Climate change and the deterioration of our oceans - www.micronesiarenewableenergy.com

THE argument of climate change has been around now for more than 10 years. Whether you believe in it or not, the facts are stacking up that this is a real phenomenon and is becoming a tangible problem for us all.

The Chamorro people of Guam and Micronesia region have a kindred relationship with the ocean. Guam has been inhabited since approximately 2000 B.C. The Chamorro people were excellent sea men and a lot of their diet came primarily from the sea. The ocean has been a major part of the Chamorro culture and today, unfortunately, our oceans are in trouble. Earth is heating up, putting extreme stresses on our oceans.

On Oct. 3, an international panel of marine scientist published disturbing results from the latest International Program on the State of the Oceans report. The report stated, “The ocean is absorbing much of the warming and unprecedented levels of carbon dioxide and warn that the cumulative impact of this with other ocean stressors is far graver than previous estimates.” The decreasing oxygen levels in the ocean are being attributed to the climate change, chemical pollution, overfishing, and many other factors.

There are three major concerns affecting our oceans today. The first is de-oxygenation, which is a decline in dissolved oxygen in the ocean interior. Evidence shows the oxygen levels of the ocean are gradually declining at an alarming rate. Second is acidification, or the unbalanced chemical equilibrium of the ocean, caused by the absorption of carbon dioxide. If the current levels of carbon dioxide release continue, we can anticipate extremely serious consequences for ocean life, our food and coastal areas. Third is the climate change, which, in turn, is warming up the ocean. Many of us who dive the oceans have experienced these three factors through observing the bleaching and dying of our coral reefs.

Our glaciers and Artic ice shelves are melting at alarming rates causing the seas to rise. Islands such as Kiribati and Tuvalu in the South Pacific could disappear within our lifetime. NASA’s website, www.nasa.gov, has some concerning pictures that show how detrimental climate warming is. Compare the 1917 picture of the Peterson Glacier in Alaska to the picture taken in 2005 – the glacier has literally disappeared.

I do not understand why we as a civilization continue to harm our planet, especially with all of the renewable energy technology that we have now such as wind, solar and hydro. On Guam, we must find better ways to scale back our use of fossil fuel and eliminate the dangerous emissions our power plants produce. We must join the renewable energy movement so future generations will the have the opportunity to experience this beautiful island and Mother Earth for many, many more generations to come. It truly is in our hands now. Pope Francis said in a biography, “We must be protectors of our Earth that the Lord has entrusted us with.” Powerful words indeed!

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Tracy Voacolo is the president of Micronesia Renewable Energy. She has more than 20 years of experience in the renewable energy industry. Tracy can be contacted at info[at]micronesiarenewableenergy.com.

For more information about Micronesia Renewable Energy, visit http://micronesiarenewableenergy.com/. 

Energy conservation starts at home - www.micronesiarenewableenergy.com

AS PARENTS, we want to teach our children many things such as good manners, personal hygiene, and the value of a dollar.

Teaching them about living a greener lifestyle should be no different. After all, they are the ones who will be the caretakers of the planet after we are gone.

There are many lessons to be taught about how to make them stewards of Earth.

Recycling

Throughout the world, recycling is becoming more and more a common practice. Not only households, but businesses, schools and government agencies have made strides in creating programs to reduce and reuse waste. Guam has recently rolled out its Curbside Recycling Service, making recycling much easier. Get kids involved, put them in charge of the recycling chores. This is a great way to teach them about household consumables that can be recycled.

Visit a recycling center with your children to show them how the materials they collect are recycled into materials that can be reused. It is important that children learn that the community recycles.

Be creative, go online and look for projects that reuse household containers. I have seen such crafts as flowers from plastic bottles or glass jars turned into candleholders.

Teach kids how to properly dispose of items that cannot be recycled such as motor oils, computers, and cell phones. Although we may not have a place to recycle many of these items, you can go online and look for companies that buy old cellphones, computers, cameras, and even ink cartridges for printers.

Create a compost area using vegetable and fruit scraps that can be used to fertilize gardens. What a great example of recycling, using discarded vegetable and fruits to grow new vegetables and fruits.

When shopping, teach kids how to read the symbols for recycling and to purchase items that can be refilled. Explain how too much waste in our landfills can be dangerous to our environment and to wildlife.

Energy conservation 

Not only does energy conservation at home reflect in your monthly power bills, but it also prepares children – no matter their age – to prevent pollution and protect the environment. Our children utilize much more power than we did as kids, from video games, to computers, to cellphones.

Help kids understand what energy is and where it comes from. Inform them that energy can come from many resources and teach them the difference between renewable and non-renewable energy. Remind them our planet needs their help in conserving energy and that coal and oil can only last so long before it is all gone. Using too much of certain types of energy can also pollute our environment. Inform them that the less energy we use, the less impact we have on the Earth keeping it cleaner and healthier.

Energy is needed to survive to keep our food safe from spoiling, to stay cool, or do our homework. Get kids involved at an early age; the sooner they become energy-conscious, the more energy they will save. Here are some things they can do:

• Unplug their cellphone chargers from the wall when their cellphone is done charging.
• Turn off lights, TVs and other electronics when they are not using them.
• Teach them to put their computers on sleep function or turn them off when not being used.
• Not to block air conditioner vents and keep them free of dust.
• Don’t stand in front of the refrigerator with the door open.
• Open drapes to let natural light in.

Teaching our children about recycling and energy conservation ensures our planet will be healthy and sustainable for generations to come. Our kids learn a lot about recycling and energy conservation from movies, such as The Lorax, school and online. Remember that good habits are not learned but ingrained by example and by practicing them daily. You are your children’s best example; if they see you taking steps to leave the world a better place, they will learn from your actions, which they will pass down for generations to come.

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Tracy Voacolo is the president of Micronesia Renewable Energy. She has more than 20 years of experience in the renewable energy industry. Tracy can be contacted at info[at]micronesiarenewableenergy.com.

For more information about Micronesia Renewable Energy, visit http://micronesiarenewableenergy.com/. 

Power to the people - www.micronesiarenewableenergy.com

I TRULY believe there are a few areas in our lives that need to be governed by our own decisions, and energy is one of them. I do not expect the cost of energy to decrease any time soon. We have been prisoners to foreign oil for many years, especially on Guam. But now we do have the technology to lower our energy bills at a reasonable cost.

To understand how energy is generated, delivered and used, the renewable energy industry has come up with the term “energy footprint.” The first and most critical step we need to take along our energy footprint path is energy efficiency. Always remember that the number one rule in saving energy is not conserving energy, but simply not to use it at all.

Educating our family about turning lights and computer monitors off and controlling our air conditioning usage can have a dramatic effect on our utility bills. My customers come to me asking for solutions that are energy efficient that will last for years, which is understandable for the money that is invested. I advise my customers to use a combined technology approach that can lower their footprint and energy bills. I put the “power” in their hands to make their goals attainable.

The renewable energy industry has made strides to provide energy-efficient solutions with a long-term approach to energy independence. These solutions can now put the power in your hands to make an educated decision to install renewable energy. Guam is the perfect location for solar energy. Taking advantage of our most abundant natural resource, the sun, is not only smart but can be very profitable.

Using solar energy for our long-term strategy of energy independence on Guam makes complete sense. Guam has made strides in helping power consumers accomplish net metering. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, “net metering allows residential and commercial customers who generate their own electricity” from renewable energy such as wind or solar power “to feed electricity they do not use back into the grid.” In other words, it is now feasible on Guam to zero your energy costs and obtain a one for one credit for the extra power you create. With the cost of renewable energy systems dropping, you can expect a reasonable payback period before you are enjoying free, clean, efficient and sustainable energy. These new technologies are built to last with some of the newer solar systems constructed to last 50-plus years with limited degradation on your solar energy system.

The acceleration of renewable energy technology along with the economies of scale could not have come at a better time. I believe we have a moral obligation to our planet. Our children and future generations will live on this beautiful planet and we must be as efficient as possible and capitalize on these reliable power resources to help defend it. Our planet is facing the rapid deterioration of our oceans, worldwide destructive climate changes and patterns, and soon a shortage of crude oil. Now is the time to act. We can no longer live as business as usual.

The bottom line is we all win with renewable energy. We save money, help save the environment, and help ourselves to become more energy independent along the way. We now have the power to change our lives. Power to the people!

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Tracy Voacolo is the president of Micronesia Renewable Energy. She has more than 20 years of experience in the renewable energy industry. Tracy can be contacted at info[at]micronesiarenewableenergy.com.

For more information about Micronesia Renewable Energy, visit http://micronesiarenewableenergy.com/. 

The electric car - www.micronesiarenewableenergy.com

THE electric vehicle is not a new concept and has been around since the late 1800s. Their first commercial application in the United States was by a fleet of taxicabs in New York City in 1898. One has to ask: If this technology has been around for a while, why are we still driving gasoline-powered vehicles?

Two issues that have overwhelmed this industry in the past have been poor acceleration and its short range distance before having to charge up again. This short-range distance is called range anxiety. In the late 1920s, the major automakers made a dash to get these vehicles into the mainstream. But there were several obstacles that kept electric cars from being massed produced. The first was that Ford was making leaps and bounds with their new combustion engine technologies and offering it to the masses at affordable prices. Secondly, petroleum was so cheap to purchase. These obstacles brought the electric car idea to a screeching halt. The fuel crisis of the late 1970s brought about its resuscitation although it was short-lived as the prices of oil came back down dropping the interest in renewable energy.

Today, the electric car is making a big comeback. I believe that we will soon reach peak oil, a point in time when the total production of crude oil reaches its maximum rate. Production of crude oil will start to decline causing the price to soar and never to come back down.

So what has changed in electric cars making them more appealing? One major reason is batteries are able to hold their charges for longer periods of time. Another reason is the use of a flywheel to store and regulate the car’s energy. A flywheel is wheel attached to the axel and is continuously spinning as long as the vehicle is on. These advancements reduce range anxiety. A light flywheel increases engine revs eliminating sluggish acceleration problems.

There are a number of reputable manufacturers now making electric vehicles – EVs. I was elated to learn that Nissan Guam is selling the LEAF, the only EV on the island. The LEAF is the top-selling electric vehicle in the United States, selling over 83,000 vehicles through this past September. I visited Nissan and took the LEAF for a test drive. It was easy to see this is one of the best vehicles I have ever driven; acceleration was unbelievable and it handled superbly.

The average person on Guam drives about 30 miles a day; the LEAF gets close to 75 miles on one charge. You could easily run this car for two days without range anxiety. The vehicle has 24Kwh rechargeable lithium-ion battery that is engineered for years of use. Even with the high prices on Guam for energy per kilowatt hour, the LEAF will save you half of your annual fuel costs. The savings multiply if you utilize a solar energy system. As both solar energy and electric cars become more mainstream, shopping centers, business centers, banks and other work places will install solar electric charging ports for these vehicles. Now that would be a totally green vehicle that has eliminated the use of fossil fuel for power.

On top of fuel cost-saving benefits and saving the environment, some EVs are eligible for a federal tax credit up to $7,500 (www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/taxevb.shtml). The Nissan LEAF qualifies for the full $7,500 and another $1,000 rebate for the battery charging system. I would like to extend my hats off to the Guam 32nd Legislature for supporting Bill 203-32, which introduces a $7,500 local tax incentive for purchasing a new EV. You truly are the heroes who have Guam’s long-term interest at heart. Thank you.

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Tracy Voacolo is the president of Micronesia Renewable Energy. She has more than 20 years of experience in the renewable energy industry. Tracy can be contacted at info[at]micronesiarenewableenergy.com.

For more information about Micronesia Renewable Energy, visit http://micronesiarenewableenergy.com/. 

The military is going green: Part 1 - www.micronesiarenewableenergy.com

THE United States military is one of the world’s largest oil guzzlers.

Planes, ships, vehicles, helicopters, and even shore-based operations must have electricity to keep the military operational. Many presidents have realized that our military is “addicted” to foreign oil. Within the past 10 years or so, the military has set goals of reducing its fossil fuel dependency and its “boot-print” on Earth. Going green is not new to the military, but with the lofty goal set by former President George W. Bush that 25 percent of the military’s energy must come from renewable resources by 2025, the U.S. military is now becoming one of the largest investors in green energy.

There are many reasons the military is going greener. There is a direct relationship between energy consumption and the military – the more energy consumed the more vulnerable it becomes to the enemy. Our military deploy to all corners of the world, to areas with many different climates. Most areas that they deploy to require fuel to be flown, shipped, or driven to make shift bases; this is a weakness as the supplies can be ambushed causing the loss of life of those that protect it. It is also pricey to have fuel delivered in this manner – it can cost as much as $400 per gallon to be delivered to a remote forward operating base.

According to an article I found on greentechmedia.com, “Seventy-five percent of the renewable energy procured or produced in FY 2012 actually came from the department’s 679 renewable energy products (15 percent was purchased and 10 percent came from renewable energy credits).” The same article broke down the types of renewable energy produced by the Department of Defense: over half comes from geothermal sources, municipal solid waste accounts for 16 percent; 9 percent comes from ground-source heat pumps; 8 percent from biomass and biogas; and another 8 percent from solar photovoltaic systems. 

Each DOD branch is doing its part to reach the lofty goals set before them. Their dependency on petroleum degrades the strategic position of the country and its tactical forces. The global supply of oil is finite and is becoming harder to find and retrieve which is causing the cost of fuel to continue soaring. Here are a few goals each branch has set:

• The Navy and the Marine Corps will reduce petroleum usage by 50 percent for their commercial fleet making it a greener fleet by 2016. They will produce at least 50 percent of the energy used by ashore bases using alternative sources by 2020. Also by 2020, they would like 50 percent of their shore-based commands to be net-zero, which means producing as much energy as it uses. Lastly 50 percent of all energy consumed will come from alternative sources. (http://www.navy.mil/features/Navy_EnergySecurity.pdf)
• The Army is pressed to generate 25 percent of its energy requirements by 2025 using renewable energy. They also have set five major incentives – eliminate energy waste, increase energy-efficiency in all new and renovated buildings, reduce their dependency of fossil fuels, conserve water, and improve energy security – the ability to obtain affordable uninterrupted energy sources. (http://army-energy.hqda.pentagon.mil/docs/strategy.pdf)
• The Air Force’s priorities are to improve resiliency, reduce demand, assure supply and foster an energy aware culture. They plan to by improve energy-efficiency by 10 percent and reduce total facility energy consumption by 2020. Another goal is to increase use of aviation fuel blends by 2025. (http://www.safie.hq.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-130325-132.pdf)

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Tracy Voacolo is the president of Micronesia Renewable Energy. She has more than 20 years of experience in the renewable energy industry. Tracy can be contacted at info[at]micronesiarenewableenergy.com.

For more information about Micronesia Renewable Energy, visit http://micronesiarenewableenergy.com/. 

Energy-saving tips: Part II - www.micronesiarewableenergy.com

WE ARE all feeling the crunch of power rates.

Let’s face it – rates are not ever going to be what they were five years ago. This month is Energy Action Month on Guam and here are a few actions you may want to consider to get that dreadful power bill under control.

Standby power or phantom loads is power that is used by an appliance or device when it is turned off. Some phantom users include VCRs, televisions, clock radios, stereos, computers, battery charges, cell phone chargers and coffee makers. To avoid phantom usage, plug these items into a power strip and turn off the power strips between uses. Phantom loads can account for about 10 percent of your energy bill.

Curtains or blinds can cover windows to keep you cooler on hot days.

• Tinting windows reduce the radiant heat while allowing you to see through them.
• Use weather stripping and caulk around windows and doors to keep the cool air from escaping.

Replace your major appliances or air-conditioners that are more than 10 years old with modern appliances that conform to the Energy Star standards. Energy Star appliances are more efficient and are 10 to 20 percent cheaper to operate. According to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, a new air-conditioner that has an energy efficiency rating, or EER, of 10 can cut a room’s cooling costs to 50 percent, compared to a unit that has an EER of 5.

Refrigerators, freezers

• Keep them full. Food acts as insulation and lessens the amount of work to stay cool.
• Dirty condenser coils adds up to more expensive power bills. Because the appliance works harder, it will shorten its life expectancy. Vacuum the coils to remove dust.
• Most refrigerators have a drain hole and drip pan to remove condensation. Keep these clean of any food particles to ensure the appliance running efficiently.
• A gasket on the door seals in cool air and keeps warm air out and is imperative to the efficiency of your appliance. Ensure the seal is tight and check the gaskets for cracks or other damages. Replace them if necessary.
• Is your appliance is on level ground? If the ground is not level, the doors may not close or seal tightly.
• Electric water heaters are the second most expensive item reflected in your energy usage.
• Use a timer on your hot water heater and set it to come on for the times you need it most, and to go off when you need it the least. Most heaters are big enough and have sufficient insulation to maintain adequate hot water throughout the day without being switched on.
• Heating water accounts for approximately 15 percent of a home’s energy use. High-efficiency water heaters use 10 to 50 percent less energy than standard models.
• How much you actually save with high-efficiency water heaters depends on family size, heater location, and the size and placement of water pipes.

Solar water heaters are more expensive than standard models, but certainly offer more cost-saving features. Harnessing the sun’s energy can reduce operating costs by a whopping 90 percent. Even on Guam the sun takes a break, so I advise to keep a conventional water heater as a backup.

We are all working to achieve the goal of lowering our energy bills and protecting the environment. By changing to more energy-efficient practices and products, we are one step closer to achieving that goal.

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Tracy Voacolo is the president of Micronesia Renewable Energy. She has more than 20 years of experience in the renewable energy industry. Tracy can be contacted at info[at]micronesiarenewableenergy.com.

For more information about Micronesia Renewable Energy, visit http://micronesiarenewableenergy.com/. 

Energy-saving tips - www.micronesiarenewableenergy.com

GUAM’S Energy Action Month is the perfect time to focus on energy-savings ideas and tips that a homeowner can use daily.

Lighting is the fastest and easiest way to save on your energy bills. If you're the last person to leave the room, make sure you turn the lights off. Install dimmer switches to monitor the amount of light needed. Install timers or motion sensors to reduce the amount of time your lights remain on.

Replace your light bulbs with LED bulbs. Studies show that changing one light bulb to a LED bulb will save you about $35 a year and provide you with 60,000 hours of usage.

Installing ceiling fans keep air circulating which means your air-conditioner does not work as hard.

Hanging clothes outside to dry as an alternative to running the dryer.

Insulating your home

Insulation acts as a barrier to heat loss or heat gain. It is cost-effective and makes your home more energy-efficient, saving up to 40 percent in cooling bills. In addition, insulation reduces condensation and provides health benefits by reducing mold and dampness.

Air-conditioners

Air-conditioners can account for more than half your energy bill. Make sure your systems are running at their highest efficiency by having regular cleanings and maintenance performed.

Changing the filters in your air conditioner keeps the air flowing and clean, which is good for the lungs and will help maintain peak performance.

Consider raising the temperature on your air-conditioner when you are at work. This will reduce the amount of times your air conditioner’s compressor comes on. Programmable house thermostats or timers for your window units allow you to control the air conditioners when you are not home. Raising the temperature on your air-conditioner can save you about $100 a year.

Size matters. If the unit is too small, it will not cool a room. If a unit is too large you may experience uncomfortable temperature fluctuations. Either way will result in reduced efficiency and higher electric bills. You also run the risk of excessive wear and tear on your air-conditioner, causing you to replace the unit much sooner than expected.

Roof coating

Reflective roof coating can help reflect more sunlight from the surface of your roof, thus reducing the amount of heat absorbed by the structure.

Coating your roof can make a huge difference, saving you money on your energy costs and usage. It will make your indoor temperature more comfortable. Coating your roof also protects your roof from the elements therefore prolonging the life of the roof and roofing material.

The benefits will vary depending on the shape and size of your home, the coating you choose, how energy-efficient your home is, and how often you use your air-conditioners. Living in the tropics like we do where we experience warm temperatures and sunny days almost all year round can save you up to 70 percent in energy savings.

Landscaping

Landscaping with shade trees and shrubs can help reduce the direct heat on your house lowering your air-conditioning costs.

There are many ways to cut your energy usage, some more expensive than others. No matter how big or inexpensive your actions are, in the end, your wallet will be grateful and so will the Earth. So go ahead, Guam. Start taking action.

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Tracy Voacolo is the president of Micronesia Renewable Energy. She has more than 20 years of experience in the renewable energy industry. Tracy can be contacted at inf[at]@micronesiarenewableenergy.com

For more information about Micronesia Renewable Energy, visit http://micronesiarenewableenergy.com/.