Blogroll
Technology Transfer – From Lab to Marketplace
The U.S. is currently home to a suite of national laboratories that conduct cutting-edge research. Throughout the country, this network of 17 labs (overseen by the Department of Energy) focuses on a wide array of basic science and engineering questions. The results of this research have spurred innovation and technology development for more than seven decades. And, through the technology transfer process,... Read More
Kites: A Favorite Toy’s “Magnificent Future”
Saul Griffith likes kites – but not the kind that you might have flown during your childhood. I’m talking about kites with wingspans bigger than a Boeing 747 – kites that are capable of generating (several times) more electricity than today’s stationary wind turbines. In his March 2009 TED talk, Saul – with Makani Power - spends just over 5 minutes discussing the history... Read More
Solyndra: Soft Markets and Chinese Subsidies
In September, headlines erupted when the solar company, Solyndra, announced that it would be filing for bankruptcy just 2 years after the company received $535 million in federal loan guarantees under the Recovery Act. The situation quickly led to questions about why this company failed. And, according to recent discussions and yesterday’s testimony by energy Secretary Chu, the root... Read More
Negawatts and Megawatts – When Less Makes Money
Note: Many statements contained in this piece are the result of an in-person interview between the author (Melissa C. Lott) and Chevron Energy Solutions’s President, Jim Davis in the fall of 2011. In the future, the world will demand more energy than it does today. While the exact amount might be disputed, with a global population expected to hit 9 (perhaps even 10) billion people by 2050, it is... Read More
Guest Post: No, We’re Not There Yet – The Trouble With Hydrogen Cars
By Sheril Kirshenbaum One of the perks of being a Hill staffer is access to cool new technologies when lobbyists visit. And so in 2006, I looped around D and 2nd in a hydrogen car. When I asked the nice man who brought the vehicle about safety and the inherent ‘chicken and egg’ problem (cars and fueling stations – which comes first?), he provided a clearly scripted response intended to brush... Read More
The U.S. Now Uses More Corn For Fuel Than For Feed
For every 10 ears of corn that are grown in the United States today, only 2 are consumed directly by humans as food. The remaining 8 are used in almost equal shares for animal feed and for ethanol. And, for the 12 months from August 2011 to 2012, the U.S. biofuels industry used morecorn for fuel than domestic farmers did for livestock feed – a first for the industry. This significant milestone... Read More
Guest Post: LEED – Not just a pretty plaque, and certainly not perfect
By C. Sylvan A building revolution is happening right under our noses. And it looks like this (see left). You may have seen this plaque at the entrance to Office Depot, in the lobby of your office building, or at a multi-family housing development in your area. This plaque means that the building has achieved LEED certification. LEED has become the industry standard for commercial green building and... Read More
Guest Post: House Calls – Finding energy inefficiencies using residential energy audits
By, Brent Stephens and Joshua Rhodes Just like check-ups with your doctor can evaluate your health and spot early warning signs of future problems, energy audits can evaluate your home for inefficiencies and find ways to reduce ongoing energy waste. A detailed energy audit can find culprits responsible for very noticeable problems, such as high energy bills or uncomfortable rooms, and can also find... Read More
Solyndra – Illuminating Energy Funding Flaws?
Solyndra, once viewed as a sure winner in the solar industry, has closed its doors. Their technology works and they appear to have reached their goals for cost reductions. But, just 16 months after President Obama visited their manufacturing site and only 2 years after the Department of Energy approved $535 million in federal loan guarantees for Solyndra, this Fremont-based solar panel maker has given... Read More
Guest Post: Age Matters – A Business Student Learns About Energy Efficiency
By Kelsey Morris As a summer intern at Go Green Squads, I worked on projects related to increasing the energy efficiency of residential buildings in Austin. Over a summer full of record high temperatures, including more than 80 days above 100 degrees, I saw first-hand how energy efficiency could potentially impact entire communities. I also learned how a business student could contribute to a field... Read More
