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April 21, 2009

Smithsonian (Washingotn, DC) Goes Green




http://media.smithsonianmag.com/images/smithsonian-castle-green-388.jpgI was in Washington DC this past weekend and saw some small buses with the Smithsonian log on the side - promoting them as green hybrids.  This prompted me to see what else our nations museum is up too in the green space. 

Turns out quite a bit ... Read on for more >>>

" ... in 2008, 3.7 percent of our electricity came from renewable energy sources. ... reducing our carbon footprint [by]... 4.2 metric tons of greenhouse gases..."

" ... Smithsonian manages a fleet of over 700 vehicles ... As we finished 2008, over 76 percent of that fleet is now either hybrid electric or capable of working off of alternative fuels."

" ... have several people on staff who are LEED accredited professionals, ... design managers, architects and some engineers and are there to assist Smithsonian in seeking these LEED certifications."


 

Via:  Smithsonianmag.com  LINK

 

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February 15, 2008

A Green Biofuel Ferrari!




Ferrari 430 SpiderFerrari LogoEveryone is talking about Biofuels and Flexfuels.  Most of  the cars that fall into this category are ... not so cool.  Here is a new take on "green" biofuel cars ...

Biofuel cars?  Seen that.

Biofuel Ferrari?  A biofuel Ferrari Spyder 430?  Really? 

Take a look!  This is a 4.3 liter V-8 with close to 500 horsepower so this is certainly not your average green car ...

See a video Link to down load a BIG zipped file to your PC

http://web18.streamhoster.com/pentonmedia/ETV/2008/02/Download/080211d.zip

Via:  EngineeringTV.com   Link 

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June 03, 2007

Ford Europe FlexFuel Leader




Ford is recognized for its leadership in ethanol-based flex-fuel in Europe. ...
... "Ford is a market leader and the market pioneer of FFVs in Europe where it sold Ford Flex Fuel Vehiclemore than 30,000 Ford Flexifuel units since market introduction in Sweden in 2001. Ford can also claim the largest owner body for FFVs in Europe as a result of this industry-leading initiative. While the majority of these FFVs have been sold in Sweden, the two current models - the Ford Focus and C-MAX Flexifuel - have progressively been made available in 12 European markets to date. Ford is confident that more markets will follow as the demand for this type of technology is expected to continue to grow, especially as the European Union works to increase the use of bio-fuels in the future. " ...

Via EUBIA, European Biomass Industry Association: FORD RECEIVES EUBIA AWARD

 

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January 24, 2007

Arnold Low Carbon Transportation Fuel Standard




Arnold strikes again. He challenges the California Energy Commission (CEC), the University of California and other agencies to create a compliance schedule to meet his 2020 goals for carbon intensity reductions in transportation fuels. ... Arnold set low fuel standards
... "Governor Schwarzenegger signed an Executive Order establishing a groundbreaking Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) for transportation fuels sold in California. By 2020 the standard will reduce the carbon intensity of California's passenger vehicle fuels by at least 10 percent. This first-of-its kind standard will support AB 32 emissions targets as part of California's overall strategy to fight global warming. " ...

Via California Office of the Governor: Gov. Schwarzenegger Signs Executive Order Establishing World's First Low Carbon Standard for Transportation Fuels

 

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November 14, 2006

Alternative Fuel: E85 Flextek Technology




FlexTek, Brazilian fuel technology, enables gasoline-powered engines to use E85 ethanol as a fuel. ...
... "XcelPlus Global Holdings Inc. currently owns and controls cutting edge alternative fuel technologies including Flextek technology which converts gasoline powered FlexTekvehicles into flexible fuel vehicles capable of running on E85 ethanol, and Diesenol technology which is a 95% ethanol substitute for diesel and bio diesel fuels which can be burned in any modern diesel engine. The company's business plan includes bringing inexpensive cellulosic ethanol to key urban areas to drive Flextek sales while the ability to burn ethanol fuels in any modern vehicle will ensure a large ethanol market. " ...

Via XcelPlus Global Holding: XcelPlus Global Holdings Inc. Plans Expansion

 

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October 29, 2006

GM 2007 Flex-Fuel Plan ...




GM plans for flex-fuel vehicles in 2007. ...
... "In 2007, GM will offer 16 E85-compatible Flex Fuel models totaling about 400,000 vehicles. " ...
Via GM: Link
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GM E85 Ethanol Support: EPA Smart Way ...




GM joins EPA SmartWay partnership to support the growth of ethanol E85 as a popular alternative fuel option. ...
... "General Motors announced that it has joined the Environmental Protection Agency's new SmartWay Grow & Go partnership as part of GM's ongoing commitment to promote the benefits of E85 ethanol and other renewable fuels. With over two million E85 capable vehicles on the road today, GM has also made a major commitment to promoting the use and availability of E85 ethanol, with plans to double production of flexible fuel vehicles by 2010 as part of its involvement in the Energy Future Coalition's 25x25 initiative to get 25 percent of the nation's transportation energy needs met by renewable fuels by 2025. GM has already announced several partnerships with government, fuel providers and fuel retailers across the nation to help grow the E85 ethanol fueling station infrastructure. Since May of 2005, GM has announced partnerships in eleven states to locate up to 175 new E85 ethanol fueling locations by the end of 2006. There are currently more than 1,000 E85 ethanol fueling sites nationwide. " ...
General Motors Joins EPA's SmartWay Grow & Go Partnership ...
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E85 Gas Stations: Gradual Progress ...




There are many ethanol production facilities in the construction pipeline, but too few gas stations are offering ethanol, E85 blend. ...
... "In a recent trip to Sioux Falls, where there are approximately nine gas stations selling E85, the price was 15 to 20 cents less than the price in North Sioux City. " ...
Via Sioux City Journal: Too few E85 opportunities ...
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August 29, 2006

Soy Biodiesel DuPont Plans ...




DuPont plans collaborative effort to explore the potential of soy for biodiesel production.  ...

...   "DuPont and Bunge yesterday announced the expansion of the companies' soy collaboration beyond food and nutrition products to include industrial applications, biofuels and other opportunities.

Carl Hausmann, president and CEO, Bunge North America: We are excited about the potential of new soy products that will build on this success in the food sector and enable us to better serve feed and industrial customers including the growing soy biodiesel industry.  Soy Lubricant

DuPont has a significant effort to deliver new technologies to the growing biofuels market, which includes improving biofuel production through improved seed and crop protection products; developing new technologies to allow conversion of cellulose to biofuels; and developing next generation biofuels, including biobutanol.  In addition to developing corn hybrids for ethanol, DuPont subsidiary Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., is characterizing Pioneer brand soybean varieties for oil content to determine impact on biodiesel production. "   ...

Soy Biodiesel DuPont Plans: Via DuPont: DuPont and Bunge Broaden Soy Collaboration to Industrial Applications, Biofuels

Via Agriculture Online: Soy biodiesel gives bigger energy bang than ethanol: "Jeff Stroburg quoted USDA statistics that say biodiesel has a stronger energy balance than either ethanol or straight petroleum fuel. "

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August 28, 2006

Alternative Fuel Automobiles Increasing ...




American consumers are increasing their consumption of automobiles that leverage alternative-fuels, such as biodiesel and ethanol,  according to latest industry trends.  ...

...   "The number of alternative fuel automobiles on U.S. roads has reached 9 million, according to new figures released by R.L. Polk & Co.  The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers said that there were approximately 8.3 million alternative fuel autos on the road at the close of 2005, and over 700,000 hybrids, diesel and ethanol vehicles have been purchased in the first half of 2006, putting automakers on track to reach their goal of sales of a million. Automakers have set a goal of selling 1 million hybrids, diesel and ethanol vehicles in 2006, and 2 million by 2008.

Automakers are now selling 46 models of alternative fuel autos, including ethanol vehicles capable of running on 85 percent ethanol (or E85 vehicles), clean diesel autos and hybrid electric vehicles.  Another 35 models of alternative fuel autos are in development for future introduction. "   ...

Alternative Fuel Automobiles Increasing: Via Auto Alliance: 9 million Alternative Fuel Autos on US roads ...

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August 02, 2006

FlexFuel Cars: Tax Accelerates Energy Independence ...




Proposed tax would accelerate production of flex-fuel vehicles and penalize non-flex cars in order to accelerate the country towards energy independence.  ...

...   "Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose) today introduced H.R. 5959, the TEAM (To Lofgren promotes tax to accelerate flex-fuel vehicles ...Encourage Alternatively fueled vehicle Manufacturing) Up for Energy Independence Act of 2006, which will encourage the production of alternatively fueled vehicles by phasing in a tax penalty on the manufacture or import of new, non-flex fuel cars, light trucks, and SUVs.  H.R. 5959 phases in a tax penalty on the manufacture or import of new, non-flex fuel vehicles.  Any revenues generated by this tax will then be used to help independent gas station owners install alternative fuel equipment.  Since the cost of producing flex fuel vehicles is minimal at the time of manufacturing, these tax penalties can be easily avoided and will provide a needed incentive to move this emerging alternative energy technology forward. "   ...

Via Zoe Lofgren: Lofgren Introduces Flex Fuel Bill to Combat Climate Change: Team Up for Energy Independence Act Promotes Alternatively Fueled Vehicles ...

Additional resources on flex-fuel approach to energy independence ...

COLEMAN OUTLINES PLAN TO ACHIEVE GREATER ENERGY INDEPENDENCE: "The Energy Policy Act of 2005 Congress passed this summer included important provisions to expand energy conservation and renewable energy production, particularly through the creation of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). However, many of these provisions only support the current rate of growth for the renewable industry. If America is going to replicate Brazil's energy success, stronger, bolder policies are necessary.  I believe we need a national energy policy that increases availability of flex fuel vehicles, invests heavily in E-85 infrastructure, includes a sugar-to ethanol program, and sets a national mandate for ethanol that matches our energy independence ambitions.  Key elements of such a renewable energy policy are present in the Vehicle and Fuel Choices for American Security Act referenced earlier. VFCASA will increase the availability of flex fuel vehicles by setting a reasonable requirement that 10 percent of vehicles sold in the U.S. are alternative vehicles, such as flex fuel vehicles, by 2012 and 50 percent by 2016. This requirement would be coupled with a new tax credit for manufacturers for upgrades necessary to begin or expand production of advanced technology vehicles -- helping industry meet this requirement. "

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