Jeffrey Perkins and Allison Donnelly, ERS The DOE’s definition of a microgrid is “A group of interconnected loads and distributed energy resources (DER) with clearly defined electrical boundaries that acts as a single controllable entity with respect to the grid [and can] connect and disconnect from the grid to enable it to operate in both … Read more
Presented at the AESP 26th National Conference on February 3, 2016 Ari Michelson, Brian McCowan, Frances Chase, ERS Building energy codes in the U.S. have come a long way in the past three decades, increasing in complexity along the way. This is especially true for the commercial building sector, where codes have rapidly transitioned from … Read more
Presented at the AESP 26th National Conference on February 3, 2016 Lucy Neiman and Gita Subramony, ERS The growing focus on distributed generation (DG) has fueled new approaches that streamline and reduce the complexity of project installations. This design and initial results from an accelerator program encourages and promotes the installation of combined heat and power … Read more
Presented at the AESP 26th National Conference on February 3, 2016 Elizabeth Titus, NEEP Brian McCowan, ERS Rebecca Foster, VEIC Electric tumble clothes dryers were introduced in the United States in the late 1930s, and until recently have remained largely unchanged, with only small incremental improvements in operation. Recent advancements in electric clothes dryers range … Read more
Shape memory alloys the basis for more efficient refrigerant-free cooling Gizmag, February 8, 2016. Image credit: By preserving our food and keeping our buildings comfortable in hot weather, mechanical cooling systems have been a boon, but with their refrigerant gases and high power consumption they’re not exactly environmentally friendly. In an effort to make a … Read more
Market Study Finds WeatherBug Home Delivers 3X Higher Consumer Energy Efficiency With Improved Customer Comfort In Utility Pilot Business Wire, January 29, 2016. Image credit: Weatherbug Consumers who integrated WeatherBug Home’s HVAC control and optimization capabilities with their connected thermostat saved 16.5% electricity when cooling their home as compared to 5.1% HVAC savings from a … Read more
DOE Awards ComEd $4 Million for Renewable Technology T&D World Magazine, January 22, 2016. Image credit: Max Talbot-Minkin ComEd has received a $4 million award from the U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative to design and deploy solar and battery storage technology within its planned microgrid demonstration project in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood. This award will … Read more
Max Twogood for Zondits, February 8, 2016. Image credit: Frans Drewniak A New Jersey father and son have found a way to reduce not just their energy costs, but also the aches and pains of shoveling snow: As part of what they call their “Zenesis House,” the Raj and Asit Parikh of Paramus installed two ground … Read more
Inside LED Metrics Buildings, January 29, 2016. Image credits: Lee_seonghak Lighting Facts Labels The DOE established the LED Lighting Facts program to ensure one consistent source of information about all LED products. Lighting Facts labels include five basic metrics. Color temperature (CCT): Color temperature characterizes how “cool” (blue) or “warm” (yellow) a white light appears. Ratings … Read more
Jesse Remillard for Zondits, February 4, 2016. Image credit: Mark Fischer On January 25, 2016, The Supreme Court ruled in favor of an appeal by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to uphold FERC Order 745, which requires wholesale market operators to pay the same price for demand reduction as for electricity supply during periods of … Read more