33Nick

Alternative Energy Storage: Cheap Outperforms Cool

Wait a second, I will miss your in-depth technical article. Maybe you can do both? ;)

Alternative Energy Storage Needs to Take Baby Steps Before It Can Run

John, what do you think about the 14 U.S. companies coming together to build basic batteries? It would seem like a good idea, at least on paper. It seems it would speed up development and beef up mass manufacturing.

How Will Temporary Decline in Oil Prices Impact Energy Sector?

"This is no time to go out and buy a gas-guzzler!"

Surely you are not saying people are gullible to think since gas prices are coming down it is a god sign to go back to our big, bloated cars? Nah. That would be short sightedness and lack of memory. Wait a second, that sounds familiar...

Alternative Energy Storage: Cheap Will Beat Cool

It wouldn't be so bad if us "early adopters" and off the beaten path folks wouldn't be bothered by the choices of those other less fortunate, ill advised folks :) Still, the mass majority has the uncanny capacity to believe too quickly things that cannot be understood rapidly.

Yes, my next new car will be fully electric and with no PHEV or extended range gimmicks. Yes, I will convert my old cars to electricity, especially the light ones. Yes, my next laptop will still be an Apple, because it always works! When it won't anymore, the early adopter in me will go to another system. Yes, my next residence will be solar and wind friendly. If I can pitch a deep enough hole, I will use geo-thermic energy. I will continue using products that work and have my friends see them as the reality they are, that saves me money in the long run, work and are good fir the environment. Simple, no?

Alternative Energy Storage: Lithium, Lead or Both?

What is interesting is that we have a world of choices. Hopefully people won't get too bogged down with splashy PR pitches and marketing blitzes. Ideally it would be good to have some standardization for measurements but also battery bays in electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids so that one would have a set of cheaper lead-acid ones for every day drive and more potent, maybe some derivative lithium/ultracapacitat... for longer drives.

My favorite quote for your article which makes all so much sense is: "After all, we Americans have never minded lugging around a few extra pounds if the heavier choice is 40% to 80% cheaper." Indeed, as long as the cupholders are there!