Cheapest Green Car – Honda Fit Hybrid

In tune with its focus on continuing with combining hybrid attempts and smaller size, Honda is offering another hybrid – the smallest and cheapest. This fall, Honda’s Fit will be on sale in Japan priced at 1.6 million yen hoping to become an instant hit. Honda will be launching the cute little car in the 2010 Auto Show at Paris in October under the name Honda Fit Hybrid. Its petrol version, called Jazz/Honda Fit is already in the markets. The Hybrid Fit will have the distinction of being the first hybrid subcompact car model marketed by Honda.

The new hybrid from Honda stable:
Honda Fit is the third of the hybrid series Honda has added to the CR-Z hybrid cars. The neat little line-up includes Civic, Accord and Honda Insight. The economical Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) setup used in the Insight would be incorporated in the Honda Fit Hybrid as well

Electric & petrol Unit in tandem:
Reports indicate that Fit will be fitted with Honda’s 1.3 litre/4-cylinder petrol unit to work in tandem with a 9.7kW electric motor and is expected to generate about 97hp. Plans are afoot to launch the automatic (CVT) version as well as the manual Fit Hybrid version.

Usual features:
All features like brake-energy regeneration that are usually found in Honda hybrids are found along with an Economy button for maximum fuel efficiency. As usual with the hybrid cars – which are known for not being very fast – Honda Fit Hybrid is also projected more for its efficiency rather than for its speed.

Hybrid system – Japanese favourite:
While European market still looks at diesel-driven small cars, Japan leads in going for smaller, more compact and more energy-efficient hybrid models. This has been more due to considerable government subsidies on green-car models. But the Japanese customers will benefit more than before thanks to the competitive deals that will certainly be offered even if subsidies are lifted.

Sales expectations:
Making its advent in the 2010 Auto Show at Paris, the sales are expected to start by 2010 end or early 2011. The car priced at a premium is expected to have the additional attraction of mileage – which in the upper sixties makes it a good buy.

Honda’s future goals:
Honda is firm in its conviction that future market in automobiles will be in small cars – that too in hybrid versions of small cars. The firm is going ahead with its plans accordingly and is busy with the production of 2011 CR-Z vehicles. Seeing that the hybrids have advantages like low price, cost competitiveness, and fuel efficiency, their hopes seem to be well founded.

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Advantages of Geothermal Energy - What are the Advantages of Geothermal Energy?

Think of all the advantages of geothermal energy when you have a lava flow in your backyard. You could dry your clothes, warm your house and heat your water. Even cook dinner if you wanted. Well geothermal does help you do that without having to get so close to the source. if you are fortunate enough to live in an area with this geologic activity in play close under the surface of the Earth, you can harness this energy. Let's look at some of the advantages of geothermal energy.

1. No fuel is needed. For me to heat my home, I have to tap into the electric grid powered by Florida Power and Light. They get most of their electricity from The Power Plant that burns coal to run the generators. With geothermal energy, the fuel is already there. No need for coal or oil or wood.

2. No Pollution. Geothermal Energy produces no pollution. There are virtually no greenhouse gases given off. There is no pollution.

3.Relatively efficient. Geothermal energy is also very efficient, because after a site is located and a geothermal power plant is built, the efforts required to channel it are negligible.

You will also find there there is much less land impact when using geothermal plants. They usually are not as obtrusive as are nuclear or electric power plants.

4. Geothermal Energy is Renewable. Perhaps one of the most important advantage of geothermal energy is that, unlike energy derived from carbon-based sources, geothermal energy is a constant energy source. it will never run out. And because it is ubiquitous, its cost will never continue to rise with time.

So after you place your initial investment into researching the site and building the geothermal plant, your expenditures besides maintenance are nil. Virtually free energy from this point on.

If you would like to learn more about other alternative energy resources along with the advantages of geothermal energy, click here.

What is Geothermal Energy
Disadvantages of Geothermal Energy

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Solar Energy Basics - Sizing Up Your System

Electric System to Fit Your Needs

In regard to solar energy basics, the process for determining the size of your solar electric system is the opposite order of what we just went through in the previous example.

First, you determine how much energy you need on a daily basis in kilowatt-hours (kWh). This data can be found on your electric bill on a monthly basis if you have one for your location.

Otherwise you will need to go through the process of estimating your energy consumption. To estimate the energy usage on a daily basis, take your monthly estimate and divide by 30. You may use the load calculator located here to determine your needs. To estimate the energy usage on a daily basis, take your monthly estimate and divide by 30.

Second, regarding solar energy basics, you need to determine the solar insolation value for your site.

If you're going to be totally disconnected from the electric grid/utility company then you will need to use the minimum (worst case) solar insolation value for your location.

If you're going to be feeding your electricity into the electric grid then use the average solar insolation value.

Lastly, you need to divide your estimated daily energy usage (kilowatt-hours) by the solar insolation value and multiply by an system inefficiency factor:

Total Watts of Solar Electric Panels Neeeded = [(Daily Kilowatt-hours)/(solar insolation)] x Inefficiency Factor

The inefficiency factor for systems that are disconnected from the electric grid (off-grid) is 1.3.

For systems that are connected to the grid (also called on-grid, grid tied, grid intertied or grid connected) that value is usually assumed to be 1.2.

The reason that it is higher for off-grid systems is that these systems have to store the energy in battery banks which are not perfectly efficient.

Most on-grid systems either don't use batteries at all or use them in such a way that their inefficiencies are minimized.

Solar Energy Basics - Choosing the Solar Electric Panels Right for You

Now that you know the total wattage of the solar electric panel array you need, it's up to you select the specific solar panels that will make up this total wattage.

For example, if determined that for your home you needed a total of 2000 watts of solar panels and you decided you liked Kyocera 130 watt solar electric panel then you would need 16 of them (2000 watts divided by 130 watts = approximately 16 panels, rounding up to the next whole number).

People make selections of solar panels based upon many different factors. Some people prefer only larger solar panels (150 watts or above) because it means they have to do less wiring in interconnecting the panels.

Others choose moderate size panels (80 to 120 watts) because they're easier to lift and manuver.

Other people will choose panels based upon color, electric properties, whether or not the manufacturer is a petroleum company, which country the panels are manufactured in, whether the panels are immediately available and, of course, price per watt plays a big role for most people.

For educational material Check out the Alternative Energy Store, they have free educational information on renewable energy systems for your home and great prices on solar panels and wind turbines for your home.

To get more information on solar energy basics, click here.

Needing more information on solar energy and how to apply it in practical applications, visit

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Hyundai presents the first Korean electric car

Hyundai has just introduced its first electric vehicle. Series BlueOn, this is the first car such develops in Korea and promises a fairly good performance: maximum speed of 130 km/h and autonomy of 140 km.

A total of 27 million euros is what has invested Hyundai in the creation of this electric car is based on the actual Hyundai i10. At first, 30 the BlueOn drives will be proof 'serving' a number of organizations translate into Korea until 2012. On that date will begin production of the model, which is intended to produce 2,500 units.

BlueOn, whose name derives from the Blue Drive of Hyundai and the word 'On' strategy - turn on - measured 3.58 m long, 1.59 m width and height is 1.54 meters. Its electric motor is powered by a 16.4 kWh lítio ion polymer battery and delivers a maximum power of 81 HP and a maximum torque of 21.4 mkg. The choice of this type of battery is due to the decline of weight and volume - a 30 to 40 per cent, reverts it respectively - in more space for passengers.

Its quite good child benefits with an addition of 0 100 km/h in 13.1 seconds, a top speed of 130 km/h and a range of 140 km on a single charge. Respect a this the BlueOn has two methods for recharging: a current domestic 220V, it takes 6 hours to process, and an industrial power of 380 V allows a recharge of 80 percent in 25 minutes.

Sources-motor.terra.es

· BlueOn · electric car Hyundai

Course on biological treatment of waste

ATEGRUS programme on management and sustainable recovery of waste 2009-2010 will be held in Murcia, between 20 and 21 October, a course of 14 hours on "Biological waste treatment", a load of Carlos García Izquierdo, Member of the CSIC.

The objective of this course is properly assimilate the biological process of decomposition of waste and pastéis technology choices for their treatment.

This course addresses an those professionals need a vision of the biological treatment of waste set or a specialization in this area: Minister for companies, professionals dedicated to environmental planning, waste professional waste, new professionals in the sector of the waste management industry, workers seek a specialization in the sector of waste for occupational reorientation, professionals in industries producing waste, cement, term managers, researchers, etc..

It's free actions co-financed by the European Social Fund for workers in the private sector with the collaboration of the Green uses programme 2007-2013 and the biodiversity Foundation.

In this link you easy download course information.

Sources-ategrus.org

· of ATEGRUS · waste management sustainability

Solar panels economic and accessible

Technology, increasingly, cascaded their efforts on achieving cleaner and in the possibility of generating solar energy that has an affordable consumer technologies. This has been the case of a company in United States has announced a recent product will fill the expectations of all them looking for electricity and alternative solar energy cost savings.

Company is first Solar Inc., and say is to manufacture a type of solar panel that however cost of 1.00 dollar per watt (W), and also is provides for achieving improved yields and possible improvements by the cost refers to the future.

There are currently clarifying the approximate cost of manufacture is 3.00 UFO per watt (W), comparing it with this new technology, is much more economical and accessible to the majority of those interested in using these alternative energy sources.

First Solar Inc., this is just a start and technologies are already brewing to achieve better ways to save environmentally.

Sources-globbos.com, ecoticias.com, energy-think.net

· Solar energy First Solar Inc.

The Wind Energy Industry is Nothing New

Though our scientists may claim that they are inventing something new by using wind as a source of generating energy, the truth is that wind is being used for centuries for this purpose. An example of this is an article published in 1838, which clearly shows that even in those times, wind was considered an important source of energy.

Here are a few quotes that were recorded in the past, which prove that wind was always important in generating energy.

John Houghton from Cambridge said in his paper Global Warming: The complete Briefing, ‘Given that it has been used as a form of energy for a couple of centuries, wind is a very common source of energy. The fact that there were about 10,000 windmills to tap wind energy in the Year 1800 itself, goes to show that wind was an important source of energy in parts of Europe like Britain. Therefore it is not surprising that parts of the world like some countries from Western Europe such as Great Britain and Denmark and some countries in western North America are trying to revive ways of tapping energy from wind. Slim, tall and more efficient objects have replaced windmills to tap wind energy.’

Even other researchers from Cambridge have worked on this subject. Vaclav Smil in his paper Energies wrote, ‘The windmills in 19th century, which were at par with watermills of that period with regard to generating power, were of a different design. They were used in farms and on Railway stations. Before that, post mills of 1.5 and 6 Kilowatt and tower mills of 5 to 10 kilowatts were used in Europe for this purpose.’

Studies tend to indicate that though the use of windmill to generate energy started in China, it soon spread to parts of Europe like England in the 12th century and by the end of the century there were 12000 mills in the region that needed little water to produce electricity to meet huge industrial demands.

Other researcher and historians like Cynthia Shea in her paper Renewable Energy: Today’s Contribution Tomorrow’s Promise points out that other European economies like the Danish industry at a particular time used wind-power to satisfy 1/4th of their power needs.

In United States of America, policy makers while stating it to former President George W Bush said, ‘Since around the year 1900, windmills were used to pump water in farms and ranches in the country. They even led to the production of electricity and turbines. Before that grain was ground and water was pumped with the help of wind mills as early as year 200 B C.’

Dennis Hayes in his paper The Official Earth Day Guide to Planet Repair also verifies the same as he says, ‘Before Carbon-fired power plants, 8 million Midwestern windmills made electricity by driving water and crushed grains. There was no other way to do so before villages got electricity in 1920s and 1930s.’

Christopher Flavin in his worldwide paper Electricity for a Developing World: New Directions has also urged the underdeveloped countries to follow American example of how they used Midwestern windmills to generate electricity for their rural sector.

Windmills have been used for centuries for pumping water in rural areas. They also grind grains and do other small tasks. Though traditional windmills can also generate power, latest technology and wind power together can be the foundation of mechanical power and can generate electricity in underdeveloped countries

The history of windmills has been penned down extensively by Wilson Clark in his work Energy For Survival: The Alternative to Extinction. With regard to Europe, he says, ‘Developed in Seventh century in Persia, windmill reached Europe through Dutch and England in thirteenth century enabling them to generate 1 billion kilowatt- hour of electricity. The wind energy produced by windmills was used as a source of power to the sailing ships. The Persians again became the first to use wind to develop mechanical power and used windmills to put out water for irrigation. Whereas windmills were used in Persia in seventh century, it reached France in 12th and Denmark, Germany and the Netherland in early 13th century.’

Wilson further talks of America. He says, ‘Industrial growth in Midwestern United States led to a situation where windmill industry had capital investment of $ 4.3 million by the year 1900 with homesteaders and ranchers having their own windmills. Efficient and long-lasting windmills were also developed due to stiff competition. The windmill industry in United States continued to grow with various windmills being tried out for the best possible option. Whereas some windmills developed in 18th century needed fewer sails, those made in 20th century could run electric generators, pump water and generate electricity for American farmers.’

Wilson also explains how 1250 kilowatt wind electric station generated that much power in the hills of Vermont during the days of Second World War. This was the hard work of a man known as Palmar C Putnam, who was finding it difficult to pay for high electricity rates in the region.

Many new ways have been developed to generate energy in the last two centuries, the world is again returning to the old ways of generating power because of scarcity of oil, gas and coal. This is because they know that energy created with the help of sun, water and wind will never get scarce or exhausted.

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