Crude Oil Pricing

Oil Rig Crude Oil or petroleum, the “black stuff” that comes out of the ground, is made up of a variety of elements such as carbon, hydrogen and sulfur, and originates from the remains of plants and animals that existed in prehistoric ages. Hence, it is commonly referred to as fossil fuel. However, crude oil must be refined to produce energy, whether in the form of gasoline, kerosene or...

The Peak Oil Debate – Does it Matter?

Establishing the Context The theory of peak oil implies that there will be a time at which global oil production begins a permanent decline as a result of supply and economic production factors. Should world demand continue to increase (as it has), the point of peak oil will pose a significant supply and price problem for the world economy. The question we seek to explore is, “Have we reached...

Solar Powered Refrigerators

Solar power, often referred to as photovoltaics, is gaining traction as part of the overall energy efficiency solution. Applications range from powering our homes to charging cell phones and radios; and recent technological developments suggest that widespread production of solar powered automobiles will soon be a reality. Along these same lines, tremendous strides have been taken in applying...

Are Renewables Mainstream?

Figure 1-Wind Farm There is a prevailing view is that renewable electric power generation in its many forms is entering the mainstream as a viable alternative to the more traditional fossil fuel alternatives. Assisted by the ever increasing list of states with renewable portfolio standards (RPS), and continuing advancements in technology to enhance affordability, wind and solar generation are...

Introduction to Thermal Technology

With the pending threat of continually rising natural gas prices, alternative energy technologies are taking on greater significance. This article on thermal technologies explains how  the natural tendency of heat to travel from hot to cold is leveraged to turn heat into useful energy. Thermal Technology – Beyond Photovoltaic Panels Figure 1-PV Panels Photovoltaic (PV) panels are used to...

Introduction to Nuclear Power

Nuclear Power Plant The controversy surrounding nuclear power is the combined result of pragmatic concerns regarding nuclear waste, the potential consequences of accidents (such as Chernobyl and Three Mile Island), and uneducated / irrational views of a pending nuclear incident of the magnitude of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Despite its controversy, nuclear power is being reexamined in the context of...

Clean Coal Technology

Coal Powered Plant Even the most ardent anti-environmentalist will acknowledge that coal is among the dirtiest of all fossil fuels. It produces emissions that are believed to have some impact on climate change, create acid rain, and pollute water. Given the recent positive resurgence of interest in nuclear power, hydropower, and various forms of renewable energy sources, one might deduce that...

Cellulosic Ethanol – Is it an Alternative Fuel?

Cellulosic Ethanol-The Source According to the U.S. Energy Information Association (EIA) the average daily use of petroleum in the U.S. is 20.7 million barrels per day. More than half of this daily intake is imported, leaving the U.S. dependent on foreign petroleum to meet its energy needs. For that reason, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 was passed to require that 36 billion...

Artificial Geothermal Energy – An Experiment that Works

Success is Around the Corner Geothermal Power Plant Though artificial or engineered geothermal energy is still in an experimental stage of development, there are a few small commercial plants in operation: Japan demonstrated this capability on the side of a volcano, at Hijiori. It converted enough heat in a test run of one year to support a 130 KW power plant. Australia has some bright prospects...

Artificial Geothermal Energy

Geothermal Energy Natural geothermal energy, also known as hydrothermal energy, starts with water underground trapped in holes or cracks in rocks. The water and rocks, heated by the earth’s mantle or radioactive minerals in the rock, becomes steam. This steam is released by drilling, drives turbines in generators, and thereby creates electricity for homes and other facilities. It’s termed...