ARPA-E: Leaping Ahead in Energy Storage Innovation
The Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) works at the heart of high-risk energy innovations. Modeled after the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), ARPA-E was established in 2007 to promote and fund energy technology research and development. With an annual budget in the neighborhood of $400 million, this agency supports the development of technologies that result... Read More
Scientific American: Smart Grid 101
Scientific American released a new video about what the smart grid is, starting with how our transmission infrastructure works. For those interested in learning about terms like “spinning reserve” and “just in time” manufacturing to the “extreme”, this video is definitely work a look. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8cM4WfZ_Wg&w=640&h=390] Read More
The Smart Grid in Texas – A Primer
Over the past 6 months, I have been working with other students from The University of Texas to develop a short report (primer) on the smart grid in Texas. This project was a part of a competition sponsored by Power Across Texas, a nonprofit organization that works to provide information and education on energy. For this competition, we created a group of policy, engineering and business students... Read More
AAAS Annual Meeting – Day 1 Favorite Session
Today was the first “full” day of the annual meeting for the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). This year, the meeting is being held in Washington, DC at the Washington Convention Center. It will run until Monday, hosting panel discussions and plenary speakers on a variety of science topics from sustainability to science and society aimed at giving scientists,... Read More
Inaugural UT Energy Forum
Check out my guest post today on Discover’s blog, The Intersection (blogging home to Chris Mooney and Sheril Kirshenbaum). My post is about the Inaugural UT Energy Forum, hosted on UT’s campus earlier this month. I attended and spoke about the smart grid in a 7-minute TED-style talk. Read More
Texans Shed Their Extra Load
For the past 48 hours, Texas has been slammed by a wave of winter weather that has Texans bundling up – and using more energy – to keep warm. This extreme weather has caused more than 50 power plants to go offline for periods of time ranging from minutes to hours. In response, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has ordered the Lower Colorado River Authority to increase... Read More
UT Energy Forum: the smart grid, in 7 minutes
This Friday, I will be giving a 7-minute talk (TED style) on the smart grid at the inaugural UT Energy Forum. In preparation for the talk, I have been trying to figure out the best ways to communicate (clearly, succinctly) what the smart grid is and why it matters. I think I have a good plan – but will have to wait and see how folks at the conference respond to my presentation. If you have... Read More
Wind Power Running Through the Texas Hill Country
On February 28, 2010 at 1pm, wind power hit a record high in Texas – supplying more than one-fifth of the Lone Star State’s electricity demand. Throughout the year, an estimated 9% of the state’s electricity needs were met by the wind farms that have popped up since the first statewide Renewable Portfolio Standard was passed in 1999. Quite an accomplishment. But, as Texas continues... Read More
The Smart Grid – A vision for the future
Photo courtesy of Consumer Energy Report via Marc Gunther’s blog. Read More
Texas “Tea” becomes the Texas “E”?
Check out my article in Scientific American’s Guest Blog – released into cyberspace this morning. This article is about the movement in Texas from being an oil & gas state, to an energy state. If you have a moment to share your thoughts and comments, I would enjoy hearing them! Thanks! Read More
