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September 30, 2005
Another thread launched
I have been swamped lately with people asking "why did you leave technology and go to energy?" Well I wrote a lengthly piece on it for SNS at Mark's request. It seems that other smart people are going through a similar conversion, so I have split off this thread into a separate blog: From Bits to Barrels.
I expect to post infrequently, but have alot of guest entries from others in the technology, software and internet world with their thoughts around our energy policy and what should be done. This should be a fun thread to follow.
Posted by Martin at 10:01 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 25, 2005
camping close to Seattle
Just got back from a one night jaunt with Finn (5 yrs old) and another dad and his daughter. There are an amazing number of overnight places very close to seattle well catalogued here: Camping Near Cle Elum Along I-90. We started off to go to Fish Lake, but when faced with 15 miles on bumpy dirt switchbacks we opted for Cooper Lake instead. Amazing. Beautiful mountain lake with a small number of hike in campsites. Fishing (no didn't catch anything) and nice day hike. Next time I will bring a canoe. The only downside was the morning when the thermostat said 36 degrees. After two casts Finn said "I can't feel my hands" so being the alert dad, I packed up camp and we went into Rosalyn to have french toast and eggs. Guess it is the end of summer for real now.
Posted by Martin at 8:24 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 21, 2005
Good News From the Front launches
Thanks to a frequent reader who heard my cries for more good news from Afghanistand an Iraq as a break from the constant diatribe of blood and gore dished out by the major media outlets (of all stripes). Here is a new site that is aggregating the good news: Good News from the Front. Now this is not whitewashing. This is the hard work that soldiers and contractors do every day to rebuild these war ravaged countries. The stuff that takes TIME and SWEAT. Unlike a suicide bomb.
Posted by Martin at 10:29 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
NREL responds to flawed Pimentel study
In a recent report published in the Natural Resources Research Journal by Dr. Tad Patzek, professor of petroleum engineering at UC Berkeley[1], and Dr. David Pimentel, professor emeritus of insect ecology & agricultural sciences at Cornell University[2] titled Ethanol Production Using Corn, Switchgrass, and Wood; Biodiesel Production Using Soybean and Sunflower, they argue a negative net energy balance for ethanol and biodiesel production. Considering the growing literature on the subject, Pimentel and Patzek are largely in the minority. In fact, many experts in the field of biofuels are perplexed by the conclusions Pimentel and Patzek have been able to reach. Unfortunately, this recent publication has received considerable attention in the mainstream media with little attention paid to the reliability of the data. Therefore, the commentary for this issue of BCO will be dedicated to a discussion of the inconsistencies in this recent publication and was provided to EESI by John Sheehan, Senior Engineer in the National Bioenergy Center of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
The following opinions expressed do not represent an official position of the Dept. of Energy or National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Response to Pimentel-Patzek Article on Biofuels John Sheehan,National Renewable Energy Laboratory
The recent publication by Pimentel and Patzek on the net energy balance of ethanol and biodiesel has received a great deal of attention in the media. Their paper concludes that production of these renewable biofuels does not offer a positive return on energy. The production and use of energy for transportation is complex. Pimentel and Patzek do a disservice to the public when they draw such conclusions based on what appears to be a superficial survey of these renewable energy technologies. On all counts, credible and detailed published studies of these biofuels published over the past ten years do not support this claim. Given the widespread attention given to these persistent claims by Pimentel, I would welcome the opportunity for a thorough review by an objective and respected third party of experts to sort out the reasons for the disparities between Pimentels claims and the findings of other published studies.
Ethanol from Energy Crops the ultimate alternative to fossil fuel
The most surprising suggestion in Pimentel and Patzeks new publication is the claim that ethanol made from energy cropstrees and grasses containing cellulose and hemicellulose sugarsrequires 50% more fossil energy inputs than the fuel energy it delivers. Pimentel and Patzek are uninformed about the technology for turning these new forms of biomass into ethanol. Studies by Argonne National Laboratory and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory have demonstrated that ethanol from energy crops and from agricultural residues like corn stover offer large fossil energy savings: savings of 90% or more in the case of energy crops like switchgrass and residues from corn production. Why the big difference? Pimentel and Patzeks cursory review of the technology missed one very important design aspect for this new technologythe conversion of grasses and residues to ethanol is completely energy self-sufficient. That is, all of its energy needs are provided by the biomass, eliminating the need for the fossil energy that Pimentel and Patzek claim are needed to provide steam and power in the facility. It is unfortunate that such an uninformed claim has now been widely spread in the general media.
The Ongoing Corn Ethanol Debate:
Does it represent a deficit in fossil energy? If asked that question 30 years ago when the new gasohol industry was in its infancy, many experts would have said yes. But not today. Dramatic improvements in the efficiency and productivity of farming and in the efficiency of producing ethanol in a modern corn processing plant have changed the situation. Pimentel and Patzek claim that todays commercial corn grain ethanol technology invests 29% more fossil energy than it can deliver in each gallon of fuel. While Pimentel has made similar claims about corn ethanol over the past 15 years, well documented studies of corn ethanol conducted by USDA and DOE show just the oppositethat is, corn ethanol delivers a 34% gain in fuel energy for each unit of fossil energy invested (Wang, Saricks et al. 1997; Shapouri, Duffield et al. 2002) , with concomitant savings in greenhouse gas emissions from the savings in fossil energy consumption.
A New Attack on Biodiesel
Having focused most of his past attention on corn ethanol production, Pimentel has now turned his attention to the latest renewable fuel entry in the transportation fuel marketbiodiesel. Today, the bulk of biodiesel in the United States is made from soybean oil. Pimentel and Patzek claim that the growing of soybeans, and their subsequent processing to make biodiesel, consumes 27% more fossil energy then the fuel can deliver to an engine. Soybeans are a particularly efficient source of natural oil becauseas legumes that fix nitrogen from the atmospherethey use little or no energy-intensive nitrogen fertilizer. A comprehensive 300-page study of the energy and environmental impacts of biodiesel made from soybeans was conducted jointly by the U.S. Department of Energy and the USDA, and published in 1998 (Sheehan, Camobreceo et al. 1998) . That report finds biodiesel offers dramatic savingsusing 70% less fossil energy than its petroleum counterpart.
The Benefits of Biofuels for Petroleum Savings and Energy Security
While reducing our dependence on fossil energy is an important metric for assessing biofuels, we should not lose sight of the most strategic energy challenge facing our nation todaypetroleum. A top priority for the U.S. Department of Energy is reducing our reliance on foreign sources of oil. That is one reason why DOE supports the development of biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel. The studies cited here show that corn ethanol reduces oil consumption in your car by 85%. Biodiesel and ethanol from energy crops can offer petroleum savings of 90 to 95%. When I consider the ability of these fuels to slip seamlessly into our existing transportation system, I find these fuels to be among the best opportunities available in the near-term to cure our unhealthy addiction to foreign oil. In the future, energy crops, agricultural residues and other sources of waste biomass offer the ability to replace much of the oil we now consume for transportation, without significantly impacting the production of food, feed and fiber.
The Need for Open and Honest Debate
In the 21st century, weas a nationwill face unprecedented energy challenges as we transition from petroleum to more sustainable sources of energyespecially for transportation. If we are to make the right choices as a society, we must avoid the pitfalls of polarized debates in which opponents in the energy debate turn to sound bite experts to address conflicting points of view about our energy future. We encourage, instead, an open and honest debate about energy security and how to provide a sustainable energy supply for the future. No option is without its downside. Pimentel and Patzek fail to point out, for example, that gasoline and diesel fuel today actually do have a negative fossil energy balance. Let us engage in an intelligent and informed dialogue about energy so that we can make sound choices. We owe that to our children and to future generations.
[1] http://petroleum.berkeley.edu/patzek/index.htm
[2] http://www.entomology.cornell.edu/Faculty_Staff/Pimentel/pimentel.htmlSources: Shapouri, H., J. Duffield, et al. (2002). The Energy Balance of Corn Ethanol: An Update. Washington, D.C., U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Chief Economist, Office of Energy Policy and New Uses. Sheehan, J., V. Camobreceo, et al. (1998). Life Cycle Inventory of Biodiesel and Petroleum Diesel for Use in an Urban Bus. Golden, CO, National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Wang, M., C. Saricks, et al. (1997). Fuel-Cycle Fossil Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Fuel Ethanol Produced from US Midwest Corn. Argonne, IL, Argonne National Laboratory.
Posted by Martin at 9:52 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 20, 2005
Microsoft reorgs
Microsoft Reorgs
Tuesday, September 20, 2005 In the name of agility and services, Microsoft has reorganized into three core divisions, each with its own president: a Platform Products & Services Division under Kevin Johnson and Jim Allchin until Allchin retires at the end of next year when his baby, Vista, materializes; a Business Division under Jeff Railes and an Entertainment & Devices Division under Robbie Bach.
Needless to say Microsoft has never done such a thing before, the world being convinced its masters are greedy of their power. It is assumed Microsoft is girding its loins for mortal combat with Google, Yahoo, Linux and folks like salesforce.com.
Microsoft also said that Ray Ozzie, the Lotus Notes wonder whose Groove Networks start-up Microsoft bought in March, will expand his role as one of Microsofts three CTOs and drive the company software-based services strategy and execution across all three divisions.
In a canned statement, CEO Steve Ballmer said, These charges are designed to align out business groups in a way that will enhance decision-making and speed of execution... Microsoft is currently the subject of a BusinessWeek cover story basically saying its lumbering bureaucracy is driving off its best people.
Ballmer also said, We see a new era of opportunity to provide greater value to our customers by weaving both software and services into forms that suit their needs. By bringing together the software experience and the service experience, we will better address the changing needs of our customers
digital lifestyles and the new world of work.
The new Platform unit, which will fall solely to Johnson when Allchin leaves, includes the Microsoft client, servers, tools and MSN, which is cast as delivering software-based services at scale.
David Cole will continue to run MSN. Eric Rudder, whos been running servers and tools, will go off and work directly for Bill Gates on some unidentified advanced development projects and overall technical strategy when Visual Studio and SQL Server 2005 later this year.
The new Business unit, which will compete with Oracle and SAP, combines the old Information Worker, a k a Office, and Microsoft Business Solutions.
The new Entertainment & Devices unit, which gets the Xbox and phones, combines the current Home and Entertainment Division and the Mobile and Embedded Devices Division and is supposed to bring more focus to Microsofts sometimes floundering efforts in the segments. The head of Mobile and Embedded Devices Division Pieter Knook will report to Bach.
The three units will report to Ballmer.
Posted by Martin at 1:50 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 19, 2005
Biodiesel $2.60, Diesel $3.01
This snapshot is from Petit Oil cardlock in south Seattle Friday. They are selling B20 (20% biodiesel) for $.41 less than diesel! Go buy there!!!
Posted by Martin at 8:39 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
slide show from New Orleans
Received this slide show from a friend today. slideshowYou may have already seen it going around the net. Very graphic pictures of the huricane in action set to a song about New Orleans. This is THE great American tragedy. On the scale of the tidal wave last year that now seems so far away. I am giving through these people, I am sure you all are doing your part as well.
Posted by Martin at 10:27 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 13, 2005
Porsche Cayenne hybrid?
They say it is coming in 2010... I4U News - IAA 2005: Hybrid Porsche Cayenne Coming. I am putting in my order. Now a diesel one...
Posted by Martin at 3:10 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 12, 2005
400HP diesel/electric hybrid made by highschool students
All I can say is Wow... some high shool students in Philidelphia made a super car diesel/electric hybrid: 
. There is some discussion on how much this costs. The video on their web site says $15K, but the kit car costs around $75K (complete). And they used a diesel from a junkyard, etc. Either way, they are using off the shelf parts to build a very fuel effieient very fast diesel/electric hybrid. Wow, cool.
Posted by Martin at 2:34 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 9, 2005
Price Inversion in Seattle!
I noted last month that in California the price of DinoDiesel had surpassed the price of Biodiesel. That price inversion will drive ALOT of consumption in California. Now, as of Monday, price inversion has happened in Seattle. LuarelHurst Oil now has #2 diesel for $3.15 a gallon and 100% biodiesel for $3.10 a gallon. They also have both pumps next to each other. Now, let me see.... I pull up to the pump to fill up my diesel auto/truck/tractor, etc. One pump is more expensive, harms the environment, causes wars, and sends money to another country. The other pump is cheaper, very easy on the environment, domestically produced and supports American industry and farmers. Which one would you choose?
Posted by Martin at 9:39 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 7, 2005
Intel committed to the NPU market
While press around the NPU market is sparse, here is a recent round-up article from light reading: Light Reading - Networking the Telecom Industry. Basicallly the market has been access products. The largest (volume) seller in Intel's line is the Westport which is more of an edge or access speed processor. The core router stuff (the OC192 market) is dog slow. The main problem with the chips continues to be "programmability" which, thankfully IP Fabrics has partially solved. Hopefully as more people understand that the progammability problem is solvable, they will implement these programmable chips deep into the network. It needs to happen. We need a standard PC economics programmable hardware platform as far into the core of the network as possible.
Posted by Martin at 12:15 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 6, 2005
Seattle Biodiesel in the news on KUOW tonight 8:00PM
A local radio show, "The Works" came by last week and interviewd me. Here is the link to the show: 94.9 KUOW: Seattle's NPR News and Information Station. The live version is tonight on 94.9 Seattle, this link will contain the streaming archive after that.
Posted by Martin at 1:38 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack