Over the past years I have been in search of universal religious truths. I have looked at ancient faiths, ancient rituals, and ancient myths and compared them to those of modern religions, even comparing modern religions across the board in search of universal truths. I believe that these truths are the secret to human spirituality, and the tie that binds man to his fellow man. Despite the religious wars, the cursing and damnation of "other religions", and the general chaos of the multitude of organized religion, there is an astounding revelation: We are all the same.
There is one fundamental truth in particular that binds men together, across all religions and all time. Prayer works. Whether you call it prayer, meditation, or simply positive thought there is an energy associated with that action that is crucial to our great awareness of the truth.
A thought is biologically a collection of electrochemical neuron firings, actual measurable energy. All objects that exist are composed of energy. At the atomic and subatomic level all things that exist are protons, neutrons, and electrons buzzing around reacting with one another. Just as we do not actually "touch" the chair in which we are sitting (we float above it repelled by the resistance between the EM forces of us and it), our thoughts and prayers need only exist to create a potential for force on an outside object. The power of thought and prayer can move mountains - it is the understanding of HOW that mountain is going to be moved that is the trick.
An object at rest will remain at rest until acted upon by an outside force - Newton's first law. If thought is a measurable energy, it has the potential to provide the force required to move the object. Am I talking about levitating mountains with our mind? Not exactly - but in an infinite universe, that which can be imagined can be realized.
The existence of a positive thought, a prayer, or a positive meditation has the potential to be the force required to set the reality of the thought into motion. The science of the self, the science of the soul... it is the universal truth known to few in history, taught time and again only to have it lost in translation. The realization of the human potential is the reason why we are here and to understand the potential we posses in our simple ability to focus thought, prayer, or meditation is key to that realization.
Consider this truth when you gather with your families this coming weekend. The focus of positive energy can change lives... it can move mountains. Meditate on the positive, spread the message of joy and love amongst your family members. Consider that your positive energy and positive work is being used to put down the negatives we are faced with... be it our own hardships or national and world crises. The power of a smile, a laugh, or to love is a power that attracts the energy of the soul.
How can you change your life in a way to incorporate positive thought into all you do? How can you better your life by improving that of those around you?
Happy Thanksgiving, readers. Remember that when the ridiculous that has become our reality seems too much, check your bearings and ask yourself if you are focused on the negative and contributing to the collective negative energy, or if you are looking for the positive and contributing to the collective positive energy... it is the classic battle of good versus evil... the soul realizes potential with positive thought and is mired with the negative.
Bless you all as we move into the Holy Season... whatever your faith or disposition.
Showing posts with label power. Show all posts
Showing posts with label power. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Nuclear Saudi Arabia?
The IAEA and Saudi Arabia are moving forward with approving civilian nuclear power plants in the Kingdom. This plan outlines Saudi Arabia's plans for oil needs in the future, suggesting that they will be nuclear for all internal energy needs, and use oil strictly as an export.The increased needs for power around the world are showing a resurgence of pro-nuclear supporters worldwide - often without consideration of waste or weaponizing.
Iran, for instance, is building their first nuclear power plant, but are researching nuclear weapons in parallel, with the voiced purpose of annihilating Israel.
Can Saudi Arabia, a country whose population vehemently hates Western influence (a majority of the attackers on 9/11 were from the Kingdom), move forward with a peaceful nuclear program - or are we left to wonder if a weapons program will also be in the future for the Arab peninsula?
What is more disturbing is that the United States supports the nuclearization of the Arabian Kingdom. On one hand we pressure Iran to cease nuclear ambitions for fear that it would drive further nuclear development in the greater middle east, while on the other hand we are supporting (and most likely sharing technology) the Saudi nuclear ambition. The following map shows the status of all countries around the world regarding their nuclear ambitions:
The problem that the United States is failing to recognize is that the spread of nuclear technology is the forbidden fruit. Once you get the taste, it is natural progression to push the limits - with weapons. Don't believe me? Consider India, Pakistan, Iran, and North Korea.
Can the world move forward in a nuclear future of peace? Or does this latest spread of nuclear technology suggest another wrong turn for safety worldwide?
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Energy Independence - Science Fact or Science Fiction?
Sitting through a lecture last week on the increase cost of oil, and listening to the blame on China's demand, increased US demand, and the inability to produce more due to Big Energy's inability to explore or tap more wells... I was struck by a comment from the Oil Company Spokesman: "Energy Independence is unattainable and illogical".
Not a shocking comment coming from one of the largest Natural Gas and Oil companies in the greater Rocky Mountain area.
And when further pressed with a question: "If you were king for a day, what would it take to achieve energy independence?"
The response was, of course "Energy Independence is a nonsense concept, so I don't accept the premise of the question". In fact, he stated that the best course of action was inaction... do nothing and the problem fixes itself!
So I asked myself... Is Energy Independence Science-Fact or Science-Fiction?
Let's first explore the energy consumption and production in the US.
The US consumed roughly 3.35 TW of power in 2004... that is 3.35x10^12 Watts. That is a little more than 1/5th of the worlds entire energy consumption. That consumption can be further broken down into four sub categories: Residential, Commercial, Industrial, and Transportation uses.
Those uses, across the board, can be broken down into the source of the energy.
Fossil Fuels make up about 80% of our total consumption... That is Coal, Petroleum, and Natural Gas. A recent study, shown in a new commercial advertisement, states that the US has enough petroleum and natural gas to run 60 million cars and heat 100 million homes for 60 years... So what happens on the 61st year? This does not sound like a problem fixing itself! It sounds like assured chaos! (but I digress... for now)
Transportation, in it's current form, does not seem to able or willing to part ways with petroleum. We currently import 30% of our petrol from outside the US. This is the main focus of our Energy Independence... how can we reduce consumption of petroleum? Fuel cell technology is a great place to start. Alternative combustibles is another great avenue to explore.
What about home heating and electricity costs? We have huge Natural gas reserves in the US, but we also import large amounts of NG from Canada. Most homes in the South Denver area are heated by gas... and I can assume that the same is true across most of the Midwest where the gas is readily available and easily distributed. (Sorry for all you folks on the west coast... you get your hydro-electric and coal based energy). 21% of all energy consumption goes into housing... and from a source that is being advertised as being 100% used up within 60 years.
I began looking into a plan that would help build an infrastructure for the future energy needs of Americans... and there is always one constant: The sun.
The sun can be the solution to all our energy needs here in the US. Let me explain.
Photovoltaics, also known as Solar Power, is becoming so advanced that the space sector (of which I am a part of) is beginning to use solar arrays with energy absorption efficiencies breaking the 40% range. The use of Triple Junction Gallium Arsenide arrays has set a new standard for the level of efficiencies, and this standard is being flown into the public market. For a reasonable priced solar array available to the public, we can assume a panel with the efficiency of 22% - 25%. As well, solar panels have a working life on the order of 30 years.
The argument is often made that solar power stations are inefficient because of their small energy output for the amount of land required to build a power generating facility. In fact, large power companies have created these large solar farms in areas like the Mojave Desert, where the sun is always shining and the impact seen by the public is often minimal (not seen because, honestly, who goes to the Mojave?).
But I would argue that the infrastructure for the smartest, widest reaching, and privately owned power grid is already in existence... There is no need for massive solar farms hidden away in the desert. It is the roof top of every homeowner in the United States... especially those in "Sunshine Regions".
Using existing rooftops is the only zero impact to the environment. Using rooftops will allow the homeowner to generate his/her own power, and sell the rest back to the power grid. It will be a truly free market of energy trade.
The question is often brought up about the ability for homes to run completely on solar... In 2006, the average household consumption was 10,656 kWh. Based on the chart below, over half of the United States is blessed with an average daily solar energy exposure of 5.0 kWh per metere squared or more. 95% of the country (excluding Alaska) has exposure of 4.0 kWh or more.
With the efficiencies discussed above (23% efficiency), and assuming the availability of 5.0 kWh of daily exposure, and the energy consumption of 10656 kWh per year of the average household, we can crunch some numbers to determine that each rooftop would need 273.25 square feet of panels to accommodate their consumption entirely. This, of course, does not take into account power conversion or storage.
Power storage is also currently inefficient. The advancement in fuel cells and batteries is also making this future power source a fact over fiction. However, current technology requires a 10% power loss in transferring from DC power (collected) to AC power (used by the appliances in the house), and any unused power sent to the batteries would see additional loss due to inefficiency in power transfer and storage.
273 square feet of solar panels, per roof, as a minimum... If we expand that to 500 square feet to account for power loss and less than peak power days (clouds), we can replace our current coal and gas system for a purely solar power supply.
Utopian, sure... unrealistic, not at all!
Excess power sources can then be transferred to fill the need for transportation. Remember, all we need to do is to supplement 30% of the transportation energy requirements to eliminate the need to import oil from our enemies. If we offered a retrofit to vehicles, replacing their combustion engines with an electric motor and battery storage (assuming we can make an electric motor with similar vehicular performance properties), we could eliminate our need for oil on a large scale.
Keep the power plants running, sending out electricity, and use that electricity to provide overnight charges for our vehicles, or quick charge stations (instead of gas stations).
The fact of the matter is that Energy Independence is not a scientific absurdity. It is achievable, and imminent. The ability for our way of life to continue is in jeopardy, should we "stay the course" for 60 more years without planning a smart infrastructure built around "free" energy.
We need outside of the box ideas from our political leaders. We need an education of the masses on the inevitability of the need for alternative energy sources. We need to stop the "stay the course" mentality being pushed by the big oil and big energy companies.
Of course Solar is one leg in the stool of future energy... and I am focusing on solar because it is the best option to put the "power" of power in the hands of the individual. Imagine being able to share or trade power with your neighbors... perhaps in exchange for giving your tools back :) It is free market trade at it's best.
The closing point is that Energy Independence is achievable. With the right decisions made, the right resources made available, and the right education, the US is a prime candidate for reaching the unreachable. This has the potential to be a classic case!
Not a shocking comment coming from one of the largest Natural Gas and Oil companies in the greater Rocky Mountain area.
And when further pressed with a question: "If you were king for a day, what would it take to achieve energy independence?"
The response was, of course "Energy Independence is a nonsense concept, so I don't accept the premise of the question". In fact, he stated that the best course of action was inaction... do nothing and the problem fixes itself!
So I asked myself... Is Energy Independence Science-Fact or Science-Fiction?
Let's first explore the energy consumption and production in the US.The US consumed roughly 3.35 TW of power in 2004... that is 3.35x10^12 Watts. That is a little more than 1/5th of the worlds entire energy consumption. That consumption can be further broken down into four sub categories: Residential, Commercial, Industrial, and Transportation uses.
Those uses, across the board, can be broken down into the source of the energy.
Fossil Fuels make up about 80% of our total consumption... That is Coal, Petroleum, and Natural Gas. A recent study, shown in a new commercial advertisement, states that the US has enough petroleum and natural gas to run 60 million cars and heat 100 million homes for 60 years... So what happens on the 61st year? This does not sound like a problem fixing itself! It sounds like assured chaos! (but I digress... for now)
Transportation, in it's current form, does not seem to able or willing to part ways with petroleum. We currently import 30% of our petrol from outside the US. This is the main focus of our Energy Independence... how can we reduce consumption of petroleum? Fuel cell technology is a great place to start. Alternative combustibles is another great avenue to explore.
What about home heating and electricity costs? We have huge Natural gas reserves in the US, but we also import large amounts of NG from Canada. Most homes in the South Denver area are heated by gas... and I can assume that the same is true across most of the Midwest where the gas is readily available and easily distributed. (Sorry for all you folks on the west coast... you get your hydro-electric and coal based energy). 21% of all energy consumption goes into housing... and from a source that is being advertised as being 100% used up within 60 years.
I began looking into a plan that would help build an infrastructure for the future energy needs of Americans... and there is always one constant: The sun.
The sun can be the solution to all our energy needs here in the US. Let me explain.
Photovoltaics, also known as Solar Power, is becoming so advanced that the space sector (of which I am a part of) is beginning to use solar arrays with energy absorption efficiencies breaking the 40% range. The use of Triple Junction Gallium Arsenide arrays has set a new standard for the level of efficiencies, and this standard is being flown into the public market. For a reasonable priced solar array available to the public, we can assume a panel with the efficiency of 22% - 25%. As well, solar panels have a working life on the order of 30 years.
The argument is often made that solar power stations are inefficient because of their small energy output for the amount of land required to build a power generating facility. In fact, large power companies have created these large solar farms in areas like the Mojave Desert, where the sun is always shining and the impact seen by the public is often minimal (not seen because, honestly, who goes to the Mojave?).But I would argue that the infrastructure for the smartest, widest reaching, and privately owned power grid is already in existence... There is no need for massive solar farms hidden away in the desert. It is the roof top of every homeowner in the United States... especially those in "Sunshine Regions".
Using existing rooftops is the only zero impact to the environment. Using rooftops will allow the homeowner to generate his/her own power, and sell the rest back to the power grid. It will be a truly free market of energy trade.The question is often brought up about the ability for homes to run completely on solar... In 2006, the average household consumption was 10,656 kWh. Based on the chart below, over half of the United States is blessed with an average daily solar energy exposure of 5.0 kWh per metere squared or more. 95% of the country (excluding Alaska) has exposure of 4.0 kWh or more.
With the efficiencies discussed above (23% efficiency), and assuming the availability of 5.0 kWh of daily exposure, and the energy consumption of 10656 kWh per year of the average household, we can crunch some numbers to determine that each rooftop would need 273.25 square feet of panels to accommodate their consumption entirely. This, of course, does not take into account power conversion or storage.Power storage is also currently inefficient. The advancement in fuel cells and batteries is also making this future power source a fact over fiction. However, current technology requires a 10% power loss in transferring from DC power (collected) to AC power (used by the appliances in the house), and any unused power sent to the batteries would see additional loss due to inefficiency in power transfer and storage.
273 square feet of solar panels, per roof, as a minimum... If we expand that to 500 square feet to account for power loss and less than peak power days (clouds), we can replace our current coal and gas system for a purely solar power supply.
Utopian, sure... unrealistic, not at all!
Excess power sources can then be transferred to fill the need for transportation. Remember, all we need to do is to supplement 30% of the transportation energy requirements to eliminate the need to import oil from our enemies. If we offered a retrofit to vehicles, replacing their combustion engines with an electric motor and battery storage (assuming we can make an electric motor with similar vehicular performance properties), we could eliminate our need for oil on a large scale.
Keep the power plants running, sending out electricity, and use that electricity to provide overnight charges for our vehicles, or quick charge stations (instead of gas stations).
The fact of the matter is that Energy Independence is not a scientific absurdity. It is achievable, and imminent. The ability for our way of life to continue is in jeopardy, should we "stay the course" for 60 more years without planning a smart infrastructure built around "free" energy.
We need outside of the box ideas from our political leaders. We need an education of the masses on the inevitability of the need for alternative energy sources. We need to stop the "stay the course" mentality being pushed by the big oil and big energy companies.
Of course Solar is one leg in the stool of future energy... and I am focusing on solar because it is the best option to put the "power" of power in the hands of the individual. Imagine being able to share or trade power with your neighbors... perhaps in exchange for giving your tools back :) It is free market trade at it's best.
The closing point is that Energy Independence is achievable. With the right decisions made, the right resources made available, and the right education, the US is a prime candidate for reaching the unreachable. This has the potential to be a classic case!
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