Blog – Page 1375 – 2GreenEnergy.com

World's Largest Cellulosic Ethanol Plant

craigshieldsPosted on November 1, 2015 Posted in Biofuels

Here’s my colleague Jon LeSage’s current edition of his publication “Green Auto Market,” which features an article on the opening of the world’s largest cellulosic ethanol plant, expected to produce about 30 million gallons per year from corncobs, husks and stalks, harvested within a 30-mile radius of the site (in Iowa, where there is a huge amount of these materials).

My question I just emailed to him:

Hi, Jon. Insofar as the plant is centrally located vis-a-vis the feedstock, I’m thinking that the overall eco-footprint on this is pretty good. Is that true?

2GreenEnergy Editor and Intern Throw Down Some Suds at All-Day Halloween Dance Party

craigshieldsPosted on November 1, 2015 Posted in Renewables - Business

Shown here: 2GreenEnergy super-intern Fabio Porcu takes time off from his research and writing to make a new friend at a Halloween beer-fest at which killer band “The Ole’s” rocked the house. Who says we don’t have fun here?

(Photo credit: me.)

Actually, her boyfriend in the background doesn’t look too pleased, now that I look more closely. (See below.) And he’s scowling directly at…..ME! Moreover, the guy’s half my age and he’s HUGE. I guess I’m lucky he didn’t come over and snap me in half like a twig. LOL. (more…)

Tagged with: 2GreenEnergy Editor, 2GreenEnergy Intern

What Happens in the Arctic Doesn't Stay in the Arctic

craigshieldsPosted on November 1, 2015 Posted in Climate Change

I thought that was a clever little title, but I take no credit for it. It’s a line from this article on climate change, and, in particular, the melting of the Arctic and the release of incredible quantities of previously sequestered methane. In it, the author asks the rhetorical question: if this has such a profound effect on global warming, which certain scientists believe could bring us increases of temperatures of the Earth’s atmosphere of 5 to 6 degrees centigrade in just the next couple of decades, why is there so much conversation on carbon dioxide, and so little on methane? (more…)

Tagged with: approach to the generation and consumption of energy, Bill McKibben, ExxonMobil, increases of temperatures of the Earth's atmosphere, methane, sequestered methane, What Happens in the Arctic Doesn't Stay in the Arctic

From Guest Blogger Jordan: Self-Driving Cars and Auto Insurance

craigshieldsPosted on November 1, 2015 Posted in Electric Vehicles

The prospect of self-driving cars raises many questions in regards with liability for accidents, privacy and their ability to make ethical decisions, among other things, but these issues are expected to be outweighed by the many benefits that autonomous driving technology is bound to bring to society. According to a recent report, one of those potential benefits will be substantial car insurance premium savings, with self-driving cars set to reduce the number of motor vehicle accidents, which would eventually lead to lower insurance costs. (more…)

Tagged with: autonomous driving technology, prospect of self-driving cars, self-driving cars

Lightning Hybrids – I’m Neither a Daydreamer Nor a Believer

craigshieldsPosted on October 31, 2015 Posted in Electric Vehicles

Some colleagues asked me to listen to and evaluate an investor presentation given by the CEO of Lightning Hybrids yesterday. I wrote back:

Well, I hope I wasn’t too obnoxious with him, but:

I’m not a fan of regenerative braking based on what I know about electric transportation, even on a good day. (more…)

Tagged with: electric transportation, hybridization of the drive train, hydraulics vs. batteries, Lightening Hybrids, regenerative braking, violation of the laws of thermodynamics

A Reminder from American Anthropologist Margaret Mead

craigshieldsPosted on October 31, 2015 Posted in Sustainability

Frequent commenter MarcoPolo notes: The evolution of human society is never logical or well ordered, instead it’s fairly chaotic with all kinds of cul-de-sacs and blind alleys, but it does progress.

Yes, it does progress, but most of the real strides are driven by the brave and bold acts of a few. Now, I’m not calling myself “brave and bold,” but it’s clear that our world changes because we make it change. You’ve heard the quote to the left 100 times before, but it’s worth repeating.

The point: we have far more power to change the world around us than we’re led to believe.

Tagged with: American Anthropologist Margaret Mead, we have far more power to change the world around us than we’re led to believe

Who Manufactures the "News" We Receive?

craigshieldsPosted on October 31, 2015 Posted in Fossil Fuels

Here’s a quote from today’s edition of The Writer’s Almanac that I hope readers will find relevant:

Today is the birthday of … pioneering broadcast journalist Fred W. Friendly (pictured)….a large persuasive man, with strongly held opinions, (who) frequently butted heads with the network executives over their commitment to hard news over commercial interests. His forthright criticism of the network’s priorities caused him to leave CBS in 1966 when coverage of a hearing on Vietnam was scrapped in place of a rerun of I Love Lucy. (more…)

Tagged with: ExxonMobil crime of the epoch, ExxonMobil’s 35-year-long lie about the causation between fossil fuels and climate change, Fred Friendly, legendary environmentalist Bill McKibben, Writer's Almanac

Attempting to Communicate Important Points on Clean Energy

craigshieldsPosted on October 30, 2015 Posted in Renewables - Business

When I speak in public on renewables I try to cut up a little, as I believe humor helps the audience receive my message more completely and lets the concepts sink in better.

I hope you’ll check this out, and see if you think I’m right.

It doesn’t get any better.

Tagged with: Important Points on Clean Energy, speak in public on renewable energy

From Guest Blogger Kelso: Building Materials and Sustainability

craigshieldsPosted on October 30, 2015 Posted in Sustainable Building

When we think about the biggest carbon footprint culprits in the world, several things immediately come to mind – transportation (traffic), industry and power stations. True, these are some of the biggest contributors to the pollution, but there is another carbon footprint contributor which is not that obvious. It is, believe it or not, buildings. For instance, in the US alone, the commercial and residential building sector accounts for 39% of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emission per year, more than any other economy sector. (more…)

Tagged with: biggest carbon footprint culprits in the world, greenhouse gas emissions, sustainability, sustainable building materials

What Goes Around Comes Around?

craigshieldsPosted on October 29, 2015 Posted in Sustainability

We’ve all heard that “everything happens for a reason.”

Personally, I don’t believe that, but I most certainly do enjoy the hell out of it when justice mysteriously happens somewhere in the world.

Check this out. (I do, of course, feel sorry for the dogs.)

Tagged with: everything happens for a reason, What Goes Around Comes Around