If you are in favor of renewable, clean, or solar energy, please sign this petition for FIT/CLEAN Program, accessible at http://sunisthefuture.net/?page_id=1065Thank you very much.
Richard King, the Director of the Solar Decathlon for the U.S. Department of Energy, said, “Effective communication skills are critical to helping the public to understand the practical applications of energy-saving technologies and how these innovations can help every American household save money.”
For the Communications Contest, teams earned up to 100 points based on a number of criteria, including: web content quality, appropriateness, originality;video content, including walkthrough information, accessible captioning, clarity of the audio narrative and overall creativity; onsite graphics, photos, signage, and displays quality;message delivery to target audiences and people of all levels;use of innovative methods to engage audiences, including website visitors and people waiting to tour a house.
Middlebury College earned a score of 90 out of a possible 100 points for their Self-Reliance design, placing First in the Communication Contest. Middlebury College wowed jurors with its video walkthrough, website, and engaging tours. The Middlebury team demonstrated balanced talent across the entire communications competition, making renewable energy technologies accessible to the public. Stacy Wilson, one of the contest’s jurors and founder and president of Eloquor Contulting, Inc., a communication firm specializing in web and social technology, commented that “We were inspired by Middlebury College.” Our reporter (yours truly) of sunisthefuture.net received a very informative interview from a Middlebury College student Melake, showing us that this LAS College team (the only team that is completely composed of non-engineering students) is quite capable of constructing a comfortable (bordering on luxurious) solar home with tremendous market appeal. The Self-Reliance is a design with gable roof, two-bedroom, for a family of four, with solar array of 30 panels (producing 7,930 kWh annually),
A look at Middlebury College's Self-Reliance's children's bedroom
Middlebury College house's solar array combines solar panels with a solar hot water heater on the roof of their entry
an air-to-air heat exchanger that circulates air through a network of aluminum ducts and feeds the green wall with condensed moisture, triple-paned windows with cork-insulated frames that have an R-value of 7 and a solar heat gain coefficient of 0.53 (which allows them to provide net heat gain over the course of a year).
Middlebury workers prepare the Self-Reliance of Middlebury College for installation of gable roof and PV panels
Appalachian State University came in second with their The Solar Homestead with 89 points. I arrived at the Solar Decathlon 2011 to interview Appalachian State University’s The Solar Homestead on a rainy day so their ingenious aluminum hat was very well received by all visitors
Appalachian State University's The Solar Homestead shines brightly at night after a stormy day
14-month-old Graysen Black, son of an organizer, gets a preview tour after the opening ceremony, wearing the special aluminum reflective hat by Appalachian State University
to the Solar Decathlon, not only did it serve as a protective device sheltering our heads from the element, but it is also full of information about the design of The Solar Homestead. This affordable and attractive design features outdoor shower, outdoor kitchen, forty-two bifacial PV panels (that supply solar energy while providing filtered daylight), a generous outdoor living space called the Great Porch, an on-demand solar thermal domestic hot water system that uses phase-change materials to provide constant water temperature in compact storage, and a Trombe wall that is filled with phase-change material to store heat throughout the day and release it at night.
Bifacial PV panels of Appalachian State's The Solar Homestead above U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Jeffrey Tiller and David Leea
University of Maryland’s Watershed came in third in this contest with a score of 88 points. Besides the pamphlets, walthrough, and web presentations, University of Maryland also provided the unique presentation of Q & A sessions outside of the Watershed design while visitors were waiting in line to see this home.
University of Maryland's student Justin Huang answers visitors' questions about Watershed design
It sure helped all visitors passing the time while getting a sneak preview of what to expect before they enter this design. Watershed is inspired by the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem, searching for a solution to water and energy shortage by managing storm water onsite (filtering pollutants from greywater and minimizing water use) and using the PV and solar thermal arrays, effectiveness of building envelope, and increasing the efficiency of the mechanical system. Watershed has very holistic approach to water conservation, recycling, and storm water management, green roof that slows rainwater runoff to the landscape while improving the house’s energy efficiency, a garden, an edible wall system
a clear view of the Watershed design of University of Maryland
, and a composting station to illustrate the potential for improved health, energy, and cost savings with a complete carbon cycle program. Some of its interesting features are: the liquid desiccant waterfall serving as a design feature and provides humidity control, a home automation system that monitors and adjusts temperature, humidity, lighting, and other parameters to provide maximum function
visitors waiting in line to see Maryland's Watershed design
with minimal impact on the environment. Watershed is intended for a working couple that can use the house as home and office, providing the opportunity to telecommute, thus reducing travel expenses in one of the most congested areas of the country.
written and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker, sunisthefuture@gmail.com
Homepage: http://sunisthefuture.net
Any comments and suggestions are welcomed at sunisthefuture@gmail.com
Please also get into the habit of checking at these sites below for more on solar energy topics:
If you are in favor of renewable, clean, or solar energy, please sign this petition for FIT/CLEAN Program, accessible at http://sunisthefuture.net/?page_id=1065Thank you very much.
Now, let’s return to Solar Decathlon of 2011. For the Engineering Contest of Solar Decathlon of 2011, each house was evaluated by a group of prominent engineers on the basis of energy efficiency savings, creative design innovations, the functionality and reliability of each system, and documentation. “Innovative engineering that maximizes energy efficiency in a home is the heart of the Solar Decathlon,” said Richard King, director of the Solar Decathlon for the U.S.Department of Energy. “The impresseive houses designed by this year’s collegiate teams all have practical applications that can help every American family save money. This year’s houses are proving to be highly reliable, which is a testament to their engineering excellence.”
New Zealand, Victoria University of Wellington’s First Light, scored 93 out of a possible 100 points, took first place in the Engineering Contest.
New Zealand's First Light house after a stormy day, shines brightly at night
Team members from New Zealand's Victoria University of Wellington celebrate after taking first place in Engineering Contest
New Zealand team members work to assemble their First Light house
First Light, Victoria University of Wellington’s U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011 entry is inspired by the traditional New Zealand holiday/vacation home, “Kiwi bach”. First Light’s design reflects a relaxed lifestyle in which socialization and connection to the outdoors are central to living. There is a triple-glazed skylight and large bi-fold doors at the central section that functions as a bridge between exterior and interior. A cedar canopy supports the solar array, which produces hot water and generates energy to power the house. Custom built furniture in the living room can transform to accommodate overnight guests. An innovative drying cupboard that dries clothes quickly by pumping solar-heated hot water through a heat exchange. Another interesting feature of this house is the use of recycled sheep’s wool as insulation. Although First Light is inspired by a vacation home, it is already sold/intended as a permanent residence for a New Zealand couple.
SCIArc/Caltech (The Southern California Institute of Architecture and California Institute of Technology) ‘s CHIP received second place in the Engineering Contest with 91 points.
CHIP of SCI-Arc/Caltech offers a solution to the challenges of home ownership and energy consumption for those living in the Los Angeles area. It is an affordable dwelling with a small footprint that can be used as infill or placed in zoning that accommodates shared lots. One finds a vinyl-coated fabric mesh that protects the house and contains the “outsulation” that envelopes the structure. An interior stepped in multiple levels that distinguish one level from another without compartmentalization. 3-D camera that track movement in the house and adjusts the lights accordingly. A custom iPad application that displays real-time energy use, controls the shade, and provides instant feedback. I was quite intrigued by the fact that one can simply point/wave in the direction for the lights or movie screen to be turned on or off .
students of SCI/Arc-Caltech (CA Institute of Architecture and CA Institute of Technology) received 2nd place in Engineering Contest
SCI-Arc/Caltech at night after a stormy day
SCI-Arc/Caltech's iPad app to control wirelessly the lights, shade, and entertainment system
The University of Tennessee’s Living Light took third place with 90 points.
Living Light, of the University of Tennessee, has forms and spaces inspired by the cantilever barns of southern Appalachia, the systems in the dynamic facade and integrated roof array are scalable and tunable to a range of climates and applications. Some of its special features include: a dynamic double facade system made of alternating translucent and transparent panes and horizontal blinds; sensors that automatically manage the electric lighting (which includes color-changing LED strip lights along the facade);a home automation system that can be programmed with preferred conditions for activities such as watching a movie or entertaining dinner guests; a blind system sandwiched between two panes of glass (programmed to provide year round lighting and shading;an energy recovery ventilator that harvests air through the double facade system to supply the house with passively warmed or cooled fresh air.
University of Tennessee's Living Light shines brightly at night after a stormy day
Students from the University of Tennessee work on Living Light's eco-friendly landscaping
two low carbon transportation options: a bike and an electric vehicle charging station
More (photos and videos) to come in future posts. Thanks to many of the photos shared by Stefano Paltera & Carol Anna).
sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker, sunisthefuture@gmail.com
Homepage: http://sunisthefuture.net
Any comments and suggestions are welcomed at sunisthefuture@gmail.com
Please also get into the habit of checking at these sites below for more on solar energy topics:
If you are in favor of renewable, clean, or solar energy, please sign this petition for FIT/CLEAN Program, accessible at http://sunisthefuture.net/?page_id=1065Thank you very much.
Sorry about delaying reporting the Solar Decathlon 2011. I was first under the weather, then because some of you have written me wanting better/more clear explanations of the Feed-In-Tariff/CLEAN program, I started to look around for software and other ways of presenting this topic. The end result may be viewed above, in this new clip. Let me know if it would do a better job in convincing people to sign the petition. Your comments and suggestions will be appreciated.
Now, let’s get back to Solar Decathlon of 2011. On September 28, 2011, the University of Maryland took first place in the highly competitive Architecture Contest (remember there are 10 contests) of the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011,
University of Maryland students celebrate after being presented with first place in the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011 Architecture Contest
visitors waiting in line to see Maryland's winning design, Watershed above
Scoring 96 out of a possible 100. Architectural juror Michelle Kaufmann who has been called “the Henry Ford of green homes” by the Sierra Club and is a former Associate with the office of Frank O. Gehry, said, “The Maryland achieves and elegant mix of inspiration, function, and simplicity. It takes our current greatest challenges in the built environment-energy and water-and transforms them into opportunities for spatial beauty and poetry while maintaining livability in every square inch. This is what the Department of Energy Solar Decathlon is all about.”
Liquid desiccant waterfall uses lithium chloride to dehumidify the University of Maryland's Watershed
New Zealand claimed second place with 95 points.
visitors waiting in line to see New Zealand's Victoria University of Wellington's First Light design
New Zealand’s First Light’s living/dining area
And Appalachian State University took third place with 94 points.
Appalachian State University's The Solar Homestead design: bifacial PV panels, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu speaks with Jeffrey Tiller )Chair of Technology & Environmental Design Dept.) and student David Lee.
For the Architecture Contest, the jury evaluated the houses on these criteria: architectural elements (including the scale and proportion of room and facade features, indoor/outdoor connections, composition, and linking of various house elements; holistic design (comfort for occupants and compatibility with the surrounding element);lighting (integration and energy efficiency of electrical and natural light);inspiration (design that inspires and delights Solar Decathlon visitors);documentation (including drawings, project manual, and an audiovisual architecture presentation accurately reflecting the project on the competition site). The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011 is an award-winning program that challenges collegiate students from around the world to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses that are affordable, highly energy efficient, attractive, and easy to live in. The Solar Decathlon has been providing participating students with hands-on experience and unique training that prepares them to enter clean energy workforce, supporting the President Obama’s Administration’s goal of transitioning to a clean energy economy while saving families and business money.
More video clips on University of Maryland’s Watershed design, New Zealand’s First Light design, and Appalachian State University’s Solar Homesteadwill be seen/posted later.
written & posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker, sunisthefuture@gmail.com
Homepage: http://sunisthefuture.net
Any comments and suggestions are welcomed at sunisthefuture@gmail.com
Please also get into the habit of checking at these sites below for more on solar energy topics:
For a special treat, between September 23-October 2, 2011, Sunisthefuture.net will be hosting a 10 day-3 parts series:
I. If you are in favor of renewable, clean, or solar energy, please sign this petition for FIT/CLEAN Program, accessible at http://sunisthefuture.net/?page_id=1065Thank you very much. We are at a critical juncture in human history when individual effort and participation in the transition into renewable energy age is desperately needed! Your signature will be very meaningful in helping all earthlings! For a summary of why we need to switch to power the earth with Wind-Water-Sunlight quickly, reasons are explained by Stanford Professor Mark Z. Jacobson at http://sunisthefuture.net/?m=20110731 There are more than sixteen episodes of discussions on FIT (Feed-In-Tariff/CLEAN Program) available at http://sunisthefuture.net Please feel free to read/listen to them (type in feed-in-tariff in the search box at right). Keep in mind that signing this petition only means that you are in favor of renewable energy and FIT/CLEAN Program and does not obligate you to provide any financial support. We simply want our combined voice to be heard even if we are not spending millions of lobbying dollars. We want to demonstrate that our system of democracy will work for people in all socio-economic strata. So please join us in this earthly movement by signing this petition and participating in our common goal of moving toward the renewable and solar energy age. Earthlings from any corner of the globe may participate.
II. sunisthefuture.net Awards For Solar Decathlon of 2011 (this is not the contest holding by the Department of Energy);there are three parts (you may participate in one or more than one part(s)), details and procedures explained at http://sunisthefuture.net/?page_id=1507 :
Part 1. Photo Award Part 2. Video Award Part 3. People’s Choice Award for Solar Decathlon Team of 2011
Now, I’d like to invite you to take a look at an example of one of the teams going through the process of implementing their design of Solar Decathlon 2011 at West Potomac Park in Washington D.C.—>
III.Editorial on Why and How We Should Power Planet Earth With Sun-Water-Wind Quickly, below:
Why and How We Should Power Planet Earth With Sun-Water-Wind Quickly
(written and published by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker, at sunisthefuture.net)
It is an exciting time to be alive. We earthlings may have many problems to deal with, but we are also equipped with many tools, terrific minds, and fantastic ways of communications. My thirst for solutions for earth’s energy problem combined with my online teaching jobs permitted me to travel to various places from time to time to search for answer…to seek lessons learned and wisdom gathered…. Yes, I’ve attended many lectures by many scholars who have studied the energy issue.
Today, I want to share with you a talk by Mark Z. Jacobson, Director of the Atmosphere/Energy Program and Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford University, available at http://sunisthefuture.net, July 31, 2011 post. Professor Jacobson started the talk by explaining what the problem we earthlings are facing today and why is there such an urgency in needing to deal with it quickly:
temperatures are rising quickly
Arctic sea ice area is decreasing quickly
air pollution mortality is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and higher temperature contributes to deaths
higher population and growing energy demand will lead to worsening air pollution and climate problems over time
This part of the talk helped me to realize that black carbon (main component of the soot particles) is also a very important factor for causing global warming, in addition to CO2 emission. Annual premature earthlings’ deaths due to particulates is about 2.5-3 million (in U.S. that is translated into 50,000-100,000 and in Europe, 300,000-350,000 annual premature deaths due to air pollution).
As any good engineer/scholar would approach a problem, Professor Jacobson did not just alarm us with problems but also evaluated possible solutions both with and without cost considerations. From reviewing and ranking major proposed energy-related solutions to global warming, air pollution mortality, and energy security, his talk also considered various impacts of the proposed solutions such as water supply, land use, resource availability, reliability, wildlife, and risk of cancer and nuclear proliferation. Some data I was not aware of in the past was presented, such as the dramatic increase of organic gases (formaldehyde, 200% and acetaldehyde, 4500%) and increased ozone generated from using ethanol. In the final analysis, with consideration of materials, transmission infrastructure, costs, and politics, Professor Jacobson concludes thatthe best way to power the world is with Wind, Water, and Solar (WWS)technologies.
By 2030, the cost of using fossil fuel (13.5c/kWh) will be higher than using WWS (8-13 c/kWh) technologies. Using WWS technologies will also eliminate 2.5-3 million air pollution premature deaths/year and global warming and provides energy stability. Furthermore,converting to WWS and electricity/H2 will reduce global power demand by 30%. The greatest concern regarding use of WWS is its variability;this is also addressed by Jacobson’s study by: ( 1.) interconnecting geographically-dispersed WWS;(2.) bundling WWS and using hydro to fill in gaps;(3.) demand-response (provide incentive to discourage use during peak/high demand period);(4.) oversizing peak capacity and producing hydrogen with excess for industry, vehicles;(5.)on-site storage;(6.)better forecasting.
The study concludes that the best way to power planet earth in the future is with Wind, Water, and Solar (WWS) technologies. It is feasible both technically and economically. Its potential barriers are up-front costs, transmission needs, lobbying, and politics.
Dear Readers, this is exactly why I have written the series on effective Feed-In-Tariff, in Sun Is The Future, available at http://sunisthefuture.net trying to urge all of our local and federal governments (not just the Floridians or residents of USA, but residents of planet earth) to give all of us the incentive to participate in our move toward the Renewable WWS age. We, as individual home or business owners, may not be spending multiple millions of dollars for lobbying, but we are just as concerned with the future of energy use and welfare of our planet earth as any large utility companies. We earthlings are all connected. The particulate matters from China or India or radiation material from Fukushima will impact all of us earthlings. So, as individual earthlings, let’s start by calling attention and action for our immediate communities. I, here in Florida, will try my very best in asking my community and local government to consider effective Feed-In-Tariff (discussions, articles, and video clips available by going to the search box at upper right hand corner of http://sunisthefuture.netand type in “feed in tariff”). Effective Feed-In-Tariff, now rebranded as CLEAN program, may be utilized by individual home owners, small businesses, organizations such as schools, Y’s, hospitals, libraries, local McDonald’s, WalMart, police stations, and large power/utility companies/plant (refer to the piece I wrote on July 13, 2011, Answer For The Future Is In Hybrid Marriage-Solar And Fossil Fuel athttp://sunisthefuture.net) alike.
We need incentive for individual home owners, small businesses, organizations such as schools, Y’s, hospitals, etc. with rooftops and surface areas, that would provide us with sufficient economic incentive to move into the renewable age. Here is an example (in the video of July 27 post at http://sunisthefuture.net, with data provided by World Future Council) of another country, Germany, with far less sunshine and insolation than we have here in Florida, but with the help of Feed-In-Tariff (key features listed below):
Gives RE (renewable energy) priority access to the grid
Obliges grid operators to purchase electricity from RES
Sets the price for RE electricity for fixed periods
Sets no limit to amount of RE feeding into the grid
Fundamentally, with an effective Feed-In-Tariff incentive program, any one who produces excess renewable energy may be able to sell the power he/she generates back to the power/utility company.
Feed-In-Tariffs have been so successful in Germany and many other countries because of the long term planning security it provides by having 12-20 year contracts ( this is crucial to investors);it gives technology-specific incentives (this is crucial for driving new technologies into the market);it adapts to technological development (this fosters innovation). Germany was able to create more than a quarter million jobs in renewable energy sector in less than five years, economic impact of new industry development with total turnover from renewable energy sources of approximately 25 billion Euros in 2007, and saved about 150 tons of CO2 emissions…all due to the help of Feed-In-Tariff. Most importantly, Feed-In-Tariff have made Germany the world leader in solar power. Another important lesson to take away from the presentation of World Future Council video clip of July 27 post in sunisthefuture.net is the fact that majority (more than 80% in Germany & or 90% in Florida) of the market share is from residential rather than the utility scaled facility (about 10%). That means, we, the individuals, will have far more combined impact on the industry and would benefit from the industry of renewable energy via Feed-In-Tariff. Please do view these discussions and video clips on Feed-In-Tariff, accessible at sunisthefuture.net, beginning from May through July of 2011, at sunisthefuture.net.
If you’d get to my May 8th post on Incentive For Solar (8)-Feed-In-Tariff (FIT), at http://sunisthefuture.net, there is a very informative discussion by a panel of scientists and policy makers and even our very own Floridian Ed Regan, you would also see in my August 11 post that:
the first form of feed-in-tariff was actually implemented in US in 1978, under President Jimmy Carter’s administration, telling Americans that the energy crisis was a “clear and present danger to our nation” and drew out a plan to address it.
The problem with the federal mandated feed-in-tariff rate from 1978 is that: the federal government had given individual states the authority to set its own FIT rate as long as it meets the minimal level of avoided cost. So, we ended up getting a lot of states simply setting its FIT rate at the avoided cost (for FL, this avoided cost is much lower than the cost of producing solar energy, therefore, there is no incentive for any one trying to produce extra energy). It simply would not be economically feasible. You can also find this discussion in my June 8th post and video with Craig Lewis of Clean Coalition, at http://sunisthefuture.net I have another issue with this avoided cost FIT rate: that is, it is set at a fixed rate without the consideration of what time in the day when the energy is produced. The value of energy changes throughout the day because energy is in greater demand during the day time and when sun is up (esp. in FL when it is on a hot summer day, when AC is in huge demand). The current fixed avoided cost FIT rate ends up favoring the wind energy producers and very unfavorable for the solar energy producers (solar energy is produced when demand is highest and therefore during the time when the energy is/should be more valuable.) But this can all be modified/monitored with current technologies and smart meters. So, what we need from the state government is an effective Feed-In-Tariff rate that would provide incentive (economically feasible) for every/any one who wants to participate in production of renewable energy (solar, water, wind, etc.) to do so feasibly. Some of you may argue to wait until the cost of producing renewable (esp. solar in FL) energy to be much lower and continue the status quo for now. But I (and many others) feel that we cannot afford to wait any longer because it takes time to educate, implement, and assist the general public to make the transition into a new world of renewable energy. If we want a smooth transition, without too much societal disruption, nor increased unemployment or dramatic lowering of standard of living, the most effective strategy is by implementing effective Feed-In-Tariff/CLEAN Program (as indicated in World Future Council http://www.worldfuturecouncil.org/feed_in_tariffs_in_us.html) ASAP. We have seen how effectively implemented Feed-In-Tariff had already benefited our neighbor Gainesville, FL community (and at least 65 other nations and territories):
We would simply like to ask our state legislators to consider re-examining the issue of Feed-In-Tariff and come up with a plan for an effective Feed-In-Tariff/CLEAN Program that may be inclusive of all, the small users, medium users, and large users (even utility companies). For we are all in this together. I am sure that the power/utility companies are well aware of the fact that it is much better to serve a community of economic prosperity, because 10% of a smaller number is still larger than 100% of zero, (such would be the case if/when the power company has to cater to the needs of a lot of unemployed users.)
I hope you, the readers, in addition to talking to your friends, family, neighbors, and your legislators about effective Feed-In-Tariff, I urge you to sign the petition page available at http://sunisthefuture.net and tell as many people about this web site and petition drive as possible. To encourage you all to think positively about our renewable/solar energy future, I have also written and posted various topics at http://sunisthefuture.net for your perusal. Simply type these topics in the search box at upper right hand corner of http://sunisthefuture.net and see/hear….about….
Feed-In-Tariff
Incentive For Solar
Solar Impulse Solar Plane
Cars Of The Future
Solar High Speed Trains
Solar Shingles
Solar Hot Water Heater
What Is Solar Cell
BIPV
Why Solar
Peak Oil
Solar Decathlon
etc.
Please feel free to email me at sunisthefuture@gmail.com if you have any suggestions, questions or comments. Any of your input will be welcomed.
Written and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker, sunisthefuture@gmail.com
For a special treat, between September 23-October 2, 2011, Sunisthefuture.net will be hosting a 10 day-3 parts series:
I. If you are in favor of renewable, clean, or solar energy, please sign this petition for FIT/CLEAN Program, accessible at http://sunisthefuture.net/?page_id=1065Thank you very much. We are at a critical juncture in human history when individual effort and participation in the transition into renewable energy age is desperately needed! Your signature will be very meaningful in helping all earthlings! For a summary of why we need to switch to power the earth with Wind-Water-Sunlight quickly, reasons are explained by Stanford Professor Mark Z. Jacobson at http://sunisthefuture.net/?m=20110731 There are more than sixteen episodes of discussions on FIT (Feed-In-Tariff/CLEAN Program) available at http://sunisthefuture.net Please feel free to read/listen to them (type in feed-in-tariff in the search box at right). Keep in mind that signing this petition only means that you are in favor of renewable energy and FIT/CLEAN Program and does not obligate you to provide any financial support. We simply want our combined voice to be heard even if we are not spending millions of lobbying dollars. We want to demonstrate that our system of democracy will work for people in all socio-economic strata. So please join us in this earthly movement by signing this petition and participating in our common goal of moving toward the renewable and solar energy age. Earthlings from any corner of the globe may participate.
II. sunisthefuture.net Awards For Solar Decathlon of 2011 (this is not the contest holding by the Department of Energy);there are three parts (you may participate in one or more than one part(s)), details and procedures explained at http://sunisthefuture.net/?page_id=1507 :
Part 1. Photo Award Part 2. Video Award Part 3. People’s Choice Award for Solar Decathlon Team of 2011
Now, I’d like to invite you to take a look at another clip of Solar Decathlon 2011 at West Potomac Park in Washington D.C.—>
III.Editorial on Why and How We Should Power Planet Earth With Sun-Water-Wind Quickly, below:
Why and How We Should Power Planet Earth With Sun-Water-Wind Quickly
(written and published by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker, at sunisthefuture.net)
It is an exciting time to be alive. We earthlings may have many problems to deal with, but we are also equipped with many tools, terrific minds, and fantastic ways of communications. My thirst for solutions for earth’s energy problem combined with my online teaching jobs permitted me to travel to various places from time to time to search for answer…to seek lessons learned and wisdom gathered…. Yes, I’ve attended many lectures by many scholars who have studied the energy issue.
Today, I want to share with you a talk by Mark Z. Jacobson, Director of the Atmosphere/Energy Program and Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford University, available at http://sunisthefuture.net, July 31, 2011 post. Professor Jacobson started the talk by explaining what the problem we earthlings are facing today and why is there such an urgency in needing to deal with it quickly:
temperatures are rising quickly
Arctic sea ice area is decreasing quickly
air pollution mortality is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and higher temperature contributes to deaths
higher population and growing energy demand will lead to worsening air pollution and climate problems over time
This part of the talk helped me to realize that black carbon (main component of the soot particles) is also a very important factor for causing global warming, in addition to CO2 emission. Annual premature earthlings’ deaths due to particulates is about 2.5-3 million (in U.S. that is translated into 50,000-100,000 and in Europe, 300,000-350,000 annual premature deaths due to air pollution).
As any good engineer/scholar would approach a problem, Professor Jacobson did not just alarm us with problems but also evaluated possible solutions both with and without cost considerations. From reviewing and ranking major proposed energy-related solutions to global warming, air pollution mortality, and energy security, his talk also considered various impacts of the proposed solutions such as water supply, land use, resource availability, reliability, wildlife, and risk of cancer and nuclear proliferation. Some data I was not aware of in the past was presented, such as the dramatic increase of organic gases (formaldehyde, 200% and acetaldehyde, 4500%) and increased ozone generated from using ethanol. In the final analysis, with consideration of materials, transmission infrastructure, costs, and politics, Professor Jacobson concludes thatthe best way to power the world is with Wind, Water, and Solar (WWS)technologies.
By 2030, the cost of using fossil fuel (13.5c/kWh) will be higher than using WWS (8-13 c/kWh) technologies. Using WWS technologies will also eliminate 2.5-3 million air pollution premature deaths/year and global warming and provides energy stability. Furthermore,converting to WWS and electricity/H2 will reduce global power demand by 30%. The greatest concern regarding use of WWS is its variability;this is also addressed by Jacobson’s study by: ( 1.) interconnecting geographically-dispersed WWS;(2.) bundling WWS and using hydro to fill in gaps;(3.) demand-response (provide incentive to discourage use during peak/high demand period);(4.) oversizing peak capacity and producing hydrogen with excess for industry, vehicles;(5.)on-site storage;(6.)better forecasting.
The study concludes that the best way to power planet earth in the future is with Wind, Water, and Solar (WWS) technologies. It is feasible both technically and economically. Its potential barriers are up-front costs, transmission needs, lobbying, and politics.
Dear Readers, this is exactly why I have written the series on effective Feed-In-Tariff, in Sun Is The Future, available at http://sunisthefuture.net trying to urge all of our local and federal governments (not just the Floridians or residents of USA, but residents of planet earth) to give all of us the incentive to participate in our move toward the Renewable WWS age. We, as individual home or business owners, may not be spending multiple millions of dollars for lobbying, but we are just as concerned with the future of energy use and welfare of our planet earth as any large utility companies. We earthlings are all connected. The particulate matters from China or India or radiation material from Fukushima will impact all of us earthlings. So, as individual earthlings, let’s start by calling attention and action for our immediate communities. I, here in Florida, will try my very best in asking my community and local government to consider effective Feed-In-Tariff (discussions, articles, and video clips available by going to the search box at upper right hand corner of http://sunisthefuture.netand type in “feed in tariff”). Effective Feed-In-Tariff, now rebranded as CLEAN program, may be utilized by individual home owners, small businesses, organizations such as schools, Y’s, hospitals, libraries, local McDonald’s, WalMart, police stations, and large power/utility companies/plant (refer to the piece I wrote on July 13, 2011, Answer For The Future Is In Hybrid Marriage-Solar And Fossil Fuel athttp://sunisthefuture.net) alike.
We need incentive for individual home owners, small businesses, organizations such as schools, Y’s, hospitals, etc. with rooftops and surface areas, that would provide us with sufficient economic incentive to move into the renewable age. Here is an example (in the video of July 27 post at http://sunisthefuture.net, with data provided by World Future Council) of another country, Germany, with far less sunshine and insolation than we have here in Florida, but with the help of Feed-In-Tariff (key features listed below):
Gives RE (renewable energy) priority access to the grid
Obliges grid operators to purchase electricity from RES
Sets the price for RE electricity for fixed periods
Sets no limit to amount of RE feeding into the grid
Fundamentally, with an effective Feed-In-Tariff incentive program, any one who produces excess renewable energy may be able to sell the power he/she generates back to the power/utility company.
Feed-In-Tariffs have been so successful in Germany and many other countries because of the long term planning security it provides by having 12-20 year contracts ( this is crucial to investors);it gives technology-specific incentives (this is crucial for driving new technologies into the market);it adapts to technological development (this fosters innovation). Germany was able to create more than a quarter million jobs in renewable energy sector in less than five years, economic impact of new industry development with total turnover from renewable energy sources of approximately 25 billion Euros in 2007, and saved about 150 tons of CO2 emissions…all due to the help of Feed-In-Tariff. Most importantly, Feed-In-Tariff have made Germany the world leader in solar power. Another important lesson to take away from the presentation of World Future Council video clip of July 27 post in sunisthefuture.net is the fact that majority (more than 80% in Germany & or 90% in Florida) of the market share is from residential rather than the utility scaled facility (about 10%). That means, we, the individuals, will have far more combined impact on the industry and would benefit from the industry of renewable energy via Feed-In-Tariff. Please do view these discussions and video clips on Feed-In-Tariff, accessible at sunisthefuture.net, beginning from May through July of 2011, at sunisthefuture.net.
If you’d get to my May 8th post on Incentive For Solar (8)-Feed-In-Tariff (FIT), at http://sunisthefuture.net, there is a very informative discussion by a panel of scientists and policy makers and even our very own Floridian Ed Regan, you would also see in my August 11 post that:
the first form of feed-in-tariff was actually implemented in US in 1978, under President Jimmy Carter’s administration, telling Americans that the energy crisis was a “clear and present danger to our nation” and drew out a plan to address it.
The problem with the federal mandated feed-in-tariff rate from 1978 is that: the federal government had given individual states the authority to set its own FIT rate as long as it meets the minimal level of avoided cost. So, we ended up getting a lot of states simply setting its FIT rate at the avoided cost (for FL, this avoided cost is much lower than the cost of producing solar energy, therefore, there is no incentive for any one trying to produce extra energy). It simply would not be economically feasible. You can also find this discussion in my June 8th post and video with Craig Lewis of Clean Coalition, at http://sunisthefuture.net I have another issue with this avoided cost FIT rate: that is, it is set at a fixed rate without the consideration of what time in the day when the energy is produced. The value of energy changes throughout the day because energy is in greater demand during the day time and when sun is up (esp. in FL when it is on a hot summer day, when AC is in huge demand). The current fixed avoided cost FIT rate ends up favoring the wind energy producers and very unfavorable for the solar energy producers (solar energy is produced when demand is highest and therefore during the time when the energy is/should be more valuable.) But this can all be modified/monitored with current technologies and smart meters. So, what we need from the state government is an effective Feed-In-Tariff rate that would provide incentive (economically feasible) for every/any one who wants to participate in production of renewable energy (solar, water, wind, etc.) to do so feasibly. Some of you may argue to wait until the cost of producing renewable (esp. solar in FL) energy to be much lower and continue the status quo for now. But I (and many others) feel that we cannot afford to wait any longer because it takes time to educate, implement, and assist the general public to make the transition into a new world of renewable energy. If we want a smooth transition, without too much societal disruption, nor increased unemployment or dramatic lowering of standard of living, the most effective strategy is by implementing effective Feed-In-Tariff/CLEAN Program (as indicated in World Future Council http://www.worldfuturecouncil.org/feed_in_tariffs_in_us.html) ASAP. We have seen how effectively implemented Feed-In-Tariff had already benefited our neighbor Gainesville, FL community (and at least 65 other nations and territories):
We would simply like to ask our state legislators to consider re-examining the issue of Feed-In-Tariff and come up with a plan for an effective Feed-In-Tariff/CLEAN Program that may be inclusive of all, the small users, medium users, and large users (even utility companies). For we are all in this together. I am sure that the power/utility companies are well aware of the fact that it is much better to serve a community of economic prosperity, because 10% of a smaller number is still larger than 100% of zero, (such would be the case if/when the power company has to cater to the needs of a lot of unemployed users.)
I hope you, the readers, in addition to talking to your friends, family, neighbors, and your legislators about effective Feed-In-Tariff, I urge you to sign the petition page available at http://sunisthefuture.net and tell as many people about this web site and petition drive as possible. To encourage you all to think positively about our renewable/solar energy future, I have also written and posted various topics at http://sunisthefuture.net for your perusal. Simply type these topics in the search box at upper right hand corner of http://sunisthefuture.net and see/hear….about….
Feed-In-Tariff
Incentive For Solar
Solar Impulse Solar Plane
Cars Of The Future
Solar High Speed Trains
Solar Shingles
Solar Hot Water Heater
What Is Solar Cell
BIPV
Why Solar
Peak Oil
Solar Decathlon
etc.
Please feel free to email me at sunisthefuture@gmail.com if you have any suggestions, questions or comments. Any of your input will be welcomed.
Written and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker, sunisthefuture@gmail.com
For a special treat, between September 23-October 2, 2011, Sunisthefuture.net will be hosting a 10 day-3 parts series:
I. If you are in favor of renewable, clean, or solar energy, please sign this petition for FIT/CLEAN Program, accessible at http://sunisthefuture.net/?page_id=1065Thank you very much. We are at a critical juncture in human history when individual effort and participation in the transition into renewable energy age is desperately needed! Your signature will be very meaningful in helping all earthlings! For a summary of why we need to switch to power the earth with Wind-Water-Sunlight quickly, reasons are explained by Stanford Professor Mark Z. Jacobson at http://sunisthefuture.net/?m=20110731 There are more than sixteen episodes of discussions on FIT (Feed-In-Tariff/CLEAN Program) available at http://sunisthefuture.net Please feel free to read/listen to them (type in feed-in-tariff in the search box at right). Keep in mind that signing this petition only means that you are in favor of renewable energy and FIT/CLEAN Program and does not obligate you to provide any financial support. We simply want our combined voice to be heard even if we are not spending millions of lobbying dollars. We want to demonstrate that our system of democracy will work for people in all socio-economic strata. So please join us in this earthly movement by signing this petition and participating in our common goal of moving toward the renewable and solar energy age. Earthlings from any corner of the globe may participate.
II. sunisthefuture.net Awards For Solar Decathlon of 2011 (this is not the contest holding by the Department of Energy);there are three parts (you may participate in one or more than one part(s)), details and procedures explained at http://sunisthefuture.net/?page_id=1507 :
Part 1. Photo Award Part 2. Video Award Part 3. People’s Choice Award for Solar Decathlon Team of 2011
Now, I’d like to invite you to take a look at an overview of Solar Decathlon 2011 at West Potomac Park in Washington D.C.—>
III.Editorial on Why and How We Should Power Planet Earth With Sun-Water-Wind Quickly, below:
Why and How We Should Power Planet Earth With Sun-Water-Wind Quickly
(written and published by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker, at sunisthefuture.net)
It is an exciting time to be alive. We earthlings may have many problems to deal with, but we are also equipped with many tools, terrific minds, and fantastic ways of communications. My thirst for solutions for earth’s energy problem combined with my online teaching jobs permitted me to travel to various places from time to time to search for answer…to seek lessons learned and wisdom gathered…. Yes, I’ve attended many lectures by many scholars who have studied the energy issue.
Today, I want to share with you a talk by Mark Z. Jacobson, Director of the Atmosphere/Energy Program and Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford University, available at http://sunisthefuture.net, July 31, 2011 post. Professor Jacobson started the talk by explaining what the problem we earthlings are facing today and why is there such an urgency in needing to deal with it quickly:
temperatures are rising quickly
Arctic sea ice area is decreasing quickly
air pollution mortality is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and higher temperature contributes to deaths
higher population and growing energy demand will lead to worsening air pollution and climate problems over time
This part of the talk helped me to realize that black carbon (main component of the soot particles) is also a very important factor for causing global warming, in addition to CO2 emission. Annual premature earthlings’ deaths due to particulates is about 2.5-3 million (in U.S. that is translated into 50,000-100,000 and in Europe, 300,000-350,000 annual premature deaths due to air pollution).
As any good engineer/scholar would approach a problem, Professor Jacobson did not just alarm us with problems but also evaluated possible solutions both with and without cost considerations. From reviewing and ranking major proposed energy-related solutions to global warming, air pollution mortality, and energy security, his talk also considered various impacts of the proposed solutions such as water supply, land use, resource availability, reliability, wildlife, and risk of cancer and nuclear proliferation. Some data I was not aware of in the past was presented, such as the dramatic increase of organic gases (formaldehyde, 200% and acetaldehyde, 4500%) and increased ozone generated from using ethanol. In the final analysis, with consideration of materials, transmission infrastructure, costs, and politics, Professor Jacobson concludes thatthe best way to power the world is with Wind, Water, and Solar (WWS)technologies.
By 2030, the cost of using fossil fuel (13.5c/kWh) will be higher than using WWS (8-13 c/kWh) technologies. Using WWS technologies will also eliminate 2.5-3 million air pollution premature deaths/year and global warming and provides energy stability. Furthermore,converting to WWS and electricity/H2 will reduce global power demand by 30%. The greatest concern regarding use of WWS is its variability;this is also addressed by Jacobson’s study by: ( 1.) interconnecting geographically-dispersed WWS;(2.) bundling WWS and using hydro to fill in gaps;(3.) demand-response (provide incentive to discourage use during peak/high demand period);(4.) oversizing peak capacity and producing hydrogen with excess for industry, vehicles;(5.)on-site storage;(6.)better forecasting.
The study concludes that the best way to power planet earth in the future is with Wind, Water, and Solar (WWS) technologies. It is feasible both technically and economically. Its potential barriers are up-front costs, transmission needs, lobbying, and politics.
Dear Readers, this is exactly why I have written the series on effective Feed-In-Tariff, in Sun Is The Future, available at http://sunisthefuture.net trying to urge all of our local and federal governments (not just the Floridians or residents of USA, but residents of planet earth) to give all of us the incentive to participate in our move toward the Renewable WWS age. We, as individual home or business owners, may not be spending multiple millions of dollars for lobbying, but we are just as concerned with the future of energy use and welfare of our planet earth as any large utility companies. We earthlings are all connected. The particulate matters from China or India or radiation material from Fukushima will impact all of us earthlings. So, as individual earthlings, let’s start by calling attention and action for our immediate communities. I, here in Florida, will try my very best in asking my community and local government to consider effective Feed-In-Tariff (discussions, articles, and video clips available by going to the search box at upper right hand corner of http://sunisthefuture.netand type in “feed in tariff”). Effective Feed-In-Tariff, now rebranded as CLEAN program, may be utilized by individual home owners, small businesses, organizations such as schools, Y’s, hospitals, libraries, local McDonald’s, WalMart, police stations, and large power/utility companies/plant (refer to the piece I wrote on July 13, 2011, Answer For The Future Is In Hybrid Marriage-Solar And Fossil Fuel athttp://sunisthefuture.net) alike.
We need incentive for individual home owners, small businesses, organizations such as schools, Y’s, hospitals, etc. with rooftops and surface areas, that would provide us with sufficient economic incentive to move into the renewable age. Here is an example (in the video of July 27 post at http://sunisthefuture.net, with data provided by World Future Council) of another country, Germany, with far less sunshine and insolation than we have here in Florida, but with the help of Feed-In-Tariff (key features listed below):
Gives RE (renewable energy) priority access to the grid
Obliges grid operators to purchase electricity from RES
Sets the price for RE electricity for fixed periods
Sets no limit to amount of RE feeding into the grid
Fundamentally, with an effective Feed-In-Tariff incentive program, any one who produces excess renewable energy may be able to sell the power he/she generates back to the power/utility company.
Feed-In-Tariffs have been so successful in Germany and many other countries because of the long term planning security it provides by having 12-20 year contracts ( this is crucial to investors);it gives technology-specific incentives (this is crucial for driving new technologies into the market);it adapts to technological development (this fosters innovation). Germany was able to create more than a quarter million jobs in renewable energy sector in less than five years, economic impact of new industry development with total turnover from renewable energy sources of approximately 25 billion Euros in 2007, and saved about 150 tons of CO2 emissions…all due to the help of Feed-In-Tariff. Most importantly, Feed-In-Tariff have made Germany the world leader in solar power. Another important lesson to take away from the presentation of World Future Council video clip of July 27 post in sunisthefuture.net is the fact that majority (more than 80% in Germany & or 90% in Florida) of the market share is from residential rather than the utility scaled facility (about 10%). That means, we, the individuals, will have far more combined impact on the industry and would benefit from the industry of renewable energy via Feed-In-Tariff. Please do view these discussions and video clips on Feed-In-Tariff, accessible at sunisthefuture.net, beginning from May through July of 2011, at sunisthefuture.net.
If you’d get to my May 8th post on Incentive For Solar (8)-Feed-In-Tariff (FIT), at http://sunisthefuture.net, there is a very informative discussion by a panel of scientists and policy makers and even our very own Floridian Ed Regan, you would also see in my August 11 post that:
the first form of feed-in-tariff was actually implemented in US in 1978, under President Jimmy Carter’s administration, telling Americans that the energy crisis was a “clear and present danger to our nation” and drew out a plan to address it.
The problem with the federal mandated feed-in-tariff rate from 1978 is that: the federal government had given individual states the authority to set its own FIT rate as long as it meets the minimal level of avoided cost. So, we ended up getting a lot of states simply setting its FIT rate at the avoided cost (for FL, this avoided cost is much lower than the cost of producing solar energy, therefore, there is no incentive for any one trying to produce extra energy). It simply would not be economically feasible. You can also find this discussion in my June 8th post and video with Craig Lewis of Clean Coalition, at http://sunisthefuture.net I have another issue with this avoided cost FIT rate: that is, it is set at a fixed rate without the consideration of what time in the day when the energy is produced. The value of energy changes throughout the day because energy is in greater demand during the day time and when sun is up (esp. in FL when it is on a hot summer day, when AC is in huge demand). The current fixed avoided cost FIT rate ends up favoring the wind energy producers and very unfavorable for the solar energy producers (solar energy is produced when demand is highest and therefore during the time when the energy is/should be more valuable.) But this can all be modified/monitored with current technologies and smart meters. So, what we need from the state government is an effective Feed-In-Tariff rate that would provide incentive (economically feasible) for every/any one who wants to participate in production of renewable energy (solar, water, wind, etc.) to do so feasibly. Some of you may argue to wait until the cost of producing renewable (esp. solar in FL) energy to be much lower and continue the status quo for now. But I (and many others) feel that we cannot afford to wait any longer because it takes time to educate, implement, and assist the general public to make the transition into a new world of renewable energy. If we want a smooth transition, without too much societal disruption, nor increased unemployment or dramatic lowering of standard of living, the most effective strategy is by implementing effective Feed-In-Tariff/CLEAN Program (as indicated in World Future Council http://www.worldfuturecouncil.org/feed_in_tariffs_in_us.html) ASAP. We have seen how effectively implemented Feed-In-Tariff had already benefited our neighbor Gainesville, FL community (and at least 65 other nations and territories):
We would simply like to ask our state legislators to consider re-examining the issue of Feed-In-Tariff and come up with a plan for an effective Feed-In-Tariff/CLEAN Program that may be inclusive of all, the small users, medium users, and large users (even utility companies). For we are all in this together. I am sure that the power/utility companies are well aware of the fact that it is much better to serve a community of economic prosperity, because 10% of a smaller number is still larger than 100% of zero, (such would be the case if/when the power company has to cater to the needs of a lot of unemployed users.)
I hope you, the readers, in addition to talking to your friends, family, neighbors, and your legislators about effective Feed-In-Tariff, I urge you to sign the petition page available at http://sunisthefuture.net and tell as many people about this web site and petition drive as possible. To encourage you all to think positively about our renewable/solar energy future, I have also written and posted various topics at http://sunisthefuture.net for your perusal. Simply type these topics in the search box at upper right hand corner of http://sunisthefuture.net and see/hear….about….
Feed-In-Tariff
Incentive For Solar
Solar Impulse Solar Plane
Cars Of The Future
Solar High Speed Trains
Solar Shingles
Solar Hot Water Heater
What Is Solar Cell
BIPV
Why Solar
Peak Oil
Solar Decathlon
etc.
Please feel free to email me at sunisthefuture@gmail.com if you have any suggestions, questions or comments. Any of your input will be welcomed.
Written and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker, sunisthefuture@gmail.com
For a special treat, between September 23-October 2, 2011, Sunisthefuture.net will be hosting a 10 day-3 parts series:
I. If you are in favor of renewable, clean, or solar energy, please sign this petition for FIT/CLEAN Program, accessible at http://sunisthefuture.net/?page_id=1065Thank you very much. We are at a critical juncture in human history when individual effort and participation in the transition into renewable energy age is desperately needed! Your signature will be very meaningful in helping all earthlings! For a summary of why we need to switch to power the earth with Wind-Water-Sunlight quickly, reasons are explained by Stanford Professor Mark Z. Jacobson at http://sunisthefuture.net/?m=20110731 There are more than sixteen episodes of discussions on FIT (Feed-In-Tariff/CLEAN Program) available at http://sunisthefuture.net Please feel free to read/listen to them (type in feed-in-tariff in the search box at right). Keep in mind that signing this petition only means that you are in favor of renewable energy and FIT/CLEAN Program and does not obligate you to provide any financial support. We simply want our combined voice to be heard even if we are not spending millions of lobbying dollars. We want to demonstrate that our system of democracy will work for people in all socio-economic strata. So please join us in this earthly movement by signing this petition and participating in our common goal of moving toward the renewable and solar energy age. Earthlings from any corner of the globe may participate.
II. sunisthefuture.net Awards For Solar Decathlon of 2011 (this is not the contest holding by the Department of Energy);there are three parts (you may participate in one or more than one part(s)), details and procedures explained at http://sunisthefuture.net/?page_id=1507 :
Part 1. Photo Award Part 2. Video Award Part 3. People’s Choice Award for Solar Decathlon Team of 2011
Now, I’d like to invite you to take a look at Opening Ceremony of Solar Decathlon 2011 at West Potomac Park in Washington D.C.—>
III.Editorial on Why and How We Should Power Planet Earth With Sun-Water-Wind Quickly, below:
Why and How We Should Power Planet Earth With Sun-Water-Wind Quickly
(written and published by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker, at sunisthefuture.net)
It is an exciting time to be alive. We earthlings may have many problems to deal with, but we are also equipped with many tools, terrific minds, and fantastic ways of communications. My thirst for solutions for earth’s energy problem combined with my online teaching jobs permitted me to travel to various places from time to time to search for answer…to seek lessons learned and wisdom gathered…. Yes, I’ve attended many lectures by many scholars who have studied the energy issue.
Today, I want to share with you a talk by Mark Z. Jacobson, Director of the Atmosphere/Energy Program and Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford University, available at http://sunisthefuture.net, July 31, 2011 post. Professor Jacobson started the talk by explaining what the problem we earthlings are facing today and why is there such an urgency in needing to deal with it quickly:
temperatures are rising quickly
Arctic sea ice area is decreasing quickly
air pollution mortality is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and higher temperature contributes to deaths
higher population and growing energy demand will lead to worsening air pollution and climate problems over time
This part of the talk helped me to realize that black carbon (main component of the soot particles) is also a very important factor for causing global warming, in addition to CO2 emission. Annual premature earthlings’ deaths due to particulates is about 2.5-3 million (in U.S. that is translated into 50,000-100,000 and in Europe, 300,000-350,000 annual premature deaths due to air pollution).
As any good engineer/scholar would approach a problem, Professor Jacobson did not just alarm us with problems but also evaluated possible solutions both with and without cost considerations. From reviewing and ranking major proposed energy-related solutions to global warming, air pollution mortality, and energy security, his talk also considered various impacts of the proposed solutions such as water supply, land use, resource availability, reliability, wildlife, and risk of cancer and nuclear proliferation. Some data I was not aware of in the past was presented, such as the dramatic increase of organic gases (formaldehyde, 200% and acetaldehyde, 4500%) and increased ozone generated from using ethanol. In the final analysis, with consideration of materials, transmission infrastructure, costs, and politics, Professor Jacobson concludes thatthe best way to power the world is with Wind, Water, and Solar (WWS)technologies.
By 2030, the cost of using fossil fuel (13.5c/kWh) will be higher than using WWS (8-13 c/kWh) technologies. Using WWS technologies will also eliminate 2.5-3 million air pollution premature deaths/year and global warming and provides energy stability. Furthermore,converting to WWS and electricity/H2 will reduce global power demand by 30%. The greatest concern regarding use of WWS is its variability;this is also addressed by Jacobson’s study by: ( 1.) interconnecting geographically-dispersed WWS;(2.) bundling WWS and using hydro to fill in gaps;(3.) demand-response (provide incentive to discourage use during peak/high demand period);(4.) oversizing peak capacity and producing hydrogen with excess for industry, vehicles;(5.)on-site storage;(6.)better forecasting.
The study concludes that the best way to power planet earth in the future is with Wind, Water, and Solar (WWS) technologies. It is feasible both technically and economically. Its potential barriers are up-front costs, transmission needs, lobbying, and politics.
Dear Readers, this is exactly why I have written the series on effective Feed-In-Tariff, in Sun Is The Future, available at http://sunisthefuture.net trying to urge all of our local and federal governments (not just the Floridians or residents of USA, but residents of planet earth) to give all of us the incentive to participate in our move toward the Renewable WWS age. We, as individual home or business owners, may not be spending multiple millions of dollars for lobbying, but we are just as concerned with the future of energy use and welfare of our planet earth as any large utility companies. We earthlings are all connected. The particulate matters from China or India or radiation material from Fukushima will impact all of us earthlings. So, as individual earthlings, let’s start by calling attention and action for our immediate communities. I, here in Florida, will try my very best in asking my community and local government to consider effective Feed-In-Tariff (discussions, articles, and video clips available by going to the search box at upper right hand corner of http://sunisthefuture.netand type in “feed in tariff”). Effective Feed-In-Tariff, now rebranded as CLEAN program, may be utilized by individual home owners, small businesses, organizations such as schools, Y’s, hospitals, libraries, local McDonald’s, WalMart, police stations, and large power/utility companies/plant (refer to the piece I wrote on July 13, 2011, Answer For The Future Is In Hybrid Marriage-Solar And Fossil Fuel athttp://sunisthefuture.net) alike.
We need incentive for individual home owners, small businesses, organizations such as schools, Y’s, hospitals, etc. with rooftops and surface areas, that would provide us with sufficient economic incentive to move into the renewable age. Here is an example (in the video of July 27 post at http://sunisthefuture.net, with data provided by World Future Council) of another country, Germany, with far less sunshine and insolation than we have here in Florida, but with the help of Feed-In-Tariff (key features listed below):
Gives RE (renewable energy) priority access to the grid
Obliges grid operators to purchase electricity from RES
Sets the price for RE electricity for fixed periods
Sets no limit to amount of RE feeding into the grid
Fundamentally, with an effective Feed-In-Tariff incentive program, any one who produces excess renewable energy may be able to sell the power he/she generates back to the power/utility company.
Feed-In-Tariffs have been so successful in Germany and many other countries because of the long term planning security it provides by having 12-20 year contracts ( this is crucial to investors);it gives technology-specific incentives (this is crucial for driving new technologies into the market);it adapts to technological development (this fosters innovation). Germany was able to create more than a quarter million jobs in renewable energy sector in less than five years, economic impact of new industry development with total turnover from renewable energy sources of approximately 25 billion Euros in 2007, and saved about 150 tons of CO2 emissions…all due to the help of Feed-In-Tariff. Most importantly, Feed-In-Tariff have made Germany the world leader in solar power. Another important lesson to take away from the presentation of World Future Council video clip of July 27 post in sunisthefuture.net is the fact that majority (more than 80% in Germany & or 90% in Florida) of the market share is from residential rather than the utility scaled facility (about 10%). That means, we, the individuals, will have far more combined impact on the industry and would benefit from the industry of renewable energy via Feed-In-Tariff. Please do view these discussions and video clips on Feed-In-Tariff, accessible at sunisthefuture.net, beginning from May through July of 2011, at sunisthefuture.net.
If you’d get to my May 8th post on Incentive For Solar (8)-Feed-In-Tariff (FIT), at http://sunisthefuture.net, there is a very informative discussion by a panel of scientists and policy makers and even our very own Floridian Ed Regan, you would also see in my August 11 post that:
the first form of feed-in-tariff was actually implemented in US in 1978, under President Jimmy Carter’s administration, telling Americans that the energy crisis was a “clear and present danger to our nation” and drew out a plan to address it.
The problem with the federal mandated feed-in-tariff rate from 1978 is that: the federal government had given individual states the authority to set its own FIT rate as long as it meets the minimal level of avoided cost. So, we ended up getting a lot of states simply setting its FIT rate at the avoided cost (for FL, this avoided cost is much lower than the cost of producing solar energy, therefore, there is no incentive for any one trying to produce extra energy). It simply would not be economically feasible. You can also find this discussion in my June 8th post and video with Craig Lewis of Clean Coalition, at http://sunisthefuture.net I have another issue with this avoided cost FIT rate: that is, it is set at a fixed rate without the consideration of what time in the day when the energy is produced. The value of energy changes throughout the day because energy is in greater demand during the day time and when sun is up (esp. in FL when it is on a hot summer day, when AC is in huge demand). The current fixed avoided cost FIT rate ends up favoring the wind energy producers and very unfavorable for the solar energy producers (solar energy is produced when demand is highest and therefore during the time when the energy is/should be more valuable.) But this can all be modified/monitored with current technologies and smart meters. So, what we need from the state government is an effective Feed-In-Tariff rate that would provide incentive (economically feasible) for every/any one who wants to participate in production of renewable energy (solar, water, wind, etc.) to do so feasibly. Some of you may argue to wait until the cost of producing renewable (esp. solar in FL) energy to be much lower and continue the status quo for now. But I (and many others) feel that we cannot afford to wait any longer because it takes time to educate, implement, and assist the general public to make the transition into a new world of renewable energy. If we want a smooth transition, without too much societal disruption, nor increased unemployment or dramatic lowering of standard of living, the most effective strategy is by implementing effective Feed-In-Tariff/CLEAN Program (as indicated in World Future Council http://www.worldfuturecouncil.org/feed_in_tariffs_in_us.html) ASAP. We have seen how effectively implemented Feed-In-Tariff had already benefited our neighbor Gainesville, FL community (and at least 65 other nations and territories):
We would simply like to ask our state legislators to consider re-examining the issue of Feed-In-Tariff and come up with a plan for an effective Feed-In-Tariff/CLEAN Program that may be inclusive of all, the small users, medium users, and large users (even utility companies). For we are all in this together. I am sure that the power/utility companies are well aware of the fact that it is much better to serve a community of economic prosperity, because 10% of a smaller number is still larger than 100% of zero, (such would be the case if/when the power company has to cater to the needs of a lot of unemployed users.)
I hope you, the readers, in addition to talking to your friends, family, neighbors, and your legislators about effective Feed-In-Tariff, I urge you to sign the petition page available at http://sunisthefuture.net and tell as many people about this web site and petition drive as possible. To encourage you all to think positively about our renewable/solar energy future, I have also written and posted various topics at http://sunisthefuture.net for your perusal. Simply type these topics in the search box at upper right hand corner of http://sunisthefuture.net and see/hear….about….
Feed-In-Tariff
Incentive For Solar
Solar Impulse Solar Plane
Cars Of The Future
Solar High Speed Trains
Solar Shingles
Solar Hot Water Heater
What Is Solar Cell
BIPV
Why Solar
Peak Oil
Solar Decathlon
etc.
Please feel free to email me at sunisthefuture@gmail.com if you have any suggestions, questions or comments. Any of your input will be welcomed.
Written and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker, sunisthefuture@gmail.com
For a special treat, between September 23-October 2, 2011, Sunisthefuture.net will be hosting a 10 day-3 parts series:
I. If you are in favor of renewable, clean, or solar energy, please sign this petition for FIT/CLEAN Program, accessible at http://sunisthefuture.net/?page_id=1065Thank you very much. We are at a critical juncture in human history when individual effort and participation in the transition into renewable energy age is desperately needed! Your signature will be very meaningful in helping all earthlings! For a summary of why we need to switch to power the earth with Wind-Water-Sunlight quickly, reasons are explained by Stanford Professor Mark Z. Jacobson at http://sunisthefuture.net/?m=20110731 There are more than sixteen episodes of discussions on FIT (Feed-In-Tariff/CLEAN Program) available at http://sunisthefuture.net Please feel free to read/listen to them (type in feed-in-tariff in the search box at right). Keep in mind that signing this petition only means that you are in favor of renewable energy and FIT/CLEAN Program and does not obligate you to provide any financial support. We simply want our combined voice to be heard even if we are not spending millions of lobbying dollars. We want to demonstrate that our system of democracy will work for people in all socio-economic strata. So please join us in this earthly movement by signing this petition and participating in our common goal of moving toward the renewable and solar energy age. Earthlings from any corner of the globe may participate.
II. sunisthefuture.net Awards For Solar Decathlon of 2011 (this is not the contest holding by the Department of Energy);there are three parts (you may participate in one or more than one part(s)), details and procedures explained at http://sunisthefuture.net/?page_id=1507 :
Part 1. Photo Award Part 2. Video Award Part 3. People’s Choice Award for Solar Decathlon Team of 2011
Now, I’d like to invite you to visit with Richard King (the creator of Solar Decathlon 2011 of US Department of Energy) on Day One of Solar Decathlon 2011—>
III.Editorial on Why and How We Should Power Planet Earth With Sun-Water-Wind Quickly, below:
Why and How We Should Power Planet Earth With Sun-Water-Wind Quickly
(written and published by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker, at sunisthefuture.net)
It is an exciting time to be alive. We earthlings may have many problems to deal with, but we are also equipped with many tools, terrific minds, and fantastic ways of communications. My thirst for solutions for earth’s energy problem combined with my online teaching jobs permitted me to travel to various places from time to time to search for answer…to seek lessons learned and wisdom gathered…. Yes, I’ve attended many lectures by many scholars who have studied the energy issue.
Today, I want to share with you a talk by Mark Z. Jacobson, Director of the Atmosphere/Energy Program and Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford University, available at http://sunisthefuture.net, July 31, 2011 post. Professor Jacobson started the talk by explaining what the problem we earthlings are facing today and why is there such an urgency in needing to deal with it quickly:
temperatures are rising quickly
Arctic sea ice area is decreasing quickly
air pollution mortality is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and higher temperature contributes to deaths
higher population and growing energy demand will lead to worsening air pollution and climate problems over time
This part of the talk helped me to realize that black carbon (main component of the soot particles) is also a very important factor for causing global warming, in addition to CO2 emission. Annual premature earthlings’ deaths due to particulates is about 2.5-3 million (in U.S. that is translated into 50,000-100,000 and in Europe, 300,000-350,000 annual premature deaths due to air pollution).
As any good engineer/scholar would approach a problem, Professor Jacobson did not just alarm us with problems but also evaluated possible solutions both with and without cost considerations. From reviewing and ranking major proposed energy-related solutions to global warming, air pollution mortality, and energy security, his talk also considered various impacts of the proposed solutions such as water supply, land use, resource availability, reliability, wildlife, and risk of cancer and nuclear proliferation. Some data I was not aware of in the past was presented, such as the dramatic increase of organic gases (formaldehyde, 200% and acetaldehyde, 4500%) and increased ozone generated from using ethanol. In the final analysis, with consideration of materials, transmission infrastructure, costs, and politics, Professor Jacobson concludes thatthe best way to power the world is with Wind, Water, and Solar (WWS)technologies.
By 2030, the cost of using fossil fuel (13.5c/kWh) will be higher than using WWS (8-13 c/kWh) technologies. Using WWS technologies will also eliminate 2.5-3 million air pollution premature deaths/year and global warming and provides energy stability. Furthermore,converting to WWS and electricity/H2 will reduce global power demand by 30%. The greatest concern regarding use of WWS is its variability;this is also addressed by Jacobson’s study by: ( 1.) interconnecting geographically-dispersed WWS;(2.) bundling WWS and using hydro to fill in gaps;(3.) demand-response (provide incentive to discourage use during peak/high demand period);(4.) oversizing peak capacity and producing hydrogen with excess for industry, vehicles;(5.)on-site storage;(6.)better forecasting.
The study concludes that the best way to power planet earth in the future is with Wind, Water, and Solar (WWS) technologies. It is feasible both technically and economically. Its potential barriers are up-front costs, transmission needs, lobbying, and politics.
Dear Readers, this is exactly why I have written the series on effective Feed-In-Tariff, in Sun Is The Future, available at http://sunisthefuture.net trying to urge all of our local and federal governments (not just the Floridians or residents of USA, but residents of planet earth) to give all of us the incentive to participate in our move toward the Renewable WWS age. We, as individual home or business owners, may not be spending multiple millions of dollars for lobbying, but we are just as concerned with the future of energy use and welfare of our planet earth as any large utility companies. We earthlings are all connected. The particulate matters from China or India or radiation material from Fukushima will impact all of us earthlings. So, as individual earthlings, let’s start by calling attention and action for our immediate communities. I, here in Florida, will try my very best in asking my community and local government to consider effective Feed-In-Tariff (discussions, articles, and video clips available by going to the search box at upper right hand corner of http://sunisthefuture.netand type in “feed in tariff”). Effective Feed-In-Tariff, now rebranded as CLEAN program, may be utilized by individual home owners, small businesses, organizations such as schools, Y’s, hospitals, libraries, local McDonald’s, WalMart, police stations, and large power/utility companies/plant (refer to the piece I wrote on July 13, 2011, Answer For The Future Is In Hybrid Marriage-Solar And Fossil Fuel athttp://sunisthefuture.net) alike.
We need incentive for individual home owners, small businesses, organizations such as schools, Y’s, hospitals, etc. with rooftops and surface areas, that would provide us with sufficient economic incentive to move into the renewable age. Here is an example (in the video of July 27 post at http://sunisthefuture.net, with data provided by World Future Council) of another country, Germany, with far less sunshine and insolation than we have here in Florida, but with the help of Feed-In-Tariff (key features listed below):
Gives RE (renewable energy) priority access to the grid
Obliges grid operators to purchase electricity from RES
Sets the price for RE electricity for fixed periods
Sets no limit to amount of RE feeding into the grid
Fundamentally, with an effective Feed-In-Tariff incentive program, any one who produces excess renewable energy may be able to sell the power he/she generates back to the power/utility company.
Feed-In-Tariffs have been so successful in Germany and many other countries because of the long term planning security it provides by having 12-20 year contracts ( this is crucial to investors);it gives technology-specific incentives (this is crucial for driving new technologies into the market);it adapts to technological development (this fosters innovation). Germany was able to create more than a quarter million jobs in renewable energy sector in less than five years, economic impact of new industry development with total turnover from renewable energy sources of approximately 25 billion Euros in 2007, and saved about 150 tons of CO2 emissions…all due to the help of Feed-In-Tariff. Most importantly, Feed-In-Tariff have made Germany the world leader in solar power. Another important lesson to take away from the presentation of World Future Council video clip of July 27 post in sunisthefuture.net is the fact that majority (more than 80% in Germany & or 90% in Florida) of the market share is from residential rather than the utility scaled facility (about 10%). That means, we, the individuals, will have far more combined impact on the industry and would benefit from the industry of renewable energy via Feed-In-Tariff. Please do view these discussions and video clips on Feed-In-Tariff, accessible at sunisthefuture.net, beginning from May through July of 2011, at sunisthefuture.net.
If you’d get to my May 8th post on Incentive For Solar (8)-Feed-In-Tariff (FIT), at http://sunisthefuture.net, there is a very informative discussion by a panel of scientists and policy makers and even our very own Floridian Ed Regan, you would also see in my August 11 post that:
the first form of feed-in-tariff was actually implemented in US in 1978, under President Jimmy Carter’s administration, telling Americans that the energy crisis was a “clear and present danger to our nation” and drew out a plan to address it.
The problem with the federal mandated feed-in-tariff rate from 1978 is that: the federal government had given individual states the authority to set its own FIT rate as long as it meets the minimal level of avoided cost. So, we ended up getting a lot of states simply setting its FIT rate at the avoided cost (for FL, this avoided cost is much lower than the cost of producing solar energy, therefore, there is no incentive for any one trying to produce extra energy). It simply would not be economically feasible. You can also find this discussion in my June 8th post and video with Craig Lewis of Clean Coalition, at http://sunisthefuture.net I have another issue with this avoided cost FIT rate: that is, it is set at a fixed rate without the consideration of what time in the day when the energy is produced. The value of energy changes throughout the day because energy is in greater demand during the day time and when sun is up (esp. in FL when it is on a hot summer day, when AC is in huge demand). The current fixed avoided cost FIT rate ends up favoring the wind energy producers and very unfavorable for the solar energy producers (solar energy is produced when demand is highest and therefore during the time when the energy is/should be more valuable.) But this can all be modified/monitored with current technologies and smart meters. So, what we need from the state government is an effective Feed-In-Tariff rate that would provide incentive (economically feasible) for every/any one who wants to participate in production of renewable energy (solar, water, wind, etc.) to do so feasibly. Some of you may argue to wait until the cost of producing renewable (esp. solar in FL) energy to be much lower and continue the status quo for now. But I (and many others) feel that we cannot afford to wait any longer because it takes time to educate, implement, and assist the general public to make the transition into a new world of renewable energy. If we want a smooth transition, without too much societal disruption, nor increased unemployment or dramatic lowering of standard of living, the most effective strategy is by implementing effective Feed-In-Tariff/CLEAN Program (as indicated in World Future Council http://www.worldfuturecouncil.org/feed_in_tariffs_in_us.html) ASAP. We have seen how effectively implemented Feed-In-Tariff had already benefited our neighbor Gainesville, FL community (and at least 65 other nations and territories):
We would simply like to ask our state legislators to consider re-examining the issue of Feed-In-Tariff and come up with a plan for an effective Feed-In-Tariff/CLEAN Program that may be inclusive of all, the small users, medium users, and large users (even utility companies). For we are all in this together. I am sure that the power/utility companies are well aware of the fact that it is much better to serve a community of economic prosperity, because 10% of a smaller number is still larger than 100% of zero, (such would be the case if/when the power company has to cater to the needs of a lot of unemployed users.)
I hope you, the readers, in addition to talking to your friends, family, neighbors, and your legislators about effective Feed-In-Tariff, I urge you to sign the petition page available at http://sunisthefuture.net and tell as many people about this web site and petition drive as possible. To encourage you all to think positively about our renewable/solar energy future, I have also written and posted various topics at http://sunisthefuture.net for your perusal. Simply type these topics in the search box at upper right hand corner of http://sunisthefuture.net and see/hear….about….
Feed-In-Tariff
Incentive For Solar
Solar Impulse Solar Plane
Cars Of The Future
Solar High Speed Trains
Solar Shingles
Solar Hot Water Heater
What Is Solar Cell
BIPV
Why Solar
Peak Oil
Solar Decathlon
etc.
Please feel free to email me at sunisthefuture@gmail.com if you have any suggestions, questions or comments. Any of your input will be welcomed.
Written and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker, sunisthefuture@gmail.com
If you are in favor of renewable, clean, or solar energy, please sign this petition for FIT/CLEAN Program, accessible at http://sunisthefuture.net/?page_id=1065Thank you very much. We are at a critical juncture in human history when individual effort and participation in the transition into renewable energy age is desperately needed! Your signature will be very meaningful in helping all earthlings! For a summary of why we need to switch to power the earth with Wind-Water-Sunlight quickly, reasons are explained by Stanford Professor Mark Z. Jacobson at http://sunisthefuture.net/?m=20110731 There are more than sixteen episodes of discussions on FIT (Feed-In-Tariff/CLEAN Program) available at http://sunisthefuture.net Please feel free to read/listen to them (type in feed-in-tariff in the search box at right). Keep in mind that signing this petition only means that you are in favor of renewable energy and FIT/CLEAN Program and does not obligate you to provide any financial support. We simply want our combined voice to be heard even if we are not spending millions of lobbying dollars. We want to demonstrate that our system of democracy will work for people in all socio-economic strata. So please join us in this earthly movement by signing this petition and participating in our common goal of moving toward the renewable and solar energy age.
Now, back to Solar Decathlon of 2011: Wow! Can’t believe it! This is the last of the twenty collegiate designs being shown at Solar Decathlon of 2011. You know what they say about last but not the least…and so is Team Belgium by Ghent University’s E-Cube design. As its name suggests, the appearance of E-Cube design looks like something out of a science fiction movie, with its two-story, cube-like shape, clean and compactly boxy exterior, complimented by a spacious interior for a family of four with two bedrooms, one bathroom, a kitchen, and living areas. E-Cube is an affordable, do-it-yourself building kit for a solar-powered house that is pre-engineered, factory-built, and easily assembled without special skills. The design begins with a starter unit that may be upgraded with enhancements to the PV system and interior finishes as well as extensions to the living space, allowing homeowners to personalize the house according to time and budget available. This house is also structurally flexible with wall panels that are adaptable and an expandable pallet racking system. So, the E-Cube can be reconfigured and expanded. The passive design and solar panels on the roof will eliminate heating and cooling costs upon completion of the house. Please take a look at this affordable zero-energy home designed and built by students of Ghent University—>
written and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker, sunisthefuture@gmail.com
If you are in favor of renewable, clean, or solar energy, please sign this petition for FIT/CLEAN Program, accessible at http://sunisthefuture.net/?page_id=1065Thank you very much. We are at a critical juncture in human history when individual effort and participation in the transition into renewable energy age is desperately needed! Your signature will be very meaningful in helping all earthlings! For a summary of why we need to switch to power the earth with Wind-Water-Sunlight quickly, reasons are explained by Stanford Professor Mark Z. Jacobson at http://sunisthefuture.net/?m=20110731 There are more than sixteen episodes of discussions on FIT (Feed-In-Tariff/CLEAN Program) available at http://sunisthefuture.net Please feel free to read/listen to them (type in feed-in-tariff in the search box at right). Keep in mind that signing this petition only means that you are in favor of renewable energy and FIT/CLEAN Program and does not obligate you to provide any financial support. We simply want our combined voice to be heard even if we are not spending millions of lobbying dollars. We want to demonstrate that our system of democracy will work for people in all socio-economic strata. So please join us in this earthly movement by signing this petition and participating in our common goal of moving toward the renewable and solar energy age.
As we approach Team Massachusetts’ 4D Home design (4D representing a design that would adapt and transform over time according to the needs of the family), targets the market for a family of three (one child). This ability to transform may be seen in the two storage movable walls inside the house that may be able to convert a bedroom into an open space. 4D Home design placed the solar PV arrays offset from the roof, shading the South facade and creating a sheltered transition into the interior. Inside, the kitchen anchors the core of the house, dividing the public and private spaces and provide a ring of circulation between them. The expansive living room is spacious and well lit by the South and East facing windows. Vertical storage functions as storage space, a wall, and a closet for the bedroom. Adjacent to the bedroom through a glass door is the mechanical and laundry room. The private corridor behind the kitchen is lit from above by a skylight and may be used as a work space with much versatility. Dining space is found in the Southwest corner of the house, easily accommodating daily needs for a family of three. Central kitchen is a compact organization of appliances and storage, directly looking to the South and providing plenty of counter spaces for cooking. Longitudinal view through the kitchen connects each area and encourages communications among family members. Now let’s have a look at this house that was designed to adapt and grow with the changing needs of a family.—>
written and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker, sunisthefuture@gmail.com
