Real Solutions For America’s Energy Crisis?

America’s insatiable demand for oil, combined with soaring gas prices, has led to happy days for the oil companies. The money is rolling in so fast that they don’t know what to do with it. The spike in demand resulting from the economic ‘awakening’ of the populous Asian countries is also putting pressure on global oil supplies, and more oil fields are becoming depleted.
ExxonMobil, Shell Oil, BP and the other major oil companies don’t want to, or are not equipped to, deal with the reality that their market is slipping away. They know that alternate energy sources will soon be coming on line. But they’re happy with things just the way they are.


Their lobbyists are making sure Congress is aware of this. Just as the tobacco Industry in the 1970’s tried to disassociate smoking and cancer, the oil companies’ incessant TV, radio and newspaper ads are pushing “Junk Science” to retain their business model.

Despite clear evidence that America’s oil dependency is unsustainable, the major firms are determined to “stay the course.” They remain focused on finding oil, natural gas and coal, refining it to use in a multitude of products, and selling these products at a good profit.

How can we break free of this deeply destructive cycle? Fortunately, it’s an election year. We need to make our voices heard at the ballot boxes, through letters to the editor, by call-ins to talk radio, and by contacting our Congressmen and Senators.

Environmentalists and concerned citizens need to tell all Americans that:

• Global warming is a reality.

• Maintaining a continuous oil supply, at any price, is an increasingly difficult challenge. If you don’t believe this, just wait for a major hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico that shuts down our oil platforms.

• The cost of oil is hurting the economy of the entire world, not just the United States.

Energy Solutions

America needs a portfolio of energy solutions, because no single technology is enough to guarantee immediate success and reliability. This portfolio includes:

• Conservation: Using the energy that we have more wisely as both a short and long-term solution. For example, Europe uses less than 1/2 the energy per person than we do in North America. If we copy their proven technologies, we could cut our oil usage in half. Then, we’ll have 12.5 million barrels of oil per day available to reduce oil imports and pay for the cost of new technologies. These new technologies include: more efficient and smaller cars and appliances, more efficient lighting, better building insulation, plus heat and moisture recovery from HVAC systems in large buildings.

• Renewable energy: Creating intermediate and long-term solutions through policy decisions that focus on developing renewable energy sources that don’t increase the amount of heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere. We can decide to develop and use geothermal (heat from the earth), solar, wind, and tidal (ocean wave) energy.

• Improved technology: Discovering ways to use less energy per unit of production as a short-term initiative. One example requires the cooperation of companies that own mineral processing plants. These plants, which manufacture lime, Portland cement and other materials by cooking minerals in a kiln, can be optimized by using sophisticated mathematical modeling. They can use the information from the models to better control and reduce the amount of oil or natural gas needed to heat the minerals. However, these companies will act only when they are unable to recover their fuel costs from their customers.

Getting The Word Out

We need a massive worldwide energy education program which focuses governments and private investors on:

a) Generating renewable energy at a competitive cost -- including solar, geothermal, wind, tide, nuclear, and biomass energy (ethanol) -- which does not contribute to greenhouse gases. As we invest in developing these energy sources, the prices will come down and their reliability will increase.

b) Eliminating the emission of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide) from carbon-based energy sources like coal, oil, and natural gas.

c) Providing generous financing for renewable energy sources.

If you’re worried about the environmental health of our planet and your children’s and grandchildren’s future, it’s up to you to speak out. Now is the time to make our case to the media, elected officials, political candidates and big business.

The owner of an energy conservation company in the 1980s, Pat Benjamin is also an expert on political issues and independent politics. She is the author of The Perot Legacy: A New Political Path.

Contributions to this article were made by Dr. Milton Benjamin, an energy specialist.
About the Author
For more information on energy solutions, visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_conservation. Get more information about The Perot Legacy: A New Political Path at http://www.theperotlegacy.com.

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Energy Saving Light Bulbs - The Sensible Alternative

he lights in an average household use about 20% of the total electricity, so anything that will reduce that power consumption will help lower your energy bill while cutting down on pollution. Fortunately, it’s easy to save energy on lighting by simply installing energy saving light bulbs.
Regular incandescent light bulbs produce light by heating a small filament inside the bulb. This heat production accounts for 90% of the energy they consumer. Energy saving light bulbs are florescent, much more efficient because they don’t need heat to produce light.


How much energy do they save? On average, the energy savings are about 66%. But that is not the only way you save money using these bulbs. They also last much longer than regular bulbs, so although they cost more, you still save money when buying light bulbs.

Energy saving light bulbs last about 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. Even if the florescent bulb costs considerable more than the traditional bulb, the lifespan of the bulb combined with the energy savings adds up to substantial savings.

It has been conservatively estimated that you can save about $4 per year for each energy saving light bulb that you install in your house. If you replace 20 bulbs, that’s a savings of $80 a year.

Just imagine if every household in America took advantage of the savings that compact florescent bulbs provide. Not only would have more buying power, we would also cut down on the pollution caused by electricity generating plants.

Greenhouse emissions are one of the biggest concerns with burning fossil fuels to produce electricity. The average household produces more greenhouse gases than a car because of the amount of electricity consumed. Installing energy saving light bulbs is one way to cut down on those emissions.

Do your pocket book and the environment a favour by using florescent compact bulbs wherever you can. It’s the only sensible thing to do.
About the Author
Hans is author of http://www.alternative-energy-guide.com/, practical ideas and articles for "non-techies"

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Utilities - Alternative Energy

We tend not to think about where our energy comes from, but in recent times we have become more aware about our energy use.

The majority of our electricity is generated through power stations that utilise coal as a fuel source. However, recent concerns about the condition of the planet - as well as rising energy bills - have sparked an interest in alternative energy.


With many of us dependent on gas and electricity for everyday living, the rising cost ofutilities is a subject that hits rather a sore spot whenever it’s mentioned.

With spiralling costs as a result of the credit crunch affecting every household, many are now looking to alternative methods to help reduce their gas and electricity prices.

Sales of energy-saving appliances – such as eco-kettles and dryer balls – have increased as many of us look for solutions to our rising bills. 

And it’s not just inside the house that people are looking to make changes. Alternative energy generators, such as home wind turbine kits and solar panels, have seen a rise in popularity in recent times.

Energy generated from these external sources can be fed back into the property’s power supply, or can be sold back to the grid in the form of a reduction on your bill.

As well as land-based methods of harvesting natural energy – such as wind farms and bio-fuel generators – technological advances have meant we can now look to the sea in order to generate cheap electricity.

Tidal turbines are powered by undersea currents and generate energy in much the same way as a wind turbine. 

Because there is a constant water flow, the potential for feeding tidal power back into the countries’ energy supply can be seen as a good idea.

With growing uncertainty about energy prices and the rising cost of living, alternative energy remains a key talking point for both energy companies and environmentalists.

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About the Author: David is an experienced web author based in the UK

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Read it now - Biofuels scandal - food or fuel?

Lately I have seen an interesting video about biofuels and the food crisis,the video deals with things like:
Why biofuel industry is dead converting food into oil is stupid and immoral?
Biodiesel, biomass, biowaste and sugar to fuel conversion.
Ethanol and gasoline or petrol mix, European Union EU poliy changes on biofuel. Policy reversal. and more...
I'm sure you already read my article about it:
at world food prices rise and alternative energy.
watch the video and think about it...

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Renewable Energy Priority for China

China plans to put even greater effort into developing its renewable energy industry and cut greenhouse gas emissions to maintain sustainable economic growth in the coming years. Investments worth more than two trillion Yuan, or 10 percent of the nation's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2006, are needed to meet the renewable energy target by 2020, according to the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). The exploration of renewable energy is greatly needed in China.

Addressing a press conference in Beijing early this week, Chen Deming, vice minister of NDRC, reiterated that China's medium and long-term target is to boost its fledging renewable energy industry, which is expected to play an important role in sustaining the country's future economic development. Renewable energy is hoped to resolve the serious China’s problem of energy shortage. NDRC plans to raise the ratio of renewable energy in total energy consumption to 10 percent by 2010 and 15 percent by 2020, compared to eight percent at present, Chen said.

Currently, coal annually accounts for more than 70 percent of China's total energy consumption, leaving great potential for the development of renewable energy — hydropower, marsh gas, solar, wind and other clean and renewable energies, he added. According to its ambitious development plan, China's installed renewable energy — hydropower, wind power and solar power generation capacity will increase by 190 million kilowatts, 29 million kilowatts and 1.73 million kilowatts respectively between 2006 and 2020.

By 2020, the nation's installed renewable energy — hydropower, wind power and solar power generation capacity will reach more than 300 million kilowatts, 30 million kilowatts and 1.8 million kilowatts respectively. To achieve this goal, China will have to seek greater international financial support and cooperation to develop its renewable energy industries in the years ahead, Chen said. Renewable energy could contribute to 30 percent of China's total energy supply by 2050, an energy expert estimated on Tuesday.Chinese wind power stations may have the ability to generate 300 to 500 million kw of electricity in 2050 and another 200 million to 300 million kw will be generated by solar energy, Shi Dinghuan, president of the Chinese Renewable Energy Society, said at the Solar World Congress 2007 in Beijing.

The Chinese government also expects and encourages more domestic small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), especially private firms, to join hands in the development of the country's renewable energy industry, the vice-minister added. He believes there is enough room for both foreign and domestic companies in the huge renewable energy sector.

About the Author:

news.tootoo.com, which is the shortcut to China's industrical resource belonging to China's leading B2B Portal and Vertical Search Engine, tootoo.com.

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Move Green - Local Services

The movers are on their way, and you are getting excited to have your items unpacked and all settled in, but there are a few things left to figure out, such as what types of utilities to use in your new house.
If your utilities haven't already been activated, you should do some investigating to see what types of energy is offered in your state. If you have made a move California, you are in luck as three of the top ten greenest cities in the United States are located in sunny California. If you made the trek to another state, don't worry, as there has been a large effort to move to green energy in many states over the last several years. To find out if there are any green utility products available in your state, visit the U.S. Department of Energy website at www.Energy.gov and select your state.
Green Energy
The term green energy generally refers to a type of electricity that is produced from a renewable energy source, such as wind, solar power, geothermal etc. In the United States, over 50% of energy customers are able to purchase a green utility product directly from their electricity supplier.
The shift to green power is not off in the distant future anymore, it is becoming a reality. It is important for all of us to utilize green energy sources when possible, as we need to support the increase of renewable energy sources. This can reduce the burning of fossil fuels, such as natural gas, coal, and oil.
Regional Services
Once you have chosen and activated your green utility services, you can look for other regional green services such as a recycling center or transfer station. You will most likely have boxes and other materials leftover after your move that can be recycled if not stored for reuse. Get to know your local service facilities and find out the specifics on their procedures for proper recycling and disposal of your household items. While doing this research, you can visit Earth911.com to find out what services are offered to you locally.
Getting a fresh start and taking a new approach to living green can be a good way to refocus and get motivated again after your move.
Leo Nov is an editorial staff member of California New York Express. To learn more about Long Distance Movers and Long Distance Moving visit moveeast.com or call 1-888-680-7200.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Leo_Nov

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desmoinesregister article - Every energy option must be exploited

Fred L. Dorr wrote:
"
Critics of domestically produced alternative-energy strategies often choose a narrow focus when challenging the viability of those sources: the intermittent nature of wind and the cost of developing new electric transmission lines to support wind farms; ethanol and biodiesel relying on subsidies and requiring a retail distribution system not yet wholly in place; solar and hydrogen not being commercially viable, etc.

Then there are the food versus fuel and water quality and sufficiency issues. Finally, opponents pick one or the other of the several alternative-energy sources and claim it is not enough to really matter in weaning our country of its addiction to foreign oil.
Advertisement

A larger perspective requires consideration of the cost and security threat of continuing down our current path.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy's February 2008 oil-import data, our country is importing, from five countries alone, a total of 6.7 million barrels of oil a day. At $100 per barrel, those five countries - Canada, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Nigeria and Venezuela - are recipients of a wealth transfer from the United States amounting to $670 million per day. Monthly calculations are even more staggering - $20 billion U.S. dollars are being paid every 30 days to those five oil-exporting nations.

Meanwhile policy makers, industry leaders, scientists and government officials get wrapped up in arguing over energy conservation, auto-engine efficiencies and federal and state tax policies supporting various forms of energy production.

The energy solution for this country, or at least a significant portion of it, requires movement on all fronts. If you add the defense cost of maintaining a military presence in the Middle East to our monthly export of petro-dollars, there are billions of reasons why it is important to even more fully embrace domestically produced alternative-energy sources.

Consider that Abu Dhabi is now recognized as the richest city in the world. That emirate's 420,000 citizens, who sit on one tenth of the planet's oil, are reportedly worth more than $17 million apiece.

While we bicker among ourselves over which energy solution is optimal, our oil-trading partners are awash in our cash. Imagine the jobs, economic stimulus and community financial support that money would generate if it stayed home.
"

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Photosynthesis - Nature's green energy

Justin Kander Published 12/31/1969 Science

Photosynthesis is one of the most important processes on Earth, if not the most important. Without it, life could not have thrived and evolved into what it is today, and the biotic organisms that inhabit the planet today would be very different, possibly inexistent. Also, some of the abiotic factors of the planet would also be different, mainly the atmosphere.

By definition, photosynthesis is the process by which plants use light energy to make food (glucose) from carbon dioxide and water. The chemical equation for photosynthesis is 6 CO2 + 12H2O ---> C6H12O6 (glucose) + 6 H2O + 6 O2. Not seen in the equation is light (which would normally go above the arrow). The light from the sun provides energy for the plant to change water and carbon dioxide into glucose. However, it's not that simple, in fact, photosynthesis is probably the most complicated process on Earth.

Photosynthesis comprises of two stages. The first stage of photosynthesis is called the Light Reactions, because that is of photosynthesis where the plant incorporates light. In the light reactions, light energy is converted to chemical energy and O2 is produced as a waste product. The light reaction takes place in the chloroplast of the plant cell. Light is absorbed by the chlorophyll and is later used to power photosynthesis. The light is actually used to make ATP, the chemical energy molecule, from ADP and phosphate. Light is also used to excite electrons, which are used to reduce NADP+ to NADPH, with the assistance of enzymes and an extra H+ molecule. So, the purpose of the light reactions in photosynthesis is to use solar energy to make the energy molecules ATP and NADPH. The final product of photosynthesis, sugar, is not made in this step, and carbon dioxide is not used until the next step, the "Dark Reactions", more commonly known as the Calvin Cycle.

The Calvin Cycle occurs in the chloroplast too, but in a different part. The Calvin Cycle is the part of photosynthesis which actually uses the carbon dioxide and makes glucose. Using the carbon from carbon dioxide, the energy provided by ATP, and the excited electrons carried by NADPH, the Calvin Cycle produces a sugar molecule called glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate, which later is broken down into glucose.

The Light Reactions are actually broken down into two processes, called Photosystem I and Photosystem II. Photosystem II actually occurs first, but they are named in the order of which they were discovered. Both photosystems absorb light energy. In Photosystem II, light energy is used to break apart H2O and create 2 H+ molecules (used in NADPH) and 1/2 an O2 molecule, or an oxygen atom. However, that oxygen atom immediately combines with another oxygen atom, and diffuses out of the plant as an oxygen molecule. The 2 H+ molecules and the 2 electrons are used in Photosystem I to create NADPH, which of course moves onto the Calvin Cycle.

Photosynthesis does have additional molecules that are involved other then the ones listed above, and although they are crucial to the process, it is not imperative that they be known.

Check out the author's website, http://www.w4t3r.com, which has a lot of funny stories

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Ford Introduces Roush F-150 Propane-Powered vehicle

Roush is the name of the first dedicated propane-powered F-150 pickup truck. With complete durable Ford truck parts and also with a variety of Ford truck accessories, Roush has an advanced liquid propane injection (LPI(TM)) system. The Roush F-150 LPI(TM) is designed and manufactured to operate solely on propane while providing the same horsepower, torque and drivability of an F-150 equipped with a gasoline-powered 5.4-liter, 3-valve Triton(TM) V-8 engine.Roush will be available in the market immediately. The truck can be ordered, delivered or serviced through a nationwide network of selected Ford dealers. Offered as a 2007 model year vehicle, it is the only propane-powered light-duty truck available from an original equipment manufacturer this year.

The Roush F-150 is available in Regular Cab, Super Cab and Super Crew cab styles with XL or XLT trim and the full range of bed lengths. The LPI(TM) option includes dedicated propane fuel lines, fuel rail assembly and fuel tank. Additionally, another Ford truck part, the OEM computer has been re-calibrated to provide optimum performance and fuel economy.

The base LPI(TM) option is $6,500 and has a unique 20 gallon toroidal fuel tank, mounted in place of the underbody spare tire. Also available as an additional option for customers in need of increased range is a 50 gallon, in-bed fuel tank.Ford introduced its new truck at the NPGA Southeastern Convention and International Expo in Atlanta, Georgia last April 14 to 17.

It was the largest propane industry conference in the United States.Tom Arnold, Director of Alternative Fuel Products for Roush said aside from the vehicle’s superb engineering, it is also an alternative fuel vehicle that has an established refueling infrastructure to support it.

He further said this vehicle will have a positive impact on reducing emissions and the dependency on foreign oil.Providing data to the engine’s computer that eventually allows more precise fuel control at the intake port are two billet aluminum propane injection fuel rails, an insulated cross-over, a combined pressure/temperature sensor, and a service port. Roush F-150 uses fuel injection and fuel storage systems supplied by Clean FUEL USA and ICOM, Italy. LPI(TM) is a registered trademark of Clean FUEL USA.The standard toroidal fuel tank include a special high flow fuel pump, dual filters, and the required control valves needed to run the engine. Optional is the in-bed fuel tank. The fuel sender and electronic auto stop fill system are also found in the tank. Through the fuel filler door, the fuel is poured. An automatic stop fill device prevents the overfilling of fuel.

This will allow the vehicle to be filled without using the "bleeder" system that vents propane vapors during filling. Another proof that the vehicle’s fuel tank will function well is that prior to entering the tank, the fuel is also filtered.A “one-touch” system controls the vehicle start. The engine controls take over from the driver to provide the fastest possible start with the lowest possible emissions. The OEM engine control is used with unique calibration values to suit the changes in properties from gasoline to propane.With no special oils or change intervals required, the maintenance schedule for the Roush F-150 LPI(TM) is similar to that of a gasoline engine schedule.In February 2006, the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC) awarded the contract to Roush.

The vehicle was designed, manufactured and brought in to market in only 14 months. The Managing Director of Engine Fuel Programs for PERC by the name of Brian Feehan said Roush has an incomparable reputation for technical expertise, quality and value. He explained that it is because of this expertise and experience that they chose Roush to develop this vehicle.

About the Author: Gertrude Sayzer finished her degree in Marketing at Western New England College. She is passionate about writing and loves to travel as well. At present, this 32 year-old mother of three works full-time at an Ad agency in Boston.

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Alternative Fuels Snatch Auto Industry’s Limelight

With the alarming environmental concerns and the aim of preserving a greener tomorrow, automakers are triggered to build more environment-friendly automobiles. In fact, part of the fast-rising vehicles today is powered by alternative fuels. In a short span of time, these vehicles have swiftly stolen the limelight of the industry.



Alternative fuel, also known as non-conventional fuels, is any material or substance that can be used as a fuel, other than fossil fuels, or conventional fuels of petroleum, coal, propane, and natural gas. The term usually refers to a source of which energy is renewable. Its main function is to store energy in a form that is stable and can be easily transported from the place of production to the end user. Alternative fuels include biodiesel, butanol, ethanol, chemically stored electricity like batteries and fuel cells, hydrogen, methane, natural gas, biomass, wood, wood gas, vegetable oil, and peanut oil.One of the vehicles using such alternative fuels is the Volvo Multi-Fuel.

Said vehicle is optimized to run on five different fuels so there is a need to upgrade on Volvo performance parts. The Volvo Multi-Fuel, based on the Volvo V70, is powered by a 2.0-liter five-cylinder turbocharged engine that will run on hythane (10 per cent hydrogen and 90 per cent methane), biomethane, natural gas (CNG), bioethanol E85 (85 per cent bioethanol and 15 per cent gasoline) and gasoline. Aside from the fact that it runs on 5 different engines, another notable facet of the Volvo Multi-Fuel is its relatively consistent performance not considering the fuel used.

Volvo claims that the turbocharged engine of the vehicle is producing about 200 horsepower. It is sufficient to power up the wagon. The vehicle runs exceptionally clean. In fact, when pure renewable fuels such as hyrdrogen, biomethane or bioethanol are used, very little fossil carbon dioxide is emitted.

Hythane, E85 bioethanol and CNG biomethane are extra-clean fuels. This is main reason why the vehicle has surpassed all existing emissions regulations imposed in any market at the present time. Furthermore, it would also qualify for the upcoming EuroV emissions regulations. The mentioned fuels also have the advantage of being carbon neutral. It means that the amount of carbon emitted when the fuel is burned is equivalent to the amount acquired by the crops used to make the fuel.

When changing between fuels, the driver only has to choose between gaseous or liquid fuel and the engine management system will adjust to optimize performance for the fuel. The Multi-Fuel has separate fuel tanks for gaseous fuels that include hythane, biomethane and CNG; and liquid fuel like E85 and gasoline. "The whole car is optimized for high performance, driving on any of the five different fuels," said Mats Moren, project leader engine at Volvo Car Corporation. "It is a step towards a hydrogen-powered society. Perhaps we can develop the system even further, to run on a higher blend in the future."

Volvo is known for its commitment to lead automotive milestones. As a fact, it has been associated with remarkable safety and ninety-degree bodywork. At this point in time, the automaker has already established a name that embodies style, quality, cutting-edge design – and superb green technology. Aside from Volvo, renowned automakers like Daimler Chrysler are producing entry vehicles that use alternative fuels. The latest entry so far is the E320 CDI BlUETEC that runs on a biomass-to-liquid (BtL) fuel known as SunDiesel. Said fuel can be used as the lone fuel or as an additive.

"We believe BtL fuels can make an important contribution to our energy supply,” explained Prof. Dr. Herbert Kohler, vice president of the Research Body and Powertrain and also chief environmental officer of DaimlerChrysler AG. "They can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, and with their good carbon dioxide audit they can also help make mobility more environmentally compatible." The Mercedes-Benz E200 NGT and the smart four two cng were also entered, both running on CNG. The E 200 NGT reduces CO2 emissions by over 20 per cent and with a power output of 163 horsepower from the 1.8-liter engine. It is the most powerful CNG passenger car currently in production.

The driver can decide whether to use CNG or gasoline using buttons on the steering wheel, and an electronic control unit ensures a smooth transition from one power source to the other. Fuel consumption is 39 mpg with CNG and 26 mpg with premium unleaded. Ford’s green vehicles include Focus C-MAX H2 ICE is powered by a prototype hydrogen internal combustion engine. The engine is a 2.3-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine that produces 110 horsepower. According to Ford the Focus C-MAX H2 ICE has a driving range of about 120 miles with the fuel capacity of 2.75 kg of hydrogen. General Motors newest entry is Saab 9-5 BioPower, which runs on either bioethanol or gasoline. The BioPower is not only environment-friendly; it also but delivers more power and performance than the gasoline-only version.

The vehicle can switch between bioethanol and gasoline without any adjustment by the driver. The Q7 TDI, powered by 3.0-liter direct-injection with impressive fuel economy of 22 mpg, is Audi’s latest green SUV pride. For the recently held Challenge Bibendum, the Q7 TDI was fueled with Synfuel produced by Shell. It is manufactured from natural gas, biomass or coal to decrease the environmental impact by reducing exhaust emissions.

About the Author: Glady Reign is a 32 year old is a consultant for an automotive firm based in Detroit, Mi. she is a native of the motor city and grew up around cars hence her expertise in the automotive field.

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Energy Saving Devices

The world today is experiencing energy revolution. Environmental issues are catching up and with the increased emphasis placed on preserving the environment we all need to play our roles in saving energy. By saving energy, we can definitely take a positive step in fighting the climate change and in preserving non-renewable sources of energy. Let us look at some devices and measures that can help us conserve energy and replace non renewable sources with renewable sources of energy.

Many companies are now providing customer-focused energy equipments like Energy savers, Utility Instruments, Level Controllers, Control Panels and Process Control Equipments etc. Various products that are now placed in the shelves of the store and that help in energy revolution and conservation are:

• Integrated Intelligent Home System:
This provides you with home security, control, automation and communication related features. One can control and monitor their home and office security along with controlling the home appliances and lighting from any telephone, keypad, handheld remote control system, computer or the internet. The products have outstanding remote communication features which can allow you to communicate with visitors when they are still at office doors, you can send them your messages and can also hear their messages. In case there is alarm notification, you can listen to different sounds and the activity present in the surroundings.

• Light and Air -conditioner Energy Saver:
These devices are normally very easy to install and help to save energy directly. They can adjust the temperature by automatically realizing the self-motion adjustment. They do not connect to any circuitry in the AC. They have stable capacities and do not get affected by fluctuations in external temperature. Trouble from these energy saver devices do not harm or affect the functioning of your equipment in any way. The devices are shock proof and help you reduce your power requirement by minimum 20%.

• Green Energy Products
Today, you would find an array of Green products in the market. Green products and appliances include energy saving appliances and devices for your office and home, windows/doors utilizing solar energy and household products built out of eco-friendly materials. Fluorescent light bulbs are another light saving devices utilizing minimum amount of electricity per watt. All these energy saver products positively influence the environment and reduce the energy and electricity costs. They also reduce the emission of pollutants in the long-term.

Other products like energy saving remote control made out of plastic are also available for saving energy in your day to day use.

Benefits of using Energy saving & Intelligent Products:

• Uses 75% to 80% less electricity.
• Cost less and work too well
• Reduce dependence on coal and petroleum
• Help to address concerns of global warming
• Reduce the gasoline and electricity bills
• Reduce the green house gas emission levels

Overall, reduced energy usage means that the need to go for building new transmission lines, infrastructure and other related devices can be delayed and prolonged. Hence, one can defer the environmental concerns and issues, if not have complete removal. All the energy saving programs and devices will reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions made by coal utilizing power plants. Emissions up to an average of around 2.1 billion pounds per year can be saved for around 20 years

So, when we are aware of these things, why not head on the way to conserving energy!

About Author

Carol Oon writes articles on ai home automation. Other information written by Carol Oon related to ai automation control, ai integrated intelligent control and ai intelligent control can be found at http://www.ai-m.net

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Alternative Energy From The Ocean

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) was conceived of by the French engineer Jacques D'Arsonval in 1881. However, at the time of this writing the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii is home to the only operating experimental OTEC plant on the face of the earth. OTEC is a potential alternative energy source that needs to be funded and explored much more than it presently is.

The great hurdle to get over with OTEC implementation on a wide and practically useful level is cost. It is difficult to get the costs down to a reasonable level because of the processes presently utilized to drive OTEC. Ocean thermal energy would be very clean burning and not add pollutants into the air. However, as it presently would need to be set up with our current technologies, OTEC plants would have the capacity for disrupting and perhaps damaging the local environment.

There are three kinds of OTEC.

Closed Cycle OTEC uses a low-boiling point liquid such as, for example, propane to act as an intermediate fluid. The OTEC plant pumps the warm sea water into the reaction chamber and boils the intermediate fluid. This results in the intermediate fluid's vapor pushing the turbine of the engine, which thus generates electricity. The vapor is then cooled down by putting in cold sea water.

Open Cycle OTEC is not that different from closed cycling, except in the Open Cycle there is no intermediate fluid. The sea water itself is the driver of the turbine engine in this OTEC format. Warm sea water found on the surface of the ocean is turned into a low-pressure vapor under the constraint of a vacuum. The low-pressure vapor is released in a focused area and it has the power to drive the turbine. To cool down the vapor and create desalinated water for human consumption, the deeper ocean's cold waters are added to the vapor after it has generated sufficient electricity.

Hybrid Cycle OTEC is really just a theory for the time being. It seeks to describe the way that we could make maximum usage of the thermal energy of the ocean's waters. There are actually two sub-theories to the theory of Hybrid Cycling. The first involves using a closed cycling to generate electricity. This electricity is in turn used to create the vacuum environment needed for open cycling. The second component is the integration of two open cyclings such that twice the amount of desalinated, potable water is created than with just one open cycle.

In addition to being used for producing electricity, a closed cycle OTEC plant can be utilized for treating chemicals. OTEC plants, both open cycling and close cycling kinds, are also able to be utilized for pumping up cold deep sea water which can then be used for refrigeration and air conditioning.

Furthermore, during the moderation period when the sea water is surrounding the plant, the enclosed are can be used for mariculture and aquaculture projects such as fish farming. There is clearly quite an array of products and services that we could derive from this alternative energy source.

Article Source: http://www.articlesup.com/

Many alternative energy sources explained. Ocean thermal, wind power, photovoltaic, and wind power too. More information:Alternative Energy

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The Advantages and Disadvantages of Alternative Energy

It is essential that we find affordable and workable sources of alternative energy before the world completely consumes the already limited stock of fossil fuels. Many countries have started to introduce renewable energy schemes and more still have invested money into researching and even producing different sources of alternative energy. While it is essential that we become less reliant or not reliant at all on fossil fuels, many forms of alternative energy have their disadvantages as well as their obvious advantages. It has to be said though, that the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages in many cases.
Wind Energy.
Harnessing the power of the wind and using it to our ends is hardly a new idea. Windmills have been and still are used for many different purposes and have been for a great many years, but the improvement of turbines combined with the improved technology to turn the motion of turbine blades into an energy source has seen the use of turbines explode.
Wind power is very popular, but in order to provide a reasonable amount of power it may prove necessary to have large amounts of turbines. On windy days, and even not so windy days some turbines make a noise that many residents consider to be unbearable. Areas of open countryside are protected by conservation orders, which means they can’t be built there either and if there is no conservation order there are still protestors willing to do almost anything to stop the turbines being built. The only viable option left is to use offshore wind farms and these are being investigated, developed and planned all around the world but it takes too many turbines to create a reasonable amount of power and eventually they will have to be built inland; a matter that will be contested wherever the wind farms are proposed to be built.
Solar Energy.
Solar energy is probably the most common form of alternative powers for everyday people and you can see solar lights ad other solar accessories in many gardens. Governments are beginning to offer grants to assist in paying for photovoltaic roof tiles; these tiles are easily fitted onto your roof and collect the heat from the sun. This heat can either be used to heat water or can even be converted into electricity. The advantage for the consumer is that by including a grid tie system you can actually sell unused electricity back to the grid. Photovoltaic tiles take the place of ordinary roof tiles and can be perfectly blended to fit the look of the outside of your house. With solar energy you too can help the environment.
Biomass.
Ask most people which renewable energy source is the most widely used and they would say either wind or solar, but they’d be wrong or at least they certainly would in America. Since 2000 Biomass has been the most highly produced alternative energy in the United States. Using plant and animal material to create energy isn’t without its downfalls. It would almost certainly meet with competition from residents if biomass power stations were to be created in built up areas. The decomposing plants and animal waste creates an awful smell that is incredibly difficult to mask but it is very renewable (there’s always plants and animal waste).
Other renewable energy sources.
These are the main three renewable energy sources that the countries of the world are creating at the moment but there are others. Whether nuclear power is a viable alternative or not is a debate that will undoubtedly rage on forever, but it is a renewable energy and some countries already have extensive capabilities to produce it. Modern technology means that nuclear power stations are safer than they’ve ever been and damage to people, animals or plantation is highly unlikely. However, it takes a long time to develop nuclear power station and even plants that are already being built may take ten years to come to fruition.
Hydropower is used in some countries and uses the motion of waves to create energy. While it is a possibility, the amount of energy produced is minimal and the outlay to set these schemes up is quite large. Without further investigation and improvement in the techniques used it is unlikely that Hydropower will become a major player in the renewable energy world.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Lenkefi

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Are Alternative Energy Companies the New Wave in industry?

There are strong feelings among the public that alternative energy companies will dominate the future of energy creation. Right now, it appears that the oil companies are reaping all the profits.


The world has been noticing alternative energy companies over the last few years. Why, you may ask.The answer is "for many reasons."
Reason #1: Petroleum products as an energy source create pollution.
Reason #2: Alternative energy companies strive to create pollution free energy.
Reason #3: People fear the danger and instability of nuclear power.
Reason #4: Alternative energy companies strive to use the forces of nature to create energy.
Reason #5: Fossil fuels are a non-renewable source of energy.
Reason #6: Since alternative energy companies use nature to create energy, it is an endlessly renewable source.
Reason #7: The profits from conventional power is cyclicle; they may surge when supplies are short and fall when supplies are great.
Reason #8: Alternative energy companies continue to grow as new technologies are discovered.
There are strong feelings among the public that alternative energy companies will dominate the future of energy creation. Right now, it appears that the oil companies are reaping all the profits.
But the world sees that technological growth is the key to the future. Companies such as Microsoft have set the standard that advances only come through change.
Outdated, inefficient methods must be discarded and new technologies introduced. This is how technology will affect the future. And alternative energy companies will control that technology.
The public is willing to pay for cutting edge discoveries. As the costs of traditional energy continues to sky-rocket, alternative energy companies will be the ones to benefit as they supply alternate technologies to fossil fuel.
Alternative energy companies offer a chance for the world to not only survive, but to grow. For, if things remain the same, we will not be able to continue growing, or, we can grow but burn up all our energy. As we grow using fossil fuels, we are poisoning the earth.
Alternative energy companies can offer a solution that does not require a choice between survival and growth. As we look more and more to nature, we can find better methods to create energy.
Alternative energy companies will use the mechanism of capitalism to create energy through alternate sources.
If each person used nature to create energy, it would take years for the concept to grow. But alternative energy companies rally resources of many to make it happen faster. They are uniting these resources into one whole. They are not only interested in discovering alternative fuel sources, but also in promoting their use. The discovery of these alternates is meaningless if they are not used.
Alternative energy companies inform people of the benefits of alternative energy and try to convince them to use it. If they are able to make a profit in the meantime, all the better. Correct?
Alternative energy companies are striving to have the world recognize that continued use of traditional energy is wrong. They will do this by showing us the "alternate". They supply the solution to the "don't grow or grow and burnout" dilemma.
As in a storm, if you move away from the center, conditions worsen; the closer you stay focused in the center, the safer you will be.

About the Author
MJ Batta writes on various alternative energy related topics and hosts an alternative energy websites at energy.researchthisstuff.com">Alternative Energy

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