Fuel Ghoul

The Big Bottled Water Problem

Any readers that were working in downtown Toronto in 1972 might still remember the day when the first water coolers debuted in their office. It was a small innovation that created a profound ‘social revolution’ in the professional landscape - water cooler gossip was born.

 
That day also marks the first time those space age clear plastic five gallon jugs were used in the commidification of public drinking water; it was possible only because of mass production, and the proliferation of injection molding technology, and the maturation of the plastic resins industry, and of course the abundance of cheap oil. But one thing above all else helped put those big jugs on the shelf - urban myths about the fallibility of the public water supply.

 

Indeed it was in the nineteen seventies when these urban myths started, around those new water coolers. ‘Town water filters through industrial parks, sewers and graveyards, before it reaches your lips.’ That was the big ‘urban myth’ that birthed an entire new subsection of the beverage industry. ‘Purified water’ was born.

 

Few people know that purified water is just tap water that has been treated to improve taste, and quality. Spring water is water that flows naturally from the earth and has been collected at the source. Mineral Water is spring water with dissolved minerals, no more than 250 parts per million, that come directly from the source.

Fuel Ghoul can remember, not too long ago, when the bottled water section at the grocery store was primarily devoted to a few gallon jugs of distilled water. Today, the bottled water is expansive; it’s a major section of the beverage aisle and enjoys the prestige of being the fastest growing, and most profitable segment of the entire beverage industry.

 
In 2006, the total sales for bottled water in North America was estimated to be around 100 billion (US) dollars annually, and what’s more disturbing is that it’s increasing at a remarkable seven percent growth rate annually. http://www.bottledwaterblues.com/

 
The large demand is driven by several factors, including perceived convenience, perceived safety versus municipal water, and perceived potability with taste advantages over municipal water. And of course packaging and advertising work to foster these perceptions - brand bottled water is very similar to branded soft drinks. Two of the largest bottled water sellers, Coca-Cola and Pepsi, use municipal water. The unprecedented demand for their products increases demand for public water, which they purchase at a substantially lower price than households are asked to pay. 1.wiki

 
Experts speculate that if the trend for bottled water consumption continues, it could lead to the privatization of municipal water supplies.

The classic urban myths are still popular today -  according to the National Water Quality Association,  56% of North Americans are worried about the quality of municipally treated tap water. This, along with the desire for better tasting drinking water, has fueled the tremendous growth of the bottled water industry.

Proponents of Bottled Water still actively perpetuate these urban myths. Look at the CBWA, the Canadian Bottled Water Association which continues to propagate the idea of unsafe tap water by addressing all the scary things that people have ‘heard’ about inside public systems.(Fuel Ghoul is loath to provide these people with ANY exposure but yet I must expose their methods) Look here how they sow the seeds of doubt.  7) I've heard of cryptosporidium and giardia being found in tap water. What are they? Cryptosporidium is a water borne parasite that lives in hooved animals and can be passed into surface water through their waste. Cryptosporidium from animal wastes have been found in rivers, streams, lakes, reservoirs, and many other types of surface water. Infection can last for months and can be fatal.

Without actually typing it, the CBWA reinforces the fallibility of municipal water.

David Suzuki was very critical of bottled water on CBC television earlier this year  when he told viewers that even when traveling, he always insists on being refreshed with municipal water, served in a glass. Mr. Suzuki informed everyone that tap water comes to us through an energy-efficient infrastructure, while bottled water is often transported long distances--and nearly one-fourth of it across national borders--by boat, train, airplane, and truck.

 
Do you feel better because you recycle those plastic water bottles?

More often than not, the empty plastic bottle is discarded in the nearest trash pail without thought by the consumer. According to the Container Recycling Institute, eighty six percent of plastic water bottles used in the United States are not recycled, and end up in public landfill sites. Incinerating these plastic bottles produces toxic byproducts such as chlorine gas and ash containing heavy metals tied to a host of human and animal health problems. On average, buried water bottles take over 1,000 years to breakdown. More than 40% of the water bottles that are recycled in North America are shipped to China for processing, so even more fossil fuel in expended in the cycle.

Social action and mass public re-education is required to break this evil health trend. Fuel Ghoul recognizes that at least three online environmentally friendly web site communities, Lime.com and Treehugger.com, and WonderCafe.ca are spreading the word to their memberships. These recruits will tell friends who are off line, or on other social networks. Working together in this manner social networks can form political constituencies and solidify positive change.

In August 2006, the United Church of Canada tabled a motion at its general council meeting to ask members to stop buying bottled water as a protest against the privatization of water supplies. Today the UCC sponsored WonderCafe.ca hosts frequent discussions on the subject.

A campaign called “Refill Not Landfill”  is urging all of us to sign a pledge to boycott water bottles for a week, a month or a year. Fuel Ghoul has discovered that this campaign was launched by Nalgene, a company that makes reusable polycarbonate bottles. It seems proceeds from the campaign go to renewable-energy projects.

 

If the anti-bottle bandwagon succeeds, it may not be long before the ubiquitous bottle of Evian or Dasani will disappear from movie star’s hands and hopefully, store shelves. But what will take its place? Probably a reusable bottle – something you can fill and refill with tap water.

 
Let’s make bottled water the next victim of our crusading environmentalism. If you are concerned about your water and wish to purchase a filter, Fuel Ghoul found this handy comparison chart.

http://www.waterfiltercomparisons.com/Water_Filter_Comparison_Matrix.cfm

 

The Business of Harvesting Wind Energy

Imagine a farm that grows nothing but pure green energy.

 
While haunting Associated Content, Fuel Ghoul was struck down by an article penned by Chrissy Coleman about the business of owing and operating a wind farm in California. Entitled ‘Eco-Friendly Windpower in Calfornia's San Gorgonio Pass’, this article takes a fresh perspective on alternative energy;  Chrissy outlines the economics of owning a wind farm, the costs, the technology, and the business in California.

Readers here in Canada will remember that Enbridge Inc. plans to start construction this summer on a major wind-power project in Bruce County (now that the Ontario Municipal Board has overruled residents fearing noise and unsightliness). In fact the Ontario Municipal board just ruled in favour of the project this week. The 182-megawatt project, one of the largest wind farms in Canada, is expected to be completed by the end of next year.

 
With that development in mind, let’s look at Windtec, nestled in the Coachella Valley just southwest of Palm Springs. Here the San Jacinto Mountains form a natural wind tunnel that powers 4,000 windmills collectively producing enough electricity on the average to power a city the size of San Francisco. Chrissy Coleman’s article interviews Jack Norie, of Windtec, who reports that electricity generated by wind turbines in the San Gorgonio Pass is sold to Southern California Edison at the rate of 6 cents per KwH.

The size of the property dictates how many windmills can be placed on the farm for maximum power and profit generating efficiency. Each windmill is spaced 4 wind blade diameters apart (~700 feet) to maximize the wind power so that each windmill does not steal wind from the next one, similar to the way a sailboat can steal wind power from a boat in front of it.

"Make no mistake about it, wind farms are a business. Once the original investment is paid off, it's pure profit," explained Norie. The cost of a modern windmill is approximately $1.5 million per turbine but the investment cost breaks even between 4-6 years of operation. The average life of a windmill is about 25 years. Once installed, the only additional cost is semi-annual maintenance to grease and wash the blades and any unanticipated repairs. He estimated Windtec's annual profit margin to be roughly between $350,00-400,000.

 
Everyday the eight plus wind farms in the valley sell electricity to the city – everyday these ‘farmers’ watch their dials and gauges and calculate their ROI. The goal of wind power generation design is aerodynamic efficiency and total cost of return. Unlike classical Dutch designs, or the Spanish versions that Don Quixote tilted, modern wind turbines have just three blades. Norie notes, ‘[that] is the best way to capture wind power." He added, "A fourth blade could be better for generation, but the cost of maintaining it exceeds the cost of investment." Fuel Ghoul finds the math fascinating.

Chrissy's article highlights the newer wind turbines that have variable pitch changing blades that rotate slightly to face upwind to maximize wind efficiency and minimize instability that places extra force on a windmill's 200-foot tower and its 80-foot implanted foundation. The anemometer, or wind speed sensor, senses adequate velocity and direction of incoming winds and will adjust the blades to maximize power generation. The first and second-generation models of stable blades were only 60% efficient on capturing wind power compared to the third and fourth generation variable pitch blade turbines, Norie said.

Other times, the wind may be too strong and the anemometer will cause the blades to slow down, or in extreme winds, to shut down completely. Too much wind can burn out a wind turbine's generator and place too much force on the tower. Over time, this can lead to repair costs.

Likewise, the choice in materials is based on return of investment. Windmill blades are made out of fiberglass because it is relatively inexpensive compared to other materials like Kevlar and Titanium that could generate more power. "A set of three blades made out of fiberglass costs ~$60,000 while a set composed of other materials can cost up to ten times as much. The profit return is just not feasible at that point," Norie explained.

 
Fuel Ghoul found Chrissy's article very revealing. He now asks, why doesn’t Ontario Hydro license independently owned wind farms in this province? ANSWER - They do. But its not something that's advertised or actively encouraged at any level... Here is Wikipedia’s list of ten wind power installations run outside of Ontario Hydro that contribute over 500 MW daily,

1. Prince Project  (Owned by Brookfield Properties).                     189 MW
2. Erie Shores - Port Burwell, (Clean Power Income Fund)                99 MW
3. Melancthon I,                                                                        67.5 MW
4. Kingsbridge - phase 1 (Owned by EPCOR)                                39.6 MW
5. Huron - Kincardine,                                                                 9.0 MW
6. Ferndale,                                                                                1.8 MW
7. Pickering                                                                                1.8 MW
8. WindShare, Toronto waterfront,                                              0.8 MW
9. Port Albert, (adjacent to Kingsbridge)                                      0.7 MW
10. Tiverton,                                                                              0.6 MW

 
Fuel Ghoul’s message to readers – if you have one hundred million dollars to spend, build a wind farm north of Toronto and sell power directly to Brampton and Barrie, two of the fastest growing cities in Canada. If readers would like to discuss this proposition, please join the discussion 'How will rising gas prices affect society?' at Wonder Cafe.ca.

Air Cars Available Soon (in India)

In the not too distant future, the biggest cities in North America will adopt a zero tolerance policy towards automobile pollution. That means that today’s top selling hybrid vehicles, the Toyota Prius, the Honda Insight and the Honda Civic Hybrid would not meet the required ‘zero emissions’ criteria, and would be banned from driving on our city streets. Only electric cars, scooters, bicycles and horses would be welcome downtown… and maybe CATS.

 
The Air Car

CATS or Compressed Air Technology vehicles are cars made to function entirely on compressed air. Tata Motors (the largest auto maker in India) has signed an agreement with Moteur Development International (MDI) of France to develop their MiniCAT and the CityCAT for the Indian sub continent’s primarily urban markets. These cars will run on air, and be very attractive economically - and almost totally pollution free. Some experts believe the cars will be on the market ‘sooner rather than later’.

 
How does it work?

As the MDI web site explains, 90m3 of compressed air is stored inside the MiniCAT in a carbon-fiber tank (to reduce its weight) at 30 MPa (4500 psi). The engine is powered by this compressed air, and has an injection system similar to normal internal combustion engines - the expansion of the air pushes the pistons and creates movement.

 
So what’s the catch?

Though the car itself uses no fossil fuels and is therefore greenhouse gas emission free at the 'tailpipe', it must be taken into account that the tanks are recharged using (typically) electric compressors and that the electricity for such compressors will usually come from power stations, which are known contributors to greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Conversion efficiencies of power stations are higher than conversion efficiencies of individual car engines, however.

 
What’s their range?

With the incorporation of bi-energy (compressed air + fuel) the CAT Vehicles have increased their driving range to close to 2000 km with zero pollution in cities and considerably reduced pollution outside urban areas

 
After fourteen years of research and development, Guy Negre of MDI has developed an engine that could become one of the biggest technological advances of this century. His application of Compressed Air Technology (CAT) in automotive vehicles offers proven economical and environmental advantages over other traditional motorcars.

 
Fuel Ghoul would like to thank a WonderCafe.ca user named Waterfall for his contribution to the ‘How will rising gas prices affect society?’ discussion.

Perfect Storm may be the Catalyst to Peak Oil.

Just in time for summer, Canadian gas prices are creeping up toward a $1.20 a liter (Ontario average) on weekends and then bumping down six to ten cents throughout the week. This translates to about $3.56 US per gallon in case anyone wants to compare Canadian and US gas prices (Eastern US is almost at $3.00 a gallon). Yes, even though Canada is oil rich, Canadians still pay more for fuel – it’s the taxes.

High gas prices affect travel plans today

Already Fuel Ghoul’s friends and neighbours are weighing their holiday decisions using new fuel price criteria – should they go to the cottage every weekend? Should they cancel their cross country RV holiday? Should they rent that diesel houseboat this year, or now perhaps the more expensive sailboat will be the cheaper option?

 
But what if the price of gas was higher?

Fuel Ghoul asks you to stop and imagine a real oil crises; what if the price of gas was $2.00 a liter? Or $3.00 a liter? What if, in the next three years, the population of planet Earth experiences the perfect geopolitical storm? Consider this all too plausible but absolutely devastating scenario that causes a crippling energy shortage and becomes a catalyst to a new age of peak oil.
 

Here’s a Peak Oil Scenario for the fall of 2007

Imagine this - In an unprecedented diplomatic show of strength, Iran’s propaganda minister demonstrates that his nation has indeed enriched uranium. Wow. Then he describes a state-of-the-art power generating plant under construction - but of course the United States and Israel launch joint air strikes and destroy the facility (inside Iran) the next day. Immediately after which militant Islamic Fundamentalists in Saudi Arabia respond and use suicide aircraft laden with explosives to cripple two of the world’s largest fuel refineries.

At the same time the entire southern continental United States is struck by a devastating tropical storm which damages oil refineries in Texas.

In the days and weeks before Christmas 2007 gasoline prices hit record highs, food prices soar as trucks cannot afford to make deliveries, and Americans (and Canadians) begin to realize that they now live in the Age of Peak Oil - and things will never be the same.

The shocking truth is that while that this scenario seems mildly fantastic, the same results might be effected by the rising fuel prices strangling economic growth today.

An excellent discussion on Wonder Café.ca has united the membership on this subject and many fascinating insights and remarks can be viewed here.

Toronto's Messy Mulberry Sidewalks.

Mulberry trees make messy sidewalks in this city, and the purple paths underneath their fruitful boughs epitomize everything that’s wrong with urban society today.

 
Mulberry (Morus) is a genus of deciduous trees native to North America, but found all over the world (the leaves of the white mulberry tree are the sole source of food for silkworms). Many residential lawns in Toronto host black mulberry trees, which thrive in our climate. So why do we completely ignore this wholesome fruit?

 
The Life of a Mulberry Tree

Mulberry trees grow fast when they’re young, but after a few years the growth slows – the adult tree rarely exceeds twelve meters in height. Mulberries can be grown from seed, which is advised as seedling-grown trees often have a better shape and are healthier. The trees take about eight years to mature.

 
Mulberries are delicious

The fruit is almost two centimeters long, dark purple to black, edible, with a sweet flavour. In pioneer times these berries were a wholesome addition to pies, tarts, jams and jellies, wines and cordials. The fruit of the black mulberry has the strongest flavour. Each adult tree can produce a massive amount of fruit – one Mulberry tree will produce an equivalent to an acre of strawberries and three acres of raspberries.

Mulberries are good for you

The mature berry contains significant amounts of resveratrol. David Sinclair of the Harvard Medical School, and cofounder of Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, has found that resveratrol increases the activity of a protein called SIRT1. Resveratrol increases the lifespan of mice, and there’s hope that it could do the same for humans.

 
An unfortunate pollen problem

Some North American cities have banned mulberry trees altogether because of the massive amounts of pollen they produce. One report made in El Paso Texas describes pollen counts above 1,500 – and that’s potentially dangerous to some people. According to El Paso's local botanists, mulberry trees can produce between 395 to 10,205 spores per day - nearly four times higher than the city’s second most prolific tree, the juniper or cedar. El Paso’s City Council banned planting new mulberry trees in 1992 because they'd received so darn many complaints.

 
The Mulberry Mystery

The unripe fruit and green parts of the plant have a white sap that’s said to be intoxicating and mildly hallucinogenic. According to Peterson’s Field Guide for Medicinal Plants, 1990, Native Americans made medicine from the roots and used Mulberry sap to treat ringworm. Mulberry wood makes excellent fence posts - the wood doesn’t easily decay in the ground. This mysterious plant still has many secrets to share – its composition is radically different than every other species of tree in North America.

 
Why no mulberries on the market?

Fuel Ghoul has attended strawberry socials, and pear harvest parties and they’re both a lot of fun. I’ve paid over six bucks a quart for raspberries, and more than five dollars a pint for blackcaps (black raspberries) and quite often this fruit is imported from California. Black cherries are imported from the Okanogan Valley in British Columbia sell for over three bucks a kilogram in downtown Toronto fruit markets. So why are there no mulberries for sale? This fruit is just as tasty as those top selling summer classics, and its grown right here in the city.

 
A Mulberry Festival could make millions

Why don’t we plan annual social events around the mulberry harvest? Any street in Toronto, with mulberry trees planted along its sidewalks and a crew of students well paid to harvest each summer’s bounty, could host a million dollar Mulberry Festival each July. Imagine meeting friends on Mulberry Street to eat a slice of mulberry pie adorned with mulberry flavoured ice cream and smothered in sweet black mulberry sauce. The occasion could produce mass tourism dollars, and build community. Such events often become world famous in a short amount of time. Even more attractive is the idea of living closer to nature; a mulberry festival would help develop an urban food source for everyone’s benefit. Instead of walking across purple sidewalks and bemoaning the presence of this ‘nuisance fruit’ in our neighbourhood, we should embrace the mulberry tree and all its delicious mysteries.

 

Negative remarks heard after church

Negative comments heard after church. Why must people be negative in this place? Fuel Ghoul found a wonderful discussion spawned by religious service providers on WonderCafe.ca

Fuel Ghoul appreciates the elderly woman's complaints about the men being able to see the legs of the young girls in the choir. Those robes are meant to cover you from head to toe.

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