Research
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More tools for online collaboration
After gathering information on communities and renewable energy technology, markets, competing industries, and politics- we can consider more tools for effective crowdthinking. The Challenge uses individual proposals and voting - which is a posi
The Beer Minder.... And how it could lead communities to changing their behaviors
With the advent of connected devices, there is a new game in town. That is the BeerMinder, a project being worked on at FirstBuild, a new co-creative appliance company that is using online collaboration to develop cool new appliances. The beer mind
Liquid Metal Battery for grid level storage to enable more efficient use of renewables
I remember watching this TED talk a while ago and wanted to share it here. I'm not sure if someone already has, but I wasn't able to find it here, so I thought I would share. Professor Donald Sadoway talks about the missing link to renewable ene
Challenges of Renewables in the eyes of a Nuclear Engineer
I had the chance to interview one of my colleagues, Matt J, an extremely talented engineer who has had experiences working at nuclear power facilities around the country. I sat down to get his take on how communities might lead the rapid transition t
NY Time article on the solar energy inflection point.
In this NY Times article, further evidence of the marginal cost of solar favorably competing with conventional energy sources.
Interview with McKinsey and Company's Wendy Rudder, Energy Consultant.
Wendy is an environmental engineer who works as a consultant for McKinsey and Company, one of the world's top consulting firms. Her experience consulting in the energy sector gave tremendous insights into potential solutions facing various global
Solar as a Service - OffGrid Electric's Erica Mackey
Off Grid Electric is the world’s first massively scalable “solar energy as a service” company and has received 16MM in funding from investors across the globe to expand on it's mission. Erica has been recognized by Forbes as a "Top 30 under 30" en
Kenya, why think Renewables?
Energy consumption from a Kenyan house holds perspective is very revealing. As Data science puts it " the continued dependence on firewood, charcoal and paraffin as the main cooking fuel – although in various proportions when broken down to use in u
A Liter of Ligth
The Liter of Light or Isang Litrong Liwanag. It brings the eco-friendly bottle light to communities living without electricity.
LED Hourglass Lamps Are Powered by Falling Sand
New series of off-the-grid LED lighting fixtures that are illuminated using the power of falling sand. Based on the shape of the hourglass, the new lamps need to be flipped to continue working and require the user’s involvement to stimulate awareness
Renewable energy needs engagement
I interviewed the Ph.D in environmental planning Joaquim de Araújo Silva and collected some insights to reflect about renewable energy. I learned from him that we have to start by ourselves, but at some point, we must organize ourselves to engage lar
Off Grid Hybrid Power - STG International's Matt Orosz
STG International is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide technical, financial and intellectual support, assistance, and training to projects and organizations focused on bringing sustainable energy technologies to communities across
The Complexity (Paralysis) involved in the "Transition to Renewable Energy"
The transition to renewable energy could be really complex or it could be really simple. At the current costs of renewable energy technologies, we have to consider our renewable energy options today. The savings could be extremely significant ove
Microbial fuel cell – Nature’s way to generate energy
2.6 billion people in this world lack proper sanitation. 1.4 billion people work without electricity. Adequate sanitation requirements and different ways of energy generation have been the biggest challenge in this world. Now there is a solution to
More collaboration - less irrational competition
Having lived in many countries, I have noticed how different countries vary in the level of culturally accepted competition in their daily activities. I see that even in very young children. To achieve ambitious tasks - like rapid adoption of ren
Expand Outside the US and Make it Easy
I saw this article pop up from Australia today (or rather *tomorrow*) and found it interesting and well-written.
Interesting Historical and Legislative Context
This is an old but prophetic interview (from 1994). Very good insights from a brilliant and wise Sir James Goldsmith. Most of the problems we face today ranging from unemployment to global pollution to renewable energy issues to the power of communit
Tesla goes Open Source
Elon Musk announced this June that he was making all of Tesla's patents open to the general public. Instead of seeing other people's innovations as competition, he looked at it as a model to accelerate research on the field of electric cars and suppo
My Energy score was below 5. Then I added my average travel information and that changed everything...
I try to be energy conscious. I have a timer in the shower to not use too much water and electricity. I don't heat my apartment in the winter-- I live in Phoenix AZ, its plenty warm with a hoodie and a small, efficient space heater. I live 4 miles fr
"I know the origin and age of every single log I'm burning"
Both my father and my partner love to make a fire - and anything in connection with it. "I know the origin and age of every single log I'm burning" says my father. I think a lot of people share the passion for making a fire. Might be because o
What changes when energy use becomes visible
If you can actually see your electricity consumption you can reflect your use and become more mindful.