Alternative energy news
zeromotorcycles.com
A small company based in Santa Cruz CA has developed an electric off road motorcycle with an entirely green battery system. The company claims: "Zero is the only EV manufacturer to use a revolutionary lithium-ion technology that is completely non-toxic. Unlike our competitors, the Zero Power pack contains no toxic metals such as cobalt, nickel, lead or mercury. They are so clean, they are rated for land-fill disposal in the US, Canada and Europe. They are also completely recyclable." BRAVO!!!!
Charging System - The Zero Fast Charger is completely automatic and will do a full recharge in less than 2 hours. You can leave your battery on the charger for hours, days, even weeks. It's ready to go when you are. Plugs into any standard 110 or 220 volt outlet. Fully sealed, vibration and water proof. A Zero motorcycle will produce less than one-tenth the pollution at the power plant than a gas powered motorcycle.
Motor - Zero's revolutionary permanent magnet electric motor delivers over 20 horsepower and requires almost no maintenance. The motor uses one-tenth the steel and half the copper of competing DC motors, and delivers the best power-to-size ratio in the industry.
| OUTPERFORMS OTHER GAS / ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLES The Zero X accelerates from 0-30 in under 2 seconds! The Zero's electric motor delivers over 20 horsepower and similar performance to a 250cc gas powered off-road motorcycle. With an electric motor you get 100% torque at all times for instantaneous throttle response and incredible off-the-line performance. Because the Zero is so amazingly light, it's power-to-weight ratio is unsurpassed by anything else on the market. |
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SAFE AND POWERFUL Unlike our competitors, Zero only uses completely safe second-generation lithium ion cells to insure against thermal runaway (fire). Our power packs also feature an intelligent monitoring system that constantly tracks the voltage and temperature of each and every cell. Our high output power packs deliver an incredible 300 amps of current without overheating. This is the highest power-to-weight ratio available in any electric vehicle. |
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PROGRAMMABLE POWER The ZERO X Speed Controller features the ability to customize both the speed and acceleration. With a flip of the switch you can limit the top speed to a "motorized bicycle" legal 30mph. Another switch sets the acceleration from a beginner friendly "easy" mode to a wheelie poppin' "sport" mode. |
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Plug in America is a website devoted to promotion and activism of the electric vehicle. Included in the website is news and information related to e cars. of note are the 2009 year models from all the major manufacturers.
http://www.pluginamerica.com/
Sterling Engine technology
A Stirling engine is commonly referred to as an "external combustion engine" in contrast to the "internal combustion engines" found in most vehicles. Combine a Stirling engine with solar as the source of heat, and you have a highly efficient means of converting solar power into usable energy.
How It Works
The Stirling dish technology converts thermal energy to electricity by using a mirror array to focus the sun’s rays on the receiver end of a Stirling engine. Each panel tracks azimuth and elevation to keep the sun’s rays focused at greatest intensity possible.
The internal side of the receiver then heats hydrogen gas which expands. The pressure created by the expanding gas drives a piston, crankshaft, and drive-shaft assembly much like those found in internal combustion engines but without igniting the gas. The drive shaft turns a small electricity generator. The entire energy-conversion process takes place within a canister the size of an oil barrel. The process requires no water and the engine is emission-free.
Comparison to Other Solar Technologies
Tests conducted by SCE and the Sandia National Laboratories have shown that the Stirling dish technology is almost twice as efficient as other solar technologies. These include parabolic troughs which use the sun’s heat to create steam that drives turbines similar to those found in conventional power plants, and photovoltaic cells which convert sunlight directly into electricity by means of semiconducting materials like those found in computer chips.
Additional Applications
While the number of potential applications for this technology is huge, in the near term Stirling Energy Systems will be keeping their focus on these utility installations.
Related Facts
- SCE procured more than 13,000 gigawatt-hours* of renewable energy in 2004, more than any U.S. utility and enough to power almost two million homes for an entire year.
- In 2004, more than 18% of the power SCE delivered to the 13 million Californians it serves came from renewable energy sources.
- SCE’s current renewable portfolio can deliver 2,588 MW of electricity, including
- 1,021 MW from wind
- 892 MW from geothermal
- 354 MW from solar
- 226 MW from biomass
- 95 MW from small hydro. - Within the next several weeks, SCE will launch its ninth request for offers by independent power producers in the past three years and the third exclusively for proposals by renewable energy providers. These open, competitive solicitations have resulted in 12 new renewable contracts with a maximum potential capacity of 1,630 MW.
- 1,021 MW from wind
- 892 MW from geothermal
- 354 MW from solar
- 226 MW from biomass
- 95 MW from small hydro.
*A gigawatt equals one billion watts.
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