Mike Hillard owns a company called Tranquility Houses Ltd, in Stroud, Gloucestershire. In his eco-friendly home that costs only £60 to heat per annum, he grows bananas in his Solar Room while it’s –8 degrees outside. Mike has now turned his attention to the efficient recovery of old trees, with an environmentally friendly portable sawmill.
Fundamentally, Mike is an academic researching the Environment and then finding ways to minimise our impact on Planet Earth. He spent most of the 15 years from 1994 to 2009 researching important resources to determine the truth about how precarious our lives are and what needs to be done to protect our environment. Subjects such as ’Climate Change’, ’Energy’, ’Food’, and ’Population’ are only a few that Mike has written and published substantial papers on. Other entities such as KPMG, MENSA magazine, and Jim Hansen of NASA have either endorsed or concurred with his findings.
Read more here
Sunday, September 4, 2011
US Renewable Energy Markets: Exciting Times Ahead
We are currently in a period of strife and are facing challenges of oil supply disruptions, declining natural gas production and global climate change. To such a world, renewable energy offers fresh hope and a plethora of benefits - reduced emissions, stabilized energy costs, and energy security. In recent times, the market for green energy has been growing rapidly. However, renewable energy still faces many challenges and obstacles on the way to realizing its full potential.
The year 2003 has so far been one of mixed fortunes for renewable energy in the US. Under the 2004 budget, funding for research in hydrogen technologies jumped 121 percent to $88 million. Combined with the FreedomCAR initiative, the total amount for hydrogen-based initiatives is $272.4 million for the upcoming year's energy spending. The administration has also promised $1.2 billion in spending over 10 years to help development of hydrogen-powered cars as well as supporting service stations and other infrastructure. However, many renewable energy research programs would be cut in the year 2004, though total research funding would increase by $1.3 million. Research money for wind energy would fall 5.5 percent, while solar energy funding would increase a mere 0.1 percent. In the administration's view, these technologies are already at an advanced stage and it should be possible for the private sector to adopt them and drive them towards commercialization without further federal funding. President Bush's plans for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) included allocating a part ($1.2 billion) of the bid bonuses from leasing ANWR towards increased renewable funding and conservation efforts.
However, this funding seems to be in jeopardy after the defeat of the ANWR plan in the Senate last year and the Democrats vowing to use filibuster tactics to block vote on it this year. The DOE recently launched Climate VISION (Voluntary Innovative Sector Initiatives: Opportunities Now), a public-private partnership as part of the administration's strategy to reduce greenhouse gas intensity - the ratio of emissions to economic output - by 18 percent in the next decade. Though the initiative is driven by energy efficiency measures, there is no specific commitment to reduce emissions from current levels. Thus, even if energy intensity decreases, the growth of the economy will mean that emissions continue to increase. A specific commitment to expand the generation of power from renewable energy would help achieve this.
Read more here
The year 2003 has so far been one of mixed fortunes for renewable energy in the US. Under the 2004 budget, funding for research in hydrogen technologies jumped 121 percent to $88 million. Combined with the FreedomCAR initiative, the total amount for hydrogen-based initiatives is $272.4 million for the upcoming year's energy spending. The administration has also promised $1.2 billion in spending over 10 years to help development of hydrogen-powered cars as well as supporting service stations and other infrastructure. However, many renewable energy research programs would be cut in the year 2004, though total research funding would increase by $1.3 million. Research money for wind energy would fall 5.5 percent, while solar energy funding would increase a mere 0.1 percent. In the administration's view, these technologies are already at an advanced stage and it should be possible for the private sector to adopt them and drive them towards commercialization without further federal funding. President Bush's plans for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) included allocating a part ($1.2 billion) of the bid bonuses from leasing ANWR towards increased renewable funding and conservation efforts.
However, this funding seems to be in jeopardy after the defeat of the ANWR plan in the Senate last year and the Democrats vowing to use filibuster tactics to block vote on it this year. The DOE recently launched Climate VISION (Voluntary Innovative Sector Initiatives: Opportunities Now), a public-private partnership as part of the administration's strategy to reduce greenhouse gas intensity - the ratio of emissions to economic output - by 18 percent in the next decade. Though the initiative is driven by energy efficiency measures, there is no specific commitment to reduce emissions from current levels. Thus, even if energy intensity decreases, the growth of the economy will mean that emissions continue to increase. A specific commitment to expand the generation of power from renewable energy would help achieve this.
Read more here
The Facts on Green Jobs
On Aug. 19, The Bay Citizen published an article I wrote on the clean economy, "Green Jobs Predictions Proving a Pipe Dream."
The piece, which also ran in the Bay Area pages of The New York Times under the headline "Number of Green Jobs Fails to Live Up to Promises," has drawn strong criticism from both opponents and supporters of green jobs initiatives.
Environmentalists and their allies have argued that I ignored “explosive” job gains in the clean economy, while critics have used the story to argue that taxpayers get nothing in exchange for significant government investment in the green economy.
Given the intensity of the response, I wanted to detail some of the reporting behind the piece, which was an effort to survey the actual number of green jobs being created, and compare it to promises made by politicians about growth in the sector.
I used as benchmarks assurances made by politicians, chiefly President Barack Obama’s 2008 promise to create “5 million new green jobs” and California Gov. Jerry Brown’s 2010 pledge to create 500,000, both over 10 years.
In the course of reporting my story, I spoke to dozens of people: government officials, business leaders, marketing consultants, union representatives, advocates, and fellows at think tanks. I visited job-training sites, interviewed workers employed in the field and collected data from multiple sources in an effort to ascertain the extent to which the green economy was a jobs engine in the Bay Area.
In the end, my reporting found that — so far — job growth in the green jobs sector has been less than what politicians hoped for.
One of the reports I cited was the Brookings Institution’s July 2011 report, “Sizing the Clean Economy: A National and Regional Green Jobs Assessment,” which is one of the most comprehensive independent reports on the subject to date.
Read more here
The piece, which also ran in the Bay Area pages of The New York Times under the headline "Number of Green Jobs Fails to Live Up to Promises," has drawn strong criticism from both opponents and supporters of green jobs initiatives.
Environmentalists and their allies have argued that I ignored “explosive” job gains in the clean economy, while critics have used the story to argue that taxpayers get nothing in exchange for significant government investment in the green economy.
Given the intensity of the response, I wanted to detail some of the reporting behind the piece, which was an effort to survey the actual number of green jobs being created, and compare it to promises made by politicians about growth in the sector.
I used as benchmarks assurances made by politicians, chiefly President Barack Obama’s 2008 promise to create “5 million new green jobs” and California Gov. Jerry Brown’s 2010 pledge to create 500,000, both over 10 years.
In the course of reporting my story, I spoke to dozens of people: government officials, business leaders, marketing consultants, union representatives, advocates, and fellows at think tanks. I visited job-training sites, interviewed workers employed in the field and collected data from multiple sources in an effort to ascertain the extent to which the green economy was a jobs engine in the Bay Area.
In the end, my reporting found that — so far — job growth in the green jobs sector has been less than what politicians hoped for.
One of the reports I cited was the Brookings Institution’s July 2011 report, “Sizing the Clean Economy: A National and Regional Green Jobs Assessment,” which is one of the most comprehensive independent reports on the subject to date.
Read more here
Renewable Energy for Urban Households in India
Domestic energy consumption pattern varies from country to country depending upon their requirement for various activities. According to one estimate, per capita energy consumption ranges between 0.201 to 0.902 ToE (Tons of oil Equivalent)* respectively for India and USA (1 ToE = 42 GJ = 11 630 kWhr.). If China and India adopt Western Lifestyles, an extra 500 MToE/yr will be consumed. India, in particular would therefore need more and more power plants to match even the per capita of the world which stands at 0.348 ToE.
In view of the recent developments primarily focusing on 'Energy Efficiency', there has been a lot of awareness in India on the conservative approach by the end-users. An attempt therefore is made here to look at prospects of domestic sector focusing mainly on renewable options for households.
Primary energy use of the household sector accounts for 15-25% in developed countries which could be higher in developing countries. Energy-based living standards and more efficient energy use are indeed opposing trends in developing countries that affect household energy consumption. Energy use in developing countries unlike western counterparts is primarily required for lighting, entertainment, water lifting and to a little extent air condition during peak summer months.
Read more here
In view of the recent developments primarily focusing on 'Energy Efficiency', there has been a lot of awareness in India on the conservative approach by the end-users. An attempt therefore is made here to look at prospects of domestic sector focusing mainly on renewable options for households.
Primary energy use of the household sector accounts for 15-25% in developed countries which could be higher in developing countries. Energy-based living standards and more efficient energy use are indeed opposing trends in developing countries that affect household energy consumption. Energy use in developing countries unlike western counterparts is primarily required for lighting, entertainment, water lifting and to a little extent air condition during peak summer months.
Read more here
Plan for $100m network of pipes
Christchurch's new energy agency will be driving a proposal to build a $100 million network of heating and cooling pipes around the central city.
An energy-efficient central plant burning wood chips would generate hot and cool water to pipe to commercial and residential properties.
The proposed district energy system (DES) would provide space heating, domestic water heating and air conditioning, meaning individual buildings would no longer need to run their own boilers, chillers or air conditioners.
The system is one of the proposals in the draft central-city plan and would involve a combined heat and power plant and an about 10-kilometre network of pipes.
The Christchurch Agency for Energy, launched yesterday, will investigate options for improving the city's use of energy, increasing the proportion of renewable energy used and providing accurate energy supply and consumption figures.
Read more here
An energy-efficient central plant burning wood chips would generate hot and cool water to pipe to commercial and residential properties.
The proposed district energy system (DES) would provide space heating, domestic water heating and air conditioning, meaning individual buildings would no longer need to run their own boilers, chillers or air conditioners.
The system is one of the proposals in the draft central-city plan and would involve a combined heat and power plant and an about 10-kilometre network of pipes.
The Christchurch Agency for Energy, launched yesterday, will investigate options for improving the city's use of energy, increasing the proportion of renewable energy used and providing accurate energy supply and consumption figures.
Read more here
California Housing Complex Enjoys the Benefits of Solar Power
As California struggles through a poor housing market and high utility bills, people are beginning to look for alternative housing options as opposed to individual homes. This includes apartment complexes, multi-family homes and even mixed-use developments.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, almost 12 percent of all Californians were unemployed in June 2011. Thankfully, the Citizens Housing Corporation of California (CHC) offers some opportunities for struggling families. A non-profit organization, CHC is a housing development company that aims to improve the number of affordable housing options for low-income residents.
Aiming to help more families, the CHC constructed an affordable housing complex at Mosaica in San Francisco, California. The mixed-use development, meaning it supplies both housing and store front properties in a pedestrian friendly environment, consists of 117 units. The complex is greenpoint rated, meaning that it is graded on its ability for improving air quality, increasing energy efficiency, conserving resources and allows for a livable community, according to Build it Green.
Read more here
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, almost 12 percent of all Californians were unemployed in June 2011. Thankfully, the Citizens Housing Corporation of California (CHC) offers some opportunities for struggling families. A non-profit organization, CHC is a housing development company that aims to improve the number of affordable housing options for low-income residents.
Aiming to help more families, the CHC constructed an affordable housing complex at Mosaica in San Francisco, California. The mixed-use development, meaning it supplies both housing and store front properties in a pedestrian friendly environment, consists of 117 units. The complex is greenpoint rated, meaning that it is graded on its ability for improving air quality, increasing energy efficiency, conserving resources and allows for a livable community, according to Build it Green.
Read more here
Greenearth Energy receives award
Greenearth Energy (ASX: GER) has received a trade award from Israel's Ministry of Trade and Labour in recognition of the company's outstanding contribution to the forging of international trade links with the country.
The award ceremony was held in Melbourne last night and was attended by Dr Uzi Landau, Minister for National Infrastructure for the State of Israel, Ehud Gonen Israeli trade Commissioner to Australia, and Leon Kempler OAM, National Chairman of the Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce.
Total trade between Israel and Australia rose to $715 million in 2010, an 18.7% increase on the previous year, according to official statistics.
Greenearth Energy contributed to this trade through its strategic positioning across the broader renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors and the introduction to Australia of several world class Israeli clean energy technologies.
Managing Director of Greenearth Energy, Mark Miller, said "our diversification strategy to date has been underpinned by the partnerships we have established with Israeli clean technology developers.
Read more here
The award ceremony was held in Melbourne last night and was attended by Dr Uzi Landau, Minister for National Infrastructure for the State of Israel, Ehud Gonen Israeli trade Commissioner to Australia, and Leon Kempler OAM, National Chairman of the Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce.
Total trade between Israel and Australia rose to $715 million in 2010, an 18.7% increase on the previous year, according to official statistics.
Greenearth Energy contributed to this trade through its strategic positioning across the broader renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors and the introduction to Australia of several world class Israeli clean energy technologies.
Managing Director of Greenearth Energy, Mark Miller, said "our diversification strategy to date has been underpinned by the partnerships we have established with Israeli clean technology developers.
Read more here
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