Another work page
Same as last time.
Please post something here by sunday midnight.
P.S. These are questions that we have to do after the reading:
*Please answer the following questions about the article: what did you find interesting? what did you find not find interesting? what did you not understand? what did you learn (if anything) reading the article?
*Based on an exploration of the web, scientific articles, newspaper stories, ….. ? Write a Short Essay (about 1 page) about an interesting question / website related to one or more of the themes: Energy Sustainability, Smart Meters, Smart Grid
*work cited
*Briefly describe your own interests, experiences, actions, changes in your behavior (if any) related to “energy awareness”!
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Edited by Andrew Hepler,
Please answer the following questions about the article: what did you find interesting? what did you find not find interesting? what did you not understand? what did you learn (if anything) reading the article?
One of the most interesting aspects of this article is the fact that people can all agree on certain ways to maintain energy costs; such as unplugging one's TV rather than just keep it on standby. It is also interesting that Boulder was one of the first cities to try out the 'smart grid' system, utilizing the 'green' mindset that many people in Boulder have come to know. The article was pretty straight forward in informing the reader that computer systems can be used as a way to monitor energy use in one's own home. By creating a system where a person can see the usage of their energy, people can budget their power usage, hopefully making a smaller carbon footprint in the long run.
Based on an exploration of the web, scientific articles, newspaper stories, ….. ? Write a Short Essay (about 1 page) about an interesting question / website related to one or more of the themes: Energy Sustainability, Smart Meters, Smart Grid
Personally, I believe that Smart Meters are a great idea, because of the way people now days are able to multitask through their computers with e-mail, Twitter, online bill pay, and so fourth. When I think of what I use my computer for (besides school) I tend to use it to check balances, bills, and notifications. To think if there were a limited amount of power a home could use before being billed for extra consumption, the home owner could check their Smart Meter and keep there power usage to a minimum. If a person sees how close they might be to spending more money from overuse, they might start to imply their own energy saving plan. I know that when I use anything electronic that I am taking advantage of energy and creating a bigger carbon footprint, however if I knew which of my electronics use the most energy, I could try to find a way to avoid that particular device.
I had gone to the Smart Meters web page at www.centerpointenergy.com and learned how using a Smart Meter will help a household save some money on on their power usage. One of the best parts of using a Smart Meter is how low the cost to operate one is. On average, the usage of a Smart Meter will cost the consumer under four dollars, where as the monthly savings on the meter will pay for itself. So, in the long run installing a Smart Meter is really a win-win situation. The website www.pge.com is another site which specializes in Smart Meters, and pretty much gives the same advice as any other Smart Meter website.
Smart Meters: http://www.centerpointenergy.com/services/electricity/residential/smartmeters/
SmartMeter- See Your Power: http://www.pge.com/smartmeter/
Briefly describe your own interests, experiences, actions, changes in your behavior (if any) related to “energy awareness”!
In my own personal experience, I really just try to avoid driving more, and turn off all electric devices before I leave the house. If it were easier to unplug my electronics before I leave the house I would, however roommates are not always as helpful in saving energy.
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Edited by Myung Kim,
Please answer the following questions about the article: what did you find interesting? what did you find not find interesting? what did you not understand? what did you learn (if anything) reading the article?
I had no specific thing that was quite interesting except Boulder was the first city that is chosen as Smart Grid city, because nothing was really new to me. I participated a project about Smart Grid.
Based on an exploration of the web, scientific articles, newspaper stories, ….. ? Write a Short Essay (about 1 page) about an interesting question / website related to one or more of the themes: Energy Sustainability, Smart Meters, Smart Grid
The idea of Smart Grid, which is to save energy and use it more efficiently, is really great idea, but the it goes to a question "is Smart Grid really going to help reducing the cost and use energy efficiently?" From my experience of participating "Smart Grid" project from last year, there is no successful model of Smart Grid so far, and it is still in progress of development.
When you get the concept of smart grid, you might think of Smart Grid as "arm every appliance in the house and building with a sensor and radio to go along with a controller, an in-home display (IHD) and an internet gateway (that in some cases connects to your smart meter in cooperation with your utility). This will allow you to monitor and shut off your appliances remotely." (http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/Consumer-Facing-Smart-Grid-Too-Many-Gadgets/) Obviously, this will cost a lot of money. Plus, I doubt if it would be energy efficient. Controlling and watching remotely may help preventing unneccessary energy usage, but doing itself may cost lots of energy. Even if they build some magical Smart Grid that does all the functions listed above and does not require much of energy, there is still a doubt if it would be any successful than current system of smart grid.
Smart Grid is a fairly new concept. People know energy is important, but not many know we have limitted resource, energy. People are aware of what they see with their own eyes, but ignore what they don't see. People are educated and raised along with the big beneficial side of energy, and now some people are too scared to give up the comforts. Just imagine if we live on Earth without any technology involving electricity. Nothing will work on Earth. It will be a dead society. Energy industry is growing right now, but the population on Earth grows faster. So one day, we may see the lack of energy source.
The education is really important. "The consumer has to be educated" by Wang, who " the CEO and founder of "still in stealth" People Power, a startup focused on energy efficiency" is very true. Developing perfect smart grid system is import, but it is more important to change consumer's mindset about energy. No matter how good the smart grid system is, the user will be the consumers. If they don't understand how to use smart grid, and how important that is. Smart Grid will be just waste of money.
Briefly describe your own interests, experiences, actions, changes in your behavior (if any) related to “energy awareness”!
Even though I learned and participated on Smart Grid, I can't really give up my comforts. For a while I used to bike to campus everyday, but driving to campus took that over due to its comfortness. I know how important the energy is, but it is hard to resist against its huge comforts.
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