Comments on: T. Boone to the Rescue… http://priceofoil.org/2008/07/09/t-boone-to-the-rescue%e2%80%a6/ Oil Change International campaigns to expose the true costs of oil and facilitate the coming transition towards clean energy. We are dedicated to identifying and overcoming political barriers to that transition. Fri, 09 Jan 2009 06:06:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Noah Scales http://priceofoil.org/2008/07/09/t-boone-to-the-rescue%e2%80%a6/#comment-531790 Noah Scales Sun, 03 Aug 2008 09:35:32 +0000 http://priceofoil.org/?p=3017#comment-531790 I'm sorry, that family in Pasadena makes bio-diesel in their garage. My apologies to home-fuelers out there. I’m sorry, that family in Pasadena makes bio-diesel in their garage. My apologies to home-fuelers out there.

]]> By: Noah http://priceofoil.org/2008/07/09/t-boone-to-the-rescue%e2%80%a6/#comment-488044 Noah Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:55:30 +0000 http://priceofoil.org/?p=3017#comment-488044 Supposedly, reduction in temperature differences between the pole and the equator will reduce wind speeds between them, but you asked about less wind, not a change in direction. A 2002 industry study suggested mean wind speed reductions between 30 and 40 degrees North latitude. A 2006 Nature paper found that the Pacific Ocean Walker circulation has slowed, and will continue to slow, causing El Nino-like effects. A study in this year's GRL suggests that slowdown of the positive phases of the Southern Annular Mode will be caused by the closing of the ozone hole of Antarctica, causing weather and wind changes in Australia and South America (and speeding Antarctic warming). Weather damage to above-ground energy production installations will increase, for certain, as weather patterns change, regardless of what happens to regional mean wind speed. Last year, New Scientist published an inventory of commodities used in production of all kinds, including gallium and Indium used for some solar panel designs. Some hydrogen storage devices in development for cars require platinum, limiting how many cars could use those devices. When a researcher wants to mine platinum from road dust, you know we've got problems. For now, hydrogen as a secure energy source (a solid fuel) is out. Nuclear power faces the same limitations of uranium depletion. Metals used to construct turbine blades might suffer similar constraints. Of course oil and coal are limited, not to mention extremely dirty energy sources, but we have the infrastructure in place to continue to extract them, distribute them, and burn them. Why not keep it simple? , There's a family in Pasadena, nature lovers who grow literally tons of produce on their small lot and who manufacture their own ethanol in their garage. They claim it costs them a $1 a gallon. They use it frugally, even according to them. That's the smart way to use fuel, regardless of how it was produced. Supposedly, reduction in temperature differences between the pole and the equator will reduce wind speeds between them, but you asked about less wind, not a change in direction. A 2002 industry study suggested mean wind speed reductions between 30 and 40 degrees North latitude. A 2006 Nature paper found that the Pacific Ocean Walker circulation has slowed, and will continue to slow, causing El Nino-like effects. A study in this year’s GRL suggests that slowdown of the positive phases of the Southern Annular Mode will be caused by the closing of the ozone hole of Antarctica, causing weather and wind changes in Australia and South America (and speeding Antarctic warming). Weather damage to above-ground energy production installations will increase, for certain, as weather patterns change, regardless of what happens to regional mean wind speed.

Last year, New Scientist published an inventory of commodities used in production of all kinds, including gallium and Indium used for some solar panel designs. Some hydrogen storage devices in development for cars require platinum, limiting how many cars could use those devices. When a researcher wants to mine platinum from road dust, you know we’ve got problems. For now, hydrogen as a secure energy source (a solid fuel) is out. Nuclear power faces the same limitations of uranium depletion. Metals used to construct turbine blades might suffer similar constraints. Of course oil and coal are limited, not to mention extremely dirty energy sources, but we have the infrastructure in place to continue to extract them, distribute them, and burn them. Why not keep it simple?
,
There’s a family in Pasadena, nature lovers who grow literally tons of produce on their small lot and who manufacture their own ethanol in their garage. They claim it costs them a $1 a gallon. They use it frugally, even according to them. That’s the smart way to use fuel, regardless of how it was produced.

]]> By: Ike Solem http://priceofoil.org/2008/07/09/t-boone-to-the-rescue%e2%80%a6/#comment-484549 Ike Solem Sat, 12 Jul 2008 14:54:24 +0000 http://priceofoil.org/?p=3017#comment-484549 Can Noah give an example of a windy region that is expected to become non-windy as global warming progresses? Will climate change affect solar output? No - sunlight and wind are stable energy sources that have been around since the planet formed, and will be until the end of the Sun's lifetime. The problem is energy storage - the same one that plants face, and which they have solved by converting solar energy to stable chemical energy (that's the source of all coal and oil and gas deposits as well). Photosynthesis uses sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide to sugars and fats - that's how plants store up solar energy. Human technology is has produced many similar energy storage systems - the battery (chemical energy storage), the capacitor (electrical energy storage), and the flywheel or water pump and reservoir (mechanical energy storage). We just need to scale up - we need electrical grids that are capable of storing energy from solar and wind during the day, and metering out that energy as needed at night. Such "smart electrical grids" will be a very necessary component of any renewable energy program. It's also pretty clear that coal and oil are not "secure energy sources" - they are insecure and unstable energy sources with serious supply limitation issues, as well as pollution and climate destabilization issues. Unsafe and insecure - and that's also true for uranium and plutonium, even though nuclear power has a low atmospheric footprint (until you get a Chernobyl). Nuclear might be a better option than coal, but wind and sunlight are the real long-term solutions to the energy supply problem. (in other words, close down coal plants, keep existing nuclear power plants in operation, and expand wind and solar). There are also solutions that work well for different regions - Iceland's hydrothermal energy program is one, and tidal or wave generators are another. Agricultural areas will are able to convert some crops to biofuels, as is the case in Brazil, where sugarcane ethanol now provides a large chunk of their domestic transportation fuel. Put it all together and you have no need for fossil fuels to meet energy needs. As far as "frugal living", that's what we're seeing now as fossil fuel energy costs skyrocket - everyone is cutting back on everything from vacations to eating out due to higher energy costs. Imagine not having to deal with these skyrocketing energy costs - imagine a energy system that didn't rely on political settlements halfway around the world, but that just kept chugging away regardless. The bottom line is that "comfortable living" is indeed possible for all without using fossil fuels or nuclear - just use our abundant sunlight and wind. Can Noah give an example of a windy region that is expected to become non-windy as global warming progresses? Will climate change affect solar output? No - sunlight and wind are stable energy sources that have been around since the planet formed, and will be until the end of the Sun’s lifetime.

The problem is energy storage - the same one that plants face, and which they have solved by converting solar energy to stable chemical energy (that’s the source of all coal and oil and gas deposits as well). Photosynthesis uses sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide to sugars and fats - that’s how plants store up solar energy. Human technology is has produced many similar energy storage systems - the battery (chemical energy storage), the capacitor (electrical energy storage), and the flywheel or water pump and reservoir (mechanical energy storage). We just need to scale up - we need electrical grids that are capable of storing energy from solar and wind during the day, and metering out that energy as needed at night. Such “smart electrical grids” will be a very necessary component of any renewable energy program.

It’s also pretty clear that coal and oil are not “secure energy sources” - they are insecure and unstable energy sources with serious supply limitation issues, as well as pollution and climate destabilization issues. Unsafe and insecure - and that’s also true for uranium and plutonium, even though nuclear power has a low atmospheric footprint (until you get a Chernobyl). Nuclear might be a better option than coal, but wind and sunlight are the real long-term solutions to the energy supply problem. (in other words, close down coal plants, keep existing nuclear power plants in operation, and expand wind and solar).

There are also solutions that work well for different regions - Iceland’s hydrothermal energy program is one, and tidal or wave generators are another. Agricultural areas will are able to convert some crops to biofuels, as is the case in Brazil, where sugarcane ethanol now provides a large chunk of their domestic transportation fuel. Put it all together and you have no need for fossil fuels to meet energy needs.

As far as “frugal living”, that’s what we’re seeing now as fossil fuel energy costs skyrocket - everyone is cutting back on everything from vacations to eating out due to higher energy costs. Imagine not having to deal with these skyrocketing energy costs - imagine a energy system that didn’t rely on political settlements halfway around the world, but that just kept chugging away regardless. The bottom line is that “comfortable living” is indeed possible for all without using fossil fuels or nuclear - just use our abundant sunlight and wind.

]]> By: Noah Scales http://priceofoil.org/2008/07/09/t-boone-to-the-rescue%e2%80%a6/#comment-482413 Noah Scales Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:10:33 +0000 http://priceofoil.org/?p=3017#comment-482413 I would rather the investment of capital went toward a source that did not rely on current climate patterns to continue and did not alter local climate patterns. I would say the same thing about offshore wave-powered generators and tidal patterns. Solar has the problems of relying on direct sun exposure and good weather. Geothermal, nuclear, coal, and oil are secure energy sources, and could provide secure energy in limited amounts. Overall, conservation is the quickest and most reliable energy source. Ideally, we would find a way to coexist with oil and coal as our energy sources, substituting frugal living and permaculture design for alternative energy sources that are less secure and that still consume nonrenewable resources (for example, battery materials - http://tinyurl.com/3an6lj). I would rather the investment of capital went toward a source that did not rely on current climate patterns to continue and did not alter local climate patterns. I would say the same thing about offshore wave-powered generators and tidal patterns. Solar has the problems of relying on direct sun exposure and good weather. Geothermal, nuclear, coal, and oil are secure energy sources, and could provide secure energy in limited amounts.

Overall, conservation is the quickest and most reliable energy source. Ideally, we would find a way to coexist with oil and coal as our energy sources, substituting frugal living and permaculture design for alternative energy sources that are less secure and that still consume nonrenewable resources (for example, battery materials - http://tinyurl.com/3an6lj).

]]> By: Darrel Hart http://priceofoil.org/2008/07/09/t-boone-to-the-rescue%e2%80%a6/#comment-480547 Darrel Hart Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:48:27 +0000 http://priceofoil.org/?p=3017#comment-480547 I see plenty of good news here, more upside than down. It can be implemented quickly compared to most new energy sources. Let Pickens and the industry get going on the solar and wind thing, then if natural gas becomes available for cars and can fit into the market it will. Distributing generating sources and energy jobs into rural America will be a life line to small towns in need. Adding clean energy to the grid quickly will diminish the number of utilities willing to risk investments in coal plants. But lets not forget the quickest energy source, conservation. Ask your city/county to update building codes. I see plenty of good news here, more upside than down. It can be implemented quickly compared to most new energy sources. Let Pickens and the industry get going on the solar and wind thing, then if natural gas becomes available for cars and can fit into the market it will. Distributing generating sources and energy jobs into rural America will be a life line to small towns in need. Adding clean energy to the grid quickly will diminish the number of utilities willing to risk investments in coal plants.

But lets not forget the quickest energy source, conservation. Ask your city/county to update building codes.

]]> By: Steve Kretzmann http://priceofoil.org/2008/07/09/t-boone-to-the-rescue%e2%80%a6/#comment-477826 Steve Kretzmann Wed, 09 Jul 2008 10:48:46 +0000 http://priceofoil.org/?p=3017#comment-477826 It is REALLY inspiring to see an oilman acknowledge that we can't drill our way out of this problem. Nonetheless, the big issue is his perplexing advocacy for natural gas for vehicle transport - particularly passenger cars. Trucks and other heavy transport, maybe. But Plug-Ins are much more practical for passenger cars, and almost here. As usual, Joe Romm's got a good take on this over at Climate Progress: http://climateprogress.org/2008/07/08/memo-to-t-boone-pickens-your-energy-plan-is-half-brilliant-half-dumb/#more-3301 It is REALLY inspiring to see an oilman acknowledge that we can’t drill our way out of this problem. Nonetheless, the big issue is his perplexing advocacy for natural gas for vehicle transport - particularly passenger cars. Trucks and other heavy transport, maybe. But Plug-Ins are much more practical for passenger cars, and almost here.

As usual, Joe Romm’s got a good take on this over at Climate Progress:

http://climateprogress.org/2008/07/08/memo-to-t-boone-pickens-your-energy-plan-is-half-brilliant-half-dumb/#more-3301

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