Welcome to Seth Handy, Environmental Lawyer and, now, Co-host on radio

Renewable Now's goal is to expand our global reach and audience.  We do that by engaging as many experts into the process as possible, as guests on the TV show, radio show and as contributors to our blog and web site.

We welcome our newest expert, Seth Handy. Seth has a varied background that lends itself perfectly to the business side of green--having worked on the legislative side, legal and as a developer of historic buildings into mecca's of new commerce.  He is a perfect fit.

We'll start by running Seth's first blog with this note he sent us:  " What I'd propose for the blog is to respond to your piece on Denmark by sharing a link to this page on micro-grid from RMI, including the piece on the UCSD micro-grid. 

http://www.rmi.org/nations_largest_microgrid_online_esj_article

Together with the prospect of (more) affordable off-shore wind production, could we use more localized, distributed generation together with a micro-grid approach to transform our energy delivery/use system??  How much would such a transformation cost/save???  UCSD is evidently saving big money with its approach.  Isn't RI the perfect size to execute on this?"

Here's a preview of what you'll find on this linked story from the Rocky Mountain Institute: " Many myths about renewable energy refuse to die. In a recent interview with Bloomberg News, Thomas Pyle, president of the Institute for Energy Research (a group backed by the fossil fuel industry), describes renewable energy as a pipe dream, saying that solar energy is “ineffective, expensive and unreliable.

Naysayers are also quick to point out that the electricity grid is so complex that it cannot function without the base level of power that coal and nuclear power plants provide. However, microgrids like the one at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) that serve a specific geographic area and leverage customers’ ability to use power more intelligently, may be the ultimate solution that puts these myths to rest..."

The answer to Seth's question is, we believe, an emphatic yes, a micro-grid solution, combined with renewable energy sources, would bring efficiency and independence to our energy systems.  It would move us away from the big power plants, coal, nuclear, natural gas, and away from long lines of distributed energy.  It would offer flexibility in building the right system for each application--some being wind, others solar, others, perhaps, powered by waves and ocean currents.

We'll carry more of this article tomorrow.  Also, tomorrow is our live, every Weds radio show from 12-1p, EST, and Seth will be with me talking about this, and much more, as we interview a guest from Bryant College and the former head of energy in RI.  Great show--please tune into WARL 1320 AM or 1320warlradio.com on line.