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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainability

photo Toddler-enjoying-air-cond-002_zpsc8a42352.jpgHVAC is an abbreviation for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning. An HVAC system controls the temperature within a structure or house. The system takes the temperature of the area, then, takes note of the desired temperature. When there is a disparity in the ambient temperature and the desired temperature, the system, then, sets off a series of mechanical devices within the system, like the blower.

Most likely, you already have an HVAC system. If there are any issues about yours, contact only a reputable company. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Science

Can We Use Artificial Photosynthesis to Remove CO2 from the Atmosphere?I just had an interesting call from a fellow in Germany who introduced me to “faux trees,” i.e., artificial photosynthesis, performed to remove CO2 from the atmosphere.

Here is one of those many cases where just because a concept doesn’t violate any laws of science doesn’t make it a good, practical idea.  If you have some PV available and you’re concerned about reducing CO2, it’s FAR better to use it to reduce your consumption of electricity that otherwise would have been generated by fossil fuels.

 

 

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Politics

The Campaign to Discredit Clean Energy Can Only IntensifyI had lunch yesterday at the American Wind Energy Association conference with an interesting gentleman who, quite successfully from what I could discern, develops PV and wind projects in the U.S. and Latin America.  The actual business model varies: where sometimes his team and he might sell the entire project when it’s shovel-ready, in other cases they like to retain an interest.  A typical wind project might be 100 MW or so, where the usual PV effort is a fraction of that, perhaps a couple of MW.

He mentioned something that I thought I’d offer readers: an explanation of the fairly recent ruckus being raised about the government subsidies for solar and wind.  “Why,” he asked me in a thoughtful tone, “do you think Fox News and congressional Republicans waited until now before starting their campaign to convince voters that renewable energy is a waste of money, a drain on the economy, a job-killer, part of a socialist agenda, etc.?  The tax credits have been around for quite a while.  Virtually everyone on both sides of the aisle were absolutely fine on this until very recently.” (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Energy Storage

Truth About BatteriesIt appears that 2GreenEnergy has taken on another eager and extremely bright intern, Audrey Cook, who lives close enough to me (Orange County, CA) that periodically meeting her in person won’t be too difficult.  Audrey’s background and interest lies in the subject of batteries, an area of extreme importance for a great number of reasons, largely facilitating the adoption of electric vehicles and the integration of more renewable energy into our grid-mix.

I was just writing an email for her, but I thought I’d make it a blog post: (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Biofuels

Yesterday, I attended the Alternative Clean Transportation Expo, in Long Beach, California. The show was dominated not by electric transportation (though EVs did enjoy a certain representation) but by natural gas.  There was also some representation of biofuels, in particular, biodiesel. Even its proponents, however, understand that it is at best a “bridge” fuel, and that, if there is any real hope for biofuels in the medium-term, it lies in algae. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Electric Vehicles

Conversations on Natural Gas at the Alternative Clean Transportation ExpoI spent the day today at the Alternative Clean Transportation Expo, in Long Beach, California.  What I find most interesting about conferences like this is that they go out of their way to include the widest variety of potential technologies in terms of alternative transportation: battery electricity, hydrogen, natural gas, propane autogas, and biofuels — all coupled with a great number of exciting new advanced technologies. (more…)

by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainable Building

Six Tips for Adding Eco-Friendly Lighting to Your HomeThe most eco-friendly lighting you can have is natural light. The more daylight you let into your home and your life, the healthier you, your plants, your family and your pets will be. Daylight regulates your natural circadian rhythms, supplies you with vitamin D, and elevates your moods. Natural light is better for your eyes, your hormones and your immune system.

Supplementing daylight with energy-efficient lighting is the most sustainable way for you to keep your home bright and cozy. Eco-friendly lighting keeps both you and the environment healthy. Here are some easy ways to bring more daylight into your life. Try these eco-friendly solutions for natural and energy-efficient home lighting. (more…)

by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Photovoltaics

Harnessing Solar Power for Your HomesEnergy bills are soaring and there seems to be very little you can do about it. Fossil fuels are our primary source of energy and are getting depleted really fast. It has become our responsibility and obligation to preserve and protect our natural resources to leave a better earth for our future generations.

Fortunately, people worldwide are opting to go solar in order to reduce the burden of enormous power bills. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Photovoltaics

Ikea Focuses its Attention on the Solar MarketIn an unprecedented move for a furniture retailer of the likes of Ikea, the company is now actively entering the solar market and stands to make a huge impact in the spread of solar energy in the UK. As the world’s largest furniture retailer, Ikea has store locations worldwide with a massive surface area to work with, a section of which will be allocated towards the retail sale of solar paneling.

This may have come as a surprise but a recent post on the Solar Contact blog defines the high potential of solar energy in the UK, stating that it is soon to become the 5th biggest solar market worldwide. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Science

Plane Powered By Solar Photovoltaics

One of the cool features of living in a society that is built around the advancements of science is that we constantly see demonstrations of cutting-edge technologies in ways that, while they may not be terrifically practical, show how far we’ve come and what might be possible in the future.  In 1927, Charles Lindbergh (pictured) became the first person to make a solo flight across the Atlantic – not because such a voyage served a useful purpose, but to show that it could be done, and to celebrate the advancements that have been made since the Wright brothers did their thing 24 years earlier. (more…)

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