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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Smart Grid

The Human Aspects of a “Smart City”Often when we talk about Smart City, the focus falls on the role of technological factors: innovations in energy efficiency, communication and information platforms, and so forth. However, this list often omits the human factor: aspirations, interests and abilities of the people in an intelligent city, many of whom work for companies whose products help meet the global challenges of modern society. In this context, we’ll investigate the “smart citizens” who populate a Smart City, focusing on the human factors that characterize it. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Climate Change

Climate Change: How Valuable is the "Consensus?" With respect to my recent piece on climate science, a reader points out:  What is today’s “consensus” may not be tomorrow’s.

Yes, the consensus can be wrong.  In fact, it always is, in one way or another. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Photovoltaics

Powering the World with SolarFrequent commenter/contributor Cameron Atwood asks: What are your thoughts on this?  Here’s how much of the world would need to be covered in solar panels to power Earth.

There are three main issues that this analysis overlooks: (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Fossil Fuels

Dialog on Coal as an Energy SourceFrequent commenter MarcoPolo makes two interesting points in his recent post:

1) It’s hypocritical for some Americans to smugly claim a moral victory for less U.S. emissions, while exporting emissions-creating industries overseas, while as customers, re-importing the manufactured products of those high emissions industries, using borrowed money. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

At 2GreenEnergy, the Answer Is Always the Same: YESIt’s been a while since I reminded readers of the broad capabilities of our “Associates” at 2GreenEnergy, i.e., the folks who fill the (numerous) gaps in my own personal skill-set as a cleantech business consultant, and enable me to make the claim that: “If you have a good idea in the cleantech space, we can categorically help you take it forward.”

This came to mind insofar as we’ve recently added two new gentlemen to the roster: (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Climate Change

Wonderfully Presentation on Climate ScienceI just watched this 90-minute video that provides a good survey of the science behind global warming.  The photo here is a bit misleading; the math and science isn’t ridiculously advanced.

From the notes on the website:

Professor Kerry Emanuel has been known for his “Show me the data!” approach to climate science. In this talk, he will present a long term, evidence-driven view of Earth’s climate change, culminating in a discussion of current risks and implications. An extensive audience Q&A will follow the presentation. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainability

Happy Birthday, Human Rights Act!Writing on the significant level of success that our civilization is making in the migration from fossil fuels to clean energy, I noted recently:  Btw, renewable energy is not the only progressive cause that is in the process of winning.  Check out this article “The Tide of History Flows Left” that includes the following: “In his landmark book, ‘The Better Angels of Our Nature,’ Harvard University psychologist Steven Pinker concludes that all sorts of human evils — war, genocide, murder, rape, torture, dueling, wife-bashing, attacks on minorities, etc. — have faded enormously from the Western world….Pursuit of such humane goals lies at the heart of the liberal agenda.”

Coincidentally, this is the 15th birthday of the Human Rights Act.  Here are 15 reasons to celebrate the Act, followed by one more: it’s Friday.  I wish you a relaxing weekend, during which to take stock of the progress our civilization is making on all fronts and rest up for a renewed effort on Monday.

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainable Building

The Great Green Fleet--US Navy Embraces LED Lights for Energy EfficiencyThe US Navy has made the lucrative and energy-conscious decision to implement LED lighting in all future ships, including those currently under construction. Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus made this announcement as part of an ongoing initiative to streamline the Navy’s productivity, reduce its maintenance costs, improve safety, and help guide the branch to a greener future.

An Energy-Saving Plan Six Years in the Making (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainable Building

Big Energy Savings from LED Lighting2GreenEnergy mega-supporter Gary Tulie sent me this interesting report on the potential energy savings associated with a complete switch (pardon the pun) to LED lighting.

I’m reminded of a story that ex-governor of Pennsylvania Ed Rendell (pictured) told at a conference a few years ago about the bitter hostility that the Republicans and the Democrats were having on the subject of lighting, where the latter group proposed a bill that would phase out incandescent lights and, after a period of time, make their sale illegal, in favor of CFLs and LEDs.  The GOP fought the bill for years on end—fiercely opposing it whenever it arose.  Rendell said, “The Republicans hate this with a passion, even though its only real effect is to save energy.  Why on Earth would anyone fight to use more energy?  Do they have an enormous hidden warehouse of incandescent lights somewhere, waiting to hit the market?”

 

 

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Smart Grid

The Cyber Security of Smart GridsThe analysis and implementation of security systems in the Smart Grid is a challenge, but also an important task and commitment for those who must develop this technology. This is especially true considering the amount of the potential damage that could be caused by cyber attacks. Protection against unauthorized access is a prerequisite for being able to control and use the data flowing through the system. This is because the data, in order to be valid and useable, must be reliable and secure, both when it is sent by the user as well as the energy supplier. (more…)

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