Category Archives: Alternative Fuels

I have been quite disturbed lately by the loss of interest in reduction of our dependence on foreign oil through the purchase of gas saving vehicles like hybrids.  It seems that now, we are happy to pay $2.00-$3.00 per gallon, a price we cried about a year ago.

Let’s think about the impacts of this.  When gas prices are high, oil companies invest in new technology to find cheaper hydrocarbon sources.  When oil prices get back down below $75 per gallon, their incentives are less.  If we do not continue with methods of reducing our need for gas, the fuel oil requirements of a cold winter could put us right back at $100 per barrel oil. 

Enter Sigma Automotive.  They make retrofit kits to convert your vehicle from gasoline to what they call “AUTOGAS”:.  Autogas is compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied propane (LP) or liquified natural gas (LNG) used to power automotive engines.  This technology has been available and proven for over ten years.  Many of our cities use autogas for buses and city vehicles.  Emissions are less, it costs up to 40% less than gasoline and more importantly, it reduces our depandance on foreign oil. 

This is a great alternative for people who are tired of gas prices, but don’t want to or can’t afford to buy a new vehicle.  There are likely other companies just like Sigma, who are focusing on this important sector.  This is a great way to reduce cost, eliminate dependance on oil, and it is good for the environment.  To learn more, visit  

http://www.sigmaautomotive.com/autogas/portal.php

Brad

http://www.virtexassembly.com

Konarka wins a Green Manufacturing atta-boy for the greenest use of another business.  In the ultimate green move, they have converted a 250,000 sf Polaroid graphic arts manufacturing facility to produce the world’s largest roll to roll thin film solar film facility.  Talk about innovation and reusing items.  There is probably no more novel change than going from producing printed media, a very un-green activity to producing sustainable energy alternatives.   There is a great article on this at

http://www.graphicartsonline.com/article/CA6602969.html?desc=topstory  

I’m sure that there are many businesses that offer state of the art equipment, that through unfortunate circumstances fail.  Instead of just selling  off the assets and spending huge money shipping them around the globe, Konarka found a way to reuse the entire facility.

What else could be built in many of the failing manufacturing facilities around the US?  When Henry Ford started mass producing cars, buggy whip manufacturers had to adapt to changes in the world.  It’s time for US Manufacturing to do the same thing.  Let’s focus on new ways that we can reuse equipment that we have to create new products to increase sustainability.  If we look at what is needed for producing equipment for producing alternative energy, maybe we should focus on reallocating equipment and retaining a workforce to create a positive change.

 At VirTex Assembly, we look for ways to create a new business model or business process for our clients that results in a greener world.   Doing business locally is one way to do this.  Fuel costs for logistics are reduced and the impact on the environment is less. 

What do you think about this?  Is there some business you know of that is using innovation to create a greener world or product?  What can you do?

Brad

http://www.virtexassembly.com