Green Buildings Drive BIM Adoption
The green building sector will drive the adoption of building information modeling (BIM) software, according to a new SmartMarket Report from McGraw-Hill Construction. Source: Environmental Leader
Hot Water, Lights and AC as a Service
You really don’t need to own your light bulbs. You don’t even need to lease them. You just need the light that emanates from them. Source: GreentechMedia
Do Americans Really Want to Change Energy Habits?
Conflicting results in recent consumer studies leave some confused and others quick to write off all survey research as invalid. Source: EnergyDSM.com
Cost for Renewables in U.S. Dropping
Thanks to millions of dollars invested by the United States Department of Energy, the cost of solar energy is projected to drop by 50 percent between now and 2015. Source: SmartMeters
Companies Get the Basics of Green IT, But Lack Maturity
A new survey sponsored by Fujitsu found room for improvement among all elements of green IT practices, but that data centers and computer fleets are relatively well covered, while energy management and carbon impacts are almost nonexistent. Source: GreenBiz.com
Photo by: mararie
Do Electric Vehicles Really Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions?
Few people are fooled by Nissan's claim that the LEAF is a zero emissions vehicle. Zero tailpipe
emissions does not mean zero emissions. "Electric vehicles just shift emissions from the tailpipe to the smokestack," many critics claim.
JCPenney to Reduce Energy Use 20% by 2015
JC Penney has committed to reduce energy consumption 20 percent per gross square foot by 2015 by increasing energy-efficiency improvements and implementing conservation practices, according to the company's 2009 Corporate Social Responsibility Report.
Is Greener Code the Answer to Greener Data Centers?
The tech industry has been making big strides in boosting efficiency by exploiting by rethinking their approaches to data center cooling and IT hardware. But a new aspect of data center energy use is getting increasing attention lately: software coding.
‘Cool' Roofs Lower Energy Costs
Con Edison's green and white roofs atop of its training and conference center in Long Island City help prevent energy losses, provide other environmental benefits, and reduce heating and cooling costs, compared to traditional dark roofs, according to research from Columbia University.
Why Google's So Interested in Wind Energy
Google's investment in a wind energy project has some folks wondering why the search engine giant is straying from its core business.
Corn Ethanol Industry Trying to Ride the Gulf Spill to Higher Revenue
The Renewable Fuels Association, the main trade group of the corn ethanol industry, is urging the President to take immediate action in response to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Unfortunately their solution is to begin using more corn ethanol today and even more tomorrow, which is really no solution at all.
Interior Department Approves Cape Wind, the First U.S. Offshore Wind Farm
The U.S. Department of the Interior announced on April 28 that it has approved the first U.S. offshore wind farm, the 130-turbine Cape Wind project in Nantucket Sound. The agency is requiring additional binding measures to minimize any adverse impacts of construction and operation.
President Taking Action to Help Transform Commercial Buildings
The Obama Administration is authorized to play a more active and supportive role in improving the energy efficiency and sustainability of America's multifamily and commercial building stock, according to a report released on April 29 by the U.S. Green Building Council.
Consumers Worried About Smart Meters' Health Risks
The California Public Utilities Commission is being urged to put a moratorium on Pacific Gas & Electric's planned July deployment of smart meters in Fairfax, located just north of San Francisco.
California Utilities Dinged Over Missed Energy Efficiency Goals
California's investor-owned utilities were rebuked on Tuesday for failing to reach energy efficiency goals over a three-year period, putting them at risk for penalty payments.
Photo by cliff1066(tm)
Architect Group Names the Top Ten Green Buildings for 2010
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has selected the top ten green buildings for 2010, citing examples in six states and two foreign countries of buildings which make the best use of energy efficiency strategies such as natural daylighting, shading, and ventilation.
U.S. Offices Lag in Efficiency, Conservation
U.S. office buildings are not keeping pace with building automation, leading to lost productivity and added costs, according to a survey of U.S. office workers by IBM. Only 33 percent of respondents rated their office buildings "high" in terms of environmental responsibility.
Fun Tools to Spark Energy Conservation: Shame, Guilt, Embarrassment
What will it take to convince the average person to manage and reduce their energy consumption? One of the most compelling ways could be to make energy consumption transparent to communities, using the persuasive power of the group to trigger those hard-hitting emotional responses like shame and guilt, or competition.
Energy Efficiency vs. Renewable Energy - Which Matters Most for the Economy
Which will play the biggest role in future U.S. economic growth: the new energy that we find ... or the energy that we avoid using?
Five Tips for Selecting LED Lighting Systems
LED lighting retrofits can offer businesses two key benefits: some fixtures can deliver up to an 85 percent energy savings and the life span of LEDs average about 50,000 hours, reports Retrofit Magazine. But before making a decision on a retrofit, businesses first have to evaluate their current lighting layout and future requirements.
Are We Thinking About Energy All Wrong?
The energy world operates under the premise that more is better. But is that the right way to think about power?
"Skinnier" Buildings: EPA Announces Energy Conservation Competition
The Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program has launched a competition aimed at streamlining buildings that are presently deemed energy monoliths.
The California Smart Meters Story Continues to Evolve
California was the first state in the US to move ahead with full-scale deployment of smart meters. That decision can be traced back to the energy crisis of 2000-01 which analysts showed was caused in part by the failure to transmit dynamic pricing signals to retail customers.
Fjords, Caves and Mines: The New Tools for Building Data Centers
It's the computing room for the Hall of the Mountain King.
Sea Wind Power
Today there isn't a single offshore wind turbine in the United States. Meanwhile Europe, China and Japan are far along in developing a water based wind power industry.
Photo by Wonderlane
The Looming Fight Over Consumer Energy Data
Calls are mounting from tech companies, environmental nonprofits and even legislators to open up consumer energy information.
GE Fast Forwards to Future of LED Lighting
Unveils Unique LED Bulb Designed to Distribute Light Like an Incandescent Bulb, Last 17 Years
Florida Businesses to Benefit from Utility's Energy Conservation Program
A new energy-efficiency goal set by the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) has prompted a new energy conservation plan from Progress Energy Florida that will help provide energy efficient retrofits to Florida businesses.
Cheatsheet: The Metrics of the Bulb
Energy efficient LED light bulbs that can fit in a standard socket, last over a decade, and save users money over the life of the bulb, are starting to slowly trickle onto the market. Here's a quick cheatsheet on the metrics of the bulb.
Texas Smart Grid Software to be Checked
In addition to testing Oncor's smart meter units, Navigant Consulting, the independent consultant hired by the Texas Public Utilities Commission will also test the software systems used to relay customer data to back-office systems to make sure the data is being processed accurately.
Demand Response Facilitates Integration of Renewables
Consumers with the demand response enabled air conditioner may experience a difference in comfort on a few unusual days, but considering that many of us prefer to consume renewable energy, it may be worth the small sacrifice.
Canada, US to Collaborate on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Regulations
Canada will not unilaterally impose limits on greenhouse gas emissions from industry, saying on Thursday that it will work in tandem with the United States, as it is doing with vehicle standards.
Five Tips to Cut Energy Costs by 10-40%
Businesses and homeowners can save plenty of green by following several key steps to reduce their energy use and eliminate energy vampires that can consume a significant percentage of a home's energy costs.
DOT, EPA Boost Fuel Economy, Set GHG Emission Limits for Light Vehicles
As part of stringent new fuel economy standards, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have issued the first-ever federal rules that establish greenhouse gas (GHG) standards for all new cars and light trucks sold in the country.
How the iPad could Disrupt the Home Energy Market
Whether you see Apple's tablet the iPad as the catalyst of a digital media revolution, or just another gadget that Steve Jobs wants you to spend your hard-earned cash on, it's hard to avoid the black hole that is the iPad buzz this week.
Photo by ATempletonPhoto.com
The top energy management stories from the last week . . .
Are Electricity Meters Accurate?
In the smart meter backlash, some fingers point to old, slow mechanical meters. Here's why it's a red herring.
Five Simple Conservation Actions save Money and the Environment
The Ontario Power Authority offers five simple, meaningful conservation actions to save money and the environment.
Heat Recovery Chiller System to Save Military Hospital 27% on Energy
A military hospital in Fort Belvoir, Va., will use a heat recovery chiller system along the way to 27 percent in energy savings.
Governors' Coalition Recommends Federal Initiatives for Wind Power
A coalition of 29 U.S. governors has issued a series of recommendations to accelerate the adoption of wind power, including measures to develop both onshore and offshore resources.
How Not To Roll Out Smart Meters
Texas utility Oncor admits that 1,827 customers were overcharged on their electric bills after having smart meters installed. The concession came during testimony before the Texas Public Utility Commission in Austin on Thursday morning.
Businesses Say Solar Rules Will Add $250 Million in Energy Costs
Businesses, energy suppliers and business groups in Massachusetts are complaining that a new state mandate to increase solar power could cost electricity customers up to $250 million more annually, reports the Boston Herald.
Tighter MPG, Emission Rules Go on the Books for 2012
The Obama administration has just finalized the country's first ever national regulation to curb greenhouse gas emissions and raise the bar on efficiency requirements for new cars and trucks.
Security Firm Reveals Smart Meters' Vulnerability
According to an AP report, smart meters are vulnerable to hackers or other cyber attacks. Among the possible scenarios is remotely turning off a household's power, either by reprogramming the actual meters or wirelessly by using a laptop.
EPA Sets Greenhouse Gases Permitting Requirements for Major Sources
US EPA has announced the timing for major sources of greenhouse gases to revise their permits, or to obtain new permits under the new greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting and permitting regulations.
From Hype to Reality - Not All Algae Are Created Equally
Solazyme defies skeptics on its rapid path toward commercialization of algae-based fuels.
Photo by Velo Steve
Shareholder Climate Resolutions Up 40%
U.S. investor groups have filed 95 global warming shareholder resolutions with public corporations, a 40 percent increase over last year, according to a press release from the Investor Network on Climate Risk.
Making Energy Efficiency Easy to Finance
CalCEF and Metrus Energy show how to institute energy efficiency in buildings with zero upfront cost.
China Has "No intention" of Capping Emissions
The country's top climate change negotiators says China has no intention of capping its greenhouse gas emissions, even as authorities are committed to realizing the nation's target to reduce carbon intensity through new policies and measures.
Home Depot Shoots for 20% Reduction in Supply Chain Emissions Over 5 Years
Home Depot has set a goal to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions related to the domestic supply chain by 20 percent over the next five years. The retailer expects its supply chain to benefit from a move to a centralized distribution network.
U.S. Wind Energy Potential Larger than Previously Estimated
A new study by DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) finds that U.S. wind resources could generate nearly 37 million gigawatt-hours annually. The study represents the maximum amount of wind power that could be reasonably developed in the contiguous United States.
Energy Efficiency vs. Energy Conservation
Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation are sometimes used interchangeably, but shouldn't be. In reality, they represent radically different approaches to controlling energy costs.
Texans Question the Benefits of Deregulation
Eight years after state legislators deregulated the electric industry Texans continue to question the wisdom of the ruling and whether it has helped or hurt consumers.
Push Begins for ‘Building Star' Incentives for Commercial Properties
First there was Energy Star, the long-established energy ratings system. Then came Home Star, an incentive program supported by President Obama. Now, the Senate has introduced a bill that would establish a Building Star program to provide incentives to commercial buildings related to their energy efficiency.
Photo by Katrina.Tuliao