tagged w/ Touchart
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Part I from Bill Brown up in Taos
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"As I promised earlier, I include my own DRAFT compilation of advantages and economics of solar electric (solar photovoltaic) power that I am currently researching and polishing for a variety of other purposes. This is only an informational DRAFT that bears considerable scrutiny for errors and omissions. The compilation derives from a broad range of source materials that I am also compiling as a reference list. If you have comments on the draft, please let me know"
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Advantages of Solar Electric Power (Part 1)
Compiled by William M. Brown
Sage West Consultants, May 18, 2008
Solar energy is plentiful. Solar radiation along with secondary solar resources such as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass, account for over 99.9 percent of the available flow of renewable energy on Earth. The flows and stores of solar energy in the environment are vast in comparison to human energy needs. The solar power potential of solar radiation incident upon the 48 contiguous United States is about 10,000 times the USA’s current electricity demand.
Solar power is pollution free during use. The wastes and emissions related to production of solar power are manageable using existing pollution controls.
Solar photovoltaic power generation requires no water other than minor amounts that might be used in manufacturing components. “Conventional” power generation using coal, natural gas, oil and nuclear resources requires 600 to 800 gallons of water for every megawatt-hour of energy produced. The bulk of the water is for cooling purposes in “conventional” power plants, and the water is wasted to the atmosphere as steam.
Solar power arrays can be built using existing technology. Solar cell technology continues to evolve rapidly towards ever greater efficiency and lower cost, but existing technology is proven and applicable to a wide variety of economic demands.
Solar photovoltaic power facilities can operate with little maintenance or intervention after initial setup.
Solar electric power generation is durable for the very long term. A solar power array will produce power for so long as the Sun continues to shine and the system is maintained. Unlike fossil fuel and nuclear power sources, solar power does not require continuous, worldwide exploration for and development of a diminishing supply of fuel.
Solar photovoltaic power is extremely reliable. Solar PV systems can generate electrical power for many thousands of hours with little or no maintenance.
Grid-connected solar electricity can be used locally, thus reducing power transmission and distribution losses. Solar electric generation is economically superior where grid connection using long, high-voltage transmission lines is costly. Long-distance transmission costs are embedded in payments for all forms of power generated at locations remote from the point of use.
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Part II, III, IV and V also posted on current. Search "Advantages in Solar Electric Power"
References/Source Information to be included with later drafts.
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from TouchArt.net and OneEarthBlog.blogspot.com
Part I from Bill Brown up in Taos
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"As I promised earlier, I... more
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From our friend Bill Brown at NM Global Warming
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"Greetings, All -- The following brief on a poll of Americans about solar power reveals a non-partisan acceptance of solar power as perhaps a principal engine of our new energy economy.
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from TouchArt.net and OneEarthBlog.blogspot.comFrom our friend Bill Brown at NM Global Warming
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"Greetings, All -- The... more
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On a lighter note from our friend Bill Brown at New Mexico Global Warming up in Taos, New Mexico.
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"Greetings, All -- For your amusement, a conversation in Heaven about realities on Earth.
-- Bill Brown
YARD WORK - AS VIEWED FROM HEAVEN
(overheard in a conversation between God and St. Francis):
God: Francis, you know all about gardens and nature; what in the
world is going on down there in the U.S.? What happened to the
dandelions, violets, thistles and the stuff I started eons ago?
I had a perfect no-maintenance garden plan. Those plants grow
in any type of soil, withstand drought, and multiply with
abandon. The nectar from the long-lasting blossoms attracts
butterflies, honeybees, and flocks of songbirds. I expected to
see a vast garden of color by now. All I see are patches of
green.
St. Francis: It's the tribes that settled there, Lord. They are
called the Suburbanites. They started calling your flowers
"weeds" and went to great lengths to kill them and replace them
with grass.
God: Grass? But it is so boring, it's not colorful. It doesn't
attract butterflies, bees or birds, only grubs and sod worms.
It's temperamental with temperatures. Do these Suburbanites
really want grass growing there?
St. Francis: Apparently not, Lord. As soon as it has grown a
little, they cut it....sometimes two times a week.
God: They cut it? Do they bale it like hay?
St. Francis: Not exactly, Lord. Most of them rake it up and put
it in bags.
God: They bag it? Why? Is it a cash crop? Do they sell it?
St. Francis: No sir, just the opposite. They pay to throw it
away.
God: Now let me get this straight...they fertilize it to make it
grow and when it does grow, they cut it off and pay to throw it
away?
St. Francis: Yes, sir.
God: These Suburbanites must be relieved in the summer when we
cut back on the rain and turn up the heat. That surely slows
the growth and saves them a lot of work.
St. Francis: You aren't going to believe this Lord, but when the
grass stops growing so fast, they drag out hoses and pay more
money to water it so they can continue to mow it and pay to get
rid of it.
God: What nonsense! At least they kept some of the trees.
That was a sheer stroke of genius, if I do say so myself.
The trees grow leaves in the spring to provide beauty and shade
in the summer. In the autumn they fall to the ground and form a
natural blanket to keep the moisture in the soil and protect the
trees and bushes. Plus, as they rot, the leaves become compost
to enhance the soil. It's a natural circle of life.
St. Francis: You'd better sit down, Lord. As soon as the leaves
fall, the Suburbanites rake them into great piles and pay to
have them hauled away.
God: No way! What do they do to protect the shrubs and tree
roots in the winter to keep the soil moist and loose?
St Francis: After throwing the leaves away, they go out and buy
something called mulch. They haul it home and spread it around
in place of the leaves.
God: And where do they get this mulch?
St. Francis: They cut down the trees and grind them up to make
mulch.
God: Enough! I don't want to think about this anymore.
Saint Catherine, you're in charge of the arts. What movie have
you scheduled for us tonight?
St. Catherine: "Dumb and Dumber," Lord. It's a really stupid
movie about...
God: Never mind -I think I just heard the whole story from Saint
Francis!"
Bill Brown
www.nmglobalwarming.org
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from TouchArt.net and OneEarthBlog.blogspot.comOn a lighter note from our friend Bill Brown at New Mexico Global Warming up in Taos,... more
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Today's good Green News from our friend Bill Brown up in Taos, New Mexico at www.nmglobalwarming.org
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"Greetings, All -- New research by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management on the European Union carbon dioxide (CO2) cap-and-trade system dispels many fears and myths about its workability, and provides some surprising results about its success.
The MIT report notes that cap-and-trade systems for sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides have worked well in the USA for years where "Markets for trading allowances operate smoothly, and—in response to the strong economic incentive—facilities have reduced their emissions significantly."
However, "... the EU ETS [Emissions Trading Scheme] is far larger than either of the US programs. It covers 11,000 installations while the US sulfur dioxide program covers only 3,000, and the value of the allowances is about $80 billion as opposed to $4 billion. Perhaps most striking, the EU ETS operates internationally. Allowances are traded by facilities in 27 independent nations that form a loose federal union and differ widely in per capita income, market experience, institutional background, and other features."
In contrast to the fears of critics, the economic effects of the CO2 cap-and-trade system have not been large. "Changes have occurred in certain industries, but the notion that the carbon price would wreck the overall economy is clearly disproved for the European system, which for a long time had a high price compared to what was expected. Even though reducing emissions was not the primary focus of the three-year trial, carbon reductions were in fact achieved, with minimal macroeconomic impact."
The report also counters the argument of those who believe that "... the EU method of allocating free allowances to polluting facilities is morally wrong. But an emissions-control policy is more likely to succeed if those most affected—the current polluters—are given some assets along with the liabilities they are being asked to assume."
Finally, MIT issues the reminder that "Perhaps the main message for policy makers is that everything does not have to be perfectly in place to start up." This cogent idea seems to be a major stumbling block for politicians, activists, and others who demand perfection in new programs while ignoring the vast imperfections in current systems.
I love the scientific solemnity and unintended humor of the statement, "In 2000, leaders in the EU realized that they would not be able to meet their obligations under the Kyoto Protocol, which take effect in 2008, without taking action.""
-- Bill Brown
www.nmglobalwarming.org
follow link above to SCIENCE DAILY article "European System for Cutting Carbon Dioxide Emissions Is Working Well"
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from TouchArt.net and OneEarthBlog.blogspot.comToday's good Green News from our friend Bill Brown up in Taos, New Mexico at... more
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Two idiots argue over the fugees bob dylan bob marley jimi hendrix 2001 rich boy/
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from TouchArt.net and OneEarthblog.blogspot.comTwo idiots argue over the fugees bob dylan bob marley jimi hendrix 2001 rich boy/... more
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War worldwide tops the headlines.
People call for peace.
Activists remind us there can only be peace if we work for justice.
Ask where the violence begins.
Too often violence begins at home.
The violence of adults makes a devastating impact on children.
Peace begins at home.
Lao Tze said "If you want peace in the world, Make peace at home, in the family and in your own soul.
Be peace.
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from TouchArt.net and OneEarthBlog.blogspot.comWar worldwide tops the headlines.
People call for peace.
Activists remind us... more
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For Memorial Day 2008, TouchArt.net's Charleen Touchette
talks about war and its immeasurable costs to the world.
Touchette, a mother of 4 adult children asks us to stop war
and work for peace and justice.
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from TouchArt.net and OneEarthblog.blogspot.comFor Memorial Day 2008, TouchArt.net's Charleen Touchette
talks about war and its... more
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April 30, 2008
Greetings from Owe Aku, the traditional Lakota (Sioux) organization advocating for Lakota peoples’ human, ecological and treaty rights from a proactive grassroots perspective. Owe Aku, on behalf of our communities and allies, is very pleased and humbled to express our gratitude for recent developments regarding the protection of our sacred Mother Earth. The United States Federal Atomic Licensing Board (ALB) has granted Owe Aku the opportunity to put forth its arguments why Crow Butte Resources, Inc. should not be allowed to expand their current mining interests in northwestern Nebraska.
“Petitioners Debra White Plume, the organizations Owe Aku/Bring Back the Way and the Western Nebraska Resources Council are admitted as parties in this proceeding and their Requests for Hearing and Petitions to intervene are granted…”
The land and water that Canadian-based Cameco/Crow Butte Resources, Inc. is trying to access is traditional Lakota treaty territory under the 1868 and 1851 Fort Laramie treaties. The 1868 Ft. Laramie treaty has been acknowledged as legal and binding by the United States Supreme Court (1980) and the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Treaties (2000). In filing its petition with the NRC, Owe Aku submitted the treaty issue as a relevant part of the discussion along with the recently passed Declaration on the Rights of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, relying on provisions regarding Indigenous peoples’ rights to traditional land and resources, and free, prior, & informed consent. Prior to its decision yesterday, on January 16, 2008 the NRC sent a three judge panel to Nebraska to hear oral arguments and specifically requested additional information on the treaties and the UN Declaration on Indigenous Rights. Although the ALB, in its written decision, mentioned the issue of international human rights and treaty law by stating they need not rely on these assertions for this particular decision, an entire section of their Memorandum and Order was dedicated to just that.
Debra White Plume, an organizer and strong force behind this action, stated:
“We are very, very happy about this decision. Now that Owe Aku and the Western Nebraska Resources Council has been granted “standing,” the Oglala Sioux Tribe, our traditional elders and chiefs from the treaty council and others will now be able to join the case. It was their blessing and encouragement that helped us in this EARLY victory, WHICH IS BASICALLY FIGHTING FOR OUR RIGHT TO FIGHT FOR OUR RIGHTS. In this work we do what we have to protect our sacred water and our future generations.”
CONTACT: Kent Lebsock, Owe Aku Intl Human Rights and Justice Program iamkent@verizon.net
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from TouchArt.net and OneEarthBlog.blogspot.com via our friend Agnes Fay who reminds us that "Knowing standing by is innocent."
April 30, 2008
Greetings from Owe Aku, the traditional Lakota (Sioux) organization... more
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More environmental wisdom from our friend Bill Brown in Taos, New Mexico at www.nmglobalwarming.org
"Greetings, All -- Former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair offers a commentary on impending legislation on climate change to be debaed beginning next week in the U.S. Congress.
Blair makes two hugely important points:
Vast and growing global economic, social and political problems with continued use of obsolescent, inefficient, globally polluting fossil fuels provides our global community abundant "...reasons to act irrespective of concern for the atmosphere."
"There will be no consequential action on climate change unless there is a global deal..." and such a deal is dependent upon (and entirely possible) with USA leadership in technological and policy innovation.
-- Bill Brown
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/28/AR2008052802915.html?hpid=opinionsbox1
Washington Post
Leading On Climate Change
How Action in Congress Can Move the World
By Tony Blair
Thursday, May 29, 2008; A19
The climate change bill that senators are to begin debating next week is a hugely important signal of intent on behalf of U.S. legislators. Yes, negotiations could still alter the legislation. But the bill's core proposition is correct: Unless the United States radically reduces its greenhouse gas emissions, along with other major emitters, the damage to the climate will be irreversible.
Radical reduction is unlikely to happen through voluntary action alone. Measures in the bill, through a mandatory cap-and-trade scheme, would reduce emissions 70 percent from 2005 levels by 2050. These cuts would be based on a carbon market incentive system that moves with the grain of action around the globe.
Over the past few years, the debate on climate change has shifted profoundly. The scientific consensus that human activity is causing global warming has become overwhelming. The effect of unabated climate change is shocking and, as was shown by the report of Sir Nicholas Stern -- the first authoritative study of the economics of climate change, commissioned by the British government in 2006 -- it is far riskier economically to ignore climate change than to act to abate it.
New environmental technologies, in fact, already drive a multibillion-dollar industry. Last year, an estimated $148 billion was invested in clean-energy technologies, companies and projects, a 60 percent increase from 2006.
Round the planet, people are developing exciting technologies, changing their behavior and agitating for action so that responsibility on the environment will come in a way that is consistent with necessary economic growth.
Meanwhile, fears over energy security create a synergy with the climate debate. With oil above $130 a barrel, there are reasons to act irrespective of concern for the atmosphere. Reducing carbon dependency also goes to the heart of our basic security needs for the future. I have long thought that energy policy is only a small way behind defense in terms of strategic importance to our way of life...."
Read entire article at link.
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from TouchArt.net and OneEarthBlog.blogspot.com for Earth Day 2008
More environmental wisdom from our friend Bill Brown in Taos, New Mexico at... more
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New Mexico is becoming a model state for “green” business development and practice.
More green news from Bill Brown at www.nmglobalwarming.org
Via your friends at TouchArt Ltd.
www.touchart.net www.myspace.com/touchartbooksNew Mexico is becoming a model state for “green” business development and... more
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