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Maxwell Technologies Wins $3 Million Contract

Maxwell Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: MXWL) has won a contract valued at approximately $3 million from Astrium’s United Kingdom-based satellite unit to supply single board computers (SBC) for the European Space Agency’s (ESA) “Gaia” astronomy mission to survey more than a billion stars and other celestial bodies to trace the origin and evolution of the Milky Way Galaxy. Seven Maxwell SCS750 SBCs will process images and data gathered by the two-ton satellite’s camera, which will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the duration of the five-year mission named for the Greek goddess Gaia, who was worshipped as the mythological creator of the universe. The massive volume of data to be collected and the precision of the imaging instrumentation will enable scientists to create a three-dimensional map of the galaxy and study its formation with unprecedented detail and accuracy. The satellite will be launched into an orbit at Lagrange point 2, which is 1.5 million kilometers (932,000 miles) into space on the “night side” of Earth so that it will be shielded from glare from the Earth, Sun and Moon that otherwise would interfere with image and data collection. Its payload will include two telescopes and a camera […]

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SatCon Wins $2 Million Contract

SatCon Technology Corporation (Nasdaq CM: SATC), a developer of power management and system architecture solutions for the alternative energy and distributed power markets, has been awarded a $2 million contract by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to develop the complete electric power conversion package for a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) for special operations applications. The hybrid powertrain system will include a permanent magnet traction motor/generator and DC/AC drive system; a battery to distribution bus DC/DC bi-directional converter to provide regulated high voltage power; and an auxiliary power converter for on-board and on-station electrical loads, both 28 VDC and 120 VAC. The contract effort runs through December 2008. SatCon is teamed with Electrovaya (a North American Lithium Ion Battery manufacturer) who will develop the HEV battery system. The technology builds on SatCon’s Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) and DC/DC converter developments as well as other government sponsored advanced technology for power electronics subsystems. The goal is to develop the key system components that will enable more efficient operation of tactical vehicles while providing for the increased electrical power demands of next generation systems. SatCon is considering a range of potential vehicles for the hybrid powertrain technology. This award is a further […]

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SunPower Builds Solar Power Plant on Korean Landfill

SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWR), a manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels, and solar systems, will work with Korean energy company EnE System to build a 2-megawatt solar electric power plant in Jeonju, a city in the Jeolla province of Korea. The plant, owned by Jeonju Solar Energy, is the first of its kind in Korea to be located on a landfill property. “Locating the power plant on landfill demonstrates the environmental leadership taken by Jeonju Solar Energy and EnE System on this project,” said Stanley S.K. Bae, SunPower’s general manager in Korea. “The Jeonju solar power plant will help serve Korea’s energy needs with a major source of clean, renewable solar power, generated on a site that may otherwise remain unused.” SunPower is installing its proprietary, single-axis solar tracking system at the 53,000-square-meter site. The SunPower Tracker tilts toward the sun as it moves across the sky, delivering up to 25 percent more energy than traditional fixed-tilt systems while reducing land-use requirements. “We selected SunPower based on the company’s experience with utility-scale power plant projects as well as the efficiency and proven reliability of SunPower’s technology,” said Sang Kug Moon, director of EnE System. Jeonju Solar Energy utilized a […]

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Biodiesel Boom Heading Toward Wall Street

URL: http://money.cnn.com/2007/09/25/technology/biodieselboom.biz2/index.htm?postversion=2007092609 Website: http://money.cnn.com/2007/09/25/technology/biodieselboom.biz2/index.htm?postversion=2007092609     

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Survey Says – No Fuel Tax

The results of a new survey suggest that the bill Dingall proposed last week will be unpopular with Americans. Although 62% of respondents believe “immediate and drastic” action must be taken to avoid major disruptions to life on earth, only 18% strongly favor a gas tax, which lies at the heart of legislation proposed by chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. John Dingell. His proposal calls for a 50-cent tax per gallon of gas to be phased in over five years and then adjusted for inflation. 48% of Americans are opposed to “increasing taxes on gasoline so people either drive less or buy cars that use less gas,” according to a survey by Yale University, Gallup and the ClearVision Institute. Jet fuel would also be subject to the 50-cent tax, though diesel fuel, which produces 20% fewer emissions would be exempt from the tax, as would biofuels, such as ethanol or biodiesel. Dingall is also calling for a $50 tax on each ton of carbon produced from coal, petroleum and natural gas. The tax would also be phased in over 5 years and adjusted for inflation, and funds from the new taxes would be used to improve […]

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Americans Want Action On Global Warming

In a national survey on global warming, 62% of respondents say they believe life on earth will continue without major disruptions only if society takes immediate and drastic action to reduce global warming. It seems that Americans see government as having the primary responsibility judging from the fact that they have yet to change their lifestyles in any meaningful way. We have yet to see a study announced that SUV sales have dropped significantly or that recycling rates have skyrocketed, or any other sign that action is happening at the grassroots level. While the survey finds that Americans are showing increasing concern, they are still against measures that would hurt their pocketbook, notably higher gas and electricity prices. Americans are notorious for saying they’ll pay more to buy greener products in surveys – their behavior usually indicates otherwise. Still, the survey shows an uptick in concern from similar surveys a year ago – a sign we’re moving in the right direction. According to the survey, 68% of Americans support an international treaty that commits the United States to cut CO2 emissions 90% by 2050. By comparison, the Kyoto Protocol would require the U.S. to cut emissions a measly 7% by […]

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