Yesterday, I met with the enchanting Pulitzer Prize winning columnist Maureen Dowd. We had an animated conversation during a green-themed morning in downtown San Jose. Over cups of delicious mint tea, we discussed Maureen’s Irish heritageand how that inspires her fiery prose. We also discussed her belief in America’s green future.
On Monday, I was invited to Greens Restaurantin San Francisco to meet Microsoft’s Chief Environmental Strategist, Rob Bernard. We then joined a small group of researchers and media to discuss Microsoft’s effortsto lower its carbon footprint and leverage information technology globally to address climate change and other environmental issues. The sun setting beyond Golden Gate Bridge was an apt backdrop for the conversation.
Cambridge scientist, Rich Williams (one of Microsoft’s 1000-strong Ph.D. researchers) emphasized that environmental challenges go beyond climate change and counting carbon footprints, “Just reducing CO2 to zero – and all will be fine – is not our goal.” The researchers have broader perspectives that take into account water resources, migration patterns, and longer term “blue sky” projects.
Last month, during a lecture trip to Scotland, I sat down for tea at Scottish Development Internationalin Glasgow with Paul O’Brien, senior executive of Renewable Energy Development. We discussed how Scotland is leveraging its expertise and natural resources in the renewable energy sector. Claiming up to 25% of Europe’s offshore wind, wave and tidal energy potential, Paul is bullish about Scotland’s energy future. We discussed (in very strong Scottish accents):
The Beatrice Wind Farm Project: the largest offshore wind turbines deployed in the world (5 megawatts) and why the project’s success could be a turning pointfor wind energy in Scotland.
The Crown Estates announcement on February 16th of ten new sites for offshore wind that have the capacity to deliver 6.4 Gigawatts of power.
Scotland’s use of oil rig technologyfor the first time ever to develop new wind power opportunities in over 45 meters of deep water.
Scotland’s bullish clean energy targets: 31% of electricity from renewables by 2011 and 50% by 2020. (Paul claims they are close to achieving the former and may well surpass the latter by 2020)
On wind turbines in 45 meter depths, over 12 miles offshore
“By overcoming the depth issue, we’ve opened up a hellavalot more of the North Sea to development.”
On selling Scotland as an energy efficient location for server farms.
“We have tremendous weather here (mostly cold ALL the time). That could save you money just by siting your server farm in Scotland.”
On the concept of using renewable energy to power low-cost coastal data centers for Google etc.
” If we can prove to the world it can be done here, we’ll see more and more of such projects…when you’re on a coastal site, there is the opportunity to use sea water for the cooling. ”
The interview was recorded at Scottish Development International in Glasgow, Scotland on Thursday February 19, 2009
Rob Lamkin is CEO of Cool Earth Solar, a solar energy company -with a difference. The Cool Earth team (which includes several rocket scientists) has developed low-cost balloon shaped concentrators that capture up to 400 times magnified solar energy. Check out their power station simulation. It looks like a party!
Rob Lamkin discusses
His passion for solar energy and why windmills are beautiful
Why solar energy jumps out as being the solution to our energy crisis:
“Solar energy is the only thing we have in near enough abundance to solve the energy problems that we have.”
“The promise of solar has not come true and one of the main reasons is cost and availability.”
“I went from being a solar technology agnostic to ALL IN. I think Cool Earth has a huge advantage.”
“Where the magic comes in is: we use 1/400th the amount of solar cell material in order to produce the same electricity as conventional photovoltaic panel technology.”
How a passion for clean energy is a prerequisite for hiring at Cool Earth Solar
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