Interesting analysis of the Garnaut report on Radio National
Climate change policy and the Garnaut Report - Late Night Live - 7 July 2008.
Of all places…!
“The Adelaide City Council’s electric solar bus is the first in the world to be recharged using 100% solar energy…Recent advances in battery technology have helped the successful development of pure electric buses with a suitable range between recharges. The Tindo solar electric bus uses 11 Zebra battery modules, giving it unprecedented energy storage capacity and operational range. The Swiss-made Zebra batteries use sodium/nickel chloride technology, with their benefits including:
-Designed for long life and reliability
-Not affected by external temperatures
-Can be stored indefinitely fully charged
-Lightweight
-High energy and power density
The Zebra batteries used in Tindo are virtually maintenance free, and are therefore expected to result in significant cost savings.”
http://www.adelaidecitycouncil.com/scripts/nc.dll?ADCC:STANDARD::pc=PC_151048
An interesting idea for a sustainable fridge in developing countries.
This weeks issue of The Economist has a 20 page special report on the future of energy. It looks at wind, solar, Nuclear, CCS, electrical networks and all the usual suspects. The editorial leader also has energy as a focus.
“As these alternatives start to roll out in earnest, their rise, optimists hope, will become inexorable. Economies of scale will develop and armies of engineers will tweak them to make them better and cheaper still. Some, indeed, think alternative energy will be the basis of a boom bigger than information technology.”
A large part of the special report is available online but its well worth buying a copy to peruse it all.
Another great example from our government of what we shouldn’t be doing if we actually want to reduce emissions. The basic idea is to convert our fossil fuel reserves of coal and gas into transport fuels like petroleum. Robin Batterham hinted that this was inevitable if oil prices stay high for sustained periods.
‘Coal to gas’ energy plan draws scepticism - ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation
I can barely describe how happy this makes me. Die hummer die!
Production line stalling a bummer for Hummers | theage.com.au
Rear Vision looks at the history of the automobile. Raises some interesting points as to why petrol cars have dominated and there has been very little progress in terms of efficiency. When the personal car was first invented t was a battle between the electric car, steam and petrol. Maybe it’s not too late for electric cars to make a comeback
At the invitation of the German Federal Government, representatives from more than 60 countries met in Berlin earlier this month to discuss the founding of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), an intergovernmental organization that will exist to exclusively promote the adoption of renewable energy worldwide. This is indeed a good news for the future of sustainable energy technologies.
IRENA will address several critical barriers that are preventing the full-scale adoption of renewable energy. It will provide informed policy advice and assistance to national governments that are currently lacking the means and capacity to develop effective regulatory frameworks for renewable energy adoption.
You can find more about this news by Lily Riahi in the following link:
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=52254
Cheers
Anil
There is some very interesting research at the moment looking into replacing batteries with Fuel Cells. Being able to replace Lithium-Ion batteries in consumer electronics with a Fuel Cell powered by a Hydrogen or Methanol canister has many advantages including longer power reserves and much faster recharging times. But one of the main sticking points in further developing this technology has been the reluctance of commercial airlines and aviators to allow Fuel Cell canisters onto their flights. The fears being that the flammable gas contained inside the canister poses a risk to the aircraft if it somehow catches fire.
Well this week we have seen the first steps towards approving the carriage on aeroplanes of these (so far unavailable) power sources. The US Department of Transportation has just made a ruling that will let passengers carry approved methanol fuel cells and up to two spare fuel cartridges in their carry-on bags.
FTA:
“Fuel cells also can’t spontaneously burst into flames. A person would have to apply a flame to a fuel cell to ignite methanol, which is an alcohol. Presumably, security will take lighters and matches away from someone at the gate. Lithium-ion batteries in rare instances have blown up, but those instances have been alarming.
Fuel cell technology, though, isn’t easy and fuel cells have faced several delays. Lim says fuel cells will likely begin to come out in 2009. MTI is working with Samsung on fuel cells for phones.
Canada, China, Japan, and the UK already let passengers carry their nonexistent fuel cells onboard.”
http://www.news.com/8301-11128_3-9933408-54.html?tag=nefd.blgs
Hi all,
For those who have not seen via my post to the MIET2126 & 2127 discussion board. A very interesting report.
http://www.abareconomics.com/publications_html/energy/energy_08/energyAUS08.pdf
Cheers,
TonyB
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