Renewables are enough.

The United States Department of Energy estimates that the solar energy resource in a 100-square-mile (259-square-kilometer) area of Nevada could supply the United States with all its electricity.

We’re talking 800 gigawatts of power, and that’s using modestly efficient commercial PV modules. Break all that down and each state would only need to devote 17 x 17 miles (27 x 27 kilometers) of solar cells.

The estimated 5 million acres (2.02 million hectares) of abandoned industrial sites in the country on their own could supply 90 percent of U.S. electrical consumption.

New algae progress.

Mark my words.  I really think algae has potential to be THE fuel of the future.  Or at least one of them.

[via Scientific American] :

Backers of algae-based biofuels tout the simplicity of their feedstock. Sunlight and water are all that’s needed to convert carbon dioxide into fuel.  Now, some scientists are testing the notion that sunlight might be optional.  Researchers at the Missouri University of Science and Technology are planning to grow algae for fuel in abandoned mines using light-emitting diodes, or LEDs.

Turns out that algae grows best under red and blue light specifically.  Instead of regular light (ROYGBIV yaaaay) they could grow even more efficiently under low-energy LEDs and focused light.  Me loves my science.

Some news – for you.

• Two vastly different states, two paths to clean energy – Describing how regulation rich California and free market Texas can achieve the same objective.  Left or right, clean energy is irrefutable. [New York Times]
• Windy Iowa – Iowa has become the second-largest producer of wind power in the U.S., and some credit an aggressive and supportive role played by local government. [Wall Street Journal]
• Clean coal = dirty water – A community in Pennsylvania is worried about their water supply, as the pollutants which normally escaped into the air are now being dissolved in water from “clean coal” technology.  They’re either breathing it or drinking it. [New York Times]
• Liberals pass on NDP climate change bill – Not sure if it’s to intelligently wait and see what other parts of the world do or if it’s lobby-influenced cockblocking. [CBC]

Washy green jobs report.

[via Reuters]

A strong shift toward renewable energies could create 2.7 million more jobs in power generation worldwide by 2030 than staying with dependence on fossil fuels would, a report suggested Monday.

Yes, could. Thank you report by Greenpeace to put a number on the possibility of green jobs and how coal is an ancient form of energy.  You know this.  I guess the underlying thing to a report like this is to not let the threat of ancient jobs stop green energy from going forward.  Big surprise – with green energy projects comes green jobs.

Not that much.

In a renewable energy world, I think Arizona and New Mexico (being totally devoid of natural resources besides sunlight) would be open to supplying most of the continent with electricity and becoming the richest states in the Western world?  Perhaps?

Smart grid starters.

I’ve  been researching a lot into our various forms of energy – nuclear, hydro, coal, natural gas, and renewables of course.  And the smart grid is abuzzbuzz.

Via Center for American Progress (think tank/advocacy for liberal strategies such as universal healthcare and energy innovation), as well as Scientific American:

Despite the Obama administration’s pledge of $11 billion to modernize the nation’s electric grid, the implementation of so-called “smart-grid” technology that would enable energy efficiency while bringing renewable energy sources online faces a number of hurdles, including an out-dated infrastructure beset by congestion and bottlenecks that constrain the expanded use of sources such as wind, solar and geothermal power.

So in short we can create renewable energy but we don’t have the technology of actually supplying people with this clean energy!  Aaannnd it’ll be awhile before we can in most of the continent.  I’ve also been looking at a benchmark report called “Renewable is Doable“, a pro-renewable (and more anti-nuclear than anti-fossil fuels) report on how Ontario can secure its energy future through conservation, hydro, wind/solar, with a small supplement of gas and coal.  It’s funded by the Pembina Institute, WWF, David Suzuki Foundation, and Greenpeace.

Friend and future Prime Minister Darcy Higgins and I have been emailing back and forth and he sent me this document.  I’m more pro-nuclear than him so we’ve been having some good discussions.  I will undoubtedly post a big opinion on energy that no one will read, but at least I’ll feel good.  Besides, the growth self-importance is the most obvious component of blogging to begin with.

And even more of course, with anything that goes on in the world Google has looked into it and is destroying all competition.  First web search and email,  then our entire earth and outer space, now hi-res energy monitoring!  A big component to the very multi-tined smart grid is the two way communication of energy provider and energy consumer to supply the right amount of energy, thereby reducing excess energy waste.

Smart Grid.

Ahh, commercial art diagrams…  so much sheen.

Smart grid is a term thrown around a lot, and billions of dollars worth of investment is going into it.  Even Ontario is starting some tariff reductions to foster a more open energy supply system, especially if you generate your own power from the looks of it.

But not everyone, including myself, knows everything about it.  So do you want a sheeny “clear language” document to explain this concept?  The US Department of Energy has a decent pdf for you to learn more.   48 pages, but lots of pictures mmkay?  And as you’d expect, it can include a host of different possibilities – room for renewables, improving efficiency, reducing loads, improved metering.

And as Tobias proudly proclaims, “Let the great experiment begin!”