Independent Distributed Energy and Transport Systems

Electric Vehicles provide clean and efficient transport systems – bus, car, bike, ferry EV also can be used as mobile energy storage/backup energy storage – EV can be charged during day from solar to provide additional backup energy for peak day/night if required with smart systems ensuring energy left for travel the next day and top up power from off peak electricity.

Integrated with solar they can provide zero emissions transport – plug in charging stations can be located almost anywhere with stations having their own battery storage to fast charge vehicles for increased range. Stations can be located at supermarkets, shopping centres, work sites as well as commercial charging stations. Customers with solar can sell power to other customers rather than to big distributors so distributed energy systems rather than centralised improves energy security.

This needs to be managed by progressive distribution networks The E-revolution is soon to become a reality in Australia.  Electric vehicles and devices will explode within the space of ten years offering those who are ready, equipped and capable of understanding the bigger picture, employment and development opportunities that will parallel the early industrial revolution.  With the introduction of eVehicle, eBike, eScooter and eBus, solar energy capture and energy distribution infrastructure will also offer a major investment portfolio prospect for organisations seeking returns for their members.

Colin Gillam  spoke at the  Making Cities Liveable Conference in conjunction with the Sustainability Conference “SustainableTransformation” in Melbourne in 2013.

Electric Cars May Be Safer than Conventional Vehicles… more

Sustainable Renewable Energy Sources in US continue to grow

Sustainable Renewable Energy

According to the latest issue of the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) “Electric Power Monthly,” with preliminary data through to June 30, 2013, renewable energy sources (i.e., biomass, geothermal, hydropower, solar, wind) provided 14.20 percent of the nation’s net electric power generation during the first half of the year. For the same period in 2012, renewables accounted for 13.57 percent of net electrical generation.

Moreover, non-hydro renewables have more than tripled their output during the past decade. They now account for almost the same share of electrical generation (6.71 percent) as does conventional hydropower (7.49 percent). Ten years ago (i.e., calendar year 2003), non-hydro renewables provided only 2.05 percent of net U.S. electrical generation.

Comparing the first six months of 2013 to the same period in 2012, solar thermal & PV combined have grown 94.4 percent (these additions understate actual solar capacity gains. Unlike other energy sources, significant levels of solar capacity exist in smaller, non-utility-scale applications – e.g., rooftop solar photovoltaics). Wind increased 20.1 percent and geothermal grew by 1.0 percent, while biomass declined by 0.5 percent while hydropower dropped by 2.6 percent. Among the non-hydro renewabes, wind is in the lead, accounting for 4.67 percent of net electrical generation, followed by biomass (1.42 percent), geothermal (0.43 percent), and solar (0.19 percent).