Even the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change began to ratchet
down its more extravagant predictions as early as 2007. In 2010 the
Royal Society reviewed its stance on the Anthropogenic Global Warming
theory and assumed a more neutral position. Since then, it has been like
the retreat from Moscow: last month Oxford scientists, albeit in
Delphic language, moderated forecasts of climate disaster.
Last
week the ultimate warmist zealot among the political class, Tim Yeo MP,
executed a spectacular volte-face. In 2009 Yeo said: “The dying gasps of
the deniers [sic] will be put to bed. In five years’time no-one will
argue about a man-made contribution to climate change.” Now, four years
later, he is saying: “Although I think the evidence that the climate is
changing is now overwhelming, the causes are not absolutely clear. There
could be natural causes, natural phases that are taking place.” Within
the Anthropogenic Global Warming hierarchy, that retraction is broadly
akin to Richard Dawkins joining the Cistercian Order.
The global
warming hysteria began in the 1880s but was discredited when its
prediction that CO2 would increase the mean global temperature by more
than 1C by 1940 was not borne out. What gave it fresh life over the past
two decades was the realisation by governments that it could provide a
pretext for taxing citizens to unprecedented levels and by private
entrepreneurs that government subsidies could supply a dripping roast.
Of all the damage that politicians have inflicted on the public, the
“green” scam has been among the most extreme.
The Renewables
Obligation, introduced in Scotland in 2002, was scheduled to end in
2027, by which time UK energy customers will have been robbed of 32
billion. It has now been extended to 2037 for new projects. By 2011
Ofgem confirmed that 10 per cent of every electricity bill went towards
“renewables”. Proliferating wind turbines are blighting the landscape
despite being a wholly inefficient source of energy. Turbines operate at
just 24 per cent of capacity – for more than a third of the time at
only 10 per cent – and conventional power stations have to remain in
service as backup: two energy systems pointlessly working in tandem.
South
of the Border a modicum of sanity has entered government thinking since
UK energy minister John Hayes’ “Enough is enough” remarks. In England
and Wales turbines are falling out of favour.
Not so in Scotland.
Alex Salmond is a born-again renewables fanatic – understandably, since
he has always had an affinity with wind. At the Scottish Low Carbon
Investment Conference in Edinburgh in 2011, in the hallowed presence of
Al Gore, Salmond described Scotland’s renewables policy: “It’s a turning
point, like the discovery of a new world or the change from
hunter-gathering to agriculture.” He forecast the low carbon sector
would create 130,000 new jobs in Scotland by 2020. Last March an expert
told Holyrood’s economy, energy and tourism committee the actual number
of new jobs would be between 300 and 1,100.
Local objections to
wind farms are routinely overruled by central government (that would be
the listening, accountable Scottish Nationalist government). At the end
of last year only ten out of Scotland’s 32 local authorities admitted to
knowing how many wind turbines were sited in their areas.
They
could cover every inch of Scottish soil with Martian whirligigs and the
lights will still go out, due to the SNP’s refusal to replace Hunterston
B, due to close in 2016, and Torness, closing in 2023. All this to
satisfy a superstition: if all mankind stopped producing CO2 (try
selling that idea in China and India), 96.5 per cent would remain. The
climate Anabaptists will never recant, but their mad creed is doomed all
the same.
2013年6月2日 星期日
2013年5月27日 星期一
Private school raising sustainable classroom
A private school for students with special needs is developing what it hopes will be one of the greenest buildings in the world.
On its 11-acre campus in Spring Branch, the Monarch School has started construction on a 1,120-square-foot stand-alone classroom designed to get its power from the sun and wind; its heat and cool air from the earth; and water to nourish its vegetable garden from harvested rain.
The small building, which is expected to cost more than $400,000, will serve as an environmental laboratory, with students controlling its daily energy use. For example, they will determine when the sun's rays are strong enough to light the building, or when the wind turbine is needed to supplement power.
Other natural elements can be found throughout the campus, which houses about 127 students with autism, attention deficit disorder and other neurological differences.
There's a working beehive, vegetable and flower gardens, and an outdoor plaza where butterflies congregate.
"The students have a lot to learn about their neurology, and we wanted to provide them an environmentally safe atmosphere to do that learning," said Debrah Hall, head of the K-12 school near Kempwood and Gessner.
The school received numerous donations for the classroom building and has been raising additional cash to pay for the systems that will make the structure self-sufficient when it comes to water and energy use.
It is nearing the end of a $100,000 campaign through Kickstarter, a fundraising website. The campaign ends Saturday.
The classroom is being built to achieve certification through the Living Building Challenge, a program that requires structures to meet seven ambitious performance areas, including water and energy usage.
That program is administered by the International Living Future Institute, a nongovernmental organization that promotes environmentally friendly architecture. Less than a handful of buildings have been certified since 2010.
Living Buildings have stringent material requirements, eliminating anything toxic. Wood must be sustainably and regionally forested.
The Monarch project will include siding made of beams salvaged from an old building.
Used materials, said Shannon Bryant, co-owner of general contractor Tend Building, is one of the best ways to be green. They also come with a story. "It's way more fun than drywall," she said.
The construction budget for the base building is estimated at $315,000 with another $35,000 in architectural, engineering and related fees, according to architect Shelly Pottorf, who is leading the project. GreenNexus Consulting is also involved.
That $281 per square foot cost doesn't include the solar panels and some other features required for Living Building certification. While the total cost will be relatively expensive, it will be less than the $500 per square foot cost of some other Living Building projects.
Pottorf, principal of Architend, said the goal was to find ways to more affordably meet the standards so people "don't dismiss the Living Building Challenge as being financially unattainable."
"While we haven't achieved that goal yet," she said, "through this effort we are making significant progress."
On its 11-acre campus in Spring Branch, the Monarch School has started construction on a 1,120-square-foot stand-alone classroom designed to get its power from the sun and wind; its heat and cool air from the earth; and water to nourish its vegetable garden from harvested rain.
The small building, which is expected to cost more than $400,000, will serve as an environmental laboratory, with students controlling its daily energy use. For example, they will determine when the sun's rays are strong enough to light the building, or when the wind turbine is needed to supplement power.
Other natural elements can be found throughout the campus, which houses about 127 students with autism, attention deficit disorder and other neurological differences.
There's a working beehive, vegetable and flower gardens, and an outdoor plaza where butterflies congregate.
"The students have a lot to learn about their neurology, and we wanted to provide them an environmentally safe atmosphere to do that learning," said Debrah Hall, head of the K-12 school near Kempwood and Gessner.
The school received numerous donations for the classroom building and has been raising additional cash to pay for the systems that will make the structure self-sufficient when it comes to water and energy use.
It is nearing the end of a $100,000 campaign through Kickstarter, a fundraising website. The campaign ends Saturday.
The classroom is being built to achieve certification through the Living Building Challenge, a program that requires structures to meet seven ambitious performance areas, including water and energy usage.
That program is administered by the International Living Future Institute, a nongovernmental organization that promotes environmentally friendly architecture. Less than a handful of buildings have been certified since 2010.
Living Buildings have stringent material requirements, eliminating anything toxic. Wood must be sustainably and regionally forested.
The Monarch project will include siding made of beams salvaged from an old building.
Used materials, said Shannon Bryant, co-owner of general contractor Tend Building, is one of the best ways to be green. They also come with a story. "It's way more fun than drywall," she said.
The construction budget for the base building is estimated at $315,000 with another $35,000 in architectural, engineering and related fees, according to architect Shelly Pottorf, who is leading the project. GreenNexus Consulting is also involved.
That $281 per square foot cost doesn't include the solar panels and some other features required for Living Building certification. While the total cost will be relatively expensive, it will be less than the $500 per square foot cost of some other Living Building projects.
Pottorf, principal of Architend, said the goal was to find ways to more affordably meet the standards so people "don't dismiss the Living Building Challenge as being financially unattainable."
"While we haven't achieved that goal yet," she said, "through this effort we are making significant progress."
2013年4月25日 星期四
Tax break for wind energy sweeps forward
The state would be poised to gain a $300 million wind farm under a bill given resounding initial approval Wednesday.
The measure would provide a sales tax exemption for the purchase of turbines, towers and other wind-farm components — a tax break that nearby states Iowa, Kansas and Oklahoma have parlayed into a wind-energy boom.
Meanwhile, Nebraska has lagged behind, ranking 26th of the 39 states that generate wind energy, despite having the fourth-best wind resources in the country.
Iowa generates more than 13 times as much wind power as Nebraska — 4,536 megawatts to 337. And Nebraska ranks last among its neighboring states.
Proponents of Legislative Bill 104 said the state needs to act now if it wants to develop its abundant wind resources, because a major wind-energy incentive — a federal production tax credit — is scheduled to expire at the end of the year.
“This discussion is extremely important and time-sensitive. It's as important as any decision being made this year,” said State Sen. Galen Hadley of Kearney.
He said Nebraska just lost a major company, Facebook, to Iowa in part because the tech giant wanted access to wind energy to power a proposed data center. Facebook has a corporate goal of utilizing 25 percent renewable energy.
Sen. Steve Lathrop of Omaha, who made LB 104 his priority bill, said wind farms provide a needed boost for rural areas.
Lathrop said a 200-megawatt wind farm planned near Allen in northeast Nebraska would provide lease payments to local landowners of $10,000 to $15,000 per turbine, create 200 construction jobs and 12 to 16 permanent jobs, and pay $700,000 a year in local taxes.
TradeWind Energy will decide soon whether it will build in Nebraska or elsewhere, Lathrop said, so the Legislature cannot wait.
But critics, including Gov. Dave Heineman, have said the measure and another wind bill should wait until next year, after the Legislature completes a major study of state tax breaks.
Sens. Beau McCoy of Omaha and Charlie Janssen of Fremont said that there's no guarantee that the federal incentives won't be renewed and that tax breaks for wind farms should be weighed against other tax breaks.
Heineman has said lawmakers should provide tax breaks for retirees, military veterans and other regular Nebraskans before giving a tax exemption to an out-of-state wind company. TradeWind has its headquarters in Lenexa, Kan.
McCoy questioned how the Legislature could afford LB 104, and its $7.8 million estimated cost, along with another wind bill, LB 402, that is designed to help smaller turbine farms. That measure has a $6.7 million estimated cost.
The Legislature has about $41 million to spend on new bills, and spending one-third of that on wind is probably too much, McCoy said.
But Sen. Heath Mello of Omaha, chairman of the budget-writing Appropriations Committee and sponsor of LB 402, said both bills can be passed and funded with some adjustments.
Some groups, like the Nebraska Farmers Union and Center for Rural Affairs, have said they support LB 402 because it would create more economic development in rural areas by requiring purchases from Nebraska to qualify for tax breaks. The Sierra Club supports both bills.
Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha criticized LB 104 as being only about investors. But several rural senators said any wind energy development provides an unmatched opportunity to help revitalize small towns.
The measure would provide a sales tax exemption for the purchase of turbines, towers and other wind-farm components — a tax break that nearby states Iowa, Kansas and Oklahoma have parlayed into a wind-energy boom.
Meanwhile, Nebraska has lagged behind, ranking 26th of the 39 states that generate wind energy, despite having the fourth-best wind resources in the country.
Iowa generates more than 13 times as much wind power as Nebraska — 4,536 megawatts to 337. And Nebraska ranks last among its neighboring states.
Proponents of Legislative Bill 104 said the state needs to act now if it wants to develop its abundant wind resources, because a major wind-energy incentive — a federal production tax credit — is scheduled to expire at the end of the year.
“This discussion is extremely important and time-sensitive. It's as important as any decision being made this year,” said State Sen. Galen Hadley of Kearney.
He said Nebraska just lost a major company, Facebook, to Iowa in part because the tech giant wanted access to wind energy to power a proposed data center. Facebook has a corporate goal of utilizing 25 percent renewable energy.
Sen. Steve Lathrop of Omaha, who made LB 104 his priority bill, said wind farms provide a needed boost for rural areas.
Lathrop said a 200-megawatt wind farm planned near Allen in northeast Nebraska would provide lease payments to local landowners of $10,000 to $15,000 per turbine, create 200 construction jobs and 12 to 16 permanent jobs, and pay $700,000 a year in local taxes.
TradeWind Energy will decide soon whether it will build in Nebraska or elsewhere, Lathrop said, so the Legislature cannot wait.
But critics, including Gov. Dave Heineman, have said the measure and another wind bill should wait until next year, after the Legislature completes a major study of state tax breaks.
Sens. Beau McCoy of Omaha and Charlie Janssen of Fremont said that there's no guarantee that the federal incentives won't be renewed and that tax breaks for wind farms should be weighed against other tax breaks.
Heineman has said lawmakers should provide tax breaks for retirees, military veterans and other regular Nebraskans before giving a tax exemption to an out-of-state wind company. TradeWind has its headquarters in Lenexa, Kan.
McCoy questioned how the Legislature could afford LB 104, and its $7.8 million estimated cost, along with another wind bill, LB 402, that is designed to help smaller turbine farms. That measure has a $6.7 million estimated cost.
The Legislature has about $41 million to spend on new bills, and spending one-third of that on wind is probably too much, McCoy said.
But Sen. Heath Mello of Omaha, chairman of the budget-writing Appropriations Committee and sponsor of LB 402, said both bills can be passed and funded with some adjustments.
Some groups, like the Nebraska Farmers Union and Center for Rural Affairs, have said they support LB 402 because it would create more economic development in rural areas by requiring purchases from Nebraska to qualify for tax breaks. The Sierra Club supports both bills.
Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha criticized LB 104 as being only about investors. But several rural senators said any wind energy development provides an unmatched opportunity to help revitalize small towns.
2013年3月27日 星期三
Northwestern CT Community College manufacturing new workers
The program has been in place for a couple of years, but its funding has changed and more local manufacturers have gotten involved in an effort to promote the idea that manufacturing careers can be rewarding and lucrative.
The pay for a manufacturing job tends to be about 9 percent higher than the average pay of workers overall, and in Connecticut such jobs pay an average of $52,000 a year, according to state labor data.
Northwestern is one of six state community colleges sharing in a $2.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment & Training Administration. The grant funds the CT-MET program, which offers training in manufacturing, energy and transportation, said Kevin Canady, Northwestern's CT-MET coordinator.
In addition to Northwestern, the community colleges sharing the grant are Gateway in New Haven, which provides training in transportation-related jobs; Norwalk, which provides training in energy-related careers; and Manchester, Quinebaug Valley in Danielson and Three Rivers in Norwich, which also offer manufacturing training.
Other schools offering a pre-manufacturing certificate program include Naugatuck Valley Community College in Waterbury and Asnuntuck Community College in Enfield.
"This program is unbelievable," Menard said Thursday while standing amid manufacturing machines at Oliver Wolcott Technical High School, where the class was completing individual testing to show competency on a computer numeric controlled milling machine. Wolcott Tech allows Northwestern to use its machinery for the program.
Menard had previously worked in manufacturing, like several people in this class, but didn't have many of the skills he picked up at Northwestern -- such as manufacturing math, blueprint reading, computer literacy and lean manufacturing.
"The old saying is 'you can't teach an old dog new tricks,' but this program proved that wrong," he said.
Like Menard, Craig Suttmeier of Wolcott also has worked in manufacturing before. He was laid off in 2011 from I2S LLC, a manufacturer of rolling mills in Wallingford.
"I never had a GED or a high school diploma," Suttmeier said. "So they tied in my GED with this program, and I got my GED at Northwestern."
That, combined with his certification, makes him much more optimistic about finding a job, he said.
"We used to fix CNC machines in the shop" in Wallingford, he said. "But I didn't have the ability to run them. Now I have a little more depth into how to do that."
The school is working to tailor its curriculum to better meet the needs of local manufacturers, with help from the Northwest Connecticut Manufacturing Coalition and the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, Canady said.
"Some of the manufacturers in the coalition, some of their actual work engineers, are teaching some of our courses," he said.
Lewis Chappel, director of operations at Becton, Dickinson and Co. in Canaan, chairs the coalition's steering committee. He said more of the region's 400-plus manufacturers now realize they have to be proactive to find replacements for their aging workforce -- the average age of a machinist in Connecticut is about 55.
The pay for a manufacturing job tends to be about 9 percent higher than the average pay of workers overall, and in Connecticut such jobs pay an average of $52,000 a year, according to state labor data.
Northwestern is one of six state community colleges sharing in a $2.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment & Training Administration. The grant funds the CT-MET program, which offers training in manufacturing, energy and transportation, said Kevin Canady, Northwestern's CT-MET coordinator.
In addition to Northwestern, the community colleges sharing the grant are Gateway in New Haven, which provides training in transportation-related jobs; Norwalk, which provides training in energy-related careers; and Manchester, Quinebaug Valley in Danielson and Three Rivers in Norwich, which also offer manufacturing training.
Other schools offering a pre-manufacturing certificate program include Naugatuck Valley Community College in Waterbury and Asnuntuck Community College in Enfield.
"This program is unbelievable," Menard said Thursday while standing amid manufacturing machines at Oliver Wolcott Technical High School, where the class was completing individual testing to show competency on a computer numeric controlled milling machine. Wolcott Tech allows Northwestern to use its machinery for the program.
Menard had previously worked in manufacturing, like several people in this class, but didn't have many of the skills he picked up at Northwestern -- such as manufacturing math, blueprint reading, computer literacy and lean manufacturing.
"The old saying is 'you can't teach an old dog new tricks,' but this program proved that wrong," he said.
Like Menard, Craig Suttmeier of Wolcott also has worked in manufacturing before. He was laid off in 2011 from I2S LLC, a manufacturer of rolling mills in Wallingford.
"I never had a GED or a high school diploma," Suttmeier said. "So they tied in my GED with this program, and I got my GED at Northwestern."
That, combined with his certification, makes him much more optimistic about finding a job, he said.
"We used to fix CNC machines in the shop" in Wallingford, he said. "But I didn't have the ability to run them. Now I have a little more depth into how to do that."
The school is working to tailor its curriculum to better meet the needs of local manufacturers, with help from the Northwest Connecticut Manufacturing Coalition and the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, Canady said.
"Some of the manufacturers in the coalition, some of their actual work engineers, are teaching some of our courses," he said.
Lewis Chappel, director of operations at Becton, Dickinson and Co. in Canaan, chairs the coalition's steering committee. He said more of the region's 400-plus manufacturers now realize they have to be proactive to find replacements for their aging workforce -- the average age of a machinist in Connecticut is about 55.
2013年3月10日 星期日
1,000 sign petition for inquiry into Trump project
A PETITION calling for a public inquiry into the handling of Donald Trump’s controversial golf project on the North Sea coast has attracted more than 11,000 signatures, exceeding its organisers’ expectations.
David Milne, an opponent of the scheme at Menie, north of Aberdeen, said he had hoped for 2,000 signatures. The petition is being lodged at the Scottish Parliament today, two weeks earlier than planned.
Mr Milne said: “There’s clearly a growing appetite to get to the bottom of this fiasco, and to make sure no other community anywhere in Scotland ever has to face down the combination of a bullying developer and officials determined to see them get their way.
“This is not a party political matter – it’s a systematic failure. At Holyrood and locally we have seen successive administrations of various colours cosy up to Mr Trump.
“It is now up to the MSPs who sit on the Public Petitions Committee to choose: do they want to find out what went wrong and ensure it never does again, or do they want to guarantee the whole story is never even told.
“I am confident that they will listen to the public and do the right thing, and I look forward to having an opportunity to discuss these issues with them in person.”
Mr Milne, a 48-year-old independent health and safety consultant who lives near Trump’s golf complex, claims that some bodies, including Aberdeenshire Council and the Scottish Government, were involved in breaches of planning regulations before Mr Trump was given the green light to construct his links course.
If Mr Milne’s petition is successful, it would see a comprehensive inquiry established into local and national government involvement with the Trump organisation. The timescale would cover former first minister Jack McConnell’s Labour-led Scottish Executive, Alex Salmond’s SNP government and Aberdeenshire Council, which was controlled at the time by Liberal Democrats.
Earlier he said: “We have had to be patient to get to this stage, but we are calling for a full public inquiry into what happened and we want the full facts to emerge. Now, we are hoping that many other Scots will share our concerns over the background to how Trump was allowed to build this course.”
The planning application for the golf complex was initially rejected by a local authority committee, causing turmoil among councillors, and was controversially called in by the Scottish Government.
The First Minister became MSP for the area in 2007. The plan was subsequently rubber-stamped by the council, then approved by Finance Secretary John Swinney in November 2008.
No-one from the Trump organisation responded to phone calls last night. However, last month Sarah Malone, the executive vice-president of Trump International, spoke about the petition.
She said: “The project has already gone through years of scrutiny and debate during a lengthy planning process, including a public inquiry in the full media spotlight. Mr Milne needs to move on. He attempted this before and it failed, because there is no basis for it.
“The championship course is now established and drawing thousands of golfers from around the world and creating business opportunities and much-needed jobs.”
Trump is now locked in a heated battle to stop an offshore wind farm being built within sight of his golf course.
A planning application for the wind farm was submitted to Marine Scotland – which manages Scotland’s seas – in August 2011 for the development just over a mile away from Trump’s golf resort at Menie.
Trump said 100 million hotel development is on hold until the decision on whether the nearby 11-turbine offshore wind farm proposal is approved is made.
David Milne, an opponent of the scheme at Menie, north of Aberdeen, said he had hoped for 2,000 signatures. The petition is being lodged at the Scottish Parliament today, two weeks earlier than planned.
Mr Milne said: “There’s clearly a growing appetite to get to the bottom of this fiasco, and to make sure no other community anywhere in Scotland ever has to face down the combination of a bullying developer and officials determined to see them get their way.
“This is not a party political matter – it’s a systematic failure. At Holyrood and locally we have seen successive administrations of various colours cosy up to Mr Trump.
“It is now up to the MSPs who sit on the Public Petitions Committee to choose: do they want to find out what went wrong and ensure it never does again, or do they want to guarantee the whole story is never even told.
“I am confident that they will listen to the public and do the right thing, and I look forward to having an opportunity to discuss these issues with them in person.”
Mr Milne, a 48-year-old independent health and safety consultant who lives near Trump’s golf complex, claims that some bodies, including Aberdeenshire Council and the Scottish Government, were involved in breaches of planning regulations before Mr Trump was given the green light to construct his links course.
If Mr Milne’s petition is successful, it would see a comprehensive inquiry established into local and national government involvement with the Trump organisation. The timescale would cover former first minister Jack McConnell’s Labour-led Scottish Executive, Alex Salmond’s SNP government and Aberdeenshire Council, which was controlled at the time by Liberal Democrats.
Earlier he said: “We have had to be patient to get to this stage, but we are calling for a full public inquiry into what happened and we want the full facts to emerge. Now, we are hoping that many other Scots will share our concerns over the background to how Trump was allowed to build this course.”
The planning application for the golf complex was initially rejected by a local authority committee, causing turmoil among councillors, and was controversially called in by the Scottish Government.
The First Minister became MSP for the area in 2007. The plan was subsequently rubber-stamped by the council, then approved by Finance Secretary John Swinney in November 2008.
No-one from the Trump organisation responded to phone calls last night. However, last month Sarah Malone, the executive vice-president of Trump International, spoke about the petition.
She said: “The project has already gone through years of scrutiny and debate during a lengthy planning process, including a public inquiry in the full media spotlight. Mr Milne needs to move on. He attempted this before and it failed, because there is no basis for it.
“The championship course is now established and drawing thousands of golfers from around the world and creating business opportunities and much-needed jobs.”
Trump is now locked in a heated battle to stop an offshore wind farm being built within sight of his golf course.
A planning application for the wind farm was submitted to Marine Scotland – which manages Scotland’s seas – in August 2011 for the development just over a mile away from Trump’s golf resort at Menie.
Trump said 100 million hotel development is on hold until the decision on whether the nearby 11-turbine offshore wind farm proposal is approved is made.
2013年3月5日 星期二
Wind turbine repair techs use iPod Touches
For instance, about 1,700 NextEra Energy wind turbine technicians recently began using Apple's iPod Touch handheld devices to help them service the gargantuan machines.
The iPods are loaded with technical information and repair diagrams that a technician can access while working some 300 feet above the ground inside and outside the clean energy company's turbines.
Having the information close at hand means the technician won't have to climb back down a ladder and then drive a truck back to an office to search for the data on a PC, said NextEra CIO Lakshman Charanjiva.
Charanjiva said NextEra, which he described as the nation's largest wind and solar energy provider, came up with the idea to provide the iPods to the wind turbine techs after making a site visit to a wind energy farm in west Texas. During the visit, he climbed with the techs up the ladder in the dark enclosure in 110 degree heat.
"It's not something you want to do if you have a fear of heights or closed spaces," Charanjiva told an audience at the Premier 100 conference here this week. "We needed to do something for those guys to save them time going back and forth without having to come down" for information.
Charanjiva afterward estimated that iPod usage has cut six to eight hours of work per technician every week since the program was implemented about a year ago. The iPods are also inexpensive, up to 10 times less expensive than alternative rugged handhelds, Charanjiva said.
Recently, NextEra began putting Wi-Fi hotspots inside the technicians' trucks, so that they can access the Internet and the home office from a perch atop a wind turbine.
NextEra is considering the use of video cameras on the hardhats of technicians so they can stream video of a repair problems to experts working in the company's home offices. The only consideration is whether the Wi-Fi will have sufficient bandwidth to support the video, he said.
Charanjiva noted that the company's iPod program is "not rocket science, but has been a huge benefit" to NextEra. Meanwhile, NextEra subsidiary Florida Power and Light has replaced rugged tablets used by power outage technicians with 500 iPads.
The iPads, which cost less than $500 apiece, are replacing $5,000 ruggedized tablets. While rugged devices often last five or more years, and iPads for two years or less, "the difference in price is worth it," he said.
Technicians can use the devices to track the locations of homes without power, since many homes are equipped with two-way smart meters.
During a major hurricane, having outage locations delivered to a tablet in a truck means the technician can notice patterns in outages quickly, and thus better track where a major switch might be out.
NextEra can also overlay weather satellite information about the path of a storm on top of the outage data to to decide where to send repair crews.
Having that data has helped NextEra come closer to its goal of restoring power from storms within 24 hours, Charanjiva said.
The iPods are loaded with technical information and repair diagrams that a technician can access while working some 300 feet above the ground inside and outside the clean energy company's turbines.
Having the information close at hand means the technician won't have to climb back down a ladder and then drive a truck back to an office to search for the data on a PC, said NextEra CIO Lakshman Charanjiva.
Charanjiva said NextEra, which he described as the nation's largest wind and solar energy provider, came up with the idea to provide the iPods to the wind turbine techs after making a site visit to a wind energy farm in west Texas. During the visit, he climbed with the techs up the ladder in the dark enclosure in 110 degree heat.
"It's not something you want to do if you have a fear of heights or closed spaces," Charanjiva told an audience at the Premier 100 conference here this week. "We needed to do something for those guys to save them time going back and forth without having to come down" for information.
Charanjiva afterward estimated that iPod usage has cut six to eight hours of work per technician every week since the program was implemented about a year ago. The iPods are also inexpensive, up to 10 times less expensive than alternative rugged handhelds, Charanjiva said.
Recently, NextEra began putting Wi-Fi hotspots inside the technicians' trucks, so that they can access the Internet and the home office from a perch atop a wind turbine.
NextEra is considering the use of video cameras on the hardhats of technicians so they can stream video of a repair problems to experts working in the company's home offices. The only consideration is whether the Wi-Fi will have sufficient bandwidth to support the video, he said.
Charanjiva noted that the company's iPod program is "not rocket science, but has been a huge benefit" to NextEra. Meanwhile, NextEra subsidiary Florida Power and Light has replaced rugged tablets used by power outage technicians with 500 iPads.
The iPads, which cost less than $500 apiece, are replacing $5,000 ruggedized tablets. While rugged devices often last five or more years, and iPads for two years or less, "the difference in price is worth it," he said.
Technicians can use the devices to track the locations of homes without power, since many homes are equipped with two-way smart meters.
During a major hurricane, having outage locations delivered to a tablet in a truck means the technician can notice patterns in outages quickly, and thus better track where a major switch might be out.
NextEra can also overlay weather satellite information about the path of a storm on top of the outage data to to decide where to send repair crews.
Having that data has helped NextEra come closer to its goal of restoring power from storms within 24 hours, Charanjiva said.
2013年3月3日 星期日
Township places moratorium on wind projects
With a packed council chambers backing The Alliance for the Protection of Northumberland Hills's presentation against two industrial wind turbine farms near Grafton and Centreton on the Oak Ridges Moraine, Alnwick/Haldimand Township councillors concurred during last week's meeting.
In addition, councillors agreed to recommendations from the group that would halt further wind developments until health and safety issues are adequately addressed through study and regulation and will forward the resolution about a moratorium to all the municipalities in the Oak Ridges Moraine area, as well as to the government ministries involved in Green Energy Act approvals, plus a few other ministries.
"Council passed the resolution as presented," said Deputy Mayor Ray Benns who chaired the meeting.
In part, it stated: "To place an immediate moratorium on approvals of industrial wind farms until such time as low frequency noise and infrasound from industrial wind turbines is reviewed and mitigated through the REA approval process and based on conclusive and independent clinical health studies that eliminate the potential of adverse impacts to health, safety and well being of the public."
Mayor Dalton Mcdonald previously declared he had a conflict of interest due to the fact that he rents land near one of the wind projects and lives close to the other end of the project. The remaining five councillors supported the resolution and Benns, as chair, did not vote.
"I have to stay neutral," he said.
With the mayor's conflict of interest, Benns said he anticipated chairing more meetings in the future.
"The key issue here is the well being of people, the aesthetic beauty of the Moraine and Northumberland County," Alliance presenter Tyne Bonebakker said in a subsequent interview.
"I see a rapid shift in public opinion," he added.
People generally have supported green energy but as health issues related to industrial wind turbines are brought to light there has been a turnaround, he said.
Among the health concerns Bonebakker outlined in the presentation to Alnwick / Haldimand councillors was the emission of inaudible ultra-low frequency sound of one to 44 Hz which are not required to be measured under current regulations in determining the setback of wind turbines from residences, yet some produce 90dB at low frequencies of one to five Hz which have resulted in health complaints so serious some people have abandoned their homes. (The current Green Energy Act requirements are that sound volume must be less than 40 dB at 550 metres from the nearest turbine.)
Bonebakker also outlined possible future costs taxpayers would be left paying including emergency response to structure fires, plus decommission and rehabilitating the land after the 20-year energy-production contracts expire.
And as it relates to Centreton, the group's concerns range from part being a provincially designated significant wetland, turtle wintering area and bat maternity colony, to containing a "vulnerable high aquifer" and headwater of Baltimore Creek.
As it relates to the Oak Ridges Moraine, the Alliance's presentation cited regulations of the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act 2011 which states that industrial development is not permitted and there has been no demonstration that there is not an alternative location.
In addition, councillors agreed to recommendations from the group that would halt further wind developments until health and safety issues are adequately addressed through study and regulation and will forward the resolution about a moratorium to all the municipalities in the Oak Ridges Moraine area, as well as to the government ministries involved in Green Energy Act approvals, plus a few other ministries.
"Council passed the resolution as presented," said Deputy Mayor Ray Benns who chaired the meeting.
In part, it stated: "To place an immediate moratorium on approvals of industrial wind farms until such time as low frequency noise and infrasound from industrial wind turbines is reviewed and mitigated through the REA approval process and based on conclusive and independent clinical health studies that eliminate the potential of adverse impacts to health, safety and well being of the public."
Mayor Dalton Mcdonald previously declared he had a conflict of interest due to the fact that he rents land near one of the wind projects and lives close to the other end of the project. The remaining five councillors supported the resolution and Benns, as chair, did not vote.
"I have to stay neutral," he said.
With the mayor's conflict of interest, Benns said he anticipated chairing more meetings in the future.
"The key issue here is the well being of people, the aesthetic beauty of the Moraine and Northumberland County," Alliance presenter Tyne Bonebakker said in a subsequent interview.
"I see a rapid shift in public opinion," he added.
People generally have supported green energy but as health issues related to industrial wind turbines are brought to light there has been a turnaround, he said.
Among the health concerns Bonebakker outlined in the presentation to Alnwick / Haldimand councillors was the emission of inaudible ultra-low frequency sound of one to 44 Hz which are not required to be measured under current regulations in determining the setback of wind turbines from residences, yet some produce 90dB at low frequencies of one to five Hz which have resulted in health complaints so serious some people have abandoned their homes. (The current Green Energy Act requirements are that sound volume must be less than 40 dB at 550 metres from the nearest turbine.)
Bonebakker also outlined possible future costs taxpayers would be left paying including emergency response to structure fires, plus decommission and rehabilitating the land after the 20-year energy-production contracts expire.
And as it relates to Centreton, the group's concerns range from part being a provincially designated significant wetland, turtle wintering area and bat maternity colony, to containing a "vulnerable high aquifer" and headwater of Baltimore Creek.
As it relates to the Oak Ridges Moraine, the Alliance's presentation cited regulations of the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act 2011 which states that industrial development is not permitted and there has been no demonstration that there is not an alternative location.
2013年2月28日 星期四
Spur Offshore Wind Industry
As our nation continues to debate the issue of climate change in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, today U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell joined Rep. Frank LoBiondo in introducing the Incentivizing Offshore Wind Power Act to provide critical financial incentives for investment in offshore wind energy. U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Susan Collins introduced companion legislation in the Senate.
These bills provide the offshore wind industry with enhanced stability by extending investment tax credits for the first 3,000 Megawatts of offshore wind facilities placed into service, which is an estimate of 600 wind turbines. These tax credits are vital for this new clean energy technology because of the longer lead time for the permitting and construction of offshore wind turbines, compared to onshore wind energy. Once awarded a tax credit, companies would have five years to install the offshore wind facility. Companies would not be able to receive other production or investment tax credits in addition to the offshore wind investment tax credit.
"In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, we must do everything we can to encourage investment in new and exciting clean energy technologies, like offshore wind, that will reduce our dependence on the carbon based fuels that cause climate change," stated Rep. Pascrell. "Offshore wind offers an enormous potential for producing domestic, clean energy close to the large population centers of the northeast. The Incentivizing Offshore Wind Power Act will give tax certainty to the seed investors this industry needs to jumpstart installations, encourage the development of manufacturing facilities, create good paying jobs, and reduce costs for future projects and consumers."
"Developing wind energy off our nation's shores, especially in places like my home state of Delaware, is a critical part of boosting American energy independence and jumpstarting our clean energy economy," said Sen. Carper. "Offshore wind is a true 'win-win-win' – it is cleaner for our environment, reduces our dependence on fossil fuels and foreign energy, and helps create jobs. If we want to harness this untapped, domestic energy source, providing investment tax incentives for our country's first offshore wind projects is essential. Our bill would do just that. Additionally, it would help spur an industry that can be an engine for new, good-paying jobs in manufacturing, construction, maintenance and production. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this legislation and encouraging the growth of the American offshore wind industry."
"There is enormous potential in offshore wind, which is why I am delighted that Maine is actively working to develop deepwater offshore wind technology," said Sen. Collins. "America must become a leader in offshore wind energy. This bill would create rewarding incentives for the first offshore wind projects, which could help diversify our energy supply, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and create thousands of new American jobs."
The legislation defines offshore facilities as any facility located in the inland navigable waters of the United States, including the Great Lakes, or in the coastal waters of the United States, including the territorial seas of the United States, the exclusive economic zone of United States, and the outer Continental Shelf of the United States.
"America has been standing on the sidelines watching the rest of the world develop over 4,000 megawatts of installed offshore wind capacity, while we have yet to begin construction on our first offshore turbine," said Conathan. "Enactment of the offshore wind bills introduced today in the House and Senate would ensure that we can take advantage of the promise and opportunity of offshore wind, to diversify our energy mix, while ensuring development will not burden rate payers."
These bills provide the offshore wind industry with enhanced stability by extending investment tax credits for the first 3,000 Megawatts of offshore wind facilities placed into service, which is an estimate of 600 wind turbines. These tax credits are vital for this new clean energy technology because of the longer lead time for the permitting and construction of offshore wind turbines, compared to onshore wind energy. Once awarded a tax credit, companies would have five years to install the offshore wind facility. Companies would not be able to receive other production or investment tax credits in addition to the offshore wind investment tax credit.
"In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, we must do everything we can to encourage investment in new and exciting clean energy technologies, like offshore wind, that will reduce our dependence on the carbon based fuels that cause climate change," stated Rep. Pascrell. "Offshore wind offers an enormous potential for producing domestic, clean energy close to the large population centers of the northeast. The Incentivizing Offshore Wind Power Act will give tax certainty to the seed investors this industry needs to jumpstart installations, encourage the development of manufacturing facilities, create good paying jobs, and reduce costs for future projects and consumers."
"Developing wind energy off our nation's shores, especially in places like my home state of Delaware, is a critical part of boosting American energy independence and jumpstarting our clean energy economy," said Sen. Carper. "Offshore wind is a true 'win-win-win' – it is cleaner for our environment, reduces our dependence on fossil fuels and foreign energy, and helps create jobs. If we want to harness this untapped, domestic energy source, providing investment tax incentives for our country's first offshore wind projects is essential. Our bill would do just that. Additionally, it would help spur an industry that can be an engine for new, good-paying jobs in manufacturing, construction, maintenance and production. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this legislation and encouraging the growth of the American offshore wind industry."
"There is enormous potential in offshore wind, which is why I am delighted that Maine is actively working to develop deepwater offshore wind technology," said Sen. Collins. "America must become a leader in offshore wind energy. This bill would create rewarding incentives for the first offshore wind projects, which could help diversify our energy supply, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and create thousands of new American jobs."
The legislation defines offshore facilities as any facility located in the inland navigable waters of the United States, including the Great Lakes, or in the coastal waters of the United States, including the territorial seas of the United States, the exclusive economic zone of United States, and the outer Continental Shelf of the United States.
"America has been standing on the sidelines watching the rest of the world develop over 4,000 megawatts of installed offshore wind capacity, while we have yet to begin construction on our first offshore turbine," said Conathan. "Enactment of the offshore wind bills introduced today in the House and Senate would ensure that we can take advantage of the promise and opportunity of offshore wind, to diversify our energy mix, while ensuring development will not burden rate payers."
2013年2月21日 星期四
Where to get your 3D mini statues
It is now time for your handcrafted miniature statues or 3-D characters to be moulded. And you don’t have to be a celebrity or movie star to get one – and it won’t break your bank to get one either.
This Is Me (TIM) is the latest category of mini statues being culled out for you by a Dubai-based 3D modelling company, Precise Middle East.
In the first six months after introducing the product, there has been a tremendous response from not only image-conscious celebrities and the rich and famous, but even from the common folk who place orders for their mini statues.
The company that introduced laser engraved 2D and 3D crystal imaging in the UAE market has now introduced MiniYou. The company says that each mini statue is hand-painted, paying attention to minute details and that there is a growing demand for the MiniYous.
Your hair, facial expression and colouring will be exactly replicated in the mini statue, which will be one tenth of your original size.
Even a tattoo on your body can be replicated in the MinYou Statues, said company officials.
Several members of a sports team like hockey, cricket, football or baseball can have their mini statues made or the same individual’s multiple statues can be mass produced for special occasions.
The statue heads are normally between 7and 8 inches, all but larger miniatures ranging from a foot all the way up to a life size can be made, depending on the requirement.
Many tourists and passengers passing through the Dubai Duty Free have had their miniatures made through Precise Middle East. Visitors to the Atlantis Hotel are also enthused by the MiniYou statues.
Lothar Hoffman, Managing Director of the Dubai Investment Park-based Precise Middle East Company, said: “We have introduced TIM as an entirely new and unique product in the market. TIM, this is me, is just a replica of an individual in a proportionately smaller size and the three dimensional statue with the real life features of the person, will be a nice piece of architecture to preserve.
“We are getting a number of orders from individuals who want to have their mini statues made for special occasions like birthdays, weddings, wedding anniversary, graduation ceremony or an engagement.
Earlier, people used to take their photographs and preserve it. Now they can make a mini statue, which will be one-tenth of their actual size and keep it for life,” said Lothar.
“Before making a mini statue of an individual, he or she is photographed in three different poses, so that the artist who makes the statue gets a clear three dimensional view. After placing an order, a preview of the mini statue is provided to the customer through the net. Once he is satisfied with it, the final statue is made and delivered.”
The price for a normal MiniYou is Dh500 and for bigger sizes or statues of couples are charged correspondingly. “Many companies have placed orders for mini statues on special occasions like giving special awards. Sports teams are also placing orders for mini statues to get their miniature structures to celebrate special occasions,” he said.
This Is Me (TIM) is the latest category of mini statues being culled out for you by a Dubai-based 3D modelling company, Precise Middle East.
In the first six months after introducing the product, there has been a tremendous response from not only image-conscious celebrities and the rich and famous, but even from the common folk who place orders for their mini statues.
The company that introduced laser engraved 2D and 3D crystal imaging in the UAE market has now introduced MiniYou. The company says that each mini statue is hand-painted, paying attention to minute details and that there is a growing demand for the MiniYous.
Your hair, facial expression and colouring will be exactly replicated in the mini statue, which will be one tenth of your original size.
Even a tattoo on your body can be replicated in the MinYou Statues, said company officials.
Several members of a sports team like hockey, cricket, football or baseball can have their mini statues made or the same individual’s multiple statues can be mass produced for special occasions.
The statue heads are normally between 7and 8 inches, all but larger miniatures ranging from a foot all the way up to a life size can be made, depending on the requirement.
Many tourists and passengers passing through the Dubai Duty Free have had their miniatures made through Precise Middle East. Visitors to the Atlantis Hotel are also enthused by the MiniYou statues.
Lothar Hoffman, Managing Director of the Dubai Investment Park-based Precise Middle East Company, said: “We have introduced TIM as an entirely new and unique product in the market. TIM, this is me, is just a replica of an individual in a proportionately smaller size and the three dimensional statue with the real life features of the person, will be a nice piece of architecture to preserve.
“We are getting a number of orders from individuals who want to have their mini statues made for special occasions like birthdays, weddings, wedding anniversary, graduation ceremony or an engagement.
Earlier, people used to take their photographs and preserve it. Now they can make a mini statue, which will be one-tenth of their actual size and keep it for life,” said Lothar.
“Before making a mini statue of an individual, he or she is photographed in three different poses, so that the artist who makes the statue gets a clear three dimensional view. After placing an order, a preview of the mini statue is provided to the customer through the net. Once he is satisfied with it, the final statue is made and delivered.”
The price for a normal MiniYou is Dh500 and for bigger sizes or statues of couples are charged correspondingly. “Many companies have placed orders for mini statues on special occasions like giving special awards. Sports teams are also placing orders for mini statues to get their miniature structures to celebrate special occasions,” he said.
2013年2月20日 星期三
BT and RES join forces on wind farm project
BT's long-standing plans to develop a wind farm took a major step forward yesterday, after the company inked a joint venture deal with renewable energy developer RES that will see the firms co-operate on the development of a new wind farm in Northumberland.
Both companies had previously identified a site 10km north west of Morpeth as a suitable location for a wind farm, but plans for two independent developments totalling 13 turbines faced local opposition and were rejected at the planning stage.
Now the firms have inked a deal to work together on a new combined proposal for a smaller five-turbine project at the site totalling 10MW of capacity.
Under the terms of the agreement, RES will take responsibility for progressing the project and producing a full planning application following the submission of a scoping request to Northumberland County Council.
BT's contribution to the partnership remains unclear at this stage and a spokeswoman for RES said the company would not be disclosing investment details and commercial terms for the agreement.
However, with the telco giant having previously signalled its interest in sourcing renewable energy direct, it could yet provide some investment for the proposed project or take up a power purchase agreement for the energy produced by the wind farm.
"RES has more than 30 years experience to bring to this project and we are very excited to be working with BT," said Daniel Leahy, RES project manager, in a statement. "We look forward to developing a successful wind farm scheme that will generate a considerable amount of clean, green electricity."
He also urged other blue chip firms to follow BT's lead and seek "innovative ways to work with the renewable energy sector to ensure that together we can secure the energy generation capacity this country needs to maintain growth and prosperity in the future".
A spokesman for BT said the alliance would allow it to accelerate efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. "Having reviewed its strategic priorities in terms of sourcing renewable energy, BT believes it can reduce its carbon footprint more swiftly by sourcing a wider variety of renewable assets," he said. "This partnership will see RES take responsibility for progressing wind-turbine projects and managing full planning applications."
BT first announced back in 2007 that it was looking to build its own wind farm, but planning barriers and changes to the renewable energy policy regime have meant the plans have been subject to years of delays.
However, the company has said it remains committed to directly sourcing growing levels of renewable energy as a means of both enhancing its energy security and reducing its long-term costs. It is now part of an expanding trend that has seen growing numbers of blue chip firms commit to generating their own power. Most notably, IKEA recently announced it would invest up to 1.5bn in becoming energy independent by the end of the decade.
Both companies had previously identified a site 10km north west of Morpeth as a suitable location for a wind farm, but plans for two independent developments totalling 13 turbines faced local opposition and were rejected at the planning stage.
Now the firms have inked a deal to work together on a new combined proposal for a smaller five-turbine project at the site totalling 10MW of capacity.
Under the terms of the agreement, RES will take responsibility for progressing the project and producing a full planning application following the submission of a scoping request to Northumberland County Council.
BT's contribution to the partnership remains unclear at this stage and a spokeswoman for RES said the company would not be disclosing investment details and commercial terms for the agreement.
However, with the telco giant having previously signalled its interest in sourcing renewable energy direct, it could yet provide some investment for the proposed project or take up a power purchase agreement for the energy produced by the wind farm.
"RES has more than 30 years experience to bring to this project and we are very excited to be working with BT," said Daniel Leahy, RES project manager, in a statement. "We look forward to developing a successful wind farm scheme that will generate a considerable amount of clean, green electricity."
He also urged other blue chip firms to follow BT's lead and seek "innovative ways to work with the renewable energy sector to ensure that together we can secure the energy generation capacity this country needs to maintain growth and prosperity in the future".
A spokesman for BT said the alliance would allow it to accelerate efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. "Having reviewed its strategic priorities in terms of sourcing renewable energy, BT believes it can reduce its carbon footprint more swiftly by sourcing a wider variety of renewable assets," he said. "This partnership will see RES take responsibility for progressing wind-turbine projects and managing full planning applications."
BT first announced back in 2007 that it was looking to build its own wind farm, but planning barriers and changes to the renewable energy policy regime have meant the plans have been subject to years of delays.
However, the company has said it remains committed to directly sourcing growing levels of renewable energy as a means of both enhancing its energy security and reducing its long-term costs. It is now part of an expanding trend that has seen growing numbers of blue chip firms commit to generating their own power. Most notably, IKEA recently announced it would invest up to 1.5bn in becoming energy independent by the end of the decade.
2013年1月31日 星期四
Wind-farm protesters were there
Toronto media covering demonstrations outside Maple Leaf Gardens last Saturday focussed on a large one staged by teachers, but several who attended an earlier one against wind turbines describe it as a huge success.
For one, Lorrie Gillis of Grey Highlands, who chairs the area Ontario Wind Resistance group, said there has been a lot of positive feedback since the event. She says the two protests complemented each other and many from each group participated in both gatherings outside the scene of the Ontario Liberal leadership convention.
Sherri Lange of North America Platform Against Windpower (NAPAW) said “a couple” of Toronto schools have asked to have representatives of the anti-turbine groups to speak to their students.
It isn’t known how much, if any, effect the estimated 20,000-30,000 in the combined rallies will have had on newly elected Liberal Leader Kathleen Wynne. Her victory statement was to the effect that her government would act in a spirit of co-operation rather than confrontation with the opposition parties, and also that the Liberals would build on outgoing Premier Dalton McGuinty’s programs.
That might be a tough row to hoe. Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak has vowed to scrap the Green Energy Act, and to place less reliance on wind. NDP leader Andrea Horwath is likely to be in agreement with the teachers’ arguments against Bill 115.
Some are predicting an early election despite Ms. Wynne’s aversion to one, and despite her popularity among elected members of all political stripes. There’s even speculation that Ms. Horwath’s NDP would win an early election.
NAPAW organized the anti-turbine rally. In their quest for protesters, they took a cue from a childhood rhyme and called it a massive “Pants on Fire protest.” Their poster and web posting called for the resignation of Dr. Arlene King as the provincial medical officer of health, and a public inquiry into her findings on wind turbines’ health effects.
Also just ahead of the rallies, NextEra Energy, had removed or relocated a bald eagle’s nest at Fisherville in Haldimand County on Dec. 31. NAPAW said the move was done with the required but fast-tracked permission of the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) over the advice of “the chief monitor of the bald eagle nesting program in southern Ontario, who told the MNR that the nest should be left alone and the turbines relocated elsewhere, and leaving no opportunity for objection from anyone else.”
As a symbol of concerns for the various endangered species that might be affected by turbines, the Watermann family of Norfolk County had brought along their adopted bald eagle, which they named Huxa when they acquired him from a Manitoba sanctuary several years ago.
Huxa became an immediate hit at the rally as a sort of silent protester. He had been invited as a special participant of sorts by NAPAW and Ontario Windpower Resistance, who supplied the Citizen with a photo.
Meantime, on the other side of the bald eagle story, Jutta Splettstoesser of Friends of Wind Ontario says the nest removed by NextEra was a “fall nest” that had never been used.
“In the news it was left out that the fall nest was incomplete and never used yet. It will be replaced by five platforms that are successfully used, according to studies. Also eagle monitoring programs are being put in place by the developer,” she said in an email.
For one, Lorrie Gillis of Grey Highlands, who chairs the area Ontario Wind Resistance group, said there has been a lot of positive feedback since the event. She says the two protests complemented each other and many from each group participated in both gatherings outside the scene of the Ontario Liberal leadership convention.
Sherri Lange of North America Platform Against Windpower (NAPAW) said “a couple” of Toronto schools have asked to have representatives of the anti-turbine groups to speak to their students.
It isn’t known how much, if any, effect the estimated 20,000-30,000 in the combined rallies will have had on newly elected Liberal Leader Kathleen Wynne. Her victory statement was to the effect that her government would act in a spirit of co-operation rather than confrontation with the opposition parties, and also that the Liberals would build on outgoing Premier Dalton McGuinty’s programs.
That might be a tough row to hoe. Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak has vowed to scrap the Green Energy Act, and to place less reliance on wind. NDP leader Andrea Horwath is likely to be in agreement with the teachers’ arguments against Bill 115.
Some are predicting an early election despite Ms. Wynne’s aversion to one, and despite her popularity among elected members of all political stripes. There’s even speculation that Ms. Horwath’s NDP would win an early election.
NAPAW organized the anti-turbine rally. In their quest for protesters, they took a cue from a childhood rhyme and called it a massive “Pants on Fire protest.” Their poster and web posting called for the resignation of Dr. Arlene King as the provincial medical officer of health, and a public inquiry into her findings on wind turbines’ health effects.
Also just ahead of the rallies, NextEra Energy, had removed or relocated a bald eagle’s nest at Fisherville in Haldimand County on Dec. 31. NAPAW said the move was done with the required but fast-tracked permission of the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) over the advice of “the chief monitor of the bald eagle nesting program in southern Ontario, who told the MNR that the nest should be left alone and the turbines relocated elsewhere, and leaving no opportunity for objection from anyone else.”
As a symbol of concerns for the various endangered species that might be affected by turbines, the Watermann family of Norfolk County had brought along their adopted bald eagle, which they named Huxa when they acquired him from a Manitoba sanctuary several years ago.
Huxa became an immediate hit at the rally as a sort of silent protester. He had been invited as a special participant of sorts by NAPAW and Ontario Windpower Resistance, who supplied the Citizen with a photo.
Meantime, on the other side of the bald eagle story, Jutta Splettstoesser of Friends of Wind Ontario says the nest removed by NextEra was a “fall nest” that had never been used.
“In the news it was left out that the fall nest was incomplete and never used yet. It will be replaced by five platforms that are successfully used, according to studies. Also eagle monitoring programs are being put in place by the developer,” she said in an email.
2013年1月27日 星期日
Wind farm plants
Texas lawmakers touring the state stopped in Harlingen Saturday to get a first-hand tour of a company that is recycling old tires into useful products.
Earlier in the day, the tour made its first-ever stop in Willacy County, where it visited a wind farm facility and was joined by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn.
In Harlingen, members of the 19th Texas Legislative Tour, including lawmakers and staff members, visited Tire Recycling & Processing, which began operations last summer.
State Rep. Ryan Guillen, D-Rio Grande City, asked Marta Martinez, vice president of the company, “When we change our tires, where do the old tires go?”
Martinez said that, too often, tires have gone into landfills or are buried underground. But now, with the help of German technology, the company is recycling the tires into useful products, she said.
The company, at 1309 Industrial Way, produces crumb rubber, which is used for asphalt, synthetic grass and other products. Steel salvaged from tires is sent to Mexico for smelting and recycled into new products, she said.
Martinez explained how scrubbers are used to control air pollution from the plant. Gases captured from the process are either used for energy in the plant or are sold, she said.
The company produces biofuel, material for road paving, fiber for auto seats, material for printer ink and foam rubber, she said. Her company wants to build more plants like the one in Harlingen, Martinez said.
The tour continues today with visits to the Regional Academic Health Center in Harlingen and Marine Military Academy. State Rep. Armando Martinez, D-Weslaco, said he will visit the RAHC while on the tour.
His office is focusing on the high number of Medicaid patients in the Valley, funding for health care, the Medicare program changes causing local pharmacies to close and transpiration issues, Martinez said.
In Willacy County, state legislators toured a Duke Energy wind farm turbine facility. U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela, D-Brownsville, and other lawmakers accompanied Cornyn to a program at the Willacy County Historical Museum in Raymondville.
Speaking at that event, Cornyn said maximizing oil shale and wind energy will help Texas to continue leading the nation in creating jobs.
Although oil shale drilling is centered northwest of the Rio Grande Valley, there is a lot of potential benefit to the whole state to be derived from horizontal drilling to tap into that resource, Cornyn said. Oil shale is adding $358 million annually to state coffers and 27,000 jobs, he said.
The profit potential in wind energy is evidenced by the many wind turbines he saw while riding through Willacy County, the senator said.
“The challenge, of course, is the infrastructure pressure,” Cornyn said. “Money is always the issue and we have to decide how to prioritize,” he said.
Schools, colleges, universities, hospitals and better roads and bridges are needed to meet the demands of the future, Cornyn said. Education must be supported through institutions such as Texas State Technical College, South Texas College, University of Texas at Brownsville and Southmost College and UT-Pan American, he said.
The lack of an interstate highway has held back development and job growth in the Valley, but the effort to build Interstate 69 will meet that challenge, Cornyn said.
Problems of Willacy County, the Valley and Texas won’t be solved with quick fixes, Cornyn said.“I think we’ve got a lot of challenges ahead of us,” he said.
During a break, Vela said construction of wind turbines will continue. He knows of several pending permits in the Kleberg County area, he said. Tension with Mexico over water rights is critical, Vela said. “We’re taking a very close look at the 1944 water treaty,” he said.
Border security and the drug war in Mexico are also a great concern, Vela said. A program to assist training Mexican troops in use of high-tech surveillance gear is being approved, he said.
Earlier in the day, the tour made its first-ever stop in Willacy County, where it visited a wind farm facility and was joined by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn.
In Harlingen, members of the 19th Texas Legislative Tour, including lawmakers and staff members, visited Tire Recycling & Processing, which began operations last summer.
State Rep. Ryan Guillen, D-Rio Grande City, asked Marta Martinez, vice president of the company, “When we change our tires, where do the old tires go?”
Martinez said that, too often, tires have gone into landfills or are buried underground. But now, with the help of German technology, the company is recycling the tires into useful products, she said.
The company, at 1309 Industrial Way, produces crumb rubber, which is used for asphalt, synthetic grass and other products. Steel salvaged from tires is sent to Mexico for smelting and recycled into new products, she said.
Martinez explained how scrubbers are used to control air pollution from the plant. Gases captured from the process are either used for energy in the plant or are sold, she said.
The company produces biofuel, material for road paving, fiber for auto seats, material for printer ink and foam rubber, she said. Her company wants to build more plants like the one in Harlingen, Martinez said.
The tour continues today with visits to the Regional Academic Health Center in Harlingen and Marine Military Academy. State Rep. Armando Martinez, D-Weslaco, said he will visit the RAHC while on the tour.
His office is focusing on the high number of Medicaid patients in the Valley, funding for health care, the Medicare program changes causing local pharmacies to close and transpiration issues, Martinez said.
In Willacy County, state legislators toured a Duke Energy wind farm turbine facility. U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela, D-Brownsville, and other lawmakers accompanied Cornyn to a program at the Willacy County Historical Museum in Raymondville.
Speaking at that event, Cornyn said maximizing oil shale and wind energy will help Texas to continue leading the nation in creating jobs.
Although oil shale drilling is centered northwest of the Rio Grande Valley, there is a lot of potential benefit to the whole state to be derived from horizontal drilling to tap into that resource, Cornyn said. Oil shale is adding $358 million annually to state coffers and 27,000 jobs, he said.
The profit potential in wind energy is evidenced by the many wind turbines he saw while riding through Willacy County, the senator said.
“The challenge, of course, is the infrastructure pressure,” Cornyn said. “Money is always the issue and we have to decide how to prioritize,” he said.
Schools, colleges, universities, hospitals and better roads and bridges are needed to meet the demands of the future, Cornyn said. Education must be supported through institutions such as Texas State Technical College, South Texas College, University of Texas at Brownsville and Southmost College and UT-Pan American, he said.
The lack of an interstate highway has held back development and job growth in the Valley, but the effort to build Interstate 69 will meet that challenge, Cornyn said.
Problems of Willacy County, the Valley and Texas won’t be solved with quick fixes, Cornyn said.“I think we’ve got a lot of challenges ahead of us,” he said.
During a break, Vela said construction of wind turbines will continue. He knows of several pending permits in the Kleberg County area, he said. Tension with Mexico over water rights is critical, Vela said. “We’re taking a very close look at the 1944 water treaty,” he said.
Border security and the drug war in Mexico are also a great concern, Vela said. A program to assist training Mexican troops in use of high-tech surveillance gear is being approved, he said.
2013年1月15日 星期二
Finding a student house
There are few things as satisfying as putting a deposit down on a house. After battling through the smorgasbord of showings, landlords and contract negotiations, the property is, to all intents and purposes, yours.
The search for a student house may be painful, but it's worth holding out until you find a place that's right for you, says Alex Clifford, welfare officer at Keele University student union. Having a house which is too far away from campus, too expensive – student accommodation has risen by 25% in three years – or one which does not suit your needs can impact on your health, degree and wellbeing.
Most students are first-time house hunters and unfortunately there are landlords who will exploit their naivety. It's not hard to find someone who has experienced nightmare accommodation.
Monika, a student at Keele University, developed allergies while living in a damp, mouldy house with poor insulation and a slug-infested bathroom. Her landlord cared more about increasing her rent than maintaining the property.
John, a former Stirling student, recalls living with a leaking gas boiler in his student house. A single spark could have lit the gas.
They're not the only ones who've had problems with their student accommodation. After asking university friends about their housing through Facebook, I was flooded with reports of horror stories: gaping holes in bedrooms that let cold air in, slugs, rats, poor insulation, damp and mould.
One thing that everybody complained about: their landlords either ignored or refused to deal with their requests. Andrew, a former Keele student, was ejected by his landlord after calling housing standards, a council team that makes sure private accommodation is up to scratch. His landlord had not dealt with a leaky pipe, faulty boiler or damp.
But don't be disheartened, there are landlords who care about your welfare, maintain the house and charge reasonable prices. Living in a student house is a great way to gain independence and explore the world outside your university.
Although there is no guaranteed way to find the perfect house here are some pointers, created with the help of Clifford.
It does not matter how silly your question may be – ask. Where is the nearest bus station, shop, or supermarket? Is the house fully furnished? What date does my tenancy begin and end? What happens if a housemate leaves university? Am I allowed posters or pets? Is there anywhere to park cars or store bicycles? Is the property reasonably secure? If the current tenants are there ask them some questions – they may be more truthful than the landlord.
Is there a dishwasher, clothes dryer, washing machine, shower, garden, television? Does the house come with a fridge and freezer – and how big are they?
Make sure you are 100% clear on this when you sign the contract. Every house comes with different terms and conditions. Make sure you know whether your property comes with gas, electric, water or internet. A contract that states "all bills included" may not include internet.
Senator Ann Rest hopes passing one of her bills would lower the overall sales tax from 6.8 percent to six percent or lower. The bills will get their first hearings in the Senate tax reform committee on Wednesday.
"Why should you pay a sales tax for a washing machine but not a sweater," said Senator Rest. "We're trying to broaden the tax base and make it fairer to everyone. Lower the rate for everyone."
This isn't the first time Senator Rest has introduced such legislation without much success. As stand-alone bills, they don't have much of a chance of passing, but if one of them makes it into an overall tax reform bill, there's a good chance it could become law.
The search for a student house may be painful, but it's worth holding out until you find a place that's right for you, says Alex Clifford, welfare officer at Keele University student union. Having a house which is too far away from campus, too expensive – student accommodation has risen by 25% in three years – or one which does not suit your needs can impact on your health, degree and wellbeing.
Most students are first-time house hunters and unfortunately there are landlords who will exploit their naivety. It's not hard to find someone who has experienced nightmare accommodation.
Monika, a student at Keele University, developed allergies while living in a damp, mouldy house with poor insulation and a slug-infested bathroom. Her landlord cared more about increasing her rent than maintaining the property.
John, a former Stirling student, recalls living with a leaking gas boiler in his student house. A single spark could have lit the gas.
They're not the only ones who've had problems with their student accommodation. After asking university friends about their housing through Facebook, I was flooded with reports of horror stories: gaping holes in bedrooms that let cold air in, slugs, rats, poor insulation, damp and mould.
One thing that everybody complained about: their landlords either ignored or refused to deal with their requests. Andrew, a former Keele student, was ejected by his landlord after calling housing standards, a council team that makes sure private accommodation is up to scratch. His landlord had not dealt with a leaky pipe, faulty boiler or damp.
But don't be disheartened, there are landlords who care about your welfare, maintain the house and charge reasonable prices. Living in a student house is a great way to gain independence and explore the world outside your university.
Although there is no guaranteed way to find the perfect house here are some pointers, created with the help of Clifford.
It does not matter how silly your question may be – ask. Where is the nearest bus station, shop, or supermarket? Is the house fully furnished? What date does my tenancy begin and end? What happens if a housemate leaves university? Am I allowed posters or pets? Is there anywhere to park cars or store bicycles? Is the property reasonably secure? If the current tenants are there ask them some questions – they may be more truthful than the landlord.
Is there a dishwasher, clothes dryer, washing machine, shower, garden, television? Does the house come with a fridge and freezer – and how big are they?
Make sure you are 100% clear on this when you sign the contract. Every house comes with different terms and conditions. Make sure you know whether your property comes with gas, electric, water or internet. A contract that states "all bills included" may not include internet.
Senator Ann Rest hopes passing one of her bills would lower the overall sales tax from 6.8 percent to six percent or lower. The bills will get their first hearings in the Senate tax reform committee on Wednesday.
"Why should you pay a sales tax for a washing machine but not a sweater," said Senator Rest. "We're trying to broaden the tax base and make it fairer to everyone. Lower the rate for everyone."
This isn't the first time Senator Rest has introduced such legislation without much success. As stand-alone bills, they don't have much of a chance of passing, but if one of them makes it into an overall tax reform bill, there's a good chance it could become law.
2012年11月28日 星期三
Government Committed to Energy Diversification
State Minister for Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Julian Robinson, has re-emphasised the Government’s commitment to energy diversification and conservation, noting that money saved on energy can be injected into the economy.
Speaking at a stakeholder workshop, hosted by the Ministry, in collaboration with Worldwatch Institute, at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston on November 27, the State Minister told participants that, “we are committed to having 30 per cent of our energy mix from renewable sources by the year 2030."
“We are also examining other fuel sources…the LNG project is on the way; the government’s role has changed, but we are committed to having LNG in the country hopefully by 2015, and the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) is building a 360 megawatt plant in Old Harbour.”
He further informed that the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) on November 26, issued a request for proposal for 115 megawatts of renewable energy, and that the first net billing customer has been connected.
Net billing allows JPS customers who own renewable energy generators, such as wind turbines and photovoltaic (solar) systems, to generate electricity for personal use, as well as sell excess energy to the light and power company at wholesale prices set by the OUR.
“We are also committed to conservation, and we have a project where we hope to achieve a 30 per cent cost savings in public sector energy conservation over a three-year period,” he stated, pointing out that as part of the project, there is an affirmative action policy in place for procurement, whereby any local company which has a bid that is within 15 per cent of an overseas company, will be awarded these contracts.
“We believe we must develop local capacity and we must develop the expertise to solve our own challenges here,” Mr. Robinson said, adding that, “if we are able to successfully adopt these strategies, we can bring the cost of electricity down significantly.”
Worldwatch is designing a low carbon energy roadmap for the Ministry, which will allow for better harnessing of renewable energy sources; provide solid socio-economic data; and provide recommendations that decision makers can execute to bring about a more sustainable energy future for the country.
A Washington DC-based globally focused environmental research organisation, Worldwatch helps to inform policymakers and the public about the complex links between the world economy and its environmental support systems. One of its main objectives is universal access to renewable energy.
Loyd showed that by flying a tethered wing back and forth across the wind, you could get considerably more power than you could from a kite that just hovered in one spot. According to Loyd’s calculations, if you used a wing as big as the one on a Lockheed C-5A military transport (68 meters long), you could, at least in principle, extract a few megawatts from a 10-meter-per-second wind. That’s comparable to what you might get from the biggest of modern wind turbines.
Loyd considered two ways to get electrical energy out of a tethered wing. One is to outfit the wing itself with propeller-like turbine blades that generate power as it zooms through the air. That power would then be sent down an electrically conductive tether. This is now known as the flying-generator, or “flygen,” approach. The other technique he considered was to exploit the force that the wing exerts on its tether to generate electricity using equipment on the ground.
Loyd’s analysis didn’t examine yet another possibility: to generate electricity using turbine blades that serve as both lifting surfaces and energy-harvesting devices. That’s the technique Australian engineer Bryan Roberts began experimenting with in 1979—something he calls a gyromill, which he continues to work on with California-based Sky Windpower.
Speaking at a stakeholder workshop, hosted by the Ministry, in collaboration with Worldwatch Institute, at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston on November 27, the State Minister told participants that, “we are committed to having 30 per cent of our energy mix from renewable sources by the year 2030."
“We are also examining other fuel sources…the LNG project is on the way; the government’s role has changed, but we are committed to having LNG in the country hopefully by 2015, and the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) is building a 360 megawatt plant in Old Harbour.”
He further informed that the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) on November 26, issued a request for proposal for 115 megawatts of renewable energy, and that the first net billing customer has been connected.
Net billing allows JPS customers who own renewable energy generators, such as wind turbines and photovoltaic (solar) systems, to generate electricity for personal use, as well as sell excess energy to the light and power company at wholesale prices set by the OUR.
“We are also committed to conservation, and we have a project where we hope to achieve a 30 per cent cost savings in public sector energy conservation over a three-year period,” he stated, pointing out that as part of the project, there is an affirmative action policy in place for procurement, whereby any local company which has a bid that is within 15 per cent of an overseas company, will be awarded these contracts.
“We believe we must develop local capacity and we must develop the expertise to solve our own challenges here,” Mr. Robinson said, adding that, “if we are able to successfully adopt these strategies, we can bring the cost of electricity down significantly.”
Worldwatch is designing a low carbon energy roadmap for the Ministry, which will allow for better harnessing of renewable energy sources; provide solid socio-economic data; and provide recommendations that decision makers can execute to bring about a more sustainable energy future for the country.
A Washington DC-based globally focused environmental research organisation, Worldwatch helps to inform policymakers and the public about the complex links between the world economy and its environmental support systems. One of its main objectives is universal access to renewable energy.
Loyd showed that by flying a tethered wing back and forth across the wind, you could get considerably more power than you could from a kite that just hovered in one spot. According to Loyd’s calculations, if you used a wing as big as the one on a Lockheed C-5A military transport (68 meters long), you could, at least in principle, extract a few megawatts from a 10-meter-per-second wind. That’s comparable to what you might get from the biggest of modern wind turbines.
Loyd considered two ways to get electrical energy out of a tethered wing. One is to outfit the wing itself with propeller-like turbine blades that generate power as it zooms through the air. That power would then be sent down an electrically conductive tether. This is now known as the flying-generator, or “flygen,” approach. The other technique he considered was to exploit the force that the wing exerts on its tether to generate electricity using equipment on the ground.
Loyd’s analysis didn’t examine yet another possibility: to generate electricity using turbine blades that serve as both lifting surfaces and energy-harvesting devices. That’s the technique Australian engineer Bryan Roberts began experimenting with in 1979—something he calls a gyromill, which he continues to work on with California-based Sky Windpower.
2012年10月24日 星期三
Marking Broach creates letters or numbers in metal parts
Polygon Solution’s innovative letter broach is a unique on-machine alternative to present day stamping and punching techniques for marking parts.
Fort Myers, FL – Polygon Solution’s Letter Broach is a new cutting tool used to create letters or numbers in metal parts. The Letter Broach is used in a rotary broach tool holder and is driven in a rotary motion around a fixed pivot point. This rotary motion reduces wear on the cutting tool, and eliminates secondary operations. Letter Broaches may also improve tooling costs and quality systems.
Typical methods of marking parts with letters or numbers include stamping presses, hand punches and automated methods which forcefully press a stamp into the metal part. This new method of marking eliminates the impact of a high powered press or hammer, and gently displaces the material until the desired depth is achieved. The reduced impact will improve life for the cutting tool, tool holder and machine.
Using the Letter Broach within the machine eliminates secondary operations and reduces opportunities for operator error. Cost savings can include less machines, manual labor and tooling costs. The Letter Broaches are designed to fit inside most industry standard rotary broaching tool holders.
A benefit of using letter marking broaches in modern CNC machines with a tool holder carousel is the opportunity to mark mixed batches of parts. For example, if one machine is programmed to run three different parts, each can have a dedicated Letter Broach. Parts can be clearly marked A, B or C. Parts with similar features not easily seen by the naked eye can be marked with characters for improved quality. Parts marked this way can also be sorted faster.
Soft materials including aluminum and brass are ideal for rotary broaching. Various characters and symbols can be made, sometimes including multiple characters or custom designs.
Polygon Solutions Inc. is an innovative manufacturer of rotary broaching tools. Polygon’s Letter Broaches are the same size as standard hexagon and square rotary broach tools, and will fit into the popular GT Series rotary broaching tool holder.
The Organization of American States (OAS) on Tuesday donated a firearm marking machine to the government of the Dominican Republic to be used by the Ministry of Interior and Police to combat the illicit trafficking of firearms.
This initiative, implemented in 25 countries of the region, forms part of the efforts outlined by the secretary general of the OAS, Jose Miguel Insulza, and defines the organization as a strategic actor in the fight against crime.
The donation -- funded by the government of the United States -- is part of the program “Promoting Firearms Marking in Latin America and the Caribbean,” following the Inter-American Convention against Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, and Other Related Materials (CIFTA), and seeks to strengthen national capabilities on matters of firearms marking.
The OAS presented to the government of the Dominican Republic a special computer to facilitate the process of record-keeping on marked firearms. Among the organization’s principal goals is the strengthening of national capabilities of the member states to respond, in an effective and efficient way, to the growing levels of crime and violence caused by the illicit trafficking in firearms.
In this sense, the OAS cooperates with the countries of the region with the objective that, in the shortest time possible, all the member states will have established policies, as well as relevant legislation, to mark firearms at the time of manufacturing and/or import.
Fort Myers, FL – Polygon Solution’s Letter Broach is a new cutting tool used to create letters or numbers in metal parts. The Letter Broach is used in a rotary broach tool holder and is driven in a rotary motion around a fixed pivot point. This rotary motion reduces wear on the cutting tool, and eliminates secondary operations. Letter Broaches may also improve tooling costs and quality systems.
Typical methods of marking parts with letters or numbers include stamping presses, hand punches and automated methods which forcefully press a stamp into the metal part. This new method of marking eliminates the impact of a high powered press or hammer, and gently displaces the material until the desired depth is achieved. The reduced impact will improve life for the cutting tool, tool holder and machine.
Using the Letter Broach within the machine eliminates secondary operations and reduces opportunities for operator error. Cost savings can include less machines, manual labor and tooling costs. The Letter Broaches are designed to fit inside most industry standard rotary broaching tool holders.
A benefit of using letter marking broaches in modern CNC machines with a tool holder carousel is the opportunity to mark mixed batches of parts. For example, if one machine is programmed to run three different parts, each can have a dedicated Letter Broach. Parts can be clearly marked A, B or C. Parts with similar features not easily seen by the naked eye can be marked with characters for improved quality. Parts marked this way can also be sorted faster.
Soft materials including aluminum and brass are ideal for rotary broaching. Various characters and symbols can be made, sometimes including multiple characters or custom designs.
Polygon Solutions Inc. is an innovative manufacturer of rotary broaching tools. Polygon’s Letter Broaches are the same size as standard hexagon and square rotary broach tools, and will fit into the popular GT Series rotary broaching tool holder.
The Organization of American States (OAS) on Tuesday donated a firearm marking machine to the government of the Dominican Republic to be used by the Ministry of Interior and Police to combat the illicit trafficking of firearms.
This initiative, implemented in 25 countries of the region, forms part of the efforts outlined by the secretary general of the OAS, Jose Miguel Insulza, and defines the organization as a strategic actor in the fight against crime.
The donation -- funded by the government of the United States -- is part of the program “Promoting Firearms Marking in Latin America and the Caribbean,” following the Inter-American Convention against Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, and Other Related Materials (CIFTA), and seeks to strengthen national capabilities on matters of firearms marking.
The OAS presented to the government of the Dominican Republic a special computer to facilitate the process of record-keeping on marked firearms. Among the organization’s principal goals is the strengthening of national capabilities of the member states to respond, in an effective and efficient way, to the growing levels of crime and violence caused by the illicit trafficking in firearms.
In this sense, the OAS cooperates with the countries of the region with the objective that, in the shortest time possible, all the member states will have established policies, as well as relevant legislation, to mark firearms at the time of manufacturing and/or import.
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