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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Fossil Fuels

Here’s a story with a happy ending.  Apparently, the educational arm of the U.S. coal industry, the American Coal Foundation, hired schoolbook publisher “Scholastic” to create classroom lessons on energy.  Not surprisingly, the material on coal discussed its many “advantages,” but didn’t mention a single disadvantage.  No material on carbon, greenhouse gas emissions or climate change, not a word on pollutants like NOx and SOx, as well as the earth’s deadliest toxins: arsenic, lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium and selenium, and not a syllable on the mountaintop removal mining that has destroyed 500 Appalachian mountains. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Electric Vehicles

Progressives certainly disdain New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, don’t they?  It seems that at the rate of at least once a week he does something to irritate the Common American.  Today we learn that he’s blocking Tesla’s efforts to build a direct sales model in his state, i.e., one that circumvents the traditional dealer model.  That’s not going to go over well with the people who are hoping the U.S. can end its oil addiction. 

I must confess that I don’t understand the basic law here.  Don’t I have a constitutional right to engage in any form of commerce I wish, as long as I’m not selling something illegal, e.g., slaves, drugs, etc.?  If I want to sell oranges or toothpaste via e-commerce and circumvent grocery stores, don’t I have that right? Can cars possibly be any different?

by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Efficiency

As manufacturing companies aim to increase production and reduce costs, analysis of energy consumption within the process is vital. With plastic injection molding, three types of machines and processes are used – hydraulic, hybrid, and all-electric. Any plastics manufacturer may be (and should be) concerned with their impact on the environment. Part of the decision-making toward the goal to be green is figuring out which process and machine to use in order to minimize the negative effects and still be profitable. To do so, one must understand how each system operates. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

I just got off the phone with my mother, who is in the process of moving to Kauai, Hawaii.   She laughed about how, though I will certainly visit, I would hate living there, as isolated as it is from cultural and renewable energy business activities.  She sure nailed that one. 

I urge readers to check out this incredible picture which, according to NASA, provides a “view of the twilight sky and Martian horizon taken by NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover that includes Earth as the brightest point of light in the night sky.”  I’d feel a bit more isolated living there, but only marginally so.

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainability

I’m happy to announce that we’ll soon have a fantastic new intern on board, Louis de Saint Phalle, who, according to his LinkedIn profile, aspires to couple his Bachelor’s of Science degree from King’s College London (library pictured here) with his fluency/proficiency in several languages and his interest in new energy markets, legislation, project financing, and energy efficiency analysis.  Among Louis’ specific fascinations: corporate social responsibility.

Wow.  It really doesn’t get any better. 

Speaking of corporate social responsibility, I should also mention that this is where a huge percentage of good things are happening.  (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Politics

One of the great questions concerning the migration to renewable energy is as follows: Will it come from policy, i.e., government’s creating a level playing field, perhaps with a carbon tax—or will it come from technology, i.e., waiting for the cost of energy from clean sources to come down to that of fossil fuels?

First, we should point out that this is a meaningless question in the developing world, by which we mean countries that do not have the economic resources to choose a more expensive form of energy over another simply because the former is better for human health and the environment.  (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainability

It has long been reported that sustainable business companies create economic value, but they must overcome obstacles to reach their goal. The real challenges they face are related to the government, consumer perceptions and employees or their own organization.

Companies that invest in sustainability are not worse off financially than those which decide against it. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Photovoltaics

Solar energy is the power that can help generate electricity at an ease. It is an alternative source of energy which can help in installing solar panels. Solar energy is the best form of renewable energy which is used to harness the sun’s energy and make it useable. Unlike fossil fuels solar power is versatile and is pollution free and is therefore cleaner and cheaper than its non-renewable counterparts. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Electric Vehicles

Here’s a concept from Ford that strikes me as totally asinine (though, as always, I’m willing to look at other viewpoints).   

As we all know, it’s possible to put solar PV on the roof of an electric vehicle to charge the battery, but the area of the roof is insufficient to provide a meaningful amount of charge, even under ideal conditions. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Electric Vehicles

The world is acutely aware that, in some cases, plugging in an electric vehicle means burning more coal, and that this is a net negative to the environment, not only in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, but in terms of toxic chemicals as well. 

While the big automakers don’t talk about this openly, they are, to their credit, coming up with programs like this, in which they partner with large solar installers to minimize the use of electricity from the grid—regardless of its ultimate source.

Good stuff, IMO.

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