Automotive showcase

Tomorrow sees the start of the Frankfurt Motor Show where 900 exhibitors have convened to peddle their technology and services.

Briefing has taken a quick look the alternatively fuelled vehicles on show, picking three for your perusal.

Vauxhall/Opel says it will reveal what it describes as a striking concept with ‘production potential’ at the Frankfurt show.

The company goes onto say that the two-seat, battery-powered electric vehicle would be highly affordable and have a 60-mile range and be capable of 75mph.

Inspired by the Ampera, the concept is claimed to have the potential to create a new class of light-weight, zero-emissions electric vehicles in the UK and Europe.

More details will be revealed tomorrow.

Audi is set to introduce an all-electric four-seat concept with a 124 mile range.

A multi-material hybrid approach to its construction has led to a vehicle that weighs 1,150kg.

The vehicle’s lithium ion battery-powered electric motor delivers 116PS and 270Nm, allowing the car to go from 0-62mph in 9.3 seconds and to travel at a tops speed of 93mph.

Jaguar will be debuting the C-X16 concept two-seater

Jaguar says the C-X16 is powered by a supercharged 3.0-litre V6 producing 380PS (280kW) and 332 lb ft (450Nm) of torque.

The hybrid system is controlled by a steering-wheel mounted ‘Push to Pass’ button that boosts output by 70kW and 235Nm.

Further performance highlights inclue a top speed of 186mph, 0-62 mph in 4.4 seconds and 50-75 mph acceleration in 2.1 seconds with CO₂ emissions of 165 g/km.

Finally, an all-new British car company called Eterniti Motors will launch at the show, showcasing their Eterniti Hemera SUV concept.

The London-based company describes itself as an independent, boutique British luxury carmaker that has its sights firmly on wealthy motorists.

Eterniti believe the Hemera will be the world’s first Super-SUV, providing new levels of luxury, space and performance in an SUV.

Features include a limousine-like rear cabin, including twin reclining seats, iPads and a drinks chiller. All very handy if you have a chauffeur, something Eterniti have clearly thought about.

Expect updates throughout the week from The Engineer’s Andrew Czyzewski, who will be working the floor to bring you highlights from the show.

Click here here to access the show’s website.

Grids

EVs and their draw on the grid will be up for discussion in Italy this week

Joao Pecas Lopes, University of Porto will be delivering a tutorial entitled ‘Impacts from Large Scale Deployment of Electric Vehicles’today at the University of Bologna.

The tutorial is part of the CIGRE International Symposium on ‘Electric Power System of the Future - Integrating supergrids and microgrids’.

According to IET, the symposium will address technical issues related to future network architecture, planning, control and operation; introduce the most promising technologies enabling the evolution of SmartGrids, including ICT; and discuss market and regulatory issues present best practice and practical examples of pilot installations.

Recycling

Onto water now, more specifically recycled water and attitudes and behaviours towards the use of it.

‘Local water recycling’ on Tuesday 13 September, will look at the latest technologies and social perceptions relating to the use of recycled water.

The event’s publicity material say it will address the issue from a number of perspectives, including water companies, academics, farmers and technology providers and will feature presentations and Q&A sessions with representatives of Cambridge Water, Cranfield University, GE Power and Water and the National Farmers Union.

Organised by the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the Royal Academy of Engineering on behalf of the Engineering the Future alliance, the event will explore the engineering skills and technologies needed in coming years to develop effective solutions to some of the problems that surround water security in the UK and abroad.

Hydropower

In Scotland, delegates at this year’s Institute of Water Scottish Area Autumn Seminar will hear about the Scottish First Minister’s plans for Scotland to become a Hydro Nation. 

A consultation on proposals for Scottish Water to develop its commercial activities and take on new functions was published last year. ‘Building a Hydro Nation’ considered how such developments might be financed and the structure of Scottish Water’s corporate governance.

Bob Irvine, deputy director of the Scottish Government will talkabout how the government strategy and policy are going to affect the industry and what ‘Building a Hydro Nation’ really means for Scotland.

The Seminar being held on 16 - 17 September at Tulliallan Police College will see a number of speakers address key issues facing the water industry in Scotland and across the UK.