Document Text Content
October 22, 2012
The most important energy developments of 2012: how countries are planning for Independence Day
First, a few updates:
� It looks like sub-2.5% global GDP growth is showing up in the weak outlook provided by some bell-weather cyclical
companies that reported so far (AMD, APD, BHI, CAT, ETFC, GE, GOOG, IBM, MCD, MSFT, PH). We’re about to see
how resilient an equity market is when one of its key selling points is how expensive bonds are. The recent pick-up in
leading indicators suggests that earnings expectations may stabilize early in the new year.
� September US retail sales were strong and US housing data continue to improve, although as noted last week, the degree of
housing’s contribution to growth remains the big question. There will be economic headwinds next year even if the fiscal
cliff is negotiated down. See October 9 th EoTM for the full Monty on the fiscal cliff mechanics.
� We modeled the President’s tax proposals on various demographics of high net worth taxpayers 1 . The results: increases in
effective tax rates (as % of adjusted gross income) from 4% to 12%, depending on income, investible assets, stock-bond
ownership, state of domicile, etc. It’s unlikely to be enacted as scripted unless there’s a Democratic sweep, but its contours
probably indicate where HNW taxation is eventually heading. We don’t have enough info to analyze Romney’s tax plan in
comparable detail. On the latter, the Tax Policy Center released a study indicating that capping itemized deductions at $25k
for all taxpayers only offsets 32% of the estimated revenue loss from a 20% reduction in income tax rates.
� Production, capital spending and export data from China show improvement from the weak pace over the summer, although
details reveal a continued decline in manufacturing growth offset by rising gov’t infrastructure spending. China ran a 600
billion RMB budget surplus through September, and targets an 800 bn RMB budget deficit this year. I wouldn’t argue that
all that gov’t spending is going to have a huge productivity benefit, but it should keep things moving. Chinese earnings
growth and business climate surveys remain weak, an unsurprising consequence of excess industrial capacity.
� In Europe, financial markets continue to rally in the Periphery. Five -year Spanish credit spreads have fallen below 3%
from over 6% last July, and without the ECB firing a single shot (e.g. buying any bonds). The economic data is still bad (a
collapse in auto sales similar to 2009), but now it’s just “run-of-the-mill” terrible instead of “look-out-for-that-bank/countryit’s-about-to-default”
terrible. What is impossible to assess: the ability of Southern Europe to withstand rising social and
political pressures of massive unemployment. Also: watch out for France, where there is a large, growing economic gap vs.
Germany, and where its President is resisting German demands for centralized budgetary supervision.
Our annual energy discussion with Vaclav
Every year, I sit down with Vaclav Smil from the University of Manitoba to discuss “the year in energy”. Vaclav is one of the
world’s foremost experts on energy issues, and has written over 30 books and 300 papers on the subject. In this note, we walk
through what Vaclav identified as the 5 notable energy developments of 2012 2 : energy independence initiatives in the US,
Europe and Japan; geopolitical implications of rising Chinese oil demand; and another rough year for the electric car.
The political backdrop in the Middle East, European concerns about natural gas dependence on Russia, and lingering concerns
about nuclear power after Fukushima are factors driving countries to seek greater energy independence. In the US, prospects for
energy independence rely mostly on domestically produced oil and natural gas, while in Europe and Japan, they rely on rising
renewable energy targets. What’s remarkable is the official sector confidence in Germany and Japan that the transition cost to
renewables will be manageable. One indicative data point: the cost of building connections between offshore wind farms and
the electricity grid (excluding the cost of the wind turbine itself) can be greater than the cost of building an entire brand new
natural gas plant. As always, a renewable energy discussion involves facts, figures, emotion and a large dose of the unknown.
The outcome will have important consequences for growth, the cost and availability of electricity and the global balance of
payments. These developments argue for greater growth and productivity potential in the US, although energy costs are just one
part of the larger economic and profits equation. Even among US manufacturing companies, energy generally represents only
5% of total expenses, and is dwarfed by labor costs.
Michael Cembalest
J.P. Morgan Asset Management
1 Proposed changes affecting U.S. high net worth taxpayers: increased tax rates on ordinary income, dividends and realized capital gains;
increased Medicare taxes on earned and unearned income; rising limitations on itemized deductions (state & local taxes, mortgage interest
and charitable deductions); partial inclusion of municipal income, 401k contributions and employer-paid health benefits in taxable income.
2 Other items we could have discussed: continued growth of global hydropower, politics around the Keystone XL pipeline, the apparent end
of Exxon’s collaboration with Craig Venter to develop fuels from genetically modified algae, and the EU’s decision to deemphasize cropbased
biofuels due to concerns about greater carbon emissions than the diesel they replace, and high food prices.
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October 22, 2012
The most important energy developments of 2012: how countries are planning for Independence Day
I: What might US energy independence look like?
Rising crude oil production in Texas and North Dakota has contributed to a reversal of the long-term US production decline.
The latest data (June 2012) show North Dakota now ahead of Alaska’s North Slope.
Crude oil production by region
Total US crude oil production
Million barrels crude oil production per day
Million barrels crude oil production per day
2.5
9.5
2.0
1.5
Alaska
Texas
8.5
7.5
1.0
6.5
0.5
Federal Offshore
Gulf of Mexico
North Dakota
0.0
1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010
Source: US Energy Information Administration.
5.5
4.5
1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010
Source: US Energy Information Administration.
The growth in US domestic production is notable, but on its own insufficient to result in energy independence since the US still
imports ~9 mm bpd of oil. But when combined with other factors affecting demand and supply, the concept of energy
independence comes into view over the next couple of decades. What is “energy independence”? After some adjustments
(and I may be underestimating some of them), US net imports could fall to 4-5 mm bpd, a level which can be met by imports
from countries with historically reliable economic and political linkages to the US (everything is relative). The point is not that
reduced US crude imports will lower oil prices; countries like China with growing oil needs may offset that. What matters
here are the economic and geopolitical benefits from (a) not having to design military and foreign policy objectives based
on energy security to the degree the US has over the last 30 years 3 , and (b) being able to reap the growth, employment
and current account benefits of domestically sourced-oil and natural gas.
What US energy independence might look like
US net crude oil imports, million barrels per day
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Net
Imports
Net
Imports
2012 2025
Projection
Oil imported for refined product exports
Displaced by Natural Gas Vehicles
Reduced consumption: CAFE standards
and Auto Replacement Cycle
Net increase in domestic production
Source: US Energy Information Administration, JPMAM.
Col/Brazil
Mexico
Canada
Current US
imports
For a review of the assumptions in this chart, see page 3; otherwise, skip to page 4.
3 See “Addicted to Oil: Strategic Implications of American Oil Policy” from the Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army. The piece
outlines 4 pillars to U.S. national interests: defense of the homeland, promotion of U.S. democratic values, creation of a favorable world
order, and enhancement of the nation’s economic well-being. According to the authors, each has been negatively impacted by US demand
for foreign oil. They believe that U.S. foreign policies that support repressive oil states are diametrically opposed to American values, and
reversed the 20 th century trend of the U.S. fighting against totalitarianism and in favor of liberty, and in turn caused the U.S. to lose the “war
for ideas” that is critical to wining the “war on terror”.
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The most important energy developments of 2012: how countries are planning for Independence Day
Some detail on the components of increased US energy independence:
Net increase in domestic production: we have modeled an increase of 1.8 mm bpd. For context, the 2012 Energy Information
Administration (EIA) outlook has a variety of crude oil production scenarios for 2025 ranging from no increase to an increase
of 2.8 mm bpd (the “technically recoverable resource” case). Any production increase from current levels is expected to come
from “tight oil”, extracted from formations such as Bakken and Eagle Ford, and the Permian Basin. While conventional crude
production volumes in the Gulf may rise, these are expected by the EIA to offset declines elsewhere (Alaska). The EIA’s
optimism is matched by a June 2012 paper from Leonardo Maugeri at Harvard’s Kennedy School, which projects a US crude
oil increase of 2.6 mm bpd by 2020. An illustrative quote 4 :
“The shale/tight oil boom in the United States is not a temporary bubble, but the most important revolution in the
oil sector in decades. It will probably trigger worldwide emulation over the next decades that might bear surprising results
- given the fact that most shale/tight oil resources in the world are still unknown and untapped.… Thanks to the
technological revolution brought about by the combined use of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, the US is now
exploiting its huge and virtually untouched shale and tight oil fields, whose production – although still in its infancy – is
already skyrocketing in North Dakota and Texas.”
Regarding the Bakken shale, Maugeri’s estimate of 300 billion barrels of oil in place are exceeded by larger mean estimates
from USGS geochemist Leigh Price and Continental Resources.
Reduced consumption due to higher CAFE standards and
the automobile replacement cycle: this is a topic that
generates a lot of debate and technical discussion about
driving patterns, but this much is clear: CAFE standards
and the ongoing replacement of older cars will improve the
fuel efficiency of the future fleet. The Union for Concerned
Scientists has estimated the benefit of CAFE at 3 million
barrels of oil per day by 2030, while the Administration’s
estimate is 2.2 million by 2025. The average 11-year age of
US cars is at the highest level on record, up from 8.5 years
in 1995. While some of this increase reflects cars with
improved lifespans, it also reflects the impact of the
recession and pent-up demand to replace older cars. As a
result, our estimate of 1.5 mm bpd in oil consumption
savings seems reasonable in context.
Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards
Miles per gallon, passenger cars
60
15
1978 1983 1988 1993 1998 2003 2008 2013 2018 2023
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Impact of rising penetration of natural gas vehicles: The rationale for natural gas vehicles (NGV) stems from a price per
million BTUs for oil that’s 5x higher than natural gas. The US NGV penetration rate is low, in part due to the chicken/egg
problem of the lack of natural gas refueling stations, and a more limited driving range (natural gas tanks generally hold less
energy than diesel tanks). But the economics of NGVs are becoming more compelling for taxis, vans and buses that are
centrally fueled with limited ranges, and for trucks with established routes where refueling stations can be built every 300-400
miles. Such heavy-duty vehicles account for 17% of all petroleum usage in the US. An example: a heavy duty 18-wheeler
might travel 60,000 miles per year and get 5 mpg (using 12,000 gallons of diesel fuel). Assuming a $1.5 difference between
diesel and liquid natural gas prices, a trucking company could save ~ $18,000 in annual fuel costs. The conversion cost to
LNG (liquid natural gas) of $70,000 would imply a 4-year payback period, which is short in the scheme of energy trade-offs.
We assume a very modest NGV penetration rate of 3%, which translates into reduced oil consumption of 0.3 mm bpd.
Oil imported for export purposes: in 2011, the US exported 0.5 mm bpd in refined petroleum products. As a result, part of the
current crude oil import tab is simply for re-export, and is not part of the country’s domestic consumption requirement.
55
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
4 “The Unprecedented Upsurge of Oil Production Capacity and What It Means for the World”, Leonardo Maugeri, Belfer Center for Science
and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School, June 2012. See sections 5-9 for a discussion of how shale and tight oil are gradually
replacing conventional sources, how hydraulic fracking works, a detailed examination of the Bakken Shale, how EIA and USGS data are
backward-looking and underestimate potential growth, the challenges for the US refining industry which has invested in the ability to process
heavy-sour imports rather than light-sweet oil from shale, pipeline needs and a range of environmental issues. Maugeri was Senior Executive
Vice President of Strategies and Development at ENI, and Executive Chairman of Polimeri Europa, ENI’s petrochemical branch.
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October 22, 2012
The most important energy developments of 2012: how countries are planning for Independence Day
II: Is Germany making an impetuous mad dash into renewable energy?
In the wake of Fukushima, Chancellor Merkel announced a plan to accelerate the closure of coal and nuclear power plants, with
the goal of relying more on renewable energy to fill the gap. Germany is by far the largest user of electricity in Europe and its
manufacturing to GDP ratio is high, so the consequences may be substantial. To get a sense of the potential impact, start with
the first chart on Germany’s current generating capacity and output by source. While wind and solar installations have increased
in recent years, their electricity output is less impactful due to wind and solar intermittency.
The two largest increases in Germany’s renewable plan are offshore wind and photovoltaic (solar). Offshore wind connections
are very expensive; according to Netherlands-based transmission system operator TenneT, they work out to ~1.1 million Euros
per MW, and that’s just for the connection (not the wind turbine itself, that’s extra). That offshore wind connection cost is
even higher than the 0.8-1.0 million per MW upfront capital cost of building new natural gas plants, using data from RWE AG
(Essen) and SWB AG (Bremen). Wind is free and natural gas isn’t, so we should look at all-in levelized costs 5 by electricity
source. As shown in the second chart, all things considered, offshore wind is a very expensive way for Germany to generate
electricity, and solar is higher by another order of magnitude. The relative ordering is similar in other countries.
Snapshot of current German capacity and generation
Percent of total
45%
40%
Generating Capacity
Electricity Generation
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Coal Nuclear Natural Gas Wind Solar
Source: BDEW Bundesverband der Energie-und Wasserwirtschaft e.V.
Levelized cost of electricity production in Germany
USD/MWh
440
Germany is a very energy-efficient country, and has among the lowest electricity-to-GDP ratios in Europe. However, the cost of
electricity to industrial consumers is already among the highest in Europe when including taxes, and for residential
consumers, Germany is the highest. As a result, the proposed shift to renewable energy may further increase electricity prices
for both residential and commercial users. There’s not enough data yet to measure the impact so far.
Average retail electricity price in 2011:
residential segment, EUR/MWh
250
200
150
100
50
0
Basic price
Taxes
GER BEL ITL SPN NED POR CZE UK FRA GRE
Source: Wirtschaft & Infastruktur GmbH & Co Planugs - Renewable Energies.
Germany’s goal: raise the contribution of renewable energy from 20% to 35% by 2020, and to 80% of total consumption
by 2050. The total cost of financing this transition is estimated at 800 billion Euros by DIW Berlin. The first stage, from now
until 2020, is supposed to cost 200 billion Euros. At a time when commitments to save Spain and the rest of the Periphery are
390
340
290
240
190
140
90
40
Nuclear Coal Natural Onshore Offshore Solar
Gas Wind Wind
Source: International Energy Agency, Nuclear Energy Agency and OECD.
Average retail electricity price in 2011:
commerial/industrial segment, EUR/MWh
180
160
Basic price
140
Taxes
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
ITL GER BEL CZE SPN NED UK GRE POR FRA
Source: Wirtschaft & Infastruktur GmbH & Co Planugs - Renewable Energies.
5 Levelized costs are all-in costs which include construction, financing costs, ongoing maintenance and operations and fuel inputs costs. In
Europe (unlike in the US), levelized cost numbers also include a carbon footprint estimate @ $30 per tonne of CO2.
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October 22, 2012
The most important energy developments of 2012: how countries are planning for Independence Day
adding up, it is unclear how Germany will accomplish all of its goals simultaneously. That’s probably why the ECB has been
doing the heavy lifting in the European bailout: that approach doesn’t look like it will cost Germany any money (yet…..)
A brief comment on investment opportunities in wind. A recent offshore wind farm project in Germany entailed a fixed sale
price contract for electricity at a guaranteed rate of 119 Euros per MWh for 13 years. This compares to 45-50 Euros per MWh
for electricity in shorter term German power markets. The investor takes operational and maintenance risks, and the risk of
wind’s intermittency. With a large gap between the contract price and the spot market, there may be a “windfall” (sorry) for
investors. However, wind investment risks have at times been under-appreciated. In a May 2012 report from Standard &
Poor’s, the authors note that they had initially rated 7 portfolio and single-asset wind projects as investment-grade. All but one
has since fallen below investment-grade, which S&P states is a result of “wind resource deficiency” (wind levels below what
industry experts had cited as lower-bound estimates), and higher-than-expected operating and maintenance costs (repairing
cracked foundations, jack-up rigs to fix gearboxes and blades, etc). On the latter point, S&P indicates that U.S. wind project
O&M costs stabilized at rates that were 30% to 40% higher than forecast.
III: Inherit the Wind: Japan’s energy dilemma after Fukushima
Among the challenges Japan has faced in the wake of the tsunami and nuclear meltdown, one of the greatest relates to energy
policy. Only 2 of its 54 nuclear reactors are now operating. While Japan may turn some back on temporarily, it expects to
decommission all of them within 18 years. Like Germany, Japan plans to increase contributions from renewable energy.
Japan’s plan entails increases in offshore wind, geothermal power, biomass and tidal power. The government’s preferred plan as
described by the METI Advisory Committee in September 2012 is #1 in the first chart, which entails no nuclear power by 2031.
Contribution to Japan power generation
Japan power plant capacity utilization by fuel type
Percent
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
Potential 2031
targets
Source: Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan, METI Advisory
Committee.
2012
#1
#2
#3
Co-generation
Renewables
Hydro
Oil
LNG
Coal
Nuclear
Percent
100%
The first thing to note is that Japan has been able to withstand the reduction in operating nuclear plants through a sharp
increase in electricity produced by natural gas plants, and oil-burning plants. However, as shown above in the 2nd chart,
utilization rates of plants using LNG are rising close to maximum capacity. Consider as well the fact that Japan pays as much as
5 times more per BTU for its natural gas than the US. As a result, Japan is facing a near-term decision: turn on more nuclear
power plants, import more LNG or suffer the growth penalty from higher electricity costs resulting from less supply. For a
country that is already suffering from low growth and declining exports, this would be a steep price to pay.
As for Japan’s long-term renewable energy plan, it is starting from a lower base than Germany: in 2011 only 1.25% of
electricity came from renewable energy other than hydro (which supplied ~9%). The largest single component of its renewable
energy plan relies on offshore wind. Japan’s Institute of Energy Economics estimates that offshore wind levelized costs might
be only 35% higher than onshore, but Japan has limited experience in both. What may be more relevant is the experience of the
United Kingdom. In a recent auction run by Ofgem (Britain’s electricity and gas market regulator), participants were asked to
bid on a contract to build connections to offshore wind farms. Using Ofgem’s estimated transfer values, just the cost of
building the connection for offshore wind farms to the grid is ~$1.05 million per megawatt (MW). As in Germany, this is a bit
higher than the UK Department of Energy and Climate estimate for an entire new 850-MW combined cycle natural gas plant.
For manufacturing-heavy Germany and Japan, a future based heavily on offshore wind and solar will be a brave new world of
yet-to-be-determined cost and complexity. According to Vaclav, the “entire green thing is desirable and very much worth
doing, but at a measured realistic pace commensurate with overall system conditions and requirements, not guided and
propelled by naive, unrealistic expectations and impossible goals”.
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Coal
LNG
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Source: Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan 2012 Electricity
Review, J.P. Morgan Commodities Research.
Oil
Nuclear
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The most important energy developments of 2012: how countries are planning for Independence Day
IV: What geopolitical consequences may result from China’s rising energy needs?
As shown below, US reliance on oil imports as a share of consumption is gradually declining. China’s percentage, on the other
hand, is rising and now higher than in the US (in dollar terms, US imports are higher but they should converge in a few years).
China now has the world’s largest new car market and most extensive network of superhighways. It is making substantial
investments in a renewable energy, and is now the largest solar, wind, nuclear and hydropower market. However, given the
current lack of a viable, affordable electric car, Chinese fossil fuel consumption is expected to continue to rise. The penetration
rate of passenger vehicles in China is considerably lower than in other countries. China’s per capita GDP is lower as well, so the
gap will not close overnight. The second chart below gives a good indication of the potential rise in automobile use in China
over time. These trends are part of the reason why we do not expect reduced US imports to result in lower oil prices.
Net imports of crude and petroleum products as a
Auto penetration rates
percent of total domestic consumption
Passenger and commercial vehicles per 1,000 people
65%
55%
45%
35%
25%
15%
5%
-5%
-15%
China
-25%
1990 1995 2000 2005 2010
Source: Energy Information Administration, BP.
US
Vaclav sees these trends as important, since they affect prospects of China co-operating with the West on containment of
Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Unfortunately for the West, the prospects for co-operation on sanctions appear dim. Some things to
keep in mind about China’s relationship with Iran, described in greater detail in a 2012 Rand Institute report:
� Iran and China share a deep ambivalence about the West given their prior experiences as semi-colonial states in the
beginning of the 20 th century. The US supported a coup against a popular Iranian leader in 1953 (and also influenced other
political transitions), and Communist China was under U.S.-led international sanctions for most of its existence.
� China extended recognition to Iran’s Islamic Republic only 3 days after its founding, and improved relations with Iran
through arms sales during the Iran-Iraq war (small arms, ballistic and anti-cruise ship missiles)
� China became a net oil importer in 1993, and further strengthened ties with Iran. Once China was accepted into the World
Trade Organization in 2001, the West lost the little leverage it had over Sino-Iranian ties.
� From 1985 to 1996, China provided Iran with civil nuclear technology and machinery, assistance in uranium exploration and
mining, training for nuclear engineers, and instruction on the use of lasers for uranium enrichment. China ended its direct
support for these nuclear programs in 1997. Chinese design and technology are seen in Iranian ballistic and anti-cruise ship
missiles, anti-ship mines and fast attack boats.
� For the last two decades, China has built railroads, bridges, dams, ports and tunnels throughout Iran. In 2007, China became
Iran’s largest trading partner, and the two countries announced plans to broaden bilateral trade to $100 bn per year by 2016.
� The two countries formed a joint oil and gas committee to broaden energy cooperation. China is the most important investor
in Iranian exploration and extraction operations, and has been selected to develop the Azadegan and Yadavaran oil and
natural gas fields, and the South Pars field. Iran is the largest methanol exporter to China, displacing Saudi Arabia.
� Iran used to be vulnerable to refined fuel sanctions when it imported 40% of them; China helped Iran build out its refining
capacity, and Iran is now a refined fuels exporter.
� China is paying Iran in rice and medical/engineering supplies (and cash) in exchange for Iranian oil, and a Chinese shipyard
delivered the first of 12 supertankers to Iran, giving it extra capacity to transport its oil to Asia.
� A couple of quotes on the geopolitics of all of this, from the Peking University School of International Studies and Renmin
University: “It is beneficial for our external environment to have the United States militarily and diplomatically deeply sunk
in the Mideast to the extent that it can hardly extricate itself”, and “Washington’s deeper involvement in the Middle East is
favorable to Beijing, reducing Washington’s ability to place focused attention and pressure on China.” [Rand report]
700
600
500
400
300
Japan
Korea
Taiwan
200
Thailand
100
0
Indonesia
China
India
1980 1987 1994 2001 2008
Source: China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, CEIC, J.P. Morgan
Securities LLC.
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October 22, 2012
The most important energy developments of 2012: how countries are planning for Independence Day
Bottom line: China has a long history of economic, political and military co-operation with Iran. China has greater economic
linkages with the US, but for China, that fact does not negate the advantages of its relationship with Iran, particularly as its
energy needs continue to rise, and as it seeks to prevent U.S. domination of the Persian Gulf.
V: Another rough year for the electric car
Forecasts of greater electric car penetration have been around since the 1970’s. A report by The National Regulatory Research
Institute in 1980 aggregated various studies, which predicted 1.2 mm units in use in the US by 1983, 3 mm by 1990, 5 mm by
1995, 6.2 mm by 1998 and 13 mm by 2000. Instead, only 2.5 mm have been sold since 1999, and this mostly includes hybrids,
which are not true plug-in electric vehicles (most use regenerative braking for short distance trips). Since 2010, only 50,000
highway-capable plug-in electric vehicles have been sold in the US, less than 0.03% of all vehicles. For decades, scientists have
projected battery breakthroughs using nickel-zinc, iron-air, nickel-air, as well as combinations of zinc with chlorine or air and
sulfur with sodium or lithium. Progress has been slow. Affordable mass-produced electric cars are still on the drawing board.
• Toyota cancelled plans for sales of eQ vehicles, claiming that the current capabilities of electric vehicles do not meet
society’s needs. Toyota planned to sell 40,000 plug-in hybrids in Japan this year; only 8,400 have been sold so far
• After receiving a $529mm loan from the US government, Fisker developed and built the Karma in Finland. Its battery failed
during the Consumer Reports test drive, and Fisker subsequently recalled all of its 2012 Karma batteries
• A123 Systems, Inc., maker of the recalled lithium-ion battery used in the Karma and recipient of a $249mm Federal grant in
2009, filed for bankruptcy protection on October 16, 2012
• Tesla cut their delivery targets for 2012 from 5,000 to 2,700-3,250 due to production issues
• The Chevy Volt is the most successful electric car in the US, but only 16,400 have been sold this year through September,
vs the goal of 45,000 that was set by the Department of Energy. Sales of the Nissan Leaf in the US are down 28% vs 2011.
If you have gotten this far, I hope you enjoyed our annual energy issue. See you next year, when it will be the 40 th
anniversary of Soylent Green, in which Edward G Robinson rides a bicycle to power a lamp so he can read a book.
Michael Cembalest
J.P. Morgan Asset Management
Biography
Vaclav Smil is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Faculty of Environment at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg and a Fellow of
the Royal Society of Canada. His interdisciplinary research includes the studies of energy systems (resources, conversions, and impacts),
environmental change (particularly global biogeochemical cycles), and the history of technical advances and interactions among energy,
environment, food, economy, and population. He is the author of more than thirty books and more than three hundred papers on these
subjects and has lectured widely in North America, Europe, and Asia. In 2010 he was noted by Foreign Policy magazine as #49 on its list of
the 100 most influential thinkers in the world.
Sources, and there sure were a lot of them
Annual Energy Outlook 2012, DOE/EIA-0383, US Energy Information Administration, June 2012.
“Leveling the Playing Field for Natural Gas in Transportation”, Hamilton Project Discussion paper, Christopher R. Knittel, June 2012.
“Benefits of Fuel Economy Standards”, Union of Concerned Scientists, August 2012
“Projected Costs of Generating Electricity”, 2010 Edition, International Energy Agency, Nuclear Energy Agency, OECD
“Electricity prices scenarios until at least the year 2020 in selected EU countries”, WIP - Renewable Energies, January 2012
“Financing the Energy Transition in Times of Financial Market Instability”, DIW Economic Bulletin, September 2012
“Japan’s Power Play Options”, GaveKal Research, Yuchan Li, September 2012
“Electricity Generation Cost Model – 2011 Update”, Parsons Brinckerhoff, August 2011
“Connection costs overshadow offshore wind”, Reuters, Gerard Wynn, October 2012.
“Summary and Evaluation of Cost Calculation for Nuclear Power Generation by the Cost Estimation and Review Committee”, Yuji Matsuo,
The Institute of Energy Economics, Japan, May 2012.
“The Unprecedented Upsurge of Oil Production Capacity and What It Means for the World”, Leonardo Maugeri, Belfer Center for Science
and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School, June 2012
“China and Iran: Economic, Military and Political Relations”, Rand Center for Middle East Public Policy, 2012
“Addicted to Oil: Strategic Implications of American Oil Policy”, Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College, 2006
“Special Report: Offshore Wind Arrives, Will Renewables Prosper?”, Standard & Poor’s Credit Week, May 2012
“Electric Utility Regulatory Aspects of Electric Vehicle Commercialization”, National Regulatory Research Institute, December 1980
“President Obama Announces Historic 54.5 mpg Fuel Efficiency Standard”, White House Press Release, July 29, 2011
“Germany Power Links for Unbuilt Offshore Wind Cost Consumers”, Bloomberg, October 2012
“Long term scenarios and strategies for the development of renewable energies in Germany in view of European and global development”,