Chumminess, between Russia and China, is Something to be Worried About.

Russia now looking to sell its prized rocket engines to China

Ever since the Crimean crisis in 2014-precipitated by Russia's annexation of the Ukrainian-held peninsula-Congress has increased pressure on the US aerospace industry to end its use of Russian-made rocket engines. In particular, legislators want United Launch Alliance to stop using the RD-180 engine in its Atlas V launch vehicle.

From article, (As United Launch Alliance plans to transition to US-made engines early next decade, and with other US rockets already flying or soon coming online, the Russian RD-180 manufacturers are looking to other markets. In doing so, they've found willing buyers in China, although this has come with some concerns.

Even though the rocket engine technology behind the RD-180 is 40 years old, it remains one of the highest performing engines in the world, with a near-perfect service record. With 860,000 pounds of thrust (about 3.8MN), the RD-180 also happens to be three times more powerful than any Chinese rocket engine.

The Financial Times has a new report on negotiations for the engine technology between Russia's NPO Energomash and the China Great Wall Industry Corporation. These discussions have been closely tracked by both Western officials and those in Russia.

For the United States and its allies, there is the concern that China's use of the engine technology will extend beyond peaceful uses in space. It is believed that China wants the powerful and efficient engines for a new generation of ballistic missiles that could target US aircraft carriers.

In Russia, too, there is wariness because China doesn't just want to buy engines as a customer, as United Launch Alliance did with the RD-180 for its rockets. Rather, they want to eventually build the engines themselves.)


For More Info

Watch out! Tesla Model 3 are Coming.

Tesla expands Model 3 configuration invites, sends out new display car

As Tesla is attempting to more than double its Model 3 production rate during this quarter, it has been expanding the range of deliveries outside of California. We now learn of another batch of Model 3 configuration invites as part of the expansion.

 From article, (During the first week of January, Tesla made its biggest expansion of Model 3 invites yet. We received reports from Model 3 reservation holders in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Illinois who have received an invite from Tesla to configure and order their Model 3.

Two weeks later, we are now receiving new reports of Model 3 reservation holders being able to configure their cars in Arizona, North Carolina, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Ohio. Between those new invitations to configure and the previous batch from a few weeks ago, it looks like Model 3 is going almost nationwide.

While it appears that the Model 3 is now available almost everywhere in the US, it also seems that the invites are still prioritized for current Tesla owners who reserved on the first day or so.

As we reported last week, Tesla started adding Model 3 display cars to a few stores in California and announced that it will soon expand the fleet to new markets in order to give reservation holders an opportunity to see the car in person before ordering.

They are now also bringing the car to Florida this Friday and other stores are expected to receive display cars soon.) 

NYC Congestion Pricing plan would set toll at $11.52. No Reduction in Toll rates at other MTA Bridges.

Cuomo panel proposal to fund MTA charges drivers $11.52

Motorists in the busiest parts of Manhattan would be required to pay $11.52 a trip under a congestion pricing proposal due to be unveiled as early as Friday, the Daily News has learned. The recommended fee, which will be included in a report issued by Gov.

From article, (Motorists in the busiest parts of Manhattan would be required to pay $11.52 a trip under a congestion pricing proposal due to be unveiled as early as Friday, the Daily News has learned.

The recommended fee, which will be included in a report issued by Gov. Cuomo's Fix NYC Panel, is designed to match the charge entering the city through the tunnels, a source familiar with the proposal said. Motorists who already pay a toll to get into the city would not have to pay twice.

The congestion pricing fee would either be $11.52 toll inbound, or $5.76 each way, the source said. Drivers would be charged on their EZPass or a camera would take a picture of the vehicle's license plate, and a bill would be sent to the vehicle owner's address.

It's estimated the plan would raise between $1 billion and $1.5 billion annually, with all the revenue going to the region's mass transit systems, the source said. None of the money would be earmarked for road and bridge improvements, the source said.

As previously reported by the Daily News, the congestion pricing zone would begin for private cars south of 60th St.

The zone would likely be extended to 96th St. for taxis and other for-hire car services like Uber, the source said. Taxis and Uber would be charged a different fee, with the report recommending state leaders choose a toll of between $2 and $5 per trip.

As Cuomo revealed earlier this week, the panel is not recommending tolling the East River bridges.

it also is not recommending reducing tolls on existing bridges like the Verrazano that some were hoping could help convince leery outer borough state lawmakers to support the plan.

The tolling equipment for private cars would be operational between 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at a minimum on weekdays, the source said. There could also be a weekend charge between noon and 10 p.m. for private vehicles and trucks.

For taxis and other for-hire car services, there could be a longer window during the weekdays, the source said.)

For More Info

LED Lights now Power Pavement Lines

CDOT installs LED lights in pavement on Highway 93

When it's time to hit the road, visibility is of utmost importance to Debra Cole. "So, I make sure everything is clean, the same with my headlights," Cole said. Every night, she drives down Highway 93 between Golden and Boulder. "Because I'm a night nanny. I go to work.

 From article, (Workers installed solar-powered LED lights which will come on at dusk to help drivers see where lanes turn.

"This is something we are really excited about," Stacia Sellers, CDOT Communications specialist, said. "It is very dark. These are curves, It does get windy. You also have blowing snow a lot of the times, too. So, it's really helpful to have LED lighting in the pavement so you can really differentiate between if you're in the lane you're supposed to be in of what the other lane is."

Cole said the difference is huge. "So, yes, they help a lot," she said.

CDOT first installed these LED lights along I-70 near Floyd Hill just east of Idaho Springs.

"We saw a huge reduction in crashes resulting in injuries or fatalities due to new pavement lighting," Sellers said.

She hopes to see the same kind of results along Highway 93. Sellers says CDOT would like to install these lights in more places, but it is a bit expensive -- between $15,000 and $25,000 per linear mile.)

For More Info

Pumped Hydro Storage to Expand From 2016 to 2024.

Hydro-Pumped Storage Plants Market to Witness Growth Acceleration During 2016 - 2024

The ever-increasing global population and the limited availability of non-renewable energy resources make it mandatory to conserve as much energy as possible and use it efficiently. Hydro-pumped storage plants are used by the power industry for the purposes of peak shaving and load balancing.

 From article, (The ever-increasing global population and the limited availability of non-renewable energy resources make it mandatory to conserve as much energy as possible and use it efficiently. Hydro-pumped storage plants are used by the power industry for the purposes of peak shaving and load balancing. These facilities store energy in the form of water in an upper reservoir, pumped from another reservoir at a lower elevation. This enables the generation of power as and when required as well as conserve it during low demand intervals.

The players in the market for hydro-pumped storage plants generate maximum revenue from the sale of power during peak loads at a premium cost, thereby balancing the load on conventional energy sources. The report observes that hydro-pumped storage plants can be harnessed better when used alongside wind energy turbines. These wind turbines pump water back into the reservoir during lean demand, resulting in the better utilization of excess generation. According to the report, the global market for hydro-pumped storage plants is to expand at a healthy CAGR during the forecast period of 2014 to 2020.

The earliest development of hydro-pumped storage plants occurred in the central European region, especially in the U.K., Austria, Italy, and Switzerland. As a result, Europe served as the most prominent market for these energy storage plants in 2012, followed by Asia Pacific and North America. The report rates Japan as a significant market for hydro-pumped storage in Asia Pacific region while the U.S. accounted for over 95% of the installed pumped storage hydro generating capacity in 2012, with Canada occupying the remaining. Africa is rated as a relatively nascent market but a few countries in these regions are showing promising potential for the future.)

For More Info

Goldmine Finds New Use.

Pumped hydro project that reuses old goldmine expected to win federal funding

Combined solar and pumped hydro generator set to provide quarter of shortfall from Liddell power station's closure A pumped hydro project that reuses an old goldmine in north Queensland is close to securing federal funding.

 From article, (A pumped hydro project that reuses an old goldmine in north Queensland is close to securing federal funding.

The combined solar and pumped hydro generator is set to provide a quarter of the power needed to cover the shortfall from the closure of the Liddell coal-fired power station in New South Wales and can do it before 2021.

The plan is to build a world-first integration of solar generation and pumped hydro storage, repurposing the two 300-metre deep disused mine pits to create 250MW capacity that can run for six hours continuously.)


For More Info

Battery Update 2

Scientists Develop A Graphene-Based Battery That Charges 5 Times Faster

The Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT) recently announced the successful synthesization of a unique battery material which could be the breakthrough in battery technology that many have been waiting for.

 From article, (The Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT) recently announced the successful synthesization of a unique battery material which could be the breakthrough in battery technology that many have been waiting for.

Made from graphene – a 2D-matter that has long been heralded as a wonder material because of its extraordinary properties that hold the potential to revolutionize different industries including electronics, transportation, medicine and energy storage – the new synthesised material, named by the Samsung Electronics’ research arm as “graphene ball”, could potentially deliver charging speeds 5x faster than standard lithium-ion batteries and, theoretically, achieve a hundred percent charge in only 12 minutes.

According to SAIT, batteries that use graphene ball could also enable battery capacities to grow by as much as 45 percent and maintain a temperature of 60 degrees Celsius, a key requirement in electric cars. Samsung also said that they have patented the technology in South Korea and the US and that their research offered “promise for the next generation secondary battery market,” especially in relation to smartphones, smart gadgets and electric vehicles.)

For More Info

New Battery Update

Battery Researchers Keep Coming Up With New Breakthroughs

Facebook Twitter Google+ Pinterest December 21st, 2017 by Steve Hanley Batteries are the key to the zero carbon future, there's little argument about that. But today's batteries are less than ideal in many respects.

 From article, (The Glass Battery Moving Toward Production

John Goodenough, the man who invented the lithium ion battery but has never seen a dime from his discovery, was back in the news last spring with an announcement that he and his team at the University of Texas have developed the first working prototype of a true solid state battery, one that uses a special glass as an electrolyte.

Since then, Goodenough has been working at securing patents and working with a number of battery manufacturers to commercialize the technology for transportation and grid storage applications. “We believe our discovery solves many of the problems that are inherent in today’s batteries,” Goodenough said in a statement. “Cost, safety, energy density, rates of charge and discharge and cycle life are critical for battery-driven cars to be more widely adopted.”)

For More Info

Politicians and Lack of Planning

LETTER: Lack of planning by politicians to blame for traffic gridlock

Dear Editor: Does anybody consider a lack of planning for our traffic congestion? I do. When the Lions Gate was built in the '30s it was to encourage development. Ditto for the Ironworkers Memorial in the late '50s. The Howe Sound corridor and Squamish/Whistler area had maybe 8,000 residents in the '60s.

 Me, "Even North Vancouver, Canada has traffic problems, and why? According to this writer it is because of lack of planing by politicians in charge of their road network. Traffic planning seems to be kryptonite to politicians. If it even takes a way a lane of traffic for public transit the riding public gets angry.

What is needed is a politician who is insulated from voting public's fears, has a certain budget to fund projects, has certain powers to expedite projects, and does what is right for everyone. Politicians need a person they can blame for doing something bad and commend for doing something good. A set term means that this person can't be removed until a project is completed. This is good because it gives much needed time for a new Mass transit to come on line and prove it was the right thing to do. Keeping this person on for another term as a reward.

Building more mass transit options, Subways, Rail, Bus Rapid Transits, etc. does not need to be the mess it is now.

Cities around the world need someone like NYC's Robert Moses. An installed public transportation figure by politicians to a set term of office, but controlled by set rules to operate within. (Which Robert Moses lacked.)
One rule could be not to rip up neighborhoods to put in a highway. Instead create a tunnel under it. Or, if your going to build a new bridge make sure there is a mass transit option on it. There is no need to fear a Robert Moses like figure, if he is given certain rules to work by. What we have now, in cities around the world, are too many politicians caving in to fear of the voter base and too many laws delaying projects.
The reason why mass transit project take too long and cost too much is laws that hold up projects and a group of different agencies trying to lead a project.

It should be led by one person, who is always making spot inspections, making sure a project's workers are working hard, instead of hardly working."

For More Info

A Vitamin that Prevents Skin Cancer

Can a vitamin really help prevent skin cancer?

Joe and Teresa Graedon answer readers' questions. This week: taking niacinamide to prevent skin cancer, natural ways to reduce blood-sugar levels and staving off macular degeneration. Share story Q: As a middle-age, fair-skin redhead, I have had several run-ins with precancerous and basal skin-cell cancers.

 From article, (Australian dermatologists and scientists have done most of the studies in this arena. One recent review of the research concludes that nicotinamide (another name for niacinamide) holds promise for preventing both melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers (Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine, online, July 5, 2017). Another summary concludes that nicotinamide acts in several ways to reduce actinic keratoses (your rough spots) and nonmelanoma skin cancers (Australasian Journal of Dermatology, August 2017).

For More Info

The Battery Storage Network

Tesla Powerwalls start powering Vermont homes

One of the first homes to get the Tesla Powerwall is running. It's part of a one-of-a-kind partnership between Green Mountain Power and Tesla on an energy-storage project. We first told you about it back in May. Here's a reminder of how the technology works.

 Me, "The Powerwall is a distributed battery storage network. 100 houses with Powerwalls is like having 500 homes completely taken off the grid. Its a battery network that stores power when it is least used and returns it either in emergencies or when more power is needed."

From article, (One of the first homes to get the Tesla Powerwall is running. It's part of a one-of-a-kind partnership between Green Mountain Power and Tesla on an energy-storage project. We first told you about it back in May.

Here's a reminder of how the technology works. Large Tesla batteries are stationed outside and smaller ones are inside the homes of some Vermonters. During peak times of the day, when lots of people are using electricity, power is pulled from the batteries and sent across the state.

GMP representatives say that means they won't need to turn on costly generators, which saves customers money. The battery inside someone's home also acts as an energy-efficient generator when the power goes out.

McMahan is one of 102 Vermonters who have a Tesla Powerwall already up and running. I'm told 1,200 others are on a waiting list.
"Having those 100 signed up is like virtually disconnecting, like taking 500 homes completely off the grid. That's the equivalent," Powell said. "So you can only imagine when we get up to 2,000 and when we go further."

Back in McMahan's home, she signed up for two Powerwalls and pays $15 a month for each through the program. Normally, it costs $7,000 to $8,000 to order one from Tesla's website.

"If these continue as good as they are, if there wasn't a lease agreement, I would buy one," McMahan said. "I seriously would."

People who use the Powerwalls have an app on their phone that shows them when their Powerwall is being used and how charged it is.)

For More Info

How to save Corals from Global Warming? Re-Engineer them.

Global warming resistant corals will be tested in the ocean by 2019 | NextBigFuture.com

New super global warming resistant corals could be tested on the Great Barrier Reef within a year as part of a global research effort to accelerate evolution and save the "rainforests of the seas" from extinction.

 From article, (New super global warming resistant corals could be tested on the Great Barrier Reef within a year as part of a global research effort to accelerate evolution and save the “rainforests of the seas” from extinction.

Researchers are getting promising early results from cross-breeding different species of reef-building corals, rapidly developing new strains of the symbiotic algae that corals rely on and testing inoculations of protective bacteria. They are also mapping out the genomes of the algae to assess the potential for genetic engineering.)

For More Info

From 73 miles to 114 miles: How the Median electric car range has grown from 2011 to 2017.

Median All-Electric Car Range In US Has Grown From 73 Miles (2011) To 114 Miles (2017)

The median range for an all-electric vehicle in the US has nearly doubled over the last 6 years or so, according to data from the US Department of Energy (FuelEconomy.gov).

 From article, ("In model year 2011, there were just 3 different models of all-electric vehicles (AEV) available and their ranges on a full charge (according to the Environmental Protection Agency) spanned from 63 to 94 miles. By model year 2017, the number of AEV models increased to 15 and the available ranges expanded as well, from a minimum of 58 miles for the smart fortwo Electric Drive Coupe to a maximum of 335 miles for the Tesla Model S 100D. From 2011 to 2017, the median of the AEV ranges increased by 41 miles — from 73 to 114 miles.”

Overall, that’s a fairly steep increase in median range … a trend that will presumably continue over the coming decade or so as electric vehicle battery cell and pack technologies continue dropping in pricing.

The potential for solid-state batteries to become commercially viable is also a real one, so it’s worth keeping an eye on that — commercialization of that tech could likely lead to a rapid increase in median prices.)

For More Info

Surcharge...

Congestion pricing plan, including ride-hailing app surcharge, could be coming soon

A new report conducted by former Department of Transportation official Bruce Schaller has found that cars from ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft are responsible, in large part, for unnecessary congestion on some of the city's busiest streets.

 From article, (A new report conducted by former Department of Transportation official Bruce Schaller has found that cars from ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft are responsible, in large part, for unnecessary congestion on some of the city’s busiest streets. While private vehicular traffic, delivery trucks, and yellow taxis are also to blame, the report found that ride-hailing cars spend an average of 11 minutes of unoccupied time during weekdays in Manhattan’s business districts

As a result, Governor Andrew Cuomo’s state task force, Fix NYC, is exploring the possibility of effecting a new per-ride fee on all for-hire vehicles that make trips to Manhattan, reports the New York Times. The fee would be passed on to customers and will work as part of Cuomo’s congestion pricing plan that aims to both reduce traffic and raise money to fix the city’s ailing subway system.)

For More Info

Revenue Up. Expense Down.

Revenue for energy storage and renewable integration to exceed $23 billion by 2026, says Navigant

A new report from Navigant Research examines the global market for energy storage for renewables integration (ESRI), with a focus on six utility-scale, commercial and industrial, and residential applications. As costs for renewable energy projects drop and policies and resilience demands increase, capacity for wind and solar PV continues to rise across all regions and market segments.

 From article, (As costs for renewable energy projects drop and policies and resilience demands increase, capacity for wind and solar PV continues to rise across all regions and market segments. This uptick in large-scale additions of variable forms of generation presents challenges to the electrical grid, but energy storage systems (ESSs) are helping to mitigate concerns and integrate renewable energy resources without affecting grid reliability.

“Thanks to the continued drop in prices in energy storage, solar PV, and wind, ESRI is forecast to see strong growth across both utility-scale and behind-the-meter (BTM) applications,” says Adam Wilson, research analyst with Navigant Research. “Interestingly, while utility-scale renewable prices are experiencing bigger declines, formidable drivers in the BTM market, such as peak shaving and incentive programs specific to energy storage, are expected to push the segment to account for roughly two-thirds of forecast global ESRI capacity through 2026.”
Accordingly, solar PV has reached grid parity in several locations around the globe and no longer requires policy incentives in order to justify deployment in many markets. ESSs have also experienced steady price decreases over the last 5 years and are establishing a growing presence in the grid-tied and remote system markets. This has provided customers in both utility-scale and BTM markets greater flexibility in installing economically viable solar PV plus energy storage systems.)

For More Info

New Wind Power Projects among the biggest in the U.S.

Avangrid Pursuing Huge Offshore & Onshore Wind Projects In US

Clean Power Avangrid Renewables is pursuing two new wind projects, one off the coast of Massachusetts and another in the heart of New Mexico. It is working with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners on a bid to build an offshore wind farm in waters off the coast of Massachusetts.

 From article, (Avangrid Renewables is pursuing two new wind projects, one off the coast of Massachusetts and another in the heart of New Mexico.

The initial phase of the Massachusetts plan calls for the installation of between 400 and 800 megawatts (MW) of power.

Two other partnerships have submitted bids to the state of Massachusetts, which plans to have up to 1.6 gigawatts (GW) of offshore power in place by 2027.

Avangrid feels it has an advantage over the other bidders because it has already filed for permits to build an 800 MW farm with state and federal officials. “By filing for construction permits, Vineyard Wind is on track to complete the permitting process in time to begin construction in 2019,” it said. Massachusetts expects to select the winning bid by April 23, 2018, and have signed contracts in hand by early July.

Avangrid is also poised to begin construction of a 142 wind turbine installation in Torrance County, New Mexico. The project will cover 87,000 acres, some of them leased from the state of New Mexico through its State Land Office, according to Albuquerque Business First. The El Cabo Wind Farm project will produce 250 megawatts of renewable energy, enough to supply the electrical needs of 60,000 residential and commercial customers.

New Mexico is enjoying a boom in wind energy. The El Cabo project will be the largest in the state but Xcel Energy has plans on the drawing board for an $865 million 522 MW installation known as the Sagamore Wind Project. It could power 194,000 homes and businesses once it is completed. New Mexico currently has about 750 MW of installed wind power.)

For More Info

Canada's Ontario Province will give you $59,000 if, you buy an Electric Tesla Truck

A Government Is Handing out $59,000 to Anyone Who Buys a Tesla Truck

The recent announcement of an electric semi-truck from Elon Musk-led Tesla Motors was generally met with enthusiasm, with the company getting wind in its sails courtesy of some key orders and government help. Canada's largest province of Ontario is offering (around $75,000 in Canadian dollars or $59,000 USD) for the purchase of Tesla electric trucks.

 From article, (The recent announcement of an electric semi-truck from Elon Musk-led Tesla Motors was generally met with enthusiasm, with the company getting wind in its sails courtesy of some key orders and government help.

Canada’s largest province of Ontario is offering $75,000 in Canadian dollars or (around $59,000 USD) for the purchase of Tesla electric trucks. They will similarly subsidize purchases from BYD, a Chinese auto manufacturer, as part of Ontario’s Green Commercial Vehicle Program, which gives out rebates on fuel-saving devices to promote the spread of eco-friendly vehicles.

The program will now offer up to a 60% rebate for buying a Tesla Semi.

"Although there is no limit on the number of alternative fuel commercial motor vehicles or fuel saving devices that an applicant may apply for," a spokesperson for the Canadian Ministry of Transport explained to The Drive. “Payment of incentives will be subject to the availability of funds and GCVP policy objectives, which may change over time.")

For More Info

Pumped Storage Hydro Planned for Part of Nepal

Feasibility study for pumped storage projects being done

Jan 18, 2018-The Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) has been assisting state-owned power utility Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and its subsidiary Tanahu Hydropower to carry out a preliminary feasibility study to build two pumped storage projects.

From article, (A 150 MW pumped storage project, which involves moving water from a lower reservoir to a higher reservoir where it is stored to generate power, is planned to be built on Rupa and Begnas lakes in Pokhara.

Similarly, a 104 MW pumped storage project has been planned to be built at the Lower Seti Hydropower Project, the cascade of the Tanahu Hydropower Project which is being developed by Tanahu Hydropower.

Jica has already sent consultants to the field and they are about to complete the study, according to the NEA.

The Lower Seti project will be built around 20 km downstream of the powerhouse of the Tanahu Hydropower Project and utilize the water from its tailrace. Similarly, the powerhouse of the proposed pumped storage project on Begnas and Rupa lakes will be built on Rupa Lake.

In a pumped storage project, the water stored in the higher reservoir is released to the lower reservoir to produce electricity during periods of high power demand. The power plant itself becomes an electricity consumer when pumping water, but it pays less because it does so during off-peak times. The plant produces energy using the stored water during peak times when it charges a higher rate.

As Begnas Lake is located at a higher altitude than Rupa Lake, hydroelectricity can be generated by channelling water from Begnas to Rupa where the powerhouse will be built. The NEA has said that the natural head of around 60 metres between the two lakes is sufficient to generate electricity. The project, according to the state-owned power utility, will be designed to generate power for 4 hours daily.)

For More Info