Toyota can now secure energy diversity for its future globally

Toyota has professed its interest in 'wheel to well' efficiency, carbon budget (in its design goals), and in energy diversity. Between global warming and high oil prices energy diversity is now in the critical path for Toyota's long term survival. Since hydrogen is really an energy carrier (not an energy source) its direct competitor is really battery technology (another energy carrier) - not oil. Ultimately, clean renewable energy transmitted as electricity over the existing grid into electric cars has the most compelling business case to maximize 'wheel to well' efficiency (vs. hydrogen, diesel, gasoline, etc.) and cost advantage when considering carbon and fuel costs as part of a vehicle's TCO, if:

1) cost effective battery technology for traction batteries improves to support long distance driving

2) clean renewable energy is available at current (2007) fossil fuel based electricity generation prices

I suggest it is now likely that the first item (above) will be accomplished within the next five years. For this see this link where Toyota practically says as much ==>
http://www.toyota.com/html/dyncon/2007/apr...y.html?url=html

On the second item (above) there is a project in California being built now (Spring 2007 for first phase) to create a solar farm with 500 megawatt capacity - a capacity that is comparable to today's gas fired electricity generation plants. For details ==> http://www.wired.com/science/planetearth/news/2005/11/69528

This solar farm relies on a sterling engine and a bunch of curved polished metal surfaces to get 30% efficiency - much higher than existing photo-voltaic technology. For details ==>
http://www.stirlingenergy.com/whatisastirlingengine.htm

It is my understanding there are reliability issues with the existing sterling engines (since they are basically hand made) that may impact the ability to scale the project. Somewhere I read each engine (with related polished metal structure) costs $250,000. Together, these are likely the key cost factors driving the solar energy generation costs that potentially make it not quite cost competitive. So, a reliable sterling engine is now at the heart of reproducable, scalable, and cost competitive renewable solar energy.

Interestingly, this puts Toyota is in an excellent position to secure its own future (i.e. enhance its energy diversity position) by dramatically helping to bring down the cost of clean renewal solar energy. If Toyota were to apply its considerable engine design and manufacturing expertise to building a reliable (i.e. low maintenance) and dramatically lower cost sterling engine (with related polished reflective metal structure similar to a group of unpainted car doors - see photos below), then the costs for solar energy from this source would likely become lower than that of current electricity generation plants that use fossil fuels. If accomplished this would be a money machine.

Now that Toyota is number one in global sales they really need ways to generate good press and positive perceptions globally - but, especially in the U.S. Think of the incredible PR as Toyota helps solve the vexing problems of global warming, high energy prices, urban smog, and energy independence by effectively using their knowledge and expertise in engine design and manufacturing. In addition, environmentalists make good allies. If Toyota helps make a break through that brings solar energy generation costs below that of coal - imagine the good will that would create!

If needed for the patents, perhaps it would be possible for Toyota to buy out Sterling Energy Systems, taking good care of its employees while running it as an independent subsidiary, and giving it the improved low cost reliable sterling engine. Later it could be spun off with Toyota as the engine supplier if Toyota wanted to keep to its core competencies.

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, here are three pictures to illustrate these points:

http://www.stirlingenergy.com/imagesdet.as...&imageID=11
http://www.stirlingenergy.com/imagesdet.as...&imageID=44
http://www.stirlingenergy.com/imagesdet.as...&imageID=12

If anyone can help me get this idea to the right innovators in Toyoto, please do.

Best regards,

Eric