DOE FUNDS PLUG-IN HYBRIDS

Damned by faint praise, or faint funding, some would say. But a step in the right direction. FREE THE VOLT!

Energy Dept. To Fund Alternative Vehicles
May 24, 2007 (UPI)
Buy it. Read it.
WHO
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Andy Karsner, Asst Secty; Delphi Automotive Systems, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, General Electric Global Research, General Motors Corporation, U.S. Hybrid Corporation (w/University of Illinois, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and SiCED).

WHAT
These organizations’ plug-in hybrid electric vehicle and fuel-cell vehicle research projects have been awarded DOE funds totaling $19 million.

WHEN
Announcement made May 24 of grants as part of President Bush’s plan to reduce US gas consumption 20% in 10 years.

WHERE
- Delphi Automotive Systems, Troy, Mich.
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, Blacksburg, Va.,
- General Electric Global Research, Niskayuna, N.Y.
- General Motors Corporation, Torrance, Calif.
- U.S. Hybrid Corporation, Torrance, Calif.
This is V2G: With it, plug-in hybrids help the growth of intermittent renewables like solar and wind. (click to enlarge)
WHY
- Delphi: $4.9 million for research on high-temperature three-phase inverters to control/regulate electric motor speed
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State U: $1.7 million for research on how to reduce power loss
- General Electric Global Research: development of high-speed motors
- General Motors Corporation: improving engine efficiency
- U.S. Hybrid Corporation: $1.3 million for a bidirectional DC/DC converter for PHEVs, work which includes “…a vehicle-system study to determine the optimum operating battery and DC-link voltages, allowing for higher efficiency and lower costs.”

QUOTES
Karsner: "These projects will not only help alleviate our 'addiction to oil' but also play a critical role in accelerating commercialization and making more clean and efficient alternative vehicles available to consumers…Not only will more alternative vehicles on the road help reduce our reliance on imported sources of energy, it's also critical to confronting climate change."