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Daniel Yergin’s Talk on Energy Policy

craigshieldsPosted on October 14, 2011 Posted in Fossil Fuels

To make good on my promise to write something about Daniel Yergin’s talk the other night at UCSB, he’s obviously a very bright guy whose travels and studies are quite impressive, and the talk was interesting to a point. But what I found shockingly absent was a single word on any of the controversial issues that surround our world energy policy. Can’t we at least mention the idea that Big Money and politics are conspiring to preserve the status quo and make the migration to renewables extremely difficult and slow? How about an update on those 7000 lobbyists who work for the oil industry?

I say I was shocked, but let’s not be too dramatic here. His clients are oil companies. Wouldn’t it have been even more surprising had the reverse been true?

Tagged with: Big Oil and Clean Energy, Daniel Yergin, lobbying, oil companies, peak oil

By Guest-Blogger Dragmit: A FINAL PLANET WIDE SOLUTION TO RENEWABLE ENERGY

craigshieldsPosted on October 13, 2011 Posted in Efficiency

Mankind is literally at an energy crossroads. He has just about half depleted his fossil fuel reserves, and while half does not sound bad, his present rate of consumption is higher than ever. What that means is while his supply is halved, his useable time is much less than half. And it took over ten million years to make all of this stuff! Can we wait in the dark for ten million years for another batch to cook up? Hardly. There is a real sense of urgency in regard to our energy needs today, and the laws of supply and demand prove this every time we fuel up our automobiles, heat our houses, or buy food at the store. And without a real solution, we are going to begin suffering some serious setbacks for humanity very very soon. (more…)

Tagged with: alternative energy, clean energy, green energy, planet-wide energy solution, Renewable Energy, solar energy, solar panels, solar power, Wind Energy, wind power, wind turbines

Energy Videos for Newcomers

craigshieldsPosted on October 13, 2011 Posted in Renewables - Science

I’ve been preparing to make a few videos for newcomers to the subject of clean energy that answer basic questions on renewable energy, fossil fuels, nuclear energy, and the energy-related challenges we face. I’ll be recording a series of short talks, aided by graphics, that point out that all our energy sources go back to the Big Bang, and come forward through time to us as follows:

Solar power is nuclear, of course, as all that hydrogen that became our sun billions of years ago undergoes fusion and emits enormous amounts of energy. That which we accumulated over hundreds of millions of years as fossil fuels (ancient biomass) we extract and burn as oil, coal, and natural gas. That which we receive right now, or in the very recent past, we have the potential to harvest as renewables: photovoltaics, concentrated solar power, wind, new biomass, run-of-river hydro, ocean current, and wave. (more…)

Tagged with: alternative energy, Big Bang, Bill Paul, biomass, clean energy, coal, concentrated solar power, CSP. wind, Energy Videos for Newcomers, energy-related challenges, fossil fuels, fusion, geothermal energy, green energy, Hydrogen, natural gas, nuclear energy, ocean current, oil, photovoltaic, PV, Renewable Energy, renewable energy finance guru, run-of-river hydro, site on environmentalism for kids, solar energy, solar panels, solar power, Tidal Energy, wave energy, Wind Energy, wind power, wind turbines

Take a COOL Guess – the Fun Quiz on Clean Energy Today’s Topic: Renewable Energy Conferences

craigshieldsPosted on October 12, 2011 Posted in Sustainability

Question: Since 2005, what has been home to the most important Renewable Energy event in Central America?

Answer: Can be found at http://2greenenergy.com/cool-guess-answers/8732.

Relevance: Many smaller countries, whose activities may be less important to the world economy, routinely make extremely robust contributions to global sustainability — a game in which all players are winners.

Tagged with: renewable energy conferences, take a cool guess

From Guest Blogger Richard Marks: What’s Wrong with America? Financial and Political People Are Holding Us Back

craigshieldsPosted on October 12, 2011 Posted in Renewables - Politics

We do have a very serious problem in this country. In Detroit, last week was the Detroit International Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Show. This was a first attempt to bring companies from China and Taiwan together in Detroit to exhibit their auto parts making ability and technology as well as some American companies, like us at EcoVElectric. The show’s attendance was not what was hoped for, but in talking to these Asian companies, it was obvious that the US has its head in the sand. They are eager to manufacture everything and understand this is the way to improve their standard of living. They wanted to cooperate with my company and build EcoV in Asia (also talked with people from India, Pakistan and Korea who are equally as hungry) They are very interested in electric vehicles and alternative energy. (more…)

Tagged with: alternative energy investing in America, politics, problems in America, Richard Marks

Talking Renewable Energy on “Getting Your Money’s Worth”

craigshieldsPosted on October 12, 2011 Posted in Renewables - Science

Many years ago I donated 90% or so of my neckties to charity as I almost never wear one anymore. But I’m glad I didn’t get rid of them all, as here I had a rare opportunity a couple of weeks ago when I was in New York City and taped an episode of “Getting Your Money’s Worth,” in which I discuss renewable energy with show host Judith West.

It was actually quite a rocket ride, where Judith asked about solar, wind, fossil fuels, electric transportation, and a range of other subjects concerning the politics of clean energy.

Tagged with: alternative energy, clean energy, electric transportation, fossil fuels, Getting Your Money's Worth, green energy, Judith West, Renewable Energy, solar, solar energy, solar panels, solar power, wind, Wind Energy, wind power, wind turbines

Should Government Pick Winners and Losers in Energy Technology?

craigshieldsPosted on October 12, 2011 Posted in Renewables - Politics

Should Government Pick Winners and Losers in Energy Technology?

For those of you who, like me, watch very little commercial news television, here’s a sample of reporting to consumers on the energy industry. This happens to concern Solyndra – a debacle that’s thrown a cold swimming pool of water on the already floundering US renewable energy industry.

Btw, I’d love to know how this happened in the first place. I talk to people in the private sector all the time who swear they saw this train-wreck coming far in advance. At a meeting I had with Kleiner Perkins managing partner Ray Lane earlier this year, he told me, “We knew that technology wouldn’t scale. We had been telling the DoE that for over a year, but no one would listen.”

So what are we to believe? That the public sector knew this too but made it happen for “political purposes?” Sorry, I think there’s more to the story than that. Yet God help me if I can add more clarity. I feel rather like those trying to figure out the JFK assassination; I know what didn’t happen, but not exactly what did. (more…)

Tagged with: alternative energy, clean energy, Department of Energy, DoE, energy technology, green energy, Kleiner Perkins, Ray Lane, Renewable Energy, should government pick winners and losers, Wind Energy, wind power, wind turbines

Steve Jobs, Innovation, and Clean Energy

craigshieldsPosted on October 11, 2011 Posted in Renewables - Business

All the bad news about the U.S. economy further heightens our fascination with Steve Jobs, a man whose life’s work showed us all the power of innovation. Indeed, if there is hope for Americans to propel themselves back into a position of leadership in world commerce, it lies precisely here, in our ability to develop and implement new technologies. And, of course, no industrial sector is more receptive to new thinking than clean energy.

A friend of mine came across this tribute to Jobs in Northern California the other day, and created this wonderful slide show commemorating not only the man but the concept of innovation itself. Hope you enjoy.

Tagged with: innovation, Steve Jobs

Daniel Yergin Speaking on Energy, Sustainability at the University of California Santa Barbara

craigshieldsPosted on October 11, 2011 Posted in Sustainability

Of course, few readers live close to Santa Barbara, CA, USA. But those who do should consider attending this lecture by Daniel Yergin, one of the greatest contributors of our world’s understanding of the economic and politics of energy.

Wednesday night at 8. And it’s free! Anyone wish to join me?

Tagged with: Daniel Yergin, UCSB, University of California Santa Barbara

From Guest-blogger Mirsad Hasic — Clever Ways to Save Money with Alternative Energy

craigshieldsPosted on October 11, 2011 Posted in Efficiency

Do you want to use alternative energy in your home or office? Non-renewable energy sources are causing a world of trouble for the world. Their amount is limited. Their emission of carbon into the sky is sky-high. Their cost is controlled by the companies that collect and process them. Fortunately, alternative energy sources can help not only to save the Earth, but also your money. By taking some basic steps, you can use various alternative energy sources, in order to reduce your utility bills. Here are some of the most effective methods: (more…)

Tagged with: alternative energy, clean energy, green energy, Renewable Energy, saving money, solar energy, solar panels, solar power, Wind Energy, wind power, wind turbines