SOLO2.ORG Ultimate Autocross

mugwump:

RandeH:

Company in France is working on a set of city cars that run on compressed air with a range of 100 miles or so per tank! Saw it on the news this morning. Going to push it in developing countries, especially India. If sold in large enough #'s would help curb the oil use and reduce CO2 emissions greatly.

It won't matter if the energy used to compress the air is garnered from burning coal or oil That, as Bryan points out, is the real issue.

Three things can stop that issue:  nuclear, wind, hydro.  And I believe India is the largest producer of windmill components in the world. 

RandeH:

mugwump:

RandeH:

Company in France is working on a set of city cars that run on compressed air with a range of 100 miles or so per tank! Saw it on the news this morning. Going to push it in developing countries, especially India. If sold in large enough #'s would help curb the oil use and reduce CO2 emissions greatly.

It won't matter if the energy used to compress the air is garnered from burning coal or oil That, as Bryan points out, is the real issue.

 

Three things can stop that issue:  nuclear, wind, hydro.  And I believe India is the largest producer of windmill components in the world. 

Add the sun to that. I know that many are all over nuclear power again, but the waste is still a major problem. I read an article recently about the proposed waste dump at Yucca Mountain. They want the containment structure to be leak proof for 1 million years. Who's going to honor the warranty in 1/2 million if it leaks.

Related to this discussion: http://www.environmentalleader.com/2008/06/06/toyota-fuel-cell-hybrid-goes-twice-the-distance/ Toyota fuel cell hybrid.

RandeH:

Three things can stop that issue:  nuclear, wind, hydro.  And I believe India is the largest producer of windmill components in the world. 

Nuclear power, while it may not create greenhouse gases, certainly does create alot of very nasty pollution of its own.

 That being said, it doesn't really matter if India produces windmill components only to sell them to Sweden  Just because they make a part, doesn't mean they employ it.

 Solar power is definitely a source that has alot of potential, albeit not here in Canada  A number of sunnier countries are going to personal solar power for water heaters, etc.  Good idea. 

Sure an air powered car shifts the carbon footprint around.  However, if the powerplant can make power more efficiently, would  it be better than using a gas powered car.   What would be better, everyone having a coal fired generator in the back yard, or one huge coal powerplant for thousands of homes?   At this point nothing is perfect, but we need to keep trying new inovations and hopefully we will get it right at some point.   

Here is another interesting project: http://www.environmentalleader.com/2008/06/09/firmgreen-biofuel-to-fuel-to-ohio-waste-fleet-on-the-cheap/

A company is using the off gas from landfill to make compressed natural gas to run their fleet of vehicles. Everytime I see the burning of the gas comming from the vents I see energy being wasted. The more ways we can find to turn waste products into energy the more efficient we can be.

mugwump:

RandeH:

Three things can stop that issue: nuclear, wind, hydro. And I believe India is the largest producer of windmill components in the world.

That being said, it doesn't really matter if India produces windmill components only to sell them to Sweden Just because they make a part, doesn't mean they employ it.

Missouri has two wind farms and another on the way that use India built mills.  Most of Columbias electricity come from the farms now I believe.

Interesting aside is that railroads have picked up in biz due to all the wind farms being built as they are the only way to transport the blades and what not across the country effectively.  The things you lean by becoming a CNBC junkie. 

RandeH:

mugwump:

RandeH:

Three things can stop that issue: nuclear, wind, hydro. And I believe India is the largest producer of windmill components in the world.

That being said, it doesn't really matter if India produces windmill components only to sell them to Sweden Just because they make a part, doesn't mean they employ it.

 

Missouri has two wind farms and another on the way that use India built mills.  Most of Columbias electricity come from the farms now I believe.

Interesting aside is that railroads have picked up in biz due to all the wind farms being built as they are the only way to transport the blades and what not across the country effectively.  The things you lean by becoming a CNBC junkie. 

The company that purchased the Richards Gebaur Air Base/Airport in Kansas City does something with wind mills.   Why is this relevant?   Because until that point, Gebaur had a good chance of becoming the new Solo Nationals event site. :(

To quote Howard Duncan "I never realized how much space those thing take up....!"

DaveW

Mike Byington:

My guess,,,,,,,,Regular / National Average  $4.30 Gal. at the peak of the summer. Then it will retreat about a dollar - for a while.  HOWEVER, if ANYTHING happens - ANYWHERE, it will be seen as an excuse to keep it higher / longer. When the speculitive bubble bursts, some people / funds will loose some money but the individual who begins to chase the price now will be the ones hurt the most. The guys "in the know" have already made their money, or will shortly. But I predict the price will NEVER fall below $3.00 Gal. ever again. If nothing "happens", I predict a steadier price at about $5.00 in 2 years, and gradeully rising ~10% a year. (If nothing happens!!)

I could not be happier to have been wrong!!

Mike Byington:

Mike Byington:

My guess,,,,,,,,Regular / National Average  $4.30 Gal. at the peak of the summer. Then it will retreat about a dollar - for a while.  HOWEVER, if ANYTHING happens - ANYWHERE, it will be seen as an excuse to keep it higher / longer. When the speculitive bubble bursts, some people / funds will loose some money but the individual who begins to chase the price now will be the ones hurt the most. The guys "in the know" have already made their money, or will shortly. But I predict the price will NEVER fall below $3.00 Gal. ever again. If nothing "happens", I predict a steadier price at about $5.00 in 2 years, and gradeully rising ~10% a year. (If nothing happens!!)

I could not be happier to have been wrong!!

Me too.

Filled up the Fleetwood today for $29.09 - amazing.  First time I've been able to spend less than $45 at the pump for it since I've bought it. 

RX 555:

Wonder how that Dodge deal for guaranteed $2.99 is working out now. 

"If the Let's Refuel America card is used to purchase fuel at a price less than $2.99, the lower price will be charged, and the gallon usage will be applied against the maximum annual allotment. "

http://www.dodge.com/en/refuel/includes/print_rules.html

JamesE:

I saw $1.55 gas on the way into work this morning.

Tis always cheaper in the hood