The Energy Independence Xprize!

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localthinktank
October 10, 2008

The Energy Independence XPrize is the idea that will affect the greatest number of people around the world and help solve the most pressing and important issues of our time. Energy is the life blo...

The Energy Independence XPrize is the idea that will affect the greatest number of people around the world and help solve the most pressing and important issues of our time.

Energy is the life blood of the world. Our progress as a society rises and falls on our ability to effectively and safely create and use energy. This is the most revolutionary Xprize idea because it provides 3 fundamental benefits:

1. Energy Independence: The ability to create and produce large amounts of energy in a confined space will not only directly benefit the average family (in this case in their monthly budget by creating a completely energy independent home), but open the door to many areas, including but not limited to:

A. Community and Cities: The blackouts that so plaque large cities like Los Angeles (and cost billions in lost productivity) will become a thing of the past as the technologies developed from this Xprize are expanded to cover larger and larger areas.

B. 3rd world development: Communities in 3rd world countries that currently do not have access to power due to infrastructure and transmission costs will, through this Xprize, be able to develop and grow in ways that will benefit millions around the world.

C. So many other benefits: If each home had an independent supply of power, how much easier would it be to create and sell electric cars? How much pollution would that reduce? The potential benefits are staggering!

2. Safeguard against the effects of Natural Disasters and Terrorism: In this age where terrorism and natural disasters are now commonplace worries, having decentralized power is not only critical for national security, but to the social and financial health of all nations. When hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, one of the worst problems was that when the centralized power grid went down, it shut down all the water filtration stations, water pumps and hospitals in the city. If every pumping station, hospital, and home in the future is individually powered, it will make a huge difference in the outcome of these disasters.

3. 20% Reduction in Nationwide pollution levels: Balancing the effects of pollution and Energy creation is an issue that affects us all. The United States has been hesitant to enter into the 1997 Kyoto agreement in large part because the 33 percent reduction in pollution levels would have directly affected the economy. Residential pollution accounts of over 20% of the nations pollution level. An Xprize that helps to eliminate this is something that needs to be taken seriously.

When Spaceship One crossed the threshold of space, we saw a small company do two things that many thought could not be done. We saw a quantum leap in both technology and cost reduction in a field that badly needed both. This Xprize will create leaps in technologies that control Energy Creation, Storage and Transmission. Vote for the Energy Independence Xprize and make a difference that will ultimately affect you, your family, your community and the world!

Alan Silva

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icantfadethat (6 months ago) Show Hide

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Love your enthusiasm and well-done graphics. Alas, getting homes off the grid will do little to promote energy independence. Less than 2% of home energy comes from oil. Solar and wind: Green, yes. Independence, no.

SFGFoundation (2 months ago) Show Hide

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Thanks for the thought. Nationally, 20% of all energy produced goes to power homes, so a switcheroo might be in order. if we can save that energy, we can transfer the saving to other sectors that do use more oil and coal!

nanokiwi (1 year ago) Show Hide

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It's great and all, but it's not actually a new idea. There were books on autonomous houses in the 1970s, complete with fish farms and so on. Solar paint is what excites me - google solar paint mitra and you will see what I mean - spray on energy independence. If you think having a prize for this is a good idea, well maybe. Huge profits might be an even better motivator though. . .

localthinktank (1 year ago) Show Hide

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Thanks for the comment!I know that the idea is not new, Alternative energy sources have been tried with many different implementations(hence the fish idea).The point is to take is out of weird ideas, into affordable,viable, mass consumable products.I would like to really have this idea take off. I love the Google spray solar, those are the types of ideas that teams could bring to the table on an xprize of this sort!. The key is making it truly affordable to the average person! Vote!, let's do it

CanOfSpam (1 year ago) Show Hide

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Another idea would be to add the sewer system into the energy system. I am sure there is a way to use the methane from all that?

Anyways, you have my vote. No only does this help the environment, but also saves people a lot of money!

localthinktank (1 year ago) Show Hide

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That is a great idea. There are tremendous ways of being innovative with this idea!. Spread the word, I can use all your friends support as well. Let's make a difference that will help us all!

AnimatorDude1122 (1 year ago) Show Hide

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Cool! That is very neat! I think it would be fantastic if homes all over the U.S. could be self-powered. Awesome!

localthinktank (1 year ago) Show Hide

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Not only cool, but it would save us huge amounts on our utility bills, increase our property values, keep us from ever having blackouts, save us billions in electrical grid construction and transmission costs,stop utility monopolies, etc, etc,etc. Remember, it can only happen with your vote. Tell everyone you know to vote for this idea, this is a real chance to help everyone at once! thanks for the comment!

localthinktank (1 year ago) Show Hide

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Thanks! I appreciate it. spread the word about this idea. I really think we can make a change that can really help us all!

localthinktank (1 year ago) Show Hide

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great insight. That is the purpose of this idea is to create innovation so that the cost of a local system can match the wind-farms and help us all!

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The Energy Independence Xprize!

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