What is Geoengineering?

This link will take you to the Oxford University web site about Geoengineering.

And this link will take you to the Harvard University web site about geoengineering.

Harvard also has a very informative Technology Factsheet about Solar Geoengineering.

Large Scale Battery Storage of Electricity

This is a highly desirable approach to making solar and wind power generation key players in low carbon emissions power generation. When the sun sets, or when the wind does not blow, these two forms of power generation are of little or no value. But if the electricity generated when the sun shines, or the wind blows, could be stored and used later, then we have a means of consistent wind and solar power supply.

Large efficient batteries can achieve this, and some are being built for just such a purpose...... And still more efficient batteries are being developed. For details on what is in the works, read Gates, Pritzkers Take on Musk in $5 Billion Race for Battery Storage

"Safe Coast Virginia"....and a Delaware connection

The following report was co-authored by Rae Tyson, who is the instructor for the current Osher Lifelong Learning class, Climate Change in Delaware.

Safe Coast Virginia

I highly recommend it, as a great deal of what is presented is applicable to Delaware, because Delaware also has so much infrastructure and investment barely-above-sea level. The recommended "Ten Point Action Plan" is very well thought out and specific... a most welcome addition compared to so many gloom and doom reports with only vague recommendations.

What's Possible - a film on climate solutions presented to the UN

What's Possible is a 3 minute film created to inspire delegates to the UN Climate Meeting in NY September 23, of this year.

After watching the film, if you wish to learn more about the interesting background behind it, read this Huffington Post article by the film's producer, Lyn Davis Lear.

OTEC Followup from today's class

See Hawaii Ocean Science and Technology Park for latest details on OTEC scale-up efforts. As a reminder, OTEC stands for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion. And as I mentioned in class today, Sally and I plan to visit this facility in Jan 2014, and of course will update you with what we see and learn.

Walmart and Solar

Walmart's effort is impressive, and they plan to make money doing solar. For an easy to read, and often times humorous article from Bloomberg:

Wal-Mart Now Draws More Solar Power Than 38 U.S. States

Top US Companies Investing Big in Solar

In the agenda for our last OLLI class Nov 20, I mention Walmart and its program to place PV cells on the roofs of its stores. I also posed the question: Is this a significant effort, or just for show? Well it would appear it is a significant effort, at least based on this report by Rhone Resch, President and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).

The information certainly looks encouraging to me.

Predicting Climate Change - OLLI Fall 2013 Class Schedule

Instructor - Bill Fintel

In this 5 week class we will try to develop a clearer picture of the key elements of climate change, and we will explore possible future scenarios to get a better perspective of what our children and grandchildren may inherit. Class participation is encouraged, and time will be made available for class members to express their views.

Oct 23 – Recent Global Climate Data - In this first class we will review climate change indicators published by NASA, NOAA and others. This data will include surface temperature, sea level, arctic sea ice extent, ocean heat content, and more. Links to these sources can be found at: http://climate.nasa.gov/key_indicators and http://www.climate.gov/maps-data

Oct 30 – Sea Level Rise and Delaware - As we all realize, much of Delaware is not far above present sea level, and even in the recent past, large coastal storms have caused extensive and major damage. What can Delaware expect in the future? What are Delawareans doing, and what else should we be doing?

Nov 6 – Arctic and Antarctic Changes - Warming in the Arctic is proceeding much more rapidly than at temperate latitudes. Arctic sea ice extent is steadily decreasing year after year. Greenland glaciers are melting. Permafrost is melting. What are the global implications of these and other polar changes?

Nov 13 – Climate Feedback Loops - Climate feedback loops hold the unfortunate potential to accelerate climate change by amplifying a small change via a positive feedback mechanism. We will explore effects such as the release of methane due to melting permafrost, and a decrease in solar radiation being reflected back into space because of melting polar ice caps.

Nov 20 – Rays of Hope and Conundrums - What are some of the recent developments that give rise to hope for climate stabilization? What is the Majuro declaration? Will humans and other species be able to adapt to the inevitable remaining climate changes? Are Walmart’s efforts to use renewable energy significant or just show? How do we explain things like continuing fossil fuel subsidies, or solar panels getting cheaper and cheaper, but seemingly becoming harder and harder to justify financially?

Colorado Strong Solar Programs

I had been considering posting some negative views about Obama's climate speech, just to keep this blog "balanced", but I have decided not to do that because the views were not a criticism of the science behind the stated US position on climate change, they were views that basically said, "well this is a hopeless battle, coal workers and coal businesses will have to pay a big penalty, so why try to do what is right?"

Well in every worthwhile undertaking, sacrifices are required. So lets look to Colorado for some inspiration. Colorado has on average 300 sunny days a year, and yet they now generate less solar power than NJ. So Colorado is going for 1 million solar roof tops by 2030. For details from see Renewable Energy World.

US Gov Takes Concrete Steps to Expand Renewable Energy

Secretary Sally Jewell outlines on This Week at Interior an upcoming offering of offshore leases to develop wind energy which could supply electricity to 1 million homes. She also highlights some western US developments of solar and geothermal renewable energy which can supply energy needs of 200,000 homes. The video is certainly worth the 3+ minutes it takes. (Note: the renewable energy segment comes after a 1 min segment on recreational fishing, and before a segment about healthy foods to be served in National Parks).

For more details on the offshore wind farm lease, see Renewable Energy News.

What can WE do to fight global warming?

The WE in the title is for us, on a personal level. So WE can:
- Install a solar photovoltaic (PV) system on our roof.
- Install a solar water heater on our roof.
- Install a geothermal heat pump.
Now these are all choices that benefit us directly, and the rest of the world indirectly by limiting our generation of greenhouse gases.

But how about donating to organizations that use solar PV or equivalent to provide electricity to remote off-grid people who desperately need electricity, if only for illumination for kids to study at night. I truly believe that smarter kids will most definitely benefit our World.

So that is where I plan to target my dollar support efforts. I will let you know what avenues I find that seem to be most reliable to achieve that goal. And please let me know if you are aware of other good avenues.

Intriguing Solar Option for Individuals

Californians again lead the way. Want solar, but not to sure how to go about it, and scared of the initial investment and later maintenance. The California link provides many options in CA, and now where you live, this approach should soon work as well.

World Energy Production Details - Germany

What you will not find much of on this blog is what you can find everywhere else in the news as well. So this link to a Mark Lynas post I think you will find unique, and I hope you agree with me, it contains some very interesting nuggets of information about energy production in Germany, such as:

Solar continued its enormous growth rate between 2011 and 2012. Production rose from 19.3TWh (terawatt-hours) in 2011 to 27.6TWh in 2012, representing an impressive increase of 47.7%. In terms of total electricity generation, solar’s percentage rose from 3.2% in 2011 to 4.6% in 2012. This is an extraordinary achievement by any standard.

Because gas prices remain high in Europe relative to coal, gas is being forced out of the electricity market – and with widespread opposition to fracking, there is little prospect of cheapear gas (as in the US) for the forseeable future.

An excellent summary, but for just one country. Now do it for 200+ countries in the World, integrate all that data, and use it to plan the future of world energy production. A daunting task!!!!

Grid sized batteries - New technology from MIT

Why do we need grid sized batteries? To store intermittent wind and solar energy, so that when the winds don't blow, or it is nighttime, these huge electrical storage devices, can supply electricity to the grid saved from times when the wind was blowing, or the sun was shining.

This is a must watch link on TED pointed out to me by Bo French in our class. It is not just about an apparent great invention, it is also about people truly dedicating themselves to saving our world, and many of these people are inspired young students.
Thanks so much, Bo.

Energy for Development - References from Curt Davis

Following is the list of books, web site links, and Youtube videos that Curt promised in his OLLI presentation on Nov 5, 2012. Many thanks again to Curt for a fascinating and informative presentation of his hands-on experiences helping provide clean, renewable energy to low income people in remote regions around the world.  Bill

OLLI Energy for Development presentation by Curt Davis, November 5, 2012

-Here are the names of the books mentioned in class:

Kamal, Sajed (2011). The Renewable Revolution: How We Can Fight Climate Change, Prevent Energy Wars, Revitalize the Economy and Transition to a Sustainable Future. London: Routledge (Earthscan)

Owen, David (2012). The Conundrum: How Scientific Innovation, Increased Efficiency, and Good Intentions Can Make Our Energy and Climate Problems Worse. Short Books

-Here is a link to how to build the solar cooker demonstrated in class:

http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/CooKit

-Organizations that I work with:

Flexera Solar and Wind

http://www.flexera.net/

The Pan Himalayan Grassroots Development Foundation

http://www.grassrootsindia.com/

Grupo Fenix

http://www.grupofenix.org/

ICSEE / Maasai Solar Project

http://www.maasaistovessolar.org/

-Here is a list of interesting videos of small-scale renewable energy or small-scale that has been scaled up to meet larger demands.

Solar Cooker in the snow: (2:45)

(posted from http://www.youtube.com/user/solarwindmama)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddd8RUtv9VU&feature=plcp

Grassroots India household biogas overview. (8:03)

(posted by https://www.youtube.com/user/GrassrootsIndia)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQrr4KhP4Dc

Micro Hydro Power Animation

(posted by http://www.youtube.com/user/GreenpeaceUK)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4B2gODY3Mk

Micro hydro Archimedian screw animation

(posted by http://www.youtube.com/user/bigbrother1970E)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLEA3FF83DC8D9FCA0&feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=ka5174hVhbg

Turning Green in Oxford, England

(posted by http://www.youtube.com/user/alunhill)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1Q1-iAExPo&feature=rellist&playnext=1&list=PLEA3FF83DC8D9FCA0

Micro hydro in Indonesia

(poster by http://www.youtube.com/user/AshdenAwards)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm-PaJNlRp8&feature=plcp

ARTI India: Biogas from food waste. (5:26)

(posted by http://www.youtube.com/user/AshdenAwards)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGSl72xZHNk&feature=relmfu

China; domestic biogas for cooking and light. (4:47)

(posted by http://www.youtube.com/user/AshdenAwards)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=ZMreH1YUs90

Industrial-scale liquefied biogas in Sweden. (4:07)

(posted by: https://www.youtube.com/user/Goteborgenergi )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Vsk6AnilIfs

Husk Power Systems: Bihar (5:53)

(posted from http://www.youtube.com/user/AshdenAwards)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0XcoeqVoaI

Grupo Fenix. (6:35)

(posted by https://www.youtube.com/user/elgrupofenix)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54ILxrFVc34

Tanzanian sawdust stoves. (5:53)

(posted by http://www.youtube.com/user/AshdenAwards)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIlOamR9wAg&feature=plcp

Aprovecho Rocket Stove; Malawi (5:15)

(posted by http://www.youtube.com/user/AshdenAwards)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSQOIVKgWbY&feature=plcp

Rice husk gasifier in Bihar (2:56)

(posted by http://www.youtube.com/user/acumenfund)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MpTmckocYQ

Energy for Development: Lessons from energy-poor communities around the world

Curt Davis and Solar Cooker

This presentation will provide an overview of effective solar cookers, biogas digesters and improved cookstoves as well as alternative energy options for electricity that have proven effective for off-grid living around the world. It will also include photos and explanations from Curts' travels in addition to several short high-quality video clips of successful international projects.

Curt Davis is an international development professional and current graduate student at the Center for Energy and Environmental Policy at the University of Delaware. Curt has lived off the grid for over 2 years as a Peace Corps volunteer serving in rural Paraguay and has interned with a small non-governmental organization (NGO) in the Indian Himalayas. While earning a master's degree in Sustainable International Development at Brandeis University, Curt built relationships with NGOs in Latin America, Asia and Africa that are committed to providing reliable sustainable energy, empowering local stakeholders while at the same time providing positive externalities, such as the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

While in India Curt devoted his research to the development of alternative energy options to the traditional three-stone fire used commonly throughout energy-poor regions of the world. It was through these experiences that he became familiar with solar cookers and biogas digesters used for cooking.

DSIRE - Database for State Renewables and Efficiency

Bob Seamans' freestanding PV system in Ocean View, as described in class on Oct 15.

Incentives for DE includes information on SREC's.

"As of August 2012, sales of Delaware-sourced SRECs tracked on the PJM-EIS Generation Attributes Tracking System (GATS) averaged $189 per MWh, down from $260 MWh average for June 2010-August 2011."

This sounds different from what I heard in our last class, so maybe someone can add some up-to-date details. Thanks to Keith Kiernan for providing the Wall Street Journal article with these links, and to Brandon Case for the photo of his father-in-law's PV system.

Solar estimator

Find-Solar.org is a free public service of the solar and wind communities with the mission of helping others estimate their energy cost savings when installing solar and wind systems. In trying it for Lewes, DE, the results almost seem too good to be true, like a 6 year breakeven. See what you think, and be sure to check out the many links, including Solar Pro recommended installers.

And if you want to understand Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SREC's) so you can explain them to our class, go to SRECTrade, where there is also a Delaware page.

Utility-scale Solar Energy on Public Lands

Just in from the US Dept of the Interior: Obama Administration Approves Roadmap for Utility-Scale Solar Energy Development on Public Lands.

Today’s action builds on the Administration’s historic progress to facilitate renewable energy development....“Energy from sources like wind and solar have doubled since the President took office, and with today’s milestone, we are laying a sustainable foundation to keep expanding our nation’s domestic energy resources,” said Secretary Salazar, who signed today’s Record of Decision at an event in Las Vegas, Nevada with Senator Harry Reid. “This historic initiative provides a roadmap for landscape-level planning that will lead to faster, smarter utility-scale solar development on public lands and reflects President Obama’s commitment to grow American made energy and create jobs.” 

Okay, there may some politics involved in the announcement timing, but my initial interpretation is this is a good step forward. For the full press release click here and select the top link.

 MSNBC link published 10/12/12 at 4:59 pm.

Bill Clinton and Solar Power

I am just going to publish a link here, so you can followup as you wish. It is refreshing to see such a politically well recognized figure supporting renewable energy. Visit Solar Power International 12 and see Sept 12.