the 3 R’s some of you have heard this phrase before reading writing arithmetic
phrase before reading writing arithmetic
phrase before reading writing arithmetic that’s what people used to say Wikipedia
that’s what people used to say Wikipedia
that’s what people used to say Wikipedia tells me that that started in 1800 that
tells me that that started in 1800 that
tells me that that started in 1800 that phrase and hopefully some of you out
phrase and hopefully some of you out
phrase and hopefully some of you out there are saying wait a minute
there are saying wait a minute
there are saying wait a minute writing doesn’t start with an R rythmic
writing doesn’t start with an R rythmic
writing doesn’t start with an R rythmic do arithmetic doesn’t start with an hour
do arithmetic doesn’t start with an hour
do arithmetic doesn’t start with an hour and you’re right it was about fie gnomes
and you’re right it was about fie gnomes
and you’re right it was about fie gnomes and sounds back then then some of my
and sounds back then then some of my
and sounds back then then some of my tree-hugging sustainability people that
tree-hugging sustainability people that
tree-hugging sustainability people that I know my friends they decided to coin
I know my friends they decided to coin
I know my friends they decided to coin the phrase reduce reuse and recycle
the phrase reduce reuse and recycle
the phrase reduce reuse and recycle there we go
there we go
there we go there’s some tree huggers don’t don’t
there’s some tree huggers don’t don’t
there’s some tree huggers don’t don’t embarrass yourselves now in the audience
embarrass yourselves now in the audience
embarrass yourselves now in the audience today we’re going to talk a little bit
today we’re going to talk a little bit
today we’re going to talk a little bit more about risk research and reward
more about risk research and reward
more about risk research and reward maybe I’ll be able to update the
maybe I’ll be able to update the
maybe I’ll be able to update the Wikipedia page after today and we’re
Wikipedia page after today and we’re
Wikipedia page after today and we’re also going to talk about energy because
also going to talk about energy because
also going to talk about energy because I direct an energy Research Center at
I direct an energy Research Center at
I direct an energy Research Center at North Carolina A&T just a little bit
North Carolina A&T just a little bit
North Carolina A&T just a little bit down the road from here so energy is
down the road from here so energy is
down the road from here so energy is something we all need I’ve been a serial
something we all need I’ve been a serial
something we all need I’ve been a serial researcher or serial entrepreneur all of
researcher or serial entrepreneur all of
researcher or serial entrepreneur all of my career and that’s led me to take lots
my career and that’s led me to take lots
my career and that’s led me to take lots of risk take do lots and lots of
of risk take do lots and lots of
of risk take do lots and lots of research and always reach for that
research and always reach for that
research and always reach for that reward and I love taking risk it
reward and I love taking risk it
reward and I love taking risk it energizes me hopefully you understand
energizes me hopefully you understand
energizes me hopefully you understand it’s a small joke energy small joke it’s
it’s a small joke energy small joke it’s
it’s a small joke energy small joke it’s sad I had to say something like that but
sad I had to say something like that but
sad I had to say something like that but but I remember the very first time I
but I remember the very first time I
but I remember the very first time I took a big risk it was when I left
took a big risk it was when I left
took a big risk it was when I left Purdue University I had a guaranteed PhD
Purdue University I had a guaranteed PhD
Purdue University I had a guaranteed PhD scholarship offered to me and I decided
scholarship offered to me and I decided
scholarship offered to me and I decided to go to MIT that was what I thought was
to go to MIT that was what I thought was
to go to MIT that was what I thought was the my ultimate vision for graduate
the my ultimate vision for graduate
the my ultimate vision for graduate research opportunity so I left in
research opportunity so I left in
research opportunity so I left in January in the middle of the year with
January in the middle of the year with
January in the middle of the year with absolutely no funding
absolutely no funding
absolutely no funding in my pocket and I went to MIT I spent a
in my pocket and I went to MIT I spent a
in my pocket and I went to MIT I spent a few days I ran around campus I
few days I ran around campus I
few days I ran around campus I introduced myself to people I landed a
introduced myself to people I landed a
introduced myself to people I landed a research opportunity on the third day so
research opportunity on the third day so
research opportunity on the third day so this gave me my reward I was now on my
this gave me my reward I was now on my
this gave me my reward I was now on my path to an MIT PhD and I even did a
path to an MIT PhD and I even did a
path to an MIT PhD and I even did a little jig that night I remember dancing
little jig that night I remember dancing
little jig that night I remember dancing and I can’t sing very well but I
and I can’t sing very well but I
and I can’t sing very well but I but I sang the Mickey Mouse song MIT PhD
but I sang the Mickey Mouse song MIT PhD
but I sang the Mickey Mouse song MIT PhD mo ne Y so this is what I’ve been doing
mo ne Y so this is what I’ve been doing
mo ne Y so this is what I’ve been doing ever since my energy Research Center is
ever since my energy Research Center is
ever since my energy Research Center is working on energy research trying to
working on energy research trying to
working on energy research trying to solve energy problems I’m doing this
solve energy problems I’m doing this
solve energy problems I’m doing this along with my collaborators at the
along with my collaborators at the
along with my collaborators at the University and across the globe and
University and across the globe and
University and across the globe and we’re trying to address the risks and
we’re trying to address the risks and
we’re trying to address the risks and there really are real risks because as
there really are real risks because as
there really are real risks because as you generate electricity
you generate electricity
you generate electricity you also generate waste as you generate
you also generate waste as you generate
you also generate waste as you generate food you generate waste so our Center is
food you generate waste so our Center is
food you generate waste so our Center is trying to address those things we need
trying to address those things we need
trying to address those things we need the energy we need the earth and our
the energy we need the earth and our
the energy we need the earth and our centers are trying to figure out how to
centers are trying to figure out how to
centers are trying to figure out how to have both it’s one and the other not one
have both it’s one and the other not one
have both it’s one and the other not one or the other so let’s talk a little bit
or the other so let’s talk a little bit
or the other so let’s talk a little bit about how we got to where we are today
about how we got to where we are today
about how we got to where we are today we started with an electric grid
we started with an electric grid
we started with an electric grid not much of a grid mind you a battery
not much of a grid mind you a battery
not much of a grid mind you a battery and a light bulb back in 1870 and then
and a light bulb back in 1870 and then
and a light bulb back in 1870 and then 100 years later let’s say 1970 we’re in
100 years later let’s say 1970 we’re in
100 years later let’s say 1970 we’re in the middle of a centralized energy power
the middle of a centralized energy power
the middle of a centralized energy power system that you see here we’re
system that you see here we’re
system that you see here we’re generating huge amounts of electricity
generating huge amounts of electricity
generating huge amounts of electricity from hydroelectric power from coal from
from hydroelectric power from coal from
from hydroelectric power from coal from from natural gas and from nuclear and
from natural gas and from nuclear and
from natural gas and from nuclear and that centralized energy started to be
that centralized energy started to be
that centralized energy started to be looked at by other researchers and they
looked at by other researchers and they
looked at by other researchers and they started to say hey wait a minute we’re
started to say hey wait a minute we’re
started to say hey wait a minute we’re polluting our earth and our planets at
polluting our earth and our planets at
polluting our earth and our planets at risk we’re seeing lots of carbon
risk we’re seeing lots of carbon
risk we’re seeing lots of carbon building up in the atmosphere we’re
building up in the atmosphere we’re
building up in the atmosphere we’re seeing a correlation to the temperature
seeing a correlation to the temperature
seeing a correlation to the temperature of the earth rising and then then we
of the earth rising and then then we
of the earth rising and then then we said maybe we need to do something
said maybe we need to do something
said maybe we need to do something different
different
different and those researchers drove us to think
and those researchers drove us to think
and those researchers drove us to think about renewable energy and how do we
about renewable energy and how do we
about renewable energy and how do we change and transform our system into
change and transform our system into
change and transform our system into something else and you have to think
something else and you have to think
something else and you have to think about what happened in 1970 I was a
about what happened in 1970 I was a
about what happened in 1970 I was a semiconductor guy coming out of school
semiconductor guy coming out of school
semiconductor guy coming out of school and it turns out that we didn’t have
and it turns out that we didn’t have
and it turns out that we didn’t have very good semiconductors in 1970 this
very good semiconductors in 1970 this
very good semiconductors in 1970 this transistor was just invented in 1953 so
transistor was just invented in 1953 so
transistor was just invented in 1953 so we couldn’t generate the kind of
we couldn’t generate the kind of
we couldn’t generate the kind of electricity from photovoltaic panels
electricity from photovoltaic panels
electricity from photovoltaic panels that we wanted we couldn’t build those
that we wanted we couldn’t build those
that we wanted we couldn’t build those enormous wind turbines that we see today
enormous wind turbines that we see today
enormous wind turbines that we see today dotting the earth so we were facing some
dotting the earth so we were facing some
dotting the earth so we were facing some real issues in it and it took time but
real issues in it and it took time but
real issues in it and it took time but we transformed ourselves and we started
we transformed ourselves and we started
we transformed ourselves and we started to think about what kind of what kind of
to think about what kind of what kind of
to think about what kind of what kind of a earth do we want what kind of an
a earth do we want what kind of an
a earth do we want what kind of an energy generating system do we need in
energy generating system do we need in
energy generating system do we need in the future and we started what I would
the future and we started what I would
the future and we started what I would refer to as the distributed energy
refer to as the distributed energy
refer to as the distributed energy revolution and that involves lots of
revolution and that involves lots of
revolution and that involves lots of photovoltaic arrays lots of wind farms
photovoltaic arrays lots of wind farms
photovoltaic arrays lots of wind farms lots of bioenergy and doing that more
lots of bioenergy and doing that more
lots of bioenergy and doing that more and more efficiently doing more and more
and more efficiently doing more and more
and more efficiently doing more and more energy generation along the way and this
energy generation along the way and this
energy generation along the way and this has allowed us to make a transition and
has allowed us to make a transition and
has allowed us to make a transition and at the same time we also realize that
at the same time we also realize that
at the same time we also realize that food production that had been come
food production that had been come
food production that had been come centralized was was also crop with
centralized was was also crop with
centralized was was also crop with causing problems we were producing huge
causing problems we were producing huge
causing problems we were producing huge amounts of waste particularly in North
amounts of waste particularly in North
amounts of waste particularly in North Carolina we’re talking about pig manure
Carolina we’re talking about pig manure
Carolina we’re talking about pig manure no pig manure but we generated a lot of
no pig manure but we generated a lot of
no pig manure but we generated a lot of manure we have to deal with that as a as
manure we have to deal with that as a as
manure we have to deal with that as a as a problem now for the last 50 years
a problem now for the last 50 years
a problem now for the last 50 years we’ve been in this distributed energy
we’ve been in this distributed energy
we’ve been in this distributed energy revolution and this distributed energy
revolution and this distributed energy
revolution and this distributed energy revolution is going to go into the
revolution is going to go into the
revolution is going to go into the future we still face risks we still have
future we still face risks we still have
future we still face risks we still have to do the research and we still have to
to do the research and we still have to
to do the research and we still have to reach for those rewards so what’s it
reach for those rewards so what’s it
reach for those rewards so what’s it going to look like in the next 50 years
going to look like in the next 50 years
going to look like in the next 50 years well it’s going to continue and I want
well it’s going to continue and I want
well it’s going to continue and I want to paint a little picture of that for
to paint a little picture of that for
to paint a little picture of that for you
you
you renewable energy is going to continue
renewable energy is going to continue
renewable energy is going to continue we’re going to have more and more solar
we’re going to have more and more solar
we’re going to have more and more solar wind and bioenergy generated and as that
wind and bioenergy generated and as that
wind and bioenergy generated and as that takes place we have another big research
takes place we have another big research
takes place we have another big research project that’s going on in the world
project that’s going on in the world
project that’s going on in the world today and that’s an energy storage
today and that’s an energy storage
today and that’s an energy storage we need lithium ion batteries we need
we need lithium ion batteries we need
we need lithium ion batteries we need hydroelectric battery storage we need
hydroelectric battery storage we need
hydroelectric battery storage we need compressed gas storage because renewal
compressed gas storage because renewal
compressed gas storage because renewal don’t work all day long when the wind
don’t work all day long when the wind
don’t work all day long when the wind stops the turbines stop no energy when
stops the turbines stop no energy when
stops the turbines stop no energy when the Sun Goes Down the photovoltaic
the Sun Goes Down the photovoltaic
the Sun Goes Down the photovoltaic panels stop making energy so you’re
panels stop making energy so you’re
panels stop making energy so you’re dealing with issues that are of
dealing with issues that are of
dealing with issues that are of intermittency and the only way to deal
intermittency and the only way to deal
intermittency and the only way to deal with that was with storage okay so now
with that was with storage okay so now
with that was with storage okay so now we’ve got all these renewable energy
we’ve got all these renewable energy
we’ve got all these renewable energy sources on our roofs in our backyards in
sources on our roofs in our backyards in
sources on our roofs in our backyards in our communities in solar farms wind
our communities in solar farms wind
our communities in solar farms wind farms onshore offshore big prop big
farms onshore offshore big prop big
farms onshore offshore big prop big energy generation but it’s dotting the
energy generation but it’s dotting the
energy generation but it’s dotting the entire nation so how do we deal with
entire nation so how do we deal with
entire nation so how do we deal with that we need a smart grid we need
that we need a smart grid we need
that we need a smart grid we need something and what is this market it’s
something and what is this market it’s
something and what is this market it’s pretty simple it’s a computer with a lot
pretty simple it’s a computer with a lot
pretty simple it’s a computer with a lot of data and a lot of algorithms telling
of data and a lot of algorithms telling
of data and a lot of algorithms telling us exactly how to move the energy around
us exactly how to move the energy around
us exactly how to move the energy around to each of our homes to each of our
to each of our homes to each of our
to each of our homes to each of our businesses and to deliver the energy we
businesses and to deliver the energy we
businesses and to deliver the energy we need when we need it and get it to our
need when we need it and get it to our
need when we need it and get it to our front door nice okay so now we’ve done
front door nice okay so now we’ve done
front door nice okay so now we’ve done that we’ve built ourselves a nice smart
that we’ve built ourselves a nice smart
that we’ve built ourselves a nice smart crew we’ve got a great computer then we
crew we’ve got a great computer then we
crew we’ve got a great computer then we open ourselves up to the hackers because
open ourselves up to the hackers because
open ourselves up to the hackers because everybody in the world wants to hack
everybody in the world wants to hack
everybody in the world wants to hack into something it’s just fun to do so so
into something it’s just fun to do so so
into something it’s just fun to do so so now we have a whole other Research
now we have a whole other Research
now we have a whole other Research Center in the energy environment called
Center in the energy environment called
Center in the energy environment called cyber security just like we have cyber
cyber security just like we have cyber
cyber security just like we have cyber security in the financial industry we
security in the financial industry we
security in the financial industry we have a cyber security research effort
have a cyber security research effort
have a cyber security research effort going on in the energy industry all
going on in the energy industry all
going on in the energy industry all right so now we’ve talked about the
right so now we’ve talked about the
right so now we’ve talked about the energy generation side of the business
energy generation side of the business
energy generation side of the business but there’s also a lot of research going
but there’s also a lot of research going
but there’s also a lot of research going on at our universities and elsewhere
on at our universities and elsewhere
on at our universities and elsewhere that that are dealing with the energy
that that are dealing with the energy
that that are dealing with the energy use side we have to say we have to find
use side we have to say we have to find
use side we have to say we have to find ways of using less energy and primarily
ways of using less energy and primarily
ways of using less energy and primarily that falls into two areas buildings and
that falls into two areas buildings and
that falls into two areas buildings and transportation so in buildings we’re
transportation so in buildings we’re
transportation so in buildings we’re looking for those ways to reduce the
looking for those ways to reduce the
looking for those ways to reduce the amount of energy that’s required from
amount of energy that’s required from
amount of energy that’s required from heating and air conditioning systems
heating and air conditioning systems
heating and air conditioning systems we’re looking for ways to insulate our
we’re looking for ways to insulate our
we’re looking for ways to insulate our buildings better to use the natural
buildings better to use the natural
buildings better to use the natural light of the sunshine to produce energy
light of the sunshine to produce energy
light of the sunshine to produce energy for on the inside of our buildings
for on the inside of our buildings
for on the inside of our buildings without having to generate electricity
without having to generate electricity
without having to generate electricity to do so and a transportation we all see
to do so and a transportation we all see
to do so and a transportation we all see it coming electric vehicles and the
it coming electric vehicles and the
it coming electric vehicles and the electrification our transportation
electrification our transportation
electrification our transportation sector is happening today and we’re
sector is happening today and we’re
sector is happening today and we’re going to see that happen in the next
going to see that happen in the next
going to see that happen in the next decade or two I expect to see lots and
decade or two I expect to see lots and
decade or two I expect to see lots and lots of electric vehicles on the road
lots of electric vehicles on the road
lots of electric vehicles on the road and then no drivers either we’re going
and then no drivers either we’re going
and then no drivers either we’re going to have autonomous vehicles and that’s
to have autonomous vehicles and that’s
to have autonomous vehicles and that’s going to help us save it enormous
going to help us save it enormous
going to help us save it enormous amount of energy we won’t have to
amount of energy we won’t have to
amount of energy we won’t have to produce as much energy if we have
produce as much energy if we have
produce as much energy if we have electrification on the transportation
electrification on the transportation
electrification on the transportation sector and I would be remiss if I didn’t
sector and I would be remiss if I didn’t
sector and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention one more big research area
mention one more big research area
mention one more big research area that’s going to be very important and
that’s going to be very important and
that’s going to be very important and it’s getting a lot of attention today
it’s getting a lot of attention today
it’s getting a lot of attention today and that’s the Nexus of food energy and
and that’s the Nexus of food energy and
and that’s the Nexus of food energy and water you see food energy and water are
water you see food energy and water are
water you see food energy and water are interrelated they depend upon each other
interrelated they depend upon each other
interrelated they depend upon each other energy energy uses one quarter of all
energy energy uses one quarter of all
energy energy uses one quarter of all the surface water just to cool those
the surface water just to cool those
the surface water just to cool those plants today it’s a lot of it’s a lot of
plants today it’s a lot of it’s a lot of
plants today it’s a lot of it’s a lot of and in California it takes 25% of their
and in California it takes 25% of their
and in California it takes 25% of their entire energy bill just to move water
entire energy bill just to move water
entire energy bill just to move water around the state it’s enormous
around the state it’s enormous
around the state it’s enormous and food we want to grow more food with
and food we want to grow more food with
and food we want to grow more food with less water so we have to figure out ways
less water so we have to figure out ways
less water so we have to figure out ways to study that relationship between those
to study that relationship between those
to study that relationship between those three so you see we’re going to do the
three so you see we’re going to do the
three so you see we’re going to do the research we’re going to address the risk
research we’re going to address the risk
research we’re going to address the risk so we can continue to reap the rewards
so we can continue to reap the rewards
so we can continue to reap the rewards from energy sources like electricity and
from energy sources like electricity and
from energy sources like electricity and food now let’s take a look at a few of
food now let’s take a look at a few of
food now let’s take a look at a few of these a little with a little bit more
these a little with a little bit more
these a little with a little bit more detail environmental risk from coal
detail environmental risk from coal
detail environmental risk from coal exists you can tell it’s risky because
exists you can tell it’s risky because
exists you can tell it’s risky because the guys wearing a gas mask he’s taking
the guys wearing a gas mask he’s taking
the guys wearing a gas mask he’s taking samples from the Dan River here in North
samples from the Dan River here in North
samples from the Dan River here in North Carolina after a coal spill nasty right
Carolina after a coal spill nasty right
Carolina after a coal spill nasty right very nasty so we’re trying to figure out
very nasty so we’re trying to figure out
very nasty so we’re trying to figure out how do we do this how do we how do we
how do we do this how do we how do we
how do we do this how do we how do we take care of this risk what do we do
take care of this risk what do we do
take care of this risk what do we do well one of the best thing that’s being
well one of the best thing that’s being
well one of the best thing that’s being done right now is calls being used less
done right now is calls being used less
done right now is calls being used less in 1985 57% of our electricity came from
in 1985 57% of our electricity came from
in 1985 57% of our electricity came from coal today it’s just barely above 30% in
coal today it’s just barely above 30% in
coal today it’s just barely above 30% in fact in the last couple of years natural
fact in the last couple of years natural
fact in the last couple of years natural gas surpassed call electricity
gas surpassed call electricity
gas surpassed call electricity production that’s a good thing because
production that’s a good thing because
production that’s a good thing because it produces less carbon emissions but we
it produces less carbon emissions but we
it produces less carbon emissions but we also have to deal with it with the
also have to deal with it with the
also have to deal with it with the actual coal ash that’s produced and one
actual coal ash that’s produced and one
actual coal ash that’s produced and one way that’s done is with cement it turns
way that’s done is with cement it turns
way that’s done is with cement it turns out that half of the weight of cement is
out that half of the weight of cement is
out that half of the weight of cement is coal ash and it’s good because you mix
coal ash and it’s good because you mix
coal ash and it’s good because you mix this coal ash which is filled with
this coal ash which is filled with
this coal ash which is filled with horrible things heavy metals and
horrible things heavy metals and
horrible things heavy metals and hazardous substances you put it in
hazardous substances you put it in
hazardous substances you put it in cement and locks it up and prevents it
cement and locks it up and prevents it
cement and locks it up and prevents it from getting into the environment it
from getting into the environment it
from getting into the environment it prevents it from being spilled into the
prevents it from being spilled into the
prevents it from being spilled into the water systems and when it spills in our
water systems and when it spills in our
water systems and when it spills in our water systems
water systems
water systems it gets a damages the water people drink
it gets a damages the water people drink
it gets a damages the water people drink the water
the water
the water people get sick people file suit the
people get sick people file suit the
people get sick people file suit the judge’s order clean up to take place the
judge’s order clean up to take place the
judge’s order clean up to take place the electric companies go out there and
electric companies go out there and
electric companies go out there and clean up the mess and that costs a
clean up the mess and that costs a
clean up the mess and that costs a fortune and who pays for that you and me
fortune and who pays for that you and me
fortune and who pays for that you and me okay so we all understand that problem
okay so we all understand that problem
okay so we all understand that problem this is what we’re doing in our research
this is what we’re doing in our research
this is what we’re doing in our research center we’re looking at ways to make
center we’re looking at ways to make
center we’re looking at ways to make coal ash composites we’re mixing the
coal ash composites we’re mixing the
coal ash composites we’re mixing the coal ash up to as much as 85 percent by
coal ash up to as much as 85 percent by
coal ash up to as much as 85 percent by weight with polyurethane and making
weight with polyurethane and making
weight with polyurethane and making these coal ash composites it locks up
these coal ash composites it locks up
these coal ash composites it locks up the material just like some cement does
the material just like some cement does
the material just like some cement does and prevents it from getting into the
and prevents it from getting into the
and prevents it from getting into the into the environment we’ve tested these
into the environment we’ve tested these
into the environment we’ve tested these we put them in water streams and we
we put them in water streams and we
we put them in water streams and we tested them over time and we know that
tested them over time and we know that
tested them over time and we know that the amount of leaching that comes out of
the amount of leaching that comes out of
the amount of leaching that comes out of these blocks these polyurethane blocks
these blocks these polyurethane blocks
these blocks these polyurethane blocks is very very low much lower than the EPA
is very very low much lower than the EPA
is very very low much lower than the EPA standards and it doesn’t pollute the
standards and it doesn’t pollute the
standards and it doesn’t pollute the environment other ways we can use these
environment other ways we can use these
environment other ways we can use these same materials is add a little bit more
same materials is add a little bit more
same materials is add a little bit more air make them into lighter foam like
air make them into lighter foam like
air make them into lighter foam like materials their fire resistant after you
materials their fire resistant after you
materials their fire resistant after you burn coal and you’re left with coal ash
burn coal and you’re left with coal ash
burn coal and you’re left with coal ash there is absolutely nothing left to burn
there is absolutely nothing left to burn
there is absolutely nothing left to burn it doesn’t doesn’t have any energy in it
it doesn’t doesn’t have any energy in it
it doesn’t doesn’t have any energy in it anymore so you mix it with something
anymore so you mix it with something
anymore so you mix it with something else and it’s going to be naturally fire
else and it’s going to be naturally fire
else and it’s going to be naturally fire resistant so we could turn these blocks
resistant so we could turn these blocks
resistant so we could turn these blocks into walls retaining walls there also
into walls retaining walls there also
into walls retaining walls there also sound absorbent so they can do some
sound absorbent so they can do some
sound absorbent so they can do some sound insulation at the same time the
sound insulation at the same time the
sound insulation at the same time the big winner in in our research could be
big winner in in our research could be
big winner in in our research could be in the area of lumber we can make
in the area of lumber we can make
in the area of lumber we can make materials that look just like lumber
materials that look just like lumber
materials that look just like lumber just like wood anything you can make
just like wood anything you can make
just like wood anything you can make with wood you can make with these coal
with wood you can make with these coal
with wood you can make with these coal ash composites you can mold it cut it
ash composites you can mold it cut it
ash composites you can mold it cut it form it connect it to each other you can
form it connect it to each other you can
form it connect it to each other you can make things like molding railroad ties
make things like molding railroad ties
make things like molding railroad ties decks for your pool or your backyard
decks for your pool or your backyard
decks for your pool or your backyard telephone pole crossbars anything you
telephone pole crossbars anything you
telephone pole crossbars anything you want it’s possible with these materials
want it’s possible with these materials
want it’s possible with these materials so let’s take another look at some other
so let’s take another look at some other
so let’s take another look at some other issues with the environmental risk this
issues with the environmental risk this
issues with the environmental risk this is a picture of the shipping port
is a picture of the shipping port
is a picture of the shipping port Pennsylvania coal ash plants the largest
Pennsylvania coal ash plants the largest
Pennsylvania coal ash plants the largest in the United States and I just put this
in the United States and I just put this
in the United States and I just put this picture up to show you the stuff that
picture up to show you the stuff that
picture up to show you the stuff that comes out of the stacks which contains
comes out of the stacks which contains
comes out of the stacks which contains some carbon so the carbon emissions is a
some carbon so the carbon emissions is a
some carbon so the carbon emissions is a big issue in North Carolina we have the
big issue in North Carolina we have the
big issue in North Carolina we have the same problems we generate lots and lots
same problems we generate lots and lots
same problems we generate lots and lots of carbon and we put it into the air and
of carbon and we put it into the air and
of carbon and we put it into the air and as I said this is an
as I said this is an
as I said this is an environmental risk for our planet so
environmental risk for our planet so
environmental risk for our planet so part of the research we’re doing is to
part of the research we’re doing is to
part of the research we’re doing is to model some of these things and try to
model some of these things and try to
model some of these things and try to understand how their scenarios or ways
understand how their scenarios or ways
understand how their scenarios or ways to get around these kinds of risks in
to get around these kinds of risks in
to get around these kinds of risks in the environment that we live in today
the environment that we live in today
the environment that we live in today and there are it turns out we collect
and there are it turns out we collect
and there are it turns out we collect the data from 700 energy generating
the data from 700 energy generating
the data from 700 energy generating plants across this state we have
plants across this state we have
plants across this state we have electric we have we have PV excuse me
electric we have we have PV excuse me
electric we have we have PV excuse me visit the photovoltaics we have
visit the photovoltaics we have
visit the photovoltaics we have hydroelectric power we have wind power
hydroelectric power we have wind power
hydroelectric power we have wind power we have nuclear power we have coal oil
we have nuclear power we have coal oil
we have nuclear power we have coal oil and natural gas power so we collect the
and natural gas power so we collect the
and natural gas power so we collect the information that gets reported to the
information that gets reported to the
information that gets reported to the Energy Information Administration that’s
Energy Information Administration that’s
Energy Information Administration that’s the EIA on an hourly basis 365 for all
the EIA on an hourly basis 365 for all
the EIA on an hourly basis 365 for all 700 plants and we put them into a
700 plants and we put them into a
700 plants and we put them into a computer program this is tens of
computer program this is tens of
computer program this is tens of millions of pieces of data and we model
millions of pieces of data and we model
millions of pieces of data and we model and simulate what happens if you change
and simulate what happens if you change
and simulate what happens if you change some of the makeup of that system take
some of the makeup of that system take
some of the makeup of that system take away a little coal add some natural gas
away a little coal add some natural gas
away a little coal add some natural gas add a whole bunch of photovoltaics
add a whole bunch of photovoltaics
add a whole bunch of photovoltaics add as much as you can of wind power
add as much as you can of wind power
add as much as you can of wind power like our Amazon wind station out in the
like our Amazon wind station out in the
like our Amazon wind station out in the North East part of North Carolina and it
North East part of North Carolina and it
North East part of North Carolina and it turns out that we can reach the kinds of
turns out that we can reach the kinds of
turns out that we can reach the kinds of goals that have been set by the Paris
goals that have been set by the Paris
goals that have been set by the Paris Accord in late 2015
Accord in late 2015
Accord in late 2015 30% reductions in emissions by the year
30% reductions in emissions by the year
30% reductions in emissions by the year 2030 are possible in this state and
2030 are possible in this state and
2030 are possible in this state and probably most every other state in the
probably most every other state in the
probably most every other state in the nation and the way we do that is we just
nation and the way we do that is we just
nation and the way we do that is we just introduce natural gas solar and wind
introduce natural gas solar and wind
introduce natural gas solar and wind while still producing the amount of
while still producing the amount of
while still producing the amount of energy that all of us need is even a
energy that all of us need is even a
energy that all of us need is even a projected 20% growth for the state of
projected 20% growth for the state of
projected 20% growth for the state of North Carolina but it appears possible
North Carolina but it appears possible
North Carolina but it appears possible from our scenarios and our modeling that
from our scenarios and our modeling that
from our scenarios and our modeling that we can do all of that we can have all
we can do all of that we can have all
we can do all of that we can have all the energy we want and we can reduce the
the energy we want and we can reduce the
the energy we want and we can reduce the carbon emissions at the same time now
carbon emissions at the same time now
carbon emissions at the same time now let’s switch the food production every
let’s switch the food production every
let’s switch the food production every good talk should have pictures of pigs I
good talk should have pictures of pigs I
good talk should have pictures of pigs I meant every talk I give from now on I’m
meant every talk I give from now on I’m
meant every talk I give from now on I’m going to put a picture of a pig up there
going to put a picture of a pig up there
going to put a picture of a pig up there they’re really cute everybody loves the
they’re really cute everybody loves the
they’re really cute everybody loves the look at pigs but behind all those pigs
look at pigs but behind all those pigs
look at pigs but behind all those pigs there’s an issue and that’s poop and pig
there’s an issue and that’s poop and pig
there’s an issue and that’s poop and pig manure or pig poop is it comes a lot
manure or pig poop is it comes a lot
manure or pig poop is it comes a lot there’s a lot of pig poop it comes out
there’s a lot of pig poop it comes out
there’s a lot of pig poop it comes out almost a ton of pig manure
almost a ton of pig manure
almost a ton of pig manure per year and in the state and in the
per year and in the state and in the
per year and in the state and in the United States it’s 40 million tons of
United States it’s 40 million tons of
United States it’s 40 million tons of pig manure being produced fortunately
pig manure being produced fortunately
pig manure being produced fortunately we’re not first
we’re not first
we’re not first that’s Iowa oh it has three to four
that’s Iowa oh it has three to four
that’s Iowa oh it has three to four times the number of pigs as we do we’re
times the number of pigs as we do we’re
times the number of pigs as we do we’re second right
second right
second right but being second in pig production means
but being second in pig production means
but being second in pig production means we’re second in pig poop production as
we’re second in pig poop production as
we’re second in pig poop production as well but don’t feel bad
well but don’t feel bad
well but don’t feel bad China’s even worse they have 400 million
China’s even worse they have 400 million
China’s even worse they have 400 million tons of pig manure that they have to
tons of pig manure that they have to
tons of pig manure that they have to deal with each year ten times what the
deal with each year ten times what the
deal with each year ten times what the United States faces but we need to find
United States faces but we need to find
United States faces but we need to find ways to deal with this well pig manure
ways to deal with this well pig manure
ways to deal with this well pig manure is not the greatest thing for making you
is not the greatest thing for making you
is not the greatest thing for making you know it’s not it’s not the same as the
know it’s not it’s not the same as the
know it’s not it’s not the same as the kinds of manure you get from chicken
kinds of manure you get from chicken
kinds of manure you get from chicken manure for instance you can’t use it as
manure for instance you can’t use it as
manure for instance you can’t use it as a composting material it has a very low
a composting material it has a very low
a composting material it has a very low level of phosphorus and nitrogen it’s
level of phosphorus and nitrogen it’s
level of phosphorus and nitrogen it’s not a very good composting material so
not a very good composting material so
not a very good composting material so we needed to find something different
we needed to find something different
we needed to find something different and that’s something that the difference
and that’s something that the difference
and that’s something that the difference is in the transportation sector it turns
is in the transportation sector it turns
is in the transportation sector it turns out that the oils in pig manure are very
out that the oils in pig manure are very
out that the oils in pig manure are very similar to the oils in petroleum and can
similar to the oils in petroleum and can
similar to the oils in petroleum and can be used to make that black gooey asphalt
be used to make that black gooey asphalt
be used to make that black gooey asphalt type material that we see on our roads
type material that we see on our roads
type material that we see on our roads it’s not good for making gasoline either
it’s not good for making gasoline either
it’s not good for making gasoline either like petroleum is so we’ve focused on
like petroleum is so we’ve focused on
like petroleum is so we’ve focused on the transportation sector and making tar
the transportation sector and making tar
the transportation sector and making tar like asphalt materials to make roads and
like asphalt materials to make roads and
like asphalt materials to make roads and it turns out that it passes all the
it turns out that it passes all the
it turns out that it passes all the tests from the Department of
tests from the Department of
tests from the Department of Transportation it doesn’t crack it
Transportation it doesn’t crack it
Transportation it doesn’t crack it stands up to the cold the wind the rain
stands up to the cold the wind the rain
stands up to the cold the wind the rain the sleet and it and it doesn’t deform
the sleet and it and it doesn’t deform
the sleet and it and it doesn’t deform too much so it’s very much equivalent to
too much so it’s very much equivalent to
too much so it’s very much equivalent to what we get out of petroleum production
what we get out of petroleum production
what we get out of petroleum production and that’s where we are today and now
and that’s where we are today and now
and that’s where we are today and now we’re looking at how do we ramp up that
we’re looking at how do we ramp up that
we’re looking at how do we ramp up that research work to turn that into a
research work to turn that into a
research work to turn that into a production environment and start making
production environment and start making
production environment and start making roads right here in North Carolina and
roads right here in North Carolina and
roads right here in North Carolina and there’s our reward
there’s our reward
there’s our reward some of you may have had an Easter ham
some of you may have had an Easter ham
some of you may have had an Easter ham this past Sunday and some of you might
this past Sunday and some of you might
this past Sunday and some of you might have bacon I’m going to this weekend at
have bacon I’m going to this weekend at
have bacon I’m going to this weekend at my favorite breakfast restaurant here in
my favorite breakfast restaurant here in
my favorite breakfast restaurant here in town so the point here is that we face
town so the point here is that we face
town so the point here is that we face risks and there are rewards at the end
risks and there are rewards at the end
risks and there are rewards at the end and the way to get there is through
and the way to get there is through
and the way to get there is through really hard research work and the
really hard research work and the
really hard research work and the distributed energy revolution is going
distributed energy revolution is going
distributed energy revolution is going to continue for the next 50 years it’s
to continue for the next 50 years it’s
to continue for the next 50 years it’s going to take decades change is
going to take decades change is
going to take decades change is inevitable research will address the
inevitable research will address the
inevitable research will address the risks and I promise the rewards will
risks and I promise the rewards will
risks and I promise the rewards will astound us all thank you
astound us all thank you
astound us all thank you [Applause]
”
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