GridWise Global Forum 2010: theSmartercity.com experience

From the introduction of the original light bulb to today’s advanced electrification systems, global electric power industries has utilized and depended on information communication technologies (ICT) to achieve increasing levels of... (Read More)

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GridWise Global Forum 2010: An ICT professional coverage (Part 2 of 4)

After spending several days reviewing the existing regulatory framework that governs grid operations, safety issues, cost recovery and rates, the regulatory sessions on Wednesday, September 22, 2010 at GridWise Global Forum 2010 made more...(Read More)

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Renewable Energy and an Electricity Standard for the future

With endless an endless supply of energy from the sun, the wind, plants, moving water, and the heat of the earth – renewable energy sources creates endless opportunities for work. The industry provides green jobs for the economy, clean air...(Read More)

SmartGrid Update: Influential energy professionals convene in Washington D.C.

Urban Technology will be amongst the hot topics discussed this year at the GridWise Global Forum. The forum is being held at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Washington, DC. From September 21 – 23, 2010, influential...(Read More)

Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) for the Future!

With endless an endless supply of energy from the sun, the wind, plants, moving water, and the heat of the earth – renewable energy sources creates endless opportunities for work. The industry provides green jobs for the economy, clean air for the environment, income for families, and stable prices for everyone.


To keep the electricity sector of the industry moving forward a national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) has been created. A RES requires electric utilities (i.e. Pepco, BGE, PG&E) to generate a minimum percentage of their electricity from clean, renewable resources.

The national RES seeks to provide clear policy direction to energy producers that countries needs renewable energy. By creating a long-term, stable market for renewable energy, the RES allows investors and entrepreneurs to commit to new technologies and services that warrant new workforce development. This commitment will help ensure that we are developing the technologies we need to meet our goal of addressing global warming and addressing high unemployment.

Fortunately, the District of Columbia and twenty eight (28) states have adopted individual RES programs, and Congress is constantly address national RES legislation in order to help American realize its full renewable electricity potential.

The following are some publications worthy of review;

National Renewable Electricity Standard Aims to Build a Future of Clean and Sustainable Energy for the US


Supply amount and marginal price of renewable electricity under the renewables portfolio standard in Japan [An article from: Energy Policy]


Green Means 'Go?'-A Colorful Approach to a U.S. National Renewable Portfolio Standard [An article from: The Electricity Journal]


Does It Have To Be This Hard? Implementing the Nation's Most Complex Renewables Portfolio Standard [An article from: The Electricity Journal]


A powerful opportunity: Making renewable electricity the standard

Regulatory Discretion in Implementing Renewable Portfolio Standards: The Case of Hawaii [An article from: The Electricity Journal]

GridWise Global Forum 2010: An ICT professional coverage (Part 1 of 4)

The potential to change the way humans get their electric energy has entered a new era and the GridWise Global Forum 2010 participants are working endlessly to expand and modernize the electric grids around the world.The importance of an... (Read More)

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Urban uses of Thermal Imaging

The frequency of thermal imaging services for industrial,commercial, residential and equine applications are increasing which are driving the cost of the technology downward. Many reports indicate a vast number of diagnostic problems that can be evaluated by altered heat signature.

 

The growing uses include;

 

• Estimated R-values of building components: used in detection of inadequate or deteriorated insulation of the building envelope.
• Detection of air infiltration: accounts for more than 30% of building energy losses. 
• Equipment performance: the first sign of impending equipment failure is increased heat. 
• Equine/veterinary evaluation: the first reaction to inflammation or injury is the increase of blood flow which is readily identifiable through thermal imaging.

Resources that assist with data collection, analysis and reporting include;

The United State has not signed the Kyoto Protocol

The Kyoto Protocol- an agreement signed at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The Convention was held in December 1997 in Kyoto, Japan and was attended by delegates from 160 countries. The result was a legally binding agreement, industrialized nations agreed to reduce their
greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by an average of 5.2 percent below their 1990 emissions levels. The scheduled deadline was 2010.

Why the U.S. has not signed the Kyoto Protocol? I have my suspicions why the Bush Administration did not sign but the Obama Administration is beginning to cause concern. Please share your comments or concerns. The following material are great sources for more information;

Geothermal Applications in an Urban Context

Constantly, I'm seeing case studies that claim to explore the realities of integrating geothermal systems in new and existing buildings throughout major urban cities such as Washington, D.C., Detriot and New York.


Is geothermal the readily-available alternative energy source that everyone’s been waiting for, or just a digging expedition that swallows money?

Can the Department of Energy do more to identify opportunities as well as problems, and enable the stakeholders to determine whether or which of the geothermal options is right for national adoption?

My research has shown that despite its recent popularity, only one-third to one-half of proposed geothermal systems are built. Review the following resource material and share your views and recommendations.

Renewable Energy Credits using your Rooftop!

If you have not heard, please check with your State utilities regulators.Your rooftop space is a valuable part of your property now. If you aren't listing it as a site for energy production or urban farming, you are missing out on getting a return from your unused rooftop space. 

Imagine, usable rooftop space, has great potential to independent power producers, solar energy companies, urban agriculture companies, and more.
When your rooftop space is used as a site for energy production or food production, you get either a flat $/sq. foot lease rate, a split of the profits from the energy or food produced and sold, or a reduction in your energy bill with a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).