U.S. Military Orders Less Dependence on Fossil Fuels

[piercehawkeye45]

With insurgents increasingly attacking the American fuel supply convoys that lumber across the Khyber Pass into Afghanistan, the military is pushing aggressively to develop, test and deploy renewable energy to decrease its need to transport fossil fuels.

Solar power was tested in May in Morocco. A Marine company brought some renewable energy equipment to Afghanistan.
Last week, a Marine company from California arrived in the rugged outback of Helmand Province bearing novel equipment: portable solar panels that fold up into boxes; energy-conserving lights; solar tent shields that provide shade and electricity; solar chargers for computers and communications equipment.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/05/sc...nted=1&_r=1&hp

In my opinion, this is probably the best thing that can happen for alternative energy. It all comes down to practicality and the US civilian population is not going to adopt alternative energy until it becomes practical to do so (cheaper or more convenient). If the military invests heavily in alternative energy, they will try to make it as practical as possible for them leading to innovations that will speed up the process of getting it to the civilian population.

“If the Navy comes knocking, they will build it,” Mr. Mabus said. “The price will come down and the infrastructure will be created.”

[classicman]

“If the Navy comes knocking, they will build it,” Mr. Mabus said.
“The price will GO UP EXPONENTIALLY .....”

Fixed that for ya Mr. Mabus

[glatt]

That's awesome.

[piercehawkeye45]

Originally Posted by classicman

Fixed that for ya Mr. Mabus

Unless I misinterpreted it, they are talking about the long run. The costs initially will be much higher, which is why the military is better for innovation than private companies in situations like this, but their advances will lower the cost in the long run for private companies.

[classicman]

JOKE JOKE JOKE

Sheesh - Is it the weather?

[tw]

Originally Posted by classicman

JOKE JOKE JOKE

Since so many do not understand it, maybe you could explain it.

[Shawnee123]

Originally Posted by tw

Since so many do not understand it, maybe you could explain it.

Nah. Nice thought though.

[classicman]

Gov't spending ... increased costs... $300 hammers...

C'mon even you aren't that ignorant.

[Shawnee123]

If I had a $300 hammer...I'd hammer in the morning...I'd hammer in the evening...then I'd hammer my own face in.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by piercehawkeye45

Unless I misinterpreted it, they are talking about the long run. The costs initially will be much higher, which is why the military is better for innovation than private companies in situations like this, but their advances will lower the cost in the long run for private companies.

True, look what GPS has brought us.

[tw]

Fear of innovation is a very conservative attitude. Change is evil. New is too liberal. But wrap that innovation in a defense budget, and extremist conservatives will promote it forever.

[skysidhe]

Originally Posted by tw

Fear of innovation is a very conservative attitude. Change is evil. New is too liberal. But wrap that innovation in a defense budget, and extremist conservatives will promote it forever.

Nicely said, TW!

[HungLikeJesus]

- According to the most recent issue of the "Monthly Energy Review" by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), renewable energy sources (i.e., biofuels, biomass, geothermal, hydroelectric, solar, wind) provided 11.14% of domestic U.S. energy production during the first six months of 2010 – the latest time-frame for which data has been published.

Can you guess which two renewable types provided most of that energy?

The largest single renewable energy source was biomass (including biofuels) which accounted for 50.66% of renewable energy production, followed by hydropower at 32.56%. Wind, geothermal, and solar sources provided 10.91%, 4.53%, and 1.32% of the total renewable energy output respectively.

From here.

[classicman]

Very interesting HLJ. Wow solar only 1.32%....
I guess a big part of that is because they need other types of fuel sources more than electric.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by skysidhe

Nicely said, TW!

WTF? Buy that dude a walker.