source :Science@NASA
Oct. 26, 2010: Every hundred years or so, a solar storm comes along so potent it fills the skies of Earth with blood-red auroras, makes compass needles point in the wrong direction, and sends electric currents coursing through the planet's topsoil. The most famous such storm, the Carrington Event of 1859, actually shocked telegraph operators and set some of their offices on fire. A 2008 report by the National Academy of Sciences warns that if such a storm occurred today, we could experience widespread power blackouts with permanent damage to many key transformers.
What's a utility operator to do?
A new NASA project called "Solar Shield" could help keep the lights on.
"Solar Shield is a new and experimental forecasting system for the North American power grid," explains project leader Antti Pulkkinen, a Catholic University of America research associate working at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. "We believe we can zero in on specific transformers and predict which of them are going to be hit hardest by a space weather event."
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
UMW Toyota sets new lower price for Prius
Written by Surin Murugiah
Wednesday, 27 October 2010 17:18
KUALA LUMPUR: UMW Toyota Motor has set the on-the-road price for the Toyota Prius hybrid car at RM 139,000 in Peninsular Malaysia, which is about RM35,000 lower than its previous RM175,000 price tag.
The price for the Prius in Sabah and Sarawak is set at RM141,000 due to higher logistics costs.
The changes in the prices come into effect from Wednesday, Oct 27.
UMW Toyota Motor president Kuah Kock Heng said the company welcomed the recent National Budget announcement by the government on the extension and enhancement of tax incentives for hybrid cars effective from Jan 1, 2011 until Dec 31, 2011.
"We are very delighted with the support by the government, to extend the full exemption of import duty and full exemption of excise duty for Hybrid cars.
“Compared to the 2009 National Budget, import duties was given full exemption while the excise duty was given 50% reduction.
Kuah said that with the new price tag, Malaysians would be able to enjoy the company’s most popular hybrid car, the Prius, at a more affordable price.
They can also benefit from the high fuel efficiency and at the same time contribute to lower the CO2 emission,” he said in a statement Wednesday.
The Prius has worldwide sales exceeding 2 million units.
http://www.theedgemalaysia.com/business-news/176115-umw-toyota-sets-new-lower-price-for-prius.html
Wednesday, 27 October 2010 17:18
KUALA LUMPUR: UMW Toyota Motor has set the on-the-road price for the Toyota Prius hybrid car at RM 139,000 in Peninsular Malaysia, which is about RM35,000 lower than its previous RM175,000 price tag.
The price for the Prius in Sabah and Sarawak is set at RM141,000 due to higher logistics costs.
The changes in the prices come into effect from Wednesday, Oct 27.
UMW Toyota Motor president Kuah Kock Heng said the company welcomed the recent National Budget announcement by the government on the extension and enhancement of tax incentives for hybrid cars effective from Jan 1, 2011 until Dec 31, 2011.
"We are very delighted with the support by the government, to extend the full exemption of import duty and full exemption of excise duty for Hybrid cars.
“Compared to the 2009 National Budget, import duties was given full exemption while the excise duty was given 50% reduction.
Kuah said that with the new price tag, Malaysians would be able to enjoy the company’s most popular hybrid car, the Prius, at a more affordable price.
They can also benefit from the high fuel efficiency and at the same time contribute to lower the CO2 emission,” he said in a statement Wednesday.
The Prius has worldwide sales exceeding 2 million units.
http://www.theedgemalaysia.com/business-news/176115-umw-toyota-sets-new-lower-price-for-prius.html
开发i MiEV全电动车
开发i MiEV全电动车
投资致富 2010-10-25 14:42
汽车虽为人们带来便利，但全球暖化和环境污染亦是眾人关注的课题。日本三菱汽车相信发展全电动汽车（Electric Vehicle，EV）才是长远有效的解决方案。
日本三菱汽车企业主席益子修表示，新时代车主意识到环保的重要，同时对环保车和汽车工业新科技有所期望，目前市场上有了油电混合汽车（Hybrid），未来汽车工业將迈向全电动汽车发展。
“三菱是市场上首家推出电动汽车的公司，我们將在象徵三菱汽车尖端环保技术的“i MiEV”基础上，继续研发兼具驾驶乐趣和环保的全电动汽车。”
三菱概念车紧凑型PX MiEV展示了三菱新插电式混合动力系统（Plug-in Hybrid），体现该公司驾驶乐趣、安全可靠、环保责任三大造车宗旨。此款车子纯电力发动，不需注入燃料，只要完成充电程序即可行驶。
此车款备有3种充电模式，包括100伏特或200伏特家用电源充电及高速充电。只要將车上的插头连接家用插座即可充电，利用100伏特电源充电，费时14小时；200伏特为7小时，若高速充电，则能在30分钟內充满80%电量。
益子修补充，全电动车子可以减少对燃油的依赖，同时为环保尽一分力。三菱计划在未来三年，將此全电动汽车系统装置於中大型城市休旅车上。
http://biz.sinchew-i.com/node/40125?tid=8
投资致富 2010-10-25 14:42
汽车虽为人们带来便利，但全球暖化和环境污染亦是眾人关注的课题。日本三菱汽车相信发展全电动汽车（Electric Vehicle，EV）才是长远有效的解决方案。
日本三菱汽车企业主席益子修表示，新时代车主意识到环保的重要，同时对环保车和汽车工业新科技有所期望，目前市场上有了油电混合汽车（Hybrid），未来汽车工业將迈向全电动汽车发展。
“三菱是市场上首家推出电动汽车的公司，我们將在象徵三菱汽车尖端环保技术的“i MiEV”基础上，继续研发兼具驾驶乐趣和环保的全电动汽车。”
三菱概念车紧凑型PX MiEV展示了三菱新插电式混合动力系统（Plug-in Hybrid），体现该公司驾驶乐趣、安全可靠、环保责任三大造车宗旨。此款车子纯电力发动，不需注入燃料，只要完成充电程序即可行驶。
此车款备有3种充电模式，包括100伏特或200伏特家用电源充电及高速充电。只要將车上的插头连接家用插座即可充电，利用100伏特电源充电，费时14小时；200伏特为7小时，若高速充电，则能在30分钟內充满80%电量。
益子修补充，全电动车子可以减少对燃油的依赖，同时为环保尽一分力。三菱计划在未来三年，將此全电动汽车系统装置於中大型城市休旅车上。
http://biz.sinchew-i.com/node/40125?tid=8
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
ETP: Nuclear energy one of 10 EPPs
KUALA LUMPUR: The proposal to use nuclear energy is included as one of the ten Entry Point Projects (EPPs) under the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP).
Minister in the Prime Minister Department, Datuk Seri Idris Jala, said the government included this because the country relied heavily on fossil fuels.
"As we move forward, we have to look into different renewable energy like biomass and biogas," he told reporters after the launch of the ETP: A Roadmap for Malaysia by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak here Monday.
Idris said there was a need for an in-depth deliberation on safety in the use of nuclear energy.
"The government is already in discussions with other countries that have gone through this path. Learn the lesson from other country and at the same engage and discuss with states where the the plant is likely to be sited.
"We are not going to start digging now and there should not be a short cut in establishing the nuclear power as renewable energy," he said.
Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui had recently said the government has approved the construction of a nuclear power plant which was expected to start operation by 2021 to meet the country's power demand in the future.
Chin said that using nuclear to generate power was inevitable as the use of coal and gas to generate power could no longer meet the country's energy demand, given that the resources were depleting.
"There is also limited land where dams could be built for the operations of hydro power plants," he said. - BERNAMA
Read more: ETP: Nuclear energy one of 10 EPPs http://www.nst.com.my/articles/ETP_Nuclearenergyoneof10EPPs/Article//Article#ixzz13NZKUoyD
Minister in the Prime Minister Department, Datuk Seri Idris Jala, said the government included this because the country relied heavily on fossil fuels.
"As we move forward, we have to look into different renewable energy like biomass and biogas," he told reporters after the launch of the ETP: A Roadmap for Malaysia by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak here Monday.
Idris said there was a need for an in-depth deliberation on safety in the use of nuclear energy.
"The government is already in discussions with other countries that have gone through this path. Learn the lesson from other country and at the same engage and discuss with states where the the plant is likely to be sited.
"We are not going to start digging now and there should not be a short cut in establishing the nuclear power as renewable energy," he said.
Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui had recently said the government has approved the construction of a nuclear power plant which was expected to start operation by 2021 to meet the country's power demand in the future.
Chin said that using nuclear to generate power was inevitable as the use of coal and gas to generate power could no longer meet the country's energy demand, given that the resources were depleting.
"There is also limited land where dams could be built for the operations of hydro power plants," he said. - BERNAMA
Read more: ETP: Nuclear energy one of 10 EPPs http://www.nst.com.my/articles/ETP_Nuclearenergyoneof10EPPs/Article//Article#ixzz13NZKUoyD
Monday, October 25, 2010
ETP: Energy sectors to grow 5pc a year
The government has set an ambitious goal of a five per cent annual growth for the oil, gas and energy sectors in the decade from 2010 to 2020, against a backdrop of the natural two per cent decline in oil and gas production.
The target translates into an increase of RM131.4 billion for the period from 2010 to 2020.
"Beyond economic growth in this decade, the oil, gas and energy sectors are also responsible for building a sustainable energy platform for the people and business, in this decade and into the future," the government said at the launch of the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) : A Road Map for Malaysia, here today.
The Roadmap was launched by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
A total of 12 entry point projects (EPP) as well as two-business opportunities within the oil, gas and energy sector have been identified. Oil, gas and energy are among the important National Key Economic Areas (NKEAs).
The EPPs will contribute RM47.1 billion to Gross National Income (GNI) to meet 2020 targets.
An additional RM61.2 billion will come from business opportunities and baseline growth.
Thus, the NKEA expects to deliver a RM131.4 billion GNI impact and create an additional 52,300 jobs in the oil, gas and energy sectors.
A significant proportion of these will be highly-skilled jobs, with an estimated 21,000 (40 per cent) for qualified professionals such as engineers and geologists, with a monthly salary range of RM5,000-RM10,000.
The government said the incremental GNI includes RM23.1 billion of GNI from the multiplier effect created by the EPPs from other sectors.
The largest sources of the multiplier effect on the oil, gas and energy NKEA are palm oil, tourism and electronics and electrical NKEAs, for example, an increase in usage of energy due to an increase in tourists visiting Malaysia.
To achieve the target, the government and the oil, gas and energy sectors will focus on four thrusts, namely, sustaining oil and gas production, enhancing downstream growth, making Malaysia the number one Asian hub for oil field services and building a sustainable energy platform for growth.
The third thrust is about leveraging the nation’s strategic location at the centre of the Asia Pacific region and adjacent to international shipping lanes.
The EPP for this thrust includes attracting Multinational Companies to bring sizeable shares of their global operations to Malaysia.
As for the fourth thrust, it includes initiatives aimed at ensuring energy security for Malaysia as the nation strives for growth towards becoming a high income economy.
"This also involves reducing the reliance on fossil fuels while growing the power generation capacity," said the government. –- BERNAMA
Read more: ETP: Energy sectors to grow 5pc a year http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20101025154753/Article/index_html#ixzz13NY89BgU
The target translates into an increase of RM131.4 billion for the period from 2010 to 2020.
"Beyond economic growth in this decade, the oil, gas and energy sectors are also responsible for building a sustainable energy platform for the people and business, in this decade and into the future," the government said at the launch of the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) : A Road Map for Malaysia, here today.
The Roadmap was launched by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
A total of 12 entry point projects (EPP) as well as two-business opportunities within the oil, gas and energy sector have been identified. Oil, gas and energy are among the important National Key Economic Areas (NKEAs).
The EPPs will contribute RM47.1 billion to Gross National Income (GNI) to meet 2020 targets.
An additional RM61.2 billion will come from business opportunities and baseline growth.
Thus, the NKEA expects to deliver a RM131.4 billion GNI impact and create an additional 52,300 jobs in the oil, gas and energy sectors.
A significant proportion of these will be highly-skilled jobs, with an estimated 21,000 (40 per cent) for qualified professionals such as engineers and geologists, with a monthly salary range of RM5,000-RM10,000.
The government said the incremental GNI includes RM23.1 billion of GNI from the multiplier effect created by the EPPs from other sectors.
The largest sources of the multiplier effect on the oil, gas and energy NKEA are palm oil, tourism and electronics and electrical NKEAs, for example, an increase in usage of energy due to an increase in tourists visiting Malaysia.
To achieve the target, the government and the oil, gas and energy sectors will focus on four thrusts, namely, sustaining oil and gas production, enhancing downstream growth, making Malaysia the number one Asian hub for oil field services and building a sustainable energy platform for growth.
The third thrust is about leveraging the nation’s strategic location at the centre of the Asia Pacific region and adjacent to international shipping lanes.
The EPP for this thrust includes attracting Multinational Companies to bring sizeable shares of their global operations to Malaysia.
As for the fourth thrust, it includes initiatives aimed at ensuring energy security for Malaysia as the nation strives for growth towards becoming a high income economy.
"This also involves reducing the reliance on fossil fuels while growing the power generation capacity," said the government. –- BERNAMA
Read more: ETP: Energy sectors to grow 5pc a year http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20101025154753/Article/index_html#ixzz13NY89BgU
Friday, October 22, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Hybrid cars to be more affordable by 2011
The prices of hybrid cars are expected to be more attractive next year to boost sales after Budget 2011 announcement of duty exemptions for the cars below 2,000 cc until Dec 31, 2011.
President of Malaysian Automotive Association, Datuk Aishah Ahmad, said currently, hybrid cars in Malaysia were expensive where fewer than 300 cars had been sold.
"The prices will definitely go down next year. At the moment, the industry players are doing the pricing," she told a media briefing after the launch of KL International Motor Show 2010's (KLIMS'10) advertising and promotional campaign here today.
The campaign, entitled 'We Care', was launched by Tourism Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.
Aishah said the granting of a manufacturing plant licence to Berjaya Corp Bhd by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry for the assembly of commercial vehicles, hybrid cars, electric cars and luxury passenger vehicles was a good sign for Malaysia's motor vehicle industry.
"This may attract more investors to come to Malaysia and it will be a good opportunity for the industry," she said.
KLIMS'10, which will be held from Dec 3-12 this year, is expected to attract 330,000 visitors and tourists. The event will be held at Putra World Trade Centre. -- Bernama
Read more: Hybrid cars to be more affordable by 2011 http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20101021165224/Article/index_html#ixzz12zlOnETv
President of Malaysian Automotive Association, Datuk Aishah Ahmad, said currently, hybrid cars in Malaysia were expensive where fewer than 300 cars had been sold.
"The prices will definitely go down next year. At the moment, the industry players are doing the pricing," she told a media briefing after the launch of KL International Motor Show 2010's (KLIMS'10) advertising and promotional campaign here today.
The campaign, entitled 'We Care', was launched by Tourism Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.
Aishah said the granting of a manufacturing plant licence to Berjaya Corp Bhd by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry for the assembly of commercial vehicles, hybrid cars, electric cars and luxury passenger vehicles was a good sign for Malaysia's motor vehicle industry.
"This may attract more investors to come to Malaysia and it will be a good opportunity for the industry," she said.
KLIMS'10, which will be held from Dec 3-12 this year, is expected to attract 330,000 visitors and tourists. The event will be held at Putra World Trade Centre. -- Bernama
Read more: Hybrid cars to be more affordable by 2011 http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20101021165224/Article/index_html#ixzz12zlOnETv
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Renewable Energy Act in effect by H1 2011
source : Business Times
The bill on the Renewable Energy Act is expected to be tabled in Parliament before year-end, with the Act coming into force by June next year.
Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry's Undersecretary of the Sustainable Energy Division, Badriyah Abdul Malek, said the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) mechanism is therefore expected to be implemented at the same time.
FiT is a mechanism that allows electricity produced from indigenous renewable energy resources to be sold to power utilities at a fixed premium price and for specific duration.
"The bill is now completed and submitted to the Attorney-General. So we expect the bill to be tabled for first reading between the October and December session," she told reporters after the Investment Opportunities in Renewable Energy Seminar and Dialogue with Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok in Kota Kinabalu today.
"At the same time, we will also table the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) Bill, which is to institute the establishment of SEDA Malaysia, the authority to spearhead renewable energy development in Malaysia," Badriyah said.
"We expect the second and third reading in March, and the Act enforced probably in May or June next year, so the FiT will also come on board in May or June 2011," she said.
The bill on the Renewable Energy Act is expected to be tabled in Parliament before year-end, with the Act coming into force by June next year.
Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry's Undersecretary of the Sustainable Energy Division, Badriyah Abdul Malek, said the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) mechanism is therefore expected to be implemented at the same time.
FiT is a mechanism that allows electricity produced from indigenous renewable energy resources to be sold to power utilities at a fixed premium price and for specific duration.
"The bill is now completed and submitted to the Attorney-General. So we expect the bill to be tabled for first reading between the October and December session," she told reporters after the Investment Opportunities in Renewable Energy Seminar and Dialogue with Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok in Kota Kinabalu today.
"At the same time, we will also table the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) Bill, which is to institute the establishment of SEDA Malaysia, the authority to spearhead renewable energy development in Malaysia," Badriyah said.
"We expect the second and third reading in March, and the Act enforced probably in May or June next year, so the FiT will also come on board in May or June 2011," she said.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Govt in talks with Proton to supply hybrid cars to its officials
Govt in talks with Proton to supply hybrid cars to its officials
source :By STEPHEN THEN -The star
stephenthen@thestar.com.my
MIRI: Government officials will soon be provided with hybrid electric cars in another effort to go green.
The Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry is now in discussions with Proton Holdings Bhd to replace the current fleet of government vehicles with hybrid cars, said its minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin.
“If we really want to see the country go green, the Government must take the lead and show by example. We cannot keep telling the people and the private sector to go green if we do not do the same,” he told The Star yesterday, explaining the rationale behind the change.
A hybrid vehicle uses two or more distinct power sources to move the vehicle. It combines an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors.
Chin said vehicles using electric engines could save up to 40% of fuel and also drastically cut down on carbon emission.
source :By STEPHEN THEN -The star
stephenthen@thestar.com.my
MIRI: Government officials will soon be provided with hybrid electric cars in another effort to go green.
The Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry is now in discussions with Proton Holdings Bhd to replace the current fleet of government vehicles with hybrid cars, said its minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin.
“If we really want to see the country go green, the Government must take the lead and show by example. We cannot keep telling the people and the private sector to go green if we do not do the same,” he told The Star yesterday, explaining the rationale behind the change.
A hybrid vehicle uses two or more distinct power sources to move the vehicle. It combines an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors.
Chin said vehicles using electric engines could save up to 40% of fuel and also drastically cut down on carbon emission.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Implementing the Feed-in-Tariff mechanism
source : The Star
Implementing the Feed-in-Tariff mechanism
KUALA LUMPUR: Although details are yet to be available, analysts speculate consumers may pay more for their electricity bills with the implementation of the feed-in-tariff mechanism under the Renewable Energy Act.
The Government announced that it will implement the Feed-in-Tariff mechanism under the Renewable Energy Act, to allow electricity generated from renewable energy by individuals and independent providers to be sold to electricity utility companies.
The Feed-in-Tariff forms part of the Act that is expected be tabled before the Parliament next month. It is part of the Government’s plan to boost renewable energy contribution to Malaysia’s electricity-generation mix from less than 1% in 2009 to around 5.5% by 2015 and to 11% of all electricity generated nationwide in 2020.
“The national utility would be obliged to buy renewable electricity at above-market rates set by the Government over a specific period of time from the day the system is connected to the grid,’’ an analyst said.
‘’The utility would be authorised to pass on this cost to all electricity consumers through their regular electricity bills.’’
OSK Research head Chris Eng said certainly, Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) would not want to pay and the higher tariff would probably be passed on to the consumer. It would probably be cost-neutral to TNB as higher fees collected would be utilised by the national utility company to pay producers who uses renewable energy to produce electricity.
To a question, Eng said consumers may need to pay an additional 1% to 3% more for electricity.
Implementing the Feed-in-Tariff mechanism
KUALA LUMPUR: Although details are yet to be available, analysts speculate consumers may pay more for their electricity bills with the implementation of the feed-in-tariff mechanism under the Renewable Energy Act.
The Government announced that it will implement the Feed-in-Tariff mechanism under the Renewable Energy Act, to allow electricity generated from renewable energy by individuals and independent providers to be sold to electricity utility companies.
The Feed-in-Tariff forms part of the Act that is expected be tabled before the Parliament next month. It is part of the Government’s plan to boost renewable energy contribution to Malaysia’s electricity-generation mix from less than 1% in 2009 to around 5.5% by 2015 and to 11% of all electricity generated nationwide in 2020.
“The national utility would be obliged to buy renewable electricity at above-market rates set by the Government over a specific period of time from the day the system is connected to the grid,’’ an analyst said.
‘’The utility would be authorised to pass on this cost to all electricity consumers through their regular electricity bills.’’
OSK Research head Chris Eng said certainly, Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) would not want to pay and the higher tariff would probably be passed on to the consumer. It would probably be cost-neutral to TNB as higher fees collected would be utilised by the national utility company to pay producers who uses renewable energy to produce electricity.
To a question, Eng said consumers may need to pay an additional 1% to 3% more for electricity.
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