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2015 International Solar Energy Industry Growth by Pam Sornson The growth of the international solar energy/photovoltaic (PV) industry has occurred in incremental steps. From the American solar cell-powered toys of the 1950’s to Spain’s Gemasolar power plant, each step of the way involved technology improvements, increased efficiency quotients and streamlined administrative processes. Today, in many parts of the world, PV power plants are emerging as true alternatives to power plants that generate electricity by burning fossil fuels. The evolution of the PV power plant has given rise to two new sub-industries, PV Plant Operations and Maintenance Systems, and PV Asset Management Systems. Utility-Sized PV Plants Require Utility-Sized Maintenance: Unlike residential installations (which need little or no routine maintenance), large PV installations require ongoing maintenance of the plant itself, to keep it running smoothly and efficiently. And even though most solar panels have long life spans (some are almost limitless), millions of panels now installed are at or near the end of their projected lives and will require replacement. At the same time, the systems to which those panels are attached may (or will probably) need updating to capture the innovations that have occurred since they were first deployed. According to GTM Research, by 2017, the worldwide operations and maintenance (O&M) market for megawatt PV plants will total 146 GW. Global Scope Reveals Development Challenges: Because the O&M industry of PV plants is truly global, its market growth will have some significant developmental challenges. For example, at least in some countries, a logical division is becoming clear between O&M and “Asset Management” when referring to oversight of a solar PV plant facility. Although there is an overlap between the two, the activities and expectations of each are different: O&M: O&M activities can be defined as those that occur on the ground, within the facility itself. O&M technicians are involved in ensuring that the plant is producing at peak performance, remains secure in its structure and infrastructure, is in compliance with investor, utility and governmental regulations, and is accurately reporting its processes, performance data and risks. Europe's Solar Power Europe group is developing a standardized list of best practices for O&M activities. Asset Management: Asset management looks at the PV plant as an investment portfolio piece. Managing the PV plant as an investment involves the financial and administrative processes that ensure the facility retains its revenue-producing capacity for investors. These functions include billings, capital improvements, and interfacing with grid, government and insurance entities. The Asset Managers report the plant's participation in incentive programs, power purchasing agreements, net metering and other combinations of private and public dealings. American Economic Innovation May Prove Lucrative: In America, the benefits of each sub-industry are becoming apparent. Many of the federal and state incentives for purchasing home and small business PV systems are being exhausted, and new sources for funding industry growth are being sought. At the same time, large-scale PV plants are being built by governmental and utility entities because of legal requirements to increase their use of renewable resources. As the PV industry reaches the point where utility-sized, solar PV generated electricity is a true option, the next step in the industry evolution will be finding funding for appropriate infrastructure in every home and business. The US Nation Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) recently released a report suggesting that the current status of the PV industry might lend itself to securities and bonds investment strategies. Selling securities tied to PV industrial modules may provide both the funding necessary to build the new infrastructure while also opening financing opportunities for huge new PV developments. It would also provide a new and lucrative investment opportunity for clean energy aficionados. As the world takes its next step away from fossil fuels, it appears to be stepping towards solar PV power as the alternative energy of choice for hundreds of governments and millions of people around the globe. As the industry matures, finding funding so that every home and business can enjoy solar power will be a challenge. "Selling" the plant as an investment asset, under the control of an Asset Manager, may be an answer to creating that financial opportunity in an environmentally responsive way. At the same time, standardized operations and maintenance of PV power plants will ensure that those investments are well maintained, running efficiently and running profitably. 2015(c)pamsornson
http://www.pbsliterally.com/international-solar-growth
Computing technology has already transformed our world, and innovations in Artificial Intelligence (AI) indicate that the transformation process has only just begun. In September 2014, a computer wrote an LA Times article on the earthquake that had occurred that morning. It included the location and size of the quake, and the distance of the epicenter from major California cities. No human input was necessary for the story: the article was developed through Artificial Intelligence (AI). It was comprised of data collected from the USGS Earthquake Notification System, and created by an algorithm developed by the “author” (an LA Times journalist/programmer). Does this report of informative data reflect the total value of journalism? Or is there more to be considered regarding the effect of automating writing services? The rise of AI is raising questions about the future of human-to-human communications. AI Gives Computers Human-like Capabilities: Three recent developments in digital technology have revolutionized AI, bringing it closer than ever before to developing a truly “human” machine: 1 Faster Computation Capacity: The 2007 development of the Graphics Processing Unit opened the door for exponentially faster data processing. Designing to improve graphics experience in gaming, the GPU quickly became one of the most critical components of supercomputer architecture because of its speed of processing. Faster processing brought the machine closer to the speed of human brain processing. 2 Big Data: “Big data” is the aggregate accumulation of data in all the worlds’ databases. When these databases connect with each other, they trade and share digital information, informing and educating each other. These transactions also cause their computation capacities to speed up. Using Big Data ultimately also improves and speeds Big Data. 3 Improved Algorithms: No longer linear, today’s computing systems “stack” connections of data as those are recovered. Also speeding up the process, this concept has been dubbed “deep learning” because of the way it allows computers to reach more succinct determinate points than ever before. Together these three technological evolution have created a foundation from which truly intelligent AI can flourish. AI Can Replace Human Endeavor: In some cases, AI is already replacing people. A computer can process vast quantities of stock opportunities or financial markets infinitely faster than a human can. There are several industries now that are accessing the AI opportunities to improve their systems. Medical diagnosing is one industry where AI may prove to be literally a life saver. In tests, AI computers access medical Big Data much more quickly than can the doctors, and can evaluate a much larger database of options in the process. And many industries are betting heavily on further evolution in AI. AI-managed automation systems are sprouting up. Google’s driverless cars are only one iteration; Google is one of the biggest investors in AI companies. In 2014, Sentient-Technologies raised over $100M to further their quest for truly human-like AI. Should AI Replace Human Endeavor? Despite its seemingly blinding potential, many people are less than enthused about the rise of these big machines, including Elon Musk and Bill Gates. Stephen Hawking has commented that AI “could spell the end of the human race”. In their estimation, an unfettered explosion of future AI projects may unleash “unintended and disastrous consequences” on the human race. One commentator questions whether it is possible to program morals and ethics into a machine. Selecting an option from an array of options is not the same as making a wise choice, based on relative values of good, evil, conscience, etc. Another group of commentators parse out the aspects of human cognition into five categories, and surmise that computers will never have the capability of duplicating all of them effectively. They concede that computers clearly dominate the “data and information” categories, and may even be programmed to be comprehensive on the “Knowledge” and possibly even the “understanding” categories. However, they surmise that only humans have the capacity to bring true “wisdom” into any worthwhile endeavor, and are, therefore, irreplaceable. AI Should Do What All technology Does – Enhance the Realities of Being Human: It is not yet proven that computers can be programmed to demonstrate common sense, intuition or creativity, all of which provide the human race with the advancements they enjoy today, including advancements in artificial intelligence. Human intelligence consists of a composition of abilities (learning, reasoning, problem solving, perception, and understanding of language) that creates a unique consciousness in every human being. It is that consciousness that still sets human intelligence apart from artificial intelligence. Some have suggested that future AI endeavors create “consciousness- free” AI services so that we can harness the power of the computing as an enhancement to the human creative process. As yet, there has been no computer with a bestseller on the NYT Best Sellers list. For we who write, we hope AI will ensure that there never will be.
http://www.pbsliterally.com/can-ai-replace-journalists
A long legal career honed my research, writing and analytical skills and I bring those to each post, article and white paper I write. I prefer high-level, sophisticated topics on a wide variety of subjects that I can turn into easy-to-understand, relatable content. I also believe every post should include (when appropriate) a little touch of delight, to fully engage the reader and encourage a return visit to that particular site.
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I worked there from 9/2001 until now