Three weeks ago I had talked about the Brenner Pass A22 in Italy becoming a corridor for hydrogen fueling stations. Now it has been publicized that Acta S.p.A. has signed an exclusive supply agreement with Girelli Bruni S.p.A., “…for the supply of photovoltaic installations and integrated hydrogen generators for the Italian service station sector.”

According to the press release, “Under the Framework Agreement, signed on 19 July 2010, Acta will be the exclusive supplier of photovoltaic installations to Girelli Bruni, which supplies forecourt installations in Italy for major brands such as Agip, Esso, Shell, Total, ERG, Repsol and Auchan. Girelli Bruni will also be the exclusive distributor of Acta’s hydrogen generators for the fuel supply sector in Italy.

“Based on Acta’s proprietary catalytic and hydrogen conversion technologies, these generators can be safely integrated with the photovoltaic installations to produce clean, dry and compressed hydrogen. Girelli Bruni completed more than 170 forecourt installation projects during 2009, of which the majority also requested the installation of photovoltaic capacity.”

Because of regional progressive environmental laws in Italy, the fueling station sector is expected to offset each new petroleum based fueling station with the use of photovoltaic energy plus alternative gaseous fuels such as hydrogen, methane or LPG.

The ACTA / Girelli Bruni hydrogen fueling stations will fit within these requirements. As of September 2008, Italy had 5 hydrogen refueling stations within the country. This number is expected to increase dramatically within the next 3 to 5 years as part of the overall build out of the European Hydrogen Highway system.

With the two latest developments, the Italian Hydrogen Highway is fast becoming its own entity. By joining forces with Germany and Norway (plus a little help from either Austria or Switzerland) there could be a formidable hydrogen corridor north to south from Oslo, Norway down to the southern tip of the Italian peninsula covering approximately 1,200 miles (pictured above).

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Success greets the research team of National Research Council’s National Institute for Nanotechnology (NINT) and the University of Alberta. The plastic solar cells have now an operating life of 8 months instead of mere hours. And they are low-cost, environmentally efficient, unsealed plastic dollar cells – a green energy source. Developing economically viable plastic [...]
Posted in: Industry, PhotoVoltaics, Solar Power

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Success greets the research team of National Research Council’s National Institute for Nanotechnology (NINT) and the University of Alberta. The plastic solar cells have now an operating life of 8 months instead of mere hours. And they are low-cost, environmentally efficient, unsealed plastic dollar cells – a green energy source. Developing economically viable plastic [...]
Posted in: Industry, PhotoVoltaics, Solar Power

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A manufacturer of passive components has expanded its offering of multilayer ceramic capacitors to provide high-capacitance values at temperatures up to 150ºC. Designated the X8L Series, the high temperature MLCC (Multilayer Ceramic Capacitors) range has an elevated capacitance performance at temperatures to accommodate applications in harsh environments.

The X8L capacitors deliver a CV of 0.47µF/25V in a 0805 package, a comparable X8R device is rated at 0.22µF/25V. The series extends the voltage availability from 50V (X8R) to 100V.

“Like the X8R Series, the new, high capacitance X8L MLCCs are AEC-Q200-qualified making them for automotive applications including under the hood systems. In the industrial market, they can also be used as bulk capacitors for temperature sensing modules as well as control units,” said AVX product marketing manager Tim Piver.

Both series are RoHS-compliant and feature low-loss performance and temperature stability. X8R capacitors show a capacitance variation of ±15% between -55 to 150ºC, while X8L products have a variation of ±15% from -55 to 125ºC and 15/-40% from +125 to +150ºC. Absolute capacitance varies with temperature.

Optional terminations include a patented Flexiterm, which ensures component reliability by preventing damage caused by thermal cycling and mechanical flexing. Conductive epoxy terminations for hybrid applications are available.

AVX Corporation

www.avx.com.

 PARIS, July 28, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ –

- Containerized Lithium-ion Energy Storage Battery Marks Major Step in Viability of Renewable Energy Sources

Saft has announced a three-year deal to work with Spain’s Acciona Energia SA as part of a Eurogia+ labelled project aimed at improving the viability of photovoltaic and other renewable energy source power plants. The project will demonstrate the technical and financial benefits of using a containerized energy storage, conversion and management system to provide grid ancillary services as well as power management to help smooth the plant output.

As part of the initial project at a photovoltaic (PV) plant in Tudela, Spain, Saft will develop a modular lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery system to be housed inside a six-meter container designed for industrial applications. The container includes active temperature control systems and a fire suppression system. The long-life Li-ion battery offers very high energy-efficiency, no battery maintenance and an easy way to measure the battery state of charge even while in use.

The project also seeks to integrate PV plants within the grid as conventional power plants by means of new control systems to be developed by Acciona Energia, including test of new PV technologies, with a final aim of reducing the Cost of Energy (LCOE) and providing additional services such as ancillary services, improving grid stability and back up power security.

“With the ever increasing contribution of renewables in our electricity mix, it is of crucial importance to improve the electrical behaviour of renewable power plants The decision to work with Saft on this project was a natural one”, said Miguel Arraras, Solar PV Development Director Acciona Energia. “In addition to their batteries high energy-efficiency and reliability, their containerized solution is ideal when it comes to addressing environmental constraints of field deployment. Saft’s knowledge of designing, manufacturing and controlling large energy storage systems means it will be a key contributor to the partnership.”

As part of the system, Saft will be able to offer the customer 1.1MW power at up to 1,000V. Each container is easily scalable and will interface with existing power conversion devices.

“We are delighted to be working with Acciona on this groundbreaking project,” said Francois Bouchon, Director of the Energy Storage Business Unit, Saft. “We believe the introduction of containerized energy storage makes photovoltaic and other renewable energy source plants an increasingly attractive option for the future. The ability to address issues around reliability, stability and power management is a huge step for the power industry in its efforts to integrate ecological concerns.”

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PHILADELPHIA, July 27 /PRNewswire/ — SRS Energy, a leading developer of building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) products, today announced that its Sole Power Tile has been chosen to power the Sunset Dream Remodel Home.  The Open House began last Friday and will continue through August 15th, 2010. 

This historic 1920′s bungalow in Los Gatos, California, has been overhauled into a modern Mediterranean villa.  De Mattei Construction transformed a 1,500 square foot rental property into a green oasis using sustainable building materials.  The Sole Power Tile, the first curved solar roof tile, was selected for its seamless integration with the barrel-style clay roof, preserving the home’s historic appeal while delivering renewable energy savings.

“We did this remodel consciously because of the times,” says Kathi McCalligan, Sunset’s Home Programs Director.  “We wanted to showcase that smart design can be beautiful.”  The Sole Power Tile system is a stunning complement to a gallery of green design including drought-tolerant landscaping, low VOC paint, and an eco-friendly custom kitchen island. 

“Builders and homeowners have become increasingly aware of the financial benefits of solar power,” says SRS Energy CEO, JD Albert.  “Sunset’s Dream Remodel is a perfect fit for the Sole Power Tile which fuses the timeless style of clay tile with excellence in engineering.”  The Sunset Sole Power Tile system includes sixty solar roof tiles, with an estimated annual production of 1,200 kilowatt hours.  The Sole Power Tile system is expected to eliminate expensive, top-tier electricity costs for the future owner.

The Sole Power Tile was recently recognized as the first curved solar roof tile to obtain UL certification and CEC listing.  SRS Energy and US Tile, the largest manufacturer of clay tile in North America, have partnered to launch the Sole Power Tile system in California with a nationwide rollout of the product to follow.   

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Can this really change the auto industry?

Game changer? Not any time soon

The latest energy bill provides nice tax credits for natural gas vehicles. Honda executive claims, “This could be a game-changer.”

“The Volt is a game-changing product,” recently claimed a Volt executive.

Maybe. Nonetheless, shouldn’t we wait until the game actually changes before claiming a product a “game changer”?

As the Progressive Insurance Automotive X-Prize comes to an end, for instance, one thing appears obvious, just “how difficult it will be to make truly revolutionary improvements to the automobile.” Despite numerous hybrid and plug-in attempts, only one technology has emerged as the most “revolutionary” potential game changer: weight reduction.

Ultimately, the game isn’t really changing, and the only reason there is any change at all has nothing to do with “game-changing” products. Instead, new CAFE regulations are forcing automakers to make a few changes. Of course, not enough changes to have any real impact on oil dependence, or even foreign oil dependence.

Even if every other American commuter drove a Chevy Volt 40 miles or less per day, so that only electricity was used, America would still be heavily dependent upon foreign oil. That’s how little and how slowly the game is actually changing.

One day plug-in vehicles, natural gas and/or many other technologies could become real game changers. Unfortunately, none of today’s “game changers” are set to cause a revolution in the US auto industry any time soon. Likewise, any number of technological breakthroughs across many different technologies could easily make today’s “game changers” irrelevant.

“Game changer?” Sadly, the auto industry still has a long way to go before they can rightly claim such a description.

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Far more cost-effective than plugging in?

The reality of hybrid cost effectiveness

Sure, we’ve pitted the Chevy Volt against the Toyota Prius in the past, but this time we have some real numbers. Unfortunately, the numbers don’t look good. So, if you think the Volt is set to save America, you might not want to read any further.

Since yesterday, many have compared the Nissan Leaf to the Chevy Volt. I don’t believe in such a comparison. Range anxiety is real and a vehicle like the Leaf will never resonate with the masses unless you can cut the price of the vehicle in half, minimally. The Chevy Volt, on the other hand, could easily convert the masses into plug-in vehicles, as long as the Volt is cost-effective.

Cost Comparison

Today, you can lease a Prius for $199.00 per month, while a Volt lease will soon cost $350.00.

The average Prius drivers spends $825 per year on fueling costs. The difference between Volt and Prius lease payments after a year is $1800. Consequently, even if the Volt uses nothing but free electricity, it will still cost $1000 more to lease per year. Of course, perhaps if gas prices hit $6.00 per gallon, then the Volt will be competitive, but considering higher gas prices push the cost of everything higher, will most Americans even be able to afford a new car?

But won’t the Volt cost much less to maintain than a Prius?

Certainly not on a three year lease, and since you can buy two Prius hybrids for the price of one Volt, there isn’t even a reason to compare purchasing cost-effectiveness. When it comes to purchasing, the Prius is a far better deal. Moreover, the battery pack on the Volt will probably not be as reliable, long term, as has been the much cheaper Prius battery pack.

In fact, in terms of maintenance, insurance is easily the biggest cost, and if insurance companies price Volt insurance fairly, it should cost more to insure a Volt than a Prius, a good bit more.

Today, the Volt just isn’t very cost-effective compared to the Prius, and that’s even after a $7500 tax credit that some have reported enables GM to reduce lease costs by $200 per month on the Volt’s 3 year lease option, but what happens after the tax credits expire?

While battery costs will come down, will they drop by $7500 per car in the near future? Likewise, wouldn’t such battery cost improvements also make the Prius cheaper, lighter and more fuel efficient as the king of hybrids could then switch to lithium?

And, yet, that isn’t even the most disturbing Volt news. After a decade on the market, hybrid cars still account for less than 3 percent of market share. Hybrids, such as the Prius, are just not perceived to be cost-effective by most consumers, and the Volt will even be far less cost-effective and much more expensive.

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Filed under: EV/Plug-in, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, Plug In Conference

Bill Nye, “The Science Guy,” Jessie Deeter, the producer of Who Killed The Electric Car? and Revenge of the Electric Car, and our own Chelsea Sexton took to the stage at the close of public night at the Plug-in 2010 Conference. With this line-up, it was more than 66 percent the same as last year, when Nye, Sexton and Electric Car director Chris Paine answered audience questions. Given the “preaching to the choir,” audience-led nature of the event, we thought there would probably be a lot of readers who would want to “attend,” digitally, so we’re posting an audio recording of the entire two-hour event after the jump. What does it contain?

How about a short preview (verbal, not video) of Revenge of the Electric Car? Deeter said that the film will focus on three main stories: General Motors and the Chevrolet Volt, Tesla Motors, Nissan and the Leaf and electric car mechanic Gadget. How about the panelists’ predictions of the percentage of new cars that are plug-ins by 2020? Nye said he doesn’t think it’ll be 10 percent, Sexton said it’ll totally be determined by how many the OEMs are willing to build. How about lots of disparaging comments about adding sound to silent electric cars? How about Nye calling lithium supply worries the “reddest of herrings”? How about one member of the audience proudly saying he’s been driving an EV1 since 1998, and Nye replying, “You must be exhausted”? Zing! All these classics and more await you after the jump.

Continue reading Plug-In 2010: Bill Nye, Chelsea Sexton return for public night panel

Plug-In 2010: Bill Nye, Chelsea Sexton return for public night panel originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The graphene organic photovoltaic manufacturing process. Courtesy of USC Viterbi School of Engineering.

Guest bloggers Andrea Donsky and Randy Boyer are co-founders of NaturallySavvy.com.

Bulky solar-powered gear is nothing new, but imagine charging your iPod or cell phone while you jog along… Read the full story on TreeHugger

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