Texas has been hit by a heatwave, and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has asked residents to reduce electricity use until Friday because demand is up, but power supply is down. ERCOT stated yesterday, “Generator owners have reported approximately 11,000 MW [megawatts] of generation is on forced outage for repairs; of that, approximately 8,000 MW is thermal, and the rest is intermittent resources.” “Thermal” power in Texas largely refers to natural gas-fired power plants, which make up around 50% of annual energy production in Texas.
Home Depot is offering the Milwaukee M18 FUEL Brushless String Trimmer Kit with Edger Attachment for $303 shipped. For comparison, it normally goes for $398 and today’s deal marks one of the best prices that we’ve tracked. Featuring a powerful M18 motorhead, this trimmer is compatible with various attachments, including the edger kit that’s bundled here today. If you’re looking for a gas- and oil-free to upkeep your yard this summer, the search is over. Milwaukee’s M18 FUEL system delivers gas-like performance without any of the drawbacks. Rated 4.7/5 stars.
Free Field Technologies (FFT), part of Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division, and automotive supplier Autoneum, a specialist in acoustic and thermal management, have collaborated on a new computer-aided engineering solution that helps manufacturers design quiet and comfortable vehicles without adding unnecessary weight.
“From the whine of the electric motor and vibration in the powertrain to noise from heating, AC, wind resistance and tires, there are multiple variables that make acoustic design a complex challenge,” said Product Manager Diego Copiello. “Hexagon offers market-leading solutions that help identify noise sources and mitigate their harshness. Our collaboration with Autoneum will provide new tools to industry engineers helping them in the creation of efficient designs and the best possible driving experiences for their customers.”
Davide Caprioli, Head of Acoustic and Thermal Management at Autoneum, added, “Autoneum’s simulation tools for vehicle acoustics are already being used successfully by manufacturers and suppliers worldwide. By working with FFT and integrating our know-how into the Actran software, our methodology will now be even more widely and readily available, thus making it the global standard in NVH.”
Bus and coach manufacturer Motor Coach Industries (MCI), a subsidiary of the NFI Group (which also includes the New Flyer and Alexander Dennis brands), has unveiled its new zero-emission commuter coach, the D45 CRT LE CHARGE, and also launched its new D series of coaches.
The battery-electric D45 CRT LE CHARGE integrates CHARGE propulsion technology from New Flyer, and incorporates several design advances designed to improve accessibility.
“We designed the zero-emission D45 CRT LE CHARGE with accessibility and passenger experience top of mind, and delivered on unprecedented ease of entry and exit with a patented low-entry vestibule, a seating area and ramp that significantly improves dwell time, and improvements in the ride experience for passengers with mobility needs,” said Chris Stoddart, President of New Flyer and MCI. “Whether your goal is emissions reduction, lower operational costs, or to expand commuter express service, this coach delivers one of the safest, most comfortable, sustainable, and flexible mobility solutions available.”
The D45 CRT LE CHARGE electric coach will be available with at least two battery capacity options. The 389 kWh model will deliver over 170 miles of range, and the 544 kWh model offers over 230 miles of range.
MCI’s customer support services include in-field expertise, a technical call center, 24/7 roadside assistance, technical training from the company’s ASE-accredited training center, and comprehensive infrastructure support through NFI’s Infrastructure Solutions team.
“The D45 CRT LE CHARGE marks our fourth EV introduced in 2021,” said NFI President and CEO Paul Soubry. “The new battery-electric D45 CRT LE CHARGE follows MCI’s introduction of the J4500 CHARGE, New Flyer’s Xcelsior CHARGE NG, and ARBOC’s Equess CHARGE—all leveraging shared EV technology.”
DC Fast Charging hardware and software manufacturer Tritium has announced a collaboration with Loop, a developer and operator of both public and private EV charging networks. The partnership begins with Tritium’s DCFC’s on Loop’s network on Los Angeles’ Miracle Mile, with plans to expand further in California followed by expansion to other states.
Clean energy made up nearly 100% of all new Q1 electric capacity, but problems are looming.
The largest utility in Kansas will make its first solar investments and says it will reach net zero by 2045.
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