Green Energy News | August 3, 1997

August 3, 1997 – Vol.2 No.18

ENERGIES... week of August 3, 1997

WHILE NASA’S SOLAR POWERED Pathfinder and Sojourner rover are still making history on Mars, another solar powered NASA Pathfinder set a new record 120 million miles away here on Earth early in July. The AeroVironment Pathfinder research drone soared to 71,500 feet over Hawaii - the highest altitude ever for a propeller driven aircraft.

With six electric motors and solar cells covering both sides of its 100 ft wingspan, the AeroVironment Pathfinder may seem small compared to the next solar powered research craft under development - the Centurion. Centurion will have a wingspan of at least 200 ft and eight or ten electric motors for propulsion.

FUEL CELLS should be used to power air traffic control systems in the U.S., according to Fuel Cells 2000, an industry trade group. Much of the air traffic system in the U.S. is still based on 1960’s technology and sensitive to power outages. Fuel cells could become primary power sources for control systems with the local power grid acting as back-up.

Air traffic control system failures are, of course, dangerous to travelers. Fuel cells would offer grid-independent power without additional air pollution.

HONDA, in 1998, expects to sell almost 500,000 cars nationwide which meet California’s strict Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) standard. The models include an all-new redesigned Accord as well as the 1998 version of the Civic. The Civic is expected to rate 32 mpg city and 38 on the open road. Honda will also offer a natural gas powered Civic which will be the cleanest vehicle ever powered by an internal combustion engine, according to the manufacturer.

EARLY AND EFFECTIVE ACTION is needed to limit climate change, increase geopolitical stability, and promote economic development, agreed three industry associations at the climate talks in Bonn, Germany. The European Business Council for a Sustainable Energy Future -e5, the International Cogeneration Alliance, and the U.S. Business Council for Sustainable Energy believe that technology alone cannot solve the climate change problem, but economic and regulatory action must take place. Recommendations by the three groups to be offered at the UN Convention in Kyoto, Japan in December involve CO2 emission targets, trading and budgets related to national commitments.