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.Â
admin /20 May, 2010
Campbell resigns for ‘personal reasons’
Updated 30 minutes ago
David Campbell has resigned as minister, citing personal reasons. (AAP: Dean Lewins)
Labor MP David Campbell has resigned from his road and transport portfolios, citing personal reasons.
Mr Campbell says the reasons behind his resignation do not relate to his ministerial duties.
However, rumours are circulating of a scandal and sources have told the ABC there was a loud argument in his office this afternoon.
Mr Campbell’s wife has been ill recently, but a statement released by Mr Campbell makes no mention of that.
admin /20 May, 2010
Heavy oil hits Louisiana shore, enters sea current Posted 12 minutes ago The first heavy oil from a giant Gulf of Mexico spill has sloshed ashore in fragile Louisiana marshlands and part of the mess has entered a powerful current that could carry it to Florida and beyond. The developments underscored the gravity of the Continue Reading →
admin /19 May, 2010
Energy efficiency efforts will hurt our profits, says big polluter TOM ARUP ENVIRONMENT CORRESPONDENT May 20, 2010 Still smoking…International Power’s Hazelwood plant. A confidential submission released accidentally by the federal government shows the owners of the the heavy-polluting Hazelwood brown coal power plant will resist energy efficiency efforts because they could hit their bottom line. Continue Reading →
admin /17 May, 2010
The problem with hybrid cars
27 April 2010 | 07:52:38 PM | Source: Bill Code – SBS
Toyota is working hard to ensure it has access to lithium supplies, as well as rare earth metals. (Getty)
A range of metals, often used in small quantities in hi-tech applcations, could present us with supply problems for our gadgets in coming years.
Confusingly, It’s not just the big group of ‘rare earth metals’. These metals are rare in the sense that at current rates of consumption, we could soon be facing a supply problem.
Take lithium. Much hope has been placed on battery-powered cars, such as the Prius, which rely on lithium.
Stocks are not as pressing as with some other metals, that much is clear, but demand could lead to international competition because of the growth of its use in next-generation car batteries. The pursuit of lithium clearly illustrates the tension that can arise when supplies of a metal are tested.
admin /17 May, 2010
Huge swell sinks wave energy generator
Posted 5 hours 51 minutes ago
The 170-tonne structure was officially launched in March. (7pm TV News NSW)
A wave energy generator which was launched off the New South Wales south coast in March, has sunk in rough seas.
The 170-tonne structure had been providing electricity to the grid from 150 metres offshore at Port Kembla.
But it broke free from its pylons on Friday afternoon and sank on Saturday.
admin /16 May, 2010
BP confident of plugging oil leak soon Updated 16 minutes ago Audio: Black Tide (Correspondents Report) Oil giant BP says it is confident it will soon be able to stop oil from flowing into the Gulf of Mexico from a blown-out well. The US government has now approved the use of dispersants under water near Continue Reading →
