Monthly Archives: March 2014

Researchers convert sugarcane to a cold-tolerant, more photosynthetically efficient, oil-producing crop

March 02, 2014   Neville

Researchers are engineering sugarcane into a more productive, oil-producing plant that can grow in cooler climes. If their work proceeds as expected, growers will be able to meet 147% of the US mandate for renewable fuels with the modified sugarcane, the team reports. This crop could grow on abandoned land in the southeastern United States (about 20% of the green zone on the map). Credit: Stephen Long
A multi-institutional team led by researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign reports that it can increase sugarcane’s geographic range, boost its photosynthetic rate by 30% and turn it into an oil-producing crop for biodiesel production. These are the first steps in a larger research initiative—supported by $3.2 million from the Department of Energy—to convert sugarcane and sorghum, two of the most productive crop plants known, into even more productive, oil-generating plants.

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Concerns raised over Audi, BMW lending cars to EU ahead of tough CO2 targets

March 02, 2014   Sean
 Some European politicians and transparency campaigners have raised concerns about German luxury carmakers Audi and BMW providing free cars to EU member states while negotiations were under way over strict new CO2 emissions targets.The immediate concern is sponsorship involving the free loan of scores of luxury cars to five countries over a two-and-a-half period that coincided with the debate over new limits for carbon dioxide emissions.

The five countries consecutively held the EU presidency during that time and were responsible for leading policy negotiations.

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BP starts up Na Kika Phase 3 in ultra-deepwater Gulf Of Mexico

March 02, 2014   Neville

BP announced the start-up of Na Kika Phase 3, a project supporting BP’s strategy of growing high-margin production at four BP-operated hubs in the ultra-deepwater Gulf of Mexico. The first Na Kika Phase 3 well began oil production on 19 February, with a second well expected to start up in the second quarter.

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Ford reveals self-driving Mondeo

March 02, 2014   Ian

Ford has taken the wraps off a self-driving Fusion – the American version of the upcoming Mondeo – at a technology show in Barcelona. The car creates a 3D image of the world and then uses it to navigate, avoiding obstacles slowing down and speeding up autonomously.

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More company cars fitted with speed limiters

March 02, 2014   Ian

An increasing number of company cars are being fitted with speed limiters as fleet operators seek to improve safety and reduce costs.

Cobra speed limiter sales more than doubled in the second half of 2013 and while most are fitted to are vans, the company reported in Fleet News that some operators are fitting limiters to their cars as well.

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