TEDtalksDirector asked:

www.ted.com In this brief talk, Saul Griffith unveils the invention his new company Makani Power has been working on giant kite turbines that create surprising amounts of clean, renewable energy.tedtalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world’s leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. Featured speakers have included Al Gore on climate change, Philippe Starck on design, Jill Bolte Taylor on observing her own stroke, Nicholas Negroponte on One Laptop per Child, Jane Goodall on chimpanzees, Bill Gates on malaria and mosquitoes and “Lost” producer JJ Abrams on the allure of mystery. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and tedtalks cover these topics as well as science, business, development and the arts. Watch the Top 10 tedtalks on TED.com, at www.ted.com

Peter

greenman3610 asked:

This video inaugurates a new series, that will augment, but not replace, “Climate Denial Crock of the Week”. Many people seem to think dealing with climate change will bring poverty and limit human development. The truth may be exactly the opposite. Moving to a world of where we aren’t fighting each other over the last few drops of oil, where energy is free, will mean a better life, with greater opportunities even for an expanding population. If we make the right decisions, we could be on the verge of the most prosperous period in human history. Climate Denial Crocks will be back soon to tweak trolls and ding deniers. www.ferc.gov www.environmentamerica.org www.udel.edu www.udel.edu newenergynews.blogspot.com climateprogress.org

Ana

Dale Beach asked:


With the growing uncertainty in the electricity and natural gas prices, and increased awareness of energy conservation, many facilities managers of UK companies are exploring every option to reduce their costs and decrease their impact on the environment.

Until very recently, when it came to energy usage, the primary concern of facilities managers was to solely concentrate on securing the lowest rates for their electricity and gas. But now they are finding growing pressure from upper management to lower costs via conservation and to be more “green” with their decisions.

“In the past everyone just wanted to know who had the cheapest tariffs,” explained Rebecca Smith, Director at Direct Power Associates Ltd. in the United Kingdom. “But now we are getting more and more questions about green energy. Green energy prices are comparable to that of normal “brown” energy, while giving a company a piece of mind that they are having less of a negative impact on the environment. In addition, it reflects positively in the publics’ eye, and this is just the sort of image companies feel they need to portray.”

Energy conservation in another buzz word often heard throughout the market. In response to the growing threat of climate change, the UK government set up a program to help businesses reduce their carbon emissions. “This is real simple one, I’m not sure why more people don’t take advantage of this,” commented Smith. “If your company qualifies, you can receive government funding for energy conservation projects.” Many recommendations do not require capital to implement, and there is a typical 20%-30% site savings potential identified in energy costs and usage.

UK businesses will always be most concerned with the bottom line and keeping costs at a minimum. But with increased chatter regarding climate change and energy conservation, facilities managers are faced with changing their thinking when securing their energy contracts and planning for the future.

Direct Power is an independent consultancy specialising in negotiating electricity and natural gas contracts, and organising government sponsored energy conservation audits for industrial and commercial sites in the UK.



Todd

David Collins asked:


With all this talk of the rising cost of energy and oil prices – as well as the never-ending debate of climate change – many are turning to alternative methods of generating power in order to save money on their utility bills.

There are a wide range of methods for harvesting natural energy – such as wind power, with some even converting their car engines to run off reprocessed vegetable oil, or biofuel.

Choosing to generate power from natural resources is by no means cheap, however the long term benefits still attract many to the idea in many ways – from setting up turbines at their homes to recycling materials.

There are many companies which specialize in products that capture and convert energy from natural resources, including solar power.

As technology advances, the methods of capturing natural energy have the potential to become smaller, lighter and more affordable to run.

Wind turbines have remained a much discussed alternative energy technique, with a mixed reaction from the public regarding the construction of turbines to help reduce levels of carbon emissions from power stations.

However, home turbines and solar panels are now becoming a popular addition to households who are looking to save money on their gas and electricity bills.

Indeed, many countries in the Mediterranean region make use of solar panels to help power houses and businesses.

You may think that in a country such as the UK, where the sun appears to elude us at times this could seem pretty useless. However, solar panels are not dependent on hot weather, for a small amount of energy can still be generated just from normal daylight alone.

And the equipment itself is getting lighter, meaning that installation can be simplified because of the reduction in weight. However it is still advisable to seek advice from a surveyor before deciding to install solar panels.

With the credit crunch causing increases in everything from credit cards to gas and electricity bills, people are looking for more affordable means of generating their own power in order to cut down on their utility bills.

Wind turbines store energy from a rotor, where power is generated as the blades are turned. Energy that is harvested through home turbine kits can be used as part of the energy used in your home.

Some energy companies will offer the opportunity to reduce the cost of your electricity bill by giving some of the energy back to the grid.

However it’s best to check with your neighbours before taking the decision to install a small unit on the side of your property – for what may be saving money for yourself may be considered an eyesore by others.



Erin

Carol Oon asked:


World today is experiencing energy revolution. Environmental issues are catching up and with the increased emphasis placed on preserving the environment we all need to play our roles in saving energy. By saving energy, we can definitely take a positive step in fighting the climate change and in preserving non-renewable sources of energy. Let us look at some devices and measures that can help us conserve energy and replace non renewable sources with renewable sources of energy.

Many companies are now providing customer-focused energy equipments like Energy savers, Utility Instruments, Level Controllers, Control Panels and Process Control Equipments etc. Various products that are now placed in the shelves of the store and that help in energy revolution and conservation are:

• Integrated Intelligent Home System:

This provides you with home security, control, automation and communication related features. One can control and monitor their home and office security along with controlling the home appliances and lighting from any telephone, keypad, handheld remote control system, computer or the internet. The products have outstanding remote communication features which can allow you to communicate with visitors when they are still at office doors, you can send them your messages and can also hear their messages. In case there is alarm notification, you can listen to different sounds and the activity present in the surroundings.

• Light and Air -conditioner Energy Saver:

These devices are normally very easy to install and help to save energy directly. They can adjust the temperature by automatically realizing the self-motion adjustment. They do not connect to any circuitry in the AC. They have stable capacities and do not get affected by fluctuations in external temperature. Trouble from these energy saver devices do not harm or affect the functioning of your equipment in any way. The devices are shock proof and help you reduce your power requirement by minimum 20%.

• Green Energy Products

Today, you would find an array of Green products in the market. Green products and appliances include energy saving appliances and devices for your office and home, windows/doors utilizing solar energy and household products built out of eco-friendly materials. Fluorescent light bulbs are another light saving devices utilizing minimum amount of electricity per watt. All these energy saver products positively influence the environment and reduce the energy and electricity costs. They also reduce the emission of pollutants in the long-term.

Other products like energy saving remote control made out of plastic are also available for saving energy in your day to day use.

Benefits of using Energy saving & Intelligent Products:

• Uses 75% to 80% less electricity.

• Cost less and work too well

• Reduce dependence on coal and petroleum

• Help to address concerns of global warming

• Reduce the gasoline and electricity bills

• Reduce the green house gas emission levels

Overall, reduced energy usage means that the need to go for building new transmission lines, infrastructure and other related devices can be delayed and prolonged. Hence, one can defer the environmental concerns and issues, if not have complete removal. All the energy saving programs and devices will reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions made by coal utilizing power plants. Emissions up to an average of around 2.1 billion pounds per year can be saved for around 20 years

So, when we are aware of these things, why not head on the way to conserving energy!



Ophelia

John Mowatt asked:


Electricity produced by wind turbines is green power in that it causes no environmental pollution. No greenhouse gases which contribute to climate change are produced either. Wind power generation can be on a large scale,which is the case with most commercial projects,or on a small scale as with home owner turbines.

Wind is the cheapest form of renewable energy without a doubt. Solar energy is also clean,green,power but is more expensive and limited in output. Solar panels are presently expensive in relation to the power they can produce. Nuclear energy supplies a lot of the power requirements in some countries,notably in Europe.

There is however much public opposition to building new nuclear power plants.

In the USA natural gas is the biggest form of new energy production. Wind power is the next in line. In 2008 wind turbines will produce about 1% of the United States power needs. Around 30% of new energy production installed in 2007 was wind power.

Many consumers now realise that green energy must be our highest priority in future,if we are to minimise climate change and it effects. The trend to building fossil fuel powered generating stations must be reversed.

Home owners and farmers can help with the transition to clean power by installing small wind turbines to supply all or part of their electricity needs. These turbines can be purchased from a number of manufacturers and can be installed as a rooftop wind turbine or on a small free standing tower.

Commercial wind turbines are quite expensive in relation to power output. A better solution for many is to build their own low cost wind turbine. A good turbine can be built from auto parts and a few odds and ends at very low cost. Plans and instructions are available for this project.

Any excess power production can be sold to the power utility in many areas thus reducing the cost even further. Power can also be stored in batteries for use when the wind is too light. Even a light breeze will however produce power.

The average home owner can easily build a small wind turbine or several of them to supply part or all of the power required. All that is needed is simple tools and some auto parts and wood. Several can be built for the cost of one commercial wind turbine.

Not a bad business also for anyone who wants to make them for resale. The demand for a low cost turbine is there and can only grow in years ahead.

Why not build your own wind power turbine now and produce your own free green electricity. You will be doing mother earth a favor by reducing atmospheric pollution. This is an idea whose time has come.



Virgil