Author: silviomarcacci

The Israel Connection: Solar Power and Energy Independence

13 years ago silviomarcacci 3 Comments

Energy independence and climate change are two of the biggest challenges facing the U.S. But perhaps no other nation understands the link between clean energy and security more than Israel. It relies on imported fossil fuel from hostile neighbors to power its economy, despite having a vast and mostly untapped clean energy source.

As part of energyNOW!’s “The Israel Connection” series, chief correspondent Tyler Suiters traveled to the sun-drenched land to find out how emerging solar technology could lead to greater energy security and a cleaner environment. Suiters also explored the link between Israel’s innovative solar technology and the future of clean energy in the U.S.

Silicon Valley: Clean Tech’s New Capital?

13 years ago silviomarcacci 1 Comment

California’s Silicon Valley is known for launching the Internet revolution, but the region has also become the epicenter of America’s clean tech industry. Billions of dollars in venture capital funding to energy-related companies has helped the region weather the economic downturn by growing green jobs 109 percent over the last decade.

energyNOW! correspondent Lee Patrick Sullivan visited Silicon Valley to find out how the region’s shift toward clean energy is empowering tech-savvy workers and entrepreneurs to take charge of America’s energy future.

Small Modular Nuclear Reactors – A Big Part of America’s Energy Future?

13 years ago silviomarcacci 32 Comments

America’s nuclear power renaissance has been just around the corner for years, it seems. Even though 20 percent of all U.S. electricity is generated by nuclear power plants, without any greenhouse gas emissions, safety and cost concerns mean no new plants have been built in decades.

But a new breed of nuclear reactor could unlock the power of the atom in a safe, affordable way. energyNOW! correspondent Daniel Sieberg explores the promise of small modular reactors (SMR) – simple enough to be scalable, powerful enough to power a whole town, and safe enough to be buried underground.

Which Efficient Light Bulb Is Right For You?

13 years ago silviomarcacci 3 Comments

The law mandating energy efficient improvements to light bulbs may be the most controversial energy-related topic in America right now. Most consumers aren’t familiar with the array of lighting choices available to them, and finding the right light bulb can be confusing and frustrating.

energyNOW! special correspondent Daniel Sieberg recently shed some light on the situation by comparing the different types of bulbs in a studio demonstration. He tests several different types of efficient light bulbs, and rates them on cost, brightness, type of light they produce, and how fast they turn on.

Massive Energy and Environment Fallout Expected from U.S. Debt Deal

13 years ago silviomarcacci 2 Comments

When President Obama signed into law a compromise plan to increase the $14.3 trillion U.S. debt ceiling this week, he authorized nearly $2.5 trillion in cuts over the next decade. This massive budget reduction means numerous government agencies and funding programs are the chopping block, but what will it mean for energy and environment funding?

energyNOW! interviewed National Journal reporter Coral Davenport to discuss the new reality of environmental and energy-related cuts.

Carbon Capture: Pipe Dream or Key to our Energy Challenges?

13 years ago silviomarcacci 3 Comments

Every year about 30 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide is released around the world, with almost half that amount coming from coal. In the U.S., coal provides almost half our electricity, making it tough to simply stop burning it. However, every ton of coal burned releases harmful emissions into our atmosphere, oceans, and rivers, warming the planet and increasing public health risks.

The coal question may be America’s single biggest energy challenge. But what if we could capture carbon dioxide directly from the smokestacks of power plants? energyNOW! correspondent Dan Goldstein explored how several innovative carbon capture and storage, or CCS, technologies could keep carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and help prevent the climate from changing.

The Future of Flight

13 years ago silviomarcacci 1 Comment

By all accounts, aviation is the most carbon-intensive form of transportation we use. But when you’ve got a million-pound aircraft, slipping the surly bonds of Earth isn’t an easy task . Engineers are constantly working to make aircraft more fuel efficient and more environmentally friendly, and several new technological innovations may finally make the future of flight a sustainable one.

U.S. Armed Forces Creating Clean Energy Innovations

13 years ago silviomarcacci 3 Comments

The Department of Defense has made headlines for using biofuels to power its’ planes and ships, but clean energy innovations may have a bigger impact by reducing the carbon bootprint of military while saving lives on the battlefield. New technologies are reducing the weight of equipment soldiers carry into battle, powering military bases, and creating a fleet of electric vehicles.