Southwest Virginia Blogs

GM may be poised to pull an electric rabbit out of its hat that could save the company. The car manufacturer has provided a preview of the Chevrolet Volt, an electric hybrid that has a good chance of beating the Japanese electric hybrids at their own game. GM has done something that is blindingly obvious, but for some reason has been avoided entirely by the Japanese carmakers: make an all electric drive train.

Hybrids like the popular Prius have both a gas engine and an electric motor, and either device can transmit power to the wheels. This improves performance somewhat. But it makes the car much more complex, with a dual power input drive train, and the complexity makes the cars pricey. But GM picked a much simpler design. The Volt has an electric motor to drive the wheels, and a gas engine that only charges the batteries. So the car has fewer parts, less weight (good for mileage and performance), and should be much less expensive. The car can go about forty miles on batteries alone, and according to GM, half the country has a daily commute of less than twenty miles, so a single charge can get you to work and back. If you do need to drive further, the electric generator kicks in to charge the batteries while you drive, extending car range to about 600 miles, at 50 miles to the gallon, according to GM.

You can also plug the car in the wall at night and charge the batteries that way, which might be less expensive if gas prices climb again.

This car could be a big winner for GM, and the Volt could end up being nearly everyone's second or third car. What would be really smart is if the company offered a stripped down version that lends itself to being modified by hot rodders--bigger electric motors, high powered batteries, "hot rod" computer chips, big sound systems, and all the other mods that would harken back to the nineteen fifties when it was a rite of passage to soup up a basic GM automobile.

Update: Reader Ed D. has provided another link with some pictures of the car.

GM may be poised to pull an electric rabbit out of its hat that could save the company. The car manufacturer has provided a preview of the Chevrolet Volt, an electric hybrid that has a good chance of beating the Japanese electric hybrids at their own game. GM has done something that is blindingly obvious, but for some reason has been avoided entirely by the Japanese carmakers: make an all electric drive train.

Hybrids like the popular Prius have both a gas engine and an electric motor, and either device can transmit power to the wheels. This improves performance somewhat. But it makes the car much more complex, with a dual power input drive train, and the complexity makes the cars pricey. But GM picked a much simpler design. The Volt has an electric motor to drive the wheels, and a gas engine that only charges the batteries. So the car has fewer parts, less weight (good for mileage and performance), and should be much less expensive. The car can go about forty miles on batteries alone, and according to GM, half the country has a daily commute of less than twenty miles, so a single charge can get you to work and back. If you do need to drive further, the electric generator kicks in to charge the batteries while you drive, extending car range to about 600 miles, at 50 miles to the gallon, according to GM.

You can also plug the car in the wall at night and charge the batteries that way, which might be less expensive if gas prices climb again.

This car could be a big winner for GM, and the Volt could end up being nearly everyone's second or third car. What would be really smart is if the company offered a stripped down version that lends itself to being modified by hot rodders--bigger electric motors, high powered batteries, "hot rod" computer chips, big sound systems, and all the other mods that would harken back to the nineteen fifties when it was a rite of passage to soup up a basic GM automobile.

Update: Reader Ed D. has provided another link with some pictures of the car.

USA Today has an article on dairy farms that are becoming energy providers. Cows generate about 100 pounds of manure a day; in the old days, this manure sat and released methane directly into the air for a while, and then was typically spread onto nearby fields, which created a bit of an odor for a few days.

Dairy farmers are now installing anaeroboic digesters that accelerate the decomposition of the manure. Methane from the digesters is used to power a generator that produces electricity for the farm, and excess power is sold to the local electric utility. Some farms are actually net energy producers, meaning the methane generated is enough to handle all of the farm's electrical needs and then some. Excess heat from the generator can also be used to keep barns warm, improving efficiency even more. But wait--there is more! After you extract the methane and liquid from the manure, you are left with a peat-like, odorless mulch that is better than straw for bedding in the cow barns, reducing or elminating the farmer's cost of straw.

The article notes that power from manure is not likely to be a significant contributor to the nation's electric needs, but from the dairy farmer's perspective, it is revolutionary, since it adds a complementary business (electric power) to traditional farming that makes the overall business much more profitable. Economic developers in rural dairy farming regions: How about finding a local entrepreneur who could start a business installing and servicing these systems? How much electric power could your region generate if you got a significant percentage of your dairy farmers to install these systems? What could it mean to your local economy? The Energy Economy won't be just about big power--"little" power is going to create lots of new business opportunities as we move away from dependence on traditional fossil fuels. Is your region ready?

USA Today has an article on dairy farms that are becoming energy providers. Cows generate about 100 pounds of manure a day; in the old days, this manure sat and released methane directly into the air for a while, and then was typically spread onto nearby fields, which created a bit of an odor for a few days.

Dairy farmers are now installing anaeroboic digesters that accelerate the decomposition of the manure. Methane from the digesters is used to power a generator that produces electricity for the farm, and excess power is sold to the local electric utility. Some farms are actually net energy producers, meaning the methane generated is enough to handle all of the farm's electrical needs and then some. Excess heat from the generator can also be used to keep barns warm, improving efficiency even more. But wait--there is more! After you extract the methane and liquid from the manure, you are left with a peat-like, odorless mulch that is better than straw for bedding in the cow barns, reducing or elminating the farmer's cost of straw.

The article notes that power from manure is not likely to be a significant contributor to the nation's electric needs, but from the dairy farmer's perspective, it is revolutionary, since it adds a complementary business (electric power) to traditional farming that makes the overall business much more profitable. Economic developers in rural dairy farming regions: How about finding a local entrepreneur who could start a business installing and servicing these systems? How much electric power could your region generate if you got a significant percentage of your dairy farmers to install these systems? What could it mean to your local economy? The Energy Economy won't be just about big power--"little" power is going to create lots of new business opportunities as we move away from dependence on traditional fossil fuels. Is your region ready?

USA Today has an article on dairy farms that are becoming energy providers. Cows generate about 100 pounds of manure a day; in the old days, this manure sat and released methane directly into the air for a while, and then was typically spread onto nearby fields, which created a bit of an odor for a few days.

Dairy farmers are now installing anaeroboic digesters that accelerate the decomposition of the manure. Methane from the digesters is used to power a generator that produces electricity for the farm, and excess power is sold to the local electric utility. Some farms are actually net energy producers, meaning the methane generated is enough to handle all of the farm's electrical needs and then some. Excess heat from the generator can also be used to keep barns warm, improving efficiency even more. But wait--there is more! After you extract the methane and liquid from the manure, you are left with a peat-like, odorless mulch that is better than straw for bedding in the cow barns, reducing or elminating the farmer's cost of straw.

The article notes that power from manure is not likely to be a significant contributor to the nation's electric needs, but from the dairy farmer's perspective, it is revolutionary, since it adds a complementary business (electric power) to traditional farming that makes the overall business much more profitable. Economic developers in rural dairy farming regions: How about finding a local entrepreneur who could start a business installing and servicing these systems? How much electric power could your region generate if you got a significant percentage of your dairy farmers to install these systems? What could it mean to your local economy? The Energy Economy won't be just about big power--"little" power is going to create lots of new business opportunities as we move away from dependence on traditional fossil fuels. Is your region ready?

USA Today has an article on dairy farms that are becoming energy providers. Cows generate about 100 pounds of manure a day; in the old days, this manure sat and released methane directly into the air for a while, and then was typically spread onto nearby fields, which created a bit of an odor for a few days.

Dairy farmers are now installing anaeroboic digesters that accelerate the decomposition of the manure. Methane from the digesters is used to power a generator that produces electricity for the farm, and excess power is sold to the local electric utility. Some farms are actually net energy producers, meaning the methane generated is enough to handle all of the farm's electrical needs and then some. Excess heat from the generator can also be used to keep barns warm, improving efficiency even more. But wait--there is more! After you extract the methane and liquid from the manure, you are left with a peat-like, odorless mulch that is better than straw for bedding in the cow barns, reducing or elminating the farmer's cost of straw.

The article notes that power from manure is not likely to be a significant contributor to the nation's electric needs, but from the dairy farmer's perspective, it is revolutionary, since it adds a complementary business (electric power) to traditional farming that makes the overall business much more profitable. Economic developers in rural dairy farming regions: How about finding a local entrepreneur who could start a business installing and servicing these systems? How much electric power could your region generate if you got a significant percentage of your dairy farmers to install these systems? What could it mean to your local economy? The Energy Economy won't be just about big power--"little" power is going to create lots of new business opportunities as we move away from dependence on traditional fossil fuels. Is your region ready?

This importance of this article really has little to do with the NSA. It is an excellent reminder, however, that reliable and resilient electric power drives IT--literally. Substitute 'our local IT firm' for 'NSA' and read the article a second time. The NSA is facing expansion difficulties because it cannot get the power it needs to run its IT infrastructure.

How about your community? Can you deliver reliable electric power--as much as needed--to any business? We can argue about what is causing global warming, but I do see a consensus that we are moving into a period of more unsettled weather--more heat, more cold, more storms--no one seems to disagree about that, although there are many opinions on the causes. All these weather extremes tend to put more stress on electrical distribution systems, and communities that have some of their own electrical generating capacity may have a unique and distinct advantage in the Knowledge Economy. In particular, communities with public power (municipal) electric are well positioned to be attractive to IT companies with power hungry computers and servers. Diversified local electrical generating capacity (e.g. hydro, gas turbines, coal, diesel, wind, solar, cogeneration) are even better positioned to leverage that infrastructure as an economic development advantage.

Are your economic developers including reliable power as part of the strategic roadmap? If not, why not?

This importance of this article really has little to do with the NSA. It is an excellent reminder, however, that reliable and resilient electric power drives IT--literally. Substitute 'our local IT firm' for 'NSA' and read the article a second time. The NSA is facing expansion difficulties because it cannot get the power it needs to run its IT infrastructure.

How about your community? Can you deliver reliable electric power--as much as needed--to any business? We can argue about what is causing global warming, but I do see a consensus that we are moving into a period of more unsettled weather--more heat, more cold, more storms--no one seems to disagree about that, although there are many opinions on the causes. All these weather extremes tend to put more stress on electrical distribution systems, and communities that have some of their own electrical generating capacity may have a unique and distinct advantage in the Knowledge Economy. In particular, communities with public power (municipal) electric are well positioned to be attractive to IT companies with power hungry computers and servers. Diversified local electrical generating capacity (e.g. hydro, gas turbines, coal, diesel, wind, solar, cogeneration) are even better positioned to leverage that infrastructure as an economic development advantage.

Are your economic developers including reliable power as part of the strategic roadmap? If not, why not?

A three year old Philadelphia project to turn waste into gas, oil, and minerals has been so successful that the EPA and private investors are putting money behind expansion of the effort. One of the new sites will be in Missouri, near a turkey processing plant. The energy recycling plant will turn 200 tons of turkey guts into 10 tons of gas and 600 barrels of oil. The gas is used to power the plant, which is 85% efficient.

This looks like a free lunch because you get three for one; you reduce the amount of waste going into landfills, you get local production of energy products, and you reduce reliance on foreign oil.

The system uses exactly the same processes the earth uses to turn organic matter into oil, but while that takes millions of years for the earth to do it, using heat and pressure in the right amounts lets the energy plant accomplish the same thing in a few hours. The system is owned by Changing World Technologies, and while this has been tried before, the company developed a new approach that makes it much more efficient in terms of the amount of energy required for the conversion process.

This is just one more examply why the notion of running out oil--as a crisis--is looking at things from the wrong end of the telescope--it is an opportunity. How about your region? Do you have companies with significant waste streams of organic matter? Why not compete directly with the Middle East and become an oil and gas producer? It will reduce the strain on your landfill, create jobs, generate taxes, and diversify your local economy.

A three year old Philadelphia project to turn waste into gas, oil, and minerals has been so successful that the EPA and private investors are putting money behind expansion of the effort. One of the new sites will be in Missouri, near a turkey processing plant. The energy recycling plant will turn 200 tons of turkey guts into 10 tons of gas and 600 barrels of oil. The gas is used to power the plant, which is 85% efficient.

This looks like a free lunch because you get three for one; you reduce the amount of waste going into landfills, you get local production of energy products, and you reduce reliance on foreign oil.

The system uses exactly the same processes the earth uses to turn organic matter into oil, but while that takes millions of years for the earth to do it, using heat and pressure in the right amounts lets the energy plant accomplish the same thing in a few hours. The system is owned by Changing World Technologies, and while this has been tried before, the company developed a new approach that makes it much more efficient in terms of the amount of energy required for the conversion process.

This is just one more examply why the notion of running out oil--as a crisis--is looking at things from the wrong end of the telescope--it is an opportunity. How about your region? Do you have companies with significant waste streams of organic matter? Why not compete directly with the Middle East and become an oil and gas producer? It will reduce the strain on your landfill, create jobs, generate taxes, and diversify your local economy.

A three year old Philadelphia project to turn waste into gas, oil, and minerals has been so successful that the EPA and private investors are putting money behind expansion of the effort. One of the new sites will be in Missouri, near a turkey processing plant. The energy recycling plant will turn 200 tons of turkey guts into 10 tons of gas and 600 barrels of oil. The gas is used to power the plant, which is 85% efficient.

This looks like a free lunch because you get three for one; you reduce the amount of waste going into landfills, you get local production of energy products, and you reduce reliance on foreign oil.

The system uses exactly the same processes the earth uses to turn organic matter into oil, but while that takes millions of years for the earth to do it, using heat and pressure in the right amounts lets the energy plant accomplish the same thing in a few hours. The system is owned by Changing World Technologies, and while this has been tried before, the company developed a new approach that makes it much more efficient in terms of the amount of energy required for the conversion process.

This is just one more examply why the notion of running out oil--as a crisis--is looking at things from the wrong end of the telescope--it is an opportunity. How about your region? Do you have companies with significant waste streams of organic matter? Why not compete directly with the Middle East and become an oil and gas producer? It will reduce the strain on your landfill, create jobs, generate taxes, and diversify your local economy.

A Virginia Tech chemist (hat tip to the Roanoke Times)has developed a molecule that enables an artificial photosynthesis process that can be used to split water. In doing so, you end up with hydrogen that can be used to power an automobile. Sunlight is used to provide energy for the process. It is still in an experimental stage, but points the way for simply being able to fuel your car from the garden hose.

This fuel cell powered portable power source is pretty neat, and suggests the future of portable and emergency power. The device runs on hydrogen stored in a removable tank, and provides a trifecta of power: 120 volt AC, 12 volt DC (cigarette lighter plug), and a 5 volt USB port. That just about covers every kind of device you would ever need to recharge or power. The USB port is a nice touch, since lots of devices can now be charged via a USB port, including many cellphones. The one issue I have with it is that Voller, the manufacturer, is a bit vague about the fuel source. The data sheet says it uses "standard" hydrogen cylinders, but it is not clear about where you buy them. The company Web site says it is working on fuel cells that work with more common hydrogen-based fuels like propane and butane. If they get devices like this one working with propane and butane, these will be wildly popular.

As I wrote when gas prices first spiked, expect to see lots of new businesses and business opportunities emerge. This new electric car, the Zenn, is likely to catch on as a second or third car in a lot of households. It costs just $10,000, and it is an all electric car with limited range and limited speed. But it will meet the around town and commuting needs of many people. Most of don't need a car with a 400 mile range and a top speed of 90 mph just to drive to the store or to work.

If I had one, I'd slap some solar cells on the roof and let it recharge for free in the parking lot all day at work--free gas, so to speak.

As I wrote when gas prices first spiked, expect to see lots of new businesses and business opportunities emerge. This new electric car, the Zenn, is likely to catch on as a second or third car in a lot of households. It costs just $10,000, and it is an all electric car with limited range and limited speed. But it will meet the around town and commuting needs of many people. Most of don't need a car with a 400 mile range and a top speed of 90 mph just to drive to the store or to work.

If I had one, I'd slap some solar cells on the roof and let it recharge for free in the parking lot all day at work--free gas, so to speak.

DaimlerChrysler has been late to the hybrid electric car game, but the perennially third place firm may end up winning the game over the long run. DaimlerChrysler recently bought Global Electric Motorcars, which makes the street legal GEM e4.

The GEM e4 is just the opposite of cars like the Prius, which are expensive to buy and expensive to own when you look at total life cycle costs (replacement batteries, needed every 3-4 years, cost thousands of dollars). The e4 seats 4, is street legal, and is fully weatherized. The car achieves it's low cost of operation by using less expensive car batteries, and has a range of about 30 miles, with a top speed of 25 mph--plenty of speed for around town driving. They are charged by plugging them into any 120 VAC outlet for a few hours.

The car is not legal on highways, but much of our driving is short trips just a few miles from home. The GEM vehicles start with prices as low as $7,000, and a well-equipped four seat model is under $10,000. They are much more practical than electric and gas scooters, the Segway, and other "open air" vehicles. Most people don't want to be caught out in a rainstorm or go to work with their hair and clothes flying in the breeze (me included). Alternative vehicles, to be popular, have to be able to get us from point A to point B with a minimum disruption of our appearance--you just can't show up for a business meeting soaked to the skin or covered with snow.

These NEVs (Neighborhood Electric Vehicles) wont' replace our highway driving cars, but they can cut the cost of getting around town dramatically.

DaimlerChrysler has been late to the hybrid electric car game, but the perennially third place firm may end up winning the game over the long run. DaimlerChrysler recently bought Global Electric Motorcars, which makes the street legal GEM e4.

The GEM e4 is just the opposite of cars like the Prius, which are expensive to buy and expensive to own when you look at total life cycle costs (replacement batteries, needed every 3-4 years, cost thousands of dollars). The e4 seats 4, is street legal, and is fully weatherized. The car achieves it's low cost of operation by using less expensive car batteries, and has a range of about 30 miles, with a top speed of 25 mph--plenty of speed for around town driving. They are charged by plugging them into any 120 VAC outlet for a few hours.

The car is not legal on highways, but much of our driving is short trips just a few miles from home. The GEM vehicles start with prices as low as $7,000, and a well-equipped four seat model is under $10,000. They are much more practical than electric and gas scooters, the Segway, and other "open air" vehicles. Most people don't want to be caught out in a rainstorm or go to work with their hair and clothes flying in the breeze (me included). Alternative vehicles, to be popular, have to be able to get us from point A to point B with a minimum disruption of our appearance--you just can't show up for a business meeting soaked to the skin or covered with snow.

These NEVs (Neighborhood Electric Vehicles) wont' replace our highway driving cars, but they can cut the cost of getting around town dramatically.

DaimlerChrysler has been late to the hybrid electric car game, but the perennially third place firm may end up winning the game over the long run. DaimlerChrysler recently bought Global Electric Motorcars, which makes the street legal GEM e4.

The GEM e4 is just the opposite of cars like the Prius, which are expensive to buy and expensive to own when you look at total life cycle costs (replacement batteries, needed every 3-4 years, cost thousands of dollars). The e4 seats 4, is street legal, and is fully weatherized. The car achieves it's low cost of operation by using less expensive car batteries, and has a range of about 30 miles, with a top speed of 25 mph--plenty of speed for around town driving. They are charged by plugging them into any 120 VAC outlet for a few hours.

The car is not legal on highways, but much of our driving is short trips just a few miles from home. The GEM vehicles start with prices as low as $7,000, and a well-equipped four seat model is under $10,000. They are much more practical than electric and gas scooters, the Segway, and other "open air" vehicles. Most people don't want to be caught out in a rainstorm or go to work with their hair and clothes flying in the breeze (me included). Alternative vehicles, to be popular, have to be able to get us from point A to point B with a minimum disruption of our appearance--you just can't show up for a business meeting soaked to the skin or covered with snow.

These NEVs (Neighborhood Electric Vehicles) wont' replace our highway driving cars, but they can cut the cost of getting around town dramatically.

Segway, the company that makes the two wheel electric scooter, has a new loan program so that you can purchase a Segway just like a car, with a loan. It turns out very few people want to pay $5000 in cash for one.

With the rist in fuel prices, these kinds of lower cost transportation devices are looking more attractive, but the Segway and similar electric scooters of more conventional design are not really practical for business people, who don't want to arrive at work windswept, with clothes askew, and even wet from riding something with no protection from wind and rain.

What we need is a street legal, slightly faster, weather resistant version of a golf cart. For many people who commute under ten miles to work or to shop, it would be just fine. In Blacksburg, most of my in town trips are under two miles. It's crazy to be driving a 3000 pound automobile capable of driving long distances at 80 mph just to go pick up milk and a loaf of bread. These would not replace cars, they would complement them. Most households should have a third vehicle--all electric, limited range, and cheap.

The Prius and other hybrids are not really practical, as they try to replace combustion powered vehicles but do so poorly, and at great expense. For much less than the cost of a replacement Prius battery (about $10,000), we ought to be able to buy something that is designed just for all those short trips.

Jerry Fuhrman, who writes from rural southwest Virginia, has an interesting observation today that I think is applicable to many rural areas of the country.

He notes that one of Virginia's main exports is wood (mostly to China), and one of Virginia's main imports is furniture (mainly from China). Fuhrman's question is how will high energy prices affect the cost of goods, since it takes a lot of energy to haul wood to China, turn it into furniture, and then haul it back to the U.S?

Higher energy prices are going to change things in ways we are not thinking about right now. The current focus on automobile efficiency is, I think, extremely short-sighted. Fuhrman is more on track, looking at indirect effects and trying to ferret out business opportunities. There is a business boom at the end of every downturn. Thinking in a futures context means less handwringing about the present and more consideration of where things might end up.

Virginia used to be a furniture manufacturing powerhouse. And Fuhrman may be right that it could be again.