TruthSayer

Alternative Energy Storage: It's All About Price vs. Performance

J. Peterson - I agree with you diesel seems to be the obvious choice - but the public has preception of diesel being dirty per the first experiences with diesel. Conventional diesel is much more efficient than conventional gas. In addition as you correctly pointed out biodiesel seems to also be ahead relative to ethanol/bio-gasoline alternatives.

I do want to mention on the subject of ethanol and biofuels- there has been a bunch of bashing on ethanol. I for one over the past couple years have been an opponent of ethanol. However I have changed my mind over the past year. The reason is we (US) are the number 1 agriculture producer in the world. Before the 2007-2008 runup in oil clearly one could argue gasoline was underpriced relative to the good it brought to people versus lets say bottle water ($8/gallon). I believe in that sense people have undervalued food. Subsidy for oil contributed to the increase oil prices. Increase in oil prices hurt us because we net import. If food prices rise I believe the US would be the benefactor of this trend so if biofuels caused food prices to rise I really dont think it would be bad for the US. Clearly we will pay more for food but food does have a very good utility which deserves greater value than its seen the past few years. In the long run just like wind generation we will get better at the technology. Biofuels is better than the other alternatives in terms of balancing economics, energy security, environment, and technical implementation.

Alternative Energy Storage: It's All About Price vs. Performance

I to try to be agnostic about global warming - lets just talk numbers and the facts.

On the CNG front two issues that are real which will require a societal change or massive technological improvements - 1. CNG vehicle cost an additional $3-5K 2. The distance you can travel will be cut in half as compared to conventional vehicle before the next fillup - assuming you can find a station. 3. You will have a reduction of 40% of your trunk space.

WIth the credit issues the way it is as long as you give choice (which by the way is the American thing to do) it will be hard for consumers to pony up the additional capital whether CNG or other hybrid technology. Compared to the other technology CNG right now has much more sacrifice in how you behave with your car - driving distance and trunk space.

Alternative Energy Storage: It's All About Price vs. Performance

We need to get real on the CO2 front. Please read at least the executive summary of the IPCC report. The report clearly states we will need to approach 2 GT of carbon emissions by 2100 for any remote stabilization. It also states the reductions will need significant reductions by 2020. If any of these things fail to occur they list a plethora of negative outcomes.

Okay lets do the math - World Carbon Emission now 26GT - US 6 GT China already surpassed us. India not far behind. The report says 2 GT goal. Remember the chinese built a coal plant a week these have asset lifes of greater than 60 years. Do you really think we can get to 2GT by 2100 plus a significant reduction by 2020? I am not being a naysayer - but a truthsayer. Either the report overstated the goals or we should prepare for adaptation not a goal that is unachievable - e.g. most of us attempting to be professional atheletes - we can spend the rest of our lives working out but we will not advance to that level no matter what so no point in trying.

Battery storage is very expensive when you incorporate the life cycle. Power plants can last 60 years batteries life cycle 15. I did own CBAK but its not to save the world but the fact we all have cell phones that need batteries.