New Smart Digital Electricity Meters

I was at a home depot center in Escondido, California, over the weekend and ran into an energy-efficiency exposition. In the parking lot booths were set up for people to learn about and buy energy saving appliances and other gadgets. Customers were lined up to trade in their old light bulbs for new energy saving lights. One booth in particular caught my attention. It was San Diego Gas & Electric’s (SDG&E) booth displaying their new digital meters. Smart meters, as they are known as, will replace the old electricity meters (which have been around for over a century) with wireless, digital devices. After researching a little about this new technology and what it means for customers and the environment, I thought the facts were very interesting.

Smart meters will do more than just eliminate the meter maid’s position (an SDG&E spokesman says they will not lay off any meter-readers). These new meters provide customers with detailed energy data that can help them reduce energy use and costs. SDG&E officials claim they can manger energy demand easier, identify gas leaks and other problems, and reduce meter-reading errors. Smart meters are better able to detect power outages, easier to restore power in the event of an outage, and will improve customer service relations, simply because customers will have detailed information at any time, day or night. No only will customers be able to monitor their gas and electricity consumption in order to avoid higher utility rates, they can earn a rebate for reducing their energy use on peak usage days. SDG&E’s research revealed that as long as people know how much energy they are using, they are likely to cut back by 5 to 10 percent.

This program was approved by the California Public Utilities Commission in 2007. It is expected to take 2 1/2 years to replace the 1.4 million electric meters for their 3.4 million customers and cost $572 million dollars. Some of the cost for the new meters will be paid by the customers at a rate of $1 to $1.50 a month for the technology. However the amount of money the customer can save if they take the time and effort to monitor their usage could be much greater. In addition, SDG&E plans to reward customers with credit if they reduce the power consumption during peak hours, where they can save as much as $25 to $30 a month.

For example, customers will get an email sent to them saying electricity demand is peaking (which means higher rates) and they could then turn off the ice maker, or turn the thermostat down, or decide not to run major appliances. What is even more interesting is that SDB&E has partnered up with the internet giant, Google, with their new program “Google PowerMeter” to allow customers to get their daily energy usage information from the World Wide Web.

SDG&E has pioneered this new transitory technology and I have no doubt we will see more gas and electricity companies following suit. This is one small step towards reducing energy usage and costs, but we still need to do a lot more in our effort to reduce our dependence on non-renewable energy sources. Do you think this will deter the research and effort to switch completely to renewable energy sources and technology? Tell me what you think.

Camelina: An environmental solution for the airline industry!

It is really exciting to see so many Prius’ and Honda Civic hybrids on the roads today. Despite the fact that there are environmental issues with the batteries of these electrical vehicles, the automobile industry is slowing moving towards making more fuel efficient vehicles for the average person to purchase. But what about airplanes? It is much more difficult to convert airplanes to run on electricity or hydrogen than cars but not any less critical. A new study conducted by Professor David Shonnard at the Michigan Technological University, found that jet fuel made from camelina (a flowering plant cultivated as an oilseed crop) reduces carbon emissions by 84% compared to petro-based fuels. Check out the full story published by USA Today on April 29, 2009.

Factory Farming is to blame for the Swine Flu Virus

Whether you are a vegetarian or a ‘meat and potatoes’ type person, the recent outbreak of the Swine Flu virus should bring to the forefront the debate over the risks versus benefits of factory farming. Yet the mainstream media is silent on this issue, failing to raise the question of the conditions that fostered the disease and allowed this outbreak to occur. This is not the first outbreak and unfortunately it will not be the last. While I am not so idealistic to believe that we can rid the world of factory farming techniques and turn everyone vegetarian, I do believe I can educate myself and others on the issues of factory farming and perhaps together we can foster small changes that impact the world we live in.

A factory farm is a farm that operates as a factory, raising farm animals in confinement at high stocking density. Besides the fact that these animals have to live in atrocious conditions, there are many health and environmental risks associated with factory farming. While there are a number of websites that provide a detailed look at factory farming conditions, here is a brief overview of the environmental and health issues associated with factory farming.

Health Concerns:
In order to maximize production, the meat, poultry, dairy and egg industries use drugs, hormones, and other chemicals. Because of this, virulent pathogens (bacteria and viruses) become resistant to antibiotics. “Super germs” as they are known, have the potential to cause human death and suffering not measureable in today’s world.

The Swine Flu virus is just one example of a new disease that has been augmented by our farming practices. “Mad Cow” disease is another one that when spread throughout Great Britain and caused a fatal dementia in both cows and humans. “Bird-flu” has also resulted in the deaths of a large number of people. A great short article on swine flu and other diseases is “Humans are responsible for Swine Flu”

Thousands of people die every year from contaminated animal food products. Despite warnings from animal groups and consumers, the USDA’s protocol remains inadequate. To combat the threat of diseases that come from animal products, we are advised to overcook our food and make sure we keep uncooked meat and poultry below a certain temperature. These guidelines are not enough anymore.

Environmental Impact:
Factory Farming depletes valuable natural resources. The majority of grain harvested in the U.S. is fed to farm animals. The result is exploitation of large amounts of forests, wetlands and other natural ecosystems. Resources, such as fossil fuels, groundwater and topsoil, are disappearing or becoming too contaminated to use. The waste produced by farm animals is more than 130 times greater than that produced by humans. The waste contaminates rivers and streams and causes a number of health related issues for humans.

While this is just a brief overview of the issues surrounding factory farming, a great resource for more information about factory farming is the non-profit organization: Farm Sanctuary. Again I am not calling for the end of raising animals for food. However, the truth is, the fewer pigs, chickens and cows we raise for food the fewer animal-borne diseases there will be. For information on recent legislation and what you can do visit farmsanctuary.com

How Solar Garden Lights Work

How Solar Works

The cells in the solar light fixtures collect solar energy (sunlight) and convert the solar energy into electricity. This natural electricity recharges a built in Ni-Cad battery in the solar lights. Depending on the amount of sunlight that the solar panels receive will determine how much energy gets stored in the battery and how much solar light will be produced. A photo-cell sensor or photoresistor, detects when it is getting dark, automatically turning on the solar light.

Solar light operating times will vary by location and weather patterns.

For more information and an excellent source for garden solar lights please visit www.greengardenecology.com

Plastic Water Bottles and the Environment

By now everyone should know that the PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic water bottles that you find in grocery stores and gas stations are the worst kind of water bottle, for both you and the environment. Studies have shown that after repeated use, these plastics can leach carcinogens. Even the plastic used in baby bottles and water bottles often used by althetes are know to release carcinogens that are harmful to our health.

Everyday millions of plastic bottles and containers are thrown in the trash and make their way to our landfills. Almost 90 percent of water bottles are not recycled and end up in landfills where it takes thousands of years to decompose. To see just how ridiculous the bottled water industry is watch this short 2 minute hilarious video clip.

Now what can we do? One option is to buy aluminum water bottles (sold at any sports store and online at Reusable Bags). These save you money and the environment and do not leach BPA. But the best option to get your water on the go is to use stainless steel reusable bottles. Again these can be found at Target, Sports Chalet, and online at Reusable Bags.

With just a little bit of effort and money up front, you can save the planet from numerous plastic water bottles not making it to the recycling center and ending up in our landfills, or worse our rivers and oceans.

Essentials of Solar Power

Here is a compliation of interesting articles and videos on solar power. There are so many sources out there, if you know of another good video or short article, let me know.

How Solar Works: Video - 1 minute
The U.S. Department of Energy has a great one minute video that shows how solar cells covert sunlight into electricity.

How Solar Panels are Made: Video – 4 minutes
This video is an easy to understand lesson on how solar panels are made and assembled.

How Solar Water Heating Works: Article – 1 page
This is a great article on how a solar water heating system works. The U.S. Department of Energy says that one residential solar water-heating system can reduce the energy used to heat water by about two thirds. I know that this is no small amount of savings on an electricity bill, but can you imagine the impact this has on the environment. Seems like a very economical and efficient way to save money and the environment.
Article by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL): U.S. Department of Energy

How to get Free Solar Panels – 1 page
You want cheap or free solar panels, with only the cost to install them on your home. Michelle Bennett from cleantechnica.com came up with a great idea, recycle and reuse “damaged” commercial solar panels that are just fine for a residential home. To find out more check out the article at http://cleantechnica.com/2008/02/07/how-to-cheap-or-free-solar-panels/

Make sure you don’t go and steal these solar panels, as apparently that is the new crime wave of the future. Check out this article, some people are just pathetic.

Awesome Invention: Article – 1 page
Solar paneled purses. What a brilliant idea! I just read a story by Rachel Aviv on the New York Times.com site. It is about an Iowa State University doctoral student named Joe Hynek who invented a handbag lined with solar panels. It also includes a lightweight battery to store enough energy to power a cell phone, ipod and even a camera. Now why didn't I think of that.

Tax Incentives and Rebates
One always hears about tax incentives and rebates for using renewable energy sources, whether it is solar power panels, buying energy efficient appliances, or possibly buying solar garden lights. It is my opinion that those incentives (particularly federal incentives) will increase significantly in the next year or two. To keep updated on your state, city, and county’s incentive programs, the DISRE is great comprehensive, searchable database http://www.dsireusa.org/

Next week, information about using nanotechonology to increase the efficiency (and of course cost) of solar panels, replacing silicon solar cell techonology with plastic solar cells, where scientists are in the designs, and what it could lead to.

If anyone has any comments on anything reproduced here, or if a link is not working, or I did not properly cite the source, please email me at greenlifestyles@hotmail.com

Cremation and the Environment

I know that death and funerals are a subject of “taboo” in our society and many people avoid discussing them, but this topic might be of interest to some. The other day I was at the coffee shop having a normal conversation with my friend Mark, about the environment and “green” lifestyles and choices, when out of the blue he said that it is better for the environment to get cremated as opposed to buried in the ground. So of course I asked, “Is cremation really good for the earth? What about the smoke and the carbon dioxide and all the gases used in the furnace?” After a little research I was surprised to find out that there is a lot of debate about whether cremation is more ecologically friendly than traditional burial. When all the information and facts are added together, I think that Mark was right. Whatever choice you make, make sure it is what the deceased wanted and that it ends up being a beautiful celebration of life.

Pollution from Traditional Burials
Traditional burial spots take up a huge amount of space (many areas in Europe and Japan have simply run out of space to bury the deceased and it is really hard and very expensive to find traditional funeral plots). In addition the fluids used to embalm a body contain arsenic, mercury, and formaldehyde, which are all toxic. Casket manufactures are listed on the EPA’s top 50 hazardous waste generators because they use chemicals such as methyl and xylene to make a protective layer on the casket.

Due to the need to upkeep and preserve the burial grounds, traditional burial is a more labor and resource intensive process. One also has to consider the exhaust used by the truck that digs the grave, the mower used to upkeep the grounds, the chemicals and exhaust released from the equipment used to make the caskets, etc.

Most of the issues discussed above are issues that we (society), can and will find ways to improve the process and make traditional burial more environmentally friendly. For example, many people are choosing to use more environmentally friendly caskets. Others are refraining from embalming their loved ones and having the burial shortly after death. The one problem that cannot be fixed (except if you choose cremation) is the amount of earth and ground used in burial plots.

Pollution from Cremation
Cremation relies on finite fossil fuel reserves and creates emissions that pollute the environment. Cremation releases nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and dioxide, hydrochloric acid (HF), hydrofluoric acid (HCL), sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, mercury and other heavy metals into our atmosphere. As with most modern technology, natural-gas equipment used to cremate a body is becoming more efficient and burning cleaner, but not every place uses these more eco-friendly chambers.

Most of the air pollution is caused by the burning of the casket, which more times than not contain high quantities of toxic glues and plastic handles. Just like with traditional burials, a casket made from all natural materials (with removable handles) is certainly a good environmental choice and can dramatically reduce the amount of air emissions produced. SOME crematorium manufactures have built computerized control systems that regulate the exhaust systems to reduce the amount of air pollution. Also SOME crematoria’s remove all plastic handles and fittings from a coffin before cremation.

It is certainly good that some of these crematoria's are taking the right step in protecting (or at least not damaging) the environment, however it is still not the norm. Even when factoring in the air pollution released during cremation many "green" experts agree that cremation is better for the environment than traditional burials.

An Economic Perspective
In most cases cremation costs significantly less than a traditional burial service. It is even less expensive if the cremation occurs shortly after death without any sort of formal services. While traditional burials are still the most popular, the trend towards cremation is increasing. One reason may be due to the economic crisis we face and families who are affected by it are looking at cremation as a less costly way to honor their loved ones. This might be a twisted look at “saving money and the environment” but it is the truth. Whatever the choice, make sure it is what the deceased wanted and that it ends up being a beautiful celebration of their life.

What to do with your remains
This is an interesting thing to think about if you want to be cremated. I have not done all the research to verify that it helps the environment but it is a great plan if it does.

Memorial reefs, also know as “reef balls.” There is a company (Eternal Reefs) that has developed a process that mixes the cremated remains with liquid concrete and pours it into a mold to create a ball. The reef ball (along with many other reef balls) creates an artificial reef that provides health and home for sea life.

It only takes a few months for the artificial reef to look like a natural reef and only a few weeks before life begins to flourish. They provide you with the exact location of where the reef is (latitude and longitude coordinates) so you can visit by boat and even scuba dive to your loved ones memorial.

Memorial reef balls cost between $2,495 and $6,495, which is not including the cost of cremation.

Written by Alicia http://www.greengardenecology.com/