US Militarys Green Oil Saving Ideas

U.S. military, Ask America voters see green future

AFP – A hybrid solar-wind generator by Solar Stik, a company that makes portable renewable energy systems, …

By Torrey AndersonSchoepe torrey Andersonschoepe – Sat Oct 16, 10:35 am ET

Improving energy efficiency has become a top priority for Pentagon brass as insurgents increase attacks on oil convoys in Iraq and Afghanistan. Officials say the U.S. military's dependence on oil has proven to be a dangerous liability, costing billions of dollars and the lives of those who supply and transport it.

The military's push to go green could also impact the domestic energy agenda. Military research and development has lead to technological breakthroughs before, including the computer network predecessor to the Internet.

Informal polling in the Yahoo! News Ask America forum indicates that most Americans want to see a wider variety of energy sources. We asked if people thought the U.S. should invest more to spur a green tech revolution at home. Of the 26,000 people who responded, 67 percent voted yes.

But military leaders say they're trying to go green to save lives. Six Marines have been wounded while guarding fuel convoys in the past three months, and a 2009 Army report found that for every 24 convoys delivering fuel to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, one soldier or civilian was killed in the process.

Attacks on trucks bringing fuel to NATO troops in Afghanistan earlier this month highlighted how vulnerable the convoys can be. Dozens of trucks were destroyed and thousands left stranded as Pakistani officials shut down the Khyber Pass — the suppliers' main route to coalition bases.

While a comprehensive energy bill has been put on the back burner in Congress, the military is making renewable power a priority for sensitive areas of deployment around the world.

The Ask America van arrived Saturday in Santa Fe, part of the Southwest region in the U.S. that promises to lead the way in solar energy. We've been collecting peoples' thoughts on energy and the environment through the Yahoo! News informal polling forum. With nearly 300,000 responses in this category, it seems most people would like to see a wider variety of energy sources on the mainland as well.

With energy legislation in a congressional logjam, can the U.S. military lead the way to a green revolution?

Top military and civilian officials met at the Pentagon this week to discuss different ways to improve energy efficiency .

"We're not going green just for green's sake," Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, a former ambassador to Saudi Arabia, said at one of the panel discussions at the Pentagon, according to AFP. "Energy reform…is about protecting the lives of our troops. It's about making our country more secure and more independent. That's why we are doing this, that's why we have to change."

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Mabus says he wants the Navy and Marines to be using 50 percent renewable energy by 2020.

The military has already made some advances in using more renewable energy technology in its efforts to go green. According to The New York Times, the Air Force's entire fleet will be certified to fly on biofuels by next year and has already done test flights using a fuel mix that is 50 percent plant-based biofuel and 50 percent jet fuel.

Researchers for CNA's Military Advisory Board argue in a recent study that "By harnessing the leadership characteristics inherent in its military culture, leveraging its organizational discipline, fine-tuning technology development and energy acquisition processes...[the Defense Department] can be a key player in moving America forward in the clean energy technology revolution."

On an organizational level, the Pentagon has created a new office for the Defense Department's Operational Energy Plans and Programs. Sharon Burke, the director of the new office, will come up with a strategy by the end of the year to meet the Pentagon's goals for increased energy efficiency.

Ask America users seem to also want more energy efficiency outside the military. The forum's "Energy and Environment" section addresses many alternative energy options, including high-speed rails, wind farms, solar energy, nuclear power and electric cars. Each of these questions had a majority of 70 percent or more in favor of developing these parts of the industry.

But that's not to say that people want to abandon oil altogether. Fifty-five percent of responses to a question on oil versus alternative energy said they still want to see oil drilling continue while we develop other sources of renewable energy.

Most comments on both sides of the issue echoed the sentiment of Yahoo! user Shane S, who commented: "Keep drilling to keep oil prices down and keep us off mid-east oil. But we need to invest in clean energy for long-term growth and environmental health."

User Bradley continued in that vein saying, "'Clean Energy Now' is at least a decade away. In the meantime, let's drill our own oil, providing jobs here."

One user, R, who says he works in the industry commented: "The push toward new cleaner energy creates jobs and makes the world a better place to live. That's a win-win."

What do you think? Cast your vote now.

Keep up with Ask America: Follow our "video ninja" on the Ask America blog and on Twitter: http://twitter.com/askamericavan.

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Scott's Contracting
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Financially Fit Home > Easy Energy Saving Solutions

10 Energy-Efficient Moves to Do in a Weekend

Pat Esswein
Friday, October 15, 2010

With winter approaching, why not give these 10 DIY weekend projects a try? They range in price from $10 to no more than $250 -- money you should easily recoup with improved efficiency or when you go to sell your home. You'll be saving cash and going green at the same time.

1. Replace Your Showerhead

Estimated Time: 15 minutes
Estimated Cost: $10 to $60

Install a new WaterSense-labeled showerhead, and you could save more than 2,300 gallons of water annually, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Using less hot water will cut your energy bills, and your local utilities may provide a rebate, too. EPA vouches that models labeled WaterSense still provide a satisfying shower.

Your showerhead is a water-waster if it fills a gallon bucket in 20 seconds. To find out how much water and money you could save in your home with water-saving improvements, use the calculator at EPA.gov.

2. Add Aerators to Your Faucets

Estimated Time: About 5 minutes per faucet
Estimated Cost: $2 to $10

You can save another 500 gallons of water annually simply by replacing a standard aerator, which delivers more than 2.5 gallons per minute, with a low-flow one, with a flow of 0.5 to 1 gallon per minute. The low-flow aerators will cut water and energy usage while maintaining adequate water pressure. Unsure whether your faucets are water wasters? Put a quart container under the sink faucet and let 'er flow. If the container fills in less than five seconds, get busy.

In the kitchen you might want greater flow, say 2 to 4 gallons per minute, for filling a pot or the sink.

3. Install a Water-Efficient Toilet

Estimated Time: One hour
Estimated Cost: $200 or more

EPA estimates that a family of four that replaces a home's older toilets with WaterSense-labeled models will, on average, can save more than $90 annually on their water bill and $2,000 over the toilet's lifetime.

Concerned about performance? Read the rave reviews of the American Standard Cadet 3 high-efficiency toilet ($198) at Home Depot. For example, "... easy to install and flushes like no tomorrow. You hit that handle, your problems disappear." For how to install tips Bob Vila can help you. If you still don't feel comfortable, you can always hire a contractor for about $150.

4. Switch to CFLs

Estimated Time: 15 minutes
Estimated Cost: $2 to $15 for specialty bulbs

As the days get shorter, you'll keep on the lights longer. Now's a good time to switch from traditional incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs). Energy-Star qualified CFLs use 75% less energy and last up to 10 times longer than incandescents.

Start with your five most frequently used fixtures and you can save more than $65 annually. Don't forget about your hardest-to-reach locations, too. Don't want to climb a ladder? Use the Bayco 11-foot Light Bulb Changer ($20).

5. Install a Programmable Thermostat

Estimated Time: A half hour
Estimated Cost: $25 to $250

With a programmable thermostat you can preset temperatures for your home that will automatically reduce heating and cooling when you don't need it as much. Energy Star says an average household can save about $180 annually on their energy bills by properly setting their programmable thermostat and maintaining those settings.

This is a low-voltage wiring installation that will involve 2 to 10 wires. If you don't feel comfortable following the instructions, a heating-and-air-conditioning contractor will probably charge you $75 to $150 for installation

6. Build or Install an Insulated Attic Hatch

Estimated Time: Several hours
Estimated Cost: $30 if DIY; $30 to $240 for ready-made models

If your attic entry is uninsulated your home gains heat in summer and loses it in winter, jacking up your energy bills.

You also have your choice of several, ready-made products. Check out: Battic Door Home Energy Conservation Products, The Energy Guardian Kits, the Attic Tent and the Draft Cap.

7. Stop Chimney Drafts

Estimated Time: 15 minutes
Estimated Cost: $55 for ready-made draftstopper

Even with the damper closed, in winter your home's heated air goes up the chimney and in summer hot outdoor air comes down. When you're not using it your fireplace, plug the flue with a chimney balloon like the Draftstopper from Battic Door Energy Conservation Products.

For a really cheap alternative, you can make one out of an old seat cushion or a pillow placed in a heavy plastic bag. Stuff the cushion into the flue and tie a long tail to it, so you don't forget about it the next time you make a fire.

8. Drain Sediment From Your Water Heater

Estimated Time: 15 minutes
Estimated Cost: $0

To ensure your water heater's performance and longevity, drain it annually to get rid of accumulated sediment -- sand, minerals or other non-soluble stuff that settles at the bottom of the tank. A good tip-off that you need to do this? The heater sounds like a coffee pot, making bubbling or burping noises.

The basic strategy: Attach a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the rank and run it outdoors or to a utility tub.

9. Replace Your Washing Machine Hoses

Estimated Time: 10 minutes
Estimated Cost: $10 to $20

Washing machine hoses don't last forever, regardless of the material they're made from -- reinforced rubber of stainless-steel reinforced (even those touted as "burst-proof"). A broken one can deluge your home with hundreds of gallons of water per hour, and your homeowners insurance probably won't cover the flood.

Check the hoses frequently for rusting, bulging, cracking, fraying and leaks -- signs that you should replace the hoses now. Otherwise, State Farm recommends that you replace them every three to five years. While you're at it, check the hoses leading to water heaters, dishwashers and refrigerator icemakers.

10. Add Insulating Window Treatments

Estimated Time: One hour for drapes; half hour per blind
Estimated Cost: $30 to $200 and up

You can increase your comfort and cut your energy bills this winter with thermal window coverings. Duette Architella honeycomb shades, by Hunter Douglas (from $202 per blind), is the only window covering that qualifies for the federal energy-efficiency tax credit of 30% of the cost, up to a maximum of $1,500, if you install them before December 31. The shade more than doubles the insulating value of a double-paned, low E window (when "inside mounted" and fully recessed within the window casement).

Other options: Country Curtains sells foam-backed thermal curtains and insulated liners that you can hang behind your existing curtains with heavy-duty double rods that hold curtain and liner.

--
Scott's Contracting
scottscontracting@gmail.com
http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com
http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com
scotty@stlouisrenewableenergy.com

Robin Carnahan-Election News- Invitation

On Sat, Oct 16, 2010 at 9:28 AM, Scott's Contracting <scottscontracting@gmail.com> wrote:

Recently someone asked me why I support Ms Robin Carnahan. 

My reply was- I support Ms Carnahan because:

• Mr Blunts past behavior of
1. Ear Marks,
2. reckless and wasteful spending habits,
3. Lobbying Activities create Conflict of Interest,
4. He is Part of the Reason that "Washington is Broken"
• Mr Blunt supports Big Business.

Ms Robin Carnahan I believe has very ambitious goals.  

1. She supports Renewable Energy and the Green Eco Friendly direction that is needed to reduce the USAs Fossil Fuel Dependence which will help in slowing down Climate Change.
2. She is more capable of Creating Jobs for Missouri Workers
3. Her Stance on the Issues that we are facing in Todays World are more In-Line with the Values that best represent the Majority of the People.
4. I don't believe Ms Robin Carnahan will not Sell the People of Missouri Out to the Highest Bidder as Roy Blunt has previously done.

Now on with the Last Email I received from Ms Robin Carnahan--[ I encourage everyone to Vote-- On the Issues and People involved in Making the Laws that Govern We the People.Scotty] 

Dear Scotts Contracting,

I just wrapped up the last of the only two debates we're having here in Missouri.

People have real questions about where all the candidates stand on the issues, and I think they deserve answers. They deserve to hear who we are, and what we believe.

We have serious issues facing our state, and we need a Senator dedicated to solving them. People are out of work, jobs are hard to find and we've got a culture of corruption in Washington that serves the lobbyists and the corporate special interests rather than working families.

Washington is broken, but the good news is we can fix it. My family and I have a deep and enduring commitment to the people of Missouri. It's who I am. It's who I've always been. So don't let any of the false smear attacks confuse you about that.

Thank you for all your hard work. For everything that you've done so far, and all the work you're going to do in the next 18 days. I am truly blessed to have your support.

Now let's go win.

Robin Carnahan

Paid for and authorized by Robin Carnahan for Senate

This email was sent to scottscontracting@gmail.com.

Financial Fundings Indicate Strong Confidence in Smart Grids Future

Acquisitions, Alliances, IPO's & Fundings Indicate Strong Confidence in Smart Grids Future

Posted on 10/11/2010

The financial markets tell us that major corporations have the ability to implement deals and long-term strategies now, given their large cash build up and the availability of low-cost financing. According to data compiled by Bloomberg, the 1,000 biggest companies by market value worldwide have amassed about $2.87 trillion in cash and equivalents based on their latest filings. The figure excludes financial-services firms that the market expects to be more aggressive in view of the possible tax changes in the U.S... The rate on carried interest, or the share of profits that fund executives earn as part of their compensation, is slated to rise to 20 percent in 2011 from 15 percent currently.

So with a market flush with cash and driven by the need to off-load quickly, the Elster Group took the opportunity to go for an IPO this month. The price offering of one American Depositary Shares (ADSs), four of which represent one ordinary share of Elster Group SE, was set at a price of $13.00 per ADS. On the 5th October they were trading at $14.25 per ADS. This to us looks like a successful flotation but the market was disappointed saying that it had received a luke warm reception. So can we now expect a flurry of flotation activity including the much heralded SilverSpring Networks and Landis+ Gyr offerings. We suspect that both companies that have been waiting in the wings will regard this as their cue to realise the big pay-off. In addition to this we have identified a further 7 funding arrangements this month including Nexant and Coulomb raising $43m and $15m respectively. This also sends the signal out that finance is available for investment in smart grid suppliers.

We were anticipating a flurry of acquisition deals to be announced in this month but only 5 were disclosed and the biggest of these was not a pure play smart grid deal. The largest acquisition was the purchase of the UK based Chloride Group by Emerson for the sum of $ USD1.5bn. Chloride recently announced a profit before tax of £41.4 million on sales of approximately £325 million. Although neither is a pure play smart grid company both are active in controlling electrical power. Chloride joins global product brands within Emerson Network Power. Cisco completed its acquisition of privately held Arch Rock Corporation, a pioneer in Internet Protocol-based wireless network technology for smart-grid applications. Based in San Francisco, Arch Rock should accelerate Cisco's ability to facilitate the utility industry's transition to an open and interoperable smart grid by enabling Cisco to offer a comprehensive and highly secure advanced metering infrastructure solution that is fully IP and open-standards based. Cisco have yet to make a major purchase in the smart grid business and have adopted the same strategy used when entering the security and environmental building controls businesses of buying relatively new starts with leading edge technology but little exposure to the market.

ESCO Technologies Inc. acquired Xtensible Solutions, Inc. the thought leader in Enterprise Information Management Strategy, and a leading provider of semantic-based information management and integration solutions to the utility industry worldwide. Xtensible will be included as part of ESCO's Utility Solutions Group and will be closely aligned with Aclara Software in providing best-in-class software services and products. The remaining two deals included Marvell's acquisition of the intellectual property and assets of Diseno de Sistemas en Silicio S.A. ("DS2"), a supplier of high speed semiconductor solutions for powerline communications and Constellation Energy's agreement to acquire CPower, a leading energy management and demand response provider.

Eleven alliance arrangements were announced this month and this continues the strong trend that we have seen for both the growth in this aspect of developing business opportunities and in addition the number of majors that are joining forces to deliver smart grid products and platforms. Notably Cisco and Itron have formed a strategic alliance this month that they claim will advance the transformation of the world's energy infrastructure. Together, the two will deliver a definitive 21st century Internet Protocol (IP)-based communications platform to the smart grid market.

Qualcomm have entered into an agreement to implement cellular connectivity into charging stations. The solution will allow ECOtality to use a commercial cellular network to manage its Blink brand charging station operations, transfer usage data, download firmware updates and publish availability to electric vehicle drivers in real time. Another communications inspired link up is Grid Net's collaborating with Sprint to deliver a Smart Grid solution that leverages Grid Net's software platforms to connect smart meters and smart grid routers via the Sprint 4G network. We expect more strategic alliances in this area during the next 12 months.

Schneider Electric and Verisae have joined forces on a new demand response offering called Demand Response 2.0 for commercial and industrial customers. DR 2.0 manages traditional load shedding, but also offers load shaping, which Verisae says "is the ability to adjust in real-time the dynamic nature of utility pricing and the resulting customer response. Telvent and Open Access Technology International Inc have formed a strategic alliance that integrates Telvent's advanced data acquisition and distribution management smart grid solution suite with OATI's webSmartEnergy solutions for smart grid and energy markets. This will enable utilities to balance network optimization and energy costs while maximizing regulatory, environmental, security, and customer service performance.

Elster announced that Électricité Réseau Distribution France (ERDF), a wholly owned subsidiary of the EDF Group and one of the largest electricity distribution networks in the European Union, has selected Elster to help it develop an interoperable and modular Smart Meter to support its future Smart Meter and Smart Grid initiatives. This news together with the French governments recent smart meter decree which accelerates the deployment of smart meter so that 95% of smart meters must be deployed by the end of 2016, should put a smile on the faces of the new shareholders of Elster.

Over the last 9 months we have shown that the supply side has been innovative in both developing the right technology and building the organisations that can deliver smart grid. But what about the demand side?

A report by The World Economic Forum has resolutely confirmed that smart grid is a key enabler of a worldwide low-carbon economy. However they are concerned that utilities are struggling to create the business case for smart grids as regulatory incentives often fail to provide the right incentives and reflect the low-carbon agenda. In addition they say that although global governments are increasingly viewing smart grid as a strategic infrastructure investment, poorly planned and executed pilots can set back the adoption of smart grids and negatively impact public perception. Whilst investment in a smart grid infrastructure is a no-brainer governments will have to ensure that the demand side can operate effectively because if not this business will fail to attain anything like its real potential.

Labels: ESCO , Emerson , Constellation Energy , CPower , Elster , Schneider Electric , Itron , Cisco

posted by: noreply@blogger.com

101011 :Acquisitions, Alliances, IPO's & Fundings Indicate Strong Confidence in Smart Grids Future
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Scott's Contracting
scottscontracting@gmail.com
http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com
http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com
scotty@stlouisrenewableenergy.com