Green Energy News | December 26, 1999

December 26, 1999 – Vol.4 No.39

ENERGIES... week of December 26, 1999

1999 REVIEW / 2000 OUTLOOK. In the world of green energy 1999 should not be forgotten. Honda took the gutsy move of introducing its super-fuel-efficient Insight to a nation that cares little about efficiency - the U.S.A. Ford, the company that brought the automobile to the masses, admitted that global warming must be tackled and more efficient cars should be built. Wind power grew at a steady clip. It seems that if a site, the wind, the customers, and the capital were available a wind farm was planted.

AND THERE’S MORE. Even in the world of air transport there was realization in 1999 that something must be done about aircraft emissions and efficiency. The Association of European Airlines (AEA) and the European Association of Aerospace Industries (AECMA) will work together with member companies to find ways to reduce fuel consumption. According to both, efficiency improvements per passenger kilometer in the next 12 years can be lowered by more than 22% compared with 1990 levels, the base year specified by the Kyoto Protocol.

Among the improvements for aircraft include the development of “electric engines.” Ancillary hydraulic systems will be replaced with lighter weight electric ones. The most notable will be the elimination of oil-fed bearings. Floating a turbine’s shaft on an electromagnetic field is expected to increase fuel economy by at least 15%.

Other improvements include the possibility of low-drag “flying wing” airliners along with light-weight composite construction.

AND MORE... While both Ford and General Motors publicly unveil their super-efficient concept cars developed under the U.S. Government’s Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles (PNGV) program, both have also stated that neither car will see production. However, both have said that some of the efficient technologies will find their way into production cars.

Ford’s Prodigy (70 miles per gallon) and GM’s Precept (80 miles per gallon) are diesel-electric hybrids. Both make use of extreme aerodynamic efficiency (Prodigy, 0.199 Cd) which includes replacing rear view mirrors with rear facing cameras and shutters over air intakes, or repositioning intakes into wheel wells. The cars use plastic composites and alloys for weight reduction. The Prodigy weights 2387 pounds, a third lighter than a similarly sized Ford Taurus.

Of all the technologies a diesel motor has the least chance of ending up in a U.S. passenger car. But a diesel-electric hybrid could easily become a gasoline-electric hybrid.

AND FINALLY... While the possibility of fuel cell powered cars dominated the green vehicle news in 1999, the commercialization of plug-in electric vehicles moved forward. Ford signed a contract to build 500 (possibly 6000) electric postal delivery vehicles, Ford also introduced its TH!NK EV, and there is an obvious and growing market for electric bikes and scooters worldwide.

For signs of real change in 2000 watch sales figures for the Insight and Toyota’s Prius. Watch for further news of offshore wind generation in Europe as well as wind development particularly in India, Australia and the whole South American continent. And keep close eye on how successful utility companies are at selling green power to environmentally concerned customers.

Momentum summarizes 1999, hope for more of the same in 2000.