Energy articles from January 2006

Energy archives from January 2006

State of energy policy: on or off?(EDITORIAL)
January 1, 2006... The digital electronics revolution is still in its infancy and, hence, will continue to transform most aspects of life. Digital electronics, based on pure logic, yields calculated outcomes based on goals and much of it accomplished via the...

Stopping the demand spiral: sweeping social changes will be needed to halt escalating energy consumption.(CONSUMPTION)
January 1, 2006... Many great developments will take shape in the energy arena in the next 10 to 20 years. New Rockefellers, new Edisons, new Einsteins will emerge. Nations will grapple with complex geopolitical and policy issues. New technologies will affect...

The changing economics of energy conservation.(COMMENTARY)
January 1, 2006... With oil prices spiking above $60 a barrel, Persian Gulf production threatened by political instability, and exploding demand from China and India likely to strain supplies for decades to come, surely it is time for Washington to get serious...

A better solar cell.(Briefly Noted)
January 1, 2006... Honda Motor Co., Ltd. plans to begin mass production in 2007, of an independently developed thin film solar cell composed of non-silicon compound materials. A mass production plant with annual capacity of 27.5 megawatts will be established at...

California PUC approves solar program.(Briefly Noted)(Brief article)
January 1, 2006... The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has approved the California Solar Initiative, a program to install 3,000 megawatts of solar on California homes, businesses, farms, schools and public facilities over 11 years. The initiative...

NanoPhase battery has power on demand.(Briefly Noted)(Brief article)
January 1, 2006... NanoPhase Technologies and Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey are cooperating on a version of its nanotechnology-based 'smart' battery that relies on alternative chemistries to potentially increase reserve on-demand power. The work...

Costly conflict: the pricetag on the futile war in Iraq will exceed $1 trillion.(ECONOMICS)
January 1, 2006... Three years ago, as America was preparing to go to war in Iraq, there were few discussions of the likely costs. When Larry Lindsey, President Bush's economic adviser, suggested that they might reach $200 billion, there was a quick response...

Betting on the future: the authors compare natural gas forecasts to futures buys.(ECONOMICS)
January 1, 2006... On December 12, 2005, the reference case projections from Annual Energy Outlook 2006 (AEO 2006) were posted on the Energy Information Administration's (EIA) web site. We at LBNL have in the past compared the EIA's reference case long-term...

Embracing conservation: a study reveals high interest in energy conservation, but low knowledge levels.(EFFICIENCY)
January 1, 2006... When seeking to uncover consumer data on energy conservation, market researchers often can tell with some degree of accuracy what the broad-based data may reveal before the first survey question is asked. Certain expectations indeed...

Leaner industry: there is plenty of opportunity to reduce industrial oil consumption.(OIL)
January 1, 2006... The use of products the industrial sector is more diverse than in any other sector of the economy. In 2003, the industrial sector was supplied with 9.31 Quads of petroleum, about 4.87 MBD of oil. The majority (about 78 percent) goes to...

Refining at the crossroads: what are the key factors driving refineries financial performance?(PRODUCTION)
January 1, 2006... Last year (2005) was an eventful one for the oil industry. It has enjoyed very high operating rates and record profits as well as major energy legislation that included royalty relief for oil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico. Major...

Greenhouse emissions grow but rate falls.(ENVIRONMENT)
January 1, 2006... U.S. greenhouse gas emissions increased by 2.0 percent in 2004, from 6,983.2 million metric tons carbon dioxide equivalent (MMTCO2e) in 2003 to 7,122.1 MMTCO2e in 2004, according to "Emissions of Greenhouse Gases in the United States 2004", a...

Oak Ridge studies low-sulfur diesel.(ENVIRONMENT)
January 1, 2006... Ships powered with low-sulfur diesel fuels may have cleaner emissions and actually perform better than when powered with other diesel fuels, according to recent findings of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Navy. The goal of the joint...

Ballard debuts kerosene fueled cogen units.(ENVIRONMENT)
January 1, 2006... When one thinks of advanced PEM fuel cells, the ideal power source that comes to mind isn't usually kerosene. On the other hand, this low tech fuel is used throughout the developing and developed world and is commonly available--unlike...

Seawater + river water = electricity.(TECHNOLOGY)
January 1, 2006... A pair of projects under investigation by European researchers aims to replace fossil fuel-based power production with two different membrane processes that generate electricity by mixing sea and river water. Both ideas are based on the...

AMSC inks cable and wire contracts.(SUPERCONDUCTORS)
January 1, 2006... American Superconductor Corp. won several cable and wire contracts. AMSC has finalized a contract amendment with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Under the terms of the amendment, the DOE will increase its share of the overall approved...

Subaru debuts Li-ion capacitor HEV.(TRANSPORTATION)
January 1, 2006... January is traditionally the time when companies roll out their new concept cars, and these days, the most interesting concepts are often new types of HEVs. For instance, the new Subaru HEV Concept Vehicle will feature a unique lithium-ion...

First Auto Works intros Enova Hybrid City Bus.(TRANSPORTATION)
January 1, 2006... People's Republic of China First Auto Works (FAW) has introduced a Hybrid City Bus powered by an Enova Corp. (19850 S. Magellan Dr., Torrance, CA 90502; Tel: 310/527-2800; Fax: 310/ 527-7888; Web: www.enovasystems. corn) 80kW Parallel Hybrid...

Saturn VUE HEV SUV to use Cobasys.(TRANSPORTATION)
January 1, 2006... At the same time automakers are debuting new HEV concepts, HEV suppliers are debuting new deals. According to Cobasys (3740 Lapeer Rd. South, Orion, Michigan 48359; Tel: 248/620-5700; Fax: 248/620-5702; Web: www.cobasys.com) spokesperson Ray...

Hyundai HEV transit district pilot.(VEHICLES)
January 1, 2006... AC Transit, one of the largest transit agencies in California, moves more than 64 million passengers a year throughout a 360-square mile region and is recognized as a national leader in the industry. It has been named "National Clean Bus...

Hybrid Tech concept vehicle sets record.(VEHICLES)(Brief article)
January 1, 2006... Don't try this trick at home. Can you rev your Prius up over 130 miles per hour? Apparently it is possible. Hybrid Technologies, Inc. (5001 East Bonanza Rd., Suite 138-145, Las Vegas, NV 89110; Tel: 888/669-1808; Fax: 702/ 926-9508; Web:...

Matsushita unit reduces PEM size.(PORTABLE POWER)
January 1, 2006... In today's ubiquitous networked society, there are increasing demands by consumers to have laptops, cell phones and digital still cameras with longer battery runtime, as well as smaller size and lighter weight. Matsushita Battery (MBI, 1-1,...

Advanced PEM system under study.(FUEL CELLS)
January 1, 2006... Plug Power Inc. and Ballard Power Systems have been awarded a $2M program by the U.S. Department of Defense to develop an advanced prototype proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell system to support Defense Continuity of Operations (COOP)....

IEA looks at hydrogens future.(FUEL CELLS)
January 1, 2006... "Urgent action is needed to diversify the energy supply and to curb C[O.sub.2] emissions. Hydrogen and fuel cells are part of a broad range of emerging technologies that may help achieve this goal," said Claude Mandil, Executive Director of...

Adnavance uses DNA for hydrogen.(FUEL CELLS)
January 1, 2006... Adnavance Technologies Inc. (860-410, 22nd Street East, Saskatoon SK, S7K 5T6 Canada; Tel: 306/651-1930; Fax: 306/651-1931; Web: www.adnavance.com) has completed a Series A round of financing totaling $3.85 million. So why should fuel cell...

Hydrogenics refueler to Korean Gas Tech.(FUEL CELLS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2006... Depending on who you talk to, hydrogen fuel cell "filling stations" will be needed in two or three years or in over ten years. There is increasing evidence that any delay will be in demand (i.e., in the availability of hydrogen-powered...

$1.2 million QuestAir [H.sub.2] vehicle order.(FUEL CELLS)
January 1, 2006... On-board vehicle hydrogen generation is a popular option with existing energy companies, for instance ExxonMobil. These companies already have a tremendous investment in gasoline filling stations and so are supporting approaches that turn...

ABB forges a grid in United Arab Emirates.(ELECTRIC UTILITIES)
January 1, 2006... ABB, a leading power and automation technology group, has won a $79 million order from Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority (ADWEA) for the Fujairah 400-kilovolt (kV) substation. Soaring demand for electricity and volatile peak load swings...

Relief for heating and cooling costs.(HVAC)
January 1, 2006... As winter marches on, and with energy resources in question after a disastrous hurricane season, American homeowners are opening their energy bills with trepidation, and heating and cooling system manufacturers are seeking ways to offer them...

Canadian oil industry projects M&A growth.(INVESTMENTS)
January 1, 2006... Oil industry executives and investment bankers in Canada expect China and the United States to be the most active foreign investors in Canadian energy resources, including oil sands, in the next 12 months. A survey conducted for Blake,...

White LED patent licenses to Kingbright.(INVESTMENTS)
January 1, 2006... Cree, Inc. licensed its white LED patent, U.S. Patent No. 6,600,175, to Kingbright Electronic Co., Ltd., a strategic LED chip customer headquartered in Taiwan. The license authorizes Kingbright to manufacture and sell white LEDs that...

Sona funding for magnesium cell buyout.(INVESTMENTS)
January 1, 2006... Primary magnesium batteries have been a small but significant niche market for over 60 years. Rechargeable magnesium cells have always been a possibility, but for a variety of reasons have never been a significant competitor to the many...

Manhattan Scientifics sells Asian licensee.(INVESTMENTS)
January 1, 2006... In the long term, Manhattan Scientifics (127 Eastgate Industrial Park, Los Alamos, NM 87544; Tel: 505/662-0660; Fax: 505/662-0665; Web: www.mhtx.com)is looking to the Far East electric scooters and bicycle market for its fuel cell engines,...

China Digital market presence in Middle East.(BATTERY TECHNOLOGY)(Company Profile)(Brief article)
January 1, 2006... China and Japan both are looking toward Africa and the Middle East. China Digital Communication Group (15260 Ventura Blvd Suite 1060, Los Angeles, CA 91403; Tel: 818/382-9700; Fax: 818/382-9701; Web: www.chinadigitalgroup.com) wholly owned...

Power Technology JVs on advanced lead cells.(BATTERY TECHNOLOGY)
January 1, 2006... Power Technology Inc. (109 N. Post Oak Lane, Suite 422, Houston, Texas 77024; Tel: 713/621-4310; Web: www.pwtcbattery.com) has announced several new relationships that will help characterize the company's advanced lead-acid systems. ...

Oak Ridge advances thin-film lithium.(BATTERY TECHNOLOGY)
January 1, 2006... Advances in rechargeable thin-film lithium battery technology at Oak Ridge National Laboratory might one day provide a solution to the dead-battery dilemma. Traditional alkaline batteries can be short-lived in some devices, costly over the...

Margin of safety: care spending more to assure supplies of oil and natural gas.(EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION)
January 1, 2006... We recently published our Lehman Brothers Original E&P Spending Survey, which concluded that the 325 oil and gas companies we surveyed are planning to increase their worldwide exploration and production (E&P) expenditures from an estimated...

Nukes ride again: the Energy Policy Act returns nuclear energy to center stage.(NUCLEAR)
January 1, 2006... For a generation, the public perception of nuclear energy has been mired in the past, with nuclear largely absent from discussions about future U.S. energy policy. No new nuclear plants have been ordered in two decades, and the last...

Support for R&D: the government spends big to develop energy technology. Here is where it puts its money.(TECHNOLOGY)
January 1, 2006... The federal government has historically encouraged and supported the development of domestic U.S. energy resources in many diverse ways. Federal incentives for energy production have taken the form of direct subsidies, regulation, tax...

Distillation capacity grows slowly.
January 1, 2006... Distillation Capacity Grows Slowly China, India, Though Show Sizable Increases Major Country Crude Oil Distillation Capacity, 1995, 2000, and 2006 (Thousand Barrels per Calendar Day) Country 1995 2000 ...

Calendar.(Calendar)
January 1, 2006... March 7-9, 2006, Building Energy '06, Seaport World Trade Center, Boston, MA. Contact: Northeast Sustainable Energy Association; Tel: 413/774-6051; Fax: 413/774-6053; Website: BuildingEnergy.nesea.org. March 8-10, 2006, Renewable Energy...