Content about Alternative propulsion
Learn more about the Center for Electromechanic's Texas Electric Vehicle Program.
Jerry Brand’s algae collection, with nearly 2,800 specimens in all, is more than just pond scum. The diverse range of organisms is part of a growing multi-hundred billion dollar industry, used to produce anything from supplements to ice cream thickener to dental impressions and most recently, alternative biofuel, he said.
Editor’s note: Some portions of this interview were translated from Portuguese and Spanish.
Renowned Brazilian energy mogul Rubens Ometto Silveira Mello encouraged the U.S. to develop a green energy partnership with Brazil to increase the world’s energy sources and protect the environment in a lecture Thursday night.
Instead of spending of $3.50 per gallon on gas, people may be able to run their cars with a rechargeable battery.
The Austin AltCar Expo showcased nine vehicles Thursday, including cars, buses, ambulances and motorcycles. All vehicles came equipped with modern technology to save gas and lead to a cleaner environment. The event also offered visitors the option to test drive a few of the cars it had on display.
A $1.6 million grant from the State Energy Conservation Office will help fund two solar cell systems at the J.J. Pickle Research Campus in North Austin.
The grant will cover 80 percent of the costs of the panel installation at the J.J. Pickle Research Campus, said facilities services spokeswoman Laurie Lentz.
“The Pickle Research Campus, unlike the main campus, buys power from Austin Energy, so this installation will allow us to generate a portion of our own power at the campus,” she said.
A UT graduate student was awarded one of six scholarships that provide opportunities for students who show interest in the renewable energy and biofuels industry.
Julia O’Rourke, a public affairs and engineering graduate student, will attend the 2011 National Ethanol Conference in Phoenix, Ariz., from Feb. 20-22 because she received a scholarship from the Renewable Fuels Association.
City facilities around Austin will soon be equipped with electric car plug-in stations, said an Austin Energy spokesman.
Austin Energy partnered with California-based Coulomb Technologies, an electric vehicle infrastructure company that works with public utilities across the country to install public charging stations for electric cars.
Before next summer, 100 to 200 charging stations will be installed at city facilities such as Austin City Hall and public libraries.
Austin Energy Spokesman Carlos Cordova said any public utility can install a charging station for $2,500.
UT’s Center for Electromechanics, along with Atlanta-based Center for Transportation and the Environment, delivered two hydrogen-powered utility vehicles to the U.S. military’s largest combat support agency.
The cars have a much greater range than other vehicles of their type and use “the fuel of the future,” said program manager Richard Thompson.
