Alternative Energy

Alternative energy news, and information about renewable energy technologies.

May 01

Interactive Renewable Energy Map

Posted in Energy Industry | Solar Power | Wind Power

These days we are incessantly debating over one of the hottest issues, i.e. environmental pollution and rise in temperature throughout the world. An intelligent person always likes to foresee the near future a bit and try to prepare himself /herself for the impending battle raising from the horizons of the past. He or she won’t start digging a well when the thirst strikes. Most of us want to do something about this and contribute positively to make this earth a better place to live. But we are most of the time clueless. We don’t know from where to begin? Where we can find relevant information? If we are able to track down information then how to process it for our own and community’s good?

If you empathize with above-mentioned feeling you can take the help of the renewable maps introduced by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). Nathanael Greene, who is the director of renewable energy policy at NRDC, explains enthusiastically, “You can find your county on the appropriate map, select the different map layers to see current renewable energy sites and resource potential, and then read about the latest technologies to see what mix of energy opportunities might work for you and your community.”

You can find detailed information about the alternative energy scene about Florida, Ohio, Nebraska, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. NRDC considers these states as “key battlegrounds” in the alternative energy scenario. They are trying to include statistics of other states in near future soon. The Natural Resources Defense Council has introduced maps showing the correlation between natural resources (sunlight, wind, crops and livestock ) and the renewable energy potential that can be trapped from a particular area.

The map on NRDC’s Renewable Energy for America site colors the different regions of the country differently, according to regional resources and shows the sites of existing and planned wind, biofuel and biodigester plants. If you want to know about the energy mix of any state, the information is just a mouse click away. If you feel lost in the vast states of the country and want to view the stats of a particular area enter the zip code.

Nathanael Greene wrote on his blog about the objective of introducing such idea, “We definitely plan to use the site as a tool for getting people excited about what they can do in their state with renewables”.

Right now the map on NRDC’s Renewable Energy for America site is still in the process of development. NRDC is gearing up to add data on solar, geothermal power projects and potential in the other fields in the coming months. They are updating state-by-state features continuously. Soon you will be able to view data of states like Michigan, Missouri, Indiana, Virginia and Nevada too. NRDC has gathered much of its data for the new map from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. They are collecting data on solar energy for decades. Other maps and online tools highlight energy efficiency data too. The Green Grid, an industry group formed to encourage energy efficiency in data centers, has online tools, including a map, to show which parts of the country hold the greatest potential for using outside air to cool data centers (see Green Grid: Free Cooling for Data Centers).

This map service is not for investors or research purposes only. Everyone, be it a farmer, politician, financier or a scholar, can benefit from it. This site (http://www.nrdc.org/renewables/) can help you in taking a decision that from various energy options (solar, wind, geothermal, biomass or anaerobic digesters) which one will best suit you or your community. You can watch the current and proposed renewable energy projects in your area; get yourself acquainted with new technology and legislations debated by the politicians and arrive at the right decision you a right kind of energy mix for yourself or your area.

The objective of such a step is to be self reliant and use local resources for one’s energy need. They have conviction that local action can make a difference. Ideal renewable energy mix technology will help in improving the environment, less dependence on fossil fuel, create employment opportunities during the time of recession and outsourcing and protect natural resources of the country.

Andrew Davis

The Renewable Energy Map data for New York State should be updated. As of January, 2009, there are 14 wind farm projects in commercial operation, representing nearly 1300 MW of generation in the state. Several of the “planned” projects indicated on the map have also been scaled back or canceled, while there are other planned projects which are not indicated.
http://ohmgeothermal.com A B Chisholm

It would be nice if these maps and articles could include all of the renewable energies being pursued. In 2008 Nevada alone had 18 geothermal power plants with a capacity of 333MW, and another 200-500 in the development stage.
http://www.facebook.com/alternative.energy.news Sveinn Albertsson

An intelligent person always knows that the warming process that has been going on for the last 1000s of yeas at least. This is the latest “KT-event”. The human factor is but one of many!
http://www.facebook.com/alternative.energy.news Sara Hanggi

Climate is constantly changing, that is given, but it is the rate of change which is going to spell unfortold disaster on carbon based, air breathing life-forms like us. The extinction rate has accelerated because species are unable to adapt to changing climate and changing environment. There simply is not enough time for species to evolve to suit changing conditions. Us humans are also walking a tightrope with our increasing dependency on ‘global trade’ for our necessities of life.

Economic slowing will see a change in the availability of goods and services. The circumstance is dire for people already struggling to survive in impoverished circumstances.

It’s all well and good for us here in our fortunate society to discuss climate change as though it has nothing to do with us, but rest assured something’s gonna give and it won’t discriminate between rich or poor!

As increased CO2 dissolves into the oceans, phytoplankton productivity will become limited… so on and so forth…
http://www.facebook.com/alternative.energy.news Sveinn Albertsson

The human factor is but one of many! In order to mean business we will have to go well beyond the warming caused by humans. An intelligent person always knows, that we are living not in a ice age but in a warm period, due to the Bering strait being open thus enabling currents to equalize the temperature of the huge but diminishing reflecting ice cap, reflecting less and less sunlight back into space.

Closing the strait and crossing our fingers is the way to go!

Plus large-scale adding of iron sulfate to the Oceans to promote phytoplankton growth and draw atmospheric CO2 into the ocean. (I´m not in the mood to even try to tell people that they have to stop eating because of the Methane problem).

CO2 levels always correspond to the temperature of the oceans, but in inverse proportions much like in a can of soda, gravity being the cap! Volcanism dwarfs the human ‘footprint’ of CO2.
http://www.facebook.com/alternative.energy.news Sara Hanggi

You have made some good points – I will have to do a bit of reading to learn more what you are talking about. It does seem that CO2 is the main focus- politically speaking, though it is just one of many gases contributing to changing climate and as you mention methane which certainly plays a major role, as does water vapour and others.

All this ETS talk is so focused on CO2 and barely mentions other greenhouse gases?
http://www.facebook.com/alternative.energy.news Scott McElreath

Most methane and greenhouse gases now are coming from the World’s permafrost thawing. The warmer the Earth becomes, the more permafrost melts and then releases all the gases that have been trapped there since the last Ice Age. Global Warming is happening, and the more it happens, the worse it gets, the ice melts, etc…
http://www.facebook.com/alternative.energy.news Bitty Martin Elizbaeth Ricketson

CO2 is the real problem, don’t let people fool you.
http://www.facebook.com/alternative.energy.news Sveinn Albertsson

Co2 is a real problem. But far from the only one. Hey Scott, a good point you make: More makes more!
Brian Sidzik

The only question I have is if the world is constantly changing temps: hot to cold, cold to hot – why would anyone want the earth to cool. Thus subjecting it to another potential ice age. This of course believing that we as humans do have the power to change our global temps on a whim. Don’t get me wrong I do like all the new technological advances in electrical production. This is the next step in our evolution. But, as we evolve so does the earth.
http://www.renewables-map.co.uk Simon Mallett

Not wishing to criticize, by why can’t Govt departments just use existing resources. Google maps, Microsoft earth both provide brilliant platforms that can be used to develop scalable and standardized systems. The technology is normally cutting edge and its invariably cheaper as the basic mapping is already done. The only thing that I suppose is missing is an excuse for some empire builder to spend money on re-inventing what already exists!