1. Home
  2. Articles posted by: Rona Fried (Page 2167)

Honda Announces New Environmental Initiatives

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. president and CEO Takeo Fukui, speaking at the North American International Auto Show, announced several new safety and environmental initiatives for Honda and Acura vehicles as he reinforced the company’s commitment to leadership in these critical areas of social responsibility. The new initiatives include advanced safety systems for the Acura RL, new safety and advanced powertrain features for the 2006 Honda Civic and Pilot, and the leasing of the first fuel cell vehicle to an individual customer. In the area of environmental leadership, he announced plans to expand the use of Honda fuel-efficient technologies including its hybrid technology and Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system. VCM will be applied to the 2006 Honda Pilot sport-utility vehicle scheduled to debut this fall. VCM deactivates three of the engine’s six cylinders during cruising, deceleration and other low engine load conditions to reduce fuel consumption. This technology was first introduced in the U.S. in 2004 on the all-new 2005 Odyssey minivan and 2005 Accord Hybrid. Further, the 2006 Civic will be powered by the newest and most advanced generation of Honda’s i-VTEC engine technology to achieve even higher fuel economy and lower emissions. And a new Civic Hybrid will feature […]

Read More

Samsung Furthers Relationship with Capstone

Samsung Corporation has placed an order for 1.5 megawatts of microturbines with Capstone Turbine Corporation (Nasdaq:CPST), the world’s leading manufacturer of microturbine energy systems, valued at more than $1 million. Samsung is the Korean distributor of Capstone MicroTurbine(TM) combined heat and power systems, and will install four C60 models at their headquarters, 11 at a hospital and 10 at a high-rise apartment complex. Two Capstone C30 units will be deployed in a biogas application project. In addition to its consumer electronics and other business activities, Samsung is engaged in energy services management for commercial and industrial customers throughout South Korea. A division of the company has embarked upon a growth plan that incorporates the Capstone MicroTurbine as a core product, and its Samsung Construction segment plans to adopt Capstone MicroTurbines in future apartment projects. Industrial sector energy consumption in South Korea quadrupled in the last two decades, and total electricity consumption is projected to double again by 2020, according to the US Energy Information Administration. The South Korean government has enacted a Comprehensive Plan for Environmental Improvement to reduce pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions. The national power company, KEPCO, is undergoing restructuring and privatization. These conditions are expected to provide […]

Read More

EPA Goes Greener on Energy Standards

EPA strengthens computer monitor energy standards and launches new energy star standard for power adaptors. Effective Jan. 1, 2005, computer monitors must meet more energy-efficient requirements to qualify for the ENERGY STAR label. For the first time, the specification addresses energy consumption while monitors are in use, as well as while they are idle. Many models on the market already meet EPA’s new specifications. By 2010, EPA estimates that the new requirements will result in carbon emission savings of almost 5 million metric tonnes (carbon equivalent), or the equivalent of taking more than 3 million cars off the road. The previous computer monitor requirements called for only a “sleep mode” energy-saving function. A specification for computer monitors has been in effect since July 1999 and market penetration of ENERGY STAR-qualified computer monitors has been estimated at approximately 95 percent of total units shipped. By raising the bar, EPA is taking advantage of new technology and encouraging further energy-efficiency progress for products sold in the United States and around the world. As part of an existing agreement, the European Union will also update its specifications to reflect this revision to ENERGY STAR. This modification is EPA’s first effort to coordinate an […]

Read More