オバマ大統領のアースデイでのスピーチは、再生可能エネルギー重視の姿勢をより鮮明に印象づける内容になりました。海上での風力や潮流発電などに具体的に触れています。アメリカエネルギー省のアースデイのサイトには、Make Every Day Earth Day、毎日がアースデイという標語とともに、これからアメリカがエネルギーの分野で選び、描こうとしている社会が描かれていました。
Seeing Green in Iowa
(whitehouse,2009年04月24日、38分)
" The President visits Trinity Structural Towers, the former Maytag plant which now houses a green manufacturing facility that produces towers for wind energy production, in Newton. Iowa, a leader in wind energy, is a perfect example of how a community can rebuild a local economy with investments in clean energy and efficiency. Trinity employs dozens of former Maytag employees and is part of the revitalization of a town hard hit by the closing of the Maytag plant. President Obama gives remarks discussing components of his comprehensive energy plan, which include promoting clean energy innovation to help end our dependence on foreign oil, creating millions of new jobs, and preventing the worst consequences of climate change.
(public domain) "
そして、今後家庭に電気自動車やプラグインハイブリッド車が普及することで、家庭におけるエネルギーのマネージメントの可能性は飛躍的に拡大します。そして今回トヨタ自動車、トヨタホームが蓄電機能を備えた家庭用エネルギーマネージメントシステム（HEMS）の開発を推進すると発表しました。家のエネルギーのマネージメントに蓄電が加わることで何が生まれるのかHome Energy Management Systemにどんな可能性が生まれていくのか、なかなか興味深い開発研究が始まりそうです。
" The British-led Agility Trains consortium, comprising Barclays Private Equity, Hitachi Ltd. (NYSE: HIT / TSE: 6501, "Hitachi") and John Laing, was today announced as the preferred bidder for the UK Department for Transport's Intercity Express Programme.
The programme represents a substantial investment in the UK Railway Industry, and Agility Trains is committed to spending 70% of the contract value in the UK. Agility Trains is delighted to confirm that Hitachi and John Laing expect this programme to deliver 2,500 skilled engineering jobs in the UK, in train manufacturing, construction and maintenance. Specifically, the consortium is in active discussions with 20 carefully selected high-quality UK suppliers, which will have a knock-on effect of safeguarding jobs in the UK. In addition this long-term programme will help secure up to 12,500 direct and indirect jobs in the local supply and services industry and local supporting communities.
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14. Key facts: an existing IC225 train compared to a new Super Express train:
British Rail IC225 Super Express
Top speed in service 125mph 125mph
Typical journey time London - 4hrs 23mins 4hrs 11mins
Edinburgh
Train length 247m 260m
Train weight 498t 412t
Number of Seats 536 649
Energy consumption per seat km 0.035kwh 0.030kwh
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The Kyoto Box uses the sun’s rays to cook food and boil water. It is targeted at the 3bn people who currently use firewood. The box costs just $5 (￡3.40) to make and will be given away free. "
" Motor
Type Brushed permanent magnet electric
Torque 50 ft-lbs (67.7 Nm)
Peak horsepower 23 horsepower
Peak electrical input 17,400 watts
Power System
Type Patent-pending lithium ion array
Capacity 2 kWh (58volts @ 35Ah)
Range Up to 2 hours or 40 miles (64 km)
Recharge time Less than 2 hours
Input Standard 110V or 220V
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バッテリーの容量は、58V-35Ah。連続走行は、2時間、64kmまで。Zero Xモデルの出荷は、。価格はSport $7450。プロ仕様のフルパッケージが、Extreme $9300となっています。そして、同社が最近リリースしたのは、オンロードモデル Zero Sがあります。
" 52 companies team up with 32 experts and organizations to create a low-carbon prosperity Task Force. The task force is a response to an invitation made at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2009 in Davos by UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
The Task Force will work with government and UN officials to develop a set of practical projects and policy proposals around the world, which will significantly stimulate the low-carbon economy from 2010 onward. An open letter was sent to Prime Minister Brown, setting out the Task Force’s suggested agenda for the coming months.
The main focus for the Task Force is to identify exactly how to create millions of green jobs in the short run and deflect economic growth onto a more sustainable, low-carbon path for the longer term.
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Tesla Roadsterで世界を驚かせた高級電気自動車メーカーの米テスラモータース社がModel S、セダンの予約受付を開始しました。価格は49,900ドル（米の電気自動車に対する7,500ドルのTax creditをあらかじめ差し引いた価格）で2011年後半からの出荷ということです。4/2日のリリースの時点で、すでに500台以上の申し込みを数えているそうです。
" Tesla Motors has taken 520 reservations for the Model S, an all-electric family sedan that carries up to seven people and travels up to 300 miles per charge.
Tesla launched the car March 26, and orders immediately began streaming in online and at showrooms in California. Tesla plans to open stores in Chicago, London, New York, Miami, Seattle, Washington DC and Munich this year.
“Frankly the number of cars reserved in the first week has exceeded our optimistic internal projections,” said Tesla CEO, Chairman and Product Architect Elon Musk. “Enthusiasm surrounding the Model S is proof that there’s pent-up demand for more affordable, fuel-efficient vehicles ? including those made in America.”
The Model S will likely be the world’s first mass-produced, highway-capable electric vehicle when production begins in late 2011. The company has applied for a $350 million loan from the Department of Energy’s Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Program, which would be used to build the Model S assembly plant in California.
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The Only Car You Need
The Model S can be recharged from any 120V, 208V or 240V outlet or quick-charged from an external direct current supply in only 45 minutes. You can recharge the car during rest stops or meal breaks, enabling the Model S to go from LA to New York in approximately the same time as a gasoline car.
The Model S does 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds, and will have an electronically limited top speed of 130 mph. A 17-inch touchscreen with in-car 3G connectivity means you can listen to Pandora Radio or consult Google Maps, or check the car’s state of charge remotely on your iPhone.
The anticipated base price of the Model S is $49,900 after a federal tax credit of $7,500. The $5,000 reservation fee is refundable, and the car is a better value than far cheaper cars.
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Proven Technology
Tesla is the only production automaker selling highway-capable EVs in North America or Europe today. With 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds, the Roadster outperforms almost all sports cars in its class, yet is more than twice as energy efficient as a Toyota Prius and delivers 244 miles per charge.
" ”More ambition is clearly needed on the part of industrialized countries,” said Yvo de Boer on the final day of the first round of international climate talks in Bonn leading up to a UN climate conference in Copenhagen in December. "
" Every once in awhile we have some exciting news to share and we’re happy to do so right here on The Last Mile.
We’re pleased to introduce you to the Project P.U.M.A. (Personal Urban Mobility & Accessibility) prototype. It’s a working concept of what’s possible when you put together smart minds with the goal of setting a new vision for the future of urban transportation. We’re making this announcement today in collaboration with General Motors Corp. in New York City in advance of the New York Auto Show.
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Built to carry two or more passengers, it can travel at speeds up to 35 miles per hour (56 kph), with a range up to 35 miles (56 km) between recharges.
Since the introduction of the Segway Personal Transporter (PT), Segway has established itself as the leader in the small electric vehicle space. Its approach to congestion and environmental challenges is balanced with a strong understanding of the functional needs of its customers, enabling them to do more with less. Segway has delivered more than 60,000 lithium-ion batteries to the market.
GM has been a leader in "connected vehicle" technologies since it introduced OnStar in 1996. Today, this on-board communications package connects six million subscribers in North America to OnStar safety and security services. GM has also pioneered vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications systems and transponder technology. These and additional connected vehicle technologies could ultimately enable vehicles that don't crash and drive themselves.
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" World’s most famous office building’s more than $500 million upgrade program
to incorporate comprehensive project with goal to reduce energy use by nearly 40 percent
April 6, 2009 ? New York ? Using the Empire State Building as a test case and model, world-class environmental consulting, non-profit, design and construction partners ? including the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI), Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), Johnson Controls Inc. (NYSE: JCI) (JCI) and Jones Lang LaSalle (NYSE: JLL) (JLL) ? today unveiled an innovative process for analyzing and retrofitting existing structures for environmental sustainability.
Adopted as core elements of the more than $500 million upgrade program presently underway at the world’s most famous office building, the program is the first comprehensive approach that integrates many steps to use energy more productively. The program is expected to reduce energy consumption by up to 38 percent and will provide a replicable model for similar projects around the world. Work has already commenced, and building systems work is slated to be completed by year-end 2010. The balance of the work in tenant spaces should be concluded by end of 2013. Work that is scheduled to be completed within 18 months will result in over 50 percent of the projected energy savings. The balance will be an additional 36 months completed by 2013.
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コメント続き
アメリカにおける省エネ建物の認証制度は、エネルギーと環境に配慮したデザインにおけるリーダーシップ、Leadership In Energy and Environmental Design（LEED) とよばれ、エンパイヤステートビルは、断熱などのエコガラスへの置き換え、空調設備と全体的な電力設備の新しいシステムの導入などによりゴールドメダルという最高ランクの認証水準を目指すということです。この認証制度LEEDの運用は、U.S. Green Building Council(USGBC) が行っているということです。(t_t)
