Draft Recommendations for America’s Energy Future
(from "the Village Square")

1. Diversify energy sources to minimize economic risk.
2. Make 50-year decisions despite 4-year terms.
3. Bank on correct principle, not prophecy.
4. When possible, let the market find the solutions .
5. No one size fits all: Seek local solutions to specific local energy demands.
6. Scale matters. So pay attention.
7. Our economic health is tethered to electrical energy generation.
8. Energy independence is a national security issue.

These were the proposals made at Tallahassee’s “The Village Square” (http://www.tothevillagesquare.org/) at it’s January 8, 2009 meeting as part of it’s “Powering Up: America’s Energy Future” series.

Featured speakers were:
Susan Story, President and CEO, Gulf Power. Story emphasized that we need to keep ALL the energy options on the table.
Sam Kalen, Van Ness Feldman. Kalen advised that we match the energy options in time and technology.
Barry Moline, Florida Municipal Electric Association -- Moderator

Electric Vehicle ride

I gave the EV conversion 1994 Ford Ranger from our fleet a test drive this evening:
- 7.1 miles
- performance: adequate during rush hour
- charge voltage at start: 155v
- charge voltage at end: 150v
Will return it to HQ tomorrow and set to recharge.
Staff at my office are utilizing this truck for local transport between offices, and for testing the operating parameters, such as total range, critical voltage level, and performance under various driving conditions. We keep a clipboard on the seat to log relevant info such as miles, times, traffic conditions, route travelled, AC/no AC.
See link for a description of the vehicle:
http://www.talgov.com/assets/news/news-090513.pdf

Air Pollution!

I get home and my clothes smell of car exhaust! Gotta get those gas-burners off the road.

EV's would put all the pollution into efficient, emissions-controlled electric power plants, and away from people on the road.

Alternative transport = 2 wheels

Rode on the back of a Suzuki Bergman "Executive" motorscotter with my father-in-law. (First time) Two wheels is definitely alternative!  40mph with nothing to hold onto -- just trying not to think about falling off.  I was definitely nervous about it -- sort of like learning to drive a car as a teen.

Now I'm off to see some sustainability projects: rainwater and graywater capture and reuse, composting, vegetable oil diesel car, and a Camry EV conversion. I will tell about these later.

Energizing at NU-WAY hot dogs

Past noon and everyone yelling they're hungry. Heading onto 129 in Macon and wouldn't you know there's a Nu-Way. Red hot dogs! Yeah!

Are we there yet?

The kids are fighting and we've only gone 30 minutes so far. Wonder if they'd fight if we were driving an ELECTRIC VEHICLE?  Maybe a Prius?  I say "next year in an EV!"

Taking a break to Recharge my brain!

I'll shortly be headed to North Carolina, where I'll check for some fresh ideas to send back!

Getting packed, and the kids getting a snack before getting going!

Mechanical Engineers meet the Electric Vehicle

American Society of Mechanical Engineers Tallahassee Section hosts Tallahassee Area Electric Vehicle Association

By David Byrne

Tallahassee – June 26, 2009 – As if an all-you-can-eat lunch at the Ole Times Country Buffet wasn’t enough reason to attend, the three dozen attendees at the ASME monthly “lunch-and-learn” meeting had the opportunity to hear a technical discussion from TAEVA chapter president Andre Smith and also see a half-dozen or so electric cars, trucks, motorcycles, scooters, and hybrids on display.

Even a couple of the wives showed up.

A mostly technical group of ASME members and Electric car enthusiasts came to learn about the benefits of EVs, learn about converting cars to electric, and express their own opinions – and they definitely had their own opinions of what types of vehicles are best suited for travel, economics, and environmental impacts.

As is typical, the owners of the EVs were happy to show off their handiwork – many had done all the work on their own to convert a standard gasoline car into an efficient, quiet EV. After the lunch, the group went out to the parking lot where the weather was hot (100 deg), but no one seemed to mind – because the cars were too! Some of the notable vehicles were:

- Ford Ranger pickup EV conversion, which was unveiled by City of Tallahassee Fleet Management on May 13, with a nice vinyl logo wrap. (http://www.talgov.com/communications/newsdetail.cfm?id=1896)
- S-10 pickup, which was also recently converted by the City
- Dodge Caravan – converted by TAEVA president Smith.
- Motorcycle – converted by Bill Desautel, who did all his own welding and machining
- Scooter – shown by Andy Reich, owner of Falcon EV (http://www.falconev.com/), which is perfectly suitable for rides around town, and the only vehicle at the site that utilized high capacity Lithium-Ion batteries.

Conversation on the hot lot did focus on issues with batteries. All the car-owners recognized the range limitations of the lead-acid batteries they are using. But the current cost of lithium-ions makes building an EV with them far too expensive. Some reports have projected that the cost will be half, or even a third, as much a year from now, and EV owners are looking forward to the opportunity to extend vehicle range. For example, Desautel’s motorcycle can run about 20 miles. With lithium-ion batteries, he could make the entire ride from his home in northeast Tallahassee to his job in St. Marks, recharge it there, and ride back home.

EV conversions may be a way to create green jobs while protecting the environment. Smith talked about the possibility of starting local businesses that “recycle” old cars with worn engines and convert them to electric. Sponsorship from local businesses is one way to assist with the cost of battery upgrades. Also, Smith recommended membership in the local chapter as a way to keep up on the latest technology and business ideas. Check TAEVA at http://www.taeva.org/ or the Tallahassee ASME at http://sections.asme.org/tallahassee/ .

Electric Vehicles get some buzz

Tallahassee Event Attracts TESLA Roadster and more
Commentary by David Byrne, TAEVA

April 7, 2009, Tallahassee, FL -- Seeing the Tesla Roadster Electric Vehicle (EV) pull into the lot, candy-apple red, fine leather interior, (I say “seeing” – not “hearing” – it didn’t make a sound!), I couldn’t help but notice the looks on the faces of folks at this event. These were the kinds of looks that say, “something is going on around here, but I don’t know exactly what.” Something ethereal. Something new. Something we are going to see a LOT more of – very soon.

Something very exciting is happening in Tallahassee. You’ve heard this before. An out-of-town friend calls and says you really need to come visit – “there’s a lot of excitement here.” Maybe it’s a new musical sound. Maybe new tech. Maybe some great business development. Could be anything…

Well that’s what I saw hatching earlier this month at the Tallahassee Area Electric Vehicle Association (http://www.taeva.org/) chapter meeting. Hosted by City of Tallahassee Fleet Management, the event was scheduled to coincide with Jerry Asher and the “Spirit of DC” Plug-In Hybrid’s tour through Tallahassee. (I like his concept of driving through all the state capitals, and ultimately arriving at our nation’s capital. We need to bring the EV to the attention of our government officials.) The April 7 event featured nearly a dozen Electric and alternative drive vehicles:

Ø “Spirit of DC” Prius plug-in hybrid EV (http://www.phev3a.com/blogdir/phevblog.html)
Ø Florida Electric Vehicle Initiative’s PHEV (http://eviblog.floridaeaa.org/)
Ø Dodge Caravan EV conversion
Ø Tallahassee Community College Engineering Club’s Solar Golf Cart
Ø Tallahassee Police Department’s GEM and THINK NEVs (Neighborhood EVs)
Ø Tallahassee Utilities Ford Escape Hybrid
Ø Tallahassee Utilities Honda Civic Hybrid
Ø and a Tesla Roadster – a true SHOW STOPPER. (I just have to repeat the words I’ve been saying over and over: “WOW, this is a gorgeous car!”)

Like the “Spirit of DC”, the Florida Electric Vehicle Initiative is also on the road (mainly in Florida) with its PHEV, promoting the EV as a better choice for clean air and green jobs.

For those not familiar, a “Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)” is a car that utilizes the gasoline engine and electric motor combination (“hybrid” – like the Toyota Prius) but is modified with a much larger battery and a charging plug, so that the car can run a reasonable distance (say, 20-30 miles) on the electric motor only. After that, the gas engine kicks in and the car operates like a standard hybrid until the battery can be recharged again. The idea is to have a car that can make most trips around town without ever burning any gasoline, yet has the extended range that the gasoline engine provides.

The “Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV)” is gaining popularity in among downtown residents who enjoy the ease of parking of a car similar in size to a golf cart. NEVs are convenient for short commutes and the owners can recharge the batteries at any standard electric outlet. NEV users have been pushing businesses and cities to provide electric charging spots for them to get a “fill-up” while shopping or doing business.

Back to the event: When the Tesla rolled in, I took a look around the lot at the small groups gathered in conversations over one vehicle or another. Although many hadn’t yet seen, or heard, the roadster, I could tell that they were somehow sensing its presence – the place just had that look of impending excitement. You could sure see the excitement in owner Ryan Boyle’s face – he offered rides to all the visitors and didn’t leave until everyone who wanted a ride had a chance!

The Caravan conversion is a project by TAEVA chapter officer Andre Smith. This converted 1999 Dodge is more than just a hobby for Andre. He is excited about showing others how to do their own conversion and has even be working with the Terry Lowe and the City of Tallahassee Fleet Management department as they are finishing up their first converted EV – a Ford Ranger pickup. Tallahassee Fleet is hoping to convert dozens of older vehicles over the next year. What a way to recycle! -- at the same time as cleaning up the air!

Tallahassee Utilities is also a strong supporter of EVs, and brought along a couple hybrids to show. Fleet and Utilities are working together to put attractive “wraps” on all the alternative fuel vehicles, to help promote them in the community. The Utilities department is also looking forward to integrating EVs into its electric grid -- utilizing the new “smart meter” system that will be completed this summer to manage plug-in loads and also encouraging the use of solar photovoltaic power for charging vehicles.

TAEVA’s membership is growing and the chapter expects to organize more EVents in Tallahassee over the next several months. Check with our website http://www.taeva.org/ for the calendar, and additional media coverage of our events. Our mission is to promote the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, and as such we welcome any other organizations and individuals who would like to cooperate with us on this mission.

Something big is about to happen here. We’re right on the cusp. Come be a part of it!