Southerly: New Zealand Biofuels, Part 1
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The point is plant biology will be the answer
I agree that biomass will once again become an important energy source. But the energy density of fossil fuels versus plants means we will be forced to reduce overall energy usage from here on in. All of the energy conservation measures and efficiency gains of the last 30 years have been more than cancelled out by growth in cosumption. Jevons paradox. Efficiency gains and conservation will now be needed to reduce overall consumption permanently.
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The point is plant biology will be the answer
I've found the next logical step for Michael's problem, we all become trees!
Back in the real world, I think Stephen has it with the balancing of supplies and needs. Biomass, efficiency, hydro, etc will all need to be integrated in order to solve the problem. The demand side is a bit more tricky; fuel poverty, local impacts, global variations in energy use, needs vs wants etc
Maybe the pellets are not perfect, but using them is better then waiting for utopia or a silver bullet.
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Popped onto Ecans website today.
2005 Study data for Christchurch only:124 Deaths from the smoke of home fires each winter (158 ttl).
$127 Million in costs as a result of these deaths each winter ($168 Mill ttl).
This is approximately 1 death a day for autum & winter.
76% of premature deaths from air pollution in Christchurch comes from home fires.
This is all people not just the over 65yrs.
http://www.hapinz.org.nz/HAPINZ%20Report%20-%201%20Sept%202005.pdf
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