Sustainable Green Communities now seeking Reseliency for Climate Change adaptation

Tweet

Solar energy is now the fastest growing Solution with potential to make power at same cost as other power sources. Therefore future power plants are more likely to be solar or Wind farms as compared to traditional designs.

Utility companies need base load power combined with peak load power such as solar to meet the grid demand. The management of the Grid and distributed generation is key to meet variable demands of the day.

Lower cost energy storage would be the game changer, where many Energy Storage companies will create a huge market in coming decade, as the unit cost of storage goes down. This is similar to what  happened to the price of solar PV panels in past 8 years.

Combining solar PV  with storage and controls would be the ideal solution where the energy production can match the usage and reduce the need to transmit power from remote power plants.

An added benefit to the communities would be their ability to create small micro-grids where power never fails when grid goes down. Without the storage, the Green power generation system must be turned off when power fails.

Better energy solutions are around the corner for planning sustainable Green communities seeking energy independence and resilient future for economic growth.

New York State DEC Agency Honors Town of Williamson in Upstate NY as Energy Independent Sustainable Community

Tweet

Looking for a small Town reaching the goal of Energy Independence in America?
Well! Town of Williamson in Wayne County New York achieved it in 2014 and was honored with Environmental Excellence Award on November 17, 2015 by NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.
Check out this award at the following link;

https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-recognizes-seven-innovative-programs-resulting-healthier-environment-and
Larsen Engineers was also recognized for assisting the Town of Williamson in providing guidance and engineering services to build 1.5 MW solar power system at their closed landfill which produces as much power as the Town owned facilities consumes per year.

Oil Prices are Now in Control of Consumers by Reducing Demand

Tweet

Here are some questions that have "YES" as an answer.

Can conservation and smart choice of energy sources by the consumers be the controlling factor for Oil Prices?
Can the Federal policies shape the future of energy use in America?
Can the fight for Climate change also save the environment?
Can we continue to keep the Price of oil down and one day make it an unnecessary fuel?
Can Free natural resources of Wind, Sun and Water be the sustaining solution for us all?
Can the financial incentives by Federal and State governments encourage our shift to renewable energy?

We the consumers have a choice and we should try everything we can do to be Energy Independent.

Better days are ahead if we take the right path and kick the oil habit.

Thanksgiving to New Year 2014 - a time for Sustainable Green Celebrations

Tweet

Thanksgiving is now over and we quickly move to Christmas Holidays and Welcoming the New Year 2014.
 when you look back we are thankful that the Hurricane season spared the worst for people living along the Ocean front communities.

We are thankful for the largest growth in Solar PV Renewable energy installations in America and rest of the World. New York State plans to install $500 million dollars worth of solar PV in 2014.

We are excited about the prospects of New York leading the Green Projects as the State supports the use of Green fuels such as BioCNG or RNG in transportation sector.

We look forward to communities partnering with Farm businesses to convert cow manure and food waste into bio-gas and converting this gas in to Compressed natural gas for use on Trucks and fleets with huge savings by replacing diesel fuel and cleaning the air.

The holiday lighting will see lot more use of LED lights that saves money and lasts a lot longer.

Well! Green is now more accepted as we point out the monetary savings and mention environmental benefits as frosting on the cake for the conservative thinkers.

Better days are ahead. Let us celebrate what has been achieved and seek higher levels of success in building sustainable Green Communities and gain Energy Independence.

Happy Holidays!

March forward with Renewable Energy under NY Sun Rising program

Tweet

 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.

Gas Prices were supposed to go down. What happened?

Tweet

Have you seen the prices at the gas pump in last month? Gone up by more than 20 cents in Rochester NY and in most other places. The projections were that it will continue to go down over the year since we have developed more domestic resources and  the demand is down.

What went wrong?

Middle East and some concerns for their impact on oil supply interruption could be reason. Iran defies the world and Syria has a civil war. Korea wants to build more missile launching capability and Palestinian crisis remains unsolved. So how can we get out of this dependence on importing oil from such places which is affected by what happens in these countries?

We are lucky to have Oil and Gas resources of our own and we have the technology to invent smart solutions for transforming how we use energy.
We should go full blast with developing our own petroleum resources now so we can Stop importing oil from foreign countries. As a condition for developing these resources by drilling for oil and natural gases we should impose an " energy Independence " Tax on developers to invest in renewable energy technology. These dedicated funds should be protected and be only used for renewable energy grants, tax incentives, and creation of low interest revolving loan funds.

Imagine our hybrid cars giving 50 miles per gallon, all of our homes using LED lights, Wind mills installed away from the shores to avoid visibility, solar PV  farms powering our communities.. this dream can come true in 10 years.

We need our National leaders to decide to act and take advantage of our natural resources to enable our Energy Independence. Write to them and ask to do what is right for our economy and global environment.

New York State planning 400% increase in Solar PV

Tweet

A new chapter is about to begin in New York State as the Governor announced a new program of funding to help large energy consumers to install system of over 50,000 watts to net meter against their usage. Over 100 million will be available over next 12 months for those who are willing to make a commitment to pursue solar power for their communities or facilities.
On first review it looks too good to be true. Imagine a program where a third party can install Million of Dollars of equipment on your site under a power purchase agreement (PPA) and you pay same amount or less to them for 5-7 years. after this period, you own the system for $1.00 and keep free solar power for next 30 years. The facility becomes energy independent, ever one wins. Let us see how many people take advantage of this program.
We hope that Leaders of communities and large facilities will not miss the opportunity and bid their projects ( max. limit per project of $6,000,000 with min. 50% match).
Such programs help bring the cost of solar power down, and  make it possible to dream of energy independence for anyone that has land or roof area to install systems on their property. Sustainable green energy is the best long term solution for America.
Good Luck!

Renewable Energy Development - Peak Oil or Not?

Tweet

There was time few years ago that many experts were predicting that world will soon run out of oil and therefore we must develop renewable energy. Global warming concerns were cited to reduce CO2 footprint by switching to renewable clean energy sources.

Development of new oil recovery technologies such as hydrofracking are enabling extraction of oil from the harder to recover formations all around world. Infrastructure exists and it is more likely that oil exploration will continue and natural gas based LNG technology will also expand in next 5 years.

It may no longer be true that world will soon run out of oil. We need to face the realities and change our approach as new facts develop. It will be a mistake to keep sticking to old statements and not adjust to today's realities.

For United States, it is critical that we set a goal for energy independence as the new election campaigns are now talking about. Domestic Oil and Natural gas can stabilize the prices and keep our money in America. Renewable energy surcharge on price of domestic oil and gas, can generate significant revolving loan funds to install energy conservation retrofits and renewable energy systems in our homes and businesses.

Our health impacts from air emissions from oil based technologies should be the prime reason to support renewable energy development. Energy independence has another meaning when we learn about grid power failures. Renewable energy developed in the distribution system provides local micro gird the freedom from dependence on big power grids, as the customer is unaffected when power fails. Local short term energy storage allows them to continue to have power. It happens to be that these actions will help the environment. Supporters of renewable energy should point out the health benefits and other community benefits and not just talk about global warming or oil running out soon.

Go with the flow or risk losing the momentum.

Replace oil speculators with leaders promoting green energy vision

Tweet

We watch helplessly as the gas prices rises, while wall street dealers manipulate the market and make their quick buck.Self interest is the basic instinct for people making a living.

What the world needs more are people who are making the difference in the world they live in and bring benefits to others.Our energy policy needs a long term view and leaders that set the stage for a better future. Some politicians want to drill for more oil or seek gas deposit and continue relying on the old nonrenewable sources of energy. This short sighted approach does not get us out of this slavery and dependence on oil.

It takes courage to fight the energy independence war and some short term sacrifices are necessary to conserve energy and get serious about stopping wasteful habits.Where are the Leaders who will tell the truth with the risk of losing their seat? It is time for each one of us to take lead by adopting the green approach and support the development of green energy. Our kids future depends on it.

Ram

Tax Incentives for Biofuels from Organic Wastes

Tweet

There are existing federal incentives for renewable fuels such as Ethanol made from Corn, food waste, Waste oil and Grease and other biomass as defined by EPA. Ethanol or bio diesel made from waste is certainly better than making it from consumer farm products such as Corn and Soybean. It is a good idea to provide federal and State incentives for making such liquid auto fuels that can replace conventional non renewable fuels such as Gasoline and Diesel fuel.

Considering the ample supply of natural gas and potential to extract large volumes from deep wells, the economic value of bio gas would stay flat and does not provide sufficient incentive for construction of farm digesters. The Dairy farms need to deal with environmental issues related to disposal of cow manure.Technology exists to clean the Bio gas and compress it to produce BIO-CNG that can fuel the farm vehicles and other public vehicles. It is time to extend the renewable fuel standards and allow the production of BIO-CNG with similar tax credit as the Bio diesel or Ethanol from Biomass.
We need all possible sources of auto fuels made from wastes to help solve the energy and environmental problems and be energy independent.

Energy Independent Farms with Green Technology

Tweet

The New Year brings new opportunity for New York State Farmers, with help from grants and incentives to produce Green Energy. New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced a new program to provide financial incentives to generate power from Digester bio-gas.

Farm industry in New York, represents a very large economic and employment sector. All of these farms face environmental and energy cost issues. Now is the time to take advantage of these incentives and start the journey to be Energy Independent. The good news is that the energy generation system can be implemented with grants, incentives for green energy and cost of energy saved via on site generation. It will provide increased profits immediately by becoming more energy efficient and producing green power.

New York State Wins by generating power from biomass and Farmer wins by reducing the operating costs and sustaining as a business to retain and create new jobs. We should get the word out to local farmers to not miss this opportunity.