Report Says Americans Don’t Know How to Save Energy
Report shows rampant misperceptions about what are effective energy-saving behaviors. Source: SustainableBusiness.com
IL, NJ Boost Support for Renewable Energy
While Illinois Governor Patrick Quinn signed a law to ramp-up solar energy and announced a $4-million solar grant award, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed an offshore wind power bill. Source: Environmental Leader
Reduce Energy Costs with Demand-Controlled Ventilation
Adequate ventilation is critical to ensure good indoor air quality. By maintaining fresh air levels based on occupancy levels, demand-controlled ventilation can help to maximize indoor air performance and save on operating costs for heating, cooling, and humidity control. Source: Prenova Newsletter
When Will Solar Energy Go Mainstream?
How much of the electricity in the U.S. comes from rooftop solar panels and solar power plants? If you guessed less than one-tenth of a percent, you’d be right. Source: Greentech Media
Northeast US a Smart Energy Testing Ground
Energy rates in the Northeast are some of the highest in the nation. But as Ben Franklin once said, “Out of adversity comes opportunity.” That may be why utilities, states, and local governments in the Northeast are offering over $8.6 billion for energy savings and energy efficiency projects. Source: Energy Efficiency Markets
Photo by stephen.moore
Today we're premiering a midweek edition of Energy Management News. Rather than recapping the previous week's news every Monday morning, we're now going to give you energy management and sustainability highlights a couple of times each week. If you prefer these shorter, more frequent posts, be sure to let us know.
The Many Facets of Green Building Innovation
The process and adoption of innovation are the result of several forces at work, not all of them necessarily aligned: The need to customize the product to fit the specific needs of the client and the need for scope, scale and speed. You also must understand the group for which you are innovating.
A Pocket Full of Power
A new startup has created an economical, pint-sized fuel cell that could be just the thing for emerging markets. One prototype (built around a container that once held breath mints) will generate two to three watts of power.
USPS Inks $28.7M Deal to Cut Energy Costs at nearly 2,300 Locations
The U.S. Postal Service has signed a $28.7 million contract to install energy-management systems in up to 2,250 post offices as part of its plan to cut energy costs 30 percent by 2015 from 2003 levels, reports Bloomberg Businessweek.
Great Lakes to Get Great Big Wind Turbines
Traditionally, offshore wind farms have been located on the coast, but GE and LEEDCo hope to generate 1000 MW of wind energy from Lake Erie within the next decade.
Tax Fraud Plagues Carbon Trading Program
According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, tax fraud is the carbon trading market's most egregious form of cheating, affecting about seven percent of this $125 billion market in 2009.
And now for something completely different . . .
iPhone More Important Invention Than Flush Toilets?
A question for the ages: Is the iPhone a more important invention than the humble toilet? Amazingly, for many Britons, it is. A recent survey indicates the iPhone is literally the greatest thing since sliced bread - at least in the UK.
Report Emphasizes Need to Reduce U.S. Consumption of Petroleum
An attempt to account for the energy security costs of domestic and imported oil finds higher security costs for imported oil. However, the costs are low compared to the direct cost of oil, implying that U.S. energy security efforts should focus on lower petroleum use, regardless of its source.
Demand Side Energy Management Gains Converts
David Konkle, Energy Office Director of the ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability - speaks at a Northwest Michigan Sustainable Business Forum workshop focusing on demand side energy management.
T-RECs Invade California Energy Market
To meet renewable goals, California utilities can buy power from Arizona households. It's a new ball game.
Doors Open to Offshore Energy Production in Virginia
The National Ocean Industries Association announced its support of Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell (R) and the Virginia General Assembly for their bipartisan agreement in enacting two state laws supporting energy development off the state's coast.
Smart Grid May Need Security Tutoring
Smart meters have the potential to both lower electrical costs for consumers around the world and promote emerging M2M applications for the corporate world. But at last week's RSA Security Conference in San Francisco, a panel of experts also outlined some key areas of vulnerability for IP-based smart grids.
Home Depot Works to Further Reduce Energy Use
Home Depot already has made changes that reduced its energy use by 16% -- enough to power more than 200,000 U.S. homes for a year. Other plans include lowering lighting wattage and upgrading heating and cooling systems.
California to Regulate Potent GHG Emitted By Utility Equipment
California will regulate the emissions of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) from electric utility equipment starting in 2011, reports the New York Times. SF6 is used to insulate switches typically found in high-voltage transmission systems, which accounts for about 80 percent of California's total SF6 emissions.
Strategizing for the Ethanol Industry
Should Congress extend the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC), which essentially pays petroleum producers for complying with US law? The Corn industry thinks so, but not everyone agrees.
Is Energy Storage a Product or Service?
Why sell utilities the cow when they can get the electricity for a fee?
Is Nuclear Necessary? Duke Study Touts Power of Renewables
How necessary is nuclear power? A new study from Duke University suggests renewable energy, including solar, wind and hydroelectric, can meet all but 6% of North Carolina's electricity needs.
Photo by Gideon Tsang