Monthly Archives: September 2004

Clean Diesel Technologies Inc. (CDTI) announced today that it has completed extensive independent testing of its Platinum Plus® fuel-borne catalyst (FBC) in a wide range of fuels on four different engines at Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio. Results from these tests confirm that the FBC, when added to various commercial diesel fuels, can provide up to 35 percent reduction in diesel particulate emissions (PM) and up to 11 percent NOx reduction. Both particulates and NOx are a major focus of worldwide efforts to reduce diesel emissions, and the U.S. EPA has challenged the industry to clean up the...

Distributed Energy Systems Corp (DESC) announced today the award of a Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase II contract from the U.S. Army Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to continue development of lightweight regenerative fuel cell technology for high altitude airships. The goal of this 2-year, $749,999 contract is to demonstrate a multi-kilowatt-capable closed-loop hydrogen-oxygen regenerative fuel cell and is a continuation of work completed in Phase I of this project. This regenerative fuel cell can generate pressurized hydrogen and oxygen electrochemically, without mechanical compression. MDA plans to apply this technology for energy storage for high altitude airships, which...

New York will dramatically boost its reliance on renewable energy sources like wind and water over the next nine years under a policy approved by state regulators Wednesday. Clean energy advocates and state officials said the action by the state Public Service Commission places New York among the leaders nationwide in the development of renewable energy. It comes 20 months after Gov. George Pataki first called for a statewide standard that would encourage the production of environmentally friendly energy.

Astris Energi Inc. (ASRNF) announced today that the North American premiere of its 2.4 kW Model E8 Portable AFC Generator will take place at the Hydrogen and Fuel Cells 2004 Conference and Trade Show, to be held in Toronto from September 25 to September 28, 2004. The E8 is the latest in a series of self-contained, portable generators that are powered by Astris' alkaline fuel cell. The quiet, emission-free E8 uses the latest generation POWERSTACK(tm) MC250 fuel cell modules to deliver 48 V DC at 50 amperes of current and will handle overload up to 60 amps. The...

BOC Group PLC (BOX) will display a full range of supply, safety and other fuel cell technology support services during the Hydrogen and Fuel Cells 2004 Conference and Trade Show at the Sheraton Center, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, September 25-27. BOC has a solid track record of delivering hydrogen production and supply solutions tailored to meet our customers' needs. BOC is supplying its full range of products and services to emerging hydrogen energy markets across the globe, participating in high profile demonstration projects, supporting the development of new technology, creating innovative customer solutions, and investing in new ventures. ...

Researchers from the University of Wisconsin at Madison have found a way to use the carbon monoxide to produce more energy in a reaction that can take place at room temperature. The method could eventually be used in portable systems that use renewable fuel produced from plant matter, said James Dumesic, a professor of chemical and biological engineering at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. The process could also be used to treat wastewater and contaminated gas streams, he said.

Puget Sound Energy (PSD) recently signed a letter of intent with Houston-based Zilkha Renewable Energy to obtain 100-percent ownership of Zilkha's proposed 220-megawatt (MW) Wild Horse Wind Power Project located in the eastern part of Washington state's Kittitas County. It is the next step in an ongoing process to acquire renewable energy as part of a strategic plan to secure low-cost, long-term diverse resources for its growing customer base.

Credit rater Standard & Poor said Tuesday wind energy could be a viable alternative to oil amid higher petroleum prices. "Wind power remains often more expensive than traditional energy sources ... although it is becoming increasingly price competitive," said S&P credit analyst Jan Willem Plantagie.

Enova Systems Inc (ENVA) announced today the immediate availability of its newest series hybrid drive systems for heavy-duty, urban transit and delivery vehicles. These leading edge, fuel efficient and environmentally friendly hybrid systems are applicable for Class 5 through Class 7 trucks as well as mid-sized to large urban transit buses. Enova introduced its new "Hybrid Power" series hybrid drive systems this week at the Electric Drive Transportation Association's annual trade show and symposium in Orlando, Florida and showcased a Class 8 truck equipped with this innovative new system in the ride and drive exhibit. Ideally suited for...

ZAP (ZAPZ) announced that the California state's Air Resources Board has certified its ZAP WORLDCAR(TM) as a "Zero-Emission Vehicle." The Air Resources Board has certified the 2005 Model Year ZAP WORLDCAR (NEV) and the ZAP WORLDCAR (Utility EV). The certification allows ZAP vehicles to be licensed and sold in the State of California. The certification also gives the purchaser access to incentives created for drivers of Zero-Emission vehicles. Drivers can qualify for a special Zero-Emission Vehicle parking decals that allow them to park and refuel at designated recharging parking spaces, as well as preferred locations at airports, shopping...

Plug Power Inc (PLUG) announced today an agreement with Tyco Electronics Power Systems, Inc., under which Tyco Electronics will market and sell Plug Power's GenCore®5T fuel cell systems for telecommunication backup applications throughout the United States and Canada. Under the agreement with Plug Power, Tyco Electronics will market, promote and sell the GenCore product through its direct sales force, under both the Tyco Electronics and Plug Power brands. The distribution agreement formalizes a working relationship between the companies that has been actively addressing technology, marketing, reliability and certification for more than a year, and is complemented by a...

The CS Monitor has a good article about the investment potential of Alternative Energy stocks. "You can't ride off into the sunset with a hydrogen-powered SUV - or to a middle-class solar home. But as the decades-long transition away from oil begins to take shape, some ethical investors sense a bonanza. "

Honda Motor Co (HMC) will debut the all-new Accord Hybrid, the world's first V-6-powered hybrid vehicle and Honda's third hybrid model, at dealerships nationwide on December 3, 2004. The all-new Accord Hybrid utilizes the third-generation of Honda's advanced Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) full hybrid system in combination with new Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) cylinder deactivation technology to deliver the world's best V-6 fuel efficiency - on par with a 4-cylinder, compact class Civic - along with highly responsive and powerful V-6 performance. With the introduction of the Accord Hybrid, Honda now becomes the first company in the world to...

Active Power Inc (ACPW) announced the details behind its latest breakthrough in alternative energy storage. The new technology, based upon the innovative combination of several mature technologies, constitutes a monumental achievement in energy storage by providing the extended runtimes of lead-acid batteries without any of the well-known shortcomings of these cells. This Thermal and Compressed Air Storage (TACAS) technology will be incorporated into Active Power's newest product that will begin shipping as an alpha unit late this year, the CleanSource® XR.

Honda Motor Co (HMC) industry-leading current generation FCX fuel cell vehicles will be key participants in a showcase rally that will drive some of the cleanest and technologically advanced vehicles in the world through some of the smoggiest regions in the USA.

The U.S. Department of Energy chose Princeton's Plasma Physics Laboratory to lead the United States' participation in an international fusion energy project known as the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). "We wanted to do it because it gives us an intellectual role in planning this experiment and making sure it succeeds," said Robert Goldston GS '77, director of the plasma physics lab. "This is very important for the future of fusion energy." In what Goldston described as an "amazing step" towards the development of nuclear fusion, ITER aims to construct the first device capable of producing self-sustaining...