Hey, they seem to get "it" - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Botnst · #31 02-13-2006, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vronsky

From what I've read, the US is actually far ahead in alternative fuels compared to other nations. Seems the end of cheap oil & the free market principle is sparking new business.

That's as it should be in a free market system.

#32 02-13-2006, 08:41 AM

Only 9 million people? Doesn't just the city of Atlanta have 12 million or was that NYC?

mikemover · #33 02-13-2006, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by intelligent

Only 9 million people? Doesn't just the city of Atlanta have 12 million or was that NYC?

Atlanta has 4.5 million. NYC is much bigger, although I don't know the exact number.

But most of the concepts and technologies they are using are quite scalable....

With the exception of solar power. I'm still not sold on the idea, beyond simple systems such as a solar water heater for the home, solar exterior lighting for buildings, etc.

Solar-cell technology is still far too inefficient and space-wasting to be widely used in our electrical grid, etc. We'd have to cover THOUSANDS of square miles in solar panels.... something that most environmentalists would not be too happy about, eh?

Mike

mikemover · #34 02-13-2006, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

That's as it should be in a free market system.

Yep.

Mike

mikemover · #35 02-13-2006, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vronsky

From what I've read, the US is actually far ahead in alternative fuels compared to other nations.

Really? Surprising. Especially considering how unpopular diesel-engined cars are here, compared to Europe, Australia, and elsewhere....

I've seen little evidence of it, other than a few local enthusiasts who are into old MBs and VWs, like myself.

If you tell the average person in the US that you can run a diesel engine on waste cooking oil, they look at you like you have 7 eyes! Then they say, "Your car is a diesel?...Why?...I didn't know they still made those...."

Mike

#36 02-13-2006, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikemover

Atlanta has 4.5 million. NYC is much bigger, although I don't know the exact number.

But most of the concepts and technologies they are using are quite scalable....

With the exception of solar power. I'm still not sold on the idea, beyond simple systems such as a solar water heater for the home, solar exterior lighting for buildings, etc.

Solar-cell technology is still far too inefficient and space-wasting to be widely used in our electrical grid, etc. We'd have to cover THOUSANDS of square miles in solar panels.... something that most environmentalists would not be too happy about, eh?

Mike

Everyone should have a diesel generator at home that should run on BioDiesel IMO

#37 02-13-2006, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikemover

Really? Surprising. Especially considering how unpopular diesel-engined cars are here, compared to Europe, Australia, and elsewhere....

I've seen little evidence of it, other than a few local enthusiasts who are into old MBs and VWs, like myself.

If you tell the average person in the US that you can run a diesel engine on waste cooking oil, they look at you like you have 7 eyes! Then they say, "Your car is a diesel?...Why?...I didn't know they still made those...."

Mike

That's happend to me lots of times! LOL People think only trucks are diesel these days.

Vronsky · #38 02-13-2006, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikemover

Really? Surprising. Especially considering how unpopular diesel-engined cars are here, compared to Europe, Australia, and elsewhere....

I've seen little evidence of it, other than a few local enthusiasts who are into old MBs and VWs, like myself.

If you tell the average person in the US that you can run a diesel engine on waste cooking oil, they look at you like you have 7 eyes! Then they say, "Your car is a diesel?...Why?...I didn't know they still made those...."

Mike

Recently saw a TV programme the other day about a HUGE windmill park in Texas. Seen many examples of solar and hydrogen power aswell: over here we can only come up with revamping nuclear energy. A great solution since Europe has no uranium resources at all....

Diesel, BTW, seems to be the future over here: those TDI engines are terrific, not only great economy but awesome POWER aswell. At the next 24h of Le Mans, the Audi's will be diesel engined...., go figure

mikemover · #39 02-13-2006, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by intelligent

Everyone should have a diesel generator at home that should run on BioDiesel IMO

I'm working on it....

Mike

mikemover · #40 02-13-2006, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vronsky

Recently saw a TV programme the other day about a HUGE windmill park in Texas. Seen many examples of solar and hydrogen power aswell: over here we can only come up with revamping nuclear energy. A great solution since Europe has no uranium resources at all....

Diesel, BTW, seems to be the future over here: those TDI engines are terrific, not only great economy but awesome POWER aswell. At the next 24h of Le Mans, the Audi's will be diesel engined...., go figure

I'm a fan of nuclear power... It gives the biggest bang for the buck (pun intended.

)... Seriously, I do think it is a great solution for generating electricity... But I also see your point... If your nation has no native sources of uranium, then it might not be a good option for you.

Regarding diesel/biodiesel... Hopefully the ridiculous (and stubbornly tenacious) anti-diesel sentiments here in the US will die off quickly... You guys (Europeans) are definitely one-up on us when it comes to realizing the advantages of diesel-engined transportation.

Mike

#41 02-13-2006, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikemover

I'm working on it....

Mike

AWESOME!! YOU HAVE GOT TO KEEP ME/US POSTED ON THAT!!!

DieselAddict · #42 02-13-2006, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vronsky

Recently saw a TV programme the other day about a HUGE windmill park in Texas. Seen many examples of solar and hydrogen power aswell: over here we can only come up with revamping nuclear energy. A great solution since Europe has no uranium resources at all....

Diesel, BTW, seems to be the future over here: those TDI engines are terrific, not only great economy but awesome POWER aswell. At the next 24h of Le Mans, the Audi's will be diesel engined...., go figure

Actually from what I read Germany has the most windmills of all countries. In the US you can see some too but probably not as many. Where do we use hydrogen power?

Unless you mean hydro-electric... As far as biofuels are concerned, I have the impression that Europe is way ahead of us. Over here biodiesel is still rather a niche fuel, whereas in Europe it's pretty common. Maybe in Holland there's not much else going on as far as alternative energy is concerned, but Sweden really seems way ahead of everyone else, including the US, and I too wish they succeed in their goals.

Vronsky · #43 02-14-2006, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieselAddict

Actually from what I read Germany has the most windmills of all countries. In the US you can see some too but probably not as many. Where do we use hydrogen power?

Unless you mean hydro-electric... As far as biofuels are concerned, I have the impression that Europe is way ahead of us. Over here biodiesel is still rather a niche fuel, whereas in Europe it's pretty common. Maybe in Holland there's not much else going on as far as alternative energy is concerned, but Sweden really seems way ahead of everyone else, including the US, and I too wish they succeed in their goals.

Situation differs per country, and indeed in Germany you'll find the most initiatives (mostly government subsidized). Biofuel in Europe as a whole at present counts for a poor 2-3%..

Holland has this huge natural gas reserve so that doesn't necessitate development of new energies much. And because it's so densely populated here, windmills aren't appreciated either, although there are quite a few around. We don't have the climate for solar energy. Seems the only effective 'incentive' for real changes here is that oil prices need to go up even further.