Commentary
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May 03, 2012 |
It is common knowledge that "there is no quick fix" for high gas prices. It's going to be a long-term effort to reduce our reliance on oil and we're probably in for higher prices no matter what we do in the short-term or long-term because we're facing a number of macro trends, such as systemic tightness in global supplies (peak oil), ongoing international tensions with Iran, etc., and perhaps also some amount of speculation in oil prices. -
May 01, 2012 |n my forthcoming energy economics textbook (2012), the two natural gas kings are three -- Russia, Qatar and Iran -- while if I were beginning that book today, I would consider making it a foursome.
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Apr 26, 2012 |
According to Parks Associates, approximately 45% of all U.S. households will be served by smart meters by the end of 2015. As few as 10% of those meters, however, will be enabled for two-way communications between a home area network (HAN) and the utility's back-end processing system. Other analysts predict more or less smart meter penetration and HAN capabilities, but the result is the same: -
Apr 24, 2012 |
Why are electric utilities progressing so slowly on residential demand response as peak demand for electricity continues to grow, creating the very real possibility of a serious crisis? Even for those utilities where demand has slowed owing to the economic downturn need to be ready for the rapid growth that will come when the economy strengthens.
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Apr 17, 2012 |
"Energy literacy" and "peak oil literacy" should be requirements for pundits -- and for citizens more generally. I've followed these issues for many years now and it still amazes me how poor the knowledge of energy issues is among even the chattering classes and punditry.
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Apr 12, 2012 |
Solar energy can be the source of many benefits for India and the environment. Solar energy has the potential to re-energize India's economy by creating millions of new jobs, achieve energy independence, reduce the trade deficit and propel India forward as a "Green Nation." Solar Energy offers too many benefits for India to ignore or delay its development. -
Apr 10, 2012 |Last night I participated in a debate (arranged by Russia Today TV -- 24-7 -- Crosstalk, and transmitted internationally in English) in which I pointed out -- on several occasions -- that the aggregate (though unweighted) Brent-WTI (West Texas Intermediate) price of oil was about 112 dollars a barrel (= $112/b), and I claimed that if this price reaches $130, we could be facing a clear and impending economic danger.
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Apr 05, 2012 |
Although primary energy sources are different world over, world's production and use of energy over the past 15 years have shown striking changes. The World relied heavily on oil for many energy applications including electricity production in the pre-1973 era. -
Mar 22, 2012 |
Year-end business reviews for 2011 point to a weak link in corporate practices that can bring even the mightiest of organizations to its knees in a time of crisis. That weak link is the lack of multiple suppliers that are dependable and readily available. -
Mar 15, 2012 |
The ongoing global fiscal situation may require national governments in Greece, Italy, Ireland, Iceland, Spain, Portugal and even Poland to reduce national expenditures. Some of these governments may face the prospect of wary investors declining to buy their government bonds.
