Jeff Dearborn

Alternative Energy Storage: Lithium, Lead or Both?

I see no mention of ultra-capacitors.
Aren't ultra-capacitors the way of the future for portable electric storage?

Everything They Tell You About Solar Is Wrong - Travis Bradford

Take the promotional fluff out. Here are the main numbers/facts:

* The solar industry is growing at about 40%-50% a year. I assume he means total revenues of the solar companies. The 50% sounds a bit like hyperbole to me. 40% matches most sources.

* Solar prices are dropping about 5%/year. Not clear what this refers to: generated power cost? The cells? Anyway, a good general item to keep in mind.

* Generation and Transmission cost about 50%/50% - this is new to me and significant

* Solar cuts the middleman, power can be produced whare it is used. Good insight.

* Middle of the day energy is most expensive, and this is where solar is most effective. This means cost comparisons are sqewed.

All in all, I agree. Given the 2.7B (?) invested in alternative energy in 2007 alone that we are at the point of no return in getting rid of our fossil-fuels addiction and dependency.

Nissan's Israeli Ad Agency and Shai Agassi Take T. Boone Pickens' Side of the Oil Issue

Hi Michael,

I guess one person's "funny" is another person's highly offensive material.

As an Israeli, who is sensitive to caricature style "jew" depictions, I find this stereotypical and offensive too. Oil is not "Arab". It is also, Venezuelan, and even Texan. It is bad for all of us on the planet. It is our crack and it is the OPEC crack as well, actually.

There is a beautiful message in getting rid of Oil dependence. There's no need to attack or make fun of anyone. I would keep the positive, non-offensive and universal angle: green, saving money, great for the environment, sustainable.... this way everyone wins.

Of course, the more controversial this ad becomes, the more publicity it would get, so obviously the ad agency did what's actually works best for them. It is sad, but true.