renewable

VIDEO: Japan’s daring experimental engine against EVs

Japan dares experimental engine to beat EVs: It’s combustion, but zero emissions In a move that opposes the ongoing trend of motorcycle manufacturers transitioning to electric motorcycles, Kawasaki Motorcycles in Japan has introduced an experimental motorcycle that uses hydrogen fuel. It was pleasant to see this innovative prototype demonstrated on the Suzuka track in Japan; it signalled a new level in using such forms of energy in cars. Initially, Kawasaki plans to retrofit internal combustion engine technology to hydrogen operation to maintain the climactic feel and sound of motorcycles while providing solutions to existing environmental issues. The prototype development started in 2022. Kawasaki became the first firm to publicize trialling of a motorcycle that uses hydrogen burning, proving itself as the industry leader in shifting towards green energy in the two-wheeler industry. The prospect of this unprecedented method may revolutionize the way motorcycles will be designed and manufactured sustainably. Kawasaki Hydrogen ICE bike is based on the existing H2 SX platform, a fact that anyone familiar with the regular combustion version of that bike can probably quite readily see just by looking at it. H2 (the element) takes up a lot of space. Kawasaki’s Hydrogen ICE H2-squared bike also must, by necessity, take up a lot of space. So much space, in fact, that from the back and overhead views, the shape of this bike resembles nothing so much as a colorblock rocketship out of a colorful, illustrated children’s book. But Kawasaki Hydrogen bike is a test mule. A proof-of-concept, and a place to begin evolving future hydrogen two-wheeler technologies, if this is indeed a route that Kawasaki intends to continue pursuing. Japanese automotive industry is collectively in the midst of a massive hydrogen-powered vehicle development push, and the Japanese government has infrastructure projects underway to make such development practical […]

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How Much Oil Do Wind Turbines Use?

As the world seeks cleaner sources of electricity, renewable energy is heralded for not burning fossil fuels to produce energy. However, wind turbines contain moving parts and they require lubricants to operate at peak performance due to environmental and mechanical pressures. The amount of oil used by a wind turbine varies greatly depending on the size and type of turbine. A small turbine for powering the home only requires a very small amount of oil, whereas the largest offshore wind turbines regularly need topping up with large amounts of oil and other lubricants to keep them running efficiently. Proper maintenance including the use of oil ensures the reliability of cost-effective wind energy. As the fleet of wind turbines ages, many are entering a post-warranty period. This means that equipment repairs are becoming more costly for wind farm owners. Thus, proper maintenance including the use of oil to prevent equipment failure is critical to reduce costs and promote renewable energy production. Lubrication protects wind turbines from premature wear of many critical parts so they operate at maximum performance for greater productivity. Grease oil and grease are used in the gearbox, pitch gear, open gear, and yaw gear. Did you know every wind turbine contains 80 gallons of oil? At the moment, the average wind farm has 150 turbines. Each wind turbine requires 80 gallons of oil for lubrication, and this isn’t vegetable oil; this is a PAO synthetic oil based on crude… 12,000 gallons for one 150-turbine wind farm. Once a year, its oil must be replenished. To power a city the size of New York, it is estimated that about 3,800 turbines would be required… For just one city, that’s 304,000 gallons of refined oil. –Edward Rivis Wind Turbine Magazine and –Utility Smart * * *

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