Sweden powers up world’s first electric highway outside Stockholm

from CleanTechCanada

Design allows trucks to seamlessly connect and disconnect from electrified overhead wires while traveling at speeds of up to 90 kilometres per hour

MUNICH—Amid the rush of vehicles on Highway E16—a few kilometres outside Gävle in central Sweden—Siemens AG and Swedish heavy vehicle maker Scania AB have powered up the world’s first eHighway.

Running along a two-kilometre stretch of road, and designed to slash emissions in the carbon-intensive transportation industry, the pilot project will test an electrified overhead wire system, or catenary, specially-designed to allow transport trucks to draw power from the grid.

“By far the greatest part of the goods transported in Sweden goes on the road, but only a limited part of the goods can be moved to other traffic types,” Anders Berndtsson, chief strategist at the Swedish Transport Administration (STA), said. “That is why we must free the trucks from their dependence on fossil fuels, so that they can be of use also in the future.”

“Electric roads offer this possibility and are an excellent complement to the transport system,” he added.

A specially-designed, moveable pantograph enables an automatic connection between the systems overhead contact line and the vehicle at speeds of up to 90 km/h. PHOTO: Siemens/Scania CV AB
Contracted by the SFA and installed northwest of Stockholm, the overhead wire system functions similarly to the catenaries that power electric rail lines around the world. Unlike trains that remain on the electrified lines along their entire route, the eHighway is designed to allow trucks to seamlessly connect and disconnect from the wires while traveling at speeds of up to 90 km per hour.

Siemens says the design will cut energy consumption in half compared to conventional internal combustion engines.

While the German conglomerate designed the overhead electrical system, Sweden’s Scania manufactured and adapted a pair of heavy duty trucks for use in the demonstration project. The eHighway vehicles run using diesel hybrid drive, allowing them to operate like typical fuel-burning vehicles in areas that aren’t electrified, or on grid power while connected to the catenary system. Maintaining the adaptability of conventional trucks, the design would allow for a staged roll-out of the technology—a common issue when implementing next generation technologies.

Running for two years, the pilot will determine if the system can be commercialized and deployed more broadly. It’s the first project of its kind to run in real-world conditions on a public road.

While Sweden has committed to transforming its transportation system to run fossil fuel-free by 2030, the technology could also be applied in other areas. Siemens noted it is also currently developing another eHighway pilot project that will roll out in California in 2017.

via The PreSurfer

A Car that Runs on Air

from Truth Seeker Daily

The MDI AIRpod is a concept vehicle designed to run solely on compressed air as means of transportation, though no working models had been released to the press. Using hydrogen compression technology, this one could be a game changer.. - See more at: http://truthseekerdaily.com/2013/11/car-that-runs-on-air-wvideo/#sthash.1IKP2URe.dpuf

MDI estimates that the AIRpod would cost around just a penny-per-mile to operate, and it has already begun leasing them for trial to Air France and KLM airlines as people and cargo movers. Further, the $8,340 starting price could be halved by the time tax and green-car incentives are taken into account, making it quite cost effective. There are plans for the AIRpod to begin testing over here in the U.S. as well, though when and where, I don’t know.

Cool stuff, and We certainly hope to hear more about it in the coming months.

CAT Aquatic Car Is the Water Taxi of the Future.

from Inhabitat

We already have water taxis and gondolas available for rent in various parts of the world today, but designer Cal Craven envisions a future in which these CAT aquatic water taxis will make gondolas truly seem a quaint throwback. The CAT car is a personal water taxi that people will be able to rent to take out on waterways and pilot themselves.

The CAT, or City Aquatic Transportation, is designed to carry 4 passengers and features panoramic views through its bubble glass top. No word on the propulsion system behind this cute concept, though we would expect it to be an electric boat with range-extending engine if produced in the near future, or solar-powered electric hybrid if made a few years down the road. We think the Boston Duck Tour buses just met their match.

The New Age of Travel: Blimps and Beyond

from the New York Times "Room for Debate" blogs:

The Icelandic volcano that disrupted global air travel last week raised a concern: should we be thinking of alternative ways to move masses of people and goods? Scientists warn that more eruptions may cause new turmoil in the months ahead, a prospect that has generated discussion of future — even futuristic — modes of transportation.

Can anything replace the plane? If so, what is exciting to dream about, while waiting in the airport departure lounge?

[Check out the opinions of these folks:]

Kat Hannaford, Gizmodo.com
Simon Winchester, author of “Krakatoa”
Mark Frauenfelder, founder of boingboing.net
Robert Poole, Reason Foundation

This is the latest animation by design and innovation company Seymourpowell of its visionary transportation concept, Aircruise - a giant, vertical airship powered by natural energy and designed to carry travellers in style and luxury.
Originally a self-generated project, Seymourpowell's Aircruise is the concept design for a hotel in the sky, with low passenger numbers and huge internal spaces offering room for living, dining and relaxing, as well as scope for dramatic and inspirational public spaces. The initial design proposes a bar/lounge zone, four duplex apartments, a penthouse and five smaller apartments.
The concept subsequently captured the imagination of Korean giant Samsung Construction and Trading (C&T). Driven by its interest in new materials for building, Samsung C&T appointed Seymourpowell to refine the idea and produce a detailed computer animation of the proposed experience to illustrate this visionary approach to the future.

here's another :