Green Energy News | November 29, 1998

November 29, 1998 – Vol.3 No.35

ENERGIES... week of November 29,1998

THE WIND FROM TEXAS. No, not news about EXXON MOBIL. TU Electric and York Research Corporation have unveiled phase one of the 34,000 kilowatt $40 million Big Spring WindPower Project in Big Spring, Texas. The unveiling included the startup of the first four Vestas V-47 wind turbines and the ground breaking for additional V-66 turbines.

When other phases of construction are completed there will be 46 turbines at the site with the capacity to generate 117 million kWh annually - enough clean energy to power 7300 homes.

The V-47 turbines are large, standing 290 feet. But the V-66’s are whoppers measuring 371 feet from the ground, with a rotor diameter of 216 feet and a capacity of 1650 kilowatts. The V-66’s will be the largest turbines in the U.S.

Before construction TU Electric, which services 2.4 million customers in north and central Texas, asked customers if the company should invest in renewables. In this oil state 96% said yes. And, by a ten to one margin, customers said they would pay a least a dollar more per month for energy from sources such as wind power.

FUEL CELLS IN JAPAN. Ballard Power Systems and the EBARA Corporation of Japan have completed a $31 million agreement for the creation of a jointly held company which will sell, service and later manufacture Ballard Fuel Cell stationary power plants for the Japanese market .

EBARA will work to develop cogeneration systems combining the fuel cells and absorption chillers. Further, the company aims to build ultra low emission energy systems using fuel cells powered by reformed methane gas from water and waste treatment facilities.

Visit Ballard at http://www.ballard.com .

CLEAN TRANSPORTATION ELSEWHERE. -- Ford has made its Ranger Electric vehicle more appealing: the pick-up truck is now offered with longer range nickel metal hydride batteries (NiMH) for $450 a month to California customers - a real world range of 65 to 85 miles per charge. Lease rate for the lead-acid version is now $349 a month. Fast charging is now available - 80% charge in 15-20 minutes - or a low-cost, $249 wall mounted conductive charging unit is being sold. (Ford is sticking with conductive charging.)

-- DaimlerChrysler will deliver 120 EPIC electric minivans to 11 dealers in California. The NiMH powered vehicles will be offered for lease to fleets for $450 per month for three years. Top speed is 80 mph with a range of 100 miles according to the newly formed company. Fast - 30 minutes or less - charging is also available.

-- Aprilia, Europe’s second largest motorcycle company, has introduced two new green motorcycles utilizing direct fuel injection technology developed by the Orbital Engine Company. Orbital’s OCP (Orbital Combustion Process) installed as DITECH in the Aprilia 50 and 250 cc models reduces pollutants by 80% in the two cycle motors and improves fuel economy an average of 40%.

Visit Orbital at http://www.orbeng.com.au/ and Aprilia at http://www.aprilia.com/ .