Blackouts

[tw]

Originally posted by Griff
How do they extrapolate temperature from an ice core?

There are numerous methods. Some involve concentrations of iostopes which change with temperature. Others include the depth of ice layers in different years. These are also duplicated in tree samples. Not just they growth of the rings, but also in the isotopes relationships found in many elements in the wood.

Interestingly is a benchmark for locating contaminated samples. Any CFCs indicates contaimination.

[adamzion]

Originally posted by Dagnabit
As far as energy consumption goes, I don't mind being a guzzler. The only sin is not producing more than you consume in this world, and I produce a hell of a lot and I consume a hell of a lot too, and I'm damn proud of it.

Oh... so you <b>produce</b> as much energy as you proudly claim to guzzle? How, pray tell, do you do produce said energy? Do you spend all day running on a treadmill which is connected to a generator? Perhaps you have a windmill strapped to the roof of your car? Perhaps solar panels strapped to your hat?

Inquiring minds, etc.,
Z

[Dagnabit]

One need not produce the same items that one consumes, so long as one's marketplace has the capacity for exchange.

[adamzion]

Originally posted by Dagnabit
One need not produce the same items that one consumes, so long as one's marketplace has the capacity for exchange.

But therein lies the rub: as we are beginning to see in CA, the marketplace does <b>not</b> necessarily have the capacity for exchanging energy for that consumed by power-guzzling Americans.

Are CA's problems, in large part, due to a system where consumer prices were controlled, but where wholesale prices were not? Yes, in large part. But if Californians had not consumed in the vast levels they did- both in industry and residential settings- then it's very likely that the power crisis would not be as deep as it is.

It's all on us, whether we like it or not.

And we don't,
Z

[tw]

Originally posted by adamzion

But therein lies the rub: as we are beginning to see in CA, the marketplace does <b>not</b> necessarily have the capacity for exchanging energy for that consumed by power-guzzling Americans.

Are CA's problems, in large part, due to a system where consumer prices were controlled, but where wholesale prices were not? Yes, in large part. But if Californians had not consumed in the vast levels they did- both in industry and residential settings- then it's very likely that the power crisis would not be as deep as it is. ...

In many ways, this is a public opinion not based upon the facts. CA has plenty of generation capacity to meet their normal demands. Utilities take down large amounts of electrical generator during Spring and Fall for maintenance and still have sufficient power generation abilities. Should unusual weather arrive, power companies fall back on alternative out-of-state suppliers using futures contracts. But the MBA mentalities that run CA's power companies co-opted to block access to future's markets. IOW power generator top management had so little understanding of their industry that they let laws take away an important market tool. This is what happens when your top management does not come from where the work gets done.

CA encountered extraordinary cold, then extraordinary hot weather. Too many generators were off-line for maintenance. Therefore CA was forced, by myopic laws, into the spot markets where prices skyrocketed. Plenty of power was available, but CA utilities did not purchase the futures necessary to buy that power. Others purchased those futures contracts are extra low prices. Then when unexpected demand occured, CA had no backup supply options - ergo super high prices.

As noted earlier, the latest blackouts were not from a shortage of power generation. It was from MBAs playing their cash flow games. They did not pay their bills, so many independent power provides just shutdown electric production until those bills were paid. Again, people who don't come from where the work gets done created another problem. MBAs love to float cash just a few weeks longer in some misguided cost control mentality.

Then there is a misinformed public - who thinks CA did not build enough capacity. They had the capacity. They just were hogtied by laws that their own MBA management went along with. If CA power companies had top managment that came from where the work gets done, then they would not have these MBA created problems they have today. CA's energy problems are all about money games and market restrictions. There were plenty of power generators - but to purchase that power at decent prices, one must sign future's contracts with those providers so that those providers are paid to keep available capacity on-line. CA laws did not do that because CA power company top management was so myopic on how free markets work - they were MBAs who simply created problems with their money games and with no understanding of the details of their business.

Previously listed was the background of Pacific Gas and Electric. Those facts remains unchallenged. Their BoD had almost noone who comes from where the work gets done. They had a BoD as myopic as Apple did when it too almost went belly up. 85% of all problems are directly traceable to top management. Power generation was available had they simply signed those futures contracts.