This will complete my summary of how the market for solar energy can be strengthened through demand development.

The true source of module pricing pressure is project developers seeking the minimum price that can be paid to maximize internal rate of return. Forcing manufacturers to compete on price and performance will lead to wholesale margin compression, precipitating a shakeout of high-cost, undifferentiated suppliers.

GreenTech Media Research, 2009 Global Photovoltaic Demand Analysis and Forecast, March 31, 2009

The ruination of entire sectors of the economy has been due to such price-based competition.  So it is my sincere hope that the solar industry can avoid “commoditization.”

As parts 1 and 2 of Strengthening Solar hopefully established, enhancing and reshaping demand can improve both volume and margins for the solar industry.  This can come about through good marketing.  Unfortunately, the industry is already in a tough place with oversupply, rapidly decreasing prices/margins, and low marketing budgets.  Even I wouldn’t ask a solar CEO to authorize a multiplication of the marketing budget, and I’m not shy about that sort of thing.

What the industry can successfully do is band together for the sake of the whole category.  It should pool marketing funds to build demand – emotionally fueled demand – for solar electricity.  This is not without precedent:

As Baba Shiv of Stanford, and many others, have shown in research, a branded, emotional value proposition will result in higher margins and growth.

Eventually, specific purveyors of solar offerings will need to invest in brand distinction among competitors, but for now, the solar category itself needs to be branded.  Solar electricity can be desired over other sources, even though there is no perceivable difference in the consumed product (a flow of electrons, a bright light bulb).  I assure you, Jim Rogers of Duke Energy can tell you about emotional power, observing the occupants of his front yard, who would rather have solar than the new Cliffside coal plant.  People can be encouraged to care where their electricity comes from, and that drives choice and margin.

Think about it:  people didn’t connect labor ethics with clothing until recent years.  Now, a shoe company using children to make shoes would be gone in a week, even if they were cheaper.

There is a fixation with “grid parity” price (the price at which solar vs. traditional sources is equal).  Thus, the markets are being trained not to pay a premium for solar — to value it only for the watts delivered (there is some mention of avoiding fossil fuel cost increases, etc., but price is the top of mind issue).  Again, sophisticated research has shown that people devalue things sold on price.  There is much more to recommend solar energy, and these merits can be amplified through an industry-wide campaign.

If the industry can focus on the health of the market, all participants will benefit, vs. racing to the bottom in a price war.  Think of the solar market as a pie, with diameter (volume), and depth (margin).  Right now, it’s small and thin, a tartlet.

Even if today’s stronger solar companies invest their limited advertising budgets to consolidate share, they may only end up with a slightly larger portion of a tartlet, vs. banqueting on a much bigger pie later.  The upside for the market is SO large, it makes more sense to focus on growing the pie, both depth and breadth (= profit).

So, I’d like to suggest the creation of a program, sponsored by a body of solar industry players (such as SEIA).  The program would be funded through a set-aside of a small portion of revenue, and perhaps underwritten by the federal government’s clean energy stimulus funds.  It would act to understand the motivations of the customer, develop top-of-mind awareness among the right target audience, increase consideration rates, raise the image of solar, and drive leads to installers.  Pull to go with the government’s policy push.  Net:  more people would desire solar at higher prices.  Yum yum.

I have specific ideas on how this program would work, and will happily discuss with people of serious intent.  Please comment here, or reach me at craig (at) inventivebranding (dot) com.

Duke Energy’s Integrated Gasification Combined-Cycle (IGCC) plant in Edwardsport, Ind. is taking a significant step forward in the use of cleaner coal technology. Notice that I say “cleaner coal” and not “clean coal” because the former is possible while the latter is not. But in the noble effort of creating the former to help meet the country’s future energy requirements, the first major pieces of equipment have arrived. Using GE IGCC technology, the plant is expected to be the largest cleaner coal IGCC facility of its type in the world when it is complete. An Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle, or IGCC, is a power plant using synthesis gas (syngas). This gas is often used to power a gas turbine whose waste heat is passed to a steam turbine system, also referred to as a combined cycle gas turbine.

According to Wikipedia, “Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle, or IGCC, is a technology that turns coal into gas – synthesis gas (syngas). It then removes impurities from the coal gas before it is combusted. This results in lower emissions of sulfur dioxide, particulates and mercury. It also results in improved efficiency compared to conventional pulverized coal. Both because it can be found in abundance in America and many other countries and because the price of it has remained relatively constant in recent years, coal is used for about 50 percent of U.S. electricity needs. [1] Thus the lower emissions that IGCC technology allows may be important in the future as emission regulations tighten due to growing concern for the impacts of pollutants on the environment and the globe.”

The first generation of IGCC plants polluted less than contemporary coal-based technology, but also polluted water. The Wabash River Plant, for example, is an example of a successful experiment in cleaner coal technology and yet was out of compliance with its water permit for seven years because it emitted arsenic, selenium and cyanide. This makes the residue and toxic footprint of these operations still way too large for widescale acceptance. However, these new experiments in creating “cleaner coal” operations give some hope to changing that. IGCC is now touted as “capture ready” and could potentially capture and store carbon dioxide. Carbon capture is widely considered to be the future hope for coal burning energy sources.

Working from GE Energy’s specifications, Belleli Energy of Italy manufactured a radiant syngas cooler (RSC). It was the first sections of this cooler that arrived at Edwardsport last month. The remaining pieces will arrive later in the year. GE Energy is supplying gasification, power generation and controls equipment and services for the design and startup of the IGCC plant, which will generate approximately 630 megawatts of power when it enters service in 2012.

In an IGCC plant, coal is heated to high temperature to create a synthesis gas or syngas, which is then processed to remove many emissions-NOx, SOx, mercury and particulate matter-before the gas is burned in a specially designed gas turbine to generate electricity. This is a big step forward in the cleaning process of coal burning energy production. The RSC cooler is placed under the gasifier and cools the syngas, creating steam, which powers a steam turbine, increasing plant efficiency and reducing emissions. Construction of the RSC will take place on-site using mostly local labor and is expected to be completed by the end of 2010.

GE Energy has been at the forefront of IGCC technology for more than two decades. GE technology was involved in several milestone IGCC projects, including the pilot IGCC plant, Coolwater, in Barstow, Calif.; and the Polk Tampa Electric IGCC plant in Florida that helped to demonstrate the commercial feasibility of IGCC. Today, 65 gasification facilities operate under GE gasification licenses, including 33 GE-licensed gasification plants using commercial technology to separate carbon.

Technorati Tags: carbon, coal, electricity, emissions, energy, environment, pollution, reduction, toxins

Did you know that the sun provides over 35,000 times the total amount of energy that humans use every day? Solar energy is the most abundant, reliable, and cleanest form of renewable energy on the planet. With the rise energy costs, and increased environmental awareness, solar power is quickly becoming a feasible and affordable energy option for home use, but the best part about the sun is that it follows around even when you leave your home. That creates virtually unlimited potential for mobile solar applications such as RV Solar Kits and Solar Back Packs. Mobile solar gives you the freedom to go more places and do more things without having to sacrifice the use of your favorite comforts and conveniences. Plus, solar battery charging can play a very important role in any traveler’s precautionary emergency arsenal.

Nevada lawmakers voted in June, 2009, to start up a new Nevada renewable energy agency.  That set the stage for the Governor to appoint a Commissioner to head the agency in its work.

The agency’s purpose is to study science and technology and to develop ideas to conserve energy use.  It will also focus on ways to bring green businesses to Nevada. The agency will study solar power, wind, and geothermal projects in order to attract those businesses to the state.  On the business and political side, the agency will examine a combination of financing options, possible tax breaks and technological partnerships that may be offered by the State to renewable energy businesses.  The agency will also examine possible locations in the state that may be attractive to renewable energy companies.

The new agency will work with Nevada’s State Energy Director Hatice Gecol. She was given control of the Fund for Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservations Loans.  Through this fund, the energy director can make three percent interest rate loans, with legislative approval, to companies that build renewable projects.

There are unanswered questions from some lawmakers about funding the agency in the long term. The agency will be working with Ms. Gecol to obtain Nevada’s share of the Federal Stimulus Package money for renewable energy projects. That source may provide funding in the short-term.

I ran across this cool product.  It is an LED street light, with a wind turbine and solar module, mounted on the same pole, over the light.

This product, sized to fit in a residential neighborhood,  is sold by a company called Urban Green Energy.  It generates electricity when the sun is shining and/or wind is blowing, and stores it in a battery to power the light.

As designers strive to create a more sustainable future, we’re thrilled to see designs that integrate a variety of renewable energy technologies into objects we encounter in everyday life. This innovative hybrid wind and solar powered street lamp is just such a solution – not only does it use renewable energy to provide light, it’s a stylish update to an everyday object that is capable of operating completely off-grid.

I imagine it could also be configured to supply power to the grid in its neighborhood.  It’s much nicer looking than any off-grid solar powered device I’ve seen installed, but I think it would look better with one less technology.  I also think it’s funny that “green” products are often painted or logoed in green, presumably so we get the environmental point.

Here is another similar concept (which exists in real life), a “tree” with solar cells on top of the round pods, and lights below.

This activity is encouraging, as aesthetic appeal will help clean energy devices move out of the early adopter phase (the people who want their solar panels or wind turbine to be obvious, like their Prius).  I hope a lot of the best industrial designers will move into this space.

Are you thinking about utilizing solar for your home…but are not sure if this is a good idea? The best way to determine if this is what you really should do is to research and learn all you can about it using solar yes, I am stating the obvious. Solar power can help you save money on your electric bill every month, but there are 3 key factors that should consider before you decide to utilize it for your own home.

Here are the 3 factors that you must considere if you plan on using solar power:

1 There’s no doubt that solar power is sufficient for any home, but you need to consider where you live. Why? Because the amount of sunny days in your part of the world will determine how efficient the solar panels will be and whether or not you will make back your investment quickly…or slowly. So ask yourself: Is it sunny for the better part of the year? Does it rain a lot or is it often cloudy? Is your yard filled with a lot of trees that might block the rays of the sun?

These are all important questions you need to consider. Trees, rain, and clouds will prevent them from working efficiently; solar panels will still work to give your home power, but not as well as it could and that could end up costing you a lot of money. Any home that is situated in very sunny areas will get the most benefits from solar power.

2 Determining the location of where you are going to put the solar panels: You really should install the solar panels in the areas that receives the most sunlight. If you place it in a shady area, you will not be getting the full energy benefit from your solar panels. If you are using a company to install the panels, they will likely do this, but educate yourself to make sure the are putting the panels in the most efficient spots.

3 Vitally important: You have to make sure that the solar panels are correctly hooked into the electricity grid. If you don’t, then you will not be getting the benefit from your new solar panels. Take the time to research and learn where to properly install the solar panels so that you get the most solar power possible. If you don’t know how to do it yourself, or you don’t want to learn, then you can always find someone to do it for you.

These are three key factors that you need to know before you decide to use solar power for your home. Hopefully this brief article can help jump-start you on furthering yourself on your solar education. The benefits are fantastic, and if utilized correctly can help you to save tremendous amounts of money. Research and learn as much as you can before you make your final decision – it will be time well spent.

The USA has fewer than 5% of the world’s population though, consumes in the region of 25% of the worlds energy. Some might see this as that this is scandelous, while others would say that it is simply a yardstick by which the world’s largest economy is measured. But for whatever the reason for our vast cunsumption of energy, the fact remains that in order to consume you first have to produce. And as most of our energy sourced from burning fossil fuels- which wouldn’t be too bad except for the following reasons:

1 burning tremendous amounts of fossil fuels in this county alone dumps millions of pounds of earth warming greenhouse gasses into, what appears, is a flimsy atmosphere, every day. Just warming up the atmosphere a couple of degrees on average has momentous impact. Look no further than the big swings in weather patterns.

2 Fog and or smog pollution adds to respiratory problems and other health conditions, not to mention the visual damage hanging over our cities as well. Further…

3 Have you filled up your gas tank recently? Paid the heating bills? The cost of all fossil fuels, even coal has risen significantly. As other emerging economies such as China and India lock horns for ever more limited resources, all bets are that the costs will continue to climb over the long haul. In addition…

4 As we import most of our oil nowadays- we are steadily held hostage to an unstable supply from a number of countries that we, for whatever reasons, are increasingly very unpopular with. The end game? If our supply of oil is not first arbitrarily cut off, as it becomes increasingly short the price will rise until our growth is strangled. In either case we will feel impelled to engage in severe action with other rising powers to secure our supplies.

The bottom line: Fossil fuels are not only risky to our health and the planet’s but may in fact be hazardous to the American way of life.Read More Articles On Renewable Energy

If energy is the basis of our economy what are we going to do? Wind? Solar? While anything we can do distinct than consume fossil fuels will help, these sources of energy are relatively universal and growing in popularity.

The U.S. regularly produces about 20% of its electrical power from nuclear power. The advantages are; that there are no greenhouse emissions into the atmosphere, no visual pollution, it is relatively cost effective and quiet.

While this is a solution for countries, the average home owner has a part to play. Any small savings in energy use mutally must have the effect of reducing the total use. A spin off for home owners is obvious and realistic savings on energy bills for, what is a modest outlay with high endless returns on investment. Read More Articles On Renewable Energy

Are you thinking about utilizing solar for your home…but are not sure if this is a good idea? The best way to determine if this is what you really should do is to research and learn all you can about it using solar yes, I am stating the obvious. Solar power can help you save money on your electric bill every month, but there are 3 key factors that should consider before you decide to utilize it for your own home.

Here are the 3 factors that you must considere if you plan on using solar power:

1 There’s little doubt that solar power is sufficient for any home, but you need to consider where you live. Why? Because the amount of sunny days in your part of the world will determine how efficient the solar panels will be and whether or not you will make back your investment quickly…or slowly. So ask yourself: Is it sunny for the better part of the year? Does it rain a lot or is it often cloudy? Is your yard filled with a lot of trees that might block the rays of the sun?

These are all important questions you need to consider. Trees, rain, and clouds will prevent them from working efficiently; solar panels will still work to give your home power, but not as well as it could and that could end up costing you a lot of money. Any home that is located in very sunny areas will get the most benefits from solar power.

2 Determining the location of where you are going to put the solar panels: You really should install the solar panels in the areas that receives the most sunlight. If you place it in a shady area, you will not be getting the full energy benefit from your solar panels. If you are using a company to install the panels, they will likely do this, but educate yourself to make sure the are putting the panels in the most efficient spots.

3 Vitally important: You have to make sure that the solar panels are correctly hooked into the electricity grid. If you don’t, then you will not be getting the benefit from your new solar panels. Take the time to research and learn where to properly install the solar panels so that you get the most solar power possible. If you don’t know how to do it yourself, or you don’t want to learn, then you can always find someone to do it for you.

These are three key factors that you need to know before you decide to use solar power for your home. Hopefully this brief article can help jump-start you on furthering yourself on your solar education. The benefits are fantastic, and if utilized correctly can help you to save tremendous amounts of money. Research and learn as much as you can before you make your final decision – it will be time well spent.

Despite a heart felt request for topics for this blog on Twitter, (yes I really am struggling at a blog post a day here), I received nothing. And so until I can think up a new subject, it’s time for another “Post It Patent”.

This is a simple idea for a wave powered electric generator. Existing technology is based on either large floating snake like devices or submerged turbines. The system here uses a simple piston mechanism which is operated by the sea swell to generate electricity.

The Sea Swell Generator

As the sea swells, it lifts the buoy up, moving the piston inside it’s housing causing a coil to pass through a series of magnets. This simple motion generates the electricity. The ‘Gubbins’ at the base of the generator is electrical power conversion stuff that I don’t understand but which I have no doubt will be required.

The advantages of this system are the small footprint that is required along with a reduction for the need of topsides facilities. However the system could be used on abandoned rigs, which would allow the installation of power control and distribution systems.

TSR.

P.S. Thanks to Mr Smith who came back with lots of suggestions. Please come back and see my interpretation of your topics.

The great state of Texas is embarking on a political maelstrom like few things the state has ever seen.  In 2010, long time US Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison will be leaving her post in Congress and running for Governor.  

That leaves a great big US Senate seat open in one of the largest, richest, and most dirty-energy dominated states in the country, and ReEnergize Texas has decided to start putting climate and energy at the center of the race from the very beginning. We’ve interviewed the two top contenders to emerge for the Senate spot so far – Democrat Bill White (Houston’s Mayor), and Republican Michael Williams (Chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission which primarily regulates oil, gas, coal, and uranium).

Here’s the first part of our interview with Bill White:

The second part of the interview can be found at our website along with other video and coverage of the ReEnergize Texas Summit and our bid to get T. Boone Pickens (he does a lot of business in Texas) to sign the Power Vote pledge last fall.

Video from our interview with Michael Williams will come out next week, as will videos from the Summit including from US Rep. Lloyd Doggett and the “father of Environmental Justice”, Dr. Robert Bullard. Stay tuned!

Promoting power to the people

Canadian firm shares plans for underground electricity generation

By Seth Koenig, Times Record Staff

Carbon Footprint

Tenerife Tourism – a green alternative

A carbon footprint is a term used to describe the measure of impact of our activities have on the environment, particularly in respect of climate change. It is a measure of greenhouse gases produced during our routine daily life.

For example, 10% of greenhouse gas emmissions are produced by private transport, 3% by public transport, 12% by electricity use in the home and so on. Almost every action we take has an impact on climate change which is why it is so important to try and reduce your own personal carbon footprint. Buying a new car accounts for 7% of all greenhouse gas emissions and even food production contributes a further 6%.

There is now a great awareness that climate change needs to be tackled head on but how do we contribute if we don’t understand what we need to do. The good thing is that conserving energy also has a cost benefit. Using a bicycle or your feet for short journeys will also have a health benefit. Using a bus is also better than taking a taxi, remember the bus is running on a schedule , so you will be saving all the fuel the taxi would use.

Well if you are a tourist you will probably already have contributed to the 6% global greenhouse gas emissions resulting from air travel. Some airlines are trying to do something about this in the future, one day aircraft may use alternative low carbon fuels known as biofuels. A biofuel is naturally produced from plant crops, there is also a secondary advantage because plants absorb carbon dioxide which depletes greenhouse gas already in the atmosphere.

The Tenerife Government are already doing their bit by employing extensive renewable energy sources such as wind farms and photovoltaic cells. They have invested heavily in this so by coming to Tenerife for your holiday you will probably be reducing your carbon footprint. At least you can feel that the carbon emissions from your air travel has been offset beause a good proportion of energy you consume whils’t here has been naturally produced. Tenerife has a temperate climate so air conditioning is not really necessary here, neither is heating, another carbon footprint bonus.

So your are here, what can you do to reduce your carbon footprint in Tenerife other than trying to avoid using motorised transport. Use of electrical energy is another important factor, so turn off lights as much as possible and use electricity sparingly. If your accomodation does have air conditioning try not to use it unless absolutely necessary, it does consume a lot of energy. Solar energy is becoming increasingly popular for hot water heating which also reduces energy consumption on the island. Another green solution.

If you buy anything on the island try and think about how energy may have been consumed to produce it. Production of metal plastics and glass are high energy operations so avoid them if alternatives are available. Food packaging even consumes energy so buy loose items if you can and reuse your carrier bags whenever you can. Consider eating salads sometimes to avoid energy consumed by cooking food. If you are having a drink, remember bottles or cans are recycled because it saves money, however if you drink draught beer no recycling is necessary.

If you are buying foodstuffs, remember locally produced food will have less of an impact on greenhouse gas emissions because transportation is significantly reduced. Any imports to Tenerife by air or sea contribute significantly, so if you are buying anything try buying local. This maybe taking things a bit far but remember that eating meat increases your carbon footprint because animals emit methane during their life cycle, yes another greenhouse gas.

If you buy items of clothing, try and buy something which does not need ironing after washing, especially welcome when you are on holiday. Select natural fibres where possible because energy is consumed producing any man made material. Remember also that anything which is recycled will not have consumed as much energy during production.

When you visit Tenerife, if you follow the advice we have given you will be reducing your carbon footprint. You carbon footprint will almost certainly be less than it would be with most other tourist destinations. By coming to Tenerife you are helping to reduce global warming. The carbon footprint of people living in the Canary Islands is one of the lowest in the world. The longer you stay the more you will be reducing your carbon footprint. Also think about the size of your carbon footprint had you stayed home.

Remember reducing greenhouse gas emissions will reduce global warming and reducing your carbon footprint does really matter, so please tell others.

Blog posted by Expedia Property SL – Tenerife Estate Agents for Tenerife Property

Two of the most popular methods of producing Green energy for homes nowadays are wind generators & solar panels, mostly sitting on the top of the house.
Using the hightech features of commercial generators use, a home wind generator can produce enough electricity to not only sustain that household’s electrical consumption but contribute to the national power grid. The wind generator owner can choose whether he wants to keep out off the grid completely, meaning he is totally self sufficient, or stay connected to the national power grid and thus get electricity from the main grid if needed and offload excessive power to it when it is available, effectively getting paid|literally making money by the power company for manufacturing electricity.
Nowadays, domestic wind generators are getting more and more popular as a result of the international ecological trend, as well as the growing awareness to sustainable living and, not less of a factor, the financial crisis drives people to search for new solutions to lower their household expenses.
Solar panels are considered an expensive option and a home wind generator cost can be as low as 200$. Wind generator plans are available for purchase on the web, mostly as an ebook with pictures and step by step instructions – which makes the project considerably easier.
Another important issue to note is that wind generator plans can be easily followed even by less technical people, and from my own experience tend out to be a great family project – both educational and practical. On top of all, you might be able to actually make money from your home wind generator using home wind generators, and contribute to a greener, cleaner earth.
When choosing which wind generator plans to use it is important to pay attention to several aspects. For one, not all plans have easy to follow instructions. It is important to select a blueprint that has simple instructions, specifically detailed parts and step by step images. Another important aspect is support from the plan writer, as not all wind generator plans allow this.
Before taking out on the project, it is recommended that you calculate the necessary power output for your very own home and wind currents in your area. This can easily be done by summing up your Kilowatt/Hour consumption in the last 12 months, and then divide it by 365 to get your average value for a single day. An average household will end up using about 900-1000 kw. An adequate wind generator plan will detail every needed part in order to assemble your own power generating wind generator. A really good wind generator plan will include a bunch of video walkthroughs – look these up for a much easier setup. All the necessary parts are usually readily available in any hardware depot. Another point worth making is that the DIYDo it yourself wind generator way can also save you a lot of money because buying a wind generator from a green energy company is usually very pricey.

To conclude, a good wind generator plan is the key to a working wind generator and cutting down on home expenses.
wind generator plans

“Resilient Cities: Responding to Peak Oil and Climate Change,” published earlier this year, argues that cities need to plan their future development considering their ”resiliency” to changes in climate and the availability of fossil fuels. Authors Peter Newman (Curtin University, Australia), Timothy Beatley (University of Virginia), and Heather Boyer (Harvard University) predict that in the next couple years, energy demand will outmatch oil supplies worldwide, resulting in a situation exceeding the challenges of the 1973-1974 OPEC oil embargo. The authors argue that expanded use of cars, ever-growing urban sprawl, and poorly managed urban development could lead to a twin energy and climate crisis for cities. “A danger that few think about with such immediacy is the threat of the collapse of metropolitan regions in the face of resource depletion — namely, the reduction in the availability of oil and the necessary reduction in all fossil fuel use to reduce human impact on climate change.”

Newman and his co-authors focus on cities because “cities now consume 75 percent of the world’s energy and emit 80 percent of the world’s green house gases. Cities are presently growing globally at 2 percent per year, while rural areas have leveled out and in many cases are declining. For the first time, half of humanity lives in cities, and it is estimated that by 2030 the number of city dwellers will reach five billion, or 60 percent, of the world’s population.”

The authors outline some less-than-ideal future scenarios if nothing is done to help cities adapt: the total collapse of cities (economic, social, and cultural meltdown, similar to the ideas presented in Jared Diamond’s “Collapse”); a return to ruralized cities (characterized by semi-urban lifestyles and localized economies); and divided cities (separated by differences in economic status, with less affluent groups receiving little to none of the remaining energy resources). None of these scenarios offer long-term, equitable solutions for larger metropolitan areas.

“Resilient Cities” also presents a range of options to help “adapt cities to lessen a dependence on petroleum,” and create more resilient urban areas. The authors argue that the urban centers that can best survive a climate and energy crisis are those engage in long-term planning and design for resiliency; create sustainable, inter-connected modes of transportation; invest in renewable energy technology and smart grids; support walkable, high-density living; and provide for self-sufficient food production and protection of urban biodiversity. “This means the city can become more polycentric. The transport systems for fast cross-city movement and a series of small-scale electric and hybrid vehicles for small local trips as well as walking and cycling, which have survived all the city form changes. It is clear that the changes needed for a resilient city are not just technology substitutions, they are in the business paradigms, the culture of the utilities, and the organization that can enable new ways of managing our cities; every household needs to be a part of it.”

According to Newman and his co-authors, there are seven key elements to a resilient city:

“Renewable Energy City: Urban areas will be powered by renewable energy technologies from the region to the building level.” As an example, the authors point to the German city of Freiburg, also known as the “ecological capital of Europe,” as a renewable city. Freiburg has incorporated renewable energy into many sections of the city (e.g. SolarRegion Freeburg). The authors also cite the use of LEED, home solar panels, and innovative community financing schemes for solar and wind power.

“Carbon Neutral City: Every home, neighborhood, and business will be carbon neutral.” The authors note the range of green rating systems (LEED, BREAM, Green Globes, and the New South Wales BASIX approval system). (Also, see earlier post on Clinton’s climate positive development cities)

“Distributed City: Cities will shift from large centralized power, water, and waste systems to small-scale and neighborhood-based systems” (see earlier post on the Sustainable Sites Initiative and wetland system at Sidwell Friends School).

“Photosynthetic City: The potential to harness renewable energy and provide food and fiber locally will become part of urban green infrastructure.” The authors cite the city of Vaxja in Sweden, which has developed a locally-based renewable energy strategy that takes “full advantage of its working landscapes, in its case the abundant forests that exist within close proximity to the city.”

“Eco-Efficient City: Cities and regions will move from linear to circular or closed-loop systems, where substantial amounts of their energy and materials needs are provided from waste streams.” Ideas noted here include William McDonough’s Cradle to Cradle (C2C), and viewing cities as a “complex set of metabolic flows.”

“Place-based City: Cities and regions will understand renewable energy more generally as a way to build the local economy and nurture a unique and special sense of place.”

“Sustainable Transport City: Cities, neighborhoods, and regions will be designed to use energy sparingly by offering walkable, transit-oriented options supplemented by electric vehicles.” As an example, Vauban, Germany (part of Freiburg) has re-designed its transport networks so many of its streets are now cut-off to cars. A majority of people don’t even own a car, and use bikes and public transportation to get around (see earlier post on Vauban, Germany). Also, NYC and Chicago were lauded for their green plans.

According to Newman and his co-authors, “cities throughout history have competed by examining innovations in other cities and building upon them. This [...] is the basis of wealth creation. We see the the response to climate change and peak oil as the impetus for the next burst of innovation.” “Resilient Cities” also outlines a set of specific recommendations for making existing cities more adaptable to changes in climate and energy usage.

Read the book

Image credit: Solar Settlement, Freiburg, Germany. Young Germany

College students have long been at the forefront of political and environmental change. The bright young minds at the Oregon Institute of Technology are no different, demanding sustainability efforts put into place by their school.

The Oregon Tech administration finally complied, accommodating their students’ wishes by outlining a plan to build a $7.6 million geothermal power plant on campus.

The plant will become the sole power source for the school in a few years, making Oregon Tech the only university to be powered completely by geothermal energy.

Since Klamath Falls, the home of Oregon Tech, sits near a fault line, heat and energy can be easily extracted from the earth.

In addition, the city of Klamath Falls operates a geothermal heating utility, using the energy to heat buildings, melt snow on the streets, and more.

Read more from cleantechnica.com

As the world shifts its ideological views from cheaper to greener, how do the folks running the coal industry, possibly the dirtiest business in the world, react? Do they clean up their product? Do they produce cleaner energies? Or maybe even donate money to an environmental foundation? Of course not.

Instead, the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE) spent a staggering $45 million last year on their “America’s Power” campaign, which many believe is a deception touting the benefits of so-called “clean coal.” And if that weren’t enough, the coal and electric industries spent a jaw-dropping $125 million lobbying against federal legislation promoting clean energy and a cap on global warming pollution.

As these industries spend millions running ads implying that carbon capture and storage (CCS) is here or just around the corner, the industry refuses to spend much of anything to turn its overheated rhetoric into reality. And it’s not for lack of funds. The 48 companies that make up the ACCCE front group earned a combined $57 billion in profits in 2007 alone, yet over a period of several years they have invested just $3.5 billion in research into CCS.

Find out more at alternet.org

The two main methods of creating Green energy for households today include wind powered generators and solar panels, mostly installed on the roof of the house.
Using the exact method commercial generators use, a home wind generator can manufacture enough electricity to not only sustain that household’s electrical consumption but contribute to the national power grid. The wind generator owner can choose whether he wishes to stay out off the grid altogether, meaning he is totally self sufficient, or keep connected to the national power grid and thus get electricity from the main grid if needed and offload excessive power to it when it is in abundance, effectively getting paid|literally making money by the power company for producing electricity.
Nowadays, domestic wind generators are getting more and more popular because of the international environmental movement, as well as the growing awareness to sustainable living and, just as important, the economic decline drives people to search for new solutions to minimize their household expenses.
Solar panels are considered an expensive method and a home wind generator cost can be as low as 200$. Wind generator plans are available for purchase online, mostly as an ebook with pictures and step by step instructions – which makes the project considerably easier.
Another important issue to address is that wind generator plans can be easily followed even by less technical people, and from my own experience prove to be a great family project – both educational and practical. On top of all, you may save a lot of money every year using home wind generators, and contribute to a greener, cleaner planet.
When choosing which wind generator plans to use it is important to pay attention to several aspects. For instance, not all plans have simple to follow instructions. It is important to select a plan that has simple instructions, specifically detailed parts and step by step photographs. Another important aspect is support from the plan author, as not all wind generator plans allow this.
Before starting on the project, it is best that you calculate the necessary power output for your own home and wind currents in your part of the world. This can easily be done by summing up your Kilowatt/Hour consumption in the last 12 months, and then divide it by 365 to get your average value for a single day. Averagely, a regular household uses about 900-1000 kw. An adequate wind generator plan will detail every needed part in order to assemble your own power generating wind generator. A really good wind generator plan will also have video tutorials – look these up for a much easier setup. All the necessary parts are usually readily available in any hardware depot. Another point worth making is that the DIYDo it yourself wind generator approach can also save you a lot of money since buying a wind generator from a wind generators company can be extremely expensive.

To conclude, a good wind generator plan is the key to a working wind generator and cutting down on home expenses.
wind generator plans