Open Discussion: Which forms of energy should we secure and how do we make it sustainable?
Join the discussion
Energy security has become a key social, political and technological concern. On November 6, 2009, Ode will host a panel discussion in partnership with Shell to ask the simple question: Which forms of energy should we secure and how can we make that energy sustainable?
The future will need diverse energy sources to meet rising demand. Managing emissions and better energy use will help safeguard the environment and conserve resources.
We would like to talk with you about securing, developing and managing energy for the future. Take a look at the ongoing conversations and take part now.
"More energy, less carbon dioxide." Its humanity's biggest challenge today. What are the right choices? When do we need to make them? What happens if we don't.
If someone mentions a wind turbine your mind will most likely conjure up an image of an enormous structure, shooting up toward the sky. But contrary to that perception, wind turbines fall within the realm of do-it-yourself green energy projects. That’s right, those who live in areas that have consistent winds a little stronger than a breeze (between eight and 15 mph) might want to consider installing a small wind turbine on their roof or in their yard—depending on the turbine’s size. At-home wind turbines can help reduce a home’s power use by harnessing and storing wind-generated power in simple battery arrays.
President Obama made good on a promise from his 2008 election campaign. He announced a $3.4 billion investment of Recovery Act funds that will modernize the U.S. electric grid. Today, one hundred cities, manufacturers, private companies, utilities and other partners across the U.S. will receive grants to help build new smart energy grids.
Lately, the shores of San Francisco, California have been attracting more than wet-suit clad surfers and their boards. A site five miles off the city’s western beach is being considered for a new Oceanside Wave Energy project. Australian energy company BioPower Systems is collaborating with the City of San Francisco to investigate wave energy generation from the Pacific Ocean.
Wave power, not to be confused with tidal power, takes advantage of energy from the actual surface waves of the ocean. People have attempted to harness this power since 1890, but with little success. However, that may change thanks to BioPower Systems application of biomimicry.
It’s not hard to see why many of the top technology and energy firms have agreed to invest in Germany’s 208 million dollar project E-Energy. Currently, E-Energy is testing whether homes are able to sustain their energy needs in six regions in Germany. Each home attempts to be conservative in energy consumption, produces its own energy (solar or from a mini power station) and, according to a German law passed over 20 years ago, may sell any excess energy to the power grid. If applied nationwide, this effort has the potential to conserve 10-terawatt hours of energy per year—the annual amount of energy consumed by roughly 2.5 million homes.
What would aliens observing us think about the future of our planet? Learn about the energy challenge and the two different ways in which the energy system could develop.
The race is on to create a new world of energy
Jeroen van der Veer, former Chief Executive of Royal Dutch Shell plc, writes about about a new world of energy. This opinion editorial was published June 20, 2009 in The Times.
Balancing Global Resources
Malcolm Brinded, Executive Director Exploration & Production, discusses what oil and gas companies can do to promote a gradual transformation of the global energy system at the European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE), Amsterdam, 8 June 2009.
Blogs:
David Hone Climate Change Blog
David is Shell's Climate Change Advisor. Visit his blog to learn climate change, what it means, and what to do about it and how it affects our quest for more energy.
