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Green Energy: Its Time to Use it Now

Sunday, February 15th, 2009
green energy
Joseph Toth asked:




Green Energy: Its Time To Use It Now



At the present time when electricity and other utilities are skyrocketing, this is the perfect time to stop talking about green energy and start using it.

Here in Wisconsin, we have a new windmill project that is already up and running in Dodge county and Fond Du Lac county. These windmills stretch for miles and miles and aren’t nearly as unsightly as some people might say.

Wisconsin is currently looking at a project to put windmills out on Lake Michigan. I say ‘great’ ‘go for it’, but on the other hand there are people who don’t want it to happen. This is wrong. The wind mills don’t produce any pollution to hurt the lake. They will be placed in a area that doesn’t interfere with the traffic of large ships going back and forth across the lake. Most importantly, we can benefit from having them.

Windmill farms and solar panel farms are two resources I would like to see more of. This is free energy given to us by mother nature that doesn’t involve any land mining for coal.

That’s another thing; These people that stand in the way of the clean operating windmills, … where are they when we mine fore coal which involves stripping the land and giving coal workers lung problems from the coal dust. Then the pollution created by train exhaust to use the railroad to haul the coal to a power plant where it will be burned, needing the use of ‘huge smoke stacks at the power plant where the coal is burned.’ Smoke stacks that send their discharges into the air we breathe! The loud mouths apposing windmills don’t look at this entire picture. They just want to be heard complaining.

Something else we can do to conserve electricity is start converting our household light bulbs to the new cutting edge L.E.D. light bulbs that just started coming out. Compact fluorescent bulbs save a lot of money over the old incandescent bulbs. However, the new L.E.D. bulbs blow the compact fluorescents right out of the water as far as savings in electricity. These bulbs cost just coins per year to operate, a minimum of three times the savings of using compact fluorescent bulbs.

Another benefit to L.E.D. bulbs is they don’t have the dangers of CFL’s or incandescent. CFL’s contain mercury, not recommended for homes with children where lamps and bulbs can get broken. Mercury is a element that can kill human beings. Mercury is absorbed through the skin and then enters the blood stream.

Additionally, CFL’s and incandescent bulbs produce razor sharp broken glass when broken. The new L.E.D. bulbs don’t do any of these things. In fact, if dropped they won’t shatter because they are made of plastic and there are no dangerous chemicals or gases inside.

Reporter Joseph Toth

Washington Micro Bank BBS



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Hybrid Cars: The Answer to High Gas Prices?

Sunday, February 15th, 2009
gas prices
Amy Hansen asked:


High oil and gas prices are here to stay. This has many people wondering what they can do to save money at the pump.

Hybrid cars have touted themselves as a great way to save money. Many owners of hybrids believed this upon purchase and soon found out that the gas mileage estimates were very overrated. Data from independent product-testing organization Consumer Reports indicates that hybrid cars get less than 60 percent of EPA estimates while navigating city streets. In Consumer Reports’ real-world driving test, the Civic Hybrid averaged 26 mpg in the city, while the Toyota Prius averaged 35 mpg, much less than their respective EPA estimates of 47 and 60 mpg. Hybrid cars performed much closer to EPA estimates in Consumer Reports’ highway tests.

This discrepancy could be due in part to the way the EPA conducts its tests. The EPA tests actually gauge fuel emissions to estimate fuel efficiency. Hybrid cars use computers to control the flow of gasoline and have more efficient catalytic converters, which reduce the amount of emissions. This may contribute to the disparity between EPA estimates and actual vehicle mileage achieved.

Hybrid car buyers pay a premium of a couple of thousand extra dollars over what others are paying for a comparable car. By most calculations, this extra expense will not be recouped in gas savings by the owner. The hybrid cars currently on the market cost from $3500 to $6000 more per car than comparable cars with conventional gas engines. This means that the amount of money you save, or don’t save, by buying a hybrid is very much dependent on gasoline prices. It’s no wonder that the average hybrid buyer has a substantially higher income than the average regular car buyer– $100,000 versus $85,000.

Hybrid buyers may be saving on gas, but they are sporting a much more expensive battery. The cost of hybrid batteries ranges from $1,000 to $3,000, although we have gotten reports of some hybrid owners being quoted $4,800 to $8,000! This could be due to the current high demand for hybrid cars. And, although the hybrid battery may be covered under the car’s warranty, once the warranty expires, you could find yourself in for more of a ‘charge’ than you expected.

Hybrid cars may not be all they’re cracked up to be. Their gas mileages are overestimated and maintenance costs can be high. It also costs quite a bit more just to purchase one and these extra costs won’t be made up for with fuel savings.



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Why are Gas Prices so High? How to Combat the Rising Gas Prices

Sunday, February 15th, 2009
gas prices
Michael Lee asked:


Have you been wondering what’s the real answer to the question “why are gas prices so high today?”

The main reason is because the demand is increasing and the supply is dwindling. Beyond refining and manufacturing costs, this is the major point that many car owners do not seem to realize.

Every day new cars are being manufactured that require gasoline in order to operate. Even though the technology for the electric car has been unavailable for at least the past decade, car manufacturers around the world have been hesitant to adopt this technology because it represented a significant investment for them to change their manufacturing process.

Most of the oil that is refined to make gasoline comes from sources outside of the United States even though the country has a certain amount of oil deposits; the major part of the oil that is consumed by Americans comes from outside its borders.

The taxes of state and local governments also play a role in the price you pay for gasoline at the pump. Currently the average price for a gallon of gasoline has reached the $4.00 mark and is expected to continue to rise.

One of the reasons why gas prices are so high is due to the decreasing oil supply. The cause is related to the war in Iraq. Regardless of what political views you may have, the truth of the matter is that Iraq was supplying a great deal of oil to the United States before the government of that country fell into disrepute.

As the oil prices have continued to rise by the barrel, Americans are paying more; but they are not alone. The gas prices have risen across the globe.

Rise of the Hybrid Cars

For many people who need transportation, the hybrid cars are beginning to look more attractive every day. These cars use a combination of electric and gas power.

For others the electric car has been the best alternative while others have either downsized their vehicles, begun riding motorcycles or scooters, or are seeking alternatives types of fuel for their car.

Carpooling and Careful Planning

In the United States, the cost of gas plays a significant factor in the budget of most families. Understanding the answer to the question “why are gas prices so high?” can make it easier when you have to purchase fuel, but you can reduce the amount you have to buy with careful planning in the way you use your vehicle.

For example, the idea of carpooling was introduced by several cities in the last decade to reduce traffic congestion, particularly noticeable during the “rush hour” when people are traveling to and from work.

The continuous spiraling of gas prices is the main reason why carpooling makes more sense than ever. The amount of gas it takes to take a group of people to work is the same amount of gas it would take for a single individual to make the same trip.

Rather than be frustrated at the reason why gas prices are so high, take constructive action that will reduce your gasoline consumption. Downsize your vehicle or change to another mode of transportation whether it’s public commuting or carpooling, and the impact of high gas prices will be reduced.



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Processing of Biodiesel

Saturday, February 14th, 2009
biodiesel
roosterbob asked:


On August 10 1893, an engine running on Biodiesel ran for the first time. This is why this day has been declared as “International Biodiesel day”. This model was proposed by Rudolf Diesel. The transesterified oil that was used as source for the first run was Peanut oil. Biodiesel is a liquid produced form materials or biological origin unlike petrodiesel made from fossil fuel. Known previously as American Society for Testing and Materials, the ATSM has certified Biodiesel as confirming to the ATSM D 6751 standards.



The sources of biodiesel can be divided into:

1) Lipid accumulation in plants and algae

2) Hydrocarbons produced in algae or plants.

The lipid sources can be sunflower, linseed, Jatropha, safflower, peanut, rapeseed, olive seeds etc. These lipids have high energy value but are highly viscous. Hence they cannot be easily injected in the engine combustion chambers. This limitation is suggested to be solved by a process called pyrolysis or blending with solvents, emulsification with addition of water or fuels etc, but none proved fit. It was later decided that synthesizing esters of fatty acid was the solution to the viscosity problem. But production from edible oils commands a high price even in developed countries. Hence non-edible oils are the fresh sources for biodiesel. E.g.: Jatropha. These are now cultivated in large areas and researched for biodiesel production.

Certain algae accumulate large (about 60%) of Lipids in their cells when grown in a nutritionally suffucient medium. This property can be exploited to produce large amounts of lipids. Some freshwater algae and plants also store hydrocarbons (made of hydrogen and carbon atoms). E.g. in Botryococcus braunii, 75% of biomass is made of hydrocarbons. Other brown, red and green algae consist of varying amounts of Lipid content. USA, Austria, France, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Malaysia, Italy & other Asian countries have realized the benefits of Biodiesel. These countries are now competing in research on Biodiesel and its production.

The basic chemistry of biodiesel synthesis lies in transesterification process, where an ethyl ester reacts with methanol to form methyl ester and ethanol. Glycerol is a by - product developed in the process which ahs other industrial applications. Methyl esters are favoured for biodiesel production because of the cetane number.

Cetane number is a dimensionless value assigned to indicate the ignition quality of a liquid. This value is high, in case of long unbranched alkanes which are similar long chained compounds. High cetane numbers are related to compound that have low idle noise and easy starting even in cold weather. Though Biodiesel holds much promise for the future, its list of cons includes its properties as being a solvent, able to take up water from the atmosphere etc and sometimes providing reduced power in engines.

Many have patented the process of producing Biodiesel and one such patent is owned by DuPont and Colgate-Palmolove-Peet, and also by CLRI (India). Biodiesel is available nationwide. It can be purchased from the legalized biodiesel distributors, producers and marketers, or even at a public pump throughout any nation. Biodiesel does have its cons, however the pros outweigh them. From the looks of it, biodiesel is going to have a bright future ahead of us.



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Passive and Proud: Green Energy Ideas for your Home

Monday, February 9th, 2009
green energy
Carolyn Gjerde Tu asked:


Solar energy comes from the sun. A biology class will tell you that in addition to affecting climate and weather, sunlight provides the energy that sustains most life on earth. It also can be harnessed to provide heating, lighting and electricity. Solar power has become a hot topic lately, but this technology is nothing new – Native Americans, people in China and even the early Greeks have historically turned their buildings to the sun for heat.

These early architects were using what is known as passive solar energy. This technique makes the best use of regular building materials to trap heat with no additional mechanical equipment used. Floors, windows and roofs play a role in attracting (or deflecting) the sun’s rays.

There are a number of ways to take advantage of solar radiation, starting with the house’s placement. Having the house face the equator (we’ll assume we’re in the Northern Hemisphere, thus the house should face south) means that it gets the day’s sunlight. Window orientation is also important – for optimal efficiency, most windows should point within 30 degrees of due south. Maintaining a small percentage of north facing windows will ensure that your home is comfortable year round (and not cooking in the summer).

Rock or stone tile floors and brick walls will absorb the solar radiation and continue to give off heat after the sun is gone. While common windows allow heat to escape, special windows with low-e coating, multiple panes, inert gas fill, and/or insulated frames can reduce heat loss 50 to 75 per cent. By sealing your building envelope and insulating well, you will ensure that the heat stays in the house. It can then be distributed through the house using a regular ceiling fan.

Direct sunlight is not the only important light to think of when considering energy use. By using overall daylight to light a space you can cut down the need for electrical lighting and the heat that’s created by it. Artificial lighting has only been the main source of illumination since the 20th century. And using natural light may have added benefits for your physical and mental health. In addition to windows, daylighting makes use of skylights, light pipes (also known as light tubes), atriums, and light shelves to illuminate the interior. This is best considered when building, but with a few small renos your house can be much brighter, naturally!

Passive cooling is another way to cut your bills and become more energy efficient. This is especially useful in warmer climates, where air conditioning can be a major power consumer. Passive cooling refers to using things for shading, to absorb the heat, and goes hand in hand with passive solar energy. It can be accomplished using exterior landscaping choices – trees and other vegetation – or interior/exterior building options, such as shades, blinds or special glazing on windows.

Whether you are building a new home, looking at doing some renovations or just want to cut your energy bill, passive solar energy and cooling techniques are an easy way to incorporated green ideas into your home. With the rising interest in environmental issues, they make an excellent selling feature and they’ll save you money.



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Biodiesel: The Pros and Cons

Friday, February 6th, 2009
biodiesel
Gary Patterson asked:


No company and/or industry today are immune from the escalating cost of crude oil. In an effort to address this growing concern, companies are seeking alternative, cost-effective ways to make every drop of fuel count. Although biodiesel is not a new type of fuel, its use has not been widely considered up until now. Today, its popularity is rapidly growing as an alternative to petroleum-based fuel that can be used in various blends in unmodified diesel engines.

Biodiesel comes from vegetable oils that undergo transesterification, a chemical process that extracts methyl or ethyl esters from the oil. This extraction can be used as fuel, either in a pure or blended form. The oils come from renewable, organic sources, such as coconut, soybean, grape seed, jatropha, or from waste vegetable oil.

In an effort to promote the development and use of alternative fuels, the United States government provides incentives and tax credits to producers and users of renewable and alternative fuel, such as biodiesel. For example, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has been drafting policies that will mandate private fleets and government vehicles to replace their vehicles with those that are ready for alternative fuel (read: diesel vehicles must be biodiesel ready).

The Pros - Biodiesel is commercially available at many pumps throughout the United States as a blend with petroleum diesel. Proponents say blends of up to 20 percent (B20) may be used in most conventional diesel engines, before costly modifications are needed. Advocates assert that there is no significant difference between biodiesel and petroleum diesel when it is blended properly. In fact they argue that biodiesel provides the same mileage, torque, and horsepower that petroleum diesel provides.

Proponents stress the many advantages of using biodiesel in vehicles. For starters, it is a cleaner fuel that reduces carbon dioxide emissions up to 80%. With new regulations, biodiesel has almost zero sulfur dioxide content. Studies also suggest that lower blends of biodiesel are more fuel efficient, which makes car engines last longer. In addition, biodiesel is less of a noise pollutant in diesel engines because of its high octane ignition rating. This means biodiesel can make cold starting easier since it heats up more easily than petroleum diesel.

The beneficiaries of biodiesel will be fleet vehicles and the public transportation sector. As oil prices have increased dramatically over the past year, biodiesel is becoming a more appealing alternative because it is cheaper to produce and is more environmentally sound. In addition, the price of biodiesel may be more stable than petroleum diesel. For example, lower blends of biodiesel (B2, B5, and B10) can cost less than petroleum diesel. B20 is sold at almost a similar price to petroleum diesel, but prices are expected to decrease as petroleum prices increase in the world market while local producers and supply of biodiesel increase.

The Cons - Opponents stress that biodiesel has different solvent properties that can break down deposits in the fuel lines where petrodiesel has been used. If and when gas stations start offering biodiesel, opponents say they will need to replace fuel lines. Opponents expand their argument by stating that biodiesel can also degrade rubber components, which means that rubber fuel pumps and seals will also need to be replaced with a synthetic rubber. This is not great for consumers whose warranty may not apply if they convert to biodiesel.

One of the problem advocates gloss over, however, is that although there are good number of biodiesel suppliers in some states, other states still do not have enough suppliers and producers of biodiesel to justify the switch to biodiesel vehicles. Currently, northern central states like Minnesota, Michigan, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, and Missouri have several suppliers of biodiesel. In other states, only selected suppliers provide biodiesel to local pumps, suggesting that the proposed government mandates do not realistically consider the impact and consequences of this mandate on states where suppliers and producers are low.

Investors are quick to point out that there must be a growing demand in other states in order for businesses to justify investing in distribution facilities in other locations. That said, with petroleum prices expected to continue to rise, proponents believe that consumers will consider switching to biodiesel and other alternative fuel, thus creating a demand. With rising demand, gas stations are expected to install more pumps that carry biodiesel.

While the conversion to using more biofuels appears to be inevitable, some question how the conversion will be executed. Timing and associated costs of the changes are still not clear. There is also the issue about the direct and indirect costs of converting compounded by the question of which groups will benefit and which groups will suffer. With congressional leadership favoring the acceleration of greener energy that clearly benefits their constituents and lobbyists, there will definitely be winners and losers.

In the final analysis, the biodiesel debate points to the urgency for businesses to begin planning NOW for the inevitability of a greener world, with its intended and unintended consequences. Will you be prepared?



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Compare Gas Prices to Find the Best Deal for you

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009
gas prices
Karl Bantleman asked:


Double digit price rises are an increasing worry to everyone and they are wondering how to find the most comprehensive deal whilst still being affordable. Customers need to find out what deal they are on in order to fully understand what deal is best for them.

Some people may think that their bill will show them all the details they require but most providers do not show them. Contact your provider to find out the exact details of your tariff because it is only then you can really compare gas prices and electricity tariffs.

According to current research, there are around 230 gas tariffs and 160 electricity tariffs available to customers. These tariffs range in price but it is important to remember that the most expensive is not necessarily the best tariff for you. Finding cheap electricity prices is achievable if you know what your old tariff consisted of and you shop around to find the best deal.

It may be the case that you do not need to switch providers; sometimes altering your tariff may be enough to save you money. Again, this requires you talking to your current provider and getting them to explain the tariff you are on and also your usage. This is because your usage may allow you to come on the tariff level and further save you money. Switching tariffs rather than providers can save you up to £320 a year and would save you the hassle of switching providers.

The same applies when you compare gas prices as a switch in tariff may be sufficient enough to save you money. However, just because it may be less hassle; do not assume that changing your tariff is the best way to save money. Search the internet for the best deals and make sure you maximise your saving potential.



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Making Biodiesel at Home is Easier Then You May Think

Monday, February 2nd, 2009
biodiesel
Andrew Bicknell asked:


As the price of gas continues to rise and our reliance on it becomes greater a small group of people have begun making biodiesel fuel at home as a way to free them selves of the energy crunch that is looming on the horizon. As an alternative fuel source it is hard to beat the ease with which it can be made and its positive impact on the environment.

You really only need two things to make biodiesel: A supply of vegetable oil and a biodiesel processor.

The vegetable oil can be fresh or virgin oil made from soybeans, corn, mustard, flaxseed, and sunflower oil. These are all renewable resources that are grown on farms all across the country. You can also use vegetable oil that has already been used. A great many biodiesel producers great their raw material from restaurant grease dumpsters as most restaurants are only to happy to get rid of the stuff.

There is also ongoing research into using sewage grow algae which is then used in the refining process. Animal fats like tallow and lard are also being used as a raw material for biodiesel production.

All this oil, fat, and grease will need to be processed in a specialized processor which removes any contaminates before it refines the oil into biodiesel fuel. Most processors are not that large and can easily set up in a shed in your backyard. You can purchase them pre-made from any number of internet sites and have it shipped to your front door or you can buy a kit and assemble it yourself. You can also build one yourself using materials found locally. There are plans for doing this along with material lists that can be found on the internet.

Which ever route you choose getting your processor set up at home is not that difficult. Follow the instructions closely and heed all the safety precautions before you begin to process your biodiesel. You are refining a fuel oil which requires high temperatures so there is a risk of burns if you follow the proper procedures.

If you are unsure if making biodiesel is something you want to do you might try finding someone close by who is already making it. Most people who refine this alternative fuel are more then willing to share their knowledge because that’s the best way to advertise its benefits. Chances are they will walk you through the whole process, letting you get a hands on feel for what is involved.

Once you get the hang of it making biodiesel at home is a great way to cut your reliance on the big oil companies for your energy needs. There may be some up front investment to buy the processing unit but once you get rolling you will save considerable sums of money over the life your biodiesel processor.



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