A 100% renewable electricity grid is not just possible, but essential

Credit: Conserve Energy Future

Scientists agree that the world is warming, & that human activity is substantially the cause.¹ Cost, both in financial terms^2,3 & impact on human well beings,^3,4 is enormous.

Electricity generation is a substantial source of greenhouse gases. A 100% renewable grid is thus, essential. Good news is that such a grid is also feasible according to a paper recently released by the Alternative Technology Association (ATA).

http://www.ata.org.au/news/media-release-a-100-per-cent-renewable-grid-is-possible-says-ata
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¹ “What’s causing global warming?”, https://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/12/whats-causing-global-warming.html

² “Fossil fuel subsidies — $US10 million per minute", https://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2015/05/fossil-fuel-subsidies.html

³ “Climate change is cutting humans’ work capacity – update", https://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2013/02/climate-change-is-cutting-humans-work.html

⁴ “New global data suggests air pollution kills 10 million people per year", https://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2015/09/new-global-data-suggests-air-pollution.html/ Carbon dioxide CO2 methane Ch4 carbon carbon monoxide greenhouse gas greenhouse gases greenhouse gasses greenhouse effect global warming climate change fossil fuel radiation pollution acid rain Alternative Technology Association ATA coal fired power station fully renewable electricity grid provide long-term economic climate social benefits new discussion paper Alternative Technology Association ATA ATA’s 100% Renewable Energy Grid fully renewable energy grid Australia grid doable play an important part fight climate change paper COAG meets Finkel Review security stability national electricity market ATA not-for-profit sustainability organisation reviewed evidence recent developments previous studies Australian Energy Market Operator all experts agree 100% renewable grid will be reliable and stable appropriate mix renewable generation sources energy storage upgraded infrastructure Andrew Reddaway author ATA energy analyst periods of calm cloudy weather electricity sourced sunny windy parts of the country supplemented energy stores hydroelectric dams molten salt heat storage batteries renewable gas pelletised woody waste grid robust smarter renewable generators batteries automatically injecting extra electricity grid stability Mr Reddaway smart appliances detect disturbances grid independently adjust power level to compensate grid would be manageable transition energy costs slightly higher business as usual BAU in the longer term downward pressure on electricity bills renewable energy generation cheap to run building 100% renewable grid Snowy Mountains Scheme many jobs would be created capital costs spread over the project’s duration span at least a decade widespread energy efficiency measures further offset costs /

Lima lets you manage your own cloud storage

There are many free & paid cloud storage systems, but all of them require that you place your files in the custody of some other entity. An alternative would be to create your own cloud – which is where Lima comes in.


Installing Lima cloud storage is easy:
● connect Lima to your router
● connect Lima to your hard drive
● connect Lima to power supply
● installation complete
Credit: Lima


Lima ports
Credit: Lima

Any USB2 hard drive can be used. USB3 drives work at USB2 speed. Lima encrypts all of your files. Apps are available for Windows, OSX, Linux, Android & iOS devices.



TechCrunch
https://techcrunch.com/2016/11/14/lima-beefs-up-its-dropbox-alternative-with-the-129-lima-ultra/

Manufacturer's web site
https://meetlima.com/

Thanks to John for suggesting this item / Lima Dropbox alternative $129 Lima Ultra tiny device personal cloud control your data more easily Dropbox alternative data hard drive in your home Lima Ultra new and improved version original Lima more powerful big performance boost small white box Ethernet port USB port device plugging it to your router USB hard drive access files hard drive all of your devices company released apps your computer phone tablet computer drag and drop files your Lima store them in the cloud hard drive sitting next to your router stream music movies open documents from your phone Lima Ultra access your media files from anywhere Lima Ultra works like cheap dumbed-down NAS network-attached storage NAS NAS Lima device spend $99 a year Dropbox Pro subscription Dropbox Microsoft Google able to see your data Lima Ultra much more powerful processor quad core 1.5GHz CPU more RAM Gigabit Ethernet port transfers much faster stream a very large movie browsing files faster remote connections start more quickly away from your home upload speed your home connection fast enough let you stream files from there more software updates thanks more powerful components new device you run two Limas side by side everything is mirrored backed up order Lima Ultra $129 /

Uber self driving car runs a red light (video)

Uber has been running a pilot programme of its autonomous vehicles in San Francisco. One of those vehicles was caught running a red light on a dash-cam. Check the sensor array on top of the vehicle.

Uber was quick to issue a statement attributing responsibility to the staff member in the driver's seat:

“This incident was due to human error. This is why we believe so much in making the roads safer by building self-driving Ubers. This vehicle was not part of the pilot & was not carrying customers. The driver involved has been suspended while we continue to investigate.”

Electrek
https://electrek.co/2016/12/14/uber-self-driving-car-red-light-pedestrian-sf/

Australian Broadcasting Corporation
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-16/self-driving-uber-runs-red-light/8128700

The Verge
http://www.theverge.com/2016/12/14/13960836/uber-self-driving-car-san-francisco-red-light-safety / DMV Department of Motor Vehicles shut down Uber’s Uber unlicensed self-driving car program reaction footage prototype running red light front pedestrian Uber launching autonomous ride-sharing pilot program San Francisco justifying not needing permit operate self-driving cars 20 other companies developing self driving systems California video embedded showing Uber’s self-driving cars running red light pedestrian path San Francisco released later California regulators told company stop self-driving car service state until goes through process getting permit Uber released statement blaming human driver car video statement incident prompted intervention regulators letter California DMV officials told Uber must cease deploying cars face legal action agency statement website California DMV encourages responsible exploration self-driving cars permitting process ensure public safety technology being tested twenty manufacturers obtained permits test hundreds of cars California roads Uber autonomous technology considered level 3 requires active monitoring driver when activated would comply with the law California’s DMV defines autonomous systems able to drive without active physical control monitoring by a human operator refers to the vehicles self-driving video filmed San Francisco dashcam Uber’s Volvo XC90 SUVs equipped with self-driving hardware run red light pedestrian path right before pedestrian was about to cross video incident was due human error believe making the roads safer building self-driving Ubers Uber vehicle not part of the pilot not carrying customers driver involved has been suspended continue investigate /

Lucid Motors claims 400 mile range for its luxury electric car

Lucid Motors electric vehicle
Credit: Lucid Motors/Electric Cars Report

Tesla has proven the practicality of electric vehicles. First with its Roadster, then with the Model S luxury performance car, & has demonstrated its Model 3, “mass market car”, with 200+ mile range. First deliveries of the 400,000 pre-orders are promised for the end of 2017.¹

Apparently based on the principle of, “everything is obvious once you know the answer”, almost all car manufacturers, plus a few startups, have announced plans to manufacture a 200+ mile (320km) electric car.^2,3,4,5

Most recent announcement – Lucid Motors luxury electric car with 100kWh battery & 300 mile range. Also promised is a larger 130kWh battery, 4WD courtesy of front-&-rear motors providing 1,000 horsepower combined, 2.5-second 0-60 mph time & 400 mile range. Production is planned for late 2018.

What Lucid Motors has at the moment, is an “Alpha prototype” – Slash Gear scored a ride.



Electric Cars Report
http://electriccarsreport.com/2016/12/lucid-air-luxury-electric-sedan-revealed-400-mile-range-0-60-mph-2-5-seconds/

Engadget
https://www.engadget.com/2016/12/15/inside-the-lucid-air-luxury-ev/#/

Tech Crunch
https://techcrunch.com/2016/12/14/lucid-motors-unveils-the-air-a-new-luxe-electric-car-with-a-400-mile-range/

Manufacturer’s web site
https://lucidmotors.com/car
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¹ Hichhiker’s Guide 2 Tech: “Tesla Model 3 revelations”, https://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/07/tesla-model-3-revelations.html

² Hichhiker’s Guide 2 Tech: “Jaguar I-PACE electric SUV (video)”, https://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/11/jaguar-i-pace-electric-suv-video.html

³ Hichhiker’s Guide 2 Tech: “Chevy Bolt electric vehicle – range claims supported by growing number of road tests”, https://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/10/chevy-bolt-electric-vehicle-range_5.html

⁴ Hichhiker’s Guide 2 Tech: “Edna the electric drive train test mule meets Tesla & Ferrari at the drag strip (video)”, https://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/07/edna-electric-drive-train-test-mule.html

⁵ Hichhiker’s Guide 2 Tech: “Dyson is developing an electric car”, https://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/03/dyson-is-developing-electric-car.html

/ Lucid Air 1,000 HP electric Tesla-killer 400 mile range luxury mobility Lucid Motors Tesla rival Lucid prototype shop Fremont California automaker formerly known as Atieva Lucid Air luxury sedan Lucid Air perfect commuter vehicle power of a sports car 1,000 HP 1,000 horse power modern car start-up automaker fully-electric powertrain bodywork VP of design Derek Jenkins poached from Mazda MX-5 Miata completely different strategy mainstays of the auto industry game-changer model EV heavyweight Tesla market Lucid Tesla former Model S chief engineer Peter Rawlinson Lucid’s chief technology officer Tesla Model S luxury Model X SUV mass-market car Tesla Model 3 Tesla brand Lucid’s first car sports car electric drive powerful seamless makes traditional engines feel antiquated interior space similar Mercedes-Benz S-Class blending sublime luxury modern design relax spread out new space in the luxury vehicle market amazing commuter vehicle right size for urban conditions small city garages same size Mercedes E-Class connected technology autonomous features range commuters Lucid’s homegrown electric motor hardware 600 HP 600 horsepower 600 horse power space traditional Tesla-style battery slung between the wheelbase front suspension condensed system integration engineers HVAC blowers ahead bulkhead reducing cabin noise second power bundle at the rear multi-link rear suspension switchable volume inverted air-springs active damping Lucid’s solution increasing cabin space reducing external dimensions inter-systems spatial optimization optimisation executive jet-style reclining rear seats fit into the footprint of a car this size range launch initially 100 kilowatt hour battery pack 300 miles of driving Peter Rawlinson 130 kilowatt hour option up to 400 miles charge through a port on the nose Lucid paving the way car to drive itself autonomous driving Autopilot enabled at the start whole range of sensors built-in standard performance Tesla increasingly squeezing more power out of its cars Lucid deliver same sort of grunt total 1,000 horsepower 2.5 second 0-60 mph time cabin 29-speaker audio system 12 beam-forming microphones dashboard multiple displays touch-friendly centre center display more storage space Lucid Alexa-style voice controlled assistant automatically adjust settings who identifies inside at the wheel Lucid’s headlights high-intensity LEDs 9740 micro-lens array lenses per headlight dynamically angled production Casa Grande Arizona late 2018 brand new $700m manufacturing plant was announced late November produce up to 130,000 cars each year /

What’s causing global warming?

World average temperature 1880-2014
Credit: NASA/Bloomberg

Scientists agree that the world is warming, & that human activity is substantially the cause.^1,2,3,4

1.4 °F (0.8 °C) since 1880.⁵

Climate change deniers have claimed a number of other possible causes:
● changes in the Earth's orbit
● changes in the output of the Sun
● volcanic emissions
● land use
● ozone pollution
● aerosols

Researchers at NASA have looked at the impact of all of these, separately & together, to reveal the combined outcome.

https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2015-whats-warming-the-world/
__________

¹ “Scientific consensus: Earth's climate is warming”, http://climate.nasa.gov/scientific-consensus/

² “The 97% consensus on global warming”, https://www.skepticalscience.com/global-warming-scientific-consensus.htm

³ “How to Determine the Scientific Consensus on Global Warming”, http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-to-determine-the-scientific-consensus-on-global-warming/

⁴ “Survey finds 97% of climate science papers agree warming is man-made“, http://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2013/may/16/climate-change-scienceofclimatechange

⁵ “Graphic: Global warming from 1880 to 2013”, http://climate.nasa.gov/climate_resources/28/ / NASA model researchers study Earth climate create models test assumptions theory hypothesis causes trajectory global warming research written 61 climate models different approach elements climate system ice oceans atmospheric chemistry computer model generated results graphic ModelE2 created NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies GISS climate projections ModelE2 500,000 lines of code run on a supercomputer NASA Center for Climate Simulation Greenbelt Maryland global research project GISS results international climate-science research initiative climate science Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase Five Phase-5 designed models replicate known climate history projections world’s temperature results Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change experiments Phase-5 research tests Earth’s temperature atmospheric carbon dioxide world’s climate burning fossil fuels current rate experiments research groups reproduce climate from 1850-2005 climate factors forcings contribute contribution temperatures graphic GISS observed temperature data Phase-5 historical experiment temperatures climate scientists report climate results temperatures annual temperature departs from an average baseline departures anomalies temperature anomalies more consistent absolute temperatures absolute temperature several degrees absolute temperature differences averages temperature fewer monitoring stations measurement simulation results aligned observations 1880-1910 average temperatures trends shape trajectory line single year’s temperature observed line GISS global land ocean temperature record temperature lines modeled modelled modelling modeling estimates climate factor contributes overall temperature simulated different initial conditions average GISS researchers historical simulations modeled years Phase-5 historical experiment observed data confidence ranges researchers models reproduce weather events El Niño phases models whole system behaves El Niño equatorial Pacific Ocean warms simulation El Niño temperature lines average model’s estimates uncertainty bands outer range reasonable estimates temperature lines modeled results observations 95% simulations forcing data raw observational model data /

This engine breaks a law of physics – but a NASA test says it works anyway

EM drive – thrust without exhaust
Credit: NASA

Newton’s third law of motion is popularly expressed as, “For every action, there is an equal & opposite reaction.” Existing rocket engines demonstrate this law – the force expressed as the high velocity ejection of exhaust from the rear, has as its, “equal & opposite reaction”, the forward motion of the rocket engine, plus any attached space vehicle.

Equally, Newton’s third law also implies that a space vehicle without an exhaust can’t produce propulsion. Which is what makes a series of experiments at NASA facilities which began over 2 years ago, remarkable – an experimental EM drive appears to have produced thrust without an exhaust!

National Geographic
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/11/nasa-impossible-emdrive-physics-peer-review-space-science/

The Age
http://www.theage.com.au/technology/sci-tech/this-rocket-engine-breaks-a-law-of-physics-but-a-nasa-test-says-it-works-anyway-20161122-gsvc0w.html

NASA – “Evaluating NASA’s Futuristic EM Drive”
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2015/04/evaluating-nasas-futuristic-em-drive/ / NASA team impossible space engine works the facts scientists published paper controversial EmDrive Em Drive produces thrust defies known laws of physics prototype EmDrive test chamber NASA lab years of speculation maverick research team NASA’s Johnson Space Center team formally published experimental evidence electromagnetic propulsion system power spacecraft without using any kind of propellant team electromagnetic drive EmDrive Em Drive converts electricity into thrust bouncing around microwaves closed cavity theory lightweight engine spacecraft Mars EmDrive defies the laws of classical physics team claims scientists aren’t sure how the thing actually works reports engine skeptic skeptics skepticism physicists EmDrive Em Drive Em-Drive pseudoscience level of scrutiny independent scientists suggests EmDrive really does work revolution space travel impossible spaceship engine British scientist Roger Shawyer developed tested engineers NASA’s Advanced Propulsion Physics Research Laboratory Eagleworks Eagleworks EmDrive generates thrust bouncing around electromagnetic energy microwave photons closed cone-shaped chamber photons collide chamber’s walls propel the device forward nothing is released from the chamber ion drives NASA spacecraft create thrust ionizing propellant xenon gas shooting out beams of charged atoms EmDrive Em Drive Em-Drive scrutiny future vehicles hurtle through space without needing to carry literal tons of propellant space travel staying light crucial for fast and cost-effective trips over long distances /

Keyless entry hack makes millions of modern cars vulnerable to theft

Credit: Pic Click CA

As computerised facilities are added to motor vehicles, they create new avenues for the security of those vehicles to be breached. Keyless entry is one such avenue.

Recently hacks have been uncovered which allow entry to vehicles & even the capability drive them away. Vulnerable vehicles include the 2017 Toyota Camry, 2016 Chevrolet Impala, 2015 Ford Edge, & 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid.

Wired
https://www.wired.com/2016/08/oh-good-new-hack-can-unlock-100-million-volkswagens/

Slash Gear
https://www.slashgear.com/keyless-entry-cars-can-be-stolen-with-this-new-mystery-hack-11467097/

PDF of the Garcia & Oswald paper is available at:
https://www.usenix.org/system/files/conference/usenixsecurity16/sec16_paper_garcia.pdf / cars more reliant computers operating systems engines ways drivers interact with them susceptible to hacks software-based attacks USA National Insurance Crime Bureau NICB identified new tool allow thieves unlock cars equipped with keyless-entry keyless entry keylessentry start engine drive off drive away mystery device NICB non-profit non profit nonprofit organization insurance industry third-party security expert overseas Europe rare reports official police reports identifying the device source car theft Los Angeles Times reports device two components driver parks locks their vehicle thief standing nearby amplify the signal sent from the key fob locked signal tricks vehicle into thinking it’s the key fob cars outfitted keyless ignition unlocked started and driven informal testing NICB cars vulnerable to the hack 2017 Toyota Camry 2016 Chevrolet Impala 2015 Ford Edge 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid NICB Relay Attack unit tool car manufacturers test network security vehicles no way to combat such a device not easy to come by plenty of other methods hacking keyless-entry systems Hack unlock steal University of Birmingham computer scientist Flavio Garcia and a team of researchers were preparing to reveal a vulnerability that allowed them to start the ignition of millions of Volkswagen cars and drive them off without a key Flavio Garcia Senior Lecturer in Computer Security Senior Birmingham Fellow School of Computer Science University of Birmingham /