For the reader who, for whatever reason, may be on a quest to check out every conceivable variation on the theme of extracting the kinetic energy out of moving water, here is Atlantis. Note that a great deal of discussion refers to R&D in 2002 and 2006. Not to sound cynical, but I think there is a reason for that, and it doesn’t bode well for their investors and other fans of this type of technology. (more…)
In a study released by the US Environment Protection Agency, an average household within the United States spends at least $2,000 annually on energy and utility bills. In addition, the continued population growth contributed to a huge increase in water consumption, air pollution, and waste. The agency, along with numerous other organizations, encourages homes to adapt to a greener and more environment friendly lifestyles.
Shifting to a green kitchen is easy. Along with helping the environment, you will also be able save thousands of dollars when you choose to go green. (more…)
I’m guessing the name Walter Feuchs is not a new one to many readers; he’s been in and around cleantech innovation for a very long time. Here he writes: (This document) provides an overview of innovations with a global perspective. Any questions?
Walter: I don’t disagree with a single word you’ve written in your “Green Climate Fund” piece, and the prose is, as always, very clear and compelling. (more…)
A reader asks for my comments as follows:
I am not a technician but a Free Energy lover – (I’ve spent) more than 30 years trying to understand Nikola Tesla patents as the first approach to free energy. (Now I’m studying):
• “Thermoelectric generator combination — solar ovens concentrate between 800 to 1000°C of heat, converted into electricity by means of Peltier modules
• KapaGen .. closest to Tesla’s free energy… inventor got too much pressure from the “police” and therefore does not answer me anymore (more…)
A reader, part of the labor union IBEW 1933 utility workers in Southwest Florida, asks my opinion on a waste-to-energy matter:
I represent Glades Electric Coop (18000 meters and old style poor coop) and LCEC (200500 meters and more modern wealthy coop). I personally believe the transition to renewables with interaction of the existing grid is a gift waiting to happen. I would like your thoughts on how to get members of theses coops (especially progressive renewable believers) to start participating in the trustee structures of the coops.
I’m afraid I’m not going to be of too much help–beyond rooting for you, that is. (more…)
As we’ve seen, any move by the U.S. legislature that would send us in the direction of clean energy is far too contentious at this time. Fortunately, our Congress has stumbled upon another good thing to be done in the world–one that happens to be almost totally noncontroversial: rescinding America’s obsolete and hateful policy with respect to Cuba.
Humanitarians everywhere celebrate this and all victories–whatever form they take, whomever they affect, and wherever on the globe they occur. Here are 21 pictures that, according to the article, “say it all.”
“Everybody knows” that demand response is going to be huge over the next decade. How do we know? Well, for one, Warren Buffett is investing in it. And what exactly makes us believe that the Oracle of Omaha is so incredibly unlikely to err? His $63.6 billion.
Don’t get me wrong, I agree that he’s right about demand response, and that he’s a fabulously brilliant guy overall. But the logic above is faulty; it’s reminiscent of this classic scene from the American film City Slickers (1991).
The more I read about this, and the more time passes (perpetually bringing down the cost of solar and wind), the more I doubt it. Having said that, here’s an article on the use of wave energy in Africa.
The project developer writes: The technology can achieve a power generation cost as low as USD 0.02 per kW (sic), …. compared to USD 0.03/kWh for coal, USD 0.12 for solar and USD 0.036 for wind.
“Can” achieve? Under what circumstances? Sorry, but this is total horse hockey.
Here’s a really solid article summarizing the thinking we should apply when determining the worth of solar as a replacement for other forms of energy.
There are two main things that are omitted here, and while I have to admit they’re extremely hard (impossible?) to quantify, they’re probably the most important: (more…)
I’m always happy to receive and comment on new ideas in renewable energy technology. If you happen to be sitting on a business plan, or just a raw idea, and you’d like my opinion on it (at no charge), please send it along.
Here’s a discussion I had with a reader just the other day: (more…)
