Green Energy News | January 28, 2001

January 28, 2001 – Vol.5 No.44

ENERGIES... week of January 28, 2001

EFFICIENCY CIRCA 2020. Peering into the crystal ball at the year 2020, scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Energy Laboratory have made some predictions as to how efficient our cars might be.

In a paper to be presented at the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) 2001 World Congress - Future Light-Duty Vehicles: Predicting Their Fuel Consumption and Carbon Reduction Potential - scientists Felix AuYeung, Professor John B. Heywood and Andreas Schafer have come to the following conclusions:

-- Compared with today’s typical mid-sized gasoline-engined passenger car, the evolved car by 2020 should have reductions in fuel consumption of 35 percent, but with a price increase of 5 percent per vehicle (not including inflation) reflecting the more efficient vehicle technologies in use by then. Efficiency improvements will be, in part, because of vehicle mass reductions averaging 15 percent.

-- More advanced vehicles by 2020, with improvements in transmissions and further reduction in mass and resistances (such as internal engine resistance and vehicle body aerodynamics) should decrease fuel consumption another 12 percent over the evolved car, but with an additional 8 percent in cost. Vehicle mass would decrease another 8 percent.

-- Direct hydrogen fuel cell hybrid vehicles (fuel cell with battery pack) should be the most efficient and have the lowest emissions with nearly 55 percent lower energy consumption than the evolved car, but with a 40 percent price premium.

The paper # 2001-01-1081 will be available for a fee through the SAE at http://www.sae.org/ . A similar, earlier paper from the same authors is available from MIT at http://web.mit.edu/energylab/www/energylb.htm.

DISTRIBUTED GREEN POWER FOR CALIFORNIA? As California’s electric power shortages continue, one possible solution that would work in the short and long term is distributed power. From the moment an independant-from-the-grid electric generator was put into service tight grid resources would be channeled elsewhere. If those electric generators were also highly efficient, clean, or fueled from renewable sources, green power, and its environmental benefits, would be generated for years while virtually eliminating future possible power problems for that business, industry or home owner.

The Association of California Water Agencies - Utilities Service Agency (ACWA-USA) has taken action that could bring distributed green power to its members. ACWA has negotiated purchase deals with Solar Depot and Harza Energy that will allow members to purchase solar panels or microturbines at deeply discounted prices.

In the first deal, members can purchase solar photovoltaic equipment at 30 percent off retail. Systems will require 150 square feet of panel area for each kilowatt installed. The solar generators should produce power for about 14 cents per kilowatt hour over their 20 year lifespan.

In the second deal, members can purchase 30 or 60 kilowatt Capstone MicroTurbines through Harza Energy. Prices for the 30 kilowatt unit will range between $22,000 and $26,000, depending on how many units are collectively purchased from Harza.

Water pumping in California is the single most significant electricity user in the state consuming seven percent of the total usage. Visit the Solar Depot at http://www.solardepot.com .