Ripu Malhotra, Author of “A Cubic Mile of Oil”
Hosted by Richard Laine
Location: 1303 EECS
Time: 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Abstract:
Energy is at the root of many global challenges such as climate change, food production, clean water, and geo-political tensions, but discussions of this important subject are hampered by the fact that different sources of energy are described in different units making it difficult to compare relative contributions. I find the use of a simple visualizable unit, a cubic mile of oil (cmo) as the metric for comparing all energy sources extremely helpful. Use of cmo evokes a visceral response and dispenses with mind-numbing multipliers like billions, and trillions or unfamiliar quantities like Watts and Btus.
The world currently uses 4 cmo of energy, and by 2050 the demand for energy is expected to increase to over 6 cmo. Electricity consumption is expected to more than double by then, and this demand cannot be met through measures promoting conservation and improving energy efficiency alone, nor as I will show, can renewable sources like wind and solar fulfill this need. Nuclear power can deliver the requisite energy but getting the public to embrace nuclear power is a herculean task. People are concerned over plant safety, long-term storage of spent fuel, and nuclear proliferation. I will discuss these concerns and our general fear of radiation. I will also discuss the newer nuclear designs that are walk-away safe, use accumulated spent fuel, as well as nuclear materials in weapons—a modern-day version of beating swords into plowshares.
Biography:
Ripudaman Malhotra is a retired organic chemist, and during his career at SRI International he specialized on energy-related issues. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles and several technical monographs. In 2010 he co-authored “A Cubic Mile of Oil: The Looming Energy Crisis and Options for Averting It,” The book is a citizen’s guide to energy and to call for an informed public debate on energy, arguably the biggest challenge we face. In 2005 he was named an SRI Fellow; the highest award SRI bestows on its employees for excellence in research. In 2015 he received the Storch Award from the American Chemical Society’s Division of Energy and Fuels, and in 2018 he was named a Fellow of the American Chemical Society