"Wisdom begins in wonder" – Socrates
Tag: Green energy
Why We Need the Viewpoints of All Communities in Combating Climate Change
07/16/19
“Why do we need everyone’s viewpoint when it comes to combating climate change?”
Climate change is one of the largest threats threatening humanity. And since everyone will be affected, we need to consider the viewpoints of all, especially of those who are exploited the most. This is Why We Need the Viewpoints of All Communities in Combating Climate Change.
Price Signals and Energy Wholesale Markets
06/22/19
“How do price signals affect energy wholesale markets?”
When the price of a commodity in a market changes, it sends a signal to consumers about some form of information. When the price of energy in the wholesale market, this is usually to a change in supply or demand of said source of energy. This is how Price Signals and Energy Wholesale Markets relate.
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.
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.
Why Exporting Solar Energy over HVDC Lines During Summer Could Be Beneficial for California
05/04/19
“Why might exporting solar energy during fire season be in California’s benefit?”
Using HVDC for cross-border energy trading in and out of California is a fiery topic. Although it could achieve regional grid integration and help solve many indeterminacy issues, it also holds great risk in decreasing fire resilience if done during the fire-prone summer. Since we’ve already discussed some alternative against summertime export, it would only be fair to include solutions in support. Since California generates an oversupply of solar energy during the Summer, it can be exported to less sun-blessed states such as Oregon and Washington. Not only would this make-up for its winter deficits, but could also be used a policy leverage tool with other states. This is Why Exporting Solar Energy over HVDC Lines During Summer Could Be Beneficial for California.
How Solar Panels Can Help With Bee Conservation
03/22/19
“How can solar panels be apart of bee conservation?”
As a result of climate change and human activity, bees are dying at astonishing rates. Since these creatures are vital for pollination, their survival is crucial for the success of human civilization. But how can we accomplish this? Well, part of this will involve growing plants that are vital for pollinator life. Although this will involve a large amount of land, around and inside utility scale solar panels there is a considerable number of unused green space. This can be converted into pollinator habitats and become a safe space for bees. Not only would this help grow their population, but it would also re-mediate the environmental consequences of solar energy and help convince farmers to install renewable energy. This is How Solar Panels Can Help With Bee Conservation.
Image credit: Argonne National Labs
Quantum Dots for Solar Panels
02/25/19
“Why are quantum dots for solar panels so useful?”
Quantum dots are bringing a revolution into the world of semiconductors. And since semiconductors are the backbones of solar panels, things will be greatly changed for them as well. The extra emissivity offered by quantum dots means that two and possibly three electrons can be generated for every photon received, vastly increasing its potential! Quantum dot solar panels can achieve as much as 65% efficiency, nearly double of the theoretical limit of normal panels. This is why Quantum Dots for Solar Panels are so exciting.
Image link https://upload.wikimedia.org
Renewable Energy in Brownfields
02/14/19
“How can renewable energy be used in unusable land?”
Brownfields, or areas where pollution has made habitation unfit for humans, are often thought as unusable. However, since renewable energy is often immune to a lot of the toxins present in these areas, they have no problem being installed there. As a result Renewable Energy in Brownfields can open up a lot of sustainability potential in blighted areas.
Image credit thumbor.forbes.com
How Community Choice Aggregators Can Offer Cleaner Energy at Lower Rates
02/12/19
“How can community-sourced energy be cheaper and greener?”
There is a revolution brewing in the renewable energy world. While in the past residents and businesses were tied to one electric utility based on their geographic area, organizations known as Community Choice Aggregators are starting to sprout up and challenge this. Community choice aggregators or CCAs are non-profit organizations that procure power generation and deliver it to customers through a utility’s transmission lines. Since these do not operate for investors and only need to pay for energy and staff, they can give their customers better rates than traditional electricity service and focus on particular resources. To illustrate, just look at the CCA San Jose Clean Energy. Even though their energy portfolio is 45% Renewable Energy/80% carbon-free, they sell energy at rates 1% lower than the standard San Francisco Bay Area PG&E service which is 33% Renewable Energy/78% carbon-free. This is How Community Choice Aggregators Can Offer Cleaner Energy at Lower Rates!
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