Tag: solar energy

Reader Jacob Silver writes: Non-absorbed carbon in the atmosphere is thickening the carbon filter of solar energy. With the loss of hundreds of thousands of acres of forest cut down in Indonesia and Brazil, the result is a gap of …

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I’m always delighted when I come across supporters of the idea that I’ve referred to as the “level playing field” for renewable energy. That is, I’m not asking for a subsidy for solar, wind, geothermal, etc. Rather, I’m asking that …

Level Playing Field for Renewable Energy Read More »

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As I’ve noted previously, the eminent venture capitalist Vinod Khosla advises “Since one fails often, address markets that make it worthwhile when one does succeed.”  This, of course, is solid advice.  But unfortunately, not everyone is a position to swing for the …

Have a Great Solution in a Huge Market? Consider Making It Too Cheap to Steal Read More »

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Guest blogger Geoff Nicholson writes: I just noticed something very curious…. Airplanes fly more when exposed to direct sunlight, hence, confirming you thesis that solar energy is the way to go. Check out this video of airplane traffic over a …

Today’s Crackpot May Be Tomorrow’s Nobel Prize Winner Read More »

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Peter Buzzard comments on my post “Molten Salt Energy Storage” as follows: “That was an interesting article. I didn’t know a combined cycle could be made to be that efficient… What about simply heating water with molten salt in a …

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Yesterday’s guest blogger wrote: The idea of collecting solar energy from the upper surfaces of already constructed buildings seems like the least intrusive and most efficient method to utilized light, in my opinion. It doesn’t shade the natural ecosystem and …

Renewables and Natural Ecosystems Read More »

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My friend Geoffrey Nicholson comments my post “Renewable Energy and Basic Physics”: Craig, I couldn’t agree more.  Other than geothermal energy, all the other sources of energy available to us originally came from solar energy and with a rather lossy …

An Engineer Comments on "Renewable Energy and Basic Physics" Read More »

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My old friend Peter Buzzard commented on my post “Molten Salt Energy Storage“: “Craig, do you know if a Stirling engine would be more efficient than making steam for a turbine?” To which I reply: I don’t know know much …

Renewable Energy and Basic Physics Read More »

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In response to my recent piece on solar thermal and molten salt, a reader admonishes: You assume that “molten” salt is universally available over the entire power grid? Get real! Apparently, I’m not describing this as clearly as I thought …

Molten Salt Energy Storage Read More »

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Recently, I spoke with Ben Beach, Senior Editor at the Wilderness Society. I reached out to Ben because I wanted to see how the organization was dealing with issue that public land (I presume some of it “wilderness”) is a …

The Wilderness Society and Renewables Read More »

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