|
November 2009
The Las Vegas Electric Vehicle Association (LVEVA) will meet on the third Saturday of each month during 2009. Meetings will be held at the Clark County Library on 1401 E. Flamingo Road from 10:15 AM to 12:15 PM. Members will be displaying their own electric cars and answering questions before and after each meeting.
Calendar
2009
November 14 EV Conversion Workshop
November 21 Monthly Meeting
December 5 Santa’s Electric Night Parade (Boulder City)
December 12 EV Conversion Workshop
December 19 Monthly Meeting
2010
January 9 EV Conversion Workshop
January 16 Monthly Meeting
January 23 EV Conversion Workshop
February 13 EV Conversion Workshop
February 20 Monthly Meeting
February 27 EV Conversion Workshop
March 13 EV Conversion Workshop
March 20 Monthly Meeting
March 27 EV Conversion Workshop
April 17 Monthly Meeting
April 22 Earth Day Exhibit
May 15 Monthly Meeting
June 19 Monthly Meeting
Contents:
-- LVEVA Educational EV Conversion Workshop Updates
-- LVEVA to Participate in Santa’s Electric Night Parade in Boulder City
-- NV Energy Establishes EV Nighttime Charging Rate for Subscribers
-- Clean Cities Program Authorization Act
-- GM Claims Improved EV Fuel Cell Design as Federal Research Funding Continues
-- A123 Systems Goes Public on NASDAQ Stock Exchange. Latest Stock Quote.
-- Ormat Technologies Expands Beyond Geothermal Power Into Solar Power Market
-- EAA Establishes Special Fund for Charging Stations on I-15 between LA and Las Vegas
-- U.S. and China Join Efforts to Establish Global Electric Vehicle Market
-- LVEVA Board of Directors Nominations for Three-Year Terms
-- LVEVA DVD Reference Library
-- EV Repairs and Service
-- EV Conversion and Fabrication Support
-- EVs and EV Parts for Sale
-- Publication Credits and Contact Information
LVEVA Educational EV Conversion Workshop Updates
LVEVA Board of Directors members Bill Kuehl, Jon Hallquist and Lloyd Reece are leading an EV Conversion Workshop that will be held on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month, from 8 AM to noon. All LVEVA members are invited to participate in this conversion project.
During 2008, Bill Kuehl received a donation of a 1986 Pontiac Fiero for use by the LVEVA in a conversion project. Jon Hallquist, manager of GrassrootsEV.com in Las Vegas, had arranged the acquisition of a Netgain Warp electric motor and also donated a Curtis motor speed controller, throttle potentiometer box, contactor and other EV parts to the effort.
During the monthly chapter meeting on June 20th, several LVEVA members offered to volunteer their time for the conversion project as part of a Special Interest Group (SIG). It was agreed that this group would meet on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month, from 8 AM to noon, to put together the EV conversion. Highlights of Sessions 1 through 3 were shown in the LVEVA August 2009 “Watts Happening” newsletter. Highlights of Sessions 4 and 5 were shown in the September 2009 “Watts Happening” newsletter. Highlights of Sessions 6 and 7 were highlighted in the October 2009 “Watts Happening” newsletter.
Bill Kuehl outlined a checklist of tasks that still need to be achieved over the next several sessions:
“The EV workshop is a go for this Saturday, October 24th. We have to first check the brushes in the new motor, and then run it on 12 volts before putting the adapter plate, spacer plate and coupling on it, and then reconnect the motor to the manual transmission.
Holes have to be drilled out on one end of the motor support before the motor is put in, and bolted together on the cross frame. I have cut the angle iron braces for the battery racks in the back of the car, and some need to be tack-welded together. Some holes have to be drilled out on the ends of the angle iron supports to hold them from shifting around.
After the motor is on the transmission it has to be checked for leveling out. After that, the battery racks over the motor have to be checked for spacing between the spacer plate bolts, and the battery rack, and then bolted in place.
In the front, the angle iron support ends have to be drilled out, and secured to the frame. Then the Fiero will be ready to put the batteries in after we have figured out how the series battery cable connections will be placed. Jon Hallquist will bring the rest of the batteries for the battery pack to continue the installation.
The end battery “negative” terminal connection on the battery pack should be located in the back of the vehicle, closer to the motor speed controller.
The end positive battery connection on the battery pack should be located in the front of the vehicle with a long wire going under the car, to connect back to the motor speed controller “B +” connector lug.
The bottom support for the fan and condenser for the air conditioner has to be tightened up, the front support has to be drilled out, and screws mounted to hold it in place.
The brake fluid has to be replaced with new fluid as the old fluid is dirty and all four wheels have to be bled to get the old fluid out.
The right front fender has to replaced.
The right side mirror needs to be fixed.
The wire connection for the speedometer has to be traced out, and spliced into the wires on the wire loom on the back wall.
The wires for the air conditioning system have to be traced out.
Some wires have to be traced out for the voltmeter and amp-meter to be connected and mounted on the dashboard.
A 12-volt hot wire from the ignition has to be found so it can be used to turn on the main contactor to enable the battery pack connection to the motor speed controller.
The hole on the left side of the back fender well has to be cut out for the controller to fit in.
We have to check to see if Anderson connectors can be used for the battery charging wires.
See you Saturday!”
EV Conversion Workshop Session 8
Attendees: Bill Kuehl and Jon Hallquist
Bill and Jon continued to work on the Pontiac Fiero. Bill finished cutting and welding the battery supports. Before mounting the battery supports in the rear of the vehicle, the Curtis motor speed controller and the Netgain electric motor needed to be mounted to frame and transmission of the vehicle to drive the wheels of the car.
Jon Hallquist had brought 10 six-volt rechargeable lead acid batteries for the battery pack. Russ Lord, co-owner of the Free Energy Store and LVEVA member, later donated 10 more six-volt batteries to make up a 120-Volt DC battery pack that will provide power to the NetGain electric motor.
They mounted the Curtis motor speed controller to the Fiero chassis near the left rear wheel and cut additional holes in the chassis to allow for more air flow over the Curtis controller to help with cooling. Bill left room in his design to mount a 12-volt DC fan to further increase air flow over the controller if needed. Jon also brought a 5,000-ohm potentiometer that would be used by the driver to control acceleration of the electric motor. The 5,000-ohm potentiometer is mounted electronically by a three wire cable to the motor speed controller and mounted mechanically to the driver’s accelerator pedal under the steering wheel to govern the amount of current passed by the battery pack to the motor.
Bill and Jon hooked up two six-volt batteries in series to make a 12-volt system that would spin the electric motor and also smooth out the brush/commutator contact areas.
However, additional problems occurred when attempting to press one of the brushes into place with a screwdriver while the motor was turning. A piece of a brush corner cracked off and scarred one of the commutator bars. Fortunately, the damage was not serious enough to ruin the motor. After, inspection, Bill noticed that two of the commutator bars were also bridged and filed off the burr to create a channel space between the two bars.
When taking apart the NetGain motor to inspect the motor, they found that the brushes had not been properly conditioned and seated at the factory. Although a curve in the brushes had been cut at the factory to mesh with the commutator bar rotation, about three-quarters of each brush surface was not making direct contact with the commutator bars under spring tension. Only about one-eighth inch of each brush surface was making contact with the commutator bars as they rotated beneath the brush surface. The new brushes needed to be exercised and conditioned gradually to make a completely smooth mechanical contact along the entire length and width of the brush surface when touching the individual commutator bars while the armature of the electric motor was spinning.
The only way to remedy the problem was to continue to run the electric motor at a slow cycle over the next six days to smooth out the contact areas between the brushes and the commutator bars. This extra tuning of the armature would make the electric motor work more efficiently and smoothly as it passed current from the batteries through the motor speed controller in response to pedal acceleration by the driver.
The EV conversion project will continue into November with just one meeting scheduled for November 14th while observing the Thanksgiving weekend holiday during the end of the month. The session will begin at 8 AM and end at noon. The next workshop will continue the process of adapting the electric motor to the manual transmission as well as planning the mounting locations for the batteries, dashboard meters, electrical components, fabrication of battery racks, fabrication of battery cables and crimp-on terminal lugs, battery and electrical component installation, electrical wiring, electrical testing, and final system startup.
Admission to the workshop is free to all LVEVA members.
Annual dues for the Electric Auto Association (EAA), that includes local LVEVA chapter membership, is $39 per year and includes newsletters from both the national organization and local chapter as well as access to all events. Local LVEVA chapter-only membership dues are $20 for adults and $15 for senior citizens. Free LVEVA chapter membership is available to students with valid student I.D. cards.
For more information and directions to the EV conversion workshop, contact
Bill Kuehl at: (702) 636-0304
Lloyd Reece at: (702) 524-3233
Jon Hallquist at GrassrootsEV.com: (702) 277-7544
LVEVA to Participate in Santa’s Electric Night Parade in Boulder City
Boulder City will be staging its annual Santa’s Electric Night Parade on Saturday evening, December 5th, from 4:30 PM to 6 PM. According to Boulder City’s Events web page, “Santa will arrive in Boulder City with a spectacular parade! All entries are lit and include lots of enthusiastic participants. This hometown event is a great way to start your holiday festivities.” For more information, visit the Boulder City web site at: http://www.bcnv.org
All LVEVA members are invited to attend to participate in the parade segment featuring the LVEVA and its members’ electric vehicles. The LVEVA hopes to provide a full spectrum of Electric Vehicles to ride on or ride in during the parade, from Electric Bicycles and Electric Scooters to Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs) to full-size electric cars and trucks.
For the last ten years, LVEVA members have enjoyed decorating their cars with Christmas lights and props during this annual EVent as well as spreading the message about alternative electric transportation options. For directions and more information, please contact LVEVA officer Richard Furniss or Bill Kuehl at their phone numbers shown on the back pages of this newsletter.
NV Energy Establishes EV Charging Rate for Nighttime Subscribers
LVEVA members have been offered the opportunity to participate in a "Time of Use" (TOU) pilot program with NV Energy regarding special price rates for Plug-in Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (HEVs).
NV Energy is interested in getting real time feedback on electric car owners’ daily usage of electric power at night when recharging their electric cars after driving them within the Las Vegas area.
More information on the TOU-HEV program with Option A and B rate plans can be found at the NV Energy web site at: http://www.nvenergy.com/home/paymentbilling/timeofuse.cfm#form
The Guaranteed Lowest Rate (GLR) clause allows subscribers to evaluate the program and their contract after the first 12 months. If their TOU rate is greater than the standard flat rate schedule, NV Energy will do a one-time refund of the difference in costs to the subscriber.
At this web page, EV owners can also submit an application for the TOU program on the Time of Use Form in Adobe format and email it directly to the TOU program administrator. It will require subscribers to type in their existing NV Energy Account Number and Premise Number found at the upper right corner of their monthly billing statement as well as their contact information and email address.
Travis Johnson of NV Energy in Northern Nevada gave a brief summary of the program:
“1) Customers need to convert to the Time of Use (TOU) rate. The rate is designed to be about even money compared to the flat rate over a year period (little less in winter, little more in summer). The customer should double check their bill to make sure they are getting the “HEV” rate off peak (we are still working the bugs out). After one year, the customer gets a one time option to go back to the flat rate. If the TOU rate costs them more than the flat, the company will refund the difference and put the customer back on the flat rate. The customer needs to initiate this option.
2) There are two HEV/TOU rate options. Option A and Option B. The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) designed option B. The big differences are price and the TOU Periods listed below. TOU Period Option 1 goes with TOU Rate Option A. TOU Period Option 2 goes with TOU Rate Option B (I hope that makes sense. A=1 and B=2).
You might think someone would be nuts to take Option B, but there are only two months of the year when that Summer On-Peak rate applies (compared to 4 months on Option A). I’d be thinking about taking my vacation during that time…"
When considering the following TOU rate schedule for residential homes, an NV Energy subscriber who owns an electric vehicle should compare the Summer Off-Peak and Summer HEV consumption charge per kilowatt-hour when making their decision. With Option A, there is a savings of about 8/10 of a cent per kilowatt-hour consumed on a daily basis by adopting the Summer HEV rate over the Summer Off-Peak rate. With Option B, there is a savings of about 7/10 of a cent per kilowatt-hour consumed on a daily basis.
The basic service charge for Option B is three times greater per month than Option A but the more costly Summer On-Peak rate period for Option B during the summer lasts only two months (July and August) and for only five hours per day (2 PM to 7 PM) during those two months. Under Option A , Summer On-Peak rates would last for four months (June to September) and each day for six hours (1 PM to 7 PM) during those four months.
Below is a more detailed look at the proposed rates for the program with Option A and B as well as corresponding Time Periods Option 1 and Option 2. These two rate schedules include both Summer Off-Peak and Summer HEV consumption charge per kilowatt-hour for comparison:
ORS-TOU = Optional Residential Service – Time-Of-Use
Option A
Basic Service Charge, per meter per month $8.90
Consumption Charge per kiloWatt-hour:
Summer On-Peak $0.28332
Summer Off-Peak $0.08114
Summer HEV $0.07334
Winter All Other $0.06994
Winter HEV $0.06326
Option B
Basic Service Charge, per meter per month $26.06
Consumption Charge per kiloWatt-hour:
Summer On-Peak $ 0.42100
Summer Off-Peak $ 0.07047
Summer HEV $ 0.06373
Winter All Other $ 0.06912
Winter HEV $ 0.06252
2. Time of Use Periods Daily Time Periods will be based on Pacific Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Time and are defined as follows:
Option 1 (coincides with Option A rate schedule):
Season:
Summer (June – September)
On-Peak 1 PM to 7 PM Daily
Off-Peak 7 PM to 1 PM Daily
Winter All Other (October – May)
Option 2 (coincides with Option B rate schedule):
Season:
Summer (July – August)
On-Peak 2 PM to 7 PM Daily
Off-Peak 7 PM to 2 PM Daily
Winter All Other (September – June)
While considering signing up for the TOU option, LVEVA Vice-President Lloyd Reece expressed his thoughts:
“I would be very interested in signing up for this program but the Time of Use program does concern me a bit. I understand that, under the Guaranteed Lowest Rate (GLR) clause of the contract, I will not risk anything but I would like to see some numbers before I fully commit. My previous residence where I charted my bills was a 1,320 square foot townhouse. For all the months I could get data, I found that the only thing that had a real effect on my bill was the temperature outside that would require increased air conditioning usage inside the townhouse. I compared months of electrical usage at that location before and after I got my electric car. During the years of comparison, I had low months and high months, both with and without the electric car. The electric car truly seemed not to affect my bill, or at least its effect was not as noticeable as the air conditioning usage in my home during the summer months of the year.
I have just moved to a 1,992 square foot house and have yet to receive my first bill. I am less than a full mile away from my previous address and I know that the older house has very little in the design that would save energy. The house was built in 1972, as opposed to the townhouse that I was in that was built in 1966. I really would like to try and make this house as energy efficient as possible but am not sure I have a great deal of funds to sink into the project in the short term.
Is there any way that a comparison can be done (I'm not asking for absolute numbers) that would approximate what my savings would have been at my old place (since that is the only data I have to compare with)? Making the assumption that both places are similar in construction I could at least then extrapolate that the savings at my new address should be about the same. Does NV Energy have a way to tell me what the average bills at my new address were over the past two years? I think the new house was vacant and unoccuppied for approximately five months before we moved in, so the bills would have to go back at least two years just to get enough data points to compare flat rate use to TOU program usage.
My family consists of myself, my wife and our two daughters, ages 15 and 10. I commute to work in my Lectra Centauri electric car from Monday through Friday and work from 6 AM to 2:30 PM as a computer technician. My wife stays at home and my daughters have never met a light switch that they didn't turn on. I made the change many years ago to compact fluorescent lights, just so I would not have to worry so much if they did turn them all on.
I look forward to trying the HEV-TOU program out and I would love to track the usage to find the most efficient way to power this newer and bigger house.”
For more information about participating in the NV Energy pilot HEV-TOU program for residential service, contact LVEVA member Stan Hanel at:
Email: stanhanel@aol.com
Home Tel: (702) 405-0506
Clean Cities Program Authorization Act
H.R. 3488: Clean Cities Program Authorization Act.
This is known as the Authorization Act. This version was introduced in the House, under the program the Secretary of Energy may provide direct financial assistance grants to local and State government agencies.
(c) Assistance Awards- Under the program, the Secretary may provide direct financial assistance grants to local and State government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicle stakeholders who are working with Clean Cities coalitions. These grants shall support the deployment and use of alternative fuels and petroleum reduction technologies in on-road vehicles.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations- For the purpose of carrying out this Act, there are authorized to be appropriated $125,000,000 for the 5-fiscal-year period beginning in fiscal year 2010.
This bill has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on Jul 31, 2009
Sponsored by Rep. Steve Israel [D-NY] and Dina Titus [D-NV] is a cosponsor of this bill along with 35 other people.
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-3488
GM Claims Improved EV Fuel Cell Design as Federal Research Funding Continues
FOR RELEASE: 2009-09-24
GM's Gen 2 Fuel Cell System Cuts Size, Weight And Cost
System with Fifth Generation Fuel Cell Stack Could Be Commercialized by 2015
Washington, D.C. -- The second generation hydrogen fuel cell system in development by General Motors Co. is half the size, 220 pounds lighter and uses less than half the precious metal of the current generation in the Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell electric vehicle.
And the production intent fuel cell powertrain can be packaged under the hood in about the same space as a four-cylinder engine. It contains GM’s fifth-generation fuel cell stack, which could be commercialized in the 2015 time frame.
“The improvements the team has been able to achieve are remarkable,” said Charles Freese, executive director of GM Fuel Cell Activities. “Hardware mechanization has been dramatically simplified, which will help reduce cost, simplify manufacturing and improve durability.”
Hydrogen-powered fuel cells are a few years away from widespread commercial use because of the need for additional investment and partnership, along with expanded availability of hydrogen fueling stations.
“GM has invested more than $1.5 billion in fuel cell technology and we are committed to continuing to invest, but we no longer can go it alone,” Freese said. “As we approach a costly part of the program, we will require government and industry partnerships to install a hydrogen infrastructure and help create a customer pull for the products.”
Through Project Driveway, a demonstration fleet of more than 100 hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric Chevrolet Equinox midsize crossovers has amassed more than 1 million miles of every-day driving by ordinary citizens, celebrities and others since late 2007.
In recent weeks, a consortium of the German government and leading industrial companies has announced plans to build up to 1,000 hydrogen fueling stations by 2015, about the time several automakers expect to have hydrogen fuel cell vehicles for sale. Earlier, a group of 13 oil and gas companies in Japan announced similar plans.
“ Failure to act will insure the U.S. cannot meet its long-term fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction objectives,” Freese said. “We know what needs to be done. Now is the time to get started.”
About General Motors: General Motors Company, one of the world's largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 219,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in some 140 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 34 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM's largest national market is the United States, followed by China, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Canada, Russia and Germany. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. General Motors Company acquired operations from General Motors Corporation on July 10, 2009, and references to prior periods in this and other press materials refer to operations of the old General Motors Corporation. More information on the new General Motors Company can be found at www.gm.com.
# # #
GM strives to ensure that all of the information contained in a press release is accurate at the time it is issued. However, changes in materials, equipment and specifications, prices, availability, etc do occur over time. For the most up-to-date information on currently available models, please visit GM.com/shop.
Editors’ Note: Congress recently restored half of the $1 billion cuts made by the Obama administration to fuel cell research. The Obama administration has allowed this funding to be restored and to continue going forward. Honda still intends to produce a hydrogen fuel cell FCX Clarity by 2015, as well, continuing to test versions of the vehicle and its refueling station infrastructure in Southern California.
A123 Systems Goes Public on NASDAQ Stock Exchange. Latest Stock Quote
Wall Street focused its attention on the rechargeable Lithium-ion battery industry when A123 Systems launched its Initial Public Offering on the NASDAQ stock exchange Thursday, September 24th. Designated by stock symbol AONE, the company floated million shares of common stock priced at $13.50 per share. During the first day of trading, this price was bid up by 50% to over $19.50 before being flipped by profit takers the following day. As of this writing on October 31st, 2009, AONE stock was trading at $22.61 per share.
A123 Systems raised $378 million Thursday in the second-best debut of 2009. The money is on top of a $249.1 million Energy Department grant last month, the second-biggest awarded as part of an effort to start up a domestic battery industry.
The reception by Wall Street was good news to the Venture Capital community, whose members have poured a lot of money into alternative energy technology start-ups. The continued success of A123 Systems will depend on how well its Lithium-Iron-Phosphate battery technology continues to perform, particularly within the emerging electric automotive industry.
On the end-user side, data show that the number of EV, HEV, and PHEV models with an annual production run of at least 20,000 vehicles will grow from 19 models in 2009, to more than 150 models in 2014, and more than 200 models in 2019.
In addition, estimates for the global lithium-ion battery market for automotive application in EVs, PHEVs and HEVs are $31.9 million in 2009 growing to $21.8 billion by 2015 and $74.1 billion by 2020.
A123 uses proprietary nanoscale material technology developed at and licensed from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It is also has its 215 employees for R&D on new generations of this core nanophosphate technology. A123 recently developed an ultra high-power battery for the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team that provides more than 10 times the W/kg (watt hours per kilogram) as compared to a standard Toyota Prius Nickel-Metal Hydride battery.
NEDRA drag racer Bill Dube and his KillaCycle team have done much to showcase the capability of A123 power cells for electric vehicle performance by setting drag race records for the electric motorcycle exceeding 170 mph in the quarter-mile by accelerating from 0 to 60 in less than a second at: http://www.killacycle.com
The Killacycle race team recently acquired the lighter, more powerful cells and hopes to put together a lighter motorcycle that will continue to set new quarter-mile drag strip records for electric vehicles.
Ormat Technologies Expands Beyond Geothermal Power Into Solar Power Market
Ormat signs Joint Venture Agreement for Solar (PV) Power Systems
Reno, Nevada, United States October 19, 2009
Ormat Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: ORA), announced today that its Israeli subsidiary, Ormat Systems Ltd., has signed a Joint Venture Agreement (“JVA”) with Sunday Energy Ltd. (“Sunday”), an Israeli private company to develop, construct and operate solar-photovoltaic (“PV”) energy systems in Israel with a total capacity of 36 MW.
Under the JVA, Sunday will contribute the rights to all of its property and roofs required to develop solar energy systems above 1 MW to special purpose entities (“SPEs”). Ormat will own 70% of each SPE and will also have control of it. Under the terms of the agreement, Ormat and Sunday will act, jointly, as the EPC contractor and the operator of each project in accordance with each company share in the SPEs .
The estimated capital expenditure for 36 MW of solar power systems is approximately $195 million. The electricity generated from the projects will be sold to Israel Electric Corporation Ltd. under long-term power purchase agreements (20 years) and will generate approximately $30 million in annual revenues. The SPEs expect to finance their capital expenditure with 80% Non-Recourse project finance debt.
Ormat has more than four decades of experience in the development, construction, financing and operation of hundreds of megawatts of renewable energy projects world-wide, while Sunday is one of the leading developers in the Israeli solar PV market has the know-how in the design of solar systems using photovoltaic modules from various suppliers and the capabilities to obtain the necessary regulatory permits for construction and interconnection to the local grid.
Prior to entering into this JVA, Ormat has entered into an agreement with Sunday for the construction of a solar system for up to 1 MW on the roofs of its manufacturing facilities located in Israel. The first system with a capacity of 50 kW has been installed and connected to the grid since August 2009.
The joint venture represents Ormat's commercial entry into the solar energy market and its first major devotement in the solar photovoltaic market in Israel.
Lucien Y. Bronicki, Chairman of the Board and Chief Technology Officer of Ormat Technologies, said, “Ormat's commercial activity in the solar energy market is part of a strategic plan to be a leading player in renewable energy. We have a long, rich history in renewable energy that includes activity in solar energy that we believe we can leverage to bring unique benefits to this project. Our connection to solar energy goes back over 30 years to the solar pond project that we developed between 1977 and 1984. Our work on the solar pond created the technological foundation for our geothermal technology, which today positions Ormat as the industry leader. We are pleased to finally add an Israeli solar installation, to the current 1,200 MW of Geothermal and Recovered Energy power plants that Ormat has installed throughout the years. We are looking at this joint venture as an attractive business opportunity derived by the reduction in solar PV modules prices and the increase in their supply on one hand and the expected Israeli feed-in tariff for large solar PV systems on the other hand.”
Ormat Technologies, Inc. is the only vertically-integrated company primarily engaged in the geothermal and recovered energy power business. The Company designs, develops, owns and operates geothermal and recovered energy-based power plants around the world. Additionally, the Company designs, manufactures and sells geothermal and recovered energy power units and other power-generating equipment, and provides related services. The Company has more than four decades of experience in the development of environmentally-sound power, primarily in geothermal and recovered-energy generation. Ormat products and systems are covered by 75 U.S. patents. Ormat has built over approximately 1,200 MW of plants half for its own account and half as supplies to utilities and developers. Ormat's current generating portfolio includes the following geothermal and recovered energy-based power plants: in the United States - Brady, Heber, Mammoth, Ormesa, Puna, Steamboat, OREG 1, OREG 2 and Peetz; in Guatemala - Zunil and Amatitlan; in Kenya - Olkaria; in Nicaragua - Momotombo and in New Zealand - GDL.
Ormat's Safe Harbor Statement
Information provided in this press release may contain statements relating to current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about future events that are “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally relate to Ormat's plans, objectives and expectations for future operations and are based upon its management's current estimates and projections of future results or trends. Actual future results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, see “Risk Factors” as described in Ormat Technologies, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2009. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
EAA Establishes Special Fund for Charging Stations on I-15 between LA and Las Vegas
During the Renew America Roadtrip (RAR) hosted by the LVEVA in Las Vegas during July 2009, an all-electric Tesla Motors Roadster made a cross country trip from New York to Los Angeles. Other Tesla Roadster owners had visited Las Vegas from Los Angeles during the previous year thanks to the ability of this electric vehicle to travel over 200 miles on a single charge. Nominal recharging points were mapped to be about 160 miles between charges to allow a cushion for alternative locations, if necessary. During the planning stage of the Renew America Roadtrip and from other Tesla Roadster owners, it was determined that Barstow in California was a good midway point for recharging electric vehicles between Las Vegas and LA.
Because of the size of the Tesla Roadster battery pack, it needed a recharging power source that could provide 240 Volts AC at about 40 Amps or more in order to recharge the Roadster overnight in about 12 to 15 hours. A standard 110 VAC, 20-Amp source would take about 27 hours to recharge a Tesla Roadster and would significantly impede the progress of the RAR.
Because most KOA campgrounds and RV parks have 240 VAC, 50-amp outlets that are used to provide power to the gasoline-powered RVs that crisscross the country, it was estimated that there were about 700 RV locations with this kind of power available along the cross country highway route from New York to LA. Tesla Roadster owners who venture out on cross country trips carry a variety of adapters that can plug into different sources of power they find for “opportunity charging”. The RV parks use an industry standard NEMA 14-50 AC outlet to dispense electrical power that is monitored by the RV park operator and can be billed to the user during checkout the next morning.
There are two KOA locations in Yermo and Barstow, California, that have these type of power outlets and had been successfully used by Tesla Roadster owners to recharge their vehicles overnight while making the round trip between LA and Las Vegas. The contact information for these campgrounds are:
Barstow Calico KOA campground (near the Calico ghost town)
35250 Outer Highway
Yermo, CA 92398
Tel: (760) 254-2311
Web site: http://www.barstowcalicokoa.com
Shady Lane RV Camp
36445 Soapmine Road
Barstow, CA 92311
Tel: (619) 256-5322
Tesla Roadster owners, including Dr. Geoff Kinsey of Amonix Corporation, established a fund through the Electric Auto Association to contribute money towards the purchase, installation and maintenance of a specialty Tesla Motors 240 VAC, 70-Amp charging station at the site of one of these KOA campgrounds. These charging stations must be installed by a qualified electrician because of the higher current flow delivered through the connector to the Roadster. However, this charging station can fully recharge a Tesla Roadster in 3.5 hours.
Other special EAA fund raising programs that have been established can be found at the EAA Web site at: http://www.eaaev.org/eaadonationsfundlist.html
Donating to the EAA
Contributions not otherwise designated will be credited to the EAA General Fund. The General Fund may be used for normal EAA operations, or for other purposes as determined by the EAA Board of Directors.
The EAA Board of Directors may set up Special Funds for specifically identified projects. Such public benefit projects in support of the Association's mission may be limited in scope or geographical area.
However, donations to the General Fund are always strongly encouraged.
Special Funds are established to target specific projects and goals, and donors with a particular interest in these projects and goals are encouraged to contribute to existing Special Funds.
Any donor with a particular interest in a goal or project that has not been previously established is encouraged to propose establishment of a new Special Fund in writing to the Board of Directors. Please send proposals to: donations@eaaev.org.
CURRENT SPECIAL FUNDS
The following special funds have been approved and are open for tax-deductible donations. The EAA is a 501(c)(3) public benefit organization. Please consult your tax advisor.
Special Fund 2002-001:
- Upgrade the small-paddle inductive public charging infrastructure in Northern California, excepting the areas covered by Special Funds 2003-008 and 2003-010.
- Special Fund 2002-002:
- Upgrade the conductive public charging infrastructure in Northern California, excepting the areas covered by Special Funds 2003-008 and 2003-010.
- Special Fund 2002-003:
- Support maintenance of the public charging infrastructure (conductive and inductive) in Northern California, excepting the areas covered by Special Funds 2003-008, 2003-011, and 2004-012 for out-of-warranty charging stations, as a fund of last resort, when no other funds can be found to pay for repairs.
- Special Fund 2002-004:
- Upgrade the small-paddle inductive public charging infrastructure in Southern California.
- Special Fund 2002-005:
- Upgrade the conductive public charging infrastructure in Southern California.
- Special Fund 2002-006:
- Support maintenance of the public charging infrastructure in Southern California (conductive and inductive), for out-of-warranty charging stations, as a fund of last resort, when no other funds can be found to pay for repairs.
- Special Fund 2002-007:
- Develop and expand the public conductive charging infrastructure in the greater metropolitan Washington, D.C. area.
- Special Fund 2003-008:
- Develop and expand the public EV charging infrastructure in the North Bay Area of Northern California: Marin, Sonoma, Napa, Lake, and Mendocino Counties.
- Special Fund 2003-009:
- Junior Solar Sprint fund.
- Special Fund 2003-010:
- Develop and expand the public EV charging infrastructure in the following Northern California Counties: Placer, Nevada, and El Dorado.
- Special Fund 2003-011:
- Fund out-of-warranty maintenance when no other funds are available for the public EV charging infrastructure in the following Northern California Counties: Placer, Nevada, and El Dorado.
- Special Fund 2004-012:
- Out-of-warranty repairs when no other funds are available for the public EV charging infrastructure in the following Northern California Counties: Marin, Sonoma, Napa, Lake, and Mendocino.
- Special Fund 2004-013:
- Small-paddle infrastructure support, general, Northern California: out-of-warranty repairs when no other funds are available, or small-paddle infrastructure upgrades, anywhere in Northern California.
- Special Fund 2005-014:
- Hitachi grant for charging infrastructure development in the Peninsula and South Bay Areas — San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties. Not open for public donations. Public donations for this area should be directed to funds 2002-001 or 2002-002.
- Special Fund 2005-015:
- Develop new, and/or maintain existing, conductive public Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure in the East San Francisco California Bay Area (Alameda and Contra Costa Counties).
- Special Fund 2005-017:
- Develop and expand the public EV charging infrastructure connecting Northern California and Southern California. Initial target areas: King City and Paso Robles.
- Special Fund 2005-018:
- Plug-in Electric Vehicle Special Interest Group (PHEV-SIG). The PHEV-SIG was set up to develop and document the modifications needed to convert hybrid electric vehicles to increase their battery capacity and allow them to charge from an external source of electricity. The goal is to increase their electric-only range and reduce gasoline consumption. The SIG will eventually make conversion plans available as well as a list of parts needed.
Initial target vehicle: 2004-2006 Toyota Prius.
PHEV-SIG website: www.eaa-phev.org.
- Special Fund 2006-019:
- Upgrade and maintain the public charging infrastructure in any area of California.
- Special Fund 2006-020:
- Upgrade and maintain the public charging infrastructure in any area of Illinois.
- Special Fund 2009-022:
- Establish Tesla High Power Connector charging stations along I-5 and US 101 between San Francisco and LA. Initial target cities: Coalinga, King City, Buellton.
- Special Fund 2009-023:
- Establish Tesla High Power Connector charging stations in Yosemite Valley. Initial target location: Ahwahnee Hotel.
- Special Fund 2009-024:
- Establish Tesla High Power Connector charging stations along I-15 between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Initial target city: Barstow.
-
U.S. and China Join Efforts to Establish Global Electric Vehicle Market
U.S. Department of Energy Press Release: http://www.energy.gov/news2009/8090.htm
September 30, 2009
DOE and Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology Co-Host First Ever Electric Vehicle Forum
Beijing, China – Yesterday, the first-ever U.S.-China Electric Vehicle Forum concluded in Beijing, China, bringing together more than 140 U.S. and Chinese officials from government, industry, academia and advocacy groups to discuss progress made in the electric vehicle industry to date and opportunities for collaboration and progress moving forward. DOE Assistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs David Sandalow joined with Minister Wan Gang of the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology to co-host the event and highlight the rapidly growing electric vehicle industry in both countries.
“The U.S. and China share a strong common interest in putting millions of electric vehicles on the road soon, which will lessen our dependence on foreign oil and help address the global climate challenge,” said Sandalow. “Working together, we can accomplish more than acting alone.”
The U.S. and China are the two largest auto markets and energy consumers, and together emit more than 40 percent of the world's greenhouse gases. The Electric Vehicle Forum provided a venue for experts to exchange recent developments and identify promising opportunities for technical and policy collaboration.
The Electric Vehicle Forum builds upon growing U.S.-China collaboration on clean energy technologies. In July, the United States and China announced plans to develop a U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center (CERC) that will facilitate joint research and development on clean energy by bringing together teams of scientists and engineers and providing an information clearing house to help researchers in both countries. CERC has identified clean vehicles as a priority for joint projects and it’s expected that the Research Center will help advance cooperative projects identified during the Electric Vehicle Forum.
Collaboration on science and technology has long been a cornerstone of U.S-China bilateral cooperation. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the U.S.-China Science & Technology Agreement, which represented the first agreement between the two countries following the normalization of relations in the 1970s. Today, opportunities abound for U.S.-China cooperation on clean energy technologies.
Jody Freeman, Counselor for Energy and Climate Change at the White House and luncheon speaker at the Electric Vehicles Forum, said, “By working together the U.S. and China can leverage technological breakthroughs, increase consumer acceptance and grow market penetration of clean vehicles.”
Media contact(s): (202) 586-4940
LVEVA Board of Directors Nominations for Three-Year Terms
During the monthly Las Vegas Electric Vehicle Association meeting on Saturday, November 21st, from 10 AM to 12 noon, registered members of the LVEVA whose dues payments are current can nominate candidates for two rotating Board of Directors positions that will become open this year. There are seven elected members on the LVEVA Board of Directors who commit to serve three-year terms as governors of the local Las Vegas chapter. Elections for the positions on the Board of Directors are staggered each year so that at least two terms expire each December to allow for a new vote. Both Jan Himber and Richard Furniss have reached the end of their three-year commitments to their Board of Directors positions.
Each candidate who is nominated during the November 15th meeting must be seconded by at least one other registered and fully-paid member of the LVEVA. All nominated candidates will then be selected by secret ballot during the next LVEVA monthly meeting on December 19th. As before, only registered and fully paid members of the LVEVA will be eligible to vote in the December election. The candidates with the most votes will become the new members of the LVEVA Board of Directors. This new Board of Directors will then meet after the LVEVA monthly meeting on January 17th to appoint officers and discuss proposed agendas for 2009.
Please attend the November and December LVEVA monthly meetings to insure that your voice and ideas are heard, as well as help us determine the future direction of the LVEVA and its leadership. Thank you for your continued support of the Las Vegas Electric Vehicle Association.
LVEVA DVD Reference Library
The LVEVA maintains a growing library of DVD reference videos that are available to its members that can be borrowed for one month at a time. Bill Kuehl, LVEVA Secretary/Treasurer is also the LVEVA video librarian. He can be contacted to pick up and return these videos at each monthly chapter meeting. The current list of videos that are available for a one month rental are:
1. “Who Killed the Elecric Car” Documentary
2. Plug in Partners National Campaign (2006)
3. EAA Silicon Valley CalCars PHEV Technology Overview (2005)
4. Boulder City Christmas Parade Highlights (2006)
5. Convert Your Pickup to Electric (DIY Video by GrassrootsEV)
Note: This video can be copied to viewer’s hard disk to keep!
6. Tom Gage of AC Propulsion speaks at EAA Silicon Valley (2005)
7. Monster Garage EV conversion (Jesse James)
and John Wayland White Zombie Videos (2006)
8. Electric Avenue by George Gladic Fox Valley EAA Chapter 2006.
9. Bruce Katz of Polyplus Battery Company speaks at EAASV (2005)
EV Repairs and Service
Western Petroleum Station
2051 E. Sahara (corner of Eastern Avenue and Sahara)
Las Vegas, NV 89104
Contact: Jim Johnson
Telephone: (702) 457-2675
Web site: http://storefront.dexonline.com/jims-texaco
Precision EV Components Machining Support
Real Products, LLC
3433 Neeham Road #2
North Las Vegas, NV 89030
Contact: Eric Tschabold
Tel: (702) 644-1165
Email: energyz@cox.net
EV Parts and Kits for Sale:
GrassrootsEV.com
Las Vegas Office
Address: 5225 S. Valley View Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89118
“Electric Vehicles and Everything for Them”
Contact: Jon Hallquist
Tel: (702) 277-7544
Email: jon@grassrootsev.com
Web site: http://www.grassrootsev.com
OKA NEV ZEV Parts and Kits for Sale: www.okaauto.com
OKA NEV ZEV KIT cars in stock now for immediate delivery prices start at $5,000 FOB Las Vegas. We also have 4844 ALLTRAX Controllers(48V 400 A DC for Series motor) in stock (more than we need) $550 list, $375.00 NET.
Contact: Miro Kefurt
OKA AUTO USA : www.okaauto.com
Distributor: MIROX Corporation
5015 W. Sahara Ave. #125-130
Las Vegas, Nevada 89146
USA
Tel: (702) 683-8292
E-mail: okaauto@aol.com
The Free Energy Store
300 West Utah, Suite 101
Las Vegas, NV 89102
Tel: (702) 320-0770
Fax: (702) 320-0270
Web site: http://www.freeenergystore.com
Contact: Russ Lord
Email: russ@freeenergystore.com
For Sale: Chrome "Electric" Emblems for EV's
Mike Chancey - Posted 06/25/00
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Checked: 07/13/03
Chrome "Electric" car emblems, just like the OEM factory lettering. Okay, so you own a beautiful electric vehicle, but does the world know? Show them with these profession quality "ELECTRIC" emblems. Fabricated from weather resistant thermoplastic, these signs feature a bright chrome like finish on the letter faces with a subtle matte black background. They mount easily with the self adhesive HighTack backing. Simply peel off the protective cover, and press the sign into place. Each sign is approximately 1.25" in height and 7" in length. Only $6.00 each or four for $20.00, plus $1.75 shipping and handling per order. Discounts for larger orders available. Send check or money order to:
Mike Chancey, 1700 East 80th Street, Kansas City, MO 64131, or order online.
EV Parts for Sale:
Hello to all fellow EV enthusiasts:
I want to thank everyone who attended or purchased parts from our July 8th 2009 emergency close out sale. I still have some choice equipment and parts for sale.
1. Mustang MD100 Chassis Dynamometer (dyno) $12,000
2. Hydrovane 13.5 hp rotary compressor with dryer $5500
3. Atlas Copco 20HP rotary compressor. $7000
4. Porsche RSK714 kit with 50 hp AC induction motor
with programable curtis controller $17,000
5. 48 volt 6.5 KW DC Motor $400
6. 48 volt 7.5 KW DC motor with controller and pot $750
I will help on some of the shipping costs on the big items.
Contact:
Bob McNamara
Las Vegas Electrical
Tel: (515) 897-3596
Please leave a message if I am not in.
EVs For Sale:
For Sale: RedStreak Electric Two-wheel Scooter with Bicycle Seat– New
Color: Silver
Asking Price: $200
Contact: Jean Norton
Tel: (702) 301-0979
For Sale: Electrans 3-wheel Futurista ETV
Net Weight: 1180 lbs.
Loaded Weight: 1765 lbs.
Max Speed: 55 MPH
Range: 110 Miles
Battery Pack: Lithium Iron Phosphate
Turning Radius: 18 ft 4 inches
Working Voltage: 60 Volts DC
Seats: 2
Recharge Time: Only 4 1/2 hours at 110 VAC
Department of Transportation (DOT) approval to license this vehicle through the DMV
Contact: Bob MacNamara
ElecTrans
Tel: (702) 927-8838
Web site: www.futurista.biz
For Sale: Electric 1985 Pontiac “Fiero” --Record-Holding Race Car
This 1985 Pontiac “Fiero” Conversion currently holds four National Electric Drag Racing Association (NEDRA) Class Records.
1. Class MC/F (Modified Conversion 97-120 volts)
2. Class MC/E (Modified Conversion 121-144 volts)
3. Class MC/D (Modified Conversion 145-168 volts)
4. Class MC/C (Modified Conversion 169-192 volts)
The 1985 Pontiac Fiero has been converted with:
1. A new Netgain Warp-9 Electric DC Motor coupled to a 5-speed manual transmission.
2. A DCP T-REX 1000 Water-cooled Controller with an Input Voltage Range of 96 to 336 Volts
and Motor Current Rating at 1000 Amps.
3. The Battery System is at 192 Volts. The battery pack consists of sixteen 12-volt sealed ODYSSEY PC-680 batteries with the capability of increasing battery pack capacity and voltages to compete in the NEDRA MC/B Class (Modified Conversion 193-240 volts) or to a maximum capacity of 336-volts to compete in the MC/A Class (Modified Conversion 241 volts and higher).
4. Tires are B.F. Goodrich G-Force T/A Drag Radials P215/60 R14 that connect the Electric Motor torque to the road for “no slip” acceleration.
5. Battery Charger is a 120- to 240-volt Variable Transformer with a heavy-duty full bridge rectifier. Additional cables and connectors are installed for Dump Charging from a DC battery pack.
Asking Price: $10,000 or Best Offer.
Contact: William Kuehl
Address: 4504 W. Alexander Road, North Las Vegas, Nevada 89032
Telephone: 702-636-0304
For Sale: 1995 Geo Metro Conversion Electric Car
Body Configuration: 2-door
Color: Red
Battery Pack: 72-Volt System using Nine 8-Volt Lead Acid Golf Cart Batteries
Range: 35 mile range
Top Speed: 70 mph
Onboard 72-Volt Charger
2-year-old conversion from Ogden, Utah
Price: $8,000
Contact: Jean Norton
Tel: (702) 301-0979
LVEVA Board of Directors:
Richard Furniss, President
Lloyd Reece, Vice President
Bill Kuehl, Secretary/Treasurer
Al Sawyer, Jan Himber, Jon Hallquist, Dan Trujillo
Newsletter Editors and Contributors:
Richard Furniss, Lloyd Reece, Bill Kuehl, Al Sawyer, P.E.,
Jan Himber, Brent Singleton, Kent Singleton, Stan Hanel
WATTS HAPPENING
is published monthly by the
Las Vegas Electric Vehicle Association,
a chapter of the Electric Auto Association
Las Vegas Electric Vehicle Association web site
http://www.lveva.org
Electric Auto Association web site
http://www.eaaev.org
Electric Auto Association
Membership Renewals
323 Los Altos Drive
Aptos, CA 95003-5248
Current EVents contact:
At http://www.eaaev.org/eaaboard.html
Ron Freund
Chairman, CE Publication
Address Correspondence to:
LVEVA
2816 W. El Campo Grande Avenue
No. Las Vegas, NV 89031
Call for Information:
Richard Furniss (702) 453-6196
Jan Himber for Al Sawyer (702) 642-4000
Bill Kuehl (702) 636-0304 Stan Hanel (702) 405-0506
|
