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Added on the 09/03/2013 10:54:07 - Copyright : France 24 EN
A solar energy project in the Tunisian Sahara aims to generate enough clean energy by 2018 to power two million European homes. Matt Stock reports.
Since its debut in September 2022 Nissan's innovative e-POWER has seduced over 100,000 customers. To date, 65,367 Qashqais and 34,663 X-Trails, equipped with this powertrain, have been sold in Europe.What sets e-POWER apart is that the wheels are solely driven by an electric motor. This means the drive is effortless, smooth and quiet – much like a full electric vehicle. Indeed, e-POWER customers' feedback shows that they particularly appreciate the quietness and easy driving characteristics of the powertrain. The advanced and efficient petrol engine within the e-POWER system is used only to generate electricity, which charges the on-board battery and powers the wheels through the electric motor.When low power is required to drive the vehicle and when battery has enough power, the electric motor driving the wheels is only using electricity from the battery. If more power is needed, the engine generates electricity to power the electric motor and charge the battery. When maximum power is required, the electric motor takes electricity from both the engine and from the battery. Additionally, anytime possible power regeneration takes place and energy from vehicle motion is sent back to the battery.In addition, electrical energy generation is controlled according to road conditions. When road noise increases due to surface conditions and vehicle speed, the engine switches on to charge the e-POWER battery pack. This reduces the need for the engine to operate under otherwise quieter conditions.
A cardboard box found a new lease on life after being recruited by Ford to help develop a new feature known as the Mega Power Frunk. The all-electric 2022 F-150 Lightning pickup’s new front trunk or, as it’s known in industry speak “frunk” is the largest in the truck industry – with 400 liters (14.1 cubic feet) of cargo space and maximum payload capacity of 400 pounds.What many don’t know is this spacious and dynamic space began life as a simple cardboard box with a cutout front door and a liftable hood.
As climate change drives drought, and the rising global population drives food demand, the world's food security is ever more precarious. But struggling farmers may find relief from the soaring temperatures from the sun itself--and the technology that harnesses its power. HuffPost reports students at the University of Arizona noticed that vegetables grown under the cover of solar panels flourished during the hottest summer on record. The observation provided food for thought for Prof. Greg Barron-Gafford’s research in 'agrivoltaics': growing food and generating solar energy on the same land. The concept could fulfill the need for land on which to build new solar installations while also helping farmers stay afloat. It’s a case where one plus one could equal more than two. Greg Barron-Gafford Associate Professor, University of Arizona’s School of Geography, Development and Environment
Hollywood loves a good con artist story, but a man who excelled at imitating powerful women may have hit a little too close to home. Newser reports the FBI has just announced the arrest of a suspect believed to be the 'Con Queen of Hollywood.' Hargobind Tahilramani would impersonate prominent women in the industry and pitch bogus projects to actors and Hollywood gig workers. In turn, they would shell out cash on the promise of being reimbursed. For instance, Gregory Mandarano was duped into traveling to Indonesia multiple times in 2015, believing he was working with a rep from the legit China Film Group. Instead, he lost about $70,000 paying for drivers, translators, and 'fixers,' which was never reimbursed. Among others, Tahilramani posed as Kathleen Kennedy of Lucasfilm, former Paramount boss Sherry Lansing, and Rupert Murdoch's ex-wife, Wendi Deng.
Diabetics who require insulin are at the mercy of the free market and whatever health insurance they may have, or discounts they can snag. Now, UPI reports diabetics in the United States are, compared to their counterparts abroad, well and truly over a barrel. According to a RAND Corp. analysis, insulin in the US costs more than eight times higher than in 32 other high-income nations combined. The average price per unit across all types of insulin in the US is $98.70, which is just over six times the drug's average price in Canada -- about $15.70. Researchers said it's also just under six times the average price in Britain and Japan -- about $16.70. Even if rebates and discounts drive the prices down for US consumers, they're still likely to pay four times the average paid in other high-income nations.