Gates Speaks on Energy

Bill Gates recently spoke at the Department of Energy’s Energy Innovation Summit, in Seattle, Washington.  During his presentation, Gates addressed the matter of the US government’s funding to alternative energy research and development.  His concern is that “funding for energy [research] in the US is underfunded by a factor of two.” 

In 2010, the US government spent about $5 billion on energy research.  On the other hand, the US government spent $30 billion for medical research, and over $80 billion for defense research and development.  A continuation of underfunding will slow the development and progress of alternative energy growth in the US.

Source:

http://news.sciencemag.org/scienceinsider/2012/02/bill-gates-on-insanity-and-energy.html?ref=em

Interested in teaching your students more about energy? Check out SSR's Vol 41 DVD, episodes Energy – Understanding Hydroelectric Power, Energy – Transforming Renewable Resources Part I & II.  If your school would like to receive this free resource, visit http://www.ssrvideo.com/nhcmsp.html.   

Interested in speaking to students about energy? E-mail Fallon@ssrvideo.com

Cargill Exceeding Energy Standards

In an effort to meet the Chicago Climate Exchange’s required 6% annual greenhouse gas reduction target, Cargill has announced that it has reduced emissions at its US facilities by 11%.  Cargill, long-time sponsor of SCIENCE SCREEN REPORT, credits this progress to reductions that have taken place at its US facilities over the recent years. 

At its beef and pork processing plants, Cargill captures 20 to 25% of its methane emissions to use as fuel.  For two consecutive years, Cargill's corn milling plants have earned the US environmental protection agency's energy star symbol.  At this rate, Cargill is successfully making progress toward its 2015 environmental sustainability goals.  

Interested in teaching your students more about Energy? Check out SSR's Vol 41 DVD, episode Energy – Transforming Renewable Resources Part 1 and 2.  If your school would like to receive this free resource, visit http://www.ssrvideo.com/nhcmsp.html.   

Interested in speaking to students about Energy? E-mail Fallon@ssrvideo.com

Source:

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/11/02/4025098/cargill-reduces-ghg-emissions.html

The Power of the Ocean

The alternative energy industry is quickly growing.  As the costs of oil climbs, governments look to renewable resources to power homes, businesses, and vehicles.  Not one to shy away from showing off its ever-present power, the ocean is now among one of the many resources being tapped for alternative energy. 

Recently, the Air Force Academy constructed and tested a 1:300 scale wave tank and converter (capable of converting ocean wave power into electrical power).   Ultimately, researchers were able to obtain 99% efficiency from the converter.  The principal researcher, Stefan Siegel, believes a full sized unit will work in a real world setting.  The academy will conduct a 1:10 scale test at Texas A&M’s wave tank facility, one of the largest in the world. 

 

Simultaneously, Ocean Power Technologies (OPT) is working with the Navy to produce PowerBuoys that use a hydraulic pump (activated by the bobbing of the buoy in the wave) to power a generator linked to the power grid.  The buoy is capable of producing enough energy to provide electricity to 25 homes.  Proponents for wave energy tout the constant power production of the ocean, unlike the unpredictable wind and the ever setting sun. 

 

http://cnn.com/video/?/video/international/2010/02/25/earth.frontiers.hawaii.wave.bk.a.cnn

http://blogs.forbes.com/williampentland/2011/02/27/air-force-perfects-ocean-power/