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Fall 2006
Newsletter
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In this issue:
NC GreenPower launches new corporate sales initiative
Program update at a
glance | Current NC GreenPower producers
Mast General Store - NC GreenPower's newest partner
Speakers Bureau campaign a success in Asheville
Rutherford EMC becomes newest NC GreenPower participating utility
New homeowner moves into North Carolina's first zero energy home
NC GreenPower issues Request for Proposals for eligible resources
Eleven states are first in nation to receive plug-in hybrid school buses
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Eleven states are first in nation to receive plug-in hybrid school buses
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Eleven states will be getting a higher grade for investing in energy-efficiency this school year. New York, California, Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Arkansas, Iowa and Washington will be the first states in the nation to receive hybrid school buses. Through its Plug-In Hybrid Electric School Bus Project, Advanced Energy, a Raleigh, N.C.-based nonprofit corporation, initiated a buyer’s consortium of school districts, state energy agencies and student transportation providers. Advanced Energy also administers the NC GreenPower program. |
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The nation's first
hybrid
school bus on display
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After issuing nationwide Request for Proposals (RFPs) for hybrid school buses in June 2006, Advanced Energy announced at the 13th Annual School Transportation News Expo that IC Corporation, the nation’s largest school bus manufacturer, won the bid and will provide up to 19 hybrid school buses to those 11 states.
“This project provides operational benefits to school districts, while also providing the reduced emissions desired by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and a valuable return on investment to school boards,” said Ewan Pritchard, P.E., Advanced Energy’s hybrid program manager. “This bid award is the result of several years of collaborative effort among manufacturers, school districts and government agencies to change the school bus market.”
IC Corporation, in collaboration with Enova Systems, unveiled the nation’s first hybrid school bus in July at the New York Association of Pupil Transportation (NYAPT) Show. The hybrid school bus is expected to attain a 40 percent increase in fuel efficiency, which becomes even more essential with the rising fuel costs affecting many school districts.
“With fuel prices near all-time highs, new innovations in hybrid technology are needed to help customers in the school bus industry keep their operating costs lower,” said Michael Cancelliere, vice president and general manager of IC Corporation. “We’re proud that Advanced Energy recognizes the need to help our nation’s school districts with energy-efficient school buses. In addition, even though current International diesel engines on many existing school buses produce no visible smoke and minimal emissions, the hybrid program will reduce engine emissions even further.” |
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The hybrid school bus project features Enova's post-transmission 80-kilowatt Hybrid Drive System and was extensively tested and evaluated at IC Corporation’s research and technology facility in Fort Wayne, Ind. The initial powertrain for the hybrid school bus will couple an International® VT365 V8 diesel engine with the 80-kilowatt hybrid-electric powertrain, incorporating a transmission, batteries and an electric motor. The system is based on a parallel architecture, allowing the system to utilize both diesel and electric power in a highly efficient manner.
The system recovers kinetic energy during regenerative braking, charging the batteries while the bus is slowing down. This provides additional power for acceleration, making school buses ideal candidates for hybrid technology because of the frequent stops and starts they perform along their daily routes.
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These members of Advanced Energy’s buyers’ consortium are currently scheduled to receive buses:
- North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (2 buses)
- South Carolina Department of Educations (2 buses)
- State of New York (2 buses)
- Florida Department of Education (2 buses)
- Napa Valley Unified School District, Napa Valley, Calif. (1 bus)
- Durham School Services, Everett, Wash. (1 bus)
- Lake Chelan School District, Chelan, Wash. (1 bus)
- City of Seattle (1 bus)
- Little Rock, Ark., School District (1 bus)
- Sigourney Community School District, Sigourney, Iowa (1 bus)
- Nevada Community Schools, Nevada, Iowa (1 bus)
- Killeen Independent School District, Texas (1 bus)
- Austin Independent School District, Texas (1 bus)
- Fairfax County, Va. (1 bus)
- Jennings Transportation, Nazareth, Pa. (1 bus)
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“IC Corporation is committed to environmental leadership and delivering value to our customers,” said Cancelliere. “We believe that diesel-electric hybrid technology can be made commercially viable for the school bus industry and this collaboration is the next step in making that a reality.”
Funding to support Advanced Energy’s initiative has come from North Carolina’s electric utilities (Duke Energy, Progress Energy, Dominion North Carolina Power and North Carolina electric cooperatives) and the State Energy Office in North Carolina.
Advanced Energy is also welcoming additional funding at the state and private level to expand this program to more school districts and other states. More information about the program can be found at www.hybridschoolbus.org.
QUOTES FROM PROJECT FUNDERS
Dominion North Carolina Power
"Dominion is pleased that our contribution to Advanced Energy’s Hybrid Electric School Bus Project is being used to further the development of alternative technologies that will benefit North Carolina’s citizens. Dominion broadly supports research and development into programs and technologies aimed at minimizing environmental impacts and promoting the efficient use of energy and natural resources."
Pamela F. Faggert
Vice President and Chief Environmental Officer
Dominion Resources Services Inc.
Duke Energy Carolinas
“Duke Energy is proud to support research and market development of alternative and more energy efficiency technologies. The hybrid electric school bus project is an exciting example of how key stakeholders from the utility industry, business and government can form partnerships that produce great benefits for communities in which we live.”
Ellen Ruff
President
Duke Energy Carolinas
N.C. electric cooperatives
"Collaborating with Advanced Energy to help commercialize hybrid vehicle technology has been an important endeavor for the North Carolina electric cooperatives. Bringing about positive change in the marketplace in regards to this type of alternative energy will yield many benefits for North Carolina and the nation."
Randy Brecheisen
President and Chief Executive Officer
Piedmont Electric Membership Corporation
N.C. State Energy Office
“The State Energy Office is proud to be a sponsor of the Hybrid Electric Bus Project because of the many benefits it will bring to North Carolina’s citizens, economy and environment. Using hybrid technology to cleanly power our children’s school buses can help reduce transportation costs, create new jobs and cut our dependence on imported fossil fuels. By being one of the first states in the nation to utilize this emerging technology, North Carolina is leading by example.”
Larry Shirley
Director
State Energy Office, a division of the N.C. Department of Administration
Progress Energy
“Progress Energy is proud to partner with Advanced Energy Corporation on this innovative project. As the Carolinas continues to grow, we must ensure the right balance of energy efficiency, alternative energy and new energy sources, and these plug-in hybrid buses will help us and others learn more about this promising technology.”
Fred Day
President and CEO, Progress Energy Carolinas
Member, Advanced Energy Board of Directors
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