Energy

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Proposes Reduction of Ethanol in Gasoline

News Analysis: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposes Reduction of Ethanol in Gasoline for two primary reasons. The cost of PROPERLY blending higher percentages of Ethanol into Petrochemicals in rising quickly. In fact, the cost to blend rises exponentially, it is said, as greater amounts of Ethanol is used. The second reason is that for American  automobiles, the engines have not been Metallurgically and Systemically designed for the Chemical attributes of Greater Ethanol Use. Employment of higher concentrations of the Corn Based Product may have negative implications on engine viability many say.

Corn Farmers have a Primary Vested Interest in  producing as large of crops as they can: the existing Ethanol Market is huge and is growing. The Secondary Vested Interest of “Cleaner Burning Fuel”, “Stop Global Warming”, “Protect The Planet”, and such, while having “Mass Marketing ‘Buzz’ Potential” do not address: greater cost for Gasoline Refiners nor for  Engine Damage to American Drivers. It is not just the Farmers who want to live in a Clean Atmosphere, but also Petroleum Refiners [who live on the same Planet].

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is rightly trying to achieve a Technical Balance between Pollution and the Price of Production and Protecting against Engine Damage.

Reference: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/nov/15/first-epa-cuts-ethanol-standard/

Adjusting a Formula Can Make “Green”, Greener

News Analysis: Adjusting a formula can make “Green” greener, by mere equation value adjustment. If for example, a “20%” requirement is needed, but the ‘real amount’ is 18.9%, as an example, a slight raise in the associated value, will succeed. It is called “Number Fumbling”, colloquially. Scientists [with Personal Economic Interests] can easily produce “Data” supporting the Myths. They are the ones who “Fumble the Numbers” and give them to “Vested Interest” Companies.

In America, Corn Based Ethanol Production [CBEP] for fuel, is favored by farmers since it raises their incomes vis-à-vis other crops. Because Politicians promote ‘CBEP’ as the “Green” Fuel, its growth in America can be anticipated to increase. As with any “Wonder Drug”, there are ‘Side Effects” [which the same Politicians deny].  For example:  Increasing Corn Production Acreage from Fallow Acreage increases Corn’s “Carbon Footprint”;  Altering the topography specifically for optimum Corn growth can increase soil erosion; Fertilization of unproductive soil, can contaminate adjacent areas; “Runaway” Production of millions of ‘new’ Corn acres is another issue. These are just several of many elements to consider by a Government. When it decides to pursue a Policy of ‘Short Term Gain’ there are consequences. Once the Politicians’ terms expire, it is up to others to decide how to correct their predecessors’ damages done. The ills emanating from  “Sophomoric Decisions” about what REALLY constitutes “Green” may be substantial. Reality.

Reference: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/secret-dirty-cost-obamas-green-power-push-3

Random Radiant Energy Converted to Electricity

News Analysis:  Random Radiant Energy can inexpensively be captured and converted to electricity at an efficiency paralleling Solar Cells using a new Technique. Since Energy emanating from a multitude of radiant sources is abundant throughout the world, electrical availability is assured.

Investors with foresight may consider this new Invention, by Duke University,  for appropriate funding. The Meta-Materials used may be suitable for other applications as well. Monetary funding combined with Ingenuity can prevail in new Energy Recovery Technologies.

Reference: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-11/du-wdc110713.php

Norway Sovereign Fund, World’s Largest at Over $800 Billion, Gets Tapped Lightly

News Analysis: Norway Sovereign Fund has quickly grown so the percentage taken from it, only 2.9%, is conservative. Since up to four percent can be withdrawn in a year, the government has acted with fiscal restraint. The $23,000,000,000.00 to be withdrawn will help the Norwegian Population with any possible economic slowdown.

The Norwegian government is to be commended with the Economically Judicious Policy of Non-Profligate Spending. Some other Governments, on other continents, favor Extravagant Spending. Perhaps they naively think merely printing Great Sums of Money is easy and solves short term needs. They have no thought, nor care,  of the long-term damage such gross wastefulness has on a Country’s Economy.

Reference: http://www.arabnews.com/news/474506

Russian Atomic Ice Breaker will be World’s Largest

News Analysis: Russian Atomic Icebreaker is currently being constructed in St. Petersburg at Baltiysky Shipyard. The mammoth 173 meters [567 feet] by 34 meters [111 feet] beam will have Sixty Mega-Watts of Power. This Craft will be able to easily traverse the Arctic Ocean under any currently anticipated conditions as designed.

The investment, of over One Billion Euros, by Atomflot shows good Financial Judgement  as it relates to the Economic Future of Marine Traffic in the Arctic Ocean. One can hope other Arctic Abutting Countries have the prescience to build similar vessels so Maritime Craft can quickly, and safely cross the inhospitable Arctic Environment. Trans-Arctic Shipments save days at sea.

Reference: http://tinyurl.com/lco8src

Middle East Oil Tanker Shipping Rates are on an Upturn

News Analysis: The quick turn around in Tanker Shipping Rates bodes  well for this industry. For far too long, oversupply of tankers, in conjunction with decreased demand, almost sank the historically, very cyclical business. Hopefully, older vessels [15+ years of age] will be scrapped, encouraged by adequate rates, if enduring over the months. New buildings, when undertaken, will also help yards around the world [who have seen a dearth of Oil Tanker  customers recently]. This symbiosis of Industry [Shipping] to Industry [Ship Building] may eventually cascade into better times for both. 

Perhaps Non-Traditional Funding Sources will learn about the rate changes and explore Investment opportunities in Ship Construction.  

A parallel growth model is in the construction  of Liquified Natural Gas [LNG] Vessels. In fact, innovators such as ship owner, John Fredriksen, has been leading the followers where it comes to foresight  in types of New Buildings needed in General Shipping and Oil Exploration/Production Vessels.

Reference: http://tinyurl.com/lnv3fpe

World’s Petrochemical Deposits at End of 2012: Oil Surges, Natural Gas Soars!

News Analysis:  Estimated OIL Surges To 1,668,900,000,000 Barrels; Proven NATURAL GAS soars to approximately 187,000,000,000,000 Cubic Meters!

For the Oil Industry, Per Barrel [Cubic Meter] Costs of Production for ON-LAND Projects, should diminish minimally due to production efficiencies as well as more voluminous equipment purchases at slightly lowers costs.  OCEAN BORNE Projects may be expected to  have incrementally greater costs. This is due to Exploration Drilling and Petrochemical extraction in deeper waters. In waters such as the Arctic Ocean, the severely cold weather will have to be dealt with [at increased costs].

The very increasing discovery and production of oil and natural gas bodes marginally well for Consumers. The increases in supply are greater than those in demand [as judged by World Population Birth Increases]. However, the costs to be borne by the Petrochemical Companies will be passed on to Consumers for the viability of further exploration and production.

The good news for Middle East Nations is that there are yet many decades of oil to be produced in their respective countries. As new technologies are developed for the extraction of oil from mature fields, in the Gulf Countries,  they can expect continued prosperity. New oil discoveries, particularly off-shore, should bode well for them also.

Reference: http://tinyurl.com/ka3xnby

 

 

Brazilian Technology, Aided, in Part, by Russian Physicist, Can Make Non-Edible Materials Into Bio-fuel

News Analysis: Sugar Cane, Corn, Potato Peels, Wood Fibers and the like, are all suitable progenitor materials for bio-fuel production. By using the aforementioned, rather than discarding them, cleaner fuel for vehicles is available. The beneficial environmental impact to the world, using this methodology, is only limited by the financial resources allocated. Further studies into second generation technology and mass  production facilities are needed to be built throughout the world. Human intellect and money are the answers to these two elements.

Great intellect, as evidenced by Russian Physicist Igor Polikarpov and his associates, can fulfill the first element. The second element: Money, can be fulfilled by entrepreneurs and corporations of the world working with the pertinent governments. 

Reference: http://www.sptimes.ru/story/38404?page=1#top

Russia Produces More Oil Than Anyone Else

News Analysis:  As the world economy improves, the need for oil will increase. The gargantuan deposits of oil in Russia will help attenuate the increased need by increasing supply. Since its people are looking into the Russian Far East for supplies, years of production will be forthcoming.

The very insightful and intrepid leader of Russia, Vladimir Putin, knows what a Mineral and Timber “Horn of Plenty” Russia has in Siberia [beyond oil]. He will lead his people to deliver those resources to markets around the world for good Macro-Business. As a leader , HE DOES NOT VACILLATE, as  weak leaders do. The scope of the Siberian/Far East Project is gargantuan. Only a person of his ability and drive can “Deliver the Goods” to benefit Russia specifically and the World in general.

Reference: http://rt.com/business/russia-oil-output-record-129/

Namibians Install Innovative Solar System for Brewery

News Analysis:  Efficient Solar Energy, if used in conjunction with advanced Electrical Storage Technologies, will provide manufacturers ‘Around the Clock’ Electricity. The ‘up-front’ Non-Recurring Costs [when amortized over the project life] conjoined with the ‘De Minimis’ Recurring Costs, can save manufacturers a great deal of money over time.

The “Cleanliness” of Solar Energy, along with its projected five-billion-year lifespan energy source, make it very attractive environmentally.

As Solar Cell Technology improves, energy output will increase and  “Cost-to-Produce” elements will abate.

Reference: http://tinyurl.com/qexunw7