EnergyGridIQ Newsflash: 3/23/2012
1) Transportation is a big grabber of energy. Whether it is a gas guzzling SUV or an 18 wheeler, the things we drive to… well move stuff takes a lot of fuel to keep on going.
There are two ways to reduce the burden of all this fuel. The first is to seek out alternative energy means by which to power our fleets. Natural gas and biofuels have risen to prominence over the last few years due to their diversified uses and portability.
However, the other strategy is to make our vehicles more efficient. Whether by using lightweight composite materials (http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/news/industry/is-aluminum-not-carbon-fiber-the-car-material-of-the-future-ferrari-says-yes) or more efficient engines, engineers are looking to push the limits of how we move.
Last weekend, the Cal Poly Supermilage test took a teams of car designers and put them to the test to see who could go the furtherest on a single gallon of gas. 1902 miles was the winners distance. You don’t believe me? Check it out for yourself: http://me.calpoly.edu/news/shellmarathon/.
2) Due to its abundance within the United States, Natural Gas has been toted recently as an energy ‘fix all’ for the woes currently exacerbated by rising oil prices. However, storage near the Producing Region (Alabama to New Mexico and South) could become a large issue. Recently the EIA published a study on the storage capacity of the Producing Region yielded some interesting results, take a look: http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=5510.
3) Canada is looking to mobilize their operations with respect to energy transportation. Prime Minister Harper says he wants to expedite the approval processes to the Keystone XL pipeline as soon as possible.
Canada exports an overwhelmingly large amount of its crude oil to the United States because it does not have any significant refining facilities within the country. Prime Minster Harper is looking to change this.
To read more: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-03-23/harper-says-canada-to-speed-energy-reviews-in-bid-for-asia-sales
And as always, for all the latest energy thoughts and news check in to www.energygridiq.com today.
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