An interesting and provocative point of view from the Frontier Centre. Alchemy did not work in the past because it had no scientific or factual basis to work.Are Dalton's green jobs more alchemy and wishful thinking ? Wiii this myth get busted -you decide. Based on experience, I agree with the following entitlement pitfall and consequence statement
" They use taxpayer dollars to subsidize the renewable energy sector; they lay damaging regulations on the traditional fossil fuel sector, and they issue mandates for the use of renewable energy that creates a false market in wind power at the expense of fossil fuel and nuclear power. Along the way, governments siphon off a chunk of the moneys they divert for administration, and they tend to create jobs that pay higher wages than those for a comparable activity in the private sector.
Invariably, at the end of the day, government efforts to create jobs cost the economy jobs on net, and add insult to injury by causing economic underperformance because they’ve diverted limited resources to inefficient uses".
In China ,when the government got out of the way-it magically became the second largest world economy in a very real and short leap forward. The invisible hand of the market, not artificial government hands ,create real jobs and real technology
SHT comment
In Brief:
One of the eternal fallacies of government (and the people who love government) is that governments can “create” jobs in the private sector.
They can’t, as the French politician Frederic Bastiat once noted, because they have to take money from productive areas of the economy and kill jobs there first, to “create” the “new” jobs.
For the record, calling something “green” doesn’t change this fundamental economic truth.
Everyone would love to end the recession, and enjoy clean, abundant, and affordable energy. But there are some hard realities that suggest Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty’s plan isn’t the smart way to do it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One of the eternal fallacies of government (and the people who love government) is that governments can “create” jobs in the private sector. A second fallacy is that somehow, calling something “green” suspends the fundamental laws of economics and really does offer you a free lunch and a utopian future of affordable, abundant clean energy.
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty seems to fallen afoul of both these fallacies with his new “Green Energy Act.” The Act, which does not have a defined price-tag, would supposedly create 50,000 new jobs, putting people to work building windmills, solar power plants, and bio-fuel plants. The Green Energy Act, he claims, will lead Ontario out of its recession and into a glorious future of clean energy.
Now, everyone would love to end the recession, and enjoy clean, abundant, and affordable energy. But there are some hard realities that suggest Premier McGuinty’s plan isn’t the smart way to do it. Let’s review the reasons why governments cannot create jobs, and why labeling them “green” doesn’t change the basic dynamics.
Let’s start with the fallacy that governments can create jobs. This fallacy was exploded all the way back in 1845, by a French politician and political economist named Frédéric Bastiat. Bastiat pointed out that the only way governments can make jobs is by first breaking other jobs. Sometimes, they break other jobs by diverting taxpayer money away from the economic uses the taxpayer would have pursued if they got to keep their taxes. Other times, they break jobs by imposing regulations that kill off one industry in favor of another. In still other situations, they impose mandates, such as mandates to use recycled paper that create an artificial market for recycled paper, reducing jobs in fresh-paper production.
In the green energy case, they do all of the above: they use taxpayer dollars to subsidize the renewable energy sector; they lay damaging regulations on the traditional fossil fuel sector, and they issue mandates for the use of renewable energy that creates a false market in wind power at the expense of fossil fuel and nuclear power. Along the way, governments siphon off a chunk of the moneys they divert for administration, and they tend to create jobs that pay higher wages than those for a comparable activity in the private sector. Invariably, at the end of the day, government efforts to create jobs cost the economy jobs on net, and add insult to injury by causing economic underperformance because they’ve diverted limited resources to inefficient uses.
Now, let’s take the second fallacy, that somehow, there’s a free lunch if you call something “green.” The way that the green lobby does this is by inflating the expected value that society will get from engaging in a green activity that it otherwise wouldn’t get with a non-green alternative. In this case, the green aspect of the premier’s plan is that it would result in a reduction of greenhouse gases related to energy production. There’s only one problem: the amount of greenhouse gases that Canada could eliminate, even if the entire country simply shut down, is not sufficient to retard global warming in any significant way. Canada’s fossil-fuel greenhouse gas emissions account for about two per cent of world emissions. Ontario’s emissions are only seven-tenths of one percent of the world total. China, which is building a coal power plant every week, emits more than 10 times the greenhouse gases than all of Canada does, and shows no signs of slowing.
Ontario’s green energy program will offer virtually no climate change protection or delay in warming, and therefore no benefit to offset the costs of raising Canada’s energy prices, raising the cost of goods and services, and rending Canadian exports less competitive in world markets.
Mr. McGuinty, along with others such as U.S. President Obama who have internalized the twin fallacies of job creation and the free lunch need a reality check before they squander limited resources and worsen the economic prospects for North America. Energy is too important a policy field to be guided by such fallacious thinking. Developed countries are energy civilizations, first and foremost. Everything we make, do, and use requires multiple infusions of energy in creation and maintenance. Taking actions to raise the cost of energy using a fallacious job-creation approach and fallacious benefit claims will only exacerbate Ontario’s suffering in the ongoing world economic downturn.
"Skim over the existing hot political air". Innovation is the life blood of every nation. We encourage an idea exchange on any topics that is break through technology-simple or complex.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Goals for Ethanol Production Are in Peril - NYTimes.com
Goals for Ethanol Production Are in Peril - NYTimes.com: "Barely a year after Congress enacted an energy law meant to foster a huge national enterprise capable of converting plants and agricultural wastes into automotive fuel, the goals lawmakers set for the ethanol industry are in serious jeopardy.
Skip to next paragraph
Related
Green Inc.: Senator: Ailing Ethanol Industry Needs Help (February 12, 2009) As recently as last summer, plants that make ethanol from corn were sprouting across the Midwest. But now, with motorists driving less in the economic downturn, the industry is burdened with excess capacity, and plants are shutting down virtually every week.
In the meantime, plans are lagging for a new generation of factories that were supposed to produce ethanol from substances like wood chips and crop waste, overcoming the drawbacks of corn ethanol. That nascent branch of the industry concedes it has virtually no chance of meeting Congressional production mandates that kick in next year.
The decline in fortunes has been extreme for both kinds of ethanol since last summer, when $145-a-barrel oil appeared to shift fuel economics in their favor.
Only months ago, refiners in some regions were buying up as much corn ethanol as they could to blend with expensive gasoline, effectively keeping pump prices down slightly. Meanwhile, investors seemed willing to finance plants to produce next-generation biofuels.
But since the summer, oil and gasoline prices have plunged, while the price of corn, from which virtually all commercial ethanol in this country is made, has remained relatively high. Refiners are limiting their ethanol purchases to a level required to meet federal blending mandates — a level far below the industry’s capacity."
bad times ahead for the industry - opportunity to buy? SHT
Skip to next paragraph
Related
Green Inc.: Senator: Ailing Ethanol Industry Needs Help (February 12, 2009) As recently as last summer, plants that make ethanol from corn were sprouting across the Midwest. But now, with motorists driving less in the economic downturn, the industry is burdened with excess capacity, and plants are shutting down virtually every week.
In the meantime, plans are lagging for a new generation of factories that were supposed to produce ethanol from substances like wood chips and crop waste, overcoming the drawbacks of corn ethanol. That nascent branch of the industry concedes it has virtually no chance of meeting Congressional production mandates that kick in next year.
The decline in fortunes has been extreme for both kinds of ethanol since last summer, when $145-a-barrel oil appeared to shift fuel economics in their favor.
Only months ago, refiners in some regions were buying up as much corn ethanol as they could to blend with expensive gasoline, effectively keeping pump prices down slightly. Meanwhile, investors seemed willing to finance plants to produce next-generation biofuels.
But since the summer, oil and gasoline prices have plunged, while the price of corn, from which virtually all commercial ethanol in this country is made, has remained relatively high. Refiners are limiting their ethanol purchases to a level required to meet federal blending mandates — a level far below the industry’s capacity."
bad times ahead for the industry - opportunity to buy? SHT
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
New locomotion harnessing water energy
Boat propels itself using water's energy
PITTSBURGH (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say they've designed a "mini boat" that propels itself by harnessing energy contained in the water's surface.
University of Pittsburgh researchers said the technique destabilizes the surface tension surrounding the boat with an electric pulse and causes the craft to move using the surface's natural pull.
Professor Sung Kwon Cho, who led the research, said the method offers an efficient and low-maintenance mechanism for small robots and boats that monitor water quality in oceans, reservoirs and other bodies of water. Such devices are currently propeller-driven, but the Pitt system has no moving parts and the low-energy electrode that emits the pulse could be powered by batteries, radio waves or solar power, Cho said.
Cho and doctoral students Sang Kug Chung and Kyungjoo Ryu presented their findings Monday in Sorrento, Italy, during the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' 2009 Micro Electro Mechanical Systems conference.
PITTSBURGH (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say they've designed a "mini boat" that propels itself by harnessing energy contained in the water's surface.
University of Pittsburgh researchers said the technique destabilizes the surface tension surrounding the boat with an electric pulse and causes the craft to move using the surface's natural pull.
Professor Sung Kwon Cho, who led the research, said the method offers an efficient and low-maintenance mechanism for small robots and boats that monitor water quality in oceans, reservoirs and other bodies of water. Such devices are currently propeller-driven, but the Pitt system has no moving parts and the low-energy electrode that emits the pulse could be powered by batteries, radio waves or solar power, Cho said.
Cho and doctoral students Sang Kug Chung and Kyungjoo Ryu presented their findings Monday in Sorrento, Italy, during the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' 2009 Micro Electro Mechanical Systems conference.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Green ink saves the environment
"Print books needed three times more raw materials and 78 times more water consumption than e-books. In another study out of the University of Berkeley, reading a newspaper electronically released 32-140 times less CO2 and used 27 times less water. "
reader information http://reviews.cnet.com/e-book-readers/sony-reader-digital-book/4505-3508_7-32672723.html?tag=rnav
Electronic ink Posted By VIVIAN SONG, SUN MEDIA
I find comfort in the esthetic of a bookcase fully lined with Pulitzer Prize winning fiction, cookbooks, chick lit and old English classics.
I keep my shelves stacked with at least a handful of unread novels, otherwise I feel as though I've run out of milk or bread -- the feeling of being short on something, the need to replenish.
While I loathe newsprint ink on my fingers, I love the crisp, brittle sound of newspaper pages being turned.
But the publishing industry is entering a new chapter, one that could go paperless and revolutionize the way we read.
The company that has blazed the paper trail in all this is E Ink, a spinoff company of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Its technology, electronic ink, is used in e-books which can store hundreds of book titles, magazines and newspapers in a portable device.
"If you can get lost in a story, it doesn't matter if it's electronic or paper," said Rita Toews, the Winnipeg woman behind the recently launched site ebookweek. week.com. Toews is also author of Body Traffic, , shortlisted for the Margaret Laurence Book Award.
Unlike the LCD screen, E Ink's technology enables the electronic reader to replicate the look and feel of a printed book: Displays have the visual appeal of ink-on-paper and use no backlight so that screens can be viewed under almost any lighting condition, including direct sunlight, all the while using little power. Typically, one battery charge of four hours can power 7,500 continuous page turns.
While the notion of e-readers may take the poetry out of curling into bed with a good book, Toews' site makes a compelling environmental argument for altering our reading behaviour.
In his 2003 thesis, University of Michigan student Greg Kozak studied the life-cycle assessment of paper books versus e-books. He found that a paper book created four times the greenhouse gas emissions of an e-book reader.
Print books needed three times more raw materials and 78 times more water consumption than e-books.
In another study out of the University of Berkeley, reading a newspaper electronically released 32-140 times less CO2 and used 27 times less water.
In the U. S., where e-reader sales have taken off, customers are able to download books, magazines and major daily newspapers such as USA Today. It's a future the newspaper industry is eyeing with careful suspicion -- online readership has already endangered the print format, putting thousands of traditional newspaper men and women out of work.
But French newspaper Les Echos has been offering its content on the e-reader iRex iLiad since 2007. Stories are delivered wirelessly and updated every hour. Cos t for the subscription and the unit is around $600 Cdn.
While newspaper subscription is not yet available on the only ebook in Canada, the Sony Reader Digital Book, company spokeswoman Candice Hayman said a major Canadian newspaper, which she declined to identify, recently expressed interest in the device.
The Sony reader launched last April in Canada and retails for $299. The cost of downloading books, however, is a fraction of its hardcopy edition, averaging about $10.
Meanwhile, Esquire published its 75th edition to much fanfare last October, the first magazine to use electronic ink on its cover. An animated cover flashed the words "The 21st Century Begins Now" on magazine stands, stealing the attention from the static images of its lifeless competitors.
"If we look at the publishing industry, the content is readable but not changeable," said E Ink spokesman Sriram Peruvemba from Cambridge, Mass.
"Electronic format is changeable but not readable. We tried to combine the two and get the best of both worlds."
For those still resistant to the idea, Toews points that the paperback novel was snubbed by the literary elite when it emerged in the 1930s. But it became popular during the war, allowing troops to carry them in their backpocket and is now a legitimate form of publishing.
"Paper's going to become more of a luxury," he said. "My daughter planted a sapling in school, but it will take 10 years for the sapling to grow. In the next 20 minutes you could change your reading behaviour, read an ebook and save a tree."
International Read an E-Book Week is March 8 to 14.
reader information http://reviews.cnet.com/e-book-readers/sony-reader-digital-book/4505-3508_7-32672723.html?tag=rnav
Electronic ink Posted By VIVIAN SONG, SUN MEDIA
I find comfort in the esthetic of a bookcase fully lined with Pulitzer Prize winning fiction, cookbooks, chick lit and old English classics.
I keep my shelves stacked with at least a handful of unread novels, otherwise I feel as though I've run out of milk or bread -- the feeling of being short on something, the need to replenish.
While I loathe newsprint ink on my fingers, I love the crisp, brittle sound of newspaper pages being turned.
But the publishing industry is entering a new chapter, one that could go paperless and revolutionize the way we read.
The company that has blazed the paper trail in all this is E Ink, a spinoff company of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Its technology, electronic ink, is used in e-books which can store hundreds of book titles, magazines and newspapers in a portable device.
"If you can get lost in a story, it doesn't matter if it's electronic or paper," said Rita Toews, the Winnipeg woman behind the recently launched site ebookweek. week.com. Toews is also author of Body Traffic, , shortlisted for the Margaret Laurence Book Award.
Unlike the LCD screen, E Ink's technology enables the electronic reader to replicate the look and feel of a printed book: Displays have the visual appeal of ink-on-paper and use no backlight so that screens can be viewed under almost any lighting condition, including direct sunlight, all the while using little power. Typically, one battery charge of four hours can power 7,500 continuous page turns.
While the notion of e-readers may take the poetry out of curling into bed with a good book, Toews' site makes a compelling environmental argument for altering our reading behaviour.
In his 2003 thesis, University of Michigan student Greg Kozak studied the life-cycle assessment of paper books versus e-books. He found that a paper book created four times the greenhouse gas emissions of an e-book reader.
Print books needed three times more raw materials and 78 times more water consumption than e-books.
In another study out of the University of Berkeley, reading a newspaper electronically released 32-140 times less CO2 and used 27 times less water.
In the U. S., where e-reader sales have taken off, customers are able to download books, magazines and major daily newspapers such as USA Today. It's a future the newspaper industry is eyeing with careful suspicion -- online readership has already endangered the print format, putting thousands of traditional newspaper men and women out of work.
But French newspaper Les Echos has been offering its content on the e-reader iRex iLiad since 2007. Stories are delivered wirelessly and updated every hour. Cos t for the subscription and the unit is around $600 Cdn.
While newspaper subscription is not yet available on the only ebook in Canada, the Sony Reader Digital Book, company spokeswoman Candice Hayman said a major Canadian newspaper, which she declined to identify, recently expressed interest in the device.
The Sony reader launched last April in Canada and retails for $299. The cost of downloading books, however, is a fraction of its hardcopy edition, averaging about $10.
Meanwhile, Esquire published its 75th edition to much fanfare last October, the first magazine to use electronic ink on its cover. An animated cover flashed the words "The 21st Century Begins Now" on magazine stands, stealing the attention from the static images of its lifeless competitors.
"If we look at the publishing industry, the content is readable but not changeable," said E Ink spokesman Sriram Peruvemba from Cambridge, Mass.
"Electronic format is changeable but not readable. We tried to combine the two and get the best of both worlds."
For those still resistant to the idea, Toews points that the paperback novel was snubbed by the literary elite when it emerged in the 1930s. But it became popular during the war, allowing troops to carry them in their backpocket and is now a legitimate form of publishing.
"Paper's going to become more of a luxury," he said. "My daughter planted a sapling in school, but it will take 10 years for the sapling to grow. In the next 20 minutes you could change your reading behaviour, read an ebook and save a tree."
International Read an E-Book Week is March 8 to 14.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
government help
Do you need money to upgrade your home or business for yourself or the environment. Here is a useful list of sources of government money. If you wish we will help you with solutions .
Rebates and Incentives
Government of Canada's ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes Program
Province of Ontario'sHome Energy Audit Rebate ProgramHome Energy Retrofit Program
Home Energy Retrofit Program
Ontario Power Authority'sCool Savings Rebate
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation'sMortgage Loan Insurance Rebate
Genworth Financial'sMortgage Loan Insurance Rebate
Rebates and Incentives
Government of Canada's ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes Program
Province of Ontario'sHome Energy Audit Rebate ProgramHome Energy Retrofit Program
Home Energy Retrofit Program
Ontario Power Authority'sCool Savings Rebate
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation'sMortgage Loan Insurance Rebate
Genworth Financial'sMortgage Loan Insurance Rebate
government help
Rebates and Incentives
Government of Canada's ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes Program
Province of Ontario'sHome Energy Audit Rebate ProgramHome Energy Retrofit Program
Home Energy Retrofit Program
Ontario Power Authority'sCool Savings Rebate
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation'sMortgage Loan Insurance Rebate
Genworth Financial'sMortgage Loan Insurance Rebate
Government of Canada's ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes Program
Province of Ontario'sHome Energy Audit Rebate ProgramHome Energy Retrofit Program
Home Energy Retrofit Program
Ontario Power Authority'sCool Savings Rebate
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation'sMortgage Loan Insurance Rebate
Genworth Financial'sMortgage Loan Insurance Rebate
arabs-Go where the money is in energy
Oil rich Arabia investing in green future
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (UPI) -- Arabian countries that rely on dollars from oil are now pumping enormous sums into green energy research to stay ahead of the curve. "Abu Dhabi is an oil-exporting country, and we want to become an energy-exporting country and to do that we need to excel at the newer forms of energy," said Khaled Awad, director of a zero-carbon city rising in the Abu Dhabi desert. The second annual World Future Energy Summit, which starts Monday in Abu Dhabi, signals the region's intent to maintain its hold on energy production, The New York Times reported Tuesday. While grant money is tight elsewhere, King Abdulla University of Science and Technology awarded a Stanford University researcher $25 million in 2008 to find a way to reduce the cost of solar energy production. The university also gave a California researcher $8 million to develop environmentally-friendly concrete. Abu Dhabi's crown prince said in January he will invest $15 billion in green energy, the same amount President-elect Barack Obama proposed to kick start "a clean energy future" in the United States, the Times said. In developing future energy sources, Arabian countries have two advantages: Money from oil to fund projects and plenty of sunshine to research solar power, the Times said.
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (UPI) -- Arabian countries that rely on dollars from oil are now pumping enormous sums into green energy research to stay ahead of the curve. "Abu Dhabi is an oil-exporting country, and we want to become an energy-exporting country and to do that we need to excel at the newer forms of energy," said Khaled Awad, director of a zero-carbon city rising in the Abu Dhabi desert. The second annual World Future Energy Summit, which starts Monday in Abu Dhabi, signals the region's intent to maintain its hold on energy production, The New York Times reported Tuesday. While grant money is tight elsewhere, King Abdulla University of Science and Technology awarded a Stanford University researcher $25 million in 2008 to find a way to reduce the cost of solar energy production. The university also gave a California researcher $8 million to develop environmentally-friendly concrete. Abu Dhabi's crown prince said in January he will invest $15 billion in green energy, the same amount President-elect Barack Obama proposed to kick start "a clean energy future" in the United States, the Times said. In developing future energy sources, Arabian countries have two advantages: Money from oil to fund projects and plenty of sunshine to research solar power, the Times said.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Energy conservation becomes sexy
Energy independence How Nova Scotia could lead the way to a greener Canada.
By Joe Castaldo
Nova Scotia may not be among the worst Canadian offenders when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions on an absolute basis, but the province is taking a unique step toward improving its performance.
Last year Nova Scotia commissioned David Wheeler, dean of the Dalhousie University’s faculty of management, to determine the most appropriate way to promote and implement energy efficiency measures in the province. Mainly, Wheeler focused on “demand side management,” which involves helping customers use less electricity.
Wheeler consulted with some 40-odd stakeholders — consumers, government, and industry representatives — and concluded the best approach would be to create an independent agency at arm’s length from the government, as opposed to having an entirely government- or utility-led initiative, as is typically done in the rest of Canada and the U.S. The provincial government announced this month it would move ahead with Wheeler’s recommendation and set up the agency by the end of next year.
The proposed model in Nova Scotia carries a number of advantages, such as increased flexibility and accountability. The agency will have performance standards, and the administrators can be removed if those goals are not met. Governments, on the other hand, may lack the technical expertise, while utilities have historically done a poor job when it comes to encouraging customers to consume less energy, according to Wheeler’s report. (Utilities are in the business of selling electricity, of course.) One potential downside, however, is Wheeler believes the new organization could have high startup costs, however, and that those costs will be covered by the ratepayers themselves.
Wheeler recommends leaving open the option of transforming the organization into a “one-stop-shop” for all energy efficiency measures, not just demand-side management. Such an organization can have spin-off benefits, too, he told Nova Scotia’s Chronicle Herald, such as motivating engineering firms to develop new energy efficient processes and products.
By Joe Castaldo
Nova Scotia may not be among the worst Canadian offenders when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions on an absolute basis, but the province is taking a unique step toward improving its performance.
Last year Nova Scotia commissioned David Wheeler, dean of the Dalhousie University’s faculty of management, to determine the most appropriate way to promote and implement energy efficiency measures in the province. Mainly, Wheeler focused on “demand side management,” which involves helping customers use less electricity.
Wheeler consulted with some 40-odd stakeholders — consumers, government, and industry representatives — and concluded the best approach would be to create an independent agency at arm’s length from the government, as opposed to having an entirely government- or utility-led initiative, as is typically done in the rest of Canada and the U.S. The provincial government announced this month it would move ahead with Wheeler’s recommendation and set up the agency by the end of next year.
The proposed model in Nova Scotia carries a number of advantages, such as increased flexibility and accountability. The agency will have performance standards, and the administrators can be removed if those goals are not met. Governments, on the other hand, may lack the technical expertise, while utilities have historically done a poor job when it comes to encouraging customers to consume less energy, according to Wheeler’s report. (Utilities are in the business of selling electricity, of course.) One potential downside, however, is Wheeler believes the new organization could have high startup costs, however, and that those costs will be covered by the ratepayers themselves.
Wheeler recommends leaving open the option of transforming the organization into a “one-stop-shop” for all energy efficiency measures, not just demand-side management. Such an organization can have spin-off benefits, too, he told Nova Scotia’s Chronicle Herald, such as motivating engineering firms to develop new energy efficient processes and products.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Bad weather | Columnists | Joe Castaldo | Canadian Business Online
Bad weather Columnists Joe Castaldo Canadian Business Online: "Sometimes it’s difficult not to find symbolism in the weather. The Canadian Solar Industries Association happened to kick off its annual conference yesterday in Toronto on what was a cold, dreary and snowy morning. The sun was nowhere to be seen.
Inside the conference centre, attendees tried to be more upbeat. Companies showcased their wares and politicians trumpeted commitments to solar power and renewable energy as a whole. But the stormy days ahead for the solar industry were as hard to ignore as the lousy weather outside. Sometimes it’s difficult not to find symbolism in the weather. The Canadian Solar Industries Association happened to kick off its annual conference yesterday in Toronto on what was a cold, dreary and snowy morning. The sun was nowhere to be seen.
Inside the conference centre, attendees tried to be more upbeat. Companies showcased their wares and politicians trumpeted commitments to solar power and renewable energy as a whole. But the stormy days ahead for the solar industry were as hard to ignore as the lousy weather outside."
Inside the conference centre, attendees tried to be more upbeat. Companies showcased their wares and politicians trumpeted commitments to solar power and renewable energy as a whole. But the stormy days ahead for the solar industry were as hard to ignore as the lousy weather outside. Sometimes it’s difficult not to find symbolism in the weather. The Canadian Solar Industries Association happened to kick off its annual conference yesterday in Toronto on what was a cold, dreary and snowy morning. The sun was nowhere to be seen.
Inside the conference centre, attendees tried to be more upbeat. Companies showcased their wares and politicians trumpeted commitments to solar power and renewable energy as a whole. But the stormy days ahead for the solar industry were as hard to ignore as the lousy weather outside."
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Energy Department awards 16 contracts
Energy Department awards 16 contracts
WASHINGTON (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Energy says it has awarded 16 energy savings performance contracts that could result in $80 billion in energy projects. Officials said the energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation projects at federally owned buildings and facilities demonstrate "a commitment to sound government stewardship by recognizing efforts to save energy, reduce federal energy costs, cut greenhouse gas emissions, bring more cutting-edge technologies into use, strengthen national security and create a stronger economy."
WASHINGTON (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Energy says it has awarded 16 energy savings performance contracts that could result in $80 billion in energy projects. Officials said the energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation projects at federally owned buildings and facilities demonstrate "a commitment to sound government stewardship by recognizing efforts to save energy, reduce federal energy costs, cut greenhouse gas emissions, bring more cutting-edge technologies into use, strengthen national security and create a stronger economy."
Sunday, July 27, 2008
10 million dollars to the 100mpg car 2009
There’s a contest underway to build 100-mile-per-gallon (mpg) cars that are practical and feasible for mass-production. Known as the Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize, it will award $10 million to whomever can crack the 100-mpg puzzle and best demonstrate the achievement during cross-country races. When the races start in 2009, I’ll be behind the wheel of a sporty two-seater that will be as cool as it will be fuel-efficient. Through a series of Mother Earth News articles and updates online, you can come along for the ride.
this is a worthy challenge
this is a worthy challenge
Friday, June 06, 2008
james bond?
Would appreciate your comments as to your view of potential. Many thanks,
mainclip_100k.wmv3365K Download
mainclip_100k.wmv3365K Download
Future computers will be any shape and foldable - siegholle@gmail.com
Future computers -- any shape and foldable KINGSTON, Ontario (UPI) -- Canadian scientists are predicting future computers will be able to change shape, respond to touch and fold into your pocket.
Queen's University computing Professor Roel Vertegaal said not only will computers of the future be able to assume flexible forms, but they'll respond to our direct touch and even change their own shape to better accommodate data, for example folding like a piece of paper to be tucked into our pockets.
"What we're talking about here is nothing short of a revolution for human-computer interaction," said Vertegaal. "We want to reduce the computer's stranglehold on cognitive processing by embedding it and making it work more and more like the natural environment.
"It is too much of a technological device now, and we haven't had the technology to truly integrate a high-resolution display in artifacts that have organic shapes: curved, flexible and textile …," he added.
Queen's University computing Professor Roel Vertegaal said not only will computers of the future be able to assume flexible forms, but they'll respond to our direct touch and even change their own shape to better accommodate data, for example folding like a piece of paper to be tucked into our pockets.
"What we're talking about here is nothing short of a revolution for human-computer interaction," said Vertegaal. "We want to reduce the computer's stranglehold on cognitive processing by embedding it and making it work more and more like the natural environment.
"It is too much of a technological device now, and we haven't had the technology to truly integrate a high-resolution display in artifacts that have organic shapes: curved, flexible and textile …," he added.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Supersize solar
Supersize solar power
interesting review of solar options and pictures
Utility-scale solar power plants -- using everything from giant reflective dishes to plastic balloons -- are changing the look of solar power. Parabolic troughs, one of which is shown here, have been around for 25 years, and so have other s. Check out some of the options
interesting review of solar options and pictures
Utility-scale solar power plants -- using everything from giant reflective dishes to plastic balloons -- are changing the look of solar power. Parabolic troughs, one of which is shown here, have been around for 25 years, and so have other s. Check out some of the options
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Photos: MIT Energy Conference talks money, coal, and 'Enertech' | ZDNet Photo Gallery
Photos: MIT Energy Conference talks money, coal, and 'Enertech' ZDNet Photo Gallery
interesting review of new energy technology
interesting review of new energy technology
Monday, March 31, 2008
the solar energy wave of the future
solar panel installation corporation opportunity
Are you Taking Advantage of "The SB-1 Energy Dividend Act"?
Dear Reader:
On August 21, 2006 the government passed "SB-1 Energy Dividend Act" into law. The law allows homeowners a legal way to run their electric meters backwards… and it's making some people rich:
Larry Hagman -- the actor who played J.R. Ewing on the hit drama series Dallas – took advantage of it on his 42-acre avocado farm… and has seen his electric bill fall from $37,000 per year to just $13! He now banks over $36,000 each year!
Debbie and Tom Lake from Long Beach, California also took the plunge. They now pay just $1.34 a month for their electricity. -- Wall Street Journal
All across America, homeowners and businesses alike are slashing their energy costs by switching to a new power source and running their meters backwards.
The new energy source doesn't use coal, natural gas, oil or nuclear. It's completely clean, abundant and rapidly growing in use.
In fact, according to the Wall Street Journal, the number of homes running their meter backwards nearly tripled between 2002 and 2006... going from 2,805 to 7,446. Industry officials say this number will exceed 11,000 this year.
And it's all thanks to a little California government law that's quickly growing in popularity across America -- CA SB-1. It allows you to collect money from the utility companies.
The best part is, there's a company -- the only company publicly traded of its kind -- showing homeowners how to do it.
Turning an obscure government law into the electric company's worst nightmare
Here's how it works...
A typical large house in the San Jose, California area with air conditioning or a swimming pool will use about 1,500 kWh (kilowatt hours) of electricity per month. At current PG&E rates (the area's electric company), this level of consumption works out to about $300 per month for electricity averaged throughout the year.
With a state-wide population of about 39 million, PG&E is cleaning up.
But now, thanks to SB-1, a law, signed in August of 2006, Americans are finding the expensive electric bill to be a thing of the past. And savvy investors are setting themselves up for a windfall...
How is this possible?
Because the energy source I'm talking about is solar energy... and the tiny company I'm about to reveal to you is a solar panel installation company. And that's why I'm writing to you today -- this company is one of two publicly-traded solar panel installation companies in America.
There are a lot of publicly-traded companies that make solar panels like First Solar, SunPower and Suntech. But this tiny $8 company is the only one that actually comes to your home and installs the panels. It's a pure play on the booming panel installation market.
On September 24, this small solar panel installation company finally listed its shares for trading on the NASDAQ exchange.
Prior to that, it traded on the OTC bulletin board, where it didn't get a lot of attention from Wall Street or John Q. Investor.
In the interest of full disclosure, I should tell you that I recommended this stock in my trading service last year. I got my traders into the stock for a measly $3 a share.
Today?
Well, when the stock moved to the NASDAQ, it shot up to record levels!
And my readers banked a gain of over 316%.
Now that this solar stock is trading on the widely-followed NASDAQ, it has matured from a speculative trade to a long-term investment.
Why?
Because now that it's on the NASDAQ, big institutional investors like Bear Stearns and Goldman Sachs can buy this stock easily.
And the buying has begun. On the first day the stock traded on the NASDAQ, volume for this little puppy was over 1 million shares. That's massive, considering the stock's average daily volume was just 175,000!
On the second day?
Another million shares.
But this is just the beginning, trust me.
You see, solar is the new oil. It's an energy source that's abundant, clean and it never runs out. The price of solar energy is coming down... and it'll soon be competitive with oil, gas and coal.
That's why big investment institutions are lining up to buy this stock just like they did with First Solar and SunPower. These solar companies have exploded to the upside as investors have rushed the doors in an effort to participate in the hottest technology in alternative energy. Here are the charts for these two stocks:
I think our tiny solar installation stock will follow the same path. Why?
Meet Jeff Siegel
Jeff Siegel is the managing editor of Green Chip Stocks, an investment advisory service focusing on stocks in the alternative/renewable energy markets, as well as the lucrative organic food and sustainable living sectors.
Jeff's Green Chip Stocks portfolio has earned exceptional returns for his readers each of the last three years. His average yearly portfolio returns:
2005: +40.66%2006: +29.7% 2007: +26.9%Jeff is a new breed of investor. Part entrepreneur, part Renaissance man, Jeff is an accomplished musician and writer, having recorded and performed all over the world - from London to Rome to New York. He was even called upon to score part of the latest Exorcist prequel. From 1994 to 2001, Jeff worked for Agora Publishing, one of the largest financial newsletter publishers in the world. In the past 6 years, he's traveled across America searching for mega-trends that'll usher in a new generation of wealth. Once a week in Green Chip Stocks, Jeff highlights investment opportunities in the fast-growing "Green" market.
First, because the solar bull market is still in its infancy. It's only a year or two old. So we have a lot of time to make a lot of money in the solar market.
And second, because this small company is literally the only pure solar panel installation corporation that's publicly traded. Add the fact that they control the largest solar markets in America--California, New York, Connecticut and New Jersey--and you get the picture. This stock is a Roman candle about to be lit.
Seriously, it's the only game in town, my friend. And when there's only one way to play a certain industry--an industry that's super hot--the chances are high that a massive tsunami of investment dollars will flood into the stock.
What will occur is an investment phenomenon known as "too many dollars chasing one stock".
So you can see why I've turned super bullish on this stock... because there's going to be a feeding frenzy as all these investment dollars rush into it.
But there's more...
Insiders control a ton of shares. In fact, they control roughly 44% of the company's outstanding shares. They own about 12 million shares. That's massive, and I love it. I love it when the company's management has such a large vested interest in seeing their stock perform well.
So far, the stock has done quite well under their leadership. Like I said, my traders have been rewarded with over 316% in the past 12 months.
The rest of the shares--another 15 million--are in the float. That means there are 12 million shares available to individual investors like you and me... as well as to big Wall Street investment firms.
I'm telling you this for a specific reason.
As of this writing, only about 4% of the stock is owned by institutions. That's a paltry 1.3 million shares.
Now, institutions are ready to buy big blocks of this stock. When they do this, the price will be forced up. Buying = increasing stock prices.
That's why it's vital that you buy this stock now... while it's still trading under $8 a share.
How to Play the Solar Bull Market
We've seen this before.
Every time there's a new "angle" to play in the solar market, there's a rush on certain stocks.
For example, about 3 years ago, the largest solar manufacturers were announcing that silicon, a key component in solar production, was in short supply.
In fact, take a look at MEMC Electronic Materials (WFR:NYSE).
MEMC manufactures silicon wafer technology for the solar industry. And in 2004, right before the silicon rush, the stock was trading at $8 a share.
Today, only three years later, it trades around $82 a share.
I'll talk more about the parallels with MEMC in a minute, but first let me tell you why this emerging California solar company is following in the same footsteps.
You see, this stock is small, trading at a market cap of around $200 million. And it's completely under Wall Street's radar.
But that's changing. And changing fast.
Wall Street is tripping over itself trying to find new and promising solar stocks to invest in.
And the reason is simple: Major profits!
Solar Energy Stocks areProducing HUGE Gains!
Trina Solar Ltd.
1/10/07$17.06
2/15/08$36.83
116% Gain
First Solar, Inc.
11/17/06$23.50
2/15/08$227.11
866% Gain
SunPower Corp.
7/18/06$23.75
2/15/08$80.67
240% Gain
MEMC Electronic
9/24/01$17.06
2/15/08$80.09
369% Gain
Not only are alternative energy stocks red-hot right now, posting an average annual gain of more than 40% since 2003, but these companies represent the next generation of energy.
Take a look at the New Alternatives ETF, a fund that tracks solar, geothermal, wind and ethanol stocks:
It's the future. Plain and simple.
To give you an example, when First Solar went public in November '06, the buying frenzy shocked many traders unfamiliar with the progress in the alternative energy markets... but not me.
A Government MandatedBull Market
SB-1 mandates that solar power systems must be offered as a standard item on new homes - developers of more than 50 new single family homes must offer this option to customers beginning January 1, 2011.
You see, this company was bringing updated technology that was disruptive to your run-of-the-mill solar energy company. It was bringing a "new angle".
Much like our young solar installation stock right now.
Analysts originally predicted that First Solar's stock would open somewhere between $16 and $18 a share. But on the morning of November 17, shares of First Solar opened at $25 a share, and never looked back.
Today it trades for $227 a share!
And it commands a market cap of $17.2 BILLION! And that's on sales of $237 million.
Solar's Sunny Days
With the solar energy industry booming, there's been a trickle-down effect, too. Any company directly or indirectly connected with solar is benefiting.
Again, take a look at MEMC Electronic Materials, for example. It's a global supplier of silicon wafer technology to the solar industry.
Its stock has soared in value, going from $1.05 in 2001 to a high today of over $80. That's a gain of nearly 5,995%.
With gains like that, investors are making fortunes in alternative energy stocks.
That's why I'm so bullish on my tiny solar panel installation stock. It's next in line for blockbuster gains.I'm predicting that every $10,000 invested will turn into $20,000 within 12 months.
Double up and you're looking at $40,000.
Sounds too good to be true? One of my favorite solar recommendations, World Water & Power (WWAT.OB), has gone from $0.14 in 2006 to over $2.50 this year.
Take a look:
Likewise, I think this new solar roof stock will easily hit $24.00 by this time next year... and maybe $77 a share (just like MEMC Electronic) within three years.
You can still pick up shares of this solar stock for less than $8 a share!
In a minute, I'll tell you how to get a piece of the action. But first, let me tell you why...
You Must Erase "Alternative" from Alternative Energy
Let me dispel a myth. "Alternative"--as in alternative energy--isn't "alternative" anymore. It's going mainstream.
Solar Fact #1:
Every hour, the sun radiates more energy onto the earth than the entire human population uses in one whole year.
Over the past several years, FedEx, Staples, the Timberland Co., Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, Macy's, Tiffany & Co, Toyota, Target, Lowe's, corporate behemoth Wal-Mart and even the U.S. Department of Defense have begun installing solar panels at their stores and facilities.
Now listen, I don't want you to be disillusioned. These companies aren't installing solar panels because they've suddenly become concerned about global warming.
No, they've installed solar panels because it'll reduce their electric bills by as much as 90% each month.
That's what's driving the boom in solar energy.
But it's a boom that still hasn't caught on with John Q. Investor.
In fact, the ordinary investor doesn't have a clue about the potential in these stocks. Let me explain...
It wasn't that long ago that I attended the Solar Power Conference and Expo in Washington, D.C.
It's one of the largest, most influential future and clean energy conferences in America, where policymakers and leaders in the energy industries learn about the latest in solar technologies.
It was there that I had an epiphany.
You see, while attending a press conference with Senator Lamar Alexander (chairman of the subcommittee on energy) and three of the most powerful CEOs in the solar industry, I made an important and profitable discovery--one that has already made some investors a lot of money!
Solar Fact #2:
"As prices for coal, natural gas and oil have soared, solar power has been getting perhaps its most serious look from investors since President Jimmy Carter pulled on a cardigan and asked Americans to damp their furnaces. The new interest means that the handful of domestic solar stocks has been surging, too."--The New York Times, September 11th, 2005
On that Friday afternoon, in a makeshift pressroom in the basement of the Hyatt Regency hotel, only eight journalists were meticulously taking notes.
Eight journalists! That's it!
That's when I realized the average investor is still clueless as to just how lucrative this market is.
But that's OK. Because while these guys sleep through what is already shaping up to be one of the most profitable markets of the 21st century, a group of wise investors is making a fortune in solar.
In fact, the last solar manufacturer I recommended has already delivered gains of more than 245% in the past six months.
But I'm expecting even more from this next one.
Let me show you why, of all the publicly traded solar companies, this is the one you must own.
$40 to 50 billion in revenue by 2010
During the energy crisis of the 1970s, serious interest in solar technology took hold in the U.S. But due to prohibitive prices, large-scale applications were nearly impossible.
However, in 2008, with oil trading over $90 a barrel, interest in solar has returned. Only this time, PV is cost-effective.
In 1976, the average selling price per watt was about $100. Today it's significantly less. Take a look:
With such a drastic reduction in price, coupled with the ever-increasing price of oil, it's no wonder that both residential and industrial consumers are starting to flock towards solar alternatives.
In fact, since 2001, the global photovoltaic market has averaged about 40% annual growth. And this year alone, PV production is expected to reach 1.5 gigawatts, representing approximately $11 billion in revenue. That's double its level in 2003.
By 2010, analysts estimate global PV manufacturing will be sufficient to meet one third of new U.S. electric demand annually--representing $40 to 50 billion in revenue!
There's no doubt the PV business is booming.
Mother Nature is bullish on solar!
Something very important is going to happen this winter that's going to push the renewable energy market to new heights--especially solar!
INCREASING THE VALUE OF YOUR HOME:
According to a recent study from the Appraisal Institute, the selling price of homes increases by $20.73 for every $1 decrease in annual electric bills. Using this 20:1 multiplier, a typical 3kW system--costing about $12,000 after incentives and saving about $1,000 in annual energy costs--will increase the value of your home by $20,000.
This winter, Americans will pay nearly twice as much as they paid last year in heating bills.
And mark my words, when the first really nasty cold snap forces consumers (especially business owners) to jack their thermostats past 70, the market is going to warm up to solar, fast!
Here's why...
Over the past two years, the solar industry has hit new highs every time Mother Nature reminded us who's boss.
Last summer, for example, Arizona had record peak usage and almost maxed out capacity when the state endured record-breaking temperatures as high as 108 degrees Fahrenheit.
And only a few days after hurricane Katrina ripped New Orleans to shreds (and devoured its electrical grid), solar stocks soared.
Of course, these are two examples where Mother Nature's effect on energy supplies was relatively short-lived.
But a little later this year will be the beginning of at least three to four months of blistering cold weather--and overwhelming heating bills.
It will be a cold and hard wake-up call for most of the country when we finally realize that natural gas and fossil fuels are no longer cheap and abundant. And the reality of renewable energy is going to take hold more strongly than you've ever seen before.
And one company that's going to exploit this for everything it's worth is featured in my special report, SB-1 Energy Dividends.
Solar Fact #3:
"Few power-generation technologies have as little impact on the environment as photovoltaics. As it quietly generates electricity from light, PV produces no air pollution or hazardous waste. It doesn't require liquid or gaseous fuels to be transported or combusted. And because its energy source--sunlight--is free and abundant, PV systems can guarantee access to electric power."--U.S. Department of Energy
In this report I outline why this solar company--with a market cap of just $220 million--stands to profit more than almost any other solar energy company on the planet.
Even when matched against industry giants like Sharp, Kyocera and BP Solar!
But you have to act fast.
Energy legislation is scorching hot on the Hill right now.
And the extension of the solar tax credit is right around the corner.
The last solar tax credit extension for just one year pushed solar through the roof.
Just imagine what this next eight-year extension's going to do!
Rest assured, this thing's going to get passed. And really, for no other reason than that every politician in Washington knows this one's a big-time vote-getter.
That's why I want you to buy this solar energy stock right now, before it goes up any further.
And that's why I want to offer you my latest report, SB-1 Energy Dividends, completely FREE of charge when you become a member of my cutting-edge investment service, Green Chip Stocks.
Let me explain...
Welcome to Green Chip Stocks
Green Chip Stocks represents the most important stocks traded today, for one simple reason--these are the stocks that will be the catalysts for the first real profit trend of the 21st century.
A profit trend that is already worth more than $30 billion in its infancy!
Grabbing your share now is like getting a piece of the automobile market back in 1908. And I don't mean just Ford, either. I'm talking about the market as a whole. Oil, rubber tires, road construction, etc.
Turning the Green Movement into Mountains of Greenbacks
Let me introduce myself. My name is Jeff Siegel.
I worked for one of America's largest financial publishers 1994 to 2001, learning about the financial markets from some of the top investment minds in the world.
For the past six years, I've been traveling the world investigating the current state and the future of energy.
My travels have taken me to Rome, London, New York... and everywhere in between.
Now, I was taught that the time to invest in a stock or industry is when nobody is talking about it. You sell it when everybody is talking about it.
And that's why I'm writing to you today. Even though solar stocks are rising, the solar industry is where the oil industry was in 1920 -- it's still an infant!
I have a report I want to give you for joining my investment service, Green Chip Stocks.
The report is SB-1 Energy Dividends. This report features my favorite energy stock, the only publicly-traded solar panel company in America.
Now trading for less than $9 a share, I think this stock is a potential blockbuster that could return over 200% in just 12 months.
Simply fill out your membership form and I'll immediately send you a username and password that'll give you access to the report.
Plus, when you join Green Chip Stocks, you'll receive my members-only weekly letter, which updates you on current positions and alerts you to new stocks I'm recommending.
So, you get the report, SB-1 Energy Dividends, plus 52 issues of Green Chip Stocks.
Not a bad deal... for just $79 a year.
Especially when you consider our track record.
The fact is, we were the first to launch this kind of service focusing strictly on "green" markets.
And we were the first to bring our readers stocks like XsunX (XSNX.OB), which we sold for a 545.95% gain, and Regi U.S. (RGUS.OB), which we sold for a 218% gain, and Wild Oats (OATS:NASDAQ), which we sold for a 74.5% gain.
For less than $0.22 a day, you just can't beat gains like that!
If at any time you're not completely satisfied with the quality of service and commentary offered, simply cancel before 30 days and I'll refund every penny.
And this next one--our $7 solar installation stock--is already shaping up to be our next triple-bagger.
So don't wait.
Get it now while it's still trading below $7.
Sincerely,
Jeff Siegel
P.S. - Become a member today, and I'll also throw in my special report, Tapping the $1.42 Trillion Vein. This report highlights opportunities in the burgeoning green building market, and more importantly, gives you the insight you'll need to profit from a market that's worth more than $1 Trillion. That's right, trillion…with a T!
http://www.angelnexus.com/o/op/4755
Are you Taking Advantage of "The SB-1 Energy Dividend Act"?
Dear Reader:
On August 21, 2006 the government passed "SB-1 Energy Dividend Act" into law. The law allows homeowners a legal way to run their electric meters backwards… and it's making some people rich:
Larry Hagman -- the actor who played J.R. Ewing on the hit drama series Dallas – took advantage of it on his 42-acre avocado farm… and has seen his electric bill fall from $37,000 per year to just $13! He now banks over $36,000 each year!
Debbie and Tom Lake from Long Beach, California also took the plunge. They now pay just $1.34 a month for their electricity. -- Wall Street Journal
All across America, homeowners and businesses alike are slashing their energy costs by switching to a new power source and running their meters backwards.
The new energy source doesn't use coal, natural gas, oil or nuclear. It's completely clean, abundant and rapidly growing in use.
In fact, according to the Wall Street Journal, the number of homes running their meter backwards nearly tripled between 2002 and 2006... going from 2,805 to 7,446. Industry officials say this number will exceed 11,000 this year.
And it's all thanks to a little California government law that's quickly growing in popularity across America -- CA SB-1. It allows you to collect money from the utility companies.
The best part is, there's a company -- the only company publicly traded of its kind -- showing homeowners how to do it.
Turning an obscure government law into the electric company's worst nightmare
Here's how it works...
A typical large house in the San Jose, California area with air conditioning or a swimming pool will use about 1,500 kWh (kilowatt hours) of electricity per month. At current PG&E rates (the area's electric company), this level of consumption works out to about $300 per month for electricity averaged throughout the year.
With a state-wide population of about 39 million, PG&E is cleaning up.
But now, thanks to SB-1, a law, signed in August of 2006, Americans are finding the expensive electric bill to be a thing of the past. And savvy investors are setting themselves up for a windfall...
How is this possible?
Because the energy source I'm talking about is solar energy... and the tiny company I'm about to reveal to you is a solar panel installation company. And that's why I'm writing to you today -- this company is one of two publicly-traded solar panel installation companies in America.
There are a lot of publicly-traded companies that make solar panels like First Solar, SunPower and Suntech. But this tiny $8 company is the only one that actually comes to your home and installs the panels. It's a pure play on the booming panel installation market.
On September 24, this small solar panel installation company finally listed its shares for trading on the NASDAQ exchange.
Prior to that, it traded on the OTC bulletin board, where it didn't get a lot of attention from Wall Street or John Q. Investor.
In the interest of full disclosure, I should tell you that I recommended this stock in my trading service last year. I got my traders into the stock for a measly $3 a share.
Today?
Well, when the stock moved to the NASDAQ, it shot up to record levels!
And my readers banked a gain of over 316%.
Now that this solar stock is trading on the widely-followed NASDAQ, it has matured from a speculative trade to a long-term investment.
Why?
Because now that it's on the NASDAQ, big institutional investors like Bear Stearns and Goldman Sachs can buy this stock easily.
And the buying has begun. On the first day the stock traded on the NASDAQ, volume for this little puppy was over 1 million shares. That's massive, considering the stock's average daily volume was just 175,000!
On the second day?
Another million shares.
But this is just the beginning, trust me.
You see, solar is the new oil. It's an energy source that's abundant, clean and it never runs out. The price of solar energy is coming down... and it'll soon be competitive with oil, gas and coal.
That's why big investment institutions are lining up to buy this stock just like they did with First Solar and SunPower. These solar companies have exploded to the upside as investors have rushed the doors in an effort to participate in the hottest technology in alternative energy. Here are the charts for these two stocks:
I think our tiny solar installation stock will follow the same path. Why?
Meet Jeff Siegel
Jeff Siegel is the managing editor of Green Chip Stocks, an investment advisory service focusing on stocks in the alternative/renewable energy markets, as well as the lucrative organic food and sustainable living sectors.
Jeff's Green Chip Stocks portfolio has earned exceptional returns for his readers each of the last three years. His average yearly portfolio returns:
2005: +40.66%2006: +29.7% 2007: +26.9%Jeff is a new breed of investor. Part entrepreneur, part Renaissance man, Jeff is an accomplished musician and writer, having recorded and performed all over the world - from London to Rome to New York. He was even called upon to score part of the latest Exorcist prequel. From 1994 to 2001, Jeff worked for Agora Publishing, one of the largest financial newsletter publishers in the world. In the past 6 years, he's traveled across America searching for mega-trends that'll usher in a new generation of wealth. Once a week in Green Chip Stocks, Jeff highlights investment opportunities in the fast-growing "Green" market.
First, because the solar bull market is still in its infancy. It's only a year or two old. So we have a lot of time to make a lot of money in the solar market.
And second, because this small company is literally the only pure solar panel installation corporation that's publicly traded. Add the fact that they control the largest solar markets in America--California, New York, Connecticut and New Jersey--and you get the picture. This stock is a Roman candle about to be lit.
Seriously, it's the only game in town, my friend. And when there's only one way to play a certain industry--an industry that's super hot--the chances are high that a massive tsunami of investment dollars will flood into the stock.
What will occur is an investment phenomenon known as "too many dollars chasing one stock".
So you can see why I've turned super bullish on this stock... because there's going to be a feeding frenzy as all these investment dollars rush into it.
But there's more...
Insiders control a ton of shares. In fact, they control roughly 44% of the company's outstanding shares. They own about 12 million shares. That's massive, and I love it. I love it when the company's management has such a large vested interest in seeing their stock perform well.
So far, the stock has done quite well under their leadership. Like I said, my traders have been rewarded with over 316% in the past 12 months.
The rest of the shares--another 15 million--are in the float. That means there are 12 million shares available to individual investors like you and me... as well as to big Wall Street investment firms.
I'm telling you this for a specific reason.
As of this writing, only about 4% of the stock is owned by institutions. That's a paltry 1.3 million shares.
Now, institutions are ready to buy big blocks of this stock. When they do this, the price will be forced up. Buying = increasing stock prices.
That's why it's vital that you buy this stock now... while it's still trading under $8 a share.
How to Play the Solar Bull Market
We've seen this before.
Every time there's a new "angle" to play in the solar market, there's a rush on certain stocks.
For example, about 3 years ago, the largest solar manufacturers were announcing that silicon, a key component in solar production, was in short supply.
In fact, take a look at MEMC Electronic Materials (WFR:NYSE).
MEMC manufactures silicon wafer technology for the solar industry. And in 2004, right before the silicon rush, the stock was trading at $8 a share.
Today, only three years later, it trades around $82 a share.
I'll talk more about the parallels with MEMC in a minute, but first let me tell you why this emerging California solar company is following in the same footsteps.
You see, this stock is small, trading at a market cap of around $200 million. And it's completely under Wall Street's radar.
But that's changing. And changing fast.
Wall Street is tripping over itself trying to find new and promising solar stocks to invest in.
And the reason is simple: Major profits!
Solar Energy Stocks areProducing HUGE Gains!
Trina Solar Ltd.
1/10/07$17.06
2/15/08$36.83
116% Gain
First Solar, Inc.
11/17/06$23.50
2/15/08$227.11
866% Gain
SunPower Corp.
7/18/06$23.75
2/15/08$80.67
240% Gain
MEMC Electronic
9/24/01$17.06
2/15/08$80.09
369% Gain
Not only are alternative energy stocks red-hot right now, posting an average annual gain of more than 40% since 2003, but these companies represent the next generation of energy.
Take a look at the New Alternatives ETF, a fund that tracks solar, geothermal, wind and ethanol stocks:
It's the future. Plain and simple.
To give you an example, when First Solar went public in November '06, the buying frenzy shocked many traders unfamiliar with the progress in the alternative energy markets... but not me.
A Government MandatedBull Market
SB-1 mandates that solar power systems must be offered as a standard item on new homes - developers of more than 50 new single family homes must offer this option to customers beginning January 1, 2011.
You see, this company was bringing updated technology that was disruptive to your run-of-the-mill solar energy company. It was bringing a "new angle".
Much like our young solar installation stock right now.
Analysts originally predicted that First Solar's stock would open somewhere between $16 and $18 a share. But on the morning of November 17, shares of First Solar opened at $25 a share, and never looked back.
Today it trades for $227 a share!
And it commands a market cap of $17.2 BILLION! And that's on sales of $237 million.
Solar's Sunny Days
With the solar energy industry booming, there's been a trickle-down effect, too. Any company directly or indirectly connected with solar is benefiting.
Again, take a look at MEMC Electronic Materials, for example. It's a global supplier of silicon wafer technology to the solar industry.
Its stock has soared in value, going from $1.05 in 2001 to a high today of over $80. That's a gain of nearly 5,995%.
With gains like that, investors are making fortunes in alternative energy stocks.
That's why I'm so bullish on my tiny solar panel installation stock. It's next in line for blockbuster gains.I'm predicting that every $10,000 invested will turn into $20,000 within 12 months.
Double up and you're looking at $40,000.
Sounds too good to be true? One of my favorite solar recommendations, World Water & Power (WWAT.OB), has gone from $0.14 in 2006 to over $2.50 this year.
Take a look:
Likewise, I think this new solar roof stock will easily hit $24.00 by this time next year... and maybe $77 a share (just like MEMC Electronic) within three years.
You can still pick up shares of this solar stock for less than $8 a share!
In a minute, I'll tell you how to get a piece of the action. But first, let me tell you why...
You Must Erase "Alternative" from Alternative Energy
Let me dispel a myth. "Alternative"--as in alternative energy--isn't "alternative" anymore. It's going mainstream.
Solar Fact #1:
Every hour, the sun radiates more energy onto the earth than the entire human population uses in one whole year.
Over the past several years, FedEx, Staples, the Timberland Co., Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, Macy's, Tiffany & Co, Toyota, Target, Lowe's, corporate behemoth Wal-Mart and even the U.S. Department of Defense have begun installing solar panels at their stores and facilities.
Now listen, I don't want you to be disillusioned. These companies aren't installing solar panels because they've suddenly become concerned about global warming.
No, they've installed solar panels because it'll reduce their electric bills by as much as 90% each month.
That's what's driving the boom in solar energy.
But it's a boom that still hasn't caught on with John Q. Investor.
In fact, the ordinary investor doesn't have a clue about the potential in these stocks. Let me explain...
It wasn't that long ago that I attended the Solar Power Conference and Expo in Washington, D.C.
It's one of the largest, most influential future and clean energy conferences in America, where policymakers and leaders in the energy industries learn about the latest in solar technologies.
It was there that I had an epiphany.
You see, while attending a press conference with Senator Lamar Alexander (chairman of the subcommittee on energy) and three of the most powerful CEOs in the solar industry, I made an important and profitable discovery--one that has already made some investors a lot of money!
Solar Fact #2:
"As prices for coal, natural gas and oil have soared, solar power has been getting perhaps its most serious look from investors since President Jimmy Carter pulled on a cardigan and asked Americans to damp their furnaces. The new interest means that the handful of domestic solar stocks has been surging, too."--The New York Times, September 11th, 2005
On that Friday afternoon, in a makeshift pressroom in the basement of the Hyatt Regency hotel, only eight journalists were meticulously taking notes.
Eight journalists! That's it!
That's when I realized the average investor is still clueless as to just how lucrative this market is.
But that's OK. Because while these guys sleep through what is already shaping up to be one of the most profitable markets of the 21st century, a group of wise investors is making a fortune in solar.
In fact, the last solar manufacturer I recommended has already delivered gains of more than 245% in the past six months.
But I'm expecting even more from this next one.
Let me show you why, of all the publicly traded solar companies, this is the one you must own.
$40 to 50 billion in revenue by 2010
During the energy crisis of the 1970s, serious interest in solar technology took hold in the U.S. But due to prohibitive prices, large-scale applications were nearly impossible.
However, in 2008, with oil trading over $90 a barrel, interest in solar has returned. Only this time, PV is cost-effective.
In 1976, the average selling price per watt was about $100. Today it's significantly less. Take a look:
With such a drastic reduction in price, coupled with the ever-increasing price of oil, it's no wonder that both residential and industrial consumers are starting to flock towards solar alternatives.
In fact, since 2001, the global photovoltaic market has averaged about 40% annual growth. And this year alone, PV production is expected to reach 1.5 gigawatts, representing approximately $11 billion in revenue. That's double its level in 2003.
By 2010, analysts estimate global PV manufacturing will be sufficient to meet one third of new U.S. electric demand annually--representing $40 to 50 billion in revenue!
There's no doubt the PV business is booming.
Mother Nature is bullish on solar!
Something very important is going to happen this winter that's going to push the renewable energy market to new heights--especially solar!
INCREASING THE VALUE OF YOUR HOME:
According to a recent study from the Appraisal Institute, the selling price of homes increases by $20.73 for every $1 decrease in annual electric bills. Using this 20:1 multiplier, a typical 3kW system--costing about $12,000 after incentives and saving about $1,000 in annual energy costs--will increase the value of your home by $20,000.
This winter, Americans will pay nearly twice as much as they paid last year in heating bills.
And mark my words, when the first really nasty cold snap forces consumers (especially business owners) to jack their thermostats past 70, the market is going to warm up to solar, fast!
Here's why...
Over the past two years, the solar industry has hit new highs every time Mother Nature reminded us who's boss.
Last summer, for example, Arizona had record peak usage and almost maxed out capacity when the state endured record-breaking temperatures as high as 108 degrees Fahrenheit.
And only a few days after hurricane Katrina ripped New Orleans to shreds (and devoured its electrical grid), solar stocks soared.
Of course, these are two examples where Mother Nature's effect on energy supplies was relatively short-lived.
But a little later this year will be the beginning of at least three to four months of blistering cold weather--and overwhelming heating bills.
It will be a cold and hard wake-up call for most of the country when we finally realize that natural gas and fossil fuels are no longer cheap and abundant. And the reality of renewable energy is going to take hold more strongly than you've ever seen before.
And one company that's going to exploit this for everything it's worth is featured in my special report, SB-1 Energy Dividends.
Solar Fact #3:
"Few power-generation technologies have as little impact on the environment as photovoltaics. As it quietly generates electricity from light, PV produces no air pollution or hazardous waste. It doesn't require liquid or gaseous fuels to be transported or combusted. And because its energy source--sunlight--is free and abundant, PV systems can guarantee access to electric power."--U.S. Department of Energy
In this report I outline why this solar company--with a market cap of just $220 million--stands to profit more than almost any other solar energy company on the planet.
Even when matched against industry giants like Sharp, Kyocera and BP Solar!
But you have to act fast.
Energy legislation is scorching hot on the Hill right now.
And the extension of the solar tax credit is right around the corner.
The last solar tax credit extension for just one year pushed solar through the roof.
Just imagine what this next eight-year extension's going to do!
Rest assured, this thing's going to get passed. And really, for no other reason than that every politician in Washington knows this one's a big-time vote-getter.
That's why I want you to buy this solar energy stock right now, before it goes up any further.
And that's why I want to offer you my latest report, SB-1 Energy Dividends, completely FREE of charge when you become a member of my cutting-edge investment service, Green Chip Stocks.
Let me explain...
Welcome to Green Chip Stocks
Green Chip Stocks represents the most important stocks traded today, for one simple reason--these are the stocks that will be the catalysts for the first real profit trend of the 21st century.
A profit trend that is already worth more than $30 billion in its infancy!
Grabbing your share now is like getting a piece of the automobile market back in 1908. And I don't mean just Ford, either. I'm talking about the market as a whole. Oil, rubber tires, road construction, etc.
Turning the Green Movement into Mountains of Greenbacks
Let me introduce myself. My name is Jeff Siegel.
I worked for one of America's largest financial publishers 1994 to 2001, learning about the financial markets from some of the top investment minds in the world.
For the past six years, I've been traveling the world investigating the current state and the future of energy.
My travels have taken me to Rome, London, New York... and everywhere in between.
Now, I was taught that the time to invest in a stock or industry is when nobody is talking about it. You sell it when everybody is talking about it.
And that's why I'm writing to you today. Even though solar stocks are rising, the solar industry is where the oil industry was in 1920 -- it's still an infant!
I have a report I want to give you for joining my investment service, Green Chip Stocks.
The report is SB-1 Energy Dividends. This report features my favorite energy stock, the only publicly-traded solar panel company in America.
Now trading for less than $9 a share, I think this stock is a potential blockbuster that could return over 200% in just 12 months.
Simply fill out your membership form and I'll immediately send you a username and password that'll give you access to the report.
Plus, when you join Green Chip Stocks, you'll receive my members-only weekly letter, which updates you on current positions and alerts you to new stocks I'm recommending.
So, you get the report, SB-1 Energy Dividends, plus 52 issues of Green Chip Stocks.
Not a bad deal... for just $79 a year.
Especially when you consider our track record.
The fact is, we were the first to launch this kind of service focusing strictly on "green" markets.
And we were the first to bring our readers stocks like XsunX (XSNX.OB), which we sold for a 545.95% gain, and Regi U.S. (RGUS.OB), which we sold for a 218% gain, and Wild Oats (OATS:NASDAQ), which we sold for a 74.5% gain.
For less than $0.22 a day, you just can't beat gains like that!
If at any time you're not completely satisfied with the quality of service and commentary offered, simply cancel before 30 days and I'll refund every penny.
And this next one--our $7 solar installation stock--is already shaping up to be our next triple-bagger.
So don't wait.
Get it now while it's still trading below $7.
Sincerely,
Jeff Siegel
P.S. - Become a member today, and I'll also throw in my special report, Tapping the $1.42 Trillion Vein. This report highlights opportunities in the burgeoning green building market, and more importantly, gives you the insight you'll need to profit from a market that's worth more than $1 Trillion. That's right, trillion…with a T!
http://www.angelnexus.com/o/op/4755
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Wind farm in chathem kent
Focus on jobs, says chamber; Welcoming Wind farms, but adds community needs more good-paying jobs
Posted By BOB BOUGHNER
Posted 36 mins ago
A proposed $300 million wind energy industry is a plus for Chatham-Kent, but won't create the thousands of good-paying jobs the municipality badly needs, says Brent DeNure.
DeNure, newly-elected president of the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce, is calling on Mayor Randy Hope and council to step up efforts to attract new manufacturing and processing industries to the area.
His remarks were contained in a speech scheduled to be delivered Tuesday night. It was postponed due to time limitations, but The Daily News received a copy.
"Wind farms are a definite plus for the municipality and show we are open for business,'' DeNure said. "The project also demonstrates that we are an eco-friendly community.''
He said the reality, however, is that the investment in the wind industry will not create a large number of good-paying jobs.
"And as great as it might seem for the municipality, I hope the wind project does not discourage other developments that might be on the horizon,'' he said.
Posted By BOB BOUGHNER
Posted 36 mins ago
A proposed $300 million wind energy industry is a plus for Chatham-Kent, but won't create the thousands of good-paying jobs the municipality badly needs, says Brent DeNure.
DeNure, newly-elected president of the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce, is calling on Mayor Randy Hope and council to step up efforts to attract new manufacturing and processing industries to the area.
His remarks were contained in a speech scheduled to be delivered Tuesday night. It was postponed due to time limitations, but The Daily News received a copy.
"Wind farms are a definite plus for the municipality and show we are open for business,'' DeNure said. "The project also demonstrates that we are an eco-friendly community.''
He said the reality, however, is that the investment in the wind industry will not create a large number of good-paying jobs.
"And as great as it might seem for the municipality, I hope the wind project does not discourage other developments that might be on the horizon,'' he said.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
High oil prices -ousing reduction in volume
another example of greed
Bizarre Economics: Why High Oil Prices Have Reduced SupplyBy Matt Badiali, editor, S&A Oil Report High oil prices are reducing oil supply.
Nationalization changes that calculation entirely. Companies still take all the risk, but governments bank all the rewards. Less return to oil companies means less investment in exploration. In the end, nationalization will lead to much higher oil prices.
Hugo Chavez hired his cousin to run PDVSA, the state oil company. In spite of record oil prices, the company ran up $12 billion in debt in 2007. In addition, it could wind up responsible for another $10 billion in compensation to Exxon.
That kind of nepotism will eventually destroy the petroleum industry in many of these countries, much as it's done in Mexico. Pemex, the national oil company, is now more than $42 billion in debt, and its single best asset, the Cantarell field, is a debacle. Its production is declining precipitously (down 28% in 2006 alone).
In the meantime, demand for oil is rising... relentlessly.
China, for example, plans to build at least eight 200,000-barrel-per-day refineries in the next five years, which will compete with the U.S. refiners for supply. And, paradoxically, higher oil prices have led to higher demand in the Middle East, as oil wealth trickles down.
So where does that leave us?
Canada. Much of the world – and its oil companies – have turned to Canada for a solution. Canada holds some of the largest untapped oil reserves. It's in the most politically stable region of the world. It's protected by the world's greatest military power.
Bizarre Economics: Why High Oil Prices Have Reduced SupplyBy Matt Badiali, editor, S&A Oil Report High oil prices are reducing oil supply.
Nationalization changes that calculation entirely. Companies still take all the risk, but governments bank all the rewards. Less return to oil companies means less investment in exploration. In the end, nationalization will lead to much higher oil prices.
Hugo Chavez hired his cousin to run PDVSA, the state oil company. In spite of record oil prices, the company ran up $12 billion in debt in 2007. In addition, it could wind up responsible for another $10 billion in compensation to Exxon.
That kind of nepotism will eventually destroy the petroleum industry in many of these countries, much as it's done in Mexico. Pemex, the national oil company, is now more than $42 billion in debt, and its single best asset, the Cantarell field, is a debacle. Its production is declining precipitously (down 28% in 2006 alone).
In the meantime, demand for oil is rising... relentlessly.
China, for example, plans to build at least eight 200,000-barrel-per-day refineries in the next five years, which will compete with the U.S. refiners for supply. And, paradoxically, higher oil prices have led to higher demand in the Middle East, as oil wealth trickles down.
So where does that leave us?
Canada. Much of the world – and its oil companies – have turned to Canada for a solution. Canada holds some of the largest untapped oil reserves. It's in the most politically stable region of the world. It's protected by the world's greatest military power.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
BIO news
What will this do to the sugar price? Are they using the by product?
Latin America could become biofuel player OAK RIDGE, Tenn. (UPI) -- Latin American countries could become major suppliers of ethanol for world markets in the future, an Oak Ridge (Tenn.) National Laboratory report says.
The ORNL study, part of a larger Department of Energy project, focused on the importance of Brazil's sugarcane industry in world trade in fuel ethanol.
ORNL researchers projected that Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and members of the Caribbean Basin Initiative could produce enough feedstock for more than 30 billion gallons of ethanol annually by 2017.
Researchers said about 40 percent of the projected supply is based on the potential of new technology to produce advanced biofuels from cellulosic feedstock that uses residues and forestry byproducts.
"Current feedstock production, based on traditional crops such as sugarcane, soybeans and palm oil, has the potential to double or triple by 2017 in some cases," said researcher Gbadebo Oladosu.
The results suggest that a larger portion of U.S. fossil fuel imports that now come from Africa and the Middle East could be replaced by the renewable biofuels.
"The potential for future biofuel feedstock production in Latin America offers interesting opportunities for the U.S. and developing nations," ORNL researcher Keith Kline said.
Latin America could become biofuel player OAK RIDGE, Tenn. (UPI) -- Latin American countries could become major suppliers of ethanol for world markets in the future, an Oak Ridge (Tenn.) National Laboratory report says.
The ORNL study, part of a larger Department of Energy project, focused on the importance of Brazil's sugarcane industry in world trade in fuel ethanol.
ORNL researchers projected that Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and members of the Caribbean Basin Initiative could produce enough feedstock for more than 30 billion gallons of ethanol annually by 2017.
Researchers said about 40 percent of the projected supply is based on the potential of new technology to produce advanced biofuels from cellulosic feedstock that uses residues and forestry byproducts.
"Current feedstock production, based on traditional crops such as sugarcane, soybeans and palm oil, has the potential to double or triple by 2017 in some cases," said researcher Gbadebo Oladosu.
The results suggest that a larger portion of U.S. fossil fuel imports that now come from Africa and the Middle East could be replaced by the renewable biofuels.
"The potential for future biofuel feedstock production in Latin America offers interesting opportunities for the U.S. and developing nations," ORNL researcher Keith Kline said.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
heat as a green solution
Study: Car exhaust heat may power vehicles CARDIFF, Wales (UPI) -- Welsh scientists are investigating the possible use of heat generated from automobile exhausts to provide a greener power supply for vehicles.
Cardiff University Professor Mike Rowe and colleagues are researching thermoelectric generation -- employing thermocouples to convert heat into electricity. The scientists said such conversion technology is used in controlling central heating systems or refrigerator temperatures and might be able to generate electricity from the waste heat in vehicles.
"The main interest in cars is to decrease (fuel) consumption and reduce CO2 emissions," said Rowe. "If you can utilize the exhaust heat, you could replace the alternator. This would provide a 5 percent saving in fuel straightaway."
Although U.S. auto makers have expressed interest in such technology, Rowe said interest has been lacking in the United Kingdom.
"Thermoelectric generation is a green solution," he added. "It can in many instances cost less than solar energy. It has huge future potential, yet it has been neglected to date in the United Kingdom."
Cardiff University Professor Mike Rowe and colleagues are researching thermoelectric generation -- employing thermocouples to convert heat into electricity. The scientists said such conversion technology is used in controlling central heating systems or refrigerator temperatures and might be able to generate electricity from the waste heat in vehicles.
"The main interest in cars is to decrease (fuel) consumption and reduce CO2 emissions," said Rowe. "If you can utilize the exhaust heat, you could replace the alternator. This would provide a 5 percent saving in fuel straightaway."
Although U.S. auto makers have expressed interest in such technology, Rowe said interest has been lacking in the United Kingdom.
"Thermoelectric generation is a green solution," he added. "It can in many instances cost less than solar energy. It has huge future potential, yet it has been neglected to date in the United Kingdom."
Friday, February 08, 2008
SkySails - Turn Wind into Profit
SkySails - Turn Wind into Profit: "W I N D P O W E R U S E D P R O F I T A B L Y
It's a simple fact: wind is cheaper than oil and the most cost-effective offshore energy source. Yet, despite its attractive saving potential, it is not presently being used by cargo ships - for a simple reason: so far no sailing system has met the requirements of commercial shipping.
SkySails is now offering a wind propulsion system based on large towing kites, which, for the first time, meets the requirements of shipping companies.
By using the SkySails-System, a ship‘s fuel costs can be reduced by 10- 35% on annual average, depending on wind conditions. Under optimal wind conditions, fuel consumption can temporarily be reduced by up to 50%."
It's a simple fact: wind is cheaper than oil and the most cost-effective offshore energy source. Yet, despite its attractive saving potential, it is not presently being used by cargo ships - for a simple reason: so far no sailing system has met the requirements of commercial shipping.
SkySails is now offering a wind propulsion system based on large towing kites, which, for the first time, meets the requirements of shipping companies.
By using the SkySails-System, a ship‘s fuel costs can be reduced by 10- 35% on annual average, depending on wind conditions. Under optimal wind conditions, fuel consumption can temporarily be reduced by up to 50%."
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Car oil dependancy
Q: Is the U.S. actually "addicted" to Middle Eastern oil? Who do we import the bulk of our oil from?
A: I love this question, because our own president bowed to the uninformed public's pressure (what a surprise). In a speech on January 31, 2006, the president announced that the nation was addicted to oil. He didn't name the Middle East per se, but said we import our oil from "...unstable parts of the world."
I think the general public assumes that the Middle East is the source of our imported oil. But that assumption is wrong...
We produce 40% of the oil we consume right here in the U.S. And as far as being addicted to Middle East oil, look at this breakdown of U.S. oil imports:
Country % of Oil Imports
Canada 18%
Persian Gulf 16%
Saudi Arabia 11%
Mexico 11%
Venezuela 10%
Nigeria 8%
Algeria 5%
As you can see, we import more oil from Canada than we do from all the Persian Gulf states. It's the Canadians' fault, eh? Both Mexico and Venezuela are on par with the amount we import from Saudi Arabia.
OPEC oil makes up not quite half our imports, but much of that OPEC oil comes from the African members Angola, Algeria, and Nigeria, not the Middle East. Still, like in 1980s Hollywood, Middle Easterners are the scapegoats.
And truthfully, I don't agree with the idea that we're "addicted" to oil. Saying we're addicted to oil is like saying we're addicted to electricity or copper. Oil is a commodity that has elevated our society. Without oil, you have no airplanes, no Google, no Indy 500... you get the picture.
If you really want to do something meaningful about our oil imports, forget the idea of a substitute for oil. It's not about ethanol or biodiesel... That's just trading crack for heroin. Reduce your gasoline consumption. Fifty percent of the oil we consume is to produce gasoline for our cars.
Sorry to break the news to you, but that's it, that's the solution. There is no pill or patch to make it any easier. Become a one-car family... take the bus... get a fuel-efficient vehicle instead of an SUV troop carrier.
A: I love this question, because our own president bowed to the uninformed public's pressure (what a surprise). In a speech on January 31, 2006, the president announced that the nation was addicted to oil. He didn't name the Middle East per se, but said we import our oil from "...unstable parts of the world."
I think the general public assumes that the Middle East is the source of our imported oil. But that assumption is wrong...
We produce 40% of the oil we consume right here in the U.S. And as far as being addicted to Middle East oil, look at this breakdown of U.S. oil imports:
Country % of Oil Imports
Canada 18%
Persian Gulf 16%
Saudi Arabia 11%
Mexico 11%
Venezuela 10%
Nigeria 8%
Algeria 5%
As you can see, we import more oil from Canada than we do from all the Persian Gulf states. It's the Canadians' fault, eh? Both Mexico and Venezuela are on par with the amount we import from Saudi Arabia.
OPEC oil makes up not quite half our imports, but much of that OPEC oil comes from the African members Angola, Algeria, and Nigeria, not the Middle East. Still, like in 1980s Hollywood, Middle Easterners are the scapegoats.
And truthfully, I don't agree with the idea that we're "addicted" to oil. Saying we're addicted to oil is like saying we're addicted to electricity or copper. Oil is a commodity that has elevated our society. Without oil, you have no airplanes, no Google, no Indy 500... you get the picture.
If you really want to do something meaningful about our oil imports, forget the idea of a substitute for oil. It's not about ethanol or biodiesel... That's just trading crack for heroin. Reduce your gasoline consumption. Fifty percent of the oil we consume is to produce gasoline for our cars.
Sorry to break the news to you, but that's it, that's the solution. There is no pill or patch to make it any easier. Become a one-car family... take the bus... get a fuel-efficient vehicle instead of an SUV troop carrier.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Da Vinci Tower - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Da Vinci Tower - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "Da Vinci Tower"
the future?
Dynamic Architecture Building) is a proposed 313 m (1,027 ft), 68-floor tower in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.[2] The tower is expected to be architecturally innovative for several reasons. Uniquely, each floor will be able to rotate independently.[3] This will result in a constantly changing shape of the tower. Each floor will rotate a maximum of 6 metres (20 feet) per minute, or one full rotation in 90 minutes.[3][1] It will also be the world's first prefabricated skyscraper.[1] 90% of the tower will be built in a factory and shipped to the construction site.[1] This will allow the entire building to be built in only 18 months.[1] The only part of the tower that will be built at the construction site will be the core.[1] Part of this prefrabrication will be the decrease in cost and number of workers. The total cost will be 23% less than a normal skyscraper of the same size, while only 90 people will work on the construction site.[4] The majority of the workers will be in factories, where it will be much safer.[4] The entire tower will be powered from turbines and solar panels, and five other buildings in the vicinity will also be provided with electricity.[2] The turbines will be located between each of the rotating floors.[5] They will generate 1,200,000 kilowatt-hours of energy from the movement of the floors, and the solar panels will be located on the roof.[2][5][4] Construction of the Da Vinci Tower, if built, is expected to be completed in 2009.
the future?
Dynamic Architecture Building) is a proposed 313 m (1,027 ft), 68-floor tower in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.[2] The tower is expected to be architecturally innovative for several reasons. Uniquely, each floor will be able to rotate independently.[3] This will result in a constantly changing shape of the tower. Each floor will rotate a maximum of 6 metres (20 feet) per minute, or one full rotation in 90 minutes.[3][1] It will also be the world's first prefabricated skyscraper.[1] 90% of the tower will be built in a factory and shipped to the construction site.[1] This will allow the entire building to be built in only 18 months.[1] The only part of the tower that will be built at the construction site will be the core.[1] Part of this prefrabrication will be the decrease in cost and number of workers. The total cost will be 23% less than a normal skyscraper of the same size, while only 90 people will work on the construction site.[4] The majority of the workers will be in factories, where it will be much safer.[4] The entire tower will be powered from turbines and solar panels, and five other buildings in the vicinity will also be provided with electricity.[2] The turbines will be located between each of the rotating floors.[5] They will generate 1,200,000 kilowatt-hours of energy from the movement of the floors, and the solar panels will be located on the roof.[2][5][4] Construction of the Da Vinci Tower, if built, is expected to be completed in 2009.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Google's Philanthropy Funds Renewable Energy, Electric Cars
By: GreenBiz.com
MOUTAIN VIEW, Calif., Jan. 18, 2008 -- Google.org's announcement to spend more than $25 million in new grants and investments includes money for monitoring and predicating the effects of climate change, producing renewable energy cheaper than coal, and supporting plug-in vehicles. Google.org, the philanthropic arm of Google, announced yesterday a number of initiatives it will support over the next five to ten years. Company founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin have committed to devote about one percent of the company's equity and one percent of annual profits, as well as employee time, to philanthropy. The company’s Renewable Energy Cheaper Than Coal initiative was launched late last year, and it will give $10 million to eSolar, a Pasadena, Calif., company focused on solar thermal power, which uses heat from solar energy instead of fuel in power plants.
Google.org will also invest amounts from $500,000 to $2 million in selected for-profit companies working on commercializing electric vehicles. One of the group’s initiatives, RechargeIT, aims to accelerate the adoption of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, electric vehicles and vehicle-to-grid technology. An additional environmental investment, $600,000 will go to Clark University to develop a system for monitoring, analyzing and predicting the impacts of climate change on ecosystems, food and health in Africa and the Amazon. The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation will provide an additional $600,000 for the effort. The system is aimed at providing environmental, health and development data, information and analysis tools over the Internet for free. The other philanthropic initiatives include money for improving detection and response to global health and humanitarian crises, strengthening national and sub-regional disease surveillance systems in the Mekong Basin area, assessing education and bettering planning in India, and supporting enterprises, job creation and poverty alleviation globally.
Print
By: GreenBiz.com
MOUTAIN VIEW, Calif., Jan. 18, 2008 -- Google.org's announcement to spend more than $25 million in new grants and investments includes money for monitoring and predicating the effects of climate change, producing renewable energy cheaper than coal, and supporting plug-in vehicles. Google.org, the philanthropic arm of Google, announced yesterday a number of initiatives it will support over the next five to ten years. Company founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin have committed to devote about one percent of the company's equity and one percent of annual profits, as well as employee time, to philanthropy. The company’s Renewable Energy Cheaper Than Coal initiative was launched late last year, and it will give $10 million to eSolar, a Pasadena, Calif., company focused on solar thermal power, which uses heat from solar energy instead of fuel in power plants.
Google.org will also invest amounts from $500,000 to $2 million in selected for-profit companies working on commercializing electric vehicles. One of the group’s initiatives, RechargeIT, aims to accelerate the adoption of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, electric vehicles and vehicle-to-grid technology. An additional environmental investment, $600,000 will go to Clark University to develop a system for monitoring, analyzing and predicting the impacts of climate change on ecosystems, food and health in Africa and the Amazon. The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation will provide an additional $600,000 for the effort. The system is aimed at providing environmental, health and development data, information and analysis tools over the Internet for free. The other philanthropic initiatives include money for improving detection and response to global health and humanitarian crises, strengthening national and sub-regional disease surveillance systems in the Mekong Basin area, assessing education and bettering planning in India, and supporting enterprises, job creation and poverty alleviation globally.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Photos: Solar power for the masses of gadgets | TechRepublic Photo Gallery
Photos: Solar power for the masses of gadgets TechRepublic Photo Gallery: "Photos: Solar power for the masses of gadgets"
interesting
interesting
new energy technology
Coskata's process is feedstock flexible, and enables the use of cost- effective, locally abundant materials to achieve the lowest ethanol production cost targets in the industry. This groundbreaking approach addresses many of the constraints lodged against current renewable energy options, including environmental, transportation and land use concerns.
Using patented microorganisms and transformative bioreactor designs, Coskata ethanol is produced via a unique three-step conversion process that turns virtually any carbon-based feedstock, including biomass, municipal solid waste, bagasse and other agricultural waste into ethanol, making production a possibility in almost any geography. Coskata's process technology is ethanol- specific and enzyme independent, requiring no additional chemicals or pre- treatments; environmentally superior, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 84% compared to conventional gasoline; and has the ability to generate 7.7 times as much energy as is required to produce the ethanol, compared to corn ethanol which generates approximately 1.3 times as much energy according to Argonne National Labs.
"Our technology and proprietary process have been validated by some of the world's most renowned research labs, universities and energy companies," said Bill Roe, CEO of Coskata. "Coskata is poised to revolutionize the ethanol industry with the backing of GM and our partners. Together, we can make ethanol a viable transportation fuel with production costs of under $1 per gallon."
Coskata is working closely with leading research institutions focused on renewable energy to bring this compelling syngas-to-ethanol process technology to market, including Oklahoma State University, The University of Oklahoma, Brigham Young University and Argonne National Laboratory. Founded in 2006 by Todd Kimmel and Dr. Rathin Datta, the company has compiled a strong IP portfolio of patents, trade secrets and know-how and assembled a first-class management team.
"Coskata's announcement is a perfect example of the evolutionary state of the ethanol industry," said Bob Dinneen, president of the Renewable Fuels Association, the national trade association for the U.S. ethanol industry. "Building on the solid foundation grain-based ethanol production has provided, and partnering with companies like General Motors that have demonstrated a commitment to renewable fuels, Coskata demonstrates what is possible when financial and intellectual capital are applied to solving the growing energy crisis in the United States."
Using patented microorganisms and transformative bioreactor designs, Coskata ethanol is produced via a unique three-step conversion process that turns virtually any carbon-based feedstock, including biomass, municipal solid waste, bagasse and other agricultural waste into ethanol, making production a possibility in almost any geography. Coskata's process technology is ethanol- specific and enzyme independent, requiring no additional chemicals or pre- treatments; environmentally superior, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 84% compared to conventional gasoline; and has the ability to generate 7.7 times as much energy as is required to produce the ethanol, compared to corn ethanol which generates approximately 1.3 times as much energy according to Argonne National Labs.
"Our technology and proprietary process have been validated by some of the world's most renowned research labs, universities and energy companies," said Bill Roe, CEO of Coskata. "Coskata is poised to revolutionize the ethanol industry with the backing of GM and our partners. Together, we can make ethanol a viable transportation fuel with production costs of under $1 per gallon."
Coskata is working closely with leading research institutions focused on renewable energy to bring this compelling syngas-to-ethanol process technology to market, including Oklahoma State University, The University of Oklahoma, Brigham Young University and Argonne National Laboratory. Founded in 2006 by Todd Kimmel and Dr. Rathin Datta, the company has compiled a strong IP portfolio of patents, trade secrets and know-how and assembled a first-class management team.
"Coskata's announcement is a perfect example of the evolutionary state of the ethanol industry," said Bob Dinneen, president of the Renewable Fuels Association, the national trade association for the U.S. ethanol industry. "Building on the solid foundation grain-based ethanol production has provided, and partnering with companies like General Motors that have demonstrated a commitment to renewable fuels, Coskata demonstrates what is possible when financial and intellectual capital are applied to solving the growing energy crisis in the United States."
principles of success
personal growth Jack Canfield's Seven Principles of Success and Happiness
jack Canfield has made the study of success in one's personal and professional lives his own life's work. He has interviewed hundreds of successful people, read more than 3,000 books on success and given thousands of lectures on the topic. Now Canfield has boiled down everything that he has learned about success into his new book, The Success Principles: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be (Harper). Some of those principles, such as the importance of goal setting, are well-known. Others are just as crucial but not commonly understood.
Here, Canfield reveals the principles of success that are most often overlooked.
Develop four new good habits each year. Most of everything we do is based on ritual. We eat at certain restaurants... wear certain clothes... brush our teeth in a certain way... and watch certain TV shows simply because that is what we have always done. These are our habits, and we perform them without really thinking.
The trouble with habits is that they preserve the status quo, making dramatic improvement unlikely. If we want more out of life, we must be willing to evaluate and replace some of our rituals with more productive ones.
Example: Instead of spending the hour after dinner watching TV, go for a brisk walk... study a second language... read a book... or make the extra sales calls that you need to advance your career.
It takes a minimum of 25 days for the brain to build the neural links required to make a new behavior a habit. I suggest practicing a new habit for three months to ensure that it sinks in. Once it becomes second nature, add another new habit. At three months per habit, there's time to add four each year. In five years, you will have 20 new habits that will help
fuel your success.
Practice appreciation. Studies of employee motivation inevitably find that feeling appreciated is the single greatest motivator in the workplace, even ahead of higher wages. Yet many people fail to put the power of appreciation to full use in their business and personal lives.
When you show people that you appreciate them, you not only make them feel better, you make yourself more successful. People are more likely to help you achieve your goals if they believe that you appreciate their efforts. There's no downside -- appreciation costs nothing, and no one has ever complained about being over-appreciated.
Helpful: I used to carry in my pocket an index card with 10 circles on it. Every time I let someone know that I appreciated him/her, I filled in one of the circles. If at the end of the day I hadn't filled in all 10, I sent out appreciative E-mails. After a few months, showing appreciation became second nature for me, and I no longer had to carry the cards. I haven't had anyone leave my nine-employee company in more than five years. I attribute a big part of that loyalty to everyone feeling appreciated.
Solicit and respect feedback. Rather than guess how you're doing, ask. Periodically ask employees, employers, customers and loved ones to rate your performance on a scale of one to 10. If the answer is anything less than 10, ask, "What would it take to make it a 10?"
If you follow this strategy, you're encouraging people to help you become great. The main reason that people don't solicit feedback is because they're afraid of what they might hear -- but the information we can obtain is worth facing such fears.
Not all feedback is accurate, but watch for patterns and never get angry at the source, even if you disagree.
Keep all of your agreements. When you break an agreement, the person you let down loses faith in you and is less likely to want to work with you in the future. Even more important, you lose some faith in yourself. It's all but impossible to become a success if you don't have faith in yourself.
To avoid breaking agreements, teach yourself to say no to things that you would rather not do. Then you won't have to back out later. Write down everything you agree to do on your calendar as soon as a commitment is made -- you would be surprised by how many people don't do this.
If you must break an agreement, let the other parties involved know as soon as possible, and do everything in your power to fix any problems that the broken agreement creates for them.
Exceed expectations. Don't ask yourself, How can I get a little more out of this situation? Instead, ask, How can I give a little more to those around me? Sacrificing usually isn't a sacrifice -- it's a path to success. If you consistently go the extra mile for clients, colleagues, employers, family and friends, you'll earn their loyalty for life.
Example: When UPS went on strike, David Morris, the owner of Dillanos, a small, Seattle-based coffee roasting company, rented a truck and drove 2,320 miles to deliver an order to a small client in Southern California. That client, It's a Grind Coffee House, is now a large franchise with 50 stores and an additional 100 planned. It is Dillanos's largest customer and has remained loyal to Dillanos because of the extra effort Morris put in years ago.
Reject rejection. Rejection does not prevent success -- fear of rejection does. What stops a man from asking an attractive woman out on a date? What stops an inexperienced salesman from asking the most successful salesman at his firm for advice? They're afraid of rejection -- afraid that if they ask, the answer might be no. But there's absolutely no rational reason to fear rejection.
Example: You ask a successful person to give you career advice, and he says no. You didn't have his advice before you asked, and you don't have his advice after. You're no worse off than when you began, so why be afraid of asking?
If you want to be a success, you must treat rejection as an illusion -- a negative response conjured up by your mind that really doesn't exist.
Eliminate small obstacles. Make a list of the problems that you would like to remove from your life -- include even minor things, such as a lamp that doesn't work right. Schedule a day or two to fix as many of these problems as you can, starting with the easiest to solve.
In this way, you'll get into the habit of thinking, I know what I want, I know how to get it. Once you're in this mindset, you'll stop resigning yourself to your current situation and start making larger positive changes as well.
jack Canfield has made the study of success in one's personal and professional lives his own life's work. He has interviewed hundreds of successful people, read more than 3,000 books on success and given thousands of lectures on the topic. Now Canfield has boiled down everything that he has learned about success into his new book, The Success Principles: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be (Harper). Some of those principles, such as the importance of goal setting, are well-known. Others are just as crucial but not commonly understood.
Here, Canfield reveals the principles of success that are most often overlooked.
Develop four new good habits each year. Most of everything we do is based on ritual. We eat at certain restaurants... wear certain clothes... brush our teeth in a certain way... and watch certain TV shows simply because that is what we have always done. These are our habits, and we perform them without really thinking.
The trouble with habits is that they preserve the status quo, making dramatic improvement unlikely. If we want more out of life, we must be willing to evaluate and replace some of our rituals with more productive ones.
Example: Instead of spending the hour after dinner watching TV, go for a brisk walk... study a second language... read a book... or make the extra sales calls that you need to advance your career.
It takes a minimum of 25 days for the brain to build the neural links required to make a new behavior a habit. I suggest practicing a new habit for three months to ensure that it sinks in. Once it becomes second nature, add another new habit. At three months per habit, there's time to add four each year. In five years, you will have 20 new habits that will help
fuel your success.
Practice appreciation. Studies of employee motivation inevitably find that feeling appreciated is the single greatest motivator in the workplace, even ahead of higher wages. Yet many people fail to put the power of appreciation to full use in their business and personal lives.
When you show people that you appreciate them, you not only make them feel better, you make yourself more successful. People are more likely to help you achieve your goals if they believe that you appreciate their efforts. There's no downside -- appreciation costs nothing, and no one has ever complained about being over-appreciated.
Helpful: I used to carry in my pocket an index card with 10 circles on it. Every time I let someone know that I appreciated him/her, I filled in one of the circles. If at the end of the day I hadn't filled in all 10, I sent out appreciative E-mails. After a few months, showing appreciation became second nature for me, and I no longer had to carry the cards. I haven't had anyone leave my nine-employee company in more than five years. I attribute a big part of that loyalty to everyone feeling appreciated.
Solicit and respect feedback. Rather than guess how you're doing, ask. Periodically ask employees, employers, customers and loved ones to rate your performance on a scale of one to 10. If the answer is anything less than 10, ask, "What would it take to make it a 10?"
If you follow this strategy, you're encouraging people to help you become great. The main reason that people don't solicit feedback is because they're afraid of what they might hear -- but the information we can obtain is worth facing such fears.
Not all feedback is accurate, but watch for patterns and never get angry at the source, even if you disagree.
Keep all of your agreements. When you break an agreement, the person you let down loses faith in you and is less likely to want to work with you in the future. Even more important, you lose some faith in yourself. It's all but impossible to become a success if you don't have faith in yourself.
To avoid breaking agreements, teach yourself to say no to things that you would rather not do. Then you won't have to back out later. Write down everything you agree to do on your calendar as soon as a commitment is made -- you would be surprised by how many people don't do this.
If you must break an agreement, let the other parties involved know as soon as possible, and do everything in your power to fix any problems that the broken agreement creates for them.
Exceed expectations. Don't ask yourself, How can I get a little more out of this situation? Instead, ask, How can I give a little more to those around me? Sacrificing usually isn't a sacrifice -- it's a path to success. If you consistently go the extra mile for clients, colleagues, employers, family and friends, you'll earn their loyalty for life.
Example: When UPS went on strike, David Morris, the owner of Dillanos, a small, Seattle-based coffee roasting company, rented a truck and drove 2,320 miles to deliver an order to a small client in Southern California. That client, It's a Grind Coffee House, is now a large franchise with 50 stores and an additional 100 planned. It is Dillanos's largest customer and has remained loyal to Dillanos because of the extra effort Morris put in years ago.
Reject rejection. Rejection does not prevent success -- fear of rejection does. What stops a man from asking an attractive woman out on a date? What stops an inexperienced salesman from asking the most successful salesman at his firm for advice? They're afraid of rejection -- afraid that if they ask, the answer might be no. But there's absolutely no rational reason to fear rejection.
Example: You ask a successful person to give you career advice, and he says no. You didn't have his advice before you asked, and you don't have his advice after. You're no worse off than when you began, so why be afraid of asking?
If you want to be a success, you must treat rejection as an illusion -- a negative response conjured up by your mind that really doesn't exist.
Eliminate small obstacles. Make a list of the problems that you would like to remove from your life -- include even minor things, such as a lamp that doesn't work right. Schedule a day or two to fix as many of these problems as you can, starting with the easiest to solve.
In this way, you'll get into the habit of thinking, I know what I want, I know how to get it. Once you're in this mindset, you'll stop resigning yourself to your current situation and start making larger positive changes as well.
Monday, December 17, 2007
reportonbusiness.com: Radler sentenced to 29 months
reportonbusiness.com: Radler sentenced to 29 months: "Mr. Radler, 65, helped build Hollinger with Lord Black over more than three decades. At its peak the company operated newspapers across Canada, the United States, Britain and Israel. However, when prosecutors began probing allegations of fraud in 2004, Mr. Radler quickly cut a deal. He co-operated with investigators for months before reaching a plea agreement in September, 2005.
He instantly became the prosecution's star witness against Lord Black and the others. During the trial last spring, Mr. Radler testified for eight days, offering details about two key phone calls he had with Lord Black in which they hatched the scheme to defraud the company. However, under fierce cross examination by defence lawyers, Mr. Radler's credibility suffered and he was constantly labelled a liar. By the end of the trial, lead prosecutor Eric Sussman told jurors that they could ignore Mr. Radler's testimony.
In court filings, Mr. Radler's lawyers have said that he has faced public scorn and suffered extreme hardship as a result of his co-operation. They also said Mr. Radler acknowledges that what he did was wrong and he is sorry.
Today's ruling by Judge St. Eve comes a week after she sentenced Lord Black to 6.5 years in prison and fined him $125,000 on fraud and obstruction of justice charges. Co-defendants Peter Atkinson and John Boultbee received 24 and 27 months respectively for fraud. The other defendant Mark Kipnis received six months under house arrest for fraud. All four are also on the hook for $6.1-million in forfeiture. Judge St. Eve is expected to rule soon on how much each man must pay. Mr. Radler is not included in the forfeiture order."
The rat is sorry - tsk tsk how hard to believe PR
He instantly became the prosecution's star witness against Lord Black and the others. During the trial last spring, Mr. Radler testified for eight days, offering details about two key phone calls he had with Lord Black in which they hatched the scheme to defraud the company. However, under fierce cross examination by defence lawyers, Mr. Radler's credibility suffered and he was constantly labelled a liar. By the end of the trial, lead prosecutor Eric Sussman told jurors that they could ignore Mr. Radler's testimony.
In court filings, Mr. Radler's lawyers have said that he has faced public scorn and suffered extreme hardship as a result of his co-operation. They also said Mr. Radler acknowledges that what he did was wrong and he is sorry.
Today's ruling by Judge St. Eve comes a week after she sentenced Lord Black to 6.5 years in prison and fined him $125,000 on fraud and obstruction of justice charges. Co-defendants Peter Atkinson and John Boultbee received 24 and 27 months respectively for fraud. The other defendant Mark Kipnis received six months under house arrest for fraud. All four are also on the hook for $6.1-million in forfeiture. Judge St. Eve is expected to rule soon on how much each man must pay. Mr. Radler is not included in the forfeiture order."
The rat is sorry - tsk tsk how hard to believe PR
Innovation Predictions 2008
Innovation Predictions 2008: "Innovation Predictions 2008
Get ready for … anything. As companies, governments—indeed, entire countries—confront an array of dilemmas, the only constant will be change
by Bruce Nussbaum"
Get ready for … anything. As companies, governments—indeed, entire countries—confront an array of dilemmas, the only constant will be change
by Bruce Nussbaum"
Friday, December 14, 2007
Why high-velocity makes innovation THE word for 2007 .... - Weblog of futurist, trends and innovation expert Jim Carroll#000800
Why high-velocity makes innovation THE word for 2007 .... - Weblog of futurist, trends and innovation expert Jim Carroll#000800: "Why high-velocity makes innovation THE word for 2007 ....
Here's a reality that you need to think about: 2007 is the year in which most every organization and individual will begin to focus all their energies on innovation.
As someone who spends a lot of time helping some of the world's largest organizations adapt to and understand the new high-velocity economy, I've long realized that there are big, creative-stumbling-blocks that have restricted the type of thinking that is necessary to 'doing-things-differently.'
Yet, I am encountering a new group of leaders who know that the emergence of the high-velocity economy means that they must have a a team that can constantly adapt and evolve, coming up with a regular stream of new ideas on how to better run the business, grow the business and transform the business."
the key is to plug in with the right like minded people SHT
Here's a reality that you need to think about: 2007 is the year in which most every organization and individual will begin to focus all their energies on innovation.
As someone who spends a lot of time helping some of the world's largest organizations adapt to and understand the new high-velocity economy, I've long realized that there are big, creative-stumbling-blocks that have restricted the type of thinking that is necessary to 'doing-things-differently.'
Yet, I am encountering a new group of leaders who know that the emergence of the high-velocity economy means that they must have a a team that can constantly adapt and evolve, coming up with a regular stream of new ideas on how to better run the business, grow the business and transform the business."
the key is to plug in with the right like minded people SHT
The Google Car -- Futurist, trends & innovation expert Jim Carroll - Keynote speaker, author, columnist
The Google Car -- Futurist, trends & innovation expert Jim Carroll - Keynote speaker, author, columnist: "Business models today change at a furious pace. Since 2004, Jim has predicting that perhaps even Google will get into the car business ..... and the car will arrive with a party in a box! At one time, that seemed like a far fetched scenario."
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Power trends for 2007/8
A Power Shift- review from Business Week
Of course, given the wealth that was generated overseas in countries ranging from Russia to Dubai, the U.S. could be on the verge of a seismic shift, where it is possible to envision a time when it will no longer be the dominant economic superpower. True, it still has the world's largest economy, but others are catching up. China is clocking in its fifth consecutive year of double-digit growth, with gross domestic product expected to grow more than 11.5% in 2007. A swelling trade surplus has contributed to massive foreign exchange reserves of more than $1.4 trillion. India is seeing 9% growth. Russia and the Middle East, even Venezuela, are basking in the reflected glow of vast oil reserves, and they are using that wealth to assert their own economic independence and national direction. But there are hopeful signs. In addition to the blossoming of green technology, Led Zeppelin, the Police, and Van Halen all got back together to the delight of millions of fans around the world. Too bad about Britney, though.
Click here to see the most important trends of 2007, click here to see the most important people of 2007, and click here to see the most important products of 2007. "
Of course, given the wealth that was generated overseas in countries ranging from Russia to Dubai, the U.S. could be on the verge of a seismic shift, where it is possible to envision a time when it will no longer be the dominant economic superpower. True, it still has the world's largest economy, but others are catching up. China is clocking in its fifth consecutive year of double-digit growth, with gross domestic product expected to grow more than 11.5% in 2007. A swelling trade surplus has contributed to massive foreign exchange reserves of more than $1.4 trillion. India is seeing 9% growth. Russia and the Middle East, even Venezuela, are basking in the reflected glow of vast oil reserves, and they are using that wealth to assert their own economic independence and national direction. But there are hopeful signs. In addition to the blossoming of green technology, Led Zeppelin, the Police, and Van Halen all got back together to the delight of millions of fans around the world. Too bad about Britney, though.
Click here to see the most important trends of 2007, click here to see the most important people of 2007, and click here to see the most important products of 2007. "
Monday, December 10, 2007
Wood-the new energy
Last Thursday, Pelosi used the phrase again. And to emphasize her point, she actually held up a baseball signed by Bobby Thomson as she said it.
Pelosi's new "shot heard around the world" is a law called the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, it passed through the House of Representatives last week. This law – if stamped by the Senate – will have huge consequences on our investments.
Let me give you the details:
1. Fuel economy standards for both cars and light trucks will be raised to 35 miles per gallon by 2020. Fuel economy standards for cars haven't been altered since 1975. That's such a big change, I wonder if it's even possible. Right now the fuel economy standard is 27.2 mpg for cars and 22.2 mpg for light trucks.
2. Twenty-one billion dollars will be revoked in tax breaks to oil companies.
3. Electric utilities will be required to get 15% of their energy from renewable sources by 2020.
4. The United States will have to use 36 million gallons of biofuel per year by 2022, up from 9 million today. It can't be just ethanol either. Twenty-two million gallons must come from other "advanced biofuels," not ethanol.
5. Nine billion dollars in tax incentives will be offered to the biofuel and renewable energy industries like wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, small irrigation hydropower, ocean tides, landfill gas, and trash combustion energy.
This bill still has to pass through the Senate. Frankly, it probably won't pass in its current form. Also, President Bush has said he'd veto this bill. So there's a long way to go before it becomes law. Nevertheless, it does show the direction this country is heading in. And I want to profit from this new direction.
My favorite "green energy" investment is wood.
Most people don't realize that wood is an important source of energy. Solar, wind, and ethanol get all the attention. But the fact is, wood was the world's main source of energy until the mid-1800s. And even today, wood waste still fills about 2% of the United States' energy needs.
Last month, the Minister of Energy in Great Britain announced he was going to build the largest bio-energy power plant in the world. They will build the plant in Port Talbot, in Wales. The plant will generate 350 megawatts of power. That's enough electricity to power half the houses in Wales. This plant will run on wood chips. North America will supply these wood chips.
Producing energy from wood chips is also a priority for the U.S. democratic party. Representative Edward J. Markey, a Massachusetts democrat, specifically mentioned wood chips as a destination for the subsidies the democrats want to take away from the oil companies.
Right now, there are millions of dead pine trees all over Colorado and British Columbia as a result of the massive infestation by the Mountain Pine Beetle. This wood is useless to the forestry industry, but it's a huge fire hazard if it's left standing in the forests.
If you can figure out how to move this dead wood from the forest to the wood-fired power plants in Europe, you'll make a fortune... especially if you get Nancy Pelosi and her new "shot heard around the world" legislation to subsidize you...
Pelosi's new "shot heard around the world" is a law called the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, it passed through the House of Representatives last week. This law – if stamped by the Senate – will have huge consequences on our investments.
Let me give you the details:
1. Fuel economy standards for both cars and light trucks will be raised to 35 miles per gallon by 2020. Fuel economy standards for cars haven't been altered since 1975. That's such a big change, I wonder if it's even possible. Right now the fuel economy standard is 27.2 mpg for cars and 22.2 mpg for light trucks.
2. Twenty-one billion dollars will be revoked in tax breaks to oil companies.
3. Electric utilities will be required to get 15% of their energy from renewable sources by 2020.
4. The United States will have to use 36 million gallons of biofuel per year by 2022, up from 9 million today. It can't be just ethanol either. Twenty-two million gallons must come from other "advanced biofuels," not ethanol.
5. Nine billion dollars in tax incentives will be offered to the biofuel and renewable energy industries like wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, small irrigation hydropower, ocean tides, landfill gas, and trash combustion energy.
This bill still has to pass through the Senate. Frankly, it probably won't pass in its current form. Also, President Bush has said he'd veto this bill. So there's a long way to go before it becomes law. Nevertheless, it does show the direction this country is heading in. And I want to profit from this new direction.
My favorite "green energy" investment is wood.
Most people don't realize that wood is an important source of energy. Solar, wind, and ethanol get all the attention. But the fact is, wood was the world's main source of energy until the mid-1800s. And even today, wood waste still fills about 2% of the United States' energy needs.
Last month, the Minister of Energy in Great Britain announced he was going to build the largest bio-energy power plant in the world. They will build the plant in Port Talbot, in Wales. The plant will generate 350 megawatts of power. That's enough electricity to power half the houses in Wales. This plant will run on wood chips. North America will supply these wood chips.
Producing energy from wood chips is also a priority for the U.S. democratic party. Representative Edward J. Markey, a Massachusetts democrat, specifically mentioned wood chips as a destination for the subsidies the democrats want to take away from the oil companies.
Right now, there are millions of dead pine trees all over Colorado and British Columbia as a result of the massive infestation by the Mountain Pine Beetle. This wood is useless to the forestry industry, but it's a huge fire hazard if it's left standing in the forests.
If you can figure out how to move this dead wood from the forest to the wood-fired power plants in Europe, you'll make a fortune... especially if you get Nancy Pelosi and her new "shot heard around the world" legislation to subsidize you...
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Stem cell promising developments
Study: Stem cell transplant holds promise STANFORD, Calif. (UPI) -- U.S. researchers said they found a way to transplant blood-forming stem cells into the bone marrow of mice, effectively replacing their immune systems. The discovery is a small but significant step in mouse studies aimed at transplanting adult stem cells to create a new immune system for people with autoimmune or genetic blood diseases, Stanford University researchers said in a news release. Many aspects of the technique must be adapted before testing can begin on humans, said Dr. Irving Weissman, a co-senior author of the study and director of the Stanford Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine. Weissman said the work was done on mice that offered a poor mimic for the human immune system. Still, he suggested the remaining hurdles could eventually be overcome. 'It is essentially a surgical strike against the blood-forming stem cells,' Weissman said of the technique his team studied. The team injected mice with molecules that latch on to specific proteins on the surface of the blood-forming stem cells, effectively destroying the cells. The study was published in the latest issue of Science. "
Monday, December 03, 2007
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Proposal
Hydrogen Proposal - Google Docs
Conceptual Proposal for a Wind-Hydrogen System Pilot
R. J. Patrick P. Eng.
Introduction Why we need new fuel cell technology
The age of oil has been the single most important contributing factor in the development of our modern world. The reserves of black gold have allowed us to have unprecented travel potential, unprecented employment potential and took the industrial revolution into the space age.
Unfortunately, there is no free lunch. Not only have we seriously polluted the atmosphere of the planet, but also we are using up the oil infinitely faster than nature can replenish it. We need to do something to limit the flow of oil from the ground. In addition, our greed for oil has allowed the rise of unstable and dangerous political regimes and terrorist groups that now threaten both our economy and our security. In fact, some pundits feel that the quest to preserve access to Middle Eastern oil reserves may cause the war in Iraq to be a war that never ends.
Quite simply, we must do something to get off oil and onto another fuel
What follows is an unsolicited proposal to begin the process. For a minimal level of investment, a well-targeted corporate project can establish world-leadership in the off-oil movement and in restabilizing the Middle East.
What Is The Answer? Hydrogen fuel cells
The interim answer, quite simply said (but not so simply done) is hydrogen. Hydrogen gas H2 is abundant, available and burns cleanly. The combustion product is water. In addition, hydrogen can be used in conventional gasoline engines with a conversion similar to the conversion for natural gas. Hydrogen can also be used in fuel cells - if and when a reliable hydrogen cell is developed.
Hydrogen is generated using electricity, which heretofore has made its use as fuel uneconomical. However, there is an economical electrical resource that is ideally suited for the hydrogen slant on things. Wind generated electricity is a very reasonable answer to the question. The fuel is free, and hydrogen storage allows for the use of the system during times of low wind availability.
Hydrogen can also be used in a conventional engine, an electro-mechanical diesel engine or a fuel cell to generate electricity. CLEAN ELECTRICITY!! Wind energy alone is only partially suitable for direct generation of electricity. When the "fuel", wind, is diminished or absent, something else has to be used to take up the slack in energy. If conventional fossil fuels are used, pollutants are generated which defeat the purpose of using the clean wind energy in the first place. If hydrogen is used to take up the slack, the result is clean energy.
Again, there is no free lunch. This system does not come without a price. The overall efficiency of the system is low. Therefore, sufficient wind generation resources must be provided to overcome this.
Why Are We Concerned? Conventional Energy is beoming more expensive with outages expected
There is an excellent video on the market called "The End of Suburbia" The producer, a man named Barry Silverthorn from Paris, Ontario, has gone to great lengths to examine the suburban way of life and the impact of dwindling oil and natural gas reserves. Some of the experts featured (one in particular from Iran) feel that the world oil production has peaked now . Peaking means that the rate of oil recovery from the ground has reached its maximum and can only decline. With increasing consumption from the Chinese, this means that the western way of life is seriously threatened and that western economies cannot grow. In point of fact, natural gas production has already peaked. Currently, the United States consumes fully 50% of Canadaian gas production. Fixing the worldwide problem is daunting and virtually impossible. The only viable alternative is to live more "locally".
What this means is that we must adjust our way of life to consume much less energy. It also means that we have to consider smaller local energy solutions to take up the slack when the larger more environmentally damaging systems fail.
In addition, we must consider our stewardship of the planet. Existing energy solutions are very damaging to the environment. There are some who have postulated that this damage was a contributing factor in the increasing fury and frequency of hurricanes in the Southern United States. The polar ice caps are receding creating fears of large land mass loss on the coastal areas of North America and Europe. Nunavut Territory, for instance, relies completely on oil for its energy needs (both electrical and heat) and emits more greenhouse gas per capita than any other jurisdiction in the world. We can't continue with this mentality!
Why Not Just Wind?
When wind energy is used, it is cheap, and the fuel is free. You can generate electricity. Wind, however is rarely constant. When the wind doesn't blow, you don't produce energy. This requires other forms of generation to take up the slack. The Danes have managed to get an 18% penetration of their power generation through wind energy. That is about the limit. I recall an installation in Nunavut in Kugluktuk. The penetration was about 50% in that case. When the wind varied, the fossil fired generation could not react to the load and the system collapsed. This was virtually a daily occurrence. It would seem, therefore, that wind alone is not much of an answer.
The Proposal- New generation Fuel cells
This system has been implemented in other jurisdiction as a demonstration project. Each part has also been done before, but the business model has not. In addition, since Fuel cells are desirable, there does not appear to be PEM fuel cells available on today's market for either single dwelling or community use. Therefore, some modifications might be required to allow a natural gas reformer to be removed from another type of fuel cell in order to allow for the use of straight hydrogen. This is a conceptual proposal for evaluation. We will supply a detailed proposal if there is an interest by the client.
Wind energy is a very old technology. It has been used for everything from flour making to water pumping. Recently, more sophisticated wind turbines have been designed to allow for the generation of electricity. In conventional wind-diesel systems, sophisticated control systems and battery backup systems have been used to allow the system to perform seamlessly. In point of fact, the control systems used (noteably in Alaska) do not provide 100% reliability and outages still ensue. The cause of the outage is the inability of the fossil fuelled backup to respond to the failure of the wind turbine within a reasonable period of time, which would prevent a system trip as a result of undervoltage or underfrequency conditions. The control systems are far better than wind-diesel without control, but the overall savings in diesel fuel was only 25%
The proposal at hand is to create a business opportunity to stimulate the wind hydrogen alternative and commercialize it to the point that it can be sold internationally.
First, some details of the technical system:
Wind turbines are mature technology. There are some issues when operating them in colder climates and this is one of the reasons for a pilot scale system. Many turbines have been tried in the Arctic, but only one survived the initial trial and even it required extensive modification. Therefore, there would have to be a monitored trial period for the turbine before commercialization could occur. In addition, solar panels would probably be required for summer use when the wind levels are traditionally lower.
The hydrolyser, unit, which makes the hydrogen gas from water, is a very mature technology and requires no trial period.
If a fuel cell were desired for the production of electricity, this would require the bulk of the work. Conventional fuel cell systems of any decent size are designed to operate on natural gas. The natural gas is "reformed" into hydrogen using the heat from the fuel cell. If straight hydrogen fuel were to be used directly, the reformer would have to be removed from the unit and a suitable heat exchange system to remove the heat designed.
The system, however, can run quite happily with conventional internal combustion engines or electro-mechanical diesels with spark injectors. In point of fact, the most realistic configuration from a repair and system planning perspective might be the use of conventional engines coupled in tandem running a reasonably sized generator (say, 300 KW). This configuration would allow for local resources to maintain the engines and for the replacement of one engine without shutting down the entire generator. Even diesel systems would require some specialized maintenance expertise In either the community or single dwelling model, vehicles could be run by hydrogen as part of the system
The wind system would have to be over provisioned to take the efficiency into account and to allow for the use of hydrogen as a fuel. Hydrogen gas can be used as a fuel in converted vehicles. This would allow for the use of existing vehicular infrastructure in preclude the need for the purchase of new, more technologically advanced vehicles by people who probably couldn't afford them. In addition, the existing natural gas infrastructure could also be used to provide hydrogen as a heating fuel (assuming a suitable accommodation with the gas company could be reached). In the single residence model, the internal systems could be tapped directly.
This system is both technically feasible and could quite easily get a small community or even just a single residence completely off grid power and conventional fuels.
The Scalable Business Model
Why would a client invest in the order of $10 million more or less- to do this (community model)? What we are proposing is just that - an scalable investment to the small or large community. This system is considered as a demonstration and as a marketing vehicle.
Test Market needed
If the client were to invest the money and get a small community or single residence off conventional energy, the project could be used to market the system internationally. Small communities in the Arctic, around the globe could benefit greatly and be potential customers. This would include Alaska and the former Soviet Union. It is quite likely that the United States and/or the World Bank would buy systems to install in these and other underdeveloped areas as a way to increase their access to oil and reduce pollution. In addition, the Chinese might be avid customers. Again, these systems might allow an oil greedy Chinese economy to stop sharing with residential users.
What we are suggesting is a return on investment for the system. In addition, the Federal Government, currently in election mode, would most probably underwrite the costs. We are suggesting Port Rowan, or a similiar small community for this trial because it is a tourist town that would give the project a high profile.
Resources are available to bootstrap this innovation project
For more information or expressions of interest please contact the hydrogen project group
Technical project consultants and development team presentaly available
The Role of R. J. Patrick
What we are proposing is a relationship with the client as project managers for the initial construction, and operation of the project. In addition, we have resources that are very experienced in marketing and product development when the product goes to the market.
Who is R. J. Patrick? A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER with extensive experiene .
Over 20 years of Electrical, I&C design and multidisciplinary hands-on project management and a skilled communicator with the ability to facilitate.
Conceptual Proposal for a Wind-Hydrogen System Pilot
R. J. Patrick P. Eng.
Introduction Why we need new fuel cell technology
The age of oil has been the single most important contributing factor in the development of our modern world. The reserves of black gold have allowed us to have unprecented travel potential, unprecented employment potential and took the industrial revolution into the space age.
Unfortunately, there is no free lunch. Not only have we seriously polluted the atmosphere of the planet, but also we are using up the oil infinitely faster than nature can replenish it. We need to do something to limit the flow of oil from the ground. In addition, our greed for oil has allowed the rise of unstable and dangerous political regimes and terrorist groups that now threaten both our economy and our security. In fact, some pundits feel that the quest to preserve access to Middle Eastern oil reserves may cause the war in Iraq to be a war that never ends.
Quite simply, we must do something to get off oil and onto another fuel
What follows is an unsolicited proposal to begin the process. For a minimal level of investment, a well-targeted corporate project can establish world-leadership in the off-oil movement and in restabilizing the Middle East.
What Is The Answer? Hydrogen fuel cells
The interim answer, quite simply said (but not so simply done) is hydrogen. Hydrogen gas H2 is abundant, available and burns cleanly. The combustion product is water. In addition, hydrogen can be used in conventional gasoline engines with a conversion similar to the conversion for natural gas. Hydrogen can also be used in fuel cells - if and when a reliable hydrogen cell is developed.
Hydrogen is generated using electricity, which heretofore has made its use as fuel uneconomical. However, there is an economical electrical resource that is ideally suited for the hydrogen slant on things. Wind generated electricity is a very reasonable answer to the question. The fuel is free, and hydrogen storage allows for the use of the system during times of low wind availability.
Hydrogen can also be used in a conventional engine, an electro-mechanical diesel engine or a fuel cell to generate electricity. CLEAN ELECTRICITY!! Wind energy alone is only partially suitable for direct generation of electricity. When the "fuel", wind, is diminished or absent, something else has to be used to take up the slack in energy. If conventional fossil fuels are used, pollutants are generated which defeat the purpose of using the clean wind energy in the first place. If hydrogen is used to take up the slack, the result is clean energy.
Again, there is no free lunch. This system does not come without a price. The overall efficiency of the system is low. Therefore, sufficient wind generation resources must be provided to overcome this.
Why Are We Concerned? Conventional Energy is beoming more expensive with outages expected
There is an excellent video on the market called "The End of Suburbia" The producer, a man named Barry Silverthorn from Paris, Ontario, has gone to great lengths to examine the suburban way of life and the impact of dwindling oil and natural gas reserves. Some of the experts featured (one in particular from Iran) feel that the world oil production has peaked now . Peaking means that the rate of oil recovery from the ground has reached its maximum and can only decline. With increasing consumption from the Chinese, this means that the western way of life is seriously threatened and that western economies cannot grow. In point of fact, natural gas production has already peaked. Currently, the United States consumes fully 50% of Canadaian gas production. Fixing the worldwide problem is daunting and virtually impossible. The only viable alternative is to live more "locally".
What this means is that we must adjust our way of life to consume much less energy. It also means that we have to consider smaller local energy solutions to take up the slack when the larger more environmentally damaging systems fail.
In addition, we must consider our stewardship of the planet. Existing energy solutions are very damaging to the environment. There are some who have postulated that this damage was a contributing factor in the increasing fury and frequency of hurricanes in the Southern United States. The polar ice caps are receding creating fears of large land mass loss on the coastal areas of North America and Europe. Nunavut Territory, for instance, relies completely on oil for its energy needs (both electrical and heat) and emits more greenhouse gas per capita than any other jurisdiction in the world. We can't continue with this mentality!
Why Not Just Wind?
When wind energy is used, it is cheap, and the fuel is free. You can generate electricity. Wind, however is rarely constant. When the wind doesn't blow, you don't produce energy. This requires other forms of generation to take up the slack. The Danes have managed to get an 18% penetration of their power generation through wind energy. That is about the limit. I recall an installation in Nunavut in Kugluktuk. The penetration was about 50% in that case. When the wind varied, the fossil fired generation could not react to the load and the system collapsed. This was virtually a daily occurrence. It would seem, therefore, that wind alone is not much of an answer.
The Proposal- New generation Fuel cells
This system has been implemented in other jurisdiction as a demonstration project. Each part has also been done before, but the business model has not. In addition, since Fuel cells are desirable, there does not appear to be PEM fuel cells available on today's market for either single dwelling or community use. Therefore, some modifications might be required to allow a natural gas reformer to be removed from another type of fuel cell in order to allow for the use of straight hydrogen. This is a conceptual proposal for evaluation. We will supply a detailed proposal if there is an interest by the client.
Wind energy is a very old technology. It has been used for everything from flour making to water pumping. Recently, more sophisticated wind turbines have been designed to allow for the generation of electricity. In conventional wind-diesel systems, sophisticated control systems and battery backup systems have been used to allow the system to perform seamlessly. In point of fact, the control systems used (noteably in Alaska) do not provide 100% reliability and outages still ensue. The cause of the outage is the inability of the fossil fuelled backup to respond to the failure of the wind turbine within a reasonable period of time, which would prevent a system trip as a result of undervoltage or underfrequency conditions. The control systems are far better than wind-diesel without control, but the overall savings in diesel fuel was only 25%
The proposal at hand is to create a business opportunity to stimulate the wind hydrogen alternative and commercialize it to the point that it can be sold internationally.
First, some details of the technical system:
Wind turbines are mature technology. There are some issues when operating them in colder climates and this is one of the reasons for a pilot scale system. Many turbines have been tried in the Arctic, but only one survived the initial trial and even it required extensive modification. Therefore, there would have to be a monitored trial period for the turbine before commercialization could occur. In addition, solar panels would probably be required for summer use when the wind levels are traditionally lower.
The hydrolyser, unit, which makes the hydrogen gas from water, is a very mature technology and requires no trial period.
If a fuel cell were desired for the production of electricity, this would require the bulk of the work. Conventional fuel cell systems of any decent size are designed to operate on natural gas. The natural gas is "reformed" into hydrogen using the heat from the fuel cell. If straight hydrogen fuel were to be used directly, the reformer would have to be removed from the unit and a suitable heat exchange system to remove the heat designed.
The system, however, can run quite happily with conventional internal combustion engines or electro-mechanical diesels with spark injectors. In point of fact, the most realistic configuration from a repair and system planning perspective might be the use of conventional engines coupled in tandem running a reasonably sized generator (say, 300 KW). This configuration would allow for local resources to maintain the engines and for the replacement of one engine without shutting down the entire generator. Even diesel systems would require some specialized maintenance expertise In either the community or single dwelling model, vehicles could be run by hydrogen as part of the system
The wind system would have to be over provisioned to take the efficiency into account and to allow for the use of hydrogen as a fuel. Hydrogen gas can be used as a fuel in converted vehicles. This would allow for the use of existing vehicular infrastructure in preclude the need for the purchase of new, more technologically advanced vehicles by people who probably couldn't afford them. In addition, the existing natural gas infrastructure could also be used to provide hydrogen as a heating fuel (assuming a suitable accommodation with the gas company could be reached). In the single residence model, the internal systems could be tapped directly.
This system is both technically feasible and could quite easily get a small community or even just a single residence completely off grid power and conventional fuels.
The Scalable Business Model
Why would a client invest in the order of $10 million more or less- to do this (community model)? What we are proposing is just that - an scalable investment to the small or large community. This system is considered as a demonstration and as a marketing vehicle.
Test Market needed
If the client were to invest the money and get a small community or single residence off conventional energy, the project could be used to market the system internationally. Small communities in the Arctic, around the globe could benefit greatly and be potential customers. This would include Alaska and the former Soviet Union. It is quite likely that the United States and/or the World Bank would buy systems to install in these and other underdeveloped areas as a way to increase their access to oil and reduce pollution. In addition, the Chinese might be avid customers. Again, these systems might allow an oil greedy Chinese economy to stop sharing with residential users.
What we are suggesting is a return on investment for the system. In addition, the Federal Government, currently in election mode, would most probably underwrite the costs. We are suggesting Port Rowan, or a similiar small community for this trial because it is a tourist town that would give the project a high profile.
Resources are available to bootstrap this innovation project
For more information or expressions of interest please contact the hydrogen project group
Technical project consultants and development team presentaly available
The Role of R. J. Patrick
What we are proposing is a relationship with the client as project managers for the initial construction, and operation of the project. In addition, we have resources that are very experienced in marketing and product development when the product goes to the market.
Who is R. J. Patrick? A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER with extensive experiene .
Over 20 years of Electrical, I&C design and multidisciplinary hands-on project management and a skilled communicator with the ability to facilitate.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
poop to energy
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
LabPixies - Add Gadgets To Your Toolbar
LabPixies - Add Gadgets To Your Toolbar: "Add gadgets to your toolbar! Add the coolest gadgets on the web! Browse our over increasing selection of gadgets for your personal toolbar. Simply click the button below each gadget. "
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Could salt water fuel care
Could salt water fuel cars?
by Josh Clark
Inside This Article
1.
Could salt water fuel cars?
2.
Aquygen
3.
Lots More Information
4.
See all Alternative Fuel articles
In the future, you might see a lot of confused seagulls hovering around your local gas station. That's because rather than gasoline, gas stations could smell a lot like the beach. It depends on whether the kinks can be worked out in an invention created by a 63-year-old named John Kanzius that could create an alternative fuel out of salt water. Through sheer serendipity, Kanzius, a former broadcast engineer, found out something incredible -- under the right conditions, salt water can burn at incredible temperatures. With a little bit of tinkering, it might even serve as an alternative fuel for our cars in the future.
Image courtesy WPBF-TVYes, you're seeing water burn.
Kanzius' journey toward surprise inspiration began with a leukemia diagnosis in 2003. Faced with the prospect of debilitating chemotherapy, he decided he would try to invent a better alternative for destroying cancerous cells. What he came up with is his radio frequency generator (RFG), a machine that generates radio waves and focuses them into a concentrated area. Kanzius used the RFG to heat small metallic particles inserted into tumors, destroying the tumors without harming normal cells.
But what does cancer treatment have to do with salt water as fuel?
During a demonstration of the RFG, an observer noticed that it was causing water in a nearby test tube to condense. If the RFG could make water condense, it could theoretically separate salt out of seawater. Perhaps, then, it could be used to desalinize water, an issue of global proportions. The old seaman's adage "Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink" applies inland as well: Some nations are drying up and their populations suffering from thirst, yet the world is 70 percent ocean water. An effective means of removing salt from salt water could save countless lives. So it's no surprise that Kanzius trained his RFG on the goal of salt water desalinization.
During his first test, however, he noticed a surprising side effect. When he aimed the RFG at a test tube filled with seawater, it sparked. This is not a normal reaction by water.
Kanzius tried the test again, this time lighting a paper towel and touching it to the water while the water was in the path of the RFG. He got an even bigger surprise -- the test tube ignited and stayed alight while the RFG was turned on.
News of the experiment was generally met with allegations of it being a hoax, but after Penn State University chemists got their hands on the RFG and tried their own experiments, they found it was indeed true. The RFG could ignite and burn salt water. The flame could reach temperatures as high as 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit and burn as long as the RFG was on and aimed at it.
But how could salt water possibly ignite? Why don't careless litterbugs who flick lit cigarette butts into the sea set the whole planet aflame? It all has to do with hydrogen. In its normal state, salt water has a stable composition of sodium chloride (the salt) and hydrogen and oxygen (the water). But the radio waves from Kanzius' RFG disrupt that stability, degrading the bonds that hold the chemicals in salt water together. This releases the volatile hydrogen molecules, and the heat output from the RFG ignites them and burns them indefinitely.
So will our cars soon run on salt water instead of gasoline? That may be. First, there are a few hurdles to overcome. Read the next page for some of the bugs that need to be worked out before we drive salt-water-fueled cars.
by Josh Clark
Inside This Article
1.
Could salt water fuel cars?
2.
Aquygen
3.
Lots More Information
4.
See all Alternative Fuel articles
In the future, you might see a lot of confused seagulls hovering around your local gas station. That's because rather than gasoline, gas stations could smell a lot like the beach. It depends on whether the kinks can be worked out in an invention created by a 63-year-old named John Kanzius that could create an alternative fuel out of salt water. Through sheer serendipity, Kanzius, a former broadcast engineer, found out something incredible -- under the right conditions, salt water can burn at incredible temperatures. With a little bit of tinkering, it might even serve as an alternative fuel for our cars in the future.
Image courtesy WPBF-TVYes, you're seeing water burn.
Kanzius' journey toward surprise inspiration began with a leukemia diagnosis in 2003. Faced with the prospect of debilitating chemotherapy, he decided he would try to invent a better alternative for destroying cancerous cells. What he came up with is his radio frequency generator (RFG), a machine that generates radio waves and focuses them into a concentrated area. Kanzius used the RFG to heat small metallic particles inserted into tumors, destroying the tumors without harming normal cells.
But what does cancer treatment have to do with salt water as fuel?
During a demonstration of the RFG, an observer noticed that it was causing water in a nearby test tube to condense. If the RFG could make water condense, it could theoretically separate salt out of seawater. Perhaps, then, it could be used to desalinize water, an issue of global proportions. The old seaman's adage "Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink" applies inland as well: Some nations are drying up and their populations suffering from thirst, yet the world is 70 percent ocean water. An effective means of removing salt from salt water could save countless lives. So it's no surprise that Kanzius trained his RFG on the goal of salt water desalinization.
During his first test, however, he noticed a surprising side effect. When he aimed the RFG at a test tube filled with seawater, it sparked. This is not a normal reaction by water.
Kanzius tried the test again, this time lighting a paper towel and touching it to the water while the water was in the path of the RFG. He got an even bigger surprise -- the test tube ignited and stayed alight while the RFG was turned on.
News of the experiment was generally met with allegations of it being a hoax, but after Penn State University chemists got their hands on the RFG and tried their own experiments, they found it was indeed true. The RFG could ignite and burn salt water. The flame could reach temperatures as high as 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit and burn as long as the RFG was on and aimed at it.
But how could salt water possibly ignite? Why don't careless litterbugs who flick lit cigarette butts into the sea set the whole planet aflame? It all has to do with hydrogen. In its normal state, salt water has a stable composition of sodium chloride (the salt) and hydrogen and oxygen (the water). But the radio waves from Kanzius' RFG disrupt that stability, degrading the bonds that hold the chemicals in salt water together. This releases the volatile hydrogen molecules, and the heat output from the RFG ignites them and burns them indefinitely.
So will our cars soon run on salt water instead of gasoline? That may be. First, there are a few hurdles to overcome. Read the next page for some of the bugs that need to be worked out before we drive salt-water-fueled cars.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Cheap solar
Investors have flocked to solar and other renewable energy sources amid worries about the high costs of oil and natural gas and greenhouse gas emissions. Solar is the fastest growing energy source, but still provides less than 1 percent of the world's electricity, in part because its power can cost homeowners twice as much as power from the grid.
But costs could fall 40 percent in the next few years as polysilicon becomes more available, Sawin said,
More than a dozen companies in Europe, China, Japan, and the United States will boost production over the next few years of purified polysilicon, which helps panels convert sunlight into electricity, and is the main ingredient in semiconductor computer chips, according to the report.
Polysilicon's feedstock is abundantly available sand. But a downturn in silicon refining after the high-tech bubble collapse in the late 1990s has constrained the panel market.
In some of the world's sunniest places, like California, electricity from solar panels costs the same as power from the grid. A drop in solar panel prices could expand that to places that only get average sunlight, making solar more of a mainstream choice, Sawin said in an e-mail.
Last year, China passed the United States to become the world's third largest producer of solar panels, trailing only Germany and Japan.
"To say that Chinese PV producers plan to expand production rapidly in the year ahead would be an understatement," Travis Bradford, president of the Prometheus Institute, a Massachusetts-based group that promotes renewables, said in a release.
"They have raised billions from international IPOs to build capacity and increase scale with the goal of driving down costs," said Bradford, who helped write the report.
But costs could fall 40 percent in the next few years as polysilicon becomes more available, Sawin said,
More than a dozen companies in Europe, China, Japan, and the United States will boost production over the next few years of purified polysilicon, which helps panels convert sunlight into electricity, and is the main ingredient in semiconductor computer chips, according to the report.
Polysilicon's feedstock is abundantly available sand. But a downturn in silicon refining after the high-tech bubble collapse in the late 1990s has constrained the panel market.
In some of the world's sunniest places, like California, electricity from solar panels costs the same as power from the grid. A drop in solar panel prices could expand that to places that only get average sunlight, making solar more of a mainstream choice, Sawin said in an e-mail.
Last year, China passed the United States to become the world's third largest producer of solar panels, trailing only Germany and Japan.
"To say that Chinese PV producers plan to expand production rapidly in the year ahead would be an understatement," Travis Bradford, president of the Prometheus Institute, a Massachusetts-based group that promotes renewables, said in a release.
"They have raised billions from international IPOs to build capacity and increase scale with the goal of driving down costs," said Bradford, who helped write the report.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Amateur Yacht Research Society - Down Wind Faster Than the Wind
Amateur Yacht Research Society - Down Wind Faster Than the Wind
interesting how can this principle be adapted to roadsters?
Can a wind powered vehicle sail faster than the wind? Yes - it can!"The key point is that the propeller is a propeller, not a wind vane, and when the cart is rolling, the wheels are powering the propeller, not the other way around. With the right gearing, the propeller will always push backwards against the air, whether or not the air is moving forwards or backwards relative to the cart. The tailwind and the propeller action combine to make the wheels spin fast enough to keep the whole system rolling faster than the wind". Definitely counter-intuitive."(Jack Goodman) More info at the Journal
interesting how can this principle be adapted to roadsters?
Can a wind powered vehicle sail faster than the wind? Yes - it can!"The key point is that the propeller is a propeller, not a wind vane, and when the cart is rolling, the wheels are powering the propeller, not the other way around. With the right gearing, the propeller will always push backwards against the air, whether or not the air is moving forwards or backwards relative to the cart. The tailwind and the propeller action combine to make the wheels spin fast enough to keep the whole system rolling faster than the wind". Definitely counter-intuitive."(Jack Goodman) More info at the Journal
Amateur Yacht Research Society - Down Wind Faster Than the Wind
Amateur Yacht Research Society - Down Wind Faster Than the Wind
interesting how can this principle be adapted to roadsters?
Can a wind powered vehicle sail faster than the wind? Yes - it can!"The key point is that the propeller is a propeller, not a wind vane, and when the cart is rolling, the wheels are powering the propeller, not the other way around. With the right gearing, the propeller will always push backwards against the air, whether or not the air is moving forwards or backwards relative to the cart. The tailwind and the propeller action combine to make the wheels spin fast enough to keep the whole system rolling faster than the wind". Definitely counter-intuitive."(Jack Goodman) More info at the Journal
interesting how can this principle be adapted to roadsters?
Can a wind powered vehicle sail faster than the wind? Yes - it can!"The key point is that the propeller is a propeller, not a wind vane, and when the cart is rolling, the wheels are powering the propeller, not the other way around. With the right gearing, the propeller will always push backwards against the air, whether or not the air is moving forwards or backwards relative to the cart. The tailwind and the propeller action combine to make the wheels spin fast enough to keep the whole system rolling faster than the wind". Definitely counter-intuitive."(Jack Goodman) More info at the Journal
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)