"Think Global, Act Local" Resource Site For Sonoma County
ENERGY: Home Improvements = Less Energy
Here is a video that current “Fellows” Brad Heavner, Joan Linney, Brian Yuen, and Peter Renfro created from The Leadership Institute of Ecology and the Economy. These stories are from people who made their homes more energy efficient & received clean energy incentives from Energy Upgrade California.
Some people improve the energy efficiency of their homes to reduce their carbon footprint and impact on global warming. Some do it to save money. All of them are impressed by how much more comfortable it makes their homes.
LOCAL PROGRAMS INCLUDE:
Sonoma Clean Power— Woody Hastings – SCP is a local program that buys and generates electricity for residents and businesses “The biggest change you will never notice”.
Energy Upgrade California – One-stop-shop for home improvement projects that lower your energy use, conserve water and natural resources, and make your home healthier and more comfortable.
Biomass – Generator 15% – Alex Dolginow – Climate Protection Plan
Wind – PPA 6%
Geothermal – PPA 26% Geysers
Water – Sonoma County Water Agency
Fossil Fuels: (Energy Dense)
Coal –
Oil –
Natural Gas –
Q: What Can We Do? Reduce WASTE and Use Clean Renewables
The Landscape Of Energy
Conventional Oil – Discoeries peaked in 1960s, production in terminal decline
Net Energy Ratio 30:1
Offshore Oil – Production challenged by extreme environments & significant technological complexity
Net Energy Ratio 18:1
Unconventional Oil – Significan energy, water, and infrastructure investment required
Net Energy Ratio 5:1
Natural Gas – Largely a regional fuel because of overseas transport complications
Net Energy Ratio 20:1
Shale Gas – Young sector with uncertainties about long-term productivity Net Energy Ratio: unknown
Coal – Worst polluter of the fossil fuels Net Energy Ratio 80:1
Nuclear – No Good solution yet for extremely long-lived radioactive wastes; not economically viable without governmental underwriting. Net Energy Ratio 15:1
Hydropower – Best sites already developed; megadams destroy natural hydrology of river systems, may imperil species and displace human communities Net Energy Ratio 40:1
Geothermal – Very small sector, would take decreases to develop to significant scale Net Energy Ratio 15:1
Biofuels – Extremely low net energy ratio; competes with food for land & feedstock Net Energy Ratio 1:1
Biomass – Large-scale development would put pressure on forest & agricultural land Net Energy Ratio 35:1
Industrial Wind – Intermittent, requires backup energy source; large land footprint Net Energy Ratio 35:1
Solar PhotoVoltaic – Intermittent, requires backup energy source: scalability may be constrained by dependence on scarce or expensive natural resources Net Energy Ratio 18:1
