To simplify a rather complicated structure, the electricity marketplace here in the United States is controlled by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) which oversees a number of Regional and Independent System Operators (ISOs). I thought it would be worth a few minutes here to publish the latest status of each of the ISOs (taken from the American Energy Society), as it provides a window into the dynamics of the U.S. grid-mix:
I’ve mentioned my client TerraPro Solutions in several earlier posts, but I’m not sure I ever published the flowchart I created for them. (more…)
Explaining to oil executives that fossil fuel consumption and the resulting climate change will hurt poor people most, Pope Francis once again demonstrates that his heart is firmly implanted in the right place. (more…)
We’ve all seen illustrations of devices that extract carbon dioxide from the air, and heard claims that they are possible to build. Here’s an article on the subject that at least asks the right question: But at what cost? (more…)
Homes waste a lot of electricity. This results in costly utility bills each month. Even worse, it can create a negative impact on the environment. Electricity doesn’t work through magic. Instead, creating that energy often requires the destruction of finite resources and the release of pollution into the atmosphere. Thankfully, there are things you can do to help bring your home’s total electricity use down significantly. (more…)
Man with crystal ball
I just ran across some predictions for the stock market in the year 2030, which made me think about the so-called futurists (those who get paid to predict the future) and what they must be wrestling with. (more…)
Beam Furr is currently Mayor and Commissioner for Broward County Commission District 6 in Southern Florida. 43 years ago, however, he was one of my best friends at Trinity College in Hartford, CT, best known for his gentle smile, unsinkable tolerance, and his effortless piano performances. (more…)
There is no clean water to drink. You cannot safely have a glass of water. It does not matter how thirsty you get, you cannot have a drink of water. If you got thirsty reading those sentences, imagine how much water you would crave if it was not available. (more…)
Quora.com bills itself as “a place to gain and share knowledge. It’s a platform (on which) to ask questions and connect with people who contribute unique insights and quality answers.” (more…)
Apparently 
