Fossil Fuels as the Whale Oil of the Future

[kristopher]

Let me start by saying that this is the worst piece I've ever read by Wald. He is usually clear and insightful, but in this case his writing simply sucks. For example, he attempts to explain the energy losses involved in centralized thermal generation with a paragraph about water. That isn't necessarily a bad approach, but you will see for yourself that his effort isn't adequate. As you read what he wrote, keep in mind the graph below, it illustrates the problem he is talking about in that paragraph and its magnitude.

So why am I recommending this piece of poor writing? Because in the comments section Lovins responds directly to some common criticisms made by his critics. That is well worth the read.

As for Wald, well, we all have off days, I suppose. I'll still make a point of reading his work when I happen upon it.

Fossil Fuels as the Whale Oil of the Future

Amory B. Lovins, the longtime efficiency guru, has a new book out that analyzes the possibility of converting the nation to almost total reliance on renewable sources of energy. The conclusions may not win instant acceptance, but it is certainly in the running for the best-blurbed energy book of the year.

“Reinventing Fire: Bold Business Solutions for the New Energy Era” carries a quote on the cover from Bill Clinton, who says it is a “wise, detailed and comprehensive blueprint.” Both Marvin Odum, the president of Shell Oil, and John W. Rowe, the chairman and chief executive of Exelon, wrote forewords..

Released at an event on Thursday morning at National Geographic’s headquarters in Washington, the book credits both Mr. Lovins, a physicist, and staff members of his Rocky Mountain Institute as authors...

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/27/fossil-fuels-as-the-whale-oil-of-the-future/#more-119715



Graphic from the article "20 Quadrillion Btu of Wasted Energy"
http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/20-quadrillion-btus-of-wasted-energy


Finally, this is the graphic provided by Lovins to explain his new book that Wald is trying to discuss. You can read a summary of the book here:
http://www.rmi.org/rfexecutivesummary

[kristopher]

1. Kick.

[4dsc]

2. What a fricken pipedream

[txlibdem]

3. A+ all around - except the 26% natural gas in 2050

Who are they kidding. We need to be 100% carbon free by 2050 or we don't stand a chance past 2100.

Other than that, kudos all around!