East Coast Governors Say National Transmission Grid Limits Local Energy | The New Rules Project
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Saturday, August 1, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
How to estimate future forest cover in a watershed
Check out this SlideShare Presentation: Looking at this as I am starting an imperviousness study (first NC, then on to other southeastern states). I'll use the output and compare with the EPA's 2005 Imperviousness Study for the Southeastern States. I'll be able to provide a growth factor and also ratios such as rooftops vs. parking lots, rooftops vs. roads, and commercial vs. residential changes over time. When the imperviousness study is done, I hope to match it with endangered species habitat studies and eventually even provide a model to predict the migration routes that need to be preserved due to the unfortunate occurrence of the rising sea levels.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Temperature Rise Predictions for Global Warming
Everywhere you look, it is being said that we must do this or do that to keep the predicted temperature rise within the acceptable 2.5 Degrees Fahrenheit. This frustrates me to no end.
In BBC's Documentary Global Dimming, a scientist (climatologist) in the midwest found out that right after 9/11, when the planes were grounded for 3 days, the temperature spike almost 3 degrees Fahrenheit. We're already over the limit, folks.
What he proved was that the chem trails from the airplanes are actually protecting us from the worst of global warming. What is scary is what will happen when the oil runs out. Even coal plants use oil to produce electricity.
As an advocate of solar energy, this is very frustrating to me. Watching the US Government, my government, bail out everything under the sun and then not give solar energy the subsidies needed to literally save our collective skins is like waving a red flag to a bull to any environmentalist. Or should be.
So where's the march on the government? Where's the march on the economy? Where's the Green Jobs and Renewable Energy Stimulus for each of our communities? Did it go to the "Big Businesses" again? And, yes, I classify state governments as "Big Business" as most are surely and heavily influenced by those "Big Businesses." Or shall we just wait for the epic pandemonium that will beset us once we run out of oil.
In BBC's Documentary Global Dimming, a scientist (climatologist) in the midwest found out that right after 9/11, when the planes were grounded for 3 days, the temperature spike almost 3 degrees Fahrenheit. We're already over the limit, folks.
What he proved was that the chem trails from the airplanes are actually protecting us from the worst of global warming. What is scary is what will happen when the oil runs out. Even coal plants use oil to produce electricity.
As an advocate of solar energy, this is very frustrating to me. Watching the US Government, my government, bail out everything under the sun and then not give solar energy the subsidies needed to literally save our collective skins is like waving a red flag to a bull to any environmentalist. Or should be.
So where's the march on the government? Where's the march on the economy? Where's the Green Jobs and Renewable Energy Stimulus for each of our communities? Did it go to the "Big Businesses" again? And, yes, I classify state governments as "Big Business" as most are surely and heavily influenced by those "Big Businesses." Or shall we just wait for the epic pandemonium that will beset us once we run out of oil.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
How it All Ends
As Mr. Craven mentions in his video from YouTube (see below), the temperature will increase thanks to global warming. Most model still predict a few degrees. There is another problem which most do not know about - Global Dimming. I'll let you watch this BBC documentary for yourself (you can watch for free on the internet, youtube, & I've uploaded it on my myspace.com/gdgrl828) - I'll just hit the highlights that scared the *%$@ out of me.
After 911, all planes were grounded. One climatologist out in the upper midwest got on the ball as, "the skies were too blue." His thing has always been chem trails and the possible harm that they do to our atm (atmosphere). He found that the temperature spiked over 3 degrees Fahrenheit in that 3 day period. That's over 1 degree Celsius. Therefore, the chem trails are actually protecting us from the worst of global warming. Also, when the oil runs out (10-20 years) we are in deep kimshee. If the temp spiked 3 degrees F in 3 days in September in the upper midwest (Canadian border area), what will the climate be like elsewhere in the middle of summer? As another one who is also studying climate, this news is HOT... this "few degrees" is astronomical from a climate perspective.
There is also other evidence supporting this phenomenon that is being called Global Dimming. Scientists from not only our guy in the upper midwest, but in Germany, Israel, the Maldives and Australia identified this phenomenon prior to 911. Watch the BBC documentary.... please. Then help us to change the net metering laws across the nation so that all may hook up their renewable energy devices (solar arrays on the roof, solar carports, solar parking lots, backyard wind turbines, or wind turbines lining the drive to the house) to the grid. Not only do we have about 10 years to change our climate around from an atmospheric viewpoint, we've also got about that amount of time (perhaps a little longer) before the oil runs out (that is called "Peak Oil" and there is a lot of information about it on the internet too).
There is a report called "Freeing the Grid" that rates each states net metering and interconnection regulations. You may find it here:
http://www.newenergychoices.org/uploads/FreeingTheGrid2008_report.pdf
North Carolina's grade is a F for net metering. The state's Utility Commission is obviously in bed with the Utility companies for the net metering regulations are set up to protect the utility company's profit margin. If, as a country, we are investing billions into upgrading our national grid, then that grid belongs to all of us, not the utility companies. (Plus didn't the government install it in the first place?)
Take action, ya'll. Get on those email action alerts and send in those emails. They DO make a difference. Make some noise! This is our life...........
After 911, all planes were grounded. One climatologist out in the upper midwest got on the ball as, "the skies were too blue." His thing has always been chem trails and the possible harm that they do to our atm (atmosphere). He found that the temperature spiked over 3 degrees Fahrenheit in that 3 day period. That's over 1 degree Celsius. Therefore, the chem trails are actually protecting us from the worst of global warming. Also, when the oil runs out (10-20 years) we are in deep kimshee. If the temp spiked 3 degrees F in 3 days in September in the upper midwest (Canadian border area), what will the climate be like elsewhere in the middle of summer? As another one who is also studying climate, this news is HOT... this "few degrees" is astronomical from a climate perspective.
There is also other evidence supporting this phenomenon that is being called Global Dimming. Scientists from not only our guy in the upper midwest, but in Germany, Israel, the Maldives and Australia identified this phenomenon prior to 911. Watch the BBC documentary.... please. Then help us to change the net metering laws across the nation so that all may hook up their renewable energy devices (solar arrays on the roof, solar carports, solar parking lots, backyard wind turbines, or wind turbines lining the drive to the house) to the grid. Not only do we have about 10 years to change our climate around from an atmospheric viewpoint, we've also got about that amount of time (perhaps a little longer) before the oil runs out (that is called "Peak Oil" and there is a lot of information about it on the internet too).
There is a report called "Freeing the Grid" that rates each states net metering and interconnection regulations. You may find it here:
http://www.newenergychoice
North Carolina's grade is a F for net metering. The state's Utility Commission is obviously in bed with the Utility companies for the net metering regulations are set up to protect the utility company's profit margin. If, as a country, we are investing billions into upgrading our national grid, then that grid belongs to all of us, not the utility companies. (Plus didn't the government install it in the first place?)
Take action, ya'll. Get on those email action alerts and send in those emails. They DO make a difference. Make some noise! This is our life...........
Monday, July 6, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Greensboro Paved Parking Statistics
Using the spatial analysis tools and skills I am learning as a GIS student at UNCG, I recently totaled up the amount of paved parking within the city limits of Greensboro, North Carolina. The sum equals 10.27 square miles - yes, of paved parking within the city limits.
Using figures based on Envision Solar's solar parking lot models, I calculated that area's capacity for generating electricity when covered with solar panels. The figure was over 716,000 - homes that will be powered each and every year from the paved parking/turned solar parking lots in Greensboro. As I did not add in room between arrays, I normally publish the figure that over 500,000 homes will be powered by that area - each and every year (Greensboro only has a population of 247,000).
,
This summer, I am learning more about modeling in ArcGIS and am coming up with a model to specifically place the arrays in the parking lots (again, I am basing these calculations on the dimensions of Envision Solar's designs - namely as they are the only company I found raising solar parking lots when I had the idea myself a few years back). This is proving more daunting than my initial idea as I now want to incorporate steps to digitize the parking lot boundaries as well as calculate the power outcome based on the locale's solar irradiation.
ESRI and Solar Boston have a model to do the power outcome, I believe based on location, however their model is embedded into a website application and is proving difficult to get at. With ESRI, you need a separate web server to run mapping applications and this I do not have (as of yet). Any help in to get the model is gratefully appreciated!
Another obstacle in analyzing paved parking for towns and communities is that the parcel data does not always explicitly label paved parking. This is somewhat cumbersome, but as I have time, I re-contact those cities' GIS departments and ask for assistance. This is to bring me along into a Master's degree, after all! If you happen to work for a GIS department and have paved parking that may be separated into its own layer (gdb really, with attribute table) please contact me and send it along! The more statistics we publish, the better!
I fully believe that solar parking lots are a viable solution to our climate dilemma. Most all scientists are now stating that we need to reduce carbon emissions by 40% within the next 10 years. Let's get busy! We can put some people to work with this one!
Using figures based on Envision Solar's solar parking lot models, I calculated that area's capacity for generating electricity when covered with solar panels. The figure was over 716,000 - homes that will be powered each and every year from the paved parking/turned solar parking lots in Greensboro. As I did not add in room between arrays, I normally publish the figure that over 500,000 homes will be powered by that area - each and every year (Greensboro only has a population of 247,000).
,
This summer, I am learning more about modeling in ArcGIS and am coming up with a model to specifically place the arrays in the parking lots (again, I am basing these calculations on the dimensions of Envision Solar's designs - namely as they are the only company I found raising solar parking lots when I had the idea myself a few years back). This is proving more daunting than my initial idea as I now want to incorporate steps to digitize the parking lot boundaries as well as calculate the power outcome based on the locale's solar irradiation.
ESRI and Solar Boston have a model to do the power outcome, I believe based on location, however their model is embedded into a website application and is proving difficult to get at. With ESRI, you need a separate web server to run mapping applications and this I do not have (as of yet). Any help in to get the model is gratefully appreciated!
Another obstacle in analyzing paved parking for towns and communities is that the parcel data does not always explicitly label paved parking. This is somewhat cumbersome, but as I have time, I re-contact those cities' GIS departments and ask for assistance. This is to bring me along into a Master's degree, after all! If you happen to work for a GIS department and have paved parking that may be separated into its own layer (gdb really, with attribute table) please contact me and send it along! The more statistics we publish, the better!
I fully believe that solar parking lots are a viable solution to our climate dilemma. Most all scientists are now stating that we need to reduce carbon emissions by 40% within the next 10 years. Let's get busy! We can put some people to work with this one!
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