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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainable Building

Six Benefits of Energy Efficient Home Every Owner Should KnowIn the modern world today, people are connected to each other virtually. From ordering food, to getting a mode of entertainment, to making business deals, or even booking tickets, everything can be done using the internet and a smartphone/computer. Hence majority of the people spend time indoors, whether it’s their workplace or home. Using energy efficient appliances not only reduces the electricity intake, but also has less greenhouse-gas emissions, higher longevity, and also costs less to operate. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Science

Saluting Edison on His Big DayThomas Edison demonstrated his first incandescent light bulb on this date in 1879, a feat noteworthy for several reasons:

This success came at the end of an enormous number of experiments whose results were disappointing.  When someone suggested that Edison was a failure, he replied, “Oh, I’m not a failure; I know 10,000 things that don’t work.”  That has to sit close to the top of the most inspirational things ever to usher from the lips of a would-be entrepreneur. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainability

To Those Who Follow the Comments Here …Here’s a note I wrote to a friend who had been without Internet access for a few days…..

When you go back to 2GE, you’ll see a predictable line of discussion in the comments.  MarcoPolo (Ayn Rand’s grandson?) is remaking his point that ideologies are for losers, morals that would rein in pure capitalism are for sissies, and that those of us who are worried about the future of our civilization harbor a secret hatred of humankind.  The dude is nothing if not consistent.  And speaking of consistent, Les Blevins is going into his sixth year of blasting me because I think the idea he’s promoting has no merit.

Oh well.  I’m sure 2016 will bring us lots of exciting and unpredictable ideas as well.

 

 

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Electric Vehicles

Internal Combustion Engines: Theory and Practice

My oft-mentioned colleague, the college professor in Arizona writes:  Craig, I teach a new course in internal combustion engine theory and practice next semester. So give me a heads up on any of your new insights.

Wow, how interesting.  (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Science

Your Influence on the WorldWith respect to my recent post on Malthus (pictured), a college professor in Arizona writes:  Craig, is there a Malthusian Trap for energy?  Do we run out of energy or a habitable environment first?

I’m confident that our civilization will turn this around from an energy perspective fairly soon, for all the (14) reasons I presented in my most recent book (Bullish on Renewable Energy – 2015).  (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Politics

Does Environmental Protection Matter in the US?Here’s a quick summary of what’s going on in the U.S. Congress when it comes to environmental protection.

So many things in our lives are shades of gray; this one’s not.

 

 

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainability

A Great Deal of Motivation Packed into Two Short MinutesIt’s the 150th birthday of Rudyard Kipling, not a bad time for a bit of inspiration to usher us into the new year.  Here’s a terrific reading of the master’s poem “If” to put a little extra determination in your stride as you go about your business of making the world a better place in which to live.

 

 

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Electric Vehicles

Tesla Keeps Getting New Competitors from China

Given the obvious and imminent shift of the auto industry from gasoline-powered vehicles toward electric cars, it’s no wonder that there are many new companies entering the electric car market, trying to compete with the established global automakers.

The fact that most of those emerging companies want to challenge Tesla Motors – the world’s leader in electric vehicle technology – is also understandable, and the latest Tesla rival comes from China. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

From 2GreenEnergy: Thanks, Gracias, Arigato, Danke, Merci, Etc. As shown in the graphic below, which I copied from the annual report that WordPress sent us on our yearly stats, we had visitors from 185 different countries in 2015.  Thanks to all our bloggers, commenters, advertisers, clients, and certainly the core team here for their interest, continued support and hard work.

We all look forward to continued expansion in the new year.    (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

The Economic Validity of Solar and Wind PowerA reader asked me to comment on this article by Andrew Follett, “Top 11 Problems Plaguing Solar and Wind Power,” in which the author makes his assertions and I respond to each.  Here goes:

1: Power Storage Is Incredibly Expensive On a Large Scale

This is true, at least at this point, but it’s not a huge impediment to the adoption of solar and wind.  The fact that the resources are variable doesn’t mean that they’re worthless.  Wind is about 5% of the U.S. grid mix today, and growing steadily.   (more…)

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