Category Archives: Renewable Energy

When peer-review is not enough – On estimates of avian deaths attributable to coal and nuclear facilities

Posted on April 2, 2015 by Blair

This afternoon I was directed (via a tweet from Dr. Judith Curry) to a recent article in the New Yorker by Jonathan Franzen, titled: “Carbon Capture: Has climate change made it harder for people to care about conservation?” The article … Continue reading →

Posted in Renewable Energy | 5 Comments

Wind Energy and Avian Mortality: Why Can’t We get any Straight Numbers?

Posted on March 3, 2015 by Blair

In my writing on renewable energy, I have not yet spent much time on wind energy. I did establish that a single large wind turbine (rated at about 3.5 megawatts) typically contains around 600 kilograms of rare earth metals (ref) … Continue reading →

Posted in Renewable Energy | 6 Comments

On “Trust” and the Role of Renewable Energy Sources in “Climate Science”

Posted on January 13, 2015 by Blair

 Over the course of the last few weeks, my readings into the field of climate change have strayed from the technical end of the spectrum to the “discussion” end of the spectrum more than usual. Certainly, I have tried to … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate Change, Climate Change Politics, Renewable Energy | 11 Comments

Thoughts on blogging about renewable energy alternatives, Energiewende and how BC can do better

Posted on January 2, 2015 by Blair

So I have been writing this blog for about three weeks and have been both pleased and surprised by the positive and negative reviews. The most fascinating responses have been, not unexpectedly, from non-scientists of the progressive ilk. The number … Continue reading →

Posted in Environmentalism and Ecomodernism, Renewable Energy | 8 Comments

On Renewables and compromises, Intermission: Energy Density and Power Density

Posted on January 1, 2015 by Blair

So I want to get to the obvious next steps in the world of renewables: solar, wind and tide. Don’t get excited though because before I do I have to introduce you to a couple important topics in any discussion … Continue reading →

Posted in Renewable Energy | 4 Comments

On renewables and the need for compromise Part IV: biofuels – just bad or really bad?

Posted on December 28, 2014 by Blair

So I have threatened you all with a post on biofuels for a while and I suppose it is time to actually give it to you. A quick look at the post title gives you a hint of my personal … Continue reading →

Posted in Renewable Energy | 18 Comments

On renewables and the need for compromise, Part III: Geothermal redux

Posted on December 27, 2014 by Blair

So after preparing my first post on geothermal energy and the need for compromise, I was challenged by the Executive Director of DeSmogCanada who asked “Who has actually opposed geothermal? I haven’t heard any backlash“. My response was muted as my … Continue reading →

Posted in Renewable Energy | 7 Comments

On renewables and compromises Part II Rare earths in renewable technologies

Posted on December 25, 2014 by Blair

In my first post on renewables I wrote about geothermal energy and the compromises we need to make in order to make geothermal energy a reality in BC. As everyone knows, geothermal isn’t the only type of renewable energy available … Continue reading →

Posted in Renewable Energy | 10 Comments

On renewables and the need for compromise, Part I: Geothermal

Posted on December 16, 2014 by Blair

So as I’ve mentioned previously, I see a next step in the eventual move to decarbonization being the development and implementation of renewables as alternatives. Anyone with an interest in the topic of renewables in BC should spend several hours … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian Politics, Renewable Energy | 5 Comments