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January 24, 2007
An innovation-led energy strategy
In my comments on the State of the Union, I complained that a focus simply on substituting alternative fuels for gasoline would do much to help spark the new generation of technological advances. We need a broader innovation-led strategy. A good start toward that strategy is outlined by my friend Joel Yudken in his recent piece Funding An Energy Alternative:
Making energy security a major national goal, accompanied by the appropriate regulatory, fiscal and budgetary policies, would create a powerful “force field” influencing innumerable decisions about energy investments and use throughout the economy. Greatly increasing demand for new energy products and processes would send strong market signals, stimulating private sector investments in R&D, innovation, production and services in a wide range of industrial sectors. It also could foster new regional industrial clusters built around emerging advanced energy technologies, creating new products for both domestic and export markets. Most importantly, many new jobs and occupational opportunities for American workers would be created.
Achieving these gains would first require a major regulatory driver, such as a nationwide greenhouse gas emissions cap and trade program or carbon taxes, that induces industries and consumers to be more energy efficient and reduce their use of imported, high-emissions energy sources. Although controversial, it is possible to craft a politically salable program with only modest short-term impacts on prices and jobs. Such a policy is contingent on commitments from developing nations—especially China and India—to make comparable emissions cuts, and raise large amounts of revenue (e.g., through emissions permit allocations or auctions) available to help businesses, workers and consumers make the transition to an energy secure future.
We would also need accompanying policies designed to stimulate the spread of advanced energy innovations, minimize economic losses and foster new economic opportunities for workers and businesses. These include:
* Large-scale investments in R&D and innovation, including a strategic national energy R&D initiative, coordinating advanced energy research, technology and commercialization programs across federal agencies and support for U.S.-based industrial R&D consortia for advanced energy technology.
* Measures which create demand for energy efficient and “clean energy” technologies, such as more stringent energy standards applied to government buildings, transportation fleets and procurement of goods and services, tax credits, financial incentives and standards that encourage widespread industrial and consumer use of energy efficient and clean energy products and energy services to help small manufacturers and businesses meet energy efficient standards."
* Coordinated regional economic and workforce development programs, including federal and state partnerships with business, labor and community organizations to generate new opportunities for U.S. businesses and workers in emerging energy sectors, especially in economically distressed areas, “smart” urban growth strategies, including investments in mass transit infrastructures and an education and workforce development initiative to train the high-skilled workforce needed by the emerging energy sectors.
* Measures promoting a diversity of energy options, including expanded use of renewables for electricity generation, lighting, heating and cooling and advanced technology vehicles and fuels (e.g., ethanol). Investments in “clean” coal and carbon sequestration and advanced, safer forms of nuclear power also should be considered.
* Assistance to ensure low-income households have access to affordable, and reliable energy, with an emphasis on offsetting increased energy prices from climate policies and helping low-income households become more energy efficient.
Energy can be a sector that leads a new innovative wave. Or it can be a lag, something that we have to deal with in a marginal fashion just to get through. Bold and comprehensive plans are needed, such as the program outlined. The President has opened the door, ever so slightly. Let's see if the Congress (on both sides of the aisle) can march through.
Posted by Ken Jarboe at January 24, 2007 10:01 AM
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MANDATORY RENEWABLE ENERGY – THE ENERGY EVOLUTION –R11
In order to insure energy and economic independence as well as better economic growth without being blackmailed by foreign countries, our country, the United States of America’s Utilization of Energy sources must change.
"Energy drives our entire economy." We must protect it. "Let's face it, without energy the whole economy and economic society we have set up would come to a halt. So you want to have control over such an important resource that you need for your society and your economy." The American way of life is not negotiable.
Our continued dependence on fossil fuels could and will lead to catastrophic consequences.
The federal, state and local government should implement a mandatory renewable energy installation program for residential and commercial property on new construction and remodeling projects with the use of energy efficient material, mechanical systems, appliances, lighting, etc. The source of energy must by renewable energy such as Solar-Photovoltaic, Geothermal, Wind, Biofuels, etc. including utilizing water from lakes, rivers and oceans to circulate in cooling towers to produce air conditioning and the utilization of proper landscaping to reduce energy consumption. (Sales tax on renewable energy products should be reduced or eliminated)
The implementation of mandatory renewable energy could be done on a gradual scale over the next 10 years. At the end of the 10 year period all construction and energy use in the structures throughout the United States must be 100% powered by renewable energy. (This can be done by amending building code)
In addition, the governments must impose laws, rules and regulations whereby the utility companies must comply with a fair “NET METERING” (the buying of excess generation from the consumer at market price), including the promotion of research and production of “renewable energy technology” with various long term incentives and grants. The various foundations in existence should be used to contribute to this cause.
A mandatory time table should also be established for the automobile industry to gradually produce an automobile powered by renewable energy. The American automobile industry is surely capable of accomplishing this task. As an inducement to buy hybrid automobiles (sales tax should be reduced or eliminated on American manufactured automobiles).
This is a way to expedite our energy independence and economic growth. (This will also create a substantial amount of new jobs). It will take maximum effort and a relentless pursuit of the private, commercial and industrial government sectors commitment to renewable energy – energy generation (wind, solar, hydro, biofuels, geothermal, energy storage (fuel cells, advance batteries), energy infrastructure (management, transmission) and energy efficiency (lighting, sensors, automation, conservation) (rainwater harvesting, water conservation) (energy and natural resources conservation) in order to achieve our energy independence.
"To succeed, you have to believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a reality."
Jay Draiman, Energy Consultant
Northridge, CA. 91325
Jan. 25, 2007
P.S. I have a very deep belief in America's capabilities. Within the next 10 years we can accomplish our energy independence, if we as a nation truly set our goals to accomplish this.
I happen to believe that we can do it. In another crisis--the one in 1942--President Franklin D. Roosevelt said this country would build 60,000 [50,000] military aircraft. By 1943, production in that program had reached 125,000 aircraft annually. They did it then. We can do it now.
The American people resilience and determination to retain the way of life is unconquerable and we as a nation will succeed in this endeavor of Energy Independence.
Solar energy is the source of all energy on the earth (excepting volcanic geothermal). Wind, wave and fossil fuels all get their energy from the sun. Fossil fuels are only a battery which will eventually run out. The sooner we can exploit all forms of Solar energy (cost effectively or not against dubiously cheap FFs) the better off we will all be. If the battery runs out first, the survivors will all be living like in the 18th century again.
Every new home built should come with a solar package. A 1.5 kW per bedroom is a good rule of thumb. The formula 1.5 X's 5 hrs per day X's 30 days will produce about 225 kWh per bedroom monthly. This peak production period will offset 17 to 24 cents per kWh with a potential of $160 per month or about $60,000 over the 30-year mortgage period for a three-bedroom home. It is economically feasible at the current energy price and the interest portion of the loan is deductible. Why not?
Title 24 has been mandated forcing developers to build energy efficient homes. Their bull-headedness put them in that position and now they see that Title 24 works with little added cost. Solar should also be mandated and if the developer designs a home that solar is impossible to do then they should pay an equivalent mitigation fee allowing others to put solar on in place of their negligence. (Installation should be paid “performance based”)
Installation of renewable energy and its performance should be paid to the installer and manufacturer based on "performance based" (that means they are held accountable for the performance of the product - that includes the automobile industry). This will gain the trust and confidence of the end-user to proceed with such a project; it will also prove to the public that it is a viable avenue of energy conservation.
Installing renewable energy system on your home or business increases the value of the property and provides a marketing advantage.
Nations of the world should unite and join together in a cohesive effort to develop and implement MANDATORY RENEWABLE ENERGY for the sake of humankind and future generations.
Jay Draiman
Northridge, CA 91325
Email: renewableenergy2@msn.com
Posted by: Jay Draiman at January 25, 2007 2:38 AM
A very interesting article on innovation and energy. I have been looking at a number of options in particular advances in solar and LED technology. Maybe the changes needed should be directed towards more effective use of our current technology. For example, a LED home light bulb uses 120KW of power over its lifetime compared to 3600KW of power for a normal 60 Watt bulb. If each home in the USA only changed one light bulb to LED (averaging 4 hours a day of burn) the saving in energy is 24,000 Megawatts a day, equivalent to taking 4 power stations off line. If the US govt invested 1 billion in giving away LED bulbs, at say $20 per bulb, thats 500,000 bulbs or 5 per household. A small investment for a large return. Current technology being used effectively.
Posted by: Ian Edmondstone at February 14, 2007 8:40 PM