September 2008

Hybrids, high school physics and the flywheel
Hybrids are changing the way people think about and utilize energy. For engine designers, the challenge is balancing performance with cost and fuel economy. Current hybrid technology combines two power units — one gas and one electric to optimize performance and fuel economy. The challenge for hybrids is finding a more efficient way to utilize energy produced during operation.

At the heart of this equation is the fundamental law of energy taught in high school physics — “You lose energy when you change it from one form to another”. This, and the inefficiency of batteries to absorb energy quickly is pushing designers to experiment with alternative technologies such as the Flywheel to capture, store and utilize more efficiently.

Developed long before batteries, this approach minimizes energy loss by avoiding the conversion of kinetic energy to electrical energy. It instead captures energy created during braking and makes it available for acceleration, without utilizing batteries or other storage devices.

The prize for anyone that can develop a functional vehicle flywheel solution is improved energy efficiency of 60% to 80% over conventional vehicles and a dramatic improvement in fuel economy, at lower cost, without sacrificing acceleration.

Ford finds value in better energy management
Increased focus on energy management is impacting every aspect of energy usage. Industrial facilities are going to great lengths to improve their utility usage by incorporating monitoring, visualization and conservation initiatives into their business plans. Ford Motor Company, for example, recently reported positive results with an Enterprise Energy Management solution from Schneider Electric.

The solution integrated data from all Ford manufacturing sites in North America, while also communicating in near real time with utility meters to obtain electricity and natural gas consumption data. The goal was to:

• Increase availability of utility usage and cost data to expedite decision-making
• Increase ease of benchmarking production vs. non-production periods
• Standardize formatting of benchmark reporting
• Reduce purchasing cost of natural gas via access to accurate/timely consumption data to maintain tolerance within daily and monthly injection and withdrawal limits.

Within one year, Ford has seen very positive comprehensive energy conservation and cost reduction indicators resulting from Schneider Electric’s Enterprise Energy Management system and the reduction in electricity consumption.

Visit Schneider Electric's automotive website at www.us.Schneider-Electric.com/Auto to read about Ford Motor Company's implementation of Schneider Electric's Enterprise Energy Management system.

Visit us at: http://www.us.Schneider-Electric.com/auto
Contact us: Auto@us.schneider-electric.com

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