Toyota has announced a new addition to the eco-friendly Prius range, the Prius c, which will make its US debut in January at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The company stated that the Prius c is targeted at youthful car buyers who require fuel efficient vehicles. The Japanese car manufacturer expects class-leading fuel economy of 50 mpg (miles per gallon, around 21 km/l) for inner-city driving, the highest city fuel range of any non-plug-in vehicle. Its green credentials will not, however, translate to limp-wristed performance on the N1, since the c is powered by a 1.5-liter DOHC four-cylinder, 16-valve engine with VVT-i technology. 

 

 

 

Continental Airlines undertook the first US commercial flight powered by advanced biofuels. Flight 1403, a Boeing 737-800, departed from the Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas, last month to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. A blend of sustainable biofuel and petroleum-derived jet fuel was used, with this algae-based biofuel blend developed by renewable oil and bio-products company Solazyme. Solazyme produced the world’s first 100% algae-derived jet fuel for both commercial and military applications, with United signing a letter of intent with the company to purchase 20 million gallons of jet fuel per year for delivery as soon as 2014.

 

 

 

Intelligent LED lighting system maker Digital Lumens has announced daylight harvesting capabilities will be employed within its newest LED lighting fixtures. Just like your smartphone’s display boasts an ambient light sensor to determine the levels of available light and set the backlight accordingly, these new fixtures include integrated light sensors, which automatically adjust the light output to suitable levels. Managed by new LightRules software, the daylight harvesting system has the potential to deliver an additional 50% energy savings. LightRules software also reports on the amount of energy saved via the use of daylight harvesting, in order to provide useful feedback for facility management.

 

 

Australian government to tax the country’s 500 biggest polluters: yhoo.it/Ozcarbontax

 

Siemens claims most efficient gas turbine in the world: bit.ly/siemensgas

 

Carbon-capture and storage (CCS) at UK plant: bbc.in/CCSPeterhead