a warming collage

This week (Jul 21-28), there were two field trips. First we had our conference with Milton Lautenschlager, sub-secretary of renewable energy for the State of Sao Paulo. Lautenschlager is essentially in charge of implementing new plans for renewables; he's also a medical doctor by training. Some basic energy stats he gave us:
--the 2009 world renewable energy index is 12.5% of the total energy index
--Brazil's renewable index is currently 65% of its total energy index (predominantly from hydro)
--Sao Paulo State is at 55.5% (predominantly from biomass)
The State of Sao Paulo is seeking to reach 69% by 2020, while reducing emissions by 20% (this will likely be cut from either the transportation or industry sectors--which together constitute 87% of emissions). Gains are to be made through biofuels, wind, and solar resources. Biofuels will increase through the intensification of cane production.  Solar, whose tapped energy is still quite small, should rise significantly (Sao Paulo has an estimated 12 GW capacity for solar panels, which is the equivalent of Germany's currently installed capacity).  Dr Lautenschlager stressed Sao Paulo's role as the "economic engine pulling Brazil forward", reeling in 1/3 of the country's GDP. That said, the state is under pressure hit its renewable targets while meeting its consumption levels, which are projected to rise.  
The second trip was to the EcoUrbis Landfill, located about an hour and half east of Sao Paulo. This landfill stores waste beneath ground in layers, collecting the gasses that emit from the wastes.  It then condenses the gasses into liquids before selling it as a fuel.  We then visited a neighboring landfill, the Sao Joao landfill. I learned that it reached its capacity of 25 million tons back in 2008, and afterwards installed 16 CAT generators to produce 175 MWh per plant per year.

Foods I found at the Mercado include include Bacalhau do Porto (Portuguese Cod), Castanta do para intrura (Brazil Nuts), Tamara (dates), Provolone dehumado (dried provolone), Damasco (apricot), suco de milho verde (corn sugar milk), oregano (oregano), and malagueta (malagueta pepper)--all very interesting. I ended up buying some quality coffee, very tasty.

Homework #9--sites/conference review!

This past week, the class broke away from Villa Mariana and ESPM to visit two of Sao Paulo State's renewable plants, in addition to a Solar Expo and Bosch's Flex-Fuel engine manufacturing facility. We began tuesday morning with a trip to the CPFL Tanquinho Plant, which recently went "live" in 2012.  Located in the rural area of Campinas, the plant is estimated to produce 1.6GWh/year.  The facility uses two types of panels: monocrystalline and and polycrystalline silicon. I noticed many of the monocrystalline panels were fixed and face north-east, whereas the polycrystalline varied: some were fixed facing north, while others rotated on an east-west axis, which I found was cool. The polycrystalline panels have a efficiency peak of 14-15%, which is higher than the monocrystalline panels, yet more heat-sensitive, pre-disposing the polycristalline panels to efficiency depreciation during hot days.  That same day we visited the site where Bosch makes flex-fuel engines. We explored the facilities with technology built to develop and test flex-fuel engines for various brands of automobiles. Bosch engineers take regular gas-engines, and convert them into flex-fuel engines by developing idiosyncratic software systems and engine technology. Pretty tedious from the anthropologist's perspective.  What I found interesting during the lecture/meeting was the manufacturing forecast: Flex-fuels are predicted to peak in 10 or so years (2020-2025), before dropping back down to current levels as gas-engine vehicles develop better and better mileage systems.  Wednesday we attended a solar expo conference.  We wandered around in groups, exploring the different technologies being established by researchers/developers worldwide.  I saw an array of mono/poly-crystalline panels, fixed panels, flexible panels, batteries, solar windows, solar backpacks, solar grills, solar tents, and even technology built for testing/analyzing the performance of solar panels.  The level of modernization was stimulating, definitely got a nice buzz from it, and from the free drinks too! Finally, thursday we visited the Henry Bordon hydroelectric plant, built in 1920's.  The site consists of 16 turbines, that generate electricity using not the Francis Turbine, but the other one--yes the one that relies more on water pressure than water volume, and whose name escapes me. What interested me is that the majority of hydroelectric plants in Brazil abide by the courses of natural riverways, which is quite the accomplishment. Aside from this being the Tanquinho Plant's first year in use, it's evident that all of these technologies play effective roles in Bazil, as the country is seeking to produce more "self-reliant" energy to fuel its growing economy.  For instance, Brazil uses 75% of the ethanol it produces. America doesn't have nearly the renewable portfolio as Brazil, Brazil relies heavily on its hydroelectric and ethanol, for instance, whereas the U.S. is content with its natural gas abundance and petroleum importation. If anything, the U.S. uses renewables on a smaller scale.  Looking at hydroelectric plants, America has the fifth largest in the world--the Grand Coulee--generating roughly 6,800 MW of electricity at full capacity.  Brazil carries world's 4th and 2nd largest dams--Tucurui and Itaipu--generating a capacity 8300 and 1400 MW.  The Belo Monte Dam is in the process of being commissioned, and would be the world's third largest dam.  So in the Hydroelectric sphere, Brazil is huge, and this has its pros and cons. If the U.S. should adopt such an agenda, it should be weary of effecting the riverway's environment (fish migration, waterbed pollution, deforestation, methane release), while paying heed to social problems (resident displacement, access to water, mosquito infestations--which is real--, flooding potential, drought potential, and suffering drinking water quality).  The U.S. does have policies to help protect against such situations, such as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which basically keeps track of safety inspections while monitoring the dams' environmental affects.  However, the extent to which this policy's standards are held should be further investigated. But on the topic of the environment, the solar plant representative MOST expressed the company's concerns regarding environmental impacts; neither Bosch nor the hydro-plant expressed much regard.  And as for the solar expo, I assume environmental stewardship was simply Implied....

Turbine's Generator, Henry Border Hydroelectric Plant

A European painter portrays Rio de Jeneiro

After watching "GASLAND", I thought up a few questions....

1) has there been any development in regulation policies (ie: disposing-of-waste procedures, stricter fracking-near-homes law) since 2009 when the film was released?

2) Josh Fox pointed out that large metropolitan areas such as Phili and NYC procure their water from one large watershed that lies in the tri-state area--have these cities experienced any disturbances in their water quality?...or is it just the remote, satellite towns feeling the fracking affects..?

3) Fox states in the conclusion that countries such as Africa and Canada are well on their way to begin fracking for gas, have they begun fracking this the movies release? Have their residents experienced water problems? 

Vita Coco, but actually.

class reflection

Both policy articles stressed the importance of domestic energy production, along with having a diverse energy portfolio.  In the US, the primary energy source (85%) is fossil fuels, and though there are remnants of a developing renewable portfolio, it isn't comparable to the amount of fossil fuels due to stay in use.  Brazil, on the other hand, relies heavily on renewable energy, such as their biofuels and hydroelectric plants, the trouble with this is the environmental stress. Biofuel growth requires continued deforestation to meet future energy demands, not to mention the nutrient depletion within the soils caused by monocultural planting methods.  Hydroelectric plants are incredibly disruptive, both socially and environmentally, AND when you account for the decreased generation capacity during the dry season, they can be economically disruptive as well, as they lead to black out....so they key will be to develop a diverse renewable portfolio, to scale down the magnitude of individual resources, and create a mosaic of renewables

power surge

Write 500-700 words discussing the topics below

1.     What do they propose be the solution to the energy crisis is?

The film proposes technology as the solution, while heeding the strategy of Pacala’s Wedge Theory.  The first wedge is efficiency. Efficient lighting, transportation, heating, and overall electricity production are all examples of keystone variables in satisfying this first wedge. The second wedge pertains to nuclear power: that there must occur a three-fold increase in nuclear plants over the next 50 years.  As the video also points out, we’d likewise fulfill this wedge’s criteria by replacing 800 coal plants with nuclear reactors.  Of course, there’s a cultural taboo against nuclear plants, and though there have been nasty meltdowns in the past, many politicians and much of the general public should be brought up to speed in the real value in nuclear energy: 1) meltdowns are extremely rare and are due to out-of-date technology( like poor cooling methods), along with extreme environmental stress (like the case with Fukushima)—and furthermore, nuclear energy is presently the only source of energy capable of providing base-load energy (24/7) without releasing greenhouse gases.  The third wedge is burying emissions from power plants which, as was explained in the video, will only occur the day that releasing GHG serves as a direct economic burden.  Finally, the last which is harnessing the energy of the sun: be it through biofuels, solar PV, solar thermal, or wind.  The video explains that the earth receives energy from the sun at a rate of 100,000 TW—and our modern, global society requires only 18 TW.  So the energy is there, we need develop the capacity to harness it sustainably.  

2.     Do you agree or disagree with their assessment of how to solve the problem?

Technology, in my opinion, represents a large portion of steps necessary for implementing sustainable infrastructure.  As we see today, in both developed and developing countries, energy-intensive technology is required for fundamental stability, such as transportation of agricultural goods, electricity generation and distribution, shipments of imports and exports, labor and manufacturing.  All require abundant amounts of energy.  In Power Surge, technology is portrayed as the means to and end, that our mechanical innovation will enable us to remain operating in this globalized, economically-oriented society—and for the most part, our technological headway will allow this paradigm to continue.  But there are a few other infrastructural traits—on both the macro and micro levels—that should be implemented for the purpose of sustainable development.  First and foremost: fuel policies—the damage fossil fuels do to the environment should be reflected in their values.  Fossil fuels should be more expensive, this maneuver would speed up the research and implementation of more sustainable fuel sources—as well as methods for carbon burying, as is inherent to wedge #3.  Then there’s the issue of regional infrastructure: that our globalized economy and reliance on foreign goods should down-scale from what it is now—regions should do there best to utilize their proximate ecosystems for food and energy production, rather than relying on the resources of distant locations.  Scaling down our globalized resource-consuming behavior allows individual regions to set consumption standards in accordance with the capacity of their ecosystems.  And if an ecosystem cannot provide an essential good—like water—than the costs of living there should be weighed.  Finally, urbanization rates are growing rapidly, and by 2050, roughly 75% of the world’s population is expected to live in urban areas.  This creates huge stress on the local environment, no to mention human health.  Surely, technology will play a huge role in cutting down, say, the pollutants emitted by vehicles.  But, if you were to dovetail these mpg innovations with city planning techniques that promote greater connectivity between a neighborhood’s residential area and a office area, the result would be less vehicle miles traveled anyway.  Technology is essential for sustainability, but there must be a confluence between it and urban, environmental, social, an economic policy.

3.     Do they accurately address the effects of the environment, society and economy when they consider what alternative energies to use?

Not to much of an extent.  I’d like to know what environmental and resource pressures are inherent to a successful implementation of the wedge theory—for instance, is there enough silicon to create a sufficient amount of solar panels? Isn’t the production of solar panels energy intensive? 

an inconvenient truth

Answer these questions on your blog DUE Day 3- July 8^th Before Class

An Inconvenient Truth (2006)

 http://documentarylovers.com/an-inconvenient-truth/

Based on the video; please answer the questions below in thoughtful and complete sentences.

1.     What image started the modern day environmental movement?

    A picture of the Earth taken from space during the 1960’s: “Earth Rise” was its name.

2.     What is considered the most vulnerable part of the earth system?

The atmosphere is considered the most valuable part of the earth system.

3.     Relatively speaking, compared to the earth, how thick is the atmosphere? Like the coat of varnish on a painted globe.

4.     How can trapping infrared radiation by the earth’s atmosphere be a GOOD thing?

It moderates Earth’s temperature, making it habitable.

5.     How can trapping infrared radiation by the earth’s atmosphere be a BAD thing?

The Atmosphere will absorb infrared radiation to an excessive extent, causing global warming.

6.      What percentage of people depend on glacial melt for their drinking water?

Roughly 40% of people depend on glacial melt for their drinking water.

7.     Why is studying ice cores important?  Studying ice cores can measure CO2 content in ice cores and approximate how much C02 was in the atmosphere the year those particles of snow fell.

8.     What is the relationship between carbon dioxide (CO2) and atmospheric temperature?

More atmospheric c02 means hotter temperature, since it traps c02 from the sun.

9.     Over what time period have the hottest 10 years on earth occurred?

The 1990’s and 2000’s consist of the hottest 10 years on earth.

10.  As the water temperature under a hurricane increases, what happens to the wind velocity of the

storm? As water temperature under a hurricane increases, winds increase, as too does the moisture content.

11.  What has happened to Lake Chad over the years?      Its been drying up big time, after being one of the world’s largest lakes back in the 1960’s (and prior to).

12.  How much of the suns radiation gets reflected by ice? The ice reflects 90% of radiation which comes into contact with it.

13.  What redistributes energy from the equator to the north and south poles? Ocean and wind currents distributes energy

14.   If the ice sheets of Western Antarctica were to melt, approximately how much would sea level

rise? The sea level could rise up to 20 ft.

15.  List the three factors causing the collision between civilization and earth

1. Population

2. Fossil Fuels, old habits of technology

3. Way of thinking

16. Approximately, what percentages of global carbon dioxide emissions come from forest fires?

     30% of carbon dioxide emissions comes from forest fires.

17. What country is the largest contributor of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere?

             U.S. (but China surpassed the U.S. in 2011)

18. Which country has the lowest government standards for gas mileage of automobiles?

             The U.S. has the lowest government standards for gas mileage of automobiles.

19. Which two nations have not signed onto the Kyoto Protocol? USA and Australia both have not signed the Kyoto Protocol.  

Aaaand my own Carbon Footprint

True my footprint is rather large. Some pointers on how to minimize it: walk/bike (don't drive), install insulation, eat locals foods more frequently. Take trips via train. (?)

Minimize the Scope.....

...AND find another layer of commotion analogous to your own.

an overture into Brazilian life

Oi!!!-- Meaning "Hey!!!" in Portuguese---  It's currently 10:30 pm on the Fourth of July, and i'm writing from my bunk at The Sao Paulo Lodge, wondering when I'd last been This sober on America's Independence Day.  Anyways, my name is Billy Wilson, and this post marks the first of many to come, as I am documenting my experiences on the Sao Paulo Dialogue of Civilizations. 

I'm in the midst of my middler year at Northeastern University.  I study anthropology and urban studies.    I chose this program because I'm interested in learning about renewable energy technologies and their influence on the (ever-conflicting) social, economic, and environmental "spheres" within Brazil.  For those unfamiliar within Brazil's energy portfolio, understand the nation generates roughly 80% of its electricity from renewables, predominantly hydroelectric and biofuels.  What interests me is learning the  pros and cons of its renewable infrastructure (which began in the 70's, prompted by the Oil Embargo): we'll look into deforestation for the implementation of cane and dam reservoirs, we'll look into how the construction of hydroelectric plants habitually results in indigenous tribe displacement, misdistribution of water (and its minerals), along with methane emissions due to decaying biomass.  *Note the intimate relation between the "social" and "environmental" spheres*.  I then wish to learn Who the beneficiaries are: Maybe the urban areas receive far more grid attention than the expansive rural (and jungle) landscapes.  Maybe the electricity is sent to the top 1% of the population, who evidently own 50% of the nations wealth.  Or perhaps the electricity is sent not to resident neighborhoods, but to large-scale aluminum smelters who seek to sell their commodities competitively in the global economy.  After a while, it easier and easier to conceptualize the fluid interplay between the three societal spheres mentioned above.      

pizza dinner!