How to Handle Challenges to LEED Certification
The controversy over the LEED certification of Northland Pines High School case brings the gaps in the policy for handling such challenges into sharp focus. Here are some constructive suggestions on how to improve the process.
PACE Financing for Commercial Buildings Could Reach $2.5B by 2015
Market report explores the potential of Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs.
Washington State Delays Building Energy Standards
Washington's governor requested a nine month delay in implementing the state's new energy efficiency guidelines, according to an AP report. Gov. Chris Gregoire cited concerns about the recovering construction sector in her request. The new regulations were set to take effect at the end of the month.
In D.C., All Eyes Turn to Demand Response
Washington's heat melts no one's belief in the inevitability of demand management.
Utilities Try to Get Smarter About Selling Smart Grid
Having seen the backlash around smart meters, utility executives say that for the smart grid to work, consumers need better tools to control their home energy.
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
A handful of interesting energy management stories from the last few days . . .
Shining a Light on Greater Building Efficiency
Lighting upgrades are just one element of a larger process that can yield greater savings and better energy performance in buildings.
Can Kevin Costner Help Clean up the Gulf?
What can actor Kevin Costner do for the oil-soaked Gulf Coast? Last week, the movie star told Congress he has a device that can separate oil from water in a safe, clean, and effective manner.
The Second Wave of the Smart Grid
Smart meters, yes. But then what?
New Study: Burning Trees for Power Worse for Climate than Burning Coal
A study commissioned by MA Department of Energy Resources and released last week reaches the conclusion that burning trees to make electricity is worse for the climate than burning coal. Who didn't know that?
Burger King Restaurant Cuts Energy Costs by 45%
The quick service chain has unveiled a new energy-efficient restaurant located in Germany that uses state-of-the-art technologies and renewable energy to power one-third of the restaurant's energy requirements, reducing energy costs by 45 percent and CO2 emissions by more than 1201 metric tons annually.
Photo by Ian Livesey
A list of interesting energy management headlines from the last few days . . .
Deepwater Drilling for U.S.? Try Deepwater Wind
An inside look at the lab that could help the U.S. keep pace with Europe.
LEED Certified Buildings May Not Be Healthy Buildings
Weaknesses in the way LEED certification measures adverse health impacts of building materials gives a false impression of the safety of "environmentally friendly" buildings, according to a new study.
‘Green' Energy is Critical for a Secure Energy Supply
Green energy systems are essential in securing energy supply and protecting the environment, according to a new report from Lloyd's 360 Risk Insight and UK think tank Chatham House.
No-Cost, Low-Cost Tips For Saving Money on Energy Bills
As the heat and humidity of summer approach, Dominion Virginia Power is encouraging customers to take no-cost and low-cost steps to reduce their energy use and lower their electric bills.
We Need $16B per Year for Energy Innovation
Americans spend more on potato chips every year than energy investment, said Kleiner Perkins venture capitalist John Doerr at an event on Wednesday morning for the newly created American Energy Innovation Council.
Photo courtesy of The European Wind Energy Association
FirstEnergy recently announced several new rebate programs for commercial and industrial customers in the state of Pennsylvania (Penn Power, Penelec, and Met-Ed service territories). Rebates are available for a variety of equipment and apply to projects targeting existing facilities, new construction, and building additions.
Eligible Equipment*
These programs are just getting started, but funds are available on a first-come-first-served basis, so they won't last long. With standard lighting incentives up to $13,000 and non-standard incentives that offer $0.65 per watt saved, this is a huge opportunity to recoup some of your energy efficiency investments.
*equipment must have been purchased after 10/28/2009 to be eligible.
Here are some of the top energy management headlines from the last 72 hours.
Using the Sun to Cool Office Buildings
Under the blazing sun in Dubai, the newly expanded offices of one business are keeping cool with an environmentally friendly technology powered by ... the heat of the sun.
Wells Fargo Office Tower Saves 5 Million kWh Annually
Wells Fargo's new office tower has earned the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Platinum certification. The financial services company says it is the first and tallest office tower to receive the highest level of certification.
EPA Swings Open Doors of ENERGY STAR for Data Centers
The most energy efficient data centers can finally join electronics, home appliances, and buildings in seeking the government's ENERGY STAR label.
DOE Halts Sales of Inefficient Heat Pumps and Air Conditioners
DOE has ordered Aspen Manufacturing, Summit Manufacturing; and Advanced Distributor Products to halt the distribution of 61 models of heat pumps and one air conditioner model that do not comply with federal energy conservation standards.
Energy Storage and the Demise of Gasoline
Whether we like it or not, the most efficient energy storage technology available today is petroleum. New energy storage technologies may change this.
Photo by S J Pinkney
There are hundreds (if not thousands) of websites devoted to energy efficiency and sustainability. But who has time to read them all? You don't. We like to focus on what really matters. So twice each week, Prenova brings you five energy management stories we think you'll find interesting.
New Study Explores Value of 'Recycling' Old Buildings
The National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Cascadia Green Building Council, and the Green Building Services sustainable development consultancy have launched a study project to quantify the economic and environmental value of reusing existing buildings.
The Oil Industry's Plan to Survive the Gulf of Mexico Spill
You name the oil company, they're leaving the Gulf.
Energy Efficiency Investment Remains Strong Despite Downturn
Investment in energy efficiency remained high last year despite the economic downturn, according to a survey conducted by Johnson Controls. Meanwhile, the Financial Times reports that financial institutions in particular are beginning to see the value of investments in energy efficiency.
ENERGY STAR Announces New Measures to Enforce Energy Efficiency Compliance
The famous blue and white logo of the ENERGY STAR program, jointly run by the U.S. Department of Energy and Environment Protection Agency, has lost some of its luster thanks to a few high-profile manufacturers who failed to comply with the program's energy efficiency guidelines.
How Should Regulators Encourage Energy Efficiency?
Finding the right regulatory framework to reward investor-owned utilities for energy efficiency has been a holy grail in the electricity business. Would any successful organization be excited about selling less of its product?
Photo by chrissatchwell
Here are the top five energy management stories making headlines this week . . .
What is Your Thermostat Setting?
While the official start of summer is not until June 21, the warm weather has long since settled into the area. The days are growing longer as we approach the summer solstice, meaning the heat is also lingering.
Gulf Oil Spill: The Worst-Case Scenario
It's hard to imagine how the Gulf oil spill could get any worse. In the last 41 days, millions of gallons of oil have spilled into the Gulf and at least 100 miles of Louisiana's coastline has been inundated with crude. Unfortunately, the worst-case scenario is looking a lot more likely.
LEED System Expands to Include Neighborhood-Scale Developments
The U.S. Green Building Council recently released a certification system for green neighborhood development, known as LEED-ND. This expands the well-known LEED system for green buildings to larger-scale projects ranging in size from two buildings to multiple buildings on sites up to 320 acres.
EnergyHub and the Consumer-Facing Smart Grid
EnergyHub's home energy networking products aim to give the residential energy consumer control and insight into their energy usage.
Novel Energy-Saving Ideas for Data Centers
A "follow the moon" philosophy for data centers aimed at shifting workloads to locations where electricity costs are the lowest at any given time is one energy-saving idea presented by Harkeeret Singh, global head of energy and sustainable technology for Thompson Reuters.
Image by mulmatsherm