What is our energy future?

Ideas answering this question

Solar Power on Residential Rooftops

Minnesota 2020

New technology is making it possible and practical for photovoltaic installations to work on residential rooftops. ... more ...

Clean Tech, Green Building, Green Communities, Green Living, Policy, Solar

Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cells for Batteries

Northeastern University

We are headed towards a society that will be largely unplugged – from fossil fuels, wall outlets, etc. – but ... more ...

Education, Electric Cars, Hydroelectric, Renewable Energy, Science

Construction of the Crescent Dunes for Solar Energy

Tonopah Solar Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of SolarReserve, proposes to construct, own, and operate the Crescent ... more ...

Renewable Energy, Solar

Solar Power Tower with Energy Storage

See the largest solar power tower in the world rise from the desert. Will another 540-foot tower be the centerpiece of a ... more ...

Renewable Energy, Solar

Concentrated Solar Thermal Plant with Energy Storage: How it Works

SolarReserve’s technology, typically referred to as Concentrated Solar Power, uses thousands of mirrors to reflect and ... more ...

Education, Renewable Energy, Solar

Mission Zero House: A Net-Zero Renovation of a Historic House

Matthew Grocoff

There are 130 million homes in the U.S. and they are responsible for 25% of the nation's green house gas emissions. See ... more ...

Adaptation, Architecture, Clean Tech, Climate Change, Economics, Efficiency, Geothermal, Green Building, Green Communities, Green Living, Renewable Energy, Water

Biofuels: from Ethanol to Isobutanol

John McEachin III

One of today’s issues in our country is the prices of gasoline and the cleanliness of gasoline. Biofuels has been ... more ...

Biofuels, Colleges and Universities

Former Admiral Dennis McGinn says Choice Could Challenge Dependency

United States Energy and Security Council

Former Admiral and current president of the American Council on Renewable Energy Dennis McGinn discusses the power of ... more ...

Adaptation, Biofuels, Efficiency, Electric Cars, Green Communities, Green Living, Natural Gas, Renewable Energy, Transportation

The Evolution of American Oil Dependency

United States Energy and Security Council

Who better to discuss the evolution of American oil prices than the former president of Shell Oil? John Hofmeister ... more ...

Adaptation, Efficiency, Green Living, Natural Gas, Renewable Energy

Former CIA Director James Woolsey on Refueling our Vehicles

United States Energy and Security Council

Are flex-fuel cars the future? Former CIA Director James Woolsey proposes that we "do like the Brazilians do." See why ... more ...

Adaptation, Biofuels, Efficiency, Green Living, Natural Gas, Renewable Energy

The Solar Decathlon’s Net-Zero Dwellings

Environmental and Energy Study Institute

This year's Solar Decathlon was big on zero-energy homes and innovation. Watch and learn more on how different teams ... more ...

Education, Efficiency, Green Building, Green Communities, Green Living, Renewable Energy, Solar, Solar Decathlon

Smaller Particles Could Mean More Efficient Solar Panels

National Science Foundation

Studies done by Mark Lusk and colleagues at the Colorado School of Mines could significantly improve the efficiency of ... more ...

Adaptation, Architecture, Clean Tech, Engineering, Green Building, Green Living, Science, Solar

Strongest at the Core

TEAM FIU PerFORM[D]ance House

Much like a dancer, the PerFORM(D)ance House relies heavily on its core to generate power. How does this help the house ... more ...

Architecture, Clean Tech, Education, Efficiency, Engineering, Green Building, Green Communities, Green Living, GreenGov, Renewable Energy, Solar, Solar Decathlon

A Winning WaterShed: Maryland Takes Home Top Prize

WaterShed at the University of Maryland

WaterShed, the University of Maryland’s 1st-place entry into the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon 2011, is a ... more ...

Architecture, Clean Tech, Efficiency, Green Living, Renewable Energy, Solar, Solar Decathlon

Advancing Solar Energy Technology to Solve the Global Energy Crisis

University of Michigan College of Engineering

In an hour, the sun spreads more energy over the surface of the Earth than our civilization uses in a year. Michigan's ... more ...

Clean Tech, Green Living, Renewable Energy, Solar

After 22 Years, Oil From the Exxon Valdez Disaster Still Found in Prince William Sound, Alaska

Assignment Earth

R. J. Kopchak was formerly the part owner of a fisherman’s co-op in Cordova, Alaska, which was experiencing great ... more ...

Activism, BP Oil Spill, Green Communities, Health, Oceans, Policy, Science, Water

Plans for Offshore Oil Drilling Worry Native Alaskans

Assignment Earth

Now that President Obama has just approved offshore drilling in Alaska, how will that affect the native population? Here ... more ...

Activism, BP Oil Spill, Economics, Green Communities, Oceans, Policy, Water

Plans to Re-Open Mines Near Native American Lands Raise Environmental and Human Health Concerns

Assignment Earth

Momentum is building to initiate new uranium mining efforts in northern New Mexico, home to the nation's richest ... more ...

Activism, Green Communities, Green Living, Nuclear, Policy, Water

Dark Side of Tar Sands: Threats to Wildlife, Higher Gas Prices

I talk to Jeremy Symons, senior vice president of the National Wildlife Federation, about his testimony at a House ... more ...

Activism, Adaptation, Economics, Policy

Microbes! – Green Revolution

National Science Foundation

Can bugs save the planet? Join host Lisa Van Pay, PhD (aka a scientist) as she explores exciting alternative energy ... more ...

Biomimicry, Clean Tech, Science

Let the Sunshine Into Your Wallet

Donica Phifer

In Oxford, Miss., architect Brent Swain is using passive solar techniques to build green homes. With his ideas, one home ... more ...

Architecture, Economics, Efficiency, Green Building, Green Communities, Green Living, Policy, Renewable Energy, Science, Solar

Redefining Clubbing: the Sustainable Way

Jennifer Wolfe

Now here's a money maker: Shake it and power this sustainable dance floor!
more

Engineering, Green Building, Green Living, Science

Green Roofs – Science Nation

National Science Foundation

Ingenuity sprouting from the rooftops. The rooftops of Manhattan are as varied as the city itself. A glance at the city ... more ...

Agriculture, Science

Congressman Israel thinks transportation is the key

Congressman Steve Israel

Congressman Steve Israel of New York's 2nd District talks about our energy future. See what he thinks will be the ... more ...

Clean Tech, Efficiency, Electric Cars, Transportation

Green Building is essential for a sustainable future.

An explosion in green building is underway, with cleverly engineered libraries, office buildings, even public housing ... more ...

Efficiency, Green Building

Senator Udall (D-CO) on Electric Vehicles as the key to our energy future.

Planet Forward

Senator Udall (D-Co) discusses electric vehicles as the key to our energy future. Senator Udall comments on the electric ... more ...

Clean Tech, Efficiency, Electric Cars

Rio Grande Del Norte NCA

Assignment Earth

The Rio Grand flows through some of the oldest continually inhabited land in the United States. In northern New Mexico, ... more ...

Activism, Water

There are four important needs for Clean Technology to be successful.

Kimberly Kupiecki

Collaboration from four key players in the energy field, finance departments, policy makers, technology, and the user, ... more ...

Uncategorized

The key to our energy future is smart and advanced energy storage technology.

Elliot Roseman

Vice President Elliot Roseman of ICF International discusses what he thinks will be the key to our energy future. He ... more ...

Efficiency, Electric Cars

The key to our energy future is smart and advanced energy storage technology.

President Scott Sklar of The Stella Group Ltd discusses what he thinks will be the key to our energy future. He ... more ...

Energy Storage, Engineering

Advanced biofuels are the key to our energy future.

Michael McAdams

Senior Policy Advisor Michael McAdams of Holland & Knight LLP discusses how biofuels are a key innovation for our ... more ...

Biofuels, Clean Tech

Create Incentives for Nuclear Power Generation

Rodney M Coenen

The recent Shell Oil energy outlook is widely shared by energy economists. The gains we will make in green energy ... more ...

Business, Economics, Nuclear, Policy

The key to the future of renewable energy is federal investment.

Dean Doug Guthrie of The George Washington University’s School of Business discusses what he thinks will be the ... more ...

Ask an Expert, Business, GreenGov, Policy

Sapphire is leading the new industrial category of Green Crude production, profoundly altering the petrochemical landscape for the better.

Sapphire Energy

Sapphire Energy believes the time is now to create new energy solutions that are environmental, scalable, and renewable. ... more ...

Agriculture, Algae, Biofuels, Business, Science, Transportation

Genesis Farm: Promoting Sustainable Agriculture Education

Genesis Farm is a non profit organization, located in Blairstown, New Jersey, that aims to educate people of the ... more ...

Activism, Education, Efficiency, Green Living, Solar

ASU Researchers Convert Algae into Fuel

Laura Palmisano

Algae are simple photosynthetic organisms that are an original carbon source for petroleum products. Researchers at ... more ...

Algae, Biofuels, Education, Science

Expensive Gas and Limited Oil Lead to More Efficient Energy

Warren Brown, automotive columnist for the Washington Post, thinks we will see all sorts of ways to be energy efficient ... more ...

Clean Tech, Efficiency

The Promise of Energy for Everyone – A Power Point Introduction

The Promise of Energy for Everyone The quantity C is actually the kinetic energy equivalent of the mass energy of matter ... more ...

Community Engagement, Energy Efficiency, Job Creation

Sam Witherbee

WeatherizeDC is a program of The DC Project, a recently launched nonprofit that connects and empowers communities to ... more ...

Activism, Architecture, Campus Sustainability, Education, Efficiency, Green Building, Green Communities, Green Living

API CEO: Oil and Natural Gas Spends Billions on Innovation

Planet Forward

Jack Gerard answers Planet Forward's energy innovation question and shares the secret behind being the leader of these ... more ...

Business, Clean Tech, Natural Gas

Historic Preservation in Charleston, Dubuque and Grand Rapids

Planet Forward

By Harry Bergmann, Erin McCluskey, and Summer Newman For a course on urban sustainability at The George Washington ... more ...

Architecture, Efficiency, Engineering, Green Building, Green Living, Policy

Recycling an Old Idea: Engines for the Future

Christopher Gregory

Can we find something new in an old technology? Maybe a second look at the engine can be a clean answer to our dirty ... more ...

Biofuels, Clean Tech, Education, Efficiency, Electric Cars, Engineering, Policy, Transportation

A Shipload of Algae

Lauren Hoenemeyer

Lauren Hoenemeyer and Kimberly Kroll produced the crowd favorite at GW's Student Film Festival with GW President Steven ... more ...

Activism, Agriculture, Algae, Biofuels, Business, Efficiency, Military, Policy, Science

Highlights from Sec. Chu’s “Sputnik” Speech

Planet Forward

At a National Press Club luncheon, Energy Secretary Steven Chu expressed his concern for the United States as it is ... more ...

Business, Clean Tech, Efficiency, Engineering, Science

Nuclear Fusion is America’s future (and always will be)

Robert Steinhaus

Fission nuclear produces Gigawatts of power and has done so for 50 years and still gets no respect. Positive Change ... more ...

Engineering, Nuclear, Science

McCurdy Weighs in on Energy after the Election (Part 1)

Planet Forward

Tuesday's landslide victory for the Republicans could mean a significant change for the future of energy policy. Planet ... more ...

Electric Cars, Policy, Science

Want to see what a big wind farm looks like, up close and from the air?

Do you know where your electricity comes from? Have you ever wanted to visit the source? The electricity for John ... more ...

Business, Clean Tech, Efficiency, Green Living, Wind

FEMA’s Role in Advancing Sustainable, Affordable Housing Options

Environmental and Energy Study Institute

Experts speaking on Capitol Hill about the state of post-disaster, interim housing provided by the Federal Emergency ... more ...

Architecture, Policy

Can Oil Production Meet Rising Global Demand?

Planet Forward

Experts speaking on Capitol Hill about on challenges facing the oil industry to keep pace with rising global demand, and ... more ...

Warming Walruses: Watch NWF’s Climate Capsule, 9/28/2010

From DC to Alaska, what impact is global warming having on America right now? What’s the National Wildlife ... more ...

Activism, GreenGov, Oceans, Water

Let’s Talk About Geoengineering

A very thought-provoking article…we wring our hands and (sometimes) open our wallets to make small changes that ... more ...

Stewart on the Street

Find out what people know about recycling and energy
more

Activism, Efficiency

GSA Carbon Footprint and Green Procurement Tool

Jennifer Hazelman

As one of the finalists for the 2010 GreenGov Presidential Awards, here is our video that we would like submit. This ... more ...

Efficiency, GreenGov

Clean Legislation Creates Clean Energy

Due to a bill passed in the fall of 2009 by the Oregon State Legislature, field burning in 2010 has been outlawed. This ... more ...

Green Communities, GreenGov

The Threatened Colorado River

Assignment Earth

The Colorado River and its tributaries sustain nearly 30 million people across seven states and Mexico. It is the most ... more ...

Activism, Agriculture, GreenGov

Your Mind Is The Scene Of The Climate

The NWF Climate Capsule, featuring our “Be Kind, Rewind” version of “Inception.” If you could ... more ...

The Londoner’s Eye

Victoria Riess

While studying abroad in London, I spoke with some locals to get their opinion on the environment. Check out what they ... more ...

Uncategorized

VERTICAL AXIS WIND TURBINE WINDMILL ALTERNATIVE GREEN POWER

http://www.greenpowerscience.com/ A simple wind turbine all around you. Alternative energy green job training. Wind power.
more

Kinetic Hydro Meets Manhattan

Verdant Power is turning Manhattan’s East River into a testing ground for a hydro electricity project that could ... more ...

Architecture, Efficiency, Engineering, Hydroelectric

Economic Impacts of Recovery Act Funding for the State Energy Program

Environmental and Energy Study Institute

State energy officials speaking at a July 7, 2010 event on Capitol Hill. How has federal stimulus funding for the State ... more ...

Clean Tech, GreenGov, Policy, Science

What are the economic benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy?

Environmental and Energy Study Institute

Members of Congress speaking at the 13th Annual Congressional Renewable Energy & Efficiency EXPO + Forum (May 27, 2010).
more

Why should America invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy?

Environmental and Energy Study Institute

Filmed at the 13th Annual Congressional Renewable Energy and Efficiency EXPO + Forum, held on May 27, 2010. The EXPO ... more ...

Activism, Agriculture, Architecture, Biofuels, Efficiency, Engineering, Hydroelectric, Solar, Transportation, Wind

Hydro Power With an Individual Approach

When we normally imagine hydroelectric energy, we think of huge dams, big lakes, and dry rivers. The state of Nevada ... more ...

What to do with 7.7 million tons of sewage sludge and 1 billion tons of animal manure

Terri Linnon Kasmoch

The U.S. EPA estimates the U.S. generates 7.7 million tons of sewage sludge and 1 billion tons of animal manure per ... more ...

Nuclear? I Don’t Think So

douglas Robinson

With global warming pretty much an accepted fact, energy policymakers on both sides of the political spectrum are ... more ...

A Green Team for America’s Future

T.H. "Stone" Lyons

A :30 spec spot advocating the use of GREEN energy. Written and produced by T.H. “Stone” Lyons.
more

Geothermal, Solar, Wind

PERSPECTIVES ON SUSTAINING OUR PLANET

David G. Maskalick, Ph.D.

Sustainability: historical perspective. Ideas related to sustainability have been expressed by many people and cultures ... more ...

Security and Safety Concerns for Chemical Plants

The potential disastrous effects of a chemical plant accident are well known. How much should we be worried about ... more ...

Nuclear Power Confronts Scarce Water

Assignment Earth

Nuclear power, many argue, is the best way to transition away from fossil fuels in the short term. Yet in the wake of ... more ...

Is Coal Expansion Imminent?

A reader of EarthTalk posed an interesting question a few weeks back – does the expansion of electric and plug-in ... more ...

China…the Green Leader?

Lauren Martens

In a recent webisode with New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman, Planet Forward’s own Frank Sesno asked, with ... more ...

Al Gore’s Latest on Sea Ice and Clean Coal

Warning – A bit sobering… The smackdown in 8-min or less. ... more ...

Activism, Policy

Haiti: Out of the Wood, Into the Sun?

If Jack Bauer started an NGO devoted to climate change, it would probably be called the Carbon War Room (CWR). The ... more ...

Wall Street Journal: “Spoils will go to those who exploit the uncertainty the best.”

Global Opinion

Cross-posted from the Wall Street Journal ECO:nomics: Creating Environmental Capital By JEFFREY BALL One thing is ... more ...

We Are Way Behind

Planet Forward Archive

A view from Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley on why we need to explore more options in nuclear technology.
more

Wind Farming on Coal River Mountain

Planet Forward Archive

Why mountaintop removal for coal is reducing our energy options for the future
more

The Offshore Debate

Planet Forward Archive

Actor and activist Ted Danson explains why he is opposed to offshore oil drilling
more

Twittering power meter

Planet Forward Archive

A neat invention that allows you to track your energy usage
more

What Coal Means To Us

Planet Forward Archive

From West Virginia State Senator Donna Boley
more

Uncategorized

West Virginia Coal Miners are the Best in the World

Planet Forward Archive

From Bill Raney, president of the West Virginia Coal Association.
more

Uncategorized

We can all become solar power plants

From Rhone Resch, the President and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)
more

The Future of Coal

Planet Forward Archive

From Mike Morris, CEO of American Electrical Power
more

Uncategorized

The Ethanol Solution

Planet Forward Archive

From the University of Nebraska
more

Stop Calling it Energy Independence

Planet Forward Archive

From Shapiro Professor Robert Entman of the George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs
more

Uncategorized

Solar energy is becoming a jobs engine

From Rhone Resch, the President and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)
more

Solar and Water Power as Alternative Energy

Planet Forward Archive

From the Rochester Museum and Science Center
more

Hydroelectric, Solar

Rising Energy Needs

Planet Forward Archive

From Jack Gerard, President and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute
more

Uncategorized

Researching Small Wind Turbines

Planet Forward Archive

A look at Nebraska’s “wind potential”, from the University of Nebraska
more

Our nations oil dependence threatens our economy and our future

Planet Forward Archive

From Adam Goldstein, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International
more

Uncategorized

Middlebury College Freeze on Coal

Planet Forward Archive

Students at Middleburry College in Vermont send an important message about coal.
more

Making Solar Work

Planet Forward Archive

A movie about Ed, his family, and the house that he built
more

Architecture, Solar

Love On The Rocks

Planet Forward Archive

Living With Energy: A Marriage of Convenience.
more

Lets Move to Clean Coal.mov

Frank M. Stewart President of the American Association of Blacks in Energy, says need to have every resource available ... more ...

Imagine

Planet Forward Archive

A theoretical look at our energy future
more

Climate Change, Renewable Energy

Green Fleet Paves Way for an Environmentally Sound Future

Planet Forward Archive

Maggie Brooks, Monroe County Executive, talks about how Monroe County is cutting back on fossil fuel dependence.
more

Uncategorized

Green Dorms at The George Washington University

Planet Forward Archive

A look at some the green living options at The George Washington University
more

Architecture, Campus Sustainability, Efficiency, Green Building, Green Living

Green Conservatism

Planet Forward Archive

From former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich
more

Uncategorized

A Call To Reform-Global Mass Transit

Planet Forward Archive

A look at transportation and pollution in Guadalajara, Mexico. From George Washington University student Simon Hernandez.
more

Public Transportation, Transportation

A Carbon Tax

Planet Forward Archive

A proposal for a solution that could be implemented tomorrow. From the Price Carbon Campaign.
more

Singing For A Cleaner Tomorrow

Planet Forward Archive

A song from George Washington University students Alex Laska and Julie Taylor.
more

A Trip to the Smuggling Tunnels

Planet Forward Archive

How Gaza Shows that Fossil Fuels Are Still King
more

Affordable Electric Cars

Planet Forward Archive

Why can’t there be an option today?
more

Electric Cars, Transportation

Algae Fuels the Future

Planet Forward Archive

Why algae can work as a form of alternative energy
more

Agriculture, Algae, Biofuels

All businesses should switch to 100 wind power

Planet Forward Archive

How Ben’s Chili Bowl, the famous Washington, DC Restaurant, switched to Wind Energy, and why every other business ... more ...

Green Communities, Wind

Windustrious Cleveland

Cleveland, Ohio, has the opportunity to build the world’s first fresh water wind farm, offshore on Lake Erie.
more

Solar that may not be so green

A recent article in the Seattle PI states that a proposed solar power plant near Cle Elum in eastern Washington is ... more ...

The Nation’s Energy Future

Planet Forward Archive

William L. Kovacs provides the overall direction, strategy, and management for the Environment, Technology & ... more ...

America’s Nuclear Waste is needed to Save the Planet

Robert Steinhaus

Spent Nuclear Fuel from US Light Water Reactors still has enormous energy value; only 3% of the Uranium in typical fuel ... more ...

Energy Beam 101: “500,000 Household Energy Supply Satellites.”

As nifty and available as “new” nuclear may be, it will always have “indefinitely radioactive” ... more ...

Uncategorized

Most Americans Fail Pop Quiz on "Cap and Trade"–Will You?

Matt Ortega, Clean Energy Works

In early 2009, just one month before the House passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES), Rasmussen ... more ...

Clean Tech, Economics, Green Living, Policy

EcoTech Fuels – Trash to Fuel

Planet Forward Archive

Lynda Rose-Myers discusses EcoTech Fuels
more

Biofuels, Transportation

A Nuke Reason To Conserve

Planet Forward Archive

from AJ Simon of Lawrence Livermore National Lab
more

Clean Tech, Engineering, Nuclear

Nebraska Wind

Planet Forward Archive

The story of Ainsworth, Nebraska
more

NYC – From Sun to Sea

Planet Forward Archive

From New York City Transit
more

Engineering, Policy, Solar, Transportation

Getting the Most From Renewables

Planet Forward Archive

From Host Frank Sesno at the National Renewable Energy Lab
more

Engineering, Solar, Transportation, Wind

Living with Energy – A Marriage of Convenience

Planet Forward Archive

Clean Tech, Humor

Best Kept Solar Secret

Planet Forward Archive

From Randy Gee of SkyFuel
more

Energy – A Security Issue

Planet Forward Archive

David Mooney from the National Renewable Energy Lab talks about energy security
more

Activism, Efficiency, Engineering, Green Living, Policy, Solar

Easier Said Than Done

Planet Forward Archive

Green hypocrisy
more

Activism, Business, Clean Tech, Policy

Teaming Nuclear and Renewable Energies

Planet Forward Archive

Business, Hydroelectric, Nuclear, Solar, Wind

Planet Forward Special – Behind the Scenes

Planet Forward Archive

Behind the scenes of the April 2009 PBS Planet Forward special
more

Clean Tech, Green Living, Policy

Boiling Point

Planet Forward Archive

It takes a big change to notice a big problem
more

Activism, Business, Policy

Debating Coal’s Future

The residents of Meigs County, Ohio, live beneath the towering smokestacks of four coal-fired power plants. Elisa Young ... more ...

IPCC Scientist Takes On Sarah Palin. Who Wins?

Global Opinion

Michael Mann is a climatologist in the meteorology department at Penn State University and the director of the Penn ... more ...

Activism, Science

NC Green Power

Barbara Miller

Activism, Green Living

Biodiesel: An Old Idea Becomes New Again

Since the 1970s, diesel has been the fuel for the farm – diesel for tractors, farm trucks and harvesting equipment. ... more ...

Agriculture, Biofuels

Green Catfish

At the University of Mississippi Biological Field Station, catfish are changing their diet to become more ... more ...

Agriculture, Clean Tech

Meet The Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car

Is the car of the future or a waste of good R&D money. Take a look at decide!
more

Efficiency, Transportation