Who should I interview for upcoming podcasts?

As I requested before, I'd like to hear an interview with the Google
energy project people.

-- Paul

Great show.

Beginning of March 08, there was a conference on climate change in New-York. They talked about the climate, economy, C02, science and a lot more. They have put all proceedings on the web in MP3 format. I started listening to them and they are all quite good.

I have put some links and information in my own forum here: http://forum.iservio.ca/forum/viewtopic.php@t=236

There where some talks about energy that you will like and some good one about the growth versus energy versus economy that are very good.

If you can get one of those panelist on your show, that would be great.

Good luck.

One other thing I would like to see you comment on, is how much was really save on the hour that "everybody" turned off their lights.

Thanks,

Simon

Neal Dikeman from Cleantech blog. He would be able to cover pretty much the spectrum of energy with a great knowledge set from cleantech investing to oil. He is also a pretty good talker.

I think it would be interesting to interview some startup companies from Canada.
I can think of two: 1) Iogen : www.iogen.com , this company I would imagine you know already, and maybe have done a show on... if so excuse me. There is more than one interesting aspect with them. A not so obvious is the use of biotechnology and possibly genetic engineering with alternate energy production, specifically ethanol from wood and plant waste...

2) carbonetworks: www.carbonetworks.com , from your quote "I also want to find somebody to talk to about CO2 capture and sequestration, maybe an economist to talk about some different carbon tax policies" I think you would really love to talk with this company based out of Victoria, BC.

cheers Ben, hope these are of interest to you and your listeners.
Luke

I think it would be interesting to interview people who've made energy conserving changes in their own house. I'd like to know what works well, what has good return on investment. I'm not talking expensive projects, but cheap ones that make - hopefully - a big difference. Examples like whole house fans, complete CFL replacement, attic fans, instant water heaters. It would be somewhat difficult to round up several people like that, and you'd likely need several 'micro-interviews' to build a show from, but I think it would be a good show.

Also, I'd like to hear from people that work in the power transmission industry. I'd really like to know what sort of daily issues the grid has. Even if you could find a power plant worker, I think they'd have some interesting stories to tell.

Hi, great show, just found it.

One thing, the show does seem to be very much from a "northern american" stand point. Perhaps unavoidable and I realize it is difficult, but from down here in Australia, this can seem a little myopic. This has been a large hinderance in a global solution of course.

In Australia, we recently had a big change in government that rode on the back of these issues and have put in some interesting and forward thinking ideas and policies. I realize this is not a political forum and that politicians of any stripe are often more words than actions, but there does seem to be some major shifting of community attitudes, actions and expectations. After 11 years of a conservative government that was heavily aligned with the USA on world issues, the new government has returned to previous policies of seeing Australia as a part of Asia (the new primeminister (Kevin Rudd) even speaks fluent Mandarin). Their first legislation was to sign the Kyoto agreement but recognise it will have to go a lot further.

So, looking into what countries like Australia which are really feeling the effects of global warming now (very long term drought, etc) and the innovations in science, thought, business and government action to address these could be good. A recent story heard here
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/scienceshow/stories/2008/2263755.htm
Including a proposal to cut emmissions 60% by 2020, 100% from the 1990 levels by 2050. You may find that a Tim Flannery or Tim Costello or a government or business commentator would do an interview.

More simple things like Tim Costello's comments on Uni California's replacement for wood burning stoves in third world countries. The need to put PV cells cost effective not just to put on a few houses, but a mandate that every house must have a PV collector roof. The people from "the natural edge" mentioned have some fantastic resources for cutting back on business energy requirements.

I'd like to know a bit more about Coal Seam Gas...
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/backgroundbriefing/stories/2008/2264646.htm
Some of the efficiencies here is that it would appear that huge gas reserves exist right under the areas where you would want power stations and the population and this can be tapped straight into a powerstation from the ground without compression or transportation. Also, it would appear that water is down there to and is used to extract it, this too can be used to cool the plant. But is this all that it seems? It would appear that this was made more clear as a thing to explore when our water ran out to run our coal powerplnts and they had to switch to natural gas...so perhaps necessity provides.

Also, what has become of the more off the wall approaches...tamed tornados or convection towers...some of this seams to come out of Canada.

Also, is there much work on means to offset present and past carbon emmisions. I am thinking of the algae biomass generators feeding off the CO2 from coal or other plants without the use of huge crop land use.

Programs like this that engage government and business as well as the scientific perspective can aid in keeping their focus on these things. Publicizing initiatives from a wider world perspective challenges others to follow in these leads and to look more globally. Reinforcing the financial benefits to cut costs or provide products that honestly cater to the rapidly growing more energy consious consumers. Even conspicuous energy consumers can be influenced by peer pressure.

Australia is in an interesting position to look into such things and the effects of global warming are very apparent already. Not that long ago Australia was self sufficient in energy needs, now we import 40% of our oil. With a developed country with a small population, huge natural resources, significantly "isolated" still from the wider industrial world (geographically anyway) and one very close to the important emerging economies like china and india, it is a country that could make a significant contribution as a bridge to a global strategy and more freedom to act on it if they truely have the will...

Ok enough for a first post...will keep listening now that I have found you!