EcoGeek News: Super Efficient Power Conversion, 3-Mode Vehicle and SkySails Update

The Department of Energy has been providing support for development of cutting edge technologies in energy production. We are all in favor of this, and we continue to be impressed by the technologies that are coming out of these programs. But we think that policies at other levels of government out to be supportive of the adoption of these developments, rather than continuing to support old ways of doing things. Volvo V60 is All-Electric, Plug-In Hybrid and Diesel Vehicle All in One Having trouble deciding between an all-electric, plug-in hybrid or diesel vehicle? Well, Volvo says you can have all three -- in one car. The new Volvo V60 Plug-In Hybrid sports wagon can change between those modes by just the push of a button and a driver can experience all three modes during a single trip. Drastic New Reduction in Power Conversion Losses What if your laptop no longer needed a converter brick? What if the DC power from your solar panels was converted to AC electricity with virtually no power loss from the conversion? What if the regenerative brakes in electric drive vehicles could put power into the batteries with almost no loss from power conversion? New technology could reduce power conversion losses by an estimated 90 percent. Chicago Installing 280 EV Charging Stations The Midwest will now have an electric vehicle hub in Chicago. The city will be home to 280 charging stations built by utility company Exelon by the end of the year. The charging stations will be located at shopping malls, both of the city's airports, rest stops along the Illinois Tollway and other various locations, and two will even be solar powered. SkySails' Ship-Propelling Kites Get a Customer in Cargill We've written a few times about the fuel-reducing power of the ship-propelling SkySail kites. In trial runs, the large sails, which are mounted to the front of container ships, have been able to cut fuel use by 20 percent and the company says that the sails could cut fuel use by up to 35 percent in real-world applications. New York City Area Doubled Its Solar Power Capacity in 2010 Private solar power installations at homes and businesses more than doubled last year in New York City and Westchester County. In 2009, 134 PV systems were installed in that area and solar power capacity was 4 MW. Last year, there were 203 PV installations, bringing the capacity up to 8.5 MW. Utility company Con Edison is taking the credit for the solar boom saying they promoted the economic and environmental benefits of solar power systems and also streamlined the approval process for residential systems under 25 kW. Follow EcoGeek and some of our writers on Twitter (@EcoGeek, @cornellbox, @mtreacy) as well as on our YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/theecogeek). If you are on Facebook, you can join the EcoGeek: Technology for the Environment group, as well. If you have comments or questions about the Newsletter, you can contact us at Newsletter@ecogeek.org. And be sure to check in for more information about all the latest green technologies at EcoGeek.org

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