Recent Technologies to Aid in Energy and Food Crises Breakthroughs
Computer to Microprocessors
1947 ENIAC at Penn, Eckert/Mauchly, Transistor at Bell Labs Bardeen, Brittain, Shockley
1952 Univac election, Remington Rand census order, Watson Sr/Jr computer
1956 McClean containerization, IKE Interstates, 1957 Boeing Trippe jet transport
1959 Robert Noyce Fairchild, Jack Kilby TI, integrated circuit
1962 IBM introduces IBM 360 line transistors, circuit boards, mainframes, 7 dwarfs
1965 Moore’s law, 1968 Intel, 1971 Hoff microprocessor on chip
Personal Computers, Telecommunications, Networks
1968 ARPANET, MCI, 1984 Lerner Bosack Cisco, 1984 AT&T, IBM suits settled, 7 Baby Bells
1975 Altair 8800, PopularMechanics, Gates Microsoft BASIC, Altos, Xerox PARC
1977 Jobs Wozniac Apple Computer
1980 IBM PC, Bus, Intel OS DR or MS 1982 Machine of Year
Internet and Information Technology (IT) Applied
1995 Andresson Netscape, Berners-Lee www
Telcom for worldwide scope of info flow, small computers for sensors
1990’s globalization result of moving manufacturing worldwide, low transport, good IT
2000’s service jobs join factories in globalization via telecom crash of 2001
Amazon e-commerce, Google search
Milestones in Information Technology Applications and Energy
1970’s futures trading of oil
1990’s Enron rise and abuses
1995 Internet network interactivity and relation to development of smart electric grid
1995 Factory globalization via Internet controls, containerization
2000 Gene sequencing for human genome, biometrics rise
2000’s Service job globalization
2000’s extensive computer controls in autos
Food breakthroughs to extend genetics, hybrids, green revolution mostly in future
Near Term Food IT Applications
Drip irrigation and scientific irrigation timing, quantity by crop, climate
Water improvement and reuse, measures, standards, desalination/energy cost, purity
Combination of information conclusions, sensors, control meters
Reduction of energy inputs: fuel, fertilizer, pesticide, harvest time identification
Future Biotechnology Food Potentials
Correlation of genes and seed traits, faster, cheaper food adaptation
Artificial protein, health and other nutrients to avoid plant to meat cost such as synthetic crab, bacon bits
Ultimately artificial photosynthesis to create biofuel or food without tradeoffs and conflicts
Electric grid like Internet and telephone systems
Storage of electricity like server, disk drive, batteries weak link with high cost, limits, heavy
Smart meters for electric grid and IT productivity, info avail, two way transmission
Electric grid like Internet, not gas stations, transportation-electricity
Distribution for plug in hybrid in place with home electric outlets
Overnight charging for plug-ins at time when grid is at <50% capacity operation
Electricity Storage Complexity and Development
Efficiency of new chemistry for electric storage: petrochemical, disk storage scale analogy
Lead acid, nickel hydride, lithium ion in 10 years, what next advances?
Just in time electricity: same route, two way, hybrid engines, hydro pump to reservoir for balanced electric generation
Essential near term technology breakthroughs
Development of cost competitive cellulosic biofuel
Outlet for electricity in transportation accepted by mass market
Breakthrough battery technology to raise storage capacities
Cost and technology breakthrough of thin film photovoltaic like Nanosolar
Symbiotic algae or other carbon use of coal plant such as GreenFuel or CarbonSciences
Biotech breakthrough for both new food traits, biofuels such as seed traits and Monsanto
Extrapolation of progress to date
Dramatic expansion of wind technology, mainly in Plains US, Europe
Gigantic thermal solar installations in SF US and world deserts
Integration of IT venture capital funded entrepreneur advances to smart grid growth
Energy reform as driver for food help in rich countries
Education, self initiative with micro credit as catalyst for food solutions in poor countries
Individual based contributions to solutions
IT as base for justification of life changes on home, work, commute, travel, leisure
Conservation everywhere in saving on public, community, household, individual
Basic change of values relating to time, money, community, trust, entitlements
Populace seriousness, understanding, contribution to policy formulation & implementation
Public policies to support
Carbon tax, cap and trade, petroleum floor price options
Basic research, commercial application, infrastructure building funding sources
Who pays: taxes, use, tariff, borrowing, tie to financial crisis
Extent of government specific credits, incentives, mandates
Timing of dealing with energy economic and global warming issues