tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8282587.post116862508414732301..comments2024-03-19T01:48:39.709+00:00Comments on Power and Control: Oil OutlookM. Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09508934110558197375noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8282587.post-653729449042938282008-05-19T17:17:00.000+00:002008-05-19T17:17:00.000+00:00Yehuda Draiman,If you want to island your solar ge...Yehuda Draiman,<BR/><BR/>If you want to island your solar generated power during a blackout just switch off your main breaker and all the secondary breakers until your inverter comes up.<BR/><BR/>Assuming your wiring is done to allow that. <BR/><BR/>As to storage - tough to make that economical and it is also high maintenance and takes up a lot of room. Plus it requires regular maintenance. No one has figured it out. And plenty of people are trying.M. Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09508934110558197375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8282587.post-37303553172127532912008-05-19T12:15:00.000+00:002008-05-19T12:15:00.000+00:00A more efficient and cost effective renewable ener...A more efficient and cost effective renewable energy system is needed.<BR/>To accelerate the implementation of renewable electric generation with added incentives and a FASTER PAYBACK - ROI. (A method of storing energy, would accelerate the use of renewable energy) A greater tax credit, accelerated depreciation, funding scientific research and pay as you save utility billing. (Reduce and or eliminates the tax on implementing energy efficiency, eliminate increase in Real estate Taxes for energy efficiency improvement).<BR/>In California, you also have the impediment, that when there are an interruption of power supply by the Utility you the consumer cannot use your renewable energy system to provide power.<BR/>In today's technology there is automatic switching equipment that would disconnect the consumer from the grid, which would permit renewable generation for the consumer even during power interruption.<BR/>New competition for the world's limited oil and natural gas supplies is increasing global demand like never before. Reserves are dwindling. These and other factors are forcing energy prices to skyrocket here at home. It's affecting not just the fuel for our cars and homes, but it's driving up electricity costs, too. A new world is emerging. The energy decisions our nation makes today will have huge implications into the next century. <BR/><BR/>A synchronous system with batteries allows the blending of a PV with grid power, but also offers the advantage of “islanding” in case of a power failure. A synchronous system automatically disconnects the utility power from the house and operates like an off-grid home during power failures. This system, however, is more costly and loses some of the efficiency advantages of a battery-less system.Yehuda Draimanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02201979198454300166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8282587.post-1168893429960715912007-01-15T20:37:00.000+00:002007-01-15T20:37:00.000+00:00I have looked at all the 'renewables', via the pos...I have looked at all the 'renewables', via the posts for a forward looking energy policy. There is no cheap nor easy nor fast solution to liquid fuel and its distribution network as it is currently in place. Even the best of the renewables requires a decade or two of hard and heavy industrial capacity to get at any scale that can help the Nation and then you are *still* working on a liquid fuel based system.<BR/><BR/>I am all for alternatives of any sort and those willing to invest in them: the more the merrier. However, wind power has had its problems and has seen an increase in 'stand-by' natural gas powerplants to make up for their shortfalls. Those plants, being short term use, tend to actually put out more pollution than their steady-state counterparts. Nuclear is a very good solution for many areas based on generation 3 & 4 designs which are inherently stable and have problems even getting to a 'hot spot' not to speak of a meltdown.<BR/><BR/>The future is not, in the long run, based on the planet which has a net loss of energy input due to atmosphere. Where having to get derived energy of any sort requires yet more energy loss. Solar cells on the planetary surface are some of the best converters of sunlight into useful energy, and yet getting enough of *those* is a heavy industry need and solution, which requires heavy investment.<BR/><BR/>Even once all that is done, you have now invested in yet another industry in the biosphere that only captures a fraction of a fraction of solar output that actually gets to the planet. The actual high intensity source of this energy can be had at a few miles distance, and encouraging that via federal land use and awards for set goals will slowly build a new industry that is no longer Earth bound.<BR/><BR/>The Federal Government did similar to the aircraft industry in the 1910's and '20's and great airlines were slowly formulated and built. Airmail for the government was the start, and guaranteed routes at set costs for a fixed time then allowed industry to start 'planning ahead'. Today that same concept for energy production, transport, storage and distribution needs to be investigated and awards set for everything from room temperature superconductors for high capacity loads to new storage technologies for various energy firms to new and set orbit space ventures. That last may be taken out of the running if the folks getting their dirigible-to-orbit concept up and running well. With cheap space access the planet is no longer beholden unto Arab fiefdoms and petty autocrats clamping on non-renewable energy sources.<BR/><BR/>I am all for private funding of all other ways of doing things. The US needs a future and a frontier. The Government has set awards for helping get to new frontiers and futures and then let industry take it from there. Look at *any* 20 years of advancement in aircraft and then at *any* 20 years of NASA and you will see the stark difference between government encouraged and government controlled.<BR/><BR/>And I am very grateful that a <A HREF="http://ajacksonian.blogspot.com/2006/10/dark-dream-rising.html" REL="nofollow">certain government</A> in the 1930's didn't come up with some of this *first*.A Jacksonianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07607888697879327120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8282587.post-1168831444484675032007-01-15T03:24:00.000+00:002007-01-15T03:24:00.000+00:00Thanks Karradine,Please leave links to Bahai stuff...Thanks Karradine,<BR/><BR/>Please leave links to Bahai stuff. <BR/><BR/>Pictures of Temples at least.M. Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09508934110558197375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8282587.post-1168824727365492432007-01-15T01:32:00.000+00:002007-01-15T01:32:00.000+00:00Linear Thought AND Global-Associative thought BOTH...Linear Thought AND Global-Associative thought BOTH lead to Baha'u'llah.<BR/><BR/>More than just Divine Guidance for this Day, He has brought the mind-tools and the JUSTICE to craft our own new world...<BR/><BR/>And He prophesied a heap of Divine Retribution for Iraq, and more of it for Iran...<BR/><BR/>So what do we see now? After more than a century of ignoring The Glory of God; after decades of policies aimed at suppressing His people and depriving the rest of Iran, and the world, of His healing Message; after decades of selfish, ignorant, power-mad machinations and Islamo-fascist deals, Iran is in dire straits and headed for even more painful adjustments in the coming years, months and weeks!<BR/><BR/>"Divine Retribution", indeed...<BR/><BR/>(and I put up a link to this essay; on LGF; the Thailand Beheading thread)Karridinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13896934615468594744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8282587.post-1168819940940363502007-01-15T00:12:00.000+00:002007-01-15T00:12:00.000+00:00There's a bill hitting Congress involving coal-to-...There's a bill hitting Congress involving coal-to-liquid production. It takes a lot of coal to get a barrel of oil, but the USA has ridiculous amounts of it. And a lot of that coal is in Democractic states with unionized worker constituencies. If the environmentalist movement tries to stop this, they'll be run over.<BR/><BR/>I'm also told the guessed-at amount of natural gas off America's coast is truly huge - and unlike oil, natural gas is a local not an international market because Liquid Natural Gas is so dangerous to transport and convert.<BR/><BR/>That, plus oil shale, adds up to a lot of NON-renewable options. Which, combined with developments in Canada, start to give the USA a level of energy options the rest of the planet does not share.<BR/><BR/>But as you note in your exchange, investments have to be made up front with multi-year waits. <BR/><BR/>Now, if Iran really hit your coming apart scenario 10 years from now and has a nuclear bomb or 20... contemplate the fact that production from the Mid-East as a whole could head near zero for several years after the fallout dies down. The global paragons and preachers of murder-suicide are unlikely to go quietly.<BR/><BR/>Now add the fact that Venezuela is the USA's #4 supplier.<BR/><BR/>The US has not invested in refinery capacity in how many years? And is there an adequate infrastructure in place to distribute natural gas if lots of offshore wells come online and begin piping it ahore?<BR/><BR/>We don't need a Manhattan Project for renewables half as much as we need a huge infrastructure effort to get all that capability in place for the day(s) we need it.<BR/><BR/>The other big thing the USA could do is in this field let companies immediately expense large investments in production capacity et. al., instead of forcing payment up front followed by depreciation. That would speed up all kinds of investment in new sources, and possibly other kinds of infrastructure as well.Joe Katzmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13917754785464014034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8282587.post-1168787110563528832007-01-14T15:05:00.000+00:002007-01-14T15:05:00.000+00:00Jay,If you really had a deep belief in America's c...Jay,<BR/><BR/>If you really had a deep belief in America's capabilities you wouldn't be wanting to put a gun to people's heads to get what you want done.M. Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09508934110558197375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8282587.post-1168786854574309402007-01-14T15:00:00.000+00:002007-01-14T15:00:00.000+00:00Jay,I like your ideas. I favor wind myself. And so...Jay,<BR/><BR/>I like your ideas. I favor wind myself. And solar.<BR/><BR/>However there is no way to ramp up production at the rates required to make your dream come true in the time frame you suggest.<BR/><BR/>In any case you are only talking about new houses in Southern climates. A small drop in the bucket. In addition housing has a 40 or 50 year turn over. So it would take 40 years at least to get all housing in America on partial (daytime) renewables.<BR/><BR/>Plus electricity is not a political problem for the UA. We have more than enough coal to get us through the transition.<BR/><BR/>Liquid fuel is the kicker.<BR/><BR/>Plus if it was such a good idea there would be no need to force people to do it at the point of a gun (government).<BR/><BR/>What you are really saying is: There is no problem that a little fascism can't fix.<BR/><BR/>And every one wants a little fascim to fix their little problem.<BR/><BR/>Our best bet is to lower the cost of solar until it is the only sensible choice. Companies are working on it day and night because if the price is right the market is there.<BR/><BR/>Plus you state that thecapital cost of housing must rise to include the energy geneeration. What about the people who are then priced out of the market? Don't they deserve a place of their own to live?<BR/><BR/>The best way to do it is to let the people who can afford it and want it work the bugs out. Prices will start to come down and roll out will be a natural progression where it makes sense.<BR/><BR/>As for liquid fuel? Cheap nuclear power may be the answer.<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://powerandcontrol.blogspot.com/2006/11/easy-low-cost-no-radiation-fusion.html" REL="nofollow">Easy Low Cost No Radiation Fusion</A>M. Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09508934110558197375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8282587.post-1168779792705408262007-01-14T13:03:00.000+00:002007-01-14T13:03:00.000+00:00MANDATORY RENEWABLE ENERGY – THE ENERGY EVOLUTION ...MANDATORY RENEWABLE ENERGY – THE ENERGY EVOLUTION –R7<BR/><BR/>In order to insure energy and economic independence as well as better economic growth without being blackmailed by foreign countries, our country, the United States of America’s Utilization of Energy sources must change. <BR/>"Energy drives our entire economy." We must protect it. "Let's face it, without energy the whole economy and economic society we have set up would come to a halt. So you want to have control over such an important resource that you need for your society and your economy." The American way of life is not negotiable.<BR/>Our continued dependence on fossil fuels could and will lead to catastrophic consequences.<BR/><BR/>The federal, state and local government should implement a mandatory renewable energy installation program for residential and commercial property on new construction and remodeling projects with the use of energy efficient material, mechanical systems, appliances, lighting, etc. The source of energy must by renewable energy such as Solar-Photovoltaic, Geothermal, Wind, Biofuels, etc. including utilizing water from lakes, rivers and oceans to circulate in cooling towers to produce air conditioning and the utilization of proper landscaping to reduce energy consumption.<BR/><BR/>The implementation of mandatory renewable energy could be done on a gradual scale over the next 10 years. At the end of the 10 year period all construction and energy use in the structures throughout the United States must be 100% powered by renewable energy. <BR/><BR/>In addition, the governments must impose laws, rules and regulations whereby the utility companies must comply with a fair “NET METERING” (the buying of excess generation from the consumer), including the promotion of research and production of “renewable energy technology” with various long term incentives and grants. The various foundations in existence should be used to contribute to this cause. <BR/><BR/> A mandatory time table should also be established for the automobile industry to gradually produce an automobile powered by renewable energy. The American automobile industry is surely capable of accomplishing this task. <BR/><BR/>This is a way to expedite our energy independence and economic growth. (This will also create a substantial amount of new jobs). It will take maximum effort and a relentless pursuit of the private, commercial and industrial government sectors commitment to renewable energy – energy generation (wind, solar, hydro, biofuels, geothermal, energy storage (fuel cells, advance batteries), energy infrastructure (management, transmission) and energy efficiency (lighting, sensors, automation, conservation) in order to achieve our energy independence.<BR/>"To succeed, you have to believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a reality."<BR/><BR/>Jay Draiman, Energy Consultant<BR/>Northridge, CA. 91325<BR/>1-14-2007<BR/><BR/>P.S. I have a very deep belief in America's capabilities. Within the next 10 years we can accomplish our energy independence, if we as a nation truly set our goals to accomplish this.<BR/>I happen to believe that we can do it. In another crisis--the one in 1942--President Franklin D. Roosevelt said this country would build 60,000 [50,000] military aircraft. By 1943, production in that program had reached 125,000 aircraft annually. They did it then. We can do it now.<BR/>The American people resilience and determination to retain the way of life is unconquerable and we as a nation will succeed in this endeavor of Energy Independence.<BR/><BR/>Solar energy is the source of all energy on the earth (excepting volcanic geothermal). Wind, wave and fossil fuels all get their energy from the sun. Fossil fuels are only a battery which will eventually run out. The sooner we can exploit all forms of Solar energy (cost effectively or not against dubiously cheap FFs) the better off we will all be. If the battery runs out first, the survivors will all be living like in the 18th century again.<BR/><BR/>Every new home built should come with a solar package. A 1.5 kW per bedroom is a good rule of thumb. The formula 1.5 X's 5 hrs per day X's 30 days will produce about 225 kWh per bedroom monthly. This peak production period will offset 17 to 24 cents per kWh with a potential of $160 per month or about $60,000 over the 30-year mortgage period for a three-bedroom home. It is economically feasible at the current energy price and the interest portion of the loan is deductible. Why not?<BR/><BR/>Title 24 has been mandated forcing developers to build energy efficient homes. Their bull-headedness put them in that position and now they see that Title 24 works with little added cost. Solar should also be mandated and if the developer designs a home that solar is impossible to do then they should pay an equivalent mitigation fee allowing others to put solar on in place of their negligence.<BR/><BR/>Installing renewable energy system on your home or business increases the value of the property and provides a marketing advantage.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8282587.post-1168648335796214192007-01-13T00:32:00.000+00:002007-01-13T00:32:00.000+00:00Sorry. The DME link above doesn't jump to the good...Sorry. The DME link above doesn't jump to the good stuff...start at Bart Hall at 1/08/2007 05:51:16 AM. That's where it gets interesting...or, RTWT. :-)linearthinkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05201292791445921817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8282587.post-1168647071093267222007-01-13T00:11:00.000+00:002007-01-13T00:11:00.000+00:00Reinforcing AJ's points on Iranian capacity and (m...Reinforcing AJ's points on Iranian capacity and (many other) Iranian trends, they've failed massively to deliver contracted NG to Turkey as reported as recently as a few days ago. (No link available--I don't save everything.) It would seem to follow that disgruntled customers would seek supplies elsewhere in the future, thus steepening the decline.<BR/><BR/>For alternative energy junkies, there's a wealth of information buried in the comments thread at The Belmont Club post <A HREF="http://fallbackbelmont.blogspot.com/2007/01/whispers-in-execution-chamber.html" REL="nofollow">"Whispers in the Execution Chamber"</A>. Start with Bart Hall's ethanol facts vs myth and a pitch for coal derived <A HREF="http://fallbackbelmont.blogspot.com/2007/01/whispers-in-execution-chamber.html#116826543183289676<br/> " REL="nofollow">di-methyl ether, DME,</A> as a substitute fuel. Scroll up or down from there. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for another excellent post.linearthinkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05201292791445921817noreply@blogger.com