Insight and inspiration in turbulent times.
The NY Times gives a critical and comprehensive report on a possible renaissance in nuclear energy. Peak oil, global warming and `stabilization wedges’ are discussed. Gertner writes: “…to spend a few months listening to those who study the earth’s energy resources is to get the feeling that we are in for a very difficult century — and one that depends on an immediate future of difficult and unpleasant choices.”
Figuring out how to meet the world’s demand for energy involves choosing between two complex formulas: Cost optimization based on the cheapest forms of energy available vs. the risk of pumping the resulting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. (Summary of a talk by Dr. Nathan Lewis of Caltech)
The risk-premium concept is, in my opinion, the convenient smoke-screen used to prevent discussion of the real issue: this is a supply and demand driven problem, and we are rapidly approaching or passing peak oil. (Seeking feedback on an economic argument)
Peak oil passnotes: where Is the recession? /
Using community radio to communicate peak oil (N. Calif.) / Potential impact of Cantarell’s decline on Mexico’s oil production
Venezuela’s oil sales to U.S. drop as Chavez sends more to Asia / Russia and Iran lead the new energy game /
Africa scrambles for new energy as blackouts bite / The G-8’s risky nuclear embrace
Indonesia to spend a massive US$ 22 billion by 2010 to promote biofuels / Lester Brown: supermarkets and service stations now competing for grain / Challenges emerge for wind power (costs up 70%)
British Petroleum’s “Statistical Review of World Energy 2006” / ODAC comments on BP’s Review / CNN special: fueling America /
Deep ocean energy resources – a critical analysis / Saudi Arabia tests potential for unlocking heavy-oil reserves / Interview with Jeff Goodell, author of “Big Coal”
Why pellets are packing the power / A hundred thousand points of light: Thinking out of the grid / Energy surety for mission readiness (microgrids and the military) / Movie casts the electric car as hero, GM as bad guy
Anyone concerned about the burning of fossil fuels and resultant climate change is scared beyond words because of the prospect of coal usage growing or continuing. (Also: a discussion of Earth First! and its anti-coal protests.)
Sympathetic coverage of a plan by Roger Bezdek, coauthor of “The Hirsch Report.” The four-part plan suggests: coal-to-liquid (Fischer-Tropsch process), pumping CO2 into old oil fields, biomass as a feedstock for synthetic fuel, and oil shale.
The most surprising feature of the current oil crisis is that it does not really feel like a crisis. Why haven’t high energy prices forced a recession?
With concerns that energy use will rapidly increase over the next several years while fossil fuels diminish as well as numerous other energy uncertainties including the results of climate change, Sandia National Laboratories is proposing applying the principles of surety to energy.
