Filed under: Biodiesel, Etc., Manufacturing/Plants

U.K. biodiesel producer D1 Oils is gearing up to supply local oil companies with the biodiesel they will need to meet mandatory a B5 biodiesel blend target coming into effect next year. D1 has pursued a strategy of using jatropha curcas oil as their primary feedstock by establishing large jatropha plantations in a variety of countries including India, Zambia, Swaziland, Indonesia and China. While waiting for adequate jatropha feedstock supplies to come online, D1 are using soy bean oil in their ramp-up of biodiesel production to a planned 320,000 tonnes in 2008.

D1 has a contract in place to supply petroleum distributor Petroplus with biodiesel for blending purposes which will become mandatory under the U.K.'s Renewable Fuel Transport Obligation (RTFO) that goes live in in April 2008. D1's jatropha plantations are to be doubled in size from 145,000 hectares to nearly 300,000 hectares over the next year to meet the demand.

Analysis: I visited D1's facility in Teesside, northern England last year to learn about their operation and plans to expand their jatropha oil production. Jatropha is a smart play by D1 although they are currently hurting through the early years while the first plants grow sufficiently to harvest. If they manage their plantations well they should have a steady supply of a high quality and very cheap biodiesel feedstock.

Related:

• See the Sexy Green Car Show in Eden (in the UK, not the Bible)
• Africa to become the world's biodiesel supplier?
• Palm oil production and prices soar on back of biodiesel

[Source: icNewcastle.co.uk]

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Filed under: Etc., MPG

If you have been on the internets (see, I have... w00t! I M L33t :-) for any length of time, you know that pretty much anything you could ever want to know (or not know) is probably already there. Forums were developed for people with a common interest to get together with people that they don't know, and could be half across the world from, and talk about anything. For instance, say you would like to know what sort of mileage somebody gets with a particular car, fuel source, or driving technique. Maybe you want to brag about how good you mileage is, or isn't. Maybe you want to share some technique to help others out. Check the forum. Chances are, somebody out there can help you in some way or another.

This particular forum is pretty new, so there is not much there yet. But, that is the perfect chance to become a big helper in getting it off the ground. Then you can be one of those snobby Internet forumers who have been on a forum since, like, forever and have a bajillion posts under their name and love to let others know it. Oh, nevermind. Just check it out!

[Source: Daily Fuel Economy Tip forum via Hugg]

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Filed under: Etc., Green Culture, MPG

MSNBC asked for examples of practical jokes, and one viewer told the story of a fellow worker who was proud of the gas mileage on his new car. So the co-workers started adding small amounts of gas while it was parked in the company garage. The mileage kept getting better. Then after taking the car in for a routine checkup at the dealer, the co-workers started removing gas. Now the car owner is sure the dealer screwed up his car. Ha ha!

[Source: MSNBC]

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Filed under: Etc., Green Culture, Manufacturing/Plants

A doctoral dissertation by Fredrik Robelius of the Uppsala University in Sweden contends that global oil production will reach its peak yield as early as next year before falling into decline. The thesis, which attempts to estimate the largest oil fields' future production, is based on Robelius's investigation of historical oil production, new oil field discovery and global reserves. The world's largest, or giant, oil fields number less than one percent of all fields but account for over 60 percent of global production.

Analysis: Robelius verified that the decline in reserves of a field is constant at an annual rate of diminution of around six to sixteen percent. His best case scenario - peak oil in 2018. If declining oil reserves push up fuel prices and rising prices drive purchases of fuel efficient vehicles, the day of the hybrids may be just around the corner.

Related:

• ABG POLL RESULTS: Just how fuel efficient is your vehicle?
• California's largest utility looks to the wind to power EVs
• USDA: Biofuel use in U.S. will see spike in next few years, then drop

[Source: PhysOrg.com]

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Filed under: Hydrogen, Ford

Ford's Australian division is partnering with the University of Melbourne on a study to begin in July of this year to evaluate a hydrogen powered internal combustion engine. The Victoria State Government has chipped in a $1.2 million grant to help finance the project. The University team will take a Ford six-cylinder engine, and add turbocharging and hydrogen assisted injection. This will be the first such project with an Australian developed engine. In addition to developing and testing the engine, Dr Michael Brear and the team will work on hydrogen generation using renewable energy and high density storage of hydrogen.

[Source: Ford]

FORD JOINS WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE TO STUDY HYDROGEN ENGINE DEVELOPMENT IN AUSTRALIA

VICTORIA, Australia, March 29, 2007 -- Ford Motor Company of Australia has confirmed its support of a long-term research project by the University of Melbourne to study efficient and practical hydrogen fuelled vehicle technologies.

The important study today received a $1.2 million grant from the Victorian State Government, announced by the Minister for Energy and Resources, Hon Peter Batchelor.

"Ford Australia is proud to extend our relationship with the University of Melbourne through this important project," said Ford Australia President Tom Gorman.

Ford Australia will contribute engines and resources to the project which, along with the State Government grant, will assist with engine and vehicle development. The project will also investigate hydrogen generation and storage technology.

"Globally, Ford Motor Company is a leader in the development of alternative fuel vehicles and technologies. The Escape Hybrid, our range of E85-capable flexi-fuel vehicles, and the recent showcasing of the world's first drivable fuel cell hybrid electric vehicle with plug-in capability are all examples of our broader global efforts," said Gorman.

"The University of Melbourne project is the first to research hydrogen engine alternatives using an Australian sourced engine, and will be an important complement to these initiatives," Gorman continued.

The first stage of the project aims to develop, build and test a hydrogen-fuelled turbo-charged Ford 6-cylinder engine using advanced combustion technology (HAJI - Hydrogen Assisted Jet Ignition). The aim of the study, which will build on many years of hydrogen combustion research at the University of Melbourne, is to demonstrate the characteristics and benefits of hydrogen assisted internal combustion.

"This project will use cutting-edge research into low / zero emissions technology," said University of Melbourne Senior Lecturer, Dr Michael Brear. "It will also tackle the important energy issues of hydrogen generation from renewable energy and its high density storage requirements."

The long-term research project is scheduled to begin in July.

Hydrogen part of a broader global effort at Ford

Research into hydrogen technologies is part of Ford's global effort to address the challenges of climate change and energy independence through the development and use of alternative fuels and alternative fuel technologies. This includes hydrogen fuel cells, hydrogen internal combustion engines, hybrid engines, biofuels, LPG, clean diesel and refinements to petrol-powered engines, and advanced transmissions.

Ford Australia and the University of Melbourne relationship

In late 2006, Ford Australia joined the University of Melbourne and the Victorian State Government to form the Advanced Centre for Automotive Research Technology (ACART), the purpose of which is to enhance vehicle development in Australia. ACART will eventually include a new engine dynamometer facility, a diesel test cell, and a world-class environmental wind tunnel available for use by the wider automotive development community.

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Filed under: Biodiesel, Ethanol, EV/Plug-in, Flex-Fuel, Hybrid, GM, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, Legislation and Policy, Podcasts

Sebastian and Sam discuss what's coming out at this weeks Alternative Fuel Vehicle conference in Anaheim, and New York Auto Show as well as some of this weeks news. Prior to the recent GM battery technology briefing, Sam, Ed Ring, David Houle, and Jeff McIntire-Strasburg got to sit down with Larry Burns, GM Vice President for breakfast and a discussion of where he thinks GM is going with alternative fuel technology. The Q and A session led to some interesting discussion.

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Filed under: Hydrogen, GM

GM might be relaxing a bit on their previously announced plan (see links below) to mass-produce hydrogen cars in 2010. Just Auto reported yesterday that GM will now decide in 2010 whether this mass production is a good idea. Granted, GM's never said they'd have hydrogen cars on dealer lots across the country (just in hydrogen-friendly places like California), but Just Auto's article (subs req'd) makes the General out to be a lot more relaxed about the introduction of the production Sequel (or whatever).

Lars Peter Thiesen, manager of GM Europe's fuel cell deployment strategy, speaking at a media briefing at GM's test track near Frankfort, Germany, told Just Auto that GM is waiting to hit two targets (a 5,500 hour fuel cell and getting the cost of fuel cell power to about $50 per kilowatt (Thiesen said that small petrol engines cost $30 per kilowatt and a big, sophisticated engine costs $70 per kilowatt. Just Auto never quotes Thiesen saying that 2010 is the official decision date, but that's what their headline says, so don't hold GM to this statement.

Related:

• GM plans to produce hydrogen fuel car by 2010
• GM to produce Sequel fuel cell vehicle by 2010

[Source: Just Auto (subs req'd)]

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Filed under: Emerging Technologies, Hydrogen

Here is an idea that has taken hold in the computer realm, but not so much in the automotive world: open source. If you know anything about computers, you have probably heard of Linux, the open source operating system. What exactly does open source mean? It means that anybody who can write in the language of the software in question can make their own changes to it, and publish their changes as they see fit. We have seen, however, that just because something, like Linux, is open source, it is not necessarily free. As you are probably aware, it is pretty easy to pay for a copy of Linux which has been modified in a certain way so as to make it different than other versions of the software. How does this relate to cars? Glad you asked! Check this out, an open source car (there's also OScar). It is known as the "c,mm,n", which is pronounced "common". It is here on Autobloggreen because it is powered by hydrogen at this time. Don't like hydrogen as a fuel? Don't use it... this is common source, remember? Get the plans yourself and change it however you want. Interested in knowing more? I am, which is why I have requested information on the car. I'll see what it takes to get some knowledge about the car from their website and share with you what I find. Stay tuned!

[Source: c,mm,n via Engadget]

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Filed under: Biodiesel, Ethanol, Manufacturing/Plants

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says the largest corn crop in 63 years is on the horizon as farmers cash in on the ethanol gold rush. Estimates indicate more than 90 million acres will be planted with corn this spring. Experts say corn is selling above production cost for the first time in 30 years, and farmers are reacting with record planting. In fact, prices have more than doubled since last August, and the total windfall could be $50 billion. With a successful harvest, farmers will reap 12.5 billion bushels this autumn. That's 700 million more than the 2004 record. On the flip side, other crops such as soybean, rice and cotton will decline. With the increased corn supply and about 80 biofuel refineries going on line, ethanol production is expected to jump from 5.6 billion gallons to 8 billion this year.

[Source: Richard Luscombe & Jacqui Goddard / scotsman.com]

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Filed under: Diesel, Hybrid, MPG, Mercedes Benz

Click on the image for a gallery of high-res images of the clean diesel Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec.

Petrol is expensive in Europe and has been for a long time which goes a long way to explaining the popularity of fuel-efficient diesel passenger vehicles on the other side of the pond. Diesels account for over half of all vehicle sales in Europe compared to less than five percent in the U.S., or Australia for that matter. Diesel technology has progressed greatly though since the 1970's when many U.S. states banned them from the roads. And they're about to return.

These days modern, clean diesel engines include precise fuel injection, advanced engine management and particulate filters to reduce emissions. But even so, a big stumbling block to their re-introduction to the U.S. market has been the poor quality of the diesel fuel sold state-side. With the recent introduction of ultra low sulphur diesel though, those days are at an end and a wave of new clean diesel models will be coming to market during the 2007, 2008 and 2009 release seasons.

Hybrids have so far led the market in fuel-efficient new models but the premium for hybrid technology currently stands at around $4,000 over a conventional vehicle compared with just $2,000 for a diesel variant. And the 20 - 40 percent better fuel economy that diesels' enjoy over regular petrol vehicles could have a huge impact if they're embraced en-masse. The EPA has estimated a saving of 1.4 million barrels of oil per day in the U.S. if a third of the passenger vehicles on the road were oil burners - virtually the same amount being imported daily from Saudi Arabia.

Analysis: Expect consumer mind-share to shift slowly to encompass diesels as competition for hybrids, but by 2010 I think we'll see more diesel options available to consumers than hybrid options.

Related:

• Mercedes wants 10% of their US sales to be diesels by 2010
• The finalists for 2007 World Green Car are from BMW, Mercedes and VW
• Geneva Motor Show: Cadillac unveils powerful new V6 clean diesel engine

[Source: Matt Vella / Business Week]

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.