The alternative-energy industry, which enjoyed a boost when oil prices skyrocketed, is seeing its fortunes change. Per-barrel oil prices have halved since July, lessening consumer demand for alternatives. And the credit crunch sure isn't helping, as long-term funding is harder to come by for wind, solar, electric vehicles, cellulosic biofuel, and their ilk. Renewable-energy stocks around the world have dropped some 45 percent in the past three months, according to consultancy New Energy Finance. Some companies are calling off initial public offerings because of poor market conditions; others have no choice but to step them up as bank loans become more elusive. Competition for private funding will likely become increasingly cutthroat among technologies that are not yet viable on the large scale. Analysts expect consolidation around the bend. Laments one venture capitalist, "Declining oil prices can give us an artificial and temporary sense that reducing oil consumption and energy consumption is an issue we can put off."
source: The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post
see also, in Gristmill: Economic downturn and falling oil push green off the priority list, yet again
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Delay And Deny Posted 10:57 am
20 Oct 2008
There already exists the infrastructure to create enough hydrogen for 110 million fuel cell vehicles.
This is because hydrogen is currently added to gasoline to boost performance.
We only need to make the last mile and bring it to the pump to fuel cell vehicles like the Honda FCX clarity and fuel cell version of the Volt.
We can solve human-based CO2 emissions almost tomorrow -- by switching to hydrogen on the last mile and creating hydrogen on the first mile with wind and solar.
Evil Greedy Greens, who really hope to impose their taxes on the middle class -- not solve the problem -- will be furious...because hydrogen is the natural solution!
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stinkycheese Posted 11:28 pm
20 Oct 2008
Does anyone have any idea what this means? And how is hydrogen viable economically when we have only the Honda FCX and BMW 7-series "available"?
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