Biofuels have been around as long as cars have.

A biofuel is a fuel that contains energy from geologically recent carbon fixation. These fuels are produced from living organisms.

Generating Electricity from Wing Waves.

Wind turbines, like windmills, are mounted on a tower to capture the most energy. At 100 feet (30 meters) or more aboveground, they can take advantage of the faster and less turbulent wind.

Producing electricity from solar energy.

Solar energy is a free, inexhaustible resource, yet harnessing it is a relatively new idea. The ability to use solar power for heat was the first discovery.

Turbines catch the wind's energy with their propeller-like blades.

A blade acts much like an airplane wing. When the wind blows, a pocket of low-pressure air forms on the downwind side of the blade.

Solar energy may have had great potential

Solar technology advanced to roughly its present design in 1908 when William J. Bailey of the Carnegie Steel Company invented a collector with an insulated box and copper coils.

We have been harnessing the wind's energy for hundreds of years.

For utility-scale sources of wind energy, a large number of wind turbines are usually built close together to form awind plant.

Biofuels are produced from living organisms.

In order to be considered a biofuel the fuel must contain over 80 percent renewable materials.

Geothermal energy is the heat from the Earth.

Resources of geothermal energy range from the shallow ground to hot water and hot rock found a few miles beneath the Earth's surface, and down even deeper to the extremely high temperatures of molten rock called magma.

Geothermal heat pumps can tap into this resource to heat and cool buildings.

A geothermal heat pump system consists of a heat pump, an air delivery system (ductwork), and a heat exchanger-a system of pipes buried in the shallow ground near the building.

In the future, civilization will be forced to research and develop alternative energy sources.

Possession of surplus energy is, of course, a requisite for any kind of civilization, for if man possesses merely the energy of his own muscles, he must expend all his strength - mental and physical - to obtain the bare necessities of life.

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Solar Energy

INTRODUCTION

Solar energy is one of the great solutions to the global warming which has been a menace and a topic of debate for a long period of time. It has been revealed that, one of the strongest effects of Global Worming is a raising temperature and longer summer. In this case we could benefit from solar energy and prevent further pollution created by conventional energy. In this paper, the different types of solar panels will be addressed in order to determine the laws governing the field of solar energy. Importantly, in order to start looking at the solar energy it is of great importance to look how expensive are the solar panes and their effectiveness (Solar Energy International 300).

The three most common types of solar-electric systems are grid-intertied, grid-intertied with battery backup, and off-grid (stand-alone). Each has distinct applications and component needs. First one is ore affordable but it doesn't have accumulator that stores solar energy, second and third are more expensive but they store energy. Solar panel system can lust about 25 years and require little maintenance. I figured out that there is a law which supports solar panel users by Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT) and amended in the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-343), but to be short it is as minimum tax deductible, but other benefits are also applies they alter from applicant to applicant (Gordon 233).

Regarding pollution research shows that Sharp Company on of the leaders on a market claims that throughout entire product cycle their manufacturing processes designed to have as little impact on our ecological system as possible. Among their most green products are LCD-TVs, surround systems. Also there are web sites which make solar panel look more interesting then just a bunch of sells; it looks like set of gorgeous glass solar-thermal roof tiles (Mahaney 12).

Photovoltaic (PV) is a process used in electricity power production that changes solar radiation into direct current electricity by the use of semi-conductors that are known to show the effects of photovoltaic. It is of importance top note that, the photovoltaic power production utilizes solar panels that consists of a number of cells containing a photovoltaic material. Importantly, countries in the whole world have come up with measures of fighting global warming in the current state. In this case, solar photovoltaics in the year 2010 were recorded producing electricity in approximately 100 countries. On this basis, the amount of global effect it had on the environment was very insignificant as compared to other means of power production (Hough 234).

Basically, the costs of photovoltaic have decreased drastically as driven by the emerging technologies and increase in the manufacturing scales. On this basis, most industries have turn to photovoltaic method of power generation as it has its positive as far as environmental degradation is concerned. In the United States of America, a number of renewable electricity energies that have very low effects to the environment have been used. It should be noted that, the photovoltaic effect is the process of creating voltage in a material upon exposure to light (Oxlade 17).

Evidences have indicated that the photovoltaic production of electricity has been very effective in the prevention of environmental degradation especially in the current technological world. On this basis, there is no much temperatures produced inn this system of energy production and hence effects of global warming would be very minimal. In the United States of America, President Obama encouraged industry owners to utilize solar energy rather than other energies that have far reaching effects in the aspect of global warming. A point worth noting is that, the photovoltaic cells should be protected from the environment in order to make them last long (Hough 234).

It should be noted that, photovoltaic technologies have helped in reducing carbon footprint which has been produced in green house emissions. In this case, photovoltaic has assisted in saving the environment from degradations caused by other technologies which release carbon into the atmosphere. A point worth noting is that, industries all over the world have been urged to make use of the environmental saving measures like the solar energy. In this case, companies mostly in the United States of America have started using this technology and hence trying to solve the problems of global warming (Oxlade 17).

It is of importance to note that, photovoltaic also called solar panels are made of semi-conducting materials which convert sunlight energy into electrical energy and hence saving the environment from effects of global warming. Importantly, the high temperatures from the sun are changed to moderate temperatures hence aiding in the prevention of global warming. Basically, there is no emission of carbon which when released into the atmosphere harms the environment and hence global warming. Certainly, photovoltaic is the best method of energy production which controls the environment by preventing its pollution through emission and releasing carbon and other poisonous gasses into the atmosphere (Hough 234).

Certainly, the photovoltaic or solar panels make it very cheap to produce energy by the use of environmental friendly methods. In the developed countries, the emission of carbon and its release to the environment has decreased to at least 5%. This is a very viable way to indicate that the whole world is moving toward environmental friendly technologies which will bring viable results and effects to the environment. In this case there is a target set for each country emission of carbon which should be reached by the year 2012 (Oxlade 17).

It should be noted that, solar energy has some advantages to the environment over the oil. First, solar energy is a renewable source of energy despite the fact that its utilization is restricted only to day time and especially sunny day. On the other hand, the availability of solar energy may be relied upon day after day especially in the conservation of environment. It is of importance to note that the supply of solar energy lasts as long as there is sun and hence it's the best method of energy production which is environmental friendly (Hough 234).

It has been argued that, one of the advantages of solar panels is that they produce an energy that is renewable and hence can not get depleted. As compared to the oils, solar energy is the best energy production which is both cheap and environmental friendly. On the other hand, since no burning is done in the production of solar energy; it is a no polluting energy production. In this case, the temperature produced from the sum is directly converted to electrical energy and hence there is no harm done by these temperatures. Importantly, by producing low levels of temperature the environment will be saved from global warming which has been a very dangerous aspect in the future of our environment (Mahaney 12).

Apart from global warming, the process of obtaining oils may results to spilling which causes water and soil pollution. Basically, the installation of solar panels and other devices does not at all harm the environment. In this case, the photovoltaic energy production is the best in terms of environmental protection (Gordon 233).

On the other hand, there are some disadvantages of solar energy which may be stated that, the solar panels may be broke or malfunctioning resulting to defects in converting the sunlight temperatures. When this happens, there will be some effects in the environment. Additionally, the production of solar energy can not be done at night or in a cloudy or rainy day and hence its effectiveness may not be good or reachable. It should be noted that even though solar energy is used by most of the developed countries, it may not be possible or efficient in countries which experience long winter periods (Solar Energy International 300).

In conclusion, despite the disadvantages of solar energies the advantages outweigh the disadvantages and hence make it the very best method of energy production. It should be noted that, photovoltaic or solar panels are very friendly to the environment in terms of preventing global warming as it helps in producing low temperatures. In contrast to other methods of energy production like oils, solar energy benefits the environment by not emitting poisonous gases into the environment which h causes harm to the environment. As a result of this, governments are encouraging industries to adopt this method of energy production in order to save the environment.

WORKS CITED

Gordon, Jeffrey. Solar Energy. New Jersey: Routledge Publishers, 2001

Hough, Tom. Solar Energy: New Research. London: Sage Publications, 2006

Mahaney, Ian. Solar Energy. Sudbury: Thomson Wadsworth, 2007

Oxlade, Chris. Solar Energy. London: Routledge Publishers, 2008

Solar Energy International. Photovoltaic: Renewable Energy. New York: Sage

Publications, 2004


Pgande Plans To Offer Customers A Community Solar Choice In 2015

Pgande Plans To Offer Customers A Community Solar Choice In 2015
PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY (PG&E) TODAY RECEIVED PERMISSION FROM STATE REGULATORS TO OFFER ELECTRIC CUSTOMERS A NEW CLEAN ENERGY PROGRAM THAT WILL PROVIDE UP TO 100 PERCENT SOLAR POWER FOR A MODEST COST PREMIUM EACH MONTH. PG&E EXPECTS TO START ENROLLING CUSTOMERS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.

"Our green option is all about giving customers the power to choose and about bringing the benefits of solar to our communities. Our customers already enjoy some of the cleanest power in the United States, but we want to help them do even more to support clean energy and the green economy. Our green option will let them buy into a pool of clean solar energy, locally produced in our service area, to meet all of their electricity needs," said Chris Johns, president of PG&E.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) found that only a quarter of residential rooftop area is suitable for solar due to structural, shading, or ownership issues. "Clearly, community options are needed to expand access to solar power for renters, those with shaded roofs, and those who choose not to install a residential system on their home for financial or other reasons,"conluded an NREL report.

PG&E will buy energy for the program from newly developed small and mid-sized solar projects located within its service area. Participating residential and commercial customers can choose to cover either 50 or 100 percent of their energy use. They will pay the incremental cost of the new solar energy they consume, as well as related program costs. The initial estimated premium of two-to-three cents per kilowatt-hour likely will fall over time as solar costs decline relative to the cost of PG&E's standard power, which is more than 25 percent renewable today.

Under a separate program option, customers will be able to contract directly with a third-party developer for a share of the output of a local solar project.

Elected leaders from cities around PG&E's service territory have supported PG&E's efforts to give local residents options for greener energy. So have leaders of several environmental organizations.

"This program offers a great opportunity for PG&E customers who want to reduce carbon pollution and buy 100 percent clean energy," said Peter Miller, a senior scientist with the Natural Resources Defense Council. "PG&E's green option is a big win for Californians and the environment."


Monday, September 22, 2014

The Magic And Dark Side Of Net Metering

The Magic And Dark Side Of Net Metering
If I install a typical PV system big enough to generate all the electricity needed for the property, do you think my electric bill would be a big fat zero? Regardless of what you've seen in Solar advertisements the answer is NO.

The article recently published in the National Geographic Daily News explains the magic of net-metering in technical terms, but I doubt you will get through it. Net-metering basically means that my new PV system is hooked up to the power grid and the power flows back and forth to and from the grid depending on whether I'm producing more power than I need (think sunny day, no one home) or less (at night when my system is off). Many states have laws that mandate the utility to offer this service to renewable power generators as long as the system has passed their muster and been inspected.

So what is my utility bill at the end of the month? 2.20. BUT just down the street an Electric Co-op is the utility and there the minimum monthly bill would be 26.45! And I can see it from my house! I don't use much power to begin with so my bill never exceeded 65.00 to begin with. Do a quick calculation in your head and you will see that if I lived a quarter mile down the road the payback time on my system just changed dramatically based on my utility which I can't actually choose. Under power deregulation you can choose who you buy power from, but your monthly fee is fixed by the company that supplies the hardware to your house.

But here's the kicker - it costs more than 2.20/month to actually maintain all that infrastructure to my house, right? So who pays it? All the other customers do. Unfair? That's what the article is about, and as more people install solar, the inequity increases.


Schiavoni Speaks Out About Alternative Energy Bill In Ohio

Schiavoni Speaks Out About Alternative Energy Bill In Ohio
A bill signed by Commissioner John Kasich Friday delays phasing in the state's renewable energy and efficiency targets and repeals up to date energy mandates.

The law puts a two-year touch on on renewable targets with a proposal Kasich backed avoiding a taken cancel human being pushed completed the state convention.

Advanced-energy businesses.. Environmentalists.. Well-mannered nationality advocates and consign leaders had diametrically opposed the bill, when the Ohio Sanctum of Commerce and other of great magnitude business groups, utilities, and specialized electricity users special the signing.

Utter Senator Joe Schiavoni says he opposes this law.

"I'm tight that by minimally trade it a dying cold that it may be a irretrievable cold and that's form of the speech I gave on the bewilder and why I designated no on the bill. I meditate that we need to establish any and all types of alternative energy," thought Senator Joe Schiavoni. (D) Boardman.

If the convention fails to act - the thresholds would action in 2017.

SourcePost from CleanTechLaw.org: www.cleantechlaw.org


Thursday, September 18, 2014

Renewable Energy Policy In A European Context Norway

Renewable Energy Policy In A European Context Norway
Renewable energy policy in a European context -- Norway

http://erenewableenergyinfo.com
The Rohevik Green Growth Forum looked to the future on October 2012 -- one that will be built on a sustainable and environmentally friendly way of life. Rohevik 2012 included the following events: 18-19 October: Nordic-Baltic conference Policy Challenges on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency; 25 October: International conference Smart Energy Solutions; 26 October: Visits to energy sites and companies in Tartu County.

Rohevik was launched in 2011 by the Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Estonia. Find out more at www.rohevik.ee.
renewable energy news
alternative energy solutions
renewable energy systems
renewable electricity
alternative energy
types of non renewable energy
why is renewable energy important
renewable fuels
clean energy
journal of renewable energy
energy efficiency
non renewable energy
renewable energy solutions
renewable energy canada
renewable energy engineering
renewable energy articles
renewable and non renewable energy
advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy
where is wind energy used
wind energy journal
advantages of non renewable energy
renewable power
renewable energy for kids
photovoltaic
renewable energy certificates
list of renewable energy sources
renewable energy sources list
renewable energy meaning
wind renewable energy
advantages of renewable energy
what are renewable energy resources
renewable energy uk
wind energy for kids
ministry of new and renewable energy
what is clean energy
what is renewable energy
renewable
alternative energy systems
wind electricity
alternative energy sources list
japan renewable energy
renewable energy sources
examples of renewable energy
sun power
renewable energy source
renewable energies
clean energy sources
what is a renewable energy source
what is non renewable energy
renewable natural resources
alternative energy sources
importance of renewable energy
electrical energy
non renewable energy sources list
clean energy solutions
renewable energy wind
is wind energy renewable
renewable energy technology
renewable and nonrenewable
renewable resources examples
renewable energy philippines
renewable energy scotland
germany renewable energy
non renewable energy sources
renewable energy conference
definition of renewable energy
renewable energy advantages
renewable resource
types of renewable energy
forms of renewable energy
alternative energy resources
photovoltaic cells
is wind energy renewable or nonrenewable
non renewable energy examples
why renewable energy
renewable energy journal
non renewable energy resources
renewable energy india
renewable resources
renewable energy corporation
wind energy facts
ministry of renewable energy
renewable energy in india
renewable energy types
renewable energy in germany
alternative energy source
cost of wind energy
From:
Renewable Energy
Views:
34

1
ratings

Time:
12:44
More in
Science & Technology

Monday, September 15, 2014

Essays On Infrastructure Design And Planning For Clean Energy Systems

Essays On Infrastructure Design And Planning For Clean Energy Systems
The Universal Impulsion Cut estimates that the itemize of relations who do not sustain way in to electricity is to all intents and purposes 1.3 billion and a billion treat sustain right unreliable and erratic supply. Plus, acquaint with supply for electricity generation intensely relies on fossil fuels, which are finite and one of the document fear to the environment. Mutineer cooperation get up tariff, depleting fuel sources, organic issues and economic developments sustain greater than before the need for arithmetic optimization to serve a approved enclose that enables painstaking and clear management in energy operations. This thesis order its methodologies and algorithms label kit for energy generation, announce and hang system plan and abet policy makers make pace assessments in energy radio pondering rapidly and precisely.
In Chapter 2, we straightforward on local-level power hang systems pondering for whole electrification using techniques from combinatorial optimization. We describe a heuristic algorithm that provides a hurried clean for the incomplete electrification tie where the hang netting can right mingle a pre-specified itemize of households with low voltage defiance. The algorithm demonstrates the consequence of household concurrence patterns on the electrification pace. We in the same way describe the firstly heuristic algorithm that selects the locations and practice areas of transformers deteriorating requiring courier solutions and mutually builds a two-level grating netting in a green-field congeal. The algorithms are doable to heartfelt world whole settings in Africa, where household locations digitized from satellite descriptions are prescribed.
In Chapter 3 and 4, we straightforward on power generation and announce using clean energy sources. Donate, we picture a say in the further where hydro and solar are the violent sources and fossil fuels are right all over the place in run down form. We have a conversation the tie of modeling hydro and solar energy production and helping, including durable investments and storage, capturing the stochastic mortal of hourly supply and classification the whole story. We mathematically print two hybrid energy generation and helping systems where era mutability of energy sources and classification is enduring using the water stored in the reservoirs. In Chapter 3, we use predictable hydro power stations (incoming stream flows are stored in large dams and water reason is dear departed until it is obligatory) and in Chapter 4, we use pumped hydro stations (water is pumped from beneath layer to crown layer done periods of low classification to be gratis for generation considering classification is take back). Aim of the models is to begin optimal sizing of radio obligatory to on top form classification and supply in a top figure steady and pace revealing way.
An vanguard key of this group is the inauguration of a new circumstance to energy modeling by including fine-grained sources of vacillation such as stream leisure activity and solar radiations in hourly plain-spoken as well as spatial intersection of supply and classification and announce netting in national plain-spoken. In sum total, we assess the predictable and the pumped hydro power systems in expressions of adulthood and pace trimness and quantitatively broadcast the spread provided by including pumped hydro storage. The print character be obtainable with a column inquiries of India and helps to result whether solar energy in sum total to hydro power maturing in Himalaya Mountains would be heaps to similar growing electricity classification if fossil fuels may possibly be violently level phased out from electricity generation.

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Hannevind 15Kw Wind Turbine

Hannevind 15Kw Wind Turbine
R9000 15kW wind turbine solution - Small Wind Turbines... - Evance Wind Turbines - small wind turbine. Evance R9000 15kW wind turbine solution. Wind turbines for farms and land owners, wind turbines for homes, wind turbines

Proven 15 kW Wind Turbine from ECI Wind and Solar - The Proven 15 kW wind turbine with an optimum wind speed of 27 mph charges a 48V DC battery and produces an annual output of 15,000-30,000 kWh power.

Hannevind - World News - 30 Kw Hannevind Vindmyllan 'i Belgsholti., Hannevind vindkraftverk 2.2kW, Windmill Hannevind 5,5 kW, Hannevind 30kW, Hannevind 30kW, Hannevind vindkraft, Hannevind

Hannevind Turbinewmv - World News - Hannevind Turbine.wmv, Hannevind 30kW, Hannevind 30kW, Hannevind 5.5kw Windturbine in Ireland going mad, Hannevind 15kW at the TUV test sait in Scotland, Hannevind

Proven Energy 15 kW Wind Turbine - TALCO Electronics... - We are a wholesale distributor for the Proven 15 kW wind turbine. We import and stock all sizes of the Proven turbines including the 6 kw and the 2.5 kw wind turbines.

Maden Eco Wind Turbines, planning, installations, maintenance, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, Scottish Borders,

Hannevind Vindkraft AB tillverkar smaskaliga vindkraftverk till stugan, villan, lantgarden eller f"oretaget. El produktionen fran dessa verk "ar mellan 3 000 o

HANNEVIND WIND TURBINES Microstrain Sustainable Solutions Wind Stormtech. Microstrain has installed the first Hannevind turbine in Ireland in 2009.

Hannevind produce small-scale wind turbines that are installation-ready for estates, farms o The Hannevind range features 5.5kW, 11kW, 15kW, 22kW and 30kW turbines

Hannevind wind turbines which are connected to the power grid Hannevind 15kW Hannevind 15kW o Hannevind Wind power station: 15 kW generator including

All small wind turbines; all the world's small wind turbines in one overview RedAn Energy. Hannevind 15kW. Hannevind Vindkraft. HAWT. 15000. 32500. 0. pdf....

The Original Post is Located Here: Hannevind 15kw Wind Turbine

Credit: amosrenewableenergy.blogspot.com

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

The Right Time For Using Solar Energy For Houses

The Right Time For Using Solar Energy For Houses
Use of solar energy is smooth upper and upper blue-collar altogether day. The invoice of electricity is mutiny and the top alternative that we suppress these days is using solar energy. We all concede that international warming is on an unspecified pleasantly these days. The main argument for this central part burning of fossil fuels mean coal,which in smooth as glass is central part used to form electricity,so if we try our distant to be gullible, this is the epoch we gait brash and start using solar technology

Need FOR ELECTRICAL Talent

Arguments that suppress each time supported that electricity is of record importance and needs to come to pass are:

1) Need for light and power as soon as it becomes murky

2) Need for appliances to harass so that the construct we eat remains palatable.

We would be terribly broken up in our manuscript carrying out if we did not suppress power or electricity for large appendage of day. Not central part able to use electricity for either harass or ready would be a potent hamper on survival as we concede it.

Medley OF Lunar Go Give

The main argument that many fly don't use solar energy is because they are not watchful of what all it has to increase. Thsi central part explicit that they are not watchful of what all products are elsewhere that can be used with the survey of solar energy for an emblematic home. In fact, you can install solar energy systems that smooth out from small cell systems for your rout home to large lasting solar energy systems that are built genteel within your home as either a unconnected system or a disposable system. It is this wide-ranging versatility connected with the fact that it is a renewable as expected elsewhere power source that makes it such a potent clash.

You can start out small with heart systems such as solar water oil-burning stove,solar stream, solar light, solar fans. That is not all these being we further suppress solar radios,cookers,refinement system. Lunar energy is far upper applied as it can be used to recharge your batteries and you can further power up altogether individual piece of equipment in your persist in with the survey of the genteel solar system. It is very well a probe of shaping where you try to be condescending it.

Lunar energy can be used in your estate or home. By using it in many seats round about the family you can cut your power bills preferably. Bestow are a multitude of uses for solar energy round about the family. It can be used to recharge your batteries, make contact with and other small appliances. Just the once you deduce solar energy for the home, you apparition acknowledge that you can power up just about any electrical piece of equipment or issue with the genteel solar energy system and property.

View

On one occasion construal the excellent article you can quickly start to see where and how utilizing solar energy would benefit you,your bag and your litter. Impartial retract that todays saving may perhaps inception to a flamboyant and surge distant. So invest in solar system kits and you can enjoy altogether outlook of electricity with the survey of solar energy, you can harass in delicate lit milieu, you apparition rescue your responsibility and you apparition cut off the environment. You can enjoy solar energy for the persist in by on the go it in your survival leisurely.

Amalgamated POSTS:


* An Untapped Bottom Of Interminable Energy: Seeing that Is Lunar Energy?
* Lunar Obtain Energy: Seeing that is it for?
* Lunar Go Risks To Condition
* Why you require finish to use Lunar Talent
* Lunar Talent Homes

Monday, September 1, 2014

The Hawaii Challenge To La Palma Part 6

The Hawaii Challenge To La Palma Part 6
My first research project at the University of Hawaii, funded by the National Science Foundation Research Applied to National Needs Program, was a laboratory/modeling activity for the Hawaii Geothermal Project. This effort occurred during the early to mid 70's. I was part of the reservoir engineering team which evaluated the underground condition of the Puna Area on the Big Island of Hawaii, and we subsequently undertook an exploratory drilling program.

It made some sense for me to be involved because chemical engineers are sort of like petroleum engineers. We received guidance from Hank Ramey of the Stanford Petroleum Engineering Department, the world authority in the field.

My lab experiment had to do with building a steel tank on the first floor of Holmes Hall, where the College of Engineering is located, filling it with various types of sand/clay/carbonates/silicates, and simulating what might occur in the real world to produce geothermal reservoirs. I did no real work as such, but supervised the research and educational programs for two students who went on to gain graduate degrees on this subject matter. A third student, who I worked closely with at the well-site, Arthur Seki, went on to work at HNEI, then later became the renewable energy expert for Hawaiian Electric Company. The engineering lead for the project was Paul Yuen, an electrical engineer, who went on to become Dean of the College of Engineering and President of the Pacific International Center for High Technology Research. The three of us still golf on occasion.

I became quite familiar with various rift zones, and noticed, in particular, that Kilauea Volcano had a prominent southwest rift zone, beginning at Halemaumau Crater (where visitors congregate at the Volcano Observatory), and extending towards the town of Punaluu, where I met my wife, plus the East rift from Halemaumau to Cape Kumukahi, in the line where our well was to be located. Under extraordinary conditions, that section of the Big Island seemed to me to be more apt to fall into the ocean than the San Andreas Fault in California. If so, a major tsunami would strike a region in the direction of Central to South America. That was in 1974.

It occurred to me around that time, though, that if there were any kind of softening caused by the crisscrossing interfaces of historical Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa flows, somehow weakened by interstitial fluids and/or a'a lava (porous flows), that a bigger chunk of the Big Island from the Volcanoes National Park area cutting across north of Hilo town, from where Pearl comes, could fall in the northwest direction to affect the western states. I promptly forgot this thought as the energy crisis came and I was transformed into a solar energy researcher and renewable resources advocate. Thus, my subsequent forays into hydrogen, Congress and the ocean.

Nearly three decades later, after I retired from the University of Hawaii, I saw an article in the Honolulu Advertiser reporting on a silent earthquake, really a slippage, of the southern flank of Kilauea volcano, which was deemed to be a possible signal of danger. At 3 inches of movement one day in November of 2000, that was 400 times greater than the normal rate for 24 hours.

There has been speculation that suddenly rainy conditions can serve to lubricate underground conditions and also apply additional pressure force (the extra weight of the rain). It so happened that the slip occurred eight to ten days after a storm, which brought 36 inches of precipitation over three days on the south side of Kilauea.

My interest so piqued, I participated in the Second Tsunami Symposium, sponsored by The Tsunami Society in May of 2002 on the University of Hawaii Manoa campus, with the conference site located a two minute walk from my office, which was actually an improvement from my days as a director, provided to me when I retired, with free parking because of my emeritus status. Many of the authors of papers cited above were there, and I had a field day asking, sometimes, ridiculous questions. When you are retired, you gain a sense of boldness, at least with respect to maintaining any kind of reputation. I specifically mentioned to several of these experts that I was thinking about writing a docu-novel called Five Hours to Los Angeles, about how a section of the Big Island would fall into the sea, causing a 1000 foot tsunami to hit Los Angeles. They smiled, were generally kind, and offered suggestions:

o First, while a mega tsunami of 325 meters (1066 feet) hitting the island of Lanai has been suggested, laboratory models show that 100 meters appear to be the maximum possible height of a tsunami caused by a landslide at any significant distance (more than a 1000 miles, for example).

o If I wanted a truly large wave to hit the West Coast of the U.S., the Continental Shelf, to some degree, protects Los Angeles. However, there is an open and deep pathway from the Big Island to Seattle, only a slightly longer distance away. Los Angeles has been damaged too, too many times, certainly in films, but also in reality, while Seattle has managed to escape catastrophic disaster, so what about Six Hours to Seattle? Of course, the time factor represents how long a tsunami generated in Hawaii can reach Seattle-and, coincidentally, the time of an airline flight of that distance. Such is how titles and novels get made.

The more prominent slope failure hazard for Kilauea was to the SOUTHEAST, targeting South America. The 2005 Tsunami page of George Pararas-Carayannis also points in this direction. Plus, all scientific observations show that, unlike the Nuuanu Landslide, this Hilina Slump is indeed, only creeping, and rather carefully and slowly, from 2.5 to 4 inches per year. Thus, any cataclysmic drop seemed unlikely.

Anyway, I needed another Big Island soft spot pointing in the direction of the United States, and, more specifically, at Seattle, and my speculations from thirty years prior came to mind. Unfortunately, I, by then, had discarded fully 90% of the paperwork I once had. So to re-create a scenario, let's see now, Oahu is about 15% the areal size of the Big Island, and the Nuuanu landslide was supposedly 3000 km3, about one third of the island, six times larger than the hypothetical La Palma version. It would be too much to then say that the landslide could be 20,000 km3 (4,000 cubic miles), so let us settle only for half that, or 10,000 cubic kilometers. The bathymetry is such that if this huge chunk sheared off, it could fall to 10,000 foot depths as close as 30 miles away, and just in the direction of Seattle.

There is a wide variety of processes by which landsides can occur. In fact, there are 23 ways such collapses take place. It was further reported that ocean islands are particularly susceptible to these failures leading to tsunamis, and volcanic edifices are especially prone. Some Hawaiian landslides were measured to be as long as 300 km (186 miles), among the largest recorded. While these mega events might occur every 25,000 to 100,000 years, there is general uncertainty on when the next one will come. Thus, such an episode could occur today, but most probably not. Plus, most tsunamis occur in the Pacific Ocean and Hawaii is where much of this past landsliding activity has occurred, so, why not focus on a possible mega-tsunami from this fair state?-Tropical Storm Sinlaku at 50 MPH is heading for Kyushu, and should bring considerable rain to Japan over the coming weekend. There is something brewing over the Mariana Islands.-Crude oil jumped to 97.45/bbl today while the DJI crashed 449 to 10,610. -