Unlocking the infrastructure for the next energy generation
From: Appalachian Voice, Dec. 2009
By Bill Kovarik
If the inventors of the telephone, the adding machine and the light bulb could visit their legacies today, the first two – Alexander Graham Bell and Herman Hollerith – would see enormous change, with satellites, cell phones, computers and more.
But Thomas Edison would scarcely notice a difference. The systems that lit up his incandescent bulbs a century ago run on the same principle today: large central power plants boiling water to turn turbines and feed regional monopolies.
The idea of smaller, distributed, more flexible power systems, with all their environmental and national security benefits, is only beginning [...]
The Changing of the Grid
Compressed, Condensed, and Canadian — Michael Snow gets in touch with nature
By Daniela DiStefano
It’s a warm summer day amidst lush green trees and tall wild grass. You marvel at the interplay of sun and shadow, fog and mist. The sea rushes in, crashing against the jagged rocks of the cliff and gently caresses the sands of the cove over and over again.
After 10 minutes or so you get up from the bench, grab your coat and bag, and venture back outside into another London, Ontario day. But in those mere minutes you’ve witness the vivid sights recorded by one of Canada’s foremost contemporary artists – Michael Snow.
“As far as I know, there isn’t another landscape film like this in existence,” Snow [...]
Green energy act details announced
The Ontario provincial government today announced details of the Green Energy Act which boosts wind, solar and biogas production in the province.
“Ontario has taken the lead in Canada and set the ground rules for doing green business,” said Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty. “Now investors, renewable energy companies and skilled workers can really move our green economy forward.”
Wind, solar and biogas plants will all qualify for direct payments through a system that is typical in Europe but relatively new to North America.
“Ontario wants green energy business,” said George Smitherman, Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure. “These regulations will help ensure industry and municipalities that jobs will be created, investment [...]