( Airhybrid Blog )
<i>Financial Times</i>: Bush unveils strategy on climate change
By Andrew Ward in Washington Published: May 31 2007 President George W. Bush on Thursday committed the US for the first time to take part in negotiations on a successor to the Kyoto treaty and agreed to set goals for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The decision appeared to mark a landmark break by Washington from its longstanding opposition to global limits on carbon emissions, although the US plans still fall short of some European demands. A senior US administration official said Mr Bush would announce the new position in a speech in Washington on Thursday morning. Mr Bush was expected to pledge to work with several other large economies, including China and India, to agree a “long-term goal” for reduction in emissions, together with strategies for achieving the target, within 18 months – before he leaves office in January 2009. The official said the US would seek to convene a conference to set the process in motion, possibly as early as this autumn. Read more on www.ft.com.U.S. carbon emissions slip seen separate from trend
By Timothy Gardner, Reuters NEW YORK - President George W. Bush said his voluntary plan to cut greenhouse gases is on track, citing a 2006 dip in U.S. carbon dioxide emissions, but environmentalists say the change is a temporary blip that goes against an overall trend. U.S. carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels dropped 1.3 percent last year, the Energy Information Administration said late on Wednesday, the third time in 16 years that these emissions fell. Total U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide emissions have grown 17.9 percent since 1990. Bush, who opposes mandatory caps on emissions, said in a statement on Wednesday night that this report puts his program for reducing greenhouse gas intensity -- the amount of emissions per unit of economic growth -- "well ahead of what is needed" to meet the White House goal of cutting this figure by 18 percent by 2012. Read more on www.scientificamerican.com.Study: World carbon emissions are speeding up
Reuters May 21, 2007 WASHINGTON - World emissions of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide increased three times faster after 2000 than in the 1990s, putting them at the high end of a range of forecasts by an international climate change panel, scientists reported on Monday. At the same time, a trend toward cutting Earth's energy intensity — the ratio of how much energy is needed to produce a unit of gross domestic product — appears to have stalled or even reversed in recent years, the researchers reported. "This paper should be a rallying cry," said Chris Field, a co-author of the study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Read more.State Fights Feds for Harsh Greenhouse Gas Emissions
By ERICA WERNER, Associated Press Writer Published: May 23, 2007 WASHINGTON - Backed by numerous environmental groups and about a dozen other states, California officials demanded federal permission Tuesday to impose their own greenhouse gas emission controls on cars and other vehicles. The only voice of opposition at an Environmental Protection Agency hearing came from an auto industry lobbyist who deemed California’s approach "counterproductive" and said there was no proof it would help deal with global warming. "This is more important than any issue that EPA’s going to have to face," California Attorney General Jerry Brown told regulators who will recommend whether to give California the waiver it needs to implement its emissions law. At least 11 other states are ready to follow California’s lead. Read the rest of the story on www.sacunion.com.Gas prices: Worse than '81 oil shock
Gas now at highest level, even adjusted for inflation; AAA's reading of nearly $3.20 a gallon marks ninth straight record high in current dollars. May 21, 2007 NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Gasoline prices have soared to levels never seen before as even the inflation-adjusted price for a gallon of unleaded topped the 1981 record spike in price that had stood for 26 years. And higher prices could be on the way as Americans get ready to hit the road for the Memorial Day holiday and the start of the summer driving season. Two different surveys found record high pump prices once again. The nation's retailers say soaring gas prices are prompting U.S. consumers to cut back on their purchases and shopping trips. The Lundberg Survey, a bi-weekly gas price tracking service, put the price of a gallon of unleaded at $3.18 in its latest reading released late Sunday, up more than 11 cents from its reading of two weeks ago. While gasoline had already been in record territory in current dollars, Trilby Lundberg, publisher of the survey, said this is the first time that her survey topped her 1981 record high when adjusted for inflation. Read the story from CNN.Engine Expo Day Three
Engine Expo attendees are pulled in by the Scuderi Group's Air-Hybrid DVD. The Scuderi Group today completed its third and final day of Europe's biggest engineering trade show, Engine Expo, with another active day at the booth. Even though it was the last day of the event - and traditionally the slowest - many OEMs and media continued to visit the booth, eager to learn more about the Scuderi Air-Hybrid Engine. Automakers from France, Germany, Japan and the U.S. stopped by the booth to take in the DVD and digest the technical information of what will be the world's most fuel efficient internal combustion engine. "This was another great show for us," commented Nick Scuderi, vice president of marketing and sales. "The engineers we've been talking to are truly excited about the new technology. And the number of major OEMs that have sought us out and want to continue talking after the show reflects our confidence that the Scuderi Air-Hybrid Engine is the leading solution for automakers who are struggling with having to lower emissions to unprecedented levels and build engines that are significantly more fuel efficient than today's vehicles." The event also ended today on a nostalgic note. After a seven-year run at the Stuttgart Messa Killesburg, Engine Expo will be moving to a brand new location adjacent to Stuttgart Airport. This will provide exhibitors and attendees more logistical convenience as well as give show organizers the ability to house Engine Expo and the other adjoining events in the same hall. In 2008 the show will be in its 10th year.
Engine Expo Day Two
The second day of the three-day Engine Expo continued its busy pace with morning meetings with engineering teams with one of the world's largest automotive manufacturers and continued at the booth engaging the hundreds of attendees that streamed through the expo. Visitors spent long periods of time watching the German and English editions of the Air-Hybrid Technology DVD and pouring through the Theory of Operation literature. Many of the automotive engineers and press were impressed with the break-through air-hybrid designs and the preliminary water injection capabilities featured in the literature.
Crowds gather around to check out BMW's 3-Liter Twin Turbo (335i) that won this year's International Engine of the Year 2007 Award
The highlight of Day Two of the Expo was the world-renowned International of the Year Awards. They are the most coveted honors in the engineering design field and typically give winners a wealth of promotional ammunition for televison commercials, brochures and other consumer marketing initiatives. Today, BMW took a total of seven award tophies, including the big International Engine of the Year Award 2007 for its 3-liter Twin Turbo (335i). The Munich-based company took additonal awards for its 2.5-liter inline six and 5-liter V10, but was most delighted with the success of the 3-liter twin turbo, which also dominated the Best New Engine of 2007 category.
"This is a tremendous achievement and important recognition of the lengths our engineers have gone to in order to ensure the success of our turbocharged [gasoline] engines," said Peter Langen, BMW's director of powertrain. "We are proud to once again be honored as the manufacturer of the International Engine of the Year."
Also picking up an award was Porsche, which finally won an international Engine of the Year Award trophy. It's 3.6-liter turbo engine in the 911 Turbo was voted the best 3-liter to 4-liter engine in production today. Toyota also took honors in the Best Fuel Economy category for its 1.5-liter Hybrid Synergy Drive (Prius).
"A hybrid engine winning the Best Fuel Economy category shows us here at the Scuderi Group that our technology will be in a good position to compete for future Engine of the Year awards," said Lutz Deyerling, vice president of European operations for the Scuderi Group.
Scuderi Air-Hybrid now at Engine Expo in Stuttgart Germany
The Scuderi Group is once again one of the most visible companies participating in Europe’s most significant automotive engineering trade show. Now in its 9th year, Engine Expo is the most important trade show in the region for automotive, truck and bus engine developers and manufacturers. The Scuderi Group has a prominent exhibition this year, located right near the hall’s entrance, with a spacious booth (#7200) equipped to engage the many automotive OEMs and tier one suppliers who are pouring into the stand to learn more about the air-hybrid technology that many believe will be the most disruptive engine technology to hit the industry in decades.
The Scuderi Group's Nick Scuderi and Lutz Deyerling open the booth at Engine Expo.
With three flat-screen video screens and ample signage and literature, attendees have immersed themselves in learning more about air-hybrid technology and how it will become the world’s most fuel efficient internal combustion engine.
This year’s Engine Expo booth team consists of Vice President of Sales and Marketing Nick Scuderi, European Vice President Lutz Deyerling, Vice President Stephen Scuderi, Public Relations Director Bill Wrinn from Topaz Partners, Investor Relations Coordinator Deborah Scuderi, and European Sales Coordinator Lisa Muhlmann-Theuer.
The first day was an active one for the Scuderi Group. Stephen Scuderi took center stage as the featured moderator to day’s sessions: "Emissions and our responsibility to the environment," "Sustainable energy – Hybrids, electric, fuel cell development or biofuel," and "Engine downsizing – A passing trend or a long-term solution?" Stephen introduced the day’s panelists and facilitated the discussion of these topics – all very relevant to the development and use of the Scuderi Air-Hybrid Engine.
Steve Scuderi gives the opening remarks at the Open Technology Forum at this year's Engine Expo in Stuttgart, Germany. Later in the day, our team hosted an array of journalists, analysts, and attendees for their annual Engine Expo cocktail and buffet reception. Dozens flooded the booth for fine food and drink as many toasted the engine’s development and celebrated a great first day at the show. Following the party, the Scuderi Group themselves were guests at Stuttgart’s famous Neues Schloss (New Castle), the historic centerpiece of old Stuttgart.
Scuderi Group at the Hannover Fair
In April, the Scuderi Group hosted a booth at the Hannover Fair (Hannover Messe) in Hannover, Germany, located in the Massachusetts Pavilion.
The Hannover Fair is one of the world’s largest trade shows, with this year’s event attracting more than 230,000 visitors, an increase of 10 percent over the previous year. The fair featured over 6,400 exhibitors representing 68 countries.
Energy efficiency was a prominent focus of the technology and the discussion. Hannover bills itself as the world’s most comprehensive showcase for the energy sector, spanning across both and renewable forms of energy.
Visitors to the Scuderi presentation included:
• BMW (clean energy division)
• Audi (pre-development)
• Bosch
• Daimler Chrysler
A number of other OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers also met with Scuderi representatives at the Hannover Fair this year.