Newly-Launched Technical Brief Series Models the Effect of the "Public-Private Partnership for Electric Vehicles" Announced Today
Berkeley, Calif., (PRWEB) November 20, 2008 - U.C. Berkeley's Global Venture Lab today unveiled early results of a study modeling the impact of large-scale electric vehicle deployment in the Bay Area. This announcement follows today's news from the California Governor's office, the mayors of San Francisco, San Jose and Oakland, Better Place of Palo Alto, the Bay Area Council, and the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, announcing a public-private partnership for California to lead the nation in switching from carbon-based transportation to sustainable mobility based on clean electric vehicles.
The U.C. Berkeley research team analyzed the impact on California's electrical grid, and developed an economic analysis, and explored deployment strategies. Key preliminary findings include:
- Large-scale electric vehicle deployment would have a moderate effect on the California peak electricity load;
- In California, wind generation is cost-competitive with fossil fuel energy sources for supplying electric vehicles, whereas solar power supply is currently an economically less viable option;
- Santa Clara, San Mateo, and Alameda counties are best suited for an early infrastructure rollout;
- Early adopters are likely to be professionals in the high-tech sector who commute in or out of Silicon Valley and professionals whose commutes combine both driving and public transportation;
- In two decades, significant adoption would lead to an annual $175 billion savings at the gas pump for US consumers, while the battery industry would experience a $120 billion gain, which combined would notably decrease the US trade deficit;
- Electric vehicles would lower total cost of ownership by more than $7,000 compared to a conventional internal combustion engine vehicle.
The authors, graduate students from the College of Engineering, the Goldman School for Public Policy and the Haas Business School, will present their findings to representatives from Better Place and a variety of policy organizations in an executive summit this Friday at U.C. Berkeley.
"The Global Venture Lab Technical Briefs are the preliminary results of a new category of research projects," said Ikhlaq Sidhu, a professor in the Industrial Engineering and Operations Research department, Co-director of the Global Venture Lab, and Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology. "Our approach is to identify and examine meaningful challenges -- with high social impact -- and the potential to not only create new companies, but to create new industries. The Better Place initiative, announced for California today, clearly fits these parameters."
"With our world-class faculty and students and our focus on the innovative design and engineering of large and complex real world systems, the Industrial Engineering and Operations Research department is uniquely positioned to be the 'glue' that integrates multi-disciplinary expertise to address the critical issues facing society in the 21st century," said Phil Kaminsky, the other Co-Director of the Global Venture Lab and a professor in the Industrial Engineering and Operations Research department.
About U.C. Berkeley Global Venture Lab
U.C. Berkeley's Global Venture Lab seeks to foster entrepreneurship within the university and to bring Berkeley research to industry collaborations. To these ends, the Global Venture Lab provides mentoring and support to new Berkeley ventures and hosts multi-disciplinary research projects. Global Venture Lab is supported by the Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology and the Management of Technology program, as well as an extensive network of entrepreneurs and professionals from industry. U.C. Berkeley Global Venture Lab has partners in China, Finland, and India.
About the U.C. Berkeley Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology
Through teaching, programs, and research, the Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology (CET) equips engineers and scientists with the skills to lead, innovate, and commercialize technology in the global economy. U.C. Berkeley faculty and students have started more than 200 U.C. ventures in areas such as IT, biotechnology and clean energy. More information on the CET here: http://cet.berkeley.edu/
See Also:
- GM's CEO's Comments Resonate with SmartFinds Internet Marketing
- Want the Best Ride? Drive a Honda
- Tire Pressure and Fuel Economy
- Make a DIY Hydrogen Generator For Your Cars and Get More MPG
- Frequently Asked Questions About Driving a Minibus
[Via Automotive]
Saving homeowners thousands of dollars, the Rejuvenate Home Renewer System is specially priced at $19.99 through Jan. 15, 2009, and includes discounted holiday shipping for $5. The kit includes: 
Lumidigm’s Venus fingerprint sensors with multispectral imaging technology work on virtually anyone, anytime, in any environment. Individuals can use the sensor without special preparation or training about how best to place their finger. Further, many people who were previously unable to use touch biometrics are able to use the Venus sensor. “We’ve seen user satisfaction with biometrics increase with each Lumidigm Venus deployment,” said 
