We’re getting beyond the fringe of my non-technical expertise here, so I could be dead wrong on some of the responses to your questions. I will, however, offer a few ideas that spring to mind:

–what matters in terms of crosswind is not so much weight as aerodynamics. It’s an easy mistake to assume (much like the “heavy cars are safer in crashes” assumption) that heavier cars will stick to the road better in crosswinds. From everything I read, aerodynamics are the primary factor. Composite cars, engineered for fuel economy and power efficiency will be more aerodynamic by necessity.

–feebates are consistently mentioned (by folks like Tom Friedman, scientists, and Al Gore alike) as a simple, quick step. Hopefully momentum is building: California is moving forward with a feebate system.

–I don’t have the numbers handy, but Smart Grids are touted as an eventually necessary step in terms of utilizing all available energy technologies. The basic argument is that we waste absurd amounts of energy through power distribution systems that emphasize a constant flow rather than a smart allocation of energy based on need. The other point is that so many alternative technology solutions like solar panels, small wind turbines, etc are much more effective if they feed excess energy back into the grid AND allow their owners/consumers to fall back on other sources on a cloudy day. Smart grids make that transfer and capture of energy from “micro plants” cost effective. BUT you’re exactly right: we’re talking about a major overhaul of costly infrastructure AND a number of necessary upgrades on the consumer side: making appliances part of the system so that they essentially request energy from the grid rather than the “on all the time” system we have now. Most experts would say that this translates to huge costs savings in the long run, not to mention the environmental benefit….but there’s no doubt it’s expensive to implement.

The only thing I would worry about with such a light car is crosswind. Even in my heavy Jeep (I know I know… don’t worry, once I’m rid of it I’ll get a small car… maybe a hybrid?), I get nervous on those stormy days on the highway when I can feel my car wobbling from a stiff crosswind. Any mention of that at the talk? Or is that a nonsensical concern?

“Feebates” sound so easy to implement and so common sense, I’m surprised they aren’t already in place. Oh wait, no I’m not. It’s the U.S. Congress. Why would something that makes sense come out of there in a timely fashion?

Were there any figures tossed around about the impact Smart Grids would make (% energy conservation, etc.)? Sounds like a lot of investment in infrastructure, so it’d be interesting to see if the predicted benefits outweigh the costs. I’m sure it does in the long run, but it’s hard to convince anyone to spend a ton of money if the return on investment is microscopic in the short term. (Well, maybe not Venture Capitalists… Eric? Al Gore?).

This sounds like it was a worthwhile conference, indeed.