Dan Neil, car reviewer for the Los Angeles Times, wrote an article about the Honda FCX Clarity which landed on the front page of today’s Business section. Titled, “Honda FCX Clarity has everything but a future”, Neil proceeds to praise the styling, innovation and feel of the car, while claiming that the energy and capital intensive car does not have a place in the future of transportation. There are several advancements that he cites as useful, including the fuel cell’s potential in other applications, as well as the interior’s “petroleum free resins and bio-based fabrics.” Neil’s energy argument centers around the notion that the production of H2 gas consumes approximately four times as much electricity (often generated from nonrenewable resources such as natural gas) as the all-electric Tesla Roadster.
I Don’t Understand Parking Lots
In an op-ed a few months back I alluded to the coming diatribe against parking lots. As a form of land use, parking lots make no sense to me. Conversely, ...
The Angry Pedestrian: An Introduction
Let me say first off that I own a car. I drive. I don't drive a ton, I don't drive everyday, I don't drive to my job, but I understand ...
What Will It Take to Make Mass Transit the Norm?
Will people start consistently riding mass transit when gas prices stay above $5 per gallon? $10? What about when we are paying the true cost of driving (i.e. emissions, disposal)? ...
Will Abundant, Cheap, and Clean Energy Lead to “Failure”?
by Josh McKearin, Guest Author
The New York Times has an article about the possible “failure of success” should human beings manage to complete a second green revolution that allows them to produce abundant, cheap, and clean energy. As the article states, “we could, in essence, vastly increase the carrying capacity of the planet. Fossil fuels were a big part of the growth spurt from 1 billion to nearly 7 billion people in two short centuries. On a finite planet, where would limitless energy, combined with humanity’s infinite aspirations, take us?”
EEStor and GM in a “Working Relationship”
Denise Gray, director of advanced batteries at GM, has confirmed that secretive “wonder battery” maker EEStor is “one of those suppliers that we frequently get information from.” Ms. Gray, who is mostly involved in developing batteries for the Volt, can be seen in the video below saying “we are in touch with them and we are continuing to encourage them to develop the technology.” So much for details.
Dual and Low-flush Toilets
Water is perhaps the single most precious resource upon which humans depend. The rule of three dictates that an individual can survive up to 3 weeks without food, but only 3 days without water in harsh conditions. This begs the question, why do we flush water down the toilet? Caroma USA, the US subsidiary of an Australian company, sells low and dual flush toilets and urinals. The dual flush toilets reduce water usage by providing two options for flushing, instead of the “one size fits all flush” available in standard models. They offer two general categories of dual flush products, 1.28/0.8 gallons (4.8/3 liters) and 1.6/0.8 gallons (6/3 liters) per flush toilets.
Make Earth Day Everyday
Last year, the website MakeEarthDayEveryday.com debuted. The site was marketed on oval shaped stickers that said “WIND” with a wind turbine for the “I”. Today, however, the URL appears to be invalid. The company behind the site, Renewable Choice Energy, offers carbon offsets through wind farm projects. Last week I included a post that touched on offsets. 2nd Green Revolution does not tend to support offsets, as they do not address the root the problem: excessive consumption. The approach of Renewable Choice Energy is unique
Tesla Update
$350 Million in Government Grants; Sedan by 2011
Tesla Motors, the California company behind the buzz-worthy all-electric $100,000 Tesla Roadster, said today that it expects to receive $350 million in government loans within the next 5 months. The money would go to build a factory to produce the Model S sedan, which would debut in 2011 and cost around $50,000 after accounting for a $7,500 tax break for electric cars. Getting the price of Tesla models within the realm of affordability for consumers has been a major challenge for the company. These government loans may just help them achieve it.
Solar for Your Home
A number of companies, both solar manufacturers and producers, have tools to help consumers determine the feasibility of installing solar power systems on their homes. Sun Power Corporation provides a calculator to help homeowners ascertain their cost savings by installing a photovoltaic (pv) system. There are several variables that users can adjust in order to figure out their specific expense and payback. It is a powerful tool; similar to home mortgage calculators. In the same vein, there is a start-up company, Sungevity, in Northern California that is using satellite images to reduce the cost of estimating pv system installations. They currently do not serve locations outside the Bay Area, but hopefully will expand to more areas.
Lastly, to help consumers research the incentives and rebates, there are a few key resources that can help.
Top 10 Green-Tech Breakthroughs of 2008
Wired Magazine has come up with a list of what it thinks were the top ten green-technology breakthroughs of last year. The list includes advances in solar power from companies such as BrightSource, Ausra, and Nanosolar; actual pilot projects involving Shai Agassi’s Better Place replaceable electric car battery idea; and a demonstration site for making cement from CO2 left over from power generation. Perhaps just as significant but less acknowledged (number four on Wired’s list) is the selection of Steven Chu, a Nobel-prize winning physicist (detailed autobiography here), to head the Department of Energy. While at Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory, Chu was focused on alternative-energy. In addition, he often speaks candidly about the dangers of climate change.
Restoring Science to Its Rightful Place
by Kim Novick, Guest Author
“We will restore science to its rightful place.” – Barack Obama, January 20th 2009
Modern inaugural addresses haven’t been kind to science. In the 80 years preceding Obama’s inauguration, only Richard Nixon has spoken kindly of the discipline. FDR called science a “ruthless master of mankind.” Eisenhower spoke of its “final gift…the power to erase human life from this planet,” and Kennedy its “dark powers of destruction.” These are pretty harsh words for the branch of knowledge that brought us the combustion engine, penicillin, and a fair chunk of American economic development since WWII. Obama’s praise for science and technology in his inaugural address drew much applause on the Mall, making it clear that a renewed focus on and appreciation for American scientific enterprise isn’t just music to scientists’ ears.
Presidential News Conference
During tonight’s news conference, President Obama defended the stimulus package that has passed the Senate citing specific projects related to energy efficiency. In his response to questions from the press, President Obama displayed the type of thinking that lies at the heart of sustainable development. He specifically mentioned the retrofitting of government buildings or weatherizing of 2,000,000 homes. The direct result of these projects are manifold. They include the following:
