Comments on: Top 10 reasons for USA to strive for Global Leadership in SEI via massive scaling http://www.invvest.org/blog/2009/03/top-10-reasons/ Mon, 30 Aug 2010 06:20:17 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Nathan Wang http://www.invvest.org/blog/2009/03/top-10-reasons/comment-page-1/#comment-4990 Nathan Wang Thu, 26 Nov 2009 04:01:10 +0000 http://blog.vsnicorp.com/?p=259#comment-4990 I would like to add that going with sustainable energy scaling will help with society's survival (not just the threats of climate change). A book that I recommend is "The End of the Long Summer" by Dianne Dumanoski which helps detail some of this. I would like to add that going with sustainable energy scaling will help with society’s survival (not just the threats of climate change). A book that I recommend is “The End of the Long Summer” by Dianne Dumanoski which helps detail some of this.

]]> By: Probir Ghosh http://www.invvest.org/blog/2009/03/top-10-reasons/comment-page-1/#comment-87 Probir Ghosh Fri, 24 Apr 2009 19:48:55 +0000 http://blog.vsnicorp.com/?p=259#comment-87 Has anyone seen a compreshensive plan to get 60% or more energy from renewable energy by 2030? the only way to do it is have disruptive scaling of solar wind nuclear and other low carbon footprint energy and find ways to do so at price points that can still attract a vibrant economy. Has anyone seen a compreshensive plan to get 60% or more energy from renewable energy by 2030? the only way to do it is have disruptive scaling of solar wind nuclear and other low carbon footprint energy and find ways to do so at price points that can still attract a vibrant economy.

]]> By: John Barnes http://www.invvest.org/blog/2009/03/top-10-reasons/comment-page-1/#comment-82 John Barnes Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:26:59 +0000 http://blog.vsnicorp.com/?p=259#comment-82 One key word that Probir always states in his blog entriess should be at the forefront of this discussion, and that is MASSIVE. One such people/government/policy example of working together is the upcoming requirement of the major utilities of CA toward 33% renewable energy in a finite timeframe. They make the calculations and see that they needed several ~500 MW increments at a time to get even close to this, and thus the "new CA goldrush" underway in larger PV/CST/CPV plants in the approval and financing pipeline. The California Solar Initiative was nice to start to see a few new houses with some panels on them for the first time, but Probir is correct that a people/government alliance to spur MASSIVE inployment is what must happen. One key word that Probir always states in his blog entriess should be at the forefront of this discussion, and that is MASSIVE.

One such people/government/policy example of working together is the upcoming requirement of the major utilities of CA toward 33% renewable energy in a finite timeframe. They make the calculations and see that they needed several ~500 MW increments at a time to get even close to this, and thus the “new CA goldrush” underway in larger PV/CST/CPV plants in the approval and financing pipeline.

The California Solar Initiative was nice to start to see a few new houses with some panels on them for the first time, but Probir is correct that a people/government alliance to spur MASSIVE inployment is what must happen.

]]> By: Dick Reinert http://www.invvest.org/blog/2009/03/top-10-reasons/comment-page-1/#comment-79 Dick Reinert Tue, 07 Apr 2009 14:13:15 +0000 http://blog.vsnicorp.com/?p=259#comment-79 I would add to the comments of other contributors that all 10 reason have a great deal of merit. The past two years have provided evidence that we, the USA, must act dramatically and must act now to take a leadership role in the develolpment and implementation of energy initiatives which lead us away from being held hostage to dependance on fossil fuels. We have seen what this dependence has done to the US economy. We have a great opportunity to create a new economic climate centered around sustainable energy. Colorado and the West are in a very unique position to make this happen with our resources, the desire of the people of the area and the history of being able to achieve great results. Alternative energy has been identified for at least the past three years as one of the major industries which will lead to our economic growth. I would add to the comments of other contributors that all 10 reason
have a great deal of merit. The past two years have provided evidence that we, the USA, must act dramatically and must act now
to take a leadership role in the develolpment and implementation
of energy initiatives which lead us away from being held hostage
to dependance on fossil fuels. We have seen what this dependence
has done to the US economy. We have a great opportunity to
create a new economic climate centered around sustainable energy.
Colorado and the West are in a very unique position to make this happen with our resources, the desire of the people of the area
and the history of being able to achieve great results. Alternative
energy has been identified for at least the past three years as
one of the major industries which will lead to our economic growth.

]]> By: Probir Ghosh http://www.invvest.org/blog/2009/03/top-10-reasons/comment-page-1/#comment-76 Probir Ghosh Tue, 07 Apr 2009 00:05:48 +0000 http://blog.vsnicorp.com/?p=259#comment-76 Sarah, I really like your approach and reasoning. At the end of the day, do we want to be global leaders or followers in the new energy economy era? For most of us the answer is very clear, we want to be leaders and we want to lead by example. Here is my shared vision: Well before the century is over, we would be generating clean energy much cheaper than fossil fuels and we will generate as much energy as we need to create a vibrant economy and we will use the energy to clean up our environment instead of polluting it. We will leave a better world for our future generations to enjoy. The sole purpose of invVEST will be to deliver this vision leveraging collaborative virtual teams that will help massively scale Sustainable Energy Initiatives. Sarah,
I really like your approach and reasoning. At the end of the day, do we want to be global leaders or followers in the new energy economy era? For most of us the answer is very clear, we want to be leaders and we want to lead by example.

Here is my shared vision:
Well before the century is over, we would be generating clean energy much cheaper than fossil fuels and we will generate as much energy as we need to create a vibrant economy and we will use the energy to clean up our environment instead of polluting it. We will leave a better world for our future generations to enjoy.

The sole purpose of invVEST will be to deliver this vision leveraging collaborative virtual teams that will help massively scale Sustainable Energy Initiatives.

]]> By: Sarah Kurtz http://www.invvest.org/blog/2009/03/top-10-reasons/comment-page-1/#comment-74 Sarah Kurtz Mon, 06 Apr 2009 05:39:04 +0000 http://blog.vsnicorp.com/?p=259#comment-74 One hundred years from now when historians write about the age of fossil fuels and how the world transitioned out of it into the sustainable age, will they write about a world that embraced its future and eagerly worked to make that transition, or will they write about a world that stubbornly tried to delay that transition? If we compare the world one hundred years ago with today's world; if we think of the electric grid, the highway systems, and extensive telecommunications infrastructures that were built, is there any question about whether we can transition to renewable energy in the next hundred years? It's not a matter of whether it will happen, it is a matter of when; and whether it is done in an orderly fashion by intentionally introducing renewable energy technologies, or in a disorderly fashion because fossil fuel costs go so high as to trigger a prolonged recession. All ten reasons are good reasons, but I think the choice can be put very simply: We can choose to be leaders or followers. We can choose to use our vast resources to lead the world to sustainability, or we can choose to slow the rest of the world's transition by being the biggest consumer of energy and the last to acknowledge the inevitable need to change. One hundred years from now when historians write about the age of fossil fuels and how the world transitioned out of it into the sustainable age, will they write about a world that embraced its future and eagerly worked to make that transition, or will they write about a world that stubbornly tried to delay that transition? If we compare the world one hundred years ago with today’s world; if we think of the electric grid, the highway systems, and extensive telecommunications infrastructures that were built, is there any question about whether we can transition to renewable energy in the next hundred years? It’s not a matter of whether it will happen, it is a matter of when; and whether it is done in an orderly fashion by intentionally introducing renewable energy technologies, or in a disorderly fashion because fossil fuel costs go so high as to trigger a prolonged recession. All ten reasons are good reasons, but I think the choice can be put very simply: We can choose to be leaders or followers. We can choose to use our vast resources to lead the world to sustainability, or we can choose to slow the rest of the world’s transition by being the biggest consumer of energy and the last to acknowledge the inevitable need to change.

]]> By: Peter Nulsen http://www.invvest.org/blog/2009/03/top-10-reasons/comment-page-1/#comment-72 Peter Nulsen Sun, 05 Apr 2009 18:53:11 +0000 http://blog.vsnicorp.com/?p=259#comment-72 For me personally the jumping off point for this project is climate change and unsustainable uses of resources, or reason 7. We frequently hear that U.S. has around 5% of world population and while consuming 25% of the world's energy (while contributing 22% to world productivity). Of course this disproportion has produced some of the world's greatest innovations and technologies, but it has also produced damage, much of which cannot be seen in the short-term. For this reason I believe emerging as a leader in Sustainable Energy Initiatives can greatly improve the United States' international credibility. As one of the few countries to not ratify the Kyoto Protocol and as the largest carbon-emitting country per capita, it is our duty to seize the initiative on the international stage not only in sustainability efforts but also in renewable energy. To me the climate change issue comes first and foremost. But the domestic economic argument is equally compelling and interwoven.Current economic conditions present an opportunity to provide a lifeline to a sluggish economy and high unemployment rates. There specifics can be debated but the emergence of a multi-trillion dollar industry will have obvious powerful effects for years to come. I agree with John who pointed out how many businesses and industries will emerge and employ millions in support of the revamped energy industry, because it's going to come down to economics. The U.S. argument against Kyoto was that we didn't want to ratify a document that could stall our economy and force us to lose economic momentum to China; now we have the opportunity to follow the principles of Kyoto, jump start our economy and make a serious invest in our country's image. And with our President behind the idea the stage is set. With the government tax credits and subsidies from the stimulus package and other legislation, the moment is ripe with possibility. It's great to see InvVest's strong vision to bring all parties together to tackle the massive scale of what will be a world-changing project. For me personally the jumping off point for this project is climate change and unsustainable uses of resources, or reason 7. We frequently hear that U.S. has around 5% of world population and while consuming 25% of the world’s energy (while contributing 22% to world productivity). Of course this disproportion has produced some of the world’s greatest innovations and technologies, but it has also produced damage, much of which cannot be seen in the short-term. For this reason I believe emerging as a leader in Sustainable Energy Initiatives can greatly improve the United States’ international credibility. As one of the few countries to not ratify the Kyoto Protocol and as the largest carbon-emitting country per capita, it is our duty to seize the initiative on the international stage not only in sustainability efforts but also in renewable energy.

To me the climate change issue comes first and foremost. But the domestic economic argument is equally compelling and interwoven.Current economic conditions present an opportunity to provide a lifeline to a sluggish economy and high unemployment rates. There specifics can be debated but the emergence of a multi-trillion dollar industry will have obvious powerful effects for years to come. I agree with John who pointed out how many businesses and industries will emerge and employ millions in support of the revamped energy industry, because it’s going to come down to economics. The U.S. argument against Kyoto was that we didn’t want to ratify a document that could stall our economy and force us to lose economic momentum to China; now we have the opportunity to follow the principles of Kyoto, jump start our economy and make a serious invest in our country’s image. And with our President behind the idea the stage is set.

With the government tax credits and subsidies from the stimulus package and other legislation, the moment is ripe with possibility. It’s great to see InvVest’s strong vision to bring all parties together to tackle the massive scale of what will be a world-changing project.

]]> By: John Barnes http://www.invvest.org/blog/2009/03/top-10-reasons/comment-page-1/#comment-62 John Barnes Sun, 29 Mar 2009 03:04:21 +0000 http://blog.vsnicorp.com/?p=259#comment-62 The initial listing items #2 and #5 are my main reasons to believe this is a wonderful economic opportunity for all of the US states. The #2 "USA is the only nation on earth who has available land mass and the ingenuity to implement massive scale sustainable energy initiatives needed to make it a significant part of the energy generation over the near future" shows up so dramatically in solar sunshine maps vs. a country like Germany. I believe that last year Germany now has more people working in solar than in the auto industry for the first time. The #5 proposal "The new energy economy based on sustainable energy will be the next vibrant economic engine of growth that will create millions of jobs for our country and no other country can take most of these jobs away! " points out that the installations must be done in the US and totally new buisinesses like "solar cleaning services" will develop to employ millions of US citizens. In addition if the German model holds here each small town will have a "total service solar supply" store using the advantages of knowing all of the people in town. A key is that the solar TECHNOLOGY needed to produce energy close to "grid parity" is well on the way to happening. What is needed is state policy to help enable this massive employer of people and provide more energy dependence from fossel fuel generated electricity. The initial listing items #2 and #5 are my main reasons to believe this is a wonderful economic opportunity for all of the US states.

The #2 “USA is the only nation on earth who has available land mass and the ingenuity to implement massive scale sustainable energy initiatives needed to make it a significant part of the energy generation over the near future” shows up so dramatically in solar sunshine maps vs. a country like Germany. I believe that last year Germany now has more people working in solar than in the auto industry for the first time.

The #5 proposal “The new energy economy based on sustainable energy will be the next vibrant economic engine of growth that will create millions of jobs for our country and no other country can take most of these jobs away! ” points out that the installations must be done in the US and totally new buisinesses like “solar cleaning services” will develop to employ millions of US citizens. In addition if the German model holds here each small town will have a “total service solar supply” store using the advantages of knowing all of the people in town.

A key is that the solar TECHNOLOGY needed to produce energy close to “grid parity” is well on the way to happening. What is needed is state policy to help enable this massive employer of people and provide more energy dependence from fossel fuel generated electricity.

]]> By: Probir Ghosh http://www.invvest.org/blog/2009/03/top-10-reasons/comment-page-1/#comment-45 Probir Ghosh Wed, 25 Mar 2009 22:30:17 +0000 http://blog.vsnicorp.com/?p=259#comment-45 Elizabeth, I cannot agree with you more, my wife & I came to this country in the mid '80's because we believe it is the greatest country on earth and if you work hard and are innovative, the opportunities are infinite. I strongly believe this country is still the best place on earth, but if you travel around the world, the very thnigs you talk about, other countries are getting stronger in many areas and the will to work harder and not take their wealth for granted is more prevalent in many other countries. For us, this is our country, this is where our kids are going to grow up and and their kids are going to grow up and we want to do everything we can to make sure we hand over a vibrant economy and make it a a better place to live. Which is why we need to make this massive groundswell among people living in this country to have a comprehensive vision and have very targeted deployment plans in each area of Sustainable Energy Initiatives we choose to focus on. invVEST will enable all of us to work together to be leaders again in Sustainable Energy Initiatives (SEI). Energy is going to be a 10 Trillion $ economy globally, and will be the key economy driver in the future. If we do not lead the world to shift to Sustainable Energy where we have an abundance of resources compared to any other country in the world, we will lose our overall global leadership position very soon, it is as simple as that. If we can lead the world and show that Sustainable Energy can be massively scaled and can be produced at lower cost that the tradional fossil fuels it replaces in the near future, we wil not only have the most vibrant economy in the world but we will also mitigate all the GHG and climate issues as the whole world embraces SEI. So, Elizabeth and all others who will see this note, you cannot just be curious bystanders, we all need to work together to make this happen. invVEST has provided a framework for comprehensive Vision and Strategy document, and the realization of the vision will depend on all of us to work together. This initiatvie is much bigger than any one of us or any organization (public or private) no matter how big or bright we are. Each of us have a pivotal role to play to make this happen. Elizabeth,
I cannot agree with you more, my wife & I came to this country in the mid ’80’s because we believe it is the greatest country on earth and if you work hard and are innovative, the opportunities are infinite. I strongly believe this country is still the best place on earth, but if you travel around the world, the very thnigs you talk about, other countries are getting stronger in many areas and the will to work harder and not take their wealth for granted is more prevalent in many other countries.

For us, this is our country, this is where our kids are going to grow up and and their kids are going to grow up and we want to do everything we can to make sure we hand over a vibrant economy and make it a a better place to live. Which is why we need to make this massive groundswell among people living in this country to have a comprehensive vision and have very targeted deployment plans in each area of Sustainable Energy Initiatives we choose to focus on. invVEST will enable all of us to work together to be leaders again in Sustainable Energy Initiatives (SEI). Energy is going to be a 10 Trillion $ economy globally, and will be the key economy driver in the future. If we do not lead the world to shift to Sustainable Energy where we have an abundance of resources compared to any other country in the world, we will lose our overall global leadership position very soon, it is as simple as that.

If we can lead the world and show that Sustainable Energy can be massively scaled and can be produced at lower cost that the tradional fossil fuels it replaces in the near future, we wil not only have the most vibrant economy in the world but we will also mitigate all the GHG and climate issues as the whole world embraces SEI.

So, Elizabeth and all others who will see this note, you cannot just be curious bystanders, we all need to work together to make this happen. invVEST has provided a framework for comprehensive Vision and Strategy document, and the realization of the vision will depend on all of us to work together. This initiatvie is much bigger than any one of us or any organization (public or private) no matter how big or bright we are. Each of us have a pivotal role to play to make this happen.

]]> By: Elizabeth Weiland http://www.invvest.org/blog/2009/03/top-10-reasons/comment-page-1/#comment-42 Elizabeth Weiland Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:04:24 +0000 http://blog.vsnicorp.com/?p=259#comment-42 I agree with the desire and need for us to be the leaders, time will tell if we actually will do so. I am interested in seeing whether our strongly held belief that we have greater ingenuity than other countries remains true. As an international business person, I have seen this time and again - but I also have seen our education systems slipping while others get stronger, I have seen our thinking get silo'ed into niche perspectives, and I have also seen a greater emphasis on flexibility and creativity from other cultures. So I am curious to see if we remain at the forefront of ingenuity. I agree with the desire and need for us to be the leaders, time will tell if we actually will do so. I am interested in seeing whether our strongly held belief that we have greater ingenuity than other countries remains true. As an international business person, I have seen this time and again – but I also have seen our education systems slipping while others get stronger, I have seen our thinking get silo’ed into niche perspectives, and I have also seen a greater emphasis on flexibility and creativity from other cultures. So I am curious to see if we remain at the forefront of ingenuity.

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