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

Bat-proofing Wind Turbines

While wind turbines are a large benefit to generating alternative energy, they can be detrimental to animals of flight.  Bat fatalities are being recorded at record levels in wind fields, disrupting bat populations that are often slow to recover.  Researchers are now looking for solutions so bats and wind turbines can harmoniously exist.

Alternating the wind speed of turbines has been suggested as a viable alternative since bats do not fly during certain times of day, and during certain weather conditions.  Researchers have suggested alternative speeds for the turbines to spin during certain times and weather conditions, to avoid spinning during peak bat hours.  Tests have shown a 44-93% reduction in bat fatalities based on alternative turbine schedules. 

Interested in teaching your students more about bats? Check out SSR's Vol 41 DVD, episode: Ecology - Bats: Creatures of the Night.  Interested in speaking to students about bats? E-mail Fallon@ssrvideo.com

Source:

http://www.batsandwind.org/pdf/Arnett%20et%20al.%202011.pdf