A little bit of fabrication

Over the last couple of months there have been a few changes to accommodate the new race battery pack in the GS750V and to brace the motor appropriately as we head towards full torque output.  Below you can see the new brackets that prevent the motor's aluminium body from carrying all the torque and they also provide a new mounting point for the the inverter just above the motor.

Multi purpose bracing brackets

In addition to that, we have put together our dual motor dyno ready for fine tuning of the motor control algorithms under development in the Tumanako project.

Dyno for motor tuning

Big thanks to Stephen for driving the details and making this happen and also to the Spaceships crew and PureAdvantage for the support along the way.  Thanks also to the fine Engineering work and support provided by Abel Metal Products, Primero Profiles, Tordeich Engineering and Ladarac.

We are now ready for the batteries!

Introductions, and expansion on minimalist Debian 6 SolarNode setup

This is my first post on the Greenstage blog, so a brief introduction is in order. I've been developing the SolarNetwork platform since meeting John Gorman in mid-2008. I was already interested in renewable energy, and a proponent of open source software, so SolarNetwork was a natural fit. John introduced me to Philip Court later that year, and eventually we joined forces formally as Greenstage Power, Ltd. with myself as CTO. SolarNetwork has already evolved considerably in many exciting ways over these past few years, and I look forward to seeing where the future takes it.

As for the original impetus for this post, I've expanded on Philip's previous post on setting up Debian 6 for a SolarNode on an eBox 3300 mini computer. Some of the improvements in this guide are:

• Stock i386 Debian kernel used
• OpenNTPD for time synchronization (instead of usual ntpd)
• Monit for process monitoring
• busybox-syslogd in-memory cyclic syslog
• SolarNode platform uses a ramdisk for logging, temporary files, and the embedded database

These last two points greatly reduce the number of writes the system performs on disk, with the idea of reducing writes to the flash-based media used as the system's main filesystem.

The guide is available on the SolarNetwork Wiki. The entire system described by that guide is also available as a downloadable disk image that you can easily copy to a SD card or USB stick.

Minimal Debian install on a Vortex86

For our SolarNode installations (part of the SolarNetwork) we use a minicomputer with a Vortex86.  This is a system on chip (SoC) x86 compatible CPU which has all the bells and whistles on one piece of silicon.

JrMX with Vortex86 inside

We had until recently been installing a standard Ubuntu distribution which was working very nicely.  Problem was this distribution was full of many unneeded software modules.

Over the break I finally got around to sorting out a bare bones installation that only contains what we need (no GUI required!).  Not only does this increase performance and reduce disk space requirements, but it enhances security by keeping deployed software to a minimum (less software equals less security updates).

Here is the process we have used to build a bare bones SD boot image with the latest native WiFi support (no ndiswrapper here) on a Norhtec JrMX.  Read on... 

First up: Find yourself an Ubuntu or Debian based PC to prepare your bootable SD card.  Make sure you have unetbootin or similar installed (usefull for creating a bootable SD or USB stick from an iso).

# sudo apt-get install unetbootin

Use unetbootin to create a bootable SD card (I used a 4GB) using this Debian squeeze mini iso.

Now boot the JrMX (with network cable connected) from the freshly made bootable SD card and complete the installation process (could take a while with lots of downloading).

Once finished, there will likely be some additional packages you will want to install e.g. ssh-server, ntp, wicd, wicd-curses etc.

# apt-get install ssh-server

# apt-get install ntp

# apt-get install wicd

# apt-get install wicd-curses

FYI: We use wicd-curses to configure WiFi from command line (instead of the NetworkManager GUI or similar).

Now, get Ready for the Kernel upgrade and WiFi driver install...

Squirt the stuff (Kernel and WiFi Driver) across to the JrMX from your desktop (connected using network cable at this point in time).
e.g.

$ scp linux-image-2.6.34.10-vortex86-sg_1.2_i386.zip  philipc@10.1.1.11:
$ scp RTL8188_8192SU_usb_linux_v2.6.6.0.20110401.zip philipc@10.1.1.11:

Now, on the JrMX box (ssh in or login using physical keyboard and monitor), install the new kernel and the kernel headers:

# unzip linux-image-2.6.34.10-vortex86-sg_1.2_i386.zip
# dpkg -i linux-image-2.6.34.10-vortex86-sg_1.2_i386.deb
# dpkg -i linux-headers-2.6.34.10-vortex86-sg_1.2_i386.deb

Now Install RTL8188SU Linux driver (for WiFi), but first we need to sort out the missing build link to the header source files:

# rmdir -–ignore-fail-on-non-empty /lib/modules/2.6.34.10-vortex86-sg/build

# ln -sf /usr/src/linux-headers-2.6.34.10-vortex86-sg /lib/modules/2.6.34.10-vortex86-sg/build

Download and unzip the latest RTL8188SU driver (which is actually the same as RTL8192SU driver).  The one I specifically used is here, or you can get it from the realtek site. 

#unzip RTL8188_8192SU_usb_linux_v2.6.6.0.20110401.zip

Note: This works great, but readme instructions from the older rtl8188_8192.zip (this one is from the robosavvy site) are much more informative.  Follow the readme instructions which are summarised below ('make' and 'make install' basically)...

Note: You will also need the following to build the drivers (if you want, remove with apt-get remove at the end):

# apt-get install build-essential

Extract, build and install WiFi drvier from unzipped source dir:

# cd rtl8712_8188_8191_8192SU_usb_linux_v2.6.6.0.20110401/driver
# tar -xzf rtl8712_8188_8191_8192SU_usb_linux_v2.6.6.0.20110401.tar.gz
# cd rtl8712_8188_8191_8192SU_usb_linux_v2.6.6.0.20110401
# make
  ...
  Building modules, stage 2.
  MODPOST 1 modules
  CC      /home/solar/rtl8712_8188_8191_8192SU_usb_linux_v2.6.6.0.20110401/driver/rtl8712_8188_8191_8192SU_usb_linux_v2.6.6.0.20110401/8712u.mod.o
  LD [M]  /home/solar/rtl8712_8188_8191_8192SU_usb_linux_v2.6.6.0.20110401/driver/rtl8712_8188_8191_8192SU_usb_linux_v2.6.6.0.20110401/8712u.ko
make[1]: Leaving directory `/usr/src/linux-headers-2.6.34.10-vortex86-sg'

# make install
install -p -m 644 8712u.ko  /lib/modules/2.6.34.10-vortex86-sg/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/
/sbin/depmod -a 2.6.34.10-vortex86-sg

# shutdown -r now

NOW LETS GET THAT WiFi GOING!

Check a few things:

# ifconfig wlan0 up
# iwlist wlan0 scan
# iwconfig

Configure the WiFi connection (use wicd-curses, it's like NetworkManager, but a command line tool! Just follow your nose...)

#wicd-curses

Yea Ha!!!! It all works :)

You may want to turn off a few other things as well, but this is a great starting point for a minimal install.

Enjoy!

Note: Please make sure you see Matt's update on this post as well.

EV action in NZ

There are a couple of important events kicking off in New Zealand that you need to be aware of:

1. NZ's first road legal solar powered car takes to the road.
2. APEV organised Electric Vehicle Workshops in Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland.

NZ's first road legal solar powered car

This solar powered car was developed at Waikato University and will travel from Auckland to Bluff (1700km) starting from the Auckland domain this Thursday morning (24th Nov).  Go for it guys!  More details are available here.  They will be competing with the SolarWorld GT car from Germany.

APEV organised Electric Vehicle Workshops

The dates for the Electric Vehicle workshops are as follows:

• Wellington: Nov 22 at the Motor Trade Association board room, Level 2, 79 Taranaki Street
• Christchurch: Nov 28 at the Road Transport Association board room, 41 Carlyle Street
• Auckland: Nov 30 at the Kingsgate Hotel, 92-102 Gladstone Road, Parnell

Workshops starting at 3pm are for those already participating in or having shown an interest in the EV industry and will include an update re APEV's progress in Japan and New Zealand as well as activities planned for the coming months.

Workshops starting at 5:30pm will be primarily targeted at auto mechanics and auto electricians, introducing them to the upcoming opportunity in EV conversions.

RSVP to the NZ Clean Energy Centre if you wish to attend any of these workshops.

Just an Opinion?

Back in 2008 I started blogging about Greenstage and I briefly explained why here.

Well, the world is changing fast and some of the drivers for Greenstage are becoming ever more intense and clarity around these drivers and their relatedness is increasing.

We live in a very special time in history. Cheap and abundant energy (in the form of fossil fuels) have enabled a massive expansion of our economies and humanity's capabilities. Some of my personal favorites include achievements like NASA's Space Shuttle, the Hubble Space Telescope, the Large Hadron Collider and Genome sequencing, not to mention the rich tapestry of arts and culture the world over. As fellow humans, irrespective of which country we were born in, we can feel proud of all humanity's achievements.

Inside the Large Hadron Collider

Things are changing fast and to maintain and extend this level of capability, humanity needs to make some adjustments. Peak oil is either already here, or not far away. There are environmental changes resulting from the consumption of non-renewable resources and the release of previously stored carbon into the earth's atmosphere.  Combine this with debt-stretched economies and the resulting economic slowdown, it's clear our current behavior is making the world a starker place for future generations.

Understanding that society's massive growth for the last 100 years has largely been fuelled by abundant and cheap energy, with oil literally squirting out of the ground, is fundamental to understanding the consequences of this energy crunch. Things are going to change whether we like it or not. Our current business as usual approach is unsustainable and becoming ever harder to achieve due to oil and debt fuelled growth coming to an end.  Our choice in the matter, is whether to be proactive about change, or to simply suffer the consequences and be forced into whatever change results.

Energy crunch

What to do?

Be positive, be proactive and change what we need to change! Simple as that. Most successful people and businesses have a long term plan, are passionate about what they do and work towards achieving their goals. Nothing new here.

What's missing in my opinion is leaders with a long term plan that fits with the reality of the situation. Spending billions of dollars on motorways to be used by fossil fuel powered vehicles does not make much sense.

We want a society that maintains and continues to extend the overall capabilities of the human race, but at the same time one that is not over reaching the bounds of the environment.  One that lives within it's means and leaves something for future generations.

I'm all for being proactive!  Lets use this period of transition effectively, leverage the still relatively cheap fossil fuel based energy and infrastructure we currently have to make an effective and speedy transition while we have the opportunity. We need to transition our society to another form of energy that is abundant and cheap and we need to do it quickly.

The solutions are available. Renewable energy from technologies such as wind, hydro and photovoltaic can literally be pulled out of the air (almost as easy as oil squirting out of the ground!).

In the short to medium term long distance transportation will be more expensive, communities will be closer and more connected and locally produced goods will come to the fore. With closer communities, people have additional chances to enjoy each other's company and pursue the challenges they and their communities really benefit from. Hence, there are opportunities for increased fulfilment and satisfaction (read more here).

There are so many positive opportunities out of this. As just one example, a whole new market is emerging for the boat building industry.

No Rena oil spill disaster here!

OK, so what specifically can we do? Look to strengthen your local community and become more self sufficient, look to reduce your fossil fuel consumption, ideally be prepared to stop using fossil fuels at some point in the not too distant future (pricing challenges could force this within the next 5-10 years). And of course, look to encourage and elect local council and government leaders that will steer our communities and our countries in the right direction.

The GS750V is another example of emerging opportunities.  Not only does this embrace the new energy paradigm, but it embraces community-led technology through the development and use of Tumanako open source components.

This is an important project with a message. It's been a long hard road and we have had a number of delays, but we finally have everything in place. We have commercial relationships and supply lines for all the products and components, including equipment and stock to complete the MK1 goal. Stay tuned for updates as we complete the race pack and vehicle preparation for our debut at the track. We're making changes and we're not holding back!

Greenstage is passionate about supporting communities and encouraging the right sort of change. Change creates opportunity and opportunity is exciting.

What changes are you making?

APEV

The New Zealand APEV (Association for the Promotion of Electric Vehicles) was launched in Taupo last weekend at the Clean Energy Expo.  As well as backing from Pure Advantage and a number of NZ based businesses, the opening event included a video presentation and congratulations from Japan’s Nobuhiro “Monster” Tajima (Mr Tajima is Chief Commissioner of APEV Japan).

"Monster" Tajima racing at Pikes Peak (2011)

APEV provides an opportunity for NZ businesses and individuals to share knowledge and to make their voices heard.  The goal is to ensure New Zealand (and the world) moves in the right direction and that positive change is achieved for the benefit of current and future generations.

Greenstage is a member of APEV and we encourage other businesses and individuals to join, collectively we can achieve so much more.

Visit the New Zealand APEV website for more details: http://www.apev.org.nz

Solar ADR v1.0

The Greenstage Power team has been working on Solar ADR (an extension of the SolarNetwork) which is an OpenADR v1.0 compliant solution for organisations like Transmission System Operators or Lines Companies to manage demand on their grids.

This Solar ADR v1.0 solution has now reached a point where we cannot easily add value to it without an explicit commercial application, hence we will be packaging this away for when the need arises (please contact us if you have such a need!).

In the mean time, we will be putting our focus into the home owners Smart Grid experience. Again this is an extension of the SolarNetwork and it will be a major overhaul including significant enhancements to the current SolarNetwork console. The purpose of this is to give the home owner visibility and control over their systems performance. Our goal is to 100% provide benefits to the home owner!

Here are some screenshots of the SolarADR product:

Stay tuned for more details :)