The Smart Grid’s coming electric economy

The Utilities’ View of the Smart Grid

By Nick Hodge
Wednesday, December 9th, 2009

The economy of yesterday was dependent on access to cheap petroleum. The economy of tomorrow will be dependent on access to cheap, reliable electricity.

Consider this nugget of crucial information: In the 1950s, 40% of the U.S. economy relied on electricity. Today, fully two-thirds (66%) of our economy depends on it.

And we haven’t even electrified our transportation yet.

Such was the backdrop for high-level talks at GreenBeat 2009, where I had the chance to talk about the future of electricity with some of the brightest (and wealthiest) in the biz.

Last week, we took a look at Google’s perspective and entrance into the electricity arena. Today, we’ll take a look at the utility perspective.

Smart Grid and The Economy

While I heard from many venture capitalists and smart grid product providers, I must say it was a pleasure to get the utilities’ take on things. After all, when it comes to the smart grid, the utility is the customer.

The session began with a primer on the current status of the grid. Basically, we’ve been living for 100 years with grid 1.0, the electro-mechanical analog version that dumbly pushed power along……………

Full financial story at http://www.energyandcapital.com/articles/utilities-smart-grid-economy/1029?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+eacfeed+%28Energy+and+Capital%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

 

Local-food activist makes the farm-bike-sailboat connection

by Elly Blue, BikePortland

Jan Lundberg moved to Portland a year ago because it seemed like the best place to pursue his intersecting passions for food security, peak oil, bicycles, and sailing.

These passions will be coming to fruition later this month when the oil analyst’s brainchild, the Sail Transport Network, will launch into its first major, ongoing local venture. Lundberg is finalizing plans to deliver malted grain from Vancouver, Washington to a brewery further down the Columbia River by a combination of cargo bike and sailboat.

The next phase in the project will be to use the same bike-boat combination to deliver the finished product — bottles and kegs of beer — to Portland markets. (Lundberg asked that we not name the brewery until the plan is finalized.)

Part of the farm-bike-boat delivery team at last year’s Village Building Convergence on the dock at OMSI.

Lundberg intends this partnership to be the seed of a radical change in the way we transport — and think about — food.

“Just taking care of a brewery and being able to distribute some beer is not really food security,” he told us over the phone. “But what you can do is add on to this existing system with more farms, more bike carts, more sailboats, and more CSA subscribers — and that’s the way it grows.”……………

Full story at http://www.energybulletin.net/node/50938

 

Is your search killing the planet?

Is Search Killing the Planet?

Everytime you search on Google etc., you are adding to the consumption of 1% of the world’s energy

by Idris Mootee

Here is a lesser-known fact. Data centers use up tons of energy just for cooling, and in a typical data center only 40-45% of energy use is for the actual computing – the rest is used mostly for cooling down the servers. Data centers’ emissions of carbon dioxide have been running at around one third of those of airlines, but are growing 10% a year and now approach levels of entire countries such as Argentina or the Netherlands.

Apple is building its own server farm. Apple has secured a $300 million tax cut from North Carolina politicians in exchange for investing $1 billion over nine years for a so-called technology "hub." Wonder why Apple needs such a big server farm? There’s only one reason, Apple is contemplating a large-scale strategic shift to deliver multiple applications as a service on an enhanced Apple device, which I think will be entertainment related.

Back to the energy saving topic, here’s one of the greenest data centers on earth which will be housed in a massive cave beneath an orthodox Christian cathedral in Helsinki. It is a former bomb shelter carved into the rock by the fire brigade in World War Two as a refuge for city officials from Russian air raids. Excess heat from hundreds of computer servers will be captured and fed into the district’s heating network, a system of water-heated pipes used to warm homes in the city. This makes perfect sense and I don’t see why these server farms need to be in California. Should we move all our servers to Scandinavia, Northern Canada and Alaska?

 

Full story at http://www.business-strategy-innovation.com/2009/12/is-search-killing-planet.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+business-strategy-innovation+%28Blogging+Innovation+%28Hosted+by+Braden+Kelley%29%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

 

The ‘quality’ of universities and the ‘Resource Intensity of Learning’

It is impossible for us to ascertain the ‘quality’ of Universities unless we clearly understand the ’One Planet World’ we are now entering and consequently ’what they are here for’.

In this ‘One Planet World’. where resources are constrained and human resources are plentiful, Universities can only exist to ‘liberate the creativity required to enable their stakeholders to continually reduce the resource intensity of society at continually reducing resource intensity of learning’

The formation of students throughout the world is for a paradigm that no longer exists – the one of creating wealth through continuously using more resources – the paradigm universities have to educate for is one where wealth is created using fewer and fewer non-renewable resources. The one that is governed by the One Planet Equation and 1st Law of Sustainability, which states

‘In a resource constrained environment, goods and services can only grow at the rate at which they can be reduced beyond that required to balance the One Planet Equation’

note – we also have to recognise that many ‘renewable resources’ are not renewable at exponential rates of use. 

dd

http://oneplanetequation.wordpress.com/one-planet-equation/

http://oneplanetequation.wordpress.com/about/

http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html 

Review to judge ‘quality’ of universities

 

By David Turner, Education Correspondent

Published: December 7 2009 13:39 | Last updated: December 7 2009 13:39

Lord Browne’s review of student funding has broadened into a wide-ranging inquiry into the standard of England’s universities and how well they are serving the economy.

The government-appointed panel on Monday asked for evidence on the overall quality of higher education, seeking to answer the question: “Does the higher education system provide the quality and academic standards that students, employers and national economic needs require?”

The review’s decision to take a broader view of the university sector, rather than concentrate narrowly on student funding, could result in a politically explosive document when it reports after the next general election. Debate over the quality of degrees at English universities has intensified in recent months, particularly after a parliamentary committee raised questions about standards in August.

The Browne review’s focus on the economic payback of degrees will also raise hackles among academics and student leaders. Many argue that ministers have become excessively fixated with universities’ role in the economy, rather than their broader benefits to civilisation.

Full article at http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d1b5a4b6-e331-11de-b965-00144feab49a.html

 

Reserves are bunk

Sunday, December 06, 2009

Henry Ford is famous for having once said, “History is more or less bunk.” He was, in fact, attacking tradition in an age of rapid technological and social change. Almost a century later we have a less ambitious observation which may not achieve the broad visceral appeal of Ford’s statement, but one which may turn out to have a good deal of importance, to wit: Oil and natural gas reserve numbers are more or less bunk.

Let me introduce you to B. J. Doyle, vice president of operations for a small Houston-based oil and natural gas exploration company. Doyle’s views on the oil and gas business have been on display for more than a year now at The Oil Drum, a site famous for its technical prowess and breadth of coverage when it comes to energy-related issues. On the site Doyle goes by the moniker Rockman, and through his frequent comments he has been trying to educate readers about the realities of the oil and gas business.

Now, he didn’t actually say that oil and natural gas reserve numbers are more or less bunk. Nevertheless, that is a fair summary of what he told me when I spoke with him recently. To understand why an insider would cast aspersions on this sacred metric of the oil and gas industry, you need to know two things. First, Doyle doesn’t have to please shareholders. The company he works for is privately held. Second, reserve numbers are meaningless unless they are indexed to a price.

Doyle began his explanation with a seemingly astounding statement: “One of the things we’re least interested in is the amount of oil and gas that we are going to produce.” How can this possibly be true? It turns out that the oil and gas industry uses a method common to nearly every modern business enterprise to evaluate its investments, namely, net present value analysis or NPV.

The concept is actually simple. If you have the choice of receiving $1,000 now or $1,000 three years from now, naturally you’d take the $1,000 today. That’s because of what is called the time value of money. If you can invest the $1,000 today, say, in a bank CD, you can at least earn some interest in the next three years. Also, if you were foolish enough to wait for your money, inflation might undermine the purchasing power of that $1,000. The inflation calculator at the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that it would take $1,072 in 2009 to equal the purchasing power of $1,000 received in 2006……………

Full story at http://resourceinsights.blogspot.com/2009/12/reserves-are-bunk.html

 

Book Review: thinking in circles about obesity

 

Submitted by Denise Reynolds RD on Dec 4th, 2009

With the obesity problem one of the centers of attention in the United States today, experts call for improved education for both public and private organizations as the first step to combat the issue.

Tarek Hamid has written an engaging, lively book that conveys information about the basic science of weight loss that appeals both to healthcare professionals and educated general consumers. In “Thinking in Circles about Obesity: Applying Systems Thinking to Weight Management”, he presents a novel approach to addressing the obesity problem.

Although most Americans are knowledgeable about foods, labels, and calories, we are still gaining weight in spite of good intentions. “Thinking in Circles about Obesity” applies critical thinking and information technology to bring insight and practical strategies for managing weight and health. Hamid provides insight on how to dispel a dieter’s unrealistic expectations and point out those dead-end behaviors that derail weight loss goals.

The book is ideal for schools, structured business environments and public policy organizations to communicate prevention and provide innovative tools for:
• Understanding why diets almost always fall short of our expectations.
• Assessing weight gain, loss, and goals with greater accuracy.
• Abandoning one-size-fits-all solutions in lieu of personal solutions that do fit.
• Replacing outmoded linear thinking with feedback systems thinking.
• Getting the most health benefits from information technology.
•Making behavior and physiology work in sync instead of in opposition.

Dr. Tarek Hamid PhD is an MIT-trained system dynamicist with expertise in human metabolism and energy regulation. He is a professor of system dynamics at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.

The paperback, published November 2009, retails for $27.50, and is available through Springer Publications or Amazon.com.

From http://www.emaxhealth.com/1506/172/34688/book-review-thinking-circles-about-obesity.html

 

The parallels of the ‘Toyota Production System’ and sustainability

 

 

By Presidio Buzz | December 4th, 2009

The Toyota Production System has garnered praise and accolades not only in the realm of automobile manufacturing, but in the realm of operational efficiency. Similar to how individuals interested in sustainable business focus on the the 3P’s, the triple or integrative bottom line of People, Planet, and Profits, the underlying elements of the Toyota Production System can be summarized in the 4P’s: Philosophy, Process, People & Partners, and Problem Solving. The 4P’s are at the heart of what Toyota wants to be culturally. Furthermore, there is much crossover in the fundamental framework of the Toyota Production System and Sustainability. On another note, the visible actions of Toyota are not the core of the Toyota Production System. As Stevens and Kent state, “Toyota does not consider any of the tools or practices – such as kanbans or andon cords, which so many outsiders have observed and copied – as fundamental to the Toyota Production System.” Rather, it’s the underlying cultural framework of the Toyota Production System that enables Toyota to outperform western production methods.

Philosophy: Think and Act for the Long-Term

Toyota’s philosophy encourages thinking and acting for the long-term. Management decisions are based on the long-term philosophy, even at the expense of short-term financial gains. This philosophy is the essence of sustainability – causal thinking and action today, for the benefit of generations to come. When Toyota first launched Lexus, there were only 2 complaints over defective wiring and an overheating brake light. Rather than resolving just the 2 complaints, Toyota took the initiative, not to mention the short term financial hit, of recalling all 8000 Lexus LS400s. In turn for the long-term, Toyota built a reputation of standing behind the quality of their product. For Toyota, the production line goes beyond the confines of the factory today, but to the satisfaction of the customer tomorrow……………..

Full Story http://www.triplepundit.com/2009/12/the-parallels-of-the-toyota-production-system-and-sustainability/comment-page-1/

 

Boiling Point: what to do about looming water shortages?

By Ana Campoy

When world leaders meet next week in Copenhagen to talk about climate change and the fate of the planet, there will be one big, liquid elephant in the room: water shortage.

The problem could be as big as global warming: If the world doesn’t change the way it uses water, humanity will face a major shortfall by 2030, McKinsey said in a recent report. That’s a deficit of about 40% less water than what would be needed.

Drought is already ravaging places such as east Africa, with dying crops and cattle and hungry people. California’s water woes aren’t quite as extreme, but shortages have prompted higher prices and rationing.

Unlike worries about possible electricity shortages—which are already wracking policy makers from Capetown to Copenhagen—the specter of water shortages threatens more than just modern conveniences. “You can live without television, without a car, without a bicyle, without extra clothes. You can’t live without water,” says Margaret Catley-Carlson, chair of the World Economics’ Forum Global Agenda Council and a longtime water-conservation advocate.

Yet few policy makers are talking, never mind doing, much about the impending water debacle, the McKinsey report notes…………….

Full Story at http://blogs.wsj.com/environmentalcapital/2009/12/03/boiling-point-what-to-do-about-looming-water-shortages/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wsj%2Fenvironmentalcapital%2Ffeed+(WSJ.com%3A+Environmental+Capital+-+WSJ.com)&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

 

Energy bills could rise to more than £2,000, says Ofgem

 

UK Peak Energy Demand May Outstrip Supply Capabilities By 2017: Douglas-Westwood

John Westwood, chairman of Douglas-Westwood, said: “The rising amounts of required energy capacity will place considerable pressure on the UK economy, the entire energy supply chain and it is the consumer who will ultimately have to pay the price of indecision.

“Considering successive governments have had 30 years notice of the present serious decline of UK oil & gas supplies and full knowledge of generation plant lifetimes there is no excuse for allowing the development of the pending problem. A balance will need to be struck quickly between energy security, the intermittent nature of renewable energy generation, climate change mitigation targets and potentially volatile public opinion.”

See http://fossilfuel.energy-business-review.com/news/uk_peak_energy_demand_may_outstrip_supply_capabilities_by_2017_douglaswestwood_091202/

 

Energy bills could rise to more than £2,000, says Ofgem

Rowena Mason and Harry Wallop, The Telegraph

Alistair Buchanan, the chief executive of Ofgem, just two months after predicting bills could increase by 60 per cent by 2016, has now admitted he had not been gloomy enough.

Speaking at a House of Commons Energy select committee he said Ofgem had look again at its findings after energy companies told the regulator that it may have underestimated the scale of problems facing the UK.

Bills have already increased by much more than inflation, climbing from below £600 five years ago, and are now – especially for pensioners – many households’ biggest monthly cost.

Ofgem in October warned that rising demand, an increasing reliance on imports from uncertain sources, a lack of storage facilities and the fact Britain had too many ageing coal-fired power stations, would force up bills by between 14 per cent and 60 per cent above inlfation by 2020.
In the worst case scenario, this would inmply bills would increase from the current average of £1,300 for each household to £1,950.
However, Ofgem now believes bills could go considerably higher…
(3 Dec 2009)
The original Ofgem (Office of the Gas and Electricity Markets) report can be accessed here. The Telegraph article concludes with a quote from Mr. Buchanan, “It is absolutely incumbent on us to represent clearly to consumers what it is costing them, so they fully understand what the cost is to make Britain a nicer place to live in for our children and grandchildren.” My emphasis. I leave the reader to draw his own conclusions. -KS

see http://www.energybulletin.net/node/50896

 

Managing for the Future

This presentation has received favourable reviews from around the World, Please add your comments 

download Managing the Future v1.1

Some recent comments on the Managing for the Future presentation 

“I really like your approach and material.  I was coming at this at a whole system level and looking at issues to do with individual values, group/organisational values and how this impacts on individual behaviour and the strategies and performance of the whole organisation and ultimately society.  Somehow there has to be a value change linked to a behaviour change as well as an understanding of the fundamental concepts of quality.  

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“I really liked this presentation.  I agree with most of it. What do you intend to use it for and can I pinch bits?” 

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“Best lecture outline I’ve seen recently. A very timely product you have to sell in the seminar market. 

If you are not going to use it that way and you have a paper I will get it into the ESRNZ magazine for sure. I would also use it to prod politicians around the Commonwealth via my CHEC links. 

If it is ok with you and my body allows I would like to use the presentation myself on others if the chance comes up. I have been called in at times to unhinge groups on engineering and science plus management on sustainability and ethics.”

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 I appreciated the presentation. May I use one or two of your slide examples?  (with credit) 

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 “It’s a brilliant synthesis and rather than whinge and worry about climate change (etc), it shows a way forward. With a potential for international agreement on our response for climate change, the time for this is ripe politically, if overdue environmentally or economically.  Perhaps some political focus following an agreement (or otherwise) would make it timely.” 

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“Had had a quick glance – and I like what I saw – but am under too much pressure pre Copenhagen – saving the world! to comment further just now, I will follow up soon”  Local Governments for Sustainability, UN www.iclei.org 

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