According to an Asian biodiesel pioneer Long Tian Ching, Managing Director of Singapore's Vance Bioenergy, the palm oil biodiesel business may not be as lucrative as some people believed. His company is one of the largest companies involved in the manufacture of biodiesel from palm oil. He is bullish on the future prospects for biofuels and biodiesel but not as bullish when it comes to price and profit margins. According to him, escalating prices for raw materials have significantly eroded profit margins.
A year ago, things were different. Palm oil prices were relatively lower, while crude prices were soaring. Now it is the other way round, and not surprisingly, that is not good news for palm-based biodiesel producers.
In addition, Europe, one of the major consumers of diesel and biodiesel, has always viewed palm-based biodiesel with a bit of scepticism as the region is more familiar with fuel from rapeseed and soy. The other criticism for palm based biodiesel is something that many other energy crops are suffering from as well - widespread deforestation and disruption of wildlife
The above summary was based on an article in Dow Jones, Feb 27
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Portfolio Rebalancing - Stocks, Bonds, Real Estate Investing Tips
Read an interesting article by Chet Currier @ Bloomberg on portfolio rebalancing, which is something most of average stock market investors ignore and plain are unaware of!
The idea is simple: You have an asset allocation plan, in terms of percent of investment allocated to each type of asset. To begin with, most of us match our actual investments with the allocation plan. But do we review this periodically and make sure it stays the same? Hmmm...
The Vanguard Group says that every investor should review the portfolio at least annually ( probably more frequent than that) and rebalance it if your allocation of stocks and bonds has shifted from your target by more than 5% points.
Why is this needed? Simply because some of your assets appreciate while some others could depreciate, changing the investment % of total assets you have. The rebalancing is of course a simple matter of re-allocating funds from one asset to another based on the level of each investment at that point in time. What is not a simple matter is us average investors remembering to do that!
The idea is simple: You have an asset allocation plan, in terms of percent of investment allocated to each type of asset. To begin with, most of us match our actual investments with the allocation plan. But do we review this periodically and make sure it stays the same? Hmmm...
The Vanguard Group says that every investor should review the portfolio at least annually ( probably more frequent than that) and rebalance it if your allocation of stocks and bonds has shifted from your target by more than 5% points.
Why is this needed? Simply because some of your assets appreciate while some others could depreciate, changing the investment % of total assets you have. The rebalancing is of course a simple matter of re-allocating funds from one asset to another based on the level of each investment at that point in time. What is not a simple matter is us average investors remembering to do that!
US Federal IT Outsourcing to be 18 billion $ by 2011
Growing at a compounded annual rate of over 5%, the total IT outsourcing from US government sector is expected to reacg 18 billion US $ by 2011, according to a report, as mentioned by PTI.
The news item further states that there will be a shift within the federal market from government-owned and operated models towards a contract oriented approach.
This shift and increase in outsourcing will be partly fuelled by federal IT workforce shortage and the Iraq war. A significant portion of the federal technology related workforce is nearing retirement age.
The most significant growth areas in outsourcing will be seen in business process outsourcing (BPO) and application outsourcing, according to the report.
The news item further states that there will be a shift within the federal market from government-owned and operated models towards a contract oriented approach.
This shift and increase in outsourcing will be partly fuelled by federal IT workforce shortage and the Iraq war. A significant portion of the federal technology related workforce is nearing retirement age.
The most significant growth areas in outsourcing will be seen in business process outsourcing (BPO) and application outsourcing, according to the report.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Longevity Linked To Learning - Yahoo Report
Longevity Linked To Learning - Yahoo Article
Ongoing Learning Increases Longevity, Researchers Sayby Gabby Hyman
This Feb 2007 compilation by Yahoo is quite an interesting one that suggests that continuous learning is perhaps the long sought holy grail for youth.
Excerpts:
1. After decades of studies, researchers continue to find that those who keep their minds engaged in active education live longer and stave off the ravages of aging, such as memory loss and lethargy.
2. Comprehensive studies on the effects of ongoing learning on aging appear to support the contentions of 3rd Century BC philosopher, Aristotle, who said, "Education is the best provision for old age."
3. In her ground-breaking 1999 study, Columbia University grad student Adriana Lleras-Muney found that when people reached age 35, their life expectancy was increased by 18 months if they completed an extra year of education. Research done by a few others seemed to support such a finding.
4. The Alzheimer's Association now sponsors "Maintain Your Brain" workshops throughout the country, encouraging people to stay physically and intellectually active.
5. Learning constantly seems to activate parts of the brain that slow aging and increase memory, emotional engagement, and intellectual curiosity.
6. Some doctors encourage "Mental Aerobics" - exercise for the mind. A popular anti-aging book, The Longevity Bible, proposes an eight-step game plan to keep your body supple and your mind in peak condition. Number one on the list: "Sharpen Your Mind..."
7. The New England Journal of Medicine published a study in 2003 that revealed that old people who continued to read actively along with engaging in other physical and artistic activities had lower rates of Alzheimer's disease.
8. Researchers have showed that the idle mind, like muscles in the body, atrophies from nonuse.
Interesting read, the full report here
Some links that were used as references by the author of the article:
"Brain Health." Alzheimer's Association National Office
Hartman, Diana. "Life, Learning, and Longevity." BlogCritics Magazine
Small, Gary, Ph.D. "Eight Essentials."
Stenson. Jacqueline. "A Workout For Your Brain." MSNBC
Ongoing Learning Increases Longevity, Researchers Sayby Gabby Hyman
This Feb 2007 compilation by Yahoo is quite an interesting one that suggests that continuous learning is perhaps the long sought holy grail for youth.
Excerpts:
1. After decades of studies, researchers continue to find that those who keep their minds engaged in active education live longer and stave off the ravages of aging, such as memory loss and lethargy.
2. Comprehensive studies on the effects of ongoing learning on aging appear to support the contentions of 3rd Century BC philosopher, Aristotle, who said, "Education is the best provision for old age."
3. In her ground-breaking 1999 study, Columbia University grad student Adriana Lleras-Muney found that when people reached age 35, their life expectancy was increased by 18 months if they completed an extra year of education. Research done by a few others seemed to support such a finding.
4. The Alzheimer's Association now sponsors "Maintain Your Brain" workshops throughout the country, encouraging people to stay physically and intellectually active.
5. Learning constantly seems to activate parts of the brain that slow aging and increase memory, emotional engagement, and intellectual curiosity.
6. Some doctors encourage "Mental Aerobics" - exercise for the mind. A popular anti-aging book, The Longevity Bible, proposes an eight-step game plan to keep your body supple and your mind in peak condition. Number one on the list: "Sharpen Your Mind..."
7. The New England Journal of Medicine published a study in 2003 that revealed that old people who continued to read actively along with engaging in other physical and artistic activities had lower rates of Alzheimer's disease.
8. Researchers have showed that the idle mind, like muscles in the body, atrophies from nonuse.
Interesting read, the full report here
Some links that were used as references by the author of the article:
"Brain Health." Alzheimer's Association National Office
Hartman, Diana. "Life, Learning, and Longevity." BlogCritics Magazine
Small, Gary, Ph.D. "Eight Essentials."
Stenson. Jacqueline. "A Workout For Your Brain." MSNBC
Sunday, February 11, 2007
e-Governance - Streamlining Govt Processes through e-Gov
e-Governance - Streamlining Govt Processes through e-Gov
e-Governance is not exactly new, nor is it a much-hyped buzzword. On the other hand, e-Governance has extra-ordinary potential to transform the way a government functions by streamlining internal government processes, operations, and simplifying democratic government and the business interactions of a government with its citizens
Simply put, e-governance is of course the use of computers and Internet for better governance, but this is indeed a very simplistic definition. Because, e-Governance is more a system than just a bunch of boxes and software and online connectivity. It looks at processes first and then tries to automate and make efficient those processes that can provide substantial value through automation and interactive connectivity. Some key goals of a good e-governance system are to integrate and simplify government services, reducing the time citizens and businesses spend transacting with the government, increasing government transparency and improving government finances through enhanced revenue collection and cost reduction. Thus, e-governance is a tool to achieve good governance and is not an end in itself.
According to experts, the scope of e-governance is set to increase significant all across the globe, and even in developed countries such as the US and those in western Europe. For countries embarking on e-governance newly, veterans suggest that the right strategy is to start small rather than start off with mega e-governance projects. Typically, a project should start small, start with a pilot and subsequently, on successful completion, should be scaled into a live project.
And whose responsibility is it to make an e-Governance project a success? It is a joint responsibility between all the stakeholders viz., the government, citizens and the private sector. It is also said that for successful e-Governance projects, a public-private partnership is almost a must.
e-Governance is not exactly new, nor is it a much-hyped buzzword. On the other hand, e-Governance has extra-ordinary potential to transform the way a government functions by streamlining internal government processes, operations, and simplifying democratic government and the business interactions of a government with its citizens
Simply put, e-governance is of course the use of computers and Internet for better governance, but this is indeed a very simplistic definition. Because, e-Governance is more a system than just a bunch of boxes and software and online connectivity. It looks at processes first and then tries to automate and make efficient those processes that can provide substantial value through automation and interactive connectivity. Some key goals of a good e-governance system are to integrate and simplify government services, reducing the time citizens and businesses spend transacting with the government, increasing government transparency and improving government finances through enhanced revenue collection and cost reduction. Thus, e-governance is a tool to achieve good governance and is not an end in itself.
According to experts, the scope of e-governance is set to increase significant all across the globe, and even in developed countries such as the US and those in western Europe. For countries embarking on e-governance newly, veterans suggest that the right strategy is to start small rather than start off with mega e-governance projects. Typically, a project should start small, start with a pilot and subsequently, on successful completion, should be scaled into a live project.
And whose responsibility is it to make an e-Governance project a success? It is a joint responsibility between all the stakeholders viz., the government, citizens and the private sector. It is also said that for successful e-Governance projects, a public-private partnership is almost a must.
A Car that Runs on Compressed Air? Air Powered Autos
A Car that Runs on Compressed Air? Air Powered Autos
Though it sounds like hot air at first sight, a number of technology companies have actually tried their hands at developing automobile engines that run on compressed air.
How does this technology work?
The car engine works on what is called Compressed Air Technology System (CATS). In this technology, a stroke engine is supplied compressed air that has been stored under high pressures in specially designed tanks. The expansion of the compressed air drives the piston and the crankshaft to create movement that is then transferred to the wheels of the automobiles.
And what do you do when the compressed air runs out? Well, you get it replenished from what are called roadside air stations, or by just plug into your home's electricity socket to run the on-board air compressor that can compress the ambient / surrounding air and store it!
A company that has been in the forefront of the compressed air technology is the French company MDI (Moteur Developpment Internationale) which has successfully developed such engines and has been testing them in a number of cars
Though it sounds like hot air at first sight, a number of technology companies have actually tried their hands at developing automobile engines that run on compressed air.
How does this technology work?
The car engine works on what is called Compressed Air Technology System (CATS). In this technology, a stroke engine is supplied compressed air that has been stored under high pressures in specially designed tanks. The expansion of the compressed air drives the piston and the crankshaft to create movement that is then transferred to the wheels of the automobiles.
And what do you do when the compressed air runs out? Well, you get it replenished from what are called roadside air stations, or by just plug into your home's electricity socket to run the on-board air compressor that can compress the ambient / surrounding air and store it!
A company that has been in the forefront of the compressed air technology is the French company MDI (Moteur Developpment Internationale) which has successfully developed such engines and has been testing them in a number of cars
Water vs. Biofuel - Biofuels will Make India, China Thirstier
Water vs. Biofuel - Biofuels will Make India, China Thirstier
In an interesting article in Bloomberg, Andy Mukherjee points out how, in the craze about biofuel, the world is not thinking much about an equally important resource - water.
He says, "If water were a globally traded commodity, with unmet demand in China and India reflected in its price, the world might shed its newfound craze for buiofuels."
Per capita availability of water is expected to reach alarmingly low levels in India and China by 2030. In spite of this, China is growing to be one of the largest biofuels producer, pouring in the process millions of gallons of water into the effort. Similarly in India, in many areas a third of the aquifiers are over-exploited, meaning that the rate at which water is extracted is more than the rate of discharge...
According to the Minneapolis (US) based Institute for Agriculture & Trade Policy, for the US there will be a 254% increase in the volume of water used to produce ethanol from 1998 through 2008
The article goes on to say, "Just because there is no worldwide market in water, it doesn't mean the price of wasting this scarce resource in making fuel will not have to be paid."
Interesting perspective...
Original article is from Bloomberg...
In an interesting article in Bloomberg, Andy Mukherjee points out how, in the craze about biofuel, the world is not thinking much about an equally important resource - water.
He says, "If water were a globally traded commodity, with unmet demand in China and India reflected in its price, the world might shed its newfound craze for buiofuels."
Per capita availability of water is expected to reach alarmingly low levels in India and China by 2030. In spite of this, China is growing to be one of the largest biofuels producer, pouring in the process millions of gallons of water into the effort. Similarly in India, in many areas a third of the aquifiers are over-exploited, meaning that the rate at which water is extracted is more than the rate of discharge...
According to the Minneapolis (US) based Institute for Agriculture & Trade Policy, for the US there will be a 254% increase in the volume of water used to produce ethanol from 1998 through 2008
The article goes on to say, "Just because there is no worldwide market in water, it doesn't mean the price of wasting this scarce resource in making fuel will not have to be paid."
Interesting perspective...
Original article is from Bloomberg...
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