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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

Camille Saint-SaensToday we celebrate the 180th birthday of one of the true child prodigies in the history of humankind, Camille Saint-Saens (pictured), which gives me the opportunity to tell a story I heard when I was young.  Saint-Saens gave a recital when he was 9 years old that amazed its audience, but they were astounded even further when he returned to the stage to perform an encore, and asked a lady in the front row to pick a number between 1 and 32.  He then reminded his listeners that Beethoven had (at that time fairly recently) composed 32 sonatas for piano, and proceeded to play from memory the piece that corresponded to the number the woman had chosen; he was, of course, equally prepared for any of the others. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Politics

Trans Pacific PartnershipIf you think Hillary Clinton is a trustworthy human being, ask yourself why she flip-flopped on the Trans Pacific Partnership.  “As of today, I am not in favor of what I have learned about it,” Clinton told PBS News’ Judy Woodruff. “I don’t believe it’s going to meet the high bar I have set. I’ve been trying to learn as much as I can about the agreement, but I’m worried.”

The “high bar” you’ve set for what? Deceit? If that’s an honest remark, I’m a bald eagle.

 

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Energy Storage

Breakthrough in Redox Flow Batteries Recently, I ran across a company called ITN Energy, a top player in redox flow battery solutions that I thought I’d mention to readers, as they are well-poised to take advantage of the current global market demand in the energy storage space.  Advanced flow batteries have been recognized as one of the most cost effective and efficient ways to reduce peak load demand and associated energy costs, as well as to facilitate the integration of increasing quantities of renewable energy from variable sources into the grid-mix.  (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Climate Change

What's Causing Global Warming?Anyone looking for a quick, easy, and understandable representation of the cause of global warming should check this out, a graphical depiction of each of the supposed contributors to climate change, based on data collected by NASA.

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Politics

Providers of Renewable Energy in the UK Have One Simple Request: A Level Playing FieldI wish I had a dollar for every written and verbal mention of the phrase “level playing field for renewable energy” I’ve made over the last six years (i.e., since the inception of 2GreenEnergy.com). Here’s another fellow who is firmly ensconced on that bandwagon:  Dale Vince, who (quoting the article linked above) in 1995 founded the British green energy company Ecotricity, which supplies almost 170,000 customers in the UK with wind and solar power.  He is challenging the government to scrap its subsidies for nuclear power and fossil fuels in order to “create a level playing field” after it cut support for renewable energy. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Wind Energy

Wind Energy ca. 1983The other day I had a cup of coffee with a venture capitalist who echoed something we’ve all heard repeatedly through the years: the most important ingredient in the success of a start-up is market timing.  Yes, good ideas, seasoned teams, and adequate funding are significant as well, but the most critical part is hitting the market at a point that is neither too early (when no one really cares about the subject) or too late (after dozens of competitors have entered the fray).

I was reminded of this just now, as my colleague Brian McGowan sent me the photo above, with the note:  I got this quite a while ago. Copyright 1983.  Thanks, Brian.  I’m betting this wasn’t exactly flying off the shelves 32 years ago.

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Electric Vehicles

Volkswagen Faces Tough TimesI had to laugh at a news item this morning.  According to this report, delivered by a well-dressed woman with a completely straight face, “(As a result of VW’s criminality) its 2016 cars won’t be able to pass the EPA’s emissions requirements, and this could hamper new car sales.”

Seriously?  Yes, that could be a factor.  But it’s hardly in the same ballpark as this one: the world thoroughly detests Volkswagen.  There will be people lining the streets cheering as a whole bunch of these people are led off to prison.  The company doesn’t have a customer base; it has a base of infuriated ex-customers who, like me, wouldn’t take home another VW if it were given to us free, and are going to be suing the living crap out of the company. Just a guess, but I’d say this is going to act as a significant obstacle to new car sales.

More here.

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Electric Vehicles

Ford Makes the 2015 F-150 More Fuel Efficient With the Addition of “Air Curtain” TechnologyThe main reason why Ford decided to use aluminum for the body of the F-150 was to improve the pickup truck’s fuel efficiency, and it really succeeded in it, since its fuel economy was rated at 19 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined, making it the most efficient vehicle in its class. But, even though building an aluminum-bodied pickup truck was considered a somewhat revolutionary move, Ford doesn’t seem to intend on stopping there when it comes to making its best-selling vehicles as fuel-efficient as possible. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Efficiency

Using Big Data to Bring Down Enterprise Energy UseVirtually every company, large or small, is keen to reduce its energy use and its carbon footprint if possible. Of course, this desire doesn’t necessarily override other considerations such as profit-making or the pursuit of growth but it is there and most companies at least have some awareness of the need to reduce energy use. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainability

Green Cleaning--Protect Your Family and EnvironmentWe live in a world today where life and technology are moving fast. While we have all learned to pace ourselves with how the world revolves these days, it comes with a price. You see, as much as many of us yearn for improvement – in the convenience and processes of our daily routines – the safety of the environment and Mother Nature is put on the line. (more…)

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