By Keith Heyde
1) Hybrid vehicles have been a steadily growing niche market within the automobile community since the spread of the Prius close to ten years ago. However, since the Prius’s introduction, improvements in areas such as power, battery, and fuel economy have pushed the limits of engineering and more and more firms recognize the market viability of a hybrid design. Firms at the lower end are pushing how cheap they can incorporate the necessary battery and electronics whereas firms at the top are seeking how they can increase the output of their machines to higher levels.
Yet, both ends of the spectrum are plagued currently by barriers of both safety and environmental validity. Spent batteries (and batteries in general) are simply not a conscious and scalable means of energy storage in the near future. Furthermore, battery meltdown and malfunction has become such a drastic issue that many lines (such as the Fisker Atlantic) are forced to go through series of recalls deterring not only customers but also investors.
To read a case study on some of the perils of hydrid technology, take a look here: http://www.earthtechling.com/2012/04/fisker-atlantic-plug-in-hybrid-unveiled-as-challenges-mount/.
2) Biofuel technologies are receiving a lot of policy support in recent years. Whether it is from the ethanol industry of the algae industry, capital investment into making biofuel more viable for a nation wide energy distribution network has been a cornerstone in developing America’s fuel independence platform.
However, for many subsidies, there are darker sides. Attached below is an article from Forbes which illuminates how ineffective subsidies coupled with out of touch Washington politicians can derail and deter advancements in technology. For the company detailed (Celanese), we see how policy that pushes (arguably misguidedly) cellulosic ethanol has deterred a potentially more efficient, and environmentally viable means of ‘biofuel’ production.
Well that’s all for now! As always check back into www.energygridiq.com for all of your energy news and thoughts!
No comments:
Post a Comment