Energy Research

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has released its analysis of President Bush's 2008 budget. (report online)

Technology Review notes that funding for Energy R&D programs is up for biomass, nuclear fusion and hydrogen. Experts say that these long-term R&D projects are not likely to have a significant impact on the consumption of oil or greenhouse-gas emissions for decades.

Global Risks ranked by the World Economic Forum

The World Economic Forum—the organization that convenes the annual Davos meeting of global leaders—has released the Global Risks 2007 report.

Okay... So if I read well we have among top concerns:
- Oil Price Shock
- Climate Change
- Middle East Instability
What an explosive cocktail !

How to make buses more attractive: make them more fun !

See many other fun advertising concept on AhBoon's blog ("bring you more interesting news around the world with a factor ‘Clean’").

Peak Oil ?

Tim notices that oil production has been nearly flat for 2 years...

The Ultimate Green Transport Solution !

MobiBike's biofuel assisted bicycle.

Reasons to buy:

• Now you can get back in the race to ecofriendly transportation buy beating on line your neighbor who just got an hybrid car !
  
• You ride a bike AND you burn CO2 neutral fuel: it's like putting your hands together on two different issues.


• You can fold it and ride the bus (3 hands together ?)

Source: MobiBike

Chinese nightmare ?

Technology Review presents a potential nightmare scenario with China and its challenges to sustain growth while preserving the environment.
A few figures:
- "two new coal-fired power plants are completed in China each week;
- new generating capacity equivalent to that of nearly the entire U.K. power grid was added last year alone;
- China will become the world's largest carbon emitter within five years."
Credits: "China's Energy Dilemma" by Richard Lester, Illustration by Marc Rosenthal

Toyota working on a new concept...

Credit: coloribus

Biofuels ?

See James' blog for detailed analysis.

Also: you all know that E85 is 85% ethanol and 15% regular gasoline.
Did you know that E85 winter bled will actually be 70% ethanol and 30% regular gasoline ?

Another proof of global warming

Chainless bike

Top 10 Reasons Shaft Drive Bikes Are Better:
1. Smarter Gearing
2. Less Maintenance
3. Safer
4. More Durable
5. Cleaner
6. Always in the Right Gear
7. Faster Gear Transitions
8. Easier to Transport
9. Looks Great
10. Quieter and More Consistent

Dynamic bicycles

The Green Transportation Hierarchy

Just a reminder of what the hierarchy shall be (credit: Transportation Alternatives in NYC).

New blog on transportation alternatives

If you feel there is a way out of the petroleum transportation, join me and discuss on this blog.

Topics of interest:

• alternative energy sources (biofuels, hydrogen, nuclear...)
• smart solutions (hybrids & plug-in hybrids...)
• good old concepts (walk, ride a bike, take the bus...)
• new concepts (electric transport, intelligent transport systems...)
• technology (batteries, hybrid powertrains, fuel cells, ...)