Looked into powering a house off the grid with solar, wind and generator supplemental power. Need all three to be effective and efficient, and to enjoy our daily requirements (no one wants to give anything up). This report noticed that the green, renewable energy sector was starting to encroach and pass the 1% power generation in the US. The US utilities are operated for profit, and the companies are beholding to the shareholders. The increase in green, renewable energy was and is seen to be a detriment to the financial model of most utilities. These utilities lobbied the law makers to restrict the green, renewable energy projects, and have been successful in doing so.
There was one utility that has the foresight to see green, renewable energy projects as a way to diversify and get on this bandwagon. It was in the eastern states, and the CEO diversified and created a new division regarding this. This CEO created a division that would work with the consumer and help the consumer meet his goals.
One issue with going green with renewable energy, most want to have the product and promote the concept that they are saving the planet, but do not want to do the work to achieve this. The CEO I mention knew this and the customers were charged accordingly, no loss of revenue.
This is similar to the death of the electric car early on. The big four auto companies in the US lobbied the law makers such that they devastated the industry until now. It is a growing fad and concern, but most of the hype is drama and feel good for those in power. Atlanta used to be the EV capital of the US until the subsidies started to dry up, very fickle population we have.
There was a news story on the EV in Prince George BC because of the cold temps. There was concern regarding starting the EV, a non-issue. The more important issue is that the EV range was cut by 50% and this was only around town. To venture forth and travel, won't happen. The alternate transportation infrastructure in Canada is paltry at best and the cost to use it is exorbitant. I challenge anyone with an EV to travel from Prince George to Whitehorse at this time of year and not experience range anxiety and/or power issues.
The issue with the reusable grocery bags, or one time plastic - there are compostable bags now. A reusable plastic bag takes approximately 25 or so times to become a landfill item, the reusable cloth/plastic bags some 150 times; however, there are more of the latter being used/purchased, and people cannot recycle these. Walmart provides its bags when you order on line for delivery, but you cannot return these to Walmart. People are inundated with these and with no where to dispose of these, it's to the landfill they go.
Asbestos disposal is another area that is not compostable. The bags used - must be double bagged, to dispose of this product will be around for hundreds of years in landfills. Good environmental stewardship.
Power grid requirements. Don't look to Canada for additional, new power infrastructure. Big business realizes that Canada is a sea of red tape and special interest groups that makes any major project a non-starter.
Just a few thoughts. Cheers and happy New Year.