Author: ludu

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Hurricane Ready Solar Panels

Ludt, B. (2024b, January 24). World4Solar unveils hurricane-proof PV canopy. Retrieved January 25, 2024, from Solar Power World website: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/01/world4solar-unveils-hurricane-proof-pv-canopy/

 

World4Solar developed a new generation of solar panels that are hurricane resistant because they can hold up against category 5 and 175 mph winds. They do this because World4Solar upgraded the steel used to build them. These solar panels do not go on roofs, however. Instead, many people use them as an outdoor garage overhang similar to what someone would find in a parking lot. It can also produce 7.38 KW of electricity.

 

This new invention by World4Solar has great potential and practicality. Many hot countries and states that get a lot of sunlight reside on coasts. This means they see plenty of hurricanes and tropical storms. So it is very important to a solar panel buyer that their investment can withstand high winds. If they can’t, then it would be a waste of money. With this new enhancement, I think a lot more people will buy solar panels, helping the world decrease its carbon emissions.

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New Jersey Offshore Wind Project

Parry, W. (2023, November 17). Despite loss of 2 major projects, New Jersey is moving forward with its offshore wind power goals. Retrieved January 25, 2024, from AP News website: https://apnews.com/article/offshore-wind-new-jersey-transmission-projects-e4761f9bfdb8a422b1c4321ee7798a61 

 

New Jersey had its two largest ocean wind power projects canceled. The developer, Orsted, blamed issues with supply and inflation. But nevertheless, New Jersey voted to start fundraising for a huge grid for power generated by offshore wind farms. New Jersey has a strong interest to lead the East Coast in ocean wind turbine construction, so building a large power grid would allow them to also build a number of farms. 

 

I believe New Jersey is making a great economic and environmental decision. Not only are they lowering their carbon emissions by focusing on wind power, but they are also preparing themselves for the future of power. By leading the East Coast to offshore wind power, New Jersey will be the frontrunner in renewable energy and won’t have to rely on other states for oil or coal power. They also aren’t taking up any space with wind farms and angering their citizens because the turbines are in the ocean. This is will be a great decision for New Jersey in the long run.

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Solar Projects Helping Lahaina Fire

Ludt, B. (2024, January 18). How solar + storage technologies are aiding Hawaii wildfire relief. Retrieved January 25, 2024, from Solar Power World website: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/01/how-solar-storage-technologies-are-aiding-hawaii-wildfire-relief/

 

After the fire in Lahaina, Hawaii in August, the nonprofit organization partnered with Hawaii Off Grid to help the displaced families. They built villages of portable houses for temporary housing. And those houses are completely carbon-neutral because they are powered by solar and storage techniques. Solar panels sit on top of the houses, and due to the houses being relatively small units, they can be completely off the grid, self-sufficient, and renewable. 

 

Not only is this a great thing for the environment, but it is also great for the environment. Since there were 8,000 people displaced in the fire, there are 8,000 less large carbon footprints in the world. And after their houses are rebuilt, which will likely also be carbon-neutral, people living in run-down old buildings that emit a lot of greenhouse gases could potentially move into the renewable units. Even if that doesn’t happen, this project by Hawaii Off Grid at least proves that a completely renewable energy-powered house is possible and cost-effective.

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New Wind Turbine Projects

Flaccus, G. (2023, December 5). Sale jumpstarts floating, offshore wind power in US waters. Retrieved January 25, 2024, from AP News website: https://apnews.com/article/business-california-wind-power-climate-and-environment-82bb858c275f3dbb13852522fdf5b680

 

There are an exponentially increasing amount of wind turbine projects happening miles off of shore. There is projected to be 150 times the amount of wind turbines in the ocean in 2030 than there are now. And the turbines are huge with some of them being the size of the Eiffel Tower. They are planned to sit on large floating triangle platforms that are anchored to the bottom of the ocean. While England has several of these projects in the North Sea, the United States are just beginning to jump on these huge possibilities that could end up producing 19 gigawatts of energy.

 

I think projects like this one are extremely important to the future of renewable energy. Two of the main problems with renewable energy technology is that they are too expensive and there is not a lot of room for them. But these wind turbines are in the ocean far enough away from civilization to not affect it, and it is 60% cheaper to build them now than in 2021. This project is a great adaptation to the environment and a potential big solution to slowing climate change.

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New Solar Projects

Pickerel, K. (2024, January 19). Pentagon and more federal buildings are adding solar to their campuses. Retrieved January 25, 2024, from Solar Power World website: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2024/01/pentagon-and-more-federal-buildings-are-adding-solar-to-their-campuses/ 

 

In early 2024, there are 31 new solar power projects in development. These new projects are worth $104 million and are coming from the $250 million as a result of Biden’s new infrastructure law. The most notable project of the 31 is the solar panels being installed on the Pentagon. This is substantial because the government has the largest energy consumption in the United States. It is important to see their example for private parties to begin to conserve energy. Also on the horizon, there are two more projects coming out of the $250 million.

 

I think that this is a great use of government funding. Given that the government consumes the bulk of the energy in the United States, it is exciting to see that they are working on being more renewable. This is a good step in getting to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. However, a few solar panels is not going to be enough. There needs to be more funding and more action being taken by the government. $250 million barely dents the annual income of the government from taxes. I think that the government needs to set a great example and get to net zero or lower so that everyone can see the benefits and take action as well.

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Renewable Energy Storage Increasing in America

Verma, H., & Patel, B. (2023, February 6). Solar to dominate new U.S. electric-generating capacity in 2023, Eia says. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/solar-dominate-new-us-electric-generating-capacity-2023-eia-says-2023-02-06/ 

It is predicted that 54.5 gigawatts of electricity capacity added to the current American grid. 29.1 gigawatts of this electricity will be solar power generated. There are some obstacles in the way, however. Many predict that the same delays that occurred in 2022 will repeat themselves in 2023 with many projects trying plug into the grids. Nonetheless, it is a good sign to see the Biden Administration funding renewable energy projects with 370 billion dollars. While solar and wind energy are the frontrunners of those projects, it is notable that America plans to double its battery energy storage in 2023.

For the most part, renewable energy is good news in America as of late. Billions of dollars are being poured into solar and wind energy production. Storage is increasing exponentially. With the exception of delays for distributing the energy, it is good to hear that the United States possesses enough clean energy to power the country with fossil fuels. All of these projects and advancements are leading the way for America to become one of the cleaner energy-producing countries in the world and have a small carbon footprint.

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Renewable Energy Increasing in Republican States

Uteuova, A. (2023, February 26). Red states leading the US in solar and wind production, New Report shows. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/feb/26/red-states-lead-usa-renewable-energy-wind-solar-power 

While many believe that conservatives are indifferent to or against renewable energy, many Republican states have grown their solar and wind power farms, and now lead the way. Iowa and Oklahoma have been the top generators of wind power recently. Also, Florida, second to only California, has been a leading generator in solar power. Not only are Republican states going out of their way to produce renewable energy, but they also lead the way in storage and distribution. Texas has the highest wind energy capacity and the second highest solar power capacity. And their grid is only growing. With all of this help, renewable energy has produced enough energy to power 64 million houses in America. 

Renewable energy disputes is one of the top issues between liberals and conservatives. But Republicans have stepped up their game, producing high amounts of solar and wind energy and building grids with high capacities. It is important for all of America to come together in order to fully eliminate the need for fossil fuel power and make the United States a net zero carbon emission country. America is improving its carbon footprint, and it seems like everyone is chipping in.

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Renewable Energy Storage

Stone, S. (2023, April 28). “staggering”: US on cusp of 600 GW clean energy boom. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/04/staggering-us-on-cusp-of-600-gw-clean-energy-boom/

While grid capacity has become a pressing issue for renewable energy in the United States, there has been a new drive to increase the storage of wind and solar energy by 600 GW by 2033. There are complications, mainly with money, in expanding the energy storage, but many sources indicate that there are many plans in motion to successfully open space for the energy produced by the multibillion-dollar renewable energy projects in motion. This increase in capacity will also improve the American economy. Along with economic benefits, this expansion will bring electricity to 25,000 low-income households. Congress is trying extremely hard to make this solution to an important problem a reality.

This is a great way for Congress to spend American dollars. With billions of dollars being spent building renewable energy generators, there should also be billions of dollars poured into the storage of that energy. This is a crucial step in helping the environment and eliminating carbon emissions from electricity and other uses of energy. With all of this energy and all of this storage, there has to be more than enough energy to power all of America. Now, it is the American government’s responsibility to distribute this energy under laws that will ensure it is done in a fair and affordable way, so that no American is without electricity or stressing over their bill.

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Renewable Energy Funding

Plumer, B. (2023, February 23). The U.S. has billions for wind and solar projects. good luck plugging them in. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/23/climate/renewable-energy-us-electrical-grid.html 

The United States has poured billions into funding renewable energy projects, specifically solar and wind power. However, energy is useless if it is not being used. This is the case throughout America as power grids are backed-up and renewable energy has to wait in line to be useful. There are many projects that could help the environment and power houses that do not have electricity, but they have to wait four years to be approved because there is no room in the power grid. There are billions of dollars being wasted on creating useful and renewable energy technology because electricity systems are clogged with requests. 

This is outrageous. There is billions of dollars worth of renewable energy projects that can play a crucial role in saving the planet, but they are not able to be used because electricity companies cannot get their act together. There needs to be money poured into expanding electrical grids and putting electricity into homes without it. There should also be policies put in place that allow electrical companies to unplug fossil fuel power from the grid and replace it with renewable energy sources. There are many complications and obstacles in the way of solving this issue, but in no circumstance is it acceptable to have the key to mitigating global warming and not use it.

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Wind and Solar Energy Above Fossil Fuels

Lewis, M. (2023, May 25). US wind and solar combined produced more electricity than coal in Q1 2023. Electrek. https://electrek.co/2023/05/25/us-wind-solar-q1-2023/ 

During the first quarter of 2023, solar and wind energy combined have contributed more electricity to the United States than coal. To be exact, 16.9% of the United States’ energy usage was powered by solar and wind energy, while coal accounted for 15.6% of the energy. Not only did solar and wind energy surpass coal, but coal energy usage dropped by 28.6% during the first quarter of 2023. And while coal is declining, solar and wind energy are becoming more popular as solar energy increases in usage by 7.8% and wind energy increases in usage by 5.3%. So far, 2023 has favored renewable energy to fossil fuels.

It is a common misconception that fossil fuels dominate energy production in the United States. Many people do not realize how popular solar panels have become on suburban roofs and wind turbines along coasts and in fields. But 2023 has proved these beliefs wrong as renewable energy has finally taken the lead. This is a moment to celebrate because it suggests that Americans care about the environment and are altering their lives to save the planet. However, there is still a lot of work to be done as coal still powers 15.6% of energy in the United States. Yet with renewable energy on the rise and fossil fuels declining, there is hope for a time when a person can power their house without polluting the world.