The hydrogen economy has received increasing attention recently. Common reasons cited for investi... more The hydrogen economy has received increasing attention recently. Common reasons cited for investigating hydrogen energy options are improved energy security, reduced environmental impacts, and its contribution to a transition to sustainable energy sources. In anticipation of these benefits, national and local initiatives have been launched in the United States, creating pilot “roadmaps” and technology partnerships to explore hydrogen economy platforms. Although hydrogen can provide several positive improvements over a carbon- or uranium-based energy system, several problems are also likely. As well, competitive technologies (e.g., hybrid vehicles) may offer comparatively greater economic and/or environmental advantages. Before policies to advance a hydrogen energy economy proceed, it is vital that all aspects of hydrogen be compared with other available alternatives. Important questions to ask in this regard are whether a hydrogen economy can fulfill key energy needs and whether the...
Bulletin of Science, Technology & Society, 2005
Jacques Ellul argued that modernity's nearly exclusive reliance on science and technology to ... more Jacques Ellul argued that modernity's nearly exclusive reliance on science and technology to design society would threaten hunan freedom. Of particular concern for Ellul was the prospect of the technical milieu overwhelming culture. The commodification of the Volta River in order to modernize Ghana illustrates the Ellulian dilemma of the autonomy of technique. Displacing a commons way of life, the Volta River Project has imposed an energy commodity regime and a technocratic management scheme to rule the basin, which now includes modern aluminum manufacturing. But after 50 years of modernization, there is little evidence of poverty alleviation or an advance of freedom.
Nature is reacting to the activities of modern society in unique and largely unexpected ways. The... more Nature is reacting to the activities of modern society in unique and largely unexpected ways. The spread of acidified rain to every continent, a worldwide decline of forested lands, and the ubiquitous presence of persistent organic pollutants due to industrial experiments in biochemistry suggest that the contemporary naturesociety relation includes phenomena unlike any that were previously known in human, or geological, history. These reactions are surprising since human impacts on nature have traditionally been ascribed a minor role in determining the course of ecological change. While humanity has long discarded its wastes in nature, the “predominant view in the natural sciences was that life on Earth is primarily passive, responding to nonliving forces like volcanic eruptions, severe storms, droughts, and even drifting continents” (Schneider, 1990: 6).
Despite recent oil price reductions, analysts see potential for another energy crisis by the earl... more Despite recent oil price reductions, analysts see potential for another energy crisis by the early 1990s, unless corrective action is taken soon. The United States' energy dependence has increased: we now rely on imports for as much as 70 percent of our needs. Meanwhile, capital markets and institutions worldwide have still not fully adjusted to the consequences of scarce and expensive energy. The experience of the early 1970s taught us that an energy crisis requires vigorous planning and significant policy changes. This volume in the Energy Policy Studies series examines the planning challenge that the possibility of a new energy crisis brings and explores what experience has taught us about our ability to plan for such changes. The articles included cut across various levels of analysis, from local and regional to national and international, and contributors employ a number of analytical and disciplinary perspectives. Above all, they present energy planning as deeply interconnected with vitually all other kinds of planning, from economic and environmental to urban and transportation. The volume focuses on four principal issues: planning for energy conservation, planning for the utility sector and its implications; environmental and land-use factors in energy use and development, and the energy implications of urban and regional planning. Among the topics addressed are: world energy demand, electric power planning in the Third World, political and ethical issues in nuclear waste disposal, coal development on public land, impact of coal policies in Great Britain, the influence of changing oil prices on urban structure, community energy planning, and general requirements for energy planning. "Planning for Changing Energy Conditions "is another important volume in the Energy Policy Studies series.
The atmosphere is being transformed from a commons, where it is available for all in perpetuity, ... more The atmosphere is being transformed from a commons, where it is available for all in perpetuity, to a commodity whose usefulness for storing waste is to be allocated and traded among nations. Three groups are playing major roles in the debate over this transformation: science, business, and governments. Their participation in and impact on these global negotiations to govern the sky is examined in an effort to explain the emerging consensus in favour of an atmospheric commodity system. An alternative approach relying on principles of social equity and ecological sustainability is then proposed as a means to reclaim our atmospheric commons. Environmental non-government organizations commonly emphasize principles such as those in our proposal. Some members of the scientific, business and governmental communities have also voiced support for a new policy direction. Our arguments are intended to support efforts in these sectors to conceive an alternative policy paradigm. Because our cri...
Proceedings of 1994 IEEE 1st World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion - WCPEC (A Joint Conference of PVSC, PVSEC and PSEC)
This paper discusses the incorporation of PV as a demand-side management (DSM) tool. The valuatio... more This paper discusses the incorporation of PV as a demand-side management (DSM) tool. The valuation of the benefits provided by PV in a DSM role indicates that it is much closer to commercial viability than was thought from economic analyses focusing exclusively on this technology as a supply-side option. However, in order to realize PV's potential, this technology must be deployed in high-value DSM applications; in particular, applications that promise dispatchable peak-shaving capability. Our analysis of the performance of a prototype system installed by Delmarva Power, indicates that small-scale, commercial customer-sited DSM systems incorporating this technology are approaching competitive cost levels
Community-based corrections (CBC) is advocated as a solution to many of the problems of contempor... more Community-based corrections (CBC) is advocated as a solution to many of the problems of contemporary American corrections. Its smallscale, treatment-oriented approach, emphasis on employment and adjustment programs, and stress on greater accessibility are cited increasingly as reforms needed by a system now dominated by overcrowded and highly expensive prisons. Yet, the implementation of CBC programs has been slow and very often little actual reform is evident. This paper offers an explanation for the failure of CBC initiatives using Delaware's experience as a case in point. The domination of American correctional thinking by an ideology of incarceration and the stable-state requirements of prisons are identified as the crucial factors shaping the fate of CBC. Copyright 1982 by The Policy Studies Organization.
Federal and state policies do not apply the same logic and expectations to conservation as to oth... more Federal and state policies do not apply the same logic and expectations to conservation as to other energy resources. The authors see an inadequate conventional understanding of conservation and an erroneous relationship between deregulation and conservation. They suggest that (1) fuel prices are a poor predictor of energy conservation; (2) energy conservation to date does not represent a structural adaptation towards greater efficiency; and (3) assumptions about the consequences of deregulation are based upon an inaccurate understanding of the circumstances that have historically shaped the political economy of energy. They propose a transition to an energy-efficient society that requires a change in the criteria used for evaluating energy options and a recognition of conservation as a real addition to future supplies. 16 references, 4 tables.
The hydrogen economy has received increasing attention recently. Common reasons cited for investi... more The hydrogen economy has received increasing attention recently. Common reasons cited for investigating hydrogen energy options are improved energy security, reduced environmental impacts, and its contribution to a transition to sustainable energy sources. In anticipation of these benefits, national and local initiatives have been launched in the United States, creating pilot “roadmaps” and technology partnerships to explore hydrogen economy platforms. Although hydrogen can provide several positive improvements over a carbon- or uranium-based energy system, several problems are also likely. As well, competitive technologies (e.g., hybrid vehicles) may offer comparatively greater economic and/or environmental advantages. Before policies to advance a hydrogen energy economy proceed, it is vital that all aspects of hydrogen be compared with other available alternatives. Important questions to ask in this regard are whether a hydrogen economy can fulfill key energy needs and whether the...
Bulletin of Science, Technology & Society, 2005
Jacques Ellul argued that modernity's nearly exclusive reliance on science and technology to ... more Jacques Ellul argued that modernity's nearly exclusive reliance on science and technology to design society would threaten hunan freedom. Of particular concern for Ellul was the prospect of the technical milieu overwhelming culture. The commodification of the Volta River in order to modernize Ghana illustrates the Ellulian dilemma of the autonomy of technique. Displacing a commons way of life, the Volta River Project has imposed an energy commodity regime and a technocratic management scheme to rule the basin, which now includes modern aluminum manufacturing. But after 50 years of modernization, there is little evidence of poverty alleviation or an advance of freedom.
Nature is reacting to the activities of modern society in unique and largely unexpected ways. The... more Nature is reacting to the activities of modern society in unique and largely unexpected ways. The spread of acidified rain to every continent, a worldwide decline of forested lands, and the ubiquitous presence of persistent organic pollutants due to industrial experiments in biochemistry suggest that the contemporary naturesociety relation includes phenomena unlike any that were previously known in human, or geological, history. These reactions are surprising since human impacts on nature have traditionally been ascribed a minor role in determining the course of ecological change. While humanity has long discarded its wastes in nature, the “predominant view in the natural sciences was that life on Earth is primarily passive, responding to nonliving forces like volcanic eruptions, severe storms, droughts, and even drifting continents” (Schneider, 1990: 6).
Despite recent oil price reductions, analysts see potential for another energy crisis by the earl... more Despite recent oil price reductions, analysts see potential for another energy crisis by the early 1990s, unless corrective action is taken soon. The United States' energy dependence has increased: we now rely on imports for as much as 70 percent of our needs. Meanwhile, capital markets and institutions worldwide have still not fully adjusted to the consequences of scarce and expensive energy. The experience of the early 1970s taught us that an energy crisis requires vigorous planning and significant policy changes. This volume in the Energy Policy Studies series examines the planning challenge that the possibility of a new energy crisis brings and explores what experience has taught us about our ability to plan for such changes. The articles included cut across various levels of analysis, from local and regional to national and international, and contributors employ a number of analytical and disciplinary perspectives. Above all, they present energy planning as deeply interconnected with vitually all other kinds of planning, from economic and environmental to urban and transportation. The volume focuses on four principal issues: planning for energy conservation, planning for the utility sector and its implications; environmental and land-use factors in energy use and development, and the energy implications of urban and regional planning. Among the topics addressed are: world energy demand, electric power planning in the Third World, political and ethical issues in nuclear waste disposal, coal development on public land, impact of coal policies in Great Britain, the influence of changing oil prices on urban structure, community energy planning, and general requirements for energy planning. "Planning for Changing Energy Conditions "is another important volume in the Energy Policy Studies series.
The atmosphere is being transformed from a commons, where it is available for all in perpetuity, ... more The atmosphere is being transformed from a commons, where it is available for all in perpetuity, to a commodity whose usefulness for storing waste is to be allocated and traded among nations. Three groups are playing major roles in the debate over this transformation: science, business, and governments. Their participation in and impact on these global negotiations to govern the sky is examined in an effort to explain the emerging consensus in favour of an atmospheric commodity system. An alternative approach relying on principles of social equity and ecological sustainability is then proposed as a means to reclaim our atmospheric commons. Environmental non-government organizations commonly emphasize principles such as those in our proposal. Some members of the scientific, business and governmental communities have also voiced support for a new policy direction. Our arguments are intended to support efforts in these sectors to conceive an alternative policy paradigm. Because our cri...
Proceedings of 1994 IEEE 1st World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion - WCPEC (A Joint Conference of PVSC, PVSEC and PSEC)
This paper discusses the incorporation of PV as a demand-side management (DSM) tool. The valuatio... more This paper discusses the incorporation of PV as a demand-side management (DSM) tool. The valuation of the benefits provided by PV in a DSM role indicates that it is much closer to commercial viability than was thought from economic analyses focusing exclusively on this technology as a supply-side option. However, in order to realize PV's potential, this technology must be deployed in high-value DSM applications; in particular, applications that promise dispatchable peak-shaving capability. Our analysis of the performance of a prototype system installed by Delmarva Power, indicates that small-scale, commercial customer-sited DSM systems incorporating this technology are approaching competitive cost levels
Community-based corrections (CBC) is advocated as a solution to many of the problems of contempor... more Community-based corrections (CBC) is advocated as a solution to many of the problems of contemporary American corrections. Its smallscale, treatment-oriented approach, emphasis on employment and adjustment programs, and stress on greater accessibility are cited increasingly as reforms needed by a system now dominated by overcrowded and highly expensive prisons. Yet, the implementation of CBC programs has been slow and very often little actual reform is evident. This paper offers an explanation for the failure of CBC initiatives using Delaware's experience as a case in point. The domination of American correctional thinking by an ideology of incarceration and the stable-state requirements of prisons are identified as the crucial factors shaping the fate of CBC. Copyright 1982 by The Policy Studies Organization.
Federal and state policies do not apply the same logic and expectations to conservation as to oth... more Federal and state policies do not apply the same logic and expectations to conservation as to other energy resources. The authors see an inadequate conventional understanding of conservation and an erroneous relationship between deregulation and conservation. They suggest that (1) fuel prices are a poor predictor of energy conservation; (2) energy conservation to date does not represent a structural adaptation towards greater efficiency; and (3) assumptions about the consequences of deregulation are based upon an inaccurate understanding of the circumstances that have historically shaped the political economy of energy. They propose a transition to an energy-efficient society that requires a change in the criteria used for evaluating energy options and a recognition of conservation as a real addition to future supplies. 16 references, 4 tables.
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Papers by John Byrne