Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Surplus now? Maybe but I doubt it in states like California or New York.
That said, how will the grid support MILLIONS of electric cars in addition to an ever increasing use of electronics?
According to the book "Plug-in hybrids: The cars that will recharge America" something like 50% of all cars could be electric and we wouldn't have to touch our electric generating capacity because they are charged at night when there is significant surplus electric capacity.
And even if we were to stop selling gas cars today it would take something like 10 years for 25% of all cars on the road to be electric as older cars are slowly retired. We have time.
According to the book "Plug-in hybrids: The cars that will recharge America" something like 50% of all cars could be electric and we wouldn't have to touch our electric generating capacity because they are charged at night when there is significant surplus electric capacity.
And even if we were to stop selling gas cars today it would take something like 10 years for 25% of all cars on the road to be electric as older cars are slowly retired. We have time.
So, we just replace one car that burns a dwindling fossil fuel supply for another one that does the same thing?
How's that a good idea?
If that logic works in the long run, it will be a miracle; if not I'm gunna go buy a horse and buggy.
So, we just replace one car that burns a dwindling fossil fuel supply for another one that does the same thing?
How's that a good idea?
If that logic works in the long run, it will be a miracle; if not I'm gunna go buy a horse and buggy.
No, the shift towards electric vehicles would allow the growth of renewables (electric based) to continue their growth rate and eventually replace all the fossil fuel generated electricity, as well.
IF we walk (or ride) away from Oil (and the rest of fossil) we win. IF we stick with Oil (and the rest of fossil), we die.
Real tough choice, huh? At least it seems like one for a country led by retards.
I don't think that electric vehicles will solve many of our problems. What people don't get is that not only is oil is burned in cars, it's that the road IS oil. We are dependent on a road infrastructure that, because of our sprawl and inefficiency, is in and of itself unsustainable--even if we go to electric vehicles. It's called a crumbling infrastructure. Another crumbling infrastructure is our power grid. Talk to anyone who actually works with the electric transmission system ("the grid") in this country and they will tell you how rickety it is becoming. A huge fleet of electric vehicles sucking off of it might just send it over the edge.
Finally, and maybe the biggest problem is this: Be it maintaining the road system, rebuilding the power grid, deploying all kinds of alternative energy, or replacing the auto fleet with electrics--it ALL takes huge amounts of capital. Our leadership's gross mismanagement of the economy and government spending, along with our own debt-ridden speculation and greed, is a capital-destroying monster running amok at the very time we are going to need to generate capital in staggering amounts. So, we've shot ourself in the ass on that, too. All the super-whamodyne new technology in the world is useless if we can't afford it--it might as well not exist.
Talk to anyone who actually works with the electric transmission system ("the grid") in this country and they will tell you how rickety it is becoming.
I do -- work in this realm, that is. It is not "rickety." That is marketing bs promoted by the nuke and coal power industry to build sympathy for their markets. The various Electric Reliability Councils have and keep very high standards for the entire industry.
Quote:
A huge fleet of electric vehicles sucking off of it might just send it over the edge.
No, actually a building electric vehicle fleet is one thing that could keep the grid and renewable power generation going well. Over the last two years, nation-wide electric power use is down over 5%. That is a huge drop for us -- especially when you consider that typically we plan and build in advance for an estimated annual increase of at least 1 to 2%.
The Edison Institute (Electric Power Industry Group) finally came out this year promoting a shift to electric ground transportation, as well. It will have severe opposition from the Oil Industry. But either way something has to die. The use of Oil or US. About like smokers quitting cigarettes.
Quote:
Finally, and maybe the biggest problem is this: Be it maintaining the road system, rebuilding the power grid, deploying all kinds of alternative energy, or replacing the auto fleet with electrics--it ALL takes huge amounts of capital. Our leadership's gross mismanagement of the economy and government spending, along with our own debt-ridden speculation and greed, is a capital-destroying monster running amok at the very time we are going to need to generate capital in staggering amounts. So, we've shot ourself in the ass on that, too. All the super-whamodyne new technology in the world is useless if we can't afford it--it might as well not exist.
Not much of it has be any sort of "super-tech." Most of the best methods are now 30 + Years old. Solar Thermal and Simple Wind.
Again, the limiting factor is that the production of the new systems cannot outpace the overall demand. When the demand for electricity is down -- as in the last two years -- there are limits on how much new production capacity -- even renewable -- we should build and how fast to do so.
"But it isn't just gasoline prices that are going up. The price of food is really starting to rise as well. Rising demand and reduced supply drove supermarket prices for 16 basic foods up 6.2% in the first quarter of 2010."
I doubt it. Remember we are entering the summer driving season. Gas will more then likely peak in July or August and then decline. Gas is cheaper now then it was in Nov. of 2007.
I have heard people talking of 10$ a gallon within 10 years. Who can tell really? It all stems from the fact that oil is in "short supply." They have been saying that oil will run out since the early 1900's. The truth is, most oil fields only have a 30 year life time. So, people keep thinking it is going to run out in 30 years, which is true, unless we discover knew oil or do without it completely. Since we use oil for a lot more then vehicles (plastic) i think we should keep drilling and keep pushing the 30 year time back. By the way im a petroleum geologist, so i know what im talking about somewhat.
The batteries with mass use will be a problem besides the cost if you have problems;as they are bery expensive and batteries are not all eaual no matter if teh eaact same.I see another insurance coming.
When I look around me and see housewives driving large SUV's, guys driving lifted trucks, and young people racing their brand new bmw's and audi's, I can't help but laugh when people get outraged at high gas prices. Americans deserve whatever price they get at the pump. People have begun viewing cars at toys and not an actual tool used to get you from point a to point b.
Lets face it, India and China are going to put another 100 million people in cars in the next 20 years and that will definitely make prices go up. Chinese gas companies are a good investment for the long term. Americans simply drive more car than they actually need. Its going to be funny to hear people complain in the next few years.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
