Category Archives: saving energy

Wind Energy System for Consumers?

Posted by on April 9, 2012 No comments

Wind Energy System: Take Advantage of Wind

Small Wind Energy System

Small Wind Energy System

When viewing the North Sea from the sandy beaches of Holland, the sea looks deserted apart from the odd seaship. No Wind Energy system in sight.

As a matter of fact the North Sea is the busiest sea on earth. It is a busy industrial area: under the surface many pipes and cables dating back to the nineteenth century to the newest internet cables.

The sea is no more than 30 to 50 meters deep in most places, which is ideal for constructing platforms. In the ‘Doggersbank’ the depth is only 15 meters.

Above the surface, but luckily often out of sight, hundreds of oil and gas platforms have been built since the 1970s. The North Sea is ideal for building a wind energy system.

In the meantime ten wind turbine parks have been constructed that turn the fierce sea winds into energy. In total they are responsible for 1.941 Megawatt energy which is sufficient to supply 1,8 million households with energy. These turbines can be as tall as 20-story buildings and usually have three 200-foot-long (60-meters-long) blades. The wind spins the blades, and these blades turn a shaft that is connected to a generator producing electricity.

If all plans that have been scheduled for the next years will get carried out, the North Sea will deliver 40 times as much wind energy in ten years time. An area as large as 25.000 square kilometres will be occupied by wind turbines. But what about a wind energy system for us, consumers??!

Wind energy system for consumers?

Now, what can we as consumers do if we live in a windy area? Can we build a small wind energy system near our house, or even on top of our homes? What are our options to make use of wind? It seems such an easy option to producing energy and to saving energy.  Wind is a very clean source of green energy or renewable energy, producing no pollution of the air or water.

And since wind energy is entirely free, operational costs are almost nihil as soon as a wind energy system is erected. But, wind is unpredictable at the same time. If it’s not blowing, no electricity is generated.

Small wind energy systems are indeed one of the most cost-effective renewable energy systems, and non-polluting at the same time. A small wind energy system could lower your electricity bills with 50% to 90%. A great method of saving energy!

Secondly, it can also help avoiding the high costs of having utility power lines extended to a remote location. Once you have a small wind energy system, it can be utilized for other applications such as water pumping on a farm or ranch.

Wind energy system: stand-alone or connected?

A small wind energy system can be connected to another electric system, or can stand alone. If you are living in a remote location, a stand-alone wind energy system can be more cost-effective. The alternative is to extend a power line to another electricity grid. These costs could well range from $15,000 to $50,000 per mile! A small wind energy system erected in a backyard can produce enough electricity for a single home or small business.

A successful stand-alone green wind energy system generally takes advantage of a combination of technologies. Setting up a stand-alone wind energy system is not an easy business to do, but can be very rewarding if successful!  If you are not very technical yourself, you can always ask a local system supplier or installer, a local renewable energy organization to help you. Often there are specific requirements in your area. A very useful site for those of you who are American, is the website of the United States Department of Energy.

If you want to know more about a small Wind Energy System, and may want to look into constructing one yourself, just have a look at this Solar, Wind Energy DIY guide

Click here for more information on constructing a small wind energy system!

 





Climate Change & What We Can Do About It!

Posted by on April 7, 2012 No comments

Our impact on Climate Change

Daily we use energy, whether at home or when traveling. Most of the energy used in our households or when traveling comes from burning fossil fuels like coal, gas or oil. The burning of these fuels produces Co2, carbon dioxide, which is one of the most significant greenhouse gases causing climate change. Unfortunately, green energy is not yet used a lot. The sooner we all start using green energy, the better! By switching to green energy we can reduce our carbon footprint and stop Climate Change.
In the last forty years or so, the average temperature of the earth has significantly increased. By following global temperature records it is known that the earth has increased in warmth approximately 0.75°C in the last hundred years. This may not appear very dramatic at first sight, but if the temperature continues to rise this fast, it could be devastating on our environment!

As we know, one of the effects of climate change is that we get more and more frequent extreme weather. When rain comes down heavily, rivers will be bursting their banks more frequently.  Flash-floods will become more common as a consequence. Since we started to record rain facts back in 1766, rainfall in winter England and Wales has slightly increased.

When we look at the last 45 years, it is evident that we have had more extreme rainfall. In 2009, flooding in the United Kingdom was by far the worst when compared to 270 other years. Areas like Cumbria for instance, witnessed widespread flooding..

Climate change is getting worse

Whilst flooding is getting worse, the summers are getting hotter and also drier. In central England the temperatures have risen with approximately one degree Celsius since the 1970s. And the year 2006 was the warmest on record. A climate change could be clearly felt! It might well that we are facing the kind of heat that killed thousands of people in Europe in 2003. We are seeing widespread water shortages already, and drought may well be one of our biggest threats.

What is clear, is that the cost to the environment at large, our society, our economy and not to forget our health will far outweigh any perceived benefits of a warmer climate. Fortunately, we can do something about it by reducing our carbon footprint.

By burning fossil fuels like oil, gas and coal carbon dioxide is produced. Carbon dioxide is one of the greenhouse gases that cause our climate to change. By switching to green energy, we will be able to counter these bad effects.

If we use less energy, we can all help to fight climate change. In addition, and as a pleasant side effect, we can all save money by reducing our use of fossil energy. The Environmental Outlook for 2050 of the OESO is predicting a somber outlook on our environment. If we do not change our habits, it is predicted that we will be using 80% more energy in forty years time! This implies that our globe will be getting hotter, and the amounts of water in the earth will diminish. If we do not undertake any action, we will be living on a planet with concentrated Co2 emissions that will cause the average temperature to rise with 5 to 6 %. The ice caps on the North pole have now melted to a degree never seen before. It is reckoned that Northern America and Canada will get severe winters due to this melting down.

Let’s all take a step towards saving energy and reduce our carbon footprint now.

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Global Energy Assessment

These days the Global Energy Assesment will publish their lengthy report. For more information please go to my hubpage on Green Energy for All.

 

>> Reduce your Carbon Footprint now <<

Posted by on April 3, 2012 No comments

What is your Carbon Footprint actually?

Carbon Footprint

Carbon Footprint

The media nowadays are full of articles and programs on reducing our ‘carbon foot print’. They assume we all know what this is, but what actually is a carbon footprint? It seems quite difficult to reduce something of which we are unsure what it precisely means.  Let’s give a brief explanation here.

The way we affect our environment is manifold. We can impact the world in many different ways. By driving, or flying, heating our houses, and even the types of food we eat can make a difference. If you consider all these ways in which we can impact our environment, it is difficult to work out what it is on the whole.

Your own carbon footprint is a no more than a single figure giving you an idea of your impact on carbon change. It is not difficult to calculate carbon footprints. You can also compare and understand.

Global Energy Assessment

The Global Energy Assessment is due to appear soon. This 1900-page long manuscript will serve as the Energy Bible for future generations. During the last six years some 300 scientists along with 200 reviewers from 70 countries have worked together to make an assessment of our energy supplies. The main question was: do we have sufficient energy sources to supply all of us with energy, and what way this should be done. It appears to be possible, if and only if we undertake action as soon as possible to make the necessary changes in our system. The people who use energy nowadays need 2% extra energy yearly. If we are able to use green energy sources such as solar energy we can contribute ourselves. Governments and lareg companies can take care of large infrastructures in order to supply the 1.400.000.000 people with energy who still haven’t got any. If you want to read more, you can see the report via iiasa.ac.at, or read my blog on Hubpages.

Carbon footprint & carbon dioxide

When referring carbon emissions or carbon footprints, we speak about emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2). As we know, carbon dioxide is released when carbon-based fuels are burnt. Almost all fossil fuels are carbon-based. To mention but a few: petrol and diesel used for cars, gas, oil and coal that we use in our houses and in power stations, and jet fuel used for aeroplanes. This carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, trapping the heat of the sun and keeping the earth warm. However, if we get too much CO2 in the air, this leads to climate change, otherwise known as ‘global warming’.

There are also other greenhouse gases. Methane, for instance, also contribute to climate change. For countries & organisations these count as part of their emissions of carbon. But for individuals like you and me, the most important carbon emission is CO2: carbon dioxide.

When we are talking about your carbon footprint, we mean the amount of carbon dioxide that is entering the atmosphere because of the fuel and the electricity you are using. This is measured in tonnes of CO2. Our carbon footprint usually is depending on:

  • how often you fly
  • the appliances and electronics that you use
  • what sorts of transport you use on a daily
  • how much energy you are using to keep your house warm

Once we know our carbon footprint, it surely helps us to understand our impact on the environment. And – more importantly- find ways to reduce this impact.

Let me give you an example: in 2009 the United Kingdom produced 564 million tonnes of CO2.  Around 30% of the 564 million tonnes comes from household energy use! The majority is emitted, as we can understand, by companies and industry. The use of energy in our houses accounts for around 5 tonnes per household, which is exclusive of emissions from transport! If we make our households more energy-efficient, and reduce the energy consumption by transport, we really could make important reductions in our national CO2 emissions! We should not only start saving energy, better is to switch to green energy, such as solar energy.

Want to reduce your carbon footprint?

For people who want to reduce their carbon footprint, there are many ways you could consider. Perhaps you want to consider to insulate your home, to buy more energy-efficient appliances, to switch off electronics at the wall, to walk, cycle or use public transport, and start choosing a holiday closer to home! There are so many possibilities available! Just start. It is not too late yet! Do start using green energy, which does not impact our environment whatsoever. Solar energy is a very good choice. Why not start using solar chargers?

Juice Bar Charger. As Seen On TV 2012 Your Cell Phone Solar Charger Perhaps?

This JuiceBar Pocket Solar Charger immediately generates free and clean energy and contains a powerful, high capacity 2000 mAh battery. This  can be charged with USB or by exposing the solar cell to light. The new design has a 33% stronger battery, a two-sided stainless steel case, status indicator light (VERY handy!) and LED flashlight. It is low priced! Juicebar’s built-in USB port allows the use of the cable of your own device (so NO FUSS!). Cutting-edge engineering supports all popular phones as well as handheld games such as Nintendo 3DS and Sony PSP, Tom Toms, MP3 players and much more. JuiceBar is incredibly small and light measuring just 4″ x 2.5″x .5″ and weighing only 4 oz!

Juice Bar Solar Charger

A trend is sweeping swiftly across the country. No, we are not talking about some fruit loaded with vitamin C..!  Instead, this Juice Bar is a perfect tool if you want to reduce your carbon footprint!

This sleek re-chargeable solar battery stores enough power to charge most handheld electronics and can charge a typical cell phone several times. The JuiceBar’s internal Li-ion battery can be re-charged via USB connection or via the built-in solar panel. This arrangement gives you maximum flexibility on your travels!

The Juice Bar comes with 4 common connectors for popular mobile phones and portable electronics. If none of the included connectors works with your own device, the Juice Bar’s USB port is ready to accept one of your own existing USB-cables. It also has one very handy device: a LED indicator shows you when it is charging its internal battery and indicates the current power. There is even a built-in flashlight! Click on the image below. Recommended if you want to reduce your carbon footprint!


Industry Go Green!

Posted by on March 1, 2012 No comments

Go Green would benefit industry!

Let's Go Green!

Let's Go Green!

It is a fact that human activities are rapidly changing the Earth’s climate by means of increased greenhouse gas-emissions. This not only has an impact on health conditions. In addition, it has many social, economical and ecological effects. And all of them negative. There is abundant scientific evidence that many of the predicted changes in the environment are occurring while we write. What is not so clear is how climate change is affecting the industry, and the travel industry in particular. What can hotels and travel agencies and the lodging industry in general do to reduce their carbon footprint? Go Green seems the one and only solution. It would not only benefit the environment, the society at large, but also the industry itself!

Due to increasing levels of carbon dioxide, we are noticing restricted water supplies and less snowfall. We alos notice an increased rainfall during previously dry seasons. Alternatively, we see prolonged rain seasons. These are all potential dangers that have a negative impact on travellers and their choice of travel destinations. Especially in Asia the rain season seems to be taking much longer almost every year, with additional heavier rainfall which flooding Indonesian islands. This is getting quite serious. We are feeling the effects ourselves when traveling to these countries. To Go Green would seem to be the right solution.

Go Green seems the right answer!

I suggest that the travel industry can also give a helping hand, and contribute to reducing carbon dioxide output and go green. They need to look into green energy. Because of the green image it would get, the lodging industry can reap some valuable benefits. If they go green, all parties would benefit. Benefits for them would range from reduced operating costs to an increased energy efficiency. And not unimportantly, the industry would building goodwill among travellers.
First, the lodging industry should become aware of its own greenhouse gas emissions and go green. It should ask itself  what possibilities it has of reducing carbondioxide For this purpose ,knowledge of carbondioxide emissions, a so-called ‘greenhouse gas inventory’ is useful. This inventory (readily available on the internet) documents the sources and quantity of the greenhouse gas emissions. It counts carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4), hydroflurocarbons (HFC), perfluorocarbons (PFC) and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). One could check boilers and generators, cars and buses, electricity purchases, and the generation of waste. For guidance and methologies one can go to the Climate Registry, a non profit organization, and The Greenhouse Gas Protocol Initiative. It is not too difficult to Go Green!

The benefits of having such a survey and adapting the systems according to the advice given, include cost-saving efficiency opportunities, managing the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions, gaining an advantage by addressing greenhouse gas-emissions at an early stage, and -last but not least- getting recognition by travelers as leader in addressing climate change. Go Green, is the answer!

Go Green and saving energy will not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also lower the energy bills. If the travel industry also reduces its fuel use in the vehicle fleet by turning to more efficient vehicles and using alternative fuels. You will gain respect from your visitors using green energy, and will pay respect to the earth we are all living on! Go Green is the answer!





Environment: switch to Green Energy!

Posted by on February 27, 2012 No comments

Green Energy & the Environment

Stop wasting energy!

Stop wasting energy!

My most serious problem is convincing people that switching to green energy is a must for our environment. It is not something worthwile thinking of and writing about, but taking action here and now is absolutely necessary. I always wonder why it is so difficult to get people convinced of the necessity of saving energy and starting to use green energy. If we look at the impact of our carbon footprint on the environment it seems silly some people don’t start to using green energy.

Let’s start close to home. It can be very close to home where the biggest hurdle lies. Worst of all, actually can be partners. For instance, I seem to be perfectly inadequate to teach mine how to act in an environmentally-friendly way. The only thing he is much better in, is taking a short shower. He never uses the hourglass I bought to make sure I shower less than 2 minutes for a regular shower. Or less than 5 minutes when I need to wash my hair.  In this respect I can learn from him who only showers one minute max! Applause!

On the other hand, I can also give you some rather sad examples.  There we go. (I must admit that I am writing this blog with slight embarrasment). When he uses water, he invariably switches the tap to as hot as possible, no matter whether he washes his hand (ouch!), cleans a dish (preferably one at a time), or using a razor..  The water runs freely and much too long. Never understood why.

Another example: I am often the one who does the washing and filling of the dishwasher. When I am out in the evening, it happens more than once that the dishwasher is running with only a few dishes in it; washing pans and kitchen utensils are washed in LOTS of hot water with LOTS of washing-up liquid.  And the washing machine is only filled with one or two sports garments that he wants cleaned. In a house with young kids- there are always a lot of other clothes that needs washing. Apart from the irritation that these things cause, I find it harmful to the environment at large. No green energy or saving energy in sight here..!

Unfortunately it is not only water that is spilled. The thermostat is far too high, winter and summer. We had one installed which is utterly impossible to use.. Energy companies should be very grateful to the engineers who make these extremely user-unfriendly thermostats that nobody can adapt according to their own feeling and need.  When being installed, the electrician set the thermostat and it is on the same temperature ever since. I don’t dare to say how high it is, but I am going to change it as soon as possible to one that can be instructed via my iphone app. I’d rather put on an extra pullover when it is a little chilly than be in a home environment that increases global warming unnecessarily.

I don’t want to discuss driving. No question of slow breaking or driving away slowly when the engine is still cold, the tires not properly inflated, lots of things in the back trunk. It is so important to be energy conscious and start using green energy for our environment.

Now I am using a few solar devices (to charge my phone and other small electric devices), I use the hourglass for shorter showering. Good for the environment and my energy bills. I  have bought various other devices that can reduce my energy bills, such as solar devices. I  want to switch to  green energy in order to save the environment.





Saving Energy Tips!

Posted by on February 26, 2012 No comments

Saving Energy: Cut back 50% on bills!

Saving energy? Saving money!

Saving energy? Saving money!

No matter whether or not you budget your finances wisely, things can get out of hand in spite of everything that you have done, whether you have been careful or not. There will always be bills to pay and electric bills that really escalate sky high! Therefore, the next best thing to do is to turn your own home into a home saving energy. By saving energy in your entire house, you can seriously cut-back on bills. You can reduce these as much as 50% (really!) from your current total consumption.

Wonder how you can do that? It is not that difficult really! Here are some very good saving energy tips that will guide you in making your home an energy saving home.

1. Create your own energy

One of the best ways in creating a home saving energy is to produce your own energy. You may have guessed this already! This is, in particular, one of the most lucrative alternatives to high electric bills. One way to make an energy saving home is to use a form of renewable energy. This means that you will utilize more and maximize the capabilities of unlimited sources of energy like the sea, the wind, the sun, or any of the man-made energy-generating inventions. The importance of these devices cannot be underestimated, especially in places where the climate is constantly changing.

2. Make use of the solar or photovoltaic devices!

This is one of the Saving Energy tips that will make your home an energy saving home. Basically, Solar or photovoltaic devices use the energy that comes from the sun in order to generate energy. The energy that will be produced is the one that will be used to operate different domestic devices and illuminations.
The great pro of Solar PV is that it does not make use of direct sunlight so as to produce energy. Obviously, it is operational during day time only. With Solar PV you could really transform your house into an energy saving home. All you have to do is to purchase PV systems and attach them to your wall or roof that is looking towards the south, within the 90 degrees range, provided that there will be no tangible things that will take the limelight out of your house.

If you are looking for some high-quality solar devices, look at the blog on this site where I have selected two very good solar devices. Sometimes you have to make a small step to get going! Once you have a small solar device I am sure you’ll be hooked! Saving energy can be easy and fun!

3. Make a wind mill

As a part of the energy saving home, small-scale wind mills are also created in order to generate energy that comes from the speed of the wind that is operating the blades. In turn, these blades, will be the ones that generate electricity for your home. However, because its energy is fully dependent on the speed of the wind, it is advisable that you place your small scale windmills at the highest place in your area (if you can find any! If not, you could perhaps create one). Nonetheless, if you use small-scale wind mills, they can still reduce your electricity usage and will definitely turn your home into an energy saving home. If you want to more of this particular type of saving energy tips, please read the recent blog on wind energy systems.

4. Use a natural heater

Saving energy in your home:  if you want to turn your house into an energy saving home, it is best that you employ the services of a solar water heating system. This system uses the high temperature coming from the sun and transforms it into your water heater. Solar water heating system has solar panels that are placed on your roof so as to collect heat coming from the sun’s rays. With this system, it naturally heats the water in your water storage system and eventually keeps the heat intact so that you can still use it on the later part of the day. With Solar water heating system, you can be sure that your home will soon be an energy saving home minus the hefty electric bills.

5. Insulate your walls.

In order to make an energy saving home, it would really be advisable to do some cavity wall insulation. This means you should use an insulating system that is placed between your cavity walls or between the external and internal sheets of bricks that make up the outer part of your home For most places in cooler areas, to have a cavity wall insulation will definitely make an energy saving home by merely using it. It suspends the release of confined warm air and insulates the wall so as to impede ‘heat loss’. With a cavity wall insulation, you will no longer use of your heater, and therefore, you could save more money by cutting back your electric usage.

6. Go for glazed-windows!

An energy saving home is a house provided with glazed-type windows. This means that the windows are layered with a certain protective coating and curbs any possible heat loss. In this manner, the heat that enters your room or your house, for that matter, will not be lost instantly. And so, with enough heat to warm you through, you no longer have a use for a heater. Simply out, no heater means eliminated high electricity bills. So, now that you know how to convert your home into an energy saving home, the next thing you have to do is to budget your other finances wisely. It doesn’t necessarily mean that with an energy saving home, you’ll be confident enough that there will be no high bills to pay and that you indulge into a shopping spree. Having an energy saving home means there’s a solution to your financial problem but not as a means for a bigger financial problem.

If you are interested in receiving more good quality energy saving tips, you can subscribe to the membership site of Green Energy Platform for free and receive the 10-page e-book with

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I am sure that you are convinced of the need to use green energy, but in case you want to be convinced, please watch this YouTube video:


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