Peak Oil
For what it’s worth, my beliefs about peak oil do not align with Kathy’s; if readers are interested, I’ve provided a link above.
Tagged with: peak oil
Thanks, Readers
… for the numerous thoughtful suggestions on my book title. You’ve given me some great ideas, and I deeply appreciate the time you devoted to helping.
Tagged with: 2GreenEnergy
NOW on PBS – Fracking, Natural Gas, and Renewable Energy
If you happen to be home on a Friday night, you’ll find it a great time to watch PBS, with its weekly programs: Washington Week, NOW, and Bill Moyers Journal. Generally, I think these programs depict the world fairly, and make an honest attempt to inform viewers in an objective and unbiased manner.
Yet I took exception to David Brancaccio’s NOW this week, in its gross oversimplication of the migration to renewables. In an attempt to inflame the viewer about the dangers of fracking (hydraulic fracturing, injecting water and chemicals deep underground to pry out gas locked away in tight spaces), the show told its views flatly, “We have renewable energy technology right now.”
At a certain level, this, of course, is true; there are a dozen or so clean energy technologies that are quite functional. But without context, this statement is horribly misleading. Sure we have the technology now, but there are hundreds of issues that many thousands of people are diligently working on — that will ultimately enable renewables to be deployed in an economically, legally, and ecologically sound way. As a friend of mine is fond of saying, “There’s plenty of clean energy if you don’t care how much you pay for it.”
If you want to stir up viewers, David, I would urge you to find a way to do so without feeding them a load of half-truths. I would say that to anyone — but especially to a man with a well-educated audience that can deal quite ably with the complete set of facts.
Tagged with: alternative energy, clean energy, David Brancaccio, fracking, methane, natural gas, NOW on PBS, Renewable Energy
Green Energy Technology Patents Reach Record Highs in 2009 – By Guest Blogger Kathy – Continued
As noted yesterday, the annual report of the Clean Energy Patent Growth Index (CEPGI), published quarterly, confirms that 2009 was a record year for green tech.
Automobile companies dominated the top clean energy patent holders; big auto holds five of the top ten spots, with Honda, GM and Toyota in the lead. Honda leads in hybrid/electric vehicle patents.
A few other companies of note:
GE holds twice the number of patents over its wind competitors.
Canon was and remains the solar photovoltaic leader.
The CEPGI index report noted that Panasonic had 29 clean tech patents in 2009 but only six in the prior year – 2009 was an active year for the company.
Bloom Energy had 8 fuel cell patents in 2009, none in 2008 but four in previous years.
Tesla had 4 hybrid/electric vehicle patents in 2009, their first since the CEPGI index started tracking in 2002.
As far as academia is concerned, the University of California remains in the lead for patents since 2002 with California Institute of Technology second. The University of Florida gained three in 2009.
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) Fast-tracking Green Tech in 2010
The PTO announced a pilot program open from December 8th, 2009 through December 8th, 2010 that is designed to expedite the patent process for clean tech projects; the process normally takes 30 to 40 months, but the fast-track process could shave off a great deal of time. This pilot program was announced by energy Secretary Steven Chu and Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, and the first 3,000 patent petitions will eligible.
Chu and Locke support the idea that American innovation and competitiveness are key. “Every day an important green tech innovation is hindered from coming to market is another day we harm our planet and another day lost in creating green businesses and green jobs,” Secretary Locke said. (Green Tech. “Patent Office Puts Green Tech on Fast Track,” by Martin LaMonica. December 8, 2009).
What Does This All Mean?
The increase in patents shows that renewable energy technology is creating force in the right direction. Governmental support with the fast-track process cuts through some red tape for innovators. This bodes well for everyone, as long as research and development monies continue and as long as new governmental policies don’t squash this critical momentum.
Sustainable Business Network of Greater Boston – SBN
I just had a marvelous conversation with Loretta White, a deeply committed environmentalist who’s playing a major role within The Sustainable Business Network of Greater Boston (SBN). Founded in 1988, this fine group has been changing the way greater Boston does business ever since, engaging business and community leaders in building economies that are green, local, and fair.
When I got her on the phone yesterday in the afternoon, she told me she’d love to chat, but that she was in Amsterdam. Could I call back tomorrow when she’d be back in the US? Ooops. With eight-hour time difference, it was close to midnight. But Loretta was not the worse for wear. When we resumed out conversation today, I again noticed her unflagging energy level. No jet lag, no whining about the travel, just pure passion for the cause.
I certainly encourage readers to check out their website; I find it amazing how many things can be done to make businesses more sustainable – less based on scarce resources that may not be around forever.
Green Energy Technology Patents Reach Record Highs in 2009 – By Guest Blogger Kathy
Green patents have been tracked since 2002 by the Cleantech Group of Heslin Rothenberg Farley & Mesiti. The 2009 annual report of the Clean Energy Patent Growth Index (CEPGI), published quarterly, confirms that it was a record year for green tech.
The number of patents in 2009 grew by 200 over 2008; the chart below illustrates the explosive growth. Solar soared up 60% and biomass up 260% over last year. Hybrid/electric vehicle and fuel cells were up 20%. Geothermal was steady with only one more patent than last year, while tidal and hydroelectric decreased in 2009.
(Chart courtesy of the Cleantech Group.)
The U.S. holds about half of the world’s clean energy patents since 2002, as depicted below, with Japan and Germany running in second and third place for total renewable energy patents. However, when it comes to the category of hybrid/electric vehicle patents, Japan leads the world with 49% and the U.S. at 39%.
Fuel Cell Patents Lead All Categories
The leader in all green tech sectors continues to be fuel cells, as seen in the chart below, again, courtesy of the Clean Tech Group. Solar’s increase brought it on par with wind patents this year.
Granting of patents is considered an important measure of activity and resources being devoted to new innovations. Patents demonstrate that serious efforts and advances of value are being made to bring forward technologies, one would hope, for the eventual benefit of all. CEPGI tracks U.S. patents in the area of solar, wind, hybrid/electric vehicles, fuel cells, hydroelectric, tidal/wave, geothermal, biomass and other clean renewable energy technologies.
This article concludes tomorrow.
Startling New Research Says Peak Oil May Happen by 2014 – Earlier than Many Estimated – By Guest Blogger Kathy
In a surprising announcement in March 2010, Dr. Ibrahim Nashawi of Kuwait University and colleagues released a study that suggests that world conventional crude oil will peak as early as 2014 — a decade or three earlier than other parties have estimated. The findings were published in the American Chemical Society’s magazine Energy & Fuels.
The term “Peak Oil” refers to the point in time when global production has reached its maximum and will start to decline (represented by a bell curve) — thus having bearing on the point at which the oil supply being pulled from earth will not meet oil demand and consumption. Peak Oil is about production of a finite, nonrenewable energy source which is subject to depletion. In fact, oil production has grown almost every year of the last century.
What is Peak Oil?
Dr. M. King Hubbert, an American geologist and oil expert shown above, conducted extensive studies and then developed a model that became known as Hubbert’s Peak. (Photo courtesy of “Hubbert Tribute” at channelinghubbert.com). From his work, he predicted in the 1950’s that the U.S. oil production would peak in the early 1970’s. Although the professor was ridiculed at the time he released the study, he was essentially right. The U.S. never produced more oil than it did in the early 1970’s — and the country’s oil did peak.
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Tagged with: alternative energy, clean energy, green energy, Ibrahim Nashawi, Kuwait, peak oil, Renewable Energy, Wind Energy, wind power, wind turbines
The Electric Vehicle Adoption Curve
I spent the better part of yesterday afternoon in a television studio in Ventura, interviewing Plug-In America vice president and co-founder Paul Scott. Paul had generously committed the time, and drove his Toyota RAV-4 EV up from Santa Monica for the occasion. I hope to have the interview chopped up into 3 – 4 minute segments and up on YouTube shortly. A still shot from the studio is below.
I walked away from the process far more hopeful and optimistic than I was when I first sat down. Here’s why:
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2GreenEnergy Video: Paul Scott, Plugin America
Craig Shields interviews Paul Scott as part of the TV series, “The 2GreenEnergy Video Report.” This is the complete 30 minute interview. There are also short clips of this interview available by searching for “Paul Scott” on the 2GreenEnergy.com website.
Tagged with: video
Please Help Select the Title for My Book
As I’ve mentioned, I’ve been working on a new book on renewables, which is just about completed — it’s largely based upon interviews of some of the top 25 minds in the renewable energy industry. I plan the main title of the book to be: RENEWABLE ENERGY: FACTS AND FANTASIES, as it addresses the tough realities of clean energy from a wide range of perspectives: technological, economic, and political.
If I may ask a quick favor, I need some help determining the subtitle. Please click the following link and select your choice for a subtitle.
Title: RENEWABLE ENERGY: FACTS AND FANTASIES
Subtitle #1) Examining the Technological, Economic, and Political Implications of Mankind’s Most Important Challenge
Subtitle #2) Interviews with 25 Subject-Matter Experts
Subtitle #3) Exploring the New Energy “Triumvirate”: Technology, Economics, and Politics
Subtitle #4) How Proper Direction in Clean Energy Will Prevent the Immanent Collapse of our Standard of Living
Please write your preference in the comments below. Minimally, I’d love your feedback on what you consider to be your favorite subtitle. If you are also able to provide a sequence from best to worse, that would be even more helpful.
Finally, if you wish to suggest an alternative title, please do so.
Thanks.
Tagged with: book on renewables
