ICLEI Report on San Miguel County Sustainability Inventory

The ICLEI (International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives) presented the results of their study on sustainability for San Miguel to 31 interested patrons, including local dignitaries such as the mayor of Mountain Village, and Stu Fraiser from Telluride's town council.

The talk centered on the trends they mapped over the year long study that itemize social activites that could be made more efficient and sustainable.

It's a great initiative, quantifying wasteful use of human resources, and providing the necessary format to action. One of the problems changing human behavior is decding which behavior to target, and how. The diversity of action in any human society is extensive, and trying to implement sustainable practices is a lot like trying to find a speed limt for a race that has humans, horses, and race cars! One size just doesn't fit all. However, this study revealed the web of human society--all our interconnections--and itemized practices across social strata that conform to better models.

It's a great beginning, and will allow Telluride once again to lead the nation in cutting edge social policy. We'll see where it goes! But listening to the town council members--who have been waiting for the release of the final draft of the report to tailor their strategies for town management--was inspiring!

The future really is now!

An alarming fact::

Scientists (most scientists) claim there is now less than a 10-year-window to address climate change. It may not be reversible, although it can potentially be slowed. However continuing on our current shameless course of unfettered industrialism is sincerely foolish!

Hydrogen Power Discussion Forum

Yesterday's hydrogen Power Discussion Forum was inspiring and informational! Tai Robinson has been in the hydrogen field his whole life, inspired by his father's early work in electroysing sea-water for hydrogen powered boats. He drove from St. Lake City to be here in his Hydrogen Powered truck, rigged to run on various fuel-types to get him around the country.

The talk centered on all fuels available presently that make sound alternatives to gasoline. LPG, ethanol, Hydrogen, Biofuels, and more were all discussed.

Nine patrons enjoyed the talk, and asked plenty of questions at the end.

Some interesting facts:

The first patent for an internal combustion engine was granted in 1807, for a car that ran on Hydrogen. Henry Ford had originally designed his engines to run on biofuels such as peanut oil and canola oil, in league with local farmers--it was JP Morgan, defending his petroleum interests, who pushed the move to gasoline and the four-stroke engine.

Hydrogen burns completely clean (aside from nitrous oxides should the engine not be configured right), and you never need an oil change!



Tai answers questions fielded from the enthusiastic crowd.



This little car runs entirely on methanol. The small amount in the fuel-cell (which passively electrolysis the molecules) will keep the wheel spinning for over 24 hours. Just fill it up, and turn it on!



This 'reversible fuel-cell' contains all the water it will ever need. Simply plug in the photovoltaic panel and place in the sun for less than a minute and the electrons excited by the solar energy split the water into its component elements--hydrogen and oxygen, which become separated into the two chambers of the cell via a proton membrane. The cell can stay in this 'charged' state forever, without any loss of potential. When the small fan is plugged in, the circuit is completed, and the hydrogen and oxygen recombine, forming the original volume of water, and release energy which is put to work electrically. This cell never loses power, once charged, until it is activated. Renewable sources of power, like solar, hydro or wind, allow the electrolysis of water into hydrogen and water a limitless possibility--especially in areas like Telluride with its plentiful supply of free-falling water!

This small windmill has the side cut away to show the generator that can be used as a source of renewable energy to make usable hydrogen.

Close up of the interior of the windmill.


Tai explains the mechanics of renewable energy to some passersby.



Tai Robinson, president of Intergalactic Hydrogen, demonstrates his reversible fuel-cell in front of his hydrogen powered truck.

Solar Power Discussion Forum

Leif Juell, from Alternative Power, and Kelvin Verity, from Veritas Solar, (both local solar providers) gave an in-depth presentation on how you can green your house and get off the grid. They also discussed the new incentives Colorado is adopting to increase the payback of investing in these renewable energy sources. There are a number of interesting programs available to the homeowner wishing to tap this limitless resource.

Leif kicked off the discussion with a presentation of the Solar Modules and arrays available on today's market, showing installations and technology up and running in the area. He discussed the different systems, how they work, and how they are fitted to individual homes, bringing this futuristic technology right to your doorstep and solidly into the present!

Kelvin followed up with a discussion of the economics behind these systems--how you can save money, how the government and industry will buy your Renewable Energy Credits to help offset the costs, and roughly how much it will cost per Watt to solar up your house! He showed the different considerations that play into generating cost projections such as average days of sunlight, solar aspect, energy conservation in the home, size and type of array.

Both speakers dwelt on PV (photovoltaic) electricity production, for electircal energy, and Solar Thermal heaters that heat your home's water.

10 patrons enjoyed the discussion, and asked lots of questions that centered on cost, Renewable Energy Credits, and how easy it is to tap this renewable resouce!

We managed to record the presentation successfully, like the Hydrogen discussion forum, and it will soon be available online as a podcast!



Leif kicks off the presentation discussing the installation of solar systems, what the needs-to-know are, showing examples from homes in the area.



Kelvin shows off a demo Solar Thermal vacuum tube, for a more efficient way to transfer solar heat to household water supplies.



Leif answers some questions as patrons browse the table set up with examples of solar technologies, including the polymer PV cells that can replace roof tiles to give your home a power producing roof! The tubes in the foreground are demonstration Solar Thermal heaters, that heat water efficiently and renewably. The actual tubes used on homes are more than 6 feet long!



A close up of the PV polymer roofing material, and some high efficiency bulbs.