Kirk Sorensen talks about the new and exciting field of Liquid Fluoride Thorium Reactors, a new type of viable and stable forms of new nuclear energy. [youtube width="600" height="400" video_id="DBlsUjnEQq0&"]
SOLAR LIGHT BULBS TO TAFERT, MOROCCO
An Initiative Promoting Environmental, Economic, and Cultural Growth
In many indigenous communities the environment provides a means for living. Keeping the environment clean is especially important for those communities, while at the same time adds to the value of life for all people. The UN’s declaration on rights of indigenous people explains they have the right to maintain and strengthen their culture, and pursue their development according to their aspirations and needs. Providing Nokero light bulbs, which does not infringe on indigenous culture but rather helps preserve a traditional culture by bringing a service such as un-polluting light, and it helps maintain a lifestyle of living off the land without the environmental impacts that an on-grid electrical system would produce. This project focuses on bringing a sustainably designed product to a community where the bulb would benefit three-fold.
Background on Indigenous Moroccans
The Berber people are indigenous to Morocco. Their origins are likely in south-west Asia, from second millennium B.C. They are united by linguistic rather than by genetic features. There are several types of Berbers throughout North Africa but the Moroccan Berbers live in the Atlas Mountains. In 40 A.D. and the following 500 years the Moroccan Berbers were annexed by the Romans which left a faint cultural imprint. As the Roman Empire faded the pastoral life of the Berbers continued. They established trade posts with whoever passed their way; often times taking on and letting fall away traditions of invaders and passers-by. By the end of the seventh century the Arab people had reached Morocco bringing Islam and as the settlers before them they welcomed their culture and protection. From time to time the Berbers resisted the Arabs attempts to govern for example the Arabs wanted to administer taxes. The economic advantages were few so any attempts by the Arabs fall to the waste side. In 15th century Morocco became an interest to European countries wanting control of the coastal regions. By the 19th century Morocco was essentially controlled by the Europeans. The Treaty of Fez granted France the permission to establish civil order in Morocco and as such Morocco became a French colony. By 1930 the Berbers and Arabs were under the French administration and for the first time under one rule. In 1956 sovereignty was restored and Morocco was an independent united country.
Who is receiving the solar light bulbs?
Presently Morocco is a developing country. While many highly populated areas are growing and becoming or are established as cities other terrain areas are not. Nokero is a Colorado based company which has a product unlike any in Morocco. While some communities in Morocco can afford to purchase these bulbs, the Tafert community does not. They currently are not serviced for electricity or running water. Most of the region is used to extract resources, which has provided roads some distance away from the community, about 5 kilometers away from Tafert. The population estimate is 30 individuals. Providing more than one light bulb to each individual is ideal. One to use while the other charges or for back up purposes. Meaning a total minimum of 60 bulbs needed. Other communities in this region will want the light bulbs as well so donations are not capped. The more bulbs we have the more we can give not only to the Tafert village but surrounding ones too. Nokero light bulbs will be provided to the Berber village of Tafert at no cost.
A Crucial Undergraduate Degree Returns to the University of Houston
For the better part of 30 years, the geographic center of the world’s petroleum industry had been without a fundamental, industry-specific academic program. While no one is exactly sure why the program ceased to exist after the late 1970s, petroleum engineering finally reemerged at the University of Houston in the fall of 2009. The return of this essential program is on the cusp of the industry’s great crew change. This eminent shift in talent within the space of petroleum engineering has companies scrambling to find new technical personnel, and fast. Industry experts are anticipating that 20 percent of the entire industry will have less than five years’ experience as the workforce approaches retirement eligibility in 2015.
In an article published by the Society of Petroleum Engineers titled, Lessons From History: The Value of Competent People, writer J. Ford Brett states that there are 400,000 exploration and production (E&P) professionals (e.g., geologists, geophysicists, engineers) worldwide. This means that there will be roughly 80,000 E&P professionals worldwide with less than five years of experience, in a career field that specializes in “maximizing economic recovery of hydrocarbons.”
The importance of this position and its financial impacts plays a large part in upstream operations. It has also, unfortunately, been drawn into the melee as more and more people become entrenched in the controversial process of hydraulic fracturing. Differences aside, with many baby boomers retiring, the fundamentals of petroleum engineering are vital to the growing industry.
As national production continues to increase, the departure of seasoned petroleum engineers is quickly approaching and the industry players in Houston were quick to acknowledge the deficit of new students at the city’s own University. In 2001, individuals from across the industry came together to form a board that proved to be decisive in reengaging university and state officials about the importance of having a program to supplement the nation’s top petroleum engineering colleges—Texas A&M and the University of Texas, Austin—whose programs were already at capacity.
The board, with the help of Ali Daneshy, who served as the director from 2004 to 2007, created a curriculum that “reflected the opinions of industry experts.” The university finally secured state approval and the first students were admitted to the program by fall of 2009 and graduated in the spring of 2013. While the program is currently housed in the Cullen College of Engineering’s Chemical Engineering Department, the program’s director, Dr. Thomas Holley, expressed his delight about the undergraduate program’s sustained growth and the need to eventually secure its own department.
With roughly 550 students currently enrolled in the undergraduate program, the University of Houston is on track with other universities offering the same program. Holley does not believe that they will grow the undergraduate program any larger but is hoping that the doctoral program will increase to match the swelling numbers they are seeing in the undergraduate and masters programs. With the increase in students, the school is hoping to draw in seven to ten more full-time faculty members in addition to the adjunct faculty members who change with enrollment numbers.
The University of Houston and the petroleum engineering program hit the academic jackpot in 2011 when they hired on their first tenured professor and notable full-time staffer, John Lee, who came to the University from the nation’s top PE school, Texas A&M. Very few can rival Lee whose accolades and experience are nationally if not world renowned. “I’m very glad to be a part of this program. Everything is new. We can build how we think it ought to be built and we know our efforts are very well needed and respected,” said Lee.
Lee reflects much of what the advisory board expresses in regards to illustrating applications that the industry is facing, but stressed that the amount of emphasis on fundamentals versus direct practical applications is crucial to the success of future graduates. His philosophy, while cautious, exemplifies his understanding of the need for quality engineers with proper rudimentary knowledge as they graduate and move out into the field.
In Lessons from History, Brett estimates that neophyte petroleum engineers with less than five years of experience are more likely to make costly mistakes resulting in the loss of billions for the industry. If Brett’s estimates are correct, Lee’s stance on a more rigorous fundamental approach might help to spare the industry in reasonable errors based on novice decisions.
The PE program has its inherent perks by way of its location. With 3,600 energy-related companies in Houston alone, students have access to a host of internships focused on day-to-day issues that face the industry. The majority, if not all, of the students who graduate the four-year program, will get a job directly after graduation. Of the 36,410 employed petroleum engineers nationally, most garner a median wage of $130,280. The high level of responsibility coupled with high salaries continues to make petroleum engineering an attractive career.
With the looming great crew change, colleges and universities across the country that offer PE are seeing enrollment similar to the peak in the 1980s, which some believe is disastrously high. “There are plenty of students to smoothly integrate into positions left vacant by retirees,” said Lee. There are still the inherent risks that left the industry and the profession bottomed out in the 80s. Now however, with increasing demand combined with new policies and regulations, industry experts are better poised to deal with issues that concern them directly. The great crew change is one such concern, placing the University of Houston at the helm to provide new talent each year straight from the center of the petroleum industry.
A Sugar Boost For Your Electronics
“Sugar-powered biobatteries could serve as next-generation green power sources, particularly for portable electronics.,” Zhiguang Zhu, Tsz Kin Tam, Fangfang Sun, Chun You & Y. -H. Percival Zhang. The aforementioned list of authors published the article, “A High-Energy-Density Sugar Biobattery Based on a Synthetic Enzymatic Pathway” in Nature Communications. Rechargeable batteries after time cannot hold a charge and end up as toxic waste. It’s not a far stretch to believe that billions of batteries are thrown out each year causing distress to the environment and human health. The sugar battery is a biodegradable alternative, which is non-explosive and non-flammable. Ideally the sugar battery will be refueled by adding more sugar, similar to the way ink cartridges are refilled with ink. In fact the sugar battery may last up to 10 times longer than current lithium-ion batteries. The Virginia Tech University team is extracting as much energy as possible out of sugar and converting it to electricity, making it more powerful than any previously made sugar battery.
That’s all fine and dandy but is it practical? The sugar battery wouldn’t be a typical AA battery, rather a fuel cell, which means it would emit CO2 and water. These details are what the Virginia Tech research team will work on for the next three years as well as, increasing the lifetime and power of the battery.
The future is full of hope for the sugar battery. Hope that it can power our iPhones and Kindles. How sweet would that be?
"The World's" audio interview with Zhang about the sugar battery.
Connect & Collaborate - Mining Methods
Our modern lives would look nothing the same if we took mining out of the equation. Computers, smart phones, heat and electricity, even automobiles would disappear from our daily routines. Certainly, those conveniences and others would be hard to live without, yet so many of us take mining for granted. This week on Connect and Collaborate, we take a look at different types of mining. Including some processes you may have never thought of, such as Urban Mining, and Data Mining along with of course, traditional mining for natural resources.
We begin by talking with Creighton Bildstein, President of Urban Mining 2, a company that disassembles computer and electronic components to recycle the valuable materials such as gold and copper, without contributing to waste. Throughout their recycling efforts, Urban Mining 2 makes every effort to prevent the release of dangerous toxins from other components.
At the bottom of the hour, we talk with Kevin Kersting, President of CAP Logistics. As a freight forwarding company, CAP has realized the benefit of data mining to reduce risk and meet compliance issues. These efforts impact the company’s bottom line in terms of insurance, by having a conscious eye on safety ratings for drivers, and the criteria of carriers they may hire. This information is important to anyone engaged in the hiring of commercial carriers.
We complete the hour with Stuart Sanderson, President of the Colorado Mining Association, who brings us back to traditional mining and the resources we rely upon. With a look at the regulation of competition in mining and energy production, and how it impacts jobs.
Please let us know what you think of our program, either by commenting here or on Facebook at Connect & Collaborate with ICOSA or join the discussion on Twitter @ICOSAMagazine.
How to create climate wealth with Jigar Shah
Creating Climate Wealth: Unlocking The Impact Economy” is a new book by Jigar Shah, founder of the largest solar services company, SunEdison. Shah internationally recognized for revolutionizing the now multi-billion-dollar solar energy industry, tells how a business model, the power purchase agreement, unlocked the massive potential of the solar industry. He explains that rather than waiting for yet to be developed technology, business model innovation is the key to attract mainstream capital to unlock transformational change in other business that will stave off the impacts of climate change. Shah makes a compelling case for reaching our 2020 climate change goals through, his “100/100 Plan”: 100,000 companies worldwide, each generating $100 million in sales.
[youtube width="600" height="400" video_id="mUmnR-Ld8VQ"]
Who needs the Solar Energy Industries Association?
Since 2008, the solar industry in the USA has grown from less than $3B in 2008 to more than $15B projected by the end of 2013. During that same period, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)
- Secured an 8-year extension of the solar tax credit in 2008 In the 2009 stimulus bill,
- Secured the 1603 grant program in 2009 which brought in an entirely new group of investors into solar
- And recently, the SEIA has come out with a new approach to solving the Chinese tariff case
Yet with all this financial growth of the solar industry, plus expanded responsibilities of the SEIA, my guess is that SEIA’s budget that is $9.2 million today has not kept pace with the growth of the industry over the past five years. It appears that when the solar industry’s profit margin started to shrink, the first priority of many members was to zero out growing their investment in SEIA.
Plus, over these years, our industry has asked SEIA to do a lot more work with the same limited funds. In discussions I have had with executive director Rhone Resch, he has noted that SEIA is dipping heavily into its reserve account to continue to expand markets for companies.
And our industry is in a David & Goliath war. SEIA is confronting Edison Electric Institute (EEI), which has a budget 10x larger.
Yet the 5X increase in industry revenues with a roughly flat SEIA budget does not add up. After all, SEIA is the official trade association of the US solar industry that helped to lobby for and stimulate this growth. This growth includes large utility scale solar electricity, distributed solar electricity, and the solar thermal industry.
The main thing that does not compute is that SEIA has less than 1,000 member companies in an industry numbering more than 6,000 in the US alone.
Yet we have had a sort of mutiny in the industry. In the past few years alone, solar was used as a symbol of failure for the loan guarantee program, a German solar manufacturer created a global trade war, and now a well-respected Arizona solar manufacturer on the board of SEIA decided to go to war with the whole solar industry on behalf of their utility customers.
In marketing terms, there are four stages to the growth of an industry. The pioneering stage when an industry is first formed and technology is first deployed. This pioneering stage is marked with technological advances and first mover companies.
The second phase is the growth phase marked by many companies entering the market and widespread acceptance of the product or service. This requires that companies in the industry cooperate to build the industry.
Third is the maturing of an industry. This is where the dozens of companies consolidate either through merger or attrition.
And, finally is decline. This is where a market runs its course. The classic example is buggy whips, displaced by the automobile. Or, right now we are starting to see the displacement of the personal computer by smart phones and tablets. And, we are witnessing the displacement of old energy sources like coal with solar.
Solar is in its growth phase. As a result, it is critical that all members of the solar industry work together to growth the industry. In doing so, each company will get its fair share of market. For example, while I founded SunEdison, it would be naïve of me to think that SunEdison will win every solar services deal. While we compete for projects, we must stick together as an industry.
That glue of our sticking together is the SEIA. Keeping the solar industry working together and growing revenues 30%+ per year requires a lot of work and coordination. And if we can grow the industry another 90% -- the bottom line is that it adds up for all of us.
At the end of the day, our industry is dependent on fair policy. We need to support our national trade association if we want a level playing field to stay in business.
So, who needs the SEIA? Answer: the solar industry. We are in this fight together.
Creating Climate Wealth - Press Release
MEDIA CONTACT: Rob Wyse – 212-920-1470
NEW BOOK CREATING CLIMATE WEALTH EXPLAINS HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE LARGEST WEALTH CREATION OPPORTUNITY OF OUR TIME
Jigar helps entrepreneurs, investors, and climate enthusiasts discover how to unlock the $10 trillion necessary to solve climate change, through his new book Creating Climate Wealth, Unlocking the New Impact Economy.
Perplexed at the state of involvement both on the business and governmental side to initiate measures and capitalize on current investments, either through subsidies or merely providing an even platform for energy providers. Shah has never been more sure that the technology for cleantech and renewable solutions already exist and that we are not adequately exploiting these opportunities. “Everything that made SunEdison succeed was about business structure and not technology. The technology existed, we simply needed the right business model to get it adapted,” said Shah.
Sectioned out into easy-to-read chapters, Jigar answers the question why “small is beautiful” when it comes to projects of scale. How to understand the rules of mainstream capital investing and the complexities of trying to start a business through impact investing as well how are system of government is failing us through their roles in regulation and subsidy allocation.
Jigar’s thoughtful approach to business and the creation of SunEdison, are proof that there is a relationship between profits and impact. He approaches business the same way he approaches the climate, with great attention to sustainability and value. For Jigar, “it’s never been about money but rather an unshakeable belief in solutions.”
What others are saying:
“Everything Jigar has done proves that profits in energy aren’t just made in dirty fuels. Thanks to entrepreneurs like Jigar, climate change solutions are attracting investors, greener jobs are being created, and industries are saving big money on energy costs.” – Sir Richard Branson, Founder, Virgin Group
“…Jigar Shah has the courage to see the crisis we face & the vision to come up with a solution. The ideas in this book, if implemented, could prevent the next mass extinction on our planet & create unprecedented wealth for those who pioneer this new phase for our civilization. “ – Deepak Chopra, Author
“With over 10,000 MWs of expensive new diesel engines installed last year in sub-Saharan Africa, this book provides essential insight to how mainstream capital can flow into climate friendlier ways to meet modern electricity needs while making compelling financial returns.” – Strive Masiyiwa, Founder of Econet Wireless & Board Member of The Rockefeller Foundation
“Shah shows that a new massive wealth opportunity is at our fingertips linking sustainability and economic development.” – Carl Pope, CEO of The Sierra Club
About Jigar Shah:
From an unassuming beginning, Jigar Shah became the person who unlocked a multi-billion dollar worldwide solar industry, not with a new technology, but with a business model innovation. This model created SunEdison, the largest solar services company worldwide.
Through SunEdison, Jigar discovered he could make positive change through business and financial model innovation in many industries. After SunEdison was sold in 2009, Jigar was appointed the first CEO of the Carbon War Room — the global organization founded by Sir Richard Branson and Virgin Unite, to help entrepreneurs address climate change. The Carbon War Room, broadened and deepened Jigar’s global knowledge of the myriad of business solutions that will build the next economy.
Today, as CEO of Jigar Shah Consulting, he works with global companies in a multitude of industries to deploy existing clean energy solutions fueled by new business models.
Shah holds a BS in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, and an MBA from The University of Maryland. He sits on the boards of the Carbon War Room, SolarNexus, KMR Infrastructure, and Empower Energies.
When Jigar is not busy exploring new business solutions for electricity, agriculture, building efficiency, clean transportation and other sectors, he can usually be found exploring new foods, new travels, or spending time with his family.
Books can be ordered currently on CreateSpace at www.createspace.com/4242808. To connect with Jigar Shah, please visit the following sites:
Website: http://www.climatewealth.co
Media Kit: http://creatingclimatewealth.co/mediakit/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClimateWealth
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JigarShahDC
Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUmnR-Ld8VQ&feature=share&list=UU9M0WC3uPj3eWebQ4DbsNeA
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Connect & Collaborate - Lighting Transformation
Simply switching traditional lighting for energy efficient lighting can save thousands of dollars on your businesses’ bottom line. We’ve heard it before, even looked into it, but making the switch is daunting, when we consider financial investment up front. Just doing the research is overwhelming. It’s time to look into it again, because it just got considerably easier.
This week we talk with Gary Goldwasser of LED Source - a company dedicated to ease the confusion around LED lighting products. LED Source not only helps your company sort out the right products for your business, but also navigates the available rebates and incentives, which can greatly impact the upfront cost.
LED Source can show you the newest LED technology, which now comes in a variety of lighting colors as compared to the cold, blue-hued light we’ve come to expect. The switch can result in 50-70 percent savings on your energy costs – which is typically enough to cover the initial expenses within the first two years. Rebates from Excel Energy can cover the cost of up to sixty percent of a lighting project.
The best part is, LED Source does all the legwork for you. Find out more by listening to the entire interview with Gary, Saturday at 10:00 AM on KNUS 710 – Please let us know what you think of our program, either by commenting here or on Facebook at Connect & Collaborate with ICOSA or join the discussion on Twitter @ICOSAMagazine.
Connect & Collaborate - Power to the Point of Need
As Coloradans, our minds are on the victims of last week’s flooding of the Front Range. Those who lost their homes, lost their livelihoods, those who were stranded for days without power while they awaited rescue. While we can’t prevent much of what weather systems force upon us, we can prepare in some ways. Now, supplying emergency power is becoming less of an obstacle.
In our Energy 101 episode this week, our guests are Gerry Demple and Andrew Goei from Aspect Solar. Aspect Solar is a Colorado company, based in Bloomfield that pioneers real portable solar energy solutions that bring power to the point of need. We love that phrase!
Aspect Solar’s technologies have been in the making for more than a decade. At the time, the idea was bigger than the available technology, particularly from a cost standpoint. Over time, the company focused on acquiring patents and incorporating the company and now that technology has advanced the SunSocket solar generator and the PowerBar 250 are available. Both ready to deploy in either in an emergency or simply a matter of convenience.
Further genius behind the design of these units, beyond the portability, is lifespan and functionality. The PowerBar has an expected lifespan of ten years, thanks to a lithium ion phosphate internal battery that won’t corrode like other batteries. The SunSocket solar generator is packed in the size of a briefcase, with solar tracking panels that automatically seek and follow the sun.
The possible applications for both units are endless, from military installations to camping and car rides, and of course emergency power in a time of need.
You will definitely want to here the entire interview to learn more. Listen to the entire program Saturday at 10:00 AM on KNUS 710 – Please let us know what you think of our program, either by commenting here or on Facebook at Connect & Collaborate with ICOSA or join the discussion on Twitter @ICOSAMagazine.
Connect & Collaborate - Perspectives on Oil & Gas
The ICOSA Team has spent the week immersed in the Biennial of the Americas in Downtown Denver, learning from leaders across the Americas about Unleashing Human Potential: Reinventing Communities, Business and Education. We're excited to share all about it soon on Connect & Collaborate.
Until then, we leave you with one of our favorite Energy 101 segments, an interview with John Hofmeister, former president of Shell Oil Company, Founder and CEO of the non-profit Citizens for Affordable Energy and author of Why We Hate the Oil Companies: Straight Talk from an Energy Insider.
Love it or hate it we all use the energy produced by the oil and gas industry. Very few of us are willing to give that up. That’s why it’s important to understand the perspectives of the energy industry in contrast to that of the government, pricing models and supply scales.
Hofmeister says, the Energy Industry is a free market only to the point of consumer choice of which gas station they choose to fill up in – but beyond that, everything else that is done by the energy companies, is highly regulated and subject to the most stringent government regulations.While Government regulates everything that is done in the industry, “But government refuses, fails to, does not want to and will not, in our history so far, determine how we’re going to go forward in energy and they leave it up to the companies to come and wait to be told, “No.” and so the companies come and experiment, ( … ) the industry tries, pokes and probes at government to try and get permission and the government will go along with it up to a point where it says, “No.” If it doesn’t say no, then the industry can go ahead.”In the past century, American consumers benefited from having more energy in the supply chain than they needed. Now, Hofmeister blames political leadership for failing to deal with pricing issues from the oil cartel withholding production which raises the price artificially.
He also points to the intellectual war going on in our country over alternative energy versus traditional energy. “The reality is, we need both. Why can’t we all agree we need both?” This is a call for politicians to be accountable to promote solutions rather than point at problems – in the end to benefit everyone.
These frustrations led Hofmeister to start the non-partisan organization, Citizens for Affordable Energy to promote grass roots education for all Americans to understand the issues we face and the future of energy. The non-profit is consumer oriented, funded only by consumers, and takes no contributions from energy producers. You can find them on Twitter and Facebook.
Listen to the entire Connect & Collaborate program this Saturday at 10:00 AM on KNUS 710 – Please let us know what you think of our program, either by commenting here or on Facebook at Connect & Collaborate with ICOSA or join the discussion on Twitter @ICOSAMagazine
Connect & Collaborate - Treatment Train
We're just too far in to ever give up the conveniences of oil and gas. Surrender our cars? No way. Do away with electricity? Yeah right. We can think about reducing our dependence - especially when we consider all of the unpleasant side effects of oil and gas production and our related moral objections. Fracking, drilling, water pollution - why can't we just quit? Ah yes, those everyday conveniences we just can't do without. We suppose the best we can hope for is to mitigate the damage. In this week's Energy 101 segment, we talk with John (Grizz) Deal, Executive Chairman & CEO of IX Power, an organization that integrates engineering technologies and innovations for the oil and gas industry.
Consider the problem of "produced" water, a nasty by-product of oil and gas drilling. Produced water is 95 percent of the waste coming out of an oil well, consisting of mud, oil and hydrocarbons. In the oil industry's efforts to be more environmentally responsible in the past 100 years, they look at the Treatment Train - searching for a way to clean this "produced" water.
Listen as John Deal explains how OrganiClear came about through a collaborative effort between a laboratory and a University, sharing patent rights on an invention. OrganiClear Technology promotes a no-waste stream after scientists discovered bacteria that consumes hydrocarbons, and produces CO2, converting the hardest part of the waste stream. It's an advancement that John (Grizz) Deal describes as "Almost Magical."
Oh - but there is more to the story, like how to market to a $40 Billion dollar industry and the satisfaction of creating a value proposition that costs less money, creates less hassle and creates something good.
There's a lot to learn in this Energy 101 segment. Tune in Saturday at 10:00 AM on KNUS 710 – or download our podcast – available this coming Monday – you’ll find it embedded at the top of this article or on the KNUS podcast page.
Connect & Collaborate - Creating Shared Value
Each month Connect & Collaborate with ICOSA features a Community Matters show focusing on compelling and collaborative stories about making a difference in the communities where we live and work. Because our communities do matter. 
Once again, Cristin Tarr from Business Service Corps brings us fascinating guests to continue the conversation about social responsibility.
This month we talk with leaders in the Oil and gas industry. Our guests this week are Doug Hock, Director of Public and Community Relations for Encana Oil & Gas USA, Amy Venturi, Director of Social Investment, and Robin Olsen, External Relations - both of Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, all together to discuss community giving and the benefits gained for both the company, and the community.
Many oil and gas companies are pleased to contribute to the communities they live and work in, but often their efforts are seen as disingenuous "Greenwashing" - perceived as smoke and mirror efforts to disguise the fact that they're supposedly making boat loads of money and their altruistic efforts aren't so much so.
It is an effort to balance giving in such cases. Encana, as an example tends to focus their efforts toward helping natural gas to work well. In Rifle, Colorado, Encana funded a grant to supply gas boilers for new library. They also support health and wellness efforts in the community and support education in the STEM fields, to encourage more careers in the energy industry.
In our first half hour, Doug Hock of Encana elaborates on the various projects the company gets involved in, from tuition programs, to grassroots efforts, and event small scale support. More importantly, he explains how giving helps their employees to be more engaged with their community and with their jobs.
The second half of the show features Amy Venturi and Robin Olsen of Anadarko who emphasize that their employees live in the communities where they work,
"We want these to be great places to live."
They do that by focusing their contributions for each division of the company - to make sure that not only do the communites get what they need, but that the employees are engaged and involved. Anadarko focuses on the development and engagement of young professionals through volunteerism, providing enlightening leaders and speakers, and making them feel like a valuable part of the company. Listen to the entire Connect & Collaborate program to hear just how these programs are implemented, their overall effect to communities and employees.
Doing good in communities and for employees can be good for profits and society. Why not celebrate the successes and encourage more good?
Tune in Saturday at 10:00 AM on KNUS 710 – or download our podcast - you’ll find it embedded at below, and on the KNUS podcast page.
Connect & Collaborate - Creating Energy Leaders
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) based in Golden, Colorado, does more than focus on answers to today's energy challenges. They help others to focus on solutions as well. On this week's Connect & Collaborate with ICOSA Radio show, we discuss the NREL Executive Energy Leadership Academy which brings people together to be change agents for the energy industry, in their communities, municipalities and their own organizations. By educating the average business person about energy, they create change agents in every community.
Our guests are Martha Butwin, Senior International Trade Specialist the Denver US Export Assistance Center, Janice Rooney, of NREL, and two alums of the Energy Execs Program, Drew Torbin of ProLogis and Mark Dow, of Lockheed Martin.
There are two programs in NREL's Executive Leadership Academy, the Executive Energy Leadership Program or the condensed version, Executive Energy Leadership Institute. Energy Execs is open to leaders in their community or organization or government leaders, and is not limited to professionals in the energy field.
The students study solutions, and implement a viable class project, either as an individual or as a team, where they are encouraged to think through how to solve problems and provide the framework to ask the right questions that lead to important answers.
The class also includes field trips to wind farms, and to Greensburg Kansas, a tornado devastated town that rebuilt and as a green energy town - where they can see impressive technology solutions at work.
You'll want to tune in when the program airs to hear about the success one class project that provides solutions for delivering fuel to military bases which saves not just fuel, but the lives of our deployed military as well.
The application process begins in January, go to www.NREL.gov to get started.
Listen to the entire Connect & Collaborate program this Saturday at 10:00 AM on KNUS 710 – or download our podcast – you’ll find it at the top of this article. Please let us know what you think of our program, either by commenting here or on Facebook at Connect & Collaborate with ICOSA or join the discussion on Twitter @ICOSAMagazine
Connect & Collaborate - Oil & Gas Industry Perspective
Love it or hate it we all use the energy produced by the oil and gas industry. Very few of us are willing to give that up. That's why it's important to understand the perspectives of the energy industry in contrast to that of the government, pricing models and supply scales.
John Hofmeister, former president of Shell Oil Company, Founder and CEO of the non-profit Citizens for Affordable Energy and author of Why We Hate the Oil Companies: Straight Talk from an Energy Insider, talks with Jan Mazotti and Kelly de la Torre in this week's Energy 101 segment.
Hofmeister says, the Energy Industry is a free market only to the point of consumer choice of which gas station they choose to fill up in - but beyond that, everything else that is done by the energy companies, is highly regulated and subject to the most stringent government regulations.
While Government regulates everything that is done in the industry, "But government refuses, fails to, does not want to and will not, in our history so far, determine how we're gioing to go forward in energy and they leave it up to the companies to come and wait to be told, "No." and so the companies come and experiment, ( ... ) the industry tries, pokes and probes at government to try and get permission and the government will go along with it up to a point where it says, "No." If it doesn't say no, then the industry can go ahead."
In the past century, American consumers benefited from having more energy in the supply chain than they needed. Now, Hofmeister blames political leadership for failing to deal with pricing issues from the oil cartel withholding production which raises the price artificially.
He also points to the intellectual war going on in our country over alternative energy versus traditional energy. "The reality is, we need both. Why can't we all agree we need both?" This is a call for politicians to be accountable to promote solutions rather than point at problems - in the end to benefit everyone.
These frustrations led Hofmeister to start the non-partisan organization, Citizens for Affordable Energy to promote grass roots education for all Americans to understand the issues we face and the future of energy. The non-profit is consumer oriented, funded only by consumers, and takes no contributions from energy producers. You can find them on Twitter and Facebook.
Listen to the entire Connect & Collaborate program this Saturday at 10:00 AM on KNUS 710 – or download our podcast – you’ll find it at the top of this article. Please let us know what you think of our program, either by commenting here or on Facebook at Connect & Collaborate with ICOSA or join the discussion on Twitter @ICOSAMagazine
Connect & Collaborate - Life Cycles of Oil & Gas Production
Everything you ever wanted to know about Oil and Gas production and then some. Here at ICOSA - we encourage everyone to be careful about forming opinions without studying all sides of an issue. It's particularly true when it comes to oil and gas production. There's just so much to know, most of which many Americans don't know - that if we only follow the latest headlines and fast talkers, we're guaranteed to be misinformed.
That's why Connect & Collaborate with ICOSA Radio brings you in-depth interviews with people in-the-know. This week Jan Mazotti and co-host Kelly de la Torre talk with Lisa Roy, Land Negotiator with Encana Oil & Gas, USA. They'll discuss the life cycle of oil and gas production, from obtaining rights to the land, to fracking procedures, to the impact on careers in the industry.
In this episode of C&C, we walk through each step of the science and technology of releasing these natural resources. Starting with Geology. It's very important to study and identify the rock. At this point, in the United states, most conventional plays have already been found and exploited. Now we turn to the unconventional shales and horizontal drilling to go further.
Roy explains the special complications around land acquisition, and meeting the state and federal regulations that lead up to drilling. Today there are still some basins where where drilling down 250 feet will hit oil (as Kelly de la Torre says, "Jed Clampett-style." ), but in other areas, shale rock is so tightly compacted that it's necessary to fracture the rock to extract it.
This is nothing new. Fracking techniques have been employed since the 1950s. Of course Roy acknowledges concerns about fracking, and assures us that 99.5 percent of fracking solutions is comprised of water and sand. The water is recycled and reused when possible.
People are genuinely concerned about what other chemicals or solvents are used in the fracking process, some of which may have proprietary qualities that raise questions. Roy says most of them are household products like surfactant, which is essentially dish soap, which lubricates the rock to help break it apart.
Another is reminiscent of the goo or "slime" that was sold as a children's toy not so long ago... Roy explains, "An engineer was playing with this stuff and he said, "You know, we borrowed this from another industry."" Kelly de la Torre asks, "From Mattel?" "No, McDonald's." responds Roy, "They use it as a thickener in their milkshakes."
This is a good example of the proprietary information that causes skepticism among many Americans, but is no different than the products they consume themselves. When it comes to proprietary, trade secret concerns, it's often a matter of simple industry rather than environmentally dangerous elements.
Considering the tight government regulations surrounding every aspect of production, it would be hard for oil and gas companies to get away with anything shady.
"We have to monitor the air, and monitor the water. And the department of wildlife, we have to be sure we're not too close to bird's nests or sage grouse or a million other things. There are regulations that we can't drill during certain times of the year. When it comes right down to it, there are so many things, sometimes it's hard to find a time to drill the well." explains Lisa Roy.
If you really want to understand the demands and risks of drilling for natural resources, this interview touches on every aspect of the drilling process. You'll want to listen to the entire Connect & Collaborate program this Saturday at 10:00 AM on KNUS 710 – or download our podcast – you’ll find it at the top of this article.
Connect & Collaborate - Creating Climate Wealth
Some of the best, energy saving technologies and inventions are not implemented because of a gap between interventors, entreprenaurs and the money that sets things in motion. As Jigar Shah has told us before, “We have, in our country, all the technologies necessary to solve climate change. We just have to export them around the world.”So what's stopping us? Many things. All explained in Jigar's new book - set to release early this summer. As Jigar's media partner, ICOSA is proud to be a part of the launch of Creating Climate Wealth - Unlocking the Impact Economy.
In this week's radio program, Connect & Collaborate with ICOSA - Jan Mazotti and Kelly de la Torre talk with Jigar about his new book as well as the challenges surrounding clean technology solutions. As Jigar explains, there are great technologies that really solve energy problems, but have no customers due to the costs of implementation.
"Capitalism 101 is that people have to be in pain. People don't take vitamin pills, they take pain medication. So you have to figure out how to sell pain medication. " ~ Jigar Shah
Many times it comes down to explaining the benefits surrounding the cost. One example is a company with a solution for getting fresh, local produce to major grocers around the country. Corporations and city governments often can't see past the start up costs of hydroponic greenhouse technology. If it costs 15 percent more to grow the produce locally, it seems cost-prohibitive. But those fruits and vegetables can be sold to the grocery store for 15 percent more, while dramatically reducing the use of fuel and pollution from diesel trucks. All this, while delivering produce that is only a day old compared to four days old. The hangup, besides cost, is that the most suitable investors are cautious because they're not accustomed to supporting agriculture. Which is why Shah advocates for experts that can identify the patterns that will appeal to the right investors.
Be sure to listen to the full program to hear more examples and learn more about the soon-to-be-released book.
Listen to the entire Connect & Collaborate program this Saturday at 10:00 AM on KNUS 710 – or download our podcast – you’ll find it at the top of this article.
Connect & Collaborate - Colorado Energy Office
In a position to lead, Colorado has made huge gains in the energy sector. Always a leading state when it comes to coal production, we're now in an era of renewable energy. With abundant days of sunshine, solar energy is easy to produce, and on the front range and elsewhere, wind energy is harnessed. In addition to natural resource production, traditionally coal, oil and gas - we have a lot going on at once. It all makes for a busy Jeffrey Ackermann, newly appointed Director of the Colorado Energy Office, focusing on all parts of our energy landscape.
"Under (our) mission, it's not the renewable energy office. It's not the traditional energy office. It's the Energy Office. And so we are trying to say how do we engage all sectors of the Colorado energy economy in doing that. " Ackermann explains in this week's Energy 101 interview with Kelly de la Torre.
The Colorado Energy Office's interests don't stop there - they continue into consumer decisions, from the vehicles and appliances we choose for our homes to how to plan energy efficient living for our low income sectors.
Kelly is joined by Lida Citroën... and together they discuss ways to monitor energy use, from home energy audits (Kelly admits her competitive streak has her line drying clothes just for the satisfaction of reducing her electric bill!) down the appliances and vehicles you choose.
If you haven't thought about your light bulbs, thermostat and shower heads lately, don't miss this show for energy inspiration!
Listen to the entire Connect & Collaborate program this Saturday at 10:00 AM on KNUS 710 – or download our podcast – you’ll find it at the top of this article.
Connect & Collaborate - LNG - Opening Global Export Markets
The dynamics of United States' oil dependency have been turned on their head after recent estimates of abundant Natural Gas reserves. Now, the United States is in a position to not only produce our own energy, but possibly export it as well. The question is: Should we? This week, we're talking to Dave Schryver, Executive Vice President of American Public Gas Association, and George Biltz, Corporate Vice President of Energy and Climate Change for Dow Chemical - about the changing energy landscape specifically in terms of liquified natural gas.
Dave Schryver recalls a few years back, during the Bush Administration that plans for energy infrastructure included import facilities along both the east and west coasts to receive liquified natural gas, assuming the U.S. would need imported LNG to meet our future demand. Now with shale gas production, that has all changed. Currently, natural gas production is going strong in New York State, Pennsylvania and Ohio, to name a few, and has increased our natural gas portfolio to the degree that there is no end in sight.
The natural gas supply for the U.S. has never been stronger. That makes it tempting to export to Asia and Europe, where prices for natural gas are significantly higher than in the United States. Certainly tempting from a profit perspective, but there is more to consider. Schryver tells us that the APGA opposes exporting LNG for many reasons; including our energy security, energy independence, our energy demand and supply, and the impact that exports would have on domestic pricing.
"The ultimate price impact of exporting LNG will be determined by a number of factors. First and foremost is how much LNG will actually be exported. Nobody knows the answer to that question. What we do know is now there are applications on the books to export 45 percent of what we use on a daily basis and certainly if that amount is exported, it will have a significant impact on prices.", says Schryver
The export applications so far, propose exporting 29 billion cubic feet per day. By comparison, in the U.S., we use 67 billion cubic feet per day. Schryver suggests that we as a nation, focus on providing our own energy, and developing the technology to thrive on natural gas. "With our current natural gas supply picture, we have a unique opportunity to put more natural gas vehicles on the road and reduce that dependence on foreign oil, but if that's going to occur we need our natural gas supply to remain plentiful and prices to remain affordable and certainly LNG export threatens that. " Schyver said.
George Biltz, continues the conversation by discussing the advantages of driving a manufacturing renaissance in the United States.
Abundant energy resources translates to increased manufacturing. Now companies are more easily convinced to build plants, with more than 100 billion dollars in new investments announced for plants nationally.
"It was a big shift in 2000- 2010 to have gas go from $2.50 for a million BTUs up into $10.00 - $14.00, some people paying even more than that range. That chased a lot of manufacturing out of the United States. During that ten year period we lost about six million jobs in manufacturing in the US, not all due to gas, but gas was certainly a major piece of those decisions.", says Biltz.
Now, there's a massive reversal. Last year, Dow rebuilt one of their major facilities that had to shut down in 2008-2009. It started production again in December, bringing more jobs and business back into the United States.
These kinds of changes have a significant multiplier effect. Biltz says Dow has determined that every job they create inside their fences, yields 8 more jobs outside, in terms of logistics, accounting, banking services and beyond.
"Down the value chain, the GDP impact is somewhere between 5 and 20 times, when you take a cubic foot of gas and run it through the economy as opposed to just burning it." Biltz said.
The abundance of natural gas, could potentially translate to 5 million new jobs in the United States, from petrol chemicals, steel, aluminum -- up to nine industries immediately impacted in the future.
Listen to the entire Connect & Collaborate program this Saturday at 10:00 AM on KNUS 710 – or download our podcast – you’ll find it at the top of this article.
Renewable Energy Calls for Better Batteries
Storage is important for energy systems. One of the reasons we rely so heavily on fossil fuels is that they are incredibly easy to store. Coal sits in a yard, oil fills up drums, and natural gas is contained in tanks. In contrast, solar panels produce energy only while the sun is shining, and wind works only when it's blowing. These limits are a remaining barrier to widespread adoption of renewable energy. Solar technology is closing in on price levels that are competitive with traditional energy sources. Germany's Deutsche Bank recently released a report that shows solar has achieved grid-parity in India and Italy and that more countries will follow in the next year. However, it almost doesn't matter how cheap solar gets unless we develop storage on an unprecedented scale. Lithium ion batteries are inadequate both in storage capacity and in the price of raw materials. In the optimistic book Abundance, Dr. Peter Diamandis discussed this issue with energy experts and was encouraged to find that progress is being made.
One such subject matter expert is Bill Joy, partner emeritus of Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers - the venture capital firm that invests in high impact startups such as Amazon and Google. He saw an opportunity in low-cost electrical energy storage and led investment in a company called Primus Power, which builds rechargeable "flow" batteries. The company stores and time-shifts energy through an electrochemical process. Another of KPCB's portfolio companies, Aquion Energy Technologies, builds batteries with sodium and water. They work similarly to lithium ion batteries, except they use widely available materials for a more economically sound solution. With KPCB's track-record and highly talented connections, these companies represent exciting progress.
MIT professor Donald Sadoway is also optimistic. With support from ARPA-E and Bill Gates, he has developed a Liquid Metal Battery (LMB). The concept uses two molten metals of differing densities with a layer of a salt electrolyte in between them. The result is a simple, cheap design that is also scalable. "Within the next decade, we plan to deploy the shipping container-sized LMB, soon followed by the family-sized unit. There's a clear line of sight to get there, and no miraculous breakthroughs needed," says Sadoway.
Some renewable energy advocates say electric vehicles could act as batteries for the grid while connected. Tesla Motors, maker of high end all-electric automobiles, has posted a profit for the 1st quater of 2013. While this is great news, the car company isn't selling enough currently to impact the grid in this manner. Better battery technology would improve this situation. Tesla is leading the industry with its own proprietary lithium ion battery stack. This helped them to beat out competitor Fisker Automotive with their reliance on the now bankrupt A123 Systems. Further battery improvements could help make electric vehicles become affordable enough for widespread consumer adoption, as Tesla founder Elon Musk envisions. One possibility was recently discovered at the University of Arizona. The research team, lead by Jeffrey Pyun, has developed a way to make a lightweight plastic out of a common industrial waste - sulfur. They have successfully used the plastic to make lithium-sulfur batteries and believe next-generation versions will provide electric cars a cheaper and more efficient energy storage alternative.
Only time will tell exactly when and how the future of batteries will arrive. Already, though, we can see that renewable energy utilization will expand with better battery technology. It's encouraging to know that some of the best and brightest are developing these opportunities.