Understanding is the Essence of Intelligence

If we want to reduce pollutions, we have to set this as a goal. Some think that the Energy Independence Act of 2007 is a good thing  because it could enable clean energy production, and it could, but it does not because energy independence can be easily achieved with environmentally damaging solutions.

A recent study led by Duke University recommends to not use land to grow corn for biofuel production using current technologies because it is inefficient to address greenhouse gas emissions although the government already subsidizes corn biofuel production under the Energy Independence Act of 2007.

Conserving energy and other measures are much more efficient at addressing both climate change and energy independence.

The rate of capture of solar energy is around 1% to 2% with biofuels whereas a typical solar thermal plant can convert 20% to 30% of that same solar energy into electricity which can be converted to mechanical energy in high efficiency (85%) electric engines whereas the best diesel internal combustion engine have efficiencies around 40%.

Furthermore, biofuel production competes with food production, and if generalized would prompt a global food crisis, whereas solar thermal plant are typically installed in deserts.  Electricity can also be produced very cost-effectively with wind power over  lands which can be used simultaneously for agriculture.

Energy independence in the end is a protectionist measure aiming at starving the middle east from oil revenues in the hope to address terrorism. This also is wrong because terrorism might actually increase if the pro-western governments of middle-eastern countries such as Saudi-Arabia are destabilized and replaced by Islamic regimes. Instead we need to promote sustainable development in the middle east to prepare for the times when the revenues from oil will dramatically decrease in the middle-east.

Wrong policies lead to the wrong results.

The policies we need must be based on sustainable development and aim at reducing all pollutions, not just addressing climate change. The pollutions of our cities and the increased rates of cancers and respiratory diseases will not be addressed by any protectionist measure.

The technologies to produce clean energy exist, we know how to produce efficient electric cars. Planes could fly using synthetic fuels from renewable energies. The only thing stopping us from getting there are the appropriate policies.

I am reacting today to research showing that Miscanthus Shows Great Potential as Ethanol Feedstock.

We have to stop this non-sense of using arable land at 1% solar efficiency when we can use desert land at 20% efficiency or more with existing solar technologies.

Biofuels cannot be part of the solution to global pollutions and energy independence until we can grow plants in deserts at efficiencies of 10% and more. Because this is obviously impossible, then biofuels will always remain part of the problem, and never will be part of the solution.

Biofuels have an amazing list of cons, they:

• Use arable land and push farmers to destroy forests worsening the problem.
• Put upward pressure on food prices worldwide threatening to starve billions.
• Pollute when used (burned), not just by emitting CO2, which is a non-toxic gas, but with CO, NOx and other deadly cancer-causing pollutants.
• Require oil and phosphate-based fertilizers, which are not renewable. Fertilizers eventually pollute water sources.

Food production is already becoming a worldwide problem today with decreasing fossil-water resources, depleted soils, pollutions, decreasing arable land in general due to over-exploitation and irrigation, expanding cities and growing populations worldwide.

Brazil is gaining energy independence at the cost of the destruction of the Amazon rain-forest, 40% of which will be destroyed in the next two decades according to National Geographic, January 2007.

The target energy source must be:

• Non-polluting when used
• Truly Renewable
• Not interfering with food production, forests, and biodiversity in general

The alternative energies that meet these goals exist today and are plentiful:

• Solar thermal
• Concentrating Solar Power for electricity production
• Geothermal
• Wind
• Photovoltaic cells for small scale electricity production
• Green buildings using direct solar energy, conserving it, and not requiring air-conditioning

The non-hybrid electric engine is the solution to ground transportation. Less expensive to produce, less parts, lower maintenance cost, and fast contrary to what many people think. Range issues are solved with new infrastructure such as battery replacement stations and electric plugs in parking lots. Batteries are 100% recyclable and can be financed to reduce upfront capital costs as Better Place has shown.

I am not affiliated, nor have any financial interest, own any stock, with any company or organization mentioned in this article.