Award winner promotes hybrid vehicles to university inning a national anurgy vlticivnry award Iwn weeks sign has put Rubin Sunn's mama plan into high gear And that plan is m add a gas-Her) hybrid vchicle llllll Ilwllnnerailyn1\\2m-r- luu'a tleet. "My gum is [0 bring " mum t.r1vironmeniallx ln'rmlly u-h'u le m the unr iersity'urur1tiuts." said 5mm. who is enrolled in ilW's "nxjrormwntal and H’anll'l'l’ undies program. “[ [race an interest in otv'rroruuental initiatives, spccificuily transportation. what's going on in the nil industry and what causes greenhouse gil'il's KING]. 1'rimsportation is a large percentage of that." Sarto spent the better part of a year evaluating the feasibility of replacing gaso- 'ine-powered vehicles with gas-electric hybrid automo- biles that maximize fuel eifi- ciency and minimize green- house gas emissions. That research recently earned him a Canada Ener- gy Efficiency Award, which recognizes and honours Canadian innovation and achievement in energy effi- ciency within different sec- tors ofthe economy. According to his award- winning report. gas-electric hybrid can combine a high- ly efficient gasoline engine with a battery-powered electric motor: one or both engines run the vehicle. depending on driving simu- liuns. Sana won in thie student category. When thc whirl? accel- man's rapidly, for example. the gas engine supplements the electric motor - maxi- miring fuel efficierwy and minimizing emissions. Whcn the vehicle slows, Ihv gas engine shuls down all mgr-then rhc vchit lr's battery is rm hanged hv " huihrm gen vnnm thal draws power 1mm they gux t-nglmz and lav a rt-gHu-nniu' Imllmg xxx By ANDREA Baum ( Ttrouirle Sm!) EToy Junction 1L.- Riverworks, St Jacobs Birthday Parties Il" 664-1451 Available Themes Canada's Natural Resources Minister R. John Efford (left) presented University of Waterloo student Robin Sane with a national energy efficiency award recently in Ottawa. tem, which harnesses excess energy when the car slows or stops. During his research. Sano audited all the vehicles in the university's fleet, rtot- ing vehicle type. age and usage. and determined that Volvo cars leased by the school's president and vice- president would provide suitable comparisons. Based on the features of the two Volvos. Sana select- ed aToyota Prius gas-hybrid vehicle for comparative pur- poses. The Prius was chosen based on specific criteria: initial leasing costs did not exceed those of the Volvo vehicles under study; and the Prius comes with options, accessories and standard features that are strikingly similar to those trffered by the Volvns. "As well as offering a sim- ilar It'vel of comfort," Sano vxplained in his report, "the Prius emits h-wvr green- house gusos. mmunws less gmnlinv. and rush less In t9Wrl and trpvratv. Iruicrul, the Pnus is an inmwnlivv var thut \lHt In up wvll against thr. rulllpl‘imnll" In LIFESTYLE By replacing fleet vehi- cles with gas-hybrids. Sano believes the university will demonstrate not only its commitment to reducing GHG emissions but also a leadership role among edu- cational institutions. "Waterloo prides itself on being a university that works to adopt innovation." said Sana. "(Hybrid vehicles) would create a cost reduction for 11W in [arms of gas prices. And the (hybrid) would also save a lot of pollution from going into the atmosphere." But he's rnnfitlt'nl thc cver rislng rust of gasoline wull entourage drivers m Sano admitted the pupuv larity of gas-electric hybrids has yet to and] on. to try to get this technology implemented at the university." 'Tm still going - Robin Sana onergv award "rirrrrer 'SCT. n Mm Dockside tht [In SI l ill-tttttt ilitih 141-8050 L Ihe /hyslerious Dying i Affair a, a d We’rerloo Good consider an alternative to standard gas guralers "It will be a market-driv- en demand," Sano said. "N like to think the popularity of hybrids will increase because people want to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. "But the reality is in seven to 10 years. gas prices will rise to the point where we won't be able to drive the large cars that are produced -- period" Until then. Sano said, he will continue educating oth- ers on the viability of hybrid vehicles. "I'm still going In try to get this technology imple- mented at the university." he said. "My thesis has been favourably received by the university. The president says he will definitely com sider the Prius when his lease expires in the near future, and I'm hopeful that soninr administration will rmmitor thc viability of gas» chwtric hybrid vehicles for iitturc purchases "l just want In show [It-(r ph- they haw other optirutu" ~muoouun Mailman-Is " . Halts-luau Book? SuBMI'u I? PNCVD World Health Day is today, and the theme this year is road safety. Even though road traffic collisions kill nearly 1.2 million people world-wide each year. they are largely ignored as a health issue. This could he because they are viewed by many as an event outside of their con- trot. but that is not true. A variety oi risky behaviors can increase odds ol a traffic collision. rhose hehav. ion include speeding. impaired driling. and failing to buckle up. Road traitic injuries run he prevented. A variety of injury prevention menu are being planned around the region to mark World Health Day. inctudit1g interactive activities and displays in the lobby at Grand River Hospital. and the rollover slimy latnr will be demonstrated at Elmira District Seer ondary School today. which Ls aim "Walk to School Day." an event which encourages all elementary school children to walk In school. i For additional information on World Health Day, or any of the events listed above, roman Colleen Cooper at 383-2008, ext. 5324. In addition. there will he a carseat check-up clinic today mm 9 a.m. to noon at the an office un Mani- tou Drive in Kitchener, To celebrate poetry month, the Waterloo Public Library will be holding a special event tonight from T- 9 Thm. at the Waterloo Public Library's Auditorium. - i This event will feature renoWned poets Rienzi Crusz. Erin Noteboom and Stephen Cain, as well as refreshments and free admission. Th library is located at 35 Albert St., with free park- ing available in the Dupont Street lot, - - Hospice of Waterloo Region will hold its Spring Promenade fashion show and raffle, "Shaken Not Stirred," April l4 at Ringeman's Marshall Hall. begin- ning at 7 pm. The event will include a grand door prize, donated hy Knar lewellery. as well as raffle tickets for over $l0,000 in prizes, including a four-night holiday in las Vegas for two, with air fare and hotel included, by Goliger's Travel Plus, a patio set from lleidt Products valued at $3,500, an original painting hy Brian Atyen of the Harbour Gallery, a BMW for the weekend from HR Motors, a catered dinner for six by Select Service Caterers of Fine Food. MPK Hospitality Management and Astrid Krupp. and a gift certificate from Ruthee's Antiques in Ayr. H For more intormaiion, contact the library at 886- l310 or visit the library's Web site at www.wpl.ca. Only 2.800 raffle tickets have hm-n printed. and are available for $10 With or three for 320 by calling the Hospice ofWaterku, Region at 7-134] M.The draw for (ho wiles will he held at the fashion show. al 9:30 pm. Spring fashion show supports Hospice programs liirkms for the fashion show are S25 with and will also hr purrhawd by calling 7-134] M. World Health Day events focus on road safety 4tP ANNUAL USED BOOK SALE Waterloo Public Library celebrates Poetry Month ) Canadian Federation of University Women Friday April 16, 10am-9 pm F, Saturday April17,Qam-1 pm J, iiCl First United Church tKrTt8W%amSts Waterbm rMrxatKxtstofBrage; CD'S Andean! Who mem‘; maim3attrtPi%trrrtmThotwiaty Ann� hrarn8%amtn8R0To i'trr, "rvr, ugmmvhrchn; ammw‘mum [rm-m"