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Why renewable energy is so expensive
 That's the title of this article from The Economist and I think it sums it up nicely, and without all the politics. Note the nod toward natural-gas near the end. Think we'll be exporting more and more gas in the coming years?
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What makes NEST worth so much?
 Seems like yesterday I was telling you about this pretty thermostat that the Podfather developed. Tony Fadell's new company has come a long way quickly and the speculation is that the guy who developed the iPod did this by getting us to think about the "states" of our homes as being more than just either People Are Home or People Are Away. I find that fascinating. And since Google decided to pay $3.2 billion for the company the other day, that "states" of the home theory seems to be coming true. Check this out. Are you in the HVAC business? Are you thinking like this? What else do your customers need? And what do they want? |
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Foot power
 If memory serves (and that's getting tougher each year) I showed you this technology being used at one of the marathons. Thousands of runners pounded over these pads and powered something or other. It was all for show then but can you imagine setting this up in NYC's Grand Central Terminal? How about in Times Square? |
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Ignorance is more than bliss
 It seems that it also breeds great confidence. I smiled when I read this one from my Ph.D son-in-law, Craig. Reminded me of the time I thought I could do a fine job of spackling, which looked so easy when I watched a pro do it. Spackling contains such a sweet rhythm. Wax on. Wax off. It wasn't until years later, and after staring at that lumpy wall for all those years, that I was mature enough to realize that I am a very lousy spackler. And to her great credit, The Lovely Marianne just smiled when I mentioned that to her. If you'd like to know more about this phenomenon (Craig suggested I really needed to know more), click here. |
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Along similar same lines
 Look at this breakthrough from (who else?) the geniuses at MIT. Imagine getting electricity from water vapor. I can't even stand it! |
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And then there's the Hive
 Something new for our friends in the U.K. I thought the song in the commercial was catchy. In fact, I can't get it out of my head. Worst thing since the Meow Mix commercial. The horror! |
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Nothing to do with heating
 But while we're in the U.K., let's explore this man's proposition. Thanks to Ray Wohlfarth for sharing. Ray and I both want to drink beers with Mr. Humphreys. |
