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When water and water mix

ALISTER DOYLE

Reuters

Latest comment posted at 11:19 PM EDT 20/03/08

Result could be power, if economical way to produce electricity can be found ...Read the full article

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  1. Tim Rutkevich from Canada writes: $4 Millions/kilowatt capacity? Compared to that Canadian CO2 sequestration project is bargain.
  2. Paul Wallnutz from Canada writes: Energy Returned on Energy Invested (EROEI). It is the only thing that matters on any of these 'new' and 'magic' energy resources.

    We are in a chase for very diffuse energy sources (wind, solar, biomass, etc.) to replace what was readily available concentrated energy sources such as oil. Think of an investment with a return of 150:1 verses what is now 2:1 or even 1.2:1.

    Peak oil is here and we are in deep trouble.
  3. SN Dream from Canada writes: Paul Wallnutz,
    Peak Oil is a myth invented and promoted by enviro~mentalist, OPEC, oil spectator and oil company. There's a still tons of oil, just too expensive to get them out in the moment.

    In terms of environment change, I am more worry about global rain pattern than global warming with Brazil burning down so much of the Amazon rain forest to expand the farming as a result of the stupid biofuel idea.
  4. Paul Wallnutz from Canada writes: SN Dream writes: "There's a still tons of oil, just too expensive to get them out in the moment."

    You have totally miss the point about peak oil. It simply means that we have used at least 50% of the oil that is recoverable. The reason it is 'expensive' to recover this remaining oil is because of the ENERGY required to do it! It is the law of diminishing returns. Example: heavy oil from bitumen. EROEI = ~3:1. Saudi sweet crude in 1950, EROEI = ~150:1.

    The easy and concentrated sources of stored energy have been found and used. Our standard of living grew from these sources and now they are mostly gone. What is left? Dilute sources such as described by the article or nuclear power (the only other practical large scale energy alternative).
  5. Robert Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: I agree completely with Paul Wallnutz...

    The oil might still be there, but most of the easily obtainable low lying fruit might be now gone...

    Eventually, as oil companies drill deeper below the ocean, it could come to pass that oil companies may be expending a oil barrel's worth of energy to get a oil barrel's worth of energy...

    Time to seriously consider going nuclear and developing viable alternative energy sources...

    I believe that only an Irish and British company have been the only serious international players in Tidal Power development in the Bay of Fundy so far ... Meanwhile, Canada and the USA seem to continue to naval gaze...
  6. Gord Addison from Squamish, BC, Canada writes: It is great that new energy sources are being explored, but I tend to suspect that DFO and various environmental groups might not be too keen on 40 hectares of membrane in an estuary - which is, pretty well by definition, sensitive fish and wildlife habitat...
  7. casey miller from oddawa, Canada writes: seems odd that virtually the same technology is being used to either create energy by mixing a precious resource (fresh water) with salt water, and then using the energy to remove the salt from the water in other parts of the world - very odd indeed. Effectively we will be able to drive cars and have tv's but will all die of thirst. Perhaps we should conserve the fresh water for irrigation and drinking instead of using it to create energy?
  8. North of the Border from Canada writes: Albertans were/are in here bragging about their oil which they should be but which province should be laughing all the way to the bank along with them? NL and NS has the oil now that is needed, rivers to support hydro plants, access to the ocean and fresh water in the case these projects prove feasible, plenty of wind energy, etc..,. Being located so close to a various number of options for energy hopefully they will start seeing the benefits of it. Since energy is obviously the driving factor behind much industry and civilization I'm wondering if we'll see a migration of companies with these changing times. The only area that might be lagging? Solar. With all that fog it might be hard.
  9. Robert Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: North of the Border from Canada:

    Yes, the provinces of British Columbia, Newfoundland, PEI, NB and NS should all see benefits if projects like this Norweigian one start to be also explored in Canada...

    Do you ever wonder about how much political influence the oil and gas lobby in North America actually have to make our politicos navel gaze as well as they do?
  10. Bill H from London, Canada writes: I remember a high school experiment where electodes were stuck in a lemon or a potato to power a flashlight bulb. we can already grow potatoes, but with global warming we should all start planting lemon trees. Between the two we could be energy self-sufficient.
  11. C J from Canada writes: North of the Border from Canada writes: NL and NS has the oil now that is needed, rivers to support hydro plants, access to the ocean and fresh water in the case these projects prove feasible, plenty of wind energy, etc..

    I think the largest wind farm is located in Atlantic Canada(?)
    It's refreshing to see the renewable energy being used over there. I guess the main obstacle may be the weather conditions, which make the region less than appealing in winter. Too bad the 'conveyor belt current' couldn't warm up that region.

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