Lynne Kiesling Another rollercoaster day on oil markets … here’s an interesting observation from a Bloomberg article on the topic: “Refiners are managing the crude supply they have on hand because they are worried about weak product demand,” said Tim Evans, an energy analyst for Citi Futures Perspective in New York. “Both gasoline and distillate …
The Demand for Gasoline is Downward Sloping, How About That? Read More »
Lynne Kiesling There are a couple of very interesting recent solar developments that have substantial economic implications. First, the blue sky stuff: courtesy of Slashdot, a team of researchers in the Netherlands have demonstrated avalanche effects in semiconductors that can be used in solar cells (here’s the original article). Avalanche effects mean that instead of …
Michael Giberson Steven Stoft, at the EU Energy Policy Blog, observes that market driven conservation is a slow process: Conservation is the main way consumers respond to high market prices. When price goes up, consumption comes down–but it takes a while for the full price effect to play out. Market-driven conservation is a slow process–slow …
Conservation of Resources: Prices Change Everything Read More »
Michael Giberson Geothermal power generators use temperature differences between the surface and areas deeper in the earth to move a gas or liquid through a loop and drive a turbine. (One example is the Chena Geothermal Power Plant in Alaska. See the related project at the Chena Hot Springs Aurora Ice Museum, which uses 165°F …
Ocean Thermal Power Systems Back Under Development Read More »
Lynne Kiesling This weekend the KP Spouse told me about a couple of his colleagues, both of whom drive Chevy Avalanches, live in the suburbs, and used to drive to work. One of them has started taking the train and is trying to sell his Avalanche, because he doesn’t want to keep spending what he …
Michael Giberson Today a Washington Post article discusses the most recent oil price forecast from Goldman Sachs analysts Arjun N. Murti and Jeffrey Currie, which have oil prices averaging $141/bbl for the second half of 2008. As usual, it isn’t hard to find an analyst with a contrary view, and the article presents some counter …
Michael Giberson Tom Igoe, a physical-computing researcher at New York University, said the Prius mpg display is one of the best examples of technology “where green meets information systems.” “For a long time,” he said, “we have known that people will change their habits if they are exposed to feedback in real time.” From “For …
Real-time Feedback Promotes Efficient Use of Energy Read More »
Michael Giberson Word is, the Alaska natural gas pipeline is just about ready to get started. The thing is, it has been just about ready for 30 years. In the Energy Tribune, Alaska-born Ron Oligney diagnoses the problems that have kept progress on the Alaskan gas line at bay. Posturing by populist politicians plays a …
Alaska Natural Gas Line Ready to Take Off, Just As Soon As Politicians Get Things Sorted Read More »
Lynne Kiesling Google’s blog has a post describing their new investment in BrightSource Energy and linking to lots of background information on their renewable investments. BrightSource does large-scale solar. This is part of Google’s RE < C initiative, through which they channel their investments with an objective of making renewable energy cheaper than coal-fueled energy. …
Lynne Kiesling The WSJ Environmental Capital blog has been doing a great job of keeping up with the wind power industry in the U.S. lately. Today’s post about Iberdrola’s planned investment in wind power in the U.S. is a good summary, with links to some of their other recent posts on the subject. How to …
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