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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Science

I had a fairly heated disagreement on a few scientific points with a much younger man the other day that resulted in his later challenging me to search online for what he claimed to be the truth. “UTUBE IT, GRAMPS,” he wrote back angrily.

I swear to God Almighty, I almost fell out of my chair laughing. I don’t know how to begin describing why I found this terse little order so comical, but trust me, it took me a full minute to regain my composure, and for my sides to stop hurting.

It’s true that I’m more than old enough to be a grandfather (though, fortunately, neither my son Jake nor my daughter Valerie have brought me to that point). I guess the humor for me is that I don’t feel like anyone’s “Gramps.”

Gertrude Stein wrote: “We are always the same age inside.” Perhaps we should let that sink in for a moment.

In any case, I intend to keep plugging away in my pursuits until I can do it no longer. For what it’s worth, I want to be doing this to within minutes of my demise. Don’t we all? Do any of us want to see a rocking chair in our future?

by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Photovoltaics

Here’s an interview I conducted earlier today with Megan Birney, Energy Manager at Santa Barbara’s Community Environmental Council.  Megan explains her organization’s program to encourage the installation of solar photovoltaics at local non-profits.

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Energy Storage

About a year ago, I was lucky enough to be invited to a meeting of the executive team of ARES, Advanced Rail Energy Storage, a company with a unique concept that competes against pumped hydro.   I hope you’ll check out the website; it tells the story very well, and offers two very solid videos.

ARES most definitely offers advances over its competition, largely, that it doesn’t require water, which is scarce in parts of the world in which the demand for storage is the greatest, e.g., the deserts of the Southwestern US.  Having said that:

1) Insofar as the concept embraces materials and technologies that are fairly commonplace, the cost per Watt, as well as the cost per Watt-hour, will not come down over time to keep pace with higher-tech solutions, e.g., batteries.

2) I don’t have my wits wrapped around the business elements of energy storage as they exist now, let alone how they may exist in the future.  In particular, storage benefits all stakeholders: generation, transmission, distribution, and rate-payer.  I suppose that’s a good thing.  But who’s going to pay for it?  The discussion, historically, has been a tricky one.

In any case, I know and respect a number of the people involved here, and I wish them well.  If anyone’s interested in speaking with them, please let me know.

 

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Politics

I’m happy to note that my brother Geoff’s side of the Shields family is vigorously checking out the Monsanto/GMO issue.  My nephew Tyler (pictured here left of Geoff) is passing around a film documentary on the subject.  Way to go, Ty!

I haven’t watched this, though I did see “Patent for a Pig,” which covers the same subject, and is extremely well made.

Yes, it’s deplorable that Monsanto is putting its profits above the health and safety of the world’s people.   But the real culprit, by my way of thinking, is a legal system that enables this. Let me ask you: (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Solar Thermal

As presented here, I’m glad to see the Saudis implementing CSP (concentrated solar power) as a significant portion of their energy plans.  It looks like MIT and Siemens have crafted a “hybrid” of CSP and fossil fuels, to create higher temperatures (and thus higher efficiencies), which is the real challenge that CSP has always faced.  Obviously, I’d prefer to see fossil fuels go away, but at this stage, I suppose we’ll take what we can get. 

 

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Science

Regarding my response on piezoelectric generation in roadways, Nick writes:

I had no idea they produced such a small amount of energy though I did realize they were expensive.

Well, I haven’t done the math, but just following the broad strokes associated with the conservation of energy, 80% of the chemical energy in gasoline is wasted as heat and mechanical losses in the drive train itself; the other 20% is converted to kinetic energy to move the car.  Exactly how much is lost to compressing the road (and recoverable) as piezoelectricity?  I don’t know, but it can’t be much.

I’m reminded of people who think they’re going to recapture the energy that is currently lost as heat in shock-absorbers — i.e., the vertical motion of a car as it moves along — via regenerative braking.  That’s just as preposterous.  You’re talking about a minute amount of energy.  Note that shock absorbers don’t even get particularly hot.  Terrible idea.

 

 

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainability

2GreenEnergy co-founder George Alger and I are in the process of making a five-minute video on “Ethics and Energy” to be entered in a contest later in the year.  As we currently contemplate the project, the video will feature me giving a talk on the subject, supported by various “B-roll” clips and stills.

I rate myself “decent though far from excellent” at this type of public speaking.  I’m certainly not good enough to deliver it extemporaneously without a bunch of flubs and omissions.  So I just wrote a script for myself that I thought I’d share.

I need a more powerful opening – and closing.  But here are the guts: (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Science

Nicholas writes:

I just wanted to put the idea forward of piezoelectric generators.  As I read an article on them a little while ago about some Israeli engineers testing them on a stretch of highway. They spoke about storing some of the electricity generated from this system so electric cars can recharge on the side of the road, or maybe you could say recharging stations instead of petrol/fuel stations. I’m not sure on your views on this source of energy but from what I have read piezoelectric generators are not just limited to roadways they can be used on railway lines, airport runways and all high traffic areas even sidewalks, shopping malls, airport terminals, sporting arenas the list seems endless. Anyway I would really value your opinion on piezoelectric generators if you could find the time to reply.

Hi, Nicholas.  I haven’t read too much about this, although I did see an article on the work in Israel (linked above).  When you need a small amount of energy for a certain purpose, e.g., igniting a gas lighter for your fireplace or barbecue, piezoelectricity is marvelous.  But it’s extremely expensive and inefficient, given the scale of the concepts at hand, for instance, recapturing a tiny percentage of the waste-energy that comes from driving (or walking, or whatever). 

When we think about the magnitude of the impending energy crisis, one that comes from a population that is in the process of quintupling in size from 1950 – 2050, and, at the same time, is experiencing its energy consumption per capita going through the roof, we shouldn’t get too excited about concepts like these.  I see huge expense and little potential to “move the needle” in terms of the world’s energy picture.  In contrast, improving CAFE (fuel efficiency) standards or reducing VMT (vehicle miles traveled) even infinitesimally would have a far greater effect – and all without re-doing our roadways.  

If we’re going to address this crisis, it will be through significant efforts to reduce consumption via efficiency and conservation, as well as renewable energy solutions on a major scale. 

If anyone disagrees with me, please speak up.

 

 

by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

In this economy, nothing seems settled anymore. If you are even the slightest bit unhappy in your current profession, or you haven’t yet settled on one yet, then never fear: there are options available to you. Set about putting your passion to work and start a career in renewable energy.

Defining the Renewable Energy Industry

Renewable energy is a wildly diverse field, with little agreement on how to define its boundaries and parameters. There is a subtle difference between “green” or “sustainable” industry and “renewable energy,” for example. The former two tend to include efficiency-increasing activities like the retrofitting and weatherization of old buildings, while the latter is defined more narrowly as the actual production of energy through renewable or sustainable means, like wind and solar power. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainable Building

Although green initiatives began back in the 1970s, few companies and individuals were motivated to take serious action to protect the environment and focus on sustainability. In recent years, however, the target of living green has taken hold, dominating the activities of industry and individuals alike.

Living green has become such a force that progressive companies use their sustainability actions as components in their branding efforts. Further, many talented employees now state they prefer to work for green employers. Savvy recruiters and hiring managers are using this attitude to find the best candidates for important personnel needs. (more…)

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