Friday October 03, 2008

IEA says Southeast Asian nations must kick natural gas habit

peakoil.com -> bangkokpost.com :

Southeast Asian nations rely too heavily on natural gas and must diversify their power generation to ensure long-term fuel supply, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has said. The IEA, in collaboration with Southeast Asian countries, will hold a workshop on the joint development of fuel diversification in Bangkok. The workshop will also discuss nuclear power, clean-coal technology, renewable energy and demand-side power management.

IEA has advised that too much dependence on one fuel risks future energy shortages. "Most fuel reserves here [Southeast Asia] are natural gas, therefore the countries here mostly rely on what they have, but it will run dry very quickly since demand is growing but few new reserves are being discovered," an IEA representative said. Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam are all heavily dependent on natural gas to fuel their electricity generation. Thailand is 67% reliant on gas, Malaysia more than 70% [and Singapore is over 80%].

- It's way past time that somebody brought this up. Putting your country's long-term energy future in a rapidly depleting fossil fuel isn't exactly a very good long-term strategy. Encouraging your citizens to switch their cars over to CNG only makes a bad situation worse.

The Asian nations have to think of something else. In fact, it's not just one thing, but many things. They have to think of going nuclear, solar, wind. Every alternative energy source will have to do its part to help.

See also :

1. Indonesia's LNG supremacy wanes as Chevron's fields run short
2. Indonesia to cut LNG supply to 6 million tons after 2010
3. Indonesia to speed up CNG vehicle conversion, using up more of its natural gas
4. Work on Singapore's first LNG terminal to start by early 2009
5. LNG at best an interim measure, alternatives must be looked into
6. Betting billions on liquefied natural gas

(2008-10-03 22:32:22 SGT) [Energy] Permalink

GM unveils production version of Chevrolet Volt PHEV plug-in hybrid car

channelnewsasia.com, gmeurope.info :

General Motors Tuesday [17 Sep] unveiled its electric car, the Chevrolet Volt, on the company's 100th anniversary. The Chevrolet Volt has a battery-powered electric motor that runs the car for up to 65 km [40 miles]. The Volt can be charged in 8 hours from a 120V outlet or 3 hours with a 240V outlet. GM estimates the Volt will cost about 2 cents per mile to drive with battery power, compared to 12 cents per mile with gasoline priced at US$3.60 per gallon. Production of the Volt in the US should begin in 2010. The company has not officially announced a price for the car, but it is expected to cost more than US$30,000. The Volt is part of a trend in the US automobile industry to move towards smaller, more environmentally-friendly cars as customers abandon large and gas-guzzling SUV's.

The design of the Chevrolet Volt production car has evolved from the original concept car, as GM designers created an aerodynamically efficient design for the production vehicle. The GM Chevrolet Volt leads a new class of vehicle - the Extended-Range Electric Vehicle, or E-REV. The Volt uses electricity to move the wheels at all times and speeds. For trips up to 40 miles, the Volt is powered by electricity stored in its 16-kWh, 220-cell lithium-ion battery. When the battery's energy is depleted, a gasoline/E85-powered engine generator provides electricity to power the Volt's electric drive unit and charge the battery, which extends the Volt's range for several hundred additional miles. The Volt's electric drive unit delivers 150 horsepower and 273 lb-ft. (370 Nm) of torque.

- The production version of the Chevrolet Volt looks somewhat different from the early concept photos, apparently for aerodynamic reasons. At least the most important part, the drivetrain has remained. Interesting how they are trying to define a new vehicle class. E-REV indeed. As far as I'm concerned, this is a serial plug-in hybrid.

See also :

1. Over 33000 buyers sign up for GM Chevrolet Volt PHEV plug-in hybrid car

(2008-10-03 00:18:20 SGT) [Energy] Permalink

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