The Robot Report

  • Research
  • Technologies
    • Batteries / Power Supplies
    • Cameras / Imaging / Vision
    • Controllers
    • Grippers / End Effectors
    • Microprocessors / SoCs
    • Motion Control
    • Sensors / Sensing Systems
    • Soft Robotics
    • Software / Simulation
  • Development
    • A.I. / Cognition
    • Human Robot Interaction / Haptics
    • Mobility / Navigation
  • Robots
    • AGVs
    • AMRs
    • Consumer
    • Collaborative Robots
    • Drones
    • Exoskeletons
    • Self-Driving Vehicles
    • Unmanned Maritime Systems
  • Markets
    • Agriculture
    • Defense / Security
    • Healthcare
    • Logistics
    • Manufacturing
    • Mining
  • Investments
  • Resources
    • COVID-19
    • Digital Issues
    • Publications
      • Collaborative Robotics Trends
      • Robotics Business Review
    • RBR50
    • Search Robotics Database
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • Events
    • RoboBusiness Direct
    • Robotics Summit & Expo
    • Healthcare Robotics Engineering Forum
    • DeviceTalks
    • R&D 100
  • Podcast

Green Energy Myths

By Steve Meyer | May 23, 2010

The “green revolution” continues to be marked with dis-information.  A lot of the promise of so the called “green” technology is cost reduction, emissions reduction, energy independence or green jobs.  So far, the path has been marked with poor results.

Switching light bulbs from incandescent to fluorescent is supposed to be a great way to reduce electrical costs at home.  I, for one, switched every light in my home two years ago and I can’t see any improvement in my monthly bills.  The only benefit so far, is that I haven’t changed out a light bulb in two years.  I can’t even find any decrease in the cost of heating during the winter, when the waste heat from the lighting in the house would normally have some effect.

Another aspect of cost reduction is return on investment.  Solar cells and horizontal wind turbines have payback periods that are as long as the equipment life expectancy.  Most utility companies with alternative energy portfolios are forecasting the cost of electricity to increase in the near future.  Certainly not what was promised.

The myth of energy independence is based on the energy equivalence of electrical watts and a barrel of oil.  While you can calculate how many watts of electricity are contained in a barrel of oil, there are no alternative energy technologies that displace oil imports.  This is because almost no foreign oil is used in the production of electricity.  Energy independence will only come from more efficient cars, using electric and hybrid cars, and refining crude oil from domestic sources.

US lawmakers are attempting to make emissions “taxable” through a tax and credit policy that is complicated and obscure.  So reducing emissions is supposed to be accelerated through this new category of tax.  But many industry analysts have commented that the new policies will add cost.  (No, I haven’t read the legislation)

And regarding job creation, well, close reading of the American Wind Energy Association’s report shows that a lot of the job numbers are inflated.  In this report employees that install insulation are “green jobs” that are counted in the report.  Also, parts of the appliance manufacturing industry’s employment are counted since some portion of the business is focused on “energy efficient” products.  No specifics are provided with these reports.

There is certainly some job growth currently, but it’s nothing like the claims.  There are jobs being created because the installation of wind and solar systems requires trained people to do this work.  But on the manufacturing side many of the  components are still coming from other countries.  China, for example, is leading the market for solar cell costs.

So far, on any basis that you can evaluate the “Green Revolution”, we’re not seeing any major successes.  That’s what happens when politicians take charge of technology.  This is all stuff that can be addressed in the free market that used to be the was the US did business.

About The Author

Steve Meyer

Tell Us What You Think! Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related Articles Read More >

SUNY Adirondack to launch new program in mechatronics
Eplan Data Portal migrates to Azure
Transcript: How mechatronics is taking additive manufacturing to the next level
Is there a need for closed loop feedback greater than 20,000 CPR?

Robotics Year in Review

The Robot Report Listing Database

Latest Robotics News

Robot Report Podcast

Teradyne’s acquisition strategy & the future of cobot

The Robot Report Podcast · Teradyne's acquisition strategy & the future of cobots

Sponsored Content

  • Doosan Robotics: Driving Innovation and Growth in Cobots
  • FORT Robotics Podcast: FORT Robotics on how to keep humans safe and in control of robots
  • Pallet Detection Systems Help Automated Forklifts Modernize Warehouse Operations
  • IES Servo Control Gripper
  • How to cut the cost of manufacturing

Tweets by RoboticTips

The Robot Report
  • Collaborative Robotics Trends
  • Field Robotics Forum
  • Healthcare Robotics Engineering Forum
  • RoboBusiness Event
  • Robotics Business Review
  • Robotics Summit & Expo
  • About The Robot Report
  • Subscribe
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2021 WTWH Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media. Site Map | Privacy Policy | RSS

Search The Robot Report

  • Research
  • Technologies
    • Batteries / Power Supplies
    • Cameras / Imaging / Vision
    • Controllers
    • Grippers / End Effectors
    • Microprocessors / SoCs
    • Motion Control
    • Sensors / Sensing Systems
    • Soft Robotics
    • Software / Simulation
  • Development
    • A.I. / Cognition
    • Human Robot Interaction / Haptics
    • Mobility / Navigation
  • Robots
    • AGVs
    • AMRs
    • Consumer
    • Collaborative Robots
    • Drones
    • Exoskeletons
    • Self-Driving Vehicles
    • Unmanned Maritime Systems
  • Markets
    • Agriculture
    • Defense / Security
    • Healthcare
    • Logistics
    • Manufacturing
    • Mining
  • Investments
  • Resources
    • COVID-19
    • Digital Issues
    • Publications
      • Collaborative Robotics Trends
      • Robotics Business Review
    • RBR50
    • Search Robotics Database
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • Events
    • RoboBusiness Direct
    • Robotics Summit & Expo
    • Healthcare Robotics Engineering Forum
    • DeviceTalks
    • R&D 100
  • Podcast