Posts tagged “R-Squared Energy TV”

In this week’s episode of R-Squared Energy TV, I cover:

• Japan’s decision to abandon nuclear power (which will contend for the top energy story of the year — regardless of how it plays out)
• ConocoPhillips’ successful methane hydrates drilling test in the Arctic, and whether that means that methane hydrates will soon be a viable energy option
• The likelihood that gasoline prices have indeed peaked (for now)

In this week’s episode of R-Squared Energy TV, I talk about the significance of China’s dominance of rare earth element production, and the conversion of pyrolysis oil into fuel.

The questions answered this week are:

1. Can you discuss the uses of ‘rare earth’ elements in the production of renewable energies (i.e., wind and solar)? Furthermore, can you comment on the supply of rare earth elements? I recently watched this video from Real Clear Energy. Is it accurate that China controls 97% of the current supplies? What implications does this have on growth of hybrid transportation, the wind and the solar industry in the USA?

2. I was watching your reports and was wondering your opinion about the feasibility of pyrolysis. I’ve seen a lot of companies advertising that they have take plastic or tires and produce 80+% and 45% pyrolysis oil respectively. Is that accurate? You also mention upgrading of pyrolysis oil, are there any companies out there who can do it on a commercially viable process? If so could you point me in the right direction?

In this week’s episode of R-Squared Energy TV, I talk about the impact of natural gas in the U.S., and the Canadian economy.

Some of the topics discussed this week are:

• How I think natural gas prices will behave over the next 10 years
• Which industries will benefit the most from low natural gas prices
• The link between hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and earthquakes
• The relative strength of Canada’s economy

In this week’s episode of R-Squared Energy TV, I talk about the impact I believe $5 gasoline will have on most people, and whether there are any environmentally friendly proppants that can be used for hydraulic fracturing.

Some of the topics discussed this week are:

• My observations here in Hawaii on the impact of $5 gasoline
• Why I think gasoline prices have peaked (for now)
• What proppants are and how they are used in hydraulic fracturing (fracking)

In this week’s episode of R-Squared Energy TV, I answer questions about POET’s Project Liberty, about why KiOR might need a natural gas pipeline, and whether there are better options out there for utilization of waste heat from electrical generating plants.

Some of the topics discussed this week are:

• POET’s prospects for success with their cellulosic ethanol venture
• The synergy of co-locating a cellulosic ethanol plant next to a corn ethanol plant
• Why a renewable energy company might require natural gas
• Options for utilizing energy from waste hot water

In this week’s episode of R-Squared Energy TV, I answer a few questions about pathways to biofuels, cellulosic ethanol, and Vinod Khosla. I have to apologize this week, because the microphone was a bit away from my mouth, so the volume is lower than normal.

Some of the topics discussed this week are:

• Some of the commercially viable pathways for turning biomass into energy
• The prospects for drop-in fuels
• The shift in Vinod Khosla’s optimism over the past 5 years
• What I think Vinod’s statements to the Wall Street Journal really signal

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In this week’s episode of R-Squared Energy TV, I answer questions about compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles, and talk a little bit about global warming. Some of the topics discussed are:

• The environmental footprint of a CNG vehicle versus an electric vehicle operating on natural gas-derived electricity
• The prospects of CNG vehicles in the next 10 years
• Why I generally do not write much about global warming
• The basis of future climate change projections
• The role of feedback mechanisms in climate change
• The basis of the greenhouse effect
• My concerns about the tenor of the debate
• The real “carbon bomb” for the planet

In this week’s episode of R-Squared Energy TV, I answer questions about natural gas liquids and algal fuel. Some of the topics discussed are:

• The difference between natural gas liquids (NGLs) and crude oil
• How NGLs and “all-liquids” contribute to oil supplies
• How “double-counting” and net energy impact the reported oil supply numbers
• The challenge of water in making algal fuel economical
• Whether algal fuels have long-term process

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In this week’s episode of R-Squared Energy TV, I answer questions about butanol and natural reserves. I had intended to discuss the Open Fuel Standard when talking about butanol, but ultimately did not. I will get to that in an upcoming episode.

Some of the topics discussed are:

• Why butanol is not widely available as an alternative fuel
• How butanol is made
• Whether $100/bbl oil signals peak oil
• What I think $2.50/MMBTU natural gas signifies

In this week’s episode of R-Squared Energy TV, I answer questions about peak oil and carbon trading markets.

Some of the topics discussed are:

• Whether peak oil has been discredited
• Recent media headlines on peak oil (or lack thereof)
• Why I think peak oil “debunkers” miss the point
• Why I believe carbon emissions will continue to climb
• Why the successful sulfur trading markets are not analogous to carbon trading markets
• Why I am skeptical that a global carbon trading scheme will work

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