That being said, there is a huge push in the United States to put in infrastructure for renewable energy. DOE set the ambitious goal of having 30% of our electricity generated from renewable sources by 2020. If this renewable power generation ramp up continues through the years, then electric vehicles will be a very environmentally friendly alternative.

In general, I’m glad that we are at least developing the EV technology NOW. Presently, I think it’s a little early for massive public EV adoption, but I think there may be a time for that in the future. It is crucial that both EV technology and renewable energy generation infrastructure are developed in parallel.

Ultimately, EV adoption will come down to dollars and cents for consumers. Right now, American EV drivers pay less than 1/3 the price for a gallon of gas equivalent (~$1.00). The price at the pump will drive this market…which will be interesting to watch with the sky high projections we have for this summer.

For now, I’m enjoying my all gasoline 4 cylinder Mazda3, but my next car might refill at an electric socket rather than a gas pump!

Do you notice anything strange about the image above? This is a real time image of the Americas taken at 11:15 PM EST August 14^th, 2003. What you should notice is a suspicious black cloud hanging over the north eastern United States and South Eastern Canada. This is a satellite image of the blackout of 2003. This week-long disaster cost the US and Canada an estimated $7-$10 billion in economic loss. This mishap is just an example of the weaknesses in our country’s archaic power grid which is in desperate need of improvement.

So what can we do to play our part in the East Tennessee to “put some brains back into our grid” regionally? I have 4 suggestions for you:

1. Find out ways to support the University of Tennessee’s CURENT program, an $18 million NSF sponsored program (visit http://curent.utk.edu/).
2. Discover ways your company can participate in EPRI projects aimed at smart grid technologies (http://smartgrid.epri.com/).
3. Pursue DOE funding for regional smart grid pilot projects, like this project in the Fort Sanders neighborhood in Knoxville (http://www.smartmeters.com/the-news/732-tennessee-neighborhood-ideal-for-smart-grid-pilot-project.html)
4. Call your local utility and install a smart meter on your home!

In the last decade, we have seen a significant emphasis on end-use energy savings by making lighting retrofits, HVAC upgrades, and behavior changes.  Let us also consider energy savings in other links in the supply chain. Below is a chart of U.S. Energy use in 2010.  Note, especially, the information boxed in yellow on the right side of the chart. From Lawrence Livermore National Labs’ findings we see that more than 50% of our energy potential is lost before it even enters our respective buildings through electricity generation, distribution, and transmission. What action can your business take to help reduce 56.13 Quads of “rejected energy”?

As energy demands continue to climb and oil prices fluctuate, researchers have found that a significant solution to the energy conundrum lies right under our feet.

New studies from Southern Methodist University, funded by a grant from Google, shows that over 3 million megawatts of untapped geothermal energy lies below the earth’s surface… 10 times the current installed capacity of coal power plants.  This new research paired with new technological innovations in geothermal power could add significant momentum to the green energy surge. Check out “Low Temperature Hydrothermal”, “Geopressure”, and “Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS)” to learn more about emerging geothermal technologies!

Picture yourself relaxing on the beach with the sun shining, the breeze blowing, and the ocean crashing in the sand. These beautiful powers of nature are more than just relaxing scenery for scientists that have worked for centuries to capture and utilize their energy; but can these forces really meet ALL of mankind’s energy needs? Two California professors seem to think this dream could become a reality by 2030, and here’s how…

• 3.8 million wind turbines, 5 MW each, supplying 50% of the projected total global power demand
• 49,000 solar thermal power plants, 300 MW each, supplying 20%
• 40,000 solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants supplying 14%
• 1.7 billion rooftop PV systems, 3 kilowatts each, supplying 6%
• 5350 geothermal power plants, 100 MW each, supplying 4%
• 900 hydroelectric power plants, 1300 MW each (70% are already in place) supplying 4%
• 720,000 ocean-wave devices, 0.75 MW each, supplying 1%
• 490,000 tidal turbines, 1 MW each, supplying 1%

Obviously this is a lofty technological feat but so was the idea of landing a man on the moon. Perhaps this is the Apollo mission of our time.

http://spectrum.ieee.org/energy/renewables/wind-water-and-solar-power-for-the-world/0