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A Look at the Major Forces Shaping our Future Posted: 13 May 2012 06:42 AM PDT While waiting to see how the Iranian nuclear confrontation and the various Eurozone crises sort themselves out, there is time to step back and look at the interaction of the major forces that will shape our future. While the problems of oil depletion are already upon us, shrinking resources are only a part of global dynamics currently. There are at least six major forces moving civilization in the world today: 1) population growth: 2) economic growth; 3) political stability; 4) technological innovation; and more recently 5) resource depletion and…
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Duel Fuel Vehicles that can Run on Gasoline or Natural Gas Posted: 13 May 2012 06:40 AM PDT Not flex fuel – dual fuel. Flex fuel is a system that can use similar fuels in the same system such as pure gasoline to 85% ethanol. Dual fuel will use two different fuels that will feed two systems. Sounds expensive, but natural gas at such low prices is driving a market. Natural gas prices range from $1.49 to $2.59 in Colorado, Wyoming and Utah. This is far less than gasoline. Honda builds a Civic Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) sedan and has been selling a few of these natural gas vehicles in select markets for years.…
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Saudi Arabia Plan $109 Billion Solar Energy Project to Reduce Oil Consumption Posted: 13 May 2012 06:37 AM PDT If Saudi Arabia doesn’t develop an efficient, renewable energy infrastructure soon, it could burn 850 million barrels of oil each year until 2030; 30% of its total production. As the largest oil producer in the world it has no fear of running out, but it represents a huge portion of potential revenue that would be lost. Currently the Middle Eastern nation only boasts 3 megawatts of solar power, less than Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and the United Arab Emirates. In order to avoid this fate Saudi Arabia is seeking investors to back its…
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Japan and Russia to Build Natural Gas Pipeline? Posted: 13 May 2012 06:36 AM PDT Following the Fukushima nuclear disaster Japan has closed down all of its nuclear power plants and instead has to produce its energy by different means. This has caused it to increase its imports of fossil fuels; something it cannot afford to do for long. Currently Japan ships liquefied natural gas from Sakhalin in Russia, but LNG is expensive; a better, more affordable solution must be found. Seiji Maehara, the former Japanese Foreign Minister, recently visited the offices of the Russian gas giant, Gazprom, where he announced that Russia and Japan…
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The US, China, and India Risk Severe Water Shortages Posted: 13 May 2012 06:34 AM PDT Research by the risk analysts Maplecroft has found that three global superpowers have vast regions that are at risk of drought as an unsustainable rate of water use is outstripping supply. The US, China, and India risk negative impacts on businesses and agriculture which could undermine economic growth. “Of the 168 countries covered by the newly released Water Stress Index, India, China and the US rank 34, 50 and 61 respectively in the list, while Middle-Eastern and North African nations make up the top 10.” Businessgreen.com The lack…
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