It is the common fate of the indolent to see their rights become a prey to the active. The condition upon which God hath given liberty to man is eternal vigilance; which condition if he break, servitude is at once the consequence of his crime and the punishment of his guilt.--John Philpot Curran This does not mean that the price of liberty is the NSA. It means that the price of liberty is to be guarding against the abuses of the NSA. It is not the external enemy, but rather our own failure to defend our rights that brings us into slavery. The external enemy can never summons the strength to defeat us unless we defeat ourselves first. This is so fundemental to our national security that had we not one rifle, but only this,
we could not be overcome, but without it we are no longer ourselves and it does not matter how many planes, ships, missiles, intelligence assets or anything else we might have, we have already surrendered.
This is the stongest argument, but I agree that a runamok, error prone and error denying organizaiton can be quite dangerous.
They take it more seriously if it is black noise http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colors_of_noise. Pink noise is for a bygone era. It is just a little hard to sleep though with the wires tapping all night.
Particle board is more and more common, but I think their plan is to use material that is even unsuitible for this. This keeps their raw materials cost
low. On the other hand, trees don't grow all that fast, so their is a limit on the amount of carbon available for this. I expect they'll get into switchgrass though if their efficiency can compete with enzymes. The whole issue is a land use issue rather than a food-paper/timber-fuel choice issue. In the end,
there is not enough land (or water) to replace fossil fuels using rooted plants: http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/02/photosynthesis .html. --
Grow silicon leaves: http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/02/photosynthesis .html
Good call on the 9/10ths. If we get this precise in pumps, we'll start seeing 99/100ths on those signs soon. I think dilution with cooler gas already in the tank should do something, but if you are refilling a ground tank, presumably the new fuel becomes the larger fraction after the fill. -- Fixed price solar power for up to 25 years: http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/slashdot-users -selling-solar.html
I think your calculation looks right, what is different is that I was assuming 100 F gas and you are assuming 65 F gas. Why 100 F? If it just got
delivered from a tanker, it will still be warm. You don't see a lot of condensation on tankers. With all that sloshing and a good breeze from the drive
the heat exchange is going to be pretty good. -- Solar power for less http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/slashdot-users -selling-solar.html
I think it will also depend on how often the station is supplied. The tanker coming in on a 100 F day is going to deliver 100 F gas. The tanks
will cool this, but it will take a while to cool a tanker load (if the station can take that large of a delivery). If the gas is sold before it can cool,
you'll get an effect. -- Solar power at an affordable rate: http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/slashdot-users -selling-solar.html
It is not the average but the variation that is important. For example, temperatures are higher in the summer when prices are also higher. Refiners could arrange things to keep prices more even but if this effect is large enough, this could be an intentional thumb on the scale. I think ethanol, which is added in the summer is a larger effect. It costs less that gas and has less energy density so you have to fill up more often when the prices are
higher. -- Get more energy in the summer: http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/slashdot-users -selling-solar.html
In Florida, Nader probably drew about equally from registered republicans like you and registered democrats. Bush did get more registered democrat votes
(250,000) than Gore got registered republican votes, but the main thing is that with a full rather than a selective recount, Gore would have won. This was Gore's
error which allowed the courts to step in. Gore's idea that some votes should count more than other votes was the reason he lost. It is not some much that one vote can count, it is that every vote should be counted. That was not the case in Florida owing to Gore's decision to recount only a few counties. I think Gore has matured a bit in the last seven years and if you asked him, he'd agree.
Nader, in the end, did not influence the outcome of the election in 2000. This is too bad, but on the other hand it is not so bad that some people think he did. In some small way this means that efficiency standards have moved forward just a bit more than they might have otherwise. Rust belt politicians
have slightly less influence in continuing the degredation of US industry, for example, owing to the fear that combined union and manufacturer influence
can't quite swing an election if someone who has their actual rather than percieved interests at heart is in the race. --
I volunteered for McCain in Virginia and it was amazing what the rumor machine was doing. I'd call registered republicans, the sorts of folks who swear by veggie tales, and hear the most outragous things that McCain was supposed to have done. The ninth commandment is more honored in the breach, I guess.
This sounds a little like it's OK to run one clothes dryer, try 10,000. So, if this is the problem you are raising you'll need to explain why the
grid can manage the clothes dryers. Another common problem is to assume that an electric vehicle needs as much energy as an ICE vehicle burns. This
is incorrect. Two factors come in. First, the heat engine efficiency for an ICE is not very high and it stays on when it is not in use, and second, electric vehicle us regenerative breaking so that sliding friction is much reduced. A pure solar electric car makes an average speed of about 20 mph.
This is a 120 mile range while the Sun is high enough in the sky during a day: http://www.messiah.edu/genesis/carhistory.shtml. Doing a 50 mile
range with a heavier car charged with solar panels that have a larger cross section than the car itself is not really an issue. Another way to make
an estimate is to take a regular hybrid's energy usage and reduce it by three to account for the ICE inefficiency and then look at the energy requirements
for a 50 mile trip. I'm not suggesting you've made a math error, but rather that you may be making some assumptions that are not correct. Let me know
what you think. -- Photons for fuel: http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/slashdot-users -selling-solar.html
An awful lot of cars sit parked for eight hours during daylight. I'm kind of wondering why you think solar power won't work to charge them since this
is when it is available? I'm also wondering why you are insisting on rapid charge for a commuter vehicle? It is the distance vehicles or constant use
vehicles that need this. Busses for example: http://www.sittnet.cn/en/gonggao_view.aspx?code=20 06N5. I think also that you are in a bind on what
the grid can handle. If you are charging during the day using solar panel covered parking, then the capacity is right there. If you are charging at night, you are using the grid during low demand, so there is no big deal.
-- Get going with solar power: http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/slashdot-users -selling-solar.html
This reminds me that a number of slashdotters who voted for Bush have expressed regret in the last year or so. So, I'll ask: does this bring any more to that position?
As of last May, BP had 40 US employees in biofuels. They had a rep at the conference I reported on here: http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/05/juicing.html. They'll be happy to blend in some biofuels I think. They have to
already is some places to control pollution. BP also makes solar cells. Algae comes close to silicon for energy conversion,
but then you run the biofuel through a heat engine and lose 70%. Remember that when you are thinking of alternatives, with solar
and wind you only need to replace the energy delivered while for combustibles you have to replace the energy used equally. So, I would
say BP is serious about their goal of becoming an energy company rather than an oil company, but they will continue to try to maximize
profits and the balance between alternatives and oil will be tipped towards oil for then for some time to come. --
Get solar power the easy way: http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/slashdot-users -selling-solar.html
Slashdot Mirror
This is the stongest argument, but I agree that a runamok, error prone and error denying organizaiton can be quite dangerous.
They take it more seriously if it is black noise http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colors_of_noise. Pink noise is for a bygone era. It is just a little hard to sleep though with the wires tapping all night.
Now, after my party hangs up, I just blow my whistle into the phone really hard. At least I get the satisfaction of hearing them scream.
Actually it is the summer blend that is heavier in enthanol but some areas have more smog in winter and thus go against the main trend: http://www.ethanolproducer.com/article.jsp?article _id=2149. s -selling-solar.html
--
Use ethanol responsibly: Raise your glass to Solar Power: http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/slashdot-user
Particle board is more and more common, but I think their plan is to use material that is even unsuitible for this. This keeps their raw materials cost low. On the other hand, trees don't grow all that fast, so their is a limit on the amount of carbon available for this. I expect they'll get into switchgrass though if their efficiency can compete with enzymes. The whole issue is a land use issue rather than a food-paper/timber-fuel choice issue. In the end, there is not enough land (or water) to replace fossil fuels using rooted plants: http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/02/photosynthesis .html.s .html
--
Grow silicon leaves: http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/02/photosynthesi
Some of the stress on food prices might be reduced with this kind of plant: http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/stori es/2007/07/03/0703bizrange.html. Their process works like this: http://www.rangefuels.com/conversion_process. s -selling-solar.html
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Solar: The fundemental alternative: http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/slashdot-user
The summer ethanol is about reducing smog and is only in place in some areas. About 46% of the countries gas is mixed: http://www.drivingethanol.org/promotions/state_flo rida.aspx. The addition of ethanol should, in principle, help to stabalize prices but right now it is used as an excuse to manufacture summer shortages.s -selling-solar.html
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Energy supply tight? Go solar: http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/slashdot-user
Good call on the 9/10ths. If we get this precise in pumps, we'll start seeing 99/100ths on those signs soon. I think dilution with cooler gas already in the tank should do something, but if you are refilling a ground tank, presumably the new fuel becomes the larger fraction after the fill.s -selling-solar.html
--
Fixed price solar power for up to 25 years: http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/slashdot-user
I think the pumps are calibrated to volume regardless of temperature. It is the existance of a standard that has been ignored that opens up the possibility of a lawsuit.s -selling-solar.html
--
Rent solar power: http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/slashdot-user
1% over 60 years with interest, with a class action, Yup, it's worth it.s -selling-solar.html
--
Fix your rate for Solar Power for up to 25 years: http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/slashdot-user
I think your calculation looks right, what is different is that I was assuming 100 F gas and you are assuming 65 F gas. Why 100 F? If it just got delivered from a tanker, it will still be warm. You don't see a lot of condensation on tankers. With all that sloshing and a good breeze from the drive the heat exchange is going to be pretty good.s -selling-solar.html
--
Solar power for less http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/slashdot-user
I think it will also depend on how often the station is supplied. The tanker coming in on a 100 F day is going to deliver 100 F gas. The tanks will cool this, but it will take a while to cool a tanker load (if the station can take that large of a delivery). If the gas is sold before it can cool, you'll get an effect.s -selling-solar.html
--
Solar power at an affordable rate: http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/slashdot-user
No, 3.2 C would be less than a cent. To get in the range the lawsuit claims they've got to be thinking of 90 F gas or so.s -selling-solar.html
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Put Solar in your future: http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/slashdot-user
It is not the average but the variation that is important. For example, temperatures are higher in the summer when prices are also higher. Refiners could arrange things to keep prices more even but if this effect is large enough, this could be an intentional thumb on the scale. I think ethanol, which is added in the summer is a larger effect. It costs less that gas and has less energy density so you have to fill up more often when the prices are higher.s -selling-solar.html
--
Get more energy in the summer: http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/slashdot-user
Or are the chips on fatty margins?s -selling-solar.html
--
Solar power with maintenance included: http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/slashdot-user
This site give the coefficient of thermal expaansion for gasoline: http://www.ac.wwu.edu/~vawter/PhysicsNet/Topics/Th ermal/ThermExpan.html. For a
20 C increase in temperature I get about a 2% increase in volume or a 6 cent difference for $3/gal gas. So the article seems about right. s -selling-solar.html
--
Get solar power with no installation cost, pay for only what the system produces: http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/slashdot-user
The Walmart closest to me has installed skylights. This sems to be a general policy: http://www.walmartfacts.com/articles/2508.aspx. They are using dimmers to keep the light level even.s -selling-solar.html
--
Go solar: http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/slashdot-user
In Florida, Nader probably drew about equally from registered republicans like you and registered democrats. Bush did get more registered democrat votes (250,000) than Gore got registered republican votes, but the main thing is that with a full rather than a selective recount, Gore would have won. This was Gore's error which allowed the courts to step in. Gore's idea that some votes should count more than other votes was the reason he lost. It is not some much that one vote can count, it is that every vote should be counted. That was not the case in Florida owing to Gore's decision to recount only a few counties. I think Gore has matured a bit in the last seven years and if you asked him, he'd agree.
Nader, in the end, did not influence the outcome of the election in 2000. This is too bad, but on the other hand it is not so bad that some people think he did. In some small way this means that efficiency standards have moved forward just a bit more than they might have otherwise. Rust belt politicians have slightly less influence in continuing the degredation of US industry, for example, owing to the fear that combined union and manufacturer influence can't quite swing an election if someone who has their actual rather than percieved interests at heart is in the race.
--
I volunteered for McCain in Virginia and it was amazing what the rumor machine was doing. I'd call registered republicans, the sorts of folks who swear by veggie tales, and hear the most outragous things that McCain was supposed to have done. The ninth commandment is more honored in the breach, I guess.
This sounds a little like it's OK to run one clothes dryer, try 10,000. So, if this is the problem you are raising you'll need to explain why the grid can manage the clothes dryers. Another common problem is to assume that an electric vehicle needs as much energy as an ICE vehicle burns. This is incorrect. Two factors come in. First, the heat engine efficiency for an ICE is not very high and it stays on when it is not in use, and second, electric vehicle us regenerative breaking so that sliding friction is much reduced. A pure solar electric car makes an average speed of about 20 mph. This is a 120 mile range while the Sun is high enough in the sky during a day: http://www.messiah.edu/genesis/carhistory.shtml. Doing a 50 mile range with a heavier car charged with solar panels that have a larger cross section than the car itself is not really an issue. Another way to make an estimate is to take a regular hybrid's energy usage and reduce it by three to account for the ICE inefficiency and then look at the energy requirements for a 50 mile trip. I'm not suggesting you've made a math error, but rather that you may be making some assumptions that are not correct. Let me know what you think.s -selling-solar.html
--
Photons for fuel: http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/slashdot-user
An awful lot of cars sit parked for eight hours during daylight. I'm kind of wondering why you think solar power won't work to charge them since this is when it is available? I'm also wondering why you are insisting on rapid charge for a commuter vehicle? It is the distance vehicles or constant use vehicles that need this. Busses for example: http://www.sittnet.cn/en/gonggao_view.aspx?code=20 06N5. I think also that you are in a bind on what
the grid can handle. If you are charging during the day using solar panel covered parking, then the capacity is right there. If you are charging at night, you are using the grid during low demand, so there is no big deal.
s -selling-solar.html
--
Get going with solar power: http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/slashdot-user
This reminds me that a number of slashdotters who voted for Bush have expressed regret in the last year or so. So, I'll ask: does this bring any more to that position?
One way to go directly to ethanol is to gassify and then make the ethanol from the gas. This is the method adopted for a new plant in Georgia that just got approval: http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/stori es/2007/07/03/0703bizrange.html. Here is a scematic of their process: http://www.rangefuels.com/conversion_process. Their planned production is 100 million gal/year ethanol with methanol and butanol also produced. This is larger than most new larger fermentation plants. Forests don't grow all that fast so their estimate for what Georgia can sustainably produce is 2 billion gal/year, less than recent additions to farm belt fermentation capacity.s -selling-solar.html
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Cut out the chlorophyll middle man: http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/slashdot-user
The cost of solar is coming down quickly. Aten Solar is the retail leader at $3.15/watt http://www.ecobusinesslinks.com/solar_panels.htm. In the commercial sector, Walmart, Macy's, Kohls Target and BJs are all taking on solar because it is cost effective: http://www.environmentalleader.com/2007/06/25/morg an-stanley-to-own-finance-wal-mart-solar-power-sys tems/. We are bringing the same kind of model to the residential market: http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/slashdot-users -selling-solar.html which is also a money saver. In these cases there is no need for batteries since they work under net metering http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/03/net-metering.h tml.
As of last May, BP had 40 US employees in biofuels. They had a rep at the conference I reported on here: http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/05/juicing.html. They'll be happy to blend in some biofuels I think. They have to already is some places to control pollution. BP also makes solar cells. Algae comes close to silicon for energy conversion, but then you run the biofuel through a heat engine and lose 70%. Remember that when you are thinking of alternatives, with solar and wind you only need to replace the energy delivered while for combustibles you have to replace the energy used equally. So, I would say BP is serious about their goal of becoming an energy company rather than an oil company, but they will continue to try to maximize profits and the balance between alternatives and oil will be tipped towards oil for then for some time to come.s -selling-solar.html
--
Get solar power the easy way: http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/slashdot-user