San Francisco Named Greenest City in North America

By

AsianWeek Staff

– June 30, 2011Posted in: Bay Area, Lifestyle, News

San Francisco, CA—Mayor Edwin M. Lee today announced that San Francisco has received the distinction as the “greenest” city in North America in the first North American Green Cities Index. Announced at the 2011 Aspen Ideas Festival, San Francisco was ranked ahead of New York, Seattle, Denver and Boston as the top five “greenest” U.S. cities. The research study conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) and commissioned by Siemens assesses and compares 27 major U.S. and Canadian cities on environmental performance and policies across nine categories – CO2 emissions, energy, land use, buildings, transport, water, waste, air quality and environmental governance.
“It’s certainly an honor for San Francisco to be named the ‘greenest’ city in North America, and it’s great to get recognition for the good work San Franciscans have done,” said Mayor Lee. “San Francisco is committed to working toward a greener, healthier future for the City, and I think there’s nowhere else on earth where you will find more environmentally involved residents, businesses and visitors than in San Francisco.”
“The Green Cities Index demonstrates that America’s cities are the driving force behind the nation’s sustainability efforts,” said Siemens Corp President/CEO Eric Spiegel. “Despite the fact that we do not have a federal climate policy in the United States—and no federal carbon standard—21 of the 27 cities in the index have already set their own carbon reduction targets. Cities are creating comprehensive sustainability plans, utilizing current technology and proving everyday that we don’t have to wait to create a more sustainable future.”
San Francisco ranked first overall in the Index due to an impressive performance across the board, with a top five ranking in six of its nine categories. San Francisco’s strongest area is waste, where it led the pack with efforts such as being the first U.S. city to mandate composting and recycling for residents, food establishments and events in 2009. The city also claimed second place in buildings, transport and air, bolstered by strong green building and energy efficiency building standards, the second longest public transport network, and low levels of all pollutants measured in the Index.
“San Francisco’s sustainability programs deliver on multiple levels simultaneously,” said Environment Director Melanie Nutter. “They need to be good for the environment, but in order to have community-wide impact, they also have to address the economic needs of individuals, improve the local economy, and reverse social inequalities. You can see that commitment in play from our recycling and toxics reduction programs to our all-out effort to shut down gas-burning power plants operating within city limits.”
The nine categories of the U.S. and Canada Green City Index are based on 31 individual indicators — 16 of which are quantitative (e.g. consumption of water and electricity per capita, recycling rate, and use of public transportation) and 15 qualitative (e.g. CO2 reduction targets, efficiency standards and incentives for buildings, and environmental governance). A key element of the study is the comparability of the results from each city — within the individual categories and in the overall evaluation. The study also includes in-depth city portraits that reveal the strengths and weaknesses of each urban center, while also highlighting initiatives and projects from which other cities can learn.
The study of U.S. and Canadian cities provides important key findings. Cities that performed best in the rankings are the ones that have comprehensive sustainability plans that encompass every aspect of creating a greener future including transportation, land use, energy use, carbon dioxide emissions, and water. While there is a correlation between wealth and environmental performance, it is weaker in the U.S. and Canada than in Europe and Asia.
“City budgets are as tight as they have ever been, but mayors are leading the charge around making their cities more sustainable because they know they can’t afford to push these decisions off until tomorrow,” said Siemens Corp Chief Sustainability Officer for the Americas Alison Taylor. “Our goal with the Green City Index is to identify best practices, advance good ideas and provide a baseline for cities to help them set targets for themselves so that they can serve as role models for others with their innovative policies.”
For ranking results of the U.S. and Canada Green City Index, go to: www.siemens.com/press/greencityindex


San Francisco Named Greenest City in North America

Magnolia Solar Demonstrates Record High Voltage Performance - Solar Novus Today

Magnolia Solar Demonstrates Record High Voltage Performance

27 June 2011

Magnolia Solar Corporation announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Magnolia Solar, Inc., has demonstrated InGaAs quantum well solar cells that operate at record high voltages.
These ground-breaking technical results were presented by Magnolia Solar, Inc.'s Chief Technical Officer, Dr. Roger E. Welser, at the 37th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialist Conference (PVSC) in Seattle, Washington. The presentation entitled "Reducing Non-Radiative and Radiative Recombination in InGaAs Quantum Well Solar Cells" was part of a special session on Quantum Engineered and Hybrid Devices, and summarizes work done in collaboration with colleagues at Kopin Corporation. Dr. Welser also co-chaired a session of the PVSC on the Physics and Engineering of Quantum Well and Super-lattice Devices.


Dr. Ashok K. Sood, President and CEO of Magnolia Solar, stated, "Quantum structured solar cells seek to harness a wide spectrum of photons at high voltages in a single-junction device by embedding low energy-gap wells within a high energy-gap matrix. Quantum well solar cells have the potential to deliver ultra-high power conversion efficiencies in single junction devices; efficiencies that in theory can approach 45% in un-concentrated sunlight over a wide range of environmental conditions. In his presentation at the Photovoltaic Specialist Conference, Dr. Welser reviews and summarizes Magnolia's recent efforts to enhance the open circuit voltage of InGaAs quantum well solar cell structures by employing a patent-pending device structure. This technology is of great interest for defense and space-based applications, and the work presented at the PVSC has been funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). We also see future growth potential for this technology in the commercial marketplace, particularly in the area of concentrator-photovoltaic (CPV) solar panels for terrestrial power generation applications."


"Historically, the challenge for quantum structured solar cells has been to incorporate low energy-gap material without severely degrading the operating voltage of the photovoltaic device," noted Dr. Welser. "In this work, we demonstrate record high open circuit voltages by employing a novel III-V material structure with an extended wide band gap emitter heterojunction. These results will enable quantum well solar cells to begin achieving their promised levels of performance. Nanostructured devices provide a means to decouple the usual dependence of short circuit current on open circuit voltage that limits conventional solar cell design."


Magnolia Solar was founded in 2008 to develop and commercialize revolutionary new thin film solar cell technologies that employ nanostructured materials and designs. Both higher current and voltage outputs are expected from thin film solar cells that combine Magnolia's exclusive material structures with advanced optical coatings. Magnolia's technology has the ability to capture a larger part of the solar spectrum to produce high efficiency solar cells, and incorporates a unique nanostructure-based antireflection coating technology to further increase the solar cell's efficiency, thereby reducing the cost per watt. Magnolia Solar technology targets electrical power generation applications, such as power for electrical grids and distributed power applications ranging from commercial and residential lighting to specialized military applications.
Magnolia Solar Demonstrates Record High Voltage Performance - Solar Novus Today

Coventry first cathedral to fit photovoltaic panels

27 June 2011,

The old and new cathedrals stand side by side

Coventry is to become the first cathedral in the country to fit solar panels to its roof.

According to EOS Energy, the firm behind the installation Coventry Cathedral will be the first in the country to have solar panels when its 50kW photovoltaic array is installed on its roof.
While at least one church in London has installed solar panels, the larger roofs of cathedrals have yet to be utilized in the same way.
The cathedral was built was built in 1956 and stands next to the roofless remains of the original building, which was nearly completely destroyed by Luftwaffe bombs in 1940.
A spokeswoman for EOS said: "Coventry will be the first cathedral in the UK to have photovoltaic panels installed on the actual roof.
"The cathedral PV array will consist of 178 panels and will be completed in time for the Queen's visit to Coventry in 2012."
It is also hoped the flagship project will form part of Coventry's Olympic celebration with football games taking part at city's football stadium - which will be known as the City of Coventry Stadium due to Olympic sponsorship rules.
Luke Walsh
Coventry first cathedral to fit photovoltaic panels

Schletter selected by Solon for 15 MW solar PV installation: pv-magazine

Schletter selected by Solon for 15 MW solar PV installation

27. June 2011 | By: Schletter Inc.

Solon Corporation selects Schletter Inc. as solar photovoltaic racking provider for 15 MW (AC) project in California's Central Valley.

Schletter, a global leading manufacturer of solar photovoltaic (PV) mounting systems, was selected by Solon Corporation as the racking supplier for a 15 MW (AC) ground mount solar installation in California’s Central Valley. Using Schletter’s FS System, the solar PV field will quickly achieve completion in order to produce carbon-free energy production.
The 105 acre solar field uses Schletter’s proven FS System, installed in several of the world’s largest ground mount solar installations. Consisting of a high level of pre-assembled components, the FS System is installed using a hydraulic ram (called the GAYK). Solon Corporation’s project in the Central Valley consists of more than 8,000 individual FS posts as well as supporting module rails.
“We at Schletter are very proud to have been chosen by Solon to deliver the structural components for this 15 MW project,” says Sven Kuenzel, Vice President of Sales and Marketing with Schletter Inc.
“In particular it is especially rewarding that our constant investments into our production facility and machinery have dropped the turnaround time for producing the materials to an unbelievable rate. Schletter has the potential to produce and manufacture a 15 MW project within two weeks at our manufacturing plant in Tucson if necessary.”
Mr. Kuenzel goes on to say: “The installation of this solar system in heavily corrosive soils in combination with cathodic protection system is another outstanding attribute of this impressive project.”
Schletter selected by Solon for 15 MW solar PV installation: pv-magazine

Solar photovoltaic industry is 'rocking and rolling' in Massachusetts | New England Business Bulletin

Solar photovoltaic industry is 'rocking and rolling' in Massachusetts

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By By Beth Perdue
Bulletin editor

June 24, 2011 3:02 PM

Other states may be producing more megawatts of solar energy, but the industry is definitely growing in Massachusetts, according to local sources.

States like Nevada and California, with their abundance of sun and ability to create large solar farms, made the top of the nation's solar production list, according to research firm Clean Edge.

But locally solar is still a booming business.

More and more businesses are adding solar to their operations including companies like John Matouk & Co. (84 kW) in Fall River, Chase Canopy (60 kW) in Mattapoisett, Dartmouth Building Supply (202 kW) in Dartmouth, Cape Cod Cooperative Bank (102 kW) in Hyannis, and United Natural Foods (167 kW) in Providence, R.I.

While these installations have tended to be only a few hundred kilowatts or smaller, even that limitation seems to be changing.

In Dartmouth, Con Edison recently went online with its 2 MW solar array in the New Bedford Business Park, the largest operating solar array in New England — at least for now.

Plenty of municipalities are pursuing solar projects including one in Dartmouth, a 1.5 MW array being planned for an old landfill on Russells Mills Road, and one in the town of Westerly, R.I. where an RFP will soon be issued for a planned 600 kW solar array on a capped landfill.

Topping them all in size, are plans in East Providence, R.I. for a 10 MW solar farm on an inactive landfill, along with plans by Cape & Vineyard Electric Cooperatives for a total of 18.3 MW in solar on 10 sites on Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard.

New Bedford too is working on a large solar project for its municipal buildings, one that collectively may be as big as 10 MW.

These projects represent just a percentage of companies, educational institutions, municipalities and agencies that are pursuing or have completed solar installations, making for what one New Bedford installer called a "rocking and rolling" industry.

Phillip Cavallo, owner of Beaumont Solar in New Bedford, said his company has installed about 75 photovoltaic arrays mainly at commercial sites, since entering the solar business in 2007. And business just keeps growing, he said.

"The growth rate for us as a company has been exponential. We've expanded our workforce and taken on additional projects and geographies that we originally didn't envision being part of," said Cavallo. "What we're looking at now are projects that are all over Massachusetts."

Beaumont's staff, which includes its sign business, grew from about 13 employees in 2008 to 35 today, Cavallo said. The company plans to continue expanding its market area and is also growing in project size, he said.

"We started with 5 kW projects at the residential level," said Cavallo. "Now we're at 1 MW solar farm level and from there we'll go to 4-5 MW solar farm and then eventually we'll get to utility scale."

Cavallo said installations are getting larger because the economics are so good. The state's rebate and tax incentive programs, particularly the solar renewable energy credits, really boosted the industry, he said.

"What it's done is made this solar energy hit the turbo charge," he said. "We're seeing payback periods of two years or less in (certain) customer scenarios."

According to the state, programs from rebates to ARRA funding, have contributed to the solar boom. As of the end of 2010, Massachusetts had 2,600 installations providing more than 45 MW of solar power, according to the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center.

Commitments show more than 60 MW of solar power will soon be installed or are under contract — nearly 20 times the amount of solar statewide in January 2007, MassCEC said.

In Rhode Island, a languishing solar industry may see new life with current legislation to allow utilities to sign long-term contracts for both power and renewable energy credits.

The legislation will help renewable energy producers obtain higher prices for the power they produce and for renewable energy credits, according to Jeff Broadhead, executive director of the Washington County Regional Planning Council.

Broadhead said that although it has not yet been signed, the legislation may help boost the state's solar business similar to the way credits helped Massachusetts.

Overall, Cavallo sees a bright future ahead for solar.

"I think the U.S. market is projected to grow at 10 times in the next five years," he said. "If we see the market develop that way in the U.S. and if the fed government doesn't change their policy...the U.S. will be the number one solar consumer."

Solar photovoltaic industry is 'rocking and rolling' in Massachusetts | New England Business Bulletin

High-Efficiency IDS Solar Inverter Technology Unveiled in North America -- FORT COLLINS, Colo., June 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

High-Efficiency IDS Solar Inverter Technology Unveiled in North America

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FORT COLLINS, Colo., June 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- High-efficiency SOLO series solar inverters, proven in hundreds of photovoltaic solar installations in Europe, are being unveiled by Woodward IDS for the first time in the United States at the Intersolar North America exhibition and conference in San Francisco, July 12-14.
Woodward IDS' line of SOLO inverters are designed to maximize the power output from a solar array based on advanced current switching, liquid cooling, and maximum-power-point tracker (MPPT) technologies. SOLO inverters are available in output ratings of 100 kW, 250 kW, 500 kW, and now 1000 kW using the company's exclusive D-Booster technology. All models are available for indoor (IP54) or outdoor (IP55) installation.
All components and control algorithms have proven high efficiency, reliability, and stability under demanding conditions. Extended temperature range (from -25 degrees C to +55 degrees C) and high-altitude (up to 3500 m above sea level) configurations are available.
SOLO inverters feature a local color touch screen interface that provides a configurable display of electric power production, built-in diagnostic functions, and a data-logger readout of important data. Internet access and 24-hour monitoring of SOLO inverter operation is also available.
The SOLO inverters will be presented at the Woodward IDS (Integral Drive Systems) booth, number 7041, at the Intersolar event at the Moscone Center, San Francisco, July 12-14.
About Woodward
Woodward is an independent designer, manufacturer, and service provider of energy control and optimization solutions used in global infrastructure equipment. We serve the aerospace and defense, power generation and distribution, and transportation markets. The company's innovative fluid energy, combustion control, electrical energy, and motion control systems help customers offer cleaner, more reliable and more cost-effective equipment. Woodward is headquartered in Fort Collins, Colo., USA. Visit our website at www.woodward.com.
Woodward IDS is the newest member of Woodward, following Woodward's acquisition of Integral Drive Systems AG earlier this year. Woodward IDS is a leader in innovative power electronic systems predominantly in utility scale wind turbines and photovoltaic plants. Additionally, the company offers key products in power distribution, marine propulsion systems and specialized solutions. Besides wind turbines and photovoltaic plants, its products are used in offshore oil and gas platforms, energy storage and distribution systems and a variety of industrial applications. Woodward IDS is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland and also has operations in Bulgaria and China. Visit our website at www.ids.ch.
SOURCE Woodward IDS
High-Efficiency IDS Solar Inverter Technology Unveiled in North America -- FORT COLLINS, Colo., June 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Camera Start-Up Lytro Promises to Revolutionize Photography | PCWorld

Camera Start-Up Lytro Promises to Revolutionize Photography

By Jared Newman, PCWorld Jun 22, 2011 7:44 AM

With a new kind of camera, Lytro wants to remove the headaches of focus from digital photography.
Lytro, a start-up based in the Silicon Valley, hopes to revolutionize the camera industry by bringing "light field" cameras to the market this year. This type of photography captures the color, intensity and direction of individual light rays, allowing the user to refocus the picture even after it has been taken.
Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, Lytro's founder and chief executive, Ran Ng, likened the technology to a multitrack audio recording, in which each instrument is recorded separately and mixed later.
 
Clicking anywhere on the picture changes the point of focus, causing other parts of the scene to blur into the background.
A blog post on Lytro demonstrates the concept with an interactive photo. Clicking anywhere on the picture changes the point of focus, causing other parts of the scene to blur into the background. A picture gallery shows more examples.
Lytro also claims that its cameras work in low lighting without flash, and can produce 3D photos with a single lens.
"We have something special here," Ng wrote. "Our mission is to change photography forever, making conventional cameras a thing of the past."
It's a lofty goal, especially at a time when smartphones are already jeopardizing conventional digital cameras. But if Lytro's first cameras really are better and more convenient, they may pose a threat to high-end digital cameras and DSLRs. That will depend largely on pricing and portability; we'll see what Lytro comes up with later this year.
Follow Jared on Facebook and Twitter for even more tech news and commentary.

• See more like this:
• 3d camera,
• budget camera,
• advanced point-and-shoot camera

Camera Start-Up Lytro Promises to Revolutionize Photography | PCWorld

EADS is working on an aerospace plane that would connect Paris to Tokyo in 2:30 - LeMonde.fr

A la Une > Planète

EADS  is  working  on  an  aerospace plane  that  would  connect  Paris  to Tokyo in 2:30   

Proposed space plane for EADS. AFP / -

In 2050, passengers may board a space plane that will travel to Tokyo from Paris in 2 h 30 min and will not pollute the planet because it will fly in the stratosphere.  In any case, it is the bold project of EADS, the large European aerospace group.

Since  the  tragic death  of  Concorde,  the  idea  of an  airplane  of  high  speed  seemed  abandoned, manufacturers seeking to make their devices lighter and therefore consume less kerosene. The super sonic aircraft had became unaffordable.  But on the eve of the Paris Air Show, EADS, owner of Airbus, has unveiled his plan Zehst ( "Zero Emission High Speed ​​Transport " ), a hypersonic plane - even faster than supersonic - which aims is zero CO2 emissions.
"The aircraft of the future as I imagine Zehst" said Jean Botti , Mr. "innovation" of EADS.A model of 4 meters of the plane, whose shape is surprisingly close to the supersonic Concorde, will be presented at Le Bourget, high mass of the aircraft which opened Monday to professionals and the general public Thursday.A step in the future when Airbus announced nearly two years behind two versions of its new A350 long-haul, including a time required to equip the A350-1000 with an engine more efficient.
BIOFUELS seaweed
The Zehst contains all the ingredients for the best novel of science fiction.Takeoff is fairly standard, except that its engines are fueled with biofuels from algae, is Jean Botti, Chief Operating Officer Technology and Innovation at EADS.Once it took a bit of altitude, it switches to engine type rocket.And here, the motors do not work with algae but hydrogen and oxygen.They are "totally clean and emit only water vapor" .
The air then rises up to 32 km altitude, cruising altitude.A conventional airplane flying at 10,000 feet.For the passenger does not feel the effect "big eight" , seat tilt.The advantage of this time, "you pollute more, you are in the stratosphere, pollution is transparent to us" , argues Jean Botti.For landing, the pilot cuts the engine and begins its descent in a glider before landing by delivering conventional engines of the aircraft.
MARKETING TO 2050
For Mr. Botti, "the solution (green) is on the edge of space. It's not a plane, not a rocket is a rocket plane commercial" .The Zehst, with a capacity of 50 to 100 people, is currently a draft.While EADS has a schedule: a first demonstrator around 2020, for commissioning by 2050.At that time, space and aviation landscape has certainly changed a lot, however, especially with the advent of emerging countries.And EADS was created 10 years ago only.Therefore difficult to project to such deadlines.However, a spokesman for EADS, the project has a good chance of success, the necessary technologies are already developed.
Rocket engines already exist: Astrium, EADS Space, the space tourism develops.The algae-based fuels are ready, he said.In addition, the Zehst is thought together with Japan and with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) French.Despite these projects mad scientist, Jean Botti recognizes that research can not advanced by small steps: first think of commercial aircraft based on environmentally sustainable technologies, for 20 to 25 people.Then increase to 50, 100 and then 200 people, a medium-capacity traditional mail.
EADS is working on an aerospace plane that would connect Paris to Tokyo in 2:30 - LeMonde.fr

Summary of algebra - Topics in precalculus

 

Topics in P R E C A L C U L U S Table of Contents | Home 1 The Formal Rules of Algebra ALGEBRA  is a method of written calculations.  Now what is a calculation? It is replacing one set of symbols with another? In arithmetic we may replace the symbols  '2 + 2'  with the symbol  '4.' In algebra we may replace  'a + (−a)'  with '0.' a + (−a) = 0. A formal rule, then, shows how an expression written in one form may be rewritten in a different form.  The = sign means  "may be rewritten as"  or  "may be replaced by." If p and q are statements (equations), then a rule If p, then q, or equivalently p implies q, means:  We may replace statement p with statement q.  For example, x + a = b  implies  x = b − a. That means that we may replace the statement  'x + a = b'  with the statement  'x = b − a.' Algebra depends on how things look.  We can say, then, that algebra is a system of formal rules.  The following are what we are permitted to write. (See the complete course, Skill in Algebra.) 11.  The axioms of "equals" a = a Identity   If a = b, then b = a. Symmetry   If a = b  and  b = c, then a = c.   Transitivity These are the "rules" that govern the use of the = sign. 12.  The commutative rules of addition and multiplication a + b  =  b + a   a· b  =  b· a 13.  The identity elements of addition and multiplication: 3.  0 and 1 a + 0 = 0 + a = a a· 1 = 1· a = a Thus, if we "operate" on a number with an identity element, it returns that number unchanged. 14.  The additive inverse of a:  −a a + (−a) = −a + a = 0 The "inverse" of a number undoes what the number does. For example, if you start with 5 and add 2, then to get back to 5 you must add −2.  Adding 2 + (−2) is then the same as adding 0 -- which is the identity.   15.  The multiplicative inverse or reciprocal of  a,   5.    symbolized as  1 a  (a 0) a·  1 a   =   1 a · a   =  1 Two numbers are called reciprocals of one another if their product is 1. Thus, 1/a symbolizes that number which, when multiplied by a, produces 1.   The reciprocal of   p q  is  q p . 16.  The algebraic definition of subtraction a − b = a + (−b) Subtraction, in algebra, is defined as addition of the inverse. 17.  The algebraic definition of division a b   =   a·  1 b Division, in algebra, is defined as multiplication by the reciprocal. Hence, algebra has two fundamental operations: addition and multiplication. 18.  The inverse of the inverse −(−a) = a 19.  The relationship of  b − a  to  a − b b − a = −(a − b) Now,  b + a  is equal to a + b.  But  b − a  is the negative of a − b. 10.  The Rule of Signs for multiplication, division, and 10.  fractions a(−b) = −ab.    (−a)b = −ab.    (−a)(−b) = ab.    a −b  = −  a b . −a   b  = −  a b . −a −b  =  a b . "Like signs produce a positive number; unlike signs, a negative number." 11.  Rules for 0 a· 0 = 0· a = 0 If a 0, then 0 a   =  0.   a 0   =  No value.   0 0   =  Any number. Division by 0 is an excluded operation.  (Skill in Algebra, Lesson 5.) 12.  Multiplying/Factoring m(a + b) = ma + mb The distributive rule/   Common factor   (x − a)(x − b) = x² − (a + b)x + ab     Quadratic trinomial   (a ± b)² = a² ± 2ab + b² Perfect square trinomial   (a + b)(a − b) = a² − b² The difference of   two squares   (a ± b)(a² ab + b²) = a³ ± b³     The sum or difference of   two cubes 13.  The same operation on both sides of an equation If      If        a  =  b,   a  =  b,   then      then              a + c  =  b + c.   ac  =  bc. We may add the same number to both sides of an equation; we may multiply both sides by the same number. 14.  Change of sign on both sides of an equation If         −a  =  b,   then         a  =  −b. We may change every sign on both sides of an equation. 15.  Change of sign on both sides of an inequality:  15.  Change of sense If         a  <  b,   then         −a  >  −b. When we change the signs on both sides of an inequality, we must change the sense of the inequality. 16.  The Four Forms of equations corresponding to the 16.  Four Operations and their inverses If     If         x + a  =  b,         x − a  =  b,   then     then     x  =  b − a.     x  =  a + b. * * * If     If         ax  =  b,        x    a  =  b,   then     then     x  =  b a .    x  =  ab. See  Skill in Algebra, Lesson 9. 17.  Change of sense when solving an inequality If         −ax  < b,       then         x  > − b a . 18.  Absolute value If  |x| = b,  then  x = b  or  x = −b. If  |x| < b  then  −b < x < b. If  |x| > b  (and b > 0), then  x > b  or  x < −b. 19.  The principle of equivalent fractions x y  =  ax ay   and symmetrically, ax ay  =  x y We may multiply both the numerator and denominator by the same factor; we may divide both by the same factor. 20.  Multiplication of fractions a b ·    c d  =   ac bd   a ·    c d  =   ac d 21.  Division of fractions (Complex fractions) Division is multiplication by the reciprocal. 22.  Addition of fractions a c  +  b c  =  a + b    c Same denominator   a b  +   c d  =  ad + bc    bd Different denominators with no common factors    a  bc  +   e  cd  =  ad + be    bcd Different denominators with common factors The common denominator is the LCM of denominators. 23.  The rules of exponents aman  =  am+n   Multiplying or dividing   am an   =  am−n   powers of the same base     (ab)n  =  anbn   Power of a product of factors     (am)n  =  amn   Power of a power 24.  The definition of a negative exponent a−n  =   1  an 25.  The definition of exponent 0 a0 = 1 26.  The definition of the square root radical The square root radical squared produces the radicand. 27.  Equations of the form  a² = b If a²  =  b,   then a  =  ±. 28.  Multiplying/Factoring radicals  =    and symmetrically,    =  29.  The definition of the nth root 30.  The definition of a rational exponent It is more skillfull to take the root first. 31.  The laws of logarithms log xy  =  log x  +  log y. log  x y   =  log x  −  log y. log xn  =  n log x. log 1 = 0.   logbb = 1. 32.  The definition of the complex unit i i ² = −1 Next Topic:  Rational and irrational numbers Table of Contents | Home Please make a donation to keep TheMathPage online. Even $1 will help. Copyright © 2001-2011 Lawrence Spector Questions or comments? E-mail:  themathpage@nyc.rr.com

Ten Reasons Why You’ll Really Enjoy Owning an Electric Car (Page 3)

Ten Reasons Why You’ll Really Enjoy Owning an Electric Car

Michael Thwaite May 24th, 2011 By Michael Thwaite May 24th, 2011

2011-05-24T

Taken in Bristol, UK. Photograph taken by Phil Bambridge. Used with Permission.

Enlarge Photo

This month has seen a lot of witty articles about the pros and cons of electric transportation, usually titled ‘Ten reasons why electric cars...’ followed by: "suck" or "don’t work" or "will change your life" ... or even reasons why it’s not worth arguing about it at all.

The focus has been largely centered around the environmental and political merits of electric cars.

While I’d be the first to admit that was why I got into ‘electrics' in the first place, after a year of owning a pair, I’ve mellowed out a little. Now I've found 10 entirely new reasons that you’d enjoy owning and driving an electric car if you had one.

1. Torque: the revenge of the muscle car

Back in the Sixties and Seventie, big hairy-chested men plied the roads of America in big, torque-y Muscle Cars. They didn’t need no stinking SUV with ‘heated, seats’, 'sat nav’ and, 'carpets' to prove how tough they were, just several hundred foot-pounds of torque and a 0-to-60 time of under 5 seconds.

1977 Ford Pinto Cruising Wagon, photo by Wikipedia user Vegavairbob

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That was the domain of the American Muscle Car: “powwwwerrrrrrr," as some would put it. Of course, October 1973 killed it dead. The first oil crisis did muscle cars in, and instead of 400 cu in. and 300 ft-lbs of torque, we soon got the Ford Pinto Cruising Wagon and waved goodbye to 200 of those ‘torques’.

Torque is what produces that shove in the back that only displacement used to bring. These days, see your local EV for those torgues, because that’s where they're all found now.

Better yet, we get access to all of them, right off the line. Yes, the Tesla Roadster will light up the rear end like the best of them. Even the modest MINI E and the 2011 Nissan Leaf will spin a wheel if you’re rough with them.

They may look all cute and cuddly, and sound like they couldn’t hurt a fly but, ladies and gentlemen, take a firm hold of the wheel of an electric car. You have been warned.

2010 Chumpcar Texas Motor Speedway, Friday Garage Photos

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2. Clean garage

The modern car represents the pinnacle of fossil-fuel combustion technology, and while they don’t usually drip oil like your dad’s car did, they still have to emit some junk out of the back.

The thing is, that happens the most when they’re cold or when they’re not feeling well, 'cause their smog trap is full or their cat’ is ill.

And, that’s usually when they’re tucked up in the garage at home. Ever stood in the garage while someone starts up a cold car? Want to stay there long? My local Tesla

3. Always full dealer has a workshop in a former art gallery. Yes, they’re that clean, and they certainly don’t soil their own bed.

Each morning I get up and unplug the car. At first it was odd, having to plug in each night and disconnect every morning, but it quickly melted into the background of the daily routine.

To be honest I can’t even remember unplugging this morning... I hope there isn’t a power cord trailing out of the side right now.

And it means that every morning, I start with a "full tank". No worries

4. Very smooth

Small cars are often criticized for lacking the smoothness of a large luxo-barge. What if I could give you a small car that could make its way through the congested streets of the city, in the rush hour, with the effortless smoothness of the finest Jaguar?

Well, see your local EV dealer--that's how they all are. The first thing that hit my friend who tried a Tesla in New York City was, “Wow, it’s so easy to drive in traffic, so smooth.”

There’s no clutch, no gear change, and no auto-transmission torque-converter-drag nonsense. Setting off in slow traffic is all about resting your foot on the accelerator. Just like those big electric trains, you look out of the window and think, “Oh, we’re moving."

5. Waiting with heat and air

It’s so hot today, the paint is peeling off the faces of the cosmetic sales assistants coming out of the local department store. No, it’s so cold today the ice on the car looks like my refrigerator at home... the one that needed defrosting last year... and still does.

Either way, I’m outside waiting to pick up my daughter, in the car. The engine is off, I’m not idling, the car isn’t shaking, and I can read my book. And, I’m lovely and cool or toasty.

The heating and cooling in my car runs any time I like. Just like the HVAC at home, it doesn’t need an engine to make it go.

6. Maintenance, Lack of

Annual service... “One, two, er, three, four. OK, sir, they’re all still attached and they all have plenty of tread left. Be on your way then.”

Yes, that’s pretty much it. Once a year the Tesla Roadster (or any EV) should be checked over. Tesla will even come to your house to do that. That 3,000-mile oil change? ‘pfft!'

7. Cold weather warmup

It’s early morning and it’s minus something-or-other outside. I back the car out of the garage, turn it around, and warm air is already puffing out of the vents.

If you want to test out cold weather ‘EV’ life in a regular car, take a 4KW electric fan heater, put it in your car and turn it on. That’s what electric car heat is like: lovely

8. They aren't bothered by the cold

‘Crank, crank crank, put, put, put, dag.... dag.... dag, dag, dag, dag, dag, dag, dag....” We’ve all had an old car at some point in our lives; it’s a rite of passage.

It was always the cold and the wet that got them. Seldom did they fail on a warm summer's day, when the inevitable walk to the bus stop might have been pleasant.

Now, I can’t tell you an electric car won’t have electrical problems. But, I can tell you that the cold and the wet doesn’t register. In fact, to a very tiny degree, electric motors prefer to be colder. Getting the mixture right and warming up your catalytic converter in an Arctic winter will never trouble you.

heffner ford gt 007

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9. Silence

My house sits between a pair owned by petrol-heads. Ironic right? On one side, a neighbor has the venerable Ford GT. On the other, he has enough old school American iron to open a museum. On a Sunday morning my ears ring to the sound of rumbling exhausts and my nose reels to the stench of half burnt gasoline.

Now, I’m all for preserving history, but after living with the turbine-like whoosh from the back of the Tesla--the one that signals the moment the horizon gets ripped towards me like a tablecloth in a cheap magician's trick--the ‘daga, daga, daga’ of old iron has become just that, old iron.

The sound of a gas engine has all the charisma of a bunch of sweaty carpenters nailing up an outhouse. It doesn’t compare to the ‘Ooos’ and ‘Aaahs’ of spectators as the Tesla whispers past. It’s just...noise.

10. They were good in 1910 and they’re still good today

At the turn of the century, in answer to the horrific problem caused by inner-city transportation, electric cars were introduced as a cheap, quiet, non-polluting alternative to replace the horse. I expect you know I mean the turn of the 20th century, right, not this last one?

New York City in the late 1800s was by all accounts an unpleasant place. The exhaust gas and particulate emissions of horses were so bad that the city had to employ an army of workers with large wagons to move the output of these beasts from the city.

It was a round-the-clock effort as, the moment they stopped or the rain came down, the roads became treacherous rivers of effluent and disease. Gasoline cars were found to frighten the horses and create even more noise, plus similar, if different, types pollution.

Electrics were the answer and, for a short time--before the auto industry convinced us that noise and smell was a good thing--they ruled the roads of New York City. Electric taxi cabs plied the roads, swapping batteries as needed at local depots. Theatergoers booked their cabs in advance, and riding in an ‘Electric’ was the height of social standing.

Today, we’re on our way back. First came hybrid taxi cabs, next will be some electric trucks, and hopefully we’ll see the return of electric cabs. Next time you’re in gridlock in a big city, pause for a moment and imagine what it would be like if all the cars were silent, clean electric vehicles.

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So there’s my Top 10. My message is simple: Forget the environment for a moment, forget our troops fighting to secure the precious oil that so many burn so frivolously, and consider that you might like an electric car just because ... it's a nicer vehicle.

Michael Thwaite is an electric-vehicle advocate who lives in New Jersey and works in information technology. He also runs the Tesla Motors Club. When he was 12 years old, he hoped that when he grew up, we’d all be driving electric cars. More than 30 years later, they’re finally here.

[PHOTOS: 1977 Ford Pinto Cruising Wagon, Wikipedia user Vegavairbob]

Ten Reasons Why You’ll Really Enjoy Owning an Electric Car (Page 3)