This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Gaiam for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

You know Gaiam for their innovative service and world class programming.  Now, GaiamTV, is the first to offer streaming video subscriptions,designed to reach those of us interested in health, wellness, yoga, fitness and personal development. Gaiam offers over 2,000 titles,on Gaiam TV, so it’s like a netflix for health, wellness, yoga and fitness. Gaiam, is now delivering hundreds of hours of online yoga, Pilates and cardio classes, so we have no more excuses to be a couch potato. Best of all, Gaiam TV viewers can practice with top instructors like Jillian Michaels, Mari Winsor, Kathryn Budig, The FIRM, and Mandy Ingber.

Gaiam TV, is offering a free 10-day trial to prospective subscribers. The $9.95 per month subscription fee allows subscribers to stream unlimited content. The subscription to Gaiam TV is also no strings attached, so there is no commitment, and members can cancel at anytime. They are having a giveaway, offering you the following:
a 1 month subscription to Gaiam TV
and a  Gaiam Yoga mat

The method of entry to the contest is covered here: http://izea.com/contest-rules-…

Your subscription also allows you instant access and 24/7 convenience to Gaiam TV’s entire library of award-winning videos. Streaming capabilities for Gaiam TV, include personal computers, iPads and even your smartphone, so it is available anytime and anywhere.

That’s not all though, Gaiam TV’s yoga and fitness studios are flexible, user-friendly and simple to use. You can customize your workouts for weight loss, total body sculpting or increased energy.  You can even  narrow down your options based on your fitness level,style, the instructor you prefer, and the amount of time you have available to work out.  With Gaiam TV, you can easily search their entire library for videos of your choice, make your own playlists and preview selections. Plus, as a subscriber to Gaiam TV, you are offered the chance to rate and review Gaiam TV titles. So, now there are NO more excuses for not getting in the game, and the best shape of your life. Best of luck in your fitness endeavors, and know that you can stay in touch with Gaiam on Twitter@GaiamTV

I wanted to share this with you for it’s eye opening facts.  Perhaps, you are one of the many who doesn’t have a nest egg, or can’t afford to invest much.  This just may be one of the resources you can manage to tap into once a month, that can make a big impact on your financial future.

Energy Storage- A Study for Storage in Washington is Being Considered

There is a current Northwest study in Washington, that is looking into the possibility of diverting excess underground energy, and storing it for later use. Right now, it is the million dollar question, because,the other pressing question that remains, is how feasible is this idea? That question is what is being  considered, as to whether it’s economically feasible and doable, here in Washington.  The study will determine and have answers to these questions when it wraps up, later this year.

Researchers haven’t drawn up cost estimates for any potential storage system, here in Washington. The facts are,they are a long way from proving that it’s even doable here, or that it makes financial sense to do this type of massive project here, and in this economy.

Image via Wikipedia

Energy Storage- the Concept Isn’t New

But, if we think of this concept of energy storage, as a huge energy bank,where you deposit excess energy when you DON’T need it, and withdraw it when you DO need it, the concept makes perfect sense.

This concept has been used, most notably in our natural gas storage facilities, which are quite common across the entire United States.

A group of researchers led by the Richland, WA-based Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), are currently exploring whether the idea of energy storage can be put to use in a different form, here in Washington.

Energy Storage- How it would work in Washington

The goal here, is to store excess energy in the form of compressed air and water in the Northwest’s expansive, porous underground basalt formations. If it becomes successful, the concept could have big implications for our Northwest power grid.  There have been times when excess energy has been a problem here, in the past. Just last year (2011),the Columbia River Basin, experienced unusually high flows in our region’s hydroelectric dams, pushing them to maximum capacity.

The well-publicized event ignited a strain between the BPA, and the region’s wind generators, and wind farmers.  With the dams at full capacity, the BPA ordered them to shut down to avoid overloading the power grid.  Of course, the wind farms objected to the ruling. Just this last December (2011), a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, ruled in favor of the wind farms. Some citizens of Eastern Washington,have become alarmed by the ever-growing presence of wind turbines pumping new energy into the system. So, you can see that BPA and PNNL researchers are hopeful of the new form of energy storage alleviating similar over-generation events, in the future, should this energy storage concept, become a reality.  It would be a fantastic solution to those types of problems.

Here is an example of how energy storage could work here in Washington, as reported By Eric Florip, Columbian Staff Reporter.  As stated above, this is not a new concept.  However, the possibility of energy storage here in Washington, is a perfect example of  science and sustainability working together toward a better tomorrow.

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