Category: Energy Matters

The twentieth century way of life has been made available, largely due to the miracle of cheap energy. The price of energy has been at record lows for the past century and a half.As oil becomes increasingly scarce, it is becoming obvious to everyone, that the rapid economic and industrial growth we have enjoyed for that time is not sustainable.Now, the hunt is on. For renewable sources of energy, for alternative sources of energy, for a way of life that is less dependent on cheap energy. 

Google-Powered Geothermal Drilling System Could Reduce Costs

admin /2 June, 2010

Google-Funded Geothermal Drilling System Could Reduce Costs

by Jeanne Roberts, EnergyBoom Contributor
Published: May 28, 2010

California, United States — The process for creating geothermal wells is very similar to that used for extracting oil and gas, at least in the initial phases.

A conventional drilling rig with a giant-sized drill bit rotating at variable speeds, depending on the density of the rock, drills into the earth, with water or mud circulating through the well shaft to bring rock cuttings to the surface and keep the drill bit (and the well bore) cool.

The technique changes only in the presence of high-temperature steam reservoirs. Then, the final step of drilling is accomplished with air, under pressure, to prevent drilling mud from clogging the bore and preventing the steam from emerging. The method is very nearly as old as the discovery of oil as a fuel source, and is expensive, time-consuming, dangerous and environmentally hazardous – at least in terms of fossil fuel extraction.

A better method, called “spallation,” which refers to chipping or flaking of stone, involves using jet engines to produce superheated, pressurized air which breaks rock.

BP clashes with scientists over deep sea oil pollution

admin /2 June, 2010

BP clashes with scientists over deep sea oil pollution

Obama team ‘incensed at being kept in the dark’ as company denies existence of underwater oil cloud

Oil boom in Louisiana A used oil boom part is disposed of in Louisiana. Photograph: Reuters

BP has challenged widespread scientific claims that vast plumes of oil are spreading underwater from its blown-out rig in the Gulf of Mexico. The denial comes as the oil giant prepares for a new operation to put an end to the worst oil spill in US history – which could see the leak get worse before it gets better.

The company’s challenge to several scientific studies is likely to put it further at odds with an increasingly angry Obama administration, which has accused it of playing down the size of the leak in an effort to limit possible fines.

Oil slick spotted off Florida coast

admin /2 June, 2010

Oil slick spotted off Florida coast From correspondents in Pensacola Beach, Florida From: AP June 02, 2010 10:09AM   AN oil sheen was confirmed about 15km off the Florida coast, and officials are saying it could hit the white sands of Pensacola Beach as soon as today (local time). Escambia County officials started putting out Continue Reading →

PM Kevin Rudd takes control of mining talks

admin /2 June, 2010

PM Kevin Rudd takes control of mining talks

 

KEVIN Rudd is preparing to deal directly with senior mining bosses over the proposed resource super-profits tax to head off a damaging public brawl between the industry and the government and reach a genuine compromise on tax reform.

The Prime Minister yesterday appealed for “direct” negotiations between the resource industry and the government instead of the megaphone trading of insults that had been conducted “through the media” in the past month.

Mr Rudd declared he refused to be bullied by the miners, who had to pay “their fair share of tax” and warned the talks could last until the election.

After Mr Rudd’s public appeal, the Minerals Council of Australia last night released an economic study suggesting the proposed tax would kill off new projects in nickel, gold and copper mining and cut 57 per cent off the value of new black-coal mines and 46 per cent of iron ore projects.

Co-firing Biomass with Coal

admin /1 June, 2010

Co-firing Biomass with Coal

Co-firing makes use of existing power generation assets and infrastructure with the lowest cost of generation for renewable energy.
by Kevin Sullivan & Ronald Meijer, KEMA
Published: May 19, 2010

Oklahoma, United States — As nations focus on controlling carbon, global demand for and production of coal-based electricity continues to increase. According to the International Energy Agency, the world’s power demands are expected to rise 60 percent by 2030, with fossil fuels, including coal, accounting for 85 percent of the energy market. Ultimately, building towards a sustainable generation future, means balancing carbon objectives, energy demand and affordability. Biomass co-firing technology can provide a path to addressing climate change while mitigating costs to the world’s coal-generation base and the customers served.

Integrating Solar: CSP and Gas Turbine Hybrids

admin /1 June, 2010

Integrating Solar: CSP and Gas Turbine Hybrids

An interesting move to increase solar integration is underway in North Africa and the Middle East, where a number of CSP and gas-fired combined cycle hybrids are under development.
Published: May 28, 2010

London, UK — Integrated Solar Combined Cycle (ISCC) technology aims to draw the environmental benefits of solar energy together with the operational advantages of a ‘conventional’ gas turbine-steam turbine combined cycle plant. While the solar resource partially substitutes fossil fuels, the installation can also supply energy to the grid whenever it is required. In addition, by taking advantage of the existing infrastructure associated with the development of a conventional thermal power plant – including but not limited to site access, power transmission links and a steam turbine power island – the economics of the concentrating solar thermal component are likely to be significantly enhanced.

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