MIDDLE EAST FIRST HYBRID BUS TO BE UNVEILED
Published at 31.12.2009 in Alternatives, International developments
After passing the required tests, the Middle East’s first hybrid bus will be unveiled by the end of the Iranian calendar year (March 20, 2010) by Iran Khodro Industrial Group. The bus is the result of the collaborative efforts of this Group, Tehran University, Isfahan University of Technologies and Iranian Fuel Conservation Company (IFCO). Their efforts finally fructified with the production of the Iranian hybrid bus.
JOULE REPORTS BREAKTHROUGH IN PRODUCING DIESEL FROM THIN AIR
Published at 30.12.2009 in Alternatives, Technology
Joule Biotechnologies from Cambridge, Massachusetts has announced a major step forward in its development of renewable fuels, achieving direct microbial conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) into hydrocarbons via engineered organisms, powered by solar energy. Joule is advancing a new, photosynthesis-driven approach to producing renewable fuels, avoiding the economic and environmental burden of multi-step, cellulosic or algal biomass-derived methods.
FRENCH CEA LAUNCHES BIOMASS-TO-LIQUIDS PROJECT
Published at 29.12.2009 in Alternatives, Technology
The French CEA (the Atomic Energy Commission, Commissariat à l'énergie atomique, now to be called the Atomic and Alternative Energy Commission) and its industrial and financial partners are launching the first phase of construction of a pilot thermochemical biomass-to-liquids (BTL) unit in Bure Saudron, 80 km from Nancy in northeastern France. The fuel will be used to add to diesel and petrol.
WRIGHTBUS POSSIBLY GETS ORDER FOR NEW LONDON DOUBLEDECKER
Published at 23.12.2009 in Alternatives, Vehicle news
Transport for London (TfL) has selected Wrightbus as the preferred manufacturer for the final design and build of the New Bus for London (NB4L), based on the iconic Routemaster. It is to build a prototype of the diesel-electric hybrid, and deliver five pre-production vehicles for on-the-road trials in 2011. The NB4L will have an open platform (to be closed off at certain times, such as at night) allowing reinstatement of a hop-on hop-off bus service; three doors (including the rear platform); two staircases and capacity for “at least” 87 passengers.
GERMAN ENGINEERS DEVELOP CLEAN, LOW EMISSION DIESEL ENGINE
Published at 21.12.2009 in Technology, Environment
Scientists at the Technical University of Munich, TUM have developed a diesel engine that is already close to meeting the more stringent Euro 6 emissions standard. A research team headed by Prof. Georg Wachtmeister from the Chair of Internal Combustion Engines has succeeded in reducing the pollutants in exhaust emissions to barely measurable levels. The engineers at the TUM have also developed a probe that allows them to take samples from the combustion chamber during the combustion process itself. With this method the scientists hope to discover precisely how soot forms, with the aim of developing new methods for emissions control.
