Transportation News

Repsol and Talgo to develop hydrogen-powered trains

Aug 4, 2021: Spain-based global energy company Repsol and Talgo, a manufacturer of intercity, standard, and high speed passenger trains, will promote a renewable-hydrogen-powered train, fostering emission-free rail transport in the Iberian Peninsula. Repsol is the leading producer and consumer of hydrogen in the Iberian Peninsula and operates the largest hydrogen plant of...

California Fuel Cell Partnership envisions 70,000 heavy-duty fuel cell electric trucks supported by 200 hydrogen stations in-state by 2035

Aug 4, 2021: The California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP) released a new foundational document for heavy-duty class 8 fuel cell electric trucks (FCETs), “Fuel Cell Electric Trucks: A Vision for Freight Movement in California and Beyond,” that envisions 70,000 trucks supported by 200 heavy-duty truck stations by 2035. The vision emphasizes the need...

Energy ECS company McDermott joins H2@Scale in Texas and Beyond

Aug 4, 2021: McDermott International, a premier, fully-integrated provider of engineering and construction solutions (ECS) to the energy industry, has joined a consortium of public, private and academic partners collaborating on a US Department of Energy (DOE) project—Demonstration and Framework for H2@Scale in Texas and Beyond. The project is supported by DOE’s Hydrogen...

DHL Express orders 12 all-electric cargo planes from Eviation

Aug 4, 2021: DHL Express has ordered 12 all-electric Alice eCargo planes from Eviation. (Earlier post.) Eviation expects to deliver the Alice electric aircraft to DHL Express in 2024. Alice can be flown by a single pilot and will carry 1,200 kilograms (2,600 lbs). It will require 30 minutes or less to charge...

Rolls-Royce invests in new test facilities at Purdue for high-altitude and hybrid-electric aircraft engines

Aug 4, 2021: Rolls-Royce has launched a new major investment project with Purdue University to develop new test facilities for high-altitude and hybrid-electric engines to power the next generation of US military aircraft. Gas turbine engine test cells must offer flexible operation to qualify engines for customer use. However, true high-altitude test cells...

DOE awards ~$34M to 11 projects to advance waste and algae bioenergy technology

Aug 4, 2021: The US Department of Energy (DOE) will award nearly $34 million in funding for 11 projects that will support high-impact research and development to improve and produce biofuels, biopower, and bioproducts. Biomass feedstocks can be produced by municipal solid waste (MSW) streams and algae and converted into low-carbon fuels that...

Keysight launches Scienlab battery pack test system with high voltage silicon carbide technology

Aug 4, 2021: Keysight Technologies announced the Scienlab SL1700A Series, the next-generation battery pack test system for high voltage battery packs—up to 1500 V for automotive and industrial application. Customers need labs with multiple test channels to develop batteries, but space and power supplies are limited. Keysight’s SL1700A Series utilizes new high voltage...

Mercedes-Benz intensifies partnership with GROB for next-generation battery production

Aug 4, 2021: To help industrialize production of future generation batteries, Mercedes-Benz is intensifying its cooperation with its longstanding partner GROB-WERKE GmbH & Co. KG, a German world market leader in highly innovative battery production and automation systems. The cooperation will focus on the system technology of future generations of Mercedes-Benz battery systems...

Dürr expands first market-ready AI application for paint shops; incorporating older and third-party robots

Aug 4, 2021: Identifying defect sources, determining the optimal maintenance schedule, improving manufacturing processes: until now, artificial intelligence only made this possible in a paint shop equipped with state-of-the-art robots. Now, however, Dürr is significantly expanding the scope of its AI applications with the enablement of analysis software from the DXQ product family...

Minimalist House in Minohshinmachi focuses on nature

Aug 3, 2021: House in Minohshinmachi emphasizes an indoor-outdoor connection and views of nearby Mount Aogai.

Killer whale stranded in Alaska gets rescued

Aug 3, 2021: Last Thursday, boaters and locals helped rescue a stranded orca whale on Prince of Wales Island in Alaska. Boaters found the 20-foot-long mammal stuck in a 4-foot-long rock crevice on the rocky shore. The boaters first alerted the U.S. coastguard before taking any action.

Invasive lanternflies want to take over the U.S.

Aug 3, 2021: Spotted lanternflies are extremely cool-looking bugs, with polka-dotted wings in shades of red, black and beige that make them resemble paper lanterns. But people should be very worried about this invasive insect, according to entomologist Frank Hale.

Self-sufficient Sail House by David Hertz Architects looks like a ship

Aug 3, 2021: It’s a nautical home that boasts plenty of space for entertaining plus a green design.

Architect chosen to design sustainable 2026 Olympic Village

Aug 3, 2021: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, also known as SOM, will design the Olympic Village for the upcoming 2026 games in Milan-Cortina. The new village will be a part of the updated Porta Romana Railway Yard Master Plan.

University of Münster team reviews battery cost forecasts, provides consolidated view

Aug 3, 2021: A team at the University of Münster has reviewed 53 studies that provide time- or technology-specific cost estimates for lithium-ion, solid-state, lithium–sulfur and lithium–air batteries among more than 2,000 publications related to the topic. In an effort to provide a degree of transparency to the large variance of forecasted costs...

Foresight to work with Chery and Guide Infrared on autonomous vehicles

Aug 3, 2021: Israel-based Foresight Autonomous Holdings Ltd. (earlier post) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for a multiphase business cooperation with Wuhu Chery Technology Co., LTD (Chery), a global Chinese vehicle manufacturer and Xuanyuan Idrive Technology Co. Ltd. (XY), a subsidiary of Wuhan Guide Infrared Co. (Guide Infrared), a leading Chinese developer...

GAC and Huawei partner to develop Level 4 electric SUV out in 2023

Aug 3, 2021: GAC Group and Huawei: the two firms are partnering to develop a medium- to large-size electric SUV Level 4 autonomous driving capabilities. Mass production is targeted for the end of 2023. The SUV will be the first joint product of the two enterprises. GAC is also working with Didi on...

PNNL team finds biocrude from kelp and fish waste via hydrothermal liquefaction could be viable fuel for remote Alaskan communities

Aug 3, 2021: Using existing fish processing plants, kelp and fish waste can be turned into a diesel-like fuel to power generators or fishing boats in rural, coastal Alaska, according to a team from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). Many isolated communities rely on diesel generators for energy; diesel, however, is expensive since...

Itochu and partners launch feasibility study of blue ammonia value chain between Eastern Siberia and Japan

Aug 3, 2021: Itochu Corporation and Irkutsk Oil Company (IOC); Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC); and Toyo Engineering Corporation (TOYO) have agreed to undertake a detailed study for the commercialization of a blue ammonia value chain between Eastern Siberia and Japan. This study will be Phase 2, following Phase 1...

Lifecycle study finds pennycress could make a greener bio-jet fuel

Aug 3, 2021: A common farm weed could make a jet fuel with fewer production-related environmental impacts than other biofuels, according to a new lifecycle study by researchers at The Ohio State University. Growing the weed, pennycress—often called stinkweed—as a crop requires less fertilizer and fewer pesticides than other plants that can be...

ORNL team develops more efficient ethanol-to-C3+ olefins catalyst; 88% selectivity

Aug 3, 2021: Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers have developed a new catalyst for converting ethanol into C3+ olefins—the chemical building blocks for renewable jet fuel and diesel—that pushes selectivity to a record-high 88%, a more than 10% gain over their previously developed catalyst. (Earlier post.) A paper on the new work is...

US Army awards Cummins $87M contract to deliver the opposed-piston Advanced Combat Engine

Aug 3, 2021: The US Army has awarded Cummins an $87-million contract to complete the development of the Advanced Combat Engine (ACE), a modular and scalable diesel engine solution, capable of hybridization, that uses innovative opposed-piston (OP) technology to provide leap-ahead capabilities in power density and heat rejection not available in the current...

Komatsu announces customer alliance to advance zero-emission mining; power-agnostic haul truck

Aug 3, 2021: Komatsu and its mining customers Rio Tinto, BHP, Codelco and Boliden have formed the Komatsu Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Alliance. Through the alliance framework, Komatsu’s GHG partners will work directly with Komatsu to collaborate on product planning, development, testing and deployment of the next generation of zero-emission mining equipment and infrastructure....

Vegan, natural soaps include limited-edition art prints by female artists

Aug 2, 2021: The main mission of the Art Bar is to encourage self care and body positivity by providing organic soaps with natural ingredients.

Greenland's ice melt enough to cover Florida in water

Aug 2, 2021: Greenland's vast ice sheets are melting away at an alarming rate, according to a recent report. As reported by the Danish government, the ice sheet lost 8.5 billion tons of surface mass on Tuesday alone.

Wildfires rage across Turkey's Aegean coast

Aug 2, 2021: Turkey’s Aegean coast has been evacuated due to epic wildfires. At least eight people have perished, and boats rescued thousands of holidaymakers from resorts.

Nelson Mandela Park adds a breath of fresh air to an industrial part of Rotterdam

Aug 2, 2021: A new masterplan promises to transform an underused harbor site into an urban green space for a neighborhood that could really use more parks.

Papermelon makes sustainable jewelry from upcycled paper

Aug 2, 2021: Papermelon jewelry is constructed from upcycled paper, which is collected from friends, neighbors and well-wishers.

New dual-function SOFC catalyst support layer provides mechanical support and reforming

Aug 2, 2021: Researchers in China have developed a novel nickel-molybdenum (NiMo)-yttira-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) catalyst-layer supported tubular single cell for solid oxide fuel cells running on methane. The NiMo-YSZ layer provides dual functionality of mechanical support and reforming of methane. A paper on the work is published in the Journal of Power Sources...

Helbiz partners with Lightning eMotors to deploy electric vans for fleet management

Aug 2, 2021: Micro-mobility company Helbiz is exploring the electrification of its fleet with Lightning eMotors. Following the completion of the current pilot program, Helbiz plans to deploy Lightning Electric Ford Transit 350HD vans throughout Miami and Washington DC to manage its intra-urban operations. These zero-emission electric vehicles will replace the existing gas-powered...

DOE to award up to $42.3M to support manufacturing innovations, including Li-ion battery manufacturing

Aug 2, 2021: The US Department of Energy (DOE) announced a $42.3-million funding opportunity (DOE-FOA-0002553) to support manufacturing innovations for high performance clean energy technologies to drive economy-wide reductions in carbon emissions, including: Topic area 1: Manufacturing Process Innovation. Next-generation manufacturing processes that improve energy efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint of energy-intensive...

Volkswagen and TraceTronic establish JV for automated software integration: neocx

Aug 2, 2021: Volkswagen is strengthening its expertise in the integration of automotive software. At present, high-performance automotive functions can only be achieved by networking many individual software and hardware components. Integrating these components and testing the resulting assembly is a key development task for Volkswagen. As part of its ACCELERATE strategy, Volkswagen...

Hydrogen-engined Corolla to enter Super Taikyu Race in Autopolis

Aug 2, 2021: Toyota Motor Corporation will enter a vehicle equipped with a developmental hydrogen-fueled engine at the five-hour-long Super Taikyu Race in Autopolis, which takes place from 31 July to 1 August 2021. The hydrogen engine is being developed as part of Toyota's efforts to realize a carbon-neutral mobility society. Just as...

Renault Group signs lithium offtake agreement with Vulcan Energy; Zero Carbon Lithium

Aug 2, 2021: Renault Group and Vulcan Energy Resources, a lithium developer targeting carbon-neutral lithium production (earlier post), have signed a lithium offtake term sheet. This agreement is for an initial five-year term which can be extended if mutually agreed, with a start of commercial delivery set for 2026. Vulcan announced a similar...

EDF and Nissan launch new commercial V2G service for EV fleets in the UK

Aug 2, 2021: EDF, through EDF Group subsidiary DREEV, has launched a new commercial charging service using vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology in the UK, in partnership with Nissan. This means businesses can support the grid by consuming low carbon energy, and progress towards their net zero and decarbonization targets, whils reducing their costs. The...

Bloom Energy receives DNV AiP for initial design for SOFC-powered LNG carrier; ABS verification as alternative power source

Aug 1, 2021: Bloom Energy has hit two key milestones on its path to decarbonize shipping. In conjunction with Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI), the companies’ initial design for an engineless, fuel-cell-powered liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier has received Approval in Principle (AiP) from DNV, a premier international maritime classification society. Bloom Energy also...

LanzaTech Project DRAGON shortlisted for UK funding; ATJ-SPK from waste

Aug 1, 2021: LanzaTech UK, among other companies, has been shortlisted for funding through The UK Department for Transport’s Green Fuels, Green Skies (GSGF) competition to advance the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). (Earlier post.) LanzaTech’s Project DRAGON (Decarbonizing and Reimagining Aviation for the Goal Of Netzero) will undertake the Front-End Engineering...

Carbon Engineering & LanzaTech partner to produce SAF using direct air capture CO2; “air-to-jet”

Aug 1, 2021: LanzaTech UK and direct air capture technology company Carbon Engineering have partnered on a project to create sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) using atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). Project AtmosFUEL will investigate the feasibility of a large-scale, commercial air-to-jet facility in the UK that will produce more than 100 million liters of...

UK shortlists 8 projects for £15M for development of sustainable aviation fuel production

Aug 1, 2021: The UK Department for Transport has shortlisted 8 industry-led projects to receive a share of £15 million (US$21 million) in the Green Fuels, Green Skies (GFGS) competition for the development of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) production plants in the UK. The shortlisted proposals include plants aiming to produce jet fuel...

Audi introduces longer range and AWD quattro versions of Q4 e-tron compact electric SUV

Jul 31, 2021: In April, Audi launched the Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron (earlier post)—the first compact electric SUVs from the brand. Audi is now adding two new versions to the range—the Q4 Sportback 40 e-tron, the model with the longest range in the series; and an all-wheel-drive version, the Q4 45...