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USA High-Speed Rail Gets Boost — 32-Train Order For Siemens Trains

Originally published by the ECOreport.

Rendering of Siemens “Charger” diesel-electric locomotives – courtesy Siemens

Siemens has obtained a $225 million contract to build 32 “Charger” diesel-electric locomotives in its Sacramento rail manufacturing facility for US high-speed rail projects.

Five states are ordering locomotives. The Illinois Department of Transportation’s order is connected to an overhaul of its Chicago to St Louis route. California, Washington, Michigan, and Missouri have joined the deal, which includes options for an additional 75 locomotives for regional use and another 150 locomotives for mainline transportation. The locomotives are scheduled to be delivered between fall of 2016 and mid-2017.

“For Siemens this order marks our entry into the US diesel-electric locomotive market and strongly underscores our long-term vision for the US passenger rail market,” Jochen Eickholt, CEO of the Siemens Rail Systems Division, emphasized.

“The new Charger locomotives represent the next-generation of equipment advancing high performance intercity passenger rail in the Midwest, California and Pacific Northwest,” said Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo. “This state of the art equipment will accelerate and brake more quickly, reducing trip times for passengers, as well as being more fuel efficient and burning cleaner than previous locomotives for the benefit of the environment.”

The lighter weight locomotives can operate at speeds up to 125 mph. A diesel version of the “Charger” is currently pulling some 1,600 passenger and freight trains through-out Europe. The electric version was introduced in the US last year and already at work in the Northeast.

Train passing through a railway crossing against a blue sky with an interesting cloudscape. Motion blur is used to show the movement of the train. – Courtesy Siemens

Some of the other features described in the Siemens press release include:

A state-of-the-art microprocessor control system manages the performance of the locomotive and performs self-diagnosis of technical issues, takes self-corrective action and notifies the locomotive engineer and the remote maintenance facility of any required corrective action. In addition, there are redundant systems to ensure optimal performance and availability such as a totally redundant auxiliary power supply for the passenger coaches to keep primary systems such as lighting, communications, heating and cooling systems working. The locomotives meet the latest federal rail safety regulations, including enhanced carbody structure safety with crash energy management components.

In total, this new rail equipment can help operators achieve cost savings by enabling reduced trip times, while improving reliability and efficiency for its passenger rail service. The lighter weight of these locomotives ensures the ability to safely operate the locomotives at speeds of up to 125 mph more efficiently, requiring less maintenance for both the locomotive and the infrastructure.

All the locomotives main components will be produced in Siemens plants in the United States.

USA High-Speed Rail Gets Boost — 32-Train Order For Siemens Trains was originally published on CleanTechnica. To read more from CleanTechnica, join over 50,000 other subscribers: Google+ | Email | Facebook | RSS | Twitter.

Ecotricity Extending Energy Price Freeze Until October — Longest Period Of Price Stability In Entire Energy Industry

The UK’s reigning green energy company, Ecotricity, recently announced that it will be extending its energy price freeze for all customers yet again (following one announced in October). This new price freeze goes until October 1st, making for a total of 21 months with no changes in pricing — impressively, that’s the longest such period

Ecotricity Extending Energy Price Freeze Until October — Longest Period Of Price Stability In Entire Energy Industry was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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By James Ayre | March 27, 2014 | Solar Energy, Wind Energy |

Unplugged Performance of Tesla Model S

Originally published on Gas2. The Tesla Model S has made it. You can tell, because – in addition to selling like plug-in hotcakes – the wealthiest and most discerning buyers of Elon’s electric luxury car have begun to turn to the automotive aftermarket to help make their Tesla just a little bit more their own. These are early

Unplugged Performance of Tesla Model S was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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By Jo Borrás | March 26, 2014 | Electric Cars |

Magnetic Water Softening Solution Looking For Crowdfunding

Originally published on Ecopreneurist.

For those of us who live in areas with hard water, dealing with the effects of mineral deposits in our bathrooms, kitchens, and water heaters can be not only a total pain in the you-know-what, but can also be an expensive endeavor. Conventional water softeners tend to require regular maintenance and rely on replenishing the salt, which can end up polluting the local water system.

However, a new type of water softening process, which uses magnets instead of a salt resin and is considered maintenance-free, could end up being the most affordable and effective solution for homeowners in hard water areas.

The Akwamag system uses a “High Intensity Multipass” magnetic technology to treat hard water, by converting dissolved minerals into a crystalline structure that isn’t prone to “scaling” plumbing fixtures and which can be easily removed. The process is said to be able to soften an “unlimited capacity” of water and to not require any maintenance, resulting in an eco-friendly and cost-effective water softening solution.

Not only does the average salt-resin water softening system introduce a lot of salt to the local water system (up to 800 pounds of salt each year), but it also uses about 10,000 gallons of water per year, plus an estimated 10 to 25% more water in order to fully rinse clothes, bodies, dishes, etc., so having a more sustainable water softener could have a bigger impact than just reducing scale in home plumbing systems.

According to the company, the device can handle large volumes of water (continuous use), and the design overcomes inefficiencies found in other magnet-based water softening systems.

“Akwamag uses advanced magnetic water softening technology to replace existing water softening products.

Unlike existing water softeners, Akwamag’s patent-pending High Intensity Multipass™ technology can process unlimited water capacity at a fraction of the cost. And because Akwamag is not salt based, homeowners no longer have to worry about purchasing salt every month, or dealing with water waste and salt discharge.”

To get the Akwamag technology to the market, the company has turned to crowdfunding, and their Indiegogo campaign seeks to raise $26,000, with the first units being available to the campaign’s backers as early as July of 2014.

Magnetic Water Softening Solution Looking For Crowdfunding was originally published on CleanTechnica. To read more from CleanTechnica, join over 50,000 other subscribers: Google+ | Email | Facebook | RSS | Twitter.

Lithium-Air Batteries Planned By Volkswagen

Originally published on Gas2. It has been confirmed that Volkswagen is working on a powerful new battery for its EV fleet. Speaking at the Geneva Motor Show, Dr. Heinz-Jakob Neusser said that “an 80kWh unit is under development using our own technology. It would provide between three and four times the battery power in a given package.” This

Lithium-Air Batteries Planned By Volkswagen was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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By Robyn Purchia | March 26, 2014 | Electric Cars |

SolarCity Enters Into Largest Rooftop Solar Aggregation Facility

Editor’s Note: Here’s some rather big news hot of the wires regarding SolarCity, and rooftop solar in general: SAN MATEO, Calif., March 25, 2014—SolarCity (Nasdaq: SCTY), a leading provider of clean energy, today announced it has received all commitments to its $250 million financing facility provided by a group of lenders that includes BofA Merrill

SolarCity Enters Into Largest Rooftop Solar Aggregation Facility was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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By Guest Contributor | March 25, 2014 | Solar Energy |

Chevy Volt vs Toyota Prius Plug-in

A new Toyota Prius Plug-in owner and former Chevy Volt owner has been putting together a list of the pluses and minuses of each. It’s quite a detailed list, and he’s been updating it a bit based on feedback from Chevy Volt owners and perhaps other members from the GM-Volt.com forum. Of course, much of the

Chevy Volt vs Toyota Prius Plug-in was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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By Zachary Shahan | March 25, 2014 | Electric Cars |

30 MW Solar PV Power Plant Being Developed In California By Abengoa

The Madrid-based renewable energy giant EDP Renovaveis is currently in the early stages of developing a new 30 MW solar PV power plant project to be located in San Bernardino County in California. The project — which represents the Spanish engineering group’s most recent move into the American market — will be designed and built

30 MW Solar PV Power Plant Being Developed In California By Abengoa was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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By James Ayre | March 25, 2014 | Solar Energy |

Proposal To Cut EV Tax Credits In Georgia Fails For The Year

It looks like Georgia’s generous electric vehicle tax credit will live to see at least one more year, based on recent reports — as the state’s legislature ran out of time before voting on the proposed bill to scrap the credit. Just a couple of weeks ago, state Rep. Chuck Martin (R-Alpharetta) proposed bill HB

Proposal To Cut EV Tax Credits In Georgia Fails For The Year was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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By James Ayre | March 25, 2014 | Electric Cars |

Tesla Wars — Bill To Allow Direct-To-Customer Car Sales In Arizona Advances

Tesla’s ongoing nearly nationwide war with the car dealership association appears to be entering yet another new phase, as the state legislature of Arizona has advanced a bill that would completely legalize the direct-to-customers sales model that the EV pioneer uses. Given the fact that Tesla is considering bringing its gigafactory — and all the

Tesla Wars — Bill To Allow Direct-To-Customer Car Sales In Arizona Advances was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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By James Ayre | March 25, 2014 | Electric Cars |