Wind power in the U.S. is exploding, and we want to show you some of this country’s best resources. For this post we are going to take a snapshot of what’s happening in the state of Kansas (being that it is the state where I was born). First, take a look at these graphics showing the change in American wind production from ‘02 to ‘07.
Capacity 2002
Capacity 2007
That 5 year span saw a huge growth in our total installed megawatts (MW), and if you are keeping up with the topic of new wind projects, you’ll know that there is much more coming online in the near future. For a zoomed in view of what is going on in the sunflower state, check this file.
The maps above and this Kansas map are all from 2007, but they still underscore the seriousness with which the country is taking to harnessing the wind. On the Kansas map there are over 2000 MW in proposed projects, and it is easy to understand why considering Kansas is number three in the country for wind energy potential. The top 5 states are:
#1 North Dakota
#2 Texas
#3 Kansas
#4 South Dakota
#5 Montana
If you watched the PickensPlan video, then you’ll know that we are the world wind superpower. And with an estimated $65 billion flowing into wind capacity through 2015, states like Kansas need to step up and get these projects rolling. We have to get to producing 20% of our electricity from wind as soon as possible if we’re going to follow Pickens’ blueprint, which is no short order since we aren’t expected to be close to that mark by 2020. How do we get there? What are the strategies? Kansas, do you have the answer?
Do you want a serious amount of information on your candidate’s “green” views including interviews and lots more coverage? Over on a site that has some great resources, grist.org, there is a bundle of information about all of the cadidates. Want to know about the Green or Libertarian tickets? Well, they’ve got info on them too. If you’re interested in the energy and climate issues go to their Election ‘08 page now. Make sure to let us know who you think is the strongest nominee in this area.
This video was featured on treehugger.com. It is short and relevant.
The term “green Google” is particularly interesting, and who is to say that YOU are not the person/group that is going make the difference–there is definitely opportunity out there. Listen, if we are on the eve of the energy technology revolution, it is going to take all of us working together to come out on the other side as winners. Get into the action in any way that you can. Here’s a question: Does drilling get us to the point where we will never have this sort of problem again?
The X-Prize started nothing less than a revolution in the development of new thinking on going into outer space, and now it’s back. With the X-Prize Foundation’s third contest, it aims to push vehicle efficiency as far as it’s ever gone. Imagine a world where cars can go 100 miles on each gallon of gasoline (or its equivalent). This prize wants to make this sweet place a reality, and they are offering $10 million to the company that can do it best. That amount may seem like a lot, but it’s a small price to pay for the benefit of filling up once a month to go the same amount of miles that you go today on multiple stops at the “convienience” station.
There are some great things going on behind the scenes with the 90 plus companies that want to win this prize, and we are going to look at a few so that you can form an opinion.
Aptera-Three wheelers that are classified as motorcycles. Both hybrid and electric (100-130 MPG).
FuelVapor Technologies-Another trike, but this one runs on fumes…literally (92 MPG).
MDI/Zero Pollution-This car runs on, get this, air. Compressed air pushes this car and a secondary fuel makes sure that you get over 100 MPG.
Tesla-You know these guys, they’re the ones that are into building electric vehicles. Pretty popular with the press.
Venture Vehicles-Zip around on three wheels from Venture and expect 100 MPG from either an electric or hybrid system.
Zap-This company already sells a bunch of cars. They’re worth a look if you have the time.
As great as all of this is, we can’t let it make us complacent. Even if new fuel efficiencies take us to places we’ve never been before, and even if we’re saving gallons and money, we still have to keep innovating for the future because the problem hasn’t been solved.
If you don’t want to click on the link, then we’ll just tell you that it is a compressed natural gas car (CNG). What is the main benefit to this alternative fuel? It can have, for now at least, a much lower price than what you are currently paying at the pump. Aside from that, it burns cleaner than gasoline and when you buy you are buying a fuel that was probably made in the U.S.
The car’s $25K price tag is even softer on the wallet when you take into account the tax credits, and at $1.50 per gallon for the fuel, there are even more savings to be had. The one issue linked to that $1.50 number is that it relies on a home refueling unit, so there’ll be some extra cost there. There are supposed to be tax credits for the home install though, but make sure to do some research in your state to find out what is available.
The advantages never come without disadvantages, and the biggest for this type of vehicle seems to be the issue of scarcity. The car is hard to find and fueling stations are not ubiquitous. Even if these are big barriers, we still encourage you to crunch some numbers and see if it might work out for you.
Note: We know this post runs opposite of saving money on natural gas in the home, but if a subject will save money in a different area and help the environment at the same time, we are obligated to report.
Gas prices are still stupid, right? We know you want to liberate yourself but aren’t quite sure how to do it. Well, the vehicle highlighted in this post won’t be for everyone, yet it does put a smile on our faces. Here are the requirements:
1. Less than 50 miles driving per day.
2. No need to go over 55 mph.
3. Live in a dry, temperate climate.
4. A helmet.
5. An adventurous side.
That’s right, folks, we’re talking about an electric moped. This moped, however, packs quite a punch. It has a top speed of 55 mph, an estimated range of more than 70 miles (it probably won’t make this mark at high speeds), an expected battery life of 7 - 10 years, and is a ton of fun to drive. Being 100% electric, you could throw some solar panels or a wind turbine up and be driving for free for as long as the bike lasts you. Can anyone say freedom from petrol? It is just too bad a vehicle like this won’t see wider adoption because of silly stuff like lugging the kids around or getting to work dry, but hey, at least some people could convert.
Oh, you want to know what it is?
XM-3500 LI Electric Moped
With a price tag of around $4000 you could trade your car in tomorrow and be saving thousands of gallons and, consequently, thousands of dollars.
“Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved enough energy in 2007 alone to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 27 million cars — all while saving $16 billion on their utility bills.”
A common theme to posts on this blog are the two major points outlined in the excerpt above: saving money and cutting back on environmental impact.
What exactly is Energy Star? It is basically a set of energy standards created by the Environmental Protection Agency for certain appliances. Their target numbers for efficiency are multipule percentage points better than that of the same non-Energy Star equipment, and although efficient models have a higher purchase price than their non-efficient siblings, many have the potential to pay for themselves over their lifetime.
Let’s look at water-using appliances as examples. A qualified washing machine can save more than $500 over its lifetime, also saving energy and water. Standards compliant diswashers use at a minimum 40% less energy and they too save water. These are some pretty hefty advantages for things that we use all of the time.
Here’s a fast fact from the Energy Star website: Since 2000, Energy Star benefits have more than doubled.
With Energy Star’s benefits come some pressing questions. One of which is why don’t we just make Energy Star the standard accross all appliances and stop selling antiquated and inefficient technology? Of course there would be a greater cost involved, but the government–or big business–could create some sort of incentive system to offset that cost. If the crisis is just around the corner, this seems like the prudent thing to do.
Aside from the home initiative, standards are also available for buildings and businesses. Still, with all of this exposure, Energy Star is still only at a recognition rate of 40% in the American public. Even if the program needs some small tweaks, it could save more with wider audience.
A careful study of these documents lets us know the state of energy and where we need to make up ground–as if we didn’t already know. There are some issues here that we really need to scrutinize because we should be demanding more. We’d love to hear what you are thinking.
Economically, personal energy independence just makes sense. Whether it be wind, solar, gasification, other renewable sources, or a mix of few of these, there are some serious adavantages. And while it will be tough for an individual to become fully independent, our furture may count on getting as close to that mark as we can.
Let’s imagine that you didn’t have a monthly power bill, what would you do with the extra money? As energy prices keep rising they steal more and more of our discretionary income, which is income that doesn’t see its way back into the market to help bolster the economy. And what about the other energy cost we have…how free would you feel emotionally and econmically if you didn’t have to stop at a gas station for your everyday fuel needs? Converting to a renewable home power system cuts out the middleman, and you produce the energy you need when you need it. In addition, converting to an electric car lets you use that energy for all of your basic fuel needs. Those changes make a big dent in the outflow of your hard earned money and give you more to spend on the other important and sometimes non-important expendatures.
Keeping more money in the checking account should get just about everyone excited, but there’s also another consideration: the energy crisis. There are energy resources in this country that are getting old and need to be decommissioned. These power plants are going to have to be replaced, and it gets hard to keep up with power requirements when U.S. power demand is growing, plants are closing, and our economy is dragging its feet. Disastrous things happen when we start to have energy shortages. We need leadership and personal initiative. We could take responsibility in this crisis and calm the stress on the power infrastructure by making power locally in the home. If we don’t look at this problem as it is and leave it to the same people that have been dealing with it for decades, we are in for a rough ride.
One of the great side effects of working toward personal energy independence is that we cut down on our use of carbon based fuels. Athough the debate rages on about the environment, there is no doubt that fossil fuels will someday run out. We need to prepare for that right now with renewables. If indeed we are doing damage to our surroundings, then renewables offer a responsible way to power us into the future.
All of these great things and it seems like we’re crawling to implementation. Unfortunately, many of the renewable technologies aren’t ready for primetime, and their infant state makes them expensive (we still think the econmics work in their favor). On the bright side Americans have shown the will in past times to push through difficulties and do what is right for the good of the many. Call us hopeful, but we believe it can be done. It is just going to take an attitude that doens’t accept business as usual. So, whether it’s wind, solar, or a hybrid, let’s do the hard stuff now so that we can survive the future.
We were hit hard by something that we read over at Popular Mechanics. In a writeup by Mythbusters’ Adam Savage, he cites that by 2010, Asia will have 90% of the world’s Ph.D. scientists and engineers. Now, we understand that Asia represents a huge chunk of the world population, but isn’t America the contemporary vanguard of science and technology? Don’t we have the best university system in the world? Aren’t we the number one economic power?
The decline of science and technology must have something to do with a shift in priorities, and it is a sad state of affairs. Not long ago, the USA was fighting tooth and nail to win the space race. Tons of kids were inspired to become the next great minds of society, helping the cause in any way that they could. Perhaps that is the problem. Perhaps we’re missing that spark, that grand inspiration. Maybe it’s their early education system that scares children away from math and science.
Whatever the case may be, we need emphasis, action, and determination. How do we make this a priority? How do we get each other interested in continuing to cultivate the skills that are necessary to stay on top? The writers on this site have nothing against Asia and believe that in the end we are indeed a global community, but can you really see a world where we are not #1?
