What's on This Site

Purpose: to function as a clearinghouse of useful information, as well as an incubator of provocative and innovative ideas. I have done this by trying to break down some of the complexities associated with the overlapping issues of energy, culture, politics, and economics. I cover a range of political, social, and scientific perspectives here. Although global in focus, there is a slight regional slant toward the western American state of California. The physical layout of this site is basically divided into two vertical halves: the left-hand side, and the right-hand side.

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Tuesday, November 22, 2011

The US Military's Intelligent Microgrid Solutions



Oftentimes, some of the most innovative forms technology are designed with military applications in mind, first.  Later, they can sometimes find widespread civilian application.  I believe that we are seeing that in action, here, with the above video.  Imagine that instead of being a forward operating base (FOB) somewhere in the Middle East, it is in fact a small city somewhere in the Mid-West.  The fundamental principle(s) would still be the same, however: built-in redundancy (duplicative or overlapping systems that also "check on each other"); such overlapping systems would be based on networked computer systems providing continuous feedback on overall energy use to the end-users, as well as re-balancing energy loads, depending on local circumstances; together with a mix of various "alternative" energy inputs, thereby significantly reducing the need for fossil fuel inputs.    

It is worth noting that a majority of combat casualties in Iraq were incurred in defending truck convoys which were carrying liquid fuels to FOBs.  Newer, high performance, high efficiency energy technology would (based primarily on wind and solar) go far to reduce reliance on those liquid fuels (based on petroleum).  Ergo, in the short-run, the combat casualty rate will likely go down (all other things being equal) as more and more of these new experimental forward operating bases are deployed in theaters of conflict.

In many ways, the US military is now helping to lead the way toward the new green economy!  In the search for solutions to our current (and deepening) energy and environmental predicament, we shall have to consider all possible sources of valuable information.  The work of the US Department of Defense is one key domain in the development of advanced, next generation, high-performance energy systems.  For more details on all of this, check out the US Marine Corps' Expeditionary Energy site, at http://www.marines.mil/community/Pages/ExpeditionaryEnergy.aspx.

The large electronics firm (and large-scale military contractor), Lockheed Martin, has this to say about its Microgrid Solutions program:

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control (MFC) Intelligent Microgrid Solutions meet energy challenges not possible with traditional power. They are designed to provide both basic and intelligent microgrid functionality. Further, they are scalable with a Plug-n-Play backbone and control system allowing future expansion to meet growing needs and/or adapt to geographic limitations. Applications include: fixed installations, remote operations, mobile operations, campuses, data centers and industrial sites.  
[Source: as seen on http://youtu.be/m59oyx0cwEw ] 














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Why design a site on "Culture and the Political-Economy of Energy Resources?"

Overview: A New Way for a New Era

The overall purpose of this site is to function as a clearinghouse of useful information, as well as an incubator of provocative and innovative ideas. Emphasis will be on the social implications of our heavy reliance on petroleum and related products. All of this is being discussed—either implicitly or explicitly—in the overarching / overlapping context(s) of Peak Oil and Climate Change.

The site contains a collection of useful links, original articles, re-posts from other distinguished organizations, individual writers and bloggers.

I hope that you will find this site both useful and enjoyable (and I welcome your feedback). It’s not easy to make something so serious so fun. This comes about as a result of reviewing a lot of material in the past which, although very informative, could also be quite depressing and downright discouraging at times. So, I’ve decided to take a slightly different path, in bringing you information that you will possibly find important or helpful.

Finally, know that you are not alone in all of this—far from it. These are issues we are all facing, in one way or another. So let’s find our courage and face them together.


Aerial View of Downtown Los Angeles. This city typifies the triumph of the petroleum-based industrial system of the 20th century.

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Blaine Pope

"In the beginning is energy, all else flows therefrom." -- Cheikh Anta Diop (1974)

"In the beginning is energy, all else flows therefrom." -- Cheikh Anta Diop (1974)

About Me

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A college professor and independent management consultant, focusing on general program design and administration, sustainable development, and the political-economy of energy and the environment. Faculty member at Goddard College (Plainfield, VT). Previously worked at the following academic institutions: Sociology and Anthropology Department, University of Redlands (Redlands, CA); Media and Social Change Program, jointly taught between the School of Psychology at Fielding Graduate University (Santa Barbara, CA) and the University of California at Los Angeles Extension (UCLAx) Program; Research Assistant Professor, Center for Sustainable Cities at the University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA); Global Studies Program, University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB); MPA Program in Environmental Science and Policy, The Earth Institute and the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) at Columbia University (New York, NY); and, Swahili Language Program, Council on African Studies, Yale University (New Haven, CT). -- Additional working experience in emergency relief and development in 10 countries in Africa and the Middle East.

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