[ausev] ROI on sustainable technologies

[Erik]

Actually, the energy saving rebates (renewables I can't remember as well but
perhaps are too) are economically justified. AE has a 100+ page report on
the cost of infrastructure and building new power plants to support growth.
These are HUGE capex projects and the present value of not beefing up the
infrastructure to support higher power through the lines and paying for
power plants is something you can calculate, and they did.

The author of Natural Capitalism argues that the value of energy produced by
solar is far greater than just the several cents per kilowatt, because that
analysis assumes the infrastructure is free. As soon as you must also pay
for the infrastructure, the value of local energy production is greater.

Sorry to bring this further off topic. I looked quickly and couldn't find
the report to check my memory about the above, so my apologies if I'm off
but I believe that's right.

Erik

On 8/12/08, Rob H <rob at zehicle.com> wrote:
>
> Joby,
>
> I don't agree with you, but I want to thank you for bringing up your
> views.  I'm struggling with a related question about ROI vs doing the right
> thing.  If we're going to make positive changes then the first movers need
> to give up on economic justifications.  The problem is that creates a huge
> participation barrier.
>
> I love my conversion and benefit from not buying gas, but I'll never be
> able to show a positive ROI.  I'd like to have many more people driving
> converted EVs but I am reluctant to encourage them if they only talk about
> saving gas.  However, the more people who convert cars the more quickly
> we'll have non-custom options.
>
> I'm stilling puzzling over this and will post it back to here (and my
> blogs) when I've got it crisped up.
>
> Rob
> RAVolt.com
>
> On Tue, Aug 12, 2008 at 6:09 AM, Joby Wieser <sleeper02_14_06 at yahoo.com>wrote:
>
>>   I want to first apologize to any of you that my comments may offend.
>>
>>
>>
>> I read today's digest with great amusement.   All of us make ROI calculations in everything we do.  But some people place value on intangible and in my opinion silly things like "Global
>>  Warming".    I bought an electric pickup because I know I know the payments and electricity and batteries will cost less than what I am spending on gas for my ¾ ton truck.  If Michael wants to spend his money on PV panels because it makes him feel good then that is a personal ROI judgment he can make for himself.
>>
>>
>>
>>  I do object to these tax payer funded schemes to help pay for them like the City of Austin is
>>  doing.  Or the State mandating a certain percentage of power be generated by "renewables"    The only sure thing this does is raise the true cost of energy and reduce our competitiveness in the world economy.   The government has no business picking winners and losers in any market, it is arrogant and foolish to think a senator or bureaucrat knows what is best.  Each person acting in his own self interest (how ever he defines it) making purchasing and selling decisions freely is the way to prosperity.
>>
>>
>>
>> Joby
>>  Wieser
>>
>> Fredericksburg, TX
>>
>>
>>
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>>
>>
>
>
> --
> Rob
> ____________
> Rob Hirschfeld
>
>
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