Cars, SUVs, Trucks

Posts Tagged ‘energy’

( www.TFLcar.com ) Volkswagen has just completely redesigned their premium SUV the 2011 Touareg. For the first time the Touareg comes in a Hybrid version. Watch as we take the new hybrid Touareg for a drive in Florence, Italy at the press launch.

The electrical generator is a machine that uses mechanical motion to create electricity. It comes in many varieties. The size, source of motion, and basic design may all vary. Here is a short presentation on this interesting machine.

Generators are based on the discovery that if an electrical conductor is in a magnetic field and the field strength changes, an electrical current will move through the conductor. This effect will take place if either the conductor or the magnetic field is moving, or if they are both moving relative to each other. Rotary motion is most commonly used, but the theory works for linear motion as well. This was discovered by Michael Faraday about 1832. He built a generator to demonstrate this. This first model didn’t work very well, but it worked well enough to establish the concept.

Direct current (DC) has the electrons always flowing in the same direction. Alternating current (AC) has frequent reversals in the flow. Generators exist that can produce either kind. Large scale electrical service from utilities is usually AC. That is why the large power plants that feed the electrical grid usually produce AC. An AC producing generators are called alternators.

Cars are an interesting case. Their electrical systems have always been based on DC. Until around 50 years ago, cars generally had DC generators, even though alternators were smaller and tended to last longer. When AC to DC electronics became economically viable, cars switched to alternators.

The power grid gets most of its power from power plants running large generators. These generators are commonly connected to steam turbines. Fossil fuel plants create the steam by burning natural gas, coal, or oil. Plants that burn waste or biofuels are similar. Nuclear power plants use the heat generated by fission and radioactivity. Solar thermal plants use concentrated sunlight. Geothermal plants extract steam from underground. The steam then spins a turbine that spins a generator.

Gas turbines are directly driven by combustion, there is no steam. They are sometimes used when natural gas is the fuel. Gasoline or diesel internal combustion engines are often used to run smaller generators. Wind power uses the wind’s energy to spin the generator.

Hybrid cars often have a motor-generator. It is much larger than the alternators found in conventional internal combustion cars. When mechanical power is needed, it uses electricity from the batteries to work as a motor. When the internal combustion engine is running, it uses mechanical power from it to make electricity.

Not all generators are equally efficient. Mobile ones such as alternators in cars need to limit their weight, which limits their efficiency to around 60%. Power plant models can be huge, so they are often designed to be around 98% efficient.

There are some models designed to be powered by humans. Bicycle light generators are a common example. Pedal driven models that can make up to 200 watts have been built. Small hand cranked models have been engineered into some appliances such as radios and flashlights. This makes them usable without batteries in an emergency.

Electrical generators are key elements in our civilization. The vast bulk of our electricity comes from them. Our technological way of life would hardly be possible without them.

If you need a gerador de energia, then we could help you. The Grupo gerador is something that is on our list as we specialize in saving energy in households across the world.

David Goldstein of the Natural Resources Defense Council takes a look at the energy use of new appliances like refrigerators compared to the continued energy inefficiency of SUVs. Goldstein is a MacArthur fellow and the author of Saving Energy Growing Jobs. The discussion includes David Greene of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Series: The Roots of Energy Efficiency [7/2009] [Public Affairs] [Science] [Business] [Show ID: 16780]

Robby Gordon Monster Energy Trophy Truck #77 at the 2009 SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge

www.afstrinity.com In this video, we get a first-hand look at the XH-150™ Extreme Hybrid™ SUV during calibration and testing in December of 2007 at Michelin’s Laurens Proving Grounds in South Carolina. Features interviews with AFS Trinity’s Chief Technology Officer, Don Bender and Former Asst. Secretary of Energy at the DOE (1995-1998), Dr. Joseph Romm. 150 miles per gallon SUV. Find out more at http Visit or newly launched FAQs if you have questions!

Anyone can make your own electric car, as it is much easier then you may have thought. There are kits available that will provide you with everything you need as long as you already have a car. You should completely understand how an electric engine works as this will make it easier to uncover and fix any problems that might occur. If you are doing this for the first time then you may want to enlist the help of someone that has already converted a gas car to an electric car.

It is recommended that you convert a lightweight car to an electric engine as lighter cars can get the most savings when using electricity versus gas. Though it is possible to convert any car from gasoline to electric. It is also recommended that you convert a car with manual transmission, as automatic transmissions tend to use up a lot of energy. You also won’t stall out as much as it does not matter which gear you start in when the engine is electric.

Since you are going to spend a decent amount of time making an electric car it is bets that you use a decent car. A car that is going to break down tomorrow will just be a waste of time and money. The car should also have a convenient spot for batteries. A spot where you can permanently mount the batteries without having them be in the way is best.

It is recommended that you use an electric conversion kit as you are guaranteed that all the parts will fit and work together and it will include all the wiring and other equipment you will need for the conversion. These kits have been road tested so you know that they will work. You can get all of the parts together yourself but it may make things more difficult as certain pieces may not work with other parts.

Those that are converting their car in their spare time or only on the weekends may find that it will take a few weeks to complete the project. The most basic description of the job is taking out the gas engine and replacing it with a new electric engine. This means you will need to unconnect the engine and then make new connections with the electric engine.

There are many benefits to driving an electric car but before you put all of the work and time into converting the car you need to make sure the car can meet your needs. If you are looking to go long distances then an electric car is not the best choice. However if you want a small commuter car to get you to and from work every day then an electric car is an excellent choice. While you are converting your car you an also take this opportunity to fix it up, redo the paint job and make any other changes you have been meaning to.

Learn how you can convert your exiting car into an electric car easily. Get step by step instructions. Go to Electric Car Conversion Kits at http://www.squidoo.com/electriccarconversionkits

Ryan Newman has some harsh words for NASCAR after his huge wreck during the 2009 AMP Energy 500. And to be honest, I think he’s right.

Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS) have been introduced into Formula One as part of the sport’s major regulation change for 2009. A means to recover energy created under braking, the new regulation will see all teams running either a battery or flywheel system this season in an effort to improve racing. With the potential for the systems to be filtered into other applications, KERS is also one of the sport’s major green initiatives. Williams is the only team on the grid to be using a …

www.afstrinity.com Title “Hybrid car of the future” Aired: January 11, 2008 on CNN Description: CNN’s Greg Hunter takes a sneak peek at our ‘extreme hybrid’ car that gets about 150 miles per gallon. 150 miles per gallon SUV. DIGG IT @ digg.com/autos/150_MPG_Extreme_Hybrid_SUV_Unveiled Find out more at www.afstrinity.com Visit or newly launched FAQs if you have questions!