Tag: Energy

How Energy Storage Can Increase Carbon Emissions

How Energy Storage Can Increase Carbon Emissions

How Energy Storage Can Increase Carbon Emissions

12/08/18

“How can energy storage increase carbon emissions?”

 

Numerous renewable energy proponents around the world are promoting energy storage as the solution to intermittency. However, if not planned out carefully, energy storage can be very unsustainable. This is because energy storage can store any type of energy, clean or not, with a preference for cheaper inputs. This means that cheaper overnight coal might be used for storage and then placed against more expensive natural gas or solar. In addition, energy is lost during storage, so the net efficiency drops as well. This is How Energy Storage Can Increase Carbon Emissions.

 

Image and research credit Hittinger, E. S., & Azevedo, I. M. (2015). Bulk energy storage increases United States electricity system emissions. Environmental science & technology, 49(5), 3203-3210.

Carbon Neutral Economies

Carbon Neutral Economies

Carbon Neutral Economies

12/06/18

“How can an economy not contribute to climate change?”

 

Traditionally, economies have grown in tandem with carbon emissions. But with the advent of modern-day extreme climate change this is no longer feasible. To solve this, nations will have to adopt Carbon Neutral Economies in which all sectors have slashed their emissions to zero. The transition to a low carbon economy could yield enormous economic growth as well as inequality easing. Multiple governments around the world are committed to this action, with California’s 2045 and the EU’s 2050 initiatives as examples.

 

Image credit https://assets.weforum.org

How Load Shedding Helps Fight Climate Change

How Load Shedding Helps Fight Climate Change

How Load Shedding Helps Fight Climate Change

11/19/18

“How can load shedding be beneficial for the planet?”

 

When power grids receive a demand overload, they often go into load-shedding to prevent a blackout. Not only does the reduced load prevent a blackout but also emit less carbon dioxide! Without having to worry about an infrastructure recovery or extra emissions, the grid’s impact on climate change will be reduced.

Power Pooling

Power Pooling

Power Pooling

11/15/18

“How can multiple utilities share electricity with each other?”

 

Electricity demand and supply can fluctuate greatly. And sometimes, one utility might become overwhelmed. To prevent this from occurring, a utility can enter into a Power Pool with other utilities. A Power Pool is a compilation of terms in which multiple utilities agree to share energy and resources. This can decrease operating costs and enable more reliability. However, pool agreements can be complex and might lead to some friction between different utilities.

 

Image Credit https://blogs.worldbank.org

How Renewable Energy Would Help Pakistan’s Energy Security

How Renewable Energy Would Help Pakistan’s Energy Security

How Renewable Energy Would Help Pakistan’s Energy Security

11/13/18

“How would renewable energy be beneficial to Pakistan?”

 

As it stands, the nation of Pakistan currently imports large portions of its energy from other countries. But like many things, this can be solved with the use of renewable energy. Since wind and solar power would be generated right on Pakistan’s own territory, it would be entirely owned by the nation. This is How Renewable Energy Would Help Pakistan’s Energy Security.

How We Can Leverage Smart Building Data to Combat Climate Change

How We Can Leverage Smart Building Data to Combat Climate Change

How We Can Leverage Smart Building Data to Combat Climate Change

11/08/18

“How can we use data from buildings to make them better for the environment?”

 

The ascent of the Internet of Things is changing everything in its path, and the building sector is no different. With our newfound access to all sorts of building data, we can take much more control to ensure energy efficiency. Whether this means finding bottlenecks in the system, more optimal times to control HVAC systems or better building automation systems.

 

Image credit http://www.ledesigngroup.com

Puerto Rico Might Go 100% Renewable

Puerto Rico Might Go 100% Renewable

Puerto Rico Might Go 100% Renewable

11/05/18

“Will Puerto Rico go 100% in on Renewable Energy?”

 

Puerto Rico has faced a tough time with its energy infrastructure recently. Hurricane Maria has knocked out the vast majority of its power generation capabilities and has left much of the island in the dark. But that doesn’t mean Puerto Rico is going down without a fight. Taking inspiration from the proven evidence that solar energy will provide it with resiliency and California’s recent audacious climate goals, Puerto Rico might go 100% renewable!!! If policymakers decide to act upon this, then not only will Puerto Rico be transformed but perhaps the entire region around it.

 

Photo: Power line workers in Puerto Rico. Credit: Lorie Shaull, Flickr Creative Commons