Mes: octubre 2020

• With a successful launch in Europe, Hyundai announces plans to offer XCIENT Fuel Cell heavy-duty commercial trucks in North America and China
• Production capacity of XCIENT Fuel Cell to reach 2,000 units per year by 2021 to support expansion in Europe, the U.S. and China as demand for clean transport solutions grows
• First seven units of the world’s first mass-produced heavy-duty fuel cell truck delivered to customers in Switzerland start hauling today, emitting only water

SEOUL, South Korea and LUZERN, Switzerland, Oct. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Hyundai Motor Company today delivered the first seven units of its XCIENT Fuel Cell, the world’s first mass-produced fuel cell electric heavy-duty truck, to customers in Switzerland, with a total of 50 hitting the roads there this year. The delivery of XCIENT Fuel Cell marks the official entry of Hyundai’s commercial vehicles in the European market, a touchstone for the company’s expansion into the North American and Chinese commercial markets.

 

 

 

 

«The delivery of XCIENT Fuel Cell starts a new chapter not only for Hyundai’s hydrogen push, but also the global community’s use of hydrogen as a clean energy source,» said In Cheol Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Commercial Vehicle Division at Hyundai Motor. «Today’s delivery is just a beginning as it opens endless possibilities for clean mobility. With successful delivery of the first XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks, we proudly announce our plan to expand beyond Europe to North America and China where we are already making great progress.»

Production capacity of the XCIENT Fuel Cell will reach 2,000 units per year by 2021 to support its expansion into Europe, the U.S. and China as demand for clean mobility grows. The increase in capacity will be backed by a USD 1.3 billion investment in addition to a previously announced USD 6.4 billion stake in establishing a hydrogen ecosystem to support creation of a hydrogen society.

In the U.S., Hyundai is collaborating with logistics leaders to supply mass-produced fuel cell heavy-duty trucks. Hyundai revealed the fuel cell-powered HDC-6 NEPTUNE Concept Class 8 heavy-duty truck at the North American Commercial Vehicle (NACV) Show in October 2019, hinting at what the future holds and Hyundai’s plans for it. To back this plan, Hyundai is partnering with companies to build a complete hydrogen value chain covering everything from hydrogen production and charging stations to service and maintenance. The North American market will also get a 6×4 tractor model. By 2030, Hyundai expects more than 12,000 fuel cell trucks to hit the U.S. roads.

Hyundai also is working with various parties in China, which aims to get 1 million hydrogen vehicles on its roads by 2030 as the country’s hydrogen industry is on a sharp growth trend, creating massive potential. Initially, Hyundai will focus on China’s four major hydrogen hubs: Jin-jin-ji, Yangtze River Delta, Guangdong Province and Sichuan Province. It is currently discussing cooperative initiatives such as a joint venture with local partners. 

Three fuel cell electric trucks are scheduled for launch in China: a medium-duty truck in 2022, a heavy-duty truck in in a couple of years, and another heavy-duty truck strategically designed for the China market. With these models, Hyundai’s goal is to achieve aggregate sales volume of 27,000 units by 2030.

A key to Hyundai’s global expansion of fuel cell trucks will be the successful launch of XCIENT Fuel Cell in Europe. The seven customers who received the first batch of XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks will haul payloads of consumer goods around Switzerland, emitting nothing but clean water. The operations will be backed by a robust green hydrogen ecosystem.

In 2019, Hyundai Motor Company formed Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility (HHM), a joint venture with Swiss company H2 Energy. HHM also is partnering with Hydrospider, a joint venture of H2 Energy, Alpiq and Linde. The customers will be leasing XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks from HHM on a pay-per-use basis that does not require an initial investment. Hyundai will take the success in Switzerland to broader European markets as Hyundai establishes solutions and partner networks in Germany, Norway, the Netherlands and Austria.

As part of its production expansion plan, Hyundai expects to supply 1,600 commercial fuel cell trucks by 2025. Currently, Coop, Migros, Traveco, Galliker Logistics, Camion Transport, F. Murpf AG and G. Leclerc Transport AG along with others have placed orders for XCIENT Fuel Cell. They will be utilizing the trucks to haul everything from food to cars around Europe.

To support the growing hydrogen ecosystem, Hyundai has a business case for more than 100 hydrogen fueling stations in Switzerland, which is enough not only for commercial vehicles, but also passenger fuel cell electric vehicles. Likewise, Hyundai plans to act as a sector coupler in bringing various players to the hydrogen value chain as part of its efforts to bring value.

XCIENT is powered by a 190-kW hydrogen fuel cell system with dual 95-kW fuel cell stacks. Seven large hydrogen tanks offer a combined storage capacity of around 32.09 kg of hydrogen. The driving range per charge for XCIENT Fuel Cell is about 400km*, which was developed with an optimal balance between the specific requirements from the potential commercial fleet customers and the charging infrastructure in Switzerland. Refueling time for each truck takes approximately 8~20 minutes.

Hyundai has been devoting itself to further develop fuel cell technology and establish the supply chain to realize a ‘Hydrogen Economy’ for a better and cleaner future, an effort receiving worldwide acclaim. Hyundai Motor’s Hydrogen Mobility Solution won the Truck Innovation Award at the International Truck of the Year (IToY) last year, and XCIENT FC won the Innovation Award in hydrogen energy and fuel cell technology at the 5th Shanghai Forum held on September this year.

 

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1307882/XCIENT_Fuel_Cell_Trucks_1.jpg  
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1308782/XCIENT_Fuel_Cell_Trucks_2.jpg  
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1308783/XCIENT_Fuel_Cell_Trucks_Panorama.jpg  
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1308784/XCIENT_Fuel_Cell_Trucks_3.jpg  
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GREENVILLE, S.C., Oct. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — As new electric vehicles (EV) enter the market and strong sales growth continues nationwide, the Public Service Commission of South Carolina (PSCSC) has approved two Duke Energy electric transportation (ET) pilot programs that will allow South Carolina to join other states in deploying EV infrastructure to meet the needs of this growing market.

Originally proposed in 2018, Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress participated in extensive working-group sessions with stakeholders for feedback on the innovative plans. The approved programs – the first in the Carolinas – reflect the inclusion of much of that feedback, as well as agreements with the Office of Regulatory Staff and ChargePoint.

«Electric vehicles are coming to South Carolina, but more investment is needed to grow the adoption of this evolving technology and the benefits it brings to the state,» said Mike Callahan, Duke Energy’s South Carolina president. «We’re listening to our customers to ensure we understand their electrification plans and needs. These pilot programs will help prepare us to meet the challenge to ensure we can keep up with increasing demand for electrification.»

Program Details

Fast Charging Program

• Duke Energy will install, own and operate 60 fast chargers across Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress South Carolina territories to provide a foundational level of infrastructure and facilitate EV market growth. Fast chargers installed under this program will feature next-generation power output of 100 kilowatts (kW) and above, ensuring South Carolina keeps pace with advances in the market.

Residential EV Charging Program

• This program will provide up to a total of $1,000 for 400 residential Duke Energy Carolinas customers who install a Level 2 charging station, provide access to their charging data, and manage EV charging load to occur during off-peak periods.

Duke Energy Carolinas is the electric utility that serves customers primarily in the Upstate region of South Carolina, while Duke Energy Progress serves customers in the Pee Dee.

The pilot programs were designed to support the growing EV market in South Carolina considering the significant economic benefits created by switching transportation fuel from gasoline to electricity. Expanding access to fast-charging infrastructure will allow customers across South Carolina who drive electric to enjoy significant fuel cost savings and help eliminate emissions from transportation. The residential program from Duke Energy Carolinas will also gather current charging load data to better understand the effects of EVs on Duke Energy’s electric system and determine the ability of customers to respond to load management programs.

The findings of these programs will be available to the public through an annual stakeholder engagement process as well as a final report submitted to the PSCSC. The programs start Jan. 1, 2021. Duke Energy customers interested in participating can learn more at www.duke-energy.com/business/products/park-and-plug.

The South Carolina programs join others that have been proposed or implemented across the states served by Duke Energy. The company is also leading by example, recently announcing that by 2030, Duke Energy will convert all its light-duty vehicles to electric and 50 percent of its medium-duty, heavy-duty and off-road vehicles to EV, plug-in hybrids or other zero-carbon alternatives.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of the largest energy holding companies in the U.S. It employs 29,000 people and has an electric generating capacity of 51,000 megawatts through its regulated utilities and 2,300 megawatts through its nonregulated Duke Energy Renewables unit.

Duke Energy is transforming its customers’ experience, modernizing the energy grid, generating cleaner energy and expanding natural gas infrastructure to create a smarter energy future for the people and communities it serves. The Electric Utilities and Infrastructure unit’s regulated utilities serve 7.8 million retail electric customers in six states: North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. The Gas Utilities and Infrastructure unit distributes natural gas to 1.6 million customers in five states: North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The Duke Energy Renewables unit operates wind and solar generation facilities across the U.S., as well as energy storage and microgrid projects.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune’s 2020 «World’s Most Admired Companies» list and Forbes’ «America’s Best Employers» list. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos, videos and other materials. Duke Energy’s illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Contact: Ryan Mosier
24-Hour: 800.559.3853

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SOURCE Duke Energy

• With a successful launch in Europe, Hyundai announces plans to offer XCIENT Fuel Cell heavy-duty commercial trucks in North America and China
• Production capacity of XCIENT Fuel Cell to reach 2,000 units per year by 2021 to support expansion in Europe, the U.S. and China as demand for clean transport solutions grows
• First seven units of the world’s first mass-produced heavy-duty fuel cell truck delivered to customers in Switzerland start hauling today, emitting only water

SEOUL, South Korea and LUZERN, Switzerland, Oct. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Hyundai Motor Company today delivered the first seven units of its XCIENT Fuel Cell, the world’s first mass-produced fuel cell electric heavy-duty truck, to customers in Switzerland, with a total of 50 hitting the roads there this year. The delivery of XCIENT Fuel Cell marks the official entry of Hyundai’s commercial vehicles in the European market, a touchstone for the company’s expansion into the North American and Chinese commercial markets.

 

 

 

 

«The delivery of XCIENT Fuel Cell starts a new chapter not only for Hyundai’s hydrogen push, but also the global community’s use of hydrogen as a clean energy source,» said In Cheol Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Commercial Vehicle Division at Hyundai Motor. «Today’s delivery is just a beginning as it opens endless possibilities for clean mobility. With successful delivery of the first XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks, we proudly announce our plan to expand beyond Europe to North America and China where we are already making great progress.»

Production capacity of the XCIENT Fuel Cell will reach 2,000 units per year by 2021 to support its expansion into Europe, the U.S. and China as demand for clean mobility grows. The increase in capacity will be backed by a USD 1.3 billion investment in addition to a previously announced USD 6.4 billion stake in establishing a hydrogen ecosystem to support creation of a hydrogen society.

In the U.S., Hyundai is collaborating with logistics leaders to supply mass-produced fuel cell heavy-duty trucks. Hyundai revealed the fuel cell-powered HDC-6 NEPTUNE Concept Class 8 heavy-duty truck at the North American Commercial Vehicle (NACV) Show in October 2019, hinting at what the future holds and Hyundai’s plans for it. To back this plan, Hyundai is partnering with companies to build a complete hydrogen value chain covering everything from hydrogen production and charging stations to service and maintenance. The North American market will also get a 6×4 tractor model. By 2030, Hyundai expects more than 12,000 fuel cell trucks to hit the U.S. roads.

Hyundai also is working with various parties in China, which aims to get 1 million hydrogen vehicles on its roads by 2030 as the country’s hydrogen industry is on a sharp growth trend, creating massive potential. Initially, Hyundai will focus on China’s four major hydrogen hubs: Jin-jin-ji, Yangtze River Delta, Guangdong Province and Sichuan Province. It is currently discussing cooperative initiatives such as a joint venture with local partners. 

Three fuel cell electric trucks are scheduled for launch in China: a medium-duty truck in 2022, a heavy-duty truck in in a couple of years, and another heavy-duty truck strategically designed for the China market. With these models, Hyundai’s goal is to achieve aggregate sales volume of 27,000 units by 2030.

A key to Hyundai’s global expansion of fuel cell trucks will be the successful launch of XCIENT Fuel Cell in Europe. The seven customers who received the first batch of XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks will haul payloads of consumer goods around Switzerland, emitting nothing but clean water. The operations will be backed by a robust green hydrogen ecosystem.

In 2019, Hyundai Motor Company formed Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility (HHM), a joint venture with Swiss company H2 Energy. HHM also is partnering with Hydrospider, a joint venture of H2 Energy, Alpiq and Linde. The customers will be leasing XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks from HHM on a pay-per-use basis that does not require an initial investment. Hyundai will take the success in Switzerland to broader European markets as Hyundai establishes solutions and partner networks in Germany, Norway, the Netherlands and Austria.

As part of its production expansion plan, Hyundai expects to supply 1,600 commercial fuel cell trucks by 2025. Currently, Coop, Migros, Traveco, Galliker Logistics, Camion Transport, F. Murpf AG and G. Leclerc Transport AG along with others have placed orders for XCIENT Fuel Cell. They will be utilizing the trucks to haul everything from food to cars around Europe.

To support the growing hydrogen ecosystem, Hyundai has a business case for more than 100 hydrogen fueling stations in Switzerland, which is enough not only for commercial vehicles, but also passenger fuel cell electric vehicles. Likewise, Hyundai plans to act as a sector coupler in bringing various players to the hydrogen value chain as part of its efforts to bring value.

XCIENT is powered by a 190-kW hydrogen fuel cell system with dual 95-kW fuel cell stacks. Seven large hydrogen tanks offer a combined storage capacity of around 32.09 kg of hydrogen. The driving range per charge for XCIENT Fuel Cell is about 400km*, which was developed with an optimal balance between the specific requirements from the potential commercial fleet customers and the charging infrastructure in Switzerland. Refueling time for each truck takes approximately 8~20 minutes.

Hyundai has been devoting itself to further develop fuel cell technology and establish the supply chain to realize a ‘Hydrogen Economy’ for a better and cleaner future, an effort receiving worldwide acclaim. Hyundai Motor’s Hydrogen Mobility Solution won the Truck Innovation Award at the International Truck of the Year (IToY) last year, and XCIENT FC won the Innovation Award in hydrogen energy and fuel cell technology at the 5th Shanghai Forum held on September this year.

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SOURCE Hyundai Motor Company

DENVER, Oct. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Boom Supersonic, the aerospace company building the world’s fastest airliner, today unveils its supersonic demonstrator, XB-1, history’s first independently developed supersonic jet. 

To design and build XB-1, Boom recruited a team of experts from around the industry, forged relationships with key suppliers, and built a strong safety culture. XB-1 is slated to fly for the first time in 2021 and will undergo a 100% carbon-neutral flight test program. Boom’s innovations include developing one of the highest-efficiency civil supersonic engine intakes ever tested, demonstrating Boom’s ability to deliver a breakthrough in propulsive efficiency for Overture.

«Boom continues to make progress towards our founding mission—making the world dramatically more accessible,» said Blake Scholl, Boom founder and CEO. «XB-1 is an important milestone towards the development of our commercial airliner, Overture, making sustainable supersonic flight mainstream and fostering human connection.»

This morning at 11AM MDT, the world will see XB-1 fully assembled for the first time and hear from the team that designed, built and are currently testing the aircraft. Boom’s XB-1 virtual rollout will highlight some of XB-1’s notable features including:

• Shape: XB-1’s 71-foot-long fuselage has been optimally shaped for high-speed aerodynamic efficiency.
• Materials: The carbon-composite airframe maintains its strength and rigidity, even under the high temperatures and stresses of supersonic flight.
• Wing: The delta wing balances low-speed stability at takeoff and landing with high-speed efficiency.
• Propulsion: Three J85-15 engines, designed by General Electric, provide more than 12,000 pounds of thrust, allowing XB-1 to fly at breakthrough supersonic speeds.
• Cockpit ergonomics: Guidance and feedback from XB-1’s test pilots played a key role in cockpit design, which was the product of hundreds of hours of human factors and usability testing.
• Forward vision system: XB-1 leverages a high-resolution video camera and cockpit display to give pilots a virtual window through the nose, providing superior runway visibility for landing.

Additionally, Boom will be sharing the virtual presentation stage with a number of aerospace leaders, Boom partners and investors. These guests will discuss the supersonic future, XB-1, and their excitement for Overture. Event speakers include:

• NASA Leaders and Astronauts: Maj. Gen. Charles F. Bolden, Jr, USMC (Ret.), 12th NASA Administrator and Capt. Robert «Hoot» Gibson, USN (Ret.)
• Chief Concorde pilot for British Airways, Captain Mike Bannister
• Supersonic: The Design and Lifestyle of Concorde author Lawrence Azerrad
• U.S. Air Force Brig. General Ryan Britton
• Chairman of Japan Airlines, Yoshiharu Ueki
• Strategy Director at Rolls-Royce Civil Aerospace, Simon Carlisle
• Founder of Prometheus Fuels, Rob McGinnis, a company producing net zero carbon jet fuel, an evolution beyond low-carbon sustainable fuels
• Boom investors, Sam Altman, Emerson Collective, John Collison, Reid Hoffman, Jeff Holden, Greg McAdoo and Sir Michael Moritz
• Boom advisors, Dr. Ray O. Johnson and Dr. Lourdes Maurice

After rollout, XB-1 will complete its ongoing, extensive ground test program before heading to Mojave, California in 2021 for flight test. At the same time, the company will finalize Overture’s propulsion system and conduct wind tunnel tests to validate aircraft design. When XB-1 breaks the sound barrier in flight, Boom will be finalizing the design of Overture, whose own rollout is on track for 2025.

About the XB-1 Rollout Event

The event streams at 11 a.m. MDT on www.boomsupersonic.com, followed by a Q&A session with Boom’s Founder & CEO. Viewers may submit questions throughout the event. The virtual rollout broadcast will be available on demand on Boom’s website after the initial streaming event, as well as on Boom’s YouTube channel.

More details can be found at boomsupersonic.com/xb-1.

About Boom
Boom Supersonic is redefining commercial flight by bringing sustainable supersonic flight back to the skies with Overture. As the world’s fastest airliner, Overture is designed and committed to industry-leading standards of speed, safety, and sustainability. Boom’s vision is to bring families, businesses, and cultures closer together through supersonic travel and make the world dramatically more accessible. Boom is the first commercial airplane manufacturer to commit to a carbon-neutral flight test program and to build sustainability into its entire aircraft program. The company is backed by world-class investors and has 30 aircraft on pre-order. Founded in 2014, Boom has assembled a team of over 140 full-time employees who have made contributions to over 220 air and spacecraft programs. For more information, please visit https://boomsupersonic.com.

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SOURCE Boom Supersonic

NEWTON, Mass., Oct. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Sonesta International Hotels Corporation is now one of the nation’s fastest growing hospitality management companies, with the pending addition of another large hotel portfolio in the coming months. Service Properties Trust (Nasdaq: SVC) announced today that it will transfer branding and management of 98 hotels to Sonesta, including 2 full-service, 56 select-service and 40 extended-stay hotels across the U.S.

Sonesta will transition management of 9 of these hotels on December 15, 2020 and the remaining 89 on January 31, 2021. This latest announcement follows two other recent SVC transactions contributing to Sonesta’s substantial growth and Sonesta’s new position as SVC’s largest operator:

• Four hotels were transferred by SVC during September 2020 and have all been reflagged as Sonesta hotels.
• 103 hotels will be transferred by SVC on November 30 including 22 full-service and 81 extended-stay hotels in the U.S., the District of Columbia, Ontario, Canada and Puerto Rico. Reservations are currently being accepted at these properties on Sonesta.com for stays beginning December 1, 2020.

«We’re proud that SVC continues to grow its relationship with Sonesta by entrusting us with management of another sizable portfolio of their hotels and resorts», said Carlos Flores, President and CEO, Sonesta International Hotels Corporation. «We are prepared and confident in our abilities to ensure these hotels receive the same level of exceptional care and support as Sonesta’s existing 80 plus properties.  We’re thrilled to welcome these new hotels to our growing portfolio of destinations.»

It is expected that by the end of Q1 2021, Sonesta will have over 250 properties in the U.S. and over 280 properties globally, expanding its U.S. footprint in key tourism and business destinations by more than fourfold.  In the U.S., Sonesta will increase from three to five brands: Royal Sonesta, Sonesta Hotels & Resorts, Sonesta ES Suites, and the two newest brands Sonesta Select and Sonesta Simply Suites.

A complete list of hotel locations will be available upon request. Visit Sonesta.com for the latest brand news, updates and more information on the Sonesta Travel Pass guest loyalty program and to book a stay.  

Featuring a portfolio of diverse and distinctive properties as individual as its guests, there is no typical Sonesta. With a full range of exceptional options found in many of the most memorable destinations in the world, Sonesta proudly exceeds guest’s expectations delivering an authentic experience time and time again.

Sonesta is one of the fastest growing hospitality companies in the U.S., celebrating an approximate 350% increase in its national portfolio. You will soon find nearly 300 Sonesta properties across seven brands operating in the U.S., Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, Peru and St. Maarten. Discover Sonesta hotels, resorts and suites in many of the most traveled U.S. destinations, including Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Hilton Head, Houston, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Portland, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle and St. Louis. For more about Sonesta and its locations, visit Sonesta.com or call +1.617.315.9200 or 800.Sonesta (800.766.3782) in the U.S. and Canada. Follow us on social media @SonestaHotels.

* High-resolution images are available at www.sonesta.com/media for all Sonesta hotels.
Media Contact: Lorie Juliano, ljuliano@sonesta.com office: 617.421.5429 mobile: 508.843.3769

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SOURCE Sonesta International Hotels Corporation