Independence Day July 4th has new Meaning and New Vision- "Goodbye Oil" is coming soon

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Look at the news headlines related to Renewable Energy and Energy Storage in June..2017,  the message is that Future is very bright in this field.

Climate change is a great challenge to us all and it offers tremendous opportunity to make transformational changes in the world.

We work with small Municipalities in New York State and most still operate in the old paradigm. If no change is made then they may miss the opportunity to become Energy Independent. It is not a dream anymore as we can achieve it now with help from current incentives and lowering cost of hardware.

Can you imaging that in 2017-2018 electric power can be made cheaper by the consumer as compared to power company. Abundant solar energy is for everyone and every location should look at natural resources that can help them reach energy independence.

The transportation industry is about to see " Goodbye Gasoline" in near future, as new cars that go for 250 to 350 miles on one charge are available and affordable in coming years. Self driving cars and cars that do not have exhaust are Clean smart cars that will make big cities livable and healthy. Charge them at  night and use them for micro-gird management when power fails. These are ideas of today made possible in near future.

I am very hopeful that a new vision is about to become reality as we approach 2020. I certainly plan to switch to EV in next 2 years and say "Goodbye to Oil". This 20/20 vision is now possible due to new technology development and incentives to invest in Clean power.

Better days are ahead! Let us go Green and say Goodbye to Oil.
Future Independence Days would have lot more meaning as we work together.

For Power Consumers - We have the choice to Achieve Energy Freedom!

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Can 2015 be the beginning of new consumer movement that allows them to be free from the Utility? In New York State the Policies under review will take us closer to realizing this dream. Elon Musk and his vision to provide and promote lower cost energy storage was announced on April 30th. Combined with Solar power and smart controls this enables the customer to buy power at night and use it in the day powered by storage system in the garage.

The old paradigm is that we need the power company to sell us power at whatever cost and we have no choice. It worked when other options were beyond consumers reach. Now it is time to have distributed generation with storage and let them be paid for the service, connectivity and backup power.

With Solar PV system now at below $2.00 per watt and storage around $400 per KW, we are closer to Energy Freedom. This message would soon reach more people and the time to take bold action could happen starting in 2015.

After 45 years of celebrating Earth Day, the time has come when one can imagine the dream coming true.What makes this timely is the fact that Climate change is getting the national attention and people realize that resiliency of power is important when the power grid goes down. The peace of mid that it does not matter when power goes down because now you have your own power plant and storage system that can be activated automatically with smart control and keep you home or business running. This is safety, comfort and economic issue.

Smart consumer living ins sustainable Green communities will realize this and take advantage of financial incentives, long term low interest financing and become secure and seek their Energy Freedom.

What are we waiting for?  Energy Independence is around the corner.

Go for it!

Sustainable Climate Change Solutions - Based on Solar and Battery Storage

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Innovation and new technologies are racing to bring the cost down for the customers.
Solar PV system installed costs have reduced by 75% and battery storage technology is also showing similar reduction in cost.

As climate changes we will need to implement energy security measures so we have power and quality of life when our Utility grid is out of service. The best defense is to make power where you use it and have provision to store on site so our critical needs can be met during the power failure.

It is now possible to project that very soon in New York State, we can make Solar  power for same cost as current cost of electricity ranging from 7-9 cents per kWh. Once the investment is made this cost does not change for the 30 year + life of the system as compared to about 3% escalation each year by the Utility.
With affordable battery storage systems we will be able to charge the batteries with night power and then use it along with the solar power production to meet the daytime needs.

Energy supply reliability is now a concern because of extreme climate change events taking place more frequently, What to do now? Our choices are to pay much higher amount to Utility company as they invest Billions in upgrading the power plants, old transmission and distribution system and pass on the cost to consumers. Alternatively we can act and seek independence by investing in generation and storage technology.

Hope the innovations and cost reductions in both solar and energy storage technology makes this dream possible.

Green Construction Loans are Essential for Building Green Energy Projects

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Imagine getting a Reimbursable grant of  93% of the Capital cost and still unable to build the farm Anaerobic Digester system to treat waste and make green power. Unfortunately this is a reality in New York State.

Most of the lenders do not understand Digesters and have no risk tolerance for such technology when the grant is offered as collateral. So how do you get a construction loan? Where to go? These are the challenges why so many farmers who have the manure disposal problems can not take advantage of the Grants.

It looks like the Federal USDA is listening to these issues and establishing a large loan fund that can be used for building the system with 70% loan amount against 30% local loan and equity. This potential "USDA - REAP renewable energy funding assistance program"  could be extremely beneficial and capable of creating a wave of economic development across Rural America.

Let us hope this succeeds and soon rural communities and small businesses will be able to gain Energy Independence by building their own Green power generation systems.

Infrastructure investments by the federal Govt. in our communities are essential to replace war funding and create jobs back home so returning Vets can have a job making green energy.

Better days may be ahead for energy Independence at the rural Farms and communities.

Climate Change Adaptation by Sustainable Green Communities

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Finally the President is talking about the importance of taking action to deal with Climate Change. By now we must realize that some people are simply not going to accept the truth and trying to convince them may be a waste of time. The best strategy would be to shine the spotlight on communities that are doing energy conservation,building green energy generation systems to go Green and save money at the same time.
Real examples of such communities need to be shared, so the residents of other communities can ask their Leaders why are we not doing the same?
The myth that it will cost money should be removed with real examples of transformation to more efficient buildings and shift to renewable energy sources.
Action speaks for itself. We hope that everyone that is taking Leadership in this area is pointed out.
Walmart is no exception in this area even when some union supporting people may not like their wage policies. It is time that news media reports cover such success stories to inform their viewers and readers.
More Jobs Clean environment and reduction of green house gases will be the outcome as we save money to invest in future. Hopefully the energy independent developments and communities will share their stories with their neighbors and encourage them to do the same. County and State governments must support such actions and help others with green financing to achieve similar results.

Our Leaders should not be afraid to promote Sustainability & Climate Change initiatives that save Money

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Recent news conveys that some Leaders of Countries pushed the Scientists to soften the reality about what Climate change could do to our planet. Final released version of Global Climate change report is only what they wanted to be published.

Unfortunately this type of action only shows how ignorant they are about money savings aspects of many climate change initiatives. Energy Conservation when seriously taken and financed from the operating cost can generate fantastic results for the existing users. Our demand for conventional fuels automatically goes down and help climate change.

United Nations and other Country's Leaders should consider Energy Conservation as the new "Weapon of Mass Benefit". Let us call it "WMB" in contrast with "WMD",  where money is spent to destroy and not create. Why  not help invest in technologies that can save money and create Jobs?

Reality of how Corporate Executives think.. is that top managers are not ready to take risks and push changes that can save money due to perceived risk. What happens if it does not work? We know several industrial waste treatment system that can save them several hundred thousand dollars per year, but they are unable to decide because change is difficult to get Corporate approvals, when it competes with other Capital investments. These same projects may get quick "Yes" if we could offer financing the capital to pay for the change and Client only pays from the annual savings.  Thus they are relieved from taking the financial risk and need not request capital funds from the Corporate HQ. This " shared saving agreement "SSA" is performance based and could be good model to accelerate the adoption of Green Energy Saving technologies.

What is lacking now ,  is the financial institutions that can lend money to Technology providers so they can offer the shared savings agreement (SSA)  to potential customers.  NYS has recently created the Green bank which may be able to play a role to implement such concepts.

The journey from "Net- Zero Energy" to "Energy Independence" for sustainable Green Coomunities

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Does  Net-Zero Energy  mean Energy Independence?

The answer depends on the various forms of energy that are addressed by the User. This includes Electrical Energy, Thermal energy for Heat and Fuels for Transportation.

Normally these energy improvements depend on the incentives offered by the state or Federal Agencies. For example, currently New York State has very attractive grants and tax incentives for electrical power generation and energy efficiency retrofits. Some of our Municipal clients are now implementing projects to produce large scale solar PV system to produce as much power over the Year as they consume in their multiple buildings. They plan to achieve the first step of Net-Zero Energy  by 2014. We are proud to have these visionary Village and Town leaders in Finger Lakes region that have made the decision to do so.

So where do they go from this stage onwards?

Upgrade of the HVAC system would be next as the funds are available and long term financing of Geothermal and/or solar thermal systems may be the technologies to provide very efficient green system to replace non-renewable fuels and reduce their carbon foot print.

So what is the next step after they achieve this goal?

Transportation is key to our energy independence and finding alternative fuels for transportation and having the refueling infrastructure would be the next opportunity. CNG,  hybrid gas & Electric vehicles, and Electric Vehicles are the possible options to replace expensive gasoline or diesel with new cleaner fuels. This step will keep the money in America and avoid importing oil from overseas.

When all of these steps are completed the community will truly become an Energy Independent community. In Europe such communities exist now. It is time that America takes the lead and helps develops such examples of energy independence. It will be a dream come true. Hopefully in next 10 years.

Ram

March forward with Renewable Energy under NY Sun Rising program

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 NY State passed the budget last week and it contains the funding and investment incentives to help implement energy conservation and green power generation projects.

Sustainable Green Communities will take advantage of this opportunity.
As the earth day approaches on April 22, 2013 it is good time for all power consumers to think about what they can do to change and help support energy conservation and switch to green power generation.

Energy independence can be achieved if we make up our mind to do it. Hopefully the future will bring examples of such communities and business leaders that will inspire others to follow and make their own contribution.

Better days are ahead.

What are we willing to pay for Energy Independence?

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Climate change and Global warming are getting more accepted by people and there is willingness to take action to prevent future problems. There are now incentives available in New York State to help generate Green power with Solar PV and  farm waste digestion. These measures are good for the environment but sometime financially challenging to justify the investment.

Review of past movements related to freedom and independence clearly indicate the suffering and hardship by the people who supported it. It was the common good that prevailed and inspired the action.

Energy Independence should be the same for better long term results. If the cost is marginally higher today but cheaper in future then we should be willing to make this sacrifice or investment for the better future for next generation.
However, in reality people are willing to do it if it saves money TODAY.

It will take leadership and better communication of the dangers of inaction to increase greater participation. NY State is giving a positive push to this effort by including Green funding in the Development plan starting in 2013.
This will allow us to take a lead in this area as compared to rest of USA.

The Governor of  New York State should be congratulated for taking some bold action on promoting Green under the New York Rising program.

New York Sun Rising- a message for Sustainability

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For New Yorkers the state of the State address by our Governor Cuomo brings a message of hope and commitment for economic development. This bold strategy recognizes the value of Green renewable energy and how action must be taken to deal with Climate change.

Yesterday was the warmest day with temperatures in Finger Lakes approaching 60 F on January 12th. The snow is just about gone and green lawns are reminding us that our climate has changed and Global warming is also a reality.

The question is whether we act proactively to prevent future problems or react to problems when they happen? Sandy has left a multi Billion dollars damage for New York and New Jersey. What are where we may see similar or lot worse natural disasters?

New York is now investing in Green Energy technology with the new development plan as outlined in 2013 last week's Speech by Governor Cuomo. Solar and Farm waste digester energy are key element of this plan. This is lot safer approach to implement than our search for drilled oil and natural gas.
It is our hope that we do not settle for the old easy way with strong push from very strong and expensive lobby from established petroleum industry. This is the time to be pragmatic and use the revenues from nonrenewable sources to invest in developing renewable energy from solar, wind and bio gas digesters.

We are fortunate to have Leaders that have long term vision and are willing to take action to protect and preserve the environment. Sun Rising in NY brings new meaning to the State. Many communities now have an opportunity to become Energy Independent for serving their Municipal facilities.

It feels good  to be a New Yorker. Thank you Governor Cuomo for your Leadersip.

Sustainable Power for Small Consumers

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We watch helplessly the perils of recent natural earthquake disaster in Japan.The question arises- can we live with less fear of loss of power, food, water and other resources? Can we learn to live with nature and understand how to use Nature's free gift of air, water, land, wind etc.? The answers lies in how we change our thinking and allow the development of local developments and produce our own resources.

"Net Zero" or "Energy Independent" community concepts are possible today if we are willing to invest and plan with long term in mind. There are real life examples of such communities in Europe that have shown that they need no oil or other resources imported to serve their needs.

Sun shines, Wind blows and precipitation falls on the land everywhere. The Smart Green communities accept it as gift from nature and use it locally to power their buildings, supply water to grow local food and recycle their wastes to make fertilizer to be applied back to the farms. In nature there is no waste. Everything can be used again and again.

Our Leaders at National, State, County, Town or Villages need to provide tax free bond funds to the local residents, institutions on a 30 to 40 year loan for investing in Nature based Green alternative energy and water& waste recycling technologies. The day of energy independence for America can come in 20- 30 years with such programs. Each community can exist as self reliant and not dependent on power made somewhere else and food grown and shipped from miles away. Let us empower local farmers and workforce to have jobs and economic development. Nature is trying to tell us something.. Force of the nature is immense and we need to act accordingly as we adopt and learn to live with it.

Urgency for Sustainability.Replace Fear with Hope.

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I listened to a talk yesterday at RIT given by Mr. Kevin Surace of Serious materials.Here was a graduate of RIT returning to tell the next generation to focus on Green technology as solution to our climate change mega-problem. His message- Innovate with disruptive technologies that can make a world of difference. We were listening to someone who is walking the talk. His company is a living example that you can be financially successful while creating many green jobs and help solve our environmental problem. We need Leaders like Mr. Surace in every community in America.We hope that his message gets to new leaders that will follow his example and innovate in every other field that deals with energy use.

The next generation graduating from our Universities that should take notice of this challenge. This is the "purpose" you are searching for, Creating solutions that can help us be energy independent.

The temperature rising and snow melting on our poles is scary observation, and if you look at actual pictures taken by NASA we may not have as many years to control this problem as we thought earlier. The thought of extreme flooding, displacement of millions of people is very disturbing. More deaths could be caused by environmental consequences as compared to the wars of the past. Now is the time to ACT and be inspired by the possibility of green solutions, new jobs and economic security. It will help and make some difference to the world while give us a great feeling that we did our part to the best of our ability. Each person counts so let us move forward with action.

Natural gas drilling causes an environmental cost which can be avoided

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I saw a documentary today - the title was "Gas Town". What a sad story to watch but the message was simple. We are sacrificing nature in the name of created necessity to depend on oil or natural gas. The supporter say that we need it to use American sourced product and not import oil. This is better, it helps local economy and create jobs. Smart people can see the greed behind these words.

The natural beauty of our country is too precious to sacrifice as we see what they have done with coal mines and gas drilling in shale formations. What amazes us is that conservation, Wind, Solar, water and land based green solutions are not promoted. Today the technology exists to retrofit homes for day lighting, use solar to make electricity, use geothermal heat pump system to heat and air condition the building, provide natural ventilation and harvest rain water. All of these natural resources are around us and FREE. Long term financing can help enhance the value of energy efficient homes while reducing the monthly utility cost. The dream of net zero homes is achievable with tax incentives and long term financing.
Green is Gold. Take advantage of it and say good bye to oil or natural gas.