The DCDC Global Strategic Trends Programme 2007-2036

A fascinating 91-page document that probably represents some of the best thinking by the global elite. Below are a few selections that might be of particular interest to Energy Bulletin readers.

An Early Environmentalist, Embracing New ‘Heresies’

Stewart Brand has become a heretic to environmentalism, a movement he helped found, but he doesn’t plan to be isolated for long. He expects that environmentalists will soon share his affection for nuclear power. They’ll lose their fear of population growth and start appreciating sprawling megacities. They’ll stop worrying about “frankenfoods” and embrace genetic engineering.

Motiva: expansion will mitigate train noise

The Sewaren terminal is a 5-million-plus-barrel refined products terminal that is strategically located to serve ethanol suppliers and consumers in the northeast region, Motiva representatives said.

"Ethanol comes from the middle of the country such as Iowa, Nebraska and Minnesota," said Murphy. "Ethanol traveling on water barges and ships were ruled out because it was coming from the heartland. Ethanol traveling through pipelines was determined not safe, so trains were deemed the most efficient way to transport the ethanol."

Ghana: Power plants to save energy crisis arrive

Government on Wednesday morning took delivery of 50 megawatts of power plants at the Kotoka International Airport as part of a first phase emergency power programme.

Life on Easy Street Coming to an End

The undeniable fact of the matter is that as the price of oil goes, so goes the cost of living.

New Daylight Saving Time not so bright an idea

"If people do maintain their daily schedules then spring and fall Daylight Saving Time extensions would probably cause a 2 to 5% drop in the evening peak load. Meanwhile, morning electricity use would grow some, but probably not enough to offset evening savings."

"The net effect is small and uncertain: A best guess of total net energy savings is on the order of half of one percent, but savings could just as well be zero. Moreover, our statistical analysis leaves us with one chance in four there could be a very small increase in electricity use."

Pipeline aimed at oil sands raises green ire

The federal government should prevent the proposed Mackenzie Valley natural gas pipeline from providing fuel for oil sands production because of global warming issues, several environmental groups argued at a regulatory hearing yesterday in Edmonton.

The amount of natural gas needed to power the oil sands could double by 2015, according the National Energy Board. The additional gas required in the oil sands is roughly the volume expected to move down the Mackenzie pipeline, a 1,200-kilometre link that would connect the Mackenzie Delta in the Northwest Territories with northern Alberta.

Pemex Reports Fourth-Quarter Loss as Sales Drop

Petroleos Mexicanos, Mexico's state- owned oil monopoly, reported a fourth-quarter loss as sales declined because of lower production.

Chavez Signs Law for Takeover of Orinoco Oilfields

Venezuela's socialist government took another big step along its sweeping nationalization path as President Hugo Chavez signed the law providing for state control of rich eastern oilfields previously in the hands of U.S., French, British and Norwegian firms.

Libya Faces Oil Rig Shortages, Calls on National Participation in Oil Services

According to Phoenicia Group, the leading U.S.-Libyan diversified business group, which is a strategic partner to key U.S. and international companies in Libya, Libya is suffering from an acute shortage of oil drilling and work over rigs, significantly delaying exploration programs of oil majors prospecting in the North African country.

Repsol in record Libya oil find

Spain's Repsol YPF said Tuesday the company had discovered its biggest oilfield ever in Libya.

The field, with reserves of 474 million barrels of oil, will double Repsol's production and reserves in Libya, Spanish national RNE Radio reported.

Experts Call for Developing Saudi Energy Sector

A Saudi oil expert yesterday called for insulating the Kingdom from oil-price fluctuations, as this would enable diversification and developing the energy sector.

Total to Continue Gas Talks with Iran If No Int'l Ban

French oil giant Total SA will continue talking with Iran on developing a gas project in the Persian Gulf unless there is an international ban on doing business with the Islamic republic, Total Chairman Thierry Desmarest said Tuesday.

Nigeria elections may spur kidnappings

Rival Nigerian politicians are arming militias in advance of April elections, in hopes of rigging the outcome and gaining control of millions in oil revenue at stake.

China aims to diversify oil sources

In recent years, China has been making aggressive efforts to diversify its sources of oil imports, in an apparent move to reduce the risk of increasing reliance on oil from the Middle East.

The New Math of Alternative Energy

Alternative energy still can't compete with fossil fuels on price. But the margins are narrowing, particularly since oil and gas prices have been rising. The math looks even more favorable if you consider the environmental cost of fossil fuels -- which most purely economic calculations don't.

US Air Force Plans to Certify All B-52s for GTL-Blend Use by End of Year; On the Ground, More Electric Vehicles

The Air Force, which in FY 2006 was the largest green power purchaser of electricity—more than 990,000 MWHrs—in the Federal Government, and 3rd largest in the United States is increasing its efforts to improve its energy efficiency and reduce fuel use.

Winter 'second warmest on record'

The UK has experienced its second warmest winter on record, with a mean temperature of 5.47C (41.8F), provisional Met Office figures show.

Stern urges China, U.S. to talk on warming

China and the United States, key to tackling the climate crisis, are both acting on global warming and must start giving each other credit for it, former World Bank chief economist Nicholas Stern said on Tuesday.

Climate pact is "no post-Kyoto answer"

John Ashton, Britain's Special Representative on Climate Change, said the six nations had little in common, making the chances of meaningful cooperation slight.

Large bioethanol project announced in Germany

A project to build a 130 million euro ($172 million) plant to produce 200,000 cubic metres of bioethanol annually was announced by three German groups on Tuesday.

The plant will consume about 600,000 tonnes of wheat annually and when operational in the first half of 2009 should provide about a third of Germany's estimated bioethanol requirements.

Renewable energy not Ohio's forte

Among states, Ohio has lagged. It currently derives less than 1 percent of its electricity from renewable sources, but that is expected to change.

"Ohio has been a sleeping giant, but it's waking up," said William Spratley, executive director of the advocacy group Green Energy Ohio.

Uranium Keeps Booming

After uranium's record price jump this week, it looks like $100 per pound will come sooner than anticipated.