Evolution of Energy

Researchers at Austin Peay State University in Tennessee are developing bioreactors for bacteria growth for biofuel production.  With higher growth rates than microlagae, bacteria could prove to be a more viable solution for the production of a lipid feestock.  The prime challenge I envision is dewatering of the biomass, given that bacteria significantly smaller than microalage it may prove to be more costly.  However, bacteria are used quite extensively for wastwater treatement so likely there will be existing dewatering solutions that can be leveraged.  Read more here.

Valero has followed other oil companies in beginning to stake their claim in the nascent algae-based biofuels. Valero has invested an undisclosed amount in Colorado based Solix biofuels. Solix’s system is able to utilize CO2 emissions from power plants. Read more here. Solix Biofuels

Demand for Priuses and other hybrids is surging with the ever increasing price of gas. Demand is so high that for one Toyota dealership in California there is a 30 day waiting period for a Prius. As basic economics dictates with an increase in demand an increase in price has also resulted. Dealers are either selling above sticker price or mandating the purchase of dealer-installed options such as added security systems.  IMHO: Something is wrong in California when there is only a 10 day waiting period to buy a hand gun, but a 30 day waiting period to buy a Prius.  Read more here.

Tags: prius, hybrid, california

Google, along with Chevron and Goldman Sachs have funded a 1,000 acre solar field in California’s Mojave Desert. Rather than photovoltaics, this solar field utilizes mirrors to direct the heat to create steam to run a turbine. The solar plant should generate enough power for 125,000 homes. A report commissioned by the DOE estimates it will cost 3.5 cents per kilowatt hour to generate power from solar thermal. Currently, costs for a pulverized coal power plant are 4.8 cents per kilwatt hour. Interesting stat: An analyst for Emerging Energy Research estimates investments in solar thermal will reach $85 billion come 2020. Read more .

California’s Air Resource Board ruled that the “Big Six” car manufacturers must sell 58K plug-in hybrids and 7.5K zero emissions cars. Instead of the zero emissions cars, they could alternatively sell 15K electric vehicles. They must sell these from 2012 to 2014. The largest challenge for manufacturers is the cost and weight of the battery. Currently, lithium-ion batteries, the kind in laptops, are where the most research is occurring. These batteries are lighter and smaller than the current nickel-metal hydrade batteries. Read more here.