Monbiot anti-micropower rant is anti-green

March 3, 2010
Monbiot anti-micropower rant is anti-green Everybody in UK eco-circles is talking about George Monbiot this week, which is just the way he likes it. George Monbiot is an unashamed cheerleader for big power – his column in the Guardian has previously come out in favor of large nuclear power stations, and this week he spoke out against micro-generation.  George Monbiot is also in favor of large, centralised wind farms and other forms of renewable energy, and sets himself firmly against micro-generation –which he caricatures as a middle class subsidy. The occasion for his latest outburst was the introduction of the UK government-backed Feed-in tariff (FiT), which will reward householders and others who generate renewable energy back into the grid.  Ignoring the fact that the FiT was enormously successful in Germany, which has become a European leader in micro-generation,  “the only renewables policy that makes sense,” says George, “ is to build big installations where the energy is – which means high ground, estuaries or the open sea – and deliver it by wire to where people live.”

»Keep reading 'Monbiot anti-micropower rant is anti-green'

Off-grid Olympians

March 1, 2010
Off-grid Olympians American Olympic snowboarder Hannah Teter has returned to Vermont — to live in her yurt. "Mom has a huge garden and fruit trees," she told People magazine "and I love it there. "I helped my parents get solar power this past year, and I'll be running on solar and hopefully wind power with my yurt so I can be completely off the grid." Meanwhile, Olympic gold medalist skateboarder Shaun White says he is anxious to return to his 1969 Volkswagen Van. Hannah Teter, however, is the off-grid flavor of the month.

»Keep reading 'Off-grid Olympians'

Real Estate, Cincinnati

March 1, 2010
Real Estate, CincinnatiTalks are afoot in Hamilton County about building what could be the first subdivision in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky that is completely off the grid. Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune is leading talks about a creating a subdivision that would showcase the latest, greatest in green-building technology. Features could include solar panels, permeable pavement, rooftop gardens and homes so efficient their owners will never pay an energy bill.

»Keep reading 'Real Estate, Cincinnati'

Pacific Power Seeks grid-tied Renewable Energy

March 1, 2010
Pacific Power Seeks grid-tied Renewable EnergyFrom March 8 thru May, Pacific Power will accept applications for community-based renewable energy funding from its Blue Sky renewable energy program. They cover the states of Oregon, Washington and California. To be considered in this competitive application process, interested parties must complete and submit an application form, along with supporting materials, by 5 p.m. PDT on May 14.

»Keep reading 'Pacific Power Seeks grid-tied Renewable Energy'

Fox buys John Twelve Hawks

February 28, 2010
Fox buys John Twelve Hawks Is there really a John Twelve Hawks? The author of a bestselling sci-fi series called the Fourth Realm Trilogy lives off the grid, according to the New York Post and writes about the surveillance society. He has never met his editor or agent and uses a voice scrambler and satellite phone to communicate. Recently,Fox optioned the film rights.  This success generated considerable envy from poorly paid scribes. Twelve Hawks might be a pseudonym of James Frey, suggests one.

»Keep reading 'Fox buys John Twelve Hawks'

Emergency Power: engine-driven generators

February 25, 2010
Emergency Power: engine-driven generators Living off the grid,  generators have a place. There comes a time  when some backup power is needed.  In most cases  this means using an engine to turn some form of generator. People living  in Vans, camping trailers or small cabins tend to view  a seperate engine driven  generator as a nuisance  to be tolerated  and  usually do  not wish to spend much money. Various alternatives  present themselves. Running the Van motor to charge up  the battery is among the first  solutions  that  comes to mind.  Next is a small  stand alone portable genset and  a typical automotive charger  that plugs into the mains.

»Keep reading 'Emergency Power: engine-driven generators'

Government grants create turbine debacle

February 25, 2010
Government grants create turbine debacle The UK Government’s energy conservation watchdog has admitted that consumers were duped by inappropriate grants into buying wind turbines that never stood a chance of working properly. In an attempt to ensure that there is no repeat of the wind turbine debacle, the Energy Savings Trust, funded by Government and big energy companies, has embarked on the first large-scale trials aimed at providing definitive information on the performance of different green technologies in the UK. The first trial concluded that an unknown amount of government cash has been wasted encouraging urban consumers to buy wind turbines when no one really knew whether they were effective or not.

»Keep reading 'Government grants create turbine debacle'

US Embassy in London to be off-grid ready

February 24, 2010
US Embassy in London to be off-grid ready For decades the residents of elite Grosvenor Square in London’s Mayfair had to contend with overbearing security along the entire side of the square occupied by the American Embassy.  Now, much to their relief,  the Embassy is moving to the less rarified area of Wandsworth, and in environmental terms, the new building will be everything America aspires to but rarely achieves. The $500m building will be nearly self-sufficient in energy production and capable of operating off-grid "for an extended period," according to officials. Unlike most glass office buildings, which appear slick and hard-edged, this one will look soft and pillowy thanks to the lightweight plastic attached to the façade “like boat sails.”

»Keep reading 'US Embassy in London to be off-grid ready'

Bloom energy box enables off-grid living

February 24, 2010
Bloom energy box enables off-grid living More details of the Bloom Box have been revealed at a carefully managed press conference in California.  The much-hyped off-grid source of cheap electricity  will not lead us all to disconnect from the grid tomorrow, but it is undoubtedly disruptive technology, and very exciting for the off-grid community. The firm's executives and backers do think that many people in future may choose to install the small box in their home and use it to generate electricity from such fuels as methane and ethanol or even solar, rather than buying it from expensive, wasteful centralised producers.  It is a game-changer.

»Keep reading 'Bloom energy box enables off-grid living'

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →