|
| Headline |
Author |
Published |
Section |
The Four Trillion Dollar Plan
Google unveils plan to move U.S. off fossil fuels by 2030 |
|
02 Oct 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 10:30 AM on 02 Oct 2008 Google.org, the philanthropic arm of the search giant, has unveiled a plan to move the U.S. to a clean-energy future. The vision: In 2030, electricity will be generated not from coal or oil but from wind, solar, and geothermal power. Energy demand will be two-thirds what it is now, thanks to stringent energy-efficiency measures. Ninety percent of new vehicle sales will be plu ... |
|
| Topics: electricity, electricity grid, energy, energy efficiency, geothermal power, greenish companies, news, renewable energy, solar thermal power, tech, wind power (all these topics) |
|
|
Accelerating the development of a 21st century economy
Investing in clean infrastructure |
Michael Moynihan |
25 Sep 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Originally posted to the NDN blog. ----- The debate now underway in the Congress on a financial bailout is not the only important piece of business before the Congress in its waning days. With a real economic recession now all but certain, Congress is considering a second stimulus package. But at this critical moment in our nation's history, how Congress addresses the need to get our economy moving again may be as important as whether it passes a second package. H ... |
|
| Topics: public transportation, renewable energy, electricity grid, Congress, energy, tax incentives, investing, economy, politics (all these topics) |
|
|
A national grid will make renewable electricity work
A purely local approach would double or triple costs |
Gar Lipow |
17 Sep 2008 |
Gristmill |
| This is one more attempt to kill a zombie myth: the notion that local generation of renewable electricity can substitute for long-distance transmission. I can see where this comes from -- the sun shines almost everywhere, and the wind blows strong within a few hundred miles of most places where it doesn't, right? If we are going to use renewable electricity at all, it's hard to understand why we wouldn't get it from rooftops, parking lots, or at worst surrounding rural are ... |
|
| Topics: electricity, electricity grid, energy, renewable energy, solar thermal power, wind power (all these topics) |
|
|
The (renewable) electron economy, part 14
Renewable energy promotion policies: transparent |
Michael Hoexter |
17 Sep 2008 |
Gristmill |
| The previously discussed finance mechanisms tend to hide the costs of building renewable generators by concealing the actual cost per unit of electricity and costs for the ratepayers or taxpayers as a whole. In an era when so much is hanging on energy policy, it makes more sense to consider policies that do not pull punches when it comes to costs and benefits. Renewable Energy Payments A more transparent approach to spurring the market for renewable ... |
|
| Topics: electricity grid, energy, energy subsidies, renewable energy (all these topics) |
|
|
Nature's selection
Nature magazine gives short-shrift to baseload solar |
Joseph Romm |
05 Sep 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Nature recently ran an article ($ub. req'd) on 'Energy alternatives: Electricity without carbon.' Like most discussions written by people who don't follow clean energy closely, the article lumped baseload solar (also known as concentrated solar thermal power) in with solar PV and generally treated it as an afterthought. Here is everything that they wrote about baseload solar: Solar cells are not the only technology by which sunlight can be turned into electricity. ... |
|
| Topics: electricity grid, solar thermal power, renewable energy, energy (all these topics) |
|
|
Energy efficiency alone is not sufficient
|
Jason D Scorse |
27 Aug 2008 |
Gristmill |
| China's power plant emissions have surpassed the U.S. for the first time and are slated to double in the next decade, despite efficiency improvements. Without major technological innovation it will be impossible to decrease the absolute quantities of CO2 in the atmosphere. This is why government involvement is so important; we need massive R&D and investments in new electricity grids. |
|
| Topics: China, electricity grid, energy, energy efficiency, greenhouse-gas emissions (all these topics) |
|
|
The (renewable) electron economy, part 9
A choice of primary energies: renewable electrons win the gold |
Michael Hoexter |
26 Aug 2008 |
Gristmill |
| As you might expect from an analyst who has written a series about the (renewable) electron economy, I believe that the mainstay of our future energy system will be electric generators powered by renewable energy. However, I hope to show here that this choice has a basis largely in economic, scientific, and technological reality rather than my personal prejudice or some of the social utopian ideals to which renewable energy has been attached. Though I am for ... |
|
| Topics: biomass, electricity grid, energy, renewable energy, solar thermal power (all these topics) |
|
|
When 'picking energy winners,' don't ignore past investment
Marketplace commentary gives a misleading picture of government's role in energy use |
Liz Borkowski |
01 Aug 2008 |
Gristmill |
| In a commentary on Thursday's Marketplace, the Cato Institute's Will Wilkinson critiqued T. Boone Pickens' new energy plan. In doing so, he painted a misleading picture of the government's role in our energy usage. Pickens wants wind energy to replace natural gas in electricity generation, and use the freed-up natural gas to fuel vehicles so we can use less foreign oil. There are problems with this energy plan, but Wilkerson is most concerned that the government ... |
|
| Topics: electricity grid, energy, mainstream media, oil, renewable energy, wind power (all these topics) |
|
|
The hare and the tortoise
Costs for utilities rise faster than politically palatable rate changes can keep up |
Sean Casten |
07 Jul 2008 |
Gristmill |
| This is one for the 'Things No One is Talking About But Should' file. Greenwire has this report ($ub. req'd) from Standard & Poor's noting that the credit risk of our utilities depends in large part on their ability to recover rising fuel costs, and this ability is diminished due to the fact that: High fuel costs translate directly to higher customer rates, but instituting constant and often significant increases is politically and socially unpalatable. Th ... |
|
| Topics: economy, electricity grid, energy, gas prices (all these topics) |
|
|
Generate energy locally; recycle whenever possible
A Pollan-esque energy objective in six words ... and then some |
Sean Casten |
23 Apr 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Perhaps the single most important thing we can do to drive up our energy efficiency, lower energy costs, and bolster the overall reliability of our energy infrastructure is to overhaul our electric sector's regulatory model to move generation away from big, remote plants and toward local generation. From solar to CHP, we have a panoply of technologies, fuels, and companies who would participate in such a shift. Less understood is that our regulatory model creates o ... |
|
| Topics: electricity grid, energy, energy efficiency, placemaking, urban planning (all these topics) |
|
|
Green buildings wise up
Linking green buildings and the smart grid will spawn a green energy ecosystem |
Patrick Mazza |
14 Apr 2008 |
Gristmill |
| A new energy ecosystem is emerging that connects smart, green buildings with a smart, green grid to optimize energy flows. Since commercial and industrial buildings represent around 40 percent of U.S. energy use, and homes another 30 percent, this represents the most significant opportunity for energy efficiency and mass-scale renewable generation. But creating this new green energy ecosystem means linking what are today heavily 'stovepiped' separate systems within ... |
|
| Topics: electricity grid, energy, green building, placemaking (all these topics) |
|
|
Blacking out the wild blue yonder
DOD panel calls out power grid disruption threat |
Patrick Mazza |
31 Mar 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Here's another good reason to fix a shaky and outdated power grid, from the Defense Science Board: keeping the Air Force flying during the next terrorist attack. The military focuses much of its efforts on avoiding global petroleum disruptions. But it has not thought much about power grid disruptions that could affect its own bases, the Department of Defense (DOD) group says in a report authored by former Defense Secretary James Schlesinger The board say ... |
|
| Topics: electricity grid, energy, national security (all these topics) |
|
|
Smart grid to rock Boulder
City selected for largest U.S. smart grid project |
Patrick Mazza |
18 Mar 2008 |
Gristmill |
| When Xcel Energy announced a few days ago that it had selected Boulder, Colo. as 'the nation's first fully integrated Smart Grid City,' it represented a vitally important step toward creating a low-carbon energy network. Photo: Aidan M. Grey Xcel previously announced its intention to stage the largest and most comprehensive deployment of smart grid technologies in the U.S. ever, and now it says it has targeted Boulder for a several-year effort that will ... |
|
| Topics: Colorado, electricity grid, energy (all these topics) |
|
|
When the wind blows
Wind power gets a bad rap after the Texas blackouts |
Sir Oolius |
29 Feb 2008 |
Gristmill |
| The Competitive Enterprise Institute's Iain Murray warns of the dangers of renewables: While we're on the subject of renewables: here's further proof that wind power is no panacaea for the nation's looming electricity crisis. The wind dropped in Texas, and caused blackouts. Indeed, an unexpected demand spike not met by coal-fired power plants wind power caused irreparable harm by unfairly favoring the unwashed masses over 'large industrial customers who are paid to ... |
|
| Topics: electricity grid, energy, renewable energy, wind power (all these topics) |
|
|
South Fla. power outage
|
David Roberts |
26 Feb 2008 |
Gristmill |
| There's seems to be some confusion out there about exactly what happened in South Florida today, but as far as I can tell, some power lines went out at a substation, which caused a nuclear plant to automatically shut down, which caused power outages for upwards of 3 million people. Nice grid. I liked this headline: "Nuclear plant shutdown stops Florida." Somebody crank Florida back up again! And also? The headline writers at DowJones need to talk to the r ... |
|
| Topics: electricity grid, energy, Florida, nuclear power (all these topics) |
|
|
Grid, grid, grid
|
David Roberts |
22 Feb 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Tyler Hamilton speak. You listen. |
|
| Topics: electricity grid, energy (all these topics) |
|
|
Solar to the electric car: You complete me
The electrification of transportation will also help green the grid |
Adam Browning |
30 Jan 2008 |
Gristmill |
| I promised more on the impact of Project Better Place's electric car plans -- and I deliver with an article here. |
|
| Topics: cars, electric vehicles, electricity grid, energy, renewable energy, solar voltaic power (all these topics) |
|
|
Turn on, plug in, drop out
Plug-in hybrids and electric cars: A core climate solution, nationally and globally |
Joseph Romm |
22 Jan 2008 |
Gristmill |
| I have a new article in Salon, "The car of the future is here," about plug-in hybrids. The two central points of the article are: Plug-in hybrids (and electric cars) are an essential climate strategy, enabling renewable power (even intermittent sources like wind) to become a major low-cost transportation fuel. Practical, affordable plug-in hybrids will be here in a few years -- even if we don't get a technology breakthrough in batteries. ( ... |
|
| Topics: electricity grid, hybrids, electric vehicles, energy, cars (all these topics) |
|
|
Put a grid on it
|
David Roberts |
17 Jan 2008 |
Gristmill |
| Sweet. Xcel Energy is going to spend $100 million creating a grid city, which will serve as a test bed for smart grid techniques and technologies. It will likely be in Colorado, have a population of around 100,000, and be filled with dirty hippies. If that sounds like your town, maybe you should contact Xcel and lobby on your behalf. |
|
| Topics: energy, electricity grid, Colorado (all these topics) |
|
|
Taking Heat
California withdraws proposal to potentially override private thermostats |
|
16 Jan 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 9:55 AM on 16 Jan 2008 Strenuous public objection has forced the California Energy Commission to withdraw a proposal that new buildings in the state have radio-controlled thermostats that would allow utilities to override customers' temperature settings in the case of a power emergency. Some saw the plan as way too Big Brother; energy commission member Arthur Rosenfeld described it as minor private s ... |
|
| Topics: California, electricity grid, energy, news (all these topics) |
|
|
A smarter, thriftier grid
Field test documents big consumer savings |
Patrick Mazza |
15 Jan 2008 |
Gristmill |
| A Northwest field test of smart-grid technologies has documented tremendous potential to run a grid that delivers power far more economically by controlling peak demand. The Pacific Northwest GridWise Demonstration Project has just announced the results of their year-long test, which included two pieces: On the Olympic Peninsula of Washington, 112 homes, three onsite generation units and municipal water pumps were equipped with automated systems tha ... |
|
| Topics: electricity grid, energy, scientific research (all these topics) |
|
|
Corridor Stop
Green groups sue over DOE's plans for electric transmission corridors |
|
11 Jan 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 4:55 PM on 11 Jan 2008 Green groups are suing the Department of Energy over its plans for electric transmission corridors in the U.S. Southwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. The groups say the DOE violated environmental laws by failing to take into account the potential impacts of the high-voltage transmission lines on air quality, wildlife, and habitat; the corridors encompass dozens of state and national ... |
|
| Topics: Department of Energy, electricity grid, energy, litigation, news (all these topics) |
|
|
The renewable Janus
Renewables are pulling two directions, nationwide and local |
David Roberts |
23 Dec 2007 |
Gristmill |
| Recently a study found that wind can serve as reliable baseload power. The key is to link wind farms together with a high-speed transmission grid. "This study implies that, if interconnected wind is used on a large scale, a third or more of its energy can be used for reliable electric power, and the remaining intermittent portion can be used for transportation, allowing wind to solve energy, climate and air pollution problems simultaneously," said Arc ... |
|
| Topics: electricity grid, energy, renewable energy, wind power (all these topics) |
|
|
The success of solar depends on storage
Storage helps the sun keep shining even on cloudy days |
Kristina & Jason Makansi |
22 Dec 2007 |
Gristmill |
| New project and technology announcements have kept solar energy in the news lately. But, as with wind, the issues of intermittency and the grid still lurk in the shadows. Some still argue that intermittency isn't a problem, or that it can be solved without storage. In a new piece in the Arizona Daily Star, reporter Tom Beal talks about those issues. As we've previously argued here, here, and here, energy storage has a big role to play in enabling sola ... |
|
| Topics: Arizona, electricity grid, energy, solar voltaic power (all these topics) |
|
|
Response to Jeremy Carl, part four
Even in the short term, R&E is a better choice than clean coal for developing nations |
David Roberts |
03 Dec 2007 |
Gristmill |
| OK, if you're just joining us in this apparently interminable series, here's where we've been: Jeremy said the power players in China and India (C&I) "care about money, not climate." But if that's true, they're not going to go for clean coal either -- it's more expensive. Happily, I think it's not going to be true for long. Developing countries are going to work to reduce their emissions; they have to. There are indeed compelling reasons to think ... |
|
| Topics: climate, coal, electricity grid, energy (all these topics) |
|
|
|
©2008. Grist Magazine, Inc. All rights reserved. Gloom and doom with a sense of humor®.