Giant solar-powered plane begins pioneering flight
Giant solar-powered plane begins pioneering flight
- From: NewsCore
- July 07, 2010
The ultralight Solar Impulse, piloted by Swede Andre Borschberg, spent today circling over Switzerland, climbing slowly to 30,000 feet (9100 metres), while topping up its batteries with sunlight through 12,000 tiny cells on its wings and tail.
When the sun sets, the prototype was due to fly with power from its batteries, slowly descending during the dark hours to 5,000 feet.
The carbon fiber Solar Impulse weighs only 1.6 tons, the same as the average European car.
The team behind the 128 million Swiss francs ($141 million) project was confident that the aircraft, which has a wingspan as long as that of a big airliner, will be able to start soaking up energy after the sun rises.
It was then due to return to its base at Payerne, near Lausanne, Switzerland.
“This should be a great day if all goes well,” said Bertrand Piccard, a ballooning pioneer and psychiatrist who hoped to one day build an aircraft that will eventually fly around the world on solar power alone.
“This flight is crucial for the credibility of the project,” he added.
“This is something completely different from what has existed in our society. The goal is to take to the air with no fuel … to show that we can be much more independent from fossil energy than people usually think.”
UK prepares for risks of a BP collapse
UK prepares for risks of a BP collapse
- From: The Times
- July 06, 2010
A BP worker washes booms that have been collecting oil from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Picture: AP Source: AP
THE British government is drawing up contingency plans for a possible collapse of BP, The Times has learnt.
News of the preparations come amid mounting fears that the oil giant could be broken up or taken over in the wake of the Gulf of Mexico oil disaster.
The talks, which are being led by officials at the Department for Business and the Treasury, reflect growing concern within Whitehall about the implications that a corporate failure of BP, formerly Britain’s biggest company, would have on UK interests domestically and around the world.
BP, whose value has more than halved since the accident on April 20, has liabilities of up to $US70 billion ($83.4bn), according to estimates by Goldman Sachs.
BMW boasts battery power
BMW boasts battery power
JACK EWING, MUNICH
July 3, 2010
BMW lifted the veil this week on its planned battery-powered car, indicating it is serious about building a new class of vehicle and delivering big numbers to showrooms by 2013.
The German car maker created project i in late 2007, aiming to build a car for urban areas – where more than half the world’s people live. But, as with many corporate green projects, it was sometimes hard to tell if the effort was sincere or just a way to generate sustainability credentials.
In two days of media briefings at a plant outside Munich, BMW devoted big resources to proving that battery-powered cars were practical. The demonstration was intended to allay doubts about whether car makers were innovative enough to make the leap from petrol.
Door still open for mining tax input: Gillard
Door still open for mining tax input: Gillard
Updated
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has toured a north Queensland mine to sell the Mineral Resources Rent Tax. (AAP/ABC: Wolf Cocklin/Alan Porritt)
Prime Minister Julia Gillard says there will be further consultation with the mining industry on the implementation of the new resources tax.
Ms Gillard and Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan toured the Hay Point coal port in north Queensland on Saturday to sell the Mineral Resources Rent Tax.
The tax, announced on Friday, includes reducing the new impost on mining companies from 40 to 30 per cent.
Ms Gillard says while some companies are still looking at the details there will be further opportunity for input.
“The good faith and good will that we’ve brought this week as we’ve sat round a table to get the agreement … will continue through the process chaired by Don Argus, working with my Minister Martin Ferguson,” she said.
“[They will] work on the implementation of these new arrangements.”
Immigration Minister Chris Evans has also rejected claims the mining tax could be unconstitutional, saying the Government has advice it is legal.
“We believe the tax is constitutionally valid,” he said.
Wind farms get clean bill of health
Wind farms get clean bill of health Media release: 3 July 2010 Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) today cleared wind farms of accusations of health impacts on nearby residents, according to Greens NSW MP and Energy spokesperson John Kaye. (‘No evidence of wind farm health impact’, SMH on line at http://bit.ly/smh100703) Dr Kaye said: “The Continue Reading →