Some embodiments of the present invention describe a battery including a plurality of master-less controllers. Each controller is operatively connected to a corresponding cell in a string of cells, and each controller is configured to bypass a fraction of current around the corresponding cell when the corresponding cell has a greater charge than one or more other cells in the string of cells.
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Attorney, Agent or Firm: Earp, III; Robert H. Johnson; William M.
The invention described herein was made by an employee of the United States Government and may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for Government purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefore.
This application is a Continuation Application claiming the benefit of priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/193,160, filed on Jul. 28, 2011, pending, which claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 61/369,211, entitled "Modular Battery Charge Controller," filed on Jul. 30, 2010, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
1. An apparatus, comprising: a string of battery cells; a plurality of master-less controllers, wherein each one of the plurality of controllers is conductively connected to a corresponding battery cell in the string; and a communication bus communicably coupled to each one of the master-less controllers; wherein each controller is configured to: determine a voltage of its corresponding battery cell via a direct conductive connection between the controller and its corresponding battery cell; receive, via the communication bus, a voltage of an additional battery cell of the string corresponding to another one of the controllers, wherein the additional voltage was measured by the other controller; determine that a difference between the voltage and the additional voltage is above a threshold amount; and in response to the determination, bypass a fraction of current around its corresponding cell to diminish the difference.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the string of battery cells is configured to set an overall voltage provided by the apparatus, wherein the apparatus further comprises an additional string of battery cells connected in parallel to the string of battery cells, wherein the additional string of battery cells is configured to set an overall current delivered by the apparatus at the overall voltage.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising: a power source conductively connected to the string of battery cells via a first power line; and a relay driver conductively connected to the first power line via a second power line, wherein the second power line comprises a fuse, wherein the relay driver is configured to monitor the overall voltage and the overall current.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the relay driver is configured to disconnect the power source from the first power line in response to the overall voltage being outside a first predefined range or the overall current being outside a second predefined range.
5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the each of the controllers is configured to monitor a temperature of its corresponding battery cell in the string of cells.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the each of the controllers is further configured to monitor temperatures of at least one of the other cells in the string of battery cells.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein each of the controllers is communicably coupled to the relay driver via the communications bus, wherein each of the controllers is configured to transmit a shutdown command to the relay driver in response to determining that the temperature of its corresponding battery cell exceeds a threshold temperature.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the relay driver is configured to broadcast the overall voltage of the apparatus to each of the controllers via the communications bus.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the controllers comprises a comparator, a voltage reference, and a bypass circuit, wherein the comparator and voltage reference of each controller are conductively connected to a positive voltage terminal of that controller's corresponding battery cell, wherein the bypass circuit is conductively connected to an output of the comparator, wherein the bypass circuit is configured to bypass the fraction of current around the corresponding cell when the corresponding cell has a higher voltage than the additional battery cell by the threshold amount.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the bypass circuit of each of the controllers includes a switch conductively connected to the output of the comparator and a resistor in series with the switch, wherein a resistance of the resistor is adjustable to set a maximum bypass current for the bypass circuit.
11. A computer-implemented method comprising measuring, by a first master-less controller of a charge control apparatus, a first voltage of a first battery cell in a string of battery cells, wherein the first master-less controller has a direct conductive connection to the first battery cell, wherein the charge control apparatus includes a plurality of master-less controllers, each of the master-less controllers directly connected to a different corresponding battery cell in the string of battery cells; receiving, by the first master-less controller, a plurality of voltages of a plurality of battery cells from master-less controllers corresponding to different ones of the plurality of battery cells; determining, by the first master-less controller, a maximal difference between the first voltage and one of the plurality of voltages; and in response to the maximal difference being greater than a first threshold value, bypassing, by the first master-less controller, a fraction of current around the first battery cell.
12. The computer-implemented method of claim 11 further comprising determining, by the first master-less controller, a minimal difference between the first voltage and another one of the plurality of voltages; and in response to the minimal difference being less than a second threshold value, transmitting, by the first master-less controller, a bad cell signal to notify a user that the first battery cell is malfunctioning.
13. The computer-implemented method of claim 12 further comprising, in response to determining that the maximal difference is between the first threshold value and a second threshold value, maintaining current through the first battery cell.
14. The computer-implemented method of claim 12 further comprising maintaining current through the first battery cell when the minimal difference is less than the second threshold value.
15. The computer-implemented method of claim 14, wherein the second threshold value is negative and has a greater magnitude than the first threshold value.
16. An apparatus comprising: a string of battery cells; a plurality of master-less controllers, wherein each one of the plurality of controllers is conductively connected to a corresponding battery cell in the string; a communication bus communicably coupled to each one of the master-less controllers; wherein each controller is configured to: determine a voltage of its corresponding battery cell via a direct conductive connection between the controller and its corresponding battery cell; receive an overall voltage provided by the string of batteries via a first power line; determine that a neighboring one of the controllers is inactive based on not receiving an identifier associated with that neighboring controller, wherein the neighboring controller is directly connected to another one of the battery cells; and in response to the determination, calculate a neighboring voltage of the other battery cell based on the voltage of its corresponding battery cell and the overall voltage.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising: a power source conductively connected to the string of battery cells via a second power line; and a relay driver conductively connected to the second power line via a third power line, wherein the third power line comprises a fuse, wherein the relay driver is configured to monitor the overall voltage of the string of battery cells.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein each one of the plurality of master-less controllers is communicably coupled to the relay driver via the communication bus.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein each one the controllers are configured to: determine that the overall voltage is above a first threshold value; and in response to the determination, transmit a shutdown command to the relay driver to cause the relay driver to disconnect the power source from the string of battery cells.
20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein each one the controllers is configured to: determine that the voltage of its corresponding battery cell is greater than the neighboring voltage by more than a second threshold value; and in response to the determination, bypass a fraction of the overall current around its corresponding battery cell to reduce the difference.
The present invention relates to a battery controller and, more particularly, to a modular battery controller that implements a distributed cell balancing and charge control scheme.
A battery is comprised of a series of cells. In order to manage the voltage of the cells, a single controller is utilized. For example, the current state-of-the-art in digital charge control of batteries rests on the use of a single controller for multiple cells stacked in series. However, this approach may cause the battery to be susceptible to a single fault failure. In other words, this is a failure of the single charge controller (e.g., a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) or a Microcontroller). As a result, the cells in the battery may be more susceptible to failure due to the failure of the single charge controller.
Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide solutions to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully identified, appreciated, or solved by current battery cell controllers.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of master-less controllers. Each controller is operatively connected to a corresponding cell in a string of cells, and each controller is configured to bypass a fraction of current around the corresponding cell when the corresponding cell has a greater charge than one or more other cells in the string of cells.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided. The method includes assigning a master-less controller to a cell in the string of cells, and bypassing a fraction of current around an assigned cell when the assigned cell has a higher voltage compared to other cells in a string of cells.
FIG. 1 illustrates a modular charge control apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates a modular charge control apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates a controller, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 illustrates cell balancing zones, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 illustrates a method for broadcasting cell data, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 illustrates a method for receiving cell data, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 illustrates a method of cell balancing, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following detailed description of the embodiments of an apparatus, a system, a method, and a computer readable medium, as represented in the attached figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed, but is merely representative of selected embodiments of the invention.
The features, structures, or characteristics of the invention described throughout this specification may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. For example, the usage of "certain embodiments," "some embodiments," or other similar language, throughout this specification refers to the fact that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in certain embodiments," "in some embodiments," "in other embodiments," or other similar language, throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same group of embodiments, and the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a modular battery charge controller or a master-less distributed digital charge controller for batteries having multiple cells stacked in a series requiring charge control. In such embodiments, each controller is assigned to a cell and, in some embodiments, one or more neighboring cells resulting in redundant sensors for critical components such as voltage, temperature, and current. The controllers in a given battery interact in a master-less fashion for the purpose of cell balancing, charge control, and state of charge estimation. As a result, the battery system is fault tolerant.
FIG. 1 illustrates a modular charge control apparatus 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Apparatus 100 includes, but is not limited to, a power source and/or load connection point 102, a relay driver 104, a string of cells 106, parallel strings of cells 108, and a communication bus 110. String of cells 106 can include a plurality of cells 112A to 112N and a plurality of controllers 114A to 114N. In this embodiment, cells 112A to 112N are lithium ion cells, but other embodiments may use any type of cell that would be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art.
String of cells 106 can be arranged in a series to form a battery and is configured to set a voltage level of the battery. Parallel strings of cells 108 encompass the battery and are configured to set the current or power that the battery can deliver at the set voltage level. Parallel strings of cells 108 are operatively connected to communication bus 110, and each cell in parallel strings of cells 108 has a corresponding controller to maintain active balancing of the cells. Each cell in string of cells 106 is operatively connected to the corresponding controller. For example, cell 112A is connected to controller 114A, cell 112B is connected to controller 114B, and so on.
Also, each controller can be configured to communicate with the other controllers via communication bus 110. For example, controller 114A can broadcast (or communicate) data regarding cell 112A and/or data regarding controller 114A to controller 114B. In this embodiment, each controller is configured to monitor a corresponding cell and broadcast data regarding the corresponding cell. For instance, controller 114A is operatively connected to cell 112A, and is configured to monitor cell 112A and broadcast data regarding cell 112A. The data may represent the cell voltage, the cell temperature, the current in string of cells 106, and/or the bypass current of the cell, as well as any other data that would be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art. Because cells 112A to 112N are connected in series, when the string is charged and/or discharged, each cell 112A to 112N in the string is configured to receive the same amount of current, unless the cell is bypassed.
Each controller can also be configured to maintain balance of the voltages between all the cells in string of cells 106 during charging and, if desired, discharging in order to maintain a charge balance on cells 112A to 112N. For example, if cell 112A has a high voltage compared to one or more cells in string of cells 106, then controller 114A is configured to bypass a fraction of the current around cell 112A.
In order to correctly balance cells 112A to 112N, each controller 114A to 114N is configured to receive data from the other controllers, which gather the data regarding the cell voltage of a corresponding cell. For example, controller 114A is configured to receive data from controllers 114B to 114N regarding the cell voltages of cells 112B to 112N. Based on the received data, controller 114A can independently determine whether the cell 112A needs to be balanced. If cell 112A needs to be balanced, then a fraction of the current is bypassed around cell 112A. See FIG. 4 for an explanation of cell balancing.
Each controller 114A to 114N is also capable of determining whether the battery is exceeding a safety condition and, if so, then any of the controllers can be configured to communicate to relay driver 104 in order to turn off or stop the battery from charge and discharge. In this embodiment, controller 114A is configured to determine whether the battery is exceeding a safety condition. Each controller 114A to 114N can also be configured to monitor the temperature of each cell in string of cells 106.
In FIG. 1, controller 114A, or any controller 114B to 114N based on the configuration of apparatus 100, can also receive the battery voltage from power line PL5. A fuse F2 is connected to power line PL5 where battery voltage is transmitted. Fuse F2 is configured to protect against short-circuit faults and prevent the wire or power line PL5 from burning. Fuses F3 and F1 are configured to function in a similar manner.
By receiving the battery voltage via power line PL5, controller 114A, for example, can detect whether the battery voltage is exceeding a threshold level and, if exceeding the threshold level, controller 114A can command relay driver 104 to turn off or shut down the battery.
In this embodiment, relay driver 104 can be a microcontroller with a communication bus and can be configured to monitor the voltage of the battery via power line PL2 and the current of the battery via power line PL3. In particular, current sensor 116 is configured to measure the current of the battery and transmit the measurement to relay driver 104. As a result, if the battery voltage or charge current is too low, too high and/or is unsafe, then relay driver 104 can disconnect power from the battery or strings of cells 106 and 108. Relay driver 104 can also disconnect power from the battery, when commanded by any of charge controllers 114A to 114N, if the temperature of any of cells 112A to 112N or the battery exceeds a threshold level. In one or more embodiment, relay driver 104 is configured to receive periodic messages from each controller 114A to 114N in order to verify whether each controller 114A to 114N is operable. It should be appreciated that if one or more controllers 114A to 114N fail to broadcast the periodic message, then relay driver 104 is configured to safely disconnect the battery from the system and/or notify the system operator. In an alternative embodiment, controllers 114A to 114N are also configured to notify relay driver 104 when one or more controllers are inoperable.
It should also be appreciated that relay driver 104 receives power from power line PL2 via fuse F1. In some embodiments, relay driver 104 can be configured to broadcast via communication bus 110 the total battery voltage to the charge controllers to infer the voltage of a cell for the purpose of cell balancing and monitoring if the cell's corresponding controller fails.
It should be appreciated that communication bus 110 is an addressable bus (serial communication bus) in this embodiment that allows each controller to have a controller identification (ID). When controller 114A, for example, is broadcasting data to controllers 114B to 114N, the ID of controller 114A is also broadcasted, along with the data, to controllers 114B to 114N, via communication bus 110. This allows other controllers to determine whether a certain controller broadcasted data. For example, if controller 114A does not receive data from controller 114B, controller 114A can determine that controller 114B did not broadcast data based on the missing ID of controller 114B. Controller 114A can also determine the voltage of cell 112B by subtracting the cell voltages of the cells that were broadcasted from the total battery voltage, i.e., V.sub.cc=V.sub.battery-.SIGMA.V.sub.cell.
In this embodiment, communication bus 110 can be a controller area network (CAN) bus. However, a person of ordinary skill in the art would readily appreciate that communication bus 110 can be Ethernet, Spacewire, a System Management Bus, Firewire, a Universal Serial Bus, a Serial Peripheral Interface, or a wireless communication link such as Bluetooth, Zigbee, Insteon, and Wi-Fi, or may be any type of communication bus based on the configuration of apparatus 100. Because communication bus 110 is a CAN bus, communication bus 110 can automatically detect the collision of data broadcast from controllers 114A to 114N and prevent such collisions from occurring.
Furthermore, communication bus 110 is operatively connected to an external data acquisition system, external controller, or external spacecraft controller (not shown). For example, this configuration allows data gathered by controllers 114A to 114N and relay driver 104 to be broadcast to the external system in order to display data to an operator of the vehicle (e.g., spacecraft, aircraft, etc.), as well as the ability to send commands to one or more controllers from the external system.
FIG. 2 illustrates a modular charge control apparatus 200, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Modular charge control apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 2 illustrates similar elements and/or features as modular charge control apparatus 100, which is shown in FIG. 1, except that each controller 114A to 114N in modular charge control apparatus 200 can be connected to one of the neighboring controllers. For example, controller 114B can be directly connected to controller 114A. If there are additional controllers, then the third and fourth controllers can be directly connected to each other, the fifth and sixth controllers can be directly connected to each other, and so on. However, a person of ordinary skill in the art would readily appreciate that each controller 114A to 114N can be connected to one or more controllers based on the configuration of apparatus 200.
Each controller 114A to 114N is assigned a corresponding cell 112A to 112N and is configured to broadcast or communicate data regarding the corresponding cell as well as battery voltage and current, if so configured, to other controllers. For example, controller 114A is configured to receive data regarding cells 112B to 112N from controllers 114B to 114N. This allows controller 114A to receive cell voltages of cells 112B to 112N and determine the total battery voltage.
If one of the controllers does not broadcast data, then the other controllers can determine which controller did not broadcast data. For example, if controller 114A does not receive data from controller 114B, controller 114A can determine that controller 114B did not broadcast data based on the ID of controller 114B. This configuration allows controller 114A to directly measure the voltage of cell 112B and maintain the cell voltage on cell 112B because controller 114A and controller 114B are directly connected to each other. This embodiment not only allows each controller to actively maintain balance of a corresponding cell, but also allows each controller to maintain balance of a neighboring cell or bypass the current from a neighboring cell should a neighboring controller fail.
FIG. 3 illustrates a controller 300, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Controller 300 includes, but is not limited to, a regulator 302, a plurality of signal conditioners 304A-F, a microcontroller 306, a program interface 308, an isolation regulator 310, an isolation unit 312, a transceiver 314, a backup controller 316 that includes a comparator 318 and a reference 320, and a current sensor 322.
Controller 300 also includes bypass circuitry that may dissipate power. The bypass circuit includes a fuse F1, a resistor R, and a switch S1. In this embodiment, switch S1 is a field effect transistor, but in other embodiments can be any switch that would be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art. The value of resistor R of the bypass circuitry can be adjusted to set the maximum bypass current based upon the maximum expected voltage of the cell N. It should be appreciated that if a bipolar transistor is utilized as the switch, then the amount of bypass current can be varied.
The positive side of the cell N provides power or positive cell voltage to controller 300 and, in particular, to voltage regulator 302 and conditioner 304A. Conditioner 304A is configured to step down or step up the cell voltage, if needed, and filter any noise received from the positive cell voltage. It should be appreciated that conditioners 304B-F function in a similar fashion to conditioner 304A. Regulator 302 is configured to receive positive cell voltage to generate a fixed voltage for microcontroller 306 or any other components on controller 300.
Positive cell voltage is also provided to reference 320 and comparator 318, which make up backup controller 316. Reference 320 provides a reference voltage (or point). The reference voltage allows comparator 318 to compare the cell voltage with the reference point to determine whether to turn switch S1 on. For instance, if the cell voltage is greater than the reference voltage, then comparator 318 turns switch S1 on, via OR-ing function S2. This allows backup controller 316 to bypass current from a cell once a set voltage is reached or exceeded if microcontroller 306 fails.
Positive cell voltage is also provided to isolation regulator 310. Isolation regulator 310 provides a fixed voltage to isolation unit 312 and transceiver 314. Because each controller operates at different voltages in relation to one another, the communication bus has to be isolated from each controller. Transceiver 314 is configured to receive data from and broadcast data to the communication bus. Isolation would not be required in an embodiment that utilized wireless communication.
In order to program microcontroller 306, a program interface 308 is utilized. However, it should be appreciated that microcontroller 306 can be programmed via the communication bus. The program will dictate the conditions to perform, for example, active cell balancing, or any function that would be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art.
In this embodiment, temperature sensors T1 and T2 are mounted on controller 300 and can be physically attached along with the controller to a battery cell using a thermally conductive epoxy. Temperature sensors T1 and T2 provide the temperature of cell N to microcontroller 306 via conditioners 304D and 304E, respectively. Two temperature sensors are utilized in this embodiment to ensure that the cell temperature is being monitored in the event that either temperature sensor T1 or T2 fails. In other words, temperature sensor T2 may act as a backup sensor to temperature sensor T1, and vice versa.
It should be appreciated that, in this embodiment, the voltage across the switch S1 (and/or resistor R) is received at microcontroller 306 via conditioner 304F. This allows microcontroller 306 to measure and calculate the bypass current. FIG. 3 also shows a current sensor 322 that measures the current of the string of cells and transmits the measurement to microcontroller 306 via conditioner 304C. Current sensor 322 can be a shunt, an isolated current sensor, or any current sensor that would be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art.
The voltage of the battery is received by microcontroller 306 via conditioner 304B. As mentioned above, the voltage of the cell N is received by microcontroller 306 via conditioner 304A. This allows microcontroller 306 to compare the battery voltage and the summation of cell voltages to determine sensor failure or degradation, state of charge estimation, and cell balancing. Microcontroller 306 also broadcasts the battery voltage to other controllers via the communication bus. This allows the other controllers to determine sensor failure or degradation, state of charge estimation, and cell balancing.
FIG. 4 illustrates cell-balancing zones 400, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, FIG. 4 illustrates four zones: zone 1, zone 2, zone 3, and zone 4.
For instance, zone 4 illustrates when the error of a cell is less than a second voltage parameter -V2, which may be -125 mV. When the cell error is in zone 4, the controller sets a flag and does not perform bypassing because the cell voltage is less than the voltages of the other cells in the string. In zone 3, if the cell error is between the second voltage parameter -V2 and 0 volts, then the cell is determined to be ok and the flag is cleared. In this zone, the controller also does not perform bypassing because the cell voltage is less than the voltages of the other cells in the string. See FIG. 7 for a more detailed explanation.
However, zone 1, which is a hysteresis zone, shows that the cell error is between 0 and first voltage parameter +V1, which may be 20.8 mV. In this zone, the controller determines that the cell is ok, but retains the previous bypass command; that is, if the controller was previously bypassing current, then the controller continues to bypass current until the cell error is below 0 mV and, if the controller was not bypassing current, then the controller continues to not bypass current. In zone 2, when the cell error is greater than first voltage parameter +V1, the controller indicates that the cell is ok and clears the flag. The controller also performs bypassing of the current of the cell until the cell error is below 0 mV.
FIG. 5 illustrates a method 500 for broadcasting cell data, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a timer is setup for each controller to broadcast data at certain time intervals. For example, at 502, the timer can interrupt the controller every half a second for transmission of data. However, the timer intervals can be configured for any time based on the configuration of the apparatus. At 504, the controller broadcasts data to the other controllers in the apparatus via the communication bus. The data can include information regarding the cell voltage of the cell corresponding to the controller, a bypass current of the cell, and other variables such as battery voltage, current, and controller ID. At 506, the controller returns from the interrupt after the data is broadcast. It should be appreciated that this process repeats during the next interrupt cycle.
FIG. 6 illustrates a method 600 for receiving cell data, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, at 602, a reception interrupts the controller when data is successfully received from another controller. At 604, the controller is configured to store the data. The data can include information regarding the cell voltage of another cell being monitored by another controller, the bypass current of the other cell, and other variables such as battery voltage, current, and the ID of the other controller.
At 606, after N receptions (where N is the number of cells in the battery), the controller receiving the data determines whether all of the controllers have broadcast data; in other words, all transmissions have completed. If all the controllers have broadcast data, then the controller receiving the data returns from interrupt at 612. If one of the controllers did not broadcast the data, then the controller receiving the data determines which controller did not broadcast data at 608. At 610, based on the controller that did not broadcast the data, the controller receiving the data computes and stores the data of the missing cell. In this embodiment, the data of the missing cell is determined by subtracting the sum of all cell voltages, which was received from the other controllers plus the cell voltage measured by the controller, from the total battery voltage, which was broadcasted by another controller or measured by the controller. At 612, the controller returns from interrupt.
FIG. 7 illustrates a method 700 of cell balancing, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. At 702, the controller is periodically interrupted to sample data. At 704, the controller computes the largest error. For instance, this may be the cell voltage of the controller's cell minus the cell voltage of each cell in the string of cells (i.e., V.sub.cell-V.sub.cell(i)).
Once the controller finds the largest error, the controller determines at 706 whether the error is between zero and a first voltage parameter V1. If the error is between zero and first voltage parameter V1, then the controller maintains the previous bypass command at 710. If the controller determines the error is not between zero and first voltage parameter V1, then the controller determines whether the error is greater than first voltage parameter V1 at 708. If the error is greater than first voltage parameter V1, then the controller sets a bypass command (or activates the bypass switch) at 712 in order to bypass a fraction of the current from the cell. If the error is not greater than first voltage parameter V1, then the controller clears the bypass command at 714.
At 716, the controller determines the smallest error. In this embodiment, the smallest error is computed by subtracting the cell voltage of the corresponding (or assigned) cell from the cell voltage for each cell (i.e., V.sub.cell-V.sub.cell(i)). Once the smallest error is found, the controller determines at 718 whether the error is less than second voltage parameter -V2. If the error is less than second voltage parameter -V2, then the controller sets a bad cell bit at 720. If the error is not less than second voltage parameter -V2, then the controller clears the bad cell bit at 722. The setting or clearing of the cell bit is to notify the operator as to the status of the cell.
The method steps performed in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7 may be performed by a computer program, encoding instructions for the nonlinear adaptive processor to perform at least the method described in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The computer program may be embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium. The computer readable medium may be, but is not limited to, a hard disk drive, a flash device, a random access memory, a tape, or any other such medium used to store data. The computer program may include encoded instructions for controlling the nonlinear adaptive processor to implement the method described in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, which may also be stored on the computer readable medium.
The computer program can be implemented in hardware, software, or a hybrid implementation. The computer program can be composed of modules that are in operative communication with one another, and which are designed to pass information or instructions to display. The computer program can be configured to operate on a general purpose computer, an application specific integrated circuit ("ASIC"), or a controller.
It should be appreciated that the embodiments described herein pertain to an apparatus and method that provides a distributed approach to charge control and the use of a robust communication bus to link the controllers. This approach improves the robustness of the battery by making it more fault-tolerant compared to a single battery controller approach. In addition to cell balancing, each controller can be programmable for over-voltage, under-voltage, over-temperature, and under-temperature monitoring and power management. Any number of controllers can be programmable for over-current monitoring and state-of-charge estimation.
The apparatus and method described herein can also be applied to battery energy storage applications, such as electric/hybrid vehicles, motorized wheelchairs, utility companies, hospitals, industrial/commercial buildings, space and military applications, etc.
One having ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that the invention as discussed above may be practiced with steps in a different order, and/or with hardware elements in configurations that are different than those which are disclosed. Therefore, although the invention has been described based upon these preferred embodiments, it would be apparent to those of skill in the art that certain modifications, variations, and alternative constructions would be apparent, while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention. In order to determine the metes and bounds of the invention, therefore, reference should be made to the appended claims.


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Many organisations, such as Planning Aid, the Council for the Preservation of Rural England, and the Royal Town Planning Institute, are involved in supporting neighbourhood planning and have information on their websites.
The organisation Locality is one of the main sources of support and information, and administers on behalf of the Government a programme of small grants to those areas preparing neighbourhood plans.
The St Helens Residents Association received a grant of of £6,940 to meet the basic costs incurred by the StQW Forum in preparing the StQW Neighbourhood Plan (printing, distribution of leaflets, room hire etc). This grant was held and disbursed on behalf of the Forum by the Dalgarno Neighbourhood Trust. The Forum is grateful for the help of the Trust, and for this financial support from Communities and Local Government Department (DCLG).
All other input to the preparation of the neighbourhood plan has been from volunteers on the management committee.


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by Marlene Bagatto
A World's First Addition to Ontario's Infant Hearing Program
by Marie Pigeon Lauren H. Gallagher Jessica Dunn
Clinical Management of ANSD in Infants and Young Children
by Patricia Roush
Hearing Aid Candidacy for Children with Mild Bilateral Hearing Loss
by Ryan W. McCreery Elizabeth Walker
Do Infants with Hearing Loss Listen Like Little Adults?
by Melinda Anderson Varsha Rallapalli Kerry Walker Alexander Kaizer Kristin Uhler
Noise Management in Pediatric Hearing Aid Fitting
by Susan Scollie Marlene Bagatto
Optimizing Outcomes for Children Who are Hard of Hearing
by Elizabeth Walker Ryan W. McCreery Caitlin Sapp
Engaging and Empowering Children and Adolescents Using Connected Hearing Healthcare
by Danielle Glista Robin O'Hagan
From HearOn: Introducing the HearOn Videos for Professionals and Caregivers
by David Sindrey Danielle DiFabio Benjamin Tran Sheila Moodie
Promoting Self-Determination in Children with Hearing Loss
by Dave Gordey
Mysteries of the Hearing Brain — What Can Rate Code Tell Us About Cochlear-Implant and Older Listeners?
Striking the Right Balance — To Normalize or Not to Normalize? That is the Question!
by Brahim Kaci Mujda Nooristani Maxime Maheu
Remote Connectivity Technology: Privacy Considerations for eAudiology Applications
by Bill Campbell Jacob Shelley Salima Jiwani Robin O'Hagan Danielle Glista
Feasibility of Using Tele-Audiology in the Canadian Marketplace as An Alternative To Live Appointments for Follow-Up Services
by Merris Alexander Jennifer Seelisch Andreas Seelisch
with Janine Verge
with Alberto Behar Frank Russo
Can You Hear Me in the Back? The Answer is No!
Top 6 Reasons to ALWAYS use a Microphone when Public Speaking
With Janine Verge, AuD, Aud(C)
Janine Verge, AuD, Aud (C) is coordinating the "Issues in Accessibility," column which will cover topics addressing issues in accessibility for people who are Deaf/deaf and hard of hearing.
How many times have you been at a public event and the presenter asks if everyone in the back can hear?
This is presumably to check in with the audience to make sure that everyone is doing okay. But isn't it a just clever maneuver so that the speaker can avoid using the microphone that is sitting right there in front of them?
As someone living with hearing loss, I always get frustrated when I hear this question. It forces individuals who have hearing/listening/attention challenges to publicly "out themselves" as having a problem; it makes people feel as though they're causing a fuss if they speak up.
Presenters need to stop asking this question; they should just assume that the answer is always NO. Everyone should always wear or use a microphone when speaking in public and here is why:
The Learning Environment
Whether in a classroom, meeting room, auditorium, theatre, or lecture hall, the environment where events occur are typically difficult to hear. Challenges include excessive background noise (e.g., the hum of lights, outside traffic, audience members talking or moving their chairs, people in hallway talking or coughing), reverberation, poor acoustics, poor lighting, sitting at a distance, and the communication skills of the presenter (e.g., talking with back turned to the audience, not repeating questions from audience members, fast talker, etc.). Although these are barriers that should be individually dealt with to improve the learner's listening ability, one solution that can make a big difference is the use of a microphone. These challenges not only affect adults but children too. According to the Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC) 2019 position paper on classroom acoustics in classrooms1:
Children often work in classrooms with noise levels equal to or higher than the level of the teacher's voice, which leaves students listening in a "sea of noise."2–4To give you an idea of the noise level, it has been shown that the average level of background noise in a classroom is about 60 decibels (dB), which is about the sound of a small hairdryer. This is very concerning because the ability to hear, listen and process auditory information effectively is crucial to learning for all students.
Trying to learn in this environment can cause cognitive demand and results in mishearing and misunderstanding as well as issues with language processing, memory, attention, stress and fatigue.5 All educators, parents, and students should be concerned that classroom noise has the potential to disrupt educational activities and disturb students' perception of speech for all students. 3,5–9
A microphone amplifies the loudness of the presenter's voice to help increase the signal you want to hear compared to the background noise. The noise level can change throughout a lecture. It is important to note that asking if everyone can hear in the back of the room at the beginning of the lecture when it is quiet may not factor in that it might be harder to hear at different times because of fluctuating background noise levels.
Think you don't need a microphone because you have a loud voice or can project your voice? Wrong! This is nowhere near the truth. It doesn't matter that you have a booming, operatic voice.
The softer, high pitched sounds of speech (such as s, sh, f) carry a lot of the clarity of speech but they do not travel as far as the robust, low pitched sounds. This results in a degraded message for the people sitting in the back of the room. Using a microphone with properly placed speakers improves the sound clarity of the presenter.
And this is something else to consider- many students and audience members are recording presentations to augment their notes. This can be helpful for all audience members or students and especially beneficial for those who have sensory impairments and/or learning disabilities. Using a microphone would be essential to enhance the quality of these recordings.
Listening Challenges of Your Audience
Hearing loss is very common. Audiometry results from 2012 to 2015 Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) indicated that 40% of adults aged 20 to 79 had at least slight hearing loss in one or both ears. Hearing loss was more prevalent in older age groups. Adults aged 60 to 79 were significantly more likely to have hearing loss (78%) compared with younger adults aged 40 to 59 (40%) and 20 to 39 (15%).10 The chances are therefore high you will have audience members with hearing loss who could benefit from the use of a microphone.
Hearing Aids Alone Will Not Solve the Problem
Hearing aids do not restore hearing within normal limits for everyone. In some cases, you can think of hearing aids like glasses for someone with macular degeneration which causes blurred or no vision in the center of the visual field. Glasses do not restore vision to 20/20 with a condition like macular degeneration but it can help maximize the vision that is left. The same is true with hearing aids and hearing loss. Some people, even with hearing aids, continue to have challenges so using a microphone is essential. MarkeTrak IX, a survey conducted by the Hearing Industries Association (HIA), reported the listening situation with the lowest satisfaction level across all groups surveyed was 'trying to follow a conversation in the presence of noise' (50% satisfaction for owners with hearing aids 6+ years old; 67% satisfaction for aids <5 years old). Non-owners were the least satisfied (25% satisfaction) with their ability to hear in this environment, indicating speech in noise was a universal problem. It was noted that classrooms and large lecture halls were more problematic than other venues.11 Hearing loss is "invisible" so if you feel like you could tell if an audience member had hearing loss, you would be wrong. The majority of people living with hearing loss do not wear hearing aids. This can be for multiple reasons (e.g., they are not aware they have hearing loss, they cannot afford hearing aids, they are waiting for medical management of hearing loss, etc.). For those that do, most hearing aids are small and unnoticeable.
The SAC classroom acoustics position paper outlines other groups who are affected by poor acoustics in a classroom including fluctuating hearing loss from temporary recurring ear infections, learning disabilities, auditory processing disorders, English as a second language background or a language background other than the language of instruction, speech and language disorders, and emotional and behavioral difficulties. This means many people, even those with normal hearing, could benefit from the use of a microphone.
Do you do public presentations? Don't forget about your vocal health! Using a microphone reduces vocal load and reduces the chance of occupational voice disorders.
Accessibility and Human Rights
Providing an accessible learning environment is now connected to the idea of basic human rights. Lectures and spoken public events are required to comply with accessibility laws.In 1948, the United Nations created the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which recognized the inherent dignity and equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family as the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world.12 The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982) states that it is unconstitutional for any government or law to discriminate based on a physical or mental disability.13  It goes on to state that discriminatory practice in the provision of goods, services, facilities or accommodation customarily available to the general public to "deny, or to deny access to, any such good, service, facility or accommodation to any individual" is unconstitutional. This includes the listening environment.It is therefore important for anyone who is providing a public presentation to understand and promote these laws by modeling accessible behaviours. This includes the simple act of using a microphone. Although it can be uncomfortable hearing your own amplified voice when presenting, it outweighs someone else's basic human rights to be included and to have access to education.
Accessible Assistive Listening Devices
Requirements for assistive listening compliance are delineated by the National Building Code.14 Provinces that have adopted the standards of the National Building Code are Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, and all three Territories.
The National Building Code requires that assembly rooms, classrooms, auditoria, theatres, and meeting rooms greater than 100 square metres will have an assistive listening system. Signage is also required to identify the availability of assistive devices in both official languages.Assistive listening systems include hearing loop systems, FM system, Infrared Systems (IR), and DM (digital modulation) audio distribution systems (e.g., Phonak Roger Sound Field System). All of these systems require microphones. These assistive listening systems allow people who wear hearing aids or cochlear implants to directly connect to the signal coming from the microphone. Depending on the system, the hearing aid may connect directly through the use of a telecoil, through a neck loop attached to an assistive device, or an integrated/attached receiver in the hearing aid or hearing aid interface such as a streamer. Assistive devices can also be used with these systems with headphones for people who do not wear hearing aids. This helps to further overcome the effects of background noise, reverberation, poor acoustics, and distance, found in learning environments.Captions are an important part of accessibility during public lectures as well. There are many advantages for people who are Deaf, deaf, late-deafened or hard of hearing in using captioning, but it has also been shown to benefit all students. In a study conducted by Kmetz Morris et. al., results indicated that 99% of all students surveyed found closed captions to be helpful when taking online classes. Only 7% of those students surveyed were Deaf, deaf or hard of hearing. It was found that 5% of students responded that captions were slightly helpful, 10% felt captions were moderately helpful, 35% said captions were very helpful, and 49% found captions to be extremely helpful. Qualitative responses to the student survey pointed to four distinct benefits; clarification, comprehension, spelling of keywords, and note-taking.15In a study by Steinfeld, the benefit of real-time captioning in a mainstream classroom as measured by working memory was assessed. Results showed Deaf and hearing subjects were found to have similar abilities to recall written verbal material and that real-time captioning produced an improved performance for both groups.16 Using a microphone is important for live captioning- another great reason to use a microphone.
As part of the Spotlight on Invisible Disabilities community consultations on Federal Accessibility Legislation, the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association recommended in part:
"Universal adoption of assistive technologies (g., Inductive looping, CART captioning) in public spaces.
For meeting rooms in federal buildings where confidentiality must be maintained, it is recommended that an infrared assistive listening system be installed, and neck loops and headsets provided. Where confidentiality is not an issue, a wide area loop system must be installed unless the background Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) is greater than −32 decibels. Should the ambient EMI be greater than −32 decibels then either an FM system is to be installed and headsets and neck loops are provided.
Accessibility as part of policies and codes. The onus should not be on those with invisible disabilities to self-identify. Services and systems should be set up to include barrier-free access for all."17
Your Relationship with the Audience
Using a microphone is about creating an inclusive learning environment for everyone. When you decide to not use a microphone, it is like planning a meeting to take place completely in the dark or a building without a ramp. You've worked hard on your presentation and the last thing you probably want is to create a situation where some of your audience members did not understand your message or felt resentful you did not consider their needs.Erika Hewitt, a minister in Maine, wrote about the importance of using microphones. She said not using a microphone is a form of ableism. Ableism describes prejudicial attitudes and discriminatory behaviors toward persons with a disability. She wrote, "To all of those who have trouble hearing, these are the messages you're sending when you say, "I don't need a microphone" (or just don't bother using one):
"I can hear fine, and everyone is just like me."
"I'm  assuming that everyone can hear me, so it's your problem if you can't."
"My belief that 'I can project' matters more to me than your ability to hear."
"My discomfort in hearing my own amplified voice is more important than your need to be included."
"If you want me to use a microphone, you'll have to assert yourself to request and/or justify that need (which will likely be uncomfortable)."
"I  am willing to exclude people."
If you feel uncomfortable using a microphone, here are some tips to make it easier to use:
Hold a hand-held microphone close to your mouth – the clarity will be affected the farther away it is from your mouth.
Practice with a quick sound-check before presenting to get used to the microphone.
Talk through several sentences so you are used to the acoustics of the room and the sound of your voice within it.
Check where the speakers are located to avoid any feedback noise if you get too close.
Practice turning it on / off and muting it.
Encourage audience members to participate and contribute -either repeat what they say or have an additional roving microphone that has also been tested, along with a willing volunteer to take it around.
Wear the right outfit - having a belt or pocket can be useful for housing a power pack.
The organizations Rooted in Rights and the Hearing Loss Association of America created a "Like the Mic" video for their "Like the Mic Campaign." It is an important and entertaining video about the importance of always using a microphone:
Click image to watch video
Inspired by this advocacy campaign, here is a simple poster to promote the use of microphones. It can be taped up in a classroom or placed on a podium to remind others to use the microphone. You can also print it off and bring it with you to give to presenters before the meeting to help spread the word.
Do you have other poster ideas to promote the use of microphones? Send them to me at janineallison.verge@nshealth.ca and I will include the top posters in an upcoming article. So - please consider these tips and stop asking if people can hear in the back. USE THE MIC!
Speech-Language and Audiology Canada. SAC Position Paper: Classroom Acoustics. Ottawa: Author; 2019. Available at:
https://www.sac-oac.ca/professional-resources/resource-library/sac-position-paper-classroom-acoustics-2019
Anderson K. The problem of classroom acoustics: the typical classroom soundscape is a barrier to learning. Semin Hearing 2004;24(5):117–30.
Hodgson M and Nosol EM. Effect of noise and occupancy on optimal reverberation times for speech intelligibility in classrooms. J Acoust Soc Am 2002;111(2):931–39.
Bradley JS. Optimising sound quality for classrooms. National Research Council of Canada: Ottawa; 2002. Available at: https://nparc.nrc-cnrc. gc.ca/eng/view/object/?id=cb8703be-2eb7-45d8-a769-84d69261fd3a
Peelle JE. Listening effort: how the cognitive consequences of acoustic challenge are reflected in brain and behaviour. Ear Hearing 2018;39(2):204–14.
Sato J and Bradley JS. Evaluation of acoustical conditions for speech communication in working elementary school classrooms. J Acoust Soc Am 2008;123(4):2064–77.
Sato J and Bradley JS. The intelligibility of speech in elementary school classrooms. J Acoust Soc Am 2008;123:2078–86.
Shield B and Dockrell JE. The effects of noise and poor acoustics on children at school. Building Acoust 2003;10(2):97–106.
Statistics Canada. Canada Health Measures Survey. Ottawa: Author; Available at: https://www.statcan.gc.ca/eng/survey/household/5071
Abrams HB and Kihm J. An Introduction to MarkeTrak IX: A New Baseline for the Hearing Aid Market. Available at:
https://www.hearingreview.com/practice-building/marketing/introduction-marketrak-ix-new-baseline-hearing-aid-market
United Nations. Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Available at: https://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights/
Government of Canada. Justice Laws Website. Constitution Act, 1982. Available at: https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/const/page-15.html
Government of Canada. National Building Code of Canada, 2015. Available at: https://nrc.canada.ca/en/certifications-evaluations-standards/codes-canada/codes-canada-publications/national-building-code-canada-2015
Kmetz Morris K, Frechette C, Dukes L, et al. Closed captioning matters: examining the value of closed captions for all students. J Postsecond Educat Disabil 2016;29(3):231–38.
Steinfeld A. The benefit of real-time captioning in a mainstream classroom as measured by working memory. Volta Rev 1998;100(1):29–44.
Canadian Hard of Hearing Association. Spotlight on Invisible Disabilities. Available at: https://www.chha.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/PAP_CHHA_Spotlight_ReportY2_EN_WEB_Final.pdf
Unitarian Universalist Association. What You're Saying When You Say "I Don't Need A Mic." Available at: https://www.uua.org/worship/lab/what-youre-saying-when-you-say-i-dont-need-mic
accessibility Love the Mic microphones Verge
Janine Verge, AuD, Aud(C), Clinical Audiologist
Janine has worked clinically as an Audiologist for over 20 years. She obtained her MSc in Audiology from Dalhousie University and her AuD from AT Still University. She is an adjunct professor at the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders. She has served as president of the Speech and Hearing Association of Nova Scotia and is currently serving her second term as a board member of the Canadian Academy of Audiology. As someone with single sided deafness, accessibility issues have always been of great interest to her. She is a co-founder and continuing committee member of the Dalhousie Hearing Aid Assistance Program, which provides donated hearing aids to low income seniors. She is also president and co-owner of 'Accessible Hearing Solutions' a consulting business specializing in hearing loop and DM system installations.
janineallison.verge@cdha.nshealth.ca

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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News & Views » Savage Love
Going about it
Q: More than a few times, you have implied that if one's partner is unwilling to satisfy, the deprived person has a right to seek it elsewhere. My sex life with my wife, despite my best efforts, is infrequent and uninspired. I recently met a married woman who has had a nonexistent sex life for many years.
We like each other immensely and are compatible in many ways, including in our sexual desires. Neither of us wants to divorce our spouses, as the other areas of our lives are fine. But we are considering becoming sex buddies. My question for you, Mr. Savage: Are we required to discuss this with our spouses? Neither would be agreeable. Or since both our spouses have made their lack of interest in sex clear, can we go about this without informing our respective partners? Or would that make us cheating spouses? —Long Deprived Spouse
A: Yes, LDS, you two can "go about this" without informing your respective partners — but you will have to accept the "cheating spouses" label.
You may have grounds to seek sex outside your marriage — your potential sex buddy, with her "nonexistent" sex life, has better grounds for cheating than you do with your "infrequent and uninspired" sex life — but grounds don't make cheating not cheating. So long as you're married, it's cheating, LDS, because you're, like, you know, married. Justifiable homicide is still homicide, LDS, and justifiable cheating is still cheating.
And for the record: I've never "implied" that married people unjustly deprived of sex have a right to seek it elsewhere. I've hammered away at that point, year after lonely year. I have no talent for insinuation, LDS. But a married man with a sex buddy on the side is an adulterer, full stop. So get the wife something nice, huh?
Q: I am a bisexual female in a polyamorous relationship with a bisexual male. We are each other's primary. We are friends with a lesbian couple. The older member, to whom I am attracted, lets the younger member, to whom I am not attracted, have other partners. The older member is not interested in outside contacts herself. The younger member is definitely interested in me, but I spend my social time with this couple thinking about banging the older member.
I am very conflicted about how to proceed. I also have a hunch that the older member is attracted to me, but doesn't have the nerve to make a move. I am open to the possibility of a three-way. What is my best course of action here? —Pretty Older Ladies, Yessir!
A: You probably like to think of yourself as a brave sexual adventurer, POLY, seeing as you're all bi and poly and shit. And there you are socializing with intergenerational lesbian couples — man, you are living life on the edge! Pushing the antelope! Creating dynamic new relationship structures! You are bi poly woman — hear you rawr!
Sorry, POLY, but I've fried oysters with more spine. You write that the older member of the lesbian couple doesn't have the "nerve to make a move." Where's your nerve? Attracted to the older member? Tell her. Not into the younger member? Tell her. Open to the possibility of a three-way with both members? Tell 'em. The last thing the world needs is another all-talk-no-action polyamorous braggart. You're doing poly wrong, POLY, when you spend more time diagramming your sexual relationships than you do having sexual relationships.
Q: I am dating a divorcee who just turned 60. She told me her first husband required that she thank him after intercourse. She does not find anything unusual about his request or her complying with it. I think it is bizarre. What do you have to say? —Amazed And Really Perplexed
A: I have to say this: Insisting that you be thanked after sex may be odd, perhaps a bit dom-sub, but it hardly rises to the level of bizarre.
I want to say this: Maybe your girlfriend was "required" to thank her ex after intercourse. Maybe he was a domineering bully who ordered her to do all sorts of mildly degrading things. Or maybe your girlfriend is submissive, AARP, and telling you about all the awful, terrible, no-good things her ex "made" her do is her way of letting you know what she would like you to do. It could be that instead of just coming out and saying, "I like to be dominated," she's saying, "My ex liked to dominate me."
Remember, dear readers, that shy kinksters frequently bring up their interests negatively with new partners. Feigned disgust is often — that's "often," not always — a stratagem, a way to "safely" broach the subject of spanking or feet or piss or whatever. So instead of saying "Yeah, bizarre!" and dashing off a letter to a sex-advice professional seeking confirmation, AARP, what you should have said is this: "Really? How did you feel about that? Did that turn you on? Tell me more."
Q: In your column last week, you wrote that the authors of many of those fake letters were inspired by their adolescent male fear of female sexuality. I felt like I got hit in the chest with a big, red brick of truth. My present girlfriend had a promiscuous past. I was a terribly insecure teenager convinced that no one wanted me to fuck or love them, and I feel like I'm still carrying around that shame in my present and healthy relationship. I realized, from your column last week, that I am completely threatened by my girlfriend's independent sexuality!
The thought that she had sex with other guys and girls and enjoyed it drives me crazy. I get totally jealous whenever she talks about old sex partners, particularly the one-night stands — a type of encounter I've never had — and I don't know how to deal with it. I need advice. How do you deal with jealousy like this? —Confused And Jealous And Turned On
P.S. An interesting and confusing aspect of this is that I get turned on when she tells me stories of her sexual encounters with other people and I love for her to tell me about them while we fuck.
A: I saw that postscript coming a mile away, CAJATO. Halfway through your letter, I muttered, "I bet this shit turns him on." I thought I was muttering it under my breath, but I must have said it loud enough for the woman sitting next to me in this bar to hear. Now I'm all alone.
As for dealing with your jealousy, CAJATO, it sounds to me like you're dealing with it just fine. Your subconscious has eroticized those feelings of insecurity and inadequacy, turning the lemons of sexual insecurity into the lemonade of a burgeoning sexual kink. Google "cuckold" to get an idea of what you'll be up to in a few years' time.
Oh, and resistance is futile, CAJATO, so you might as well enjoy.
Q: Regarding that letter about a dog licking Nutella off a woman's pussy. Yes, the letter was a fake, but you left out an important detail: Chocolate is poison to dogs! Please note this detail as a warning to any girls or boys who might want to give this a try. It could kill their pet! —Save A Dog
A: I probably should have mentioned that chocolate is dog poison, SAD, but I figure anyone sick enough to give this a try probably shouldn't own a dog in the first place. Wouldn't you agree?
Download Savage Lovecast (my weekly Podcast) every Tuesday at thestranger.com/savage. Send letters to mail@savagelove.net
Savage Love Love & sex Savage Love Arts Spirituality


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Home Investing Stocks
What You'd Pay Queer Eye's Jonathan Van Ness to Do Your Hair
Find out about his bumpy road to becoming a star stylist -- who charges top dollar.
You probably first became aware of Jonathan Van Ness from his outrageous recaps of Game of Thrones in the Gay of Thrones videos. Now, he's the "Fab Five" grooming expert in the Netflix reboot Queer Eye.
He didn't become famous and successful overnight. It has been a long road for Van Ness, and his struggles and accomplishments offer great life lessons.
He shares his financial story in a "money diary" for the automated investment service Wealthsimple. Girl, we've pulled out 10 things you'll want to know about Jonathan Van Ness, including what it would cost to have him do your hair.
1. He's had a lifelong love affair with hair
Jonathan Van Ness says he has always wanted to do hair.
"When I was literally, like, a toddler, I talked about it, I was curious about it, I wanted to play with other people's hair all the time," he tells Wealthsimple. He colored his own hair for the first time when he was 14.
"I spent months siphoning quarters off of my stepdad's bedside table until I had the $18 it cost to buy a box of that beautiful Garnier Feria bright red boxed hair color," he says.
But didn't take a direct route to hair school.
2. He's a college dropout
Courtesy of Netfilx
Instead, he enrolled in college first, at the University of Arizona. He tried studying political science, but was put on academic probation after one semester when he got a 1.7 GPA.
"You see, The Golden Girls and The Nanny were on from 7 in the morning 'till 1 in the afternoon on Lifetime and that's when all my classes were and that just didn't work for me," he explains.
He decided to drop out just before the start of the second semester. Though he missed the deadline for tuition reimbursement, his mother got the money back.
"When she showed up on campus I was like, 'I can't do this, Mom. Who am I fooling? I'm not a college student, I'm a hairdresser.'"
3. He got mixed money messages growing up
Van Ness says while his family was never "strapped for cash," his parents divorced when he was 5 — and apparently money was a reason.
"When it came to budgeting, my dad was tighter than the bark on a tree. My mom, on the other hand, was a big fan of lighting money on fire and throwing it out the window, which I am, too," he says.
Later, his mother and stepfather tried to instill some financial discipline. "They would never charge us for food or make us pay rent, but anything outside of the essentials we had to earn" doing chores, Van Ness says.
Wise investing is no chore. As a MoneyWise reader, get $10,000 managed for free for one year when you sign up for your first Wealthsimple account. Sign up now to take advantage of this special offer.
4. He survived on sugary snacks for a time
While he was a stylist-in-training at the Aveda Institute in Minneapolis, Van Ness was earning tips, but he says they "weren't great" — only about $5 to $25 a day.
Still, he and a classmate decided against getting outside jobs.
"So we would just eat Hostess Susie Q's and those Little Debbie Zebra Cakes and the off-brand wafer bar things that were like 25 cents," he says in his Wealthsimple money diary.
As he was reminded, we are in control of our own finances and need to do what it takes to survive.
5. A tough client taught him a valuable lesson
One day while he was at the school, an older woman came in who appeared to be homeless. None of the students wanted to work on her.
"Basically, when the teacher saw her come in and was deciding which student to give her ticket to, he was like, 'Who do I hate?'" Van Ness says. "Like, he literally said that out loud."
The future Queer Eye guy got the assignment. It turned out the woman was a retired hairdresser who'd fallen on hard times.
"She taught me a lot. And when we were done she tipped me $30, which was more than the service itself," says Van Ness. "It was such a life lesson. Be open to experiences."
6. He learned that a big break is when hard work starts
When Van Ness landed a job in the salon of a celebrity stylist in Los Angeles, he faced a harsh reality.
The opportunity wasn't as glamorous as it may have sounded.
The salon "paid their assistant hairdressers something obscene like $8 an hour and scheduled us for 15 hour days with totally fake lunch breaks. That salon just rode you really hard," Van Ness says.
To go out on his own, he had to hustle and hustle. "You have to speak your craft. Talk about your craft everywhere," he says. "Grab people from the grocery store! Grab them from the mall! From anywhere!"
7. He wasn't paid for the 1st season of Gay of Thrones
Helen Sloan / courtesy of HBO
Van Ness says his Gay of Thrones viral video gig came about when he had a friend in the chair who was a director for Funny or Die.
"I was doing her hair and I did, like, an accidental high-energy recap of Game of Thrones," he says in his Wealthsimple post. "We were having a gay old time and she was like, 'We need to make this into a thing.'"
He did the first season for fun — but then the videos took off, and he started getting paid. And, he caught the attention of Game of Thrones.
"They loved it," he says. So much, in fact, that he was asked to do the hair of GoT cast members for Comic-Con.
8. When he sees an opening, he knows how to pounce
Gavin Bond / Netflix
Landing the job on Queer Eye was a long shot. "I think they had like a thousand reels — a thousand gays for five spots aren't great odds," Van Ness says. "It was difficult."
But he was undeterred. "I was like, 'Ah, pick me!' I was starting to make a name for myself and just felt like, why not?"
Now, he and his cast mates have bonded — and have made sure they're all paid the same.
"I'm really into that part of our story. We're homies. We'd all feel so resentful if one of us was getting more or less than the others," he says. "It would create a very, like, not cool work environment."
9. He's doing the adulting thing
Jonathan Van Ness is adulting now, trying to make smart financial decisions like saving for the down payment on a house. But he still loves to shop.
"For now, I've treated myself to a pair of gorgeous Jimmy Choo boots and this really fierce, really bold, silly, bright yellow Opening Ceremony jacket that I love," he says in his money diary.
Van Ness marvels at how his life has changed.
"It's weird, because the more successful you are, the more expenses you have," he says. "Like I have a publicist now. That costs money."
10. His haircuts are pricey
Van Ness has come a long way from his hair-school days of getting by on $100 a week in tips. He has become a celebrity stylist, like the one whose salon offered him his grueling big break.
Want Jonathan Van Ness to do your hair? You may not be able to afford him.
"I currently charge $250 for a cut," he tells Wealthsimple. "The longer I do hair and the better I get at doing hair the more I can charge. But I do think that the more sought after I become, the supply and demand thing will have to apply."
He used to give free haircuts to friends, but not anymore. "Now my mom is the only person I don't charge," he says.


This set of jewelry is inspired by beach life in Australia. From childhood whenever I saw palms I thought of vacation, summer and happy times. I wanted to bring this to life with jewelry that can be used to bring us back to the memories of these times and make us exited for the experiences to come.


Mind Mapping is based upon leveraging the mind's associative capabilities. Verbal and visual metaphors can be used to enhance motivation, attention, understanding and recall in the mindmaps. Thanks to Marco Bertolini, I discovered this very interesting TED's speech about the use of Metaphors.


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Tornados, damaging winds expected across Mid-South Tuesday
Lucas Finton
The National Weather Service in Memphis is tracking severe weather thatcouldaffect Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana Tuesday afternoon.
Wind gusts are projected to reach up to 40 miles per hour and tornados are also possible. Over the weekend, NWS Memphis assessed the risk as enhanced, but has since upgraded that risk to moderate for a small portion of the Mid-South, including parts of Memphis.
"As updated high-resolution data comes in, it's becoming more evident that the convection ahead of the front tomorrow will most likely be in the form of organized supercells," NWS Memphis said on Twitter. "Long-track tornadoes will be possible, and some could be significant."
Flash flooding is also a possibility, with strong or severe thunderstorms also a possibility late Tuesday evening. The worst of the weather is expected to take place from the late afternoon until around midnight.
Rain is expected to start in the morning, progressively turning into thunderstorms throughout the day, and presenting a possibility for hail.
Also of concern to NWS Memphis are nighttime tornados and with sunset being before 5 p.m., NWS Memphis said nighttime tornados are not only possible, but are also "particularly dangerous."
Lucas Finton is a news reporter with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at Lucas.Finton@commercialappeal.com and followed on Twitter @LucasFinton.


Bodrum > What to do >When to Go to Bodrum ?
When to Go Bodrum ?
As Bodrum is a very popular tourist destination especially which preferred by Turkish people, it is highly populated in summer times when the schools are closed (mid-june untill mid-september) for summer holidays. In addition to being crowded, Bodrum in the same time is under the effect of very hot and dry weather conditions in summers which makes quiet difficult a nice and relaxing holiday.
The average temperatures in Bodrum in June changes between 20-30 °C , in july 25-35 °C and August 28-38°C which mean weather is not good for the ones who do not love hot weather.
The Hotel prices, eating out and drinking prices are also quiet expensive and tripled in summers compared to beginning and end of season.
Considering all these conditions ( crowded, hot weather and high prices) in my opinion, the best months to visit bodrum will be May, September and October.
it is over 40 degrees now.. and i even hardly breath. no way to stand out for more than 30 minutes. though enjoying the posh crowd of the bitez beach and grat coctails of my bartender.
i'm a freak of sun, hot, crowd and party thus best time for me to go Bodrum is July. Every year 2 weeks unlimited sun and party beginning from the first of July. Can't wait anymore ..


A thoroughly feminine loafer from Hitchcock Wide Shoe Closet, our "Penny" hand-sewn moc of glove-soft leather has an eye-catching button ornament and snappy striped fabric linings. The foam cushion insole and gripper sole offer comfort and flexibility. Georgia last. Women's sizes 5–10, 11 and 12 in 2E and 4E; and now also and now sizes 5–10, 11, 12 in 6E!


LIAT Limited (The Caribbean Airline) (Antigua) has started its fleet upgrade with the first new ATR 72-600 aircraft delivered today (June 14). This first ATR in LIAT's fleet is being leased from GECAS (GE Capital Aviation Services). This is the first of a total of eight ATRs (four 68-seat ATR 72-600s and four 48-seat ATR 42-600s) that will be introduced into LIAT's fleet.
The introduction of these brand new ATR -600s in LIAT's current fleet of 14 aircraft is a part of the airline's restructuring plans aiming at fleet modernization and network improvements. By progressively replacing its current fleet of former turboprop aircraft with the modern and fuel efficient ATRs, the airline will significantly reduce operating and maintenance costs, gain further in profitability and offer more comfort to its passengers due to its enhanced seats design. The line-up of the full new generation ATR model range will allow LIAT to optimize their fleet on their pan-Caribbean network with aircraft of one same family, offering both 50 and 70 seat capacity.
"LIAT currently connects 21 destinations throughout the Caribbean with most routes under 100 Nm, like Grenada to Trinidad, or Dominica to Antigua. The 68-seat ATR 72-600s are perfectly adapted to many of our existing and potential routes," says Ian Brunton, Chief Executive Officer of LIAT. "By renewing our fleet our customers will enjoy more efficiency and better travel experience. The ATR 72-600 perfectly fits with our requirements in terms of low operating costs, most updated technologies and optimal comfort. This is the most-recently certified turboprop aircraft on the market, and we are proud to start our operations with such a modern, successful and well-reputed aircraft".
Copyright Photo: Oliver Gregoire/AirlinersGallery.com. ATR 72-600 (ATR 72-212A) F-WWEN became V2-LIA (msn 1077) on delivery from Toulouse.
This entry was posted in LIAT and tagged 1077, ATR, ATR 72, ATR 72212A, ATR 72600, FWWEN, LIAT, TLS, Toulouse, V2LIA on June 14, 2013 by Bruce Drum.


Teacher assistants provide invaluable support to classroom teachers who would otherwise shoulder heavy clerical and educational burdens on their own. Assistants hail from all walks of life. Some are people preparing for a teaching career, working part-time in the classrooms of elementary and secondary schools while they attend a college training program. Or, they may be retired professionals who have a commitment to the educational welfare of the young.
On the job, about half of employed teacher assistants work part time, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). They may prepare lessons, administer tests or projects in arts and science, grade papers, keep records and supplies, supervise schoolyard play, and help teachers with tutoring or remedial assignments.
Teacher assistants take jobs in public and private schools, pre-schools, preschools, summer camps, child care centers, churches and synagogues, and community centers. Some only work the nine-month public school calendar; others work at summer schools.
While educational and certification requirements vary from state to state, most school districts demand a two-year degree for all teacher assistant candidates to match federal requirements for low-income student funding. Community colleges and private trade schools offer certification and associates degree training programs tailored for teacher assistants.
The BLS reports that 1.3 million teacher assistants held jobs in 2004, most of them in pre-schools and at the elementary-school level. Assistants who have a second language or have taken formal training to work with special education or disabled students will be in especially high demand.
The only prerequisite for this course is a high school diploma or GED. This program will give you a solid foundation in teacher assisting. Trained teacher assistants with the right preparation, skills, and credentials may work in preschools, grammar schools, special education programs, and youth organizations nationwide. You'll be prepared to pursue some of these opportunities in a field filled with variety, challenge, and excitement.
Learn the skills necessary for becoming a Teacher Aide through this program. Train quickly and conveniently for this rewarding career. You'll learn classroom communication skills, major instructional techniques, technology's role in the classroom, and how to assist students with special needs.
The booming education and health sector offers many jobs that involve working with children. For more information on online education degrees, review our program listing and decide which path is right for you.


In a medium saucepan bring baste to a boil, add sugar and stir until dissolved.
Lower heat and add remaining ingredients. Simmer 20 to 30 minutes until mixture is thick.
Quarter chickens, break at joints and place skin side down on broiler pan. Broil chickens 6 inches from the heat for 20 minutes, basting often with the sauce. Turn chicken and broil 20 minutes more, basting with sauce. Spread chutney on chicken and broil 5 minutes more.
Serve hot. Makes 8 servings.


text:
Knox County, Tennessee Historic photos, documents, and people
Washington, D.C. In a health education class, students in turn submit their personality problems to a panel, which leads a class discussion. The girl in the foreground is the subject of discussion. Woo
Washington, D.C. The schedule for use of the boardinghouse bathroom is worked out so that each person has eight minutes in the morning. It is social suicide to ignore the schedule and cause a tie-up li
Washington, D.C. Young football fans, unable to finance a ticket to the Woodrow Wilson High School-Georgetown Preparatory School game, watching it through the fence at Woodrow Wilson High School
Washington, D.C. Young football fans, unable to finance a ticket to the Woodrow Wilson High School-Georgetown Preparatory School game, watch it through the fence at Woodrow Wilson High School
Bus trip from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Washington, D.C. Working on an old type coach which is being completely rebuilt at the garage of the Tennessee Coach Company in Knoxville, Tennessee
Washington, D.C. Boarders often speculate on the identity of the owner of the house across the street. They like to think it belongs to the President of a South American steamship line
Bus trip from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Washington, D.C. Mechanic rebuilding bus motor at the garage of the Tennessee Coach Company in Knoxville. This is done every 100,000 miles
Washington, D.C. Students in a home management class at Woodrow Wilson High School showing how to turn a mattress. The school has a model bedroom for use in such demonstrations
Washington, D.C. This U.S. Office of Price Administration clerk, speaking of her boardinghouse room says: "The light looks like an angel when I leave the shade off, so I do so"
More photos and other items in Knox County!
Knoxville (195)
The Wedding of Jacqueline Lee Bouvier and John F. Kennedy, 1953 Life at the Boeing Aircraft Company in Seattle Making the B-17s, Nov 1942
Boeing aircraft plant, Seattle, Washington. Production of...
The Amazing Story of Kentucky's Horseback Librarians (10 Photos)
Making the B-25 Bomber at North American Aviation, Inc., 1942
Mounting motor on a Fairfax B-25 bomber, at North America...


Grand garage rock that's dark and dramatic.
Melancholy indie rock for aching hearts.
Smart, cynical, somewhat violent, and even funny.
Indie sweethearts' songs are poetic, but harmless.
Deep lyrics give way to memorable indie rock.
Avant-garde music makes for okay CD.
Edgy poetry with a fresh sound. Teens and up.
Wacky but weak debut from alt-emo-rock's darlings.
Indie/country-folk/rock from a precocious talent.
A decent effort, but you've heard it all before!


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This is the first time I am trying to work with Flex and trying to integrate with Webdynpro ABAP.
included them in the flex project and did Export Release Build.
What I want to do through this project is just to display the image and no data exchange is happening here between Flex and webdynpro.
Next I have made a webdynro project , included the Flash Island and imported the mime object.
When I activate my object and run the application I dont see the image , i can only see a blank window.
Please guide me where I am going wrong.
Did you notice a progress bar which indicates the loading of SWF file when you launch web dynpro application?
Make sure you have specified the exact name(case sensitive) of the SWF file in your FlashIsland view.
Check in SICF if the service corresponding to you web dynpro application is active. If its not active, activate the service and test the application. It should work.
Can you run any of the SAP delivered FlashIsland demos? What version of Flex Builder SDK are you building against? Rather than build your own first application, have you tried recreating one of the step by step demos available here on SCN?
Please help on the above.
I hope.It will work fine.
I got the very same problem when I wanna test my WDA app via "SE80 -> Right Click on the WDA App. -> Test".
When I search my appliation within SICF and start the app. via "Right Click -> Test Service" everything works fine and I can see my flash island.
Any ideas why the "test" via SE80 is not working in case of flash islands?


During the first quarter of 2017 auto dealers sold 378,248 vehicles, that's an 8.9% increase compared to the same three-month period of 2016.
Mexican auto dealers sold 137,012 units during March, a 17.2% rise compared to same month of 2016, according to figures by the Mexican Association of Auto Dealers (AMDA).
During the first quarter of 2017 auto dealers sold 378,248 vehicles, that's an 8.9% increase compared to the same three-month period of 2016. Market share by brand remained as follows: Nissan 27.2%, GM 17.5%, VW 15%, Toyota 7%, FCA 6.2%, Honda 5.3%, Ford 5%, Kia 5%, Mazda 3% and Hyundai 2.6%.
Contrary to most forecasts, auto sales in the U.S. market slowed to 1.56 million new cars and trucks during March, a 1.6% decline compared with the same month a year ago, according to researcher firm Autodata Corp.
Most analysts at Reuters and Bloomberg had expected sales figures to be above 1.62 million or a 2.2% increase. At annualized rate, auto dealers sold 16.6 million cars and trucks in the last 12 months, slightly less than 16.7 million from a year earlier.
Analysts had projected the pace would accelerate to about 17.2 million. Car sales only accounted for 39% of total industry sales.
Last month Canadians bought 187,540 new vehicles, an increase of 7.1% compared to March 2016, according to DesRosiers Automotive Consultants. Auto dealers saw an 11.1% rise in demand for pickups and SUVs, offsetting a 0.3% decline in car sales.
The Big Three were also the top three: GM sold 30,115 vehicles, a 22.9 % boost from a year ago; Fiat Chrysler was second, having sold 26,531 units; and Ford finished off the podium, with a 0.2% boost to 26,447 vehicles.
Honda sales jumped 18.7% to 17,392 vehicles, while Nissan enjoyed a 26.7% jump to 14,523 vehicles. The Honda Civic and Ford F-150 led Canadian car and truck sales respectively, the Nissan Rogue was Canada's best-selling SUV.


I hope you all had an enjoyable Easter weekend! Just a quick update: last night was our final Figaro for the season at Oper Frankfurt. As always I had a ball singing and playing my quirky Basilio and Don Curzio on stage! Thanks to all of the wonderful cast and crew for making this experience such a memorable one! Now onto something a little different, in a few hours I begin rehearsals for my first Kinderoper (children's opera). No rest for the wicked!


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Sneha D., Suzie K. & Neha B.
The Road to Civil War
Missouri Compromise
Compromise of 1850
Kansas-Nebraska Act / Elections in Kansas
Bleeding Kansas / Pottawatomie Massacre
Dred-Scott Supreme Court Case
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry
Election of Abraham Lincoln
The Kansas nebraska Act
Little had the uneasy Compromise of 1850 set in, when the cry for Westward Expansion once again intruded into the nation's affairs. The seemingly peaceful way of determining the grounds for slavery was questioned, this time threatening to destroy previously sacred compromises for Union.....
THE KANSAS-NEBRASKA ACT
Key Figures:
-Steven A. Douglas - proposed this act because of personal and sectional reasons - wanted to help the South gain slave states and wanted to build a railroad in the North
Why did it happen?
-Controversy over the issue of slavery in Kansas and Nebraska
-After the Compromise of 1850 and California becomes a free state - political imbalance
What was it?
-Proposed that the inclusion of slavery in Kansas and Nebraska be determined by people living in territories – directly contradicts Henry Clay's MISSOURI COMPROMISE – the states are north of the 36° 30' line.
What did it lead into?
-North infuriated by the neglecting of the compromise.
-Hostility increases, explodes again, and results in the Republican Party
-Rise of purely sectional political parties – Republicans are northerners, Democrats are southerners
-Brought more tension/antagonism between North and South, led to creation of sectional political parties. Now the nation was seriously in danger of Civil War
THE KANSAS ELECTIONS
-States supporting and opposing slavery sent settlers into Kansas to gain votes for their cause
-Northerners and Southerners travelled to Kansas
-Settlers were financed by free-soilers and abolitionists
-South is angered, claiming that the purpose of the Kansas-Nebraska act was to help the sectional balance by making Kansas a slave state and Nebraska a free one.
-Continuing hostility between sections erupts into violence ...
What happened next?


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Home Environment A Small Country Fights Climate Change
A Small Country Fights Climate Change
Cheaper Electric Cars for Costa Rica.
Little electric car
The main cause of concern for the environmentally aware is the amount of carbon monoxide and other nocive emissions than vehicles with internal combustion engines spew into the atmosphere every day. This pollution has been identified as the main cause of climate change, has become a huge problem, not only for the industrialized nations but for the entire planet.
Over the years, the understanding of the ill effects these emissions have both on the environment and on the human health has increased. Of course, there have been many attempts to do some damage control on this problem. One of these measures is to use vehicles powered by less polluting engines.
Costa Rica has become a veritable showcase for many green initiatives. They range from cleaning up plastic fouled beaches to forest conservation and from a growing eco-friendly tourist industry to clean energy production.
Now, according to the "Ley de Incentivos y Promoción para el Transporte Eléctrico", a bill recently passed by the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica, electric vehicles (EVs) are exempt from the general sales tax, the selective consumption tax, and the customs value tax. These exemptions seek to promote the import and purchase of electric vehicles in the country and to make EVs more affordable for the general public.
The new bill is relevant to Costa Rica's green plans for one reason. Costa Rica wants to be recognized as "carbon neutral" by 2021, a year that marks the country's 200th anniversary. To be carbon neutral means to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) to zero. Most GHGs emissions come from transport, farming, industry, and fossil fuel power plants. Costa Rica's current emissions of CO2 are around 14.6 million metric tons each year.
Some official reports indicate that the fossil fuel used by cars, buses, and trains accounts for almost 70% of the country's GHGs emissions. Obviously, more electric and hybrid vehicles (HV) would contribute to cut down this figure significantly. The total number of vehicles circulating in Costa Rica was, as of January 2017, about 1.5 million, of which approximately half are transport vehicles. Compare this figure with the total number of EVs: less than 400.
Electric Vs Petrol
Why is that? In a nutshell, EVs are expensive. They use electricity stored in a battery pack to power an electric motor and turn the wheels. The battery pack has to last years. Although there is still the lot of R&D to be done in this field, the technology involved in the process is not cheap. So, for all the good things they have going for them, the biggest hurdle for EVs to become really popular is a steep price tag.
Some of the EV models currently offered in the country are Mitsubishi i-Miev; Reva; Toyota Prius, Prius C and Camry and Lexus CT, RX, ES, GS, and LS.
For 2022, Costa Rica expects to have about 37000 EVs. Preparing for that the two power companies, Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) y la Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz (CNFL), are installing 18 electrogasolineras (electrical recharge stations) in Guanacaste, in the North Pacific region, Zarcero, a town located West of the capital, San José, and in San Carlos, in the Northern-Central region.
Electric Recharge Station
Of course, achieving carbon-neutral status is no mean feat. It requires a nationwide effort where individuals, businesses, companies, and the government work together fostering projects like advanced renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure. This new law is another step in the right direction. Whether Costa Rica will achieve this goal or not still remains to be seen, but in the long run, this pursuit may inspire other countries to imitate it. And that is definitely a good thing for the world's environment.
SOURCEGilberto Barrera
Gilberto Barrera
recharge electric cars
TheCRNews
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