I'd like to share https://www.greenneighborchallenge.org/ which is a free digital toolkit designed to help any resident in the US find and sign up for the various energy programs and incentives across local, state, and federal levels. Building it has been a labor of love of by over 50 volunteers over the last five years. From Green Pricing Programs, to Energy Efficiency Incentives, to Rooftop/Community Solar, to Energy/Weatherization assistance... we keep building or creating datasets to make it easy for (mostly) regular people to navigate their options. I'd love to connect with any organizations/journalists/etc that are interested in getting the word out their membership/audiences (Andrew@GreenNeighborChallenge.org).
Andrew! Four MN utilities are rolling out window rebates for high-performance windows next year. I will email you. The rebates will not offset the full cost of high-performance windows (HPW), but will help pay the cost differential for folks looking at HPW. This is a bid deal as there were ZERO utilities with windows rebates in 2023!
hi all, if anyone is interested in collaborating on climate video projects, i have a youtube channel https://youtube.com/zentouro and i'm always looking to elevate climate work and advocacy folks are doing. feel free to reach out via the contact email in my channel's about section.
I just started a newsletter focused on how we'll respond to climate change impacts on food and ag. It's essentially a live blog of the PhD I'm doing on this. If you're interested, you can read more here! https://toughgrowing.substack.com/
Thanks. I've gotten some great nuggets of wisdom from the webcasts, and have vivid memories of listening to the early ones while many of us were stuck at home trying to make sense of the pandemic. I'll reach out when I have more to share!
A friend and I have a new geeky blog about Alaska energy issues. https://www.alaskaenergy.org/ Alaska is an ignored US grid (and a lot of even more ignored microgrids), far behind on the energy transition, with expensive power, nearly all run by vertically integrated coops, staring down a near-term natural gas supply crisis.
Alaska specific: Capitol Glass/Northerm windows sells high-performance windows (U-factor of 0.22 or less) specifically in AK. There are non energy benefits that are notable in cold climates (comfort, sound, condensation, etc.), as well as the energy benefits and right-sizing of HVAC based on a better building envelope, or not needing as much exterior insulation to hit the same building envelope performance (cost savings). I'd be happy to discuss details if it's of interest! (I'm not affiliated with them, but work in a window-adjacent nonprofit role)
Listening to Volts inspired us to buy a decommissioned paper mill in Maine for redevelopment. We donтАЩt have expertise in energy but we chose Rumford for its location with hydro, an active mill, transmission capacity on the grid and potential to become a green energy hub. So many episodes hit on concepts that could work in our region and we are developing our mill to become an asset for the energy transition.
Hope I'm in the right place! My work is to develop technical solutions that I hope can make a big difference, quickly. My company just launched a super cheap floating wind turbine (but just the 1:16 model, we have some growing to do!). But my big wish is to get help or collaboration on something not related to my company: that is to spread the word about green ammonia. This seemingly offers a way to decarbonize the whole world by 2050, cost effectively and rapidly. A few countries and large companies are pursuing it [the idea is to use remote desert sun, remote ocean wind, wilderness geothermal or hydropower etc. for cheapest clean energy, and ship it out as a liquid that can power the electric grid, transportation, heating etc.]. The technology exists, the costs look super attractive, there are small-entity opportunities (small villages or single farmers) and it bypasses terrible permitting and political barriers. We can get to net zero by 2050! But virtually nobody in the US is touting that vision. I know that there are imperfections and issues with ammonia, but they look eminently solvable, so what gives? Legislators and agencies and thought leaders seem oblivious. HELP NEEDED!
Hello Jim, this sounds interesting - do you have specific thoughts on how to spread the word about green ammonia? I agree would be nice to hear more about it here in western Canada (there are some projects out in Atlantic Canada)
(apologies only got to this post holidays haha - also happy to chat on LinkedIn if thatтАЩs easier!)
How does everyone keep track of all their data points/research articles? I feel like I have 100 statistics from 50 different sources and its semi-difficult to keep both track of what is what and be able to easily reference them.
In grad school, when writing writing papers where I had to track all my citations, I used Zotero, which has a chrome plugin, which makes tracking references alot easier.
Hey Nik - I really like Obsidian for keeping track of ideas and notes. It might take some time to get used to if youтАЩve never used Markdown, but itтАЩs quick and simple. Maybe try it along with zotero
Help! I live in Seattle and bought a ~75 year old house last year and would like to investigate converting from natural gas hvac + water heater to electric. Oven / stove are already electric. I am a complete know nothing about home improvement. What sort of research resources and tradesperson / consultant do I start with?
Who's out there working on tricky carbon-specific transactional legal issues? I've been steadily getting more work in this super interesting and challenging area, but it's either under-lawyered or I just haven't found the right network yet.
I live in NM. I installed a dual-fuel packaged (rooftop) HVAC system from Trane five years ago. No inverter-driven packaged systems were available at the time. Bosch introduced one several years ago. I see it is catching on in places like Phoenix and Las Vegas but am not aware of installations in colder climates.
There are plenty of inverter-driven split systems and mini-split systems out there. For people with packaged systems on the roof these are expensive options when wanting to go all electric for heat and cooling.
It seems to me there is market here for both new and replacement systems that is being ignored/overlooked by both Bosch and other manufacturers. I have made inquiries with manufacturers to try and understand why there is so little interest in this area and get little or no response.
I would love to have someone with more cache/clout try to get an answer.
------- SHARE WORK, ASK FOR HELP, FIND COLLABORATORS -------
I'd like to share https://www.greenneighborchallenge.org/ which is a free digital toolkit designed to help any resident in the US find and sign up for the various energy programs and incentives across local, state, and federal levels. Building it has been a labor of love of by over 50 volunteers over the last five years. From Green Pricing Programs, to Energy Efficiency Incentives, to Rooftop/Community Solar, to Energy/Weatherization assistance... we keep building or creating datasets to make it easy for (mostly) regular people to navigate their options. I'd love to connect with any organizations/journalists/etc that are interested in getting the word out their membership/audiences (Andrew@GreenNeighborChallenge.org).
Andrew! Four MN utilities are rolling out window rebates for high-performance windows next year. I will email you. The rebates will not offset the full cost of high-performance windows (HPW), but will help pay the cost differential for folks looking at HPW. This is a bid deal as there were ZERO utilities with windows rebates in 2023!
hi all, if anyone is interested in collaborating on climate video projects, i have a youtube channel https://youtube.com/zentouro and i'm always looking to elevate climate work and advocacy folks are doing. feel free to reach out via the contact email in my channel's about section.
I just started a newsletter focused on how we'll respond to climate change impacts on food and ag. It's essentially a live blog of the PhD I'm doing on this. If you're interested, you can read more here! https://toughgrowing.substack.com/
Just signed up. Reach out when you want to explore some development related to your research in a video webcast. That's what Sustain What is all about. Lots of ag segments. e.g.: https://revkin.substack.com/p/to-improve-climate-and-food-futures-22-05-26
Thanks. I've gotten some great nuggets of wisdom from the webcasts, and have vivid memories of listening to the early ones while many of us were stuck at home trying to make sense of the pandemic. I'll reach out when I have more to share!
A friend and I have a new geeky blog about Alaska energy issues. https://www.alaskaenergy.org/ Alaska is an ignored US grid (and a lot of even more ignored microgrids), far behind on the energy transition, with expensive power, nearly all run by vertically integrated coops, staring down a near-term natural gas supply crisis.
Wicked, I'm a lawyer in based in Seattle but I've done a bunch of work before the RCA. Thanks for sharing; I love your posts so far.
Alaska specific: Capitol Glass/Northerm windows sells high-performance windows (U-factor of 0.22 or less) specifically in AK. There are non energy benefits that are notable in cold climates (comfort, sound, condensation, etc.), as well as the energy benefits and right-sizing of HVAC based on a better building envelope, or not needing as much exterior insulation to hit the same building envelope performance (cost savings). I'd be happy to discuss details if it's of interest! (I'm not affiliated with them, but work in a window-adjacent nonprofit role)
OK, who here is starting a business based on something they heard on a Volts podcast? :-)
Listening to Volts inspired us to buy a decommissioned paper mill in Maine for redevelopment. We donтАЩt have expertise in energy but we chose Rumford for its location with hydro, an active mill, transmission capacity on the grid and potential to become a green energy hub. So many episodes hit on concepts that could work in our region and we are developing our mill to become an asset for the energy transition.
Hope I'm in the right place! My work is to develop technical solutions that I hope can make a big difference, quickly. My company just launched a super cheap floating wind turbine (but just the 1:16 model, we have some growing to do!). But my big wish is to get help or collaboration on something not related to my company: that is to spread the word about green ammonia. This seemingly offers a way to decarbonize the whole world by 2050, cost effectively and rapidly. A few countries and large companies are pursuing it [the idea is to use remote desert sun, remote ocean wind, wilderness geothermal or hydropower etc. for cheapest clean energy, and ship it out as a liquid that can power the electric grid, transportation, heating etc.]. The technology exists, the costs look super attractive, there are small-entity opportunities (small villages or single farmers) and it bypasses terrible permitting and political barriers. We can get to net zero by 2050! But virtually nobody in the US is touting that vision. I know that there are imperfections and issues with ammonia, but they look eminently solvable, so what gives? Legislators and agencies and thought leaders seem oblivious. HELP NEEDED!
I've seen a bit of chatter about green ammonia but you're right, mostly EU skewed (like the recent Fortescue investment)
Hello Jim, this sounds interesting - do you have specific thoughts on how to spread the word about green ammonia? I agree would be nice to hear more about it here in western Canada (there are some projects out in Atlantic Canada)
(apologies only got to this post holidays haha - also happy to chat on LinkedIn if thatтАЩs easier!)
Yes, linkedin please. I am at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-papadopoulos-07488213/
How does everyone keep track of all their data points/research articles? I feel like I have 100 statistics from 50 different sources and its semi-difficult to keep both track of what is what and be able to easily reference them.
I use Evernote but nothing is perfect.
In grad school, when writing writing papers where I had to track all my citations, I used Zotero, which has a chrome plugin, which makes tracking references alot easier.
Honestly great idea! I used Zotero for the same reason but it didn't cross my mind to use it for a non academic purpose
Hey Nik - I really like Obsidian for keeping track of ideas and notes. It might take some time to get used to if youтАЩve never used Markdown, but itтАЩs quick and simple. Maybe try it along with zotero
Thanks Jadon, I'll give it a go for a few weeks so I can adjust
I have the perfect book recommendation for your problems. Helped me a lot on storing notes thoughts etc
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34507927
I use a markdown notes app called Bear.
How to take smart notes
Link seems broken. What's the title of the book?
Help! I live in Seattle and bought a ~75 year old house last year and would like to investigate converting from natural gas hvac + water heater to electric. Oven / stove are already electric. I am a complete know nothing about home improvement. What sort of research resources and tradesperson / consultant do I start with?
Also, you can see my post requesting similar help, in Volts Community Thread #03, here: https://open.substack.com/pub/davidroberts/p/volts-community-thread-03?r=1x1weu&utm_campaign=comment-list-share-cta&utm_medium=web&comments=true&commentId=49402780
The replies to me there have been very helpful!
Thank you!
Hi. I am on this journey, also, with my 68 year old house, in Ohio.
I suggest you start out with Rewiring America's Go Electric guide to begin your planning.
It is free.
It includes:
- Good basic info on electrifying a household
- Sample case studies
- The case studies include the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) - how much you can expect from these programs for each thing you electrify
Link: https://www.rewiringamerica.org/IRAguide
Who's out there working on tricky carbon-specific transactional legal issues? I've been steadily getting more work in this super interesting and challenging area, but it's either under-lawyered or I just haven't found the right network yet.
I live in NM. I installed a dual-fuel packaged (rooftop) HVAC system from Trane five years ago. No inverter-driven packaged systems were available at the time. Bosch introduced one several years ago. I see it is catching on in places like Phoenix and Las Vegas but am not aware of installations in colder climates.
There are plenty of inverter-driven split systems and mini-split systems out there. For people with packaged systems on the roof these are expensive options when wanting to go all electric for heat and cooling.
It seems to me there is market here for both new and replacement systems that is being ignored/overlooked by both Bosch and other manufacturers. I have made inquiries with manufacturers to try and understand why there is so little interest in this area and get little or no response.
I would love to have someone with more cache/clout try to get an answer.