Simple Exponential Equations

When solving simple exponential equations make sure you have the same base. Once you do then cancel the base and solve the related equation comprised of the exponents.

Example:

2^x = 4^(2x+1)
2^x = (2^2)^(2x+1)
2^x = 2^4x+2

Common base of 2 cancels and the related equation of the exponents is easily solved.

X = 4X+2
-3X = 2
X = -2/3

If you cannot get the base numbers to be equal then you have to use logarithms and your life is a lot more complicated.

Here is a good Algebra question. Post your answers.
Solve this quadratic equation:
X^2 + 6X + 8 = 0

Energy efficient or wasting your money?

On January 15, 2009 there was an article in the El Paso Times about an energy efficiency project at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP).  This project involved the replacement of two 30 year old chillers with more energy efficient chillers.  The reported cost for the chillers was $2.3 million and they were expected to reportedly save $65000 per year in electricity costs.  UTEP also received $116000 from the El Paso Electric Company (EPE).  This $116000 cost will eventually be passed on to EPE customers according to David Carpenter, EPE Controller.

Now whats wrong with this?  On the surface it seems like a good thing to upgrade equipment in order to save electricity.  But in reality, you the individual rate payer, are unnecessarily subsidizing a major university.

The old chillers at UTEP were 30 years old.  They needed to be replaced anyway.  Spending $2.3 million in order to save $65000 per year in electricity costs equates to a 35 year return on investment(ROI).  Even with the $116000 from EPE the ROI is still almost 34 years.  The expected life span of this equipment is 30 years, so as mentioned before, they needed replaced anyway.  

But why give $116000 of your money to UTEP to replace equipment which needs replaced anyway?  Is the tuition at UTEP not high enough to cover the costs?  Is there not enough money in their endowment fund?  UTEP is a private entity that should be able to pay its own bills.  If they don't have enough money to replace equipment out of their own funds then they should not replace it.  Or they should raise the funds through their own private operations.  Going to the rate-payers of EPE, most of whom don't have a thing to do with UTEP, is just wrong.

Greetings

Greetings all.  This is my first adventure in to the blog world.  As I get more comfortable with this I hope to delve in to professional topics involving vehicle and fleet management, facilities management, energy efficiency and probably politics as they relate to these topics.

See ya.