I was relaxing at the beach a few weeks ago, and it struck me: thousands of people in the Gulf can’t visit the beach this summer because of the oil spill. Beaches are soiled, wildlife is under siege and livelihoods have been ruined.
So when are we going to do something to make sure a disaster like this doesn’t happen again?
Big Oil is like a pusher who wants to sell us one more hit, and who wants us to believe that the alternative isn’t worth it.
Well, it’s time to tell the pusher we’re going clean. Our oil addiction is preventing us from finding clean energy solutions that could stimulate our economy and make us world leaders in clean energy technologies.
Yes, the pusher is going to continue to propagate the myths we’ve been hearing about offshore drilling: that it will lower the price of gasoline; that it will make us energy independent; that it’s safe; that we need the energy; that its jobs are irreplaceable.
We shouldn’t believe the sales pitch, instead let’s look at the facts.
The Energy Information Agency (EIA) showed that allowing drilling on all of our coasts would only lower gas prices about three cents per gallon, and not until 2030. The EIA has also shown that we only reduce imports from about 60% to 58% if we open the remainder of our coasts. That’s not even close to energy independence.
Building a clean energy manufacturing base in the Gulf of Mexico could provide even more jobs than offshore drilling, and this technology can be exported globally, to strengthen our economy. And it doesn’t spill.
Instead of listening to the pusher, we should be asking ourselves: Do we need the energy offshore drilling provides, or could we get it another way, and alleviate the risks of drilling?
Here’s the deal — the Gulf of Mexico provides about 8% of our oil. That amount could be replaced through conservation, energy efficiency programs and clean energy. If we stop offshore drilling now, ongoing production in the Gulf of Mexico could serve as a bridge, while these new programs get underway.
What would it take to cut our oil use by 8%, or 1.6 million barrels of oil per day? Here’s one example of a way to do it in five-steps:
- Using fuel more efficiently in shipping could save 108,000 barrels of oil each day. Studies from the International Maritime Organization show that operational and technical changes available today could achieve these reductions and more.
- Shifting 25% of homes from oil heat to more efficient electrical heat could save 213,000 barrels of oil each day.
- Replacing oil in power plants with clean energy such as offshore wind could reduce demand by 210,000 barrels of oil each day.
- Replacing about 10% of the cars on the road today with electric ones could save 576,000 barrels of oil each day.
- Advanced biofuels derived from non-food sources like algae and switchgrass could ultimately replace all of the oil we get from the Gulf of Mexico. But even if we used just 15% of that projection that could supplant oil demand by another 600,000 barrels per day.
These five steps can be varied to emphasize one or the other more or less to get us an energy plan that would make Gulf drilling unnecessary. The additional electricity demands it creates could be satisfied by clean, carbon-free energy. We could have 20 Gigawatts of offshore wind capacity installed by 2020. Together with solar power, land-based wind and other solutions, we can get more than enough clean energy to cover the additional demands on the power grid.
Although innovation is a powerful force, those that benefit from the status quo have the resources to influence public opinion and public policy. But we, the people, still have the final say. Let’s stop listening to the myths and start taking common sense steps to break our oil addiction.
Join the more than 135,000 people who have signed the petition to stop offshore drilling.
One of the biggest concerns during early research was the fact that burning this algae fuel still released CO2 into the air. Nonetheless, the burning varies much so in that it doesn't produce any new CO2 emissions like that of fossil fuels. This was a minor concern however, as the fuel was never really able to be inexpensively mass produced.
Now, there are definite signs of hope in the field of algae-based biofuels, as a number of firms and fortune 500 companies are delving into the research, investing billions of dollars. Alternative energy and carbon emission reduction efforts are widespread, funded by large collaborate organizations like the Clinton Global Initiative. Fathered by Doug Band, the CGI has made large strides in the San Fransisco Bay area, reducing fleet emissions in large. Even more recently, Google made an astounding investment of $38 million dollars into wind farm production.
Ultimately, Exon Mobile has been one of the largest cooperators/investors into algae-based biofuels, setting aside nearly $600 million dollars as of 2009. In their quest for alternative energy, they joined with Synthetic Genomics Inc., to research and develop next-generation biofuels produced from sunlight.[1]
But why algae? Here are some major reasons why algae would be a great substitute:
- Grows in a wide range of climates
- Lower water intensity than corn or cellulosic ethanols
- Ability to potentially mitigate CO2
- Liquid fuels formed are the only one of their byproducts
- Byproducts are potentially the most valuable
All in all, the 40 percent lipid yield of some species (according to some studies) can produce up to 10,000 gallons of oil per annum (1 acre). This is far more productive than Soy or cellulosic ethanol, which range between 50 to 2700 gallons. [2]
As in any study, there are drawbacks, and for most companies, it's the failure to indentify the right strains of algae for high lipid concentration. Also, there are elements like contamination or predation, and dealing with the complicatedness of de-watering and oil withdrawal; all processes which have yet to be perfected.
On July 1, the department of energy (DOE) announced the investment of $24 million for approximately 3 different research groups. Their mission is to target all these obstacles in the mass production of algae-based biofuels. Sustainable Algal Biofuels Consortium, Consortium for Algal Biofuels Commercialization and Cellana LLC Consortium will all perform separate tasks in hopes of igniting an algae fuel based society.
Jack Lundee – Follower of all things green and progressive.
Jack LundeeWebmasterhttp://everythingleft.wordpress.com/http://twitter.com/j_lundee
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DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY (DAE)
BOARD OF RESEARCH IN NUCLEAR SCIENCES (BRNS)
Invites Applications for its Prestigious Scheme
DR. K.S.KRISHNAN RESEARCH ASSOCIATESHIP (KSKRA) – 22nd Batch
For a challenging career in pursuit of front ranking R & D programmes in Atomic Energy
Advertisement No.7/2010
DAE strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply
Research Associates selected under the prestigious KSKRA programme are given an opportunity to work on R&D programmes of national
Research Associates selected under the prestigious KSKRA programme are given an opportunity to work on R&D programmes of national importance
relevant to the DAE mandate in one of the following advanced research centres of the Department:
1. Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai.
2. Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam.
3. Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT), Indore.
4. Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre (VECC), Kolkata.
5. Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), Mumbai.
Up to 20 KSKRAs can be selected every year and paid a stipend of Rs.20,000/- (likely to be revised) + benefits for a maximum period of 2 years. Anytime
during the 2nd year of associateship, subject to satisfactory performance, the KSKRAs will be absorbed in one of the above given R&D units of DAE and
appointed in the grade of Scientific Officer/ Engineer-D/ E. The associateships are available in the following broad disciplines:
Subjects Subject Code Subjects Subject Code
Engineering: All Branches 01
Chemical Sciences 03
Physical Sciences 02
Biosciences 04
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
A) Minimum Educational Qualification and Experience:
i) For Engineers: Ph.D. degree in Engineering (Those who have submitted thesis for Ph.D. may also apply) or Master's degree in Engineering (M.Tech./
M.E./M.S.) with a minimum of 2-year R&D experience after obtaining M.Tech./M.E./M.S. degree.
ii) For Scientists: Ph.D. degree in Science (Those who have submitted Ph.D. thesis may also apply).
All candidates must have a First Class at either Masters or Bachelors level.
All candidates must provide a list of publications in support of their R&D experience.
B) Nationality/ Age: Indian nationals who are not more than 32 years as on 1st January in the year of the application. The age criterion is relaxable by 5 years
for SC/ ST candidates and 3 years for OBC candidates. The SC/ ST/ OBC certificate should be as per the prescribed format. Physically challenge persons
are eligible for age relaxation of 5 years.
SELECTION AND APPOINTMENT
Selection will be done by an interview committee (appointed by BRNS) from among the short listed candidates based on their qualification, published R&D
work and performance in the interview. The selected candidates would be appointed as KSKRA for an initial period of one year, which is extendable by one
more year based on performance during the first year. KSKRAs would be paid a monthly stipend of Rs. 20,000/- (likely to be revised) + benefits. Those
candidates who have submitted their Ph.D. thesis but are yet to receive their Ph.D. degree, if found suitable by the interview committee in view of their
expertise and academic record, would be first designated as Research Associate (RA) and paid Rs.16,000/- per month and only after completion of their
Ph.D. and obtaining a provisional certificate, they would be designated as KSKRA and paid Rs.20,000/- (likely to be revised) per month. For all other
benefits, their date of joining as RA will be treated as the date of joining KSKRA Scheme. In addition Rs.10,000/- per year will be paid as Educational Material
Allowance. Associates will be provided Hostel accommodation, medical and leave benefits during the Associateship.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Anytime during second year of Associateship, subject to satisfactory performance as evaluated by the concerned DAE unit, KSKRAs will be appointed
as Scientific Officer/ Engineer-D in the Pay Band-3 (PB-3) (Rs.15,600-39,100) plus Grade Pay (GP) Rs.6,600/- and up to 4 advance increments may be
awarded depending upon qualification, experience and performance. Exceptionally brilliant candidates with excellent track record in advanced technologies
and having a Ph.D. may be considered for Scientific Officer/ Engineer-E in PB-3 with higher GP of Rs.7,600/-. In addition benefits under Performance Related
Incentive Scheme (PRIS) as applicable to the scientists and engineers in DAE will also be provided. Total starting emoluments including Incentives and
Allowances at the time of absorption in a Class-A1 city as on 01.01.2009 are more than Rs. 50,000/- for Scientific Officer/Engineer-D and Rs. 54,000/- for
Scientific Officer/Engineer-E.
The additional benefits on regular appointment for employees and their dependent family are:
Conducive environment for working; Knowledge Update Allowance; PRIS incentives; Healthcare scheme and Leave Travel Concession for self and family;
Accommodation (subject to availability) with excellent ambience in well developed colony having
- Educational facility for children upto junior college level
- Créche facility for children of working couple
HOW TO APPLY
a. The application should be preferably typewritten on a plain paper as per the pro-forma given in the advertisement for only one of the subjects listed above.
Multiple applications received would be rejected.
b. Attach only photocopies of the following documents/ certificates duly attested by a Gazetted Officer/ Head of the Institute (Do not enclose original certificates).
i. All degree certificates and mark sheets starting with the eligibility qualification (for example Ph.D.) certificate.
ii. GATE Score, GATE Subject and GATE Year or NET Qualification (optional).
iii. Proof of date of birth e.g. CBSE/ HSC/ SSC/ Matriculation certificate.
iv. SC/ ST/ OBC/ Physically Handicapped/ DODPKIA certificate, if applicable, as per the prescribed format.
c. Affix one passport size photograph on the top right corner of the application and enclose one spare photograph inside the envelope indicated at “c” above.
Append your signatures across both the photographs.
d. Postal Order/Demand Draft of Rs.100/- as application fee drawn in favour of Accounts Officer, BARC payable at Mumbai.
SC/ST, Persons with Disabilities, Women candidates and Dependents of Defence Personnel Killed In Action (DODPKIA) are
exempted from application fee.
e. Persons working under the Central/ State Government/ Public Sector Undertakings should submit their application
through proper channel.
f. Enclose 3 envelopes (size 5”x7”) with complete addresses including PIN code: One envelope for self and one each for the two referees who are familiar with
your work. For a letter to be sent to Hindi-belt in India, the address on the envelope should be written in Hindi.
g. On the left hand corner of envelope please clearly mark your Subject Code Number and inscribe KSKRA with application due date.
h. Send application by Registered Post with Acknowledgement Due Card to the Deputy Establishment Officer (R-IV), 4th floor, Central Complex, Bhabha Atomic
Research Centre,Trombay, Mumbai-400085.
i. Applications will be received throughout the year. Selection interviews will be held twice every year.
j. The applicants who submit their applications by 1st March will be called for interview in June and those who submit their applications by 1st September will be
called for interview in December of the same year.
SELECTION PROCEDURE
Applications will be screened and candidates found suitable will be called to appear for an interview in Mumbai. A list of shortlisted candidates will be placed on
BARC’s web-site after second week of October, 2010 and will also inform by post. Preference will be given to those candidates whose research interest and
work experience has relevance to the mandate of DAE. Outstation candidates will be paid sleeper class (ordinary) train fare or actual fare, whichever is less.
Candidates are advised to come prepared to stay in Mumbai for 2 to 3 days as a few short listed candidates will be asked to undergo a medical examination on
the day following the interview. Final selection will be made from among the short listed candidates found medically fit.
A BRIEF NOTE ON BOARD OF RESEARCH IN NUCLEAR SCIENCES
Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences (BRNS) is an advisory body to recommend financial assistance to universities/ institutions/ laboratories with the objective
to encourage and promote scientific research in areas of relevance to the mandate of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). BRNS plays a vital role in
strengthening collaboration with educational institutions/ universities to meet the scientific and the technological needs of the Department. Main mandate of DAE
is the production of safe and economical nuclear power, using indigenous uranium and thorium resources. Towards this end, it is involved in developing, in
stages, pressurized heavy water reactors, fast breeder reactors, and advanced thorium reactors with associated fuel cycle systems. It builds research reactors
for production of radioisotopes and carries out programmes on isotope and radiation technology applications in medicine and agriculture and industry. It develops
advanced technology in areas like accelerators, lasers, control and instrumentation, computers, biotechnology, information technology, materials technology etc.,
and also encourages technology transfers to other users and industry. It supports basic research in nuclear energy and related frontier areas of science.
Due date for receipt of applications: 1st September, 2010
The above advertisement is also published in
The Employment News dated July 31, 2010, Abridge Advtg. In
News Papers on July 7, 2010, A brief Advtg. In National leading
News Papers on August 1st, 2010 and Current Science Journal
dated July 24, 2010
Due date for receipt of applications: 1st September, 2010
The above advertisement is also published in
The Employment News dated July 31, 2010, Abridge Advtg. In
News Papers on July 7, 2010, A brief Advtg. In National leading
News Papers on August 1st, 2010 and Current Science Journal
dated July 24, 2010
[Only Registered Users Can See This Website Link. Register For FREE. Joining is Fast and Easy.]
Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)
Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam – 603102
Advertisement No.2/2010
IGCAR welcomes you to apply to join Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research as Scientific Officer/Engineer or a Scientific Assistant or a Tradesman/ Technician :
- Scientific Officer ‘E’ : 01 posts
- Scientific Officer ‘D’ : 02 posts (UR)
- Technical Officer ‘D’ : 02 posts (UR)
- Technical Officer ‘C’ : 19 posts (UR-4, SC-2, ST-6, OBC-6, PH-1)
- Scientific Assistant ‘B’ : 36 posts (SC-05, ST-11, OBC-04, UR-15, PH-1)
- Category-I Trainees :Â 44 posts (UR-23, SC-8, ST-3, OBC-10, PH-2)
- Category-II Trainees :Â 04 posts (UR-3, OBC-4)
- Technician ‘B’ : 32 posts (UR-23, ST-1, SC-7, PH-1)
How to Apply : Completed applications in the prescribed format in an envelope superscribed as Application for the post of ________ Category No. : ______ In ICGAR, Against the Advertisement No. 2/2010. should be sent on or before 12/07/2010 to :
The Administrative Officer-II (R)
Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR)
Kalpakkam – 603102, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu
Click here for more details : http://www.igcar.gov.in/recruitment/adv02_10.pdf
Thu, 29 Jul 2010 22:27:01 +0100 |
Nitrogen Ionization Energy
Under section 1603 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, commercial renewable power projects were allowed to get direct federal grant instead of taking either a production tax credit or an investment tax credit to offset temporarily the decline in funding attributed to a diminished appetite from investors for tax credits. After all, what good are tax credits if there are no investors who need them.
A recent report by the Lawrence Berkeley National Labs has tried to evaluate the success of the grant program after its first eight months of operation. As of March 1st, 64% of eligible wind power projects and 100% of eligible geothermal projects went for the cash and not the tax credits. Wind and geothermal projects account for 85.9% and 5.9%, respectively, of the $2.6 billion grant dollars awarded so far. Solar PV accounts for 3.7% of the total and biomass plants account for 2.8%. No other technology has been awarded more than 1% of the total.
The report estimates that as much as 2,400 megawatts of wind power capacity additions can be attributed to the availability of the grants. In addition to new clean generating capacity, the ARRA was also intended to support American jobs. The 2,400 megawatts of the 2009 wind power projects accounted for an estimated 51,600 short-term, full-time jobs during construction of the projects and 3,860 long-term, full-time jobs after the plants went into operation.
Of the 40 large wind power projects, turbines were supplied by General Electric Co. (NYSE: GE) in 12 of the projects. Other large turbine makers such as Vestas, Mitsubishi, and Siemens AG (NYSE: SI) also supplied turbines. Foreign turbine makers accounted for about 38% of the short-term jobs generated by the grants, while some 98% of the long-term jobs went to US companies.
In gross terms, the renewable energy sector is estimated to receive $6.7 billion in financing through the grant and tax equity programs in 2010. The peak year for renewable energy financing so far was 2007, when $6.1 billion was invested, all of which received either the production or investment tax credit. The US Partnership for Renewable Energy Finance estimates that funding after 2010 will fall by 50%-80% if the grants are not extended into 2011 and beyond.
Chances for extending the grant program have dimmed since the US Senate has given up any hope of passing a climate change bill approved last year by the House. And there is an even smaller chance that the Senate will approve additional stimulus funding that might keep the grants going beyond this year.
In theory, the section 1603 grants have mostly achieved their twin goals of encouraging renewable power generation and creating jobs. Had the US economy as a whole kept pace, the need to continues the grant program would have either disappeared or been significantly reduced. Renewable energy does not have the political clout to keep these grants going beyond the end of this year.
If you think the government should be doing all it can to create jobs and reduce carbon dioxide emissions, then the demise of section 1603 grants is not a good thing. However, if you believe that this kind of government intervention distorts the market and is wasteful, then it’s best to kill the program now and be done with it before it becomes another federal giveaway.
Paul Ausick
With a cap on carbon dioxide an apparent nonstarter in the Senate these days, some clean energy and climate advocates have shifted their sights to a scaled-back but still ambitious goal: passage of a national renewable electricity standard.
Such a law would require utility companies to produce a set amount of electricity from renewable sources by a certain date, spurring the development of clean sources like wind and solar and probably lowering overall emissions nationally. Perhaps most important, some argue that with a strong push by the president, such a measure could actually clear the high bar for passage of 60 votes in the Senate this fall.
NewNet News - Greece to invest €12bn on environment and energy to boost beleaguered economy
Greece is to invest €12bn on the environment and energy projects before 2015 in an attempt to kick-start its economy.
The funds will be partly allocated to renewable energy projects and are being deployed with the hope of attracting €32bn of private investment, according to Environmental Minister Tina Birbili.
‘The ministry hopes the programme will decisively contribute to face recession and lead to dynamic economic growth, Birbilli said in a press release obtained by Reuters.
Lethbridge Herald - Canadian researchers hope to green the web, make Canada the world’s web server
TORONTO — Canadian researchers hope to stem the global IT industry’s rampant output of greenhouse gas emissions by perfecting a way to host the Internet’s content purely on green power. And if their experiment succeeds, Canada could essentially become the world’s largest Internet server — powered with almost no carbon footprint — and help reduce one of the most significant, growing sources of pollution.
The GreenStar Network is a two-year project funded by the Canadian Advanced Network and Research for Industry and Education, which aims to address the IT industry’s incessant energy consumption. It’s estimated that two to eight per cent of the world’s energy consumption is drained by computers and the IT field, and the industry’s explosive growth may propel it to a 20 per cent share in some countries by 2020.
U.S. wind energy popular, but lacks investment | Green Tech - CNET News
Despite public approval, U.S. wind energy investment is slowing down instead of growing, according to the American Wind Energy Association.
An overwhelming majority of Americans support a renewable electricity standard, and wind energy investment in particular, according to a poll of 600 likely voters conducted in March by Newhouse of Public Opinion Strategies and Bennett, Petts & Normington.
Specifically, 89 percent of Americans said increasing the amount of energy the U.S. gets from wind is a good idea. Broken down by ideology, 84 percent of Republicans, 93 percent of Democrats, and 88 percent of independents support increasing the use of wind energy in the U.S.
But that bipartisan enthusiasm for wind has not translated into real-world investment or public policy, according to a detailed report released this week by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).
UK Ponies Up $67M for Green Car Grants
Starting in January 2011, electric and hybrid car buyers in the United Kingdom will be able to tap a £43 million (around $67 million) grant fund to knock up to 25 percent off their purchase price, with a max grant of £5,000 (about $7,789). The grants, initially promised last year by the previous Labour government and announced on Wednesday by Transport Secretary Phillip Hammond, are set to be available through March 2012.
If all participants reap the max grant of £5,000, the funds will cover up to 8,600 vehicles next year from companies like Mitsubishi, Toyota, Renault-Nissan and Tesla Motors, which all have plug-in models on the UK market or in the pipeline for 2011.
Thu, 29 Jul 2010 22:26:49 +0100 |
Stacking Fault Energy
