Renergy Cafe » future

Solar Energy Future Possibilities

admin — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 07:08:54 +0000

Many advancements, like the ones made by Ohio State University (see Solar Energy Breakthough at OSU) indicate that in the not so far future solar energy has the potential to begin significantly supplementing our energy needs. The current photovoltaic cell does offer us a glimpse at future solar possibilities. Unfortunately, due to its bulky size to output ratio and the expense to install and maintain, solar energy will not catch on until a more efficient and affordable option is made available. As we continue to realize the need for energy independence, and devote our money and resources towards solutions (see also Obama: Our Renewable Energy Future), advancements will be made. Judging by the current breakthroughs being seen these advancements will probably occur sooner rather than later.

The 2010 Toyota Prius reportedly will come with a solar panel option that will extend the battery life, but what if more could be done. With the new material the Ohio State Researchers developed about the conventional cells it will increase the output potential. What if all day you could operate your vehicle and charge it’s batteries simply by using a fixed solar panel. Also consider powering your entire house with one smaller solar cell and even being able to contribute excess energy back into the grid for others to use.

Whether we as a global community will be energy dependent in ten years from now is unsure. What is known, is that advancements are being made in both the solar cells and the batteries that are often used to store the solar energy. It may be anywhere between five years or twenty before highly efficient solar collectors are produced. When they are, we will all benefit.

Obama: Our Renewable Energy Future

admin — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 18:21:40 +0000

Barack Obama’s plan for America’s renewable energy future could be the saving grace the world needs to improve the environment, the economy, and foreign affairs. In America, Obama’s plan to allocate 15 billion a year to renewable energy research and design and infrastructure will not only stimulate the economy through the need for new construction, but also by investing in future energy. Inevitably this will give America and the world financial kick-backs for years to come. Also it would seem that by diminishing each countries reliance on the other for their energy needs, this would dampen the number of conflicts centered around oil producing countries. We as a world need to embrace these new changes understanding that nothing comes without a cost, and that a few jobs may be lost to create many. But without these fundamental changes we will all lose our economies, our environment, and possibly our countries as well.

-Written by JAMES MOELK- To learn more visit Barack Obama’s official New Energy Page http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/newenergy

The following video is about a 30 min. Barack Obama overviews the need for and his plans to create a renewable energy infrastructure.

Renewable Auto Bailout? Part 1

admin — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 19:50:53 +0000

Gm and Chrysler have found themselves in a particularly bad spot most likely due to poor business practices and models. America is in fear of the ripple effect that failure of one or more of these companies will have. Almost all politicians and economist have stated that the failure of these companies would be devastating not only to the economy, but also to American national security. At the same time according to CNN in November, 75% of Americans were against the bailout. Although things do not look good whether we give them the funding or not, it doesn’t have to be all bad news. On the 19 of December we heard that Bush was giving GM and Chrysler 3.5 billion each, and requiring a viable business plan in the following months.

Congress will soon find themselves at a unique crossroads with GM, Chrysler and Ford. This is a clear opportunity to move these companies into producing more fuel efficient and electric vehicles. Already GM created the EV1 in the late 1990’s, an electric vehicle capable of traveling at highway speeds and could be driven120 miles between charges. The stipulations that surround further funding to the Big 3 can very well change the world, the environment, and greatly reduce our dependency on oil. If we must bailout companies in the open market, and many say that we do, it is the obligation of the lawmakers and decidersto make this as much of an investment for our future as possible.

Renergycafe will continue to follow the auto bailout as it unfolds