On Jun 11, 2012, at 1:47 AM, audiolaw@aol.com wrote:
Tony,Be careful, don't ascribe anything to "global warming"! Don't we all know that that is just a marxist, commie made up theory to undermine the capitalist system generally and the clean coal and oil industries in particular?I doubt very much that Germany has much in the way of biofuel source material. I agree that warmer climates may be better able to provide that as a renewable resource.But Germany does have solar and wind power, as the article mis-cited by Riker notes. And both in Europe and in the United States there are companies trying to harness energy from tidal flow.Riker does note that his favored Tea Party Republicans are trying to end subsidies for alternate energy sources. For some reason, he fails to mention the decades of taxpayer subsidies we have given, and continue to give to the petrochemical and nuclear industries that he favors.And he ignores, or rejects, other analysts explanations for the documented quality problems at Mercedes in the 1990s. While other analysts seem to find a basis in Mercedes' diluting management manpower in its failed attempt to work with Chrysler, Riker finds a basis for attacking Mercedes' excellent work force.Since ethanol is not as efficient a fuel as gasoline or diesel, I expect that our current corporate/government reliance on ethanol will be short lived. There may well be both bacterially generated and chemically generated biofuels made from organic material that are more efficient and cost effective than ethanol in the near future.Of course, last week's Congressional vote to bar the Pentagon from sourcing renewable fuels, if that process takes profits away from the Saudis and the multinationals that dictate Tea Party Republican policy, will slow the development of alternative fuels, even as it weakens our defense structure.I also expect that all European and Asian auto companies, INCLUDING MERCEDES, will continue to develop more efficient electrical drive trains. The one real impediment to electric cars remains the battery source. But back in 1776, people were using Leyden Jars. Then we got Lead Acid. Then Nicad. Now Lithium polymers. Once someone develops a truly high capacity battery, our beloved diesels will really be relics.Even now, no petroleum fueled car can match an electric car for acceleration or torque, IF the electric has a sufficient energy source. The physics of the electric motors are simply too clear, like the difference between analog and digital audio. (Or am I starting another debate with that claim?).TomI
Ethanol burns fast. That's good if you drive a top fuel funny car or dragster. But, you cannot get the same economy out of it as gasoline. If you could lower the price significantly, then it made be an alternative. Or, if you "necessarily force prices to rise" for gasoline then too an opportunity would occur. The crops that produce ethanol are subsidized. The factories that make it are subsidized. Oil companies must transport it to distribution point for blending. They get a subsidy for that. The consumer is forced to buy a product that has ethanol, even though it will force up the price and make the final item less efficient. Then he will be taxed on the final sale of a subsidized, inflated priced product. Corn is the crop of choice to make ethanol. It also produces the lowest yield per acre of the stuff, but it's price supports are the highest. If every kernel grown this year was used to make ethanol, the government mandates of 2020 could not be met. Right now, we have three times more ethanol stock piled than we need. According to supply and demand, there should be a price drop. But, Big Alternative won't allow it to happen.
Now, you choose which party you like to associate with this line of thinking. Just don't include me as a member. The subsidies for ethanol are coming to an end. But, the mandate for it's inclusion in the fuel supply is not. That means the American motorist will bear the burden of it's price instead of the the entire tax base. Lucky you, gas prices will increase.
Your sudden interest in the Military is amusing. What alternative power source should they use? Solandra has photo-elective devices that can be placed on tanks? Can Fisker pwer up a HummVee? Maybe they can try wind mills on a Carrier? So what if ethanol is expensive, the defense structure surly will be made stronger. It's just good old fashioned white lightning. We can get the other side drunk.
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2012/06/10/Blogger-Busts-EPA-Fake-Fuel-Figures Stories like this have been posted on the Net before. The EPA, during the Clinton administration, used a factor of .345 to determine the true gasoline mpg equivalent of electric cars. With your work on vintage electronics, an amp of a 100 watt rating is going through a lot of losses from input to output. The hotter they get the harder they are working. It the same with electric cars, they are not considering the areas of loss. As more efficient engines are developed, the need for electric cars is lessened. And tube amps sounds much better than solid state. No matter how progressive you are, that is a statement with which you cannot disagree.
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