Tag Archives: California

Energy

San Onofre: Why it happened & What MUST not happen now

Screen-shot-2014-03-18-at-3.43.47-PM1

Take a very close look at the diagram above. Notice the words “Tube Burst,” “Tube Burst Criterion” and “Tube fails 95% Burst probability 1.35 year.” These are calculations as to how long the tubes in unit #2, at San Onofre Nuclear facility, would remain intact if the generator went online now. Generators are supposed to last supposed to last 30 to 40 years, not 1.35 years. This is not a normal situation, in which there is “no significant hazard.” Yet, 14 months after having to shut down because of the unprecedented wear in their generator tubes, Southern California Edison (SCE) is claiming they should be allowed to start the facility up again.

Continue reading San Onofre: Why it happened & What MUST not happen now →
Energy

Despite lack of wind, Phase two of construction begins at Ocotillo

By Roy L Hales

Screen-shot-2014-03-18-at-3.43.47-PM1

In his March 5 video log, Jim Pelley recorded the arrival some of of the last 18 wind turbines at Ocotillo. Phase one of the project has now been online four months, during which he has recorded very little wind.

Continue reading Despite lack of wind, Phase two of construction begins at Ocotillo →
Energy, Finances

San Diego’s Residential Solar industry Booming

By Roy L Hales

Screen-shot-2014-03-18-at-3.43.47-PM1

Much to the apparent chagrin of California’s three public utilities companies, residential solar is booming. According to the Vote Solar Initiative, 1,400 megawatts (MW) of PV installations are now operating on the homes or businesses of 134,000 Californians. In a recent study, they conclude that, the benefits to ratepayers in SCE, PG&E, and SDG&E territories will be around  $92.2 million a year “by the time the state’s net metering program is fully subscribed at 5% of peak demand.” Two thirds of these installations are in low and median income neighbourhoods.

Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas & Electric have become increasingly critical of net metering which, according to a Vote Solar Initiative PRnewswire, “reduces their ability to justify the capital investment infrastructure projects that earn them a guaranteed profit.”

Continue reading San Diego’s Residential Solar industry Booming →
Transportation

Driving on 100% Sunshine

By Roy L Hales

Screen-shot-2014-03-18-at-3.43.47-PM1

Peder Norby’s interest in renewable energy goes back to his wind powered home in Denmark. Even then, Peder knew that someday he would drive an electric vehicle. In 2005, he and Julie built a 4,600 square house, overlooking the Agua Hedionda Lagoon in Carlsbad. Peder wanted a cheaper form of transportation, powered by sunshine. Julie was more concerned that it be dependable, comfortable and fun to drive. They installed 21 solar panels on the roof and a year later bought their first EV. Like most first time EV owners, they assumed it would be necessary to hang on to their “gas car.” That proved to be true until 2009, when Peder bought a BMW Mini E. As a County of San Diego Planning Commissioner, he drives all over the county, but found the Mini E was taking care of all his needs. His gas car just sat in the garage. So he sold it.

Continue reading Driving on 100% Sunshine →