Another Reason to Love Big, Old Trees
New study finds aging trees continue to grow and absorb carbon, providing key role in mitigating CO2 emissions
Read MoreCategory: Distributed energy
FERC regulatory change could boost solar
FERC’s regulatory reform would update an order establishing interconnection procedures for wholesale electricity generation projects under 20 megawatts (MW) in size
Read MoreBlackouts demonstrate the folly of centralized power
It is astonishing that after all the empirical evidence, not to mention deaths of energy dependent consumers, that the centralized model is fraught with problems, no consideration is given to doing away with it altogether. Instead of investing billions in upgrading a 19th century construct we should be moving into the 22nd century and a more elegant, redundant and therefore more reliable distributed model where power is produced from multiple renewable sources right at the point of consumption.
Read MoreDemocratize, decentralize and decarbonize local energy supply
Instead our local leaders linger in the 19th century and label those of us, like the planners in Boulder, who recognize this potential as jobs killers and anti-development activists. The truth is they are anti-development activists opposing anything that looks remotely like something in the future.
Read MoreWhat if Coos County produced all its energy locally?
Americans paid seventy two times more to subsidize fossil fuels in the last five years than solar. If solar (and presumably wind) had received the same taxpayer investment, renewable energy would be cheaper than coal said to be peaking within twenty years. Imagine if the average ratepayer, instead of importing power and exporting dollars, kept his energy dollars local and used that extra money to buy local foods and products.
Read MoreEngineer calls for halt on nuclear power and a move to distributed energy
Arnie Gundersen of Fairewinds Associates concurs we are perpetuating old and flawed technology when we support nuclear power. Calling to put the breaks on further nuclear development and stating that he believes the Nuclear Regulatory Commission cannot be trusted to think out of the box, Gundersen encourages a move away from the 19th century electrical grid and toward 22nd century distributed energy systems.
Read MoreJapan’s nuclear crisis-the real story unfolds amidst folly of centralized power
The Japanese people are now held hostage to business model that only serves utility company shareholders and leaves ratepayers dependent upon power generated hundreds of miles from the point of use.
Read MoreIce storms and rolling blackouts illuminate the need for decentralized energy distribution
The argument of cost efficiency in a central system is lost when factoring in the losses associated with long distance transmission, a million dollar a mile price tag for high voltage transmission lines
Read MoreTax credits or feed in tariffs? Renewable energy doesn't have to be so expensive
Part of the driving force toward implementation of renewable energy is state and federal incentives. It may be these very incentives are actually adding costs and impairing the broader goal of reducing carbon emissions. The cash...
Read MoreThinking small on wind is paying off for poor communities
Rural communities around the world are recognizing the benefits of generating electricity locally. Even big cities are getting into the act. An article in The Times on Wednesday centers on Tocco da Casauria, a small, traditional...
Read MoreMaking the case for rooftop wind turbines
If an aerodynamically correct ducted fan wind turbine is located in these velocity-accelerated flows electric power production is higher than for remote open fans associated with an electric grid. The TOTAL system efficiency, from both an integrated construction and instant point power delivery perspective is the highest possible.
Read MoreElectricity blackouts increase 124% and infrastructure crumbles
Economist Paul Krugman points out the dangerous after effects of trying to make government smaller The lights are going out all over America — literally…a country that once amazed the world with its visionary investments...
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