Servicing Space Telescopes, and satellites, is key to their productive lives.

Scientists and engineers push for servicing and assembly of future space observatories - SpaceNews.com

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - A group of astronomers and engineers is seeking to convince NASA to study in-space servicing and assembly of future space telescopes, including the role the proposed Deep Space Gateway could play to support it.

 From article, (A group of astronomers and engineers is seeking to convince NASA to study in-space servicing and assembly of future space telescopes, including the role the proposed Deep Space Gateway could play to support it.

During a panel discussion at the 231st Meeting of the American Astronomical Society here, members of an ad-hoc group formed last year to study the topic argued that servicing and assembly techniques, involving astronauts or robots, could enable both servicing of telescopes to extend their lives as well as assemble future observatories too large to launch in a single piece.

NASA has taken very different approaches to servicing for its flagship space telescopes. At one extreme is the Hubble Space Telescope, which was repaired and upgraded on five shuttle servicing missions between 1993 and 2009, allowing the telescope to overcome initial problems and improve its performance.

“When Hubble was launched in 1990, it was not a very good telescope,” said John Grunsfeld, a former astronaut who flew on three of those shuttle servicing missions and later served as the agency’s associate administrator for science. “Had it not been serviceable, we would have long ago abandoned it.”

The James Webb Space Telescope is at the other extreme, with no capability for servicing. Once launched, the spacecraft will go through a complex sequence to unfold its mirror and deploy a large sunshield, all without the ability for an astronaut or a robotic spacecraft to fix anything should that deployment go awry.

“Once we launch it, James Webb will start, on its own, doing all of these deployments by commands,” he said. “No one is up there to give it a little shake if anything sticks.”)

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Amazon May have Competition when it comes to Unmanned Aerial Delivery Vehicles.

Boeing unveils prototype for unmanned electric cargo air vehicle

Boeing Co on Wednesday unveiled a prototype for an unmanned electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing cargo air vehicle (CAV) that the planemaker said will be used to test it's autonomous technology. The CAV, designed and built in less than three months, is powered by an environmentally-friendly electric propulsion system and can carry up to 500 pounds, Boeing said.

From article, (Boeing on Wednesday unveiled a prototype for an unmanned electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing cargo air vehicle (CAV) that the planemaker said will be used to test it's autonomous technology.

The CAV, designed and built in less than three months, is powered by an environmentally-friendly electric propulsion system and can carry up to 500 pounds, Boeing said.

"Our new CAV prototype ... presents new possibilities for autonomous cargo delivery, logistics and other transportation applications," said Steve Nordlund, vice president of Boeing HorizonX, the unit that developed the CAV.)

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Pumped Storage Hydro Gains Ground in Morocco

Contract awarded to develop 350-MW Abdelmoumen pumped storage in Morocco

Vinci Construction, as part of a consortium, has won a €284 million (US$339 million) contract to construct a 350-MW pumped-storage facility in Morocco. This turnkey Abdelmoumen energy storage project will be delivered as part of Morocco's renewable energy development and integration plan. It will be owned by the Office National de l'Electricite.

From article, (Vinci Construction, as part of a consortium, has won a €284 million (US$339 million) contract to construct a 350-MW pumped-storage facility in Morocco.

The energy storage facility, on the Issen River, will store water in an upper reservoir/basin. When needed for generation, it will drop vertically about 550 meters to the lower reservoir (reportedly impounded by the existing Abdelmoumen Dam). The plant will be able to cycle between turbine and pump operations up to 20 times daily, depending on the surplus or energy needs of the Moroccan power grid, Vinci says.

The other part of the consortium is Andritz Hydro. Electromechanical equipment that company will supply involves two 175-MW Francis pump-turbine units and a high-voltage substation, Vinci says.

Construction of the facility is expected to take 48 months, Vinci says, and 840 people will be mobilized to the site, 780 of which will be recruited locally.

Vinci is a French company that has operated in Morocco for 90 years, mainly through its subsidiaries Sogea-Satom and Vinci Energies and Sogea-Satom subsidiaries Sogea Morocco and Dumez Morocco.

Other hydro projects being built in Morrocco include the Fask plant in Guelmim Province.)

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Kia shows it is getting in on the electric car market too, and more broadly with a compact SUV.

Kia unveils new all-electric compact SUV concept ahead of Niro EV launch

After the Kia Soul EV, the Korean automaker is expected to launch a second all-electric vehicle this year, an all-electric version of the Niro. Ahead of this launch, Kia unveiled a 'Niro EV concept' at CES in Las Vegas this week.

 From article, (After the Kia Soul EV, the Korean automaker is expected to launch a second all-electric vehicle this year, an all-electric version of the Niro.

It’s not entirely clear at this point if this new ‘Niro EV concept’ is a preview of what to expect from the all-electric version of Kia’s new compact SUV, but the Korean automaker describes it as “the next step in the brand’s ongoing journey to electrification” and they say it’s powered by “a next-generation electric vehicle powertrain, using new production technologies earmarked for near-future EVs from Kia.”

The Niro EV Concept is certainly a big step up over the Soul EV. It is powered by “a high-capacity 64 kWh lithium-polymer battery pack, paired with a powerful 150 kW electric motor.” Kia expects a range of 238 miles (383 kilometers) on a single charge.

The battery pack in the concept has a significantly higher capacity than what has been previously reported for the upcoming Niro EV, which is interesting.

Maybe the most interesting aspect of the upcoming EV has been its price, which is expected to be about 35,000 euros (~$39,000) – making it one of the rare options for a long-range electric vehicle at this price point and the only one for a compact SUV.)

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With Nissan selling 300,000 Leafs in 7 years, can it double that number in 3 and a half?

Nissan, the king of EVs, sells 300,000 Leafs in seven years

The first affordable mass-market electric vehicle remains the world's most popular.

From article, (Despite looking a little silly when it came out, the Nissan Leaf has become the world's best-selling electric car, with more than 300,000 of them flying out of showrooms since 2010.

The Leaf made a name for itself by being the first truly affordable, mass-produced electric vehicle. At a time when other manufacturers were merely dipping toes into the water with somewhat hastily designed electric versions of gasoline-powered cars, the Leaf was something entirely new and different.

If you weren't a hardcore electric vehicle nerd in 2010, the Nissan Leaf seemed kind of silly. It was odd-looking, its range was less than stellar and it wasn't exactly super cheap, particularly when compared to any of the well-established hybrids. Over the years though, with more EVs hitting the market at nearly every price, the Leaf has become a much more attractive option, particularly for the first-time EV owner.)

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Lithium Ion Batteries are becoming more and more popular to regulate commercial electrical power systems.

Nearly 500 MW of large batteries installed on the U.S. grid in three years (w/ chart)

While defenders of old and uncompetitive forms of energy decry the small capacity of battery storage that has been installed to date, the latest data form the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that battery deployment is gaining speed.

 From article, (While defenders of old and uncompetitive forms of energy decry the small capacity of battery storage that has been installed to date, the latest data form the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that battery deployment is gaining speed.

Specifically, this week EIA revealed that nearly 500 MW of large batteries have been deployed on the grid over the last three years, marking a big jump from previous years and representing the majority of installed capacity in the 21st century. EIA’s data does not include behind-the-meter batteries installed by residential customers or businesses.

First, lithium ion chemistry is increasingly dominating battery deployment, representing all of the new batteries deployed in 2016 and nearly all capacity put online in 2015.

Second, as it led in solar deployment, California is leading in large-scale battery deployment, with 29% of battery capacity deployed through the end of 2016 located in the Golden State. However, the largest battery recorded by capacity is located in Alaska, the 40 MW Fairbanks North Star.

Installed battery capacity still lags other pumped hydro storage, which can  provide longer-duration storage. And in addition to batteries, EIA is reporting 42 MW of flywheel deployments through the end of 2016, as well as 405 MW of concentrating solar power (CSP) with thermal energy storage.)

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While we will have to live with current plastics in the ocean. Here is a solution for current to future production of plastics.

Breaking down plastics' problem as new solution abounds

The focus of the plastics industry has long been on a product's functionality during its lifespan. This approach is no longer tenable, writes Michael Stephen. Plastics are among the most popular materials in use today. Given the material's versatility, it is little wonder that some 320m tonnes of it are used around the world each year.

From article, (If not disposed of properly, plastics can lie or float around for decades. In addition to being harmful to terrestrial and aquatic life, free-floating plastics in oceans can adsorb toxins and break up into micro-plastics, which then enter the food chain.

 The focus of the plastics industry has long been on a product’s functionality during its lifespan. This approach is no longer tenable. The world needs a new type of plastic — one that will perform well, but will also biodegrade much faster than the plastics we use today.

Enter oxo-biodegradable plastic (OBP). Unlike other plastics, including bio-plastics, OBP biodegrades anywhere in the environment, and can be recycled if collected during its lifetime.

Ordinary plastic products can be upgraded to OBP with existing machinery at the time of manufacture and at little to no extra cost, using technology that the Oxo-biodegradable Plastics Association is working to explain.

OBP is produced when a special additive is mixed with a normal polymer. The additive (produced by a company where I am a director) dismantles the molecular structure of the polymer at the end of its useful life and enables natural decomposition in an open environment.

And, when it comes to OBP, decomposition doesn’t mean breakdown into plastic fragments.

As Ignacy Jakubowicz, a professor at the Research Institutes of Sweden and one of the world’s leading experts on polymers, explains, when OBPs break down, the material changes entirely, with hydrocarbon molecules becoming oxygen-containing molecules that can be assimilated back into the environment.

The world does not need new bans or taxes. Rather, it needs people who work with plastic, and their governments, to become as adaptable as the material itself, taking advantage of technological advances to ensure that we can make the most of a cheap and versatile material, without subjecting the environment to its damaging impact.)

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What's Japan, a country with few fuel sources, supposed to do to power itself? A new plan gives hints.

After the tsunami: how tidal energy could help Japan with its nuclear power problem

Japan was the third-largest producer of nuclear power in the world in 2011. Then, on March 11 of that year, an earthquake of magnitude 9 was followed by a catastrophic tsunami, resulting in the first nuclear disaster of the 21st century - at the Fukushima Daiichi power station.

From article, (By 2030, the Japanese government plans once more for nuclear power to provide around 21% of the nation’s electricity – which is highly controversial – but also stipulates (see page 8) that 22-24% should be delivered by renewable energy sources. At a local scale, two prefectural governments, Fukushima and Nagano, have pledged that all of their electricity will come from renewables by 2050.

Most of the new renewable energy available in 2030 is likely to be solar and wind, along with existing hydropower, but some contribution from the tides is possible. To this end, a zone in the Goto Islands of Nagasaki Prefecture has been designated for tidal energy development, and a cluster of companies plans to install the first turbine in 2019. This project will be of the tidal stream type, where underwater turbines are placed in the free flow without any dam or barrage, similar to the MeyGen project in Scotland.

We estimated that between 24 and 79 MW of power could be generated from the designated area. The reason for this range is because the number of turbines that are used will ultimately depend on economic considerations. The first few will offer the most benefit, while later ones will suffer from diminishing returns. Tens of megawatts represents a very small contribution to Japan’s overall electricity needs, but a very large chunk of the local demand in these islands.) For more Info

Connecticut Governor sees more transportation projects put on hold, if no funding solution found.

Malloy Postpones $4.3 Billion Worth of Transportation Projects Across Connecticut

Gov, Malloy postponed $4.3 billion in transportation projects Wednesday.

 From article, (Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said Wednesday that $4.3 billion in state transportation projects will need to be postponed indefinitely if the General Assembly fails to quickly appropriate more money.

The transportation projects at risk include replacing the Hartford I-84 viaduct, widening of I-95 from Bridgeport to Stamford, and revamping the Waterbury I-84 “mix-master,” the governor warned. Routine maintenance and transportation funds for municipalities would also be affected, Malloy said.

Malloy said he will offer his own proposal for new transportation funding before the General Assembly begins its 2018 session next month, and did not rule out highway tolls or increases in gasoline or sales taxes as potential options.

Malloy said that, in deciding what new revenue plans to propose, he is “trying to gauge the legislature’s appetite to do the right thing… I would like to move forward as rapidly as possible,” he added. Malloy, a Democrat, has announced he won’t run for reelection in 2018.

According to Malloy, the transportation funding situation would be even worse if he hadn’t pushed through a plan to devote an additional half-cent on the state sales tax to the special transportation fund.

Malloy has said Connecticut’s transportation system will need almost $1 billion in new revenue during the next five years in order to pay for needed maintenance and improvements and avoid major rail, bus and road cutbacks.

Projects that have major federal funding and those essential to public safety will continue to move ahead, Malloy added.

The list of projects that could be put on hold would mean that “every town in the state would be affected,” Malloy said. “This is not a hypothetical list.”

Malloy warned in December that such a list would be coming soon. He said it appears many lawmakers “thought we were kidding… but the chickens have come home to roost.”)

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Fixing the transportation trust fund, once and for all.

Discussions on Highway Trust Fund Fix Ongoing, White House Official Says

WASHINGTON - With President Donald Trump declaring infrastructure funding a legislative priority for the year, coming up with a long-term fix for the Highway Trust Fund remains a matter under discussion between the White House and congressional leaders, a White House official said Jan. 8.

From article, (The administration and transportation policymakers on Capitol Hill recognize the importance behind identifying a way to ensure a sustainable revenue source for the trust fund, Herrgott explained. Previously, he was a transportation aide for Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), and participated in high-level highway policy negotiations.

The trust fund account backs states with funding assistance through revenue collected from the federal gas and diesel tax. Improvements in fuel consumption and shifting driving habits contribute to the account’s steady decline, prompting several general fund transfers in recent years to maintain its solvency.

A White House official last month said Trump had not ruled out calling for an increase in federal fuel taxes, a move strongly supported by nearly every infrastructure stakeholder. Since 1993, the gas tax has been 18.4 cents per gallon, and 24.4 cents per gallon on diesel. Key Democrats on Capitol Hill support raising federal fuel taxes to restore the trust fund. Republican leaders oppose increasing the taxes.

According to an outline of the plan unveiled last year, the White House will call for $200 billion in federal funds as a way to incentivize $800 billion in private capital. Rural projects would receive $25 billion, and the administration would streamline the permitting process for construction projects from 10 years to 2 years, while encouraging tolling, and the transfer of public assets to private firms.)
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The steps to a Hydrogen Economy are taking shape, but should hydrogen be used for transportation? or heating and cooking?

Largest hydrogen-from-wind project proposed

AkzoNobel Speciality Chemicals and Gasunie New Energy said the project could eventually lead to a 100MW installation. The planned site for the project is in Delfzijl in the province of Groningen, in the north-east of the Netherlands. A final decision on the project is expected in 2019.

From article, (NETHERLANDS: The special chemical arm of AkzoNobel and a research unit of natural gas company Gasunie have joined forces to investigate the potential of a 20MW water-electrolysis plant powered by renewable energy to produce hydrogen.

AkzoNobel Speciality Chemicals and Gasunie New Energy said the project could eventually lead to a 100MW installation.

The planned site for the project is in Delfzijl in the province of Groningen, in the north-east of the Netherlands. A final decision on the project is expected in 2019. The hydrogen produced will be used to fuel buses, the partners said.

 Electrolysis is the process of using electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The reaction occurs in an electrolyser.

The project partners said it would be the largest green-powered electrolysis unit in Europe. It is planned a combination of wind and solar capacity will be used to power the electrolysis unit.

Around 3,000 tonnes of hydrogen could be produced each year, enough for 300 buses.

Find out more At.)

 Me, "Hydrogen is best used as a replacement for Natural Gas. The pipe network already exists. All you have to do is just change your home's Heating and Cooking equipment to burn Hydrogen. Hydrogen as a transportation fuel does not make sense. You have to find ways of storing hydrogen in a car, at the refuel station, and you can only go 200 miles on a tank of Hydrogen. You can go 200-300 miles now on present day batteries and 300-600+ miles on near future batteries. And that is being conservative. 
Why go with a limited range fuel, such as Hydrogen? 

So, I believed that while hydrogen will be a part of countries heating and cooking infrastructure, using it as a transportation fuel does not make sense. It would be best to focus on better battery technology. Battery technology, in cars, has been proven to surpass anything hydrogen can do.

But I do believe in this technology start up, where hydrogen will be created from wind and solar power. The technological learnings from this endeavor will help produce cheap hydrogen and help figure out how best to handle this fuel."