We at KACO are taking our name very seriously. The new tag line new energy encompasses the breadth of our dedication to becoming an integral part of the new energy economy.
Taking part in the large-scale project initiated by Germany's Federal Government and Volkswagen, KACO is taking the responsibility of being a new energy company a step further.
The project, which is called "Flottenversuch - Elektromobilitaet" or in English "Fleet Test - Electric Vehicles", was initiated and is being realized by industry partners and German Universities. The project will be subsidized with 32.5 Million Euro for four years. The idea behind it is to run a fleet of 25 cars powered by renewable energy!
Goal of this project is the further technology development of the "Plug-in-Hybrid" technology. Vehicles equipped with this technology do not exclusively run on a conventional combustion engine, they also drive with a battery which can be recharged by simply plugging it into an outlet.
Not only will the battery support the general acceleration of the car, which will increase the driving comfort a lot - it'll also regain some otherwise lost braking energy which makes it notably friendly for the environment!
All in all the battery is supposed to decrease the mileage dramatically.The "Plug-in-Hybrid" technology allows the driver to switch to driving on battery support only, which is perfect for short distances and city traffic. The further development from hybrids to vehicles that only run electronically is very difficult. Conventional batteries don't last long enough and are very expensive. "We want lithium-ion batteries to be used in these types of vehicles," says Prof. Winter of the Institute for Physical Chemics, WWY Muenster, Germany. "These batteries have three times the energy potential of conventional auto batteries. That would be sufficient enough to run the vehicle completely on battery in city traffic and to commute to work - especially it can be easily recharged while parking."
KACO's top management and engineers were understandably excited to make their uniquely innovative contribution to this important project.
That's why KACO has developed an onboardbattery charger for the Volkswagen Golf TwinDrive. When driving short distances this VW Golf is powered by an electric motor which is fed with electric current from alternative energy sources and has a reach of 50 km or 32 miles. The combustion engine only starts when the distance is longer than 32 miles.
The battery charger developed by KACO is an innovative device based on before mentioned state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery technology.
The development which convinced with its very compact construction and modern CAN communication interface draws on KACO's long standing experience in the field of rail vehicle applications. KACO would like to point out the outstanding cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute on this project!
KACO's CEO Peter Flachsmann was asked to speak at a mayoral press conference at San Francisco's city hall about the development of a new Clean Tech Center featuring a United Nations West Coast Headquarters.
On July 30th Mayor Gavin Newsom unveiled a proposal to locate a UN center focused on global warming and green technology at the former Hunter Point Shipyard. The proposed center would be part of the United Nations "Global Compact" and would be focused on promoting sustainable and clean technologies. A UN Global Compact Center would likely include a clean tech business incubator, offices of the UN Global Compact, and a retreat / conference center to facilitate the exchange of sustainability best practices and other innovations related to combating global warming.
"Locating the UN Global Compact Center in San Francisco will reinforce our city's commitment to global justice and sustainability," said Mayor Newsom. "Once completed, the UN center can serve as an anchor for other sustainable businesses at the Shipyard in much the same way that the University of California and the Stem Cell Institute have anchored Mission Bay's burgeoning biotech and life sciences cluster."
After years of planning and voter approval last June, the Hunters Point Shipyard and the adjacent Candlestick Point are slated to be revitalized as a vibrant new development of over 10,000 new homes - more than 32% of which will be offered at below market rates, over 300 acres of new parks, a major new retail and arts center, and over 2,000,000 square feet of commercial space destined to serve as the largest cluster of green technology companies and institutions on the western seaboard. All told, the project is expected to generate over 10,000 permanent new jobs and more than 2,000 construction jobs per year for over 15 years.
"We are excited to partner with the City of San Francisco to work towards securing a center for the UN Global Compact in San Francisco," said Gavin Power, the Deputy Director of the UN Global Compact. "California, in general, and San Francisco, in particular, has been at the forefront of environmental sustainability and justice for many years and all of the right ingredients are here - including the technological and academic institutions as well as the financial and entrepreneurial resources - to have a UN green tech center at the Hunters Point Shipyard really make a difference."
"Locating a UN green tech center on the Shipyard is a great opportunity for this community to overcome the Shipyard's legacy of environmental injustice," said Supervisor Sophie Maxwell, who represents the Bayview and Hunters Point. "For decades, the Shipyard has been both an economic and an environmental blight on the surrounding community. To have this site transformed into a center for green collar jobs and a place where the environmental problems of the future may be solved would be sweet justice indeed."
"Environmental justice entails not just having the Shipyard cleaned up, but also revitalizing the Shipyard to create jobs and parks and affordable housing," said Dr. Veronica Hunnicut, Chair of the Mayor's Hunters Point Shipyard Citizens Advisory Committee.
Next steps will include working with the UN to refine the proposal and to develop an advisory board to help guide project development and fund raising efforts. Source: www.sfgov.org
KACO will definitely follow and support this incredibly important project. We will keep you updated on the progress!
KACO is always excited to get to know new industry partners and friends! The company we're about to introduce to you is very special and more than noteworthy. We are extraordinarily impressed by Boots on the Roof from Fremont, CA.
Boots on the Roof is the premier Wind and Solar training provider in the US, with the mission of training the next wave of renewable energy contractors, engineers, architects, sales professionals and business entrepreneurs. KACO appreciates this mission statement since we think that Boots on the Roof is exactly the kind of training company this industry needs.
The training facility in Fremont is absolutely state of the art. The many classrooms are incredibly well equipped and the spaces and equipment they provide for the hands-on training are simply top notch! While walking through their facility, we all were immediately convinced that this is the way to go if you consider becoming a solar contractor, installer or sales person.
Boots on the Roof not only takes care of their students while they are joining the courses by providing transportation, hotel rooms and a fantastic lunch area so the students can completely focus on the classes - They actually take it a step further by organizing an "Alumni-Network" on the internet where former students can communicate with each other to exchange news, ideas, requests etc.
Check out this awesome Buildaroo video about KACO!
New & Noteworthy
You should get to know Buildaroo if you don't know them yet. Buildaroo.com is a startup based in Berkeley, CA with a mission to make buying and building green both fun and easy.
They are currently focusing on producing video interviews of green building products, device providers and regulatory agencies. But over the next few weeks they will be rolling out updates to allow you to search for sustainable building products & professionals, education and news.
All in all the battery is supposed to decrease the mileage dramatically.The "Plug-in-Hybrid" technology allows the driver to switch to driving on battery support only, which is perfect for short distances and city traffic.
When driving short distances this VW Golf is powered by an electric motor which is fed with electric current from alternative energy sources and has a reach of 50 km or 32 miles. The combustion engine only starts when the distance is longer than 32 miles.
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