Porsche Unveils Three Hybrid Cars

Porche revealed three new hybrid cars at a press conference at Geneva Motor Show. The cars include a mid-engine super car, a race car, and the new Cayanne S Hybrid.

The super car, named 918 Spyder, has a very impressive performance statistics. Fitted with a plug-in hybrid engine, it would achieve 78mpg and go from 0 to 60 M/hr in under 3.2 seconds.

The second car is a race car, called the 911 GT3 R Hybrid that uses two electric motors on the front axle to supplement the 480 horsepower engine driving the rear wheels. Instead of the heavy batteries usually found in a hybrid road car, an electrical flywheel power generator is installed next to the driver, delivering energy to the electric motors.

Also Porches first production hybrid, The Cayenne S Hybrid, features a highly sophisticated full parallel hybrid system that combines the power of a 333-horsepower V6 with an 47-horsepower electric motor; offering 380 horsepower and essentially the high performance of a V8 with the fuel efficiency of a V6.

Carbon is a hot topic at POWER-GEN Europe 2010

By Nigel Blackaby (Conference Director POWER-GEN Europe)

Engineers, advisors, researchers, and key energy executives from across Europe will all be meeting in Amsterdam between 8-10 June for the energy industry’s premier European event: POWER-GEN Europe. The conference track exploring the carbon market - Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Fossil Power Generation, runs over the whole three days and will analyse many new developments in the market. This will explore the ways in which the electricity industry is addressing the need to reduce its CO2 output.

Pre-combustion carbon capture (both the Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle and the Oxy-fuel technology) will be a topic for the first session, chaired by executives from Siemens and Honeywell. This will explore the technology developments in the area and in the second session there will be an update on pilot operations which are being run by Alstom.

Strategies for reducing the carbon footprint will also be discussed, including an industry insight from the strategy manager at EDF, with regards to the expected pace for carbon footprint reductions in the power sector. Here, a look at Carbon Capture & Storage policies in the US and CCS-ready solutions from across Europe, will also shape the debate.

Post combustion CO2 capture discussions will look at the numerous PCC pilot plants which are now in operation. The results from these plants, including Siemens’ pilot operation, will be assessed and further ideas for process improvements will be considered.

Potentials for efficiency improvements, through the use of organic rankine cycle technology, CCS technology and modernising power plants, will be scrutinised – with case studies from Kazakhstan, Vienna and Germany, all helping to bring this important issue to life.

New carbon capture concept developments will finish off the discussion sessions, where the integration of carbon free power generation systems and fossil fuel power plants will be presented, providing plenty of opportunity for discussion on the future of carbon markets.

Delegates at this conference track also have the opportunity to come together with the other attendees of POWER-GEN Europe and its co-located shows (POWERGRID Europe, Renewable Energy World Europe and Nuclear Power Europe) in the plenary session, to discuss the climate policy uncertainty, where this means the power industry can go from here and what implications this has for the development of low carbon power generation technologies.

TD bank goes carbon neutral

Building greener buildings, lowering its energy consumption, and making a significant investment in renewable energy from sources like wind, solar and low-impact hydro power, and purchasing carbon offset credits has allowed TD bank to become carbon neutral, the bank announced today.

TD bank has also unveiled the new "green" design for its future stores. The new stores will have a consistent look and feel and will also be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified. LEED evaluates buildings for their overall environmental performance in five areas: sustainable sites, water use, energy efficiency, materials and resource use, and indoor environmental quality. LEED Platinum is the highest level of LEED certification; TD Bank is targeting LEED Platinum certification for its new Queens Village store.

TD Bank's new 3,800 square-feet prototype branches will reduce energy consumption by 50 percent compared with previous designs, with nearly 20 percent of the store's energy being produced onsite through solar panels and solar drive-thru canopies. The branches will feature: wood from sustainably managed forests, products that emit little-to-no volatile organic compounds; walk-off mats and air filters that trap particles of dirt, dust and pollen for improved indoor air quality; insulated glass with a low-E coating to help keep a balanced, temperate environment; and sensors to control lighting. Stores will be maintained with green cleaning products, and will recycle paper, cardboard, glass, metal, plastics and disposable batteries.

Going carbon neutral for such a large bank must be a big challenge, but TD bank has done it, and set an example for others to follow.

Networking with rural electrification projects around the world

I came across an interesting website called GVEP International, its a not for profit organization seeking to reduce poverty through accelerated access to modern energy services.

Not only does it help entrepreneurs, and other NGOs in electrification projects, it allows members to network with each.

People seeking funds, will also find a wide range of financing opportunities, that are listed on GVEP website.

Developing countries need to be prepared for climate change

A recent study by World Bank reveals that it will cost developing countries USD 75 billion to a 100 billion a year for the next 40 years to adapt to climate change.

The 'Economics of Adaptation to Climate Change' (EACC) study showed that under the relatively dryer scenario, the adaptation cost is estimated at USD 75 billion per year, while under the scenario that assumes a future wetter climate, the cost is USD 100 billion.

Effects of climate change on developing countries include droughts, diseases and a reduction in agricultural productivity. To cope with these threats, huge infrastructure investments will be required.

Save Energy - Get Paid

There are many companies offering carbon offsets to general public, but there is a problem with it; you have to BUY them. And lets be honest, not many people like to spend their hard earned money on buying carbon offsets. Don’t worry though, all this is about to change. That’s because Earth Aid, an energy conservation company, will PAY you to cut down your energy usage.

"Earth Aid's service is the first tool that can measure and verify your energy savings, “bundle” them with savings from other households, and then sell them on carbon markets, in the same way as big business." Earth Aid website.

This is how their service works. You subscribe to Earth Aid, free of cost. Earth Aid tracks your energy usage (Electricity, gas, and water) over time. After a year, your energy consumption is compared to the baseline period, and you get paid for any reduction in energy usage. Sounds worthwhile.

World’s first Carbon-Neutral country

Tuvalu, a small island nation between Australia and Hawaii, has vowed to become the first carbon neutral country in the world.

Rising cost of fuel and climate change has led them to become carbon free for good. In 2008, Tuvalu teamed up with e8, to set up a solar project. This project meets about 5% of the electricity demand of the capital city; Funafuti.




So far Tuvalu has managed to save 17000 tons of fuel and cut 50 tons of CO2 emissions, and this is just the start. Their plan is to be 100% carbon free by 2020. World’s fourth smallest nation is set to make their place in history with this exemplary feat.

"We look forward to the day when our nation offers an example to all -- powered entirely by natural resources such as the sun and the wind", Tuvalu's Public Utilities Minister Kausea Natano said.