  
 "Ground Breaking Energy Storage." Today we consider the benefits of having batteries that: last 10xs longer, are cheaper to build and more efficient to run than standard engines and power plants, function with virtually no maintenance, and can be powered-up via clean energy.
Large image shows VRB, inset shows
Ultracapacitor, click to enlarge.
Technology #1 - Who's Rebuilding The Electric Car?
Did you know that in 1900 38% of all pleasure cars in the US were electrically powered?... Today, a small start up called EEStor, Inc is building an energy storage device expected to finally usher in the era of the American electric car (available 2008). Having recently earned investment capital from the same venture firm that helped fund Google & Amazon, these guys are looking good, their technology so advanced they've had to temporarily remove it from public view... The company's product is an "ultracapacitor." These Ultracapacitors can store huge amounts of electricity, drain slowly and then recharge quickly. Ultracapacitors are said to power a car for up to 300 miles of continuous travel (current electric vehicles get about 30 miles before needing to recharge) -- and, according to their patent, the EEStor "Ultracapacitor" energy storage device will recharge in about 5 minutes, the time it takes to fill your gas tank.
Strong Points:
> Charging up these ultracapacitors costs about $5 ... per tank! (1.7¢ per mile)
> Materials in the ultracapacitors are much safer for use than lead-acid batteries
> Ultracapacitors are about 1/2 as expensive to produce as standard gas engine/power trains
> Ultracapacitors are expected to deliver torque and power competitive with today's SUVs and sports cars
> Ultracapacitors present us with the possibility of 100% emissions free transportation that goes fast, charges fast, saves money, travels up to 300 miles (per charge), and more -- no kidding!
Technology #2 - And the Nobel Prize Goes To...
A revolution nearly 30 years in the making, Vanadium Redox Batteries are suddenly ready to change, er.. charge, the world. These bullet-proof systems revolutionize energy storage because their capacity is "infinitely scalable," meaning: a Vanadium Redox Battery System can be used for just about any power application, from golf carts to off-grid homes to giant megawatt power plants. This is the world's first battery system capable of boasting no loss of charge, they're inexpensive, non-toxic, and emissions-free. And we're not stopping there...
Vanadium Redox Batteries address every limitation of current battery technology:
> Able to be recharged infinitely
> Easily "scaled up" for increases in capacity
> Able to be charged and discharged simultaneously
> Designed to cycle down to zero before recharge!
> Made from non-toxic, non-scarce materials
> Able to be cycled at least 10 times longer than the world's current best battery, before recharging
Vanadium technology defies current thinking. With a not-so-simple alchemy of non-toxic Vanadium (a mineral) in an electrolyte solution, consumers can enjoy: **No reduction in long term charge capacity (electrolyte "charge" solution is easy to recharge), **The ability to add more capacity simply by adding a bigger tank and more "charge" solution, **No toxic disposal issues, **"Bullet-proof" longevity (by comparison, to achieve longevity in lead acid batteries, one has to carefully monitor a LAB's cycling; if a lead-acid system cycles below 10% capacity, the system can be permanently damaged), and **10 times longer service life, before recharge.
"All other battery systems... you have been warned!"
THE GOOD NEWS
The good news: the electric car ain't dead (!) and Vanadium Redox Batteries (VRBs) are already empowering energy-efficient, energy independence across the globe. VRB systems are working on wind farms in Ireland, as load levelers in Utah... they're displacing diesel-burning back-up generators and lead acid battery-storage in Japan ... they're dramatically increasing the efficiency of large scale power production and satisfying end-users with superior performance. To boot, the fast charging, "high octane" ultracapacitor will soon give drivers what they want: speed, performance, range, clean air, and big savings. By combining these on-the-cusp technologies with today's proven clean power generation: Wind, Solar, Wave, Geothermal and Energy Efficiency -- fossil fuel demand could literally disappear "over night." By eliminating fossil fuels from our energy economy (coal, gas, oil, and so on), we eliminate nearly all global warming emissions, and improve public health... Let's do it!
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Learn More
>>> To learn more about these exciting technologies, please visit the links below
(we've got hot links at bottom of this page, scroll down):
EEStor's "Ultracapacitors"
*Note the company developing this technology has temporarily removed their website from all view, product is expected to launch in 2007/2008. The ZENN Car will most likely be the Ultracapacitor's first home.
http://pesn.com/2007/01/17/9500448_EEStor_milestones/
Austin American Statesman - see link below
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/01/big_news_eestor.php
http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=204515
ZENN Cars: http://www.zenncars.com/
"Vanadium Redox Batteries"
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/04/the_vanadium_ba.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanadium_battery
http://www.refueltec.com/
http://www.vrbpower.com/
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LINKS, LINKS, LINKS
OTHER GROUND BREAKINGS:
select hot links at bottom of page
Politics:
Congress Investigating White House Conspiracy
from the article, "It appears there may have been an orchestrated campaign to mislead the public about climate change," Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif... Jan. 30th hearing focused on allegations that the Bush Administation has closely controlled reporting on climate change.
> http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070131/ap_on_go_co/congress_climate
Speaker Pelosi Takes on Global Warming
Speaker Pelosi ushers in a new American energy conscience, by popular demand...
> http://www.emagazine.com/view/?3571
EU Plans New Industrial Revolution
Major changes in energy policy are afoot.
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6247199.stm
Renewables Making Gains in Congress
More major changes in energy policy.
> http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=47171
Industry:
Companies Set Aggressive Climate Change Goals
There's more to clean air than financial sacrifice...
> http://www.climatebiz.com/sections/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=34133
First Carbon Neutral Product Announced
Available at ... Sam's Club!
> http://www.greenbiz.com/news/news_third.cfm?NewsID=34468
Fortune 500 Companies Endorse Anti-Pollution Plan
Environmental Defense is spearheading a team that's making real changes.
> http://www.environmentaldefense.org/article.cfm?ContentID=5828
> http://www.greenbiz.com/news/news_third.cfm?NewsID=34458
GE Undertakes Carbon Reductions Plan
The world's most respected brand continues to make strides toward a clean industrial future.
> http://www.greenbiz.com/news/news_third.cfm?NewsID=34447
Exon Mobil blasted for efforts to discredit Climate Science
Related to concerns White House?...
> http://www.emagazine.com/view/?3561
Future Planes Might be "Flying Wings"
Big picture, energy efficiency, better for everyone.
> http://www.emagazine.com/view/?3561http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/11/future_planes_m.php
Green Computer Products Registry boasts over 900 products
Screen your purchases.
> http://www.greenbiz.com/news/news_third.cfm?NewsID=34366
Rising Role of Renewables Workshop
Our friends at the AHC Group have put together another awesome workshop for high tier professionals.
> http://www.ahcgroup.com/news0701_renewables.htm
The Ambient Air Capturing Question
Possible to sequester greenhouse gases out of thin air?
> http://www.greenbiz.com/news/columns_third.cfm?NewsID=34308&pic=2
Celebrities:
Stephen Hawking Resets "Doomsday Clock"
On the surface, it's not exactly good news, but...
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6270871.stm
President Clinton, "We Need to Get in Gear."
Last summer, Clinton spoke out re: peak oil ... and climate change.
> http://www.energybulletin.net/24172.html
Justin Timberlake -- activist?
Justin, Sienna Miller, Heather Graham, Dennis Hopper, and other celebs were recently "caught in the act" of raising funds to offset over 10,500 tons of CO2. Check out "The Icehouse Lounge" -
> http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/01/the_north_facel_1.php
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New to The Good News
Welcome this month: Christopher, Robert ("Mike"), Keith, and Margaret.
Thanks ya'll good people!
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SWITCH TO CLEAN ENERGY.
Do the Bright Thing. You can help solve the global warming issue TODAY. Just click on our link below for a list of nationwide connections to home and office energy supply. This is the easiest way to make a difference in the world. Good Common Sense!
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Thanks for reading! Visit the store! See you next month!
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