Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Benji Jerew
Ten Best Solar Power Events in 2013 (Infographic)
2013 Was a Year of Highs for Solar Power 2013 has been a banner year for solar power installations and achievements around the world. SolarMosaic put together this great infographic highlighting the top ten… 2013 Top Ten Solar Power Achievements (Infographic) SolarMosaic itself is one of the best things to come to solar power in decades. Thanks to dropping solar panel costs, more residents and investors have access to the technology and the financial benefits that come from solar power systems.
White House Has Solar Panels – Finally! - The Green Optimistic
White House Solar Panels FInally Operational In 1979, President Jimmy Carter had solar panels installed on the roof of the White House. What better way to use all that acreage, aside from patrolling security teams? Unfortunately, President Ronald Reagan had the solar panels removed, for which environmental groups have been campaigning for their reinstallation.
Envia Systems' 400Wh/kg Lithium-Ion Battery – Too Good To Be True? - The Green Optimistic
A quiet little company with big problems, Envia Systems, originally developed a lithium-ion battery with an astounding 400Wh/kg energy density. Garnering millions of dollars in government and corporate investment, it seems that Envia Systems was well on its way to success. General Motors had put in $7 million toward the development of the new lithium-ion battery, which would effectively double the range of any electric vehicle it was installed in.
Climate Change, Warmer Spring, More Polar Ice Caps Melting
Climate Change Leading to Earlier Ice Breakup on Mackenzie River (and the Polar Ice Caps?) Previously, climate change scientists had calculated that warmer winters were contributing to fluctuations in the polar ice caps, but a recent discovery may change this perception. Lance Lesack, professor at Simon Fraser University, discovered an unexpected relationship between the ice breakup on the Mackenzie River, and spring and winter temperature variations.
TransCanada Pipeline Explodes, How Safe Will Keystone XL Be?
Vision of Keystone XL? TransCanada Corporation runs a number of oil and natural gas pipelines in North America, and is pushing to install the Keystone XL oil pipeline in the United States. After yet another disaster, how safe could it possibly be? TransCanada already has the Keystone I oil pipeline running in the United States, at a capacity of 590,000 barrels per day, whose safety record isn’t exactly untarnished. In the first year of operation, 2007-2008, the pipeline leaked fourteen times.
Ohio Earthquakes Trigger Cease-Fracking Order
Fracking Linked to String of Earthquakes in Ohio In the last week, eleven earthquakes have been felt in Northeastern Ohio, prompting authorities to order local fracking operations to halt. Fracking (colloquial for hydraulic fracturing, a controversial method to extract natural gas) companies insist they’re not causing any problems. With regards to possible water contamination, for example, companies insist the witches-brew of chemicals they pump into the ground is a company secret.
The “Next Big Thing” After The Lithium-Ion Battery Will Be…
What will replace the lithium-ion battery? Well, the truth is, who knows what the next big thing will be after lithium-ion battery will be, but there are a number of companies working to find out. Currently, the lithium-ion battery is the best chemistry we have in rechargeable battery technology, but what is “best?” Well, there are a few criteria, which make the lithium-ion battery the go-to chemistry for practically every portable electronic device, from smartphones to electric vehicles.
Dear Tesla Motors Fans, “You Have to Resolve This On State Level.” Sincerely, The White House
Tesla Motors Direct Sales Won’t Get Federal Help Unlike every other automaker in the United States (we say US, because no other country on the planet has such ridiculous protectionist laws) Tesla Motors does not sell its cars through a franchised dealer network. If you want to buy a Lexus CT 200h, for example, you don’t buy from Lexus itself, but from a dealership that’s bought into the franchise.
New Electric Vehicle, Defiant Xtreme EV3 Roadster, to Debut Next Month
Defiant Xtreme EV3 Roadster Electric Vehicle Testing Phase Designed from the ground up as an electric vehicle, the Defiant Xtreme EV3 Roadster will debut next month at the Knoxville, Tennessee, Earth Day Festival. Developed by Shockwave Motors, the Defiant Xtreme EV3 Roadster is an electric vehicle designed to take advantage of the efficiencies of an electric vehicle powertrain with a sport design we’re used to seeing only in racing events.
Elon Musk - Autonomous Vehicles Could Result in a Ban on Human Drivers
When autonomous vehicles become safer than human drivers, human drivers may be banned. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors, says that autonomous vehicles will take greater control over highway traffic in the next few years but, once they are fully capable, from garage to destination, they could even outmode human drivers altogether.
Chevy Volt Cost-to-Own is Far Better than Conventional Vehicles
Chevy Volt Cheaper to Own The Chevy Volt is a fairly expensive acquisition, but after a year of driving one, how do the numbers add up? According to former General Motors executive Jeffrey B. Cohen, really good. It should come as no surprise that the Chevy Volt is, like most high-tech hybrid and pure electric vehicles (EV), more expensive. True, Federal and State tax incentives, while we still have them, help to defray the cost, but buyers will still end up with payments in the +$400 range.
Climate Change vs California Wine
Climate Change = Worst California Drought in 120 Years = No Wine? Climate change takes the blame for unusual weather anomalies around the world, but it could also result in wine lovers’ bottles being a little less backbone, balance, or aroma, depending on how the Napa Valley drought affects next year’s grapes.
One Tesla, Two Supercharger, Red State, Blue State
You can drive a Tesla anywhere, but you can’t buy one anywhere Red State, Blue State, indeed. Looking at this map that someone at Mojo Motors put together, you might think this is a political map of the United States, but what this map does is show where you can and cannot buy a Tesla. Tesla Motors’ direct-sales strategy has thrown the ADAs (automobile dealer associations) into a fit, some stating that Tesla tactics will ruin automobile dealers and their way of doing business.
Plastic Graphene Substitute Developed in Korea
KIST Graphene Easier and Cheaper to ProduceKIST Graphene Easier and Cheaper to Produce For all the properties of the latest wünder-material, graphene, it still remains an expensive acquisition, making even graphene research and development an expensive proposition. The growing list of graphene properties includes possible application in water treatment, solar power, electric vehicles, even electronics.
New Regulation in Japan Advancing Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles on the Horizon While hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and infrastructure seem to be an oddity outside Japan, the Japan Ministry of Economy is working hard to improve its chances. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCV), like electric vehicles (EV), produce no emissions on their own. Pressurized hydrogen gas, stored in an on-board tank, is fed into the hydrogen fuel cell, which separates hydrogen electrons from their nuclei, generating an electric current.
2014 Green Car Technology of the Year Award – Cadillac ELR Regen-On-Demand - The Green Optimistic
Cadillac ELR’s Regen-On-Demand Wins Green Car Technology of the Year Award Can a green car be both green and fun? Cadillac may have the answer in its Regen-On-Demand system, giving drivers fingertip control of the regenerative braking system. The Cadillac ELR is an extended-range electric vehicle, built on architecture similar to its cousin, the Chevy Volt. Beyond that, it is a very different animal.
Short Memory – Oil Drilling to Expand in the Gulf of Mexico - The Green Optimistic
Oil Drilling the Gulf of Mexico, Better Brush These Off Apparently, oil companies and politicians have really short memories, because oil drilling is about to expand in the Gulf of Mexico. Interestingly, however, the environment doesn’t have such a short memory. The latest Gulf-of-Mexico oil spill, in the aftermath of an explosion onboard the DeepWater Horizon oil drilling platform, took place nearly four years ago.
Tesla Motors' Gigafactory Construction Under Way
In a few years, this construction site will enable Tesla Motors to lead the world in electric vehicle production. With construction of the Tesla Gigafactory (is that really its name?), Tesla Motors expects to be able to get lithium-ion battery pricing down below $100/kWh, which will enable production of an affordable mass-market electric vehicle.
Neste Oil Recycled Oil is a Transportation Fuel Feedstock
Neste Recycled Oil Goes to Fuel Feedstocks Petroleum is a limited resource, but recycled oil can give it a second life before it finally is disposed of. As we know, when petroleum comes out of the ground, it needs to be refined before it can be used. Heavy asphalt, long-chain hydrocarbons and other impurities, are taken out the bottom, while short-chain hydrocarbons are taken out the top. Each level in the refining process results in a different usable petroleum derivative.
Adapting to Climate Change – The American Farmer - The Green Optimistic
Climate Change – Responsible for 30,000 Dead Livestock in the Dakotas? Climate change is already affecting farmers around the world, but can they adapt in time to prevent global food catastrophe? Climate plays a huge role in what crops and livestock can be tended in a given area. Because climate change disrupts normal weather patterns, farmers need to adapt, sometimes quickly.
Climate Changes California – Worst Drought in Over a Century - The Green Optimistic
Folsom Lake vs Climate Change Climate change seems to generate a lot of superlatives, such as the continuing drought in California. Taking a look at aerial photos of Folsom Lake, a reservoir outside of Sacramento, California, almost makes one wonder if someone left the tap open when they ran off to the store. Oops! Well, not really, since Folsom Lake’s capacity is estimated at 31.8 billion gallons, so it would take a long time for your tap to pull off that feat.
One Man’s Tesla Model S and a Cooler of Food
Tesla Model S = Free Road Trips Apparently, that’s all you need to get from Herkimer, New York, to Miami, Florida, and back. You’ll notice I didn’t mention gas money, which is exactly what you don’t need when driving around a Tesla Model S. The average conventional vehicle, on the other hand, would cost a pretty penny. For example, calculating the trip from New York City, New York to Miami, Florida, in my 2005 Toyota RAV4 AWD would cost just shy of $900, round trip.
Fuel Cell Vehicle Myth Seven – Hydrogen Fuel Stations are Too Expensive! - The Green Optimistic
Myth – Hydrogen Fuel Cell Refueling Stations are Too Expensive! Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, just like hybrid electric vehicles and conventional vehicles, would require refueling stations, but aren’t they too expensive to build? Like all vehicles on the road today, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles store their fuel onboard, but needs to get that fuel from somewhere else.
Scare Tactics – Renewable Energy will Spike Electricity Prices - The Green Optimistic
“Renewable Energy Will Skyrocket Energy Prices!” – Grid Operators We know that, to reduce emissions associated with power production, fully we need to make the switch to renewable energy. Some say this will cause energy prices to “skyrocket.” So far, United States’ adoption of renewable energy has been poor, at best. Power producers, responsible for about a third of US greenhouse gas emissions, could hardly be said to be vanguards in renewable energy adoption.
General Motors EN-V 2.0 – The Future of Electric Vehicle Transportation - The Green Optimistic
Inside the Chevrolet EN-V 2.0, a networked autonomous electric vehicle. According to General Motors, electric vehicles figure big in the future of transportation, and autonomous at that! Individual ownership of cars has proven to be very bad for the atmosphere, not to mention for the budget and, for this very reason alone, the average age of automobiles in the United States is somewhere around ten years.
Tesla Supercharger Network Ready for Cross Country
Tesla Supercharger Trail from New York to Los Angeles Perhaps one of the most compelling answers to the limited-range of electric vehicles, the Tesla Supercharger network now makes it possible to travel across the country without burning a single drop of gasoline. Of course, the Tesla Supercharger network is only compatible with the Tesla Model S 60 kWh and 85 kWh versions, so buyers of other pure electric vehicles, such as the Nissan Leaf or Honda Fit EV, can’t take advantage of it.
Fox, Where's Your Head on Electric Vehicles?
Electric Vehicles vs Fox News? If you’ve followed Fox’s relationship with electric vehicles for any length of time, you’d note a decisive, head-in-the-ground pattern, which is perpetuated in a recent segment on Fox Business. Lauren Fix, “The Car Coach,” is a regular contributor to Fox Business, and apparently has no love for, or actual knowledge of, electric vehicles, or anything remotely efficient, for that matter.
Ethanol's “Hidden Risk” is More Big Oil Nonsense
Big Oil Says Ethanol is Bad News. Ethanol is a biofuel which, when added to gasoline in concentrations up to 15%, or up to 85% in the case of flex-fuel vehicles, helps to reduce emissions and reduce gasoline consumption, but did you know it is also poisonous? Say it isn’t so! For the non-chemists, ethanol (C2H6O) is actually one of the oldest psychoactive drugs still used by mankind.
Fleet Fuel Economy Improved by UPS' “No Left Turn” Rule
One Simple Change Improved the Fuel Economy of the UPS Fleet The next time you see a brown UPS delivery van in your area making a right turn, he might actually be making a left, and improving fuel economy at the same time. No, the right-turn left-turn confusion isn’t some space-time equation gone awry, but a simple discovery made by UPS (United Parcel Service) more than a decade ago. To keep track of their delivery vans, UPS installed GPS (global positioning system) tracking devices.
Renewable Energy Taking Over
Renewable Energy’s Exponential Price Drop We’ve already seen how renewable energy, in some places at least, is becoming cheaper, but hasn’t begun to take the place of fossil fuels. Indeed, renewable energy has only been increasing in utilization in the last fifty years or so, but mostly in response to increasing demand for energy, not to replace any fossil fuel capacity.
Electric Vehicle Performance in Winter, and Summer!
Beach Weather Coming, Is Your Electric Vehicle Range up to Task? Considering that we’re in the first half of February, you’re probably wondering why I’m bringing up electric vehicle performance in the summer. After all, we’re a few months away from beach weather. We know that electric vehicles don’t perform the same in out-of-average temperatures, mostly in relation to their range.
For Overstating Fuel Economy, Hyundai and Kia Will Pay Back Millions
Fuel Economy Payback Time It’s one thing to say that “your mileage may vary” (YMMV) but, when confronted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), at least a couple of companies have admitted to overstating the fuel economy of their vehicles. The EPA doesn’t test every single vehicle to measure fuel economy, for the most part, counting on the manufacturers themselves to hand over the data.
Tesla Model S Safety, “No Further Measures Deemed Necessary,” German KBA Says
Tesla Model S, Germany Says OK After three Tesla Model S fires swept the internet and bashed TSLA Stock prices, it only seems natural that the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) ordered an investigation. According to some, the Tesla Model S‘ low-slung lithium-ion battery pack, even with its armor plating, is insufficiently protected.
Tesla Motors' Battery Plant, “Giga-Factory,” Details Coming Soon
Tesla Motors Giga-Factory, News Coming Soon! If Tesla Motors really wants to expand its operation, one of the things it’s going to need it better control over its suppliers. Better yet, eliminate suppliers and start making their own parts! That’s exactly the idea behind the planned Tesla Motors battery plant, the Tesla Giga-Factory.
General Motors Expanding Solar Power
More General Motors’ solar power going online Fall 2014 Cutting into the bottom line and cutting into the carbon footprint, that’s the aim behind General Motors’ continuing solar power expansion at its facilities worldwide. Solar power does have some disadvantages, such as daily and weather intermittency, as well as seasonal variations, but they can still significantly reduce the amount of energy taken from the power grid.
Tesla Motors Needs a Competitor, Will Fisker Automotive Step Up?
Fisker Automotive to develop pure electric vehicles. Tesla Motors, for now, is the undisputed leader in electric vehicle technology, but could the resurrected Fisker Automotive be a good competitor? No, I’m not talking about Fisker Automotive’s stalled lineup of extended-range electric vehicles (EREV), such as the Fisker Karma (a $100,000 Chevy Volt?). The truth is, you just don’t bring a hybrid vehicle to an electric vehicle (EV) fight, plain and simple.
Los Angeles Police Department Testing ZERO Electric Motorcycles
ZERO MMX Electric Motorcycle on Trial by LAPD The late 1970s TV series CHiPs would have been very different, especially if they had replaced the Kawasaki KZ-900 and KZ-1000C1 with ZERO MMX electric motorcycles. After all, what would a typical CHiPs California Highway Patrol) motorcycle chase scene be like without the loud BRRAAAAAAPPPP of the pursuit vehicle?
FEV Introduces New Two-Speed Plug-In Hybrid Transmission
FEV’s Simpler Two-Speed Plug-In Hybrid Transmission is Still Robust and Versatile As automakers pursue higher fuel efficiency, one method, such as in plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, is to reduce powertrain power output and weight. At the same time, however, drivers have a hard time adapting to less-powerful powertrains, so plug-in hybrid automakers are trying to squeeze every last bit of power out of smaller and lighter components. Typically, this is a recipe for disaster.
Deforestation and Carbon Dioxide
Did you know that the average tree produces enough oxygen for ten people for a year, storing carbon dioxide in the process? Unfortunately, deforestation is destroying the very thing that’s keeping us alive on this planet. Years ago, “Stop Deforestation” was all the rage, that is, when the environmentalist movement was in full swing.
Solar Power's Missing Link – The Electric Vehicle - The Green Optimistic
Why not use an electric vehicle to back up your home solar power? You have to have a vehicle, anyway! Many people point to solar power as a passing residential green fad, saying it will never take over for the stable, and typically dinosaur-fueled, power grid. The main problem, at least for opponents of renewable energy, such as solar power and wind power, is intermittency, which we can’t deny.
Electric Vehicle Battery Prices Forced Down by VW
Demand and deployment for electric vehicles remains low, but automakers tend to agree that the technology could be the biggest shift in automotive technology since the invention of the automatic transmission. The problem, of course, that electric vehicle batteries are far more expensive than any conventional powertrain. A brand new four-cylinder engine might cost $4,000, while a hybrid battery pack can cost up to $5,000.
Fuel Cell Vehicle Myth Four – Hydrogen Fuel Storage is Dangerous - The Green Optimistic
Fuel Cell Vehicle Myth Four – Hydrogen Fuel Storage is Dangerous I’m really getting on a roll here, talking about various myths surrounding fuel cell vehicles, and I’m looking forward to hearing what our faithful readers of The Green Optimistic have to say about the technology. Mention hydrogen, and one image that may come to mind is the infamous self-destruction of the airship Hindenburg, which was held aloft by sealed “balloons” of lightweight pure hydrogen gas.
Tesla Motors and Apple, an “Unlikely” Sale, says Elon Musk
Tesla Motors Not For Sale Yet It’s no secret that Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk had some secret meetings with Apple acquisitions people, but there’s been little news as to what actually came out of those meetings. There has, however, been plenty of speculation that Apple might buy the successful startup electric vehicle maker, Tesla Motors. Of course, if any company was to buy Tesla Motors, it would have to be a tech company.
Building a Better Battery – Elon Musk - The Green Optimistic
Can Elon Musk make the humble Panasonic 18650 better? Over the years, rechargeable battery technology has grown only by short spurts, intervening time typified by stagnation, but that has not stopped innovators, such as Elon Musk, from making other improvements to the technology. We cover many new battery technologies on this site, such as Sakti3 solid-state lithium-ion cells and Envia Systems’ 400 Wh/kg cells, both of which promise a lot, but have yet to deliver.
Could a Tech Company Buy Tesla Motors?
Apple Headquarters in Silicon Valley, Right Next Door to Tesla Motors? Tesla Motors is perhaps the most successful automotive startup in the last half-century, but in the world of business, just about everything is for sale. Of course, the best reason to buy a company is to improve your own profitability.
Renewable Energy Overpowers German State by 20%
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, Renewable Energy Willkommen! Perhaps to be a little clearer, the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern produces some 120% of its energy needs from renewable energy sources, exporting the rest to other states in the country. Germany is already known for its outstanding efforts in the expansion of renewable energy.
Court Ruling Could Set “Bad” Precedent for Fracking Operations
Guess what, fracking companies, the dead say even less than the bribed. C’mon, what are you waiting for? Fracking companies have consistently asserted their operations are clean, and some courts have even held up “company rights,” but a new court ruling could end all of the bickering. Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is perhaps the latest, “greatest,” innovation in natural gas extraction.
Future Nissan Leaf Could Come with Battery Options
Future Nissan Leaf May Offer More, or Less, Battery Perhaps you can’t afford a Tesla Model S 85kWh, which is why the 60kWh version makes it easier to get into a Tesla. Soon, we might see Nissan pulling the same trick with the Nissan Leaf. After all, if you’re in the market for an electric vehicle, wouldn’t it be nice to have options? For example, the current Nissan Leaf is equipped with a 24kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which gives the car a range of about 75 miles.
The Five Best Fuel Economy Pure Conventional Vehicles
Good Fuel Economy in a Conventional Vehicle? Did you know that you don’t have to spend the extra money on a hybrid or electric vehicle to get the best fuel economy? We fully believe that electric vehicles, if people can get over their limitations, are going to be the future of transportation. On the other hand, we recognize that the internal combustion engine is not dead. There has been more advance in power and efficiency of ICEs in the last ten years than in the last fifty.
Tesla Motors says “Shields Up!” Adds More Protection for Battery Pack
After three Tesla Model S fires last year, some have been wondering if electric vehicles truly have a place in our transportation future. Tesla Motors says yes! Of course, the three fires in question were highly unusual, one involving a Class III three-ball towing hitch that had fallen off a truck, and another involving a 110 mph drunken crash into a wall. A third involved a metal truck part.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Benji
Contact Benji, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack