"Wisdom begins in wonder" – Socrates
Category: Policy
Renewable Energy Procurement
05/21/19
“How do we create more renewable energy?”
Renewable energy is one of the fastest growing markets in the world right now. So much so that creating more of it has obtained its own unique name, Renewable Energy Procurement.
Resilience Centers
05/18/19
“How can communities build centralized locations to protect against electricity blackouts?”
As the climate becomes more erratic, so will the natural disasters that follow it, whether it be wildfires or hurricanes. As a result, communities will have to take measures to adapt to these new problems. One way to accomplish this is to set up Resilience Centers where generators can be brought in to operate essential services. The utility Pacific Gas and Electric in Northern California is looking at this method to increase resiliency against wildfires.
Fire Risk Analysis
05/16/19
“How can we analyze fire risk?”
Property catching on fire can be very dangerous. Whether it be a single building or a transmission line, the damage can be an order of magnitude worse than expected. Because of this, many property owners use risk analysis methods to keep their investments safe. This Fire Risk Analysis can be accomplished through the amalgamation of a multitude of methods, such as analyzing historical dire data, on-site building inspections, and material analysis.
Risk Analysis
05/15/19
“How can we analyze risk?”
Every engineering, business, or policy action has some sort of risk attached. Whether it be installing a wind turbine or funding a renewable energy startup, something could go wrong. As a result, before institutions will make a Risk Analysis to see if taking such an action is rational. Risk analysis can be performed in a multitude of different ways, both qualitatively and quantitatively.
Why Solar Hot Water Heaters Save Can Save A Lot of Energy and Money
05/14/19
“How can installing a solar hot water heater save you a lot of energy and money?”
One of the most energy intensive processes in building energy consumption is heating hot water. Millions of kilowatt hours go into this process every year, consuming a voluminous amount of energy and money. However, by installing a solar hot water heater which can do this passively, not only does energy usage plummet but also cost. This is Why Solar Hot Water Heaters Save Can Save A Lot of Energy and Money.
Image credit 5.imimg.com
Time-Dependent Grid Emissions
05/13/19
“How can thinking of greenhouse gas emissions on a more minute level lead to more accurate recordings of greenhouse gas emissions?”
When grid emissions from electricity is analyzed, typically it is done so on a per-day or per-annum basis. However, with greater levels of distributed energy resources on the grid now, emission rates can vary hour to hour. By taking in Time-Dependent Grid Emissions to account, we can obtain a better picture of how much greenhouse gases are being released into the atmosphere. Demand side-response can help further minimize such emissions.
How Solar and Wind Will Be so Cheap That It Will Cause Coal Plants to Retire
05/12/19
“How will the low cost of renewables force coal plants to retire early?”
Solar and wind are dropping at cataclysmic rates. So much so, that new analysis has shown that soon in some parts of the world renewables will be so cheap that installing them will actually be cheaper than keeping existing coal infrastructure running, economically forcing such plants into early retirement. This is How Solar and Wind Will Be so Cheap That It Will Cause Coal Plants to Retire.
Clean Peak Standard
05/11/19
“How can we mandate that peak hour energy use utilizes a certain number of clean energy?”
Renewable energy mandates have been vital for the escalation of renewable energy. However, renewable energy powers only a tepid amount of the grid during peak energy use hours once the sun goes down. To solve this, utilities and governments can implement a Clean Peak Standard, which mandates that peak hours are powered by a certain amount of clean energy. The U.S Stated of Arizona, California, and Massachusetts are currently reviewing these for the prospect of implementation.
Real-Time Energy Markets
05/10/19
“How is energy traded in real-time?”
Because energy is such a critical infrastructure, it needs to be planned out and purchased ahead of time. However, not all predictions are perfect, and sometimes energy needs to be provided the day of. This results in the creation of a Real-Time Energy Market where energy can be traded quickly to meet system needs. The purchasing costs of energy in real time tends to be more expensive and price volatile than its day-ahead equivalent.
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