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14.01.11: Part of the sourcing of energy is the increased need for energy as world population grows.
What if we had a dramatic decrease in world-wide need for energy.
Would this reduce the emphasis on oil? No, in my opinion, it would only decrease the pressure to find oil alternatives.
Regardless, progress is being made on alternate sourcing in major cities.
On Jan 8th, the BBC reported on wireless (inductive) charging of city electric buses in a city 90km north of London. The buses carry 800,000 passengers a year. The buses are required to stop for 10 minutes every loop of their 25km route.
While the need to stop for 10 minutes isn't a concern, Bombardier's PRIMOVE system appears better as it doesn't require stopping. It has been in test mode since 2010 (on an 800 metre light-rail line in Augsburg Germany).
Another wireless electric system (Conductix-Wampfler's IPT technology) has been in use in Genoa and Turin Italy (200km) since 2003. IPT uses magnetic resonance which recharges the batteries while passengers are getting on/off.
In Gumi Korea, a couple of buses travel 24km using magnetic resonance via online electric vehicle (OLEV) technology in 2013.
The plan is to increase to 10 buses by 2015.
14.01.05: Article in the Toronto Star today by Eduardo Porter. First published by him in the NY Times Nov 19th.
The bottom line: Nuclear Power is the answer, at this time.
Here is a summary:
1. Developed countries (other than Canada) are promising to replace fossil fuels with renewables.
2. So far, coal and natural gas are winning.
3. Between 2010-2012, world-wide consumption of nuclear energy reduced by 7%.
4. Between 2010-2012, world-wide consumption of coal (the worst global warmer offender) rose 4.5%.
5. Coal accounted for over half the growth in fossil fuel emissions in 2012.
6. Energy consumption is expected to grow by more than half in 30 years ... means carbon-free nuclear power is mandatory (with current knowledge).
7. Nuclear power remains the most scalable and cheapest of alternate energy sources.
8. $108/MWh - new-generation nuclear plant entering service 2018.
9. $144/MWh - solar powered (but expensive transmission).
10. $86/MWh - land-based wind farms (but expensive transmission).
11. $221/MWh - offshore wind farms (but expensive transmission).
12. $118/MWh - approx of coal-fired plant.
13. $65/MWh - natural gas plants.
14. Cost-wise - fossils are the most attractive. Politicians count on this!
15. Saving lives (from the fuel type) - nuclear power is the best!
What all of this doesn't address is survival of the planet.
Unfortunately, only when death and destruction occur in large numbers, will people finally ignore the expense and agree on extreme environmental change (absolute stoppage of fossil fuel use) ... but it will be too late!
Is there still time for sane minds to over-power political motivation???
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