Energy Security

[SPN]

The Peak Oil Crisis: Electrical Efficiency

Last week the Virginia Commission on Energy and the Environment held a day long meeting to hear testimony on the future role of electricity in the commonwealth.

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The most interesting presentation of the day, however, was made by a non-profit group called the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE). This group believes that making the most efficient use of the electricity we already generate is the best and cheapest way to gain more electricity. While converting over to more efficient electricity consuming devices (such as compact fluorescent bulbs) is not free, the Council cites studies that replacing end user equipment, adding insulation, etc. can cost anywhere from one half to one quarter the cost of installing and fueling new electricity generating capacity. This includes wind generated electricity which gets its energy for free.

It turns out that ACEEE recently completed a detailed 170 page study of electricity consumption in Virginia and concluded that with a maximum effort, the commonwealth could save as much as 31 percent of its current electric consumption while still doing all the things we do today. They also cite policy achievable savings of 19 percent, or possibly 27 percent with more aggressive policies, which are deemed a more realistic goal rather than an all out efficiency effort. Either of these numbers amounts to some serious savings which when combined with conservation measures such as turning off power suggests that there are ways to survive and prosper while using considerably less electricity than we use today.

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Although oil, coal and natural gas prices are currently in a slump due to a multiplicity of factors, over the long run they have no place to go but up and up. The limitations on carbon emissions could send electricity prices to unheard-of levels. In this environment, conservation and efficiency become the only viable option, for, in coming decades dwindling supplies of liquid fuels and eventually natural gas are going to leave us with electricity as the only viable way of powering our civilization.

The ACEEE recommends to Virginia policymakers a suite of 11 policy recommendations that the council feels the state has the power to implement and which combined will result in energy savings of 20 percent or better and savings of roughly $2 billion for electricity consumers over the next 14 years. There are, however, numerous cultural and regulatory barriers to increased efficiency. For example, why should the landlord pay for more efficient lighting and air conditioning when the tenant pays the electric bills directly?

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Most of the policy recommendations to achieve higher efficiency are simply adjustments and tightening to existing laws, codes, policies, and rate structures. For example leaving office and other lighting on all night when no one is there is a prime example of egregious waste of dwindling resources. Redrawn regulations, rate structures and building codes can do much to reduce or eliminate such waste.

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[jpc]

The Peak Oil Crisis: Electrical Efficiency



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Simple and commonsense means to get the most out of what we have.The first step to make renewable energy viable.
Pity that the then minister for the enviroment "Dick the european Roche" didnt see fit to up the lamentable insulation standard in Irish building regulations.
Make things a lot more comfortable and affordable for folk today.

[rightsofman]

Energy shmenergy!

Its as simple to fix as going to AREVA - Solutions for nuclear power generation and electricity transport and ordering a nuclear reactor or three. If the govt had ANY foresight they would investigate compact localised nuclear power generation, it makes a lot of sense for many of the smaller towns in Ireland.

Oh but what about our cars, they cant run on electricity! We're reaching a point where is it is almost pure insanity to set fire to the major source of our materials from which medication and plastics are manufactured. I have caught myself looking at people at the petrol station, wondering if they have ever thought how prehistorically we treat oil.

The status quo of hydrocarbon powered transport will come crashing down around us in our lifetimes. When that is seen to be inevitable, then we'll see an explosion of electrically powered vehicles, and we'll all be happy again.

But not a moment before Shell et al, build this new infrastructure for us

[jpc]

Energy shmenergy!

Its as simple to fix as going to AREVA - Solutions for nuclear power generation and electricity transport and ordering a nuclear reactor or three. If the govt had ANY foresight they would investigate compact localised nuclear power generation, it makes a lot of sense for many of the smaller towns in Ireland.

Oh but what about our cars, they cant run on electricity! We're reaching a point where is it is almost pure insanity to set fire to the major source of our materials from which medication and plastics are manufactured. I have caught myself looking at people at the petrol station, wondering if they have ever thought how prehistorically we treat oil.

The status quo of hydrocarbon powered transport will come crashing down around us in our lifetimes. When that is seen to be inevitable, then we'll see an explosion of electrically powered vehicles, and we'll all be happy again.

But not a moment before Shell et al, build this new infrastructure for us

Pebble and Thorium reactors have been mentioned as well .Don't have the theoretical output numbers of the current reactor types but are more reliable.

[FrankSpeaks]

We simply do not have a choice, we must immediately start planning for the installation of at least one nuclear reactor and possibly 2 more. We have our head in the sand at the moment and the government is not even going to consider one. If we don't have a reliable energy source you can turn out the lights and the last one leaves the country.

[SPN]

We simply do not have a choice, we must immediately start planning for the installation of at least one nuclear reactor and possibly 2 more. We have our head in the sand at the moment and the government is not even going to consider one. If we don't have a reliable energy source you can turn out the lights and the last one leaves the country.

This thread is about highlighting the problems we are facing in relation to Energy, and looking at realistic options to enable us to overcome the problems.

A Nuke, or Nukes, are not realistic options for Ireland. In fact they are a Joke.

If you want to discuss Nukes, please use the appropriate place.

This thread is for discussing realistic, cost effective and economically viable alternatives.

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[david]

According to the CIA Factbook, this country owes around $1.8 trillion dollars in external debt - nearly half a million dollars per capita.

Aside from the fact that a nuke is unnecessary, where does the money come from? Indeed, what if some of that $1.8 trillion gets called in?

[Duth Ealla]

This thread is about highlighting the problems we are facing in relation to Energy, and looking at realistic options to enable us to overcome the problems.

A Nuke, or Nukes, are not realistic options for Ireland. In fact they are a Joke.

If you want to discuss Nukes, please use the appropriate place.

This thread is for discussing realistic, cost effective and economically viable alternatives.

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The use of Nuclear energy in Ireland is not as much as a joke as you think. You may disagree with Nuclear, as I do, as an option for Ireland but you are too hasty in dismissing the suggestion.

There are micro nuclear reactors currently in production that are priced at 25 million euro providing 25 mw .

Micro-nuclear reactors | Geekend | TechRepublic.com

Whether you agree or disagree you have to state the case but you cant write off the option as being irrelevant or too costly.

[SPN]

Whether you agree or disagree you have to state the case but you cant write off the option as being irrelevant or too costly.

The discussion has been had and the outcome is that a Nuke, or Nukes, would not fit on the Irish Grid, are too expensive, and create more problems than they solve.

The debate is over. We should spend our time discussing the technologies we are going to be using, not going back over the debate. This issue is too important to be faffing about discussing white elephants.

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[michael1965]

The discussion has been had and the outcome is that a Nuke, or Nukes, would not fit on the Irish Grid, are too expensive, and create more problems than they solve.

The debate is over. We should spend our time discussing the technologies we are going to be using, not going back over the debate. This issue is too important to be faffing about discussing white elephants.

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There hasn't been a debate (not for the last thirty years at least). They've had a debate in other countries, like the UK alright. It's obvious that the Greens are driving energy policy in this govt. So, for as long as FG remain unwilling to take any political risks, there won't be one here.

Meanwhile, if your predictions in this thread come to pass, there won't be enough gas to go round, oil will become too expensive to burn and coal too dirty.

We'll have plenty of wind power, but regular blackouts, when the wind stops blowing (like today).

PS. That article about micro-reactors shows how out of date the accepted wisdom is that nukes are too big for the Irish grid.