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by Craig ShieldsPosted on Posted in Energy Storage

Xcel Energy, a Midwestern electric and natural gas company, released its preliminary test results in early August 2010 on its wind-to-battery storage technology. After one and a half years of testing, the preliminary results are a success, it says.

Luverne, MN, serves as the test center with the battery installation connected to an 11 MW wind farm owned by Minwind Energy, LLC.  The twenty 50 KW battery modules are about the size of two semi trailers, weigh about 80 tons and can store about 7.2 MW-hours of electricity. Fully charged, the battery modules could power 500 homes for more than seven hours, said Xcel Energy on August 3, 2010.
Xcel Energy revealed the following in the preliminary report:
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by Craig ShieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Science

The work that Brazil has done in renewable energy is legendary. Clean energy – mainly ethanol made from huge sugarcane fields — accounts for more than 85.4% of their domestically supplied energy.

The country stands as a model of decision making that spans the public and private sectors. After the volatility of the oil markets of the 1970s, Brazil made concentrated attack on developing alternative sources of energy. In addition to powering its fleets with a minimum of gasoline, Brazil has been extremely effective in diversifying its energy portfolio with wind and hydrokinetics.

It is for this reason that I can think of no better host for an energy conference. One of the directors of the Renewable and Alternative Energy in the Southern Cone asked me to let readers know about it, and I said I’d be happy to; just click the link above.

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by Craig ShieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

In a must-read story — Deutsche Bank’s Asset Manager head warned that US is missing out on an “industrial revolution in the energy industry,” Kevin Parker told Reuters that he is focusing billions in investment money on Chinese and European companies. Heads up, everyone who plans to listen to my webinar on companies that could see 100% stock-price gains.  There’ll be more than one non-US firm in the mix.

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by Craig ShieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Science

Some of the recent conversations here have touched on the idea of geoengineering, i.e., taking pro-active steps to mitigate the greenhouse gas problem more aggressively than simply cutting emissions. This is a hot topic, if I may use the pun, in many of the current conferences on sustainability – albeit a fiercely controversial one.

Rightfully, the concept of shooting particles into the mesosphere (the layer above the stratosphere) to shield the Earth from incident sunlight that is melting the polar icecaps is quite contentious, yet I personally recommend that everyone have at least a surface level of understanding of the topic. To that end, here’s one of the magnificent “Ted Talks” by scientist David Keith, who, in 16 minutes, presents the basics of the subject in a quite accessible way.

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by Craig ShieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Science

We are imposed to lead a mechanical life.  Whether we accept or not, we are being forced to live more and more sedentary and mechanical life.  Right after waking up, including our exercise which is customized by ourselves to suit our imposed mechanical lifestyle.  After the so called our time, till we go out for work – travelling, working, watching Television or any other almost all the dimensions of so called entertainment and till sleeping,  everything is mechanical.  It is only weekends we get and these weekends also like exercise depends on several other parameters of our life.

These are the main reasons behind our passive lifestyle – accepting what is offered by the system and our thought process revolves around this restricted circle itself and not beyond.  Discipline is an important dimension for life but, that should not be an imposed or compromised dimension of life.  This weakens our thought process and in the long run, we cease to think and this will continuously reduces our emotional and spiritual quotient. But, do we need these two dimensions in our life ?  Answer is a big Yes, as these two dimensions in equilibrium with our intelligence quotient keeps our life in the worthy dimension. (more…)

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by Craig ShieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Science

But the Politicians don’t trust Science to believe it is Reasonable. Please read it all don’t stop without the entire picture! There is a SOLUTION to “Global Warming”

The efforts of Humans to control carbon-dioxide emissions and thereby reduce global warming is at most a few percent (95%)most of the emissions come from plants at night and some is converted back to oxygen and the carbon used in the plants in daylight. Our feeble efforts will have little effect.

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by Craig ShieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

Most of the citizens of Earth understand humanity is approaching limits. In the EU, a great deal of companies understand they have a responsibility and ability to exert positive change on the world’s economy, environmental and social conditions.

In terms of the Triple Bottom Line (TBL), the goal is to expand the traditional reporting framework to take into account not only financial performance, but ecological and societal, as well. But we seem to have a challenging contraction when it comes to the role of the VC. Yes, traditionally, a company’s responsibility lies with shareholders, the owners for profit, not stake holders or those  influenced directly/indirectly by a company’s actions. (more…)

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by Craig ShieldsPosted on Posted in Electric Vehicles

This is rather long but maybe your assistants can screen this. I’m writing because you showed some interest in urban transport costs (skimming down, you will be able to see this thread). Recently the bike people have gained access to hydro right of way for bike path. This is interesting because (a) these routes are free of traffic and are straight lines giving rapid access to downtown. They could cheaply be “paved” with limestone screening which compact with use to a cement- like surface.

Bikes are great for transport and fitness BUT when it rains and/or gets cold, I suspect the bikers want a nice dry warm bus. This migration makes life difficult for TTC- be- there -when- I -need -you is costly as empty buses illustrate this fact. That is why I think enclosed private transport- not cars- is the future.
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by Craig ShieldsPosted on Posted in Electric Vehicles

As a company developing an electric vehicle, we are seeing the investment community frozen solid. When Obama got elected everyone thought he would solve all of our problems, including health care, Global Warning through a cap and trade bill, education, and taking care of the under-privileged at the expense of the rich. The cap and trade looked to be sure bet and a lot of investors jumped into alternative energy regardless of whether it made economic sense or not. While without economic sense, alternative energy is more expensive than status-quo and thus it is losing favor, orders are being cancelled and many small and large companies are failing. Investors are scared. The August primaries around the country has told us, people are upset and do not like what is happening in Washington DC. I voted in the primary against any incumbent running for reelection. I was not the only one! We are upset with what is happening. What bunch of idiots would write a 2,500 page Health Care bill and half of Congress did not even read! (more…)

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by Craig ShieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

Every week I get a dozen or so emails from 2GreenEnergy subscribers who make incredibly insightful comments — or ask wonderful questions — about the industry. I write back — normally almost begging the author to become a guest blogger, recognizing as I do that many thousands of other readers would benefit from the intelligence that I see in front of me. But only occasionally does this actually materialize. Is it because some folks are too shy? I’m not sure.

In any case, let me make this clear: We Want You To Share Your Thoughts!

Please consider becoming a guest blogger, and posting your observations, questions, concerns, innovations – or whatever. A political rant? Terrific! A breakthrough solution in clean energy or sustainability more generally? Even better! (more…)

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