Honda’s environmental focus goes beyond transportation and into the home. Honda’s Home Energy Group was established to bring environmentally responsible products to the residential market.

Today Honda’s Home Energy focus is on Micro Combined Heat and Power technology (MCHP). The MCHP can reduce both your utility bills and your impact on the environment – all while providing electrical power and a reliable source of heat.

The MCHP Deluxe

What is the MCHP?

The Honda MCHP is a heat transfer and power generation appliance.  It uses a process called cogeneration to simultaneously produce both heat and power from a single fuel source.   As a result, the MCHP makes far more efficient use of energy and resources than a typical heating system.

In a typical residential application, the MCHP is combined with a specially designed heating system, like the freewatt® by ECR International.

In this application, the Honda MCHP offers several benefits, including:

• 30%  reduction of greenhouse gases
• Up to 50% savings on your electrical bill
• Reliable, steady, quiet, comfortable heat
• Backup power for your home (MCHP Deluxe)

Two different models are currently available:

• The standard MCHP produces 1.2 kw of electricity and 3.46kw of heat (12,000 BTU’s). This is enough to provide most of the power and heat needed in your home.   This model operates on natural gas only.
• The MCHP Deluxe has the added feature of a back-up power source.  This model provides up to 1.8kw of back up power to your home in the event of a power outage.  The MCHP Deluxe operates on either natural gas or propane.

Both models of the MCHP are certified to UL specifications.

How does the MCHP work?

A typical MCHP and freewatt installation.

Inside the MCHP you’ll find an advanced Honda generator, powered by a durable Honda engine with extended maintenance intervals.  The generator produces electricity to power your home.

The MCHP’s engine produces heat as a by-product.  This heat is transferred to a specific designed device, such as a freewatt  furnace or boiler system.  The heat is then used to heat your home.

In a typical freewatt  installation, the MCHP module has provided as much as 75 percent of a home’s heating demand, plus enough electricity to power lights, small appliances and security systems.

In those areas where “net metering” is in place, excess electricity can be sold back to the local power company, reducing your utility costs even more.

A reliable, proven technology
Large cogeneration systems have been in use for many years.  These systems generate electricity and heat for commercial or industrial buildings, hospitals, and large apartment complexes.  But these systems are too large and too expensive for residential home applications.

The Honda MCHP uses the same principles in a much smaller footprint.  The MCHP module only requires a small space adjacent to a regular furnace.  The system connects to the home’s existing ductwork and electrical system.

The Honda MCHP has been used in Japan for over 5 years with over 80,000 installations.

More information

The freewatt  system featuring the Honda MCHP is available for sale through ECR International, primarily in the Northeast United States.
ECR is a full-service provider of freewatt  systems and can provide dealer and distributor information. More information is available at 877-386-5475 or www.freewatt.com or www.ecrinternational.com.

Honda’s environmental leadership

Honda’s environmental work is based on the efforts to advance clean and efficient technologies while continuing to develop and improve emerging technologies and alternative sources of fuel.

SOURCE BY// WWW.HONDA.COM

Pedrosa perspective on season

Thursday, 19 November 2009

After finishing the season on a high with his win at Valencia, Dani Pedrosa assesses 2009 as a whole.

source by//www.motogp.com

Dorna Sports sign three-year Finnish MotoGP broadcast deal

Tuesday, 17 November 2009

Dorna Sports have confirmed a new contract with Nelonen Media, part of the Finnish Media Group, Sanoma Entertainment, for the TV broadcasting rights of MotoGP in Finland for the 2010-2012 seasons.

MotoGP Basics

Moto2

Senna happy with progress at Campos Meta

While there is still plenty of manoeuvring to play out in the driver market for 2010, one of the few new names to have a confirmed cockpit for next year is Bruno Senna, who will make his Formula One debut with new team Campos Meta.

Work on Senna’s charge for 2010 is already well underway and on Monday the 26 year-old visited Dallara’s factory in Italy where his car is being built. Updating his official Twitter page on Wednesday, the Brazilian seemed pleased with progress and hinted that his Campos car should be ready early in the New Year.

“The car seems to be in a well developed state,” he commented. “I’ve sat in the monocoque, made a seat and tested the power steering system. I was happy to see the team really investing in the project. The provisional delivery date for the first car is the end of January.”

After being presented to the media in the Spanish region of Murcia on Tuesday, Senna is expected to undergo a series of mandatory FIA medical tests on Wednesday.

source by//www.f1.com

Williams confirm Barrichello and Hulkenberg for 2010

Williams will have an all-new race line-up next season, with Rubens Barrichello moving from Brawn GP to partner Williams tester and reigning GP2 champion Nico Hulkenberg. They replace Nico Rosberg and Kazuki Nakajima, neither of whom has announced a confirmed drive for 2010.

“Rubens needs no introduction,” team boss Frank Williams said of Barrichello, who is set to become the first man to start 300 Grands Prix next season. “He is not only the most experienced driver in Formula One, but a passionate and talented driver who fought hard for the drivers’ championship this year.”

Ross Brawn, Barrichello’s current boss, commented: “We are very pleased for Rubens that he will be driving in Formula One once again next year. Rubens was with our team for four years and we regard him as a highly experienced and talented driver whose contribution to the team over that period was significant.

“Rubens contributed hugely to our success in the constructors’ championship with two great victories in Valencia and Monza along with numerous podiums and he was a pleasure to work with. We wish Rubens the very best with his new team and thank him for his contribution to Brawn GP this year.”

In reference to Hulkenberg, who first tested with his team in 2008, Williams said of the 22 year-old German: “Nico Hulkenberg won the GP2 Championship this season as a rookie and has previously won the F3 Euroseries, Formula Masters, A1 GP and Formula BMW Germany.”

Rosberg announced in Abu Dhabi that it would be his last race for Williams, the team with which he made his Formula One debut back in 2006, having won the inaugural GP2 championship the previous year. Since then he has scored 75.5 points for the team, including a podium at the 2008 Australian Grand Prix. Media speculation has linked him to a Brawn drive for 2010.

Nakajima has been largely overshadowed by Rosberg since beginning his F1 race career with Williams at the end of 2007. The Japanese driver has close links with Toyota, who will be replaced by Cosworth as Williams’ engine supplier in 2010.

Paying tribute to his current drivers, Williams added: “Nico Rosberg and Kazuki Nakajima remain our drivers until the end of 2009 and I would like to thank them for their contribution to the team. Nico and Kazuki have represented AT&T Williams and our partners with dedication, discipline and skill and we wish them every success with their future endeavours.”

source by//www.f1.com

New Formula One tyre supplier from 2011

Formula One racing is set to use a new tyre supplier from 2011 after Bridgestone announced on Monday that they will not be renewing their current contract when it expires at the end of 2010.

Bridgestone have been participating in the sport since 1997, winning 156 Grands Prix, 10 drivers’ and 10 constructors’ titles. They became the official sole supplier to the championship in 2008.

The decision to leave was taken by Bridgestone’s board of directors, based on the Japanese company’s ‘need to redirect its resources towards the further intensive development of innovative technologies and strategic products’. Hiroshi Yasukawa, director of Bridgestone Motorsport, described the news as a ‘great disappointment’.

“Bridgestone’s relationship with the FIA Formula One World Championship stretches beyond being a tyre supplier,” he said in a statement accompanying the announcement.

“Formula One has been of strategic importance to Bridgestone in developing its technologies, raising the company’s brand awareness and providing its strategic business units around the globe with promotional and marketing tools that are intrinsically linked to our company’s core products.

“It was a great honour for Bridgestone to be awarded the 2008-2010 contract as Official Tyre Supplier by the Federation International de L’Automobile (FIA) to the pinnacle of single-seater racing and we would like to thank them for their continued support and for entrusting us with this privileged role which has seen us working at the heart of the Formula One community.

“Our sincere appreciation is also extended to Mr Bernie Ecclestone and Formula One Management, the Formula One teams with whom it has been an honour to have worked alongside, and the many Formula One fans who have followed our activities over the past 13 years. I would also like to thank the staff of the Bridgestone Motorsport team for their professionalism, dedication and hard work, and for their passion for excellence.”

Bridgestone reiterated that they continue to be wholly committed to the provision of safe tyres of the highest quality to the FIA Formula One World Championship in 2010 and to the running of their tyre servicing operation at the highest level.

source by// www.f1.com

Glock to lead Manor GP line-up for 2010

The new Manor GP team, currently preparing for their Formula One debut next season, have confirmed 2009 Toyota star Timo Glock to lead their driver line-up. The announcement precedes the official launch of the team later this year.

Manor say their driver strategy has been to secure a blend of youth and experience – and that Glock ticks both boxes. The 27-year-old German made his F1 debut as a Jordan stand-in in 2004, before beginning his career in earnest with Toyota in 2008, going on to score three podiums and 51 points.

“I had several options for 2010, some of them with more established teams,” explained Glock. “Every driver has the same overall objective – to win the world championship one day – but the way I want to succeed is to be part of the process of building a team and to play a key role in developing the car. This is why the opportunity with Manor GP is so exciting for me.

“I have spent a lot of time with (technical director) Nick Wirth, (team boss) John Booth and other members of the team and what I liked most is that this a real racing team run by true racers. The team may be small and new but it has big ambitions and a very impressive car and development programme. I am confident that I can play a big role in terms of my technical input and that’s a fantastic opportunity for me. I can’t wait to start testing the new car early next year.”

Commenting on Glock’s signing, Wirth said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Timo has chosen to drive for our team. It has always been my recommendation that we have at least one driver with experience of the 2009 cars to help our development programme, but to get a driver that has not only achieved podium finishes in 2009 but has such proven talent and the potential to take us forward for many years is very exciting. The fact that he has come and seen all aspects of the project before making his decision speaks volumes about what we have achieved so far.”

Manor are one of four new teams joining the grid next season, along with Lotus, Campos Meta and the US F1 Team. They expect to reveal more of their plans and car development programme later this year, but in the meantime have been quietly progressing towards their inaugural year of Formula One competition.

“Progress on our new car continues to be very encouraging,” added Wirth. “The first fully-finished monocoque was completed a week ago, and we’ve been crash testing all areas of the car since May. I think we’ll have the bulk of the official FIA tests done by Christmas, bang on our schedule. Now we just can’t wait to get Timo into the new car once track testing begins next year.”

source by// www.f1.com

Button to race for McLaren in 2010

McLaren have announced the signing of reigning world champion Jenson Button on a multi-year deal that will see him partner 2008 title holder Lewis Hamilton next season. It marks the first pairing of two British world champions since Graham Hill and Jim Clark at Lotus in 1968.

The news follows weeks of speculation surrounding Button’s future with 2009 team Brawn GP, whose 2010 driver line-up remains unconfirmed following their takeover by McLaren engine suppliers Mercedes earlier this week.

“It’s always a difficult decision to leave a team when you’ve been there for so long, but life is all about challenges – and, most important of all, it’s about challenging yourself,” said Button, who’d been with his previous team in its various forms since 2003.

“So, although I won the world championship with Brawn GP last year, and I’ll never forget that, I was always adamant that I wanted to continue to set myself fresh challenges. So that’s why I’ve decided to join Vodafone McLaren Mercedes.”

Commenting on Button’s signing, McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh said: “Everybody at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes is absolutely delighted to be able to welcome Jenson to our team. It has always been our policy to employ the two very best possible drivers – and, in Jenson and Lewis, we feel we not only have the fastest pairing on the 2010 grid, but also the two most complete, professional and dedicated drivers in Formula One.”

Despite reports suggesting that pay had been a major stumbling block in Button’s negotiations with Brawn, Whitmarsh insisted his move to McLaren hinged purely on his desire to remain in a race-winning car, having scored six victories this season.

“I want to make clear that Jenson’s decision to join us was in no way motivated by money,” he said. “We’ll be paying him no more than he could be getting elsewhere, and that fact is a reflection of not only Jenson’s belief in Vodafone McLaren Mercedes but also his desire and ambition to build on the phenomenal results he achieved during the 2009 season.”

For Hamilton, 2010 will mark his fourth season with McLaren, with Button becoming his third new team mate in that time.

“I already know Jenson, and we get on very well together,” he said. “We both really want our team to succeed. Although we’ll be pushing each other hard, I’m sure we’ll very quickly establish a great working relationship. He’s an exceptional driver: very controlled and very smooth, and he has a real depth of knowledge and experience.

“I think we’ll complement each other very well, and our collaboration will make the team stronger as a result. Also, I’m delighted to be racing alongside a fellow British world champion, and I believe we can pull together to make Vodafone McLaren Mercedes the best team on the grid.”

For his part, Button added that he was delighted to be joining such an iconic team.

“You can’t help but be affected by this team’s phenomenal history,” he said. “McLaren is one of the greats of world sport, and its achievements and list of past champions read like a Who’s Who of Formula One – Emerson Fittipaldi, James Hunt, Niki Lauda, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna, Mika Hakkinen and of course my new team mate Lewis Hamilton. I’ve followed the McLaren team ever since I was a small boy, and it feels unbelievable to finally be a part of it.

“It’s also a great pleasure to be joining a fellow British world champion. Lewis has achieved an incredible level of success in a very short period of time, and he’s a wonderfully gifted driver who has earned the respect of every Formula One driver. I’m sure there’s plenty that we can learn from each other, and I’m really looking forward to using our combined knowledge to push the team forward.”

The news marks the end of Heikki Kovalainen’s McLaren race career after two seasons as Hamilton’s team mate. The Finn, who finished 12th in the 2009 drivers’ table, seven places behind Hamilton, must now look elsewhere for a 2010 seat.

“I want to thank Heikki for his selfless contribution over the past two years,” said Whitmarsh. “As well as being very quick, Heikki was and remains a great character whom we’ll all miss considerably. It goes without saying that we wish him all the best, and would be very pleased if he were to secure a good drive for 2010.”

source by// www.f1.com

Dovizioso seeks further step forward

Andrea Dovizioso says he needs to take another step forward before he can fight for his first MotoGP victories.

The Honda rider led his home race at Mugello yesterday, having joined the leaders in the wet early stages and then jumped right to the front when he changed to slicks one lap before his nearest rivals.

But as the track dried he was unable to hold off the Yamahas and Casey Stoner, and fell back to fourth.

Although he came close to reclaiming third from Valentino Rossi, Dovizioso said the result showed that he is not right up with the frontrunners in normal conditions yet.

“We are getting closer, but still not close enough to win,” he said.

“We need to keep on working because we are still not as competitive as the fastest riders, especially in dry conditions. We’ll use this result to give us an extra boost of motivation.”

While admitting that he still needs to make further progress, Dovizioso said he was delighted with how competitive he had been at Mugello.

“The sensation of leading the race in front of my home crowd was incredible and I think overall we had a good race, he said.

“I’m satisfied. I fought like hell to take third and we were so close – only 53 thousandths from the podium! I think our race strategy was good, we changed the bike at the right moment and I pushed as hard as possible to maintain my position.

“With three laps to go I tried to keep in contact with the others and when Rossi overtook me, I managed to stay with him. Then I tried to slipstream him out of the last corner but I couldn’t make it. Anyway, all in all it was an exciting race and a positive result.”

source by//www.autosport.com