Fluorescent Efficiency

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Dimmable versions of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) allow adjustment of lighting levels to meet user requirements and increase occupant comfort. CFLs produce about 4 times as much light as an incandescent lamp of the same wattage and can last ten times longer. Dimmable CFLs can save additional energy. The use of dimmable CFLs is increasing due to improved product availability and reliability. The color rendition of many models is similar to an incandescent lamp.

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Led lighting saves electricity.

The lighting efficiency of the new high power led light bulbs is more than eight times that of incandescent lights, and twice as high as compact fluorescent lights. Led bulbs also emit a much higher percentage of light in the desired direction. This makes them even more efficient compared to either incandescent or fluorescent for task lighting, desk lamps, reading lights, spotlights, flood lights, and track lighting.

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LEDs have several advantages over conventional incandescent lamps. For one thing, they don’t have a filament that will burn out, so they last much longer. Additionally, their small plastic bulb makes them a lot more durable. They also fit more easily into modern electronic circuits.

But the main advantage is efficiency. In conventional incandescent bulbs, the light-production process involves generating a lot of heat (the filament must be warmed). This is completely wasted energy, unless you’re using the lamp as a heater, because a huge portion of the available electricity isn’t going toward producing visible light. LEDs generate very little heat, relatively speaking. A much higher percentage of the electrical power is going directly to generating light, which cuts down on the electricity demands considerably.

Up until recently, LEDs were too expensive to use for most lighting applications because they’re built around advanced semiconductor material. The price of semiconductor devices has plummeted over the past decade, however, making LEDs a more cost-effective lighting option for a wide range of situations. While they may be more expensive than incandescent lights up front, their lower cost in the long run can make them a better buy. In the future, they will play an even bigger role in the world of technology.

The Specific Benefits of LED Light
Energy efficiency – The light bulbs burn very cool, while incandescent bulbs emit 98 percent of their energy as heat! Much more bang for the buck.

Gas Prices

Gas prices have recently dropped with our slowing economy. At roughly $1.70 a gallon, it has been a minor relief for our pocket books. Yet OPEC recently cut production, which will cause prices to rise in the near term.

OPEC’s price targets will matter less as production itself becomes challenged, no matter how much they want to produce.

Yields Are Still Declining

The world’s mature oil fields that produce most of the world’s oil face production declines, with the prime fields showing a declining yield. Although oil exploration has been a priority, new infrastructure will be a long time coming before it can reach more recent finds like the Tupi field off Brazil’s coast.

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Biofuel Conversion

When it comes to biofuels, the current economic crisis should be the siren song to the most plausible and profitable bio-matter available for manufacturing.

Unfortunately, the most common bio-matter tends to be corn-based or sugarcane-based. Though plentiful, these fuels will not be able to sustain a large portion of the fuel market for a variety of reasons.

We will examine the pros and cons of such biofuel sources as corn, sugar, cellulose, cooking oil, and algae; and of such processes as gasification and bioengineering.

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Palm Trees

We have been asked on several occasions to follow up on our previous discussion about using palm oil for biofuel, as a sustainable alternative energy resource. We didn’t like it then, and we don’t much like it now. So without further ado, here is a second perspective on palm oil as a biofuel.

What is Palm Oil?

Palm oil is an edible plant oil derived from the fruit of the Arecaceae Elaeis oil palm. It is the world’s second most widely produced vegetable oil, after soybean oil. Apart from consumption, it has also found a new use as a biofuel, a greener alternative to energy sources.

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