RAVPOWER USB C

Charge your device at the fastest speed possible with RAVPOWER USB C 20100mAh external power bank, featuring Quick Charge 2.0 technology and a USB Type-C output.

PROs

• 20,100mAh capacity: The 20,100mAh is enough to recharge an iPhone about 7-8 times and an iPad almost 2 times. This makes the unit great to have on hand when you’re traveling, camping, or otherwise away from an outlet for a day or two.
• Charge gauge: Tapping the power button on the unit shows the remaining capacity using 4 blue LEDs. This makes it easy to see if you need to charge the unit before your next trip.
• iSmart port: This smart identification technology from RAVPower means that the unit can adapt to basically any device you plug it into it. In my video, you can see that the smart port provides 1 amp to my iPhone, and i higher 1.86 amp charge to my iPad which allows it to charge at full speed.
• Quick Charge port: If you have a smartphone that supports Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 technology, you can fast charge it with the designated port on this power bank.
• USB Type-C output: If you have a device that charges by USB Type-C, there is also a designated port for it as well.
• Design: The smooth matte finish doesn’t attract fingerprints, and while the charger incorporates a lot of different charging technologies (iSmart, Quick Charge 2.0 output and input, and USB Type-C output), it is still very compact and portable.
• 2 amp input: Since this has a 20,100mAh capacity, it would normally take a long time to recharge (up to a full 24 hours at 1 amp). However, this unit has a 2 amp input, so it charges twice as fast as other units (it can typically fully charge in about 12 hours at 2 amps). You will need a 2 amp charger to get the fastest charging speed, such as the charging brick that comes with an iPad.
• Quick Charge input: The Micro USB input can also use a Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 wall charger, allowing it to charge even faster than a 2 amp charger.

CONs

• AC charger not included: This is typical with most power banks, but I thought I would point out that there is no AC charger (or Quick Charge 2.0 charger) included with this unit. You can likely use the power brick that came with your phone or tablet. In a pinch you could use your computer’s USB ports, but recharging can be extremely slow from a computer USB port (especially if it is an older USB 2.0 port).

Overall, this is another solid product from RAVPower that can adapt and charge a wide variety of devices, including smartphones, Bluetooth speakers, tablets, and Quick Charge 2.0 devices. The compact size and included carrying pouch also makes it easy to grab for on-the-go charging.

First panels installed at Cooperative Energy solar facility in Mississippi

Cooperative Energy and Origis Energy USA today announced the installation of the first solar power panels at the 540-acre solar site located near Sumrall in Lamar County. Construction began in April on the 52 MW solar energy facility, which will provide clean energy to the generation and transmission cooperative’s 423,000 members across Mississippi. Origis Energy has developed, is constructing, and will operate the electric generation site. Cooperative Energy will purchase all power produced at the location.

At completion of the facility in December 2017, the site will encompass approximately 200,000 photovoltaic solar panels. Installation of solar panels (like GOAL ZERO NOMAD 13 ) represents a major milestone in the facility’s construction schedule. Final stages include solar power panels and inverter installation and interconnection and commissioning.

Solar generated electricity is part of the diverse energy portfolio for Cooperative Energy and its members.

“Our members have told us they want more renewable energy in our portfolio,” said Jim Compton, Cooperative Energy’s president and CEO. “The project provides a significant amount of solar energy to power the homes and businesses we serve. So we are responding to our members, and also providing clean, affordable energy.”

“Cooperative Energy has employed a studied approach to its solar facilities development to serve its members for many years to come,” said Guy Vanderhaegen, chief executive officer and president of Origis Energy USA. “It is exciting to see the panels installed at the Sumrall site. This milestone represents a culmination of the dedication Cooperative Energy has shown on behalf of its members to solar energy investments benefiting all stakeholders.”

Cooperative Energy started its solar energy investments in 2016 with five smaller solar installations (100kW or less) at Member locations across the state—Coahoma (Lyon), Coast (Kiln), Delta (Greenwood), Singing River (Lucedale), and Southern Pine (Taylorsville) electric power cooperatives. This approach allowed for the determination of the best locations, technologies and proper configurations for future solar facilities, ensuring alternative energy investments are sound, economical and successful for its members.

Why We Need to Clean Up Mining if We Want a Renewable Energy Economy

A massive open-pit copper mine might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about solar power.

But the construction of photovoltaic panels actually requires a wide range of metals and minerals to build. Nineteen, to be exact, including silica, indium, silver, selenium and lead. Most can be found or produced in Canada.

And as demand for solar power panels (for example: GOAL ZERO VENTURE 30 RECHARGER  continues to rapidly increase in coming years — up to a 17-fold global increase between 2015 and 2050, according to the International Energy Agency — significant quantities of these metals and minerals will be required.

“It quickly dawns on you that an awful lot of panels go into producing all these gigawatts of solar power,” said Dan Woynillowicz, policy director at Clean Energy Canada and lead author of a recent report titled “Mining for Clean Energy,” in an interview with DeSmog Canada.

“Obviously that creates a demand for materials.”

It also creates some serious concerns about the environmental, social and cultural impacts of mining. Recent years have seen a series of mining-related disasters in Canada, most notably the devastating Mount Polley tailings dam collapse in August 2014. As a result, critics contend that mining practices must be addressed now, before demand continues to grow.

“If we don’t couple climate mitigation infrastructure with responsible mining, we’ve got a train wreck coming,” said Alan Young, director of the Ottawa-based Materials Efficiency Research Group, in an interview with DeSmog Canada.

“We’re either going to have interruptions of supply or we’re going to build clean energy on dirty mining.”

Solar Capacity Increased By 76 GW in 2016

Solar power is growing at an exponential rate around the world.

In 2016, more than 76 GW in solar PV panels were installed, increasing the global total to 305 GW. Much of that growth happened in China, which added a substantial 34 GW in solar capacity.

And the price only keeps falling. According to a recent report from Morgan Stanley, solar panel costs dropped another 50 percent between 2016 and 2017.

Growth in solar capacity has been slower in Canada. The Canadian Solar Industries Association reports that by the end of 2015, the country only sported 2.5 GW in capacity, almost entirely in Ontario (which introduced a feed-in tariff in 2009 to help incentivize solar installations).

But that’s changing. Canadian Solar Industries Association predicts that by 2020, Canada will have close to 6.3 GW in installed solar capacity. That transition will be aided by programs like Alberta’s new $36 million rebate program for residential solar installations, as well as federally mandated carbon pricing (which will make renewables even more competitive with gas-fired power plants).

Unfortunately, nobody has figured out how to dramatically reduce the associated demand for metals and minerals. That’s already created scares about future availability of some necessary components.

That combo offers up a potentially massive opportunity for Canadian mining companies, with investors hunting for new places to profit in the wake of the global oil price crash.

KSM Mine Allowed to Proceed with Massive Tailings Dam Despite Mount Polley

It’s worth emphasizing that most critics of mining practices in Canada aren’t against mining as a practice.

Take Shannon McPhail, executive director of the Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition. She emphasized in an interview with DeSmog Canada that she’s “a major supporter of mining.” But she wants it to be done right, ensuring environmental protections and inclusion of Indigenous nations as project partners.

“Mining has actually come a long way,” she said. “There are absolutely sustainable mining practices that can be implemented. And they’re usually not — because of the costs associated with them.”

A major problem is that laws and regulations about mining in Canada are incredibly lax. Mount Polley serves as a prime example. Despite spilling 25 million cubic meters of toxic tailings waste into nearby water bodies — representing the largest mining disaster in the country’s history — no criminal charges were laid or fines administered.

In March, federal government lawyers successfully blocked a private prosecution against Imperial Metals. Only a month later, the B.C. environment ministry gave the Mount Polley Mining Corporation the go-ahead to directly discharge tailings waste into Quesnel Lake, one of the bodies of water that was polluted in the 2014 spill.

To top it all off, the federal government has approved the use of another massive tailings pond dam at Seabridge Gold’s proposed KSM gold/copper mine in northwestern B.C., despite the expert technical panel formed after the Mount Polley disaster recommending mines move away from using wet tailings ponds to prevent future accidents. The Red Chris copper and gold mine, located in northwestern B.C. and also owned by Imperial Metals, uses the controversial tailings dams as well.

“We’re talking hundreds of millions of [metric tons] of toxic material sitting up there, at the height of land, at the headwaters of rivers,” said Jamie Kneen of MiningWatch Canada in an interview with DeSmog Canada. “There are huge risks and liabilities attached to this that are not accounted for.”

Emphasis on Community Relations and Corporate Initiatives Over Government Action

The increased demand for metals and minerals resulting from the explosion of solar installations presents an excellent opportunity for that to change; Woynillowicz notes that it could mean a great deal for the sector in terms of public perception and support.

But few expect that leadership to come from government.

“I think the companies that are going to come out ahead are the ones that are ahead of the legislation,” Rob Maurer, director at the Smithers Exploration Group, said. “You can’t wait for the government to make it happen. You have to be proactive, you have to work with First Nations, you have to work with NGOs and communities.”

That’s a key element.

There are plenty of technical fixes to help reduce impacts of mining: fuel switching away from using diesel for operations, using tailings management techniques like dry stacking, not approving projects that require monitoring and treatment in perpetuity. Young suggests the idea of a Forest Stewardship Council equivalent for industrial mining, which could help companies source materials that meet certain environmental standards.

But above all, it’s about proactively working with people and communities.

“There’s stuff around mining practices,” McPhail said. “There are specific laws and regulations. But really, it all starts at the community level.”

Maurer agrees: “What has to be sustainable in mining is sustainable relationships where shareholders, communities, First Nations, stakeholders.”

Creating a Better Digital Marketing Strategy for Your Business

One of the most important factors to having a successful and competitive business is having an ability to engage with customers on a regular basis. The latest advances in technology, and of course the growing popularity of social media has made achieving this much easier than it has ever been. However, few brands are actually sitting down and planning a proper digital marketing strategy. Here are some helpful tips that can be used to build a better digital marketing strategy.

Understand Where the Focus Should Be

Brands know that engagement is important, and yet so many are still getting it completely wrong! This is because they are becoming too focused on delivering a message when they should be seeking to provide customers with an experience. The majority of businesses are using digital marketing strategies that focus on leading conversations with potential customers and trying to create a specific tone and voice. However, what they should be doing is allowing customers to lead the conversation!

Changes to Google’s Local Search Results and Its Impact on PPC Advertising for Small Business

If you are running a business with a physical ‘brick and mortar’ location, it is important that you get good search engine results when someone looks for the kind of thing you offer in your area. Unlike businesses who can sell to anyone in the country or even the world regardless of their own location, businesses like restaurants, small retailers, salons and clinics need people in their area to be able to find them, and don’t necessarily benefit from being found in searches by anybody else.

Google is Testing Ways to Show More Paid Ads before Organic Results

Google is always developing its products, and at the moment, they are focusing a lot on a product called Home Service. This is a new way of advertising in highly coveted spaces on search engine results pages (SERPs, as they are known in the internet marketing industry). They have also implemented some changes to what is called the ‘local pack’ – that is the part of your search results when you search for local places or businesses that shows a map with locations pinpointed on it. Previously, this showed the top seven applicable results, and their street addresses and phone numbers, as well as a link to their Google+ page. Now it shows just three businesses, but more information like opening times. There is also no longer a link to Google+, perhaps because the social network is one of Google’s few failures, and they no longer plan to force businesses to have a Google+ page to take advantage of the local pack.

3 Ways to Save Money When Doing Business Overseas

International expansion is one way to grow business for many small business owners. After all, there is large untapped potential in countries such as India and China with their growing middle class population. These people are earning significant disposable income is are ready to use it on items imported from developed countries.

International expansion, however, comes with its own risks and stress. It is neither comfortable nor cheap to travel internationally – a necessity when you are trying to find partners, customers or vendors in those countries. You have to deal with significant expenses for airfare, hotels and other travel necessities. Dealing with jet lag and the unknown hassle of foreign countries adds to the headaches. The three tips provided below can to some extent alleviate your concerns about cost of international travel.

1. Plane Tickets. This may sound like an old cliché, but saving on airfare is one of the best ways to make an overseas trip affordable. This is usually achieved by keeping a close eye on airfare deals, months in advance. If you have to book travel at the last minute, newer airlines like WOW can provide discounted rates. But if none of this is an option, see if you can leverage the importance of your business to secure a free flight. If you are obliged to go overseas to do consultation or a speaking engagement or something of that nature, it’s possible that you may get your overseas contact to comp your flight cost.