Solving Energy Problems With Conservation

By: GARKO

Many suggestions are circulating on ways to save gasoline through conservation. Some people have had the nerve to actually favor ideas like Detroit Democrat Dingle's fifty cents excise tax on every gallon of gasoline. That surprises me but I guess that it makes more sense to some than to others. If you talk to a construction worker driving a work truck loaded with equipment who has to get 14 MPG with that rig or else be out on the street then he would certainly be hurt greatly by such a surcharge or excise tax.
What we all can find common ground on is we can't just keep on going as we have been. Oil was trading Tuesday at an astronomical $108 a barrel after earlier surpassing $109.
The national average for a gallon of gas is now at $3.24 and in California it is $3.58 per gallon! .
Not one new refinery has been built in America since the 1970s, so we can't do much about the supply side of the equation. What we can control is demand, and we can do that via greater fuel efficiency, conservation and increased transit alternatives.
Here are a few suggestions.
Mileage standards: The biggest broad stroke solution that we can effect as a country to loosen the chains that have us bound to Big Oil would be to substantially boost the minimum required mileage for new vehicles. The last increase was four years ago and it set the bar that new cars were required to get an average of 27.5 mpg and light trucks including SUVs 20.7 mpg.
Towards the end of 2007, Congress enacted the first major overhaul of so-called corporate average fuel economy, or CAFE, standards in more than 30 years. Automakers will now be required to raise average mileage for both cars and light trucks to 35 mpg by 2020.
That's good, but not nearly good enough. I say it should be set at fifty miles per gallon and no lower by 2020.
Sure, automakers will whine that this is an unreasonable goal or that it would make their products too expensive for most consumers, but that's bull. The Union of Concerned Scientists tells us that with the existing technology, cars would be raised up to 40 MPG minimum without have any significant impact on prices. And, besides, thee and me both know that they have those computer sensors on cars made after 1995 rigged so that cars can only get so much MPG. They just need to unhack them!
More than likely the Japanese and South Koreans are all set and ready to meet whatever requirements that we set for them.
Lower speed limits: It is a known fact that above the mid 50s MPH, the consumption of gas rises dramatically. That's just waste.
Telecommuting: To get people off the roads in L.A. and elsewhere and thus ease the pain of runaway gas prices, businesses should be given tax breaks for encouraging and enabling employees to work from home.
As spread out and sprawling as Los Angeles is, for example, any business that opens offices in different parts of the city should be given tax breaks. This would lessen congestion and waste of fuel and also help the commercial real estate market
So these are just a few ideas out of many. No shortage of ideas exists, this is for sure. Some of them national, some of them local. Some of the ideas are brilliant, some of them ware workable and some of them uh... neeed more work!
So what do you do if you want to lower your gas usage?
Here is the best that I know of...
WATER4GAS is providing information at a low price which individuals can use in their garage or wherever to create a small gizmo which infuses hydrogen into the gas/air mixture that their car runs on.
What this does is make smaller particles out of the ones that the system uses as fuel. Because of the smaller size the system gets to use much more of the gasoline.
With WATER4GAS you can reasonably expect to lower your gas usage by 12%. In reality though many are obtaining thirty to fifty percent improvement or significantly more. Those goblets "musta" been pretty darn big in some systems before. But with W4G they are made consumable so you can lower your gas usage.
It also helps make emissions substantially cleaner.
This package of info has been purchased by over NINE THOUSAND individuals already and the percentage of happy customers is about 99%! So that's a start!

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Wind Power as a Viable Solution to Alternative Energy Needs

By: Warren Peters

Although it is much less expensive to initially get hooked into the local electric company's grid than it is to set up and hook into wind turbines, in the long run one saves money by utilizing the wind for one's energy needs while also becoming more independent. Not receiving an electric bill while enjoying the advantages of the modern electrically-driven lifestyle is a wondrous feeling.

Electric bills and fuel bills are rising steadily but the cost of wind turbine energy is zero, and the cost of installing and hooking up a turbine is steadily coming down as demand rises and more commercial success is realized by various companies producing the turbines and researching technologies to make them ever more efficient.

In addition, people are moving away from the traditional electric grids and the fossil fuels for personal reasons including desire for greater independence, the desire to live remotely or rurally without having to go primitive, political concerns such as fears of terrorist strikes on oil fields or power grids, or concerns about the environment.

Again, this motivation to get away from the traditional energy sources is the same one that causes people to seek the power of the wind for their energy, giving more business opportunities to profit from wind turbine production and maintenance, which drives their costs down for the consumers.

In nearly thirty states at the time of this writing, homeowners who remain on the grid but who still choose to use wind energy (or other alternative forms) are eligible for rebates or tax breaks from the state governments that end up paying for as much as 50% of their total green energy systems costs.

In addition, there are 35 states at the time of this writing where these homeowners are allowed to sell their excess energy back to the power company under what are called net metering laws. The rates that they are being paid by the local power companies for this energy are standard retail rates in other words, the homeowners are actually profiting from their own energy production.

Some federal lawmakers are pushing to get the federal government to mandate these tax breaks and other wind power incentives in all 50 states. Japan and Germany already have national incentive programs in place. However, A lot of this is handled regionally by state law. There wouldn't really be a role for the federal government, the Energy Department's Craig Stevens says.

And as might be imagined, there are power companies who feel that it's unfair that they should have to pay retail rates to private individuals. We should [only have to] pay you the wholesale rate for ... your electricity, according to Bruce Bowen, Pacific Gas & Electric's director of regulatory policy.

However, the companies seem to be more worried about losing short term profits than about the benefits, especially in the long run, of the increased use of wind turbines or wind farms. Head of the Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies of California V. John White points out, It's quality power that strengthens the grid.

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The Secret to Alternative Sources of Energy

By Weldon Peterson

There are two different paths that you can take when taking a plunge into the world of alternative energy. Follow the beaten path and you will need to spend thousands of dollars on a professionally installed green energy system. But, you could also take the one less traveled by. Take this path and you will learn the secret to alternative sources of energy. And for the small price of your undivided attention I am willing to reveal this secret to you. With it you will enjoy a lifetime of savings as well as a life dedicated to improving our environment.

The secret to alternative energy is making it yourself. Yes, that is correct. In order to be most successful with using alternative sources of energy you must make your own natural energy system. Now, before you dismiss this statement which I have presented to you, first let me explain in detail how easy it is to make your own natural power source.

Making your own alternative power source is incredibly simple because there are many resources that are now available in the area of DIY green energy systems. In fact, there are even alternative power guides that outline every single step if the process of building a natural power system. Just by finding a reliable green power guide you will be able to build your very own natural energy system in just two days. And in just two days you will be on your way to saving hundreds of dollars every month!

There is one small catch though. Finding a reliable DIY green energy guide can be extremely difficult as their are many garbage products out there. Believe me, I've spent hundreds of dollars trying to find just the right one. If you want to start saving hundreds of dollars every month but don't want to have to go through the hassle of finding a reliable guide then click the link below. Just by clicking the link below you will have already taken the first step in saving tons of cash every month.

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Palm Oil BioDiesel

By: Shana Shane

100% CRUDE PALM OIL REFINED (RBD) PALM OIL PALM OLEIN & PALM STEARIN are EXCELLENT VEGETABLE OILs THAT CAN BE USED TO PRODUCE YOUR BIODIESEL!

Palm Oil Biodiesel is produced by a reaction of a palm oil or animal fat with an alcohol such as methanol or ethanol in the presence of a catalyst to yield mono-alkyl esters and glycerin, which is removed.

With the increase in awareness and importance attached to environmental issues such as global warming, more environment-friendly fuels are being developed as alternatives to fossil fuel. One such fuel, which has been gaining prominence in recent years, is biodiesel. Clean and renewable, biofuel has been touted as the answer to the issue of the diminishing of energy reserves.

The advantages of palm oil biodiesel, drawn from the field trials are no modification of the engines is required, good engine performance, cleaner exhaust emission and comparable fuel consumption in comparison with the petroleum diesel.

6 REASONS WHY PALM OIL IS BETTER FOR BIODIESEL:
(i) Abundantly available and stable supply.
(ii) Crude Palm Oil can be broken down into many more useful fractions.
(iii) Cheaper than all oils especially Soybean Oil Did I mention, CHEAPER!
(iv) Already being used domestically
(v) Reduces our dependency on petroleum diesel
(vi) Biodegradable Eliminates harmful emissions

What is Palm Oil biodiesel?
Palm Oil Biodiesel is the name of a clean burning alternative fuel, produced from Palm Oil. Palm Oil Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. It can be used in compression-ignition (diesel) engines with little or no modifications. Palm Oil Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics.

How is Palm Oil Biodiesel made?
Palm Oil Biodiesel is made through a chemical process called transesterification whereby the glycerin is separated from the Palm oil. The process leaves behind two products -- methyl esters (the chemical name for palm oil biodiesel) and glycerin (a valuable byproduct usually sold to be used in soaps and other products).


Is Palm Oil Biodiesel the same thing as raw vegetable palm oil?
No! Fuel-grade palm oil biodiesel must be produced to strict industry specifications (ASTM D6751) in order to insure proper performance. Palm Oil Biodiesel is one of the few biodiesels to have fully completed the health effects testing requirements of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments. Biodiesel that meets ASTM D6751 and is legally registered with the Environmental Protection Agency is a legal motor fuel for sale and distribution. Raw Palm Oil cannot meet biodiesel fuel specifications, it is not registered with the EPA, and it is not a legal motor fuel.

For entities seeking to adopt a definition of biodiesel for purposes such as federal or state statute, state or national divisions of weights and measures, or for any other purpose, the official definition consistent with other federal and state laws and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) guidelines is as follows:

Palm Oil Biodiesel is defined as mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from Palm Oil vegetable oils which conform to ASTM D6751 specifications for use in diesel engines. Biodiesel refers to the pure fuel before blending with diesel fuel. Biodiesel blends are denoted as, "BXX" with "XX" representing the percentage of biodiesel contained in the blend (ie: B20 is 20% biodiesel, 80% petroleum diesel).

Why should I use palm oil biodiesel?
Palm Oil Biodiesel is better for the environment because it is made from renewable resources, i.e. Palm Oil and has lower emissions compared to petroleum diesel. It is less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as fast as sugar. Since it is made from renewable resources i.e. Palm Oil, its use decreases our dependence on foreign oil and contributes to our own economy.

Where do I get Palm oil biodiesel?
It can be purchased directly from biodiesel producers and marketers, petroleum distributors.

What is biodiesel?

Very often, a broad, general description is used to define biodiesel in a way that is easy to understand by the general public. However, when these broad descriptions are adopted by an authoritative body as a formal definition, they can include a wide range of experimental fuels that are not biodiesel. The term "biodiesel" has a specific, technical definition that has been agreed to through a painstaking process by members of industry and government which has received full approval by the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM), the premier standard setting organization for fuels and fuel additives. That definition is used for purposes such as alternative fuel designation, EPA registration, or other regulatory purposes. Nonetheless, this specific technical definition can be confusing to the general public.

General Definition of Biodiesel:
Biodiesel is a domestic, renewable fuel for diesel engines derived from natural oils like soybean oil, palm oil and which meets the specifications of ASTM D 6751.

Clarifying language to general definition:
Biodiesel can be used in any concentration with petroleum based diesel fuel in existing diesel engines with little or no modification. Biodiesel is not the same thing as raw vegetable oil. It is produced by a chemical process which removes the glycerin from the oil.

Technical Definition for Biodiesel (ASTM D 6751) and Biodiesel Blend:
Biodiesel, n--a fuel comprised of mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats, designated B100, and meeting the requirements of ASTM D 6751.

Biodiesel Blend, n--a blend of biodiesel fuel meeting ASTM D 6751 with petroleum-based diesel fuel, designated BXX, where XX represents the volume percentage of biodiesel fuel in the blend.


Clarifying language to technical definition:
Biodiesel, as defined in D 6751, is registered with the US EPA as a fuel and a fuel additive under Section 211(b) of the Clean Air Act.

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Alternative Energy Solutions In A Time Of Power Crisis

By: Isabel Baldry

It is unofficial - but around the world many of us agree on one thing: it is very likely that there will be an energy crisis in the future. We all know energy is a big issue in the contemporary world, and we have been convinced that humanity is at a crucial crossroads in its history because we face an energy shortage. Many experts believe this problem can only be solved by the use of alternative energy solutions. By energy, I mean the fuel that drive our cars, give us electricity and enables us to enjoy modern amenities we feel so vulnerable without. Fossil fuels have been the prime source of energy for human society since the beginning of the industrial revolution. These fossil fuels have been the muscles, which have enabled us to progress and develop to such dizzying heights. We face a problem in the 21st century because our stocks and reserves of these fossil fuels are running low; this news is worsened by the fact that these reserves cannot be renewed. Many governments and private agencies have started promoting Alternative Energy Solutions to overcome the looming energy crisis caused by the depletion of the non renewal's sources of energy that all fossil fuels - coal, all oil and natural gas - represent. Alternative Energy Solutions include all prime movers that can use a renewable natural resource to produce energy. This may be wind, thermal energy from the earth, and wave action in the shores and solar energy from the sun. Alternative energy resources can also include new technology like fuel cells. However the primary fuel humanity has long depended on has been oil. We now know from our own projections that the oil reserves in the world are slated to be unviable by 2050. Simply put, the world is running out of gas! In addition, not to mention, time. The utilization of other forms of energy is therefore very important. When we speak of alternative energy, it usually means the production of electricity via the use of some natural and renewable resource. What are these renewables, one may ask. Someone else may extend this line of questioning and say: Are these renewable resources as efficient as the fossil fuels? Below are some answers. Wind energy is the word that comes to mind whenever people talk of renewable energy sources. Humans have harnessed the wind to drive machines since medieval times. In the 21st century we use wind turbines to produce electricity. As a source of power, wind is an excellent option. Wind turbines generate electricity by rotary motion that is caused by the airflow. Some of the negatives associated with wind energy and wind turbines lie in the unpredictability of wind. For example, no wind means the turbine does not rotate and electricity is not generated. Sites are another problem; rows and rows of wind turbines are just not feasible in a city of a few million people. The most important issue however lies in cost effectiveness, most power companies are still reluctant to invest in or buy their power from companies that use wind turbines. This is changing as governments around the world have started subsidizing power generation through alternative sources like wind. There are other possible sources of renewable energy; tidal energy uses the energy of the ocean and is an effective though rather geographically limited source of power, thermal energy from the earth taps geysers and other underground sources of heat. This is a very important source of energy in places like Iceland - it is also geographically limited in its suitability. Nuclear energy can be considered a potentially inexhaustible source of power. However, it could have many dangerous complications and most environmentalists fear its use. New technological innovations like fuel cells are still a long way off from truly becoming substitutes to the fossil fuel powered internal combustion engines that have driven us all this far down the road. Indeed looking at all the possible sources of alternate energy and especially renewable, wind and hydroelectric projects are the only two viable long term sources, solar power is a potentially huge alternative source of energy but it has a technological handicap-we do not posses the engineering expertise to make better solar cells. Solar cells are also very costly to produce and are not cost effective - even less so than wind. Given all the setbacks we currently are unable to overcome, it will still be some time yet before we can throw away the polluting but efficient, fossil fuel guzzling machines that we so fondly know as cars. The use of alternative energy sources is a very important area of research and demands humanity's attention. As soon as fuel supplies run out on us, we may have to go back to that ultimate transport machine to take us places: our legs.

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