Are you a Geothermal noob? April 29, 2009
Posted by positivenergyoutput in Energy Independence, energy, energy production.Tags: geothermal
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In an earlier posting I noted that geothermal energy is best in moderate climate zones. I think I may have been wrong and should have said “temperate” climate zones. I am also a geothermal noob. But thank goodness for the internet.
virtual geothermal
I recently found a site focused on building awareness of the potential of geothermal energy:
The current production of geothermal energy from all uses places third among renewables, following hydroelectricity and biomass, and ahead of solar and wind. Despite these impressive statistics, the current level of geothermal use pales in comparison to its potential. The key to wider geothermal use is greater public awareness and technical support. http://www.geothermal.org/what.html
To remove your status of geothermal noob, check out this PDF from the University of Utah:
It looks like Nevada is geothermal central.
No on Prop 7 in California October 13, 2008
Posted by positivenergyoutput in Action, Energy Independence, Environment, energy, vision.Tags: California, crisis, energy, no, prop 7, renewable, solar power
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I have a friend that owns an energy efficiency business, and I asked him about prop 7 and how it would affect his business. He said it would shut him down, it would shut down any residential solar installer business, and it would make electricity more expensive. I trust him, but I also wanted to delve deeper. Check out who opposes prop 7 here: http://www.noprop7.com/whoopposes7.html.
It seems that anyone that cares about the state’s resources, people and environment are listed here. They say that prop 7 could cause another energy crises. The proposition was drafted and sponsored by a billionaire from Arizona that doesn’t understand renewable energy, but has been influenced by greed, and does not reflect what California needs.
California needs a plan that rewards homeowners for producing excess energy with solar, wind, geo-thermal or biomass. The citizens can become a decentralized power plant that the utility does not have to build and maintain. The utilities should pay for electricity produced as anyone else does. The utility should get a market discount to account for the cost of distribution to those that do not produce their own energy, but the producers should get paid. It will diversify our production. It will stabilize our energy consumption, and secure ourselves in the case of a larger energy crisis.
Vote no on prop 7 to prevent a power grab from an out of state billionaire!
Palm Desert changes the Law August 4, 2008
Posted by positivenergyoutput in Action, Energy Independence, Environment, energy, energy production, solar power, sustainable, vision.Tags: California, energy, Palm Desert, solar
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“Palm Desert is unbelievably progressive,” said Flanigan. “I really salute them for having the creativity and foresight to change state law in this historic way.”
Check out this story at Solar Energy News.
Support the Troops on Memorial Day >> STAY HOME! May 27, 2007
Posted by positivenergyoutput in Action, Energy Independence, Environment, economy, energy, vision.add a comment
This Memorial Day support the troops by staying home. That’s right. Don’t travel. Don’t use gasoline. Every time you fill up at the pump, you are supporting the worldwide Jihad against the West. So if you plan on being honest with your yellow ribbon magnet on your H2, don’t take it out of the driveway this weekend.
The evidence was indisputable: Saudi Arabia. America’s longtime ally and the world’s largest oil producer had somehow become, as a senior Treasury Department official put it, “the epicenter” of terrorist financing.
Institute for the Analysis of Global Security:
Much has been reported about the complex system of terrorist financing and the money trail facilitating the September 11 terror attacks. Individuals and charities from the Persian Gulf–mainly from Saudi Arabia–appear to be the most important source of funding for terrorist organizations like Al-Qaeda.
… Saudis have a religious tax, the zakat, requiring all Muslims to give at least 2.5 percent of their income to charities. Many of the charities are truly dedicated to good causes, but others merely serve as money laundering and terrorist financing apparatuses. While many Saudis contribute to those charities in good faith believing their money goes toward good causes, others know full well the terrorist purposes to which their money will be funneled.
… Reducing demand for Middle East oil would force the petroleum-rich regimes to invest their funds domestically, seek ways to diversify their economies and rethink their support for America’s enemies. Only then financial support for terrorism could radically diminish.
So remember, Support the Troops by supporting Energy Independence!
Now don’t be all sour and glum. Cheer up! You can do something about it. Use less gas. Ride a bike. Buy a hybrid. Take the train, or bus. Carpool, and pressure your representatives to support Energy Independence initiatives. This is not a right/left issue. This is a national security, economy growth, and environmental sustainability issue. Be part of the solution. Don’t help the terrorists.
Further reading:
John Edwards thinks like me . . . April 15, 2007
Posted by positivenergyoutput in Energy Independence, Environment, economy, energy, government.add a comment
According the John Edwards policy on the environment I found a snippet that sounded just like what I have been proposing from the beginning. Check it out: SOURCE
- Open the Electricity Grids to Distributed and Renewable Generation: Traditionally, electricity has been produced at large, central power plants and transmitted through miles of power lines. Distributed generation of electricity promises reliable, clean, cost-effective production that is less vulnerable to natural disasters and attacks. Farms, factories, schools, and communities ought to be able to establish their own power sources and compete with traditional plants to sell wholesale capacity, as New England has pioneered. [DOE, 2000; New England ISO, 2006]To open up the grid to innovation, Edwards will:
- Create Millions of Local Sources of Renewable Energy: Edwards will provide up to a $5,000 tax credit for homes and small businesses that invest in onsite generation of renewable energy like solar, wind, and geothermal power. He will also encourage local generation of renewable energy through “net metering,” which allows families to sell extra power back to utilities for credits against their electricity bills.
- Encourage Distributed Generation: Edwards will cut the red tape that hinders new energy producers from selling their power to the grid. He will require utilities to consider distributed generation as a means of lowering costs compared to new investments in centralized production and transmission.
- Research the Next Generation of Small Scale Renewable Energy: Edwards will invest in researching more profitable sources of renewable energy generation. For example, biomass engines producing both heat and power that can be three times more efficient than traditional distribution. [Hill, 2001]
It seems that John Edwards has been keeping up with the WorldChanging crowd. Green means money and sustainability. GO GREEN!
Hybrid Vehicle, to buy or not to buy, that is the … September 17, 2006
Posted by positivenergyoutput in Energy Independence, Environment, energy, green, hybrid, sustainable, vision.add a comment
I asked a friend of mine if he was going to get a hybrid vehicle when he mentioned he was going to look for a new car. He immediatly told me that he doesn’t believe in global warming. I was surprised that he would respond to my suggestion that way. Let me just premise that my friend is not a dumb guy, he is actually very smart and works as an application developer for large organizations.
technorati tags: hybrid, energy, independence, green, global, warming
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Geothermal heating and cooling, best for moderate climate zones September 4, 2006
Posted by positivenergyoutput in Energy Independence, Environment, energy, energy production, green, sustainable.4 comments
This article from “Ask the Builder” about geothermal heating and cooling tell us that the technology is best used in moderate climates. Tim Carter also points out that:
the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy are currently promoting this technology through their Earth Comfort Program
So I searched the Earth Comfort Program on Google and found this quote at the top of THIS page:
Lew Pratsch of the U.S. Department of Energy sums up his department’s position on Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHPs). He says, “Geothermal heat pumps are for real. The product is efficient in rain, shine, sleet or snow; the product is endorsed by the EPA… and most importantly, GSHPs have one of the best life-cycle costs of HVAC systems sold today. “
Leading Democrats Propose Major Energy Independence Bill July 28, 2006
Posted by positivenergyoutput in Environment, energy, energy production.add a comment
Finally some politicians are getting a clue that energy independence is the cornerstone for national security. The politicians are not doing enough, but at least they are starting something. Come on Republicans, can’t you do better on Energy Independence. This is not a partisan issue. This is a patriotic issue!
technorati tags: democrats, energy, independence, 2006, oil
Becoming an Energy Producer July 26, 2006
Posted by positivenergyoutput in Environment, energy, energy production, solar power.add a comment
The point of PositivEnergyOutput is too encourage people to become energy producers. It doesn’t happen overnight. I am still too poor to afford any technology, and I am still working on saving money for a home, but this will not stop me from learning about how I can accomplish energy production by the time I have the means. Also, I am still learning about what is involved in my vision, so I appreciate any help from you that have a background in sustainable resource energy production. (more…)
