Accelerating availability is key pillar of industry's sustainable growth strategy - http://www.traveldailynews.com/pages/show_page/48415-Boeing,-Airbus-and-Embraer-to-collaborate-on-aviation-biofuel-commercialization

in Transport Fuel Efficiency

A relative comparison of space utilized by different modes of transport.

in Transport Fuel Efficiency

Without policy intervention, total travel demand in every transportation subsector in the state of California is projected to increase between 50 and 100% from 2005 to 2050 due to population growth and increasing travel demand per capita, with the most growth occurring in light-duty, heavy-duty and aviation sectors, according to a new report from the California Council on Science and Technology. The report, authored by Christopher Yang, Joan Ogden, Dan Sperling and Roland Hwang, was commissioned by the California Energy Commission (CEC).

However, total transportation energy demand in California could be reduced 30% relative to 2005 levels in 2050 through improving overall vehicle efficiency (which includes the use of advanced electric-drivetrains such as plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs). Additional reductions in energy use would accrue if options to control travel demand were also included

- http://www.greencarcongress.com/2011/12/ccst-20111223.html

in Transport Fuel Efficiency

Cars are an important part of our daily lives, no matter the perspective. So how do we reconcile our need for personal transportation while lightening our environmental load?
These tips may not work for everyone. But these are few basic steps that CAN be done by almost everyone, without copious effort or extraction of any kind.
Consider these potentials to determine if they might work for you.

http://www.greencar.com/articles/tips-everyday-drive-greener-experience.php

in Sustainable Cities Electric, Hybrid and Plug in Hybrid Electric Cars Transport Fuel Efficiency

Poop, it’s the new coal, at least according to Japan’s largest toilet manufacturer, Toto, who — believe it or not — has recently released a three-wheel bike powered by human excrement. No. We are not making this crap up.

So how does it work? According to a report, the company says the waste – which can come directly from the driver sitting on a toilet-style seat – is stored in the basin and is then converted into biofuel which fuels the retro-styled chopper.


http://uk.ibtimes.com/articles/20111011/toilet-bike-runs-on-yup-human-waste.htm

in Sewage Waste Management Transport Fuel Efficiency

The world’s powerful armed forces are now heading to minimize dependence on oil reserves by resorting to make their war fleet bio-fuel friendly.
The U.S. army which happens to be the single largest consumer of energy has now decided to explore the chance of using jet fuels derived from algae or animal or vegetable oils. A few flights have taken off and shown successful results when run on biofuels. All the fighter planes belonging to the Britain’s Royal Air Force are now certified entirely to run on bio-fuels. Researchers in Britain are planning to develop solar-powered unmanned aircraft attack. 
Defense…

in Algae Fuels Transport Fuel Efficiency

In the year 1999 history was produced when Bertrand Piccard made the first non-cease journey close to the planet in a hot air balloon. Eleven many years later Piccard is producing history again as the Co-founder of the Eco-friendly Solar Impulse which is a Switzerland led solar powered airplane advancement project. The not too long ago debuted carbon fiber Solar Impulse airplane has officially ushered in a whole new Green era of cutting edge solar powering technologies. The energy effective Solar Impulse airplane triumphantly glided into the Payerne airfield in Switzerland generating it the first airplane to ever full a 24 hour non-stop flight fueled only by the natural energy of sunlight.

CEO and pilot Andre Borschberg carried out the Eco-friendly Solar Impulse test flight placing to action these advanced power efficient solar technologies that he, Piccard and their team had created. The advanced technologies created into the Green Solar Impulse airplane essential to not only harness and convert the sun’s energy to sustain the airplane in the course of its day-time flight but also needed to incorporate higher functionality energy efficient batteries that would convert and store the extra solar power required to electrical power its night-time flying hours.

It took seven years of arranging for the group to develop the Eco-friendly Solar Impulse airplane. The solar powered airplane has the wingspan of a Boeing 777 (207 feet) and comes in at about the excess weight of a midsized vehicle. The powered solar airplane is equip with 12,000 solar cells and was designed with a single seat cockpit.

Andre Borschberg, a former Switzerland fighter pilot, took off in the solar powered airplane equipped with an emergency parachute, the plane’s advanced Eco-friendly solar cell technology and a sophisticated energy efficient computerized monitoring method. He was in a position to efficiently navigate the plane via thermal winds and turbulence all the although enduring freezing evening time temperatures. Andre Borschberg prevailed by completing the first profitable flight of a fully solar powered airplane lasting 24 consecutive airborne hours. The energy efficient Green aircraft was capable to reach speeds of 75 mph and soared to heights of 28,000 feet. At the finish of his Eco-friendly flight Andre Borschberg brought the historic Solar Impulse airplane in for a graceful touchdown efficiently bringing home a best landing for this record-breaking solar plane Green legacy.

see more - http://www.mccartneysaysaysay.com/revolutionizing-eco-friendly-solar-airplane-technology-brings-test-flight/

in Solar PV Public Transportation Transport Fuel Efficiency

The Smart car was first introduced in Europe and has very recently made its way to the United States. Many car experts where surprised at the cars introduction to the American market as Americans tend to like bigger cars and prize style over practicality. However, right now, due to the high gas prices that don't appear to be decreasing, smaller cars that are cheaper at the fuel pump seem to becoming much more popular and practical. Also due to the "green movement," individuals are more concerned about the environment and the Smart car produces less emissions then bigger, bulkier SUV's. They are also a lot less expensive to fill up.

http://electriccarhybrid.org/74/smart-car-price/whats-the-buzz-behind-the-smart-car/

in Transport Fuel Efficiency

At Argonne National Laboratory's Center for Transportation Research (CTR), Dr. Michael Wang's work spans a wide range -- from transportation fuels to advanced vehicles technologies. His team also developed GREET (Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions and Energy use in Transportation), a computer model for analyzing energy and the environmental effects of these technologies and fuels. In the latest 10 questions, learn more about GREET, CTR and how all these acronyms are working together to develop next-generation vehicle technologies.

Some questions to him Energy.gov (USA) - http://energy.gov/articles/10-questions-senior-scientist-michael-wang

in Transport Fuel Efficiency

Microhybrids to the fore as automakers aim for 54.5 mpg?

The stringent fuel economy standards announced in the US will make existing auto technologies, such as start-stop hybrids, commonplace and push the industry to cut the cost of electric vehicles, says this CNET report - http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-20085443-54/technologies-that-will-get-automakers-to-54.5-mpg/

President Obama recently unveiled new corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards which will require automakers to achieve an average of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025.

The new standards are considered aggressive--the average fuel economy for cars and light trucks in the US this year is 27.3 miles per gallon.

Rather than a dramatic shift to electric vehicles, the standards will prod automakers to consider technologies not yet used en masse, such as alternative engine designs or microhybrids. Least visible to consumers will be improvements to internal combustion engines and lighter vehicles. Traditional hybrids, which couple a gasoline engine with an electric motor, and diesels are poised for broader use as well.

A microhybrid has a small battery or ultracapacitor to power a car's electrical systems while it's sitting idle, allowing the gasoline engine to turn off. The battery also aids when accelerating and recharges when the car slows down. It's a feature in today's hybrids, but could be incorporated into more cars to improve fuel economy without adding significantly to costs, according to analysts.

Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-20085443-54/technologies-that-will-get-automakers-to-54.5-mpg/

in Transport Fuel Efficiency

New Fuel Economy Standard Coming in 2025

The Obama administration announced earlier this week that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency are working toward a fuel economy fleet-average standard of 56.2 miles per gallon by 2025. Fuel economy standards for the 2012 model year are at 29.7 miles per gallon, and will have to reach 34.1 MPG by 2016.

This significantly higher fuel economy standard suggests Americans will be driving much different vehicles in 14 years. We'll probably see more hybrid models, and, although cars continue to get larger and heavier, possibly a return to smaller, lighter vehicles. The requirement to make cars more efficient has some wondering if it will also make cars more expensive.

http://alttransport.com/2011/06/new-fuel-economy-standard-coming-in-2025/

in Transport Fuel Efficiency

Mazda2 from Mazda - a lighter car with more fuel efficiency - Japanese automaker Mazda has created a new process that cuts the use of petroleum-based resin by 20 to 30 percent and reduces the overall weight of each part. These weight-saving measures make the new Mazda2 a trendsetter for fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions. It delivers some of the B-segment's lowest fuel consumption (the standard power 1.3-litre petrol uses just 5.4 litres per 100 km combined) while producing just 129 g/km of CO2. - http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/07/20/what-a-novel-idea-reducing-wieght-the-new-mazda2-gets-lighte

in Transport Fuel Efficiency

BMW Dual Clutch Transmission Reduces Fuel Consumption by 5% - BMW is launching a refreshed version of its mainstream 3-Series sedan this fall with tweaked front and rear styling. One change that's coming is the addition of a 7-speed dual clutch transmission. The automated shifting of the DCT provides a slight 0.1 second improvement in 0-62 mph acceleration while also providing a five percent reduction in fuel consumption compared to the previous 6-speed automatic. - http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/09/29/bmw-reduces-fuel-consumption-by-5-on-3-series-with-dual-clut

in Transport Fuel Efficiency

Hummers MPG - Gas-guzzling Hummers give a 10-mile-a-gallon -

in Transport Fuel Efficiency

Cogeneration decreases CO2 emissions - Cogeneration decreases CO2 emissions and increases efficiency by reducing the amount of fuel by as much as 50% -

in Transport Fuel Efficiency