The X-Prize started nothing less than a revolution in the development of new thinking on going into outer space, and now it’s back.  With the X-Prize Foundation’s third contest, it aims to push vehicle efficiency as far as it’s ever gone.  Imagine a world where cars can go 100 miles on each gallon of gasoline (or its equivalent).  This prize wants to make this sweet place a reality, and they are offering $10 million to the company that can do it best.  That amount may seem like a lot, but it’s a small price to pay for the benefit of filling up once a month to go the same amount of miles that you go today on multiple stops at the “convienience” station.

There are some great things going on behind the scenes with the 90 plus companies that want to win this prize, and we are going to look at a few so that you can form an opinion.

Aptera-Three wheelers that are classified as motorcycles.  Both hybrid and electric (100-130 MPG).

FuelVapor Technologies-Another trike, but this one runs on fumes…literally (92 MPG).

MDI/Zero Pollution-This car runs on, get this, air.  Compressed air pushes this car and a secondary fuel makes sure that you get over 100 MPG.

Tesla-You know these guys, they’re the ones that are into building electric vehicles.  Pretty popular with the press.

Venture Vehicles-Zip around on three wheels from Venture and expect 100 MPG from either an electric or hybrid system.

Zap-This company already sells a bunch of cars.  They’re worth a look if you have the time.

As great as all of this is, we can’t let it make us complacent.  Even if new fuel efficiencies take us to places we’ve never been before, and even if we’re saving gallons and money, we still have to keep innovating for the future because the problem hasn’t been solved.

Check out the X-Prize website for all the info.

Wind Power Growth

Week after week it seems like more projects to produce electricity via wind are popping up.  It’s a new fad, and tons of companies want to get in on the fun.  Take the already mentioned Pickens’ Plan.  He proposes a huge farm in Texas that will produce thousands of megawatts of power.  Pickens also wants to push the percentage of wind power generation into the twenties, which is a tall order considering it is currently at about one percent.  That shouldn’t be much of a detterent though because we have the capability (money) and the geography (the U.S. is considered the Saudia Arabia of wind power).

The problem

There is, however, an issue.  Despite the fact that an annual U.S. Department of Energy report shows a 46% growth in wind energy in 2007, the renewable energy production tax credit (PTC) is set to expire at the end of 2008.  This legislation provides major support for building new, more responsible ways to produce energy in this country, and it needs to be, funny as it may sound, renewed.  That 46% growth broke records and with incentives to keep growing the industry it will keep breaking records, but there is also the potential that it could come to a screeching halt.

What to do

What is the endgame to all of this: To have a more efficient and responsible way of life.  We are not talking about giving up the creature comforts that Americans are used to, although we may have to rethink the way some things are done.  The bottom line is that there are many benefits to renewable, and the biggest of them may be that it hits you directly in the pocketbook–favorably.  What should you do now?  Go over to this American Wind Energy Association webpage where you can send a message to Congress telling them to renew the renewable PTC.

Afterthoughts

I’m a huge proponent of electrifying the fleet.  Wind power, along with other sources of renewable energy generation, can take us a step in the right direction.  There are two pressing things to think about (and discuss in another post):

1. What if you never again had to pay for fuel for your automobile? (I know it’s crazy, but we’ll talk about it)

2. The grid as it is may not be ready for all of the power we can send to it. (A big issue that we all need to help change)