Mark Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Environment

Plug It In: NCSU Plans Advanced Transportation Energy Center (ATEC) to Research Electric Automobiles

North Carolina State University is planning a facility on Centennial Campus that will be geared for research on Plug-In Electric Automobiles.  The new building will be located next to the Semiconductor Power Electronics Center (SPEC), and like many facilities on NCSU’s cutting-edge technopolis, this one will be a public/private venture.  Progress Energy and Duke Energy have already pledged support in funding for the project as well as the development and management of a system of charging stations.  (Want fries with that battery?)

Research at the new facility will cover the development of an infrastructure for the operation of plug-in automobiles, energy sources and management of the system, and improvements and development of gasoline-independent batteries.

The cost-effectiveness and efficiency of batteries is a primary concern and potential barrier to the feasibility of these automobiles.  Plug-in cars are typically grouped by range; 40 mile, 100 mile, etc.  Charging stations would likely function primarily in battery exchange—a transaction much like the propane tank for your gas grill.

NC State’s SPEC, who will be the next-door neighbor, researches “power generation and management, including power semiconductor devices, power management microsystems, utility power electronics and electric power systems.“


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  • 15002/13 12:49 PM

    Wonderful news!

    Just goes to show the benefits of higher gasoline prices.  Higher short-term prices bring demand for new technology, which turns into new research and projects such as this.  Long-term, these translate into less dependancy on oil, lower long-term prices, and increased national security. 

    Bring on $4.00/gal.

  • 15002/13 12:51 PM

    Can’t believe I forgot the long-term environmental benefits, too!

  • Tim02/13 01:04 PM

    I think a program like this really needs nationwide support to be effective. Still , I think electric is the wrong solution unless we are able to shift our resources from nuclear & coal to more sustainable sources such as wind & solar. Otherwise we shift our dependency on foreign oil to our own homegrown corporations that have already shown their profit-driven disregard for the American public’s well-being (ie. mountain-top removal, mercury air pollution, nuclear waste). Perhaps there are other solutions for our highways, such as vehicles powered by compressed air as seen here:

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7241909.stm

  • bob frew04/02 01:58 AM

    what would be the wattage rating of the average
    electic car battery charger and time to recharge after a 40 mile trip?

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