The Technology Strategy Board has announced a series of research and demonstration activities under the Low Carbon Innovation Platform
- Ultra low carbon vehicle demonstration competition
- Electrification of road transport
- Open technology competition covering all vehicle technologies capable of delivering carbon reductions
- University-led research on lower carbon vehicle technology
In addition, the Department for transport has announced a £20m Low Carbon Vehicle procurement programme.
New Research Consortia and Projects
Foresight Vehicle is in the process of building consortia and preparing for potential funding from the Government and/or European sources with the emphasis on reducing carbon omissions from road vehicles. If you would like to be part of this initiative please click on the links below to register for the research teams.
HGV Engine Downsizing For Substantial Fuel/CO2 Savings
New rotary displacement supercharger technology breakthrough enables HGV engines to be downsized by 50%+. Operation at increased BMEP raises SFC,especially at road-load conditions, resulting in substantial reductions in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Boost availability from cranking speed enables cold starting with greatly reduced cylinder compression ratio which, in turn reduces peak cylinder temperatures and NOx formation despite the increased mass flow of working fluid. The technology is retrofittable on haulage and large passenger fleet vehicles, of which approximately 1.5 M are presently in use on European roads and could qualify. Initial demonstration programme scheduled for 2009.
Libralato Engine Generator for Range Extended Electric Vehicles (REVs)
The project proposal is to build pre-series prototypes of the Libralato engine generator (IDP call 2 - Open Technology theme). The objective of the project is to develop an ultra high power to weight ratio, ultra high efficiency, low emission, low noise, low vibration, low cost, generator. The size and weight savings of such a generator could enable all of the plug in hybrid components to fit within existing engine cavities. In this way, any vehicle model could be converted or retrofitted to be a range extended electric vehicle (EV range 15 miles / 25 km).
Thinking Outside The Box
Current EV technology is simply the tip of the iceberg, but when the EV industry veers towards range increases by adopting expensive batteries, the solution becomes unconvincing because the price tag is at least three times that of the conventional ICE car.
Re-visiting the laws of physics and thermodynamics, from a different angle, offers a gravity-defying solution. The energy crisis and shortage of capital investment make it hard to go in this direction. Graviton Dynamics shifted 180̊ to develop an electric vehicle with long range and an ordinary bank of deep cycle batteries, heralding the era of “Self-Generating Power Technology” with further development to include “Vehicle-To-Grid” concept.
The solution is balanced by the integration of “New Micro-Generative Technology,” which works on eliminating friction and drag while maintaining batteries at an acceptable level of operation, which should not be confused with perpetual movement. The concept is viable through a complex design and balanced energy calculation, the details of which cannot be revealed due to on- going patent applications. Participation towards costs of R and D in the form of sponsorship and grants is welcome.