I received a few emails this morning alerting me to the U.S. Department of Energy’s release of the list of grants it made recently for cleantech R&D out of its “Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy” (ARPA-E).
It would be interesting to know how this decision-making process works. I’m hoping it’s both fair and wise, though, from what I’ve heard, I wouldn’t bet the ranch on either.
When I asked senior energy analyst Glenn Doty to comment on a business plan that contemplates coal and gas to liquids (isobutanol) I received an amazingly complete response — both a crash course in the business of organic chemistry and a comprehensive answer to the questions at hand.
I then dared to ask another favor: a response to the question: What are the basic reasons that the externalities of tar sands are so much higher than they are for crude? Is it simply that more energy is used in extraction, transportation, and refinement, and that there are externalities to generating that incremental energy?
I thought I’d publish his response, so that readers could come up to speed on this as well. Glenn writes: (more…)
Here’s a well-written article that contains a great deal of truth. Many environmentalists take knee-jerk positions, often rooted in an incomplete and self-serving view of the relevant science, and these positions can ultimately do more harm to the environment than good. It’s sad but true.
Can thoughtful and fair-minded people see a case for genetically modified food? Can nuclear energy and shale gas play a role in mitigating the planet-wrecking horrors of coal? I believe the answer to both question is Yes. As frequent commenter Glenn Doty of Doty WindFuels likes to say, “This is a marathon. Sprinters will not cross the finish line.”
So yes, let’s admit that a rigid, “don’t confuse me with facts” position is childish and indefensible, regardless of the issue and which side of it you believe you’re on.
But my concern is that, as a society, our decision-making processes aren’t really based on facts at all; they’re based on money. (more…)
It’s the birthday of novelist Rita Mae Brown whose novel Rubyfruit Jungle was rejected by numerous publishers because of its lesbian themes. But, through Brown’s tireless efforts, the book became a word-of-mouth hit and, to date, has sold more than a million copies.
I bring this up because of something Brown said about her career: “If you can’t raise consciousness, at least raise hell.” Something to think about as we tell our story of sustainability to a world that often doesn’t want to hear it.
Here’s a report on the Conference of Parties (COP) meetings that, this week and next, take on the challenges of bringing the nations of the world together to deal with climate change. The report, called “Global Warming Threat: Permafrost Thawing Across Siberia And Alaska Poses New Concern, UNEP” inspires me to ask readers: When you come across articles that project catastrophic effects of climate change in the year 2100, what do you think? How do you react emotionally?
Here’s an article that points to a controversy about smart-grid, i.e., about the concept of two-way communication between the electric generation plant and the customer, and the application of intelligence to flow of information. Apparently, someone is alleging that the money spent in the arena has been misspent, that smart-grid won’t improve grid reliability, etc.
I have no doubt that there is at least some truth here. I did a radio interview the other day in which I was asked about the way in which smart meters were introduced to consumers here in the U.S. recently; I freely admit that “mistakes were made,” to use the passive voice as we so frequently do in cases like these.
What about reliability? The issue isn’t really reliability, it’s more about efficiency, and, more to the point, conservation, especially during times of peak demand. There are controversies about smart-grid, but its ability to manipulate the use of power favorably, reduce costs, defer capital investments, and help to integrate more renewables onto the grid aren’t among them.
Australia has terrific solar and wind resources, and, if this report is to be believed, expects to exploit them to the max over the coming years. One has to like the title: “The Critical Decade: Generating a Renewable Australia,” as this is, indeed, a critical decade.
I hope there’s plenty of political horsepower behind all this.
When I interviewed Robin Murphy, spokesperson from the World Resource Institute for my first book, “Renewable Energy – Facts and Fantasies” I recall how impressed I was at the organization and their work. Here’s an article they wrote on the development of coal-fired power plants around the world. Currently, there are 1200 new plants in the planning stages, totally about 1.5 terawatts (1,500,000 megawatts).
Needless to say, this is terrible news for a planet heating up from greenhouse gas emissions, and for the respiratory systems of the people who live here. Such tidings heighten the imperative for the nations of the world to work together, as they are doing this week and next, at the Conference of Parties meetings, and make meaningful agreements with respect to this tragic path we’re pursuing.
You may be less likely to tear out your hair during your family’s next road trip if you take that trip in the BMW Active Tourer. This compact hybrid is in the concept stages, but is expected to come complete with amazing amenities that are sure to drive BMW sales as easily as it drives your crew to your destination. BMW is pushing out their new hybrids from Chapman BMW in AZ to dealers across the country. If the average 94 mpg is not enough to drive BMW sales in your direction, perhaps these fabulous, family-friendly features will be.
Room for cargo and kids is a must in a family vehicle, but you also don’t want a vehicle so large and lumbering it leaves little room in your garage for toys and bicycles. The Washington Post praises the compact hybrid for maximizing space while retaining a fairly small carbon footprint. The overall measurements are 171 inches long by 72 inches wide, with a height of 61 inches. That’s garage-size for sure. That also comes with four doors for easy entrance, exit and packing, a cargo area that makes packing possible, and hybrid drivetrain with under-floor battery pack. No space is wasted. (more…)
A friend of mine who had made some energy-related suggestions to President Obama just received a very thoughtful and well-written note in response, talking up the “all-of-the-above” strategy. I respond:
That’s great. From here, I’d like to see some real numbers and commitments to bringing them about. In particular, I want to see us:
• Immediately remove the subsidies to the oil and coal companies.
• Get entirely out of the coal business over the next 35 – 40 years, with legislation that would force the generators and consumers of energy to pay for its comprehensive costs, including remediating damage to our lungs and ecosystems; encourage the rest of the world to do the same.
• Put people back to work in energy efficiency (insulation, smart-grid, LED lighting, higher efficiency HVAC, etc.) and in rebuilding our ancient grid. (more…)
