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Solarflux has created an online tool called CASPER, which stands for CSP Performance Comparison. CSP Technology is in reference to Concentrating Solar Power, which focuses heat from sunlight to create steam to drive a turbine that generates electrical power. It is completely different from solar PV.

CASPER is a web-based tool that compares the energy collection and conversion efficiency of the Solarflux FOCUS parabolic dish concentrator with other widely used CSP technologies.

The goal is for users to be able to see which possibilities work better for them based on their location. CASPER has a location feature that allows a user to enter their city and see how much Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) is available. This is a snazzy term for direct sunlight. So, in laymen’s terms, it shows a user how much sun their city gets on a clear day; it breaks it down month by month for that location. This enables a user to see how much solar thermal energy could be captured and utilized by the FOCUS compared with how much solar thermal energy could be captured and utilized by other alternative CSP tech.

CASPER uses a NASA DNI database for the comparison, which is performed assuming equal reflective mirror area for each technology. Solarflux noted that claimed parabolic trough peak efficiency percentages can range anywhere from the mid 50s to the low 70s, but these measurements are usually under lab conditions.

FOCUS Compared To Other CSP Technologies

Solarflux created the FOCUS parabolic dish to be perfectly aligned with the sun from sunrise to sunset. This allows for optimal exposure of its reflective area. The FOCUS uses a two-axis tracking system, which sets it apart from other parabolic troughs using single-axis tracking systems. The company pointed out that as latitude increases, the advantage of two-axis tracking systems over single-axis tracking systems becomes more pronounced.

To demonstrated this, they compared the annual average efficiency of the FOCUS vs. trough across a year for Barcelona, Spain, which has a latitude of 41.4, and Aruba, which has a latitude of 12.5.

Barcelona, Spain

Image courtesy Solarflux, used with permission.

Aruba

Image courtesy Solarflux, used with permission.

 

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Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 N takes on a Lamborghini Urus and Porsche Macan GTS in an epic drag race

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Hyundai's IONIQ 5 N takes on a Lamborghini Urus and Porsche Macan GTS in an epic drag race

Can Hyundai match Lamborghini and Porsche in a race? Watch Hyundai’s most powerful vehicle, the IONIQ 5 N, take on a 657 hp Lamborghini Urus Performante, Porsche Macan GTS, and others in an epic super SUV drag race. See how Hyundai’s sporty EV matches up against the competition in the video below.

Hyundai EV races Lamborghini, Porsche in new drag race

Hyundai revealed its most powerful vehicle yet, the fully electric IONIQ 5 N, last year. As Hyundai N’s first electric car, the performance brand left nothing on the table.

Riding on a modified version of its E-GMP platform, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N packs up to 641 horsepower and a host of track-ready features. This electric sports car is equipped to compete with the best. Hyundai N included features like rear e-LSD, electronic-controlled suspension, and N Grin Boost to ensure the EV lives up to its name.

Hyundai’s performance EV checks the three “performance pillars of N,” including Corner Rascal, Race Track Capability, and Everyday Sports Car.

Hyundai designed the electric sports car to stand out from the competition, inside and out. The IONIQ 5 N includes “N-exclusive” elements like a glossy black front bumper, radiator grille, and rear spoiler to optimize airflow and performance.

Hyundai-IONIQ-5-N
Hyundai IONIQ 5 N (Source: Hyundai)

The sports EV is lower, wider, and has larger tires, adding to its aggressive design. Hyundai also built the front and rear suspension from the ground up.

Inside, Hyundai designed the EV based on a racing concept. For a sporty feel, you will find N bucket sports seats, a new N-exclusive steering wheel, and an N-exclusive center console.

Hyundai-Lamborghini-Porsche-race
Hyundai IONIQ 5 N interior (Source: Hyundai)

The Hyundai IONIQ 5 N is the brand’s most powerful car yet, but can it keep up with some of the quickest sports SUVs on the market?

The folks over at Hagerty put the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N up against a Lamborghini Urus Performante, Porsche Macan GTS, Jaguar F-Pace SVR, and Maserati Grecale Trofeo to see.

As you can see, Hyundai’s high-performance EV smokes the competition in the first race. Here’s how the IONIQ 5 N stacks up.

Vehicle Horsepower 0 to 60 mph 1/4 mile Starting Price
Hyundai IONIQ 5 N 641 hp 3.0 sec 11.1 sec $66,100
Lamborghini Urus Performante 657 hp 3.1 sec 11.6 sec $269,885
Porsche Macan GTS 434 hp 3.5 sec 12.3 sec $88,450
Jaguar F-Pace SVR 550 hp 3.8 sec 12.2 sec $93,175
Maserati Grecale Trofeo 523 hp 3.6 sec 12.2 sec $108,000
Hyundai IONIQ 5 N vs Lamborghini Urus Performante, Porsche Macan GTS, Jaguar F-PAce SVR, and Maserati Grecale Trofeo

After bringing in a Lamborghini to up the competition, it still wasn’t enough to top the Hyundai IONIQ 5. Despite a rapid launch, the IONIQ 5 steadily comes back and outpaces the Lambo. And it’s less than a quarter of the cost.

Even Hagerty’s host said, “If you don’t think electric vehicles are resetting the world order, well, now’s your chance.”

Hyundai’s sporty electric car just destroyed the fastest versions of a Lamborghini, Porsche, Jaguar, and Maserati. What’s next for Hyundai? Stay tuned (In the meantime, check out our exclusive interview with Hyundai Motor America CEO Randy Parker).

Source: Hagerty

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Hyundai and Ford’s EV registrations outpace the competition in March

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Hyundai and Ford's EV registrations outpace the competition in March

Despite talk of an “EV slowdown,” sales of electric vehicles are still growing. EV registrations grew another 3.8% in March as several automakers, including Hyundai and Ford, saw electric car sales surge.

EV registrations grew in March despite Tesla’s decline

According to the latest EV registration data from S&P Global Mobility, several automakers gained market share in March.

Big price cuts and lease deals boosted demand in the first quarter, as automakers are divided on which way the market goes from here. With new affordable models like the Volvo EX30 and Chevy Equinox EV, some see the momentum picking up in 2024.

Although the growth was slight in March, the EV share of the light vehicle market grew from 6.8% to 7.1%.

For the first three months of the year, electric vehicle registrations were up 5.2% (264,268), with a 6.9% share of the market.

Market leader Tesla had registrations fall 12% in March, dragging down the segment. Tesla’s market share fell to 52.4% compared to 61.5% a year ago. Meanwhile, Tesla’s new refreshed Model 3 could be the reason to blame with a 53% decline in registrations.

Hyundai-Ford-EV-registrations
New Tesla Model 3 (Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.)

Tesla said the new Model 3 was supply-constrained in Q1. Some, including Tom Libby, associate director of industry analysis at S&P Global Mobility, expect the Model 3 to make a comeback this year.

Hyundai and Ford see EV registrations surge

Hyundai and Ford strengthened their positions in March as EV registrations accelerated. Ford had triple-digit EV registration growth, claiming the number two spot.

Driven by drastic price cuts, Ford sold 20,223 electric vehicles in the first quarter, up 86% from Q1 2023. The Mustang Mach-E was the second best-selling electric SUV, behind Tesla’s Model Y.

Hyundai-Ford-EV-registrations
2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Flash (Source: Ford)

Ford’s F-150 Lightning remained the top-selling electric pickup in Q1, topping the Rivian R1T and Tesla Cybertruck.

Despite the success, Ford is pulling back on several EV initiatives. The company cut the workforce at its Rouge EV plant, where the Lightning is built, citing slower-than-expected demand. It’s also delaying around $12 billion in EV spending.

Hyundai-EV-pack
Hyundai IONIQ 5 (left) and IONIQ 6 (right) at Tesla Supercharger (Source: Hyundai)

Meanwhile, Hyundai took third, with EV registrations doubling (+100%) in March. Hyundai set a new March and Q1 sales record with the IONIQ 5, IONIQ 6, and Kona Electric benefitting from strong demand.

Hyundai is one automaker that remains fully committed to selling EVs in the US, and it’s paying off. With some of the most affordable and fuel-efficient EVs on the market, Hyundai expects the momentum to continue this year.

Hyundai-Kona-electric-cheaper
2024 Hyundai Kona electric (Source: Hyundai)

In a new interview, Hyundai Motor America CEO Randy Parker told Electrek that the company remains “all-in” on EVs.

Parker said Hyundai is “putting its money where its mouth is” as it looks to separate itself from rivals. Hyundai’s first dedicated EV and battery plant in the US is opening in GA later this year, which will help improve competitiveness. EVs built at the facility are expected to qualify for the $7,500 federal tax credit.

Hyundai’s US boss told Electrek the company is focused on giving buyers who may be on the fence about buying an EV confidence with more range, faster charging, and unique designs.

Kia-EV6-EV9-discounts
2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line (Source: Kia)

Hyundai’s sister company, Kia, also saw EV registrations double, placing fifth. Kia’s new EV9 is already making a big impact, with over 4,000 units sold in Q1.

Luxury automakers BMW (fourth) and Mercedes-Benz (fifth) both saw double-digit EV registration growth in March.

Rivian's-Q1-deliveries
Rivian R1S (Source: Rivian)

Rivian, with EV registrations flat in March but up 30% in Q1, placed seventh. Rivian is upgrading its manufacturing plant in Normal, IL, to improve efficiency.

Several others lost market share, according to EV registration data. Chevy’s March registrations slipped 66%, with Bolt EV production ending last year. Chevy hopes new EVs like the electric Equinox and Blazer can help spark growth. The Blazer EV had 498 registrations, while the Equinox had 13 as they began hitting dealership lots.

Chevy-Equinox-EV-production
2024 Chevy Equinox EV 3RS (Source: GM)

According to March registration data, Toyota (798), Lexus (819), Subaru (427), Fisker (565), VinFast (496), and Lucid (477) were all below the 1,000 mark.

Meanwhile, Japanese rival Nissan had 1,661 registrations for its Ariya electric SUV as it gained ground in the US.

With new exciting models hitting the market, it should be interesting to see which automakers top the list at the end of the year.

Source: Automotive News

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The US’s largest offshore wind farm just got its first monopile

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The US's largest offshore wind farm just got its first monopile

In a major milestone, the 2.6-gigawatt (GW) Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW), which will be the US’s largest offshore wind farm, has installed its first monopile foundation.

The Orion, DEME Group’s heavy lift vessel, installed the monopile foundation approximately 29 miles off the Virginia Beach coast.

CVOW, which is being developed and will be owned by electric utility Dominion Energy, will feature 176 Siemens Gamesa 14 megawatt (MW) wind turbines, three offshore substations, and new onshore transmission infrastructure.

Once construction is complete in 2026, the US’s largest offshore wind farm will provide clean electricity for around 660,000 households and will support 1,100 jobs. It’s expected to generate fuel savings of $3 billion for customers during the first 10 years of operation.

The monopile foundations – steel tubes driven into the seabed to support the wind turbine generators – were manufactured by Rostock, Germany-based EEW SPC and are being staged at Portsmouth Marine Terminal.

Dominion Energy will continue to install monopiles as planned through the fall of 2024. However, it will pause all monopile installations from November 1, 2024, to April 30, 2025, to safeguard the endangered North Atlantic right whale during its migration period through the project area.

Additional protective measures for whales and other marine life include using bubble curtains – perforated hoses that pump out air to form a barrier of bubbles around the monopiles during installation – which dampen underwater sound waves. Protected Species Observers will staff vessels that will comply with speed restrictions to prevent collisions with the whales.

Robert M. Blue, Dominion Energy’s chair, president, and chief executive officer, said, “We are taking extensive precautions to ensure this project is fully protective of the environment and to protect marine species.”

Read more: This US offshore wind farm is piloting a bubble curtain – what it is and why it’s cool


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