Another Round of Funding for More Efficient Vehicles

Dean Sigler Diesel Powerplants, Electric Powerplants, Sustainable Aviation Leave a Comment

On January 22, Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz announced the release of, “More than $55 million to develop and deploy cutting-edge vehicle technologies that strengthen the clean energy economy.”  This is at least the second series of Department of Energy incentives for development of ways to increase fuel efficiency and reduce petroleum consumption.  Such technologies will “support the Energy Department’s EV Everywhere Grand Challenge to make plug-in electric vehicles as affordable to own and operate as today’s gasoline-powered vehicles by 2022.” Secretary Moniz explained, “Energy Department investments in advanced vehicle technologies have had a major impact on the industry, driving down costs for consumers and reducing carbon emissions.  These projects will continue America’s leadership in building safe, reliable, and efficient vehicles to support a strong, 21st century transportation system.” Funding opportunities include money for: Advanced batteries (including manufacturing processes) and electric drive R&D, Lightweight materials, Advanced combustion engine and enabling technologies R&D, Fuels technologies (dedicated or dual-fuel natural gas engine technologies, Funding …

What a Month This Will Have Been

Dean Sigler Electric Powerplants, Sustainable Aviation Leave a Comment

With Solar Impulse descending on Washington, D. C., the Cross USA flight reached a symbolic conclusion, bringing the future to a capitol that seems resistant to even modest change, let alone radical departures from current, conventional reality. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n64tAJs_c8w With one hop to go in its journey, Solar Impulse has spread the message of what might be if we have the will to overcome the inertia brought about by our well-lobbied legislature. Andre Borschberg and Bertrand Piccard have one more opportunity to challenge the world to adopt green energy when Solar Impulse goes to New York City. Monday, they met with Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, with whom they participated in an energy roundtable and news conference about the technology that made their flight possible.  Doubtless, they shared their mission’s primary object, furthering the global “Clean Generation” initiative – “a movement of likeminded people ready for change; ready for greater investment in technological innovation for a cleaner future.” As the partners explain …