Showing posts with label energy storage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label energy storage. Show all posts
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Wind Power Makes Hydrogen for German Gas Grid
Hydrogen is often derided as a replacement fuel for vehicles but I think the idea that it can be used as a complement or substitute for natural gas is a good one, especially where excess wind power or solar power is available - Wind Power Makes Hydrogen for German Gas Grid.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Nearest Neighbor News
In Indonesia fuels (petrol, diesel, gas) are subsidized. The logic behind some of these subsidies is understandable; to assist the poor.
Subsidized LPG
As part of the Indonesian drive to phase out kerosene stoves, promoted as a safety measure to prevent fires1, 3 and 12 kg bottles of gas were subsidized. The Government anticipated that restaurants would not choose to use large numbers of these smaller bottles. However, most warung (restaurants) opted to use the 12 kg bottles. The Government then removed the subsidy from these bottles so that only the small 3 kg bottles were subsidized for the poor. The result was nearly inevitable.
Unlike in Australia (and I suspect New Zealand) the fitting used in Indonesia is a quick-fit and release arrangement, not your ‘standard’ brass gas fitting. Moving large numbers of these small bottles in a “swap and go” system to satisfy the demand increased wear and tear, and lowered inspection standards (if they existed). Now instead of moving a lesser number of the more heavy duty bottles, truck loads of small bottles stacked 10 high became a common sight. Even so, I estimate that to carry the same amount of fuel around, nearly twice as much metal (by weight) is needed – thus the overall “efficiency” is probably decreased. The fires caused from damaged bottles and bad fittings injured hundreds around the country.
Subsidized Petrol
While the same logic (i.e. helping the poor) is the rationale behind this subsidy it is more a populist measure the country can no longer afford. The supporters of these subsidies claim that it enables poor people to access transport, the ubiquitous motor (scooter). However, as the Indonesian economy has grown, scooters have given way to (frequently large) cars that are consuming Indonesia's dwindled supplies ever rapidly. Government officials are aware that this situation can not last long, but the Yudhoyono Government can not move quickly on this out of fear of the electorate. Critics of the subsidies point out that those rich enough to afford large cars benefit most from this scheme.
Subsidized LPG
As part of the Indonesian drive to phase out kerosene stoves, promoted as a safety measure to prevent fires1, 3 and 12 kg bottles of gas were subsidized. The Government anticipated that restaurants would not choose to use large numbers of these smaller bottles. However, most warung (restaurants) opted to use the 12 kg bottles. The Government then removed the subsidy from these bottles so that only the small 3 kg bottles were subsidized for the poor. The result was nearly inevitable.
Unlike in Australia (and I suspect New Zealand) the fitting used in Indonesia is a quick-fit and release arrangement, not your ‘standard’ brass gas fitting. Moving large numbers of these small bottles in a “swap and go” system to satisfy the demand increased wear and tear, and lowered inspection standards (if they existed). Now instead of moving a lesser number of the more heavy duty bottles, truck loads of small bottles stacked 10 high became a common sight. Even so, I estimate that to carry the same amount of fuel around, nearly twice as much metal (by weight) is needed – thus the overall “efficiency” is probably decreased. The fires caused from damaged bottles and bad fittings injured hundreds around the country.
Suspected LPG gas explosion injures three
Study reveals more than 200 LPG explosions in three years
Pertamina needs Rp 1.7t to replace uncertified LPG canisters
Govt blames market for exploding canisters
Letter: LPG explosionsThere were also some suggestions that resellers were refilling the larger 12 kg bottles with the smaller bottles to take advantage of the price disparity due to the subsidy!
Subsidized Petrol
While the same logic (i.e. helping the poor) is the rationale behind this subsidy it is more a populist measure the country can no longer afford. The supporters of these subsidies claim that it enables poor people to access transport, the ubiquitous motor (scooter). However, as the Indonesian economy has grown, scooters have given way to (frequently large) cars that are consuming Indonesia's dwindled supplies ever rapidly. Government officials are aware that this situation can not last long, but the Yudhoyono Government can not move quickly on this out of fear of the electorate. Critics of the subsidies point out that those rich enough to afford large cars benefit most from this scheme.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
A leg-up for solar energy storage
Energy storage technology company Graphite Energy (discussed at this TOD ANZ post back in 2008) featured in a recent dispatch from The Climate Spectator, noting they have received a research grant from the Australian Solar Institute - A leg-up for solar.
Graphite Energy and CSG Solar have been named among successful bidders for 14 solar research and development grants awarded by the Australian Solar Institute, worth a total $21.6 million, in a move it says will help Australia develop more efficient and cost-competitive solar technologies.
“Each of the selected projects offers the potential to advance solar technologies in a way which will increase their commercial competitiveness with other energy sources,” AIS chair Jenny Goddard said. The University of New South Wales, the Australian National University, the University of Sydney, the University of Melbourne and CSIRO (Newcastle) also won tenders for the grants, with another 25 domestic and international organisations involved across range of consortia, the institute said.
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