.
* Green In Between - Not all green solutions are visible to customers. Ford is developing a sustainable replacement for the fiberglass now used between the headliner of a vehicle and the roof sheet metal. The replacement material is bio-based, improves acoustics in the vehicles and neutralizes odors. It's also lighter than fiberglass, which will help enhance fuel economy.
* Pure Fabrication - Ford is studying ways to introduce hemp, corn, switch grass, flax and other natural fibers into the vehicles of tomorrow. Natural fibers are biodegradable, require comparatively less energy to produce and offer weight savings versus petroleum-based products. Ford's Plastics Research team is looking to natural fiber composites as a potential substitute to the glass fibers traditionally used in plastic automotive components to make them stronger. Among the possibilities under study are fender reinforcements, a tow impact shield and an engine valve cover.
Ford researchers have made considerable inroads with polylactic acid (PLA) - a biodegradable plastic derived completely from corn - to make plastic polymers similar to those made from petroleum-based resources.
"If a plastic is made from corn, it's compostable," said Debbie Mielewski, technical leader, Ford Plastics Research. "When you throw a PLA component away, it will disappear within 90 to 120 days given the right humidity, temperature and microbes, as opposed to ending up in a landfill for 1,000 years."
As they research ways to strike the right balance between durability and recyclability, the Plastics Research Team also is exploring shorter-term PLA applications, like using the material for labels on the vehicle fuel door
SOWING SUSTAINABILITY: FORD PIONEERS GREEN SEATING ALTERNATIVE, LICENSES SOY SEATING TO JOHN DEERE
* Ford has licensed Deere & Company and Sears Manufacturing Company to further develop Ford's soy-based flexible seat foam for John Deere farming equipment and other applications.
* The 2008 Ford Mustang debuted the auto industry's first soy-based seat foam, replacing petroleum-based foam. The eco-friendly technology is now featured in the 2008 Ford F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator and will be in the 2009 Ford Escape.
* Ford has a rich history in incorporating soy-based materials into its products that dates back to the Model T.
* Environmental advantages of soy foam include: reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, lower energy to produce, up to 24 percent renewable content and less dependency on volatile energy markets.
DEARBORN, Dec. 11, 2007 - Farmers could soon bring in the harvest using equipment made with their own crops, thanks to collaboration between Ford and John Deere, the world's leading manufacturer of agricultural equipment. The two companies have agreed that Deere will further develop and manufacture Ford's soy-based flexible foam for seating materials in tractors, riding mowers and other equipment.
Ford first introduced soy-based polyol to the auto industry in the seat backs and seat cushions of the 2008 Ford Mustang. The 2008 Ford F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator now also feature this eco-friendly technology, with the next application coming on the 2009 Ford Escape. Meanwhile, Deere has used soy-based products for body panels on some farm equipment.
Ford will work with John Deere and its seat supplier, Sears Manufacturing Company, to bring this greener alternative to traditional seat foam to fields and even backyards nationwide.
"As all of industry faces daunting sustainability challenges, Ford is pioneering renewable solutions and forging strategic partnerships to extend our capabilities and our ability to innovate," said Gerhardt Schmidt, vice president, Ford Research and Advanced Engineering. "We are pleased to collaborate with John Deere to continue the development of soy-based foam and research other technologies to benefit both our industries."
Ford's soy-based foam will be developed for use in the seat backs, seat cushions, arm rests and head rests of John Deere equipment, which is used in agriculture, forestry, construction, and lawn and turf care. Sears Manufacturing also will work to incorporate the technology into Class V-VII medium and heavy trucks.
"John Deere's agreement with Ford builds on our shared core values of quality and innovation and our commitment to deliver outstanding products for our customers," said Klaus Hoehn, vice president, Advanced Technology and Engineering at John Deere. "Working together will advance our ability to develop far-reaching solutions for a more sustainable future."
Soy-based foam is just one of the technologies Ford Global Technologies, LLC is making available through licensing to companies such as John Deere for applications outside Ford.
Soy: A Sustainable Alternative Grows from 100-Year-Old Roots
Ford has a rich history in incorporating soy-based materials into its products. The Model T, for example, once contained 60 pounds of soybeans in its paint and molded plastic parts.
Ford again showcased its industry-leading work with soy foams in 2003 on the Model U concept, which featured soy-based seat cushions as well as a soy-based resin composite tailgate.
Now, Ford's Plastics Research team has formulated the chemistry to replace a staggering 40 percent of the standard petroleum-based polyol used in seating materials with a soy-derived material. This breakthrough will make a significant impact on the environment while reducing dependency on imported petroleum.
According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, soy-based products have only one-quarter of the level of total environmental impact of petroleum-based products. Most automakers today use 100 percent petroleum-based polyol foam. Each vehicle contains an average of 30 pounds of petroleum-based foam in its seat backs, seat cushions, armrests, instrument panels and headliners.
"As we continue to migrate this green technology across many vehicle platforms, we're improving our environmental footprint by conserving limited resources and reducing carbon dioxide emissions," said Debbie Mielewski, technical leader, Ford Plastics Research.
Ford is working closely with the United Soybean Board to bring soy foam to the automotive market. The company is using 2.2 million pounds of soy foam in the 2008 Mustang alone. Just based on that application, this green alternative is on track to deliver a carbon dioxide reduction of 605,000 pounds annually.
With more than 3 billion bushels of soy harvested in the U.S. each year, Ford could potentially use up to 844 million bushels of soy throughout its product lineup annually.
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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.
Volt aero and styling: Touring the E-Flex design studio and GM wind...
Sam Abuelsamid - aerodynamics
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Chevrolet, GM, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, Green Daily
At the General Motors Technical Center on Monday, the company provided another in a series of updates on development of the Chevrolet Volt as it approaches a production launch in late 2010. This time around the subject was aerodynamics and styling, both inside and out.
When the Volt concept was revealed almost a year ago, one of the big questions from readers here and elsewhere was about the aerodynamics. The exterior design team led by Bob Boniface had created a very striking design that looked absolutely nothing like the legendary EV1 teardrop. Judging from the first teaser shot we saw of the production design (above, and read more here), some things were going to have to change.
Read on past the jump to find out more.
[Source: General Motors]
At the General Motors Technical Center on Monday, the company provided another in a series of updates on development of the Chevrolet Volt as it approaches a production launch in late 2010. This time around the subject was aerodynamics and styling, both inside and out.
When the Volt concept was revealed almost a year ago, one of the big questions from readers here and elsewhere was about the aerodynamics. The exterior design team led by Bob Boniface had created a very striking design that looked absolutely nothing like the legendary EV1 teardrop. Judging from the first teaser shot we saw of the production design (above, and read more here), some things were going to have to change.
Read on past the jump to find out more.
[Source: General Motors]
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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.
European biodiesel manufacturers against US biodiesel imports (again)
Xavier Navarro - biodiesel-eu
Filed under: Biodiesel, Legislation and Policy, European Union, USA
"Illegal concurrence" and "subsidized dumping" is what the European Biodiesel Board (EBB) calls US biodiesel imports into the European Union, backing up a similar statement made by Spanish producers. According to the EBB, Europe is importing half a million tons of U.S.-made B99 (700,000 million tons according to other estimates). The U.S. biofuel has a much lower price than that made in Europe.
While concurrence is actually quite a good thing, the EBB states that these imports aren't fair because the US gives substantial subsidies to the biofuel industry that makes the final product much cheaper than its actual price. Current subsidies are almost 300 dollars per ton, which (again according to the EBB) means that biodiesel from Indonesia, Malaysia and Brazil is first imported into the US and then exported to the EU to gain the benefit. The EBB also claims that then the imported fuel is even incentivized by some EU country members as they attempt to promote the use of biofuels. Another claim is that B99 is being sold as pure B100.
For all these reasons, the EBB is asking the European Commission to take measures (they speak about legal actions) that would counteract unfair cheap U.S.-imports and help develop the local industry (full press release after the jump)
[Source: EBB via Energias Renovables]
EBB strongly condemns the unfair subsidised US biodiesel exports and stands ready for legal action
The massive exports of unfair subsidised US biodiesel is becoming an increasing source of concern for the EU biodiesel industry.
In the framework of the US Federal measures adopted in 2004, biodiesel can be subsidised up to $264 per m3 (300 USD/tonne, approximately €200/tonne) only by adding a "drop" of mineral diesel to biodiesel. US producers can therefore claim the maximum subsidy for a "B99,9" blend. Such a blend can then be exported to Europe where it is eligible to European subsidy schemes.
Since the benefit of the blender credit is not restricted to biodiesel produced and consumed on the US territory, the 2004 support provisions resulted in a surge of B99 exports to the EU. In most cases B99 blends are sold in the European market as "pure biodiesel" and at a substantial discount (over €120-180/tonne), in some cases at a lower price than the one of the raw materials purchased by the EU industry for producing biodiesel.
It is estimated that some 700,000 tonnes US methyl ester have entered the EU since January 2007 (compared to only 90,000 tonnes for the whole 2006), meaning that the 1 Mo tonnes threshold could be reached before the end of this year. This represents a sudden and sharp increase in US exports which is only explainable by unfair support measures.
At the same time, there are worries that such unfair practice will not be closed rapidly by the US Congress and that the support scheme will even be extended beyond 2008. In any case, closing the so-called "splash and dash" loophole, whereby foreign producers (Indonesian, Malaysian) are taking advantage of the US biodiesel credit before shipping their commodities to Europe, will not solve the REAL problem. Indeed, the "splash and dash" practice represents only a very minor share (less than 10%) of the overall B99 shipments that are reaching Europe. The most part of B99 is coming from US producers, using US agricultural raw material. The strong support measures enjoyed by US farmers explain the permanence of this unfair practice.
In most EU countries biodiesel producers are experiencing dumping competition from B99 blends. This competition is price-setting and is progressively disrupting the margins of European biodiesel producers, putting out of business most EU producers. As a result the important biodiesel industrial capacity risks remaining largely unutilised and production may start stagnating if not already declining as from this year, if urgent action is not taken.
This is why, unless the situation is solved very shortly by the US legislator, the EU biodiesel industry will initiate a comprehensive legal action against this unfair trade practice, in the form of a joint anti-dumping and anti-subsidy complaint, possibly supported by a WTO complaint.
The EU biodiesel industry is urging the European Commission to take the necessary actions to counter and then eliminate unfair "B99" subsidised exports, a trade practice that is clearly breaching WTO rules and threatening the concept of international trade in biodiesel.
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