Tag Archives: heat

Technology

How To Choose The Right Mr. Heater Buddy For Cold Camping Nights

Before selecting a Mr. Heater product, you should think about the size and heat setting that will suit your camping area. If you are camping in a smaller space, the Mr. Heater Little Buddy Heater is a good choice at a price of $112. It produces 3,800 BTUs and can heat up to 95 square feet for about 5.6 hours. It operates using a 1-pound propane tank. Additionally, the Little Buddy Heater is equipped with a safety feature that shuts off the heater if it tips over. However, be cautious as the metal covering may still be hot and could potentially melt your sleeping bag if it falls onto it.

If you’re staying in a larger space or require more heating capacity, you might consider the Mr. Heater’s Hunting Buddy Portable Heater. Priced at $222, this model is nearly twice the cost of the aforementioned heater, but it provides more than double the power. It generates between 6,000 and 12,000 BTU and can heat up to 300 square feet, making it suitable for larger campsites. When it comes to propane, you have the option of using a 1-pound tank, which can provide up to 3.6 hours of heat on low, according to the company. With the optional hose, you can also use a 20-pound tank. Either way, you’ll be sure to stay warmer during your camping trip.

News

Would You Buy A Honda SC e: When It Comes Out In 2025?

At the EICMA this year, Honda showcased a range of new models, including the CB1000 Hornet, CB650R, CBR650R, CBR500R, Africa Twin 2024, updated Fireblade and Fireblade SP, and the new NX500 (previously known as the CB500X).

However, one particular showcase that caught attention is the Honda SC e: Concept. This is Honda’s second scooter for the European market, following the EM1 e:. The SC e: Concept is sleek and modern, bearing resemblance to the PCX 160 but with an electric powertrain.

The SC e: Concept, powered by Honda’s Mobile Power Pack e: batteries, shares similarities with the EM1 e:, but features a horizontal headlight and a different passenger footwell. It promises greater driving range, aligned with Honda’s commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. The final version is set to be unveiled by 2025, and it is intended to be used by motorcyclists with the A1 license restriction in Europe.

News, Technology

Apple Can Delay App Store Changes Amid Supreme Court Petition

Apple is not only facing regulatory pressure over its strict App Store payment rules in the U.S. but also in other countries. In South Korea, a 2021 amendment to the Telecommunications Business Act forced Apple to allow developers to offer alternative payment methods in their apps. Similarly, in the Netherlands, the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) ruled that dating apps can provide alternative payment options to users.

However, the most significant challenge to Apple’s business comes from Europe. The Digital Markets Act (DMA) may require Apple to not only permit third-party payment systems but also allow side-loading. In February 2023, the European Commission expressed its disapproval of Apple’s anti-steering obligations, considering them harmful to users and developers. But the EU’s main objection is that Apple does not allow users to download apps from sources other than the App Store.

In April, Bloomberg reported that Apple may introduce “sideloading” for the first time with the release of iOS 17 later this year. Apple has argued that sideloading could compromise privacy and security protections. However, the revenue generated by Apple’s App Store payment rules is also at stake. If users can download apps from third-party stores or online platforms, developers can offer external payment options without being subject to the 30% Apple fee.

BMW

DTM: Schubert Motorsport celebrates victory and podium finishes at the Norisring

Schubert Motorsport achieved great success at the Norisring during the third DTM race weekend of the season. Sheldon van der Linde secured his first victory of the year on Saturday, with René Rast finishing second, resulting in a Schubert one-two finish. On Sunday, both BMW M4 GT3 cars from the team made it to the podium, with Rast finishing second again and van der Linde taking third place. Marco Wittmann also participated and finished ninth and 13th in the Project 1 #11 BMW M4 GT3.

In the driver standings, van der Linde is currently in second place with 78 points, trailing behind Thomas Preining. Rast is in seventh place with 54 points, and Wittmann is in eleventh position with 35 points. In the team standings, Schubert Motorsport is one point behind Manthey EMA in second place. In the manufacturer standings, BMW is in second place with 157 points, trailing behind Porsche.

As the local hero, Marco Wittmann was celebrated by his home fans in the grandstand. He took the time to visit his supporters before each race and express his gratitude for their support.

During the DTM highlight event, BMW M presented the new BMW X1 M35i xDrive in the paddock. The car will be available in Germany from November. BMW M CEO Franciscus van Meel and Marco Wittmann introduced the car to the visitors on Saturday, and Sheldon van der Linde inspected the new model on Sunday and signed autographs for the fans.

Andreas Roos, Head of BMW M Motorsport, expressed his satisfaction with the weekend. He praised the performance of the BMW M4 GT3 on the track and thanked Schubert Motorsport for their excellent work. He acknowledged the challenging weekend for Marco Wittmann and Project 1 but expressed confidence in their ability to perform better in the future. He also complimented the organizer and the fans for a great event in Nürnberg.

Sheldon van der Linde was delighted with his podium finishes at the Norisring and expressed his intention to carry this momentum into the next DTM race weekends. René Rast also had a successful weekend, collecting valuable points for the championship. Marco Wittmann acknowledged the tough weekend from a sporting perspective but highlighted the incredible atmosphere and interactions with the fans as the highlight of the event.

BMW

BMW’s Dingolfing Plant to Use Locally Produced Biomass Heat to Reduce CO2 Emissions

BMW Group’s Dingolfing plant in Germany plans to utilize heat generated from regional biomass and its own waste wood to fulfill about 50% of its process hot water requirements, starting from 2025. The company has signed a supply contract with UP Energiewerke GmbH, a subsidiary of Stadtwerke Dingolfing and Bayernwerk Natur, for the delivery of approximately 100,000 MWh of thermal energy per year. This initiative is expected to save the plant around 20,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, compared to conventional fossil fuels.

The agreement forms a crucial part of the plant’s future energy mix, offering regional and renewable sources of green heat. Christoph Schröder, the Plant Director, emphasized the importance of biomass as a renewable energy source, stating that it will contribute to lowering overall CO2 emissions by 10 to 15% per year.

The energy supplies are scheduled to commence by Q2 of 2025. The 20-year supply contract involves the purchase of thermal energy outputting nearly 100,000 MWh annually. The heat will be generated at a new biomass heating plant in Dingolfing, close to the BMW Group vehicle plant.

Since 2010, the Dingolfing public works department has operated a biomass heating plant that supplies heating to public buildings and private households in the southeastern part of the city. The new heating plant will be built in collaboration with E.ON subsidiary Bayernwerk Natur, through UP Energiewerke GmbH, a joint venture with equal partnership from both parties.

The heating plant, costing around €35 million, will consist of three boilers that operate year-round. It will also be equipped with its own pallet and waste-wood shredder. Underground pipes will transport the locally sourced heat to the energy center at the BMW Group vehicle plant, where it will be distributed across the site. Construction of the plant is set to commence in late 2023.

The biomass used for fuel will include the BMW Group’s own untreated waste wood, as well as wood sourced from regional forestry within a 60-kilometer radius of Dingolfing. The supply of wood will be managed by Biomasse Vertrieb Ostbayern (BVO) GmbH, supported by local forest owners and the Dingolfing public works department. The use of wood chips from sustainable forestry helps reduce CO2 emissions as the released CO2 during combustion is balanced by the CO2 absorption during plant growth.

The completion of the biomass heating plant project signifies a successful partnership between the city of Dingolfing and BMW Group Plant Dingolfing in reducing CO2 emissions and maintaining the region’s status as an industrial hub. The plant’s director, Christoph Schröder, expressed the company’s belief that regional biomass availability and power-to-heat technologies will play a vital role in its heating strategy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels like gas and oil.

About BMW Group Plant Dingolfing

BMW Group Plant Dingolfing is the largest production site for BMW in Europe. It produces over 1,500 vehicles per day, including models like the BMW 4 Series, 5 Series, 6 Series, 7 Series, and 8 Series, as well as the fully electric BMW iX. With a workforce of more than 18,000 employees and 850 apprentices, it is not only the largest employer in the region but also a significant industrial production and vocational training facility in Germany.

In addition to vehicle production, Dingolfing plant manufactures vehicle components such as pressed parts, chassis, and drive systems. It is also the global Competence Centre for E-Drive Production, supplying electric motors and high-voltage batteries to BMW Group vehicle plants worldwide for the production of plug-in hybrids and electric models. Additionally, the facility produces car bodies for Rolls-Royce models and operates the Dynamics Centre, a key storage and transshipment facility for BMW and MINI original parts and equipment.

Technology

Why Heat Waves Can Cause Power Outages (And What You Can Do About It)

Utility companies are well-prepared for heat waves and try to meet the increased energy demands that come with them. So, if your utility company is asking you to reduce your electricity usage, it’s for a good reason. Although it may not be ideal, it’s better to turn off your A/C than to lose power completely. If you find yourself in a power outage during a heat wave, there are several things you can do to stay cool. These include increasing ventilation in your home, using battery-powered fans and other devices, and being prepared with generators. Many of these preparations can be done while the power is still on and you are being asked to conserve energy.

Another way to address power outages during heat waves is to voice your concerns to your government representatives and utility companies. Request an increased use of solar and wind energy to supplement your grid’s capacity, as well as the implementation of smart grid technology. Smart grids, especially a unified national Smart Grid, help make energy distribution more efficient and enables the grid to better handle sudden surges in energy demand. This is achieved through automatic computerized adjustments as well as by empowering workers to manually address stress on the grid. Throttling power and using real-time, GPS-synchronized data to make informed decisions about energy distribution are some of the methods employed.

Considering that climate change will lead to more frequent and more intense heat waves, it is crucial to expedite the implementation of smart grid technology. By advocating for your representatives and power company to adapt to this technology and take more assertive action against climate change, you can contribute to preventing future blackouts.