Latest news with #sustainableMobility
Geeky Gadgets
07-08-2025
- Automotive
- Geeky Gadgets
Building a Stirling Engine Bike and How it Could Change Sustainable Mobility
Have you ever imagined a bike powered not by gasoline or electricity, but by the simple act of heating and cooling air? It might sound like something out of a science fiction novel, but the concept is very real—and it's powered by the ingenious design of a Stirling engine. Unlike traditional engines, which rely on combustion, the Stirling engine uses a temperature differential to create mechanical energy, offering a quieter, more sustainable alternative. Yet, adapting this technology to a bike is no small feat. From maintaining precise heat transfer to optimizing energy efficiency, the challenges are as fascinating as the solutions. This is not just a story of engineering; it's a testament to human ingenuity and the pursuit of greener transportation. In this project by Tom Stanton to build a Stirling engine bike, you'll learn more about the intricate mechanics behind this unconventional power source and the innovative solutions that brought it to life. From lightweight materials to custom-designed components, every detail of the project reveals the delicate balance between creativity and practicality. You'll also discover how overcoming obstacles like low power output and air leaks required a mix of technical expertise and bold experimentation. Whether you're an engineering enthusiast or simply curious about the future of sustainable mobility, this journey offers a glimpse into how small-scale innovations can spark big ideas. After all, what could be more inspiring than reimagining the way we move through the world? Stirling Engine Bike Innovation Understanding the Stirling Engine The Stirling engine operates on a fundamental principle: converting thermal energy into mechanical motion by creating a temperature differential. This is achieved through the coordinated movement of two pistons. The displacer piston shifts air between the engine's hot and cold sections, while the power piston harnesses the resulting expansion and contraction of air to generate mechanical energy. One of the most notable features of Stirling engines is their efficiency and quiet operation. However, they are not without limitations. A key drawback is their relatively low power output compared to their size, which poses a significant challenge when adapting them for compact, high-performance applications such as a bike. Overcoming this limitation requires innovative engineering and meticulous design adjustments. Challenges in Adapting a Stirling Engine for a Bike Transforming a Stirling engine into a viable power source for a bike involves addressing several critical challenges: Heat Transfer: Maintaining a stable and sufficient temperature differential is essential for the engine's performance. Without this, the engine cannot generate consistent power. Maintaining a stable and sufficient temperature differential is essential for the engine's performance. Without this, the engine cannot generate consistent power. Energy Efficiency: Friction and air leaks can significantly reduce efficiency. Making sure airtight seals and minimizing mechanical resistance are crucial to optimizing performance. Friction and air leaks can significantly reduce efficiency. Making sure airtight seals and minimizing mechanical resistance are crucial to optimizing performance. Weight and Durability: The engine must be lightweight enough to integrate seamlessly with the bike while being durable enough to withstand prolonged use and varying conditions. These challenges underscore the complexity of adapting Stirling engine technology for practical use in transportation, requiring both technical expertise and creative problem-solving. Building a Stirling Engine Bike Watch this video on YouTube. Here is a selection of other guides from our extensive library of content you may find of interest on energy. Innovative Engineering Solutions To address these challenges, the engineering team implemented several innovative solutions that enhanced the engine's performance and adaptability for bike use: Improved Heat Transfer: A water cooling system was introduced to maintain the necessary temperature differential, making sure consistent and reliable engine operation. A water cooling system was introduced to maintain the necessary temperature differential, making sure consistent and reliable engine operation. Lightweight Materials: Heat-resistant aluminum alloys were used for key components such as pistons and displacers. This reduced the engine's weight without compromising its structural integrity. Heat-resistant aluminum alloys were used for key components such as pistons and displacers. This reduced the engine's weight without compromising its structural integrity. Airtight Seals: Custom-designed piston rings were developed to minimize air leaks, improving compression and overall energy efficiency. Custom-designed piston rings were developed to minimize air leaks, improving compression and overall energy efficiency. Mechanical Optimization: The crankshaft and displacer stroke were fine-tuned to maximize the engine's mechanical output, making sure the bike could achieve practical levels of performance. These solutions not only addressed the immediate technical challenges but also provided a foundation for further refinements and improvements. Building and Testing the Prototype The construction phase involved precision machining and careful assembly of critical components, including the engine block, pistons, and crankshaft. During initial testing, inefficiencies such as air leaks and suboptimal compression were identified. Through iterative adjustments—such as refining the crankshaft design and optimizing the displacer stroke—the team achieved a self-sustaining engine operation. Although the prototype's power output remained modest, these refinements demonstrated the engine's potential for practical applications. The testing phase highlighted the importance of iterative design and continuous improvement in engineering projects, particularly when working with unconventional technologies like the Stirling engine. Future Enhancements and Potential Applications While the current prototype represents a significant achievement, further advancements are necessary to improve the engine's performance and efficiency. Planned upgrades include: Regenerator Integration: Adding a regenerator to recycle heat energy, which would significantly increase the engine's thermal efficiency. Adding a regenerator to recycle heat energy, which would significantly increase the engine's thermal efficiency. Increased Internal Pressure: Boosting the engine's internal pressure to enhance its power output and overall performance. Boosting the engine's internal pressure to enhance its power output and overall performance. Advanced Heat Management: Developing a more efficient burner and radiator system to ensure sustained and reliable operation over extended periods. Developing a more efficient burner and radiator system to ensure sustained and reliable operation over extended periods. Clutch Mechanism: Incorporating a clutch system to seamlessly connect the engine to the bike's drivetrain, improving usability and control. These planned improvements aim to make the Stirling engine bike more practical and efficient, paving the way for broader applications in sustainable transportation. The Broader Implications of Stirling Engine Technology The Stirling engine bike project exemplifies the challenges and rewards of adapting innovative technologies for real-world applications. By addressing issues such as heat transfer, material selection, and mechanical optimization, the team has demonstrated the potential of Stirling engines as a sustainable and efficient power source. This project not only highlights the versatility of Stirling engines but also serves as an inspiration for further exploration into eco-friendly transportation solutions. As advancements continue, the Stirling engine could play a pivotal role in reducing reliance on fossil fuels and promoting greener alternatives in the transportation sector. The journey of building and refining this prototype underscores the importance of persistence, creativity, and collaboration in engineering, offering a glimpse into the future of sustainable innovation. Media Credit: Tom Stanton Filed Under: Design News, DIY Projects, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. 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Khaleej Times
25-06-2025
- Automotive
- Khaleej Times
Dubai's 20-minute cities face a key challenge: summer heat; how they plan to tackle it
With shaded walking areas, electric vehicles and essential facilities, Dubai is aiming to build 20-minute cities across the emirate. However, one of the main challenges is the extreme summer heat. At Expo City Dubai, the designers are trying to overcome this challenge by adopting a flexible approach. 'In the winter, people are encouraged to walk,' said Ivan Kyselov, Senior Manager of City Operations at Expo City Dubai. 'It's an experience and we promote it by activating the spaces around the walking routes. If you paint something on the pathway, kids will just simply play and walk these 15 minutes. Adults are the same. So we add an interactive element of architecture and urban development as a pit stop.' He added that they have electric vehicles (EVs) on site to ensure multimodality, inclusivity and accessibility. For the summer, Expo City is now experimenting with multiple solutions like zones of climate controlled areas like enclosed cool spaces, shaded walking areas and smart mobility hubs for bicycles and e-scooters. He was speaking at the event Mobility Live which brings together smart transportation and mobility solution experts from across the world. Building 20-minute cities have been an integral part of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, with the Model District Project currently under construction in Al Barsha 2. Transforming old neighborhoods According to Martin Tillman, a transport mobility planning specialist, it was equally important to also focus on older neighborhoods and transforming them into 20-minute-cities. 'We have to help regenerate the old city,' he said. 'It's somewhat easier to go to a new field or site and to say this is how we're going to move forward. It's a little more difficult to go into something that's already existing and work on it because it doesn't have the parking provision or a rail network.' He added that reward for this transformation was 'significant' because of multiple reasons. 'Typically the previously planned cities, were planned on the basis of better access for pedestrians and for people cycling,' he said. 'They tended to have better shape and were better coded for the day-to-day realities of living here in the Middle East. I think that's crucial and the idea of leaving that to decay is completely wrong.' The 20-minute cities will have integrated service centres with all the necessary facilities that allow residents to reach their destinations within a 20-minute timeframe. The plan involves placing 55 percent of residents within 800 meters of mass transit stations, allowing them to reach 80 per cent of their daily needs and destinations.
Entrepreneur
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- Entrepreneur
Institutional Investors Bet Big on Scalable Climate Solutions
India's clean-tech and EV investment landscape is rapidly evolving, from strong early stage funding to a deep focus on commercial scale and infrastructure, backed by robust frameworks, investors are not financing end-to-end solutions. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. India's clean-tech and EV investment landscape is rapidly evolving, from strong early stage funding to a deep focus on commercial scale and infrastructure, backed by robust frameworks, investors are not financing end-to-end solutions. According to Grip Invest, 2024 saw a significant rise in funding, attracting USD 564 million, a 37 per cent increase. Sustainable mobility (EV, OEMs, shared mobility, and batteries) accounted for over 70 per cent of funding, close to USD 220 million in Q2. Coming to institutional investment commitments, the United Kingdom's investment arm, British International Investment (BII) deployed USD 22.5 million in December 2024 into India's EV ecosystem, with a USD 15 million fund towards Everest Fleet and TI Clean Mobolity and a USD 3.5 million to Vecmocon, bringing its total commitment in the EV sector to USD 328 million. Schemes like Production-Linked Incentives (PLIs), which gave approximately USD 2.1 billion for advanced cell chemistry/batteries, USD 2.3 billion for solar panels, FAME II/III allocated $1.3 B through 2024 with another USD 300 million for FY 25. According to Crisil, India's green investments are projected to grow fivefold to INR 31 Lakh Crore, which is approximately USD 376 billion by 2030. Tarun Kapoor, Adviser to the PMO said this at a FICCI conference last year, "On 2‑wheelers, we should have much higher targets and a complete replacement is what we have to look for. On 4‑wheelers, government is fully supportive and there is a need to look at GST on batteries and charging stations," expressing ambition for full electrification of smaller EV segments. Tax incentives and import reductions seek to correct the heavy dependency on imported EV components . However, Orf research highlights a USD 44 billion per year climate funding gap and that current public-private investment falls well short of the USD 385 billion required by 2030. Vasudha Madhavan, Founder and CEO, Ostara Advisors said that the firm is observing a growing shift toward the broader climate tech ecosystem, which now encompasses not just renewables and solar energy, including rooftop solar, but also areas like industrial decarbonization, clean logistics, and energy-efficient warehousing. "Investor interest is expanding beyond the earlier EV-centric focus to include a diverse range of sectors contributing to decarbonization. However, the key challenge lies in ensuring these companies have strong unit economics and a clear path to profitability and scale. Additionally, there is increasing investor interest in niche segments within the EV space, including EV OEMs and ecosystem enablers such as financing solutions. There's a notable rise in attention from global investors, particularly from APAC, the Middle East, and other regions. We're also seeing the emergence of India-domiciled climate funds aimed at providing growth capital," said Madhavan, As private capital flows into Indian climate tech, we anticipate significant momentum toward building profitable, scalable businesses,driven by the immense opportunity the Indian market presents, added Madhavan. The events signal a shift, a shift in investor confidence that is transitioning from speculative to strategic scale plays, laying the groundwork for India's green technology future.
Associated Press
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- Associated Press
GSM officially launches Green GSM – The first electric taxi brand in the Philippines
METRO MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Media OutReach Newswire - 10 June 2025 -Green and Smart Mobility Joint Stock Company (GSM) today officially launched Green GSM, the first all-electric taxi service in the Philippines. The launch marks GSM's entry into fourth international markets, following Vietnam, Laos, and Indonesia, and represents a significant milestone in the company's " Go Green Global' strategy to advance sustainable mobility worldwide. GSM Global CEO (third from the right), GSM Philippines Executive Director (far left), together with representatives from the Government, the Vietnamese Embassy, and other guests, attend the launch ceremony of Green GSM electric taxi services in the Philippines. The grand launch took place at Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City, attended by H.E Ma. Cristina A. Roque – Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Mr. Vivencio Bringas Dizon – Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Mr. Frederick D. Go - Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs, Mr. Teofilo E. Guadiz III - Chairman of Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Madame Joy Belmonte - Quezon City Mayor, H.E Mr. Lai Thai Binh - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam to the Philippines, and nearly 100 strategic partners across sectors including banking, transportation, energy, retail, and technology. Green GSM will begin operations in 10 of the 16 cities and districts that make up Metro Manila – the Philippines' political, economic, and cultural heartland, home to over 13 million people. The service will operate an exclusive fleet of VinFast Nerio Green electric vehicles, offering smooth, quiet rides and zero emissions. The fleet's signature cyan color, blending green (symbolizing sustainability) and blue (representing innovation), embodies Green GSM's vision of a modern lifestyle that respects and protects the planet. With Green GSM, every ride goes beyond just getting from point A to B — it's a conscious choice for a greener tomorrow. By choosing electric mobility, riders actively contribute to reducing carbon emissions, air pollution, and noise, all while enjoying a premium, future-ready transport solution. The entire Green GSM fleet features the modern VinFast Nerio Green electric vehicles, offering smooth operation and eco-friendly performance. Operating to international standards, Green GSM delivers a five-star experience powered by professionally trained drivers, rigorously educated in safe driving, etiquette, and customer care. Every vehicle is equipped with the Secure to Safe (S2S) monitoring system, anchored by three core pillars: Fares are transparently calculated through in-car meters and clearly displayed on the Green GSM app. Pricing is highly competitive and offers greater value compared to conventional ride-hailing services, ensuring comfort, convenience, and affordability for every ride. With the message 'Hello Philippines: Move Forward the Green Way', Green GSM aspires to become a new symbol of smart and sustainable urban living in the Philippines – where everyday travel choices help build cleaner cities and healthier communities. Mr. Nguyễn Văn Thanh, Global CEO of GSM, shared: 'The Philippines marks a strategic chapter in our Go Green Global journey. But more than expanding to a new market, our true goal is to ignite a real transformation – shifting from traditional mobility to an electric future that is cleaner, smarter, and more socially responsible.' Commuters can start riding with Green GSM via the Green GSM mobile app, now available on App Store and Google Play; by calling the hotline 02-7777-8080; hailing a Green GSM taxi on the street; or catching a ride at designated public pick-up points throughout Metro Manila. To celebrate its launch, Green GSM is offering an exclusive promotion: 500 Green Points (worth PHP 500) for users who register and take their first ride. Green Points can be applied as discounts on the first seven trips. This offer is valid from June 10 to August 31, 2025, encouraging Metro Manila residents to embrace a smarter, greener, more modern way to travel. Founded in Vietnam in March 2023, GSM has emerged as a pioneer in sustainable transportation across Southeast Asia. Its expansion into the Philippines not only underscores the international capabilities of a Vietnamese enterprise, but also helps redefine transportation norms across the region with a new standard: Greener – Smarter - More Civilized. Hashtag: #GSM #GreenGSM The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Zawya
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- Zawya
GSM officially launches Green GSM – The first electric taxi brand in the Philippines
METRO MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Media OutReach Newswire - 10 June 2025 - Green and Smart Mobility Joint Stock Company (GSM) today officially launched Green GSM, the first all-electric taxi service in the Philippines. The launch marks GSM's entry into fourth international markets, following Vietnam, Laos, and Indonesia, and represents a significant milestone in the company's " Go Green Global" strategy to advance sustainable mobility worldwide. The grand launch took place at Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City, attended by H.E Ma. Cristina A. Roque – Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Mr. Vivencio Bringas Dizon – Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Mr. Frederick D. Go - Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs, Mr. Teofilo E. Guadiz III - Chairman of Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Madame Joy Belmonte - Quezon City Mayor, H.E Mr. Lai Thai Binh - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam to the Philippines, and nearly 100 strategic partners across sectors including banking, transportation, energy, retail, and technology. Green GSM will begin operations in 10 of the 16 cities and districts that make up Metro Manila – the Philippines' political, economic, and cultural heartland, home to over 13 million people. The service will operate an exclusive fleet of VinFast Nerio Green electric vehicles, offering smooth, quiet rides and zero emissions. The fleet's signature cyan color, blending green (symbolizing sustainability) and blue (representing innovation), embodies Green GSM's vision of a modern lifestyle that respects and protects the planet. With Green GSM, every ride goes beyond just getting from point A to B — it's a conscious choice for a greener tomorrow. By choosing electric mobility, riders actively contribute to reducing carbon emissions, air pollution, and noise, all while enjoying a premium, future-ready transport solution. Operating to international standards, Green GSM delivers a five-star experience powered by professionally trained drivers, rigorously educated in safe driving, etiquette, and customer care. Every vehicle is equipped with the Secure to Safe (S2S) monitoring system, anchored by three core pillars: Secure – real-time monitoring to proactively manage risks; Safe – ensuring peace of mind for every passenger, with special focus on women, children, and the elderly; Smart – leveraging AI to enhance operational efficiency, safety, and transparency. Fares are transparently calculated through in-car meters and clearly displayed on the Green GSM app. Pricing is highly competitive and offers greater value compared to conventional ride-hailing services, ensuring comfort, convenience, and affordability for every ride. With the message"Hello Philippines: Move Forward the Green Way", Green GSM aspires to become a new symbol of smart and sustainable urban living in the Philippines – where everyday travel choices help build cleaner cities and healthier communities. Mr. Nguyễn Văn Thanh, Global CEO of GSM, shared: "The Philippines marks a strategic chapter in our Go Green Global journey. But more than expanding to a new market, our true goal is to ignite a real transformation – shifting from traditional mobility to an electric future that is cleaner, smarter, and more socially responsible." Commuters can start riding with Green GSM via the Green GSM mobile app, now available on App Store and Google Play; by calling the hotline 02-7777-8080; hailing a Green GSM taxi on the street; or catching a ride at designated public pick-up points throughout Metro Manila. To celebrate its launch, Green GSM is offering an exclusive promotion: 500 Green Points (worth PHP 500) for users who register and take their first ride. Green Points can be applied as discounts on the first seven trips. This offer is valid from June 10 to August 31, 2025, encouraging Metro Manila residents to embrace a smarter, greener, more modern way to travel. Founded in Vietnam in March 2023, GSM has emerged as a pioneer in sustainable transportation across Southeast Asia. Its expansion into the Philippines not only underscores the international capabilities of a Vietnamese enterprise, but also helps redefine transportation norms across the region with a new standard: Greener – Smarter - More Civilized. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. GSM
