In previous podcasts, we discussed the implications of moving towards nonconventional oil. Heavy oils, in abundant supply, are no doubt going to make up a large part of our oil consumption in the not so far future. They are very hard to produce, and generally require heat to mobilize the sticky, tar-like substance. The most commonly used method is steam flooding, where steam is injected into the oil reservoir. But it takes energy to create the steam, which is typically produced by burning gas. Voila: a large carbon footprint.

The US is not a small player in wind energy, but, to date, offshore wind farms have not been built. This is soon to end however with plans for offshore sites in Delaware, Massachuchets and Texas. And California? It may soon follow.

We talk with Mike Dvorak, an aspiring wind engineer and scientist at Stanford University. Mike carefully researched available wind along the California coasts, and conducted feasibility studies for various potential sites. Cape Mendicino may well become California's Cape Wind.

The National Academic Press just released the report “Water Implications of Biofuels Production in the United States“. Citing from the summary:

If projected future increases in use of corn for ethanol production do occur, the increase in harm to water quality could be considerable. In addition, expansion of corn production on fragile soils can increase loads of both nutrients and sediments. It is vitally important to pursue policies that prevent an increase in total loadings of nutrients, pesticides, and sediments to waterways. From a water quantity perspective, measures to conserve water and prevent the unsustainable withdrawal of water from depleted aquifers could be critical.

This is part II of Tony Kovscek’s discussion of heavy oil.

The world is not running out of oil any time soon, at least not the easier to get to, lighter kind. It is estimated that there are of the order of a trillion barrels of heavy oil in the world that can be produced at the current oil price. Is this good news? Not necessarily. These heavy oils, like the tar sands in Alberta or the shale oil in the Rockies, are currently being produced with techniques that are not environmentally friendly.

If you’re looking for a nice hotel that’s keeping a sharp eye on its carbon footprint, you’ll want to check out the Crown Spa Hotel. It’s in Scarborough, on the Yorkshire coast, but if you can get there, you’ll find that the management and staff at this hotel are taking steps to reduce carbon emissions and energy usage (proving the important point that energy savings is a cost savings!) I asked manager David Franks what drives him and his colleagues. Meet this enthusiastic and dedicated energy saver. And, if you happen to know a good place for him to buy 100 square meters of solar panels, let us know…