Page 39 - Oil and Energy-February 2013

February 2013 • 39
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AAA CALLS FOR SUSPENSION OF E15
SALES TO PROTECT MOTORISTS
A recent survey by AAA finds a strong
likelihood of consumer confusion and the
potential for voided warranties and vehicle
damage as a result of the Environmental
Protection Agency’s (EPA) recent approval
of E15 gasoline, according to AAA.
“An overwhelming 95 percent of
consumers surveyed have not heard of
E15, a newly approved gasoline blend that
contains up to 15 percent ethanol. With
little consumer knowledge about E15 and
less than five percent of cars on the road
approved by automakers to use the fuel,
AAA is urging regulators and the industry
to stop the sale of E15 until motorists are
better protected,” AAA wrote in a recent
announcement.
The release goes on to state that only
about 12 million out of the more than 240
million light-duty vehicles on the roads
today are approved by manufacturers
to use E15 gasoline, based on a survey
conducted by AAA of auto manufacturers.
AAA automotive engineering experts also
have reviewed the available research and
believe that sustained use of E15 in both
newer and older vehicles could result in
significant problems such as accelerated
engine wear and failure, fuel-system
damage and false “check engine” lights for
any vehicle not approved by its manufac-
turer to use E15.
Unsuspecting consumers using E15
could end up with engine problems that
might not be covered by their vehicles’
warranties. Five manufacturers (BMW,
Chrysler, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen)
are on record saying their warranties will
not cover fuel-related claims caused by the
use of E15. Eight additional automakers
(GM, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda,
Mercedes-Benz and Volvo) have stated that
the use of E15 does not comply with the
fuel requirements specified in their owners’
manuals and may void warranty coverage.
MARINES SEEK HYBRID SOLUTION
TO REPLACE DIESEL GENERATORS
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) is
looking to the sun for energy in an effort
to help Marines do away with diesel-
guzzling generators now used in combat
outposts, officials announced recently.
The Renewable Sustainable Expeditionary
Power (RSEP) program seeks to create a
transportable renewable hybrid system that
can provide Marines with electricity for a
15-day mission without relying on fuel
resupply convoys that often become targets
for adversaries.
ONR has enlisted the help of three
industry teams – led by Raytheon, Battelle
and Emcore – that have developed concepts
for hybrid systems that use sunlight, heat
and fuel to create electricity. One option
is to combine a Stirling engine with a solar
concentrator resembling a satellite dish.
Another is to use powerful solar cells to
collect sunlight in conjunction with an
efficient solid oxide fuel cell. These systems
must be smart enough to independently
switch back and forth from solar when the
sun is out to fuel at night or when there is
heavy cloud cover. They also have to be
compact enough to fit on a small trailer
towed by a Humvee so they can be hauled
to forward positions.
STORM PIQUES INTEREST IN
GEOTHERMAL INSTALLATIONS
Advocates for geothermal energy say
that the path of destruction cut by Hurricane
Sandy has persuaded some building owners
to switch to geothermal systems that use
underground pipes to harness the earth’s
energy for heating and cooling buildings,
according to a recent report by The New
York Times.
“We’re seeing dozens of these half-empty
and empty oil tanks just popping up all
over the place in the flooded areas,” David
E. Reardon, the manager of geothermal
drilling for the Miller Environmental
Group, told The Times. The environmental
response, remediation and restoration ser-
vices company based in Calverton, N.Y., has
been involved in post-storm environmental
cleanup throughout the region.
“Those tanks become buoyant in all that
water,” Reardon told The Times. “But since
geothermal systems don’t use fossil fuels
or mechanical systems that are exposed to
the elements, Mr. Reardon said, he started
fielding calls from people asking for esti-
mates on geothermal systems just days after
the storm,” The Times reported.
ICELANDIC VOLCANOES
COULD HEAT BRITISH HOMES
Volcanic heat from Iceland could
generate electricity to power British homes
within a decade, according to recent news
reports. The geothermal energy would be
piped to Britain through the world’s longest
seabed power cable but would be no more
expensive than the next generation of
nuclear energy.
The man overseeing the project, Hörður
Arnarson, the head of Iceland’s state-owned
power producer Landsvirkjun, said that it
could be completed by 2020. He told The
Times of London, “This is a technically chal-
lenging project, there’s no doubt, but there
is no doubt in our mind that it is doable.”
For the project to be successful, a cable
would have to be at least 620 miles long,
making it the longest in the world.
EUROPEAN DIESEL MANUFACTURERS JOIN
FORCES TO TARGET U.S. MARKET
A new promotional campaign
announced by German automakers could
lead to greater opportunities for biodiesel.
The German Association of the Automotive
Industry (VDA) and member companies –
Audi, BMW, Bosch, Daimler, Porsche and
Volkswagen – announced the first ever joint
campaign last month to promote “clean
diesel” vehicles in the U.S.
“Increased demand for diesel passenger
vehicles, means increased opportunities
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