Home › Blog › Page 1432

by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Climate Change

Studies on Global Warming

Re: my post pointing out that 10,883 out of 10,885 peer-reviewed scientific studies in 2013 concluded that global warming is real and caused by humans, frequent commenter MarcoPolo writes: I’m sure it’s not your intention, but what you are suggesting would censor, or deter all debate, whether scientific or political.

I don’t resent climate scientists’ exploring this issue and trying to disprove the theory; that’s the way that all science is advanced. I’m no more in favor of doggedly holding on to a broken theory re: the climate than I am to a broken theory about the cause or treatment of cancer. I do, however, resent people who know nothing about the subject, e.g., the climate deniers in the U.S. Congress, shills for the oil companies, disseminating gibberish that has the effect of blocking progress to solutions to a problem that has the potential to cause mass extinction on the planet.

As a person of conscience, you should hold the same resentment.

 

Tagged with: , , , ,

by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Photovoltaics

More on Floating Solar PV Power PlantsYesterday, a reader expressed interest in creating solar PV plants that float on large bodies of water that act to stem evaporation as they generate electrical power, and I directed him to an article my friend Gary Tulie had written on the subject: Saving the Salton Sea with Solar Arrays.

Below are the calcs that the reader provides on the subject.  My only comments are:

• Indeed, there are horrific consequences if the volume of water in Lake Mead falls to the point that Hoover Dam needs to be shuttered.   However,

• Huge PV installations are not equivalent in value to hydroelectric facilities that offer dispatchable power, and

• Huge PV installations that are far from population centers pose additional challenges.

He writes:  Thanks, Craig.  Looking at Gary’s article, I realized I had seen it when it came out.  Probably that’s what triggered my thinking this time. (more…)

Tagged with: , , , ,

by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Climate Change

Quite a Moment: Pope Francis To Address U.S. Climate Change DeniersIn September, Pope Francis will deliver an address to the U.S. Congress on humankind’s responsibilities vis-à-vis the environment.   I have to say that the very concept of this presentation to a room packed with a large number of climate change deniers, each one a dancing monkey, a shill for the oil companies, makes me smile.  I can just visualize (adamant denier) James Inhofe (R-OK, chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works–pictured left) and all the others, sitting there scowling.

On a more serious note, (more…)

Tagged with: , , , , , , , ,

by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Photovoltaics

Floating Solar PV Power Plants A reader notes:  Craig – pretty neat that someone is turning unused golf courses into solar farms, but the idea in this story that really caught my eye was a proposal to “develop and operate a 13.4 megawatt floating solar power plant on the Yamakura Dam reservoir.”  Got me thinking: How much of the water loss in, say, Lake Meade is from evaporation?  How much would that be reduced per acre by floating solar farms? How much of a win-win floating solar farm would it take to make Lake Meade start gaining ground again (or is that even possible)?

It’s possible, though I’m not sure how feasible.  My friend Gary Tulie of scenic Buckinghamshire England (pictured) knows more about this than I do, as proven in his excellent article: Saving the Salton Sea with Solar Arrays.

.

 

Tagged with: , , , , ,

by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Climate Change

Yes, Environmentalists Are SincerePart of the reason I’m optimistic about our civilization’s approach to sustainability is that more people care about the subject each year, and, at the same time, our understanding and appreciation of the subject continues to grow more profound.  We’re increasingly aware that the progress we’ve made in terms of wealth has come at the expense of the Earth’s finite resources, and that this cannot continue indefinitely; this, of course, is why many scientists argue that we’ve entered a new geological epoch: the Anthropocene.

We’re starting to view all this as a holistic problem, examining the interplay between fossil fuel consumption, consumerism, climate change, the quantity and quality of food and water, human health, international hostility, the loss of biodiversity, and so forth. (more…)

Tagged with: , , , , , , ,

by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

More on Solar PV Market ResearchThe folks with the front-lawn-mounted solar PV device described here are not sanguine with my suggestion that they should begin with market research.  They respond: We have a target market ready to buy our product and able to buy our product. As in any great commercial breakthrough, the target market is unaware of what it needs until it is given what it needs.

Well, if I were trying to answer the market demand question, I would walk around a sample neighborhood with a clipboard and my cell phone, asking permission to survey people.  To those who assented, I would show a shortened version of your video, and then ask:

  • What do you like best about the concept?
  • Do you see any drawbacks?
  • Would you pay $15K for this?
  • Why?  (Why not?)

If you do that as few as 20 times, you’ll learn an inestimable amount about the receptivity of the market.

Tagged with: , ,

by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Electric Vehicles

So Much To Love About Electric BikesA friend writes: electric bikes are becoming amazing; check this out.

Needless to say, I’m thrilled to see all this attention flowing into the e-bike space, as there are so many good things it accomplishes simultaneously.  Not only does it reduce car and light-truck VMT (vehicle miles traveled), but it gets a ton of people out there bicycling who wouldn’t have considered it before.  (more…)

Tagged with: , , , , ,

by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Photovoltaics

Advice to Solar PV Entrepreneurs: Begin with Market ResearchA reader introduces his company:  We are Zion Solar. Our company is a concept-stage solar generator designer and manufacturer. We are based in Los Angeles, CA.  The idea is to build beautiful and powerful off-grid solar generators.  Our deck linked above.  Let us know if you would like to get involved in a business relationship with us as an investor and a mentor.

I have to applaud you for thinking outside the box; I didn’t see that one coming.  (more…)

Tagged with: , , ,

by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Efficiency, Sustainability

Conserving Space: What are Hospitals Doing Today to Stay Sustainable?As more people realize the power of their actions on the environment around them, they look for more environmentally conscious solutions. Individuals and businesses alike are choosing materials and practices that are efficient and won’t waste precious resources. Healthcare professionals are no different because amidst all of the emergency surgeries and doctor’s appointments, these facilities have to think about their impact on the environment. Medical providers today are considering many different ways they can improve the sustainability of hospitals and clinics worldwide.

(more…)

Tagged with: , , , , , ,

by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Fossil Fuels

The Coal Industry Offer JobsA reader notes: The L.A. Times had an editorial today about the obvious need to abandon coal as an energy source, and yet what to do about the coal miners and others whose jobs directly exist because of that industry…..It gets down to the workers who become impoverished due to their industry going away.

Personally, I don’t see this as a big deal.  (more…)

Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , ,