The World’s Energy Resources & Consumption (Graphic)
The global economic recession drove energy consumption lower in 2009 — the first such decline since 1982. Take a look at the world’s energy consumption as a factor of renewable and non-renewable energy resources, courtesy of our friends at the Travel Insurance Blog. Source: Consumer Energy Report
Inside the Electric Grid
In between power plants and the plug on the wall is this thing called the grid, an engineering marvel that's largely invisible and impenetrably complex to most of us. Source: CNET
Are We About to Hit Peak Coal?
Grist's David Roberts asks: What if world-wide coal estimates are exaggerated? Source: Sustainable Business
DOE Creates New Energy Hub for Energy-Efficient Building Design
DOE has created a new energy innovation hub led by Penn State. From the Philadelphia Navy Yard, the new hub will pioneer energy-efficient building designs. Source: U.S. Dept. of Energy
Will ZigBee Rule Networked Lighting?
A dozen or so companies now dominate the big, untapped smart lighting controls market, but stealthy startup Daintree Networks wants to take a slightly different tack: deliver ZigBee-based, interoperable lighting controls to market by partnering directly with the incumbents. Source: Earth2Tech
Photo by aussiegall
TIAA-CREF CEO on Building Energy Efficiency
TIAA-CREF manages one of the nation’s largest real estate portfolios. CEO Roger Ferguson discusses energy efficiency measures from buildings as a “win-win” strategy that can reduce carbon emissions and energy use at a net cost-savings. [source: Environmental Leader]
Two Tools for Crafting Green Building Laws
Local government looking for guidance on green building measures have two new resources from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School. [source: GreenBiz]
Microsoft Hohm Connects to Home Power Monitor
Microsoft inks a deal with home energy monitor maker to let people get detailed information on home electricity use without the need for a smart meter. [source: cnet]
DOE Announces $30 Million for Energy Efficient Housing Partnerships
The US Department of Energy has announced up to $30 million in funding for 15 research partnerships that aim to deliver innovative energy efficiency strategies to the residential housing market.
The Real Reason Google is Buying Wind Power
Here’s the real reason Google entered into a contract earlier this month to buy clean power from a wind farm in Iowa: data centers. [source: Earth2Tech]
Photo by stephenjjohnson
Want to Cut Building Energy Costs? Get Out Your Camera
Many of today's buildings suffer from a "leak-guzzle-hide" phenomenon: leaking billions of dollars and hiding actual energy. But there's a way to address this and it starts with a few snapshots. [Greener Buildings]
Fourteen Chicago Buildings to Get Efficiency Tech
As many as fourteen Chicago buildings are about to install new energy efficiency measures as the result of a $25 million investment by South Korea, according to a report in the Chicago Tribune. [Environmental Leader]
Energy Retrofits Could Save $41 Billion a Year
Research analyst calculates how much must be spent to update U.S. commercial real estate versus the resulting savings in energy bills. [cnet]
USGBC Opens Building Performance Partnership to Current LEED-Certified Buildings
USGBC announced that its Building Performance Partnership program will be open to all current whole-building LEED-certified commercial and residential projects starting this summer. [Sustainable Facility]
Energy Ministers Launch Global Clean Energy Initiatives
The first Clean Energy Ministerial meeting took place in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. [Sustainable Business]
DOE Announces $30 Million for Energy-Efficient Housing Partnerships
The U.S. Department of Energy today announced 15 research and deployment partnerships to help dramatically improve the energy efficiency of American homes. [US Dept. of Energy]
Photo by annafur
Boston to Scan Office Buildings to Determine Energy Efficiency
To drive energy-efficiency efforts in Boston, Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced plans to use infrared technology to scan all buildings in Boston to determine their energy efficiency, reports Boston Herald.
The Cost of Energy Independence
Every president since Nixon has talked about the need to get the United States off of foreign oil and moving toward energy independence. So why hasn't it happened? The technical issue isn't really all that difficult, but the political challenge is enormous.
Dow Corning Receives $1.2 Million to Improve Energy Efficiency in Commercial Buildings
The United States Department of Energy has awarded $1.2 million to Dow Corning Corporation to develop an insulating facade system that may significantly increase the energy efficiency of commercial buildings.
Smart Grid Denied: When Regulators Say No
Securing a smart grid stimulus grant doesn't always guarantee a utility's smart grid project is in the clear. This week Maryland's public regulator, the Maryland Public Service Commission, denied Baltimore Gas and Electric Co's smart grid project request.
Clean Energy Report: Crossing the 'Valley of Death'
New report suggests possible solutions for overcoming the gap in financing for new clean energy technologies.
Photo by Werner Kunz
The response to our Monday morning recap of energy management news and blogs from the previous week has been great. The feedback was so good we recently began posting a mid-week version. It seems our readers prefer more frequent updates. So we've decided to shuffle our publishing schedule. From now on, we'll post our top-five list of important or interesting articles every Wednesday and Friday. This way, you'll get fresher content.
10 Tips for Operating Buildings More Efficiently
Here are 10 ways to make your buildings operate more efficiently and more cost effectively.
10 Companies that Scored the Fed's Building Efficiency Funds
It's no secret that buildings can be energy hogs, and putting them on a power diet is a quick way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Investments in energy efficiency are flowing from Uncle Sam, and the Department of Energy announced today that it is putting more than $76 million into 58 building efficiency projects.
5 ‘Green' Retrofits Electricians Should Pitch to Drive Business
Numerous reports forecast retrofitting to become a multi-billion dollar market over the next three to four years. To help electricians segue into their new role and win a piece of the burgeoning market, here are five green retrofits electricians should pitch to drive business.
More Pain for BP: Rising Cleanup Costs and Higher Oil Spill Estimates
The company's success with a second containment system doesn't backstop their growing financial exposure. Government scientists increased -- for a fifth time -- the estimated daily flow rate of oil spilling into the Gulf of Mexico from the Deepwater Horizon blowout.
Program for Low-Voltage Distribution Transformers Announced
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) announced the initiation of its NEMA Premium Efficiency Transformer Program, which is designed to help utilities, commercial buildings, and industrial plants incorporate super high-efficiency electrical transformers into their operations.
Photo by Flickr user arquera