Here's the link and some base information. Enjoy the show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/renewable-now/2013/06/05/could-hydro-power-make-a-comeback-to-benifit-us-today
This week on Renewable Now Radio
We will explore hydro Power as a clean energy alternative and how our environment--and economy--can benefit from it .
We will hear from Janet Gail Besser,Vice President of Policy and Government affairs for New England Clean energy . We will also hear from Paul Roberti who is a commissioner with the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission.
We will have a very interesting discussion on the Rhode Island Governor's proposal with Hydro Quebec and how this could benefit the Rhode Island .
Friday, June 7, 2013
Thursday, June 6, 2013
World Environment Day
We talked about this on the radio show yesterday--which we will post soon--and thought you'd like to know more about it and can celebrate World Environment Day next year:
World Environment Day is an annual event that is aimed at being the biggest and most widely celebrated global day for positive environmental action. World Environment Day activities take place all year round and climax on 5 June every year, involving everyone from everywhere.
The World Environment Day celebration began in 1972 and has grown to become one of the main vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and encourages political attention and action.
Through World Environment Day, the United Nations Environment Programme is able to personalize environmental issues and enable everyone to realize not only their responsibility, but also their power to become agents for change in support of sustainable and equitable development.
World Environment Day is also a day for people from all walks of life to come together to ensure a cleaner, greener and brighter outlook for themselves and future generations.
Everyone counts in this initiative and World Environment Day relies on you to make it happen! We call for action — organize a neighborhood clean-up, stop using plastic bags and get your community to do the same, stop food waste, walk to work, start a recycling drive . . . the possibilities are endless.
Whatever you do, tell us about it! We will post your activities on this website.
Really nice piece from EcoRINews
On a simple switch to a heat pump system that we can all make to save money and get much more efficient. We'll be looking into switching over our homes and office. How about you?
Heat pumps transfer heat from one space to another using a compressor and refrigeration circuit. For heat pump water heaters, this is the transfer of heat from the environment into the water. They operate in reverse to the refrigeration cycle that cools the food in a refrigerator. This diagram shows how a heat pump water heater works. Typically, 3 kilowatts of heat from the outside is transferred to the water for every 1 kW of electricity supplied to the compressor.
Heat pumps transfer heat from one space to another using a compressor and refrigeration circuit. For heat pump water heaters, this is the transfer of heat from the environment into the water. They operate in reverse to the refrigeration cycle that cools the food in a refrigerator. This diagram shows how a heat pump water heater works. Typically, 3 kilowatts of heat from the outside is transferred to the water for every 1 kW of electricity supplied to the compressor.
By CHARLES CHAVES/ecoRI News contributor
"We rely on having sufficient hot water for showering, washing clothes and dishes, among other needs. About 14 percent of a typical household’s energy bill goes to water heating, which is the biggest energy expense apart from heating and cooling, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
In particular, the cost of heating water is significantly higher for homes using electric water heaters. A heat pump, however, heats water more efficiently than an electric one — thus saving energy and reducing electricity costs.
A heat pump works by absorbing heat from ambient air and transferring it to the water in the storage tank, and hence there must be an appropriate volume of air surrounding it for optimal operation. A heat pump water heater (HPWH) is much like a refrigerator or air conditioner in that a refrigerator moves heat from one’s fridge to the kitchen. For an HPWH to operate efficiently, surrounding space should generally remain above 50 degrees.
Heat pump water heaters remove moisture from the air and as such condensed water must be drained or a condensate pump must be installed. Many HPWHs have air filters that should be cleaned regularly for optimal performance. It’s also generally suggested to install heat pump systems away from bedrooms, given that they make a noise similar to that of an air compressor on an air conditioner. As a beneficial upside, a heat pump keeps basements cooler and drier in the summer, making it possible to pipe cool basement air upstairs.
Heat pump water heaters have been widely utilized in Japan for years, where energy efficiency has long been a focal concern. However, such technology is relatively new to the U.S. market. HPWHs nevertheless resonate with those who are trying to find viable energy technologies that save money and help mitigate vexing environmental issues such as pollution and climate change.
A new 50-gallon heat pump water heater costs about a $1,000, excluding installation, which is similar to a standard electric water heater. To help offset the initial cost, National Grid offers a rebate of $750 to replace an existing electric hot water heating system."
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Off to do today's radio show
Which you can hear live on WARL 1320 (over-the-air or stream) and Blog Talk Radio, Renewable Now channel. Great show looking at the Hydro-Quebec deal with RI (to sell excess power to the State), and the economics behind it...is it a good or bad deal for the State and their energy policies and energy costs? Listen in.
In the meantime we'd like to share this article with you that looks again at the delays on the Cape Wind project and speculates as to some of the reasons.
Send us your comments or insight.
By the way thank you so much to everyone posting comments on this blog. Feel free to send us material as well.
"For over a decade, Cape Wind’s promise of clean, renewable energy and new jobs for New England has been held captive by dirty energy-backed opposition. Enough is enough: Cape Wind can and should be built – but we have to stand together.
Multi-billionaire dirty energy magnate Bill Koch – brother of Charles Koch and David Koch—has pumped millions into opposing Cape Wind. In his campaign against Cape Wind, Koch has used lobbyists, flimsy lawsuits, and funded a pseudo-environmental group to drag out the process of approving Cape Wind. So far, nothing has worked: Cape Wind has passed every federal and state environmental review and received all of its permits. But with billions at his disposal, Koch continues to try to “delay, delay, delay” Cape Wind – apparently in hopes that we’ll give up and quit.
Koch insists that “getting alternative energy that’s going to save the earth is not consistent with what people want.” If that’s not the me ssage you want deciding Cape Wind’s fate in Washington, tell your representatives in Congress to put an end to Bill Koch’s campaign of delay and support building Cape Wind now.
In the meantime we'd like to share this article with you that looks again at the delays on the Cape Wind project and speculates as to some of the reasons.
Send us your comments or insight.
By the way thank you so much to everyone posting comments on this blog. Feel free to send us material as well.
"For over a decade, Cape Wind’s promise of clean, renewable energy and new jobs for New England has been held captive by dirty energy-backed opposition. Enough is enough: Cape Wind can and should be built – but we have to stand together.
Multi-billionaire dirty energy magnate Bill Koch – brother of Charles Koch and David Koch—has pumped millions into opposing Cape Wind. In his campaign against Cape Wind, Koch has used lobbyists, flimsy lawsuits, and funded a pseudo-environmental group to drag out the process of approving Cape Wind. So far, nothing has worked: Cape Wind has passed every federal and state environmental review and received all of its permits. But with billions at his disposal, Koch continues to try to “delay, delay, delay” Cape Wind – apparently in hopes that we’ll give up and quit.
Koch insists that “getting alternative energy that’s going to save the earth is not consistent with what people want.” If that’s not the me ssage you want deciding Cape Wind’s fate in Washington, tell your representatives in Congress to put an end to Bill Koch’s campaign of delay and support building Cape Wind now.
That's why I signed a petition to The United States House of Representatives and The United States Senate, which says:
"Fossil fuel billionaire Bill Koch wants to stop the Cape Wind offshore wind energy project and the clean energy and jobs it will produce. Since 2006, Koch has spent millions of his coal mining and petroleum fortune to delay Cape Wind, saying he “doesn’t want it in [his] backyard.” As someone who profits mightily from the dirty energy industry, is it any surprise that Koch is spending millions of his own dollars fighting this groundbreaking clean energy project?
Koch recently told CommonWealth Magazine that his strategy on Cape Wind is “delay, delay, delay.” Despite his efforts, Cape Wind has passed every federal and state environmental review and received all of its permits. But Koch also said that he has no intention of giving up.
At a time when the evidence of climate change is overwhelming, and the need for jobs is critical, unleashing the potential of this homegrown offshore wind project has never been more important. Koch recently said, “T he concept of getting alternative energy that’s going to save the earth is not consistent with what people want.” But Koch couldn’t be more wrong, and certainly doesn’t speak for me. Stand up to Bill Koch and end this campaign of delay. Let’s build Cape Wind now!"
Will you sign the petition too? I did! Click here to add your name"
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/stand-up-to-bill-koch?source=s.fwd&r_by=6406370
And please feel free to forward this petition to your own friends. Thanks!
"Fossil fuel billionaire Bill Koch wants to stop the Cape Wind offshore wind energy project and the clean energy and jobs it will produce. Since 2006, Koch has spent millions of his coal mining and petroleum fortune to delay Cape Wind, saying he “doesn’t want it in [his] backyard.” As someone who profits mightily from the dirty energy industry, is it any surprise that Koch is spending millions of his own dollars fighting this groundbreaking clean energy project?
Koch recently told CommonWealth Magazine that his strategy on Cape Wind is “delay, delay, delay.” Despite his efforts, Cape Wind has passed every federal and state environmental review and received all of its permits. But Koch also said that he has no intention of giving up.
At a time when the evidence of climate change is overwhelming, and the need for jobs is critical, unleashing the potential of this homegrown offshore wind project has never been more important. Koch recently said, “T he concept of getting alternative energy that’s going to save the earth is not consistent with what people want.” But Koch couldn’t be more wrong, and certainly doesn’t speak for me. Stand up to Bill Koch and end this campaign of delay. Let’s build Cape Wind now!"
Will you sign the petition too? I did! Click here to add your name"
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/stand-up-to-bill-koch?source=s.fwd&r_by=6406370
And please feel free to forward this petition to your own friends. Thanks!
Jerry Elmer
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Fisker not dead yet
There's been lots of talk about the Fed's investment in Fisker and the potential loss of value. Good to see that the company is not dead, and there's potential bidders for their remaining assets, mostly model design and IP.
Despite some losses from the US Government's investment in green, we believe all of that, and much more, will come back from some of their successful partnerships, including Tesla. Clearly, some of the big winners are emerging.
We wish Fisker well in finding a buyer, returning cash to the Feds and continuing their effort to invent electric vehicles that allow us to quickly migrate off of fossil fuel and the unending push towards severe high carbon levels and the resulting damage to the atmosphere:
Despite some losses from the US Government's investment in green, we believe all of that, and much more, will come back from some of their successful partnerships, including Tesla. Clearly, some of the big winners are emerging.
We wish Fisker well in finding a buyer, returning cash to the Feds and continuing their effort to invent electric vehicles that allow us to quickly migrate off of fossil fuel and the unending push towards severe high carbon levels and the resulting damage to the atmosphere:
"After leaving the company that bears his name in March, Henrik Fisker is now working with a Hong Kong group led by one of Fisker Automotive’s investors in an effort to regain control of the beleaguered plug-in hybrid builder. Fisker and Richard Li, a Hong Kong billionaire, head a group attempting to buy the Department of Energy’s loan to Fisker Automotive before the company faces bankruptcy.
The Fisker-Li group isn’t the only party interested in gaining control of Fisker Automotive. Wanxiang Group, a Chinese auto parts builder, is also in the game, partnered with former General Motors executive Bob Lutz. Wanxiang builds and supplies the Fisker Karma’s lithium-ion battery, while Lutz has already produced the Destino — a Fisker Karma body with a Corvette engine instead of a plug-in powertrain — under his VL Automotive badge. Lutz has recently stated that he wants Fisker to survive, if for no other reason than to keep producing Karma bodies that he can convert into Destinos, and with Fisker’s current battery supplier as a partner, Fisker Automotive could potentially be folded up into a larger company rather than have to struggle on its own.
Henrik Fisker has reportedly been in touch with board members of Fisker Automotive about a new role within the company should he and Li’s proposed buyout of the Department of Energy's failed loan become a reality. Lutz and Wanxiang have a $20 million offer on the table. Figures and intrigue stand to escalate as discussions continue."
Monday, June 3, 2013
This week's radio show
Is now available 24/7 here on Blog Talk Radio, Renewable Now channel.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/renewable-now/2013/05/29/healthy-homes-initiative
This Week on Renewable Now .
Is your home making you sick? Hidden toxins and safety hazards can easily go unnoticed until it is too late . Join Peter Arpin and Jim Murphy from Rhode Island College as together they will continue exploring this very important topic.
Joining them will be Matthew Banoub who is the owner of Aten Energy Conservation LLC in Providence RI. Matt is fully committed to serving Rhode island residents by providing services that increase comfort and health while lowering fuel costs. Did you know that it is very important to keep moisture out of your home ? Find out if your family is at risk and what you need to look for in your home to tell if your homes environment is unsafe and wasting valuable energy .
Jim Murphy will also have Natilia Dinobile back on to give us a update on sustainability .
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/renewable-now/2013/05/29/healthy-homes-initiative
This Week on Renewable Now .
Is your home making you sick? Hidden toxins and safety hazards can easily go unnoticed until it is too late . Join Peter Arpin and Jim Murphy from Rhode Island College as together they will continue exploring this very important topic.
Joining them will be Matthew Banoub who is the owner of Aten Energy Conservation LLC in Providence RI. Matt is fully committed to serving Rhode island residents by providing services that increase comfort and health while lowering fuel costs. Did you know that it is very important to keep moisture out of your home ? Find out if your family is at risk and what you need to look for in your home to tell if your homes environment is unsafe and wasting valuable energy .
Jim Murphy will also have Natilia Dinobile back on to give us a update on sustainability .
Saturday, June 1, 2013
The other side of solar systems
As you know, we like to present both sides of the argument for and against investments in clean energy and sustainability. We are very focused on the economics behind these decisions, balancing those with environmental improvements.
Here's some disconcerting news on the failure rate of solar panels--not all, of course. Obviously, there's no reason to panic; every electrical/mechanical device has some failure rate. We will be watching closely our solar systems to see what potential degradation we experience.
Send us your comments:
The link from the NY Times:http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/29/business/energy-environment/solar-powers-dark-side.html?_r=0
Part of the article: LOS ANGELES — The solar panels covering a vast warehouse roof in the sun-soaked Inland Empire region east of Los Angeles were only two years into their expected 25-year life span when they began to fail.
Here's some disconcerting news on the failure rate of solar panels--not all, of course. Obviously, there's no reason to panic; every electrical/mechanical device has some failure rate. We will be watching closely our solar systems to see what potential degradation we experience.
Send us your comments:
The link from the NY Times:http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/29/business/energy-environment/solar-powers-dark-side.html?_r=0
Part of the article: LOS ANGELES — The solar panels covering a vast warehouse roof in the sun-soaked Inland Empire region east of Los Angeles were only two years into their expected 25-year life span when they began to fail.
Coatings that protect the panels disintegrated while other defects caused two fires that took the system offline for two years, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost revenues.
It was not an isolated incident. Worldwide, testing labs, developers, financiers and insurers are reporting similar problems and say the $77 billion solar industry is facing a quality crisis just as solar panels are on the verge of widespread adoption.
No one is sure how pervasive the problem is. There are no industrywide figures about defective solar panels. And when defects are discovered, confidentiality agreements often keep the manufacturer’s identity secret, making accountability in the industry all the more difficult.
But at stake are billions of dollars that have financed solar installations, from desert power plants to suburban rooftops, on the premise that solar panels will more than pay for themselves over a quarter century.
The quality concerns have emerged just after a surge in solar construction. In the United States, the Solar Energy Industries Association said that solar panel generating capacity exploded from 83 megawatts in 2003 to 7,266 megawatts in 2012, enough to power more than 1.2 million homes. Nearly half that capacity was installed in 2012 alone, meaning any significant problems may not become apparent for years..."
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