Project Energy BETA : Thoughts and Commentary on an inexorable reality

What can you Do?

optionshiftk — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:34:13 +0000

As dwellers on this Earth, it is our duty to ensure that it stays inhabitable as long a possible. The rising threat of Global Warming and Climate Change may have adverse on this precious planet. Luckily, if each of us contribute the threat may be weakened. Here are some steps you can take:

LED Lighting : Light Emitting Diodes are an extremely efficient alternative to the traditional incandescent, and even outperform CFL’s without the risk of mercury poisoning. At this point in time, they are pricey, but as more consumers adopt this technology, they just might become dominant.

Insulate Your House: As Air Conditioning has become common place, proper home insulation is many times overlooked. What’s the point in blasting the A/C when it all seeps out the uninsulated walls and the attic. Home insulation is also crucial during the cold winter months. Most modern homes have insulated walls, but may not have an insulated attic.

Energy Efficient Appliances (Energy Star Label) : Surprisingly, everyday home appliances such as dishwashers and refrigerators are huge power wasters. This is especially true with older models, which do not meet the strict Energy Star guidelines which rate energy efficiency. It can be wise to invest in an appliance with an “Energy Star” sticker or tag.

An Inconvenient Truth: CFL’s are killing consumers and workers

optionshiftk — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 23:46:02 +0000

A Convenient Ploy: CFL’s

You’ve seen Al Gore’s documentary An Inconvenient Truth right? Who could forget the theatrical antics of that smash hit? Since then, many traditional corporations such a General Electric and Sylvania have seen this “Green Revolution” as a wonderful money making opportunity. After all, what better way to sell ovens, or dishwashers but by scaring consumers into thinking the apocalypse is near and that their grandchildren will be mad at them if they do not purchase a “green” General Electric home appliance. Forgive me. It’s tough not be be overly cynical and feed-up when discussing this topic. The fact that multinational corporations and respected politicians are blatantly lying to consumers in an attempt to cash in and sell toxic light bulbs irks me . Tack the word “green” onto nearly anything and consumers will gaze at it googly eyed practically begging to by one. Quite simply, the entire situation is profoundly sicking.

The most clear example of the deception is the campaign pushing Compact Fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs which seem to have rammed their way into millions of homes. Manufacturers tout the superb efficiency of this technology and how much they will save you over its lifetime, but never once do they even mention the possible dangers of hanging a toxic, mercury filled device over your dinner table or child’s crib. A number of respected institutions are now for the first time raising awareness of the potential danger these CFL’s pose. On an edition of All Things Considered airing February 15, 2009, John Skinner, the executive director of the Solid Waste Association of North America, states that these CFL bulbs contain deadly levels of mercury and many a times break before they reach the landfill.

Even worse, this so called “green” alternative to traditional incandescent light bulbs are killing the Chinese workers who help produce them. A report appearing in the Times Online states that tests done on workers shows that hundreds of employees have high levels of mercury in them, requiring hospitalization. The raid production of CFL’s has led to the reopening of many mercury mines in many parts of China. One particularly powerful statement from a mine worker seems to sum up the entire situation in a masterful way “I worked for 40 years in a mine and now my body is full of sickness and my lungs are finished…”

Addendum:

NPR: All Things Considered “Do Fluorescent Bulbs Light the Way to the Future?”

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7279952

Times Online: ’Green’ LightBulbs Poison Workers

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6211261.ece

Practical Alternatives: The Hydroxy Booster Concept

optionshiftk — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:56:33 +0000

Continuing with last week’s theme, I thought it would be an interesting idea to report on some rather obscure alternative energy solutions. With today’s 24-hour news cycle, it seems that many alternative approaches to the energy crisis are often glossed over. Luckily, with the advent of the internet, well-informed citizens are able to take it upon themselves to learn about this exciting technology. This article will provide an in-depth analysis of an exciting energy alternative colloquially referred to as the “Hydroxy Booster”.

Certainly, the premise of using Hydrogen as a next-generation green fuel is not new at all. For many years Hydrogen was touted as the perfect successor to gasoline, but millions of dollars in research and over a decade of testing has proved that Hydrogen power is not feasible or easy to market to consumers. An interesting adaptation of this concept currently being developed is the little known “Hydroxy Booster” which bridges that gap between traditional gasoline power and next-gen hydrogen. In a sense, this technology creates a hybrid car that can benefit from both fuels.

A comprehensive PDF document circulating on the net gives a practical look into the inner workings of the Hydroxy Booster concept. Jacob Wall, of The Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at the University of Idaho, explains the technology with painstaking detail.

The PDF document is written in precise technical language and can be daunting for the layman. As a general summery, the Hydroxy Booster aims at making use of hydrogen to enrich hydrocarbon combustion. The current technology accomplishes this by installing a small tank filled with hydrogen fuel on the car. A more ideal solution is currently being researched that would allow the process to be accomplished without pre-formulated hydrogen, but Hydrogen fuel made “on the fly”.

The document cites three ways in which this can be accomplished ; the first is producing Hydrogen from a process known as electrolysis, or reforming at a fixed location and compressing. Next, is pro

ducing Hydrogen on-board by a fuel reformer and introducing hydrogen as needed from the vehicles hydrocarbon supply. The last, and possibly most challenging option, would be to produce Hydrogen on-board using electrolysis powered by the vehicles alternator.

*Photos courtesy Adamc1999, http://www.flickr.com/photos/adamc1999/

Addendum:

Comprehensive technical PDF:

http://www.panaceauniversity.org/Hydrogen%20Enriched%20Hydrocarbon%20Combustion.pdf

Photos of a Hydroxy Booster Install:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/adamc1999/sets/72157606388087567/

The Bleeding Edge: Ultracapacitors

optionshiftk — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 00:26:34 +0000

Next Generation Energy solution: Ultracapacitors

For years, many have been on the hunt for the perfect alternative energy source that would finally stop the world’s gas addiction. The fabled “Cold Fusion” process has stirred up much mainstream media attention over the years, but has time, and time again been proven too difficult(if possible at all). In the 90′s electric cars filled with hundreds of pounds of Nickel Metal Hydride batteries seemed to be the optimal solution, bu the world soon realized just how primitive battery technology was. The innovative concept of somehow using capacitors as a way to store copious amounts of energy became the next critical step.

At the forefront of this project is a secretive and mysterious company called EEStor. Based out of Cedar Park Texas, EEStor has garnered much attention recently with their patent submission for an “Ultracapacitor”. From reading the patent, it is clear that the company is making some pretty lofty claims as to the capability of the so called “Ultracapacitor”. These include things like a self-discharge rate of only 0.1% per month, and an incredibly short charging time of only 4-6 minutes. With claims like these, it is nearly impossible not to be skeptical. Oddly enough, the well-known Venture Capitalist firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers(CPCB) invested 3 million dollars into the company in 2005. This type of support from CPCB makes one wonder if this company may actually have a credible and valid technology on their hands. If so, then this will be the ultimate solution to our energy crisis. It will catalyze the electric car industry into a thriving market. After all, these “Ultracapacitors” solve the electric car’s weaknesses such as range, durability, and battery bulk. Imagine having the ability to charge your electric car in the same time that it would take to fill a standard automobile at a gas station. This seems like an unfathomable reality, but the technical specifications outlined in EEStor’s patent clearly show much potential.

Don’t expect your local GM dealership(if they are still around) introducing new electric cars with this technology though. The Ultracapacitor market is still very much in its infancy and has not entered the commericial arena. I would suspect that if all goes well, we should be seeing the ultracapactors in the hands(well, cars actually) of consumers in about 15 years. This is certainly an exciting future to look foreword too.

Addendum:

Suggested Reading: Eestor Wikipedia page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EEStor

Eestor Patent http://www.pat2pdf.org/patents/pat7466536.pdf

Suggested Media: Security Now! netcast #177

“Breaking SSL, PDP-8′s & UltraCapacitors” http://twit.tv/sn177

Preface: An introduction to a bold endeavor.

optionshiftk — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 19:07:40 +0000

It is with this inaugural post that I officially launch “Project Energy” my latest endeavor in the world of blogging and raising awareness to pressing issues. The focus of this project is to raise awareness of the current energy crisis and to present valid, insightful information, whether that be in the form of video from sites like youtube, or in traditional textual form from acclaimed bloggers. Additionally, a great deal of “Original” content will be created by myself over the course of this initiative. Ample analysis and opinion essays will be published giving you(the reader) a chance to ponder this pressing issue, as well as interact via the commenting system. In the coming days, I will rollout a number of new features on this site that will enhance the interactivity, as well as add a “realtime” component which will allow for realtime discussions about the energy crisis. The end goal of this project is to make an impact. Granted, the impact may go as unnoticed as a pebble being dropped into the mighty ocean, but will ultimately further the cause.