There is little doubt that energy related issues are dominating much of the sustainable future discussion today. On one side of that equation a large number of people think that more awareness, education and discussion is the way forward. Alternatively, others consider legislation as a driver toward action and bringing about the changes that would create a sustainable energy future. Which is it?

While it appears that energy related issues have suddenly arrived front and center on the world stage, the truth is that they have been on the stage for a long time. What has changed more quickly is the recognition that to enable a sustainable energy future will require some smooth footwork, clever thinking and prudent planning.

Climate change aside, there are significant and important reasons to be thinking about energy more than ever. Non-renewable resources are decreasing as consumption grows, cost of exploration and production can be prohibitive or uneconomical and transport of energy may be unreliable, impossible or simply not a viable option. Add in the views of climate change and the need to embark upon changes multiplies, grows and becomes more oriented to the near future, rather than the distant future.

But what is the best and most effective method for building capacity towards a sustainable future for energy? I am not sure we have all the answers yet, and, depending upon who one listens to, we are either closer or further from the realisation. Either way, the need to act is a requirement and the need to involve people in the future changes is an important step.

One option would be to initiate government action and simply quantify, qualify and regulate the change. This would have the effect of imposing the solution, create an environment where capacity might not be able to measure up to the legislation and simply disorient the energy market with higher costs at a time when creative solutions appear to be the answer.

The second alternative involves education and this approach would engage people into the energy debate, helping them to understand the issues of production, sustainability and the economic correlation of choices. Some people say a solution likely lies in the middle somewhere, although one could easily argue that we don’t know enough about energy sustainability to create either option effectively and knowledgeably.

It is hard to argue against involving people into the energy debate. They can participate through elements of the energy equation susch as efficiency whereby their choices on products, services and solutions become more or less ‘green.’  It appears, to me at least, that we have not connected the dots for people about the total costs of ownership – of energy – and how those evolve.

Producing solar energy at the north pole is not likely to be as lucrative as producing solar energy near Spain or Florida or Manila, for example. Dams are not often present in deserts and moving oil and gas in pipelines under water can be costly. There is a geographical basis for considering energy supply and demand, and there are locations where certain types of energy are more in abundance than others. All of these factors impact economics. Would you prefer these options legislated or revealed through education? What we don’t know can be costly.

But we need to stop beating around the bush and meet the energy supply and demand question directly. Perhaps looking at the equation as being polar opposite is not the way to go. Instead, we need to begin thinking of these options on a continuum, one that can adapt and workable dependent upon requirements, regional issues and while pursuing national and international strategies.

All too often we use the ruler of climate change as the sole goal for inacting energy change. There are some very positive reasons for pursuing wind, solar, geothermal and other sources of reneable energy – in addition to – oil, coal and gas, for example. Renewable energies are like Google advertising. Everyone can advert and get a little back. Similarly, everyone can produce some energy, feed it into a grid and then get some back too.

We need more people understanding how they can get some back, and that involves educating them to costs of production, consumption, exploration and development.

Once this equation is understand and balanced, then sustainability can flourish and energy exploration, production and consumption can coexist within a framework that supports people, jobs, government, business and employment, but also grows to include more research and further sustainable development.

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Jeff Thurston is editor of V1 Energy magazine and V1 Magazine for Vector1 Media. He is based in Berlin.

Jeff Thurston holds a Master of Science Degree in Geographic Information Science from Manchester Metropolitan University, UK and graduated in Forest Technology from Lakehead University in Canada. Jeff also graduated with an Advanced Diploma in Geographic Information Systems (UNIGIS) from Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada. Previously, Jeff worked at the University of Alberta located in Edmonton, Canada where he managed research facilities for inter-disciplinary research projects. Jeff is based in Berlin, Germany and serves as editor for the Europe, Russia, Middle East and African markets for V1 Magazine and V1 Energy. He is a member of the Canadian Association of Journalists.

CleanTechnica blog describes the recent signing of the DESERTEC proposal, an action that will see the sun of Africa power that continent and 15% of Europe, it is anticipated.

You can learn more about the DESERTEC Project here.

Jeff Thurston holds a Master of Science Degree in Geographic Information Science from Manchester Metropolitan University, UK and graduated in Forest Technology from Lakehead University in Canada. Jeff also graduated with an Advanced Diploma in Geographic Information Systems (UNIGIS) from Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada. Previously, Jeff worked at the University of Alberta located in Edmonton, Canada where he managed research facilities for inter-disciplinary research projects. Jeff is based in Berlin, Germany and serves as editor for the Europe, Russia, Middle East and African markets for V1 Magazine and V1 Energy. He is a member of the Canadian Association of Journalists.

A new version of EnergyPlus Energy Simulation Software has been released. The software is created by the U.S. Department of Energy and is used to model heating, cooling, lighting, ventilating, and other energy flows as well as water in buildings.

This product also interfaces OpenStudio, a product that links to Google SketchUp software which is used for 3D building design.

Jeff Thurston holds a Master of Science Degree in Geographic Information Science from Manchester Metropolitan University, UK and graduated in Forest Technology from Lakehead University in Canada. Jeff also graduated with an Advanced Diploma in Geographic Information Systems (UNIGIS) from Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada. Previously, Jeff worked at the University of Alberta located in Edmonton, Canada where he managed research facilities for inter-disciplinary research projects. Jeff is based in Berlin, Germany and serves as editor for the Europe, Russia, Middle East and African markets for V1 Magazine and V1 Energy. He is a member of the Canadian Association of Journalists.

In the article ‘Building an Oasis in the Desert‘ in the Fall 2009 edition of ArcNews Online, the work of CH2M Hill company is presented. It describes the use of geographic information system (GIS) technology that is being used to develop the Masdar City project located in UAE.

From the article – “”GIS is imperative in managing the overall spatial information necessary for designing, building, and operating Masdar City,” says Derek Gliddon, GIS manager, Property Development Unit, Masdar. Staff members at the City of Masdar use GIS to model building information throughout the life cycle of the project. For the city to meet its challenging goals, CH2M HILL carefully considered the geography of the area: sun angles, wind patterns, street widths, and building density and height. The orientation of buildings on a diagonal grid to provide maximum natural shading was modeled in ArcGIS.”

Jeff Thurston holds a Master of Science Degree in Geographic Information Science from Manchester Metropolitan University, UK and graduated in Forest Technology from Lakehead University in Canada. Jeff also graduated with an Advanced Diploma in Geographic Information Systems (UNIGIS) from Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada. Previously, Jeff worked at the University of Alberta located in Edmonton, Canada where he managed research facilities for inter-disciplinary research projects. Jeff is based in Berlin, Germany and serves as editor for the Europe, Russia, Middle East and African markets for V1 Magazine and V1 Energy. He is a member of the Canadian Association of Journalists.

ArcGIS Network Analyst is a software that can be used to analyze biomass transport over a given distance. Since many agricultural producers and biomass sources are usually distributed to different geographic locations, computing the transport costs of the entire operation over time is useful information for helping to determine net return on investment, decision making surrounding infrastructure and the monitoring and maintenace of transport vehicles and biomass equiment.

Jeff Thurston holds a Master of Science Degree in Geographic Information Science from Manchester Metropolitan University, UK and graduated in Forest Technology from Lakehead University in Canada. Jeff also graduated with an Advanced Diploma in Geographic Information Systems (UNIGIS) from Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada. Previously, Jeff worked at the University of Alberta located in Edmonton, Canada where he managed research facilities for inter-disciplinary research projects. Jeff is based in Berlin, Germany and serves as editor for the Europe, Russia, Middle East and African markets for V1 Magazine and V1 Energy. He is a member of the Canadian Association of Journalists.

ApacheSim enables calculation of building energy for a number of different parameters based on thermal performance. Driven by real weather data, it simulates thermal performance as modelled and is available from Integrated Environmental Solutions (IES) in th UK.

“ApacheSim also enables you to perform carbon emissions calculations for compliance with UK Building Regs Part L and Part J. ApacheSim is based on first-principles models of heat transfer processes and is driven by real weather data.”

Jeff Thurston holds a Master of Science Degree in Geographic Information Science from Manchester Metropolitan University, UK and graduated in Forest Technology from Lakehead University in Canada. Jeff also graduated with an Advanced Diploma in Geographic Information Systems (UNIGIS) from Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada. Previously, Jeff worked at the University of Alberta located in Edmonton, Canada where he managed research facilities for inter-disciplinary research projects. Jeff is based in Berlin, Germany and serves as editor for the Europe, Russia, Middle East and African markets for V1 Magazine and V1 Energy. He is a member of the Canadian Association of Journalists.

The word sustainability is used by many people today. Many companies and individuals are promoting a ‘green’ future and even governments are now tackling the energy equation, from production through to consumption. Some are even developing new policies based on sustainable strategies.

This past week the German Ministry of Environment, for example, indicated that it could achieve a 43% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, the date set by the Europeans as having special significance. Living in Berlin, Germany, I see the change in energy action all around me. It is in the agricultural fields as greater numbers of wind turbines are spinning around, it is atop the houses with growing numbers of buildings adorned in blue shiny panels.

A trip to a German building and home show is perhaps the single most evident place to find the move to energy efficiency and sustainability in action. Almost everything within the show has an energy angle, pointing out the energy saved, heating gained or lower cost of electrical consumption. The building materials are rated, the construction methods altered to meet energy requirements, and the techniques for construction improved, often made more light-weight and durable.

In simple terms, energy sustainability means that production and consumption match – net zero gain. Yet, we all know that a growing population around the globe is consuming energy at a rapid rate, and not likely to reduce this pattern any time soon. The struggle to meet sustainability either means changing energy types, thereby pursuing those that are more capable of producing more energy per unit than others, or working on the consumption part of the equation and reducing global energy use.

When I consider all that I see around me in terms of a country, which happens to be a leader in terms of the net zero energy pursuit, it really causes me to wonder. The initiatives and their magnitude are large. The country already has some 13,000 turbines spinning in the wind. They seem to be common when traveling now. In some areas, solar panels are on so many roofs that it is near impossible not to see them.

What’s going on here? Germany has half the sun of San Diego, yet 40,000 people work in the German solar industry, which is growing as research continues. A new ‘Hybrid’ power plant north of Berlin recently opened, it combines energy sources into one integrated energy supply – a reflection of the future in its own right.

At the same time, nuclear energy is making a comeback of sorts, evident to the north in Scandinavia mostly, but more often talked about in Germany as well.

The changes are happening. I see them, they are everywhere. Not only are they happening, but they are being measured. The ‘Renewable BootPrint’ as I’ll call it, is the measurement of environmental indicators under the influence of sustainable energy policies involving renewable sources that provides a wealth of maps, data and otherwise important indication of the real changes happening. See them here.

I realised a while back that my mind is way beyond the climate change debate. The obvious is obvious to me. The pursuit of sustainable energy, en force, is a veritable gold mine of activity in research, education, sales, scientific study and exports. By simply pursuing it, with a vengeance, climate change will be significantly mitigated, significantly – although I am not sure about net zero given population growth.

Energy Sustainability is looking more like something that runs through the entire economy. Something that is dynamic and connects different people and objects locally, but whose relationship changes instantly at times, and slower at others. It seems like it is more readily measured now than before, and monitoring it will get easier, not harder – if we clue into it and make the effort, assigning the resources and focusing on the job of doing.

The part that is not yet understood as well, is how people will behave while living in a society where objects around them ‘think’ with energy mindsets.

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Jeff Thurston is editor of V1 Energy Magazine and V1 Magazine. He is based in Berlin and responsible for Europe, Middle East and Africa for Vector1 Media.

Jeff Thurston holds a Master of Science Degree in Geographic Information Science from Manchester Metropolitan University, UK and graduated in Forest Technology from Lakehead University in Canada. Jeff also graduated with an Advanced Diploma in Geographic Information Systems (UNIGIS) from Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada. Previously, Jeff worked at the University of Alberta located in Edmonton, Canada where he managed research facilities for inter-disciplinary research projects. Jeff is based in Berlin, Germany and serves as editor for the Europe, Russia, Middle East and African markets for V1 Magazine and V1 Energy. He is a member of the Canadian Association of Journalists.

Energy Camp blog publishes a Google Map showing the positions of current Smart Grid projects internationally. Needless to say, there are quite a few markers on the map. The article goes on to describe the rising awareness of Smart Grids.

In practice, I wonder sometimes if the Smart Grid will turn out to be as distinct and separated from other energy efficiency related initiatives. It will be difficult to see electricity alone as separated, for example, from the building industry or the transport initiatives of the European Technology Platforms.  The production and management of energy will criss-cross applications and daily living, deepening into IT structures, yet, will continuously require a constellation of knowledge from various discplines to ensure it’s convergence remains practical, economical and useful.

Jeff Thurston holds a Master of Science Degree in Geographic Information Science from Manchester Metropolitan University, UK and graduated in Forest Technology from Lakehead University in Canada. Jeff also graduated with an Advanced Diploma in Geographic Information Systems (UNIGIS) from Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada. Previously, Jeff worked at the University of Alberta located in Edmonton, Canada where he managed research facilities for inter-disciplinary research projects. Jeff is based in Berlin, Germany and serves as editor for the Europe, Russia, Middle East and African markets for V1 Magazine and V1 Energy. He is a member of the Canadian Association of Journalists.

Intelligent metering is a European project that was focused upon building capacity about the use and application of intelligent metering across Europe. While it ended in 2006, several useful resources are available on the site. The “objective of the project was to maximize the energy savings available across Europe through the use of intelligent metering and behavioral changes of building occupants. This project has aimed to demonstrate and promote the savings available from the use of intelligent metering and training occupants in public buildings and to show that these savings can be achieved at little, or no, additional cost.”

Currently, an Intelligent Metering Initiative in the UK involves a broad range of industry partners. The European Union also covers Intelligent Metering through the European Intelligent Energy portal. Several Management Tools for INtelligent Metering are also available via Energy Europe.

Jeff Thurston holds a Master of Science Degree in Geographic Information Science from Manchester Metropolitan University, UK and graduated in Forest Technology from Lakehead University in Canada. Jeff also graduated with an Advanced Diploma in Geographic Information Systems (UNIGIS) from Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada. Previously, Jeff worked at the University of Alberta located in Edmonton, Canada where he managed research facilities for inter-disciplinary research projects. Jeff is based in Berlin, Germany and serves as editor for the Europe, Russia, Middle East and African markets for V1 Magazine and V1 Energy. He is a member of the Canadian Association of Journalists.

GENI is an ambitous strategy that would connect global energy grids together. The website provides a wide range of maps and information about global energy grids on a country-by-country basis. Renewable resources figure prominently into the overall strategy.

A key value to this website lies in the fact that it enables everyone to see and understand energy grids.

From GENI – “GENI’s mission is to conduct research and to educate world leaders and the public about the critical viability of the interconnection of electric power networks between nations and continents, with an emphasis on tapping abundant renewable energy resources, what we call ‘the GENI Initiative.’ Our research shows that linking renewables between all nations will mollify conflicts, grow economies and increase the quality of life and health for all. This is a strategy rooted in the highest priority of the World Game simulation developed by Dr. Buckminster Fuller three decades ago.”

Jeff Thurston holds a Master of Science Degree in Geographic Information Science from Manchester Metropolitan University, UK and graduated in Forest Technology from Lakehead University in Canada. Jeff also graduated with an Advanced Diploma in Geographic Information Systems (UNIGIS) from Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada. Previously, Jeff worked at the University of Alberta located in Edmonton, Canada where he managed research facilities for inter-disciplinary research projects. Jeff is based in Berlin, Germany and serves as editor for the Europe, Russia, Middle East and African markets for V1 Magazine and V1 Energy. He is a member of the Canadian Association of Journalists.