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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

Here’s an article on various proposed “carbon taxes” that I offer to stimulate conversation.  It really has some nasty holes in it, which I’ll point out in advance:

• The tables are useless, as they represent the grossest of double-counting.  They list energy end-users as: consumers, commercial businesses, industrial enterprises, transportation, and power.  The first three are end-users; the last two are ways that the first three use energy.  It’s like counting fruit and apples; you’d be double-counting the apples.  (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Politics

Now that the regulations on centralized control of news media have all but disappeared, we face the inevitable: multi-billionaires clamoring for ownership of the largest media outlets.  Case in point: the Koch Brothers, worth about $50 billion, are attempting to buy the Tribune Company, whose assets include the Los Angeles Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Baltimore Sun, and a host of other papers across the country.

What’s to fear?  Well, at a minimum, it is a steady stream of poisonous lies about energy and the environment. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

I don’t claim to know about what the utilities are really talking about behind closed doors.  Reading between the lines, I would have to think the level of stress is starting to build, as numerous industry trends seem to militate against them.  In particular:

• Large customers are leaving.  (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Energy Storage

I’m taking a break from the activities at this, the second and last day of the University of California at Santa Barbara’s annual Energy Efficiency Summit to write this short note.

My friends at Eos Energy Storage would have been thrilled if they could have seen me in action this morning. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Efficiency

Businesses around the world are looking for ways to become more environmentally friendly. One of the best kept secrets for businesses small and large is third party logistics companies (3PL).  A 3PL company manages shipping, warehousing and order fulfillment for other companies that sell products. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Electric Vehicles

The growing realization that global climate change is a reality and that the motor vehicles for personal use produce about 10% of global emissions of CO2 (greenhouse gas), has spurred innovation in green technologies in the automotive industry. In addition to save their owners money by concept of gasoline, fuel efficient ecological cars generate less effect gas emissions greenhouse CO2. There are many ecologically on the market today and many cars more than they are in the development stage. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Efficiency

High Tech Home Improvements that Improve the “Green” Value of Your HomeHigh Tech Home Improvements that Improve the “Green” Value of Your HomeThere are many high-tech home improvements you can make to your home that will, in turn, make it greener and much more energy-efficient. Sustainability is about more than just solar energy, although that definitely increases the value of your home. If you want your home to become both greener and more valuable, research the smartest home improvements.

Power Up with Solar Panels

Solar panels will not only increase the value of your home, they’ll also make it more eco-friendly. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Science

I’m writing this post from my annual visit to the University of California at Santa Barbara’s Energy Efficiency Summit. As I mentioned, the focus this year is on materials science, and this raises some interesting questions; for instance, if renewable energy is eventually to dominate the world of power generation, does the Earth’s crust contain enough stuff to make this possible? (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Smart Grid

I’ll bet I’ve met 30 – 40 people here at the University of California at Santa Barbara’s annual Energy Efficiency Summit.  This year, the focus is on materials science, which explains the presence of a spokesperson for the Copper Development Association, the trade group for the metal’s industry.  No one doubts that copper is an element we associate with electricity – regardless of its source.  (more…)

by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Science

I’m spending the day at the University of California at Santa Barbara’s annual Energy Efficiency Summit.  This year, the focus is on materials science – an area of interest for me, though not necessarily one of expertise.  Having said that, I feel I’m in the right place to learn; energy efficiency requires advanced materials, and UCSB is ranked #1 in the nation in this arena.

This morning’s keynote was delivered by Dr. Steven Chu, who recently retired as U.S. Secretary of Energy, where he had served since 2009.  Ironically, Dr. Chu was the first scientist ever to serve in that capacity, (more…)