Warming Predictions

[joefromga]

Of course I recognized it. I'm a bit of a car guy. You do have to admit that a lot of the hybrid vehicles wouldn't be sold if it wasn't for the huge tax credits.

I did/do feel bad laughing at the situation. I don't wish a roadside failure on anybody. But it does raise an interesting point. If one has an all-electric vehicle (Isn't the Volt all electric?), how does one get it going if you run it entirely out of fuel? Are we going to have to have gas powered generators to be able to charge a stranded electric vehicle?

They have these trucks with large beds on them that will carry the car to any destination.

 

[joefromga]

The volt is electric powered to the wheels but has a gas motor to provide charge. The prius is a hybrid and the gas engine kicks in about 35mph and turns the transmission.

The volts gas motor will not run the wheels, only turns an alternator basically a generator but I believe you have to still charge it plugged in because the generator is only a sort of booster for mileage or like a spare tire. It gets you to a plug.

 

[KennyG]

The volts gas motor will not run the wheels, only turns an alternator basically a generator but I believe you have to still charge it plugged in because the generator is only a sort of booster for mileage or like a spare tire. It gets you to a plug.

This is a common misunderstanding caused by some inaccurate statements from GM. The Volt engine actually does directly drive the wheels at higher speeds and when the battery is low. This makes sense because that's much more efficient and the Volt still doesn't have enough range to make the use of engine an unusual mode for most people.

https://www.cars.com/articles/2010/10/the-great-chevy-volt-hybrid-mishap-explained/

 

[newbury]

The idea of renewable becomes comical as you walk toward a gas station, even funnier if on a calm night. HS

The idea of using gasoline for a constant normal commute becomes comical when the price of gas goes back up. Not everybody needs a 400 mile daily range.

 

[joefromga]

This is a common misunderstanding caused by some inaccurate statements from GM. The Volt engine actually does directly drive the wheels at higher speeds and when the battery is low. This makes sense because that's much more efficient and the Volt still doesn't have enough range to make the use of engine an unusual mode for most people.

https://www.cars.com/articles/2010/10/the-great-chevy-volt-hybrid-mishap-explained/

You learn something new every day!

 

[houstonscott]

What happened to the most powerful El Niño in history. I'm hearing it's gone! Who cooled the Pacific Ocean in a few months? HS

 

[davesl708]

What happened to the most powerful El Niño in history. I'm hearing it's gone! Who cooled the Pacific Ocean in a few months? HS

What I see on the weather stations El Nino is alive and well. We were 76 degrees yesterday and in the 70's today and tomorrow. Also way behind on snowfall this winter. That is typical for us in this area during El Nino. Spotted the Seagulls hovering overhead this week. They are starting their northern trek a little early.

However, we have only broken the high temp record on one day so far. It was warmer in the 1930's than now even with El Nino.

 

[95XL883]

So, do I understand correctly that the way to get an all-electric car that is out of charge running again is to call a tow truck? Wow!?!? Running out of juice will cost $75 to $100 for a tow?! I'm pretty sure I will stick with internal combustion engines.

 

[mark02tj]

However, we have only broken the high temp record on one day so far. It was warmer in the 1930's than now even with El Nino.

So, is it possible that there was even a stronger El Nino in the 30's than now???

 

[95XL883]

This isn't quite as impractical as you assume. I don't foresee an all electric car scenario anytime soon, but the total energy use in the transportation sector is only a little over half of the current electrical energy use. By increasing the number of power plants by 50% we could at least switch all passenger cars to electric. There is a potential silver lining in this also as most charging could probably done off-peak, at night, allowing more of the power plants to be base load and minimizing the stress on the electric grid (distribution system).

The efficiency impact of electric cars is pretty complex. Gasoline engines are limited to thermal efficiencies in the 30 to 35% range, as I recall and there is no mechanism for regeneration (capturing braking energy). On the other hand, electric motors can easily be 95% efficient and allow regeneration. On the electric generation side, coal plants typically have over 40% thermal efficiency and combined cycle gas plants can exceed 60% thermal efficiency. Losses in transmission are generally less than 10%. I don't know what the charge/discharge efficiency of the advanced batteries would be now. If the electricity is generated by wind, solar, nuclear or hydro, the efficiency probably isn't something to be considered, only cost.

The modern internal combustion engine is a marvel, but there are efficiency limitations in the Otto cycle (and it's offshoots) that will keep it's efficiency well below a central station power plant.

From a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, I don't think we are going to be seeing any increase in power plants any time soon. The gist of the article was that the Sierra Club (and some other environmental org) thinks they have banned coal plants completely with the Clean Power regulations. Basically they are mandating controls so expensive that all coal plants will have to close over time. The prediction was that there will be power shortages as the plants go off-line.

For right now we might be okay as the Supreme Court has put a stay on the rules but if they are eventually allowed to go into effect, it sounds like there won't be enough electricity generated for our current usage let alone increased usage.

I'm not trying to offend anybody but the realistic view appears to be that the "environmentalists" are setting us up for a drastic change in lifestyles. In fact, that is the reason I am seriously considering some solar generation at home but I have a serious problem in that my house is orientated wrong for solar.