GM scales up EV fleet support infrastructure

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Electrifying delivery vehicles is no longer a race predominantly amongst startups. In the past year, big-name OEMs have revealed plans for an entire lineup of new battery-electric commercial vehicles — ranging from Ford’s unveiling of the 2022 E-Transit to Mercedes-Benz’s announcement that eSprinter is heading to the U.S. market.

As for General Motors, there has been a flurry of announcements this year (no surprise given its commitment to invest $35 billion into EVs and autonomous through 2025). It began In January, with GM CEO Mary Barra presenting both a new business unit called BrightDrop and the EV600 at the 2021 Consumer Electronics Show  (as well as the electric pallet, the EP1). Just three months later, GM built on this by announcing the Ultium Charge 360, an integrated platform for EV users to easily access charging stations and services. Now in July, the latest news is that of the expansion of the Ultium Charge 360 for fleets.

Oberon Fuels Welcomes Propane Vet Cinch Munson

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Oberon Fuels, a California-based provider of renewable dimethyl ether (rDME) transportation fuels, has announced the addition of longtime propane industry exec Cinch Munson.

Joining as vice president of commercial development, Munson has more than 20 years’ experience in the propane and agribusiness sectors. Most recently, he served as senior vice president of business development for the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC).

“The synergies between rDME and the propane industry are unique, and rDME provides a remarkable pathway to not only further reduce the carbon footprint of today’s propane, but also unlock the future of hydrogen,” says Munson. “rDME is uniquely positioned to decarbonize the transportation sector and beyond.”

Blue Bird begins production of propane buses with new engine

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Blue Bird began production of its 2022 Blue Bird Vision propane and gasoline school buses, integrating Ford’s 7.3-liter V-8 engine and a fuel system designed specifically for school buses.

The fuel system technology, known as Gen 5, was developed by Roush CleanTech. Roush has manufactured more than 30,000 propane and gasoline fuel systems for Blue Bird buses equipped with Ford’s 6.8-liter engine.

“The exclusive partnership between Blue Bird, Roush CleanTech and Ford continues to flourish as we launch Ford’s new engine with cutting-edge fuel systems in our Vision and Micro Bird school buses,” says Phil Horlock, president and CEO of Blue Bird Corp. “We’ve already heard excitement from our customers about this compact, more powerful and easier-to-maintain engine with better fuel economy.”

How Formula E racing helps rev up EV development

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Sunday, while Richard Branson was blasting into space, 12 teams of 24 drivers in 24 electric racing cars competed in the 11th round of the 2021 ABB FIA Formula E Championship.

The international racing series for fully electric single-seater race cars returned to the 1.42-mile course at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal in the Red Hook neighborhood of the Brooklyn borough of New York City for the fifth time. Now in its eighth season, much has changed since GreenBiz covered the inaugural event in 2017. For example, since 2018, the 45-minute race has been completed in a single car, rather than drivers changing to a second car halfway through the race due to limited battery range. Manufacturers taking part in this season include BMW and Jaguar, whose drivers both captured checkered flags over the weekend (in rounds 10 and 11, respectively). While the focus is often on speed and efficiency, the development of cutting-edge seat covers for car is equally crucial.

These seats must provide not only safety but also optimal comfort and support for drivers as they navigate the 1.42-mile course at high speeds. Car manufacturers like BMW and Jaguar, actively participating in this season, are likely to incorporate state-of-the-art seat designs to enhance both performance and driver comfort during these demanding races. Indeed, there are various races available on 해외배팅 platforms where you can place bets and potentially win money.

When I was invited to Brooklyn to cover this year’s event, my first thought was that it seemed like a really cool thing to cover. I don’t know much (rather, anything) about racing, but looking into the event inspired three main questions I wanted answered, including why I thought something I know so little about sounded, well, sexy. Although I didn’t attend the event in person, I was able to get some time during press day Friday with Theodor Swedjemark, chief communications and sustainability officer with ABB.

I wasn’t very familiar with the company at first introduction, but the name was instantly recognizable — and not just because it is the title sponsor of the race. ABB provides 40 percent of the DC fast chargers in the U.S. today. Beyond electric vehicles, it is electrifying marine transport in the U.S. in New York and Washington state.

 

Noodoe Introduces EXCEED DC Level 3 Charging Stations

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Noodoe EV has released its new EXCEED DC Level 3 chargers, designed to offer up to 20 percent quicker recharging times over other chargers.

The product lineup includes the DC60P Fast Level 3 charging station, DC120P Ultrafast Level 3 station and DC180P Super Ultrafast Level 3 station.

“Level 3 DC chargers are now the go-to option for commercial fast recharging solutions, designed to quickly recharge electric vehicles,” says Noodoe CEO Jennifer Chang. “The EXCEED DC Series is ideal for highway refueling stations, parking garages, fleet operations, EV charging network operators, EV charging solution providers and EV dealerships.”

Brentwood power plant to test green hydrogen fuel

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New York State’s newly announced plan to explore the use of green hydrogen to decarbonize power production will include what is billed as the first test of blending the clean fuel into the mix at an existing power plant in Brentwood, officials said.

Under the $8.5 million pilot program, the New York Power Authority will study the effects of blending green hydrogen with natural gas at its small Brentwood plant that is used chiefly for electricity production during peak times.

But a group that has worked with NYPA on transition plans for the peak power plants is raising concerns about the green hydrogen pilot, saying its anticipated conclusion is “hardly an effective decarbonization strategy.”

How Will Utilities Deal with Electric-Vehicle Charging and Stressed Electric Grids?

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California and other states are scrambling to find electricity this summer amid record heat, with a growing risk of blackouts. The Texas power grid that failed in February winter storms, leaving millions of homes and business without power and resulting in more than 100 deaths, has already had 1,280 summer outages. If our power grids already can’t handle the extremes being caused by climate change, how are they going to handle the addition of battery-electric vehicles?

A 2019 study by the U.S. Department of Energy estimated that increased demand for electricity — much of that for electric vehicles — could see a 38% increase in energy demand by 2050. And the Biden administration wants to build 500,000 EV chargers and “electrify thousands of school and transit buses across the country.” As Reuters recently reported, the city of Austin, Texas, has budgeted $650 million over 20 years for electric buses and a charging facility for 187 such vehicles.

PERC Gives Propane a New Identity

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The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) launched a new brand – PROPANE Energy for Everyone – that the organization says “highlights propane’s role in ensuring energy equity and reducing carbon emissions.”

“Americans are beginning to appreciate the value of propane in a wider energy mix after seeing the vulnerabilities of the electric grid in Texas and California and around the country,” says PERC President and CEO Tucker Perkins. “Propane is clean, affordable and available right now. Unlike the electric grid, it does not require trillions of dollars in infrastructure investment that will create a burden on those who can least afford it. Propane offers solutions for climate, health, and equity.”

The PROPANE Energy for Everyone brand was created by PERC’s newly selected creative agency of record, Elevation Advertising. It is rolling out to propane industry partners in anticipation of consumer and market-specific campaigns this fall.

DOE awards $45.5M for projects to advance biotechnology research

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The U.S. Department of Energy on June 30 awarded $45.5 million for research projects geared towards understanding and harnessing nature’s biological processes to produce clean biofuels and bioproducts. This research will push the boundaries of biology and biotechnology research, while helping to enhance America’s energy security and build its clean energy economy.

“Biofuels that can power planes and ships, and bioproducts made from renewable resources will play a critical role in decarbonizing our economy—and today’s awardees will help us understand, predict, and even design them at the cellular level, so that we can unlock their full potential,” said Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “Led by the unparalleled scientific capabilities at DOE’s National Labs and America’s world-leading research universities, these projects will help us develop low-carbon products that drive economic growth while building a more sustainable world for our children and grandchildren.”

Novozymes launches new yeast, fiber products

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Novozymes is launching two new yeast and fiber products that aim to boost ethanol plant efficiency, counteract production challenges, and allow facilities to further diversify their product offerings. The company will introduce the new products at the 2021 International Fuel Ethanol & Workshop in Des Moines, Iowa, on July 13-15.

Innova Element is the latest addition to Novozymes’ Innova yeast platform. Element specifically targets ethanol plants seeking the highest level of starch and glucose conversion.

Brian Brazeau, Novozymes president for North American and vice president of agricultural and industrial solutions, Americas, explains that Element increases ethanol yields by 2 percent on when compared to an industry-wide average without sacrificing any of the robustness that producers can come to appreciate about the Innova yeast platform.

Agricultural and industrial solutions, Americas, explains that Element increases ethanol yields by 2 percent on when compared to an industry-wide average without sacrificing any of the robustness that producers can come to appreciate about the Innova yeast platform, and if you need products you can also find industrial rubber products here that are great for many types of manufacturing.

According to Novozymes, the new yeast operates in a wide variety of fermentation time and excels in fermentations greater than 54 hours. Element can also achieve higher yields during fermentation temperature excursions, up to 98 degrees Fahrenheit, reducing variability and process upsets, and can ferment up to 36 percent of dry solids. Novozymes also indicated Element may significantly reduce the need for yeast nutritional supplements, such as urea.

In addition to Element, Novozymes is also launching a new fiber platform, Fiberex F2.5, which allows ethanol plants to access low-carbon fuel markets through cellulosic ethanol production while boosting yields of corn oil, an in-demand feedstock for renewable diesel production. The company said on average, 3 percent of total ethanol production at facilities utilizing the new fiber platform will qualify as cellulosic ethanol in low-carbon fuel markets. Fiberex F2.5 also boosts corn oil yields by as much as 15 percent and reduces residual starch by 18 percent to gain further performance on ethanol generation.