Solar Impuse Solar Plane
The Solar Impulse Website has great images and videos supporting the press release info below:

From Swiss watchmaker Omega:

The development of a performance simulation and testing system (system test bench) for
the Solar Impulse project led by Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg, whose
objective is to develop and build an exclusively solar-powered airplane and to fly it
day and night by 2009, and around the world by the end of 2011. Known for its
precision-technology watches, the development of innovative timekeeping equipment
and its historic role as Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games, Omega has been
deeply involved together with the Group Team in the development of the airplane’s
engine and of the system test bench used to test various components of the Solar
Impulse airplane. A member of Swatch Group, the world’s largest watchmaking Group
and a leading provider of advanced technologies to a variety of industries, Omega
contributes its high-profile brand presence, communication support and essential
technologies developed by Swatch Group specialists in the areas of automation and
the development of test equipment to the Solar Impulse project.

Solar Impulse Test Bench

The system test bench is an electromechanical system designed to enable the Solar
Impulse development team to simulate and test the performance of the airplane’s
electrical systems at the conceptual stage, i.e. before production of the respective
components begins. In developing this bench, the OMEGA team made use of previous
experience in Swatch automation and testing of hybrid cars. The team will test the
airplane’s electrical propulsion systems, including the batteries, the electric motors
and the connections to the propellers. In particular, as full-sized solar panels for the
airplane are not yet available for testing, the system test bench will allow the Solar
Impulse team to simulate the performance of the solar panels destined to provide the
sole source of energy to the plane’s four electric motors. The tests will determine the
effective energy delivered by the solar cells to the motors. The team will also analyze
the performance of the motor under normal conditions and at temperatures ranging
from –40ºC to +55ºC; battery capacity; and the performance of the airplane’s
controls.

Hybrid Drive Propulsion Technology

Omega’s support is of critical importance to the Solar Impulse project, in particular
with respect to the airplane’s electrical propulsion system. Omega is providing the
technological expertise that enabled the development, initiated in the 1980s, of the
Swatchmobile hybrid propulsion system, along with the services of one of the experts
who oversaw development of the innovative automobile’s hybrid-drive engine. The
Swatchmobile was conceived – far ahead of its time – as a hybrid vehicle that
combined a thermal motor with four electric motors powered by a rechargeable
battery. The numerous technological challenges facing the Swatchmobile development
engineers to conceive and implement totally innovative solutions in terms of
propulsion electronics, electric motors, battery management and security. It is this
invaluable expertise and exceptional experience that Omega has made available to
the Solar Impulse development team.

One of the main supporters of this project is Bertrand Piccard.

Visit the original post at: Solar Power News

Brazil and Czech Republic Rolling Out Hydrogen Buses

The global economic recession has not slowed down hydrogen bus development from South America to Europe. In fact both Brazil (congratulations on winning the recent soccer battle) and the Czech Republic have decided to unveil their separate hydrogen fuel cell buses to the world.

In Sao Paulo, Brazil up to 5 hydrogen fuel cell hybrid buses will be purchased, tested and refueled at a central location. The buses also use regenerative braking to help recharge the battery system.

Sao Paulo has the world’s largest bus fleet with 50,000 units manufactured each year and 90-percent of the pollution in that city is due to cars, buses and other engine-powered vehicles. So, the introduction of zero emission vehicles such as hydrogen buses makes sense on the air quality issue alone.

In the Czech Republic, hydrogen fuel cell hybrid buses are also being introduced. The testing of this type of vehicle (pictured) is being called the TriHyBus project. The bus uses a 48 kw Proton fuel cell along with a bank of ultracapacitors.

Regenerative braking is also being used to recharge the ultracapacitors and the Linde Group will be building the hydrogen refueling station in the town of Neratovice and delivering the compressed hydrogen gas from off site.

So, two very different countries thousands of miles apart see the value in developing hydrogen vehicle technology in order to combat tailpipe emissions and gain energy independence. Now, if only the current U. S. administration was so wise we’d all have much more hope for a cleaner and greener future.

Visit the original post at: Fuel Cell News

Cleantech may have seen the worst, rebounding to $1.2B in 2Q09
Investment in electric vehicles, biofuels and advanced batteries are booming, while solar is in its lowest slump yet, according to new findings today from the Cleantech Group.

Visit the original post at: Energy News

Newly Developed Light Sensor Could Improve Solar Cells and Cameras

Scientists at the University of Toronto have created a new type of light sensor that acts like a pixel in a digital camera. Researchers believe the sensor, which takes advantage of a phenomenon called multi-exciton generation (MEG), could lead to substantial advancements in the performance of a variety of electronic devices including digital cameras.

Visit the original post at: Energy News

Solar Stocks News- GWS Technologies (OTCBB: GWSC) Announces New Consultant Fred Wagenhals
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — GWS Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: GWSC), an alternative energy company developing renewable energy solutions, announced today that it has retained Fred Wagenhals to serve as a manufacturing, product development and marketing consultant to the company.

Visit the original post at: Energy News

What If I’m Wrong?
Risk Assessments

I spend a lot of time playing “What if?” We all do this. I do this when I am driving – “What if that car at the next intersection pulls out in front of me?” – when I am working – “What if that high pressure line ruptures?” – and at home – “What if I wake up and find the house is on fire?” I also spend a lot of time pondering the question “What if there are energy shortages in the near future?“

When we do this, we are generally trying to understand the potential consequences of various responses to a given situation. This sort of exercise is a form of risk assessment, and it is a very important tool for making decisions about events that could impact the future. Sometimes the consequences are minor. If I choose not to take an umbrella to work and it rains, there is probably a small consequence. If I choose to pass a car on a blind hill, the consequence may be severe, and may extend to other people.

In this essay I will explore the implications of the question: “What if my viewpoint is wrong?“

What If I’m Wrong About Peak Oil?

I guess it was my training as a scientist that emphasized to me that conclusions are tentative (I was two years into a Ph.D. in chemistry before I decided the job prospects were better for a chemical engineer). They are subject to revision as additional data come in, and you have to always be willing to consider that you may be wrong. But acknowledging that I could be wrong has to go hand-in-hand with the consequences of being wrong.

I spend a lot of time thinking about the possible consequences of peak oil. My view on peak oil is that it presents an enormous challenge for humanity, that we will begin to face these challenges within 10 years, and that there is no easy solution. I see spiking oil prices and the subsequent fallout as a prelude to what lies ahead. These views have influenced my profession, where I have chosen to live, what I read, and what I say to others. Fear of peak oil has influenced some people not to attend college, or to quit their jobs and move away to remote locations. It has even caused some people to decide against having children. But what if I am wrong about the timing of peak oil? What are the consequences?

For me, this one has low consequences. If I am wrong and we have adequate oil supplies for the next 40 years, then perhaps I live a more frugal life than I might have otherwise. I prefer to walk, ride a bike, or take a train instead of hopping into a car to drive some place. When I drive, I probably drive a smaller car than I would have otherwise. Then again, I have always been frugal, so perhaps I would have done all of these things regardless. The one thing that it may have impacted upon in a major way is my interest in energy.

But if I am right, then I have plans in place to manage the impact as well as I can. Those plans start with minimizing my energy consumption. It is my small insurance policy. If the worst case doomers turn out to be right, then there isn’t a lot I can do except try to make sure my family and I are in circumstances that minimize the risk. Further, I have done a lot of work that is aimed at improving our energy security in the years ahead. That work includes promoting renewable energy technologies that I think can make a long-term contribution, but also arguing for conservation, and better utilization of our own natural resources. So if I am correct, then I have chosen to work on things that have the potential to mitigate the consequences.

But what if the other side is wrong? Government agencies devoted to monitoring our natural resources often reassure us that there is plenty of oil for decades to come. But what if the government, industry, etc. turn out to have missed the mark on peak oil? In that case I think we will be in for a lot of trouble.

If the peak comes quickly and the decline is steep, I believe we will be wholly unprepared. There is not a cheap, easy substitute for oil. Much higher prices will be inevitable in such a situation. Industries – such as the airline industry – won’t be prepared and we will see perhaps entire industries go bankrupt. While I do believe that over time we can transition to natural gas vehicles (and our supplies of natural gas look adequate for a while), that will take some time. If the government is wrong and the peak happens much sooner than expected, we will be in for a very difficult transition period.

What If I am Wrong on Global Warming?

Another question I think a lot about is “What If I am Wrong on Global Warming?” To me, this one is more complicated. If the Al Gore contingent is correct, then we are facing some very major problems. As I have written before, I don’t expect us to be able to rein in carbon dioxide emissions, so I see a future with ever higher atmospheric CO2. And while I tend to come down on the side that human activity is contributing to global warming, the scientist in me reminds me that “conclusions are tentative.”

On the one hand we have potential global devastation if Al Gore is correct (because again, I believe carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will continue to climb). On the other hand are those who believe that human activities play little or no role in global warming. They view the opposition as putting global economies at risk by putting a price on carbon emissions. While I think global devastation is a much worse consequence than economic stagnation, the impact of that could be pretty severe as well.

So we have two camps, each of which thinks if the other side gets their way it will lead to global disaster. So we get a lot of vitriol in this debate, which I don’t like. I don’t know what the ultimate outcome on this one will be, but one thing I don’t want to see is the debate stifled by placing derogatory labels on those with whom you disagree.

I never discount the possibility that I could be wrong about something. I would say that precious few of my views are embedded in granite. That’s why I write this blog; to discuss, debate, learn, and change my mind when reason dictates that.

Visit the original post at: Energy News

Funding for a wide range of energy related projects

Visit the original post at: Renewable Energy News – RenewableEnergyWorld.com

US DOI Fast-Tracking Initiatives for Solar Energy on Federal Lands
Under initiatives announced by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and U.S. Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), federal agencies will work with western leaders to designate tracts of U.S. public lands in the West as prime zones for utility-scale solar energy development, fund environmental studies, open new solar energy permitting offices and speed reviews of industry proposals.
Visit the original post at: Renewable Energy News – RenewableEnergyWorld.com

Drilling Starts on Australian Geothermal Project
Petratherm is on track to deliver Australia’s first commercial geothermal energy project following the start of major drilling at its Paralana site in South Australia’s Far North this week. In collaboration with its joint venture partners, Petratherm spudded its Paralana 2 deep well using a AUS $40 million [US $32.3 million] custom-made contract drilling rig which arrived on-site last month after being commissioned from Weatherford International in Dubai.
Visit the original post at: Renewable Energy News – RenewableEnergyWorld.com

CSI Receives 30-MW Order from Systaic
Chinese manufacturer, Canadian Solar Inc. (CSI) has received a purchase order from German system integrator, Systaic AG for 30 megawatts (MW) of solar modules. The modules, which will be delivered to Spain, were orderedorder under a 60-MW annual supply agreement that the two companies announced in October of 2008. Delivery under the agreement has already started.
Visit the original post at: Renewable Energy News – RenewableEnergyWorld.com

Suntech Signs US $50M Loan Deal with IFC
Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. has signed a US $50 million convertible loan agreement with IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, to support Suntech’s transition to its Pluto technology and debt refinancing requirements. The convertible loan has a fixed rate coupon of 5.0% per year, which is payable on June 15 and December 15 in each year.
Visit the original post at: Renewable Energy News – RenewableEnergyWorld.com

SSE Plans New Pumped Storage Project
Scottish and Southern Energy plc (SSE) is proposing to develop two new large-scale pumped storage hydro electric schemes in the Great Glen in Scotland that would be the first pumped storage schemes to be developed in the UK since Dinorwig in Wales in 1974.
Visit the original post at: Renewable Energy News – RenewableEnergyWorld.com

Nordex In 90 MW Turkey Contract
Wind turbine company Nordex has announced that, starting in winter 2009, it will begin constructing the ‘Bergama’ wind farm comprising 36 of its N90/2500 turbines.
Visit the original post at: Renewable Energy News – RenewableEnergyWorld.com

New York City’s First Offshore Wind Farm Begins Inching Forward

photo: Martin P via flickr

New York’s first offshore wind farm has moved one step closer to becoming reality. The Long Island, New York City Offshore Wind Collaborative has issued a Request for Information for its plan to build a 350 MW wind farm (with the possibility of expanding to 700 MW) about 13 miles off the coast of Rockaway Island:…
Visit the original post at: TreeHugger