Author: avalverd

Working for Clean energy

avalverd

St. Edward’s University graduate land first job out of college at Res America. 

 

Jeanet Hernandez grew up in Luling, TX where she graduated high school in 2014. After graduating high school she went to pursue a communication degree at St. Edward’s University. While in college Hernandez study abroad twice in Angers, France which ultimately impacted her life forever.

 

 

What sparked your interest in moving and working for a renewable energy company?

It really all started when I moved abroad and noticed that other countries had been taking measures to improve the protection of our planet. They had better mass transportation systems and encouraged a reduction in use of single use plastic items. I would see large full scale wind mills while traveling throughout the French countryside and it really became clear that any career I pursued, I wanted it to have value.

 

What is the company name and how does it line with your values?

I have just joined RES America, it is the world’s largest independent renewable energy company. I know that renewable energy at the moment is in its own way a privilege. The return on investment is high but to start, it is a very pricey, RES has the vision to be a leader in the future here everyone has access to affordable zero carbon energy and to me that is of the most importance. We have to make living clean a way of life for everyone.

 

https://www.res-group.com/en/

 

Have you always been interested in renewable energy?

I was raised to be award of our planet but had rarely considered a career in renewable energy until my cousin became an engineer at RES. Then reading facts of climate change and the effects of the human carbon footprint really made it clear that at this moment any efforts made toward energy change would need to be pursued by motivated people. I began to want to help the planet and the future population including my own family.

 

How do you think your career will play out having your first job at a renewable energy company?

I really have no idea how it will go but I am extremely grateful for being given the opportunity to join a team and a cause that is going to change how we run as a nation. The Industrial Revolution created the need for fossil fuel use and while in cases these energy sources could be the answer short term, I want to help create a more suitable alternative in wind, solar and storage energy use. I think that as I gain experience in skills with foreign partners, I’ll learn how our neighbors overseas have created a successful market in renewable energy and how we can gain momentum in the United States.

 

What do you think the future of renewable energy will be?  

I think that renewable energy is the future of energy. As my generation grows, we’re seeing a demand from those who want to slow and reverse climate change, those who accept and acknowledge climate change, and we want to accept what the people want and ask for. I think that as renewable energy becomes the standard we will really see a change in the world around us. We will see a rise in diversity of clean energy sources and we will see companies reach for sustainability.

 

 

Fracking vs. wind turbine: The continuous battle

avalverd

What is fracking?

 

Fracking was pioneered in Texas in the 1990’s this process allows millions of gallons of water which is loaded with sand and chemicals thousands of feet into the earth at an intensely high pressure. This high pressure allows layers of the earth to break apart to shale pockets of oil and natural gasses to be release and be brought to the surface. No state has more hydraulic fracking than Texas, and the impact on public health, environment, and property values can be costly. Many fracking companies are using harsh chemicals, but refuse to acknowledge there harm. Fracking is done near residential areas in some cases near San Antonio and Dallas. This is a major concern because many companies do horizontal fracking which can be done beneath houses. Reports show that the areas that fracking takes place have bad air quality and have had reports of contaminated water.

 

https://www.cleanwateraction.org/features/introduction-fracking-texas

The process of building a wind turbine in Texas

 

The Texas Legislature have put tough tariffs on wind turbine material, but that hasn’t stopped the boom in wind energy in Texas. Once the turbine is up it is a continuous way of getting clean energy. One of the only negative draw to wind turbines are the chance of birds migrating getting capitated by the blade.  Wind energy also provided 14.8 percent of all in-state electricity production, this is roughly the equivalent of 6.2 million homes were powered by wind in 2017, according to the American Wind Energy Association.

 

“Wind power has become an invaluable tool in the rural economic development space in Texas,” said Scott Dunaway, of Powering Texas, a wind energy advocate coalition that started in December.

 

 

Find out more about the potential of wind energy in Texas:

https://www.caller.com/story/news/special-reports/energy-effects/2019/01/17/texas-wind-turbine-energy-power-electric/2197094002/

 

Texas and energy  

Texas has been known for its petroleum and crude oil that it produces for the nation. Texas is such a big state that it’s easy to spread out and drill oil, but when oil companies start fracking near homes where families are living this creates a major problem. Wind energy powered 1/6 of Texas last year most of the wind turbines collecting the energy is out west or near the coast. Wind energy is a great alternative for all Texans because of all the major benefits of having clean air.

 

How you can help!   

We need stronger regulations to the hydraulic fracturing industry in Texas, but more importantly we need more wind turbines for clean energy. You can help by writing to your Texas representative and senator and demand that tariffs be lifted or lessened for turbine material.

 

SXSW commits itself to educating on climate change in 2019

avalverd

In less than a week, a two-day conversation during SXSW will be held March 11-12th. The topic? How climate change is impacting our oceans and the work scientist and companies around the world are doing to stop further damage. This two-day conversation is constrained around climate change and the vision to not only stop the damage we have already produced, but how we can obtain a sustainable future.

 

There is a range of five different facilitated talks during the two-day event. One in particular highlight innovators who are among the first to create change in their field.

 

 

A Wave of Change: Solving Ocean Challenges Through Entrepreneurship

Emerging technologies are being applied to solve some of the most critical threats facing the ocean. This panel will feature brilliant ocean entrepreneurs developing scalable businesses aimed at reducing plastic pollution and mitigating habitat destruction from harmful fossil fuels. Join Sampriti Bhattacharyya, Founder of ONET Global/Hydroswarm, Chelsea Fawn Briganti, CEO of Loliware, Jose Humberto, Founder & CEO of ETAC Inc, and Jia Yun (Jeanny) Yao, Co-Founder & COO of BioCellection Inc, as they explore how the next generation of entrepreneurs from around the world are tackling the greatest environmental challenges of our time by leveraging innovative technologies and creative business models. (sxsw.com)

 

 

If you plan on attending SXSW make sure to make your way to the Future of Oceans Series!

Clean-Energy is a Bipartisan Issue

avalverd

Especially in Texas, former Governor George W. Bush signed a bill to lead the way in being a clean energy powerhouse

 

 

 

Yesterday we celebrated Presidents Day, a time to remember the nation’s current and past presidents. This year The Green Rangers reflect on one of our own former governor and president, George W. Bush and his commitment to lead the way in becoming a leader in generating carbon-free electricity. In 1999, George W. Bush signed a massive bill deregulating the state’s energy sector. It empowered individual consumers to decide who to buy their electricity from, instead of being forced to use options chosen by local officials.

Bush’s impact

     The Wall Street Journal reported that as part of the 1999 law, there was a provision that called for 2,000 megawatts of renewable power capacity by 2009 that milestone came four years early. Bush’s successor, Rick Perry, raised the bar to 10,000 megawatts by 2025.

 

How does Texas continue to be impacted today?

 

     In a 2017 report from Environment America, a nonpartisan research center, ranked Texas first among all states in “clean energy progress” between 2007 and 2016. The report affirms what state and national headlines have been saying for years: Texas is a renewable energy powerhouse. The report showed that the majority of the renewable energy comes from wind power.

     In 2016, Texas produced an amazing 58,000 gigawatt hours of wind power generation, far more than any other state in the country. The Environmental America noted, “During the early morning hours on one day in February 2017, wind power supplied more than half of Texas’s electricity demand,”

https://windexchange.energy.gov/states/tx

     George W. Bush paved the way with his law putting Texas at the front of producing and using wind as a supply of energy. East Texas has so much that we can use to our advantage, because of this we are still seeing a spike in wind turbine production today. Next time you take a trip to the east take a look at all the wind turbines and think about how far we’ve come as a state since 1999.  

 

avalverd

Republican Mayor, Dale Ross, Turns the City of Georgetown, Texas 100% Renewable

The perfect model for turning your cities energy from non-renewable to renewable

Why the Change?

     Georgetown has set itself apart from other renewable energy based cities with its emphasis on economics instead of the environment.  Mayor Dale Ross said, “we’re doing this because it’s good for our citizens. Cheaper electricity is better. Clean energy is better than fossil fuels.” Ross wanted to make sure he wasn’t being mixed in with the liberal agenda being a Republican from Texas.

     While Ross was reviewing energy contracts and researching  suppliers, he noticed that solar and wind energy offered a 20 – 25 years contract, whereas natural gas contracts were only a 5 – 7 years contract. He saw an economic opportunity for the future and didn’t hesitate on his decision to move to renewable energy. Since the change, the people of Georgetown’s kilowatt per hour continue to drop.

 

Pecos County Solar Farm

Making it Happen

     The Planning began in 2014 when NRG Energy Inc. and EDF Renewable Energy combined efforts to make Georgetown, Texas 100 percent renewable. It took just two years to make Ross’s decision a reality. If this isn’t a model renewable energy city, I don’t know what is. With the help of Pecos County, NRG Energy, Wells Fargo, and Swinerton Renewable Energy, Georgetown is now the biggest solar and wind energy provider in the country. Buckthorn solar plant is responsible for the majority of the energy with its 1.7 million solar panels across Pecos County, But that’s not it. They are backed by Spinning Spur 3, South Mesa and South Trent Wind farms to complete the 100 percent renewable energy source.

 

Paving the Way for a Renewable Future

     Georgetown has been a flawless example of what can happen when you back your plans with intent. It was no easy task for Mayor Ross, but he pushed policy and got everyone on board. There are more renewable sources besides solar and wind, such as biopower, geothermal, and hydropower. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory believes the US will be powered by 80 percent Renewable sources by 2050. The majority will be solar and wind power, but they use every pathway possible to reach 80 percent. The benefits are far too noticeable to ignore. Renewable energy helps our climate, economy, and health. While also creating long term jobs around the country.

    The future is now. The positive impact that sustainable energy has on the environment and economy are endless. So, Help us pave the way to a greener future.

You can find us on Twitter @TexasGreenRangers1 where you can plan on seeing weekly updates and helpful resources on how you can help our state become greener. Another source to look to if you have any questions is our Facebook group. It will be live in a few weeks so stay on the lookout for it, we hope it will be a place where you can connect with others in the Green Rangers community

 

Edited by AJ Valverde