Conspiracy Theory? (Saudi university invests in US battery tech.)
 

Sigh.... I just read this article on autobloggreen.com.

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/04...battery-break/

The problem with the article is that when someone gives a grant, there are (usually) no strings attached after the grant is given. It's merely a grant to do research. The problem is that the author does not understand that fact, nor that the leading Saudis long ago turned a corner. They have realized that they will someday run out of oil and that they need to reposition themselves, in the name of capitalism, for the future. They realize that they have nothing to sustain themselves in their present condition, apart from oil.

Case in point, the Masdar Headquarters for energy and sustainability- technology.

http://www.metaefficient.com/archite...-it-needs.html

First comment hit the nail on the head

It's very likely that this is the case^

From the conspiracy theory side - perhaps SA is well aware of the amount of oil left and how long that supply will last. We should take this, a major oil exporter investing in battery tech, as a warning that the oil supply will crash in the semi near future.

When I was in junior high (right after the last ice age) we saw a PR movie made by SA. In it they talked about how they didn't manufacture anything there and how they depended upon technology and products from the West for nearly everything. At first I wondered why someone would release such a film, but then I realized that it was sort of an apology for the price of oil (this was just a few years after the embargo). Even then they were aware that they had a problem.

Mid East oil money is and has been flowing into north america for quite a while now. They are buying up real estate stock in banks and other corporations like crazy. With diversification some money would go to alternative energy. Americans do like a good conspiracy theory though (this comment was not meant to offend anyone).