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May 16, 2014
High-Flying Turbine Produces More Power
Airborne Wind Energy Turbine
For Altaeros Energies, the sky’s the limit when it comes to wind power. Founded by Ben Glass and Adam Rein, Altaeros has developed the first commercial airborne wind turbine, using a helium-filled shell to float as high as a skyscraper and capture the stronger, steadier winds available at that altitude.[read more]
May 16, 2014
DIY Friday: How to Read a Lighting Label
When trying to decipher the label on a box of light bulbs, you could become so frustrated your teeth start to grind and your eyes begin to protrude. If you’re new to the lighting labels, they can be confusing, but fear not! We’re here to teach you the lingo and explain what everything means.[read more]
May 16, 2014
How Will Climate Change Affect You? Find the Information You Need Here
Climate Change Effects
On Monday, scientists announced new findings that the massive West Antarctica ice sheet is rapidly melting due to climate change, and the retreat is now irreversible. One of the study’s lead authors said the ice sheet “has passed the point of no return."[read more]
Grant & Fellowship Opportunity For Social Entrepreneur
Wild Gift is currently seeking budding social entrepreneurs (ages 21-35) with innovative, entrepreneurial ideas for its 2015 Fellowship Program. Using wilderness as a powerful springboard, we provide wrap-around support to young social entrepreneurs launching impactful enterprises. [read more]
NASA Research Indicates Slow, Irreversible West Antarctic Ice Melt
Irreversible Antarctic Melt
Recently released projections for the complete collapse of the West Antarctic ice sheet range from two hundred to nearly nine hundred years, but what is clear is that ice melt in this region of the southern pole is happening quicker than expected.[read more]
As Emissions Fall, Greens Increasingly Embrace Shale Gas
For many years, environmental activists have pushed for bans, moratoria, or other restrictions on fracking, alleging the process is a threat to public health and the environment. But in recent months, increasing numbers of environmentalists have distanced themselves from the “ban fracking” agenda.[read more]
The Age of Intelligent Storage: Distributed Systems, Smart Software and Control Systems
When it comes to the widespread adoption of energy storage, the issue now is not if, but when. A new report from PwC says that solar plus storage is about to remake utility business models. Some state regulators, primarily those in New York, are responding by rethinking the utility model altogether.[read more]
Friday Energy Facts: China Produces and Consumes Almost as much Coal as the Rest of the World Combined
China, Coal, and the World
Chinese production and consumption of coal increased for the 13th consecutive year in 2012. China is by far the world's largest producer and consumer of coal, accounting for 46% of global coal production and 49% of global coal consumption—almost as much as the rest of the world combined.[read more]
New Studies Suggest Many Coastal Cities Eventually To Be Abandoned With Antarctic Ice Collapse
Coastal Sea Level Risk to Cities
New studies in Science and Geophysical Research Letters find that glaciers in the Amundsen Sea region of the great Antarctic ice sheet have begun the process of irreversible collapse. That by itself would raise sea levels 4 feet in the coming centuries.[read more]
National Climate Assessment Predicts a Challenging Future for Water Resources
Climate Assessment and Water Risks
It’s time to take serious action to prepare for the impacts of climate change, so warns the newest National Climate Assessment report. Some of the biggest impacts will be felt along our rivers, lakes and ocean coastlines as weather shifts towards extremes, and as sea levels continue to rise.[read more]
Types of Carbon Pricing, Part 3 of 3
The benefits of hybrid schemes include elements of both quantity and price management, with implications for the design of carbon pricing schemes around the world. In practice most carbon pricing schemes are to some extent already hybrids, but here a preferred form of hybrid is suggested.[read more]
U.S. Efficiency Bill Dies Again in Congress
Wrangling in the U.S. Senate over unrelated amendments has derailed the bipartisan Shaheen-Portman energy bill for a second time. The stalemate left the bill’s supporters unable to gain the 60 votes needed to end debate over the bill and move to a final vote Monday.[read more]
Where Are Conservatives' Big Ideas About Clean Energy?
Michael Liebreich penned an essay recently that outlined this intellectual conflict on the right: "Conservatives have allowed the left to claim ownership of the environment. The mistake has been implicitly to accept that protecting our environment is in opposition to a prosperous and free society."[read more]
Statoil Chief: Energy Policy is Economic, Security, and Environmental Policy
Statoil Chief and Energy Policy
Energy issues are more complex and interconnected than ever before, and for this reason energy has become front and center in many debates unfolding on national and international stages. Energy policy involves economic, security, and environmental facets.[read more]
The 97%: Watch John Oliver's Hilarious 'Statistically Representative Climate Change Debate'
Climate Change Debate and Consensus
Some 97 out of 100 actively publishing climate scientists agree with the overwhelming evidence that humans are causing global warming. The challenge for the media is how to accurately reflect that consensus. One way NOT to do it is to give equal time to climate science deniers.[read more]
How to Exploit the Coming Natural Gas Export Explosion: Interview with Frank Curzio
Frank Curzio is the editor of Small Stock Specialist, an investment advisory that focuses on stocks with market caps of less than $3 billion. He is also the editor of Stansberry & Associates' exclusive Phase 1 Investor advisory. Before joining Stansberry, Frank wrote a newsletter for TheStreet.com.[read more]
What Are the Hottest Sectors for Next-Generation Energy Services?
Hot Energy Service Sectors
From physical assets to analytics, there is an almost endless array of activity located at the grid edge. But when it comes to things like the areas with the most innovative companies, the analytics space is quite clearly in the lead for now.[read more]
Istanbul to Ankara: 5 Days, 270 Miles
Traveling in Turkey
From Istanbul to Ankara was 430 km (270 miles) with 5,000 m (17,000 feet) of climbing. Not a crazy ride, but doing it in five days on heavy bikes, with basically no training, was a challenge. We have learned a thing or two about pacing ourselves and look forward to getting rid of some extra weight.[read more]
The Myths about Government that Kill Innovation
There is a steady drumbeat of statements arguing for limited government: Government should not pick winners. Government should not correct market failures. Only private companies should take risks. Government has never done innovation right.[read more]
3 Ways the White House is Supporting a Solar America
Obama and Solar Energy Policy
Even with a 60% drop in the price of solar panels since 2011, the deployment of solar energy has needed a boost to compete with heavily subsidized fossil fuels. The government is one of the sectors that has pushed for a solar America and is poised to meet the goals set forth by the current administration.[read more]
Electric Sector Emissions Trends: Setting Carbon Standards for States
State Carbon Standards
The Environmental Protection Agency is developing a proposed rule to address carbon emissions from existing power plants using their Clean Air Act authority. The proposal is being reviewed by other agencies and the White House and is scheduled to be released in early June of this year.[read more]
How Micro Inverters are Solving Problems
Micro Inverters and Solar
For a wide variety of reasons, Australia has a solar energy market that is almost exclusively driven by small scale residential sales. By the end of 2014, we predict that the National average rooftop penetration rate will be almost 30%; an astounding and unique scenario in the world.[read more]
5 Climate Charts That Should Deeply Worry the Electricity Sector
Electricity Sector and Risk
The federal government very recently released its third National Climate Assessment. The 800-page report highlights alarming data about the threat of storms, droughts, heat waves and other severe events that could disrupt energy infrastructure.[read more]
El Niño Chances Jump To Near 80%, Add In Global Warming And We Face Record Heat
Weather Patterns and Warming Trends
The chances of an El Niño developing this year are now at almost 4 out of 5. The chart above from NASA makes clear El Niños are generally the hottest years on record — since the regional warming adds to the underlying man-made global trend.[read more]
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What's New on
Scott Edward Anderson is a consultant, blogger, and media commentator who blogs at The Green Skeptic. More »
Christine Hertzog is a consultant, author, and a professional explainer focused on Smart Grid. More »
Elias Hinckley is a strategic advisor on energy finance and energy policy to investors, energy companies and governments More »
Gary Hunt Gary is an Executive-in-Residence at Deloitte Investments with extensive experience in the energy & utility industries. More »
Jesse Jenkins is a graduate student and researcher at MIT with expertise in energy technology, policy, and innovation. More »
Kelly Klima is a Research Scientist at the Department of Engineering and Public Policy of Carnegie Mellon University. More »
Jim Pierobon helps trade associations/NGOs, government agencies and companies communicate about cleaner energy solutions. More »
Geoffrey Styles is Managing Director of GSW Strategy Group, LLC and an award-winning blogger. More »
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“Since everyone seems to be in confession mode I might just as well do the same. I don't lean in any direction. Not liberal nor conservative nor independent. I don't even believe political parties make much sense. Political parties don't write, pass and enforce our laws - people do. I cast my vote for the individual that most closely represents my beliefs and is most ...”
“David, spent fuel management costs about 10% of the total energy cost of nuclear, or about one-half cent per kWh. Any problems are not technical but ones of perception, and politics.There is a wide disparity between estimates of lifecycle nuclear carbon emissions; one of the more reasonable estimates puts it at 66gCO2e/kWh. For reference purposes, coal generates 960gCO2e/kWh.Building out nuclear ...”