Comments on: Winning the Oil Endgame: Innovation for Profits, Jobs and Security

By: Seeker Blog » Environmental Heresies

Seeker Blog » Environmental Heresies — Thu, 21 Apr 2005 03:52:58 +0000

[…] mane and has a reduced footprint of overall environmental impact. And Brand appreciates Amory Lovins: Years ago, environmentalists hated cars and wanted to ban […]

By: Steve D.

Steve D. — Thu, 31 Mar 2005 19:59:38 +0000

Rob,

Thanks for your comments.

I suspect that hydrogen will play a role in developing renewable energy sources, since it stores well and can be used in fuel cells to regenerate electicity. I mention local power, because most energy is “wasted” and the waste heat can be used locally for domestic and light industrial heating and cooling.

It would be great if you have time to review the post "Carrying the Energy Future Comparing Hydrogen and Electricity".

You may be able to illuminate the conclusions.
This ILEA study goes into the local power, transmission - transport energy losses in some depth. And arrives at negative conclusions regarding the US "hydrogen economy" program as formulated.

By: Rob

Rob — Thu, 31 Mar 2005 04:43:05 +0000

I have worked with nuclear, fossil and hybrid power systems. I suspect that there will develop a mix of local electrical power, hydrogen and central station electricity generation. We have to get past the power monopoly first.

You will find it is easy go get power, but a problem to store it. I suspect that hydrogen will play a role in developing renewable energy sources, since it stores well and can be used in fuel cells to regenerate electicity. I mention local power, because most energy is “wasted” and the waste heat can be used locally for domestic and light industrial heating and cooling.

By: Seeker Blog » Energy Policy: The Conservation Bomb

Seeker Blog » Energy Policy: The Conservation Bomb — Wed, 30 Mar 2005 01:48:06 +0000

[…] Review June 14, 2002. This is the source of the energy-productivity statistics I quoted in Winning the Oil Endgame. Fortunately I recalled the figures correctly! Prof […]

By: Steve D.

Steve D. — Wed, 30 Mar 2005 01:12:01 +0000

Richard,

More excellent comments from you - many thanks. The last time you commented I tried to locate your domain on the web, but without success.

Before I forget, I need to add an update - if you want to investigate further, the entire book can be quickly downloaded here (PDF 1.9MB).

It’s easy to describe because it distributes the responsibility for developing a solution to so many parties that some of them will come up with the best available solution.

I agree that price alone will produce the desired energy productivity improvements. The 1973 embargo behavior supports that conclusion. I’m not as confident that tax-based price increases alone are the most efficient way to get there. Wouldn’t you expect tax-driven price increases to reduce overall GDP growth?

I won’t try to argue any particulars of the Lovins’ proposals until I’ve digested the book.

By: Richard Heddleson

Richard Heddleson — Tue, 29 Mar 2005 22:36:23 +0000

I am always sceptical of solutions from the center that show the way to the future (based only on reading the post and executive summary). If we really wanted to solve this problem, all we need is an import duty on oil and petroleum derived products that increases the minimum price for oil by a continuously growing amount. (The proceeds of the duty can be used to fund social security conversion. Put them in a lock box.) The market will take care of every thing else, perhaps the way Mr. Lovins forsees, perhaps another. It’s easy to describe because it distributes the responsibility for developing a solution to so many parties that some of them will come up with the best available solution.

What Lovins states that is unquestionalby correct is that we have a pay me now or pay me later problem. So far we’ve chosen pay later. That always costs more.

Great post.

By: New World Man » Blog Archive » Beating peak oil with capitalism

New World Man » Blog Archive » Beating peak oil with capitalism — Tue, 29 Mar 2005 02:52:15 +0000

[…] capitalism SeekerBlog has posted what will be the first in a series of posts on energy policy options, and it’s the sort of post that makes you anxiou […]