Tag Archive for Paul Gipe

March 2014 News Stories

screen capture of the top of our new home page!

screen capture of the top of our new home page!

Ok, I can now reveal a complete revamp of our main website as seen here!

Check it out at allourenergy.com
It is still not 100% done, its a work in progress and several features are being finished right now.
I doubt the word “done” will ever come to mind in relation to it, as I hope for it to always grow, change and remain fresh…

As you are one our core followers, I’d like any input you may have to help advance our outreach to the general public, businesses, orgs, politicians and others to create conversations, and help ignite interest, expand knowledge and inspire action to bring about the clean energy revolution.

 

other important and topical news items:

 
New York State Energy Plan Hearings
Yours truly attended the hearings on New York’s energy plan at SUNY Farmingdale on March 3, 2014.
In my debut, I actually signed up and spoke about it to the State representatives and made the case that the energy plan needs better vision and paths to achieve more renewable energy.
I believe this is showing TONIGHT- March 17 at 9:30 or 10:30 PM on Cablevision Channel 20 with additional footage Thursday March 20 at 3PM and 4PM as well.

 

 

As oil and gas interests and conservative media here exploit the crisis in Crimea to call for more fracking, pipelines, LNG Ports etc.(and express their infatuation with and admiration for ruthless, democracy hating, shirtless Dictators),
The European Wind Energy Association reminded them and everyone else that though he can mess with their fossil fuel supplies, Vladamir Putin Can’t Shut down their Wind Energy!!

 
Up For Climate! 31 Senators insisted on making the case for action on global Climate Change by speaking all night about it. Thanks to our Senators Schumer and Gillibrand plus Senators Booker of NJ, Warren and Markey of MA, Sanders Of VT, Blumenthal and Murphy of CT, and from NH Shaheen and Whitehouse who led the charge on Up For Climate!
 
The state by state Roadmap to 100% renewable energy by 2050
 

Last days for high school students to register for the EmPower Solar Student contest 2014
Winners go to Solar Decathlon 2014. in Versailles France!

US Natural gas fail 2014. right when they needed it, windpower saved the day as natural gas came up short.
Paul Gipe serves em up like few can.
 
Charting Offshore Wind’s Next Course
bits and pieces from the recent Boston area offshore wind conference
 
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some promising news on the wave energy front:
World’s largest wave energy project could supply 62.5 megawatts at peak power
 
Overreliance on Natural Gas: Risky for the climate and the economy
“More natural gas is a bridge to a warmer world”
 
Wind Energy Economic and Environmental so many outright lie op eds out there, most from actual paid lobbyists, so here’s a good one that fights back from Maine, where wind energy makes headway against tiny but well funded and even better connected opposition, in a place where wind energy is a “no brainer”.
 
have you got stories, experiences or thoughts to share? let us know. after all, YOU are All Our Energy!

All Our Energy November 2013 News Roundup

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There have been some great stories shared on social media, id like to share with you:

first:
please join me at the Third annual Long Island offshore wind conference Wednesday November 13, 2013:
Offshore Wind Power for New York: Reaching America’s Next Clean Energy Frontier

anyone can attend. If you can not and have questions, please let me know and I will try to get you answers!

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Related News:
Giving preference to offshore wind projects with direct community benefits: A new model for encouraging utility-scale community-based renewable energy projects?

and

Community Benefits of Offshore Wind

other news:

The usually fossil fuel-oriented International Energy Agency (IEA), says fossil fuel tax breaks ARE subsidies.
Wind Guru Paul Gipe explains:

and

Ivanpah Concentrated Solar Project Goes Pop

Congratulations to my neighbors Pete and Leah who just went solar, too!

Also, I am in the initial formative stages, working on a project for a big local event… stay tuned.

Wind Power in the Land of Sun and Fun

The VAWT at Blue Water Terrace. Not Operating at time of picture.

The VAWT at Blue Water Terrace. St. Croix US Virgin Islands. Not Operating at time of picture.

I just had to report on a recent personal trip to St. Croix, US Virgin Islands.

I immediately noticed with much pleasure the number of wind turbines that have gone up since I had been there last. In a place where independence is a necessity, where there’s even people living off-grid- famously at the Virgin Islands Sustainable Farm Institute, I have to give credit to these wind pioneers, trying to make it happen.

St Croix USVI south shore mini wind farm team

St Croix USVI south shore mini wind farm team

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I guess in the land of fun in the sun, without some kind of state incentives which they don’t have, -and in the face of an entirely uncooperative utility in VIWAPA (famous picture of ex Head of the utility giving a literal “thumbs down” standing in front of a wind turbine), although widely used, person after person told me solar remains too expensive. I find it hard to believe, since that is with utility electric rates around .45/kWh plus a roving fuel surcharge that so few can understand, but most say almost doubles the bill at times.  I always think it should be a no-brainer, but residents tell me otherwise.

On second time passing some of these turbines though, I found myself dismayed. For the most part the turbines are working well, but some were sitting idle, even though I was there during the famed “Christmas Winds”.

welcome home!, too bad it wasnt spinning!

welcome home!, too bad it wasnt spinning!

too close to the street, too low to catch the wind

close to the street, hopefully not too low to catch the wind

VAWT in the valley

opposite view shows the layout.

I can only surmise that all the ones not spinning are purposely shut off for some reason (?)

I Hope so! Maybe they were just away for the holidays. I do have to say the majority of wind turbines I saw were spinning away, pumping out the kilowatt hours. You have to know by now I love the look of that!

South shore Spinnin'

South shore Spinnin’!

 

These vertical axis wind turbines are still somewhat “experimental”, are derided by wind enthusiasts unless they meet strict “lift” versus “drag” aerodynamic concepts, many are prone to “amateur situations”. The one pictured below was cranking, I wonder what the output is.

Drive on the left....VAWT cranking on the right.

Drive on the left….VAWT was cranking on the right.

I must recommend everyone to (please!) read Paul Gipe’s Wind Power or Paul Gipe’s Wind Energy Basics, before even looking into a wind turbine.
It’s pretty simple : a $20-30 investment to help figure out if you are going to make a mistake or just make the mistake for $5,000-15,000. 

When I think of those turbines not spinning, I wonder if, sometime in the near future,  we going to see ads on Craigslist-US Virgin Islands for “hardly used wind turbines”?

I hope not, I’d rather see those up and running. I guess I’ll keep my eyes peeled, and definitely let me know if you hear anything!

The Election’s Over: So Now What?

it’s time to get off the fence… take a minute to put your voice behind these renewable energy political motions!

 

 The Election’s Over: So Now What?

 

 
Our take on the election:

I haven’t heard the full total yet, but at last count this summer big oil, coal, and dirty energy had spent in excess of $180 million and by election day had ramped that up to over $270 million spent on this year’s Presidential and Congressional races.. and LOST on many actual ballots. 

In fact, they may have helped galvanize voters against their repugnant fossil-fuels-at-all-costs agenda. A must-read article here from Rebecca Leber at Think Progress discusses WHY, instead of just letting “you decide” with only innuendo, fear and half-truths to go on: Analysis: Why Voters Didn’t Buy TV Attack Ads From Fossil Fuel Interests.

Truth will out, as the Brits say.

That is, unless you count the costs their anti-renewables campaign contributions got them:

  • their bought and paid for witch hunts that made Solyndra a household name and all renewable energy implied as the same, causing a cascade of other failures.
  • putting an end to the measly, yet effective, Production Tax Credit (PTC)
  • help to brainwash “low information voters” as Bill Maher calls them, convinced they don’t benefit from a cheaper, cleaner, renewable resource
  • the idea that giving RE government support, as in tax break “subsidies”, even if only a microscopic percentage of what dirty energy gets, is a “boondoggle”!!  I’ve gotta admit I love that word, it tells me instantaneously I’m dealing with one of the powerwashed!

Well, just because the party less antagonistic to renewable energy was re-elected and gained seats, doesn’t mean you and we should just sit on our collective haunches…

So here’s some political action floating at the moment:

� First, one of my renewables idols, Paul Gipe, says we should be bringing president Obama’s attention to our abysmal rankings and how far we’ve fallen behind most of the free world, and many of the not so free, as well.
You can read his article here:
Now Re-elected, President Obama Should Examine US’ Renewable Rank

� I found in my inbox this great one from AWEA (American Wind Energy Association)’s Power of Wind,  where you can sign their petition to:

 Let congress know to pass the Production Tax Credit(PTC) beyond this year.

It has helped spur billions in private investment, and helps serve the country’s strategic interest. They say the PTC has been instrumental in helping the wind industry to:

• Lower the cost of wind power by more than 90%
• Manufacture components for wind turbines at nearly 500 U.S. manufacturing facilities
• Power the equivalent of 12 million American homes
• Provide 35% of all new U.S. power capacity in the past five years

� And when you finish with that, you can then directly contact your legislators and let them know that they need to get on board via email on their system.
You can do that here: Save USA Wind Jobs: Contact Congress Today!
Both took less than 30 seconds.

� Then a real grassroots campaign I’ve picked up from my local Sierra Club :
a petition to Pres. Obama, for the establishment of a National Energy Policy based on renewable wind and solar power, and help for us to End Our Fossil fuel Addiction. “

also took less than 30 seconds.
I LOVE the share options when you finish, in fact you may have been tweeted it directly from us already…

 

� Solar campaigns exist as well, here you can join the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) ‘s

Solar Power Advocacy Network

and click on this link where you can see all their pending legislation and

Legislative Agenda

and what you can do about it.

 

Or, you could just write your own state and national legislators. Feel free to share those with us. 

Oooh, getting political now, huh?   You betchya! (Sarah Palin, 2008)

So what the heck are you waiting for? get moving!

UK Bird Protection Society To Build Large Wind Turbine

Wind expert Paul Gipe has written an excellent article:
Britain’s Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Plans Large Wind Turbine (please click and read it!)

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Britain’s Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) are putting up a very large wind turbine (looks like 2 megawatt) right at their headquarters at their reserve (preserve) called ” the Lodge”.

It challenges the anti-renewable energy falsehoods and propaganda that keep saying, as Mr Gipe puts it so well;

“wind turbines are bird-dicing mega-machines and bird lovers oppose the use of wind energy.”

What a great way to confront this laughable(to the educated-unfortunately very infuriating for those duped by the lies), false information and fake environmentalism in the name of stopping renewables. That is finally being met head on by this British group who believe that

“As one of the UK’s leading environmental organisations, it is important that we play a pro-active role in leading action towards meeting national carbon reduction targets – particularly given our concern about the threat of climate change to birds and wildlife.”

A bold move in the right direction by the RSPB and we commend their taking the lead by example, to set and keep the record straight, and keep their cause from being hijacked.

Origins

 

How did this all come about?

Well, basically, it’s really windy where I live.   That’s great in July and August, when my town is 10-15 degrees cooler than the “mainland”.   The other 9-10 months of the year, it makes it quite a bit more uncomfortably cooler here than elsewhere. Best I can tell, that means I get 3 good months, 9 less-than-desirable months.  This imbalance has weighed on my thoughts, especially in the winter months, if and when I could hear myself think over the loud bluster; the virtually continuous 20-30 mile-per-hour squall that blows from Columbus Day straight through until Memorial Day, when it then moderates to what is known as a just a “fresh breeze” at about 15-20 MPH, then the cycle repeats; the cycle and its phases a continuous reminder in those thoughts. 

As I’ve grown older and less resistant to the cool weather, I kept (keep?) thinking: if I could just capture all that wind to do my bidding, I would feel like I’ve fought back against the sheer slap to the face it can be on particularly “brisk” days; maybe making it worthwhile to put up with; its untamed nature tamed by the mastery of my very impressive hand.

All joking aside, I had spent many waking (and sleeping) hours dreaming up wind power systems.

Thanks to my wonderful wife and loving son, I received a gift that would change everything: Wind Power: Renewable Energy for Home, Farm or Business by Paul Gipe.

Cover-Wind Power by Paul Gipe

Wind Power by Paul Gipe

Understand:  this book is the equivalent of the bible, when it comes to wind energy.   I was engrossed in it and devoured it quickly.  When finished, I eagerly re-read it.  I probably refer to it several times a week, or more. 

Now crushed by my new understanding that my “unbelievable” designs really were, and had been proven not viable, I went through all the phases of grief. Pulling myself together, I moved on to the concept of having my own modern version of the familiar wind turbine, to both offset my use and maybe generate some extra for cash, the book unfortunately also dashed these dreams on numerous fronts: siting, zoning, grid interconnection and how impossible it might be to actually be paid for my power generation.

Really, a fantastic, truly enlightening book; I hold no grudge.  I know to embrace the messenger.  Great is great-my dreams aside.  New dreams have arisen, this time more reality-based, thanks to Mr Gipe’s in-depth explanations and examples.

 

Cover -Wind Energy Basics by Paul Gipe

Wind Energy Basics by Paul Gipe

If you cannot make it through Wind Power and its considerable bulk, descriptions, explanations and in-depth information; all of which is highly understandable for the average person, there is another alternative:

Wind Energy Basics (2009 edition) By Paul Gipe, which is an extremely condensed version PLUS has invaluable additional information, including completely necessary, exclusive chapters about Community Wind and more. In his summary chapter, he shows how much of our electricity could easily be coming from wind (we could have had 40% of our entire country’s electricity from free wind energy right nowfor the low, low price of the Iraq War thru only 2008!); how advancing every household a wind turbine credit would actually double back it’s investment, and also how such a large percentage of wind power usage could be attained; logistically, financially, and what it would mean economically for our country.   We have what we need right now to make it happen, except real leadership.

So, what will make it happen?  

It would seem everyday people, like you and I, DECIDING to do something about it, and then following through and acting on that decision is what it is going to take.   It’s pretty obvious the people that seem to be entrusted by the public with making this happen, ARE NOT. 

The system currently in place IS NOT working.  Sadly, even the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) has set their sights VERY LOW at wind energy only being 20% of this country’s usage by 2030.    20% in 20+years, from the group that is supposed to be leading the charge?   I much prefer Mr. Gipe’s vision of 40%, including his prescription for how it can happen; that it is not just wishful thinking.     

Don’t take my word, read these books.  Spread the word.   Ask your local bookstore to carry them.  Give them as gifts.  Request them at your library.  

Since then, I have still been imagining what can be, educating myself, trying to move these thoughts forward into something tangible, real, meaningful; and will continue along this path wherever it leads.  

You can also check out Paul Gipe’s website: Wind-Works