We frequently talk about the cost of electricity from new generation plants. Here are some figures, which will generally put those past and future writings into perspective:
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association has made some estimates using US Energy Information Administration data from November 2010. The following electricity costs include average costs for plant construction, maintenance, fuel, and operation.
Source Cents perKilowatt Hour(kWh)
Hydro 3.4
Natural Gas 5.2
Biomass 5.7
Coal 5.8
Nuclear 5.8
Geothermal 6.4
Wind (land) 6.6
Coal (carbon capture) 9.9
Solar (thermal) 13.6
Wind (offshore) 15.8
Solar (photovoltaic) 20.8
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Pres. Obama Accedes to Public Pressure on Oil
EIN News says, "U.S. Government Grants First Permit to Drill New Deepwater Well in Gulf of Mexico After BP Spill U.S. federal regulators granted a permit for oil giant Shell to drill the first new deepwater exploratory wells in the Gulf of Mexico since the BP oil spill. (xinhuanet.com)".
Recently, Pres. Obama arranged for some billions of dollars of US funds to aid Brazil in developing oil reserves. He also publicly said that he wanted the US to be Brazil's best customer for oil.
Separately, he said his oil policy is to reduce oil imports by one third.
I and a number of others have publicly pointed out this contradiction and asked for the details of his plan for oil import reduction. His response is to allow a significant US oil drilling project, in spite of the fact that he wants to use energy as a vehicle to redistribute world wealth through a carbon taxing policy.
Let's keep hollering at him. Maybe we can get something accomplished.
Recently, Pres. Obama arranged for some billions of dollars of US funds to aid Brazil in developing oil reserves. He also publicly said that he wanted the US to be Brazil's best customer for oil.
Separately, he said his oil policy is to reduce oil imports by one third.
I and a number of others have publicly pointed out this contradiction and asked for the details of his plan for oil import reduction. His response is to allow a significant US oil drilling project, in spite of the fact that he wants to use energy as a vehicle to redistribute world wealth through a carbon taxing policy.
Let's keep hollering at him. Maybe we can get something accomplished.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Japanese Nuclear Problem
There has been an interesting conversational exchange on Hacker News concerning the Japanese nuclear problem. The website is http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2316531.
Part of the problem is whether the cores of the three Japanese reactors are still active. That is, whether the cores are still producing heat by atomic fission. One contributor says that continued fission is highly unlikely, because fission has been stopped by the control rods.
However, that is only a guess. The control rods may not have operated properly or have become damaged in some way as to not be able to shut down the fission process.
Atomic fission proceeds by multiplication of neutron emissions. The neutrons are active in forcing fissionable material, such as uranium 235, to undergo fission. Absorb the free neutrons, and the uranium 235 will just sit there. Boron is a known neutron absorber and is normally a constituent of the control rods.
If it is uncertain that fission is still taking place in the three Japanese reactors, the obvious action is to treat with massive amounts of boron. Helicopters can drop boric acid or sodium perborate, which are commercially available in large quantity, on any exposed cores.
So far as I know, a "meltdown" has never occurred. The fear is that if it does, there MAY be an explosions similar to an atomic bomb. If the heat being generated in the core is such as to melt the mass, the boron content of the control rods will likely inhibit any further fission, which is the basis of an atomic explosion. The bottom safe line is treat the whole system with boron compounds, whether the fuel rods are still intact or whether there has been "meltdown".
The question also arises as to the source of the heat, which is still being generated and is attempting to be dissipated by flooding with sea water. Our communicator on the webpage says that heat is being generated from the normal decomposition of radioactive materials previously generated by the fission process. In other words, these reaction products have already been formed. The are normally considered by the nuclear industry as radioactive waste. These radioactive byproducts must undergo their standard lives of decomposition, during which time, they eliminate subatomic particles, some of which are dangerous to humans. However, there is essentially no possibility that they will undergo nuclear chain reaction equivalent to a bomb.
The danger to personnel is exposure to subatomic particles from the decomposition. In normal reactor operation, this is contained by removing the "depleted" fuel capsules, which contain the radioactive byproducts. They are then stored under water for several days as initial radioactivity is reduced and then stored for hopeful reworking.
If the radioactive byproducts escape to the atmosphere, the population at large is subject to where and how far the wind blows the particles before they have reduced their radioactivity to a low level. Therefore, the present Japanese operation is to attempt to keep those radioactive byproducts contained so that the general population is not exposed to significant amounts of subatomic radiation. In this respect, we have some similarity to the Chernobyl incident, where radioactive byproducts were spread over a large population area.
In summary, it appears best to guarantee that fission is stopped in the three reactors by flooding the systems with boron containing compounds. If this is done, it further obviates the danger of an atomic explosion. The main problem is to contain the reactors' radioactive byproducts so that they are not dispersed and will not present a danger to the general population.
Part of the problem is whether the cores of the three Japanese reactors are still active. That is, whether the cores are still producing heat by atomic fission. One contributor says that continued fission is highly unlikely, because fission has been stopped by the control rods.
However, that is only a guess. The control rods may not have operated properly or have become damaged in some way as to not be able to shut down the fission process.
Atomic fission proceeds by multiplication of neutron emissions. The neutrons are active in forcing fissionable material, such as uranium 235, to undergo fission. Absorb the free neutrons, and the uranium 235 will just sit there. Boron is a known neutron absorber and is normally a constituent of the control rods.
If it is uncertain that fission is still taking place in the three Japanese reactors, the obvious action is to treat with massive amounts of boron. Helicopters can drop boric acid or sodium perborate, which are commercially available in large quantity, on any exposed cores.
So far as I know, a "meltdown" has never occurred. The fear is that if it does, there MAY be an explosions similar to an atomic bomb. If the heat being generated in the core is such as to melt the mass, the boron content of the control rods will likely inhibit any further fission, which is the basis of an atomic explosion. The bottom safe line is treat the whole system with boron compounds, whether the fuel rods are still intact or whether there has been "meltdown".
The question also arises as to the source of the heat, which is still being generated and is attempting to be dissipated by flooding with sea water. Our communicator on the webpage says that heat is being generated from the normal decomposition of radioactive materials previously generated by the fission process. In other words, these reaction products have already been formed. The are normally considered by the nuclear industry as radioactive waste. These radioactive byproducts must undergo their standard lives of decomposition, during which time, they eliminate subatomic particles, some of which are dangerous to humans. However, there is essentially no possibility that they will undergo nuclear chain reaction equivalent to a bomb.
The danger to personnel is exposure to subatomic particles from the decomposition. In normal reactor operation, this is contained by removing the "depleted" fuel capsules, which contain the radioactive byproducts. They are then stored under water for several days as initial radioactivity is reduced and then stored for hopeful reworking.
If the radioactive byproducts escape to the atmosphere, the population at large is subject to where and how far the wind blows the particles before they have reduced their radioactivity to a low level. Therefore, the present Japanese operation is to attempt to keep those radioactive byproducts contained so that the general population is not exposed to significant amounts of subatomic radiation. In this respect, we have some similarity to the Chernobyl incident, where radioactive byproducts were spread over a large population area.
In summary, it appears best to guarantee that fission is stopped in the three reactors by flooding the systems with boron containing compounds. If this is done, it further obviates the danger of an atomic explosion. The main problem is to contain the reactors' radioactive byproducts so that they are not dispersed and will not present a danger to the general population.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
No Tapping of Strategic Petroleum Reserves
EIN News says, "As Oil Prices Soar, Calls Mount to Tap Reserve As oil prices have risen in recent weeks, calls have been growing in Congress for the Obama administration to consider tapping into the nation's strategic petroleum reserve, which is now at its full capacity of 727 million barrels. (nytimes.com)".
Open letter to Congress:
Do Not! Do not pressure the Obama Administration to tap into the strategic petroleum reserve. This reserve is primarily for military use. Your army, navy, and air force run on petroleum. Our enemies and potential enemies already perceive us in a weakened condition, because of our financial difficulties. There are bad people in the world, including bad governments who would like to to further weaken our world position. We will be in bad straights, if we are not able to defend ourselves militarily.
Open letter to Congress:
Do Not! Do not pressure the Obama Administration to tap into the strategic petroleum reserve. This reserve is primarily for military use. Your army, navy, and air force run on petroleum. Our enemies and potential enemies already perceive us in a weakened condition, because of our financial difficulties. There are bad people in the world, including bad governments who would like to to further weaken our world position. We will be in bad straights, if we are not able to defend ourselves militarily.
Friday, March 4, 2011
More Investments in Oil and Gas
EIN News says, "Total to Acquire Minority Stake in Russia's Novatek for $4 Billion French oil major Total S.A. agreed to acquire a minority stake in Russian gas producer OAO Novatek for about $4 billion, and said it will join its Yamal LNG project as a strategic partner. (rttnews.com)".
Notice that this is another of many oil and gas investments. I don't recall any company, or individual, except for your federal government, who continues to put money into the development of solar and wind energy.
Notice that this is another of many oil and gas investments. I don't recall any company, or individual, except for your federal government, who continues to put money into the development of solar and wind energy.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Extensive US Oil Reserves
This article was sent to me by an associate. I don't know it's source and it can justifiably be considered partially questionable. However, I have researched the statements about the Bakken Reserve and found them to be essentially true. ACS
"About 6 months ago, the writer was watching a news program on oil and one of the Forbes brothers was the guest. The host said to Forbes, "I am going to ask you a direct question and I would like a direct answer; how much oil does the U.S. have in the ground?" Forbes did not miss a beat, he said, "More than all the Middle East put together."
Please read below:
The U. S. Geological Service issued a report in April 2008 that only scientists and oil men knew was coming, but man was it big! It was a revised report (which had not been updated since 1995) on how much oil was in this area of the western 2/3 of North Dakota , western South Dakota , and extreme eastern Montana .....
Check THIS out:
The Bakken is the largest domestic oil discovery since Alaska 's Prudhoe Bay , and has the potential to eliminate all American dependence on foreign oil. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates it at 503 billion barrels. Even if just 10% of the oil is recoverable. At $107 a barrel, we're looking at a resource base worth more than $5.3 trillion.
"When I first briefed legislators on this, you could practically see their jaws hit the floor. They had no idea." says Terry Johnson, the Montana Legislature's financial analyst.
"This sizable find is now the highest-producing onshore oil field found in the past 56 years," reports The Pittsburgh Post Gazette. It's a formation known as the Williston Basin , but is more commonly referred to as the 'Bakken.' It stretches from Northern Montana, through North Dakota and into Canada . For years, U. S. oil exploration has been considered a dead end. Even the 'Big Oil' companies gave up searching for major oil wells decades ago. However, a recent technological breakthrough has opened up the Bakken's massive reserves. We now have access of up to 500 billion barrels. And because this is light, sweet oil, those billions of barrels will cost Americans just $16 PER BARREL!
That's enough crude to fully fuel the American economy for 2041 years straight. And if THAT didn't throw you on the floor, then this next one should - because the information is from 2006!
U. S. Oil Discovery- Largest Reserve in the World
Stansberry Report Online - 4/20/2006
Hidden 1,000 feet beneath the surface of the Rocky Mountains lies the largest untapped oil reserve in the world. It is more than 2 TRILLION barrels. On August 8, 2005 President Bush mandated its extraction. In three and a half years of high oil prices none has been extracted. With this 'mother lode' of oil why are we still fighting over off-shore drilling?
They reported this stunning news: We have more oil inside our borders, than all the other proven reserves on earth. Here are the official estimates:
- 8-times as much oil as Saudi Arabia
- 18-times as much oil as Iraq
- 21-times as much oil as Kuwait
- 22-times as much oil as Iran
- 500-times as much oil as Yemen
- and it's all right here in the Western United States .
HOW can this BE? HOW can we NOT BE extracting this? Because the environmentalists and others have blocked all efforts to help America become independent of foreign oil! Again, we are letting a small group of people dictate our lives and our economy.
WHY?
James Bartis, lead researcher with the study says we've got more oil in this very compact area than the entire Middle East -more than 2 TRILLION barrels untapped. That's more than all the proven oil reserves of crude oil in the world today, reports The Denver Post.
Don't think 'OPEC' will drop its price - even with this find? Think again! It's all about the competitive marketplace, - it has to.
Do ya' think OPEC just might be funding the environmentalists?"
"About 6 months ago, the writer was watching a news program on oil and one of the Forbes brothers was the guest. The host said to Forbes, "I am going to ask you a direct question and I would like a direct answer; how much oil does the U.S. have in the ground?" Forbes did not miss a beat, he said, "More than all the Middle East put together."
Please read below:
The U. S. Geological Service issued a report in April 2008 that only scientists and oil men knew was coming, but man was it big! It was a revised report (which had not been updated since 1995) on how much oil was in this area of the western 2/3 of North Dakota , western South Dakota , and extreme eastern Montana .....
Check THIS out:
The Bakken is the largest domestic oil discovery since Alaska 's Prudhoe Bay , and has the potential to eliminate all American dependence on foreign oil. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates it at 503 billion barrels. Even if just 10% of the oil is recoverable. At $107 a barrel, we're looking at a resource base worth more than $5.3 trillion.
"When I first briefed legislators on this, you could practically see their jaws hit the floor. They had no idea." says Terry Johnson, the Montana Legislature's financial analyst.
"This sizable find is now the highest-producing onshore oil field found in the past 56 years," reports The Pittsburgh Post Gazette. It's a formation known as the Williston Basin , but is more commonly referred to as the 'Bakken.' It stretches from Northern Montana, through North Dakota and into Canada . For years, U. S. oil exploration has been considered a dead end. Even the 'Big Oil' companies gave up searching for major oil wells decades ago. However, a recent technological breakthrough has opened up the Bakken's massive reserves. We now have access of up to 500 billion barrels. And because this is light, sweet oil, those billions of barrels will cost Americans just $16 PER BARREL!
That's enough crude to fully fuel the American economy for 2041 years straight. And if THAT didn't throw you on the floor, then this next one should - because the information is from 2006!
U. S. Oil Discovery- Largest Reserve in the World
Stansberry Report Online - 4/20/2006
Hidden 1,000 feet beneath the surface of the Rocky Mountains lies the largest untapped oil reserve in the world. It is more than 2 TRILLION barrels. On August 8, 2005 President Bush mandated its extraction. In three and a half years of high oil prices none has been extracted. With this 'mother lode' of oil why are we still fighting over off-shore drilling?
They reported this stunning news: We have more oil inside our borders, than all the other proven reserves on earth. Here are the official estimates:
- 8-times as much oil as Saudi Arabia
- 18-times as much oil as Iraq
- 21-times as much oil as Kuwait
- 22-times as much oil as Iran
- 500-times as much oil as Yemen
- and it's all right here in the Western United States .
HOW can this BE? HOW can we NOT BE extracting this? Because the environmentalists and others have blocked all efforts to help America become independent of foreign oil! Again, we are letting a small group of people dictate our lives and our economy.
WHY?
James Bartis, lead researcher with the study says we've got more oil in this very compact area than the entire Middle East -more than 2 TRILLION barrels untapped. That's more than all the proven oil reserves of crude oil in the world today, reports The Denver Post.
Don't think 'OPEC' will drop its price - even with this find? Think again! It's all about the competitive marketplace, - it has to.
Do ya' think OPEC just might be funding the environmentalists?"
White House Deceptive Maneuver on Oil Drilling
EIN News says, "U.S. Grants First Deepwater Drill Permit Since Gulf Spill The U.S. has granted the first new permit for deepwater oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico since last year's spill at a BP-owned oil well there. (bbc.co.uk)".
This is a political stunt on the part of President Obama and DOE Secretary Chu.
Their policy has been to convert the US automotive and truck fleet to electric vehicles, and thereby eliminate the need for gasoline and diesel. The increased use of electricity would foster development of wind and solar and also gain federal revenue through a tax on carbon dioxide from coal-fired electricity plants.
To foster this policy, they have withheld issuance of deepwater drilling permits in the Gulf of Mexico using the BP oil spill as an excuse. Since the federal government has control of the Gulf deepwater area and since there were no practical private areas for oil drilling in the contiguous US, Obama and Chu had a lock on all significant domestic oil production.
That lock has been broken by a rise in the price of crude oil and the development of new drilling/cracking technology, which makes new geographical areas available for oil production. Obama and Chu wanted an increase in the price of crude oil, in order to foster development of wind and solar, which are more expensive energy sources than crude oil, but it has worked against them.
The increased price of crude oil has fostered deeper drilling in Texas for reserves which were previously known, but were uneconomical to harvest when crude oil prices were low.
Another significant development involves Bakken oil shale. Technology has been developed, for an insitu cracking process, which allows the oil to be pumped to the surface. The Bakken reserve is 60% in Canada, 30% in North Dakota, and 10% in Montana. The federal government landownership in North Dakota is only 3% and none of it is in the Bakken area. This means North Dakota Bakken oil and gas can be harvested without federal drilling permits.
Since Obama and Chu now recognize that they have lost their monopolistic control, they are going with the flow for the next best movement to retain power. To make a show about how cooperative they are for oil production, they are granting a drilling permit in the Gulf. They expect that the public will review this favorably and help to extend to them a second term in office. Beware of the Trojan horse!
This is a political stunt on the part of President Obama and DOE Secretary Chu.
Their policy has been to convert the US automotive and truck fleet to electric vehicles, and thereby eliminate the need for gasoline and diesel. The increased use of electricity would foster development of wind and solar and also gain federal revenue through a tax on carbon dioxide from coal-fired electricity plants.
To foster this policy, they have withheld issuance of deepwater drilling permits in the Gulf of Mexico using the BP oil spill as an excuse. Since the federal government has control of the Gulf deepwater area and since there were no practical private areas for oil drilling in the contiguous US, Obama and Chu had a lock on all significant domestic oil production.
That lock has been broken by a rise in the price of crude oil and the development of new drilling/cracking technology, which makes new geographical areas available for oil production. Obama and Chu wanted an increase in the price of crude oil, in order to foster development of wind and solar, which are more expensive energy sources than crude oil, but it has worked against them.
The increased price of crude oil has fostered deeper drilling in Texas for reserves which were previously known, but were uneconomical to harvest when crude oil prices were low.
Another significant development involves Bakken oil shale. Technology has been developed, for an insitu cracking process, which allows the oil to be pumped to the surface. The Bakken reserve is 60% in Canada, 30% in North Dakota, and 10% in Montana. The federal government landownership in North Dakota is only 3% and none of it is in the Bakken area. This means North Dakota Bakken oil and gas can be harvested without federal drilling permits.
Since Obama and Chu now recognize that they have lost their monopolistic control, they are going with the flow for the next best movement to retain power. To make a show about how cooperative they are for oil production, they are granting a drilling permit in the Gulf. They expect that the public will review this favorably and help to extend to them a second term in office. Beware of the Trojan horse!
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