The Energy Matrix
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Go to Home Page ............................... Water Falls Two large ducts carry some of the
water from this river to a generating plant near base of fall. When the
river is near flood stage most of the water goes over the fall and the energy is
dissipated. Some estimate that the United States is only exploiting a
fraction of its potential hydro-electric Elimination of the burning of Diesel and Propane for heating could result as part expanded Natural Gas Network. Mr. Pickens and some natural gas suppliers have suggested that utilities stop burning natural gas and substitute green solar and wind power for electricity production. The gas could then be compressed and used to fuel trucks and cars. Thank God someone with capital is developing a serious green energy policy. Natural gas vehicles will require an expanded nationwide gas distribution system. The US already has an extensive natural gas pipeline. One of my first memories from my childhood in New York City was that we got gas for our refrigerator and stove from a Texas pipeline. We used coal for hot water and heat. My point is that the technology to ship gas long distances existed over sixty years ago. So expanding the current pipeline grid to reach every corner of the country, so that their are no dead zones where natural gas powered vehicles will find themselves without gas, is possible. However, the expansion of gas pipelines will be a major national project. I feel that the this expansion should should include service to those who are presently using diesel or propane to heat their homes. This would free up diesel and propane for use by vehicles that already exist. Many gas stations already provide propane service.
Cheap Oil, Oct.19,2008 Bad news for clean alternative
energy, Oil drops to about $70 a barrel. If your trying to sell or develop alternative energy, cheap oil is bad news, because it undercuts
alternative products.
Cogeneration growing. Central heating systems date back to the days
of DC power generation in lower Manhattan during the Edison/Telsa Era. High
Pressure Steam Plants provided steam
Heat Storage Heat storage are an important element of solar
power systems. Power plants that use concentrated solar heat to generate
steam to drive turbine driven electric generators, require heat storage to
maintain steady power output. See
reference article, Click here . Heat stored in super heated water can provide
steam to meet sudden changes in load.
Index for all Editions Ice Energy Density versus Battery
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Read articles in left and right columns. Click "Continue Center Column" text to see rest of article. Editorial US Mortgage and
Energy Crisis
The cost of owning a home consists has two major components: Bank Interest and government Real Estate Tax. I left out down payments and principle payments. So did the Banks. A Few year suspension of the Real Estate tax would offset all or most of mortgage payments increases on sub prime mortgages making it possible for people to stay in their homes. In a few years inflation will reverse the down turn in Real Estate prices restoring positive equity to homes. Congress has already authorized inflation. Falling Fuel costs are making alternative energy less cost effective. This could hurt the growth rate of alternative energy. A tax on petroleum or gasoline would protect the developing alternative energy industry. The proceeds of the tax could be used to offset the lose of revenue due to the suspension of Real Estate Tax. For example a federal tax of a dollar per gallon could be dedicated to educational K12 education which now relies on property tax. A local tax of a dollar or more per gallon could be used to reduce single home property tax to almost zero. For those home owners who are not in danger of defaulting on their mortgage, the fuel tax increase and the real estate tax suspension will offset each other. Of course this implies that those who need mortgage payment relief can cut out most of their driving, switch to bicycle, or car pool. Even not having a car beats sleeping in one At least people will have a choice. The gasoline tax plan could be made less severe and still be revenue neutral, if the tax on homes were suspended for three years and the gasoline tax was increased over a ten year period.
Waterfalls See Article Upper Left Column
Water Falls
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Other Editions
What is the Matrix? In the future we will consider questions such as "Is corn a better solar collector than silicon?"
Nuclear Energy and HVDC The safety of nuclear energy is
hotly contested in the US. High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission
will not effect nuclear plant safety. It could make worst case scenario
nuclear accidents economic impact less severe. HVDC
Practical Electric Cars by 2010 By 2010,Japan will have electric cars with
50 mile range and capability of being recharged in 15 minutes. The cars
will use lithium battery packs that will last
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