Al Nieder

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    • Renewable Energy: Approaching Grid Parity? [view article]
      All of the 'answers' are right - to an extent. "Peak oil' is an approximation when the world reaches the max production rate - it is extrapolated from 100 years of experience with well drilling, production, depletion, and takes into account new trechnologies, costs, liklihood of new finds, etc.. Not mentioned in '$100 oil' is the depreciating value of the US dollar (compared to other currencies), and political decisions that deny drilling, mining, refining, etc. 'Parity' should mean free market value. However, discussion usually avoides mention of huge subsidies given to renewable energy sources and high taxes on 'normal' energy sources.

      Coal, oil, gas, nuclear, wind, biofuel, or solar - Engineers, operators, and financiers are being asked to commit their resources now on prospects that take years to develop and longer to pay off. IF it were so easy, then 'it' would have already happened long ago, and every fund manager in the world would be 100% invested only in 'it.'

      Reality is that lawyers, governments, and environmentalists are unpredictable limiting factors at the forefront for taxing, stifling, and 'not in my backyard' outcomes that skew any reasonable effort. They consume reources, don't produce anything - and they're not investing their money. Simple example: California mandated 15% electricity must be produced from renewable sources. As soon as industry planned wind farms at the most suitable places, environmentalists blocked them. The same now expect CA to get renewable power from AZ and NV. In any case, results will cost more and take longer to build transmission lines. Expect NV and AZ to tax that. Al Nieder, P.E.       Feb 27 07:27 PM
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