Our Energy Future: The Chemistry of Alternative Fuels
From BenningtonWiki
Welcome to the Wiki page for "Our Energy Future". We will use this to help extend class discussions as well as to post links to current articles of interest.
New book that may be of Interest: Cape Wind - about the ongoing controversy over the proposed wind farm off Nantucket. Here's the Publisher's Weekly review:
This well-reported assessment of democracy manipulated by powerful federal, state and local insiders, and other not-in-my-backyard shenanigans surrounding plans for a wind farm five miles off Cape Cod, is certainly upfront about its bias. Williams, a former journalist-in-residence at Duke University, and Whitcomb, editorial page editor of the Providence Journal, jauntily champion the cause of energy entrepreneur Jim Gordon's "bold idea" to plant 130 wind turbines in Nantucket Sound—a project still snared in a regulatory maze as this peppery account went to press. The authors decry what they call fear-mongering by Gordon's well-funded opponents (2005 contributions: $3.3 million) and are particularly peeved by the obstructionism of Sen. Ted Kennedy, whose behind-the-scenes maneuvering is highlighted, as are the fulminations verging "on the incoherent" by environmentalist Robert Kennedy Jr.—normally an outspoken opponent of coal-powered energy generation and a vigorous supporter of alternative energy sources. The Kennedys' stubborn opposition is shared by such moneyed neighbors as Listerine heiress Bunny Mellon and coal, oil and gas magnate William Koch, who are depicted as plutocratic bullies in this rambunctious, unsparing dissection of ruling-class abuse.
Link to Course Web-Site Calendar Updated on 5/14!
NPR Interview with George Olah on the Methanol Economy
Here is the link to the Solar Energy Cost Calculator discussed in class April 19th.
Here are some Chernobyl videos from YouTube. I couldn't find the one I was looking for, but these are equally as well done: "The Chernobyl Disaster (silent film, all raw footage)" "Inside the Chernobyl Reactor" "Ghost City of Chernobyl" "Chernobyl 2006" "Chernobyl" This is a silent film with spanish subtitles. It is probably the best compilation of photographs I have found so far, but it is disturbing and shows a lot of deformed children. I suggest watching it.
Contents |
[edit] Week of May 21
"Methane Powers Eco Rug Maker" nytimes.com Nate, May 24. "Japan seeks bioethanol from rice straw" www.checkbiotech.org , May 21 Nate Philbrick
"Wal-Mart in major solar power push" The Financial Times, May 7th. Trent Pollard
"Report: Vt. leads nation in per capita nuke waste" Bennington Banner, May 19th. Avi Ragaven
New Push For Nuclear Power, Mike Lafferty, the Columbus Dispatch (among other articles on nuclear power) to be reviewd by drew gold
"What Would More Ethanol Production Mean for Your Farm?" Agriculture Online May 14, 2007. to be reviewed by Abbi
"Hydrogen Economy" to be reviewed by Katie Van Munster
"On Cape, Gales of Hypocrisy" The Boston Globe, May 16, 2007. To be reviewed by Angela Traficante.
"A Return to the Land, for Fuel." NY Times, May 19, 2007. Alex Sauser-Monnig
"Device Uses Solar Energy To Convert Carbon Dioxide Into Fuel" to be reviewed by mariela núñez
"Coal's Energy Potential Is an Engineering Challenge Now." New York Times. May 1, 2007. Maia Friedman.
"Why are they greener than we are?" New York Times, May 20, 2007. Katie Crowe
"Solar Flashlight Lets Africa's Sun Deliver the Luxury of Light to the Poorest Villages" NYT May 20, 2007 To be reviewed by Stacy Wolfson.
http://www.realcities.com/mld/krwashington/news/columnists/robert_s_boyd/17230627.htm?source=rss&channel=krwashington_robert_s_boyd Hydrogen cars may be a long time coming, Washington Bureau May 15, James Burtis
[1] Inspectors cite big gain by Iran on nuclear fuel NYT May 14 2007 clowberg
[edit] Week of April 30
"residential wind turbines" Nate Philbrick
"New Braddock firm to help convert cars to run on waste cooking oil" Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, April 28th, Avi Ragaven.
"On the Road, Hope for a Zero-Pollution Car" New York Times, April 28th 2007. Trent
"It's Maple Syrup Time, So Why the Whiff of French Fries?" NYT, April 28, to be reviewed by Stacy Wolfson.
"Corn-Based Ethanol Could Drive Up Food Prices" NHPR April 25, 2007 to be reviewed by Abbi.
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleID=07520EDF-E7F2-99DF-3F39F759D467DFCD&sc=I100322 Want to Reduce Air Pollution? Don't Rely on Ethanol Necessarily. April 18, 2007 to be reviewed by James Burtis.
"Indian Project Shows Solar Power Affordable -U.N." Reuters April 29, 2007 to be reviewed by Katie Van Munster
"Chinese Scientist Finds Wealth in Solar" http://www.topix.net/content/ap/0450155595357821143114118862192503400208 to be reviewed by mariela núñez
"Solar Tower of Power Finds Home" Wired Feb. 24 2005. Maia Friedman
[2] "Warning is soundrd on Ethanol Use" LA Times, April 18, 2007, Alex Sauser-Monnig
"Public Remains Split on Response to Warming" New York Times, April 27th 2007, Angela Traficante.
"Carbon Gas is Explored as a Source of Ethanol" [3], NYT 4.24.07. to be reviewed by CLowberg.
http://www.greenbiz.com/news/news_third.cfm?NewsID=34962 Green Mountian Power Gives Customers Carbon Neutral Option, to be edited by drew alexandra gold
[edit] Week of April 23
For thursday, April 26th, I will be talking about "GM Goes Beyond Hybrid: Chevy's Electric Car" [4] - Katie Crowe
"Decatur man's fight with Illinois Department of Revenue over veggie mobile puts him at forefront of altnernative energy enthusiasts" Herald & Review, April 22, Avi.
Harnessing the Sun for Hot Water, Solar Thermal Hits Home Chronogram 4/07 p. 80 Drew Alexandra Gold
"Budge in deal with Shell for clean coal project" The Financial Times, April 18th 2007. Trent
"A fuel cell powered lawn mover?" h2 Daily, 4-22-07, Nate Philbrick "background"
[5] Hydrogen Fuel Cell Advances (good link) Nate
"Financially, Solar Power for the Home is a Tough Sell", New York Times, 4/14/07, to be reviewed by Mariela Núñez
"Ethanol makers dispute Parliamentary report on biofuels spending", Canadian Press, 3/31/07, to be reviewed by Abbi Westwood
[6] "China's 'Sun King' Hails Clean Energy" Houston Chronicle April 22, 2007, Alex Sauser-Monnig
"Cleaner Coal?" Forbes.com, April 17, 2007. To be reviewed by Katie Van Munster
http://www.boston.com/news/local/new_hampshire/articles/2007/04/17/witnesses_nh_should_adopt_renewable_energy_standards/?rss_id=Boston.com+%2F+News Witnesses: N.H. should adopt renewable energy standards. Associated Press. 4/17/07 James Burtis
"Mayor Aims to Cut City's Greenhouse Emissions" The Boston Globe, April 13th 2007, Angela Traficante
[7] "China’s Automakers, With Beijing’s Prodding, Show Alternative-Fuel Cars" April 22, nytimes, Katie Crowe.
Renewed Push for Ethanol, Without the Corn [8] NYT, to be reviewed by Chelsea Lowberg.
"In Nod to Consumer Tastes, Nissan to Sell Cleaner Cars" New York Times, April 19, 2007 To be reviewed by Stacy Wolfson
[9] How Biofuels Could Starve the Poor From "Foreign Affairs", May/June 2007, reviewed by hannah rudolph
[edit] Week of April 2
"Zimbabwe; Is Africa ready for nuclear energy"Africa News, March 26th, to be reviewed by Avi Ragaven
"Poor Nations to Bear Brunt as World Warms" New York Times, Sunday, April 1 2007- to be reviewed by Trent Pollard
http://www.topix.net/content/ap/2239455853293743566802561929160166799872 Bush, Brazil Leader Talk Trade, Ethanol March 31, 2007, The Associated Press reviewed by James Burtis
[10] "Artificial Photosynthesis: Inspired By Nature, Scientists Explore Pathways To Clean, Renewable Solar Fuel" March 28, 2007, ScienceDaily. Alex Sauser-Monnig.
[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17799263/ "Bush praises automakers for flex-fuel vehicles President attempts to rev up support for his energy plan"] AP March 26 To be Reviewed by Abbi Westwood
"Africa Must Set Alternative Energy Agenda" Boston Globe, March 22, to be reviewed by Angela Traficante.
"Farmers Head to Fields to Plant Corn, Lots of It" New York Times, March 31, 2007, to be reviewed by Stacy Wolfson
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/31/us/31wind.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Plan for Wind Farm off Massachusetts Clears State Hurdle, Pam Bulleck, New York Times, March 31, 2007
reviewd by Drew Alexandra Gold
"tidal industry boom", November 8th, 2006, http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/tidal-energy-industry-boom/ ,to be reviewed by mariela núñez
[11], [12] "Energy worries rising to top of Beacon Hill agenda" and "Cape project gets a big lift: Wind farm wins key state OK" March 31, 2007, to be reviewed by Katie Crowe
"Solar Energy Systems Planned for School Buildings" Electric Net, April 1, 2007, to be reviewed by Katie Van Munster
[13] Training ethanol, biodiesel lab workers takes priority, to be reviewed by Chelsea Lowberg
"Detroit Decides To Help Shape, Not Resist, Regulations of Emissions." New York Times, March 7 2007. Maia Friedman.
[edit] Week of March 26
"Is veggie oil a serious threat?" Toronto Star, March 24, to be reviewed by Avi Ragaven.
"NY's only Biodiesel Source: HS Teens" New York Post, March 25, 2007 rewiewd by Drew Alexandra Gold
"Teesside goes big on green fuel with new plant" March 15 2007, to be reviewed by Trent Pollard
"Bush Tours 2 Auto Plants and Talks of Energy Policy" New York Times, March 21, 2007, to be reviewed by Stacy Wolfson
[14] Ameren Pilot project explores converting hog manure gas to electricity. Source: Ameren via PR newswire. reviewed by c.lowberg
"A U.S. Alliance to Update the Light Bulb" NY Times March 14, 2007, to be reviewed by Abbi Westwood
Splitting Water Molecules the Next "Green" Power Source? National Geographic. March 5, 2007. Maia Friedman
["biomass recalcitrance: engineering plants and enzymes for biofuels production" Science, feb. 2007, to be reviewed by hannah rudolph]
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-bush21mar21,1,2845940.story?coll=la-news-a_section Bush shows off alternative fuel vehicles March 21, 2007, to be reviewed by James Burtis
"changing moods on carbon caps" http://www.cfr.org/publication/12921/changing_mood_on_carbon_caps.html?breadcrumb=%2Fissue%2F17%2Fenergyenvironment to be reviewed by mariela nunez
[15] "Can Biodiesel Compete on Price?" February 14, 2007. Alex Sauser-Monnig
"Scientists: Trying to change Earth's climate is tricky" CNN.com, March 18, 2007, to be reviewed by Angela Traficante.
"Changing Mood on Carbon Caps" Council on Foreign Relations, March 21, 2007. To be reviewed by Katie Van Munster
[16] "Corn: The Inflation Crop" to be reviewed by Katie Crowe
[edit] Week of March 12
"Midwest Has 'Coal Rush,' Seeing No Alternative" The Wasington Post, March 10th, 2007 to be reviewed by Trent Pollard
"Canada becoming a wind powerhouse; Biggest growth expected in Quebec and Ontario, with B.C. poised to 'explode'" The Globe & Mail Canada, March 9th, to be reviewed by Avi.
"Whats so bad about Big?" New York Times March 7, 2007. to be reviewed by drew gold
"Initiative launched at UN to promote international biofuels market" to be reviewed by mariela nunez
"Breathing Easier as the Battle for Blue Skies Pays Off" New York Times March 6, 2007 To be reviewed by Stacy Wolfson
"U.S. Seen Short of Bush's Ethanol Plan" Reuters February 28, 2007. To be reviewed by Katie Van Munster
"Attention Shoppers: Carbon Offsets in Aisle 6" New York Times March 7, 2006. To be reviewed by Abbi Westwood
[17] "Output Fallingin Oil-Rich Mexico, & Politics Gets the Blame" to be reviewed by Chelsea Lowberg
[18] "Panel Reviews Economics of Climate Change" Feb.13, 2007 to be reviewed by Erik Swanson
[19] "MIT Provides Blueprint for Future Use of Coal" March 14,2007 to be reviewed by Erik Swanson
["challenges in engineering microbes for biofuels production" Science Feb.9 2007 pgs. 801-804 to be reviewed by hannah rudolph]
[20]"Wikipeia: Tidal turbine " [21] "Marin Current Turbines homepage" [22]"NPR: Water Turbines" To be reviewed by Nate Philbrick
"With Coal Plans Cut Back, Texas Faces Energy Gap." The New York Times, March 8, 2007. Maia Friedman.
http://www.topix.net/content/ap/3301496303267428110337878292970400993180?threadid=KIVVAJFVO925LEJB Biofuels Boom Raises Tough Questions, Associated Press, March 10, 2007, Matt Crenson. To be reviewed by James Burtis
"Bush Hails Ethanol Alliance With Brazil" Boston Globe, March 10, 2007, To be reviewed by Angela Traficante
[23] "Venture Capitalists Want to Put Some Algae in Your Tank," March 7, to be reviewed by Katie Crowe
[24] "Asian Air Pollution Affecting Weather," LA Times, March 6, 2007. Alex Sauser-Monnig
[edit] Week of March 5
"Food, land prices rise: The dark side of alternative energy", Toronto Star, February 22 2007, via lexis nexis, to be reviewed by Avi Ragaven.
http://harpers.org/TheOilWeEat.html "the oil we eat" Harpers Magazine, july 2004. Drew Alexandra Gold
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/02/070222180945.htm "New Hydrogen Fuel System Promises A New Generation Of Renewable Energy",February 26, 2007 to be reviewed by Mariela Nunez
"Study Sees Harmful Hunt for Extra Oil", Financial Times (FT.com), 2/18/07, to be reviewed by John Bullock
"In TXU’s $45 Billion Deal, Many Shades of Green" NY Times, 2/26/07 "In TXU’s $45 Billion Deal, Many Shades of Green," Katie Crowe
"Bush Makes a Pitch for Amber Waves of Homegrown Fuel", New York Times, 2/23/07, to be reviewed by Stacy Wolfson
"In Far North, Peril and Promise Great Forests Hold Fateful Role in Climate Change", Washington Post, 2/22/07, to be reviewed by Trent Pollard
"Waking up and catching up", The Economist, Jan. 27th-Feb. 2nd 2007, pgs 22-24, to be reviewed by Hannah Rudolph
[25], "Practical Fusion, or Just a bubble?" NYTimes,2/27/07, to be reviewed by chelsea lowberg
"Patrick Says State Wants Clean Energy Business", Boston Globe, Feb. 27, 2007, to be reviewed by Angela Traficante
"Cuba Opens Experimental Wind Farm", Associated Press, Feb. 25, 2007, to be reviewed by Katie Van Munster
[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/22/AR2007022201722.html "Bush Stresses Fuel Technology"],Washington Post, Febuary 23 2007, to be reviewed by James Burtis
"6 Get Grants From U.S. to Support Bio-Refineries", NY Times 3/1/07, to be reviewed by Abbi Westwood
"Study: Burying Greenhouse Gas Could Work" Feb 14, 2007. Alex Sauser-Monnig
"Oil Innovations Pump New Life Into Old Wells", New York Times, 3/4/07. Maia Friedman
"U.S. and Brazil Seek to Promote Ethanol in West", NY Times, 3-5-07. Nate Philbrick
