Solar Saturation Map Makes Case For The Smart Grid

     Where you live gives you a different sum of energy solutions to meet your needs. Does it mean that because Wisconsin has a lower solar rating than Arizona that we should not use solar in Wisconsin? The answer is no. It does mean that if you mission is to get off the grid, you will have to be more reliant on geothermal,wind, hydro and other energy sources to assist solar to make it happen. Energy management within your buildings is always the first place to start. The idea is to get your building requiring the least amount of electricity possible. Then determine the energy sources you can use to meet the needs you require. This is the individual goal of a tech savvy home owner. (U.S. Wind Power map at right)

     However the energy demands often fall on the shoulders of the legislators of our country. The majority of the country's citizens are either financially restricted or technically challenged to get to the point of individually energy independent. We have often known that the desert areas of our country could supply over 25 percent of the countries energy needs by solar production alone. Oregon's goal is to supply 25 percent of its energy needs by wave generation. Wind farms are quickly going up in different areas of the country. Cities are installing new high efficient, low fish impact, hydro-generators on rivers. The answer is to connect all these energy sources together to transport the energy to where it's needed.

 (U.S. Hydro power map on left)

     At a time when spending cuts are touted as a life saving exercise in our government, it can also mean a devastating blow to overcoming the oil companies grip on the throats of our country. Without investment to restructure the energy grid of our country, we are sentencing the longtime security and life of the United States to destruction and collapse.   Read the article and get a large view maps:Interesting energy facts.

Scientists See Long Term Memories Formed For The First Time!

Neuroscientists were able to view with the new brain scan technology. During the long term memory process they watched protein built between brain cells. They also understand where short term memory happens and how. Read full article at: We Can See Memories Stored In The Brain.  Read article about short term memories: Cells ability to hold short term memory.

It is exciting to see that we are coming close to unwrap the mysteries of the mind. From this we know that a protein is formed that stores the memory. We don't understand how and why it happens but we do know it is a chemical process. Can you imagine what can happen when we figure this out? Understanding what turns it on and what actual happens, could accelerate mental capacities of humans far beyond what is possible today. Simple hormonal injections in combination with supplements could change long term memory abilities.

Flow Batteries In The Future Show Promise

A newly formed company, 24M Technologies is exploring a new style battery; its an electronic storage device for grid applications. Because it requires electrolyte storage it is unpractical for mobile use such as in cars (for now). However for storage of solar and wind generated electicity for home and business applications it shows great potential. For more information read: New battery technology for a greener world.

Russia Cuts Capitol Gains Taxes on Innovative Businesses.

Russia is attempting to raise venture capitol for their innovative companies. Russia like so many countries are attempting to invigorate there economies to compete in the world market place. While America is working to better relations with the Russian government, the Russian government, like us realize that the future, will depend on their euntrepenerism and ability to create new ideas. By eliminating capitol gain taxes on innovation company investment, they could see a boost in financial backing and forgien investors. Seen here are President of Russia and President of the United States working to establish a good working relationship. Former Russian President Putin is the Prime Minister in charge of the authorization of the capitol gains tax change. Read more at: Russian tax changes.

Cow Power

As we search for alternative fuel/ energy sources we are finding many ideas. It has been said by President Obama there is no one answer, but in our pursuit to find answers, the end result will be many sources of alternate energy. Coming from Wisconsin and growing up cleaning many cow pens, it is great to see that one source will come from the farming area that makes sense.

Farms are using the cow manure but in China are using chicken manure as well, to power their farms and neighboring factories or homes. Instead of applying the cow manure directly to the fields for fertilizer and dealing with run off contaminating the local ground water, they capture manure into large contained domed structures. The domed structures capture the methane gas that occurs with the fermentation of the materials. This is the same gas that is occurring during the break down of decaying matter that escapes unused in landfills. They then use the methane gas to power electrical generators. Though it is just catching on in the U.S., China and other European nations are  moving fast to implement this process in their farming activities. Though this addresses some of the alternative fuel  needs it does not address the green house gas situation. I can see that if certain methods are used to capture those gases that are harmful to the Ozone in the process, it can indeed be an attractive alternative. Read more at:China to use GE's technology to produce the largest energy producer from animal waste in the world.

National Boat Safety Week

This week starts National Boat Safety week. The Coast Guard Auxiliary will be having events at the Coast Guard centers to remind them to practice safe boating. Most deaths on the water can be prevented with wearing a Personal floatation devices. New innovations in inflatable PFDs make it a comfortable practice.

Insurance companies reduce boat insurance if you take time to do a boat safety class.

Coast Guard Auxiliary members will be working on  the boat ramps, inspecting boats and promoting safety by using safer equipment. Innovations are everywhere, the problem is people don't know or care to use them. It is time to stop losing lives foolishly, help us promote safe boating this week.

Here are some boat safety videos:
Handling the new inflatable personal floatation devices.
Know your weather before you boat.
Take a boat safety course!

Military's Smart Bullets Helps Eliminate Air Strikes

Soldiers call it the coolest weapon ever. It is like a super grenade launcher. Program where you want the explosion to happen and boom. Have a position causing you grief because they have a machine gun? No longer a problem. When you watch the video they also show you the robotic gun mounted on the hummers. So much for the hand guns of old to protect you from the government! Watch the video: Smart Bullets