August 26, 2009

If folks thought this recession has been a doozy, they may want to consider the one that could hit in a decade as the demand for oil permanently exceeds production.

The International Energy Agency says in a report that the 800 biggest fields around the world that comprise three-quarters of all reserves have already hit peak. Moreover, the pace of the decline in production is about twice that of what it was in 2007. That means that the so-called peak oil theory whereby global oil demand meets declining production is 10 years away, all according to the agency's chief economist Fatih Birol.

August 24, 2009

Americans have been given a respite from the constant dribble of bad news. And so have the country's entrepreneurs. As the nation's gross domestic product is stabilizing, investment in start-ups is considerably picking up.

It's due in part to more optimism about what the future holds. It's also because of the massive government stimulus plan passed early this year. That package was enacted to not just to stop the bleeding of the country's collective wealth but also to spawn the next-generation of technologies and jobs, specifically those centered on green energy and innovation. And according to the president's men and women, it is working.

August 21, 2009

When it comes to a smarter grid, utilities have been learning that success is about more than just technology. It's about people -- people inside the utility and people outside.

That is, in order for a project to succeed, it is important to have all of the internal departments on the same page and working together. These include administration, operations, engineering, IT and customer service. Similarly, understanding and cooperation are vital with external entities, such as municipalities, legislatures, regulators and consumer groups.

Below are a few letters received at EnergyBiz Insider on topics that appeared in the past few weeks. They capture the essence of how many readers say they feel.

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August 17, 2009

As the country wends its way out of the dark recession, more pressure will be put on utilities and other businesses to invest anew in environmentally friendly technologies. While such a cause is admirable, it will still be slow in coming.

Credit markets, of course, have been tight since the downturn officially began in December 2007. During such times, the natural inclination is to hunker down, preserve cash and wait. That survival technique, though, comes at a cost. And in this case, it's taken not just a toll on jobs but also on environmental spending. Companies, in effect, feel less immediate pressure to invest in carbon-free technologies.