Energy46
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Finding Answers to the Worsening Water Crisis in Gujarat, India
As explained in a recent blog post, falling groundwater levels in the Northern regions of the state of Gujarat, India, are reaching dramatically dangerous proportions. Columbia Water Center (CWC), however, believes that there are numerous technologies and practices that could save significant amounts of water and energy. Farmers have shown interest in applying them, but…
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Hope for Biofuels in ‘Oilgae’?
With growing concern over the ethics and efficiency of first generation biofuels (see here), interest has increased in third generation, or algal, biofuels. Some, however, question the technology’s real-world potential, and call publicity surrounding investments in the technology, such as this Exxon Mobil TV commercial, “green-washing.” To help properly assess the debate, here’s an overview…
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Desalination: Yesterdayʼs Solution (part 3)
Worldwide, humans have quickly and wastefully consumed water from the cheapest sources by over-pumping aquifers and over-allocating rivers. Weʼve turned to technology to eek out more but technology is not without its costs. Every remaining incremental gallon of water will come at a higher and higher price. Are we nearing a breaking point?
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Despite Grim Water Futures, China and US Discuss Everything but Water
Notably absent from this week’s program is any planned dialogue regarding energy demand and water supply, two issues whose inverse trajectories are threatening the environmental and economic futures of both nations.
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Desalination: Yesterdayʼs Solution (part 2)
Everyone has skeletons in their closets, desalination is no exception. Burying them does a disservice to the millions of public dollars that have been invested. Letʼs celebrate their weaknesses so that we may never repeat their mistakes. There may be many dozens of such projects, but here are a few that have experienced their share…
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The Worsening Water Crisis in Gujarat, India
For more than three decades, the farmers in Northern Gujarat State, in India, have produced abundant food crops, and have had a thriving dairy industry. In order to make that happen, they have been using once plentiful underground water resources. Because local aquifers are being replenished more slowly than the water is being withdrawn, groundwater…
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Desalination: Unlocking Lessons from Yesterday’s Solution (part 1)
There is powerful information waiting to be unleashed in water data. If it were set free it would force us to re-think how we use, develop, sell, transfer, and dispose of water.
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Could East River Tides Help Power NYC?
Typically, discussions about hydropower center around hydroelectric dams and ocean wind turbines. That could change, however, if Verdant Power – an energy company based out of New York – succeeds in its latest venture.
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Carbon Capture, Policy Change, and My First Assignment
Lecture on UK Policy of Carbon Capture Storage with Dr. Tim Fox of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers is happening on February 2, 2011 at 4:00pm in Alfred Lerner Hall, Room 555. This event is free and open to the public with light refreshments.
