The blogger won't let me comment on other people's posts because "I'm not a team member"... so this is what I wrote as a comment to Aziz's post:
I completely agree with Aziz in regards to the quotation, "creativity and a risk taking attitude". For instance, when I went to the museum i took note that in 1900 Texas was only producing 836,000 barrels of oil while in 1950 Texas was producing 817,842,000 barrels of oil. In my opinion, any new technology requires time, entrepreneurship, government funds, and demand in order to enable that technology to be successful in the short and long term. Yes, the whole exhibit was about Texas and big oil (there was even a plaque that said ExxonMobil had donated money to make the exhibit possible) but that doesn’t mean that we should lose sight of the similarities between our increasing energy demand during the early 20th century and our current energy crisis. There was a movie at the exhibit that showed that Texas did not invent oil but rather redefined the production of oil, especially after WWII’s energy demands on the U.S. Likewise, as one of the leading energy consumers in the U.S., Texas should once again redefine alternative sources of energy other that will reduce our dependency on oil. California, as the current leading energy consumer in the U.S., has already proven that it’s on its way towards being a less oil-dependent energy consumer, as there are many incentives and tax rebates in that state for solar and wind energies.
In the museum there was this quotation of an East Texas farmer that read:
“Damn the oil, I want water!”
In much the same way today we are blindly ignoring free sources of renewable energy, such as wind and solar. If we can take advantage of wind and solar energies as much as the East Texas farmers did during the early 20th century, we will be energy producing leader as much so as we were in the past. Like the museum exhibit read, “creativity and a risk taking attitude” are what allowed Texas to become an energy leader then and will propel us as to being a clean energy leader in the future.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
Air powered cars - In India
I recently read an article from a website called www.green-energy-news.com that described the the dependence of air powered cars on carbon fiber technology. As many know, carbon fiber is stronger and lighter than steel as well as corrosion proof. It has been used in airplanes, racecars, and other applications that try to ebenfit from its high strength/weight ratio. Similarly, without carbon fiber composites Guy Negre, the inventor of air-power technology, wouldn’t have his air powered cars. It’s the super strong carbon fiber pressure tanks that make the cars possible.
Now that green technology is coming to one of the top 10 carbon emitters in the world -- India. According to Green Energy News, "MDI Industries, of Carros, France, which develops the air powered cars and engine technology, has signed a licensing agreement with Tata Motors that allows that company exclusive rights to manufacture and market an MDI car and its technology in the world’s second most populous nation. The small, fiberglass composite 770 pound (350 kg) cars could sell for about $5000."
You might have heard of Tata in recent news, as they just introduced their Tata Nano, the cheapeast car in the world selling for Rs. 100,000 (about $2500). The air powered car model that Tata Motors "will have a top speed range of 55 - 68 miles per hour and a full tank range of 62 to nearly 500 miles. The significant range increase is due to the addition of heat source. Fuel for the burner can be bio-based or petroleum. On long distance runs the Dual-Energy CAT should achieve 120 miles per gallon."
Now that green technology is coming to one of the top 10 carbon emitters in the world -- India. According to Green Energy News, "MDI Industries, of Carros, France, which develops the air powered cars and engine technology, has signed a licensing agreement with Tata Motors that allows that company exclusive rights to manufacture and market an MDI car and its technology in the world’s second most populous nation. The small, fiberglass composite 770 pound (350 kg) cars could sell for about $5000."
You might have heard of Tata in recent news, as they just introduced their Tata Nano, the cheapeast car in the world selling for Rs. 100,000 (about $2500). The air powered car model that Tata Motors "will have a top speed range of 55 - 68 miles per hour and a full tank range of 62 to nearly 500 miles. The significant range increase is due to the addition of heat source. Fuel for the burner can be bio-based or petroleum. On long distance runs the Dual-Energy CAT should achieve 120 miles per gallon."
You might think that it would take long for the car to refill, but from a specialized, powerful air pumping station, pressure tanks can be refilled in about 3 minutes.
What excites me the most about this concept are two things: that the green technology is coming to India (a country with extremely smoggy cities) and that there is potentional for "solar-powered air filling stations for true full cycle zero emission transportation." Imagine if the filling stations, like Dr. Makhijani said, had solar panels on their roofs to aid in compressing the gas? Yes solar technology is still relatively expensive for small businesses and individual users but all technologies start expensive when the demand is as low as solar technology is now. Solar technology has been around for a few decades, but the demand has never increased substantially to warrant a decrease in price. From other examples in the past (like computers, electronics, etc.), with an increase in demand, an increase in solar technology R&D will occur and prices will decrease. Contrary to what Colin Smith has written below, there are substantial tax incentives already available in California. For instance, businesses are eligible for 30% tax credit from the IRS. Given the numbers Colin gave, $65,000, that would equate to $19,500 in tax credit, reducing his anticipated cost to $45,000. $45,000 would be enough in today's prices to cover at least 2 homes worth of solar energy, given the national average of 660 w/ day per home.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Hot Topics Response
After watching the program “Hot Politics” from Frontline on PBS I had the feeling that I was suppose to be shocked, or even outraged, by what the program presented. However, as shocking as the sly politics of global warming have been and surely are now, one would expect such an account of the recent history of global warming as it was presented by PBS; that being interwoven with politics and specific interests.
Yet, what was most interesting to me throughout the program was the debate concerning the US wanting China and India, at a global energy conference in Berlin during the later parts of the Clinton Administration, to sign voluntary and/or mandatory documents that would put caps on their C02 emissions. In 1990, China only contributed less than 3% of the World’s C02 emissions/capita and India less than 1 %. Those numbers have drastically changed for China, as it’s C02 emissions/capita contributes to about 18% of the world’s c02 emissions in 2007, but India still is low on the low end of the spectrum contributing to 4.15% in 2007. Yes, both countries’ economies are booming dramatically, as is even noticable in their dramatic c02 emissions over the last decade and a half, but to expect India to adhere to regulations similar to what the US and other far more developed and wealthier countries have is absurd. I have been to India many times and expecting Indians to reduce their C02 emissions (by whatever means such as decreased car pollution, coal pollution, etc.) is not only improbable but ridiculous to even consider. In some sense protecting the environment is a sort of luxury, as to do so and be able to use the same means of transportation, fuels, etc., takes more $ than if leaving it to the environment to cope with our misuse. America and many European countries have that luxury but countries like India still do not. As “developing” as India is, poverty is still widespread, water is still widely dirty, and many of the conveniences that we take for granted here are still not readily and widely available their. In my opinion, reducing c02 emissions at this point in India’s agenda should not take the level of heightened concern as it is in the U.S. This might seem anti-environmental to many, but as dismal as it may seem, there are many “developing” countries in this day and age where global warming is the least of their worries.
In the film, what most aptly characterizes the US policy on global warming so far is best illustrated by a portion of the film when President Bush was asked “what he thought of global warming?” by a reporter. Bush’s reply started with “well, the globe is warming.” That simplified, almost comical, answer that Bush replied demonstrated how the US is not a leader in this issue even though they are the leading contributor. If the US is to step up to the plate in the next decade on reducing their C02 emissions through perceivable action, I am sure that the rest of world will follow. It’s almost like the world is reminding the US of the old adage, “practice what you preach”.
Yet, what was most interesting to me throughout the program was the debate concerning the US wanting China and India, at a global energy conference in Berlin during the later parts of the Clinton Administration, to sign voluntary and/or mandatory documents that would put caps on their C02 emissions. In 1990, China only contributed less than 3% of the World’s C02 emissions/capita and India less than 1 %. Those numbers have drastically changed for China, as it’s C02 emissions/capita contributes to about 18% of the world’s c02 emissions in 2007, but India still is low on the low end of the spectrum contributing to 4.15% in 2007. Yes, both countries’ economies are booming dramatically, as is even noticable in their dramatic c02 emissions over the last decade and a half, but to expect India to adhere to regulations similar to what the US and other far more developed and wealthier countries have is absurd. I have been to India many times and expecting Indians to reduce their C02 emissions (by whatever means such as decreased car pollution, coal pollution, etc.) is not only improbable but ridiculous to even consider. In some sense protecting the environment is a sort of luxury, as to do so and be able to use the same means of transportation, fuels, etc., takes more $ than if leaving it to the environment to cope with our misuse. America and many European countries have that luxury but countries like India still do not. As “developing” as India is, poverty is still widespread, water is still widely dirty, and many of the conveniences that we take for granted here are still not readily and widely available their. In my opinion, reducing c02 emissions at this point in India’s agenda should not take the level of heightened concern as it is in the U.S. This might seem anti-environmental to many, but as dismal as it may seem, there are many “developing” countries in this day and age where global warming is the least of their worries.
In the film, what most aptly characterizes the US policy on global warming so far is best illustrated by a portion of the film when President Bush was asked “what he thought of global warming?” by a reporter. Bush’s reply started with “well, the globe is warming.” That simplified, almost comical, answer that Bush replied demonstrated how the US is not a leader in this issue even though they are the leading contributor. If the US is to step up to the plate in the next decade on reducing their C02 emissions through perceivable action, I am sure that the rest of world will follow. It’s almost like the world is reminding the US of the old adage, “practice what you preach”.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Solar Powered Houses
Ever since our lecture on Solar Power as an attractive source of renewable energy I have been doing research on the topic. To many, it seems somewhat ridiculous to construct large solar powered power plants with hundreds of photo-voltaic cells. The only places that seems to warrant attention would be sparsely populated desert areas, such as Arizona, New Mexico, and much of the southwest. What doesn’t seem as ridiculous, and actually quite feasible, is the idea of individual solar powered houses.
I came across a company called Power House Solar and all they do is make custom Solar Powered buildings in California. The map clearly shows that California, New Mexico, Arizona, West & Central Texas, and many other states are good candidates for solar power so it makes sense that individually owned solar panels are increasingly becoming more popular in the southwest.
What’s nice about California is that they have many rebates and tax incentives for solar power. Under the new Californai Solar Initiative, rebates and tax incentives can cut the cost of personal solar systems by as much as 60%. Here are some figures that I found from:
www.solarelectricalsystems.com/rebates.shtml
Rebates
Utility rebate programs are available up to 30% of the total cost of the system.
Federal, Investment Tax Credit
Residential – 30% Energy Credit (capped at $2000), IRS Form 3468
Home Based Business – At least 20% Business use to be eligible for 30% tax credit on business portion, including depreciation and up to $2000 on residential portion
Commercial - 30% Business Energy Credit, IRS Form 3468
Federal, Pre-1936 Buildings
10% Investment Credit, IRS Form 3468
Federal, Agricultural Credits
10% Investment Credit, IRS Form 3468
Federal, Depreciation
Business - Section 179 Deduction (up to $112,000 for 2007) and/or 5-Year Accelerated Depreciation
State, Property Tax Exempt
Solar installations are exempt from property tax.
(California Revenue and Taxation Code Section 6353.5)
Property Value
An increase in property value $20 for every $1 saved
Governor Schwarzenegger has even “vowed to make the environment the centerpiece of my administration and turn back the clock on pollution…My Million Solar Roofs Plan will provide 3,000 megawatts of additional clean energy and reduce the output of greenhouse gasses by 3 million tons which is like taking one million cars off the road.” His Million Solar Roofs Plan is expected to lead to 1 million solar roofs in California by 2018.
Right now estimates for solar powered houses are quite expensive, with costs around $20k – 25k for a house that uses about 660 W / day. In some sunny areas many times the house will actually product more energy than the home owner requires for that day and that extra energy is sent to the electric company and the customer is given credit for that electricity for which he/she would have otherwise payed for. With solar technology on the rise, tax incentives, rebates, and the generous amount of sunlight that the southwestern U.S. receives per year, I think that personalized solar powered homes are a solution to part of America’s increasing energy demand.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Solar Power in Punjab, India
According to The Economic Times the government of Punjab, a northern state in India, has initiated steps to develop solar power in India. The Punjab government is now currently inviting proposals from Indian and global companies to set up photo-voltaic power projects in the state.The Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) declared that the "photo-voltaic projects would be developed on the built operate and own basis while inviting proposals from domestic and international companies." The term built operate and own "is used to describe public facilities funded, built, and owned for a fixed number of years by a private contractor" (msn.com).
The PEDA claims that the "state is endowed with vast potential of solar energy estimated at 4-7 KWH/ sq meter of solar insulations levels and the government is keen to tap this resource for increasing the renewable energy share in the state by setting up solar photo-voltaic power projects." Private sector companies have until March 4, 2008 to submit their proposals with PEDA for setting photo-voltaic power projects. Furthermore "Companies with net worth of Rs. one crore (Rs. 10 million) and turnover of Rs three crore (Rs. 3 million) would be eligible to submit their proposals with PEDA" (The Economic Times).
I found this article very interesting considering that I was in Punjab and other parts of India for 3 weeks during our winter break. In India the majority of vehicles are 2-wheelers (motorcycles and scooters) while the rest are small cars and some SUVs. Indian cities are extremely densely populated, so you can imagine the amount of smog that is created. In mumbai (formerly bombay) the smog was so intense that even if it were a clear day it would seem overcast because of the pollution. This was characteristic of many big cities that I visited in India.
North India, however, was somewhat different in that most of the rikshaws did not run on diesel but LNG or CNG. New Delhi, although India's 2nd largest city, was substantially less polluted than many cities that are even smaller in population.
According to Forbes. com "Oil reached record highs in the last year as booming economies in China and India have increased global demand." I think that having solar power in India, whether it be in Punjab or other states, is a feasible solution to India's increasing energy demand. One of the major drawbacks of solar power, as we discussed in class, is that weather is unpredictable and that the sun isn't out when electricity is needed during the night. However, much of India is asleep by 10 p.m., more so than I would say here in the U.S. It literally is a night-and-day difference in the amount of people out on the streets in the day and in the night in India. Secondly, India's weather patterns are more clearly defined than in the U.S. In the winter much of India gets little rain, especially in areas like Punjab and New Delhi. Furthermore, there is a monsoon season in the summer which lasts 1-2 months, so solar power during that time could be cut and energy could easily be predicted to come from alternative sources. I'm not saying that solar power should replace existing energy sources in India, I'm stating that solar power is a viable clean energy solution that could take a substantial chunk out of India's rising demand for foreign oil.
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