The Hydrogen LIFEcar

An all English venture to produce an environmentally friendly sports car. The efforts of six of the following institutions –

Oxford University

Morgan Motor Company

OSCar (now Riversimple)

BOC

QinetiQ

Cranfield University Systems

Delta Motorsport

I came across this topic while reading the Oxford Today magazine, and here is a brief idea to what each institution is bringing to the LIFEcar project –

Oxford University – Dr. Malcolm McCulloch, who heads the Electrical Power Group in the Department of Engineering Science, led the development of the motor of the car. The motor is half that of a conventional motor and of the same torque. The new design is called a YASA motor (Yokeless and Segmented Armature).

Morgan Motor Company – The design of the LIFEcar has been undertaken by classic motor car company.

OSCar – The founder and brainchild of this project, Hugo Spowers, wanted to see if it is possible for an electric vehicle to perform as efficiently as a sports car, and responsible for overall system design.

BOC - developing the hydrogen refueling plant, keeping in mind there are only 100 such stations aound the world.

QinetiQ – provided the fuel cell that generated electricity from compressed hydrogen.

Cranfield University Systems – in charge of on-board computing, vehicle controller and modeling software. This included simulations of the vehicle’s performance.

Delta Motorsport – they have agreed to use the motors for the battery-powered four seat coupe it plans to have ready for the test drives by end of this year.

A basic description and nature of the concept LIFEcar is, it has a fuel cell, electric powered engine converting electricity to hydrogen and emits nothing but water. The motor is ultra light weight, using alternative advances in materials. It’s also worth mentioning that each wheel is controlled with an electric motor, similar to the Whispering Wheel concept.
Ultra capacitors installed in the car store energy store energy while braking and shoots out this energy while acceleration. There are 150 such Ultra capacitors. A range of 250 miles, acceleration of 060 mph in 7 seconds and fuel consumption equivalent to 150 miles to a gallon of petrol, with zero carbon emissions.

Such is the design of the LIFEcar.

BRTS for Mumbai

Recently, the ex mayor of Bogota, was here in Mumbai to suggest practical and possible ways in which Mumbai could transform its future for the best –

• Planning must be done in the right manner

• Enrique Penalosa who pointed out that Mumbai will be three times its size in 2050.

• "Around 70 to 80% of the city has not been built yet.”

• “They (city planners) must try and create a large network of roads only for buses and pedestrians.''

• In the nineties, Enrique Penalosa, came into the limelight by organising the use of the BRTS as well as people-friendly planning with an emphasis on spaces for buses, bicycles and pedestrians on city roads and housing sites.

• "We provided inputs for the BRTS in Ahmedabad, which is working well. We can do the same for Mumbai.”

• "Nowhere in the world has the problem of traffic jams been solved by widening roads”

• “….efficient public transport is required.”

• Over metro, BRTS can solve the problem of irresponsible city transport conditions.

• On concluding the mayor said "The condition of the footpaths reflects the people's preferences and the quality of life in a city.''

Hereby we must understand that public transportation is crucial in green and sustainable growth of a modern city. It not only evicts people of an air contaminated surrounding but also, a more peaceful means to live in your city.

Formula Student Germany: Indian leg

The Orion Racing India Team with the Stallion, 2009 race car

Few days ago I happened to find myself checking out a 4 cylinder, 600 cc Formula race car. The most distinct difference was the fact that this race car was built by undergraduate engineering students.

The very first attraction of the Autocar Performance Show, 2009, in Mumbai, was the Orion Racing India team and their Stallion from India. This team has been competing at the Formula Student Germany race since 2007. Since then, the team has produced 3 race cars.

The Formula Student Germany is a race for college students around the world to elevate their education to the next level. It’s not only about the fastest car but also deliver by the team as a whole. The one seat formula racecar goes through a number of challenges in order to make it to the top. Hereby, considering performance, speed, and construction, financial and sales aspects and understanding the economics of the automotive industry.

The most interesting feature of this particular car however was the fuel composition. It is 95% petrol and constitutes 5% air intake. I would like to see the future models of a car of this sort to run on an equal share of petrol and air power, eventually air power being the superior ignition.

Currently there are teams from 36 countries around the world, and 15 teams from India. Such platforms are required for a sustainable future.

Europe goes Electric

A Smart car


RWE charging station


RWE simulator car


Tesla Roadster

Europe is going electric and at a real quick pace. A major support from the German government and producers of efficient and practical viable technology, sees the up spring of projects between RWE, Daimler AG and Tesla.

RWE (Rheinisch-Westfälisches Elektrizitätswerk AG) - Germany's second largest and leading providers of energy. They supply natural gas public utility and electric power throughout Europe. Their various products encompass under electricity generation and distribution, renewable energy, natural gas exploration and production and most recently ventures into the automobile industry.

Daimler AG - A German public car corporation. Primarily, the Smart car brand is the electric automobile used in this pilot project.

Tesla - An American sports electric monster car company, also a battery supplier for Daimler.

The above are some original photographs of the RWE Autostrom charging station, a Tesla Roadster, RWE car seen on the website, a simulator and the Smart car.

Mumbai Youth for 350

24th October, 2009 – World United Nations Day.
This year also known for the International campaign – 350.

What is 350?
The atmosphere is burning up with carbon dioxide. The effects are visibly evident. Snow caps melting, polar bears drowning, islands drowning, change in tidal patterns and other epidemics. Currently there are 390 parts per million of carbon dioxide in the layers of the atmosphere. The limit should be at 350 ppm.
Thus the event is directed towards drawing attention to the masses and the world from each others localities that there is a need for a reduction or elimination (even better) of carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere.

I was a part of the 350 campaign in Mumbai, India and these are the highlights.It began with an orientation for the evenings’ main features -


The Indian Flag; Mumbai, India


"We want 350"




School Kids


A local NGO


Reva, India's electric car


Stop Climate Change


Some music


Performing Arts


The Orchid (a hotel), an ecotel


A Rotaract Club


Signatue Campaign


A street play


Human Chain for 350

It’s very encouraging to learn that 170-180 countries were also a part of this initiative!

Electric Road Power

Here is yet another reason to switch to an environment friendly automobile, the next time you buy your latest set of wheels.

Free recharge!!

Recharge as you drive. German automobile engineering company, Auto und Verkehr, has developed technologies to recharge your electric vehicle as you drive them from one point to your destination.

The company has produced a video, which explains the functioning of their invention. Let the 49 second video explain it all.

Here is the link to their website - http://www.iav.com/

The Solar Impulse

Which have been some of the ideas that have made flying easier, faster and a whole lot fun? The autopilot, ejection system, automatic throttles, the stalling device, self locking fasteners and seatback videos, have been major 20th century inventions. It’s been a hundred years and over since Orville and Wilbur Wright first flew their petrol-engine flying machine, at a distance of 37 meters.

Exactly a hundred years later, a century since the first flight had launched, comes the third generation of human flight, the HB-SIA a European enterprise. It is a solar powered airplane, which would fly great distances solely on solar power. The first prototype launched in the summer of the ninth year of the 21st century (seen on the website), is designed to fly for a continuous sum of 48 hours. The objective of the first flight is purely for test purposes. The significant features include –

a) light weight – equal to a family car (1600 kgs)
b) not a lengthy wingspan – 63 meters
c) limit on altitude of flight – 8500 meters
d) a one seater

Officially known as the HB-SIA, this project is a culmination of joint efforts and contributions of responsible entities, across nations. The master idea of Bertrand Piccard and co-founder André Borschberg, today has become reality. Now, mentioning the objectives and relevance of such a sustainable project, Bertrand Piccard speaks at a press conference (2007) –

The Goal
“Our goal is to show how exiting, how positive it can be, to invent an other future, to invent alternative ways to behave and to act.”

Bearing in mind the scarcity, of non-renewable sources of energy, the total budget of this project is 70 million Euros. Realizing the cost of conversion to environmentally friendly sources of energy, there also is aid of tens of millions of Euro, in store.

The Challenge
“The greatest adventure of the 21t century is to get rid of our dependency of fossil energies.”

The founder of the project also mentioned that people should not complain about the non-availability of renewable sources of energy, as they are present in society. The first solar prototype already has parts and mechanics which can be used in the automobile industry, heaters and industries. He continues by mentioning the message, which he would like everyone to carry with them –

The Message
“We can have a good quality of life in this world, we can solve the financial crisis, we can fight poverty, and we can protect the environment, only by inventing the future with enough pioneering spirit, the technological solutions already exist, we need desperately political courage, ambitious visions, in order to force the implications of solutions we already have, through government regulations and ambitious incentives”

The major partners of the Solar Impulse are –
a) Solvay
b) Omega
c) Detsche Bank
These partners are also actively present in manufacturing of the two planes, by providing their expertise and skills. The final model will take flight in 2012 for days and nights and eventually travel around the entire globe. Some of its features include –

a) 11,628 mono-crystal silicon panels each 150 microns thick
b) 22% efficiency of solar wing
c) Wingspan 63.40 m
d) Length 21.85 m
e) Height 6.40 m
f) Motor power 4 x 10 HP electric engines
g) Solar cells 11,628 (10,748 on the wing, 880 on the horizontal stabilizer)
h) Average flying speed 70 km/h
i) Maximum altitude 8,500 m (27,900 ft)
j) Weight 1,600 kg
k) Take-off speed 35 km/h

Looking at facts, the global CO2 emissions are caused primarily due to the automobile industry, domestic activities, waste and disposal and the industrial sector. Though, only 5% emissions are caused due to air transportation.

In 1903 when the inventors of air travel had designed the Wright Flyer, they never knew of the third generation of their contributions to mankind. And the brothers were originally bicycle manufactures! Though now it’s a reality.

“All that is impossible remains to be achieved”
- Jules Verne

Formula One talks Green

Formula One - the most popular motor racing sport event around the world, has an enormous fan following. With races being held all around Europe and now even in other parts of the world, its apparently also the most expensive sport globally. A major television event with a global audience of 600 million viewers per season, the top end gold class, 10 teams (and management) of F1 have a major responsibility beyond their trademark races and deals.

In the 21st century, with a major focus on clean, pollution free driving, F1 experts would be the correct examples of showing the world how eco-friendly technology and environmentally friendly racing is executed.

Here is the link to the official Formula One website. It contains the views of 3 leading figures in F1 on green racing - http://www.formula1.com/news/features/2008/10/8486.html

Here is an extract from the above mentioned link -

''F1 should certainly be looking to introduce further environmentally-focused regulations in future. To develop hybrid and heat recovery technologies which can then be used on road cars demonstrates that F1 can play an important role in developing energy efficient and environmentally friendly technologies."

- Ross Brawn, Team Principal, Honda

“Environmental technology is important in F1 for two reasons. Firstly, for the sustainability of the sport and secondly for our contribution to society."

- Adam Parr, CEO, Williams

"If you look at what is required by future road cars, fuel economy / CO2 reduction is the top objective right now and for the foreseeable future. So it is clear that if we can do something in this area in F1 we will really benefit from it."

- Mario Theissen, BMW Motorsport Director

Known as the most expensive sport of the world, it has an economic and political impact, thus realizing a real translation of F1 developments in road transportation.

The Global Green Challenge

What is the classic idea behind the Tour de France, Formula 1 or even the X Games? What so ever that might be the resting point between these three sports, one thing is clear – they all inspire, boost and propel the viewers and supporters to take them up.

Here is another thrilling race for eco-speedsters, on the edge. The Global Green Challenge, an opportunity to showcase the latest developments and experiments in solar powered and electric car technologies. Open to institutions, universities, private groups, corporations and even high schools, around the world. It’s an exhilarating event across the Australian Outback, from Darwin to Adelaide, a mighty 3012 kms off the vertical length.

The race has a 20 year long history, with two categories to choose from –
a) The World Solar Challenge – for purely solar-powered vehicles and
b) The Eco Challenge – for environmentally friendly production and experimental vehicles

With only 2 days to go for the 2009 event to begin, I would like to put light on some of the registered entrants for the race on October 24th –
a) BMW
b) Skoda
c) Hyundai
d) Holden
e) Ford
f) Top Gear Magazine
g) Tesla and others

There are 60 teams (the highest ever since conception) from 17 countries, including India, Iran, Malaysia, Taiwan and Turkey.
This exhaustive list says a lot about the future of green transportation. Having Ford, Holden and Skoda participating provides a consciousness for change amongst the shareholders of the global automobile industry. And countries who live in the twenty first century strut of being a Second World nation, whose’ governments priorities are not sustainable in nature, are to be most applauded for producing a team for this event.

This test of durability and eco-friendly performance is promoted by the South Australian Motor Sport Board and supported by the South Australian Government and the Government of the Northern Territory, the Global Green Challenge is sponosred by Australia’s largest privately owned broadband company Internode.

The official reception flags at Darwin on October 24th and comes to an end with the car exhibition (the cars which raced) on October 31st, 2009.

Fastest Electric Vehicle on the Planet

“Charge your batteries”!

The sun shone bright. Not a cloud in sight. As the well shaved, uniform clad, just-around-the-corner motorcycle team entered the pit with their decent yet bullish machine; they were welcomed by gangs of skull toned, and blood dripping tattooed Harley Davidson bikers. Each one with their leather jackets, beer bottles, greying beards and gruff look. The only difference which seemed most evident was the difference in their machines.
Each Harley a gas guzzling heavyweight, + 750 cc engine, emitting hazardous fumes into the environment meant for highway cruising, here for a motorcycle drag race!
On the other hand the KillaCycle, apparently here to set a world record.
The looks glanced; comments passed in thin air were rather encouraging for the A123 team.
The first round was the time trial. The current record set, for the fastest electric vehicle was at 8.0801 seconds for a quarter mile. Bill Dube and his team ready their racer, Scotty Pollacheck to set a new world record. As Scotty settles on, he burns the tyres to let a fresh layer of tyre skin meet the surface.

“Charge your batteries”!

The bike is at the chequered strip, the team overlooks with rays of hope, the signal beams red, only seconds away, and there he goes, zooming through like a comet, already inching towards the quarter mile mark. He has made it through the first, only seconds before the official count shines on the gleaming board, and there it is a phenomenon 8.30 seconds!!
A123 are jumping with joy, dancing around in victory, happiness struck, the just-around-the-corner guys. Only to secure their victory, must they race a second time; a rule by the officials. Once again, after a quick bike check, is Scotty back on the grid, to set the world record for the quickest electric vehicle.
The lights go green and the Black and Orange KillaCycle makes its way to the pit stop. Once again, the team awaits its figures. There it is on the bulb screen, 8.22 seconds for a quarter mile! A world record!!

So, what is it behind the bike, which makes it what it is known for? The bike is charged by a power box of 990 lithium-ion iron phosphate battery cells, which takes a mere 5 minutes to charge. Compared to a cordless drill, its known as a “Giant Cordless Drill” with 350 horse power, 4 times the speed of an average bike. Weighing at 280 kilograms, this bike is a stunner. Apparently 8 of the 990 coils put in the battery cell is enough to start a normal passenger car!

Considering, the availability of such high end battery technology, why are there not as many electric vehicles on the road? The answer lies in basic economics. Such technology is not yet commercialized or popularised in the market. Once there is further circulation and supply on the basis of successful experimentation, the prices would come down, and then the average cost of a basic electric vehicle (around 12,500 dollars) should be 10,000 dollars and less.
And then only months ago were the news of yet another self record re-created at 7.890 seconds accounting at 174 miles an hour, by the KillaCycle team for the world’s quickest electric vehicle of any kind in a quarter mile set.

Alternative Fuels

Hey, I have made a list of articles and videos on various alternative fuels, hope you find it useful-

Articles -
1) http://www.greencar.com/alternative-fuels-green-technology.php
2) http://www.greencarsite.co.uk/
3) http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/
4) On Bio diesel - http://www.biodieselnow.com/blogs/general_biodiesel/archive/2007/12/05/what-is-biodiesel.aspx
5) Coconut Oil as Fuel - http://www.sivglobal.org/?noframes;read=118

A list of videos on Alternative Fuels -

Alternative Fuels - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZzbzR6bGpg
Renewable Fuels - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6LQYBXvVck&feature=related
Alternative Fuels and Hybrids - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGfiYhnr6Qk

Hybrid
a) How do Hybrid Cars work - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LV2W36fPWng
b) Hybrid: The Future - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPYtGyQF3SI
c) Pros and Cons - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IY33vMmCWP0

Bio diesel - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7r7BGAiVeIw

Electric Cars
a) History of electric cars - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPKgqSaxhf4&feature=PlayList&p=0218F6BC6307E006&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=41
b) Present day electric cars - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmOW0z__AMI
c) Various Electric Cars - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmjUaBvnzFI&feature=related

Ethanol
a) Production - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBeEb9B44wc
b) E85- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WS9KxlizmOs&feature=related

Hydrogen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1scZ9rMyJek

Natural Gas
a) C.N.G - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAa450Itk3s
b) Advantages - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3CHFE8Fohc

Plug-in Hybrid Cars
a) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trfH0SI9Org
b) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZVSQ3bvI10&feature=PlayList&p=C59D2E0185278D1D&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=9

Air Cars
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_agapY9mZjs

There are many other interesting blogs on green transportation, which I would add on in my future postings.

What is Sustainable Transportation

Segway PT i2

There come days when you want to do one thing all day long, and such a day has arrived. I have been thinking for a while – where does one begin from on a topic such as sustainable transportation??

Remembering from a talk I had attended or maybe an online video, ‘green’ implies to a voluntary action towards change.
Looking at various green stories of the past, the likes of treehuggers, the story of Erin Brockovich, protecting the Amazon forests, saving the Himalayas from melting (and Antarctica), the switch to not-harming-the-environment vehicles is yet an other story in the making or maybe even a movement.
Transportation causes 16% of carbon dioxide emissions around the globe, on an average. There are two ways to look at this – a) produce more public/private transport vehicles; b) let the unfortunate remain unfortunate.

Walking and cycling or biking are modes of transportation most primitive and non-debatable. Something more recent is the Segway PT or even consider the concept Toyota Winglet. These personal transporters are for the rich and lazy bones or even consider them as the practical ones of the society. On the flip side, it’s a good way to encourage emission free city cruising. Thinking about it now, a step towards encouraging, emission free cities could be on the lines of bicycle sharing seen in parts of Europe. The PT can be picked up at one of the mechanized docks through electronic cards and dropped off at another dock at the other end of the city. Hereby, making it mass transit. As of now the PT is yet on the debate hanger, a conflux between the best alternative to gas guzzlers and its limits on usage in public space. Many would prefer their trusted feet over paying $5700 for some local cruising.

Remembering 1990 levels of emissions is a thought governments must give, though practically. There was less of everything causing air pollution, back then. Its like, demand has expanded and exploded ten-fold at the cost of the environment. Ideally, the new age eco-friendly private vehicles should be sold cheaper than their polluting counterparts. European emission standards could be made a yardstick to measure cost of vehicles sold and determine the entire economics of the automobile industry. The Indian auto market is yet at the Euro II and III standards! Most popular as of now are electric vehicles. Sensible city planning, improved traffic dilemmas, responsible driving and following pedestrian rules are also a part of successful transport conditions. Producing more environmentally sustainable transport options (solar, electric, wind powered, hybrid, E85 and E95, vegetable oils, LPG, CNG, flex fuel vehicles) which can be used by private and public transport at a cheap price, might be the right way to reach 1990 emission levels.

It’s rather ironic, using modern twenty-first century technology to push back man to the 20th century limits of growth and development. With the multiplying surplus, in demand for luxuries and improved standards of living, the environmental consciousness might have taken a back seat. Though the change will come through in time, in the future.
This is yet another error committed by many alike. We fail to realise that time is running out of our hands, there needs to be a sense of urgency and governments; industries; companies; responsible social groups and the innocent masses must act quickly.
At this point, summarizing the above, in three basic points, sustainable transportation has got to be –
a) Accessible – But not at the cost of the environment
b) Affordable
c) Alternative Availability – 21st century fuel

In many countries travelling by public transport is a joy and quite an experience. Though in many other countries it’s a living hell! How does public transportation make or bring a difference in an individual’s daily life? A basic observation - people use public transportation either out of choice or compulsion. Students largely do not fall in either category. The ones who use public transportation by choice are not necessarily environmentally responsible. Though, public transportation affects all classes of the society. Here is how –
In nations where public transportation is a social pleasure, private vehicles wouldn’t mind being compensated for. Trains, busses, cabs, ferries, trams and rickshaws accommodate more people (at once) and get us from point A to B at a faster (subjective) and cheaper rate. All can afford and everyone is happy. A further improvement in public transport conditions can change decisions of many. All those living on rent, now have alternatives to where they could reside (yet on rent). When the journey is slashed by half the time it would initially take masses want to move closer to their work place, the market, the parks and restaurants/eateries. This causes availability of vacant houses, reducing scarcity and thus a fall in rent. (The fall of rent due to improvement in commuter services was taken from the book, “The Undercover Economist” by Tim Harford).

On the flip side, an improvement in commuter services does not really bring a smile on that class of the society who have to travel, using public modes, by compulsion. They are the ones who are sick and tired knowing it’s their only mobility option. This is the class looking for the comfort and luxury of a private transport. By the time they can afford a vehicle of their own, and before they know it, sustainable modes of private transport would be the only available option. Once again they have to wait a lifetime, before they can move on, on the getting-rich chart. For all that might happen is, public transport might get even more expensive. What can be done from letting those not so fortunate remain the way they are?

Green technology is here to stay and expand. Sustainable transportation for sure is going be a 21st century movement!

International Climate Champions Camp, Mukteshwar, Uttarkhand, May 2009

The 55 of us finally made it to the TERI solar camp at Mukteshwar on the h evening of 27t May. It was an interesting 10-hour journey from Delhi, then the mountains and finally the camp site. We had arrived from different parts of India in New Delhi the previous day for an evening of orientation.

The Climate Champions are young people nominated by the British Council India and TERI, on the basis of their project proposals. Our projects are our own insights into how we could be a part of the solution building process towards a green future and our fight against climate change.

The camp was organised with the following objectives –

- making friends across the nation
- learning about each other’s climate change projects
- broadening our understanding on climate change related issues
- training participants in project management skills
- identifying future support strategies for the concerned youth

Our camp was a four day extensive workshop with various activities and discussions. These included –

- Presentations on Environment education and awareness
- Project discussion amongst fellow participants and project mapping
- A whole lot on expressing of our views creatively through the internet, over a web blogging session
- Our presentations on our projects with fellow Champions
- Learning appropriate feedback techniques

Our workshop co-ordinators and trainers had flown to India all the way from UK. They were Ms Sara Jenkins and Dr Laura Grant. Besides, senior officials from the British Council and TERI were present in full force to guide us.

The most interesting part of the camp was that it was run by solar power in all aspects -the bath in the early morning, the light in our tents, the charge at the mezzanine and even the heating at the mercy of the night.

In India, it is generally very hot throughout the year, about +30 degrees centigrade, thus a mere temperature of 10 degrees centigrade was a sheer treat!

Link to British Council Climate Champions programme…
http://www.britishcouncil.org/india-projects-lcf-climatechampions.htm