Comments on Scott Benson's articles RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.com/author/scott-benson/articles http://seekingalpha.com/article/82578-all-of-the-motor-fuel-alternatives-to-conventional-crude-oil-stink?source=feed#comment-208544 208544 Fri, 18 Jul 2008 09:51:21 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/82578-all-of-the-motor-fuel-alternatives-to-conventional-crude-oil-stink?source=feed#comment-200149 200149 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:50:02 -0400
Since you have "pissed" on virtually every current form of alternative energy; Do you have any thoughts or suggestions that might aid the search for alternative energy? No! Yeah, didn't think so. You left out Methane, forgot about that one too, huh!

One of the comments above contains this: "Proven hydrocarbon reserves are over 300 trillion barrels" The question is; Where are they? If they happen to be at the bottom of the Marianas Trench, good luck getting to them.

]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/82578-all-of-the-motor-fuel-alternatives-to-conventional-crude-oil-stink?source=feed#comment-195965 195965 Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:15:44 -0400
Batteries have not changed much in 100 years?]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/82578-all-of-the-motor-fuel-alternatives-to-conventional-crude-oil-stink?source=feed#comment-194379 194379 Fri, 27 Jun 2008 14:15:15 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/82578-all-of-the-motor-fuel-alternatives-to-conventional-crude-oil-stink?source=feed#comment-194269 194269 Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:11:40 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/82578-all-of-the-motor-fuel-alternatives-to-conventional-crude-oil-stink?source=feed#comment-194145 194145 Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:54:23 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/82578-all-of-the-motor-fuel-alternatives-to-conventional-crude-oil-stink?source=feed#comment-193826 193826 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 23:07:25 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/82578-all-of-the-motor-fuel-alternatives-to-conventional-crude-oil-stink?source=feed#comment-193739 193739 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 19:08:39 -0400
Solar energy is viable. While it's true that the sun doesn't shine all the time in a given spot, it does shine somewhere all the time. Also, most of the demand for electric energy is in the day time, when we are at work. Solar, daytime electric energy would reduce our need for carbon electric energy to the nighttime only; less than 1/3.

Geo-Thermal energy is everywhere. Dig a hole 4 feet deep and the temperature is a constant 50-55 degrees. Dig a hole a few hundred feet deep and the temperature is even higher. Five miles or more down and we are talking thousands of degrees. Pump water down there and up from there in an insulated pipe and you have free steam. Better yet, stick the steam driven electric turbine down there and just pump out the electricity.

Of course with all of these solutions there is an incredible up-front investment hurdle.

But, in just the past six years alone we spent $3Trillion to secure oil in Iraq and the Middle East. Had we spent that money at home, we could have placed solar panels on every roof in America, a bunch more in Death Valley, and bought every American household (80M households) an electric 'commuter' car.

So the problem is not technological, and it's not financial, it's political will.

www.myspace.com/ringoe...
]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/82578-all-of-the-motor-fuel-alternatives-to-conventional-crude-oil-stink?source=feed#comment-193665 193665 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:57:19 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/82578-all-of-the-motor-fuel-alternatives-to-conventional-crude-oil-stink?source=feed#comment-193572 193572 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:46:34 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/82578-all-of-the-motor-fuel-alternatives-to-conventional-crude-oil-stink?source=feed#comment-192785 192785 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:03:25 -0400 Actually oil-based transport is only 3% or-so efficient. The rest is lost as heat, pollution and in producing, transporting the fuels. In addition the EROI is getting more and more negative, as one has to include costs of pollution, protecting the shipping lanes, lives lost, geopolitical wars etc.
Make no mistake about it: the oil era is coming to an end and not because of a lack of oil.

11. Electric vehicles in general: Require infrastructure investments. Israel, EU states such as Denmark (windpower) are going electric. Electric motors are 90 % efficient. The U.S. could P/N track the Interstate Highways to guide slot cars. Such slot cars would have a very high efficiency with full regenerative braking on track and operate on battery only off-highway on small trips. Fuel costs would be around 40 $ cents/gallon gas eq. Also saves 40.000 lives/year with anti collision software, autom. speedcontol etc. , reduces costs of insurance, increases U.S worker productivity by at least 7 %, reduces geopolitical tensions.

14. Electricity from solar and wind: Also require grid investments.(which are neccessary with or without renewables)
Latest direct-drive wind technology is now at full grid parity (2-3 $ cents/kWh, not on some peak watt basis but in coupled arrays which as a total, offer full baseload power. In addition storage of power in large hydro reservoirs is also used today and very efficient. The U.S. has enough wind- and gravitational potential to meet all present and future needs.
Solar power is not at grid parity everywhere but it will be in a few years.
Solar hot water is certainly a good investment for most homeowners.

15. Electricity from geothermal sources. The U.S has enough recoverable geothermal energy to run the country for tens of thousands of years.

16. Ethanol from algae. Algaemass (sugarstarches, oils) doubles on average once a day. That is exponential growth. This means that in theory, if you would start today with 1 kg, you would end up with enough ethanol to replace all U.S oil imports in just one month.

greenoptimistic.com/20.../]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/82578-all-of-the-motor-fuel-alternatives-to-conventional-crude-oil-stink?source=feed#comment-192763 192763 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:55:30 -0400 Meanwhile, in the article and among the comments, geothermal was not mentioned. Geothermal investment options should be discussed on Seeking Alpha.
And, of course, there are inventive and competent engineers who are, at this moment, working on such problems as intermittency of power, or better battery technologies.
(My own conspiracy theory: We had an electric car, once. Remember Who Killed it.)
Thanks for the outline, Scott. Important stuff.
]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/82578-all-of-the-motor-fuel-alternatives-to-conventional-crude-oil-stink?source=feed#comment-192681 192681 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:52:18 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/82578-all-of-the-motor-fuel-alternatives-to-conventional-crude-oil-stink?source=feed#comment-192656 192656 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:31:55 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/82578-all-of-the-motor-fuel-alternatives-to-conventional-crude-oil-stink?source=feed#comment-192633 192633 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:57:17 -0400
Fight back America. This election is about your rights and freedoms and way of life. Don't believe the foreign propaganda spread by the IPCC. The Democrats are actively engaged in taking away your freedoms. Pelosi wants to take away your right to drive with lies. her goal is to completely destroy the American Auto industry and implement a government takeover of the oil industry.

There is no alternative to oil. It contains billions of years of the sun's energy stored in the fossil fuels. It is a biofuel and it is solar energy. There isn't enough land on the planet to grow 82 million barrels a day of fuel. The environmental movement is controled by foreigners who want to increase our dependence on foreign oil. They have used the Democrats to cut off the domestic supplies of oil while increasing foreign demand for oil. The Democrats are making Americans pay for the rest of the world's energy usage. It is time to throw the Democrats out of office for their blatant acts of treason.

Carbon Dioxide is the clean Air of the Clean Air acts. It is the cleanest exhaust in existance and essential for food production via photosynthesis. Greenhouse Gases are not pollution but the basis of life on Earth.

The time has come to expose the lies of the vast left wing conspiracy to drive up the price of gasoline. Defeat socialism; defeat the Democrats.

McCain and Schwarzenegger are just closet Democrats who are pushing the Global Climate Change Hoax. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/82578-all-of-the-motor-fuel-alternatives-to-conventional-crude-oil-stink?source=feed#comment-192598 192598 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:30:08 -0400
One type that just needs a short time to develop and bit of funding (Jimmy Carter cut it off, Reagan revived it, Clinton cut it out again) are fast breeder reactors. This is what we need and when we have it, it will give limitless (almost) electric power. This will give us power for our electric cars, electric trains and home and industry electric power day and night, for low cost. Fuel is reused so there is little waste. And no C02 produced.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/82578-all-of-the-motor-fuel-alternatives-to-conventional-crude-oil-stink?source=feed#comment-192593 192593 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:24:00 -0400
Wind power is useful and will become more mobile and useful as batteries will become more plentiful with greater efficiency.

Fourth, the future is combination of electric and other fuel alternatives including wave (water).

The author was correct in what he was saying but shortsighted into the future. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/82578-all-of-the-motor-fuel-alternatives-to-conventional-crude-oil-stink?source=feed#comment-192582 192582 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:16:03 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/82578-all-of-the-motor-fuel-alternatives-to-conventional-crude-oil-stink?source=feed#comment-192529 192529 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 10:35:25 -0400
I'll wait patiently for the laughter, if we have that much time to wait.

Thanks for the replies! ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/82578-all-of-the-motor-fuel-alternatives-to-conventional-crude-oil-stink?source=feed#comment-192487 192487 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 09:44:11 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/82578-all-of-the-motor-fuel-alternatives-to-conventional-crude-oil-stink?source=feed#comment-192456 192456 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 09:05:16 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/82578-all-of-the-motor-fuel-alternatives-to-conventional-crude-oil-stink?source=feed#comment-192421 192421 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 08:17:35 -0400
This is the view of people who are paid from oil companies and big capital or who haven't done real research and so couldn't be called real journalists.
Try to do research about only 2 brilliant man (and there have been more of them), Nikola Tesla and Wilhelm Reich and if you do you will find that they have found over 60 years ago cheap energy sources. After you find out very suspicious circumstances how they died, you can ask yourself, why FBI confiscated most of their unrevealed works after they have gone.
Today's governments want to control world by energy and food. Go back and find out H. Kissinger's strategy made over 40 years ago and then tell me.
And next time, please don't insult us common people with such superficial article. We have brains too! ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/82578-all-of-the-motor-fuel-alternatives-to-conventional-crude-oil-stink?source=feed#comment-192401 192401 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 07:40:13 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/82578-all-of-the-motor-fuel-alternatives-to-conventional-crude-oil-stink?source=feed#comment-192387 192387 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 06:20:57 -0400 oilismastery.blogspot.com/

Proven hydrocarbon reserves are over 300 trillion barrels: www.nasa.gov/centers/j...

And that's not even considering unproven reserves: peakoildebunked.blogsp...

The only alternative to oil is human stupidity.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/82578-all-of-the-motor-fuel-alternatives-to-conventional-crude-oil-stink?source=feed#comment-192374 192374 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 05:10:24 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/70137-corn-ethanol-can-never-replace-meaningful-quantities-of-motor-fuel?source=feed#comment-135380 135380 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:07:21 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/70137-corn-ethanol-can-never-replace-meaningful-quantities-of-motor-fuel?source=feed#comment-134785 134785 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 17:30:07 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/70137-corn-ethanol-can-never-replace-meaningful-quantities-of-motor-fuel?source=feed#comment-133296 133296 Fri, 28 Mar 2008 23:42:03 -0400
"But speaking of propaganda, do you merely "overlook" or don't you know that high protein distiller's grain you tout cannot be fed and cannot be used as a complete ration to feed animals?"

Do you know of any animal that can live completely on any one single feed ration? Not even corn is fed 100%.

"Further, consider that for every bushel of distiller's grain a beef animal will then also require about 2 bu of other whole grain-based components. Thus as a means of disposal of this so-called "co-product", the more distiller's grain that is shunted into the livestock feedlots, the more whole grain is required to help dispose of it in the feedlot."

Since most beef rations include corn, hay and soybean meal does that mean that feeding corn requires these other ingredients to get rid of it?

"But fear not, maybe we can import grain from South America to feed out livestock on the "co-product" if the biofuel industry really takes off."

You do realize that we export more corn than any other country in the world produces except China. We also are the number 2 exporter of soybeans, behind Brazil and we export 50% of the wheat that we grow.

Further, if you look at the facts on corn production you realize that in 2007 because of the increased acreage devoted to corn there was more corn leftover after ethanol was produced than the entire corn harvest in 2006.

"The math is pretty simple: (1 bu distillers grain requires 2 bu of other grains for disposal). This suggests there's a fundamental problem here biofuels hypesters probably would just as soon not discuss."

Using your logic then, please tell us all how many btus are required to dispose of the coproducts of gasoline production. You know the distillates (diesel, home heating oil, jet fuel), the heavier oils that get made into lubricating oils, and the tars that go into road construction.

"Oh there's one more rub about disposal of 'co-product" distiller's grain: The stuff is wet and warm and so it is readily susceptible to rapid spoilage unless it is used very locally. Otherwise it must be shipped in a partially dry or fully dried form. Intersetingly most of the nation's feedlots are now far distant from the the locations of Midwestern ethanol plants. So now we're into either moving the feedlots or the 'co-product"....."

A recent UNL study was just released that shows that mixing dry materials makes it possible to store wet distillers grains.

www.cattlenetwork.com/...

"Guess maybe what constitutes "propaganda" largely depends upon who is feeding at the trough, eh?"

It is funny that you use the word propaganda since the fact that you to suggest that we will become grain importer if ethanol production continues. You also make a big deal about the energy associated with drying and transporting distillers grains even though such things are taken into consideration in energy balance studies. And you try to portray distillers grains as a waste product when clearly it has feed value.

So basically you play on fears and use misconceptions in an attempt to sway perception. Isn't that propaganda?]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/70137-corn-ethanol-can-never-replace-meaningful-quantities-of-motor-fuel?source=feed#comment-133091 133091 Fri, 28 Mar 2008 13:32:27 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/70137-corn-ethanol-can-never-replace-meaningful-quantities-of-motor-fuel?source=feed#comment-132944 132944 > and then concludes with the plea: << Please get you facts straight before peddling propaganda about American made energy.... I wonder who has a vested interest in undermining the bio-fuels industry? >> Interesting points .... particularly that one about propaganda. Guess one person's 'facts" are another's "propaganda", eh? But speaking of propaganda, do you merely "overlook" or don't you know that high protein distiller's grain you tout cannot be fed and cannot be used as a complete ration to feed animals? Beef cattle can consume no more than ~40% distiller's grain in their feed ration; dairy cows slightly less; swine and poultry no more than ~10%. These differences derive from the very significant differences in the digestive system of bovines vs the less complex systems of these other species. These data are from current animal nutrition research facts; not propaganda. Further, consider that for every bushel of distiller's grain a beef animal will then also require about 2 bu of other whole grain-based components. Thus as a means of disposal of this so-called "co-product", the more distiller's grain that is shunted into the livestock feedlots, the more whole grain is required to help dispose of it in the feedlot. The math is pretty simple: (1 bu distillers grain requires 2 bu of other grains for disposal). This suggests there's a fundamental problem here biofuels hypesters probably would just as soon not discuss. But fear not, maybe we can import grain from South America to feed out livestock on the "co-product" if the biofuel industry really takes off. Oh there's one more rub about disposal of 'co-product" distiller's grain: The stuff is wet and warm and so it is readily susceptible to rapid spoilage unless it is used very locally. Otherwise it must be shipped in a partially dry or fully dried form. Intersetingly most of the nation's feedlots are now far distant from the the locations of Midwestern ethanol plants. So now we're into either moving the feedlots or the 'co-product"..... But, wait, doesn't drying and cross-country shipment of 'co-product" require MORE ENERGY? Recent reports on the economics of corn-based ethanol plants indicate that about 40% of the energy used by these ethanol plants is used to dry distiller's grain. Doubtlkless even more to haul the stuff to feedlots in the SW and West. Which all just proves yet again the old adage about: There ain't no free lunch ..... That despite what the Renewable Fuels Assoc and the National Corn Grower's Assoc, The Farm Bureau, and similar organizations apparently want us to believe... Guess maybe what constitutes "propaganda" largely depends upon who is feeding at the trough, eh? ]]> Fri, 28 Mar 2008 10:24:58 -0400
<< ... the byproduct of ethanol production is distillers grains which is used as a high protein feed for those "starving" animals you cite. >>

and then concludes with the plea:

<< Please get you facts straight before peddling propaganda about American made energy.... I wonder who has a vested interest in undermining the bio-fuels industry? >>

Interesting points .... particularly that one about propaganda. Guess one person's 'facts" are another's "propaganda", eh?

But speaking of propaganda, do you merely "overlook" or don't you know that high protein distiller's grain you tout cannot be fed and cannot be used as a complete ration to feed animals?

Beef cattle can consume no more than ~40% distiller's grain in their feed ration; dairy cows slightly less; swine and poultry no more than ~10%. These differences derive from the very significant differences in the digestive system of bovines vs the less complex systems of these other species. These data are from current animal nutrition research facts; not propaganda.

Further, consider that for every bushel of distiller's grain a beef animal will then also require about 2 bu of other whole grain-based components. Thus as a means of disposal of this so-called "co-product", the more distiller's grain that is shunted into the livestock feedlots, the more whole grain is required to help dispose of it in the feedlot.

The math is pretty simple: (1 bu distillers grain requires 2 bu of other grains for disposal). This suggests there's a fundamental problem here biofuels hypesters probably would just as soon not discuss.

But fear not, maybe we can import grain from South America to feed out livestock on the "co-product" if the biofuel industry really takes off.

Oh there's one more rub about disposal of 'co-product" distiller's grain: The stuff is wet and warm and so it is readily susceptible to rapid spoilage unless it is used very locally. Otherwise it must be shipped in a partially dry or fully dried form. Intersetingly most of the nation's feedlots are now far distant from the the locations of Midwestern ethanol plants. So now we're into either moving the feedlots or the 'co-product".....

But, wait, doesn't drying and cross-country shipment of 'co-product" require MORE ENERGY?

Recent reports on the economics of corn-based ethanol plants indicate that about 40% of the energy used by these ethanol plants is used to dry distiller's grain. Doubtlkless even more to haul the stuff to feedlots in the SW and West.

Which all just proves yet again the old adage about: There ain't no free lunch .....

That despite what the Renewable Fuels Assoc and the National Corn Grower's Assoc, The Farm Bureau, and similar organizations apparently want us to believe...

Guess maybe what constitutes "propaganda" largely depends upon who is feeding at the trough, eh?

]]>