Tag: energy

The interdependence of energy, global warming, the economy, and the flat world continue to fascinate me. Despite the intended focus of this blog, other issues sometimes simply require our attention.

PBS aired a Frontline special this evening focused on this identical set of interrelated topics. The entire program is available online with related in-depth material. What a tremendous resource.

Segment 8 contains an interview with T. Boone Pickens and his take on wind power. Check out the reference to North Dakota in this segment.

I was listening to the evening news and one of the stories described Texas oil man T. Boone Pickens’ plan to reduce dependency on foreign oil. The plan (as I understand it) is to

• increase wind power to generate electricity which
• reduces the use of natural gas to produce electricity which
• allows natural gas to be used as a fuel for automobiles.

Pickens argues that his plan is the most practical way to reduce oil imports in a reasonable amount of time. Pickens is promoting his plan on a web site created for that purpose.

It made me think of the pictures I took almost exactly a year ago while driving through my home state of Iowa.

I now live in North Dakota and I have always assumed there was plenty of wind here. You only have to experience a few winter days to understand the true meaning of “wind” chill. I did find a source indicating ND has “utility grade wind“. I suppose the downside of ND as a source is that the distance energy must be moved to major population areas is great.

Grand Forks is home to a LM Glassfiber plant which produces the giant blades that are used on the large turbines. We frequently see these blades heading down the interstate one blade per semi.

I am writing this post after spending some time with my bloglines. A post by Will Richardson caught my attention. Richardson has a tendency to go sour from time to time. The world does not always spin in the direction that it should. What is the use? etc. The problem now seems to be that technology leaders are not adapting web 2.0 tools to innovative educational ends. Perhaps we are waiting for some well developed examples from the consultants. Actually, I thought the poster sessions offered many examples of classroom activities. Perhaps the NECC experience depends on whom you think will inform you. My problem with NECC is that I have read enough blogs/books to predict the outline of most “major” presenters (e.g., Surowiecki). This is not a criticism because I understand my background and profession requires and allows a different daily focus. I am also frustrated by the lack of what I regard as quality research. Again, I understand there are different conferences for this purpose. Our personal perspectives allow each of us to find fault in a situation that must attempt to meet the needs of thousands.

Today, I decided talking about wind energy was more important than worrying about how many teachers blog or engage their students in authentic projects. Anyone care to argue this priority?