1. The large simulations are done with highly simplified physical models.
2. The 'real time' duration of the simulations is not long enough to compare to the vast majority of experimental science. Therefore, it is difficult to test the accuracy of the simplistic models used, or judge how valuable they are in our understanding of the details of the system.
It isn't.
But efficiency of power production isn't the only issue. If emissions from the plant are significantly less, then you can reduce total emissions even by taking less efficient overall path to get your power.
Sure, that might not save the driver cash. But it might save the state money in the long term. (Not to mention being better caretakers of the planet.)
(Folks have already talked about other ways hybrids save you power/cash in other replies.)
"More hybrids means less tax revenue."
That seems incredibly short-sighted on the part of the state (but why am I not surprised). In a high smog areas, pollution leads to a large number of hospitalizations. Presumably, less smog = less people to care for. So there is an expected cost reduction in addition to the projected revenue reduction as a result of reducing emissions.
That's a good start. I think I'd need more information to try to make a good judgement. You assume that the efficiency of energy conversion for gas and battery power is equivalent. Is this the case?
For cost alone, you need:
cost at plug x efficiency of battery charging x efficiency of battery power usage
vs.
cost of gas x efficiency of gas usage
In a reply, someone states that the efficiency of gas usage was around 20%. In my googling, I found numbers close to 10%. I had trouble finding reliable sounding numbers for batteries.
For evaluating environmental concerns, I'd really like to know the efficiency of energy conversion of the nuclear/hydro/solar plants, in addition to their environmental effects.
Some kind of ENVIRONMENTAL_EVIL/kWh number would be great. Is there any agency trying to do this kind of analysis in a meaningful way?
Does the idea that any random person can plug themselves into an airplane's power supply and apparently draw significant loads, presumably increasing fuel consumption proportionately, worry anyone?
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1. The large simulations are done with highly simplified physical models. 2. The 'real time' duration of the simulations is not long enough to compare to the vast majority of experimental science. Therefore, it is difficult to test the accuracy of the simplistic models used, or judge how valuable they are in our understanding of the details of the system.
This computer is still way too slow for things like studying molecular structure, even with simplified models.
It isn't. But efficiency of power production isn't the only issue. If emissions from the plant are significantly less, then you can reduce total emissions even by taking less efficient overall path to get your power. Sure, that might not save the driver cash. But it might save the state money in the long term. (Not to mention being better caretakers of the planet.) (Folks have already talked about other ways hybrids save you power/cash in other replies.)
"More hybrids means less tax revenue." That seems incredibly short-sighted on the part of the state (but why am I not surprised). In a high smog areas, pollution leads to a large number of hospitalizations. Presumably, less smog = less people to care for. So there is an expected cost reduction in addition to the projected revenue reduction as a result of reducing emissions.
That's a good start. I think I'd need more information to try to make a good judgement. You assume that the efficiency of energy conversion for gas and battery power is equivalent. Is this the case? For cost alone, you need: cost at plug x efficiency of battery charging x efficiency of battery power usage vs. cost of gas x efficiency of gas usage In a reply, someone states that the efficiency of gas usage was around 20%. In my googling, I found numbers close to 10%. I had trouble finding reliable sounding numbers for batteries. For evaluating environmental concerns, I'd really like to know the efficiency of energy conversion of the nuclear/hydro/solar plants, in addition to their environmental effects. Some kind of ENVIRONMENTAL_EVIL/kWh number would be great. Is there any agency trying to do this kind of analysis in a meaningful way?
Does the idea that any random person can plug themselves into an airplane's power supply and apparently draw significant loads, presumably increasing fuel consumption proportionately, worry anyone?