Saudi Oil Minister: “... eventually, one of these days, we are not going to need fossil fuels”

And the rest of the quote, from Saudi Arabia's oil minister, Ali Al-Naimi at a business & climate conference in Paris:

"In Saudi Arabia, we recognise that eventually, one of these days, we are not going to need fossil fuels, I don't know when, in 2040, 2050 ... so we have embarked on a program to develop solar energy.”

If the Saudis, with their vested interest in oil have noticed, there’s a message there for the rest of us too.

http://www.businessspectator.com.au/news/2015/5/22/policy-politics/saudi-oil-minister-fossil-fuels-doomed-were-switching-solar?utm_source=exact&utm_medium=email&utm_content=1370620&utm_campaign=cs_daily&modapt= / Saudi Arabia's oil minister switch energy focus solar power an end to fossil fuels Reuters Saudi Arabia fossil fuels we have embarked on a program develop solar energy Ali Al-Naimi business climate conference Paris news service reports exporting fossil fuels exporting gigawatts electric electricity Reuters minister world's energy mix fossil fuels oil prices as low as $US30-$40 barrel would not make solar power uneconomic /

Only carpenter bees can unlock the pink gentian flower

Flowers & pollinating insects evolved together. Flowering plants provide a reward, (usually in the form of nectar) & insects carry pollen from flower to flower.

A problem for the plant is that some of the pollen may be wasted, if the insect next visits a different species of flowering plant.

Some insects & plants are adapted to one another — in South Africa, pink gentian flowers provide pollen as a reward, which they keep locked, & only carpenter bees have the key:



For the plant, the advantage is that it doesn’t have to invest energy in producing nectar, & its pollen is more efficiently transferred to other flowers of its own species. A guaranteed source of food with exclusive access is the reward for the carpenter bee. / wings carpenter bees pink gentian flowers release their pollen beating at a frequency anthers vibrate pink gentian grows Southern Africa pollinated bumble furry carpenter bees flowering flowers gentian spread petals wide curving white style three large stamens long thick anther covered yellow pollen pollen-feeding insect yellow anther hollow pollen held inside tiny hole top of the anther extract bee making high-pitched buzzing noise wings alights anther beating its wings lowers the frequency note buzz approximately middle anther vibrate just the right frequency release pollen grains spout hole at the top yellow fountain evolution evolve adapt adapted /

Hybrid batteries repurposed at Yellowstone National Park

You may remember previous posts about plans to repurpose electric vehicle batteries to such purposes as storing excess electricity at periods of low demand for use at times of peak load, or to store solar electricity for use when the Sun isn’t shining.

Here’s a practical example at Yellowstone National Park: http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1098326_used-toyota-hybrid-batteries-repurposed-at-yellowstone-national-park / original purpose battery packs hybrids electric cars useful battery energy-storage capacity diminishes over time packs no longer suitable for use in cars automotive service life battery packs usable capacity other applications reuse re-use recycle re-cycle power powering energy electricity storage cluster of buildings remote part of Yellowstone National Park used Toyota Camry Hybrid battery packs store energy generated solar panels Lamar Buffalo Ranch field campus system Camry Hybrid nickel-metal-hydride NiMH battery packs recovered Toyota dealers total of 85 kilowatt-hours storage capacity pack disassembled tested converted stationary energy-storage use battery-management systems Indy Power Systems re-wired in parallel arrays of 52 packs each solar array power Lamar Buffalo Ranch five buildings generates electricity power six average U.S. households USA U.S.A. U.S. Toyota onsite battery packs solar power storing energy sunlight isn't available more dependable source of power micro-hydro turbines capture energy from a nearby stream recycle batteries Toyota recycling program repurposing growth energy-storage business significant demand battery packs pair with solar arrays nickel-metal-hydride Toyota hybrids precious metals higher-capacity lithium-ion cells LiIon electric cars vehicle EV recycling secondary use battery packs landfills automotive service /

Fossil fuel subsidies — $US10 million per minute

Opponents often object to subsidies for sustainable energy. Frequently, this is in the form of a plea for a, “level playing field”.

The absurdity of such pleas is highlighted in the recent working paper on this topic from the International Monetary Fund:

“Post-tax energy subsidies … $4.9 trillion ... in 2013, and projected to reach $5.3 trillion … in 2015.”¹ Note that this is not an IMF report as such — as a working paper, it represents the views of its authors.²

$US5.3 trillion per annum is $US10 million per minute. It’s also more than the total health spending of all the world’s governments.³

Many, on all sides of the climate change & economic debates, have expressed concern that a modern industrial society may not be possible without cheap fossil fuels. This report suggests that those fears are unfounded — fossil fuels aren’t cheap.

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/may/18/fossil-fuel-companies-getting-10m-a-minute-in-subsidies-says-imf

http://reneweconomy.com.au/2015/fossil-fuels-subsidies-cost-world-5-3-trillion-a-year-10m-a-minute-27983
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¹ “IMF Working Paper”, 2015, p6: “Post-tax energy subsidies are dramatically higher than previously estimated—$4.9 trillion (6.5 percent of global GDP) in 2013, and projected to reach $5.3 trillion (6.5 percent of global GDP) in 2015.” https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/wp/2015/wp15105.pdf

² “IMF working Paper”, 2015, p2 https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/wp/2015/wp15105.pdf

³ http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/may/18/fossil-fuel-companies-getting-10m-a-minute-in-subsidies-says-imf / large global energy subsidies larger than we thought new estimates International Monetary Fund cost subsidising fossil fuels enormous $US5.3 trillion a year $US10 million minute calculations extremely robust IMF polluters costs social welfare health environmental broader economic governments burning coal oil gas post-tax energy subsidies dramatically higher previously estimated global GDP report eminent UK economist Nicholas Stern figure significant underestimate complete estimate costs climate change implicit subsidies fossil fuels much bigger coal biggest recipient subsidisation high environmental damage road fuels meaningful excises consumption petroleum most heavily subsidised product report projected subsidy despite declining petroleum prices natural gas electricity global GDP environmental impacts energy inputs power generation report post-tax subsidies advanced developing economies GDP emerging developing countries no justification enormous subsidies fossil fuels distort markets damages economies poorer countries Lord Stern Australia report nation’s fossil fuel sector $47 billion in federal government subsidies wind turbines The Australia Institute Rod Campbell fossil fuel industry schools hospitals public infrastructure state governments mineral fossil fuel industries fully fund the Gonski education reforms diesel fuel rebate fuel tax credit 2015 Federal Budget Paper Galilee coal projects Abbot Point terminal cost Queensland taxpayers old false story cheap fossil fuels health climate costs never accounted directly costing taxpayers billions Campbell eliminating subsidies for fossil fuels cut global carbon emissions by 20 per cent premature deaths outdoor air pollution deliver projected economic gains economic game-changer report says policy policymakers stakeholders need for reform benefits reform fiscal balances environment human health economy report subsidies for renewable energy pricing of fossil fuels subsidies for renewable energy /

The Universal Translator is almost here

But it’s been renamed, Skype Translator Preview.

Students in USA & Mexico on a Skype call with Skype Translator providing the translation


So far, four spoken languages: Spanish, Italian, Mandarin & English + 50 instant messaging languages (Windows 8.1 only) for now.

http://www.skype.com/en/translator-preview/

http://www.macworld.com.au/news/the-future-is-here-%E2%80%93-skype-translator-138106/#.VVnA_TY4bTZ / kids Universe English future devices universal translators instantly converted spoken word between languages the future is here Skype Translator Preview open to everyone Skype Translator currently four available spoken languages English Spanish Italian Mandarin 50 instant messaging languages users write text message language recipient receiving in their preferred language Skype Translator website Skype Translator Preview communication Skype audio and video communications AV Microsoft Research Skype communicate language first phase Skype Translator preview program programme four spoken languages Spanish English 50 instant messaging languages Skype Translator sign-up page Windows 8.1 desktop device Skype Translator around the world connect communicate collaborate geography language barriers two schools try Skype Translator Peterson School in Mexico City Stafford Elementary School in Tacoma USA Mystery Skype children ask questions determine the location of the other school classroom of children speaking Spanish speaking English Skype Translator removed this language barrier enabled communication communicate video Skype Translator speech recognition automatic translation machine learning technologies Skype Translator machine learning technology quality will continually improve communicate people around the world speech translation translate many languages many platforms deliver best Skype Translator experience each platform connected users preview program /

Sodium-ion a candidate for lithium-ion replacement

Graph showing the specific energies of sodium-ion materials achieved in sodium-ion cells http://www.faradion.co.uk/technology/sodium-ion-technology/
Credit: Faradion

Regular readers of these pages may remember Professor Donald Sadoway & his ideas on how to create low cost technology, including: “Confine our chemistry to Earth-abundant elements, that’s how to make it cheap.”

Lithium ion batteries violate this principle — at 0.0017% of the Earth’s crust*, lithium is far from Earth-abundant. Further, sources are controlled by just a few players.

Sodium shares many properties with lithium (same column in the Periodic Table, one row down**), but as the sixth most abundant element in the Earth's crust (2.8%)***, it is abundant almost everywhere & so, cheaper. These properties make sodium an attractive candidate for use in a battery to replace existing lithium-ion.

British start-up Faradion, with Williams Advanced Engineering, Oxford University & part-funded by Innovate UK, has developed a sodium-ion battery with performance comparable to lithium-ion.

http://www.electric-vehiclenews.com/2015/05/williams-demo-worlds-first-sodium-ion.html

http://www.faradion.co.uk/
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* "Abundance in Earth's Crust of the elements" http://www.periodictable.com/Properties/A/CrustAbundance.an.log.html

** “Dynamic Periodic Table” http://www.ptable.com/

*** “Abundances of the Elements in the Earth's Crust” http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/tables/elabund.html / Williams Advanced Engineering first public demonstration sodium-ion battery cell powered vehicle developed British battery start-up firm Faradion collaboration Williams Advanced Engineering Oxford University technology demonstrated e-bike application proof-of-concept showcase battery chemistry project sodium-ion battery technology part-funded Innovate UK UK’s innovation agency latest competition disruptive technologies low carbon vehicles lithium-ion batteries currently predominant technology electric hybrid vehicles energy storage applications sodium-ion offer cost safety sourcing benefits base materials sodium-ion batteries more easily sourced lithium-ion batteries limited number of markets market source sources around the world sodium salts sodium-ion batteries common salt more abundant lithium salt available British battery supply chain proof-of-concept cells e-bike manufactured larger than necessary avoid unnecessary costs lengthy manufacturing processes early stage optimised cells comparable in size lithium-ion battery packs already on the market potential exploit technology use in a wide range of electric hybrid vehicles energy storage applications e-bike battery pack four 12-cell modules designed manufactured Williams Advanced Engineering controlled Williams designed battery management system Williams proven leader design manufacture battery energy storage technology developed batteries Formula E electric racing series Jaguar C-X75 hybrid supercar Kinetic Energy Recovery SystemsKERS power company’s Formula One racing cars Oxford University’s expertise maximise battery life comparable performance sodium-ion cells can offer comparable lifetime lithium-ion products Paul McNamara Technical Director Williams Advanced Engineering history innovation lithium-ion battery technology range of different applications lithium-ion dominant choice chemistry sodium-ion alternative real benefits cost availability Faradion Oxford University potential today showcasing concept real world application /

It’s not just the airline food

Everyone complains about airline food. Not without good reason. But it’s not just the food.

Yes, airline food does suffer the disadvantages which come from being cooked, then transported, stored, & reheated.

But there’s more to it than that. Compared to your typical restaurant, an aircraft cabin at 35,000 feet is at a lower pressure, lower humidity & noisier. All of these factors alter perception of flavours. Sensitivity of the tongue to salt & sweet is reduced, for instance. This does not merely make foods bland, because the ability of the tongue to sense sour & bitter is unaffected.

What we perceive as flavour is largely smell, & this too, is much reduced as the nasal passages dry out due to the low humidity. To overcome the tongue's reduced sensitivity, airlines may use additional salt, which compounds dehydration effects.

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20150112-why-in-flight-food-tastes-weird / taste buds above the clouds normal sense of taste Katia Moskvitch investigates airlines appetites food airline companies serve bland unappetising normal sense of taste cruise to a level thousands feet flavour pasta dish mouthful of wine taste buds sense of smell Russ Brown director In-flight Dining & Retail American Airlines flavour flavor combination perception saltiness sweetness drop pressurised cabin in-flight experience affects how your food tastes food and drink taste different air ground Charles Spence, professor of experimental psychology Oxford University lack of humidity lower air pressure background noise dryness low pressure air plane airplane aeroplane atmosphere inside the cabin affects sense of smell first air pressure drops humidity levels cabin plummet 30,000 feet humidity less than 12% drier than most desert combination dryness low pressure reduces sensitivity your taste buds sweet salty foods 30% 2010 study Germany's Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics commissioned German airline Lufthansa researchers special lab reduced air pressure simulating cruising 35,000 feet 10.6km sucking moisture out of the air simulating engine noise made seats vibrate mimic in-flight meal experience sweet salty senses sour bitter hot burn spicy flavours unaffected taste buds taste smell evaporating nasal mucus smell parched cabin air odour receptors do not work properly makes food taste twice as bland airlines in-flight food an extra kick salting spicing much more restaurant on the ground proper seasoning is key ensure food tastes good in the air Brown American Airlines recipes modified additional salt seasoning cabin dining atmosphere Gerry McLoughlin executive chef US airline United in-flight meals taste more robust chefs constant loud humming jet engines flavour nose mouth psychologists ears study found that people eating to the sound of loud background noise rated food as being less salty and less sweet silence noise sound much crunchier plane’s loud background noise 85db tastes Spence seasonings cardamom lemon grass curry taste more intense salt sugar mass-produced recipes preparing serving tasty food above the clouds food safety standards cooked on the ground food packed blast-chilled refrigerated re-heating in the air modify the flavour served at sea level re-heat food on board safety reasons airlines convection ovens blow hot, dry air over the food microwaves open flames induction ovens airline chefs mass produce recipes Brown control design food ingredients packing long process food preparation delivery reheated reheat re-heated during flight fifth taste umami pleasantly savoury taste fat fatty sardines seaweed mushrooms tomatoes soy sauce taste enhanced loud background noise Spence /