How To Make An Electric Car

October 15, 2010

In this issue:

• Algae Biodiesel News 
• •  Congress Passes Algae Biofuel Tax Bill 
• •  Google to Develop "Robo-Cars" That Can Drive Themselves
• Cool stuff 
• • Electric Cars and How to Build One.  
• Algae Biodiesel Tips and Tricks 
• • Frequently Asked Questions 
• Free Stuff 
• •  Choosing an Alternative Fuel 
  •  83 Ways to Reduce Your Energy Consumption 
• Making Biodiesel Books News and Specials
• • "Bio-Pond" Update

 Algae Biodiesel News

Congress Passes Algae Biofuel Tax Bill

Editor's note: This people, is a "game-changer." Algae biodiesel just went big time. This is no longer "experimental" fuel. Algae biodiesel just went mainstream. The green light has been given, and blessed, by the US Congress. We are on our way to replacing imported petroleum fuel with renewable energy, made right here at home. For all of you who made this journey with me, who put up with endless criticism, ridicule, and skepticism over the viability of algae as a fuel, this feels good.

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Teague’s HR 4168 modifies the Internal Revenue Code such that algae-based fuels can qualify for benefits now going to cellulosic biofuel makers. The bill includes a USD 1.01 per gal production tax credit and 50 per cent bonus depreciation for property employed to produce algae-based biofuel. 

The House sent an unmistakable message of bipartisan support to the hundreds of companies, scientists, entrepreneurs and government agencies working to accelerate the development of algae-based fuels, which will create jobs, decrease emissions and reduce our nation’s dependence on imported fossil fuels.

Full text here: http://www.fis.com/fis/worldnews/worldnews.asp?l=e&country=0&special=&monthyear=&day=&id=38404&ndb=1&df=0

Google to Develop "Robo-Cars" That Can Drive Themselves

Google's robocars are already operating on California public roads. Apparently, Google has been quietly working on this project for awhile...They currently have 7 customized robocar prototypes: 6 Prius hybrids, and 1 Audi TT.

And according to the New York Times, the fleet has already logged 140,000 miles with only "occasional" human intervention — and 1,000 miles with zero human input.  

The cars can smoothly merge into highway traffic, navigate city congestion, and spot potential hazards. 

There's only been one accident so far, and that happened when one of the Toyotas was rear-ended at a stoplight. To accomplish this impressive feat, Google uses an array of sensors and processors. 

Here's a quote from the company's official blog:  

Our automated cars use video cameras, radar sensors and a laser range finder to “see” other traffic, as well as detailed maps... to navigate the road ahead. This is all made possible by Google’s data centers, which can process the enormous amounts of information gathered by our cars when mapping their terrain. 

 Full text here: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/what-were-driving-at.html?lloct=2

Cool Stuff:

 OK, EV's (Electric Vehicles) are hot right now. The latest and greatest minds on the planet seem to be pooling their collective knowledge in this area. Except we aren't there yet. Or as my buddy in Texas says "this dog don't hunt." It looks at least 5 years before this dog will be hunting too. But for all you early adopters, here's what you have to choose from.

You have GM rolling out the Chevy Volt (at $41,000, no less before "government incentives".) for the unwashed masses, getting 40 miles to a charge. They recently had to back-pedal on their mileage claims so now they are saying 25 to 40 miles between charges.

Which in "GM Speak" means, if you get behind and push it the whole way, it will get 40 miles between charges. (OK, I'm cynical.)

We also have the Nissan Leaf which actually looks pretty nifty. At least Nissan is honest enough to come right out and say it'll get between... "depending on the conditions, when your battery is new your range may vary anywhere from 138 - 62 miles." What is kinda cool is it has no tail pipe, ergo, no tail pipe emissions. It's also "real" EV, meaning no gasoline assist. (Unlike the Chevy Volt) It is also will be in the 20K-30K price range. This may be a car to watch.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, Tesla Motors is coming out with the "Roadster" (Only $101,500...Starting price.) which gets 245 miles to a charge. (Is that sexy or what?) Being a Nikola Tesla fan from way back, (he invented the first electric car more than a 100 years ago) and the price tag, I'll shut my mouth and reserve judgment on this one.

For a definitive guide to electric cars, take a look here

At the end of the day, this is all old news. If I have money to waste, then this is the route I would take.

But guess what? I don't. (Have money to waste) Or maybe I'm just cheap :+)

But how could I build my own? No one seems to know anything about that. So I start by asking mechanics I know and I get a curt "Not possible. The batteries alone would cost a fortune...blah, blah, blah."

So I went looking for books. I found a bunch, but only bought 2.

I recently bought this eBook out of curiosity "How To Build Your Own Electric Car" and yeah, this is do-able. This book is...

Pros:

• Very down-to-earth and readable.
• Step-by-step hand holding (I like that!)
• Finding the right vehicle.
• Convert your car/truck to electric for $500
• Travel 200 miles between charges. (Better than the Chevy Volt.)
• Sources for free batteries.
• Renewable energy charging options.
• You can tell these guys are actually "walking the talk."
• Lots of nifty bonuses.

Cons:

• I wish it had more pictures.
• The simple tone makes me feel like I'm still in gradeschool, sometimes.

But the book was definitely worth the money. ($49 bucks, I think)

I also bought this one too. "Convert Your Vehicle To An Electric Car" the web site is sexier, complete with a guy whose mouth I can't shut off. (Wait a minute...my website has that problem too :+)

Pros:

• Cheaper than the one above.

Cons:

• Looks like a re-hash of the first one.
• No graphics or photos of the actual building process.
• No bonuses to actually round out the knowledge.
• Only 41 pages.
• How can you adequately describe such a complex project in 41 pages and no graphics? Answer: He doesn't.
• Truthfully, I wouldn't bother buying it.

How about videos? Well I found some of those too. If this is something you're interested in doing, check these out. This guy has a whole series of videos on the subject, so I won't go into detail here. Between the first book above and these videos, this becomes do-able project. A major project yes, but still do-able.

Algae is a term which has no true orgainic meaning, but is used to refer to a selection of aquatic, estuarine and marine plant-like organisms that are capable of photosynthesis and excrete oxygen. These organisms range in size from microscopic (micro algae) to many feet in lengths (macro algae). Algae are primary producers and provide the basis of energy and fixed carbon in almost every ecosystem in which they are present.

No one really knows the exact answer to that question. Estimates range between several hundred thousand to several million different species. New types of algae are identified all of the time. Only a small portion of algal species (several thousand) can be kept alive in culture. And an even fewer number have any oil content. (a couple dozen)

A photobioreactor (bioreactor for short) is a closed or semi-closed system in which light and nutrients are supplied to, and can be manipulated in the system in an attempt to maximize algal production. There are many types of photobioreators, including tubular, flat panel, airlift or even plastic bags. Light can be provided by natural sunlight, electric light or a combination of both.

How much algae can be grown on 1 acre of land?

The amount of algae that can be grown on a acre of land is limited by the amount of sunlight that acre receives. Algae growth estimates range from 100 to 200 tons per acre per year. These estimates, however, are under optimal conditions and should be considered a theoretical maximum and unlikely to be achieved. More realistic values are 3-40 tons per acre per year.

How much oil can be made from 1 ton of algae?

Depending on the lipid content of the algae, 1 ton of algae can produce around 100 gallons of oil.

Is it possible to harvest wild algae for biofuels?

It is possible to harvest macroalgae like kelp, and this done all over the world as a source of food and fertilizer. However, as discussed above, very few alga has been studied for lipid content. Currently only a couple dozen or so, have an oil content that makes it worth going after for biofuels. So while wild algae can be used, most don't have the oil content necessary to make it worth while.

Can I grow algae in my swimming pool for Biodiesel?

Most algae growth environments, open ponds, for example, are shallow, rather than deep. This is because surface area matters more than depth. Only the first 1/4" inch of water is able to get sunlight. So while you could grow algae in a swimming pool, (Sometimes whether you want to or not) it's not an efficient, or economical way of doing so.

 What factors need to be considered in selecting algae for biofuels?

Key factors to consider when selecting algae for biofuel production are:

• lipid (oil) content
• carbohydrate content,
• growth rate and,
• environmental conditions.

Lipid and carbohydrate content, the foundation of biodiesel and ethanol production, must be balanced with growth rate (the amount of biomass produced in a given amount of time). Environmental conditions should be considered to determine which species would thrive in the algae system locations.

Yes, but many things need to be taken into the equation. What makes this possible is the fact that you're be trading your time for labor. This, however, will require minimizing the cost of the system's as well as reducing input costs (nutrients, water etc.), while at the same time maximizing the systems energy efficiency as well as the growth rate of the algae. This balancing act isn't "easy" but it is more than possible.

Is it true that with an open pond farmed algae grown are often overtaken by "wild" algae after just a few days or weeks?

Depending on the type of algae grown, the location and the system used, it is possible for wild algae to invade and take over the target species. However, if a large enough quantity of algae is used to inoculate the system on a regular basis and/or the system is closed or semi-closed, then oil bearing algae can be grown to sufficient quantities to prevent wild algae from taking over. In other words, as long as you take precautions it shouldn't be a problem.

Can algae be utilized to make ethanol?

Yes. A significant portion of algal biomass is made of carbohydrates, which can be fermented into ethanol. It is possible to derive both lipids for oil and carbohydrates for ethanol from the same batch of algal biomass. I've never done it, (I'm just not an ethanol kind of guy) but I understand it is possible.

Tell me what you'd like to know more about. Let me know what subjects you'd be interested in knowing more on. If you have a question about algae biodiesel, ask me. I'm interested in just about any alternative energy subject, so it doesn't even have to be about algae. I'd like to explore all kinds of alt. energy subjects with this newsletter. 

The update to "Building Open Ponds" is ready. 

 Get the "Bible" on Making Algae Biodiesel at Home.

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